Staff directory
Javier Saiz Poseu
Research technician of the Molecular Spectroscopy Facility
javier.saiz(ELIMINAR)@icn2.cat
Molecular Spectroscopy Facility
Publications
2021
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Formation and evolution of the nanoparticle environmental corona: The case of Au and humic acid
Barbero F., Mayall C., Drobne D., Saiz-Poseu J., Bastús N.G., Puntes V. Science of the Total Environment; 768 (144792) 2021. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144792. IF: 7.963
Studying the behaviour of nanomaterials after their release into natural water is essential to understand the risk associated to their environmental exposure. In particular, the interaction and adsorption of dissolved organic matter onto nanoparticles strongly influence the behaviour and fate of nanomaterials in natural water systems. We herein study the interaction of Au and Ag nanoparticles and humic acids, the principal component of natural dissolved organic matter. Physicochemical characterization results showed the formation of an organic matter corona, consisting of two layers: a “hard” one, firmly bound to the nanoparticle surface, and a “soft” one, in dynamic equilibrium and, consequently, highly dependent on the media organic matter concentration. The extent of the electro-steric stabilization of the so called environmental corona depends on the size of the supramolecular association of humic acid (which depends on its hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties), the nanoparticle size, the total concentration of organic matter in the media, and the ratio between them. Interestingly, environmental coronas can eventually prevent Ca2+ and Mg2+ induced aggregation at concentrations range present in most of the freshwater bodies. The humic coating formed on top of the Au or control Ag nanoparticles presented a similar profile, but the corrodibility of Ag led to a more natural detachment of the corona. These results were further confirmed by exposing the nanoparticles to a model of natural water and standard mud (LUFA 2.2 dispersion). In the latter case, after several days, nanoparticle sedimentation was observed, which was attributed to interactions with macro organic and inorganic matter (fraction larger than particulate matter). © 2021 Elsevier B.V.
2019
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The Chemistry behind Catechol-Based Adhesion
Saiz-Poseu J., Mancebo-Aracil J., Nador F., Busqué F., Ruiz-Molina D. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition; 58 (3): 696 - 714. 2019. 10.1002/anie.201801063. IF: 12.257
The adhesion of some marine organisms to almost any kind of surface in wet conditions has aroused increasing interest in recent decades. Numerous fundamental studies have been performed to understand the scientific basis of this behaviour, with catechols having been found to play a key role. Several novel bio-inspired adhesives and coatings with value-added performances have been developed by taking advantage of the knowledge gained from these studies. To date there has been no detailed overview focusing exclusively on the complex mode of action of these materials. The aim of this Review is to present recent investigations that elucidate the origin of the strong and versatile adsorption capacities of the catechol moiety and the effects of extrinsic factors that play important roles in the overall adhesion process, such as pH value, solvent, and the presence of metal ions. The aim is to detail the chemistry behind the astonishing properties of natural and synthetic catechol-based adhesive materials. © 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
2018
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Spin-Crossover in an Exfoliated 2D Coordination Polymer and Its Implementation in Thermochromic Films
Salvio Suárez-García, Nayarassery N. Adarsh, Gábor Molnár, Azzedine Bousseksou, Yann Garcia, Marinela M. Dîrtu, Javier Saiz-Poseu, Roberto Robles, Pablo Ordejón, and Daniel Ruiz-Molina ACS Applied Nano Materials; 1 (6): 2662 - 2668. 2018. 10.1021/acsanm.8b00341 . IF: 0.000
Development of novel 2D materials with singular and thrilling properties has aroused large interest due to the novel unexpected applications that can be derived from there. In this sense, coordination polymers (CPs) have appeared as matching candidates thanks to their rational chemical design and the added-value properties given by the presence of metal ions. This is the case of switchable spin-crossover systems that have been proposed as excellent candidates for data storage or sensing, among others. Here we report the delamination of crystals of the 2D spin-crossover (SCO) {[Fe(L1)2](ClO4)2}∝ (1) CP by liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) in water. The application of this top-down technique results in the formation of flakes with controlled thicknesses, down to 1–2 nm thick (mostly mono- and bilayer), that retain the chemical composition and SCO interconversion of the bulk material. Moreover, these flakes can be handled as stable colloidal dispersions for many days. This allows for a controlled transfer to solid substrates and the formation of thermochromic polymeric films as a proof-of-concept of device. These first results will definitely open new venues and opportunities for the investigation and future integration of these original switchable 2D materials in devices.