Complexes of d 10 Metals Giuliana Gervasio, Eliano Diana eliano.diana@unito.it Research goals: organometallic complexes of d 10 metals show unique properties in different applicative fields: pharmaceuticals, luminescent materials, crystal engineering. We are developing synthetic procedure to obtain mixed metal complexes containing cyanide, thiocyanate, halide ligands. Research methods: several complexes have been synthesized by means of co-crystallization and hydrothermal methodologies. The compounds have been characterized with single crystal XRD, infrared, Raman and electronic spectroscopies and modelled with DFT computational approach. Research results: The ability of aurophilic interaction to act as supramolecular synthon is well illustrated by the Eu[Au(CN) 2 ] 3 3H 2 O complex. The complex Eu[Au(CN) 2 ] 3 3H 2 O has an interesting structure with plans of gold atoms alternating with europium. Eu atoms are interlinked by means of water interactions, and cyanide ligands act as spacers. E. Diana, E. Marchese, Vibrational and DFT analysis of perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury compounds, J. Organomet. Chem. 695 (2010) 1651-1656
Materials of Interest for Cultural Heritage Angelo Agostino, Lorenza Operti, Francesca Turco angelo.agostino@unito.it Research goals: technological and compositional characterization of materials of interest for the cultural heritage (for archaeological, historical, artistic and conservative purposes) and upgrades of non invasive and portable technique of analysis. Research methods: many analytical techniques are applied, i.e. XRF (portable and micro), XRD, SEM-EDX, TGA, DSC, FT-IR, DR-UV-vis, FORS and Raman. Research results: over the years several materials were analyzed: metals, paintings, frescoes, pictorial materials, glasses and enamels (see picture), miniatures, inks, photographs, ceramics and other composite materials of inorganic nature (soils, building materials). In situ XRF analysis on Sarcophagus at the Archeological Egyptian Museum of Turin MEMIP: Medieval enamels, metalworks and ivories in Piedmont: art-historical and scientific methods for their evaluation. (Regione Piemonte). A. Agostino, R. Falcone, Rapid quantitative analysis of lead and other trace metals in glass containers by handheld ED-XRF, Glass Technology: European Journal of Glass Science and Technology Part A, 53 (2012) 60. M. Aceto, A. Agostino, G. Fenoglio, P. Baraldi, P. Zannini, C. Hofmann, E. Gamillscheg, First analytical evidences of precious colourants on Mediterranean illuminated manuscripts, Spectrochimica Acta - Part A, 95 (2012), 235. P. Zannini, P. Baraldi, M. Aceto, A. Agostino, G. Fenoglio, D. Bersani, E. Canobbio, E. Schiavon, G. Zanichelli, A. De Pasquale, Identification of colorants on XVIII century scientific hand-coloured print volumes, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 43 (2012) 1722. M. Aceto, G. Gatti, A. Agostino, G. Fenoglio, V. Giordano, M. Varetto, G. Castagneri, The mural paintings of Ala di Stura (Piedmont, Italy): A hidden treasure investigated, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 43 (2012) 1754.
Crystalline and Semi-Crystalline Materials Characterization for Forensic Science. Domenica Marabello domenica.marabello@unito.it Research goals: development of not-invasive and not-destructive characterizing methods of crystalline and semi-crystalline materials for forensic science, in cooperation with Italian Scientific Police. Research methods: powder Diffraction and Single Crystal X-ray diffraction, applied in a nonconventional mode, for the analysis of paints, cosmetics, paper money, textile fibers, drugs, soils. Research results: use of a diffractometer for single crystal measurements using its versatility for the analysis of little quantity of forensic samples, without grinding and directly on their support, so that they will be at disposal in subsequent trial appraisals. Development of non-destructive X-ray diffraction technique for forensic analysis of authentic and counterfeit bank-notes with the aim of comparing the paper of the counterfeit banknotes to the authentic one have been investigated in collaboration with Polizia Scientifica di Piemonte e Valle d Aosta and Questura di Cuneo. X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction of doping solid materials has been performed. Thorough examination of the composition of cocaine s based drugs, the lots illegally commercialized have been characterized in collaboration with Centro Regionale Antidoping A. Bertinaria. X-ray powder diffraction of paint s blots on a t-shirt.
Semiconducting Materials and Nonlinear Optical Materials Paola Antoniotti, Paola Benzi, Eliano Diana, Domenica Marabello, Lorenza Operti, Roberto Rabezzana, Francesca Turco roberto.rabezzana@unito.it Research goals: synthesis of new semiconducting materials, starting from gaseous C, Si and Ge compounds. Use of cheap and green raw materials, as commons salts and monosaccharides, for the synthesis of materials with optical activity and pyro- and piezoelectric materials is currently investigated. Reasearch methods: X-rays Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition, an unusual way of synthesis, was widely explored. First steps of ionic growth of Si-C and Ge-C based materials were simulated by ion-molecule reactions, by using ion trap mass spectrometer as reaction chamber. Mechanisms of both ionic and radical growth reactions were theoretically investigated. Ge nanotubes Research results: design, synthesis and characterization of new Si-C and Ge-C semiconducting materials. Advanced experimental and theoretical methods applied to the study of processes of interest for the environment originated in the gas phase. (PRIN 2007). Experimental and theoretical studies of the gas phase processes of fundamental and atmospheric interest. (PRIN 2009). Advances in nanostructure materials and interfaces for key technologies. (Compagnia di San Paolo Università di Torino). L. Operti, R. Rabezzana, F. Turco, S. Borocci, M. Giordani, F. Grandinetti, Xenon-Nitrogen chemistry: gas-phase generation and theoretical investigation of the xenon-difluoronitrenium ion F 2 N-Xe +, Chemistry-A European Journal 17 (2011) 10682. P. Antoniotti, P. Benzi, L. Operti, R. Rabezzana, S. Borocci, M. Giordani, F. Grandinetti, Germyl cations with Ge-S bonds: An experimental and theoretical study on the gaseous F n Ge(SH) + 3-n (n = 0-2), European Journal of Mass Spectrometry 18 (2012) 447. P. Antoniotti, P. Benzi, E. Bottizzo, L. Operti, R. Rabezzana, S. Borocci, M. Giordani, F., Grandinetti, Gaseous germyl cations: A theoretical investigation on the structure, properties, and mechanism of formation of F n Ge(OH) + 3-n and F n Ge(NH2) + 3-n (n=0-2) Computational and Theoretical Chemistry 993 (2012) 131.
Superconducting Materials Angelo Agostino, Giuliana Gervasio, Lorenza Operti, Roberto Rabezzana lorenza.operti@unito.it Research goal: synthesis and structural characterization of new High Critical Temperature superconducting materials. The study concerns the realization of devices to the resonant frequency of THz based on the properties of superconducting crystals (whiskers) suitably geometrized (FIB) to manifest an intrinsic Josephson Junction (IJJs) effect during the transfer of charge carriers. Synthesis of passive magnetic element in the shielding of magnetic systems such as MRI and NMR using a microwave heating of MgB 2 superconductor. Research method:. single Crystal and Powder XRD, SEM, EDX microanalysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy. Cryogenic Electrical characterizations (I vs V, R vs T) and cryogenic magnetic measurements (susceptibility, magnetization). Microwave heating method on solid state materials. FIB (focused Ion Beam) nano patterning. Research results: tuning of the physicochemical YBCO: structure and patterned crystal properties of single crystal HTc superconductors by modifying their crystal structure. Study of shielding Meissner effect for aerospace purposes. Advanced study on the mechanisms of growth of single crystals in solid state. Mitigation of magnetic fields produced by MRI: shielding solutions by superconductive and traditional elements. (PRIN 2007). Advances in nanostructure materials and interfaces for key technologies. (Compagnia di San Paolo Università di Torino). S. Cagliero, E. Borfecchia, L. Mino, L. Calore, F. Bertolotti, G. Martinez-Criado, L. Operti, A. Agostino, M. Truccato, P. Badica, C. Lamberti, Insight into non-linearly shaped superconducting whiskers via a synchrotron nano probe, SUST 25 (2012) 125002. P. Badica, A. Agostino, M.M.R. Khan, S. Cagliero, C. Plapcianu, L. Pastero, M. Truccato, Y. Hayasaka, G. Jakob, Bi-2212 and Y123 highly curved single-crystal-like objects: Whiskers, bows and ring-like structures, SUST 25 (2012) 105003. L. Mino, D. Gianolio, G. Agostini, A. Piovano, M. Truccato, A. Agostino, S. Cagliero, G. Martinez-Criado, F. D'Acapito, S. Codato, C. Lamberti, μ-exafs, μ-xrf, and μ-pl characterization of a multi-quantumwell electroabsorption modulated laser realized via selective area growth, Small 7 (2011) 930. L. Mino, D. Gianolio, G. Agostini, A. Piovano, M. Truccato, A. Agostino, S. Cagliero, G. Martinez-Criado, S. Codato, C. Lamberti, Structural characterization of multi-quantum wells in electroabsorptionmodulated lasers by using synchrotron radiation micrometer-beams, Advanced Materials 22 (2010) 2050.