Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures

About: Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures is a facility organization based out in Leioa, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Perovskite (structure) & Nanoparticle. The organization has 162 authors who have published 537 publications receiving 6186 citations. The organization is also known as: BCMaterials.

Electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based structures for advanced applications.

Abstract: Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers are the polymers with the highest dielectric constants and electroactive responses, including piezoelectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric effects. This semicrystalline polymer can crystallize in five different forms, each related to a different chain conformation. Of these different phases, the β phase is the one with the highest dipolar moment and the highest piezoelectric response; therefore, it is the most interesting for a diverse range of applications. Thus, a variety of processing methods have been developed to induce the formation of the polymer β phase. In addition, PVDF has the advantage of being easily processable, flexible and low-cost. In this protocol, we present a number of reproducible and effective methods to produce β-PVDF-based morphologies/structures in the form of dense films, porous films, 3D scaffolds, patterned structures, fibers and spheres. These structures can be fabricated by different processing techniques, including doctor blade, spin coating, printing technologies, non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), temperature-induced phase separation (TIPS), solvent-casting particulate leaching, solvent-casting using a 3D nylon template, freeze extraction with a 3D poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) template, replica molding, and electrospinning or electrospray, with the fabrication method depending on the desired characteristics of the structure. The developed electroactive structures have shown potential to be used in a wide range of applications, including the formation of sensors and actuators, in biomedicine, for energy generation and storage, and as filtration membranes.

Advanced materials and technologies for supercapacitors used in energy conversion and storage: a review

Abstract: Supercapacitors are increasingly used for energy conversion and storage systems in sustainable nanotechnologies. Graphite is a conventional electrode utilized in Li-ion-based batteries, yet its specific capacitance of 372 mA h g−1 is not adequate for supercapacitor applications. Interest in supercapacitors is due to their high-energy capacity, storage for a shorter period and longer lifetime. This review compares the following materials used to fabricate supercapacitors: spinel ferrites, e.g., MFe2O4, MMoO4 and MCo2O4 where M denotes a transition metal ion; perovskite oxides; transition metals sulfides; carbon materials; and conducting polymers. The application window of perovskite can be controlled by cations in sublattice sites. Cations increase the specific capacitance because cations possess large orbital valence electrons which grow the oxygen vacancies. Electrodes made of transition metal sulfides, e.g., ZnCo2S4, display a high specific capacitance of 1269 F g−1, which is four times higher than those of transition metals oxides, e.g., Zn–Co ferrite, of 296 F g−1. This is explained by the low charge-transfer resistance and the high ion diffusion rate of transition metals sulfides. Composites made of magnetic oxides or transition metal sulfides with conducting polymers or carbon materials have the highest capacitance activity and cyclic stability. This is attributed to oxygen and sulfur active sites which foster electrolyte penetration during cycling, and, in turn, create new active sites.

Tunable High Aspect Ratio Iron Oxide Nanorods for Enhanced Hyperthermia

Abstract: Despite magnetic hyperthermia being considered one of the most promising techniques for cancer treatment, until now spherical magnetite (Fe3O4) or maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, which are the most commonly employed and only FDA approved materials, yield the limited heating capacity. Therefore, there is an increasing need for new strategies to improve the heating efficiency or the specific absorption rate (SAR) of these nanosystems. Recently, a large improvement in SAR has been reported for nanocubes of Fe3O4 relative to their spherical counterpart, as a result of their enhanced surface anisotropy and chainlike particle formation. Considering the proven advantages of high aspect ratio one-dimensional (1D) Fe3O4 nanostructures over their spherical and cubic counterparts, such as larger surface area, multisegmented capabilities, enhanced blood circulation time, and prolonged retention in tumors, we propose a novel approach that utilizes this 1D nanostructure for enhanced hyperthermia. Here, we demonstrat...

Fluorinated polymers as smart materials for advanced biomedical applications

Abstract: Fluorinated polymers constitute a unique class of materials that exhibit a combination of suitable properties for a wide range of applications, which mainly arise from their outstanding chemical resistance, thermal stability, low friction coefficients and electrical properties. Furthermore, those presenting stimuli-responsive properties have found widespread industrial and commercial applications, based on their ability to change in a controlled fashion one or more of their physicochemical properties, in response to single or multiple external stimuli such as light, temperature, electrical and magnetic fields, pH and/or biological signals. In particular, some fluorinated polymers have been intensively investigated and applied due to their piezoelectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties in biomedical applications including controlled drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, microfluidic and artificial muscle actuators, among others. This review summarizes the main characteristics, microstructures and biomedical applications of electroactive fluorinated polymers.