Porous N-doped carbon with confined Fe doped CoP grown on CNTs for superefficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysis

Herein, Fe doped CoP nanoparticles (Fe-CoP NPs) encapsulated in porous N-doped carbon (PNC)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully synthesized. The Fe doping and confined structures resulted in enhanced charge transfer...

Polymer Capsules for Enzymatic Catalysis in Confined Environments

Catalysis is at the base of a series of biological and technological application processes. In recent years, the tendency has developed to carry out catalyzed reactions within confined structures, thus forming systems called micro or nanoreactors. Compartmentalized structures are cavities delimited by a wall where specific functions are introduced with a defined concentration and in the desired sites. These containers are generally referred to as nano or microcapsules, assuming the function of reactors in the presence of chemical reactions. Among the various types of existing structures, one of the most interesting is represented by systems made with polymers. This review aims to highlight some of the current advances in the use of functionalized structures that are useful for catalysis reactions, paying particular attention to polymer capsules and enzymes. The built-up methods used for the production of polymer capsules, as well as the aspects that influence membrane permeability and reactivity to environmental conditions, are discussed. Recent advances on biocatalysis confined in polymeric capsules are illustrated, and the strengths and weaknesses of the principal nanoreactors are considered.

Classical Description of Light

In this chapter we introduce the basic characteristics of light modes in free space and in different kinds of optically confined structures including Bragg mirrors, planar microcavities, pillars and spheres. We describe the powerful transfer matrix method that allows for solution of Maxwell’s equations in multilayer structures. We discuss the polarisation of light and mention different ways it is modified including the Faraday and Kerr effects, optical birefringence, dichroism, and optical activity.