Mesoporous TiO2 thin films (MTTFs), thanks to their particularly high surface area, controlled porosity, high flexibility in composition, and surface design, are promising candidates in different application fields such as sensors, self-cleaning coatings, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), photocatalysis, and new-generation solar cells. This chapter is focused on the synthetic and post-synthesis aspects that can affect the TiO2 mesoporous structure and consequently the MTTF properties. In particular, after a brief summary of TiO2 properties, all experimental conditions to prepare MTTFs are reviewed as well as the main characterization techniques employed to study their physicochemical and photocatalytic properties. An overview of the main applications of MTTFs is also proposed, mainly focused on the use of MTTFs in sensors and LIBs.

N-heterocyclic carbene silver and gold complexes active in A³-coupling (aldehyde–alkyne–amine) reactions in green conditions.

Tea (Camellia Sinensis) is one of the most popular drink, consumed as infusion or bottled ready to drink beverages. Although tea leaves contain many antioxidants compounds, after processing they can drastically decrease, sometimes up to a full degradation, as in the case of catechin, a very healthy flavan-3-ol. In this context, the synthesis of a cocrystal between (+)-catechin and L-(+)-ascorbic acid, was proved to be a useful strategy to make a new ingredient able to ameliorate the antioxidant profile of both infusions and bottled teas. The obtained cocrystal showed a three-fold higher solubility than (+)catechin and its formation was elucidated unambiguously by FT-IR, thermal (DSC) and diffraction (PXRD) analyses. Antioxidant characteristics of the samples were evaluated by colorimetric assays. As expected, infusions showed much better antioxidant features than ready-to-use lemon and peach teas. The same trend was confirmed after the addition of the cocrystal at two concentration levels. In particular, supplementation at concentration of 2 mg mL-1 improved the bottled tea antioxidant values to the level showed by the not-added infusion tea.