X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses of lead zirco-titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃(001) single crystal thin layers as a function of the time spent between sample preparation by pulsed laser deposition and introduction in to a ultrahigh vacuum revealed the fact that freshly prepared samples showed a shift of the C 1s towards a higher binding energy, together with shifts of core levels originating from the substrate (particularly Ti 2p and O 1s) towards a lower binding energy. This behaviour is explained by considering that the molecules of contaminants (fatty acids, alcohols, esters) are adsorbed preferentially on areas exhibiting outwards polarization P⁽⁺⁾. Thus, photoelectrons originating from contaminants will have larger binding energies because of the charge state of the P⁽⁺⁾ areas, whereas the substrate XPS signals from these P⁽⁺⁾ areas are attenuated by the contaminants, with the consequence of a prevalence of XPS substrate signals originating from the P⁽⁻⁾ areas, shifted towards lower binding energies. Piezoresponse force microscopy confirmed the assumptions derived from XPS results and suggests the existence of an interplay between the adsorption of contaminants and the surface polarization state.

For environmental applications, nanosized TiO₂-based materials are known as the most important photocatalyst and are intensively studied for their advantages such as their higher activity, lower price, and chemical and photoresist properties. Zn or Cu doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with anatase crystalline structure were synthesized by sol−gel process. Titanium (IV) butoxide was used as a TiO₂ precursor, with parental alcohol as a solvent, and a hydrolysing agent (ammonia-containing water) was added to obtain a solution with pH 10. The gels were characterized by TG/DTA analysis, SEM, and XPS. Based on TG/DTA results, the temperature of 500 °C was chosen for processing the powders in air. The structure of the samples thermally treated at 500 °C was analysed by XRD and the patterns show crystallization in a single phase of TiO₂ (anatase). The surface of the samples and the oxidation states was investigated by XPS, confirming the presence of Ti, O, Zn and Cu. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticle powder samples was verified using the gram−positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The photocatalytic efficiency of the doped TiO₂ nanopowders for degradation of methyl orange (MO) is here examined in order to evaluate the potential applications of these materials for environmental remediation.

Zeolite Y samples with microporous and hierarchical structures containing Ti–Ni and Ti–Co oxides were obtained as active photocatalysts. Different Ti amounts (5, 10% TiO₂) were supported, followed by the loading of Ni or Co oxides (5%). X-ray diffraction evidenced the presence of TiO₂ as an anatase. N₂ adsorption–desorption results showed type IV isotherms for hierarchical zeolite Y samples, and a combination of type IV and I isotherms for zeolite Y samples. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed a shift in the absorption band to visible with increasing Ti loading and especially after Co and Ni addition. A significant effect of the support was evidenced for Ti and its interaction with Co/Ni species. The zeolite Y support stabilized Ti in the 4+ oxidation state while hierarchical zeolite Y support favored the formation of Ti³⁺ species, Ni⁰ and Ni²⁺ and the oxidation of Co to 3+ oxidation state. Photocatalytic activity, under UV and visible light irradiation, was evaluated by the degradation of amoxicillin, used as a model test. The photocatalytic mechanism was investigated using ethanol, p-benzoquinone and KI as ·OH and ·O₂⁻ radicals and hole (h⁺) scavengers. The best results were obtained for the immobilized Ni-Ti species on the hierarchical zeolite Y support.

Using the microwave-assisted sol–gel method, Zn- and Cu-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with an anatase crystalline structure were prepared. Titanium (IV) butoxide was used as a TiO₂ precursor, with parental alcohol as a solvent and ammonia water as a catalyst. Based on the TG/DTA results, the powders were thermally treated at 500 °C. XRD and XRF revealed the presence of a single-phase anatase and dopants in the thermally treated nanoparticles. The surface of the nanoparticles and the oxidation states of the elements were studied using XPS, which confirmed the presence of Ti, O, Zn, and Cu. The photocatalytic activity of the doped TiO₂ nanopowders was tested for the degradation of methyl-orange (MO) dye. The results indicate that Cu doping increases the photoactivity of TiO₂ in the visible-light range by narrowing the band-gap energy.

Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) is a viable solution for afforestation in the high mountain zone, at the upper limit of the forests, due to the species adaptation ability to the limiting climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic variability, inheritance rate and juvenile-adult correlations, in a 26 years full-sib (10x10 complete mating design) trial, in order to predict the genetic gain of forward selection. In the spring of 2023, measurements and evaluations were carried out for all the existing trees, for Survival rate (Sr), growth (Diameter as breast height- Dbh, Trees' height- Th, Trees' volume- Tv) and quality traits (Forks, stem slenderness- Ss, branches' diameter- Bd, branches' finesse- Bf, defoliation- Def). The 90 cross-pollinated (CP) families registered 50% of Sr whereas the other 10 selfcross-pollinated (consanguineous) registered just 11% of Sr, and the majority of those trees are dominated and face extinction in the next years. Juvenile-adult correlations were highly significant (p<0.001), indicating that early selection (at the age of 14 years) might be efficient. At the trial age, based on the medium to high heritabilities, the forward selection of the best 10% individual trees from the top 20 of the 90 CP families, for Dbh, could be applied, which ensure at least 9.2% of genetic gain.