Preparation of biological monolayers for producing high-resolution scanning electron micrographs.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides a technical platform for nanoscopic mapping of biological structures. Correct preparation of SEM samples can provide an unprecedented understanding of the nexus between cellular morphology and topography. This comparative study critically examines two coating methods for preparing biological samples for scanning electron microscopy, while also providing novel advice on how to prepare in vitro epithelial or endothelial samples for high-resolution scanning-electron microscopy (HR-SEM).

Chemical Vapor Deposited Mixed Metal Halide Perovskite Thin Films.

In this article, we used a two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to synthesize methylammonium lead-tin triiodide perovskite films, MAPbSnI, with x varying from 0 to 1. We successfully controlled the concentration of Sn in the perovskite films and used Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) to quantify the composition of the precursor films for conversion into perovskite films. According to the RBS results, increasing the SnCl source amount in the reaction chamber translate into an increase in Sn concentration in the films.

Dataset of N-doped CuO:NiO mixed oxide thin film sensor for glucose oxidation.

In this data in brief article dataset of plasma-assisted nitrogen doping of a binderless, spin-coated CuO-NiO mixed oxide thin film was presented (Palmer et al., 2020). A comparison of the CuO, N-CuO/CuO, CuO:NiO and N-CuO/CuO:NiO are presented.

CoO/TiO hetero-structure for methyl orange dye degradation.

Advanced oxidation processes based on sulphate radical generated by peroxymonosulphate (PMS) activation is a promising area for environmental remediation. One of the biggest drawbacks of heterogeneous PMS activation is catalyst instability and metal ion leaching. In this study, a simple organic binder mediated route was explored to substitute Ti ions into the CoO host lattice structure to create a Co-O-Ti bond to minimise cobalt leaching during methyl orange degradation.

Insight on the silver catalyst distribution during silicon nanowire array formation: an X-ray reflectivity study.

Although metal-catalysts are commonly used to create nanoscale materials at surfaces, little is quantitatively known or understood about the depth distribution profile of the catalyst during the growth process. Using X-ray reflectivity, we report the first quantitative investigation, with nanoscale resolution, of the Ag metal-catalyst depth distribution profile during metal-assisted chemical etch (MACE) growth of Si nanowire (SiNW) arrays on Si(100). Given the very low optical reflectivity of these nanowire arrays, specular reflection from these materials in the X-ray region is extremely challenging to measure because it probes interfaces on the nanoscale.

Ultra-sensitive and selective NH room temperature gas sensing induced by manganese-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

The study of the fabrication of ultra-high sensitive and selective room temperature ammonia (NH) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) gas sensors remains an important scientific challenge in the gas sensing field. This is motivated by their harmful impact on the human health and environment. Therefore, herein, we report for the first time on the gas sensing properties of TiO nanoparticles doped with various concentrations of manganese (Mn) (1.

Effects of metals cadmium and chromium alone and in combination on the liver and kidney tissue of male Spraque-Dawley rats: An ultrastructural and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy investigation.

Heavy metal pollution has increased in the last decades. Water sources are contaminated and human exposure is often long term exposure to variable amounts of different metals. In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed via oral gavage for 28 days to cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr), alone and in combination at concentrations 1000 times the human World Health Organization's acceptable water limits.

An in ovo investigation into the hepatotoxicity of cadmium and chromium evaluated with light- and transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy.

Excessive agriculture, transport and mining often lead to the contamination of valuable water resources. Communities using this water for drinking, washing, bathing and the irrigation of crops are continuously being exposed to these heavy metals. The most vulnerable is the developing fetus.

Synthetic Hemozoin (β-Hematin) Crystals Nucleate at the Surface of Neutral Lipid Droplets that Control Their Sizes.

Emulsions of monopalmitoylglycerol (MPG) and of a neutral lipid blend (NLB), consisting of MPG, monostearoylglycerol, dipalmitoylglycerol, dioleoylglycerol and dilineoylglycerol (4:2:1:1:1), the composition associated with hemozoin from the malaria parasite , have been used to mediate the formation of β-hematin microcrystals. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction and electron spectroscopic imaging/electron energy loss spectroscopy (ESI/EELS) have been used to characterize both the lipid emulsion and β-hematin crystals. The latter have been compared with β-hematin formed at a pentanol/aqueous interface and with hemozoin both within parasites and extracted from the parasites.