Associating Physical and Photocatalytic Properties of Recyclable and Reusable Blast Furnace Dust Waste.

Blast furnace dust waste (BFDW) proved efficient as a photocatalyst for the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye in water. Structural analysis unequivocally identified α-FeO as the predominant phase, constituting approximately 92%, with a porous surface showcasing unique 10-30 nm agglomerated nanoparticles. Chemical and thermal analyses indicated surface-bound water and carbonate molecules, with the main phase's thermal stability up to 900 °C.

Nanoscale morphology, optical dynamics and gas sensor of porous silicon.

We investigated the multifaceted gas sensing properties of porous silicon thin films electrodeposited onto (100) oriented P-type silicon wafers substrates. Our investigation delves into morphological, optical properties, and sensing capabilities, aiming to optimize their use as efficient gas sensors. Morphological analysis revealed the development of unique surfaces with distinct characteristics compared to untreated sample, yielding substantially rougher yet flat surfaces, corroborated by Minkowski Functionals analysis.

New Physico-Chemical Analysis of Magnesium-Doped Hydroxyapatite in Dextran Matrix Nanocomposites.

The new magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite in dextran matrix (10MgHApD) nanocomposites were synthesized using coprecipitation technique. A spherical morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization results show hydroxyapatite hexagonal phase formation.

Morphological and fractal features of cancer cells anchored on composite layers based on magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite loaded in chitosan matrix.

In the present study, we report the development and characterization of composite layers (by spin coating) based on magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite in a chitosan matrix, containing human osteosarcoma MG63 cells anchored. Studies regarding the biocompatibility of the composite layers were performed with the aid of a MTT (3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The data determined that the composite layers did not inhibit the growth and adhesion of MG63 cells to their surfaces exhibiting good biocompatibility properties.

Evaluating the roughness dynamics of kefir biofilms grown on Amazon cupuaçu juice: a monofractal and multifractal approach.

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the surface microtexture of kefir biofilms grown on Theobroma grandiflorum Shum (cupuaçu) juice using atomic force microscopy. Our goal was to investigate the unique monofractal and multifractal spatial patterns of these biofilms to complement the existing limited literature. The biofilms were prepared dispersing four different concentrations of kefir grains in cupuaçu juice.

Advanced nano-texture, optical bandgap, and Urbach energy analysis of NiO/Si heterojunctions.

Due to the large number of industrial applications of transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), this study focuses on one of the most important metal oxides. The RF-magnetron sputtering method was used to fabricate NiO thin films on both quartz and silicon substrates at room temperature under flow of Argon and Oxygen. The sputtered samples were annealed in N atmosphere at 400, 500, and 600 °C for 2 hours.

Investigation of deposition temperature effect on spatial patterns of MgF thin films.

In this work, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used to characterize 3D MgF thin film surfaces through advanced analysis involving morphological, fractal, multifractal, succolarity, lacunarity and surface entropy (SE) parameters, consistent with ISO 25178-2: 2012. Samples were synthesized by electron beam deposition, grown in three different temperatures. Three different temperatures of 25°C (laboratory temperature), 150 and 300°C were chosen.

Encapsulation of Bromelain in Combined Sodium Alginate and Amino Acid Carriers: Experimental Design of Simplex-Centroid Mixtures for Digestibility Evaluation.

Bromelain has potential as an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, and in cancer treatments. Despite its therapeutic effects, this protein undergoes denaturation when administered orally. Microencapsulation processes have shown potential in protein protection and as controlled release systems.

Head-to-Tail and Head-to-Head Molecular Chains of Poly(-Anisidine): Combined Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation.

Poly(-anisidine) (PPA) is a polyaniline derivative presenting a methoxy (-OCH) group at the position of the phenyl ring. Considering the important role of conjugated polymers in novel technological applications, a systematic, combined experimental and theoretical investigation was performed to obtain more insight into the crystallization process of PPA. Conventional oxidative polymerization of -anisidine monomer was based on a central composite rotational design (CCRD).

Morphological and multifractal properties of Cr thin films deposited onto different substrates.

In this study, the morphological properties and micro-roughness of chromium thin film prepared by thermal evaporation technique and confirmed via EDS analysis are examined on different substrates of BK7, Silicon (Si), and glass using atomic force microscope analysis (AFM). Analysis of amplitude parameters, Minkowski functionals, and films' spatial microtexture extracted from AFM analysis showed the difference between glass substrate and the other two (BK7 and Si) substrates for the growth of chromium thin films. In addition, we observed robust signatures of multifractality of the Cr thin films deposited on all substrates we studied.

Effect of the Deposition Time on the Structural, 3D Vertical Growth, and Electrical Conductivity Properties of Electrodeposited Anatase-Rutile Nanostructured Thin Films.

TiO time-dependent electrodeposited thin films were synthesized using an electrophoretic apparatus. The XRD analysis revealed that the films could exhibit a crystalline structure composed of ~81% anatase and ~6% rutile after 10 s of deposition, with crystallite size of 15 nm. AFM 3D maps showed that the surfaces obtained between 2 and 10 s of deposition exhibit strong topographical irregularities with long-range and short-range correlations being observed in different surface regions, a trend also observed by the Minkowski functionals.

Alternative Controlling Agent of Pests: Nanoscale Surface and Fractal Analysis of Gelatin/PCL Loaded Particles Containing Essential Oil.

A new systematic structural study was performed using the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) reporting statistical parameters of polymeric particles based on gelatin and poly--caprolactone (PCL) containing essential oil from . The developed biocides are efficient alternative controlling agents of and , the main pests of . Our results showed that the particles morphology can be successfully controlled by advanced stereometric parameters, pointing to an appropriate concentration of encapsulated essential oil according to the particle surface characteristics.

PANI-WO·2HO Nanocomposite: Phase Interaction and Evaluation of Electronic Properties by Combined Experimental Techniques and Calculation.

The development of conjugated polymer-based nanocomposites by adding metallic particles into the polymerization medium allows the proposition of novel materials presenting improved electrical and optical properties. Polyaniline Emeraldine-salt form (ES-PANI) has been extensively studied due to its controllable electrical conductivity and oxidation states. On the other hand, tungsten oxide (WO) and its di-hydrated phases, such as WO·2HO, have been reported as important materials in photocatalysis and sensors.

Pulsatile Controlled Release and Stability Evaluation of Polymeric Particles Containing Essential Oil and Preservatives.

Considerable efforts have been spent on environmentally friendly particles for the encapsulation of essential oils. Polymeric particles were developed to encapsulate the essential oil from based on gelatin and poly--caprolactone (PCL) carriers. Gas Chromatography ((Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID) and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy were used for the full colloidal system characterization.

Nanoscale surface dynamics of spatial patterns of polymeric bilayered particles loaded with essential oil.

Gelatin/PCL bilayered particles loaded with Piper nigrum essential oil was synthesized aiming to access their morphological and surface dynamic patterns. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied to investigate the 3D morphology and multifractal aspects of the particles surface. The AFM maps revealed spherical surfaces and well dispersed particles, besides a rougher surface on the loaded system.

Advanced microstructure, morphology and CO gas sensor properties of Cu/Ni bilayers at nanoscale.

In this study, we investigated the morphology of synthesized Cu/Ni nanoparticles in trace of carbon sources by the co-deposition process of RF sputtering and RF-PECVD methods and localized surface plasmon resonance of CO gas sensing of Cu/Ni nanoparticles. The surface morphology was studied by analyzing 3D micrographs of atomic force microscopy using image processing techniques and fractal/multifractal analyses. The MountainsMap® Premium software with the two-way ANOVA (Variance analysis) and least-significant differences tests were used for statistical analysis.

Poly(-methoxyaniline) Chain Degradation Based on a Heat Treatment (HT) Process: Combined Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation.

Poly(-methoxyaniline) emeraldine-salt form (ES-POMA) was chemically synthesized using hydrochloric acid and subjected to a heat treatment (HT) process for 1 h at 100 °C (TT) and 200 °C (TT). The HT process promoted a progressive decrease in crystallinity. The Le Bail method revealed a decomposition from tetrameric to trimeric-folded chains after the HT process.

Corrosion resistance and surface microstructure of Mg N /SS thin films by plasma focus instrument.

Utilizing a plasma focus (PF) instrument, magnesium nitride (Mg N ) thin films were synthesized on stainless steel substrates. Twenty five optimum focus shots at 8 cm distance from the anode tip were used to deposit the films at different angular positions regarded to the anode axis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed to assess the surface morphology and structural characteristics of Mg N films.

Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Morphological Surface Analysis of Polymeric Particles Containing Essential Oil.

Biodegradable particles were developed using poly-ε-caprolactone and gelatin carriers containing different concentrations of essential oil (EO) (360 µg/mL, 420 µg/mL, and 460 µg/mL). Atomic force microscopy was useful to evaluate the particles' surface based on morphological parameters. The particles' size varied from 150 nm to 300 nm.

Investigation of the morphological and fractal behavior at nanoscale of patterning lines by scratching in an atomic force microscope.

In this work, the topographical effect of the scratching trajectory and the feed direction on the formation of lithographed lines on the (001) InP surface was investigated using an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip-based nanomachining approach. Nanoscratching tests were carried out using the sharp face of a diamond AFM tip in contact mode. From the topographic maps obtained by AFM, several morphological and fractal parameters were obtained and analyzed.

Stereometric analysis of Ti Al N thin films deposited by direct current/radio frequency magnetron sputtering.

A study of image analysis of Ti Al N films deposited on corning glass substrates by a direct current (DC)/radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system was performed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) data were studied to understand how the impact of the concentration of Al content influences the 3D surface morphology as well as the surface texture parameters. The results showed that the superficial morphology was modified by the increase of Al content in the Ti Al N films, as well as the surface microtexture.

Microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy as a tool to evaluate the influence of essential oil on the surface of loaded bilayered-nanoparticles.

Increasing interest in nanoparticles of technological application has been improving their fabrication processes. The encapsulation of essential oils as bioactive compounds has proved to be an excellent alternative to the use of less environment friendly compounds. However, the difficulty of identifying their constitution and interaction with carrier agents have aroused scientific interest and a problem to overcome.

Stereometric characterization of Dinizia excelsa Ducke wood from Amazon rainforest using atomic force microscopy.

Dinizia excelsa Ducke under three different cut conditions were carefully analyzed. The morphology and stereometry of different wood cutting surfaces (longitudinal radial, longitudinal tangential, and transversal) were studied by SEM and AFM. The results obtained in this study suggest that both the height parameters and the advanced stereometric parameters of the surfaces did not reveal a significant difference, indicating that the spatial patterns do not change according to the type of cut.

Stereometric analysis of Amazon rainforest Anacardium occidentale L. leaves.

AFM, profilometry and SEM measurements on both sides of the Anacardium occidentale L. leaf reveal that ultrastructure presented some singularities due to their different morphologies and roughness. The advanced stereometry and power spectrum density of both sides of the Anacardium occidentale L.

3D micromorphology evaluation of kefir microbial films loaded with extract of Amazon rainforest fruit Cupuaçu.

We performed qualitative and quantitative analysis of surfaces of kefir biofilms loaded with Amazon rainforest fruit extract. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to evaluate the micromorphology of the biofilms. The films surface displayed a lower density of microorganisms (∼ 0.