Biocompatible Carbon Dots/Polyurethane Composites as Potential Agents for Combating Bacterial Biofilms: N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots/Polyurethane and Gamma Ray-Modified Graphene Quantum Dots/Polyurethane Composites.

Pathogen bacteria appear and survive on various surfaces made of steel or glass. The existence of these bacteria in different forms causes significant problems in healthcare facilities and society. Therefore, the surface engineering of highly potent antimicrobial coatings is highly important in the 21st century, a period that began with a series of epidemics.

Effects of Hydrogen Dissociation During Gas Flooding on Formation of Metal Hydride Cluster Ions in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry.

The application of hydrogen flooding was recently shown to be a simple and effective approach for improved layer differentiation and interface determination during secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling of thin films, as well as an approach with potential in the field of quantitative SIMS analyses. To study the effects of hydrogen further, flooding of H molecules was compared to reactions with atomic H on samples of pure metals and their alloys. H was introduced into the analytical chamber via a capillary, which was heated to approximately 2200 K to achieve dissociation.

Phloroglucinol-Based Carbon Quantum Dots/Polyurethane Composite Films: How Structure of Carbon Quantum Dots Affects Antibacterial and Antibiofouling Efficiency of Composite Films.

Nowadays, bacteria resistance to many antibiotics is a huge problem, especially in clinics and other parts of the healthcare system. This critical health issue requires a dynamic approach to produce new types of antibacterial coatings to combat various pathogen microbes. In this research, we prepared a new type of carbon quantum dots based on phloroglucinol using the bottom-up method.

Enhanced Hemocompatibility and Cytocompatibility of Stainless Steel.

The present study introduces an advanced surface modification approach combining electrochemical anodization and non-thermal plasma treatment, tailored for biomedical applications on stainless steel grade 316L (SS316L) surfaces. Nanopores with various diameters (100-300 nm) were synthesized with electrochemical anodization, and samples were further modified with non-thermal oxygen plasma. The surface properties of SS316L surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and Water contact angle measurements.

Antibacterial and Antibiofouling Activities of Carbon Polymerized Dots/Polyurethane and C/Polyurethane Composite Films.

The cost of treatment of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is on the level of tens of billions of dollars at the moment. It is of special interest to reduce or solve this problem using antimicrobial coatings, especially in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. The bacteria can transfer from medical staff or contaminated surfaces to patients.

Fine-Tuning the Nanostructured Titanium Oxide Surface for Selective Biological Response.

Cardiovascular diseases are a pre-eminent global cause of mortality in the modern world. Typically, surgical intervention with implantable medical devices such as cardiovascular stents is deployed to reinstate unobstructed blood flow. Unfortunately, existing stent materials frequently induce restenosis and thrombosis, necessitating the development of superior biomaterials.

Mnemonic Rutile-Rutile Interfaces Triggering Spontaneous Dissociation of Water.

Water interaction with mineral surfaces is a complex living system decisive for any photocatalytic process. Resolving the atomistic structure of mineral-water interfaces is thus crucial for understanding these processes. Fibrous rutile TiO , grown hydrothermally on twinned rutile seeds under acidic conditions, is studied in terms of interface translation, atomic structure, and surface chemistry in the presence of water, by means of advanced microscopy and spectroscopy methods combined with structure modeling and density functional theory calculations.

Indium-zinc-oxide thin films produced by low-cost chemical solution deposition: Tuning the microstructure, optical and electrical properties with the processing conditions.

Indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) films were prepared by spin coating an ethanol-ethylene-glycol precursor solution with a Zn/(In + Zn) ratio of 0.36 on glass. The effects of temperature on the structure, microstructure, electrical, and optical properties of the IZO thin films were investigated by thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron and atomic-force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry.

Robust SrTiO Passivation of Silicon Photocathode by Reduced Graphene Oxide for Solar Water Splitting.

Development of a robust photocathode using low-cost and high-performing materials, e.g., p-Si, to produce clean fuel hydrogen has remained challenging since the semiconductor substrate is easily susceptible to (photo)corrosion under photoelectrochemical (PEC) operational conditions.

Study of Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike Protein Fragments.

This study reports on the successful conjugation of SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragments with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that were synthesised with Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP). This method enables the continuous synthesis of AuNPs with a high degree of purity, round shapes, and the formation of a surface that allows various modifications. The conjugation mechanism of USP synthesized AuNPs with SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragments was investigated.

"" Advanced Characterization Platform for Studying Electrocatalytic Iridium Nanoparticles Dispersed on TiON Supports Prepared on Ti Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids.

Aiming at speeding up the discovery and understanding of promising electrocatalysts, a novel experimental platform, , the , is introduced. It is based on state-of-the-art physicochemical characterization and atomic-scale tracking of individual synthesis steps as well as subsequent electrochemical treatments targeting nanostructured composites. This is provided by having the entire experimental setup on a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid.

The Influence of Catechols on the Magnetization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

In this study, MNPs were functionalized with pyrocatechol (CAT), pyrogallol (GAL), caffeic acid (CAF), and nitrodopamine (NDA) at pH 8 and pH 11. The functionalization of the MNPs was successful, except in the case of NDA at pH 11. The thermogravimetric analyses indicated that the surface concentration of the catechols was between 1.

Employing Gamma-Ray-Modified Carbon Quantum Dots to Combat a Wide Range of Bacteria.

Nowadays, it is a great challenge to develop new medicines for treating various infectious diseases. The treatment of these diseases is of utmost interest to further prevent the development of multi-drug resistance in different pathogens. Carbon quantum dots, as a new member of the carbon nanomaterials family, can potentially be used as a highly promising visible-light-triggered antibacterial agent.

Nanotubular TiO N -Supported Ir Single Atoms and Clusters as Thin-Film Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution in Acid Media.

A versatile approach to the production of cluster- and single atom-based thin-film electrode composites is presented. The developed TiO N -Ir catalyst was prepared from sputtered Ti-Ir alloy constituted of 0.8 ± 0.

Iridium Stabilizes Ceramic Titanium Oxynitride Support for Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Decreasing iridium loading in the electrocatalyst presents a crucial challenge in the implementation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. In this respect, fine dispersion of Ir on electrically conductive ceramic supports is a promising strategy. However, the supporting material needs to meet the demanding requirements such as structural stability and electrical conductivity under harsh oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions.

The Influence of Plasma Treatment on the Corrosion and Biocompatibility of Magnesium.

In our study, plasma surface modification was employed to tailor the surface properties of magnesium in terms of surface chemistry, topography, and wettability. For two sets of samples, the plasma treatment involved two steps using two different gases (hydrogen and oxygen), while one set of samples was treated with one step only using oxygen. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to determine the surface composition, oxidation state of the elements, and the thickness of the surface oxide layer on the Mg samples after different plasma treatments.

AFM Study of Roughness Development during ToF-SIMS Depth Profiling of Multilayers with a Cs Ion Beam in a H Atmosphere.

The influence of H flooding on the development of surface roughness during time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) depth profiling was studied to evaluate the different aspects of a H atmosphere in comparison to an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) environment. Multilayer samples, consisting of different combinations of metal, metal oxide, and alloy layers of different elements, were bombarded with 1 and 2 keV Cs ion beams in UHV and a H atmosphere of 7 × 10 mbar. The surface roughness was measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM) on the initial surface and in the craters formed while sputtering, either in the middle of the layers or at the interfaces.

Unraveling the Mechanism of Maskless Nanopatterning of Black Silicon by CF/H Plasma Reactive-Ion Etching.

The process of deep texturization of the crystalline silicon surface is intimately related to its promising diverse applications, such as bactericidal surfaces for integrated lab-on-chip devices and absorptive optical layers (black silicon-BSi). Surface structuring by a maskless texturization appeals as a cost-effective approach, which is up-scalable for large-area production. In the case of silicon, it occurs by means of reactive plasma processes (RIE-reactive-ion etching) using fluorocarbon CF and H as reaction gases, leading to self-assembled cylindrical and pyramidal nanopillars.

Depth profiling of Cr-ITO dual-layer sample with secondary ion mass spectrometry using MeV ions in the low energy region.

This work explores the possibility of depth profiling of inorganic materials with Megaelectron Volt Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry using low energy primary ions (LE MeV SIMS), specifically 555 keV Cu, while etching the surface with 1 keV Ar ions. This is demonstrated on a dual-layer sample consisting of 50 nm Cr layer deposited on 150 nm InOSn (ITO) glass. These materials proved to have sufficient secondary ion yield in previous studies using copper ions with energies of several hundred keV.

Biocompatibility and Mechanical Stability of Nanopatterned Titanium Films on Stainless Steel Vascular Stents.

Nanoporous ceramic coatings such as titania are promoted to produce drug-free cardiovascular stents with a low risk of in-stent restenosis () because of their selectivity towards vascular cell proliferation. The brittle coatings applied on stents are prone to cracking because they are subjected to plastic deformation during implantation. This study aims to overcome this problem by using a unique process without refraining from biocompatibility.

Exploring the impact of calcination parameters on the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of electrospun FeTiO nanofibers.

Nanostructured FeTiO (pseudobrookite), a mixed metal oxide material holds significant promise for utilization in energy and environmental applications. However, its full application is still hindered due to the difficulty to synthesize monophasic FeTiO with high crystallinity and a large specific surface area. Herein, FeTiO nanofibers were synthesized a versatile and low-cost electrospinning method, followed by a calcination process at different temperatures.

Molecular imaging of humain hair with MeV-SIMS: A case study of cocaine detection and distribution in the hair of a cocaine user.

Human hair absorbs numerous biomolecules from the body during its growth. This can act as a fingerprint to determine substance intake of an individual, which can be useful in forensic studies. The cocaine concentration profile along the growth axis of hair indicates the time evolution of the metabolic incorporation of cocaine usage.

Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis on Chitosan Thin Films.

Stable chitosan thin films can be promising substrates for creating nanometric peptide-bound polyglucosamine layers. Those are of scientific interest since they can have certain structural similarities to bacterial peptidoglycans. Such films were deposited by spin coating from chitosan solutions and modified by acetylation and -protected amino acids.

ToF-SIMS Depth Profiling of Metal, Metal Oxide, and Alloy Multilayers in Atmospheres of H, CH, CO, and O.

The influence of the flooding gas during ToF-SIMS depth profiling was studied to reduce the matrix effect and improve the quality of the depth profiles. The profiles were measured on three multilayered samples prepared by PVD. They were composed of metal, metal oxide, and alloy layers.

Toward a Flexible and Efficient TiO Photocatalyst Immobilized on a Titanium Foil.

Titanium foils of different thicknesses were anodized, and the photocatalytic activity of the resulting TiO nanotube (NT) layers was determined. All of the titanium foils were anodized simultaneously under identical experimental conditions to avoid the influence of the aging of the anodizing electrolyte and other anodization parameters, such as voltage, time, and temperature. To characterize the microstructures of the titanium foils, we used electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stylus profilometry analyses.