Metal-Free Polymer-Based Current Collector for High Energy Density Lithium-Metal Batteries.

The energy density of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) relies substantially on the thickness of the lithium-metal anode. However, a bare, thin lithium foil electrode is vulnerable to fragmentation due to the inhomogeneity of the lithium stripping/plating process, disrupting the electron conduction pathway along the electrode. Accordingly, the current collector is an integral part to prevent the resulting loss of electronic conductivity.

Modification of AgNP-Decorated PET: A Promising Strategy for Preparation of AgNP-Filled Nuclear Pores in Polymer Membranes.

Polymer-based membranes represent an irreplaceable group of materials that can be applied in a wide range of key industrial areas, from packaging to high-end technologies. Increased selectivity to transport properties or the possibility of controlling membrane permeability by external stimuli represents a key issue in current material research. In this work, we present an unconventional approach with the introduction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into membrane pores, by immobilising them onto the surface of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) foil with subsequent physical modification by means of laser and plasma radiation prior to membrane preparation.

Decoration of Ultramicrotome-Cut Polymers with Silver Nanoparticles: Effect of Post-Deposition Laser Treatment.

Today, ultramicrotome cutting is a practical tool, which is frequently applied in the preparation of thin polymeric films. One of the advantages of such a technique is the decrease in surface roughness, which enables an effective recording of further morphological changes of polymeric surfaces during their processing. In view of this, we report on ultramicrotome-cut polymers (PET, PEEK) modified by a KrF excimer laser with simultaneous decoration by AgNPs.

Etching and Doping of Pores in Polyethylene Terephthalate Analyzed by Ion Transmission Spectroscopy and Nuclear Depth Profiling.

This work is devoted to the study of controlled preparation and filling of pores in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes. A standard wet chemical etching with different protocols (isothermal and isochronous etching for different times and temperatures and etching from one or both sides of the films) was used to prepare the micrometric pores. The pores were filled with either a LiCl solution or boron deposited by magnetron sputtering.

The Key Role of Tin (Sn) in Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiSnC (MAX) Thin Nanocrystalline Films and Powdered Polycrystalline Samples.

Layered ternary TiSnC carbides have attracted significant attention because of their advantage as a M2AX phase to bridge the gap between properties of metals and ceramics. In this study, TiSnC materials were synthesized by two different methods-an unconventional low-energy ion facility (LEIF) based on Ar ion beam sputtering of the Ti, Sn, and C targets and sintering of a compressed mixture consisting of Ti, Sn, and C elemental powders up to 1250 °C. The TiSnC nanocrystalline thin films obtained by LEIF were irradiated by Ar ions with an energy of 30 keV to the fluence of 1.

Quantum plasmon excitations in gold-fullerene mixture films.

Controllable access to the hybrid plasmonic nanostructures built of small metal nanoparticles and organic spacer offers a tempting set of electronic excitations, which proper handling promises valuable applications and bright fundamental prospect. Here, we report on remarkable plasmonic properties of the Au C hybrid nanostructures formed through self-assembling the depositing mixture of metal and fullerene. Using optical absorption spectra, we demonstrate establishing of quantum plasmon (QP) excitations upon the controllable increase of spatial density and size of the Au clusters formed in the films.

Radiation Resistance of the U(Al, Si)₃ Alloy: Ion-Induced Disordering.

During the exploitation of nuclear reactors, various U-Al based ternary intermetallides are formed in the fuel-cladding interaction layer. Structure and physical properties of these intermetallides determine the radiation resistance of cladding and, ultimately, the reliability and lifetime of the nuclear reactor. In current research, U(Al, Si)₃ composition was studied as a potential constituent of an interaction layer.

Superconducting Ferromagnetic Nanodiamond.

Superconductivity and ferromagnetism are two mutually antagonistic states in condensed matter. Research on the interplay between these two competing orderings sheds light not only on the cause of various quantum phenomena in strongly correlated systems but also on the general mechanism of superconductivity. Here we report on the observation of the electronic entanglement between superconducting and ferromagnetic states in hydrogenated boron-doped nanodiamond films, which have a superconducting transition temperature T ∼ 3 K and a Curie temperature T > 400 K.

Growth and potential damage of human bone-derived cells cultured on fresh and aged C60/Ti films.

Thin films of binary C60/Ti composites, with various concentrations of Ti ranging from ~ 25% to ~ 70%, were deposited on microscopic glass coverslips and were tested for their potential use in bone tissue engineering as substrates for the adhesion and growth of bone cells. The novelty of this approach lies in the combination of Ti atoms (i.e.

Growth and potential damage of human bone-derived cells on fresh and aged fullerene c60 films.

Fullerenes are nanoparticles composed of carbon atoms arranged in a spherical hollow cage-like structure. Numerous studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of fullerene derivates against oxidative stress-associated conditions, including the prevention or treatment of arthritis. On the other hand, fullerenes are not only able to quench, but also to generate harmful reactive oxygen species.

Functionalization of silicon crystal surface by energetic cluster ion bombardment.

We report the creation of a functional nanostructure on a Si crystal surface by 200 keV C60(++) cluster ion bombardment (CIB). We found that the modified layer produced by CIB includes two sublayers with different nanostructures. The top 24-nm-thick sublayer is an agglomeration of 5-nm-sized amorphous Si nanodots (a-Si NDs).

Enhanced growth and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells on boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond thin films.

Intrinsic nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films have been proven to be promising substrates for the adhesion, growth and osteogenic differentiation of bone-derived cells. To understand the role of various degrees of doping (semiconducting to metallic-like), the NCD films were deposited on silicon substrates by a microwave plasma-enhanced CVD process and their boron doping was achieved by adding trimethylboron to the CH(4):H(2) gas mixture, the B∶C ratio was 133, 1000 and 6700 ppm. The room temperature electrical resistivity of the films decreased from >10 MΩ (undoped films) to 55 kΩ, 0.

Thermal effect on structure organizations in cobalt-fullerene nanocomposition.

Effect of deposition temperature (Ts) on structure of Co-C60 nanocomposite (NC) prepared by simultaneous deposition of cobalt and fullerene on sapphire is presented. The NC structure variations with Ts increasing from room temperature (RT) to 400 degrees C have been analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. AFM and SEM show granule-like structure of the Co-C60 film.

Self-assembling hybrid nanoparticles during simultaneous deposition of Co and C60 on sapphire.

The Co-C60 nano-composite film prepared by simultaneous deposition of Co and C60 at room temperature (RT) on sapphire with high content of cobalt (50 at.% Co) is recognized as ensemble of the fcc-Co crystals (5-6 nm in size) separated by the C60-based matrix. It is shown formation of internal stress in the composition arising due to the phase separation.

Cultivation of human keratinocytes without feeder cells on polymer carriers containing ethoxyethyl methacrylate: in vitro study.

The cell/tissue engineering therapy of extensive or chronic skin wounds is a highly topical task of the contemporary medicine. One of possible therapeutic approaches is grafting of in vitro cultured keratinocytes directly to the wound bed, where the cells colonize the wound, proliferate and improve the re-epithelization process. Because the successful cultivation of keratinocytes needs an application of feeder cells, the exclusion of these cells from the cultivation system is highly required.

Macroporous hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Part 5: hydrolytically degradable materials.

Macroporous hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide, methacrylic acid and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride crosslinked with N,O-dimethacryloylhydroxylamine were prepared. Hydrogels were degraded in a buffer of pH 7.4.

Evaluation of biocompatibility of the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with 2-(methylsulfanyl)ethyl methacrylate.

This study compares subcutaneous and intracerebral biocompatibilty of two hydrogels: copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with 2-(methylsulfanyl)ethyl methacrylate and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) as reference polymer. The experimental copolymer was more biologically inert than poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in both the studied parameters, hence the former material is a suitable candidate for biomedical application.

Reconstruction of epidermis by grafting of keratinocytes cultured on polymer support--clinical study.

Background: Extensive wound coverage still represents a challenge for contemporary medicine. We demonstrate the results of a clinical trial of the grafting of cultured keratinocytes directly on a polymer cultivation support in the treatment of skin defects in seriously burned patients and in patients with trophic ulcers.

Methods: Wound closure was evaluated clinically.

Dolichos biflorus agglutinin-binding site expression in basal keratinocytes is associated with cell differentiation.

A basal layer of squamous epithelia such as epidermis contains stem cells, transit amplifying cells as well as postmitotic differentiating cells. A detailed knowledge of the transition among these cell types in the course of epidermal renewal is important. It would help in better understanding of many pathological processes, including cancer, and in employment of epidermal cells for therapeutic purposes.