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.

Insights into the Fe Doping Effects on the Structure and Electron Distribution of CrO Nanoparticles.

Herein, we carefully investigated the Fe doping effects on the structure and electron distribution of CrO nanoparticles using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), maximum entropy method (MEM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We showed that increasing the Fe doping induces an enlargement in the axial ratio of /, which is associated with an anisotropic expansion of the unit cell. We found that as Fe replaces Cr in the CrO lattice, it caused a higher interaction between the metal 3 states and the oxygen 2 states, which led to a slight increase in the Cr/Fe-O1 bond length followed by an opposite effect for the Cr/Fe-O2 bonds.

Evaluating structural, morphological, and multifractal aspects of n-ZnO/p-ZnO homojunctions and n-ZnO/p-NiO heterojunctions.

We have investigated the evolution of the structure and surface morphology of n-ZnO/p-ZnO homojunctions and n-ZnO/p-NiO heterojunctions transparent structures deposited by radio frequency-sputtering on quartz (Q)/ITO substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the as-deposited and annealed ZnO, n-ZnO/p-NiO/Q/ITO, and n-ZnO/p-ZnO/Q/ITO thin films showed that ZnO had a wurtzite hexagonal structure and (002) preferred growth direction. The annealing temperature played a key role in improving the crystalline structure of the films, as evidenced by the changes in the intensity and position of the XRD (002) peak.

An Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on Carboxylated Graphene/SPCE for IgG-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Determination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance and urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for detecting and screening this infection. Our proposal was to develop a biosensor based on an ELISA immunoassay for monitoring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human serum samples. The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) from SARS-CoV-2 was employed as a specific receptor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid immunoglobulin G.

Biodefensive Based on Essential Oil for Controlling of Larvae: Influence of Temperature (35 °C) and Preservatives.

Considerable efforts have been spent on the development of biodefensives based on the encapsulation of essential oils for controlling of urban pests from their larval stage, especially as anopheline controlling agents. The larval source management of is important for malaria prevention. For this reason, this research proposes larvicidal biodefensives based on polymeric particles loaded with essential oil, considering the influence of temperature (35 °C) and preservatives on the formulation stability.

Exploiting the Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of PHB/PEG and PHB/PEG/ALG-e Blends Loaded with Ag Nanoparticles.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based films containing Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), esterified sodium alginate (ALG-e) and polymeric additives loaded with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained by a conventional casting method. AgNPs were produced in aqueous suspension and added to polymeric gels using a phase exchange technique. Composite formation was confirmed by finding the Ag peak in the XRD pattern of PHB.

Antiferromagnet-Ferromagnet Transition in FeCuNbO.

Iron niobates, pure and substituted with copper (FeCuNbO with x = 0-0.15), were prepared by the solid-state method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The results of the structural characterizations revealed the high solubility of Cu ions in the structure and better structural stability compared to the pure sample.

Molecularly Imprinted Membrane Produced by Electrospinning for β-Caryophyllene Extraction.

Molecularly imprinted membrane of β-caryophyllene (MIM-βCP) was fabricated incorporating β-caryophyllene molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (βCP-NP) into polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers via electrospinning. The βCP-NP were synthesized by precipitation polymerization using the βCP as a template molecule and acrylic acid as a functional monomer in the proportion of 1:4 mol, respectively. Atomic force microscopy images and X-ray diffraction confirmed the nanoparticles' incorporation into MIM-βCP.

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.

Investigating the Correlation between the Microstructure and Electrical Properties of FeSbO Ceramics.

FeSbO4 powder was prepared using the solid-state reaction method in this work. Afterward, the dense and porous ceramics were obtained by sintering the pressed powder calcined at temperatures of 900 and 1000 °C for 4 h. Rietveld profile analysis of the X-ray powder diffraction data showed that FeSbO4 adopts the trirutile-type structure (space group P42/mnm, with a ≅ 4.

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.

Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Activity of Distinctive-Shaped ZnO Nanocrystals Synthesized Using Latex of Different Plants Native to the Amazon Rainforest.

ZnO nanocrystals with three different morphologies have been synthesized via a simple sol-gel-based method using (bitter Amapá) and (sweet Amapá) latex as chelating agents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction patterns (SAED) patterns showed the ZnO nanocrystals were a pure hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO. XRD-based spherical harmonics predictions and HRTEM images depicted that the nanocrystallites constitute pitanga-like (~15.

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.

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.

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.

Surface aspects and multifractal features of 3D spatial patterns of low-cost Amazon açaí-loaded kefir microbial films.

In this study, açaí-loaded kefir microbial films obtained in solutions containing demerara sugar, a low-cost and relatively organic sugar, were prepared. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), stereometric and multifractal analyses were applied to study the influence of the concentration of açaí over the surface morphology as well as its multifractal nature. The ESEM and AFM images showed that low concentrations of acai berry form surface covered by bacteria, while higher concentrations promote yeast growth.

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.