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Insight of the thermal decomposition of ammonium hexahalogenoiridates(IV) and hexachloroiridate(III)
(2020)
Thermal decomposition of (NH4)3[IrCl6]·H2O, (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6] in reductive and inert atmospheres has been investigated in situ using quick-EXAFS and temperature-resolved powder X-ray diffraction. For the first time, (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Cl5] and (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Br5] have been proven as intermediates of thermal decomposition of (NH4)3[IrCl6]·H2O, (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6]. Thermal degradation of (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6] is a more complex process as suggested previously and includes simultaneous formation of (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Cl5] and (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Br5] intermediates mixed with metallic iridium. In the inert atmosphere, complexes (NH4)[Ir(NH3)2Cl4] and (NH4)[Ir(NH3)2Br4] as well as [Ir(NH3)3Br3] were proposed as possible intermediates before formation of metallic iridium particles
In the face of rising energy demand and the impending climate change the development of a sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production is of global importance. One possible goal is the development of electrochemical conversion processes using catalysts. Porous materials play an important role in such energy applications. The key to the development of improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relations between their performance, stability and physico-chemical properties. However, the complex morphology of such catalysts constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is a versatile method for studying material properties by using appropriate models (e.g. film thickness, optical and electronic properties). The fact that the material properties cannot be taken directly from the measured spectra, the developed models have to be validated. In a first step, the model for the ellipsometric fit studies of a calcination series of mesoporous iridium oxide films (300 – 600 °C) was investigated and validated with respect to their material properties. Moreover, the electronic structures of the catalysts reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities. The development of an environmental cell offers the possibility of investigations under real conditions. This will allow changes in the optical and electronic properties during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.
Challenges and opportunities in the bottom-up mechanochemical synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles
(2020)
Mechanochemistry is a promising alternative to solution-based protocols across the chemical sciences, enabling different types of chemistries in solvent-free and environmentally benign conditions. The use of mechanical energy to promote physical and chemical transformations has reached a high level of refinement, allowing for the design of sophisticated molecules and nanostructured materials. Among them, the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles deserves special attention due to their catalytic applications. In this review, we discuss the recent progress on the development of mechanochemical strategies for the controlled synthesis of noble metal nanostructures. We start by covering the fundamentals of different preparation routes, namely top-down and bottom-up approaches. Next, we focus on the key examples of the mechanochemical synthesis of non-supported and supported metal nanoparticles as well as hybrid nanomaterials containing noble metals. In these examples, in addition to the principles and synthesis mechanisms, their performances in catalysis are discussed. Finally, a perspective of the field is given, where we discuss the opportunities for future work and the challenges of mechanochemical synthesis to produce well-defined noble metal nanoparticles.
Implant-associated infections present severe and difficult-to-treat complications after surgery, related to implant biofilm colonization. Systemic administration of antibiotics cannot reach sufficient concentrations at the infected site and may be toxic. Here we describe how mussel-inspired dendritic material coated on a titanium surface can locally activate a prodrug of daptomycin (pro-dapto) to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism of the prodrug activation is based on bio-orthogonal click chemistry between a tetrazine (Tz) and trans-cyclooctene (TCO). The former is attached to the dendritic polymer, while the later converts daptomycin into a prodrug. Characterization of the material's properties revealed that it is hydrophobic, non-toxic, and stable for a prolonged period of time. We envision that the titanium coated dendritic material will be able to improve the treatment of implant-associated infections by concentrating systemically administered antibiotic prodrugs, thus converting them into active localized medicines.
Metal-Assisted and Solvent-Mediated Synthesis of Two-Dimensional Triazine Structures on Gram Scale
(2020)
Covalent triazine frameworks are an emerging material class that have shown promising performance for a range of applications. In this work, we report on a metal-assisted and solvent-mediated reaction between calcium carbide and cyanuric chloride, as cheap and commercially available precursors, to synthesize two-dimensional triazine structures (2DTSs). The reaction between the solvent, dimethylformamide, and cyanuric chloride was promoted by calcium carbide and resulted in dimethylamino-s-triazine intermediates, which in turn undergo nucleophilic substitutions. This reaction was directed into two dimensions by calcium ions derived from calcium carbide and induced the formation of 2DTSs. The role of calcium ions to direct the two-dimensionality of the final structure was simulated using DFT and further proven by synthesizing molecular intermediates. The water content of the reaction medium was found to be a crucial factor that affected the structure of the products dramatically. While 2DTSs were obtained under anhydrous conditions, a mixture of graphitic material/2DTSs or only graphitic material (GM) was obtained in aqueous solutions. Due to the straightforward and gram-scale synthesis of 2DTSs, as well as their photothermal and photodynamic properties, they are promising materials for a wide range of future applications, including bacteria and virus incapacitation.
The oxides, hydroxides, and oxo-hydroxides of iron belong to the most abundant materials on earth. They also feature a wide range of practical applications. In many environments, they can undergo facile phase transformations and crystallization processes.
Water appears to play a critical role in many of these processes. Despite numerous attempts, the role of water has not been fully revealed yet. We present a new approach to study the influence of water in the crystallization and phase transformations of iron oxides.
The approach employs model-type iron oxide films that comprise a defined homogeneous nanostructure. The films are exposed to air containing different amounts of water reaching up to pressures of 10 bar. Ex situ analysis via scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction is combined with operando near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to follow water-induced changes in hematite nd ferrihydrite. Water proves to be critical for the nucleation of ematite domains in ferrihydrite, the resulting crystallite orientation, and the underlying crystallization mechanism.
Alkali-activated materials have been repeatedly reported to exhibit high acid resistance, but no generally accepted hypothesis regarding the underlying mechanisms has emerged yet. To contribute to this issue, K-waterglass-activated metakaolin specimens, with and without the addition of CuSO4·5H2O in the starting mix, were exposed to either a chemically aggressive sewer environment (mortars) or sulfuric acid (pastes). The mode of copper incorporation in the materials and the formation of copper phases in the corroded layers were studied by XANES at the Cu K-edge, and 29Si, 27Al and 1H MAS NMR was employed to understand the processes during acid attack. Copper was found as a spertiniite-like phase in the as-cured materials, while in the deterioration layers of the pastes it was present as copper sulfate. In the corroded regions of the mortars, unequivocal identification of Cu phases was not possible, but the results were reconcilable with the presence of copper carbonate hydroxide. The solid-state NMR results revealed virtually complete dissolution of the K-A-S-H gel and the formation of silica gel, interpreted to be a central mechanism determining the acid resistance. No significant differences between the microstructural alterations of the pastes with and without Cu addition on (chemical) sulfuric acid attack were observed.
For the first time, dielectric and calorimetric investigations of an homologous series of Janus polynorbornenes with rigid main backbones and flexible -Si(OR)3 side groups, of differing length alkyl chains (R = Propyl, Butyl, Hexyl, Octyl, Decyl) is reported. Generally, this class of polymers has some potential for applications in the field of gas separation membranes. Two dielectrically active processes are observed at low temperatures, denoted as β- and α- relaxation. The former can be assigned to localized fluctuations, whilst the latter is related to the glassy dynamics of the flexible -Si(OR)3 side groups, creating a nanophase separation in both the alkyl chain rich and backbone rich domains. This is confirmed through temperature modulated DSC measurements and X-ray scattering experiments. The glass transition temperatures of the backbone rich domains, which are beyond or near to their degradation temperatures in terms of conventional DSC, are determined for the first time using Fast Scanning Calorimetry employing both fast heating and cooling rates. This is complimented with scattering experiments that show how the size of the alkyl chain rich domains increases with chain length. Alongside these results, a significant conductivity contribution was observed for all poly(tricyclononenes) with -Si(OR)3 side groups, which is interpreted in terms of a percolation model.
Hochentropie-Legierungen (HEAs) zeichnen sich durch einen Mischkristall-System aus mindestens fünf und Mittelentropie-Legierungen (MEAs) durch mindestens drei Hauptlegierungselemente aus, in äquiatomarer Zusammensetzung. Sie zeigen außergewöhnliche Anwendungseigenschaften, wie z.B. hohe Festigkeit, Duktilität oder Korrosionsbeständigkeit. Zukünftige HEA/MEA-Komponenten aufgrund ihrer Eigenschaften für wasserstoffhaltige Umgebungen (wie Behälter für kryogene oder Hochdruckspeicherung) von Interesse. Daher ist die Bewertung der Wasserstoffabsorption und die Diffusion in diesen Materialien von großer Bedeutung. Dazu wurden in unserer Studie eine CoCrFeMnNi-HEA und eine CoCrNi-MEA untersucht. Die Proben wurden elektrochemisch mit Wasserstoff beladen. Für die Ermittlung des Wasserstoffdiffusionsverhaltens wurde die thermische Desorptionsanalyse (TDA) mit unterschiedlichen Heizraten bis zu 0,250 K/s angewandt. Die nachfolgende Peakentfaltung der Signale führte zu Hochtemperatur-Desorptionsspitzen und Wasserstofftrapping auch über 280°C. Eine resultierende Gesamtwasserstoffkonzentration > 40 ppm wurde für den MEA ermittelt und > 100 ppm für den HEA. Dies deutet auf zwei wichtige Effekte hin:
(1) verzögerte Wasserstoffdiffusion und (2) eine beträchtliche Menge an getrapptem Wasserstoff auch bei hoher Temperatur. Beide Effekte können hinsichtlich einer wasserstoffunterstützten Rissbildung kritisch werden, dies erfordert jedoch weitere Untersuchungen. Zusätzlich erfolgte die Bestimmung des lokalen Volta-Potentials mittels hochauflösender Kelvin-Sonden-Kraft-Mikroskopie (SKPFM). Die ermittelten Scans zeigen einen bestimmten Einfluss der Wasserstoffbeladung auf die Potentiale.
L-lactide was polymerized in bulk at 120, 140, 160 and 180°C with neat tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2) as catalyst. At 180°C the Lac/Cat ratio was varied from 25/1 up to 8 000/1 and at 160°C from 25/1 up to 6 000/1. The vast majority of the resulting polylactides consist of cycles in combination with a small fraction of linear chains having one octanoate and one COOH end group. The linear chains almost vanished at high Lac/Cat ratios, as evidenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and measurements of intrinsic viscosities and dn/dc values. At Lac/Cat ratios <1000/1 the number average molar masses (Mn) are far higher than expected for stoichiometic initiation, and above 400/1 the molar masses vary relatively little with the Lac/Cat ratio. At 180° slight discoloration even at short times and degradation of the molar masses were observed, but at 160°C or below colorless products with weight average molar masses (Mw) up to 310 000 g mol-1 were obtained. The formation of high molar mass cyclic polylactides is explained by a ROPPOC (Ring-Opening Polymerizatiom with simultaneous Polycondensation) mechanism with intermediate formation of linear chains having one Sn-O-CH end group and one mixed anhydride end group. Additional experiments with tin(II)acetate as catalyst confirm this interpretation. These findings together with the detection of several transesterification mechanisms confirm previous critique of the Jacobson-Stockmayer theory.
The quantitative determination of adhesion and cohesion properties is a key requirement for adhesive-bonded joints and coated components in both R&D and Quality assurance. Because of the huge variety of layer/substrate Systems in terms of materials and large thickness range, adhesion tests display the same diversity as layer/substrate systems. There are only two tensile testing procedures available, that determine adhesive strength in terms of force per area (N/mm²), the single-sample pull-off test in a tensile testing machine and the multiple-sample-test using the Centrifugal Adhesion Testing (CAT) Technology.
The CAT Technology is a testing method which uses centrifugal force as tensile testing force in a multiple-sample arrangement within a drum rotor of a Desktop centrifuge. Hence, the adhesive/bonding strength A/B can be determined on a statistical basis under identical testing conditions for up to eight samples.
A variety of examples for bonding strength of adhesives, adhesive strength of coatings and compound strength of composite materials is discussed such as metalto-metal and glass-to-metal bonding, sputtered SiO2-layers on CR39 Polymer and carbon fiber reinforced polymer.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are characterized by a solid solution of minimum five and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) of minimum three principal alloying elements in equiatomic proportions. They show exceptional application properties, such as high-strength and ductility or corrosion resistance. Future HEA/MEA-components could be exposed to hydrogen containing environments like vessels for cryogenic or high-pressure storage where the hydrogen absorption and diffusion in these materials is of interest. In our study, we investigated the HEA Co20Cr20Fe20Mn20Ni20 and the MEA Co33.3Cr33.3Ni33.3. For hydrogen ingress, cathodic charging was applied and diffusion kinetic was measured by high-resolution thermal desorption spectros-copy using different heating rates up to 0.250 K/s. Peak deconvolution resulted in high-temperature desorption peaks and hydrogen trapping above 280 °C. A total hydrogen concentration > 40 ppm was identified for the MEA and > 100 ppm for HEA. This indicates two important effects: (1) delayed hydrogen diffusion and (2) considerable amount of trapped hydrogen that must be anticipated for hydrogen assisted cracking phenomenon. Local electrochemical Volta potential maps had been measured for the hydrogen free condition by means of high-resolution Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (SKPFM).
Inelastic incoherent neutron time-of flight scattering was employed to measure the low frequency density of states for a series of addition polynorbornenes with bulky side groups. The rigid main chain in combination with the bulky side groups give rise to a microporosity of these polymers in the solid state. The microporosity characterized by the BET surfaces area varies systematically in the considered series. Such materials have some possible application as active separation layer in gas separation membranes.
All investigated materials show excess contributions to the Debye type density of states characteristic for glasses known as Boson peak. The maximum position of the Boson peak shifts to lower frequency values with increasing microporosity. Data for PIM-1 and Matrimid included for comparison are in good agreement to this dependency. This result supports the sound wave interpretation of the Boson peak.
Quasielastic neutron scattering by employing a combination of time-of-flight and backscattering techniques is carried out to explore the molecular mobility of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) at microscopic time scales in comparison with a high-performance polyimide. Molecular fluctuations can change the structure of the temporary network of micropores and open or close pathways for gas molecules. Therefore, the investigation might help to understand the selectivity of PIMs in gas separation processes. The performed neutron scattering experiments provide evidence for a low-temperature relaxation process, which was assigned to methyl group rotation. This methyl group rotation was analyzed in terms of jump diffusion in a three-fold potential. The analysis results in a fraction of methyl groups which are immobilized. For PIM-1 it was found that the fraction of immobilized methyl groups decreases with increasing temperature up to 350 K. At higher temperatures the number of immobilized methyl group increases gain due to an underlying relaxation process. This motional process on a somewhat larger length scale might lead to a reversible structural rearrangement which partially hinders the strongly localized methyl group rotation. In addition, it was found that the activation energy for the methyl group rotation for PIM-1 and the polyimide is significantly higher than for conventional polymers.
Most real core-shell nanoparticle (CSNP) samples deviate from an ideal core-shell structure potentially having significant impact on the particle properties. An ideal structure displays a spherical core fully encapsulated by a shell of homogeneous thickness, and all particles in the sample exhibit the same shell thickness. Therefore,
analytical techniques are required that can identify and characterize such deviations.
This study demonstrates that by analysis of the inelastic background in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey spectra, the following types of deviations can be identified and quantified: the nonuniformity of the shell thickness within a nanoparticle sample and the incomplete encapsulation of the cores by the shell material. Furthermore, CSNP shell thicknesses and relative coverages can be obtained. These results allow for a quick and straightforward comparison between several batches of a specific CSNP, different coating approaches, and so forth. The presented XPS methodology requires a submonolayer distribution of CSNPs on a substrate.
Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-polystyrene polymer CSNPs serve as model systems to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.
Phage display biopanning with Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) is applied to reveal insights into peptide-based adhesion domains for polypropylene (PP). One biopanning round followed by NGS selects robust PP-binding peptides that are not evident by Sanger sequencing. NGS provides a significant statistical base that enables motif analysis, statistics on positional residue depletion/enrichment, and data analysis to suppress false-positive sequences from amplification bias. The selected sequences are employed as water-based primers for PP-metal adhesion to condition PP surfaces and increase adhesive strength by 100% relative to nonprimed PP.
Identifying nanomaterials (NMs) according to European Union Legislation is challenging, as there is an enormous variety of materials, with different physico-chemical properties. The NanoDefiner Framework and its Decision Support Flow Scheme (DSFS) allow choosing the optimal method to measure the particle size distribution by matching the material properties and the performance of the particular measurement techniques. The DSFS leads to a reliable and economic decision whether a material is an NM or not based on scientific criteria and respecting regulatory requirements. The DSFS starts beyond regulatory requirements by identifying non-NMs by a proxy Approach based on their volume-specific surface area. In a second step, it identifies NMs. The DSFS is tested on real-world materials and is implemented in an e-tool. The DSFS is compared with a decision flowchart of the European Commission’s (EC) Joint Research Centre (JRC), which rigorously follows the explicit criteria of the EC NM definition with the focus on identifying NMs, and non-NMs are identified by exclusion. The two approaches build on the same scientific basis and measurement methods, but start from opposite ends: the JRC Flowchart starts by identifying NMs, whereas the NanoDefiner Framework first identifies non-NMs.
In this paper one refined approach is applied to determine the exact orientation of bipyramidal TiO2 nanoparticles prepared with good dispersion as almost isolated particles on a carbon TEM grid. The advantages of the recently developed high-throughput Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) are used to identify quickly and reliably the geometrical orientation of the crystalline TiO2 nanoparticle bipyramids (anatase) on a statistically relevant number of particles.
In this contribution different ways are explored with the aim to generate suitable training data for ‘non-ideal’ samples using various approaches, e.g., computer-generated images or unsupervised learning algorithms such as generative adversarial networks (GANs). We used these data to train simple CNNs to produce segmentation masks of SEM images and tested the trained networks on real SEM images of complex nanoparticle samples. The novel use of CNN for the automated analysis of the size of nanoparticles of complex shape and with a high degree of agglomeration has proved to be a promising tool for the evaluation of particle size distribution on a large number of constituent particles. Further development and validation of the preliminary model, respectively larger training and validation data sets are necessary.
The present study addresses the capability of measurement of relative particle number concentration by scanning electron microscopy for model bimodal silica and gold samples prepared in the frame of the European research project “nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements” as candidate reference nanoparticles.
Tire wear particles (TW) are generated by the abrasions of tires on the road surface through traffic. These particles can be transported by air and surface runoff and might also infiltrate the soil and consequently affect terrestrial ecosystems. The estimated tire wear (TW) emissions are immense, with 1.33 106 t a-1 in Europe. Despite this, only little is known about the environmental contents or the fate of TW.
One reason for this knowledge gap is the challenging analysis of TW in environmental samples. Detection of TW with spectroscopic methods is problematic due to high fluorescence interferences caused by contained black carbon. One analytical approach is to use zinc (Zn), a typical additive in tires, as a specific marker for the quantification of tire wear. However, any Zn originating from the sample matrix must be separated beforehand and requires elaborate sample preparation.
Car tires consist partly of synthetic rubbers, such as styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR). This SBR could be identified and quantified via Thermal-Extraction-Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TED-GC-MS). This newly developed and fast screening method allows the simultaneous detection of microplastics and TW mass contents and requires minimal to no sample preparation. Firstly the sample is thermally extracted in a thermobalance under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting specific decomposition products are sorbed on a solid phase adsorber, which is then transferred to a GC-MS via an autosampler, where the products are desorbed, separated and identified. Cyclohexenylbenzene is used as a specific marker for SBR.
Here we investigated top layer soil samples, collected at the roadside of highly frequented German highways. Samples were analyzed without sample preparation, and SBR was detected in all investigated samples in mass contents ranging from 67.2 to 2230 mg kg-1. A correlation between SBR and Zn content in the soil was confirmed, while the correlation between SBR and Corg was hardly pronounced. We successfully demonstrated the application of TED-GC-MS as a screening method for tire wear in soil samples.
The present study will discuss these analytical results in detail as well as sampling parameters like sampling depth and distance to the roadside, and the effect of the particle size on the particle transport by water runoff and air.
Lanthanides (Ln) are critical raw materials, however, their mining and purification have a considerable negative environmental impact and sustainable recycling and separation strategies for these elements are needed. In this study, the precipitation and solubility behavior of Ln complexes with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), the cofactor of recently discovered lanthanide (Ln) dependent methanol Dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes, is presented. In this context, the molecular structure of a biorelevant europium PQQ complex was for the first time elucidated outside a protein environment.
The complex crystallizes as an inversion symmetric dimer, Eu2PQQ2, with binding of Eu in the biologically relevant pocket of PQQ. LnPQQ and Ln1Ln2PQQ complexes were characterized by using inductively coupled Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 151Eu-Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray total scattering, and Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). It is shown that a natural enzymatic cofactor is capable to achieve Separation by precipitation of the notoriously similar, and thus difficult to separate, lanthanides to some extent.
Two sets of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) with comparable core sizes but different carboxyl group densities were made and separated using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and the off-line hyphenation of both methods. Our results revealed the significant potential of two-dimensional off-line AF4-CE hyphenation to improve the separation and demonstrated for the first time, the applicability of CE to determine the functional group density of nanoparticles (NPs). Compared to the result acquired with conductometric titration, the result obtained with synthesized 100 nm sized PSNPs revealed only a slight deviation of 1.7%. Commercial 100 nm sized PSNPs yielded a deviation of 4.6 %. For 60 nm sized PSNPs, a larger deviation of 10.6 % between both methods was observed, which is attributed to the lower separation resolution.
Herein, Ti6Al4V alloy is surface modified by femtosecond laser ablation. The microstructure image obtained by secondary electron microscopy reveals a combination of micrometer spikes or cones superimposed by nanoripples (laser‐induced periodic surface structures). To make the surface hydrophilic, anodization is performed resulting in further smoothness of microstructure and a final thickness of 35 ± 4 nm is estimated for oxide produced after anodization at 10 V (scan rate = 0.1 V s−1) versus standard hydrogen electrode. The obtained electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) is approximately 8 times larger compared with flat mirror polished Ti6Al4V surface. Combined chemical analysis by Pourbaix diagram and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses reveal that titanium and aluminum are passivating into TiO2 and Al2O3, but the dissolution of aluminum in the form of solvated ion is inevitable. Finally, cell seeding experiments on anodized and laser‐treated titanium alloy samples show that the growth of murine fibroblast cells is significantly suppressed due to unique surface texture of the laser‐treated and anodized titanium alloy sample.
Misfits of γ- γ’ based Al10Co25Cr8Fe15Ni36Ti6 and its Mo- and Hf-variations are studied up to a temperature of 980 °C and compared with Ni- and Co-based superalloys. The trace elements decrease (Hf) or increase (Mo) the edge radii of the γ’ cuboids without changing their sizes. Atom probe measurements revealed that the Hf alloy prefers the γ’ phase while Mo prefers the γ matrix, leading to a lattice parameters enhancement of both phases, as could be revealed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The misfit is influenced in opposite ways: Hf increases the positive misfit, while Mo reduces it at all investigated temperatures.
While noncovalent interactions at two-dimensional nanobiointerfaces are extensively investigated, less knowledge about covalent interactions at this interface is available. In this work, boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2 was synthesized and its covalent multivalent interactions with bacteria and nematodes were investigated. Polymerization of glycidol by freshly exfoliated MoS2 and condensation of 2,5-thiophenediylbisboronic acid on the produced platform resulted in boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2. The destructive interactions between 2D MoS2 and bacteria as well as nematodes were significantly amplified by boronic acid functional groups. Because of the high antibacterial and antinematodal activities of boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2, its therapeutic efficacy for diabetic wound healing was investigated. The infected diabetic wounds were completely healed 10 days after treatment with boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2, and a normal structure for recovered tissues including different layers of skin, collagen, and blood vessels was detected.
We studied the influence of coformers flexibility on the supramolecular assembly of 5-substituted resorcinol. Two cocrystals of orcinol (ORL) with two dipyridine molecules, i.e. 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethane (ORLeBPE) and 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (ORLeBPY), were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and slow evaporation of solvent. The new crystalline solids were thoroughly characterized by single crystal Xray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Structural determination reveals that in both cocrystals, the phenolepyridine, i.e. OeH/N(py) heterosynthon takes the main role in the formation of cocrystals. In ORLeBPE, the components form infinite 1D zig-zag chains, which are extended to 2D layer structure by inter-chain CeH/O interactions between BPE hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of ORL. In ORLeBPY, the components form a 0D fourcomponent complex. Formation of the discrete assemblies is attributed to the comparative rigid nature of BPY, which restricts the formation of an extended network.
Irradiation with a single spatially Gaussian-shaped nanosecond laser pulse in the melting regime can result in a characteristic annular change in the surface morphology of crystalline silicon. This has been verified experimentally in a variety of situations, where dimple-shaped surface topographies are produced. In a recent work we have investigated the induced changes in the surface topography upon exposure to wavelengths in the visible and near infrared spectral region. Irradiation in the UV requires a more detailed analysis due to the enhanced absorption of the material. In the present analysis, we determine under which conditions our previous model can be used and the corresponding results are presented.
Introduction to SAXS
(2020)
The SPONGE
(2020)
Recorded at the Better with Scattering workshop 2020, this talk highlights the complete set of data correction steps that we do for the MAUS, and how they can be used elsewhere too. This links well with the talk in this series by Dr. Tim Snow, and also highlights the details of the background subtraction that needs to be done.
The dark side of science
(2020)
X-ray generation
(2020)
After a colleague sent me a more useful measurement from a laboratory instrument than what I could get from the beamline, I knew it was time to reassess my life's choices. Over the course of several subsequent post-doc and permanent positions around lab instruments, I managed to refine a flexible, comprehensive methodology for data collection, correction and analysis which can be applied to many X-ray scattering investigations at the lab and at the synchrotron. With the help of friends at round places, this methodology was implemented and put into production, and has been delivering high-quality data since then. Now, we have almost all possible data corrections (for X-ray scattering) implemented, and are improving the hardware to deliver higher-quality metadata to enable the corrections to be performed to a higher accuracy.
Simultaneously, we have set up a mini-large facility at BAM with the MAUS, the Multi-scale Analyzer for Ultrafine Structures. The MAUS combines the freedom of a laboratory instrument, with the spectrum of users of a beamline: besides measuring our own samples, and performing our own machine and methodology developments, we have opened this instrument for collaboration with fellow scientists from within BAM and from external institutes and universities. Here, we provide a comprehensive support for these collaborations, guiding the user from concept to sample selection, to interpretation and analysis. In 2019, we have supported over 30 different projects this way, leading to seven co-authored publications involving the MAUS in that year alone. As the MAUS uses the latest iteration of our comprehensive measurement methodology, the data quality is unmatched by any other lab instrument, and fully traceable to boot.
The freedom of the laboratory allows for more proof-of-principle experimentation than what is possible at the synchrotron. Therefore, the MAUS provides a good first (and sometimes final) step towards many experimental materials science investigations, nicely complementing the capabilities of the synchrotron. If and when more flux is needed, the step to the synchrotron is now smaller than ever, in particular with the same method
The possibility of creating patient-specific individual implants makes Additive Manufacturing technologies of special interest for the medical sector. For substitution of bone defects, powder based Additive Manufacturing by Binder Jetting is a suitable method to produce complex scaffold-like structures made of bioceramics with easily adapted geometries and controlled porosity. The process inherent residual porosity in the printed part, even though desired as it supports bone ingrowth, also leads to limited mechanical strength. Currently, bioceramic scaffolds made by Binder Jetting feature suitable biocompatible and biodegradable properties, while a sufficient mechanical stability is rather challenging. The purpose of this work is to apply the gas flow assisted powder deposition introduced in 2014 by Zocca et al., to the powder bed during printing of bioceramic tablets and scaffolds using α-TCP powder as feedstock. This enables exploiting the advantages of an increased powder bed density, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the printed parts.
Multidrug resistance resulting from a variety of defensive pathways in Cancer has become a global concern with a considerable impact on the mortality associated with the failure of traditional chemotherapy. Therefore, further research and new therapies are required to overcome this challenge. In this work, a cyclic R10 peptide (cR10) is conjugated to polyglycerol-covered nanographene oxide to engineer a nanoplatform for the surmounting of multidrug resistance. The nuclear translocation of the nanoplatform, facilitated by cR10 peptide, and subsequently, a laser-triggered release of the loaded doxorubicin result in efficient anticancer activity confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The synthesized nanoplatform with a combination of different features, including active nucleus-targeting, highloading capacity, controlled release of cargo, and photothermal property, provides a new strategy for circumventing multidrug resistant cancers.
In the present study, a simple approach was used to investigate the effect of UV-exposure on two high density Polyethylene materials (PE-HD), commonly used for storage tanks, on fuel sorption behavior and colonization by microorganisms. The aim was to investigate whether the sorption behavior of the fuels (diesel/biodiesel) and the colonization by microorganisms, frequently occurring in the fuel, is affected and may lead to undesirable or safety-relevant material changes. We showed that the UV-irradiation leads to significant changes of the sorption behavior due to chemi-crystallization and crosslinking. The fuel Sorption is affected by the UV-induced formation of polar carbonyl and hydroxyl groups predominantly occurring at the surface. With respect to microbial colonization behavior for Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from a contaminated diesel sample, differences of the initial adhesion could be shown depending on the initial type of polyethylene as well as on the degree of UV-induced degradation.
The invention of new miniaturized and smart medical implants continues in all medical fields, including miniaturized heart pacemakers. These implants often come with a titanium (Ti) casing, which may have to be removed after several months or years and shall therefore not be completely overgrown by cells or scar tissue after implantation. Scar tissue is mainly formed by fibroblast cells and extracellular matrix proteins like collagen produced by them. Suppression of fibroblast growth at Ti surfaces could be achieved by 800 nm femtosecond laser-ablation creating self-organized sharp spikes with dimensions in the 10 μm-range which are superposed by fine sub-μm parallel ripples. On flat Ti control samples, the best results regarding suppression of cell growth were obtained on spike-structures which were additionally electrochemically anodized under acidic conditions. When Ti cylinders with a diameter of 8 mm (similar as the pacemakers) were placed upright in a culture of murine fibroblasts, a multi-layer cell growth up to a height of at least 1.5 mm occurred within 19–22 days. We have demonstrated that a laser-structured and anodized ring around the Ti cylinder surface is an effective way to create a barrier that murine fibroblasts were not able to overgrow within this time.
Small-area/spot photoelectron spectroscopy (SAXPS) is a powerful tool for the investigation of small surface features like microstructures of electronic devices, sensors or other functional surfaces, and so forth. For evaluating the quality of such microstructures, it is often crucial to know whether a small signal in a spectrum is an unwanted contamination of the field of view (FoV), defined by the instrument settings, or it originated from outside. To address this issue, the d80/20 parameter of a line scan across a chemical edge is often used. However, the typical d80/20 parameter does not give information on contributions from the long tails of the X-ray beam intensity distribution or the electron-optical system as defined by apertures. In the VAMAS TWA2 A22 project “Applying planar, patterned, multi-metallic samples to assess the impact of analysis area in surface-chemical analysis,” new test specimen was developed and tested. The here presented testing material consists of a silicon wafer substrate with an Au-film and embedded Cr circular and square spots with decreasing dimensions from 200 μm down to 5 μm. The spot sizes are traceable to the length unit due to size measurements with a metrological SEM. For the evaluation of the FoV, we determined the Au4f intensities measured with the center of the FoV aligned with the center of the spot and normalized to the Au4f intensity determined on the Au-film. With this test specimen, it was possible to characterize, as an example, the FoV of a Kratos AXIS Ultra DLD XPS instrument.
Raman spectroscopic signature of ectoine conformations in bulk solution and crystalline state
(2020)
Recent crystallographic results revealed conformational changes of zwitterionic ectoine upon hydration. By means of confocal Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we present a detailed study of this transformation process as part of a Fermi resonance analysis. The corresponding findings highlight that all resonant couplings are lifted upon exposure to water vapor as a consequence of molecular binding processes. The importance of the involved molecular groups for water binding and conformational changes upon hydration is discussed. Our approach further Shows that the underlying rapid process can be reversed by carbon dioxide saturated atmospheres. For the first time, we also confirm that the conformational state of ectoine in aqueous bulk solution coincides with crystalline ectoine in its dihydrate state, thereby highlighting the important role of a few bound water molecules.
Low biodegradability of graphene derivatives and related health risks are the main limiting factors for their in vivo biomedical applications. Here, we present the synthesis of enzyme-functionalized graphene sheets with self-degrading properties under physiological conditions and their applications in Tumor therapy. The synergistic enzyme cascade glucose oxidase and myeloperoxidase are covalently conjugated to the surface of graphene sheets and two-dimensional (2D) platforms are obtained that can produce sodium hypochlorite from glucose. The enzyme-functionalized graphene sheets with up to 289 nm average size are degraded into small pieces (≤40 nm) by incubation under physiological conditions for 24 h. Biodegradable graphene sheets are further loaded with doxorubicin and their ability for Tumor therapy is evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The laser-triggered release of doxorubicin in combination with the enzymatic activity of the functionalized graphene sheets results in a synergistic antitumor activity.
Taking advantage of their neutrophil-like activity, fast biodegradability, high photo- and chemotherapeutic effects, the novel two-dimensional nanoplatforms can be used for tumor therapeutic applications.
A sedimented freshwater suspended organic matter fortified with particles of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was employed in an interlaboratory comparison of thermoanalytical methods for microplastics identification and quantification. Three laboratories performed pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), three others provided results using thermal extraction desorption followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS). One participant performed thermogravimetry-infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) and two participants used thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry (TGA-MS). Further participants used differential scanning microscopy (DSC), a procedure based on micro combustion calorimetry (MCC) and a procedure based on elemental analysis.
Each participant employed a different combination of sample treatment, calibration and instrumental Settings for polymer identification and quantification. Though there is obviously room for improvements regarding the between-laboratory reproducibility and the harmonization of procedures it was seen that the participants Performing Py-GC-MS, TED-GC-MS, and TGA-FTIR were able to correctly identify all polymers and to report reasonable quantification results in the investigated concentration range (PE: 20.0 μg/mg, PP: 5.70 μg/mg; PS: 2.20 μg/mg, PET: 18.0 μg/mg). Although for the other methods limitations exists regarding the detection of specific polymers, they showed potential as alternative approaches for polymer quantification in solid environmental matrices.
Relaxation phenomena observed in the electrical low-frequency range (approximately 1 mHz-10 kHz) of natural porous media like sandstones is often assumed to be directly related to the dominant (modal) pore throat sizes measured, for instance, with mercury intrusion porosimetry. Attempts to establish a universally valid relationship between pore size and peak Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) relaxation time have failed, considering sandstones from very different origins and featuring great variations in textural and chemical compositions as well as in geometrical pore space properties. In addition working with characteristic relaxation times determined in Cole-Cole or Debye decomposition fits to build the relationship have not been successful. In particular, samples with narrow pore throats are often characterized by long SIP relaxation times corresponding to long “characteristic length scales” in these media, assuming that the diffusion coefficients along the electrical double layer were constant. Based on these observations, three different types of SIP relaxation can be distinguished. We present a new way of assessing complex pore spaces of very different sandstones in a multi-methodical approach to combine the benefits of mercury intrusion porosimetry, micro-computed tomography, and nuclear magnetic resonance. In this way, we achieve much deeper insight into the pore space due to the different resolutions and sensitivities of the applied methods to both pore constrictions (throats) and wide pores (pore bodies). We experimentally quantify pore aspect ratios and volume distributions within the two pore regions. We clearly observe systematic differences between three SIP relaxation types identified previously and can attribute the SIP peak relaxation times to measured characteristic length scales within our materials. We highlight selected results for a total of nine sandstones. It seems that SIP relaxation behavior depends on the size difference of the narrow pore throats to the wide pore bodies, which increases from SIP Type 1 to Type 3.
Aiming at the overall negative surface charge of bacteria, a new strategy of antibacterial agents based on large polymer-modified graphene oxide (GO) sheets is assessed. The presented flexible, polycationic Sheets match the size and charge density of the Escherichia coli surface charge density (2 × 1014 cm−2). These matching parameters create an unspecific but very strong bacteria adsorber by multivalent, electrostatic attraction.
Their interaction with bacteria is visualized via atomic force and confocal microscopy and shows that they effectively bind and wrap around E. coli cells, and thereby immobilize them. The incubation of Gram-negative and -positive bacteria (E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA) with these polycationic sheets leads to the inhibition of proliferation and a reduction of the colony forming bacteria over time.
This new type of antibacterial agent acts in a different mode of Action than classical biocides and could potentially be employed in medicinal, technical, or agriculture applications. The presented microsheets and their unspecific binding of cell interfaces could further be employed as adsorber material for bacterial filtration or immobilization for imaging, analysis, or sensor technologies.
In recent years, we have come to appreciate the astounding intricacy of the processes leading to the formation of minerals from ions in aqueous solutions. The original, and rather naive, ‘textbook’ image of these phenomena, stemming from the adaptation of classical nucleation and growth theories, has increased in complexity due to the discovery of a variety of precursor and intermediate species. These include solute clusters (e.g. prenucleation clusters, PNCs), liquid(-like) phases, as well as amorphous and nanocrystalline solids etc.. Does it, however, mean that all the minerals grow through intermediate phases, following a non-classical pathway?
In general, the precursor or intermediate species constitute different, often short-lived, points along the pathway from dissolved ions to the final solids (typically crystals in this context). In this regard synchrotron-based scattering (SAXS/WAXS/total scattering) appears to be the perfect tool to follow in situ and in a time-resolved manner the crystallization pathway because of the temporal and spatial length scales that can be directly accessed with these techniques. In this presentation we show how we used scattering to probe the crystallisation mechanisms of calcium sulfate, This system contains minerals that are widespread in diverse natural environments, but they are also important in various industrial settings. Our data demonstrate that calcium sulfate precipitation involves formation and aggregation of sub-3 nm anisotropic primary species. The actual crystallisation and formation of imperfect single crystals of calcium sulfate phases, takes place from the inside of the in itial aggregates. Hence, calcium sulfate follows a non-classical pathway.
How the rock-inhabiting fungus K. petricola A95 enhances olivine dissolution through attachment
(2020)
Free-living and mycorrhizal fungi are able to enhance the weathering of rock and other solid substrates. Deciphering the exact mechanisms of these natural processes requires their experimental simulation. Moreover, by performing these simulations with genetically amenable rock-weathering fungi, one can knock-out certain fungal traits and consequently identify their weathering-relevant function. Here, the effect of the rock-inhabiting fungus, Knufia petricola A95, on the dissolution kinetics of an Fe-bearing olivine (Mg1.86Fe0.19SiO4) is investigated at 25 °C and pH 6 using reproducible batch and mixed flow experiments. The availability of a melanin-deficient mutant (ΔKppks) of K. petricola A95, which produces more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) than the wild type (WT), enables the comparative study of the role of melanin and EPS in olivine dissolution. In abiotic dissolution experiments, the olivine dissolution rate decreased considerably over time at pH 6 but not at pH 3.5. This inhibition of abiotic olivine dissolution at pH 6 was most likely caused by the in-situ oxidation of ferrous Fe and/or the precipitation of ferric hydroxides at the olivine surface. In corresponding biotic experiments at pH 6, both the wild type K. petricola and its melanin-deficient mutant ΔKppks solubilised and bound significant amounts of Fe released by olivine dissolution. Fe oxidation and precipitation were thus prevented and olivine dissolution proceeded faster than in the abiotic experiments. By sequestering Fe directly at the olivine surface, the attached wild type K. petricola cells were particularly efficient at preventing the oxidation of Fe at the mineral surface: the slowdown of olivine dissolution almost completely disappeared. The attachment capacity of these wild type cells is most likely mediated by wild type-specific EPS. Our presented experimental systems allow the oxidation of mineral-released Fe and include a rock-inhabiting fungus, thus simulating chemical, physical and biological conditions that set dissolution rates in a way that is relevant to natural ecosystems.
The exciting properties of micro- and nano-patterned surfaces found in natural species hide a virtually endless potential of technological ideas, opening new opportunities for innovation and exploitation in materials science and engineering. Due to the diversity of biomimetic surface functionalities, inspirations from natural surfaces are interesting for a broad range of applications in engineering, including phenomena of adhesion, friction, wear, lubrication, wetting phenomena, self-cleaning, antifouling, antibacterial phenomena, thermoregulation and optics. Lasers are increasingly proving to be promising tools for the precise and controlled structuring of materials at micro- and nano-scales. When ultrashort-pulsed lasers are used, the optimal interplay between laser and material parameters enables structuring down to the nanometer scale. Besides this, a unique aspect of laser processing technology is the possibility for material modifications at multiple (hierarchical) length scales, leading to the complex biomimetic micro- and nano-scale patterns, while adding a new dimension to structure optimization. This article reviews the current state of the art of laser processing methodologies, which are being used for the fabrication of bioinspired artificial surfaces to realize extraordinary wetting, optical, mechanical, and biological-active properties for numerous applications. The innovative aspect of laser functionalized biomimetic surfaces for a wide variety of current and future applications is particularly demonstrated and discussed. The article concludes with illustrating the wealth of arising possibilities and the number of new laser micro/nano fabrication approaches for obtaining complex high-resolution features, which prescribe a future where control of structures and subsequent functionalities are beyond our current imagination.
The present study reports on results of analysis of the elemental composition of thin films by electron probe microanalysis with energy dispersive (ED-EPMA) X-ray spectrometry in conjunction with the dedicated thin-film analysis software package Stratagem and by X-ray fluorescence in its version with a micro-focus X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) source attached to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two thin-film systems have been analyzed: Fe1-xNix on silicon wafer and Si1-xGex on Al2O3 substrate, in both cases the layers being grown to a thickness of about 200 nm by ion beam sputter deposition. Samples of five different atomic fractions have been produced and analyzed for each thin-film system. Moreover, reference samples with certified elemental composition and thickness have been also available. This study is part of an interlaboratory comparison organized in the frame of standardization technical committee ISO/TC 201 “Surface chemical analysis.” Two laboratories have been analyzed by ED-EPMA (one laboratory standardless and one laboratory using both standardless and with standards variants) and one laboratory by μ-XRF (standardless and with standards). All the elemental compositions obtained with different methods are in very good agreement for the complete two sets of five samples each.
Clays are crucial mineral phases in Earth’s weathering engine, but we do not know how they form in surface environments under (near-)ambient pressures and temperatures. Most synthesis routes, attempting to give insights into the plausible mechanisms, rely on hydrothermal conditions, yet many geological studies showed that clays may actually form at moderate temperatures (<100 °C) in most terrestrial settings. Here, we combined high-energy X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to derive the mechanistic pathways of the low-temperature (25–95 °C) crystallization of a synthetic Mg-clay, saponite. Our results reveal that saponite crystallizes via a two stage process: (1) a rapid (several minutes) coprecipitation where ∼20% of the available magnesium becomes incorporated into an aluminosilicate network, followed by (2) a much slower crystallization mechanism (several hours to days) where the remaining magnesium becomes gradually incorporated into the growing saponite sheet structure.
Hierarchical micro/-nanostructures were produced on polycarbonate polymer surfaces by employing a two-step UV-laser processing strategy based on the combination of Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) of gratings and pillars on the microscale (3 ns, 266 nm, 2 kHz) and subsequently superimposing Laser-induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS; 7–10 ps, 350 nm, 100 kHz) which adds nanoscale surface features. Particular emphasis was laid on the influence of the direction of the laser beam polarization on the morphology of resulting hierarchical surfaces. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy methods were used for the characterization of the hybrid surface structures. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of the laser intensity distribution on the DLIP structures allowed to address the specific polarization dependence of the LIPSS formation observed in the second processing step. Complementary chemical analyzes by micro-Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy provided in-depth information on the chemical and structural material modifications and material degradation imposed by the laser processing. It was found that when the linear laser polarization was set perpendicular to the DLIP ridges, LIPSS could be formed on top of various DLIP structures. FDTD calculations showed enhanced optical intensity at the topographic maxima, which can explain the dependency of the morphology of LIPSS on the polarization with respect to the orientation of the DLIP structures. It was also found that the degradation of the polymer was enhanced for increasing accumulated fluence levels.
Background: The ubiquitous occurrence of microplastic particles in marine and aquatic ecosystems was intensively investigated in the past decade. However, we know less about the presence, fate, and input paths of microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems. A possible entry path for microplastic into terrestrial ecosystems is the agricultural application of sewage sludge and solid bio-waste as fertilizers. Microplastic contained in sewage sludge also includes Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which could originate as fiber from textile products or as a fragment from packaging products (foils, bottles, etc.). Information about microplastic content in such environmental samples is limited yet, as most of the used analytical methods are very time-consuming, regarding sample preparation and detection, require sophisticated analytical tools and eventually need high user knowledge.
Results: Here, we present a simple, specific tool for the analysis of PET microplastic particles based on alkaline extraction of PET from the environmental matrix and subsequent determination of the monomers, terephthalic acid, using liquid chromatography with UV detection (LC-UV). The applicability of the method is shown for different types of PET in several soil-related, terrestrial environmental samples, e.g., soil, sediment, compost, fermentation residues, but also sewage sludge, suspended particles from urban water management systems, and indoor dust. Recoveries for model samples are between 94.5 and 107.1%. Limit of determination and limit of quantification are absolute masses of 0.031 and 0.121 mg PET, respectively. In order to verify the measured mass contents of the environmental samples, a method comparison with thermal extraction-desorption-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) was conducted. Both methods deliver similar results and corroborated each other. PET mass contents in environmental samples range from values below LOQ in agriculture soil up to 57,000 mg kg−1 in dust samples.
Conclusions: We demonstrate the potential of an integral method based on chemical extraction for the Determination of PET mass contents in solid environmental samples. The method was successfully applied to various matrices and may serve as an analytical tool for further investigations of PET-based microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems.
Accurate and reproducible measurement of the structure and properties of high-value nanoparticles is extremely important for their commercialization. A significant proportion of engineered nanoparticle systems consist of some form of nominally core-shell structure, whether by design or unintentionally. Often, these do not form an ideal core-shell structure, with typical deviations including polydispersity of the core or shell, uneven or incomplete shells, noncentral cores, and others. Such systems may be created with or without intent, and in either case an understanding of the conditions for formation of such particles is desirable. Precise determination of the structure, composition, size, and shell thickness of such particles can prove challenging without the use of a suitable range of characterization techniques. Here, the authors present two such polymer core-shell nanoparticle systems, consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene cores coated with a range of thicknesses of either polymethylmethacrylate or polystyrene. By consideration of surface energy, it is shown that these particles are expected to possess distinctly differing coating structures, with the polystyrene coating being incomplete. A comprehensive characterization of these systems is demonstrated, using a selection of complementary techniques including scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, differential centrifugal sedimentation, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By combining the results provided by these techniques, it is possible to achieve superior characterization and understanding of the particle structure than could be obtained by considering results separately.
In contrast to the crisp, clear images you can get from electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns are rather featureless. These patterns, however, contain averaged structural information of all of the finest material structures that were illuminated by the X-ray beam. With careful and precise investigation, and supplementary information from complementary techniques, this bulk material structure can be quantified to reveal structural information spanning four or even five decades in size. Additionally, while the data correction and analysis is complex, sample preparation is very straightforward, also allowing for in-situ and operando measurements to be performed without breaking a sweat. In the right hands, then, this technique can be the most powerful tool in your analytical arsenal.
Simultaneous characterization of poly(acrylic acid) andpolysaccharide polymers and copolymers
(2020)
Copolymer products that result from grafting acrylic acid and other hydrophilicmonomers onto polysaccharides have recently gained significant interest in researchand industry. Originating from renewable sources, these biodegradable, low toxicity,and polar copolymer products exhibit potential to replace polymers from fossil sourcesin several applications and industries. The methods usually employed to character-ize these copolymers are, however, quite limited, especially for the measurement ofbulk properties. With more sophisticated applications, for example, in pharmaceu-tics requiring a more detailed analysis of the chemical structure, we describe a newapproach for this kind of complex polymers. Our approach utilizes chromatographyin combination with several detection methods to separate and characterize reactionproducts of the copolymerization of acrylic acid and chemically hydrolyzed starch.These samples consisted of a mixture of homopolymer poly (acrylic acid), homopoly-mer hydrolyzed starch, and – in a lower amount – the formed copolymers. Several chro-matographic methods exist that are capable of characterizing either poly (acrylic acid)or hydrolyzed starch. In contrast, our approach offers simultaneous characterization ofboth polymers. The combination of LC and UV/RI offered insight into the compositionand copolymer content of the samples. Size exclusion chromatography experimentsrevealed the molar mass distribution of homopolymers and copolymers. FTIR inves-tigations confirmed the formation of copolymers while ESI-MS gave more details onthe end groups of hydrolyzed starches and poly (acrylic acids). Evidence of copolymerstructures was obtained through NMR measurements. Finally, two-dimensional chro-matography led to the separation of the copolymers from both homopolymers as wellas the additional separation of sodium clusters. The methods described in this work area powerful toolset to characterize copolymerization products of hydrolyzed starch andpoly(acrylic acid). Together, our approach successfully correlates the physicochemicalproperties of such complex mixtures with their actual composition.
The complex effects of nanoparticles on a thermosetting material based on an anhydride cured DGEBA/Boehmite nanocomposite with different particle concentrations is considered. A combination of X-ray scattering, calorimetry, including fast scanning calorimetry as well as temperature modulated calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy, was employed to study the structure, the vitrification kinetics and the molecular dynamics of the nanocomposites. For the first time in the literature for an epoxy-based composite a detailed analysis of the X-ray data was carried out. Moreover, the unfilled polymer was found to be intrinsically heterogeneous, showing regions with different crosslinking density, indicated by two separate dynamic glass transitions. The glass transition temperature decreases with increasing nanoparticle concentration, resulting from a change in the crosslinking density. Moreover, on the one hand, for nanocomposites the incorporation of nanofiller increased the number of mobile segments for low nanoparticle concentrations, due to the altered crosslinking density. On the other hand, for higher loading degrees the number of mobile segments decreased, resulting from the formation of an immobilized interphase (RAF). The simultaneous mobilization and immobilization of the segmental dynamics cannot be separated unambiguously. Taking the sample with highest number of mobile segments as reference state it was possible to estimate the amount of RAF.
In addition to molar mass distribution (MMD) synthetic polymers often exhibit an additional chemical heterogeneity distribution, expressed by different end groups and other structural variations (e.g. tacticity, copolymer composition etc.). Ionization in MALDI MS is always strongly affected by such chemical properties. For example, the abundance of cyclics in MALDI TOF mass spectra is frequently reported to greatly exceed that of linears. Thus, the MALDI ionization behavior of various neat end-capped linear poly(L-lactide)s and one cyclic poly(L-lactide) was investigated and compared with that of blends of both structures. Moreover, the influence of the cationizing salt was investigated too.
Neat compounds and various blends of cyclic and linear species were prepared and studied using two MALDI TOF mass spectrometers under identical conditions with regard to sample preparation and instrumental conditions, except for the laser power and the salt used for cationization. Polymer samples were additionally characterized by NMR and SEC.
The steady increase of the laser intensity caused an exponential increase of the peak intensities of both linear and cyclic polylactides.The response of linear polylactides (in the investigated molecular mass range), whether as neat polymer or in blends with other linear polylactides was almost similar. This clearly supports our assumption that ionization in MALDI is probably unaffected by the end group structure.The variation of the laser power shows only little effect on the intensity ratio of linear-to linear and cyclic-to-linear polylactides in blends. Whereas neat linear polylactides at all laser intensities have a significantly higher abundance than neat cyclics, in mixtures of both an overestimation of cyclic species in MALDI TOF mass spectra of polylactides was found. However, this is far less distinct than frequently reported for other polymers.Concluding, peak suppression of linear polymers in mixtures of both architectures can be excluded, which also means, that polylactides showing only peaks of cyclic compounds in their MALDI - TOF mass spectra do not contain a significant fraction of linear analogues.
Our study is the first systematic comparison of the MALDI ionization of neat and blended cyclic and linear polylactides.
The characteristics of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in large‐scale applications. In the present study, self‐assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in multiple layers was selected as a deposition procedure on various substrates. For this, the main prerequisite constitutes the surface modification of both NPs and substrate with, for example, silane coupling agents. A set of functionalized TiO2 NPs has been produced by reaction with either (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) or (3‐aminopropyl)phosphonic acid (APPA) to functionalize the NP surface with free amino‐groups. Then, the complementary functionalized NP set can be obtained from an aliquot of the first one, through the conversion of free surface amino groups to aldehydes by reaction with glutaraldehyde (GA). Several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape, and specific surface area have been functionalized. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM/ energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), XPS, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and Time‐of‐Flight (ToF)‐SIMS analyses have been carried out to evaluate the degree of functionalization, all the analytical methods employed demonstrating successful functionalization of TiO2 NP surface with APTES or APPA and GA.
To better study the impact of nanoparticles on both in vitro and in vivo models, tissue distribution and cellular doses need to be described more closely. Here silver nanoparticles were visualized in alveolar macrophages by means of synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-μXRF) with high spatial resolution of 3 × 3 μm2. For the spatial allocation of silver signals to cells and tissue structures, additional elemental labeling was carried out by staining with eosin, which binds to protein and can be detected as bromine signal with SR-μXRF. The method was compatible with immunostaining of macrophage antigens. We found that the silver distribution obtained with SR-μXRF was largely congruent with distribution maps from a subsequent laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of the same tissue sites. The study shows a predominant, though not exclusive uptake of silver into alveolar macrophages in the rat lung, which can be modeled by a similar uptake in cultured alveolar macrophages. Advantages and limitations of the different strategies for measuring nanoparticle uptake at the single cell level are discussed.
A new concept called “Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) combined with simultaneous POlyCondensation” (ROPPOC) is presented and discussed. This synthetic strategy is based on the intermediate formation of chains having two end groups that can react with each other. The ROPPOC syntheses are subdivided into three groups according to the nature of the chain ends: two ionic end groups, one ionic and one covalent chain end and a combination of two reactive covalent end groups may be involved, depending on the catalyst. The usefulness for the preparation of cyclic polymers is discussed with a review of numerous previously published examples. These examples concern to following classes of cyclic polymers: polypeptides, polyamides, polyesters, including polycarbonates, and cyclic polysiloxanes. It is demonstrated, that the results of certain ROPPOC syntheses are in contradiction to the Jacobson-Stockmayer theory. Finally, the usefulness of ROPPOCs for the detection of polydisperse catenanes is discussed.
CaSO4 minerals (i.e., gypsum, anhydrite, and bassanite) are widespread in natural and industrial environments. During the last several years, a number of studies have revealed that nucleation in the CaSO4–H2O system is nonclassical, where the formation of crystalline phases involves several steps. Based on these recent insights, we have formulated a tentative general model for calcium sulfate precipitation from solution. This model involves primary species that are formed through the assembly of multiple Ca2+ and SO42– ions into nanoclusters. These nanoclusters assemble into poorly ordered (i.e., amorphous) hydrated aggregates, which in turn undergo ordering into coherent crystalline units. The thermodynamic (meta)stability of any of the three CaSO4 phases is regulated by temperature, pressure, and ionic strength, with gypsum being the stable form at low temperatures and low-to-medium ionic strengths and anhydrite being the stable phase at high temperatures and at lower temperature for high salinities. Bassanite is metastable across the entire phase diagram but readily forms as the primary phase at high ionic strengths across a wide range of temperatures and can persist up to several months. Although the physicochemical conditions leading to bassanite formation in aqueous systems are relatively well established, nanoscale insights into the nucleation mechanisms and pathways are still lacking. To fill this gap and to further improve our general model for calcium sulfate precipitation, we conducted in situ scattering measurements at small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray scattering and complemented these with in situ Raman spectroscopic characterization. Based on these experiments, we show that the process of formation of bassanite from aqueous solutions is very similar to the formation of gypsum: it involves the aggregation of small primary species into larger disordered aggregates, only from which the crystalline phase develops. These data thus confirm our general model of CaSO4 nucleation and provide clues to explain the abundant occurrence of bassanite on the surface of Mars (and not on the surface of Earth).
The very strong Lewis acid aluminium chlorofluo-ride (ACF) was loaded with anhydrous HF. The interactionbetween the surface of the catalyst and HF was investigatedusing a variety of characterization methods, which revealed he formation of polyfluorides. Moreover, the reactivity ofthe HF-loaded ACF towards the hydrofluorination of alkyneswas studied.
Zur Ermittlung von Mikroplastik-Gehalten in verschiedenen Umweltmatrices ist ein schnelles Detektionsverfahren für die Routineanalytik notwendig. Ein solches Verfahren wird hier in Form der ThermoExtraktion/Desorption-GasChromatographie/ MassenSpektroskopie (TED-GC/MS) vorgestellt. Neben grundlegenden verfahrensspezifischen Erläuterungen zur Identifizierung und Quantifizierung von Mikroplastik werden auch exemplarische Beispiele aus unterschiedlichen Umweltkompartimenten und Produkten dargestellt. Neu vorgestellt wird ein neues Verfahren zur Analytik von Flaschenwasser. Dazu wurde ein Messfiltertiegel entwickelt, der besonders für Proben mit geringen Gehalten an abfiltrierbaren Stoffen geeignet ist
In this paper we report high-pressure synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction data for the cubic ZrWMoO8. For the first time, extensive structural study of ZrWMoO8 solid solution as a function of pressure was performed. This study shows that disordered cubic-ZrWMoO8 (space group Pa) transforms to ordered cubic-ZrWMoO8 (space group P) at low pressure. A further high-pressure influence leads followed by amorphization of the sample at 2.2 GPa. All transformations are irreversible. Our work will have high impact in the design of new composite materials with well-defined thermal expansion, especially for applications under extreme conditions and high mechanic stress.
A hydrothermal synthesis of ZrW2-xMoxO8 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) from the corresponding precursors is reported in this paper. High-temperature and high-pressure data are presented for the sample with x = 1.6. An increase in temperature initiates the phase transition from tetragonal precursor to orthorhombic-ZrW2-xMoxO8 (x = 1.6) with the subsequent formation of cubic and trigonal phases. The thermolysis parameter of the disordered cubic ZrW2-xMoxO8 (x = 1.6) phase is 803 K, and the coefficient of thermal expansion is α = -4.6∙10–6 K−1. Data on ZrW2-xMoxO8 (x = 1.6) structure as a function of pressure are obtained for the first time. Pressureinduced changes from cubic to orthorhombic ZrW2-xMoxO8 (x = 1.6) phase at 1.38 GPa are observed. The sample amorphization is irreversible during decompression.
Rhodium(III) octahedral complexes with amine and chloride ligands are the most common starting compounds for preparing catalytically active rhodium(I) and rhodium(III) species. Despite intensive study during the last 100 years, synthesis and crystal structures of rhodium(III) complexes were described only briefly. Some [RhClx(NH3)6-x] compounds are still unknown. In this study, available information about synthetic protocols and the crystal structures of possible [RhClx(NH3)6−x] octahedral species are summarized and critically analyzed. Unknown crystal structuresof(NH4)2[Rh(NH3)Cl5],trans–[Rh(NH3)4Cl2]Cl·H2O,andcis–[Rh(NH3)4Cl2]Clarereported based on high quality single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure of [Rh(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 was redetermined. All available crystal structures with octahedral complexes [RhClx(NH3)6-x] were analyzed in terms of their packings and pseudo-translational sublattices. Pseudo-translation lattices suggest face-centered cubic and hexagonal closed-packed sub-cells, where Rh atoms occupy nearly ideal lattices.
The products of thermal decomposition in an argon atmosphere of [Ni(NH3)6]3[Fe(CN)6]2 as a precursor has been studied. Decomposition products were studied up to 800◦C. Above 600◦C, all coordination bonds in the residues are broken with a formation of Ni3Fe, Fe, and free carbon with a small admixture of nitrogen. Elementary carbon can be easily separated from metals by treatment with a water solution of hydrochloric acid. Only carbon is responsible for the specific surface of the composite products. The released carbon has a high degree of graphitization and begins to oxidize in air above 500°C and is completely oxidized above 700°C.
Three binary fcc-structured alloys (fcc–Ir0.50Pt0.50, fcc Rh0.66Pt0.33 and fcc–Rh0.50Pd0.50) were 14 prepared from [Ir(NH3)5Cl][PtCl6], [Ir(NH3)5Cl][PtBr6], [Rh(NH3)5Cl]2[PtCl6]Cl2 and 15 [Rh(NH3)5Cl][PdCl4]·H2O, respectively, as single-source precursors. All alloys were prepared by 16 thermal decomposition in gaseous hydrogen flow below 800 °C. Fcc–Ir0.50Pt0.50 and fcc–Rh0.50Pd0.50 17 correspond to miscibility gaps on binary metallic phase diagrams and can be considered as 18 metastable alloys. Detailed comparison of [Ir(NH3)5Cl][PtCl6] and [Ir(NH3)5Cl][PtBr6] crystal 19 structures suggests that two isoformular salts are not isostructural. In [Ir(NH3)5Cl][PtBr6], specific 20 Br…Br interactions are responsible for crystal structure arrangement. Room temperature 21 compressibility of fcc–Ir0.50Pt0.50, fcc–Rh0.66Pt0.33 and fcc–Rh0.50Pd0.50 has been investigated up to 50 GPa 22 in diamond anvil cells. All investigated fcc-structured binary alloys are stable under compression. 23 Atomic volumes and bulk moduli show good agreement with ideal solutions model. For fcc–24 Ir0.50Pt0.50, V0/Z = 14.597(6) Å3·atom-1, B0 = 321(6) GPa, B0' = 6(1); for fcc–Rh0.66Pt0.33, V0/Z = 14.211(3) 25 Å3·atom-1, B0 =259(1) GPa, B0' = 6.66(9); for fcc–Rh0.50Pd0.50, V0/Z = 14.18(2) Å3·atom-1, B0 =223(4) GPa, 26 B0' = 5.0(3).
Biofilms cause complications and high costs in both industry and medicine. Of particular interest are bacterial infections of prosthetic materials, which usually cannot be eliminated due to the high antibiotic resistance known for bacteria forming biofilms. The search for new materials and coatings with lower colonization potential and antibacterial activity is of great importance to reduce biofilm formation. However, there is no standardized procedure to examine the colonization characteristics of bacteria in the Biofilm state in situ. Here, we describe an automated epifluorescence microscopy system for the semi-quantitative analysis of three-dimensional (3D) biofilms on various surfaces. To analyze adherent bacteria, three materials (glass, steel and titanium) were incubated with bacteria in a flow chamber system. After fluorescence staining of the bacteria, automated image capturing, quantification of the bacteria, measurement of the colonized area and determination of the 3D biofilm height were carried out by using novel software.
Furthermore, the materials were examined for their surface topography using white light scanning interferometry. Titanium compared to glass showed a significantly higher number of adherent bacteria.
We argue that this was due to the higher microroughness of titanium. The colonized area was in accordance with the number of adherent bacteria and was also significantly larger on titanium coupons compared to glass. Maximum 3D biofilm height on glass coupons was significantly lower compared to the ones on steel and titanium. This novel method enables the standardized, automated investigation of the colonization with bacteria on different materials. This approach can considerably support the characterization of new material surfaces and their innovative coatings by analyzing the amount of attached Bacteria and thickness of biofilms in situ and eliminates the need of conventional cultivation.
Iron oxides used as food colorants are listed in the European Union with the number E172. However, there are no specifications concerning the fraction of nanoparticles in these pigments.
Here, seven E172 products were thoroughly characterized. Samples of all colors were analyzed with a Broad spectrum of methods to assess their physico-chemical properties. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), zeta-potential, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET), Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) and in vitro cell viability measurements were used.
Nanoparticles were detected in all E172 samples by TEM or SAXS measurements. Quantitative results from both methods were comparable. Five pigments were evaluated by TEM, of which four had a size median below 100 nm, while SAXS showed a size median below 100 nm for six evaluated pigments. Therefore, consumers May be exposed to iron oxide nanoparticles through the consumption of food pigments.
All over the world, microplastic (MP) particles (particle size: 1 - 1.000 µm) are found in water, soil, air, biota and even food products. But plenty of these discussed findings are based on a very low number of real datasets, which are extrapolated to general projections. Furthermore, most data are not comparable because the strategies for sampling, sample preparation and detection methods are not harmonised/ or standardised. This would require extensive proficiancy tests. Because of the ubiquity presence and the unclear risks, which might arise from those particles, various political and environmental organisations (i.e. OECD, UNEP, WHO) identify the reduction of plastic entry in the environment as a key challenge for now and the future. This challenge includes the identification of relevant entry pathways but also the demand of harmonised, meaningful and reliable analytical procedures.
Regarding this task within the last few years, a fast practical solution for MP analysis has been developed, which includes the steps of representative sampling, adequate sample preparation and fast detection. Sampling is done by fractional filtration over sieves with mesh sizes of 500, 100, 50 and 5 µm [1]. The received samples are measured by ThermoExtraction/Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TED-GC-MS) [1,2]. for the most abundant polymers used in practice, which are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) and acrylate as well as styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR), a main component of tires.
The present presentation will give first-time insight in a comprehensive dataset of microplastic analysis for an exemplary urban sewage system. MP mass contents of different waters at several days, such as greywater, stormwater retention tank, influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) within an urban sewage system in Germany are determined. Furthermore, the mass of the polymers found in dry weather and rain weather flow are compared. The use of these large datasets allows first expressive conclusions regarding the contribution of urban sewage system to the MP entry sources in the environments.
We found PP and PS in all different waters. Furthermore, there is SBR in influent and also in effluent of the WWTP. Surprisingly, we could also detect hugh amounts of PE in the effluent of the WWTP.
In the present study, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) encapsulated poly-thiourea formaldehyde (PTF) (10 wt%) coating was developed in an epoxy-polyamine matrix and their anticorrosion studies on Type SS304 stainless steel substrate have been conducted using electrochemistry techniques. The compact and hydrophobic shell wall of PTF proved to be a potent shell wall material for HMDI encapsulation. The effect of temperature and pH values was found to be decisive factor in the synthesis of microcapsules. The PTF microcapsules were synthesized in acidic condition with a pH value of 3. Over 90% of the core fraction is retained in water after 21 days immersion. However, core content decreased with increasing temperature. The capsules were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Scanning electron microscopic analysis depicts the uniform morphology of coating with a particle size in the range of 1.08 µm–22.06 µm.
The vibrational band at 2271 cm−1 attributed to NCO signal further endorses the successful encapsulation of HMDI into the PTF capsules. Electrochemical testing on steel specifies the appreciable anticorrosion performance of the synthesized poly thiourea formaldehyde (PTF) coating against artificial sea water.
The study of van der Waals interactions plays a central role in the understanding of bonding across a range of biological, chemical and physical phenomena. The presence of van der Waals interactions can be identified through analysis of the reduced density gradient, a fundamental parameter at the core of Density Functional Theory. An extension of Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules is developed here through combination with the analysis of the reduced density gradient. Through this development, a new quantum chemical topological tool is presented: the volumetric source function.
This technique allows insight into the atomic composition of van der Waals interactions, offering the first route towards applying the highly successful source function to these disperse interactions. A new algorithm has been implemented in the open-source code, CRITIC2, and tested on acetone, adipic and maleic acids molecular crystals, each stabilized by van der Waals interactions. This novel technique for studying van der Waals interactions at an atomic level offers unprecedented opportunities in the fundamental study of intermolecular interactions and molecular design for crystal engineering, drug design and bio-macromolecular processes.
New coordination polymers with 2D network structures with fluorine directly coordinated to the metal ion were prepared both via mechanochemical synthesis and fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis. Depending on the synthesis route, the samples show different particle sizes, according to SEM imaging. The crystal structures of barium acetate fluoride, strontium acetate fluoride, and lead acetate fluoride (BaFIJCH3COO), SrFIJCH3COO) and PbFIJCH3COO)) were solved from X-ray powder diffraction data. The structure solution is backed by the results from 19F MAS NMR, FT IR data, and thermal analysis. The calculated chemical shifts of the 19F MAS NMR spectra coincide well with the measured ones. It turns out that the grinding conditions have a remarkable influence on the mechanochemical synthesis and its products. Our systematic study also indicates a strong influence of the atomic radii of Ca, Sr, Ba, and Pb on the success of the syntheses.
DNA basierte Dosimetrie
(2020)
We propose the development of a standardized DNA based dosimeter. This dosimeter will improve the comparability between the results of different laboratories in radiation research. Compared to conventional methods in dosimetry, this Approach provides direct access to the relation between radiation interaction and biological damage. Moreover, it enables the systematic investigation of the relation between the microscopic characteristics of radiation and DNA damage over a wide dose range.
In recent years, the improved understanding of the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has led to an emerging variety of applications that modify the optical, mechanical, and chemical properties of many materials. Such structures strongly depend on the laser beam polarization and are formed usually after irradiation with ultrashort linearly polarized laser pulses. The most accepted explanation for the origin of the structures is based on the interference of the incident laser radiation with electromagnetic surface waves that propagate or scatter at the surface of the irradiated materials. This leads to an intensity modulation that is finally responsible for the selective ablation in the form of parallel structures with periods ranging from hundreds of nanometers up to some micrometers. The versatility when forming such structures is based on the high reproducibility with different wavelengths, pulse durations and repetition rate laser sources, customized micro- and nanometric spatial resolutions, and compatibility with industrially relevant processing speeds when combined with fast scanning devices. In this contribution, we review the latest applications in the rapidly emerging field of surface functionalization through LIPSS, including biomimetic functionalities on fluid transport, control of the wetting properties, specific optical responses in technical materials, improvement of tribological performance on metallic surfaces, and bacterial and cell growth for medical devices, among many others.
Calcium alkali phosphates Ca(Na,K)PO4 are main constituents of bioceramics and thermochemically produced phosphorus fertilizers because of their bioavailability. Sparse thermodynamic data are available for the endmembers CaNaPO4 and CaKPO4. In this work, the missing data were determined for the low-temperature phase modifications of the endmembers CaNaPO4 and CaKPO4 and three intermediate Ca(Na,K)PO4 compositions. Standard enthalpy of formation ranges from - 2018.3 ± 2.2 kJ mol-1 to - 2030.5 ± 2.1 kJ mol-1 and standard entropy from 137.2 ± 1.0 J mol-1 K-1 to 148.6 ± 1.0 J mol-1 K-1 from sodium endmember b-CaNaPO4 to potassium endmember b0-CaKPO4.
Thermodynamic functions are calculated up to 1400 K for endmembers and the sodium-rich intermediate phase b-Ca(Na0.93K0.07)PO4. Functions above 640 K are extrapolated because of the phase transition from low- to high-temperature phase. Impurities in the synthesized intermediate phases c-Ca(Na0.4K0.6)PO4 and c-Ca Na0.35K0.65)PO4 and one additional phase transition around 500 K impeded the determination of high-temperature thermodynamic functions. In general, data for phase transition temperatures agree with the previously reported phase diagrams.
Nickel nanoparticles are an active research area due to their multiple applications as catalysts in different processes. A variety of preparation techniques have been reported for the synthesis of these nanoparticles, including solvothermal, microwave-assisted, and emulsion techniques. The well-studied solvothermal oleylamine synthesis route comes with the drawback of needing standard air-free techniques and often space-consuming glassware. Here, we present a facile and straightforward synthesis method for size-controlled highly monodisperse nickel nanoparticles avoiding the use of, e.g., Schlenk techniques and space-consuming labware. The nanoparticles produced by this novel synthetic route were investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were in a size range of 4–16 nm, show high sphericity, no oxidation, and no agglomeration after synthesis.
A new kind of high melting (HTm) pol(L-lactide) was discovered when cyclic poly(L-lactide)s were prepared by ring-expansion polymerization with cyclic tin catalysts at 130–160 °C in bulk. By DSC measurements with 10 K min−1 melting temperatures (Tm) in the range of 190–196 °C were found. The WAXS and SAXS measurements evidenced that not a new crystal lattice but a well-ordered morphology and a higher perfection of the crystallites are responsible for the high Tm values and high crystallinities. Under identical reaction conditions SnOct2-catalyzed and alcohol-initiated ROPs do not yield these crystallites.
Furthermore, it was found that the standard crystallites are kinetically favored upon rapid crystallization, whereas the high melting form of poly(L-lactide) is thermodynamically more stable.
The small-pore framework sodium stannosilicate AV-10, chemical composition Na2SnSi3O9⋅2H2O and known crystallographic structure, was synthesized by hydrothermal crystallization. This stannosilicate is built up of a three-dimensional network of corner-shared SiO4 tetrahedra and SnO6 octahedra. The SnO6 sites are linked to six SiO4 tetrahedra (Sn(6Si)) while each of the two crystallographically different SiO4 units are connected to two SnO6 and SiO4 units (Si(2Si,2Sn)). This material was used as model compound for developing a solid-state MAS NMR strategy aimed on the challenges and possibilities for structural studies, particularly considering the short and medium range order to verify the connectivity of SiO4 and SnO6 of such compounds despite the low natural abundances of 4.68% for 29Si and 8.59% for 119Sn nuclei as a real challenge. 29Si{119Sn} and 119Sn{29Si} REDOR (Rotational-Echo Double-Resonance) NMR measurements after 1H cross-polarization (CP) were carried out. The REDOR curves show a significant change after the “normal” quadratic short time evolution from which both (i) the shortest internuclear 29Si – 119Sn distances (and vice versa) and (ii) the number of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra around the SnO6 octahedra (and vice versa) can be obtained. Based on these data, optimized 29Si {119Sn} and 119Sn{29Si} REPT-HMQC (Recoupled Polarization Transfer-Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Correlation, again after 1H CP) experiments were implemented, which directly show those heterogroup connectivity as correlation peaks in a 2D spectrum. This information was also obtained using 2D29Si{119Sn}-J-Coupling NMR experiments. Furthermore, 2D29Si INADEQUATE NMR experiments are also feasible, showing the connectivity of SiO4 tetrahedra. The combination of REDOR, REPT-HMQC, J-Coupling and INADEQUATE experiments yielded a complete analysis of the short and medium range structure of this microporous stannosilicate, in agreement with the previously published structure obtained Ab Initio from powder X-Ray diffraction data (XRD).
The adsorption of organic micropollutants onto activated carbon is a favourable solution for the treatment of drinking water and wastewater. However, these adsorption processes are not sufficiently understood to allow for the appropriate prediction of removal processes. In this study, thermogravimetric analysis, alongside evolved gas analysis, is proposed for the characterisation of micropollutants adsorbed on activated carbon. Varying amounts of carbamazepine were adsorbed onto three different activated carbons, which were subsequently dried, and their thermal decomposition mechanisms examined. The discovery of 55 different pyrolysis products allowed differentiations to be made between specific adsorption sites and conditions. However, the same adsorption mechanisms were found for all samples, which were enhanced by inorganic constituents and oxygen containing surface groups. Furthermore, increasing the loadings led to the evolution of more hydrated decomposition products, whilst parts of the carbamazepine molecules were also integrated into the carbon structure. It was also found that the chemical composition, especially the degree of dehydration of the activated carbon, plays an important role in the adsorption of carbamazepine. Hence, it is thought that the adsorption sites may have a higher adsorption energy for specific adsorbates, when the activated carbon can then potentially increase its degree of graphitisation.
Hydrogen features a very high specific energy density and is therefore a promising candidate for clean fuel from renewable resources. Water electrolysis can convert electrical energy into storable and transportable hydrogen gas. Under acidic conditions, platinum is the most active and stable monometallic catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Yet, platinum is rare and needs to be used efficiently. Here, we report a synthesis concept for colloidal bimetallic platinum–ruthenium and rhodium–ruthenium nanoparticles (PtRuNP, RhRuNP) and their incorporation into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) films. The films exhibit high surface area, good electrical conductivity and well-dispersed nanoparticles inside the mesopores. The nanoparticles retain their size, crystallinity and composition during carbonization. In the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), PtRuNP/OMC catalyst films show up to five times higher activity per Pt than Pt/C/Nafion® and PtRu/C/Nafion® reference catalysts.
The electrocatalytic conversion of water into molecular hydrogen and oxygen under the utilization of excess renewable energies, such as wind power, photovoltaics and hydroelectric power is one possible pathway to establish a sustainable hydrogen economy. The obtained hydrogen is either stored and used in a fuel cell or consumed on-site in industrial applications.
Water electrolysis systems (WES) are based on two half cell reactions, such as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) which both proceed simultaneously. The OER suffers from slow reaction kinetics and thus limits the overall performance.
The most promising compounds in acidic electrolysis are IrO2 and RuO2. Due to their rare abundance and extremely high price a wide use of acidic WES was prevented. Lowering the catalysts noble metal content by mixing iridium with titanium reduces the production costs.
Thin films are produced by dip coating a solution of metal oxide precursors alongside with a polymer template dissolved in ethanol. The obtained samples are subsequently calcined to the remove the template and adjust crystallinity. Finally, an additional iridium deposition step was performed on the outer surface plane area.
Understanding the influence of structural and morphological aspects on the OER-activity is beneficial to further optimize WES. The current presentation will thus give detailed insights to structural aspects obtained by Raman spectroscopy, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering which are then combined with electrochemical parameters to deduce structure-activity relationships.
The large-scale mechanochemical reduction of binary sulfides chalcocite (Cu2S) and covellite (CuS) by elemental iron was investigated in this work. The reduction of Cu2S was almost complete after 360 min of milling, whereas in the case of CuS, a significant amount of non-reacted elemental iron could still be identified after 480 min. Upon application of more effective laboratory-scale planetary ball milling, it was possible to reach almost complete reduction of CuS. Longer milling leads to the formation of ternary sulfides and oxidation product, namely cuprospinel CuFe2O4. The rate constant calculated from the magnetometry measurements using a diffusion model for Cu2S and CuS reduction by iron in a large-scale mill is 0.056 min−0.5 and 0.037 min−0.5, respectively, whereas for the CuS reduction in a laboratory-scale mill, it is 0.1477 min−1. The nanocrystalline character of the samples was confirmed by TEM and XRD, as the produced Cu exhibited sizes up to 16 nm in all cases. The process can be easily scaled up and thus copper can be obtained much easier from refractory minerals than in traditional metallurgical approaches.
Supramolecular copolymerization driven by integrative self-sorting of hydrogen-bonded rosettes
(2020)
Molecular recognition to preorganize noncovalently polymerizable supramolecular complexes is a characteristic process of natural supramolecular polymers, and such recognition processes allow for dynamic self-alteration, yielding complex polymer systems with extraordinarily high efficiency in their targeted function. We herein show an example of such molecular recognition-controlled kinetic assembly/disassembly processes within artificial supramolecular polymer systems using six-membered hydrogen-bonded supramolecular complexes (rosettes). Electron-rich and poor monomers are prepared that kinetically coassemble through a temperature-controlled protocol into amorphous coaggregates comprising a diverse mixture of rosettes. Over days, the electrostatic interaction between two monomers induces an integrative self-sorting of rosettes. While the electron-rich monomer inherently forms toroidal homopolymers, the additional electrostatic interaction that can also guide rosette association allows helicoidal growth of supramolecular copolymers that are comprised of an alternating array of two monomers. Upon heating, the helicoidal copolymers undergo a catastrophic transition into amorphous coaggregates via entropy-driven randomization of the monomers in the rosette.
Spectroscopy in Catalysis
(2020)
Knowledge-based catalyst development is always an interaction between preparation, analysis and catalytic testing. Only if these three factors fit together can success be expected. For the analytic side of this triangle, spectroscopic methods play a crucial role. Whereas with diffraction, scattering and microscopy, decisive insights into the structure and morphology of the catalysts can be obtained, spectroscopy produces new knowledge about the chemical nature of the catalyst, e.g., its bonding and valence states.
Ring–Ring Equilibration in Solid, Even-Numbered Cyclic Poly(l-lactide)s and their Stereocomplexes
(2020)
Even-numbered cyclic poly(d-lactide) and poly(l-lactide) are prepared by ringexpansion polymerization. The cyclic pol(l-lactide) is annealed either at 120 or at 160 °C for several days. The progress of transesterification in the solid state is monitored by the formation of odd-numbered cycles via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The changes of the crystallinity are monitored by differential scanning calorimetry, wideand small-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS) measurements. Despite total even-odd equilibration at 160 °C, the crystallinity of poly(l-lactide) is not reduced. Furthermore, the crystallinity of the stereocomplexes of both cyclic polylactides do not decrease or vanish, as expected, when a blocky or random stereosequence is formed by transesterification. This conclusion is confirmed by 13C NMR spectroscopy. These measurements demonstrate that transesterification is a ring–ring equilibration involving the loops on the surfaces of the lamellar crystallites thereby improving crystallinity and 3D packing of crystallites without significant broadening of the molecular weight distribution.
Cyclic poly(L-lactide)s were prepared by ring-opening polymerization combined with simultaneous polycondensation (ROPPOC) in bulk at 160 ° with dibutyltin bis(4-cyanophenoxide) as catalyst. It is demonstrated by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry and 1H NMR end group analyses that cycles are formed by endto-end cyclization in addition to “back-biting” transesterification. Formation of high molar mass cyclic poly L-lactide)s by means of several more reactive ROPPOC catalysts presented previously and in new experiments is discussed. These experimental results, together with theoretical arguments, prove that part of the Jacobson–Stockmayer theory is wrong. The critical monomer concentration, above which end-toend cyclization is seemingly impossible, does not exist and reversible like irreversible polycondensations can theoretically proceed up to 100% conversion, so that finally all reaction products will necessarily adopt a cyclic architecture.
The quantitative difference in the antibacterial response was measured for pine rosin and propolis against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598. The activity was studied for fibrous networks that form entirely bio-based cellulose-acetate (CA) materials. The analysis considers the effects of bacterial input, additive dosage, solvent type, variation in preparation, as well as the effect of storage time. Based on the results, the electrospun network structure is dependent on the solvent and the concentration of rosin and propolis. Both rosin and propolis improved the cellulose acetate solution processability, yet they formed beads at high concentrations. Rosin and propolis created strong antibacterial properties when these material systems were immersed in the liquid for 24 h at room temperature. The response remained visible for a minimum of two months. The electrospun networks of water and DMAc solvent systems with 1 to 5 wt% rosin content were clearly more efficient (i.e., decrease of 4 to 6 logs in colony forming units per mL) than the propolis networks, even after two months. This efficiency is likely due to the high content of abietic acids present in the rosin, which is based on the Fourier transform infrared spectra. The results of the additional analysis and cell cultivation with dermal fibroblast cells indicated an impairing effect on skin tissue by the rosin at a 1 wt% concentration compared to the pure CA fibers.
Aluminum (Al) can be taken up from food, packaging, or the environment and thus reaches the human gastrointestinal tract. Its toxic potential after oral uptake is still discussed. The fate of different solid and ionic Al species during the passage through the digestive tract is the focus of this research, as well as the cellular effects caused by these different Al species. The present study combines the physicochemical processing of three recently studied Al species (metallic Al0, mineral Al2O3, and soluble AlCl3) in artificial digestion fluids with in vitro cell systems for the human intestinal barrier. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods were used to characterize the Al species in the artificial digestion fluids and in cell culture medium for proliferating and differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity testing and cellular impedance measurements were applied to address the effects of digested Al species on cell viability and cell proliferation. Microarray-based transcriptome analyses and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted to obtain a deeper insight into cellular mechanisms of action and generated indications for cellular oxidative stress and an influence on xenobiotic metabolism, connected with alterations in associated signaling pathways. These cellular responses, which were predominantly caused by formerly ionic Al species and only at very high concentrations, were not impacted by artificial digestion. A two-directional conversion of Al between ionic species and solid particles occurred throughout all segments of the gastrointestinal tract, as evidenced by the presence of nanoscaled particles. Nevertheless, this presence did not increase the toxicity of the respective Al species.
Currently, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is regarded as the main culprit of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), mainly due to the low reported corrosion rates of other microorganisms. For example, the highest reported corrosion rate for methanogens is 0.065 mm/yr. However, by investigating methanogen-induced microbiologically influenced corrosion (Mi-MIC) using an in-house developed versatile multiport flow test column, extremely high corrosion rates were observed. We analyzed a large set of carbon steel beads, which were sectionally embedded into the test columns as substrates for iron-utilizing methanogen Methanobacterium IM1. After 14 days of operation using glass beads as fillers for section separation, the highest average corrosion rate of Methanobacterium IM1 was 0.2 mm/yr, which doubled that of Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 and Desulfovibrio alaskensis 16109 investigated at the same conditions. At the most corroded region, nearly 80% of the beads lost 1% of their initial weight (fast-corrosion), resulting in an average corrosion rate of 0.2 mm/yr for Methanobacterium IM1-treated columns. When sand was used as filler material to mimic sediment conditions, average corrosion rates for Methanobacterium IM1 increased to 0.3 mm/yr (maximum 0.52 mm/yr) with over 83% of the beads having corrosion rates above 0.3 mm/yr. Scanning electron images of metal coupons extracted from the column showed methanogenic cells were clustered close to the metal surface. Methanobacterium IM1 is a hydrogenotrophic methanogen with higher affinity to metal than H2. Unlike SRB, Methanobacterium IM1 is not restricted to the availability of sulfate concentration in the environment. Thus, the use of the multiport flow column provided a new insight on the corrosion potential of methanogens, particularly in dynamic conditions, that offers new opportunities for monitoring and development of mitigation strategies. Overall, this study shows under certain conditions methanogenic archaea can cause higher corrosion than SRB, specific quantifications, i.e., maximum, average, and minimum corrosion rates can be determined, and that spatial statistical evaluations of MIC can be carried out.
Nanotechnology has enabled the discovery of a multitude of novel materials exhibiting unique physicochemical (PChem) properties compared to their bulk analogues. These properties have led to a rapidly increasing range of commercial applications; this, however, may come at a cost, if an association to long-term health and environmental risks is discovered or even just perceived. Many nanomaterials (NMs) have not yet had their potential adverse biological effects fully assessed, due to costs and time constraints associated with the experimental assessment, frequently involving animals. Here, the available NM libraries are analyzed for their suitability for integration with novel nanoinformatics approaches and for the development of NM specific Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for human and environmental risk assessment, all within the NanoSolveIT cloud-platform. These established and well-characterized NM libraries (e.g. NanoMILE, NanoSolutions, NANoREG, NanoFASE, caLIBRAte, NanoTEST and the Nanomaterial Registry (>2000 NMs)) contain physicochemical characterization data as well as data for several relevant biological endpoints, assessed in part using harmonized Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) methods and test guidelines.
Integration of such extensive NM information sources with the latest nanoinformatics methods will allow NanoSolveIT to model the relationships between NM structure (morphology), properties and their adverse effects and to predict the effects of other NMs for which less data is available. The project specifically addresses the needs of regulatory agencies and industry to effectively and rapidly evaluate the exposure, NM hazard and risk from nanomaterials and nano-enabled products, enabling implementation of computational ‘safe-by-design’ approaches to facilitate NM commercialization.
Laser material processing is an emerging technology that generates surface functionalities on the basis of optical, mechanical, or chemical properties. In the form of laser surface texturing (LST), it has attracted a remarkable amount of research to tailor surface properties towards various tribological applications. The main advantages of this single-step, laser-based technology are the contactless machining, featuring a high flexibility, efficiency, and speed, along with the excellent quality of the processed products. LST can be applied precisely localized to sub-micrometric areas, but, via laser beam scanning, it is also feasible for structuring large surface areas at the square meter size.
This Special Issue focuses on the latest developments concerning the tribological performance of laser-generated periodic surface nano- and microstructures and their applications. This includes the laser-based processing of different surface patterns, such as “self-organized” laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), grooves, micro-spikes, hierarchical hybrid nano-/micro-structures, microfeatures generated by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP), or even dimples or other topographic geometries shaped by direct laser modification or ablation. The applications of these periodically nano- and micro-patterned surfaces may improve the lubricated or non-lubricated tribological performance of surfaces in conformal and even non-conformal contact through a reduction of wear, a variation of the coefficient of friction, altered load carrying capacity, etc., resulting in energy saving, improved reliability, increased lifetimes as well as durability, leading in turn to extended maintenance intervals/reduced down-time. This can be beneficial in terms of bearings, gears, engines, seals, cutting tools, or other tribological components. Fundamental aspects addressed may involve the investigation of the relevant physical and chemical effects accompanying the laser-generated nano- and microscale topographies, such as alterations of the material structures, the hardness, superficial oxidation, the role of additives contained in lubricants, surface wettability, micro-hydrodynamic effects, etc.
For this Special Issue we aim to attract both academic and industrial researchers and would like to provide a bridge between research in the fields of tribology and laser material processing in order to foster the current knowledge and present new ideas for future applications and new technologies.