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Paper des Monats
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The ternary sulfido bismuthate K3[BiS3] is synthesized in quantitative yields. The material exhibits nonlinear optical properties with strong second harmonic generation properties at arbitrary wavelengths in the infrared spectral range and a notable laser-induced damage threshold of 5.22 GW cm−2 for pulsed laser radiation at a wavelength of 1040 nm, a pulse duration of 180 fs, and a repetition rate of 12.5 kHz. K3[BiS3] indicates semiconductivity with a direct optical band gap of 2.51 eV. Dielectric and impedance characterizations demonstrate κ values in the range of 6−13 at 1 kHz and a high electrical resistivity. A strong diamagnetic behavior with a susceptibility of −2.73 × 10−4 m3 kg−1 at room temperature is observed. These results suggest it is a promising nonlinear optical candidate for the infrared
region. The synergic physical characteristics of K3[BiS3] provide insight into the correlation of optical, electrical, and magnetic properties.
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.
In a recent publication the authors have presented theoretical and experimental results indicating that the Jacobson–Stockmayer (JS) theory does not provide a correct description of reversible polycondensations for all polymers and for high conversions (e.g. polycondensation in bulk). In this context reversibility means that all condensation step whether resulting in chain growth or in cyclization are reversible and thus, part of an equilibrium. The first two sections of that paper were focused on the demonstration that small, and above all, large cycles can be formed by end-to-end (ete) cyclization in reversible like in irreversible polycondensations. A significant contribution of ete-cyclization to the course of reversible polycondensations was denied by J + S apparently as a contribution to Florýs dogma, that the end groups of long polymer chains will never meet.
Die große Herausforderung in der Detektion von Mikroplastik (MP)‑Partikeln (1-1000 µm) besteht darin, sie neben Millionen von natürlichen Partikeln in Umweltproben nachzuweisen. Zum Aufspüren von Senken, Eintragspfaden und für Monitoring-Kampagnen ist ein schnelles, automatisiertes Verfahren unerlässlich. Ein solches Verfahren wurde an der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) mit der ThermoExtraktion/Desorption-Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie (TED-GC/MS) in den letzten Jahren entwickelt.
Crystallization is a complex phenomenon with farreaching implications for the production and formulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Understanding this process is critical for achieving control over key physicochemical properties that can affect, for example, the bioavailability and stability of a drug. In this study, we were able to reveal intricate and diverse dynamics of the formation of metastable intermediates of paracetamol crystallization varying with the choice of solvent. We demonstrate the efficacy of our novel approach utilizing an objective function-based non-negative matrix factorization technique for the analysis of time-resolved Raman
spectroscopy data, in conjunction with time-lapse photography.
Furthermore, we emphasize the crucial importance of integrating Raman spectroscopy with supplementary experimental instrumentation for the mathematical analysis of the obtained spectra.
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.
L-Lactide was polymerized with tin(II)acetate, tin(II)2-ethyl hexanoate, diphenyltin dichloride and dibutyltin bis(pentafluorophenoxide) at 130 °C in bulk. When an alcohol was added as initiator, linear chains free of cycles were formed having a degree of polymerization (DP) according to the lactide/initiator (LA/In) ratio.
Analogous polymerizations in the absence of an initiator yielded high molar mass cyclic polylactides.
Quite similar results were obtained when ε-caprolactone was polymerized with or without initiator.
Several transesterification experiments were conducted at 130 °C, either with polylactide or poly(ε-caprolactone) indicating that several transesterification mechanisms are operating under conditions that do not include formation of cycles by back-biting. Furthermore, reversible polycondensations (revPOCs) with low or moderate conversions were found that did not involve any kind of cyclization. Therefore, These results demonstrate the existence of revPOCs, which do neither obey the theory of irreversible polycondensation as defined by Flory nor the hypothesis of revPOCs as defined by Jacobson and Stockmayer. A new concept encompassing any kind of revPOCs is formulated in the form of a “polycondensation triangle”.
Review of x-ray exposure and safety issues arising from ultra-short pulse laser material processing
(2021)
Laser processing with ultra-short laser pulses enables machining of materials
with high accuracy and throughput. The development of novel laser Technologies with laser pulse repetition rates up to the MHz range opened the way for industrial manufacturing processes. From a radiological point of view this evolution is important, because x-ray radiation can be generated as an unwanted side effect in laser material processing. Even if the emitted x-ray dose per pulse is comparably low, the x-ray dose can become hazardous to health at high laser repetition rates. Therefore, radiation protection must be considered. This article provides an overview on the generation and detection of x-rays in laser material processing, as well as on the handling of this radiation risk in the framework of radiological protection.
1:1 Copolymerizations of glycolide (GL) and L-lactide (LA) is performed in bulk at 100°C and at 160°C with four cyclic tin catalysts. The resulting copolyesters are characterized by SEC measurements, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. At 160°C and longer reaction time (22 h) nearly complete conversion of both monomers is achieved, and cyclic copolymers with nearly random sequences are formed. At shorter times (0.5-3.0 h, depending on catalyst) the conversion of LA is incomplete, and only cyclics having even numbers of lactyl units are obtained. At 100°C at 22 h again cycles mainly consisting of even numbered lactyl units are formed, but with even and odd numbers of glycolyl units. Copolymerization of lactide at 160°C with small amounts of GL show that formation of high Tm crystallites (Tm > 190°C) is hindered even when only > 2% of GL is added. For polyglycolide containing a smaller amount of lactide complete solubility in hexafluoroisopropanol is only observed around and above 20 mol% of lactide.
L-Lactide was polymerized in bulk at 140 °C with three different cyclic tin catalysts and the time was varied from 1 d up to 14 d. The MALDI TOF spectra confirmed the formation of cyclic polylactides (PLAs) and displayed a characteristic change of peak intensity distribution with formation of a “saw tooth pattern”. This pattern confirms a previous hypothesis that cyclic PLAs tend to form crystallites with extended ring conformation and relatively smooth surface. This type of crystallites is formed under thermodynamic control by transesterification on the surface of the crystallites. In this way PLAs with extraordinarily high melting temperatures (Tm's up to 200.6 °C) and extraordinarily high melting enthalpy were obtained (ΔHm's up to 105 J g−1). These ΔHm values require a revision of the maximum ΔHm value calculated in the literature for ideal PLA crystals.
Five new cyclic catalysts were prepared by a new synthetic method from tin(II)-2-ethyhexanoate and silylated catechols, silylated 2,2´dihydroxybiphenyl or silylated 1,1´-bisnaphthol. These catalysts were compared with regard to their usefulness as catalysts for the ring expansion polymerization (REP) of L-lactide in bulk at 160 °C, and with two different tin(IV) derivatives of 1,1´binaphthol. Best results were obtained using seven-membered cyclic tin(II)bisphenoxides, which yielded colorless cyclic poly(l-lactide)s free of racemization with weight average molecular weights (Mw) up to 305 000 g mol-1. Furthermore, these catalysts were active even at a lactide/catalyst ratio of 20 000/1. Our new results were superior to those obtained from all other previously published catalysts yielding cyclic poly(L-lactide). The seven-membered cycles also proved to be more active than tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate with and without the addition of alcohol.
Meso-Lactide was polymerized in bulk at 60, 80, and 100 °C by means of three different types of catalysts: dibutyltinsulfides (2,2-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane and 2,20-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiane), dibutyltin derivatives of substituted cate-chols (BuCa, CyCa, and BzCa), and dibutyltin derivatives of2,2 dihydroxybiphenyl (SnBi) and 2,2-dihydroxy-1,10-binaphthyl(SnNa. Only the latter two catalysts were active at 60 °C. The architecture of the resulting polylactides depends very much on the structure of the catalyst and on the temperature. At the lowest temperature (60 °C), SnBi and SnNa mainly yielded even-numbered linear chains, but SnNa also yielded even-numbered cycles at 100 °C and short reaction times. In contrast,BuCa, CyCa, and BzCa mainly yielded odd-numbered cycles, although the same catalysts yielded even-numbered linear chains when benzylalcohol was added.
In contrast to other cyclic tin bisphenoxides, polymerizations of glycolide and l-lactide with the spirocyclic tin(IV) bis-1,1′-bisnapthoxide yield linear chains having a 1,1′-bisnapthol end group and no cycles. In the case of l-lactide, LA/Cat ratio and temperature are varied and at 160 °C or below, all polylactides mainly consist of even-numbered chains. A total predominance of even-numbered chains is also found for homopolymerization of glycolide, or the copolymerization of glycolide and l-lactide, when conducted <120 °C.
Linear chains having a bisnaphthol end group are again the main reaction products of ring-expansion polymerizations (REP) of 𝝐-caprolactone, but above 150 °C cycles are also formed.
Alcohol-initiated ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of L-Lactide (LA) were conducted in bulk at 130 °C catalyzed by Zn acetate (ZnAc2), lactate (ZnLac2), or caprylate (ZnCap2). 11-undecenol (UND), 1-hydroxymethylnaphtalene (HMN), and 4-nitrobenzylalcohol (4NB) were used as alcohols. Whereas variation of the alcohols had little effect, the usefulness of the catalysts increased in the order: acetate < lactate < caprylate. Hence, further alcohol-initiated polymerizations were performed with ZnCap2 alone and with variation of the lactide/catalyst (LA/Cat) ratio. With increasing LA/Cat ratio higher fractions of cyclic poly(L-lactide) (PLA) were found, so that the measured degree of polymerization (DP) is considerably lower than the theoretical value (i.e., 2 x LA/alcohol). With neat ZnCap2 cyclic PLAs were the largely prevailing reaction products. For these cyclic PLAs weight average molar masses (Mw) up to 134,000 were obtained and an optical purity around 99% was indicated by 13C NMR spectroscopy and DSC measurements even after 48 h at 150 or 160 °C.
With 2,2-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane (DSTL) and 2-stanna-1,3-dioxa-4,5,6,7-dibenzoxepane (SnBiPh) as catalysts ring-expansion polymerizations (REP) were performed either in 2 M solution using three different solvents and two different temperatures or in bulk at 140 and 120 ◦C. A kinetically controlled rapid REP up to weight average molecular masses (Mẃs) above 300 000 was followed by a slower degradation of the molecular masses at 140 ◦C, but not at 120 ◦C Furthermore, a low molecular mass cyclic poly(L-lactide) (cPLA) with a Mn around 16 000 was prepared by polymerization in dilute solution and used as starting material for ring-ring equilibration at 140 ◦C in 2 M solutions. Again, a decrease of the molecular mass was detectable, suggesting that the equilibrium Mn is below 5 000. The degradation of the molecular masses via RRE was surprisingly more effective in solid cyclic PLA than in solution, and a specific transesterification mechanism involving loops on the surface of crystallites is proposed. This degradation favored the formation of extended-ring crystallites, which were detectable by a “saw-tooth pattern” in their MALDI mass spectra.
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.
Hierarchically porous, high‐surface‐area silica materials are excellent candidates for multiple applications like catalysis and environmental remediation. Shaping these materials with additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, like robocasting, could enable their use with the benefit of on‐demand, customized shaping and maximizing performance. Herein, ordered mesoporous silica COK‐12 slurries were robocasted into monoliths, containing different ratios of uncalcined COK‐12 and sodium bentonite (0–25 wt.%). The rheology of the mixed slurries is characterized by lower flow indexes (0.69 vs. 0.32) and higher yield stresses (96 vs. 259 Pa) compared to pure COK‐12 ones. Monoliths were printed in woodpile structures and calcined at 600°C. Micro‐CT measurements showed a linear shrinkage of 25% after calcination. Mechanical characterization showed increased uniaxial strength (0.20 ± 0.07 to 1.0 ± 0.3 MPa) with increasing binder/solids ratio from 13 to 25%. The amorphous, mesoporous structure of COK‐12 was retained. The structures exhibited open porosities of 52 ± 4% and showed higher specific mesopore volumes, and increased average mesopore size (6 vs. 8 nm) compared to COK‐12. Small‐angle x‐ray scattering analysis revealed an increased lattice parameter (10.3 vs. 11.0 nm) and reduced wall thickness (3.1 nm vs. 4.1 nm) of the COK‐12 in the monoliths. These properties indicate suitability for their application as porous supports and adsorbents.
ABX3 metal halide perovskites revolutionized the research and development of new optoelectronics, including solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Processing polycrystalline thin films from precursor solutions is one of the core advantages of these materials since it enables versatile and cost-effective manufacturing. The perovskite film morphology, that is, continuous substrate coverage and low surface roughness, is of paramount importance for highly efficient solar cells and optoelectronic devices in general. Controlling the chemistry of precursor solutions is one of the most effective strategies to manage the perovskite film morphology. Herein, we show the fundamental influence of the A-site cation composition on the perovskite precursor arrangement and the consequent film formation. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering give unprecedented insights into the complex structural chemistry of the perovskite precursors and, in particular, their repulsive interactions as a crucial parameter for colloidal stability. Combining these techniques with in situ grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering during thin-film formation allows us to identify the mechanism for using alkali metals as a decisive criterion to control the colloidal stability of the perovskite precursor and thus the thin-film morphology. We illustrate the fundamental principle behind the systematic use of alkali metals regardless of whether they are incorporated in the lattice or not. Hence, this work provides tools to selectively control the morphology and crystal growth in present and future systems
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.
The catalytic potential of tin(II)acetate, tin(IV)acetate, dibutyltin-bis-acetate and dioctyl tin-bis-acetate was compared based on polymerizations of L-lactide conducted in bulk at 160 or 130C. With SnAc2 low-Lac/Cat ratios (15/1–50/1) were studied and linear chains having one acetate and one carboxyl end group almost free of cyclics were obtained. Higher monomer/catalyst ratios and lower temperatures favored formation of cycles that reached weight average molecular weights (Mw's) between 100,000 and 2,500,000. SnAc4 yielded mixtures of cycles and linear species under all reaction conditions. Dibutyltin- and dioctyl tin bis-acetate yielded cyclic polylactides under most reaction conditions with Mw's in the range of 20,000–80,000. Ring-opening polymerizations performed with ε-caprolactone showed similar trends, but the formation of COOH-terminated linear chains was significantly more favored compared to analogous experiments with lactide. The reactivity of the acetate catalysts decreased in the following order: SnAc2> SnAc4>Bu2SnAc2 Oct2SnAc2.
The catalytic potential of tin(II)acetate, tin(IV)acetate, dibutyltin-bis-acetate and dioctyl tin-bis-acetate was compared based on polymerizations of L-lactide conducted in bulk at 160 or 130°C. With SnAc2 low-Lac/Cat ratios (15/1–50/1) were studied and linear chains having one acetate and one carboxyl end group almost free of cyclics were obtained. Higher monomer/catalyst ratios and lower temperatures favored formation of cycles that reached weight average molecular weights (Mw's) between 100,000 and 2,500,000. SnAc4 yielded mixtures of cycles and linear species under all reaction conditions. Dibutyltin- and dioctyl tin bis-acetate yielded cyclic polylactides under most reaction conditions with Mw's in the range of 20,000–80,000. Ring-opening polymerizations performed with ε-caprolactone showed similar trends, but the formation of COOH-terminated linear chains was significantly more favored compared to analogous experiments with lactide. The reactivity of the acetate catalysts decreased in the following order: SnAc2> SnAc4>Bu2SnAc2~Oct2SnAc2
L-Lactide was polymerized by means of neat SnOct2 with variation of LA/Cat ratio, temperature and time. The resulting cyclic polylactides crystallized spontaneously at 160 °C or below, but needed nucleation via mechanical stress at 165 or 170 °C. All the crystalline polylactides obtained directly from ROP above 120 °C had melting temperatures (Tm) above 189 °C (up to 194.5 °C). SnOct2 also enabled transformation of low Tm poly(L-lactide)s (Tm <180 °C) into the high Tm m1odification by annealing, due to the impact of transesterification reactions in the interphase between the crystallites. The influence of crystallization temperature and annealing time on the crystal thickness was studied via SAXS measurements. A comparison with the crystallization and annealing experiments reported by Pennings and coworkers and Tsuji and Ikada is discussed, and a satisfactory agreement has been found, because those authors also studied polyLA samples containing SnOct2 in its active form. It is also demonstrated in this work that the high Tm modification cannot be obtained when the catalyst is removed or poisoned as it is true for commercial polylactides.
A new method for top‐down, one‐pot, gram‐scale production of high quality nanographene by incubating graphite in a dilute sodium hypochlorite solution at only 40 °C is reported here. The produced sheets have only 4 at% oxygen content, comparable with nanographene grown by chemical vapor deposition. The nanographene sheets are covalently functionalized using a nondestructive nitrene [2+1] cycloaddition reaction that preserves their π‐conjugated system. Statistical analyses of Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate a low number of sp3 carbon atoms on the order of 2% before and 4% after covalent functionalization. The nanographene sheets are significantly more conductive than conventionally prepared nanographene oxide, and conductivity further increases after covalent functionalization. The observed doping effects and theoretical studies suggest sp2 hybridization for the carbon atoms involved in the [2+1] cycloaddition reaction leading to preservation of the π‐conjugated system and enhancing conductivity via n‐type doping through the bridging N‐atom. These methods are easily scalable, which opens the door to a mild and efficient process to produce high quality nanographenes and covalently functionalize them while retaining or improving their physicochemical properties.
Metal carbides have shown great promise in a wide range of applications due to their unique catalytic, electrocatalytic and magnetic properties. However, the scalable production of dispersible metal carbide nanoparticles remains a challenge. Here, we report a simple and scalable route to dispersible iron carbide (Fe3C) nanoparticles. This uses MgO nanoparticles as a removable ‘cast’ to synthesize Fe3C nanoparticles from Prussian blue (KFeIII[FeII(CN)6]). Electron tomography demonstrates how nanoparticles of the MgO cast encase the Fe3C nanoparticles to prevent sintering and agglomeration during the high-temperature synthesis. The MgO cast is readily removed with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to generate Fe3C nanoparticles that can be used to produce a colloidal ferrofluid or dispersed on a support material.
Scaling of phonon frequencies and electron binding energies with interatomic distances in InxGa1−xN
(2021)
In-K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), x-ray photoelectron, and Raman spectroscopy results are combined for a comprehensive study of InxGa1−xN layers with energy gaps extending over nearly the whole visible spectrum. The In–N and In–(In,Ga) distances determind by EXAFS are used for the derivation of the In–N bond ionicity as well as for the phonon frequency dependence of the LO and B21 modes, assessed by Raman, and the N 1s, In 3d5/2, Ga 3s, and Ga 2p1/2 electron binding energies on those distances. Phonon confinement due to perturbation of the periodic potential caused by the alloying is also quantified.
Multidrug solids have a potential use to efficiently treat and control a superfluity of medical conditions.
To address the current drawbacks of drug development in R&D, it was targeted to achieve new pharmaceutical solid forms of fenamic acids having improved solubility and thermal stability. Subsequently, five new multicomponent solids consisting of three salt hydrates of trimethoprim (TMP) with mefenamic acid (TMP-MFA-H2O), tolfenamic acid (TMP-TFA-H2O) and flufenamic acid (TMP-FFA-H2O), and two cocrystals of sulfamethazine (SFZ) with flufenamic acid (SFZ-FFA) and niflumic acid (SFZ-NFA) were prepared by liquid assisted grinding. Looking at the structures of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) molecules, it was quite expected that a wide range of supramolecular synthons would lead to cocrystallization.
New forms were characterized thoroughly by various solid-state techniques, including single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), which provided details of hydrogen bonding, molecular packing and interactions between drug and coformer. Kinetic solubility at pH 7.4 buffer study has been carried out and a comparison is made with respect to the parent drugs. A significant enhancement of NSAIDs solubility was observed in all salt hydrate systems of TMP. Thus with increasing physicochemical properties such as improved solubility further leads to the enhancement of bioavailability, which has implications to overcoming the formulation related problems of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Frass (fine powdery refuse or fragile perforated wood produced by the activity of boring insects) of larvae of the European house borer (EHB) and of drywood termites was tested as a natural and novel feedstock for 3D-printing of wood-based materials. Small particles produced by the drywood termite Incisitermes marginipennis and the EHB Hylotrupes bajulus during feeding in construction timber, were used. Frass is a powdery material of particularly consistent quality that is essentially biologically processed wood mixed with debris of wood and faeces. The filigree-like particles flow easily permitting the build-up of woodbased structures in a layer wise fashion using the Binder Jetting printing process. The Quality of powders produced by different insect species was compared along with the processing steps and properties of the printed parts. Drywood termite frass with a Hausner Ratio HR = 1.1 with ρBulk = 0.67 g/cm3 and ρTap = 0.74 g/cm3 was perfectly suited to deposition of uniformly packed layers in 3D printing. We suggest that a variety of naturally available feedstocks could be used in environmentally responsible approaches to scientific material sciences/additive manufacturing.
In recent years, we have come to appreciate the astounding intricacies associated with the formation of minerals from ions in aqueous solutions. In this context, a number of studies have revealed that the nucleation of calcium sulfate systems occurs nonclassically, involving the aggregation and reorganization of nanosized prenucleation species. In recent work, we have shown that this particle-mediated nucleation pathway is actually imprinted in the resultant micrometer-sized CaSO4 crystals. This property of CaSO4 minerals provides us with the unique opportunity to search for evidence of nonclassical nucleation pathways in geological environments.
In particular, we focused on large anhydrite Crystals extracted from the Naica Mine in Mexico. We were able to shed light on this mineral's growth history by mapping defects at different length scales. Based on this, we argue that the nanoscale misalignment of the structural subunits, observed in the initial calcium sulfate crystal seeds, propagates through different length scales both in morphological, as well as in strictly crystallographic aspects, eventually causing the formation of large mesostructured single crystals of anhydrite. Hence, the nonclassical nucleation mechanism introduces a “seed of imperfection,” which leads to a macroscopic “single” crystal whose fragments do not fit together at different length scales in a self-similar manner. Consequently, anisotropic voids of various sizes are formed with very welldefined walls/edges. However, at the same time, the material retains in part its single crystal nature.
Selection and study of alkoxysilanes as loading in submicrocapsules for self-lubricating coatings
(2019)
The possibility and conditions for the formation of nano- or submicrocapsules loaded with hydrophobic active ingredients (alkoxysilanes) into the matrix of coatings with self-lubricating effect are considered. The optimal composition of the alkoxysilane submicrocapsules, and their physicochemical properties were determined. The longer the radical chain length is, the lower is the rate of hydrolysis, and, accordingly, the more stable is the formed emulsion. The methods of laser correlation spectroscopy in measuring the size and zeta potentials of the submicrocapsules with different loads of the active agent allowed to determine the optimal ratios of the active ingredients. The optimal concentration of the active agent is between 4 and 9%. Based on contact angle studies, octadecyltrimethoxysilane was selected as optimum compound. The introduction of 4 wt% of octadecyltrimethoxysilane reduces the friction coefficient of coatings by 20–30% under vibrating motion and by 15–20% under continuous motion. The data obtained can also be useful for the encapsulation of other hydrophobic active agents and for various other purposes, for example, for the introduction of biocidal agents.
Nanoporous media exhibit structures significantly smaller than the wavelengths of visible light and can thus act as photonic metamaterials. Their optical functionality is not determined by the properties of the base materials, but rather by tailored, multiscale structures, in terms of precise pore shape, geometry, and orientation. Embedding liquid crystals in pore space provides additional opportunities to control light–matter interactions at the single-pore, meta-atomic scale. Here, we present temperature-dependent 3D reciprocal space mapping using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction in combination with high-Resolution birefringence experiments on disk-like mesogens (HAT6) imbibed in self-ordered arrays of parallel cylindrical pores 17 to 160 nm across in monolithic anodic aluminium oxide (AAO). In agreement with Monte Carlo computer simulations we observe a remarkably rich self-assembly behaviour, unknown from the bulk state. It encompasses transitions between the isotropic liquid state and discotic stacking in linear columns as well as circular concentric ring formation perpendicular and parallel to the pore axis. These textural transitions underpin an optical birefringence functionality, tuneable in magnitude and in sign from positive to negative via pore size, pore surface-grafting and temperature. Our study demonstrates that the advent of large-scale, self-organised nanoporosity in monolithic solids along with confinement-controllable phase behaviour of liquid-crystalline matter at the single-pore scale provides a reliable and accessible tool to design materials with adjustable optical anisotropy, and thus offers versatile pathways to finetune polarisation-dependent light propagation speeds in materials. Such a tailorability is at the core of the emerging field of transformative optics, allowing, e.g., adjustable light absorbers and extremely thin metalenses.
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.
In the framework of the development of green analytical chemistry, a silica gel (SG) coated with a semi-penetrating network based on the partially biosourced poly(ethersulfone) is studied for a greener extraction process of aromatic organic pollutants. An optimized composition of the semi-penetrating network (80% of the linear polymer (LP): isosorbide-based poly(ethersulfone) and 20% cross-linking agent (XP) type bismaleimide) leads to a total adsorption of the selected aromatic pollutants, whatever their hydrophilicity. Adsorption characteristic, kinetics and isotherms of the SG-semi-INP LP80/XP20 for p-hydroxybenzoic acid and for toluic acid were studied. Langmuir model led to a better ftting of the adsorption isotherms; the adsorption of toluic acid is easier than that of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. 1/n values of benzoic acid was lower for SGsemi-INP LP80/XP20 compared to biochar and to cross-linked methacrylate resin, showing a higher adsorption efciency.
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.
The successful off-line coupling of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for separation of nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface coatings was shown. We could successfully demonstrate that, in a certain NP size range, hyphenation of both techniques significantly improved the separation of differently coated NPs. Three mixtures of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) with comparable core sizes but different coatings (no coating/carboxyl-coated) were studied. Separation in either method resulted in non-baseline resolved or non-separated peaks. In contrast, two-dimensional off-line coupling of AF4 and CE resulted in clearly separated regions in their 2 D plots in case of 20 and 50 nm particle mixtures, whereas the 100 nm NP mixture could not be separated at all. Various factors affecting the separation like hydrodynamic diameter or SDS concentration were discussed.
This work addresses the problem of determining the number of components from sequential spectroscopic data analyzed by non-negative matrix factorization without separability assumption (SepFree NMF). These data are stored in a matrix M of dimension “measured times” versus “measured wavenumbers” and can be decomposed to obtain the spectral fingerprints of the states and their evolution over time. SepFree NMF assumes a memoryless (Markovian) process to underline the dynamics and decomposes M so that M = WH, with W representing the components’ fingerprints and H their kinetics. However, the rank of this decomposition (i.e., the number of physical states in the process) has to be guessed from pre-existing knowledge on the observed process. We propose a measure for determining the number of components with the computation of the minimal memory effect resulting from the decomposition; by quantifying how much the obtained factorization is deviating from the Markovian property, we are able to score factorizations of a different number of components. In this way, we estimate the number of different entities which contribute to the observed system, and we can extract kinetic information without knowing the characteristic spectra of the single components. This manuscript provides the mathematical background as well as an analysis of computer generated and experimental sequentially measured Raman spectra.
There is only sparse empirical data on the settling velocity of small, non-buoyant microplastics thus far, although it is an important parameter governing their vertical transport within aquatic environments. This study reports the settling velocities of 4031 exemplary microplastic particles. Focusing on the environmentally most prevalent particle shapes, irregular microplastic fragments of four different polymer types (9–289 µm) as well as five discrete length fractions (50–600 µm) of common nylon and polyester fibers were investigated, respectively. All settling experiments were carried out in quiescent water using a specialized optical imaging setup. The method has been previously validated in order to minimize disruptive factors, e.g. thermal convection or particle interactions, and thus enable the precise measurements of the velocities of individual microplastic particles (0.003–9.094 mm/s). Based on the obtained data, ten existing models for predicting a particle’s terminal settling velocity were assessed. It is concluded that models, which were specifically deduced from empirical data on larger microplastics, fail to provide accurate predictions for small microplastics. Instead, a different approach is highlighted as a viable option for computing settling velocities across the microplastics continuum in terms of size, density and shape.
Deep understanding of the effects associated with fabrication parameters and their influence on the resulting structures shape is essential for the further development of direct laser writing (DLW). In particular, it is critical for development of reference materials, where structure parameters are precisely fabricated and should be reproduced with use of DLW technology. In this study we investigated the effect of various fabrication and preparation parameters on the structural precision of interest for reference materials. A well-studied photo-curable system, SZ2080 negative photo-resist with 1 wt.% Michler's ketone (Bis) photo-initiator, was investigated in this work. The correlation between applied laser power, laser velocity, fabrication direction on the deviations in the structure shape were observed by means of white light interferometry microscopy. Moreover, influence of slicing and hatching distances as well as prebake time were studied as function of sample shape. Deviations in the structure form between the theoretically expected and the one detected after DLW fabrication were observed in the range up to 15%. The observed shape discrepancies show the essential importance of fine-tuning the fabrication parameter for reference structure production.
The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity (WST-1 assay), LDH release (LDH assay) and genotoxicity (Comet assay) of three engineered TiO2-NPs with different shapes (bipyramids, rods, platelets) in comparison with two commercial TiO2-NPs (P25, food grade). After NPs characterization (SEM/T-SEM and DLS), biological effects of NPs were assessed on BEAS-2B cells in presence/absence of light. The cellular uptake of NPs was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy.
The cytotoxic effects were mostly slight. After light exposure, the largest cytotoxicity (WST-1 assay) was observed for rods; P25, bipyramids and platelets showed a similar effect; no effect was induced by food grade. No LDH release was detected, confirming the low effect on plasma membrane. Food grade and platelets induced direct genotoxicity while P25, food grade and platelets caused oxidative DNA damage. No genotoxic or oxidative damage was induced by bipyramids and rods. Biological effects were overall lower in darkness than after light exposure. Considering that only food grade, P25 and platelets (more agglomerated) were internalized by cells, the uptake resulted correlated with genotoxicity.
In conclusion, cytotoxicity of NPs was low and affected by shape and light exposure, while genotoxicity was influenced by cellular-uptake and aggregation tendency.
The expansive production of data in materials science, their widespread sharing and repurposing requires educated support and stewardship. In order to ensure that this need helps rather than hinders scientific work, the implementation of the FAIR-data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) must not be too narrow. Besides, the wider materials-science community ought to agree on the strategies to tackle the challenges that are specific to its data, both from computations and experiments. In this paper, we present the result of the discussions held at the workshop on “Shared Metadata and Data Formats for Big-Data Driven Materials Science”. We start from an operative definition of metadata, and the features that a FAIR-compliant metadata schema should have. We will mainly focus on computational materials-science data and propose a constructive approach for the FAIRification of the (meta)data related to ground-state and excited-states calculations, potential-energy sampling, and generalized workflows. Finally, challenges with the FAIRification of experimental (meta)data and materials-science ontologies are presented together with an outlook of how to meet them.
A scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM)‐based methodology is introduced for determining the dimensions (shell thickness, core and total diameter) of core‐shell nanoparticles, which exhibit a strong X‐ray absorption contrast and a well‐defined interface between core and shell material. A low radiation dosage during data acquisition and, therefore, less X‐ray beam‐induced damage of the sample is achieved by recording STXM images only at 2 predetermined energies of maximum Absorption contrast, instead of recording a stack of images across the whole absorption edge.
A model core‐shell nanoparticle, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cores with polystyrene (PS) shell, is used for demonstration. Near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy confirms the significant difference in X‐ray absorption behavior between PTFE and PS. Additionally, because of the insolubility of styrene in PTFE a well‐defined interface between particle core and shell is expected. To validate the STXM results, both the naked PTFE cores as well as the complete core‐shell nanoparticles are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduced STXM‐based methodology yields particle dimensions in agreement with the SEM results and provides additional information such as the position of the particle core, which cannot be extracted from a SEM micrograph.
Understanding the interaction between boehmite and epoxy and the formation of their interphases with different mechanical and chemical structures is crucial to predict and optimize the properties of epoxy-boehmite nanocomposites. Probing the interfacial properties with atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methods, especially particle-matrix long-range interactions, is challenging. This is due to size limitations of various analytical methods in resolving nanoparticles and their interphases, the overlap of interphases, and the effect of buried particles that prevent the accurate interphase property measurement. Here, we develop a layered model system in which the epoxy is cured in contact with a thin layer of hydrothermally synthesized boehmite. Different microscopy methods are employed to evaluate the interfacial properties. With intermodulation atomic force microscopy (ImAFM) and amplitude dependence force spectroscopy (ADFS), which contain information about stiffness, electrostatic, and van der Waals forces, a soft interphase was detected between the epoxy and boehmite. Surface potential maps obtained by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) revealed another interphase about one order of magnitude larger than the mechanical interphase. The AFM-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) technique reveals that the soft interphase consists of unreacted curing agent. The long-range electrical interphase is attributed to the chemical alteration of the bulk epoxy and the formation of new absorption bands.
We study the molecular mobility and electrical conductivity of a homologous series of linear shaped columnar ionic liquid crystals ILCn, (n = 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), specific heat spectroscopy (SHS), and X-ray scattering. We aim to understand how the alkyl chain length influences the dynamics and electric conductivity in this system. Two dielectrically active relaxation modes are observed, the γ and the αcore process, that correspond to the localized fluctuations of the alkyl chains and cooperative motions of the aromatic core in the columns, respectively. Both the γ relaxation and the αcore process slow down with increasing alkyl chain length. SHS reveals one relaxation process, the αalkyl process that has a similar temperature dependence as that of the αcore process for ILC12, 14, and 16 but shifts to higher temperature for ILC8 and 10. For ILC12, 14, and 16, the absolute values of DC conductivity increase by 4 orders of magnitude at the transition from the plastic crystalline to hexagonal columnar phase. For ILC8 and 10, the DC conductivity behavior is similar to ionic liquids, where the conductivity is coupled with structural relaxation. Small-angle X-ray investigations reveal that both the intercolumnar distance and the disorder coherence length increase with alkyl chain length; conversely, the DC conductivity decreases monotonically.
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.
Single Femtosecond Laser-Pulse-Induced Superficial Amorphization and Re-Crystallization of Silicon
(2021)
Superficial amorphization and re-crystallization of silicon in <111> and <100> orientation after irradiation by femtosecond laser pulses (790 nm, 30 fs) are studied using optical imaging and transmission electron microscopy. Spectroscopic imaging ellipsometry (SIE) allows fast data acquisition at multiple wavelengths and provides experimental data for calculating nanometric amorphous layer thickness profiles with micrometric lateral resolution based on a thin-film layer model. For a radially Gaussian laser beam and at moderate peak fluences above the melting and below the ablation thresholds, laterally parabolic amorphous layer profiles with maximum thicknesses of several tens of nanometers were quantitatively attained. The accuracy of the calculations is verified experimentally by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDX). Along with topographic information obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM), a comprehensive picture of the superficial re-solidification of silicon after local melting by femtosecond laser pulses is drawn.
Singlet oxygen generation potential of two novel free-base-porphyrin photocatalysts was investigated. The freebase-porphyrin-sensitized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were tested for the degradation of the model pollutant Bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution, for the first time. MNPs with either cubic or spherical shape were synthesized using the sonochemical approach, followed by sensitizing with photoactive 4,4′,4′′,4′′′- (Porphine-5,10,15,20-tetrayl)tetrakis(benzoic acid) (TCPP). The resulted photocatalysts were characterized in detail by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, spectral techniques and vibrating sample magnetometry. The electron spin resonance experiments have confirmed the high activity of the photocatalysts through the efficient formation of singlet oxygen in solution. The optimum operational parameters for BPA degradation were established as follows: 1.0 μmol L−1 BPA, 1.0 g L−1 of photocatalyst, 100 μmol L−1 H2O2, under UVA irradiation. In these conditions, the results for both photocatalysts revealed that after only 10 min of reaction, over 64% and ca. 90% of BPA have been removed from solution in the absence and presence of H2O2, respectively. Whereas after 60 minutes of treatment, only 24% of BPA in real wastewater effluent samples were removed under UVA irradiation in the absence of H2O2, showing the high complexity of real wastewater. Moreover, both photocatalysts were successfully used for BPA removal in three consecutive runs, without significant loss of catalytic features.
A novel stationary phase for affinity separations is presented. This material is based on sintered borosilicate glass readily available as semi-finished filter plates with defined porosity and surface area. The material shows fast binding kinetics and excellent long-term stability under real application conditions due to lacking macropores and high mechanical rigidity. The glass surface can be easily modified with standard organosilane chemistry to immobilize selective binders or other molecules used for biointeraction. In this paper, the manufacturing of the columns and their respective column holders by 3D printing is shown in detail. The model system protein A/IgG was chosen as an example to examine the properties of such monolithic columns under realistic application conditions. Several specifications, such as (dynamic) IgG capacity, pressure stability, long-term performance, productivity, non-specific binding, and peak shape, are presented. It could be shown that due to the very high separation speed, 250 mg antibody per hour and column can be collected, which surpasses the productivity of most standard columns of the same size. The total IgG capacity of the shown columns is around 4 mg (5.5 mg/mL), which is sufficient for most tasks in research laboratories. The cycle time of an IgG separation can be less than 1 min. Due to the glass material’s excellent pressure resistance, these columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems. This is usually not the case with standard affinity columns, limited to manual use or application in low-pressure systems. The use of a standard HPLC system also improves the ability for automation, which enables the purification of hundreds of cell supernatants in one day. The sharp peak shape of the elution leads to an enrichment effect, which might increase the concentration of IgG by a factor of 3. The final concentration of IgG can be around 7.5 mg/mL without the need for an additional nano-filtration step. The purity of the IgG was > 95% in one step and nearly 99% with a second polishing run.
Extraction of true, 3D shape (and size) of non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is associated with errors by conventional 2D electron microscopy using projection images. Significant efforts within the ISO technical committee TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ are aimed at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, standard procedures. Study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary crystallites of irregular shape must be measured accurately. To be noticed is e. g. the fact that the measurement procedure allows only manual selection of the particles clearly distinguishable for analysis as well as manual definition of the contour of the imaged NPs.
An inter-laboratory exercise on titania NPs (pure anatase, grown by hydrothermal synthesis) of well-defined non-spherical shape, i.e. bipyramidal has been recently started within ISO/TC 229 under similar conditions as for the irregular shaped titania. Overlapped particles were allowed to be considered, as long as they are clearly distinguishable. One decisive NP selection criterion was to analyze only those NPs with a roundness value below 0.7, i.e. the NPs laying on the support foil and, hence, with projection areas clearly deviating from perfect circles (R=1). The overall evaluation (for 15 labs) of the size descriptors (area, Feret, minFeret, perimeter) and shape descriptors (aspect ratio, roundness, compactness, extent) by analysis of variance is just to be finished and included in ISO/WD 21363 Nanotechnologies -- Protocol for particle size distribution by transmission electron microscopy.
A facile and efficient methodology is described for the solvothermal synthesis of size-tunable, stable, and uniform NiCu core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) for application in catalysis. The diameter of the NPs is tuned in a range from 6 nm to 30 nm and to adjust the Ni:Cu ratio from 30:1 to 1:1. Furthermore, the influence of different reaction parameters on the final NPs is studied. The NPs are structurally characterized by a method combination of transmission electron microscopy, anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray absorption fine structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Using these analytical methods, it is possible to elucidate a core–shell–shell structure of all particles and their chemical composition. In all cases, a depletion from the core to the shell is observed, with the core consisting of NiCu alloy, surrounded by an inner Ni-rich shell and an outer NiO shell. The SiO2-supported NiCu core–shell NPs show pronounced selectivity of >99% for CO in the catalytic reduction of CO2 to CO using hydrogen as reactant (reverse water–gas shift reaction) independent of size and Ni:Cu ratio.
A versatile software package in the form of a Python extension, named CDEF (computing Debye’s scattering formula for extraordinary form factors), is proposed to calculate approximate scattering profiles of arbitrarily shaped nanoparticles for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). CDEF generates a quasi-randomly distributed point cloud in the desired particle shape and then applies the open-source software DEBYER for efficient evaluation of Debye’s scattering formula to calculate the SAXS pattern (https://github.com/j-from-b/CDEF). If self-correlation of the scattering signal is not omitted, the quasi-random distribution provides faster convergence compared with a true-random distribution of the scatterers, especially at higher momentum transfer. The usage of the software is demonstrated for the evaluation of scattering data of Au nanocubes with rounded edges, which were measured at the four-crystal monochromator beamline of PTB at the synchrotron radiation facility BESSY II in Berlin. The implementation is fast enough to run on a single desktop computer and perform model fits within minutes. The accuracy of the method was analyzed by comparison with analytically known form factors and verified with another implementation, the SPONGE, based on a similar principle with fewer approximations. Additionally, the SPONGE coupled to McSAS3 allows one to retrieve information on the uncertainty of the size distribution using a Monte Carlo uncertainty estimation algorithm.
The occurrence of microplastic (MP) in food products, such as beverages in plastic bottles, is of high public concern. Existing analytical methods focus on the determination of particle numbers, requiring elaborate sampling tools, laboratory infrastructure and generally time-consuming imaging detection methods. A comprehensive routine analysis of MP in food products is still not possible. In the present work, we present the development of a smart filter crucible as sampling and detection tool. After filtration and drying of the filtered-off solids, a direct determination of the MP mass content from the crucible sample can be done by thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TED-GC/MS). The new filter crucible allows a filtration of MP down to particle sizes of 5 µm. We determined MP contents below 0.01 µg/L up to 2 µg/L, depending on beverages bottle type. This may be directly related to the bottle type, especially the quality of the plastic material of the screw cap. Dependent on the plastic material, particle formation increases due to opening and closing operations during the use phase. However, we have also found that some individual determinations of samples were subjected to high errors due to random events. A conclusive quantitative evaluation of the products is therefore not possible at present.