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Photoelectron spectroscopy
(2018)
Time-resolved phase-contrast microscopy is employed to visualize spatio-temporal thermal transients induced by tight focusing of a single Ti:sapphire fs-laser pulse into a solid dielectric sample. This method relies on the coupling of the refractive index change and the sample temperature through the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT. The thermal transients are studied on a timescale ranging from 10 ns up to 0.1 ms after laser excitation. Beyond providing direct insights into the laser–matter interaction, analyzing the results obtained also enables quantifying the local thermal diffusivity of the sample on a micrometer scale. Studies conducted in different solid dielectrics, namely amorphous fused silica (a-SiO2), a commercial borosilicate glass (BO33, Schott), and a custom alkaline earth silicate glass (NaSi66), illustrate the applicability of this approach to the investigation of various glassy materials.
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.
Quantifizierung der Schädigung von DNA in wässriger Lösung unter direkter Elektronenbestrahlung
(2018)
To cure cancer radiation therapy is used to kill tumor cells.
It is based on radiation induced damage to biomolecules.
Especially DNA damage is of key interest due to its central role in apoptosis and mutation.
Because of the high amount of water in biological tissue, most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles produced by the inelastic scattering of ionizing radiation and water.
A detailed understanding of the underlying molecular processes under physiological conditions is the prerequisite to develop more efficient therapies.
Goal of this work is to quantify the DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in dependence of the inelastic scattering events and the energy deposit within the microscopic target volume of biological relevance.
The irradiations have to be performed in liquid, under consideration of the chemical environment.
Therefore, a new combination of experiment and Monte-Carlo simulations was developed and tested.
To make it possible to irradiate liquids with electrons within scanning electron microscopes a new sample holder was constructed incorporating an electron transparent nanomembrane.
It makes it possible to irradiate DNA, proteins or cells at different pH, salinity and in the presence of cosolutes.
%The most important results of this work are as follows:
The median lethal dose for a model system of plasmid DNA and water was determined by the combination of experimental data, particle scattering simulations (Geant4-DNA) and diffusion calculations as D0.5=(1.7+-0.3) Gy.
From the convolution of plasmid positions and the spatially resolved energy deposit, as determined by electron scattering simulations, the histogram of the energy deposit within the target volume of the plasmids and the microscopic median lethal energy deposit was calculated as E0.5=6+-4eV.
It could be deduced that on average less than two ionization events are sufficient to cause a single-strand-break.
The relation of single-strand-breaks (SSB) to double-strand-breaks (DSB), which is of importance for microdosimetric modeling, was determined as SSB:DSB = 12:1.
The presented method for the determination of microscopic dose-damage relations was further extended to be applicable for general irradiation experiments.
It becomes independent of the type of primary radiation used, the experimental geometry, and the diffusional properties of the molecules under investigation.
This way different experimental systems with varying, inhomogeneous energy deposit characteristics become comparable with each other, which is not possible when only macroscopic averaged values are taken into account.
In addition, the radiation protection properties of the compatible solute ectoine, as well as its influence on the water properties and biomolecules were investigated.
%In addition, the influence of the compatible solute ectoine on water, biomolecules and its radiation protection properties were investigated.
Raman spectroscopy revealed a concentration dependent increase of the collective water modes in the OH-stretching region, which was found to be independent of the sodium chloride concentration.
Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the zwitterionic properties of ectoine lead to its half-chair conformation.
The hydrogen bonds in the first hydration shell are more stable and have an increased lifetime compared to the bulk water.
Irradiation experiments with DNA in the presence of 1M ectoine revealed an increase of the survival rate by a factor of 1.41 as compared to the absence of ectoine.
The protective properties of ectoine result from the increase of the inelastic scattering probabilities of low energy electrons at the acoustic vibrational modes of water and its properties as OH-radical scavenger.
This was shown by Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements (EPR).
The aldoximes C11H9NO (I) and C15H11NO (II), synthesized in ca 90%yield, by
treatment of 1-naphthaldehyde or phenanthrene-9-carbaldehyde, respectively,
with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium carbonate, have been characterized
by IR, 1H, 13C and DEPT-135 NMR spectroscopies, and also by singlecrystal
X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecules of (I) and (II) are
conformationally similar, with the aldoxime substituent groups lying outside
the planes of the naphthalene or phenanthrene rings, forming dihedral angles
with them of 23.9 (4) and 27.9 (6)°, respectively. The crystal structures of both
(I) and (II) are similar with a single intermolecular O—H...N hydrogenbonding
interaction, giving rise to the formation of one-dimensional polymeric
chains extending along the 21 (b) screw axes in each.
Der Vortrag widmet sich der „ELLIPSOMETRISCHE KLASSIFIZIERUNG VON KOHLENSTOFFSCHICHTEN“ und beschreibt die Punkte: 1. Anwendungen Kohlenstoffschichten–Carbon–based films (DLC) aus dem Vortrag N. Ohtakeet. al. (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017),2. Präparation der Kohlenstoffschichten für ISO TC 107 Ringversuch aus Vortrag M. Hiratsuka et. al. (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017), 3. Ellipsometrische Charakterisierung von Kohlenstoffschichten, Ergebnisse des Ringversuchs (ISO TC 107, Tokyo 2017) Vortrag Beck et. al. und 4.Deutsche Normungsaktivitäten national/international zur Ellipsometrie DIN NA 062-01-061 (DIN 50989-1)/TC 107 (PWI DE)“ im Einzelnen.
During the past few years significantly increasing research activities in the field of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) have been reported since the generation of LIPSS in a single-step process provides a simple way of surface nanostructuring towards a control of optical, mechanical or chemical surface properties. In this contribution the current research state in this field is reviewed. The formation of LIPSS upon irradiation of metals, semiconductors and dielectrics by multiple linearly polarized Ti:sapphire fs-laser pulses (30-150 fs) is studied experimentally and theoretically. Different types of LIPSS with periods even below 100 nm can be generated. Their dynamics and formation mechanisms are analyzed and identified in ultrafast optical experiments. Complementing theoretical calculations of the laser-induced carrier dynamics address transient changes of the optical properties of the irradiated materials and reveal the importance of surface plasmon polaritons in the early stage of LIPSS formation. Various applications of these nanostructures are outlined.
One of the holy grails in chemistry is to reconstruct some of life’s functions with synthetic materials. In this contribution, we demonstrate that “simple” macromolecular architectures such as dendritic amphiphiles, Janus dendrimers, thermoresponsive and hybrid organic-inorganic (co)polymers enable to mimic some of the functions of proteins for biomineralization, natural bactericides, biological membranes or the stimuli-responsive cytoskeleton.
Contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of diffusion and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) are used to gain insight into the aggregation of an alkyl–C60 derivative, molecule 1, in n-hexane, n-decane and toluene as a function of concentration and temperature. Results point to an associative mechanism of aggregation similar to other commonly associating molecules, including non-ionic surfactants or asphaltenes in non-aqueous solvents. Little aggregation is detected in toluene, but small micelle-like structures form in n-alkane solvents, which have a C60-rich core and alkyl-rich shell. The greatest aggregation extent is found in n-hexane, and at 0.1 M the micelles of 1 comprise around 6 molecules at 25 °C. These micelles become smaller when the concentration is lowered, or if the solvent is changed to n-decane. The solution structure is also affected by temperature, with a slightly larger aggregation extent at 10 °C than at 25 °C. At higher concentrations, for example in solutions of 1 above 0.3 M in n-decane, a bicontinuous network becomes apparent. Overall, these findings aid our understanding of the factors driving the assembly of alkyl–π-conjugated hydrophobic amphiphiles such as 1 in solution and thereby represent a step towards the ultimate goal of exploiting this phenomenon to form materials with well-defined order.
Proline has been widely used for various cocrystallization applications, including pharmaceutical cocrystals. Combining enantiopure and racemic flurbiprofen and proline, we discovered 18 new crystal structures. Liquid-assisted grinding proved highly efficient to explore all the variety of crystal forms. A unique combination of stateof-the-art characterization techniques, comprising variable temperature in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ ball-milling, along with other physicochemical methods and density functional theory calculations, was indispensable for identifying all the phases. Analyzing the results of in situ ball-milling, we established a stepwise mechanism for the formation of several 1:1 cocrystals via an intermediate 2:1 phase. The nature of the solvent in liquidassisted grinding was found to significantly affect the reaction rate and, in some cases, the reaction pathway.
We present an in situ PXRD investigation of the mechanochemical cocrystal formation of pyrazinamide with pimelic acid in two milling jar materials. DFT calculations of the two synthesized polymorphs suggest that the relative stability is based on a conformation change of pyrazinamide in the cocrystal.
A laser-based bottom-up technique for the fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) micro solar cells is presented.
We use femtosecond laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) to transport a metallic precursor composed of copper, indium, and gallium onto a molybdenum back contact layer on a glass substrate. A CIGSe absorber forms by subsequent selenization. An array of micro absorbers with defined spacing is fabricated to solar cells and characterized under concentrated light illumination. The solar cell array exhibited a conversion efficiency of 1.4‰ at 1 sun as well as a significant efficiency enhancement of 68% rel. under 20-fold concentration. This work demonstrates the possibility of directly grown micrometer-sized solar cells based on chalcogenide absorber layers, enabling effective material usage.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
Combining experiments and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we study the conformational behavior of polyacrylamide (PAM) in aqueous alcohol mixtures over a wide range of temperatures. This study Shows that even when the microscopic interaction is dictated by hydrogen bonding, unlike its counterparts that present a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PAM shows a counterintuitive tunable upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type phase transition in water/alcohol mixtures that was not reported before. The Phase transition temperature was found to be tunable between 4 and 60 1C by the type and concentration of alcohol in the mixture as well as by the solution concentration and molecular weight of the polymer. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed a UCST-like behaviour of the PAM in aqueous alcoholic solutions.
Additionally, it was observed that the PAM is more swollen in pure alcohol solutions than in 80% alcoholic solutions due to y-like behaviour. Additionally, in the globular state, the size of the aggregates was found to increase with increasing solvent hydrophobicity and polymer concentration of the solutions. Above ist Phase transition temperature, PAM might be present as individual polymer chains in the coil state (r10 nm). As PAM is a widespread polymer in many biomedical applications (gel electrophoresis, etc.), this finding could be of high relevance for many more practical applications in high performance pharmaceuticals and/or sensors.
Dynamics and ionic conductivity of ionic liquid crystals forming a hexagonal columnar mesophase
(2018)
For the first time, the molecular mobility of two linear-shaped tetramethylated guanidinium triflate ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) having different length of alkyl chains were investigated by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). By self-assembly, these ILCs can form a hexagonal ordered mesophase besides plastic crystalline phases and the isotropic state. Three dielectric active processes were found by BDS for both samples. At low temperatures, a γ-process in the plastic crystalline state is observed which is assigned to localized fluctuations of methyl groups including nitrogen atoms in the guanidinium head. At higher temperatures but still in the plastic crystalline state, an α1-process takes place. An α2 process was detected by SHS but with a completely different temperature dependence of the relaxation times than that of the α1-relaxation. This result is discussed in detail, and different molecular assignments of the processes are suggested. At even higher temperatures, electrical conductivity is detected and an increase in the DC conductivity by four orders of magnitude at the phase transition from the plastic crystalline to the hexagonal columnar mesophase is found. This result is traced to a change in the charge transport mechanism from a delocalized electron hopping in the stacked aromatic systems (in the plastic phase) to one dominated by an ionic conduction in the quasi-1D ion channels formed along the supermolecular columns in the ILCs hexagonal mesophases.
The paper addresses “WHITE LIGHT INTERFERENCE MICROSCOPY, ELLIPSOMETRY, AND INSTRUMENTED INDENTATION TESTING AS REFERENCE PROCEDURES“ and is subdivided in the following sections: 1. Measurement vs. testing vs. reference procedures, 2. White light interference microscopy (WLIM) for determination of step height h, 3. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) for determination of layer thickness d and 4. Instrumented indentation testing (IIT) for determination of indentation hardness HIT. The following points are discussed in more detail: methodology of measurement and testing, uncertainty budgets for direct (WLIM), model-based (SE) and formula-based (IIT) reference procedures by means of specific examples. It is shown that standardization efforts are connected to reference procedures.
PTFE/PS core-shell-nanoparticles were characterised by STXM, T-SEM, and ToF-SIMS. Shell-thicknesses were calculated and compared. Preliminary results from ToF-SIMS showed the capabilities of this method.
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 sharp 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 two 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, investigated at the HERMES beamline is presented for demonstration. This STXM based methodology yields particle dimensions in good agreement with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results (deviation equal or less than 10%). Extension of this methodology to core-shell nanoparticles with inorganic core and organic shell will also be presented and the challenges encountered will be highlighted.
The wear rates of self-amted alumina couples show that friction as well as wear is largely determined by the above mentioned hydro-thermal conditions. The presence of water and ist amount available in the surrounding system either in liquid or in gaseous from plays a key role for friction and wear behavior and cabe benefical for the tribological profile of steam degradation resistant materials. Hot steam enhances the tribo-chemical formations of oxides and hydroxides on MgO-ZrO2, alumina and antimony impregnated carbon.
Structural changes of highly active Pd/MeOx (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) during catalytic methane combustion
(2018)
Fe2O3, Co3O4 and NiO nanoparticles were prepared via a citrate method and further functionalized with Pd by impregnation. The pure oxides as well as Pd/Fe2O3, Pd/Co3O4, and Pd/NiO (1, 5 and 10 wt % Pd) were employed for catalytic methane combustion under methane lean (1 vol %)/oxygen rich (18 vol %, balanced with nitrogen) conditions. Already, the pure metal oxides showed a high catalytic activity leading to complete conversion temperature of T100 ≤ 500 °C. H2-TPR (Temperature-programmed reduction) experiments revealed that Pd-functionalized metal oxides exhibited enhanced redox activity compared to the pure oxides leading to improved catalytic combustion activity at lower temperatures. At a loading of 1 wt % Pd, 1Pd/Co3O4 (T100 = 360 °C) outperforms 1Pd/Fe2O3 (T100 = 410 °C) as well as 1Pd/NiO (T100 = 380 °C). At a loading of 10 wt % Pd, T100 could only be slightly reduced in all cases. 1Pd/Co3O4 and 1Pd/NiO show reasonable stability over 70 h on stream at T100. XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and STEM (Scanning transmission electron microscopy) investigations revealed strong interactions between Pd and NiO as well as Co3O4, respectively, leading to dynamic transformations and reoxidation of Pd due to solid state reactions, which leads to the high long-term stability.
Abstract: Hybrid silicon-based organic/inorganic (multi)block
copolymers are promising polymeric precursors to create
robust nano-objects and nanomaterials due to their sol–gel active moieties via self-assembly in solution or in bulk. Such nano-objects and nanomaterials have great potential in bio-medicine as nanocarriers or scaffolds for bone regeneration as well as in materials science as Pickering emulsifiers, pho-
tonic crystals or coatings/films with antibiofouling, antibac-
terial or water- and oil-repellent properties. Thus, this Review outlines recent synthetic efforts in the preparation of these hybrid inorganic/organic block copolymers, gives an
overview of their self-assembled structures and finally presents recent examples of their use in the biomedical field and
material science.
Polymers with intrinsic microporosity are promising candidates for the active separation layer in gas separation membranes. Here, the vibrational density of states (VDOS) for PIM-1, the prototypical polymer with intrinsic microporosity, is investigated by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The results are compared to data measured for a more conventional high-performance polyimide used in gas separation membranes (Matrimid). The measured data show the characteristic low frequency excess contribution to VDOS above the Debye sound wave level, generally known as the Boson peak in glass-forming materials. In comparison to the Boson peak of Matrimid, that of PIM-1 is shifted to lower frequencies. This shift is discussed considering the microporous, sponge-like structure of PIM-1 as providing a higher compressibility at the molecular scale than for conventional polymers. For an annealed PIM-1 sample, the Boson peak shifts to higher frequencies in comparison to the un-annealed sample. These changes in the VDOS of the annealed PIM-1 sample are related to changes in the microporous structure as confirmed by X-ray scattering.
Der Vortrag gibt den aktuellen Stand der Normung im Bereich der Oberflächen-technik insbesondere der Oberflächenanalytik und der Oberflächenmess- und -prüftechnik wider.
Vorgestellt wird der Status technischer Berichte, Normenentwürfe und Normen u.a. zur Charakterisierung von funktionellen Glasoberflächen für bioanalytische Anwendungen, zur Messung der Schichtdicke von Nanomaterialien mittels Ellipsometrie, zur Kalibrierung von Interferometern und Interferenzmikroskopen für die Formmessung, zur Rockwelleindringprüfung zur Bewertung der Schicht-haftung, zu den Grundlagen der Ellipsometrie, zur Messung der Schichtdicke mittels Wirbelstromverfahren, zur Schichtpotentialmessung von Mehrfach-Nickelschichten, zu Filtern und Augenschutzgeräten gegen Laserstrahlung sowie zur Bestimmung der Schichthaftung mittels Zugversuch.
For almost 150 years it is known that hydrogen has a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of metallic components. Nowadays, the problem of hydrogen assisted degradation is highly relevant in energy related fields due to the massive use of steel as a structural component in these applications and its sensitivity to hydrogen. Since the discovery of hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC), researchers studied intensively and suggested possible explanations and mechanisms in order to define how hydrogen is affecting the material. In general, it is considered that hydrogen changes the mechanical properties more in terms of ductility (deformation capacities) than in strength (load capacities). Hydrogen concentration is one of three crucial factors in the degradation process, together with the microstructure of the material and the internal/external mechanical load. The relatively high concentration of hydrogen resulting in this loss of ductility can originate during production or before service (e.g. welding processes) and during service (i.e. catholically protected systems to eliminate corrosion processes in sour environments).
In parallel to the theoretical work, tremendous efforts were, and are still, invested in searching for a proper method to elucidate, map and quantify the hydrogen in the microstructure, which is the basis for this work. For steels, the focus is mainly on the observations of diffusion processes and the interaction of hydrogen with the microstructure
in regions with high local stresses/strains (for example around evolving cracks). The challenge for reaching this goal arises from the fact that accurate indication of hydrogen by means of position, unlike heavier atoms, can be made only by mass spectrometry or by interaction with another element (e.g. silver decoration, special coating and resonant nuclear reaction by nitrogen). In addition to this, the difficulty recording the hydrogen behavior while it rapidly diffuses through the material, leaving only the unpredicted failure, should be taken into account.
Although using powerful characterization methods, models and computational simulations, the key to defining the mechanisms behind HAC is still under debate and not fully understood. The relationship between material and hydrogen is determined by three factors, i.e., the material structure and microstructure – determining the physical properties, the mechanical load applied on the material and the hydrogen concentration. It is well known that in order to have a complete definition of HAC these three factors must be examined locally with the minimal scale and the maximal resolution reachable. The major gap is the lack in such a characterization method or a technique by which one has the ability to detect and observe the hydrogen in the metallic microstructure. The commonly used techniques nowadays are capable of characterization of the microstructure without the ability to observe the hydrogen distribution. Global hydrogen concentration and localized hydrogen observation are possible by some techniques which are incapable of indicating a change in the structure or microstructure therefore a comprehensive overview can be gained only by combining several methods.
In the presented research, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was adopted as the main tool to detect and locally map the hydrogen distribution in two types of duplex stainless steel grades: EN 1.4462 (standard 2205 duplex stainless steel) and EN 1.4162 (2101 lean duplex stainless steel). The term duplex stainless steel (DSS) refers to the austenitic-ferritic microstructure of the steel where the combination of physical and mechanical properties of the two phases is achieved. The DSS was selected as a case study for this work due to the wide use of this grade in many energy and the lack of knowledge on hydrogen behavior in two-phase containing microstructures. ToFSIMS was exploited in-situ and ex-situ in three experimental approaches during or following
an electrochemical charging procedure. This type of hydrogen charging was selected as it simulated a procedure of cathodic protection of most sub-water oil and gas extraction and delivery systems. The experimental procedures were:
1. Ex-situ charging followed by ToF-SIMS imaging for basic understanding of hydrogen distribution.
2. Ex-situ charging followed by in-situ mechanical loading to obtain information on hydrogen behavior around a propagating crack.
3. In-situ permeation of hydrogen through a steel membrane inside the ToF-SIMS to obtain information on diffusion behavior of hydrogen in a two-phase microstructure.
The comprehensive view of the effect of hydrogen on steel was gained by using supplementary methods, such as high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The state of the art in this work lies in applying both: in-situ experimental approaches and data treatment of the ToF-SIMS raw data. The data treatment includes the combination of data from several sources (data fusion).
The results for the ex-situ charging followed by static sample imaging and data fusion showed that when the analyzed surface is directly exposed to the electrolyte the degradation is pronounced differently in the ferrite, austenite and interface. The degradation mechanisms in the ferrite and austenite were reflected by the formation of cracks on the surface of both, where a high concentration of hydrogen was obtained. This result supports the assumption that hydrogen is attracted to highly deformed regions. The advantage of using in-situ charging/permeation in comparison to ex-situ charging is that the effect of hydrogen on the ferrite and austenite phases when the hydrogen is evolving from within the microstructure is realized, in comparison to when the analyzed surface is initially exposed directly to the electrolyte. In both experiments the ferrite was observed as a fast diffusion path for the hydrogen. The faster diffusion of hydrogen through the ferrite is expected due to the higher diffusion coefficient, however, a direct proof for the diffusion sequence in this scale was never shown. Most significant results were achieved by the ‘core’ experiments of this research. These experiments included the design of a novel dynamic mechanical loading device to apply an external load during SIMS imaging of a hydrogen precharged-notched sample. For the first time it was shown that plastic deformation induced by applying a mechanical load is resulting in a redistribution of hydrogen locally around the notch.
The analysis of nanomaterials is current an important task - especially in case of risk assessment, as the properties of these material class are not well understood currently. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surfaces chemical composition has to be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials' behavior. ToF-SIMS has proven as a powerful tool to determine said chemical composition. Its superior surface sensitivity allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layer and therefore gives us an idea of the interactions involved. Here, we show first result from the validation of the method for the analysis of polystyrene and gold nanoparticles. ToF-SIMS will be compared to other methods like XPS, T-SEM or REM. Furthermore, principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of different sample preparation performed by an innovative microfluidic device. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
Equipping ZIF particles with a polyelectrolyte membrane provides functional groups at their interface, enabling further conjugations necessary for applications such as targeted drug delivery. Previous approaches to coat ZIF particles with polyelectrolytes led to surface corrosion of the template material. This work overcomes previous limitations by performing a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte coating onto ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 particles in nonaqueous environment. Using the 2-methylimidazolium salt of polystyrensulfonic acid instead of the acid itself and polyethyleneimine in methanol led to intact ZIF particles after polyelectrolyte coating. This was verified by electron microscopy. Further, zetapotential and atomic force microscopy measurements confirmed a continuous polyelectrolyte multilayer built up. The here reported adaption to the well-studied (LbL) polyelectrolyte selfassembly process provides a facile method to equip ZIF particles with a nanometer thin polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane.
Cost-effective water cleaning approaches using improved Treatment technologies, for instance based on catalytic processes with high activity catalysts, are urgently needed. The aim of our study was to synthesize efficient Fenton-like photo-catalysts for rapid degradation of persistent organic micropollutants in aqueous medium. Iron-based nanomaterials were chemically synthesized through simple procedures by immobilization of either iron(II) oxalate (FeO) or iron(III) citrate (FeC) on magnetite (M) nanoparticles stabilized with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Various investigation techniques were performed in order to characterize the freshly prepared catalysts. By applying advanced oxidation processes, the effect of catalyst dosage, hydrogen peroxide concentration and UV-A light exposure were examined for Bisphenol A (BPA) conversion, at laboratory scale, in mild conditions. The obtained results revealed that BPA degradation was rapidly enhanced in the presence of low-concentration H2O2, as well as under UV-A light, and is highly dependent on the surface characteristics of the catalyst. Complete photo-degradation of BPA was achieved over the M/PEG/FeO catalyst in less than 15 minutes. Based on the catalytic performance, a hierarchy of the tested catalysts was established: M/PEG/FeO > M/PEG/FeC > M/PEG. The results of cytotoxicity assay using MCF-7 cells indicated that the aqueous samples after treatment are less cytotoxic.
We will report on a new kind of ring-expansion polymerization (REP) of cyclic esters based of three classes of catalysts.
In contrast to REP described previously these new polymerizations are characterized by a self-extrusion of the catalysts resulting in cyclic homopolyesters as the only reaction product. These REP of L-lactide were performed in bulk at temperatures between 100 and 180°C without racemization. A simplified scheme of a REP catalyzed by BuCa or SnBi is presented below. With meso-lactide temperatures down to 60°C were realized. Depending on catalyst, time and temperature with equal quantities of even and odd-numbered cycles a strong predominance of either even or odd-numbered cycles was found.
Eine neue Art einer Ring-Expansion Polymerization (REP) von zyklischen Polylaktiden mittels neuer Katalysatoren wird präsentiert.
MALDI-TOF Massenspektrometrie und andere analytische Techniken wurden zur Aufklärung des Mechanismus eingesetzt. Dabei zeigte sich, dass im Gegensatz zu anderen REP, ausschließlich zyklische Polymere gebildet wurden. Diese stellen neue Kandidatenmaterialien für zukünftige neue CRM dar.
Controlled deposition of nanoparticles by electrospray for improved analysis by imaging techniques
(2018)
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is still considered as the gold standard, especially in the nano range (1–100 nm).
Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in conjunction with EM can be applied to individual NPs. Preparation of an EM sample for generic particulate materials is a difficult task. Usually the particles in a suspension are deposited on a support. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, and this can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. Additionally, the charging of particles minimizes agglomeration and aggregation, maximizing the collection of the EM grids. The prototype of an electrospray deposition system from RAMEM under its trademark IONER (www.ioner.eu) was tested. Electrospray is theoretically described since a long time, but no dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, apart from electrostatic deposition of aerosols.2 Several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were evaluated. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles (suited to automatic analysis).
The EC Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial1, based solely on size of the constituent particles, foresees development of harmonised measurement methods ensuring ‘consistent results across materials and over time’. The EU/FP7 large research project NanoDefine (http://www.nanodefine.eu) has been exclusively dedicated to support the implementation of this EC Recommendation for the European Union’s legislation. For the first time, measurement techniques able to determine the size of nanoparticles have been evaluated systematically on a well-defined set of quality control materials (spherical, monodisperse) as well as industrial materials of complex shapes and considerable polydispersity. Particularly based on the analytical performance of the measurement techniques as tested on the challenging real-world particulate materials, it was possible to formulate recommendations for use of a new tiered approach consisting of screening and confirmatory techniques. Thus, a consistent framework of guidance for nanomaterial identification according to the EC Definition has been issued in form of the NanoDefiner e-tool (https://labs.inf.fh-dortmund.de/NanoDefiner), with a transparent decision flow scheme and an extensive user manual. Selected examples of analysis and classification as nano-/non-nanomaterials will be given, highlighting the limits of applicability of the available measurement techniques in dependence on sample properties. On some recent relevant developments in sample preparation – as a crucial part for an accurate analysis - will be also reported.
In this article the question of the certification of calibration samples for the characterisation of advanced thin film materials is addressed within the framework of reliable process control or quality management purposes. Reference measurement techniques can be used in order to address the gap in appropriate certified reference materials (CRMs) for thin film analyses. They allow for qualifying out-of-production samples originating from an operating production line as calibration samples. As a template for this procedure, CIGS [Cu(In,Ga)Se2] layers, that are absorber layers for high efficiency thin-film solar cells, have been used for establishing and validating reference-free X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES) as reference measurement techniques. The focus was on determining the average mole fractions in the CIGS layers obtaining results traceable to the SI unit system. Reference-free XRF is physically traceable and is based upon radiometrically calibrated instrumentation and knowledge of atomic fundamental data. Sputter-assisted AES can be established as a chemically traceable method after careful calibration using a certified reference material (CRM) based on a total number counting method.
An artificial digestion of silver nitrate is reported. It is shown that AgSCN nanoparticles emerge from ionic silver in saliva and remain present during the entire digestion process. The particles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) regarding their composition and size distribution.
Quantifizierung der Schädigung von DNA in wässriger Lösung unter direkter Elektronenbestrahlung
(2018)
Bei der Behandlung von Krebs wird Strahlentherapie zur Zerstörung von Tumorzellen eingesetzt. Der zugrunde liegende Wirkmechanismus ist die durch ionisierende Strahlung verursachte Schädigung an Biomolekülen. Dabei kommt den Schädigungsprozessen an DNA aufgrund ihrer zentralen Rolle in Mutation und Zelltod eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Durch den hohen Wasseranteil in menschlichen Zellen findet ein Großteil der inelastischen Streuprozesse an Wassermolekülen statt und führt zur deren Radiolyse. Die so entstehenden Radiolyseprodukte sind für einen Großteil des Schadens an DNA verantwortlich. Ein detailliertes Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden molekularen Interaktion ist die Voraussetzung um effizientere Therapien zu entwickeln.
Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Schädigung von DNA durch ionisierende Strahlung in Abhängigkeit der inelastischen Streuevents und des Energieeintrags innerhalb des biologisch relevanten mikroskopischen Treffervolumens zu quantifizieren. Die Bestrahlungen müssen dazu in Flüssigkeit, unter Berücksichtigung der chemischen Umgebung durchgeführt werden, welche die indirekten Schäden vermittelt. Deshalb wurde eine neuartige Kombination aus Experiment und Monte- Carlo-Simulationen entworfen und angewandt. Um Elektronenbestrahlung flüssiger Lösungen innerhalb eines Rasterelektronenmikroskops zu ermöglichen, wurde ein Probenhalter mit einer für Elektronen durchlässigen Nanomembran entwickelt. So können Bestrahlungen an DNA,
Proteinen, und Zellen bei verschiedenen pH-Werten, Salzkonzentrationen oder in Anwesenheit von Kosoluten durchgeführt werden. Für ein Modellsystem aus Plasmid-DNA in Wasser wurde damit die mittlere letale Dosis aus der Kombination der experimentellen Daten, Partikelstreusimulationen (Geant4-DNA) und Diffusionsberechnungen zu D1/2 = 1.7 ± 0.3 Gy bestimmt. Aus der Konvolution der Plasmidpositionen mit dem durch Elektronenstreusimulationen bestimmten ortsaufgelösten Energieeintrag wurde dessen Häufigkeitsverteilung im Targetvolumen der
Plasmide sowie der mittlere mikroskopische letale Energieeintrag berechnet als E1/2 = 6 ± 4 eV .
Es wurde gefolgert, dass weniger als zwei Ionisationsprozesse im sensitiven Targetvolumen der DNA im Mittel zu einem Einzelstrangbruch führen. Das für mikrodosimetrische Modellierungen wichtige Verhältnis von Einzelstrangbrüchen (SSB) zu Doppelstrangbrüchen (DSB) wurde als SSB : DSB = 12 : 1 bestimmt. Die vorgestellte Methode zur Bestimmung mikroskopischer Schaden-Dosis Relationen wurde auf weitere Klassen von Bestrahlungsexperimenten verallgemeinert. Dadurch ist die Methode unabhängig von der verwandten Primärstrahlung, der Probengeometrie und den Diffusionseigenschaften der untersuchten Moleküle anwendbar. So wird eine Vergleichbarkeit experimenteller Systeme mit inhomogenen Energieverteilungen erreicht, die bei ausschließlicher Betrachtung makroskopischer, gemittelter Größen nicht gegeben ist.
Des weiteren wurden die Strahlenschutzfunktionen des kompatiblen Soluts Ectoine und sein Einfluss auf Wasser und Biomoleküle untersucht. Mittels Ramanspektroskopie wurde ein kon-zentrationsabhängiger Anstieg des Anteils der Kollektivmoden des Wassers der OH-Streckschwingungen und dessen Unabhängigkeit von der Natriumchloridkonzentration beobachtet.
Molekulardynamik-Simulationen zeigten, dass die zwitterionischen Eigenschaften zur Bildung einer half-chair Konformation Ectoines führen. Die Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen in der ersten Hydrationshülle sind signifikant stabiler und besitzen höhere Lebensdauern als das Bulk-Wasser. Bestrahlung von DNA in Anwesenheit von 1 M Ectoine führt zu einer Erhöhung der Überlebensrate um den Faktor 1,41. Die Schutzfunktion wurde auf die Erhöhung des Streuquerschnitts niederenergetischer Elektronen an den akustischen Vibrationsmoden des Wasser durch Ectoine und seine Wirkung als OH-Radikalfänger zurückgeführt. Dies wurde mittels Ramanspektroskopie und Elektronenspinresonanzmessungen (ESR) nachgewiesen.
Hybrid materials have attracted growing interest during the last decade, particularly due to their extraordinary properties. Cycloalyphatic-epoxy oligosiloxane (CEO) resin was shown to be a good candidate as a barrier material for the encapsulation purposes. Incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles such as Boehmite (BA) into polymers was observed to modify their specific characteristics, in particular, thermal, thermo-oxidative and barrier ones. In this work, novel BA-embedded organic inorganic hybrid nanocomposite material was engineered by combining the advantageous properties of hybrid polymers and nanoparticle enhancement effect. Impacts of particles on the photocuring kinetics, degree of crosslinking and the resultant changes in the thermal properties of the cured films were investigated. CEO synthesis via condensation reaction was confirmed by 1H and 29Si NMR. The particle distribution within the films was verified by SEM including transmission mode coupled with EDX elemental analysis. Photocuring kinetics and thermal properties of the films were studied by in situ FTIR spectroscopy and DSC with TGA, respectively.
The presence of nano-scaled particles in food and food-related products has drawn attention to the oral uptake of nanoparticles and their interactions with biological systems. In the present study, we used a toxicoproteomics approach to allow for the untargeted experimental identification and comparative analysis of cellular Responses in rat liver after repeated-dose treatment with silver nanoparticles, ions, and the coating matrix used for particle stabilization.
The proteomic analysis revealed treatment-related effects caused by exposure to silver in particulate and ionic form. Both silver species induced similar patterns of signaling and metabolic alterations. Silver-induced cellular alterations comprised, amongst others, proteins involved in metal homeostasis, oxidative stress response, and energy metabolism. However, we discovered that secondary nano-scaled structures were formed from ionic silver. Furthermore, also the coating matrix alone gave rise to the formation of nano-scaled particles.
The present data confirm, complement, and extend previous knowledge on silver toxicity in rodent liver by providing a comprehensive proteomic data set. The observation of secondary particle formation from nonparticle controls underlines the difficulties in separating particle-, ion-, and matrix coating-related effects in biological systems. Awareness of this issue will support proper evaluation of nanotoxicology-related data in the future.
The quantification of radiation induced damage to DNA in aqueous en-
vironment is of fundamental interest for dosimetry and its application
in radiation-therapy and protection. We present a combined experi-
mental and simulational approach to quantify and compare radiation
induced damage to biomolecules in liquid environment for a wide range
of primary radiation sources e. g. photons, electrons or ions and tar-
gets, such as DNA, proteins or cells.[1] To show its viability, we will
apply this method to an experimentally challenging systems, the di-
rect irradiation of plasmid DNA (pUC19) in water with electrons as
primary particles. Here we combine Geant4 electron-scattering simula-
tions with calculations concerning the diffusion and convection induced
movement of the biomolecules, within a coarse-grained model of the
irradiated liquid. Additionally a microscopic target model for the plas-
mid DNA based on the relation of lineal energy and radiation quality
is used to calculate the effective target volume.
Universität Berlin Radiation damage to biomolecules such as DNA, is the reason to treat cancer via radiation therapy. The understanding of the molecular processes and the quantification of the underlying damaging mechanisms is necessary to develope more efficient irradiation protocols for cancer therapy. Thereby damage to DNA is of key interest due to its central role in reproduction and mutation. Due to the high amount of water in biological tissue, most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles which are produced by the interaction of ionizing radiation with water. Thereby a multitude of species are produced, e.g. kinetic low energy electrons, prehydrated electrons, OH-radicals and ions. The quantification of the contribution to DNA damage by the various species is of interest. Here we present an experimental approach to disentangle their relative DNA strand break yields. Plasmid DNA (pUC19 ) is irradiated in water with electrons under the presence of different scavengers. The presented preliminary results reveal the relative contributions of OH-radicals, low energy electrons and prehydrated electrons and their DNA single and double strand break yields.
Zearalenone (ZEN) and its sulfate and glucoside conjugates have been detected in (a broad variety of) food and feed commodities1. Both conjugated derivatives are formed as part of fungal or plant secondary metabolism and thus, belong to the group of modified mycotoxins2. After consumption of contaminated foodstuff, the conjugates can be hydrolyzed by human intestinal microbiota leading to liberation of ZEN that implies an underestimation of the true ZEN exposure. In order to include ZEN conjugates in routine analysis, as well as for toxicological investigation reliable standards are needed.
The objective of the present study was to develop a simple and economic method for biosynthesis of ZEN conjugates. Preceding experiments on the biotransformation of ZEN by Rhizopus and Aspergillus species showed a mixed metabolite formation3. Therefore, these known ZEN conjugating fungal strains were screened for their potential to selectively synthesize the ZEN derivatives ZEN-14-sulfate (Z14S), ZEN-14-glucoside (Z14G) and ZEN-16-glucoside (Z16G). The screening was conducted by adding ZEN to liquid fungal cultures. Cultivation conditions and ZEN incubation time were varied. All media samples were analyzed for metabolite formation by HPLC-MS/MS. Z14S was exclusively formed by A. oryzae. Under optimized conditions a specific biosynthesis of Z14G by R. oryzae and Z16G by R. oligosporus was achieved. After liquid-liquid-extraction and preparative chromatographic cleanup 1H-NMR purities of ≥ 73% for Z14S, ≥ 82% for Z14G and ≥ 50% for Z16G were obtained. In addition, a consecutive biosynthesis was developed by first using Fusarium graminearum for ZEN biosynthesis on rice based liquid medium. After inactivation of Fusarium the subsequent conjugation reaction was conducted utilizing Aspergillus and Rhizopus species under the various optimized conditions.
In this study an easy and cost-efficient biosynthesis for Z14S, Z14G and Z16G was developed. The developed biosynthesis could be also used for other metabolites like ZEL conjugates. Our results of the in vitro screening indicate also the formation of a ZEL-glucoside and α ZEL-sulfate as major metabolites by R. oryzae. In sum, under optimized cultivation conditions fungi can be easily utilized for a targeted and stereospecific synthesis of ZEN conjugates.
Quantitative analysis of a bulk sample requires that the
composition of the sample is homogeneous over the analyzed
volume. For inhomogenous samples the calculation of
the matrix effects is not correct and this can lead to wrong results in the element concentrations. For samples containing a layer structure a different quantitative evaluation has to be applied. This can be provided with the standard-based analysis in ESPRIT in combination with the STRATAGem software.
In Glasfasern eingeschriebene Bragg-Gitter (FBG: fibre-based Bragg gratings) sind über die Verschiebung der Bragg-Wellenlänge in der Lage, Stauchungen und Dehnungen von Glasfasern hochgenau zu erfassen. In Kompositwerkstoffe eingebettete faseroptische Sensoren können Bauteile bezüglich ihrer mechanischen Integrität überwachen und früh-zeitig Informationen über Materialveränderungen gewinnen.
Um die Zuverlässigkeit eines solchen Sensors zu gewährleisten, ist es wichtig, die korrekte Funktion des Sensors im Verbund mit der Werkstoff-Matrix on-line und in-situ sicherzu-stellen. Im Rahmen des DFG-Projekts FAMOS² (FAser-basierter Magneto-Optischer SchichtSensor) wurde ein selbstdiagnosefähiger Schichtsensor entwickelt, der mit Hilfe von magnetostriktiven Aktorschichten aus Nickel bzw. Eisen-Nickel validiert werden kann.
Der FAMOS²-Schichtsensor wird durch ein PVD (physical vapour deposition)/ECD (electro-chemical deposition) Hybridschichtsystem realisiert, das auf dem Fasermantel im Bereich des FBG haftfest, homogen und langzeitfunktional abzuscheiden ist. Dabei wird in einem ersten Schritt ein etwa 100 Nanometer dünnes PVD-Schichtsystem aus Chrom und Kupfer als Haftvermittler auf der Glasfaser bzw. als leitfähige Startschicht für den nachfolgenden ECD-Prozess abgeschieden. Um eine rotationssymmetrische Schich-tabscheidung zu gewährleisten, erfolgt während der PVD-Beschichtung eine Rotation der Glasfasern. In einem zweiten Schritt wird dann unter Verwendung eines klassischen Watts-Elektrolyten in einer speziell entwickelten ebenfalls rotationssymmetrisch aufgebau-ten ECD-Durchströmungszelle dann die etwa 30 Mikrometer dicke, magnetostriktive Ak-torschicht auf dem PVD-Schichtsystem abgeschieden, im Vergleich sowohl reine Nickel-Schichten als auch Nickel-Eisen-Schichten.
Ein äußeres Magnetfeld dehnt die magnetostriktive Aktorschicht und damit auch die Faser reversibel. Diese Dehnung führt zu einer Verschiebung der Bragg-Wellenlänge, welche direkt mit der Stärke eines zu messenden oder zu Validierungszwecken vorgegebenen Magnetfeldes korreliert. Die Anpassung der Beschichtungsverfahren an die Fasergeome-trie und die mechanischen Eigenschaften der Hybridschichten werden hinsichtlich der me-chanischen Integrität des faseroptischen Sensors diskutiert und der Nachweis der Selbst-diagnosefähigkeit erbracht.
In Glasfasern eingeschriebene Bragg-Gitter (FBG: fibre-based Bragg gratings) sind über die Verschiebung der Bragg-Wellenlänge in der Lage, Stauchungen und Dehnungen von Glasfasern hochgenau zu erfassen. In Kompositwerkstoffe eingebettete faseroptische Sensoren können Bauteile bezüglich ihrer mechanischen Integrität überwachen und früh-zeitig Informationen über Materialveränderungen gewinnen.
Um die Zuverlässigkeit eines solchen Sensors zu gewährleisten, ist es wichtig, die korrekte Funktion des Sensors im Verbund mit der Werkstoff-Matrix on-line und in-situ sicherzu-stellen. Im Rahmen des DFG-Projekts FAMOS² (FAser-basierter Magneto-Optischer SchichtSensor) wurde ein selbstdiagnosefähiger Schichtsensor entwickelt, der mit Hilfe von magnetostriktiven Aktorschichten aus Nickel bzw. Eisen-Nickel validiert werden kann.
Der FAMOS²-Schichtsensor wird durch ein PVD (physical vapour deposition)/ECD (electro-chemical deposition) Hybridschichtsystem realisiert, das auf dem Fasermantel im Bereich des FBG haftfest, homogen und langzeitfunktional abzuscheiden ist. Dabei wird in einem ersten Schritt ein etwa 100 Nanometer dünnes PVD-Schichtsystem aus Chrom und Kupfer als Haftvermittler auf der Glasfaser bzw. als leitfähige Startschicht für den nachfolgenden ECD-Prozess abgeschieden. Um eine rotationssymmetrische Schich-tabscheidung zu gewährleisten, erfolgt während der PVD-Beschichtung eine Rotation der Glasfasern. In einem zweiten Schritt wird dann unter Verwendung eines klassischen Watts-Elektrolyten in einer speziell entwickelten ebenfalls rotationssymmetrisch aufgebau-ten ECD-Durchströmungszelle dann die etwa 30 Mikrometer dicke, magnetostriktive Ak-torschicht auf dem PVD-Schichtsystem abgeschieden, im Vergleich sowohl reine Nickel-Schichten als auch Nickel-Eisen-Schichten.
Ein äußeres Magnetfeld dehnt die magnetostriktive Aktorschicht und damit auch die Faser reversibel. Diese Dehnung führt zu einer Verschiebung der Bragg-Wellenlänge, welche direkt mit der Stärke eines zu messenden oder zu Validierungszwecken vorgegebenen Magnetfeldes korreliert. Die Anpassung der Beschichtungsverfahren an die Fasergeome-trie und die mechanischen Eigenschaften der Hybridschichten werden hinsichtlich der me-chanischen Integrität des faseroptischen Sensors diskutiert und der Nachweis der Selbst-diagnosefähigkeit erbracht.
Thermoresponsive polymer coatings can facilitate cell sheet fabrication under mild conditions by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation at 37 1C. At lower temperatures the detachment of confluent cell sheets is triggered without enzymatic treatment. Thus, confluent cell sheets with intact extracellular matrix for regenerative medicine or tissue engineering applications become available. Herein, we applied the previously identified structural design parameters of functional, thermoresponsive poly(glycidyl ether) brushes on gold to the more application-relevant substrate glass via the self-assembly of a corresponding block copolymer (PGE-AA) with a short surface-reactive, amine-presenting anchor block. Both, physical and covalent immobilization on glass via either multivalent ionic interactions of the anchor block with bare glass or the coupling of the anchor block to a polydopamine (PDA) adhesion layer on glass resulted in stable coatings. Atomic force microscopy revealed a high degree of roughness of covalently attached coatings on the PDA adhesion layer, while physically attached coatings on bare glass were smooth and in the brush-like regime. Cell sheets of primary human dermal fibroblasts detached reliably (86%) and within 20 ± 10 min from physically tethered PGE-AA coatings on glass when prepared under cloud point grafting conditions. The presence of the laterally inhomogeneous PDA adhesion layer, however, hindered the spontaneous temperature-triggered cell detachment from covalently grafted PGE-AA, decreasing both detachment rate and reliability. Despite being only physically attached, self-assembled monolayer brushes of PGE-AA block copolymers on glass are functional and stable thermoresponsive coatings for application in cell sheet fabrication of human fibroblasts as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Surface characterisation of biofilms by nearambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(2018)
The XPS information depth of approximately 10 nm is in the same size range as the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria, which makes XPS a suitable tool for determining the elemental composition of the bacterial surface and monitor changes caused by outer stress like dehydration or exposure to antimicrobials. However, bacteria are inherently in a hydrated state, and therefore only compatible to ultra-high vacuum after extensive sample preparation, which may degrade the sample constituents. This issue is addressed by the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, which enables bacteria and biofilms to be characterised in their native wet state. Artificial biofilms, bacteria and biofilms of Escherichia coli have been characterised with the laboratory NAP-XPS instrument EnviroESCA from SPECS GmbH, at pressures ranging from high vacuum to 12 mbar, and in both humid and dry environment. By studying biological samples in their native wet state, new insight about composition and transport of drugs through cell membranes and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilms can be obtained.
The XPS information depth of approximately 10 nm is in the same size range as the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria, which makes XPS a suitable tool for determining the elemental composition of the bacterial surface and monitor changes caused by outer stress like dehydration or exposure to antimicrobials. However, bacteria are inherently in a hydrated state, and therefore only compatible to ultra-high vacuum after extensive sample preparation, which may degrade the sample constituents. This issue is addressed by the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, which enables bacteria and biofilms to be characterised in their native wet state. Artificial biofilms, bacteria and biofilms of Escherichia coli have been characterised with the laboratory NAP-XPS instrument EnviroESCA from SPECS GmbH, at pressures ranging from high vacuum to 12 mbar, and in both humid and dry environment. By studying biological samples in their native wet state, new insight about composition and transport of drugs through cell membranes and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilms can be obtained. In this contribution, the latest progress on biofilm characterisation by NAP-XPS will be presented, and measurement capabilities and limitations will be discussed.
In recent years, substantial efforts have been devoted to investigating nanoscopic confinement of polymers, and its effect on glassy dynamics. Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) was used to study the dynamics of ultra-thin films of PVME/PS 50/50 wt% blend, employing a novel nano-structured capacitor sample arrangement. The investigated system shows a complex dynamic behavior. First, an α-relaxation, related to a bulk-like layer was found. Second, an α’-relaxation was observed, characteristic for dynamically asymmetric blends, where the out of equilibrium dynamics is attributed to weakly-cooperative PVME segments relaxing within a frozen environment of PS segments. Thirdly, for thinnest films, an Arrhenius-like process was dominant in the dielectric spectra, indicating localized fluctuations of the segments. Relaxation rates of this process resembled that of the degenerated α-relaxation of the adsorbed layer, found for pure PVME, thus it was assigned accordingly. For thinnest films, this process undergoes a further confinement, due to the topological constraints, introduced by PS. Such multiple confinement effect has not been reported for ultra-thin films of polymer blends, before this study.
The polymer matrix region near a filler surface, termed as the interface, witnessed increasing interest, due to its possible influence on the macroscopic properties of the nanocomposite. The interphase is expecting to have different segmental dynamic, as compared to the pure matrix, which can percolate into the entire system. Here, the segmental dynamics of epoxy/Boehmite nanocomposite was studied by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy. It was found that an artificial relaxation process is present in the nanocomposite, on the contrary to the pure epoxy system. It was assigned to constrained fluctuations of polymer chains in the interfacial region, due to the nanofiller. However, the overall dynamic Tg of the system decreased with increasing filler concentration, indicating higher segmental mobility. This was in accordance with Temperature Modulated DSC investigations of specific heat capacity of the system, which was found to increase with increasing filler concentration, up to 10 wt%, indicating increasing mobility of the polymer matrix segments. Surprisingly, for the highest filler content, the heat capacity decreases, implying a formation of an immobilized rigid amorphous phase in the interfacial region.