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The European Commission's recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial [2011/696/EU] is broadly applicable across different regulatory sectors and requires the quantitative size Determination of constituent particles in samples down to 1 nm. A material is a nanomaterial if 50 % or more of the particles are in the size range 1-100 nm. The implementation of the definition in a regulatory context challenges measurement methods to reliably identify nanomaterials and ideally also nonnanomaterials as substance or product ingredient as well as in various matrices.
The EU FP7 NanoDefine project [www.nanodefine.eu] addressed these challenges by developing a robust, readily implementable and cost-effective measurement strategy to decide for the widest possible range of materials whether it is a nanomaterial or not. It is based on existing and emerging particle measurement techniques evaluated against harmonized, material-dependent performance criteria and by intra- and inter-lab comparisons. Procedures were established to reliably measure the size of particles within 1-100 nm, and beyond, taking into account different shapes, coatings and chemical compositions in industrial materials and consumer products. Case studies prove their applicability for various sectors, including food, pigments and cosmetics.
A main outcome is the establishment of an integrated tiered approach including rapid screening (Tier 1) and confirmatory methods (tier 2), a decision support flow scheme and a user manual to guide end-users, such as manufacturers, in selecting appropriate methods. Another main product is the “NanoDefiner” e-Tool which implements the flow scheme in a user-friendly software and guides the user in a semi-automated way through the entire decision procedure. It allows a cost-effective selection of appropriate methods for material classification according to the EC's nanomaterial definition and provides a comprehensive report with extensive explanation of all decision steps to arrive at a transparent identification of nanomaterials as well as non-nanomaterials for regulatory
purposes.
The European Commission's recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial [2011/696/EU] is broadly applicable across different regulatory sectors and requires the quantitative size determination of constituent particles in samples down to 1 nm. A material is a nanomaterial if 50 % or more of the particles are in the size range 1-100 nm. The implementation of the definition in a regulatory context challenges measurement methods to reliably identify nanomaterials and ideally also non-nanomaterials as substance or product ingredient as well as in various matrices.
The EU FP7 NanoDefine project [www.nanodefine.eu] addressed these challenges by developing a robust, readily implementable and cost-effective measurement strategy to decide for the widest possible range of materials whether it is a nanomaterial or not. It is based on existing and emerging particle measurement techniques evaluated against harmonized, material-dependent performance criteria and by intra- and inter-lab comparisons. Procedures were established to reliably measure the size of particles within 1-100 nm, and beyond, taking into account different shapes, coatings and chemical compositions in industrial materials and consumer products. Case studies prove their applicability for various sectors, including food, pigments and cosmetics.
A main outcome is the establishment of an integrated tiered approach including rapid screening (tier 1) and confirmatory methods (tier 2), a decision support flow scheme and a user manual to guide end-users, such as manufacturers, in selecting appropriate methods. Another main product is the “NanoDefiner” e-Tool which implements the flow scheme in a user-friendly software and guides the user in a semi-automated way through the entire decision procedure. It allows a cost-effective selection of appropriate methods for material classification according to the EC's nanomaterial definition and provides a comprehensive report with extensive explanation of all decision steps to arrive at a transparent identification of nanomaterials as well as non-nanomaterials for regulatory purposes.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 604347.
This document is a collection of three JRC Technical Reports that together form the “NanoDefine Methods Manual”, which has been developed within the NanoDefine project ‘Development of an integrated approach based on validated and standardized methods to support the implementation of the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial’, funded by the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme, under grant agreement 604347. The overall goal of the NanoDefine project was to support the implementation of the European Commission Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU). The project has developed an integrated empirical approach, which allows identifying a material as a nano- or not a nanomaterial according to the EC Recommendation. The NanoDefine Methods Manual consists of three parts: Part 1: The NanoDefiner Framework and Tools, which covers the NanoDefiner framework, general information on measurement methods and performance criteria, and tools developed by NanoDefine such as a materials categorisation system, a decision support flow scheme and an e-tool. Part 2: Evaluation of Methods, which discusses the outcome of the evaluation of the nanomaterials characterisation methods for measuring size. Part 3: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which presents the 23 Standard Operating Procedures developed within the NanoDefine project. In this combined document, these three parts are included as stand-alone reports, each having its own abstract, table of contents, page, table and figure numbering, and references.
The present series of reports, the NanoDefine Methods Manual, has been developed within the NanoDefine project 'Development of an integrated approach based on validated and standardized methods to support the implementation of the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial', funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Programme, under grant agreement 604347.
In 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a recommendation for a definition of the term 'nanomaterial', the EC NM Definition, as a reference to determine whether an unknown material can be considered as a 'nanomaterial' for regulatory purposes1. One challenge is the development of methods that reliably identify, characterize and quantify nanomaterials (NM) both as substances and in various products and matrices.
The overall goal of NanoDefine was to support the implementation of the EC NM Definition. It can also support the implementation of any NM definition based on particle size. The project has developed an integrated approach, which allows identifying any material as a nano- or not a nanomaterial according to the EC NM Definition. NanoDefine explicitly supported the governance challenges associated with the implementation of legislation concerning nanomaterials by:
- addressing the issues on availability of suitable measuring techniques, reference materials, validated methods, acceptable to all stakeholders (authorities, policy makers, commercial firms),
- developing an integrated and interdisciplinary approach and a close international co-operation and networking with academia, commercial firms and standardization bodies.
Thus, the NanoDefine Methods Manual provides guidance on practical implementation of the EC NM Definition throughout the nanomaterial characterization process, and on the characterization techniques employed as well as their application range and limits. It assists the user in choosing the most appropriate measurement method(s) to identify any substance or mixture for a specific purpose, according to the EC NM Definition of a nanomaterial. The NanoDefine project also explored how to assess a material against the criteria of the definition through proxy solutions, i.e. by applying measurement techniques that indirectly determine the x50. Those findings were developed through empirically based scientific work and are included in Part 1 of this Manual. As they go beyond the text of the EC NM Definition, they may be used as practical approach to indicate whether a material is a nanomaterial or not, but keeping in mind that they should not be taken as recommendation for the implementation of the EC NM Definition in a regulatory context.
The NanoDefine Methods Manual consists of the following three parts:
Part 1: The NanoDefiner Framework and Tools
Part 2: Evaluation of Methods
Part 3: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Part 1 covers the NanoDefiner framework, general information on measurement methods and performance criteria and tools developed by NanoDefine such as a materials categorisation system, a decision support flow scheme and an e-tool.
Part 2 discusses the outcome of the evaluation of the nanomaterials characterisation methods for measuring size.
Part 3 presents the 23 Standard Operating Procedures developed within the NanoDefine project.
The current document is part 1.
The present series of reports, the NanoDefine Methods Manual, has been developed within the NanoDefine project 'Development of an integrated approach based on validated and standardized methods to support the implementation of the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial', funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Programme, under grant agreement 604347.
In 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a recommendation for a definition of the term 'nanomaterial', the EC NM Definition, as a reference to determine whether an unknown material can be considered as a 'nanomaterial' for regulatory purposes1. One challenge is the development of methods that reliably identify, characterize and quantify nanomaterials (NM) both as substances and in various products and matrices.
The overall goal of NanoDefine was to support the implementation of the EC NM Definition. It can also support the implementation of any NM definition based on particle size. The project has developed an integrated approach, which allows identifying any material as a nano- or not a nanomaterial according to the EC NM Definition. NanoDefine explicitly supported the governance challenges associated with the implementation of legislation concerning nanomaterials by:
- addressing the issues on availability of suitable measuring techniques, reference materials, validated methods, acceptable to all stakeholders (authorities, policy makers, commercial firms),
- developing an integrated and interdisciplinary approach and a close international co-operation and networking with academia, commercial firms and standardization bodies.
Thus, the NanoDefine Methods Manual provides guidance on practical implementation of the EC NM Definition throughout the nanomaterial characterization process, and on the characterization techniques employed as well as their application range and limits. It assists the user in choosing the most appropriate measurement method(s) to identify any substance or mixture for a specific purpose, according to the EC NM Definition of a nanomaterial. The NanoDefine project also explored how to assess a material against the criteria of the definition through proxy solutions, i.e. by applying measurement techniques that indirectly determine the x50. Those findings were developed through empirically based scientific work and are included in Part 1 of this Manual. As they go beyond the text of the EC NM Definition, they may be used as practical approach to indicate whether a material is a nanomaterial or not, but keeping in mind that they should not be taken as recommendation for the implementation of the EC NM Definition in a regulatory context.
The NanoDefine Methods Manual consists of the following three parts:
Part 1: The NanoDefiner Framework and Tools
Part 2: Evaluation of Methods
Part 3: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Part 1 covers the NanoDefiner framework, general information on measurement methods and performance criteria and tools developed by NanoDefine such as a materials categorisation system, a decision support flow scheme and an e-tool.
Part 2 discusses the outcome of the evaluation of the nanomaterials characterisation methods for measuring size.
Part 3 presents the 23 Standard Operating Procedures developed within the NanoDefine project.
The current document is part 2.
The present series of reports, the NanoDefine Methods Manual, has been developed within the NanoDefine project 'Development of an integrated approach based on validated and standardized methods to support the implementation of the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial'1 funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Programme, under grant agreement 604347.
In 2011 the European Commission (EC) published the recommendation (2011/696/EU) for a definition of the term 'nanomaterial'1, the EC NM Definition, as a reference to determine whether an unknown material can be considered as a 'nanomaterial' for regulatory purposes. One challenge is the development of methods that reliably identify, characterize and quantify nanomaterials (NM) both as substances and in various products and matrices.
The overall goal of NanoDefine was to support the implementation of the EC NM Definition. It can also support the implementation of any NM definition based on particle size. The project has developed an integrated approach, which allows identifying any material as a nano or non-nano material according to the EC NM Definition. NanoDefine explicitly supported the governance challenges associated with the implementation of legislation concerning nanomaterials by:
- addressing the issues on availability of suitable measuring techniques, reference materials, validated methods, acceptable to all - developing an integrated and interdisciplinary approach and a close international co-operation and networking with academia, commercial firms and standardization bodies.
Thus, the NanoDefine Methods Manual provides guidance on practical implementation of the EC NM Definition throughout the nanomaterial characterization process, and on the characterization techniques employed as well as their application range and limits. It assists the user in choosing the most appropriate measurement method(s) to identify any substance or mixture for a specific purpose, according to the EC NM Definition of a nanomaterial. The NanoDefine project also explored how to assess a material against the criteria of the definition through proxy solutions, i.e. by applying measurement techniques that indirectly determine the D50. Those findings were developed through empirically based scientific work and are included in Part 1 of this Manual. As they go beyond the text of the EC NM Definition, they may be used as practical approach to indicate whether a material is a nanomaterial or not, but keeping in mind that they should not be taken as recommendation for the implementation of the EC NM Definition in a regulatory context.
The NanoDefine Methods Manual consists of the following three parts:
Part 1: The NanoDefiner Framework and Tools
Part 2: Evaluation of Methods
Part 3: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Part 1 covers the NanoDefiner framework, general information on measurement methods and performance criteria and tools developed by NanoDefine such as a materials categorisation system, a decision support flow scheme and an e-tool.
Part 2 discusses the outcome of the evaluation of the nanomaterials characterisation methods for measuring size.
Part 3 presents the 23 Standard Operating Procedures developed within the NanoDefine project. The current document is part 3.
BAM is currently building up a platform of novel nanoRMs relying on iron oxide nanoparticles of different shape, size and surface chemistry. Iron oxide was chosen as a core material because of its relevance to the material and life sciences.
As a first candidate of this series, we present cubic iron oxide nanoparticles with a nominal edge length of 8 nm. These particles were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron oleate in high boiling organic solvents adapting well-known literature procedures. After dilution to a concentration suitable for electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) as well as for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements, the candidate nanoRM was bottled and assessed for homogeneity and stability by both methods following the guidelines of ISO 17034 and ISO Guide 35.
The particle sizes obtained by both STEM-in-SEM and TEM are in excellent agreement with a minimum Feret of 8.3 nm ± 0.7 nm. The aspect ratio (AR) of the iron oxide cubes were extracted from the images as the ratio of minimum Feret to Feret resulting in an AR of 1.18 for TEM to 1.25 for SEM. Alternatively, a rectangular bounding box was fitted originating from the minimum Feret and the longest distance through the particle in perpendicular direction. This led to AR values of 1.05 for TEM and 1.12 for SEM, respectively. The results confirm the almost ideal cubic shape.
Due to their unique physico-chemical properties, nanoparticles are well established in research and industrial applications. A reliable characterization of their size, shape, and size distribution is not only mandatory to fully understand and exploit their potential and develop reproducible syntheses, but also to manage environmental and health risks related to their exposure and for regulatory requirements. To validate and standardize methods for the accurate and reliable particle size determination nanoscale reference materials (nanoRMs) are necessary. However, there is only a very small number of nanoRMs for particle size offered by key distributors such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and, moreover, few provide certified values. In addition, these materials are currently restricted to polymers, silica, titanium dioxide, gold and silver, which have a spherical shape except for titania nanorods. To expand this list with other relevant nanomaterials of different shapes and elemental composition, that can be used for more than one sizing technique, we are currently building up a platform of novel nanoRMs relying on iron oxide nanoparticles of different shape, size and surface chemistry. Iron oxide was chosen as a core material because of its relevance for the material and life sciences.
The roles extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play in mineral attachment and weathering were studied using genetically modified biofilms of the rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola strain A95. Mutants deficient in melanin and/or carotenoid synthesis were grown as air-exposed biofilms. Extracted EPS were quantified and characterised using a combination of analytical techniques. The absence of melanin affected the quantity and composition of the produced EPS: mutants no longer able to form melanin synthesised more EPS containing fewer pullulan-related glycosidic linkages. Moreover, the melanin-producing strains attached more strongly to the mineral olivine and dissolved it at a higher rate. We hypothesise that the pullulan-related linkages, with their known adhesion functionality, enable fungal attachment and weathering. The released phenolic intermediates of melanin synthesis in the Δsdh1 mutant might play a role similar to Fe-chelating siderophores, driving olivine dissolution even further. These data demonstrate the need for careful compositional and quantitative analyses of biofilm-created microenvironments.
Dr Martin Seah, NPL, was the initiator, founder, and first chairman of the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance, Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the international organization established by the Metre Convention. This tribute letter summarizes his achievements during his chairmanship and his long-running impact on the successful work of the group after his retirement.
The uncertainty of measurement in quantitative XPS analysis can be reduced by using a calibrated spectrometer transmission function T (E), which is usually determined by taking spectra from Au, Ag, Cu and Ge elemental reference materials. However, this approach is quite time-consuming due to required sample preparation steps like sputter cleaning etc., and the relatively big number of samples to be measured. This contribution proposes the use of the ionic liquids [C2C1im][NTf2] and [C3C1im][NTf2] as reference materials for a determination of T(E). These multi-elemental samples deliver five intensive photoemission peaks, F 1s, O 1s, N 1s, C 1s and S 2p, in an energy window from 160 eV to 700 eV which is of specific interest for applications of quantitative XPS for surface chemical analysis of soft matter, one of the major applications of XPS.
The X-ray intensities of the K-, L- and M-lines of copper, zirconium and tungsten have been measured with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer of known efficiency as function of photon energy. X-ray production efficiencies were determined from the measured intensities for Kα- and L-series of Cu and Zr and for the L- and M-series of W. These data were compared to calculated X-ray production efficiencies based on the widely used matrix correction models of Pouchou and Pichoir (XPP) and Bastin (PROZA96).
Our results indicate that a replacement of the stopping power in the PROZA96 algorithm by expressions of Joy and Jablonski has only a minor influence on the calculated X-ray production efficiencies. In contrast, the modifications of the ionization cross-section show a stronger effect. We replaced the ionization cross-sections for K lines of the PROZA96 algorithm with different models.
The results for L- and M-Lines are different. For the L-lines of Cu the original XPP and PROZA96 models show the best agreement while using the Bote cross-sections result in an overestimation. For the Zr-L and W-L1, -L2, -L3 X-ray production efficiencies, the Bote cross-sections lead to a significant improvement compared to all other models. The original XPP model represents the best agreement for the M5 efficiencies but underestimates the M4 efficiencies.
There is no superior model or modification because the parameter sets in the models need to be aligned to each other. However, using the ionization cross-sections of Bote, which are based on quantum mechanical calculations, show promising results in many cases.
Thermally stable carbon nitride nanostructures have potential applications in surface coatings and automotive fields. In this work, hydrogenated nitrogen-rich carbon nitride nanoparticles have been synthesised via low-pressure low-power plasma vapour deposition technique from methane/Nitrogen gas mixture in a dry process. Thermal stability of the initially prepared hydrogenated carbon Nitride structures has been analysed by near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS, insitu), Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and nuclear reaction Analysis (NRA). Thermal studies reveal the excellent stability of the material and nitrogen-rich characteristics (N/C ratio 0.5e0.2 ± 0.01). The obtained results suggest transformation of sp3-rich as-deposited carbon Nitride into sp2-carbon phase with more graphitic features upon thermal annealing. Such in-situ thermal studies of plasma deposited carbon nitrides confirm the conversion of sp3-rich phase to sp2-rich carbon phase at the critical temperature (about 450 K), without a huge loss in nitrogen content. The analysis revealed that the material is a stable plasma deposit after this critical temperature up to >1100 K. Additionally, super hydrophilic carbon nitride nanostructure transforms into a hydrophobic surface after thermal annealing.
These thermally stable hydrophobic carbon nitride nanoparticles could be used as a promising material for the hydrophobic coatings for various applications, especially for harsh conditions.
A pilot study for the thickness measurement of HfO2 films was performed by the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM). The aim of this pilot study was to ensure the equivalency in the measurement capability of national metrology institutes for the thickness measurement of HfO2 films. In this pilot study, the thicknesses of six HfO2 films with nominal thickness from 1 nm to 4 nm were measured by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Reflectometry(XRR), X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF), Transmission Electron Spectroscopy (TEM), Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The reference thicknesses were determined by mutual calibration of a zero-offset method (Medium Energy Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (MEIS) of KRISS) and a method traceable to the length unit (the average thicknesses of three XRR data except the thinnest film). These reference thicknesses are traceable to the length unit because they are based on the traceability of XRR. For the thickness measurement by XPS, the effective attenuation length of Hf 4f electrons was determined. In the cases of XRR and TEM, the offset values were determined from a linear fitting between the reference thicknesses and the individual data by XRR and TEM. The amount of substance of HfO2, expressed as thickness of HfO2 films (in both linear and areal density units), was found to be a good subject for a CCQM key comparison.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM.
The modern economy is dependent on catalysis, which is main efforts to create environmentally and energy-friendly technologies. The storage of excess electrical energy into chemical energy by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is a feasible solution to this energy demand. Due to their abundance on Earth and inherent stability in alkaline solution, transition-metal oxides have become one of several viable alternatives to noble-metal catalysts. Since NiFe oxide is one of the most active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolysis, it has been the subject of extensive research.
In this work, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) of various sizes, specific stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric Fe:Ni surface ratios are synthesized. we will use a combination of ultra-high vacuum surface analysis techniques, such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to obtain the detailed characterization of the OER electrocatalysts top-surface layer, which is required to identify the rate-limiting step intermediates, and surface morphological changes at the electrolyte/catalyst.
Implant-associated infections present severe and difficult-to-treat complications after surgery, related to implant biofilm colonization. Systemic administration of antibiotics cannot reach sufficient concentrations at the infected site and may be toxic. Here we describe how mussel-inspired dendritic material coated on a titanium surface can locally activate a prodrug of daptomycin (pro-dapto) to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism of the prodrug activation is based on bio-orthogonal click chemistry between a tetrazine (Tz) and trans-cyclooctene (TCO). The former is attached to the dendritic polymer, while the later converts daptomycin into a prodrug. Characterization of the material's properties revealed that it is hydrophobic, non-toxic, and stable for a prolonged period of time. We envision that the titanium coated dendritic material will be able to improve the treatment of implant-associated infections by concentrating systemically administered antibiotic prodrugs, thus converting them into active localized medicines.
The fabrication of laser-generated surface structures on titanium and titanium alloys has recently gained remarkable interests, being technologically relevant for applications in optics, medicine, fluid transport, tribology, and wetting of surfaces. The morphology of these structures, and so their chemistry, is influenced by the different laser processing parameters such as the laser fluence, wavelength, pulse repetition rate, the effective number of laser pulses per beam spot area, etc. A simple way to characterize laser-generated surface structures is by means of optical microscopy (OM) or white light interference microscopy (WLIM). The latter can address the surface topography, while having a lateral resolution limit of ~(lambda)/2 (lambda = illumination wavelength). To resolve morphologies with spatial periods significantly smaller than (lambda)/2, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is often used, taking benefit of the reduced de Broglie wavelength associated to the electrons of several keV energy. However, all the above-mentioned techniques lack the necessary depth-resolution to reveal and quantify sub-surface material modifications of these laser-generated structures. Time-of-Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) represents a promising surface analytical technique for studying laser-induced chemical surface alterations since the method combines a high surface sensitivity with the capability to perform a depth-profiling of the laser-affected surface zone. In this study we combine WLIM and high-resolution SEM with ToF-SIMS to fully characterize the evolution of various types of laser-generated micro- and nanostructures formed on Ti-6Al-4V alloys upon irradiation by near infrared ultrashort laser pulses (1030 nm, 925 fs) at different laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses, and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz). We show how this combined surface analytical approach allows to evaluate alterations in the surface chemistry and topography of the laser-generated surface structures depending on the laser processing parameters
In recent years, the fabrication of laser-generated surface structures on metals such as titanium surfaces have gained remarkable interests, being technologically relevant for applications in optics, medicine, fluid transport, tribology, and wetting of surfaces.
The morphology of these structures, and so their chemistry, is influenced by the different laser processing parameters such as the laser fluence, wavelength, pulse repetition rate, laser light polarization type and direction, angle of incidence, and the effective number of laser pulses per beam spot area.
However, the characterization of the different surface structures can be difficult because of constraints regarding the analytical information from both depth and the topographic artifacts which may limit the lateral and depth resolution of elemental distributions as well as their proper quantification. A promising technique to investigate these structures even at the nano-scale is Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), a very surface sensitive technique that at the same time allows to perform depth-profiling, imaging and 3D-reconstruction of selected ion-sputter fragment distributions on the surface.
In this study we combine chemical analyses such as Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses with ToF-SIMS to fully characterize the evolution of various types of laser-generated micro- and nanostructures formed on Ti and Ti alloys at different laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz), following irradiation by near-infrared ultrashort laser pulses (925 fs, 1030 nm) in air environment or under argon gas flow.
We show how this combined surface analytical approach allows to evaluate alteration in the surface chemistry of the laser-generated surface structures depending on the laser processing parameters and the ambient environment.
Topical issue: Ellipsometry
(2022)
Ellipsometry is a matured experimental method, whose roots reach back into the early phase of modern optics itself. It is often attributed to be invented by Paul Drude in the last decade of the 19th century, but similar techniques had already been applied for years before Drude started his work. With this Special Issue about ellipsometry and related techniques, we hope to bring more attention to this method and advance and propagate it to be used by a broader community.
Welcome to the poster Towards Determination of Surface Roughness from a SEM Image, a contribution from BAM in Berlin, Germany. This work is part of the MamaLoCA project, which aims to develop a biosensor for the detection of mycotoxins in cereals. Biosensors come in a great variety, one of which makes use of microscopic beads produced by homogenous coating of polystyrene microspheres. The beads are functionalized by decorating them with bioreceptors – in our case antibodies – which then specifically react with the analyte – in our case mycotoxins – and emit an electrical or optical signal. The functionalization of the beads depends on the surface roughness because this determines the amount and orientation of binders. In other words, the surface roughness affects the accessibility to the binding sites and influences device sensitivity, hence its quantitative determination is an important step in evaluating the quality of the biosensor in general.
The presented solution to the problem of the estimation of surface roughness relies in the repetitive characteristics on the surface of the beads. A SEM image of the bead shows a raspberry like microparticle with a variation of grayscale values, which arise from the secondary electron yield. The principle of the measurement measures the variation of grayscale values along a circumference of a circle centred in the centre of the particle and with an arbitrary radius. The grayscale value variation along the given circumference gives the so-called z-modulation or the lateral profile. By performing Fast Fourier Transform on this profile we obtain the power spectrum as a function of the spatial frequencies through which the grayscales vary. The maximal value for spatial frequency then reveals the most common feature along one given circumference. Surface roughness then is the feature frequency in the spatial domain. This calculation is repeated for several concentric circles with different radii over the particle.
The results for the same particle but recorded at two different accelerating voltages show that the applied method has a potential to reveal the roughness. Interpretation of results from an SE InLens SEM image obtained using 3 kV shows that surface roughness is about 21 nm, which is in a good agreement with an alternative method given in a different presentation. The results from the 10 kV are underestimated due to the loss of surface sensitivity on the SE InLens detection at high voltages.
In conclusion, this method shows promise in determining quantitatively the surface roughness from a single SEM image and its validation is being sought using 3D SEM images and AFM methods.
In this paper one refined approach is applied to determine the exact orientation of bipyramidal TiO2 nanoparticles prepared with good dispersion as almost isolated particles on a carbon TEM grid. The advantages of the recently developed high-throughput Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) are used to identify quickly and reliably the geometrical orientation of the crystalline TiO2 nanoparticle bipyramids (anatase) on a statistically relevant number of particles.
In this paper one refined approach is applied to determine the exact orientation of bipyramidal TiO2 nanoparticles prepared with good dispersion as almost isolated particles on a carbon TEM grid. The advantages of the recently developed high-throughput Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) are used to identify quickly and reliably the geometrical orientation of the crystalline TiO2 nanoparticle bipyramids (anatase) on a statistically relevant number of particles.
As part of the development of a library of accurate and efficient methods for measurement of nanoparticle properties, we develop and optimize a method for the efficient analysis of nanoparticle size distribution from suspensions via microprinting and digital analysis of electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) images, with the ultimate aim of automated quantitative concentration analysis (calculated from drop volume). A series of different nanoparticle suspensions (gold, latex, and SiO2 in varying sizes and concentrations) were printed onto TEM grids in a 4 x 4 array in the concentration range 7x10^8 to 1x10^11 nanoparticles/mL and imaged with SEM. Concentrations and printing conditions (temperature, relative humidity) were varied in order to minimize the coffee-ring effect.
A series of different nanoparticle suspensions (Gold, Latex, and SiO2 in varying concentrations) were microprinted onto TEM grids in a 4 x 4 array in the concentration range 7x10^8 to 1x10^11 NP/mL and imaged with SEM and TSEM. Concentrations and printing conditions (temperature, relative humidity) were varied in order to minimize the coffee ring effect.
Most industrial nanoparticles have non-spherical shapes and also possess polydisperse size distributions, and due to their agglomeration/ aggregation state are difficult (or even impossible) to be addressed individually. Further, driven by regulatory purposes related to the identification of a material as a nanomaterial, the accurate measurement of the smallest dimension of a (nano)particulate material makes the analysis even more complex.
In the first phase of the EU Project nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements (https://www.bam.de/Content/DE/Projekte/laufend/nPSize/npsize.html), the efforts are focused on synthesis of nanoparticles of well-defined, non-spherical shape. Following candidates of reference materials (CRM) with certifiable particle size (distribution) are under characterization with respect to their homogeneity and stability: (i) titania nanoplatelets (10-15 nm thickness x 50-60 nm lateral), (ii) titania bipyramides (~60 nm length x 40 nm width), (iii) titania acicular particles (100 nm length x 15-20 nm width; aspect ratio 5.5/6), (iv) gold nanorods (~10 nm width x 30 nm length), and (v) gold nanocubes (~55 nm x 55 nm x 55 nm).
Measurement of nanoparticle size (distribution) becomes a challenging analytical problem when non-spherical nanoparticles must be accurately measured. Most industrial nanoparticles have not only non-spherical shapes but also possess polydisperse size distributions, and due to their agglomeration/aggregation state are difficult (or even impossible) to be addressed individually. Moreover, driven by regulatory purposes related to the identification of a material as a nanomaterial, the accurate measurement of the smallest dimension of a (nano)particulate material makes the analysis even more complex.
In the first phase of the EU Project nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements (https://www.bam.de/Content/DE/Projekte/laufend/nPSize/npsize.html), the efforts are focused on synthesis of nanoparticles of well-defined, non-spherical shape. Following candidates of reference materials (CRM) with certifiable particle size (distribution) are under characterization with respect to their homogeneity and stability: (i) titania nanoplatelets (10-15 nm thickness x 50-60 nm lateral), (ii) titania bipyramides (~60 nm length x 40 nm width), (iii) titania acicular particles (100 nm length x 15-20 nm width; aspect ratio 5.5/6), (iv) gold nanorods (~10 nm width x 30 nm length), and (v) gold nanocubes (~55 nm x 55 nm x 55 nm).
In this contribution different ways are explored with the aim to generate suitable training data for ‘non-ideal’ samples using various approaches, e.g., computer-generated images or unsupervised learning algorithms such as generative adversarial networks (GANs). We used these data to train simple CNNs to produce segmentation masks of SEM images and tested the trained networks on real SEM images of complex nanoparticle samples. The novel use of CNN for the automated analysis of the size of nanoparticles of complex shape and with a high degree of agglomeration has proved to be a promising tool for the evaluation of particle size distribution on a large number of constituent particles. Further development and validation of the preliminary model, respectively larger training and validation data sets are necessary.
In this contribution different ways are explored with the aim to generate suitable training data for ‘non-ideal’ samples using various approaches, e.g., computer-generated images or unsupervised learning algorithms such as generative adversarial networks (GANs). We used these data to train simple CNNs to produce segmentation masks of SEM images and tested the trained networks on real SEM images of complex nanoparticle samples. The novel use of CNN for the automated analysis of the size of nanoparticles of complex shape and with a high degree of agglomeration has proved to be a promising tool for the evaluation of particle size distribution on a large number of constituent particles. Further development and validation of the preliminary model, respectively larger training and validation data sets are necessary.
Core-shell (CS) particles have been increasingly used for a wide range of applications due to their unique properties by merging individual characteristics of the core and the shell materials. The functionality of the designed particles is strongly influenced by their surface roughness. Quantitative evaluation of the roughness of CS microparticles is, however, a challenging task for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
The SEM images contain two-dimensional (2D) information providing contour roughness data only from the projection of the particle in the horizontal plane. This study presents a practical procedure to achieve more information by tilting the sample holder, hence allowing images of different areas of a single particle to be recorded at different orientations under the same view angle. From the analysis of these images, quasi three-dimensional (3D) information is obtained.
Three types of home-made particles were investigated: i) bare polystyrene (PS) particles, ii) PS particles decorated with a first magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticle shell forming CS microbeads, iii) PS/Fe3O4 particles closed with a second silica (SiO2) shell forming core-shell-shell (CSS) microbeads. A series images of a single particle were taken with stepwise tilted sample holder up to 10° by an SEM with high-resolution and surface sensitive SE-InLens® mode.
A reliable analysis tool has been developed by a script in Python to analyze SEM images automatically and to evaluate profile roughness quantitatively, for individual core-shell microparticles. Image analysis consists of segmentation of the images, identifying contour and the centre of the particle, and extracting the root mean squared roughness value (RMS-RQ) of the contour profile from the particle projection within a few seconds.
The variation in roughness from batch-to-batch was determined with the purpose to set the method as a routine quality check procedure. Flow cytometry measurements provided complementary data. Measurement uncertainties associated to various particle orientations were also estimated.
In the face of rising energy demand and the impending climate change the development of a sustainable, fossil-free fuel and chemical production is of global importance. One possible goal is the development of electrochemical conversion processes using catalysts. Porous materials play an important role in such energy applications. The key to the development of improved catalysts is a better understanding of the relations between their performance, stability and physico-chemical properties. However, the complex morphology of such catalysts constitutes a challenge even for modern analytical techniques. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is a versatile method for studying material properties by using appropriate models (e.g. film thickness, optical and electronic properties). The fact that the material properties cannot be taken directly from the measured spectra, the developed models have to be validated. In a first step, the model for the ellipsometric fit studies of a calcination series of mesoporous iridium oxide films (300 – 600 °C) was investigated and validated with respect to their material properties. Moreover, the electronic structures of the catalysts reveal a direct correlation with electrochemical activities. The development of an environmental cell offers the possibility of investigations under real conditions. This will allow changes in the optical and electronic properties during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.
The scientific and technological interest in graphene has been growing more and more in the late years due to its outstanding properties and diverse promising applications. However, graphene implementation into the industrial market is still limited and many challenges are yet to be addressed before this material can become suitable for the large-scale production. One of the most crucial challenge to overcome is to develop reliable and reproducible ways to characterize the material properties which can heavily affect the product performance. In our study the chemical composition of nine different samples of industrial graphene, graphene oxide and functionalized graphene were investigated. The samples were analysed both in form of powder and pellets. A comparative characterisation of the chemical composition was performed through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). XPS depth resolution is in the order of 10 nm, while for EDX the analysis was performed at two different energy levels, i.e. 5 keV and 15 keV, and thus varying the analysis depth from 200 nm to 2000 nm. The XPS measurement area is 300x700 µm² while the EDX measurement was performed by analysing a grid of 25 locations (5x5) of 150 x 150 ?m2 area, covering the whole pellet surface of 5 mm diameter and then calculating the mean of the elemental concentration. The results of the elemental concentration values from XPS and EDX analyses show a good agreement for all the elements presents in the samples, despite the different spatial resolutions of the two techniques. Therefore, the samples appear homogeneous both in the lateral and vertical directions. The results relative to powder and pellets samples do not differ in a significant way except for a slight increase in the carbon content regarding the pellet samples, probably due to a minor contamination effect introduced through pressing. Nevertheless, pellets samples appear to be quite representative for the material while being much more convenient in terms of handling and safety compared to nano-powders and providing a regular flat surface for EDX analysis. Finally, this approach correlating XPS and EDS represents a simple, fast and reliable way for characterizing the chemical composition and the homogeneity of industrial graphene. This study is part of the project Standardisation of structural and chemical properties of graphene (ISO-G-SCoPe) which has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union?s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant agreement No. 19NRM04.
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.
Die Bestimmung der Nanopartikelgrößen- und -formverteilung nach OECD TG 125 mit der Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) wird punktuell vorgestellt:
- Generelles Messprinzip
- Beispiele
- Korrelative Mikroskopie
- Welchen Durchmesser misst die Methode?
- Welche Partikel kann diese Methode messen?
- Welche Informationen kann diese Methode liefern?
- Wo stößt die Methode an ihre Grenzen?
- Implementierung und Datenauswertung,
- Reporting.
Anschließend wurde eine Q&A-Session für die Imaging-Methoden organisiert.
Secondary fluorescence is an inevitable effect that has to be taken into account in any algorithm for quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) as an additional correction. Moreover, secondary fluorescence worsens spatial resolution of EPMA. Secondary fluorescence is excited both by characteristic radiation and by the X-ray continuum. In most cases the correction is small. There are, however, cases, e.g. the determination of low heavy metal concentration in a light matrix, where the contribution of secondary fluorescence exceeds 10% of the measured X-ray line intensity.
For secondary fluorescence correction the measured X-ray line intensity has to be divided by the correction factor (1+I_flchar/I_p +I_flcont/I_p )≈(1+I_flchar/I_p )(1+I_flcont/I_p ) in order to get those intensity I_p, which is excited only by the primary electrons. I_flchar and I_flcont mean the calculated characteristic and continuums fluorescence intensities. In order to get the intensity of fluorescence radiation, the absorption of the exciting radiation in the specimen, the photoionization probability and the self-absorption of the emitted line must be calculated. The critical quantity is the X-ray yield of the exciting atoms in case of fluorescence by characteristic radiation and the bremsstrahlung yield of the specimen in case of continuum fluorescence. In the former case it is reasonable to apply the same physical model to calculate I_flchar and I_p.
Secondary fluorescence is an inevitable effect that has to be taken into account in any algorithm for quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) as an additional correction. Moreover, secondary fluorescence worsens spatial resolution of EPMA, as discussed once more in two recent papers. Secondary fluorescence is excited both by characteristic radiation and by the X-ray continuum. In most cases the correction is small. There are, however, cases, e.g. the determination of low heavy metal concentration in a light matrix, where the contribution of secondary fluorescence exceeds 10% of the measured X-ray line intensity.
For secondary fluorescence correction the measured X-ray line intensity has to be divided by the correction factor (1+I_flchar/I_p +I_flcont/I_p )≈(1+I_flchar/I_p )(1+I_flcont/I_p ) in order to get those intensity I_p, which is excited only by the primary electrons and enables the determination of specimen composition. I_flchar and I_flcont mean the calculated characteristic and continuums fluorescence intensities. In order to get the intensity of fluorescence radiation, the absorption of the exciting radiation in the specimen, the photoionization probability and the self-absorption of the emitted line must be calculated. This can be performed in a straightforward way. The critical quantity is the X-ray yield of the exciting atoms in case of fluorescence by characteristic radiation and the bremsstrahlung yield of the specimen in case of continuum fluorescence. In the former case it is reasonable to apply the same physical model to calculate I_flchar and I_p.
During the energy transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the use of hydrogen as fuel and energy storage can play a key role. This presents new challenges to industry and the scientific community alike. The storage and transport of hydrogen, which is nowadays mainly realized by austenitic stainless steels, remains problematic, which is due to the degradation of mechanical properties and the possibility of phase transformation by hydrogen diffusion and accumulation. The development of materials and technologies requires a fundamental understanding of these degradation processes. Therefore, studying the behavior of hydrogen in austenitic steel contributes to an understanding of the damage processes, which is crucial for both life assessment and safe use of components in industry and transportation. As one of the few tools that is capable of depicting the distribution of hydrogen in steels, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was conducted after electrochemical charging. To obtain further information about the structural composition and cracking behavior, electron-backscattered diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were performed. Gathered data of chemical composition and topography were treated employing data fusion, thus creating a comprehensive portrait of hydrogen-induced effects in the austenite grade AISI 304L. Specimens were electrochemically charged with deuterium instead of hydrogen. This arises from the difficulties to distinguish between artificially charged hydrogen and traces existing in the material or the rest gas in the analysis chamber. Similar diffusion and permeation behavior, as well as solubility, allow nonetheless to draw conclusions from the experiments.
Since microplastics (MPs) can be found everywhere and are becoming a problem of high concern, it is necessary to understand their physico-chemical properties. To obtain reliable analytical data a set of validated methods for sampling, sample preparation, detection, and data evaluation are needed.
To meet these needs an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) with 84 participants worldwide has been organized under the international pre-standardisation platform VAMAS (www.vamas.org/twa45/) as Project 2 “Development of standardized methodologies for characterisation of microplastics with microscopy and spectroscopy methods” within the Technical Working Area TWA 45 “Micro and Nano Plastics in the Environment”. In this ILC thermo-analytical methods (Py-GC/MS and TED-GC/MS) and vibrational methods (µ-Raman and µ-FTIR) have been tested and compared by providing a set of microplastic representative test materials and measurement protocols developed at BAM. The defined measurands were: particle number concentration, particle size distribution (PSD), and polymer identity and mass content. To increase the statistical quality, 6 samples were shipped together with blank samples. Hence, the ILC provides information on precision and accuracy of the results obtained with different methods as well as strengths and limitations of the proposed protocols.
The talk summarizes challenges in microplastic analysis. It shows the preparation of microplastic reference materials as well as the testing on homogeneity and stability. The reference material is used in an international laboratory comparison to compare different detection methods used for microplastic analysis. The methods used were µ-IR (FTIR+LDIR) for number-based methods and TED-GC/MS and Py-GC/MS for mass-based methods. The ILC was done under the umbrella of VAMAS TWA 45. Results of the participants are presented.
Following points are presented and discussed: i) nPSize as an EMPIR project on the nanoparticle size and shape distribution of (more) complex particles including sample preparation and machine learning approaches; ii) parallel development of ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM), ISO 19749 (PSSD by SEM), ISO 22292 (3D TEM), ISO 52408 (NP Prep for AFM and EM), iii) VAMAS and pre-standardisation, TWA 34 „Nanoparticle Populations“ with two nPSize ILC projects P15 & P16 – results to be published and integrated in ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM); iv) Remaining challenges: platelets, 2D materials (TiO2 and GR2M); v) Reference data sets as part of a complete Characterisation Workflow.
Regional standardisation activities and how VAMAS can help in any way to promote activities are reported.
Activities related to organisational updates, government initiatives/priorities (especially related to Materials), details of any strategy documents publicly available, networks within Germany and how we engage are presented.
An overview on the VAMAS technical working areas (TWA) and projects where Germany is active has been given. The role of VAMAS as an international pre-standardisation platform, including its intense collaboration with international bodies ISO, CEN, OECD and CCQM and national organizations like DIN has been highlighted.
The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects. Need of more promotion for the engagement of more participants from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed. Further, a short overview of the VAMAS areas of activities is given where Germany is involved.
Due to the extremely high specific surface area of nanoparticles and corresponding potential for adsorption, the results of surface analysis can be highly dependent on the history of the particles, particularly regarding sample preparation and storage. The sample preparation method has, therefore, the potential to have a significant influence on the results. This report describes an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) with the aim of assessing which sample preparation methods for ToF-SIMS analysis of nanoparticles provided the most intra- and interlaboratory consistency and the least amount of sample contamination. The BAM reference material BAM-P110 (TiO2 nanoparticles with a mean Feret diameter of 19 nm) was used as a sample representing typical nanoparticles. A total of 11 participants returned ToF-SIMS data,in positive and (optionally) negative polarity, using sample preparation methods of “stick-and-go” as well as optionally “drop-dry” and “spin-coat.” The results showed that the largest sources of variation within the entire data set were caused by adventitious hydrocarbon contamination or insufficient sample coverage, with the spin-coating protocol applied in this ILC showing a tendency toward insufficient sample coverage; the sample preparation method or the participant had a lesser influence on results.
VAMAS-Enabling international standardisation for increasing the take up of Emerging Materials
(2022)
VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards) supports world trade in products dependent on advanced materials technologies by providing technical basis for harmonized measurements, testing, specification, reference materials and standards. The major tools for fulfilling this task are interlaboratory comparisons (ILC). The organisation structure of VAMAS is presented. It is discussed, how a new technical activity can initiate.
We report the results of a Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards interlaboratory study on the intensity scale calibration of x-ray photoelectron spectrometers using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as an alternative material to gold, silver, and copper. An improved set of LDPE reference spectra, corrected for different instrument geometries using a quartz-monochromated Al Kα x-ray source, was developed using data provided by participants in this study. Using
these new reference spectra, a transmission function was calculated for each dataset that participants provided. When compared to a similar calibration procedure using the NPL reference spectra for gold, the LDPE intensity calibration method achieves an absolute offset of ∼3.0% and a systematic deviation of ±6.5% on average across all participants. For spectra recorded at high pass energies (≥90 eV), values of absolute offset and systematic deviation are ∼5.8% and ±5.7%, respectively, whereas for spectra collected at lower pass energies (<90 eV), values of absolute offset and systematic deviation are ∼4.9% and ±8.8%, respectively; low pass energy spectra perform worse than the global average, in terms of systematic deviations, due to diminished count rates and signal-to-noise ratio. Differences in absolute offset are attributed to the surface roughness of the LDPE induced by sample preparation. We further assess the usability of LDPE as a secondary reference material and comment on its performance in the presence of issues such as variable dark noise, x-ray warm up times, inaccuracy at low count rates, and underlying spectrometer problems. In response to participant feedback and the results of the study, we provide an updated LDPE intensity calibration protocol to address the issues highlighted in the interlaboratory study. We also comment on the lack of implementation of a consistent and traceable intensity calibration method across the community of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) users and, therefore, propose a route to achieving this with the assistance of instrument manufacturers, metrology laboratories, and experts leading to an international standard for XPS intensity scale calibration.
Thermosetting materials are gaining increasing attention in many structural composite applications. However, the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) into polymer matrix is a promising approach to enhance their functional characteristics, and thus, to enable the development of thermosets advanced application. It has been shown that Boehmite Alumina (BA) used as nanofillers can improve different parameters of polymers. This NPs can be easily tailored enabling desirable interactions with a big range of polymers. However, the overall effect of nanofiller depends on many factors, therefore, making it hard to predict the resulted performance of nanocomposites. In the current contribution we would like to discuss the impact of Boehmite NPs on two different epoxy resin nanocomposite systems with the focus on the possible influence mechanisms of this nanofiller.
As the first system, UV curable Cycloaliphatic-Epoxy Oligosiloxane (CEOS) resin/Boehmite nanocomposites were investigated by FTIR, TGA, DSC and T-SEM. It was observed that incorporation of BA leads to the reinforcement of glass transition (Tg) and overall thermal stability indicating the attractive interactions between BA and CEOS network. In addition, an increase in epoxy conversion of CEOS was concluded for nanocomposites assuming that particles are involved in UV polymerisation processes.
The second epoxy/Boehmite nanocomposite is based on the bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with methyl tetrahydrophtalic acid anhydride (MTHPA). Thermomechanical as well as nanomechanical properties of this material were investigated by DMTA and IR spectroscopy and the advanced Intermodulation AFM, respectively. In contrast to the first system, it was found that BA leads to a decrease of Tg and crosslink density of the polymer while the young’s modulus of the composite and local stiffness of polymer matrix increase significantly.
As a result, the versatile role of Boehmite was detected depending on the investigated systems. Based on the obtained results, the parameters indicating property-efficient epoxy/Boehmite system are suggested.
Luminescent lanthanides(III) offer exceptional optical properties that can overcome issues often encountered with other fluorophores (e.g. organic dyes). Their long lifetimes up to milliseconds, low photobleaching and sharp and characteristic emission peaks make the lanthanides extremely valuable for the development of advanced luminescent materials. Previous work on Ru(II) and Ir(III) gold surfaces further highlights the potential of employing the luminescence of metal complexes for the fabrication of sensing platforms and devices.
Here, we incorporate visible and NIR-emitting lanthanide(III) complexes Ln2L3 (Ln = Eu(III), Nd(III), Yb(III)) to gold and plasmonic surfaces, translating the unique optical properties of the lanthanides(III) to practical devices. The Ln2L3 complexes are deposited on the surfaces with different methods, ranging from polymer aided physisorption to the covalent attachment on the gold surface. Furthermore, we exploit the high sensitivity to the coordination environment of lanthanides(III) to design and prepare a sensing platform.
We discuss the role of the volume specific surface area (VSSA) as determined from the specific surface area measured by the (extended) Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique, in the identification process of powdered nano- and non-nanomaterials in line with the EU definition of nanomaterial. Results obtained in the NanoDefine project demonstrate that under appropriate conditions, VSSA can be used as proxy to the number-based particle size distribution. The extent of agreement between nano/non-nano classification by electron microscopy (EM) and classification by VSSA is investigated systematically on a large set of diverse particulate substances, representing most of the cases expected in regulatory practice. Thus, parameters such as particle shape, size polydispersity/multi-modality, and particle (inner or coating) porosity are evaluated. Based on these results, we derive a tiered screening strategy for powders, involving the use of VSSA for the purpose of implementing the definition of nanomaterial, and recommend it for inclusion in a technical guidance for the implementation of the definition.
This chapter first gives an introduction to the concepts of SSA and volume-specific surface area (VSSA) and an outline of the BET method. It continues with a discussion of the relationship between particle size, shape, and the VSSA, followed by an overview of instrumentation, experimental methods, and standards. Finally, sections on the use of the VSSA as a tool to identify nanomaterials and non-nanomaterials and its role in a regulatory context provide some insight on the importance of VSSA in the current Regulation of nanomaterials.
We present a workflow for obtaining fully trained artificial neural networks that can perform automatic particle segmentations of agglomerated, non-spherical nanoparticles from scanning electron microscopy images “from scratch”, without the need for large training data sets of manually annotated images. The whole process only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time by a user and can typically be finished within less than 12 hours when training on a single graphics card (GPU). After training, SEM image analysis can be carried out by the artificial neural network within seconds. This is achieved by using unsupervised learning for most of the training dataset generation, making heavy use of generative adversarial networks and especially unpaired image-to-image translation via cycle-consistent adversarial networks. We compare the segmentation masks obtained with our suggested workflow qualitatively and quantitatively to state-of-the-art methods using various metrics. Finally, we used the segmentation masks for automatically extracting particle size distributions from the SEM images of TiO2 particles, which were in excellent agreement with particle size distributions obtained manually but could be obtained in a fraction of the time.
Inhibition of respiratory viruses is one of the most urgent topics as underlined by different pandemics in the last two decades. This impels the development of new materials for binding and incapacitation of the viruses. In this work, we have demonstrated that an optimal deployment of influenza A virus (IAV) targeting ligand sialic acid (SA) on a flexible 2D platform enables its binding and wrapping around IAV particles. A series of 2D sialylated platforms consisting graphene and polyglycerol are prepared with different degrees of SA functionalization around 10%, 30%, and 90% named as G-PG-SAL, G-PG-SAM, and G-PG-SAH, respectively. The cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) analysis has proved wrapping of IAV particles by G-PG-SAM.
A confocal-based colocalization assay established for these materials has offered the comparison of binding potential of sialylated and non-sialylated nanoplatforms for IAV. With this method, we have estimated the binding potential of the G-PG-SAM and G-PG-SAH sheets for IAV particles around 50 and 20 times higher than the control sheets, respectively, whereas the low functionalized G-PG-SAL have not shown any significant colocalization value.
Moreover, optimized G-PG-SAM exhibits high potency to block IAV from
binding with the MDCK cells.
Heterogeneous catalysis is a key technology in modern industrial societies. The main steps of a catalytic process take place at the surfaces of complex materials. For the investigations of these surfaces X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is widely used and fits ideally. At some suitable examples, it will be explained how XPS can help to understand such catalysts better. The focus is on selective oxidation catalysts, one of the main challenges of present research. Here it will illustrate, how changes in the near surface region influence the catalyst performance and, herewith the different stages (activation, maximum performance and deactivation) in the life of catalysts. Additionally, it will be stressed out how important information at different depth regions (surface, near-surface region, bulk) can be useful for comprehensive understanding of the material.
Another important subject is nanostructured catalysts with molecular sieves as supports or defined complexes as precursors. Finally, the combination of XPS with other methods used in the analysis of catalysts, e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and low energy ion scattering will be discussed.
XPS of GR2M
(2022)
This application note presents how EnviroESCA can be used to analyze bacterial samples under near ambient pressure conditions in various states of hydration using different levels of humidity. Such investigations of bacterial cell wall surfaces in their hydrated state are essential for studying biological interfaces at work.
The use of innovative near-ambient pressure (NAP-)XPS instrumentation allows the detailed analysis of irregularly-surfaced biofilms. NAP-XPS enables the surface analysis of bacterial samples in their natural hydrated state without complex sample preparation techniques such as freeze-drying or fast-freezing, which are needed for XPS analysis in ultrahigh vacuum.
The datasets from (Hard Energy) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microsopy are related to the publication
G. Chemello, X. Knigge, D. Ciornii, B.P. Reed, A.J. Pollard, C.A. Clifford, T. Howe, N. Vyas, V.-D. Hodoroaba, J. Radnik
"Influence of the morphology on the functionalization of graphene nanoplatelets analyzed by comparative photoelectron spectroscopy with soft and hard X-rays"
Advanced Materials Interfaces (2023), DOI: 10.1002/admi.202300116.
The principles of (Hard) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and some application in the field of (core-shell) nanoparticles will be presented. The presentation should answer hoe to get reliable results. Furthermore, examples of the correlation between physical-chemical measurments and toxicological results are given which are crucial for the risk assessment of nanoparticles.
You Ask – ACEnano Replies
(2020)
The workshop starts with introductory information about the workshop and the H2020 project ACEnano, followed by two expert round tables, focussing on how the project could address regulator and industry needs, respectively. This is be followed by parallel sessions on tools (based on preferences expressed by those registered to attend, see “Questions”) and finally a question-and-answer session with the attendees.
The experts invited in Round Table 1 have been prepared to answer to questions related to obstacles and advantages for stakeholders such as SMEs to use the ACEnano approaches/tools. Standardisation needs are discussed.
The mechanism of action of zirconium permanent modifiers on graphite surfaces was investigated in order to understand its influence on the analytical signal in atomic and molecular absorption spectrometry (AAS/MAS). For this, the molecule formation of CaF was studied, which is used for the indirect analytical determination of fluorine in high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS). The kinetics of this reaction was established by monitoring its molecular spectrum at different atomisation temperatures. An Arrhenius plot showed a pseudo-first order reaction with respect to fluorine (n = 1). An intermediate state was isolated, and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods: scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEMEDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS), and Raman microspectroscopy. We propose here a mechanism, where ZrO2 acts as a heterogeneous catalyst: after a pyrolytic step, an intermediate state of ZrO(OCaF) is activated, and at higher temperatures, CaF(g) is released from the zirconium-coated graphite surface. No evidence of the formation of zirconium carbide was found. Consequently, as the CaF formation is catalysed by a heterogeneous catalyst, surface modifications with ZrO2 nanoparticles and ZrO xerogels were investigated in order to increase the surface area. Their influence was evaluated in the molecule formation of CaF, CaCl, CaBr, and CaI. Graphite furnace modification with zirconium oxide nanoparticles proves to be the best choice for fluorine analysis with a signal enhancement of more than eleven times with respect a non-coated graphite furnace. However, the influence of zirconium modifications in the analytical signals of Cl, and I is lower than the F signals or even negative in case of the Br. Understanding zirconium modifiers as heterogeneous catalysts offers a new perspective to AAS and MAS, and reveals the potential of surface analytical methods for development of improved permanent modifiers and graphite furnace coatings.