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Paper des Monats
- ja (16)
One aim of the EMPIR nPSize project 17NRM04 was to develop and validate three classes of candidate reference (test) materials (RTMs), with i) well-defined non-spherical shape, ii) relatively high polydispersity index, and iii) accurate particle concentrations.
To fulfil the requirements of the project, 11 different types of materials were prepared. Following the initial assessment of the materials suitability, nPSize5_PT_UNITO, nPSize6_AC_UNITO and nPSize7_GN_CEA materials were found unsuitable for the project, due to various reasons. PT material was deemed unsuitable due to its predominantly agglomerated nature. AC material contained relatively high amount of impurities (other particle forms). GN material was found too heterogeneous in both the length and width for the purpose of the project. The remaining 8 candidate RTMs were assessed for their homogeneity and stability and used for successful delivery of the associated activities within the nPSize project.
Laser metal deposition (LMD) as an additive manufacturing technique became increasingly important in recent years and thus the demand for component safety. This is the reason, for the need for reliable in-situ defect detection techniques. For laser beam weld seams an optical measurement technique based on an optical flow algorithm was successfully used to define the critical straining conditions that lead to hot cracking. This algorithm was adapted for bead-on-plate weld seams on LMD deposited layers of IN718 alloy while performing external strain on the specimen in an externally loaded hot cacking test facility. The resulting transversal hot cracks along the weld seam were localized via X-Ray inspection and the type of cracking confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The strain distribution was measured in the vicinity of the solidification front and correlated to the detected hot cracks. Based on the results this technique could be adopted for LMD experiments.
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.
pH presents one of the most important analytes in the life and material sciences, indicating, e.g., diseases and corrosion processes. This includes the optical monitoring of pH in living cells for studying cellular internalization pathways, such as phagocytosis, endocytosis, and receptor mediated internalization with the aid of molecular and nanoscale fluorescent sensors. Nanoparticle (NP)-based sensors, that are labelled or stained with a multitude of sensor dyes, have several advantages as compared to conventional molecular probes like enhanced brightness, i.e., amplified signals, ease of designing ratiometric systems by combining analyte-sensitive and inert reference dyes, and increased photostability. Moreover, this can enable the use of hydrophobic dyes in aqueous environments. Versatile templates and carriers for the fabrication of nanosensors by staining and/or labelling with different fluorophores and sensor molecules are surface-functionalized particles like silica (SiO2) and polystyrene (PS) particles. Here we present a platform of blue-red-green fluorescent pH nanosensors for the measurement of acidic, neutral, and basic pH utilizing both types of matrices and two spectrally distinguishable sensor dyes with an integrated reference dye and demonstrate its applicability for cellular studies.
Engineered nanomaterials (NM) with their unique size-dependent properties are of increasing relevance for current and future developments in various fields such as medical and pharmaceutical industry, computing and electronics or food and consumer products. The performance and safety of NM are determined by the sum of their intrinsic physicochemical properties. Especially, the particle surface chemistry, which is largely controlled by the chemical nature and density of functional groups and ligands, is an important key driver for the performance, stability, and processibility of NM, as well as their interaction with the environment. Thus, methods for functional group quantification can foster the sustainable development of functional and safe(r) NM.
Aiming at the development of simple, versatile and multimodal tools for the quantification of common bioanalytically relevant functional groups, we designed a catch-and-release assay based on cleavable probes that enable the quantification of the cleaved-off reporters in the supernatant after particle separation. Thus, the approach circumvents interferences resulting from particle light scattering and sample-inherent absorption or emission. To study the potential of the assay, commercially available and in-house synthesized aminated and carboxylated polymer and silica nanoparticles of different functional group densities were tested.
Our cleavable probe strategy can be easily adapted to other analytical techniques requiring different reporters, or to different types of linkers that can be cleaved thermally, photochemically, or by variation of pH, utilizing well-established chemistry. In addition, it can contribute to the development of multi-method characterization strategies to provide a more detailed picture of the intrinsic physicochemical property - performance/safety relationships and thus can support the design of tailored nanomaterials with better controlled properties.
Mechanically stable structures with interconnected hierarchical porosity combine the benefits of both small
and large pores, such as high surface area, pore volume, and good mass transport capabilities. Hence, lightweight micro-/meso-/macroporous monoliths are prepared from ordered mesoporous silica COK-12 by means of spark plasma sintering (SPS, S-sintering) and compared to conventionally (C-) sintered monoliths. A multi-scale model is developed to fit the small angle X-ray scattering data and obtain information on the hexagonal lattice parameters, pore sizes from the macro to the micro range, as well as the dimensions of the silica population. For both sintering techniques, the overall mesoporosity, hexagonal pore ordering, and amorphous character are preserved. The monoliths' porosity (77–49%), mesopore size (6.2–5.2 nm), pore volume (0.50–0.22 g cm-3
), and specific surface area (451–180 m2 g-1) decrease with increasing processing temperature and pressure. While the difference in porosity is enhanced, the
structural parameters between the C-and S-sintered monoliths are largely converging at 900 C, except for the mesopore size and lattice parameter, whose dimensions are more extensively preserved in the
S-sintered monoliths, however, coming along with larger deviations from the theoretical lattice. Their higher mechanical properties (biaxial strength up to 49 MPa, 724 MPa HV 9.807 N) at comparable porosities and ability to withstand ultrasonic treatment and dead-end filtration up to 7 bar allow S-sintered monoliths to reach a high permeance (2634 L m-2 h-1 bar-1), permeability (1.25 x 10^-14 m2), and ability to reduce the chemical oxygen demand by 90% during filtration of a surfactant-stabilized oil in water emulsion, while indicating reasonable resistance towards fouling.
Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, Au, Rh, Pd) and metal concentrations are discussed.
Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) provides a non-destructive approach in the dedicated thin film analysis mode with the commercial StrataGem software. Recently, the open-source programme BadgerFilm by Moy and Fournelle became available. Similarly to StrataGem, it is based on the algorithm of Pouchou and Pichoir and needs intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-values). We have evaluated the k-values measured for the FeNi and SiGe film systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the thickness and composition with the results obtained with the established StrataGem software and other reference methods. The thicknesses of the SiGe films obtained by the BadgerFilm software agree within 20% with the StrataGem and TEM results; the elemental compositions BadgerFilm-StrataGEM agree within 2% with one exception (9%).
In order to bridge the gap between lab-scale and industrial-scale production of graphene it is necessary to develop processes, equipment and measurement procedures to control the material features. One of the crucial reasons of graphene’s limited commercialization is the lack of standard procedures to properly characterize and define the material chemical and structural properties down to the nanometer level. This leads to many issues regarding material synthesis repeatability, inappropriateness choice of measurands and measurement reproducibility which heavily affect the consistency of the material performance.
In our study, a comparative analysis is performed on two different series (G5 and G6) of industrial graphene powders, each series produced with four types of functionalization: raw graphene, oxygen-functionalized, nitrogen-functionalized and fluorine-functionalized. All the 8 sample variants were analyzed from a chemical and morphological point of view in the form of powders prepared as slightly pressed in metallic sample holders.
The results of the comparative chemical analyses XPS and EDS show a good agreement in the concentration values for all the elements present in the samples, despite the different analysis volumes addressed by the two techniques. For this reason, the samples can be considered homogeneous in both lateral and vertical direction.
A clear influence of the morphology on the composition is evident. Therefore, such correlative measurements of morphology and composition are necessary for a comprehensive characterization of industrial graphene flakes.
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.
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. We have collected a good mixture of articles: some texts are more in the line of users’ tutorial and best practice guides; others are intended to show recent developments of the method. With this collection, we also hope to show the generally rapidly expanding possibilities of ellipsometry and polarimetry to draw attention of new users and previously unrelated communities to this valuable tool.
Before industrial grade graphene could reach comparable quality to the controlled laboratory scale material, many challenges must be overcome. In order to bridge the gap between lab-scale and industrial-scale production is necessary to develop processes, equipment and measurement procedures to control the material features. One of the most crucial reasons of graphene’s limited commercialization is the lack of standard procedures to properly characterize and define the material chemical and structural properties down to the nanometer level. This leads to many issues regarding material synthesis repeatability, inappropriateness choice of measurands and measurement reproducibility which heavily affect the consistency of the material performance. For example, among all the different industrially produced real-world graphene, it is crucial to determine how many layers of graphene build the material. Products that are built by more than 10 layers should be more correctly referred as nanosized graphite, a problem that is often regarded as the “fake graphene” issue.
In our study, a comparative analysis is performed on two different series (G5 and G6) of industrial graphene powders, each series produced with four types of functionalization: raw graphene, oxygen-functionalized, nitrogen-functionalized and fluorine-functionalized. All the 8 sample variants were analyzed from a chemical and morphological point of view in the form of powders prepared as slightly pressed in metallic sample holders.
The results of the comparative chemical analyses XPS and EDS show a good agreement in the concentration values for all the elements present in the samples, despite the different analysis volumes addressed by the two techniques. For this reason, the samples can be considered homogeneous in both lateral and vertical direction.
A clear influence of the morphology on the composition is evident. Therefore, such correlative measurements of morphology and composition are necessary for a comprehensive characterization of industrial graphene flakes. Protocols for reliable characterization of industrial graphene flakes are in progress.
NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaGdF4:Nd3+/Yb3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were prepared using a solvothermal method, and the effects of key factors such as the content of sensitiser Nd 3+ and Yb3+ on their luminescence properties were investigated. The nanoparticles are homogeneous in size and well dispersed. Under 808 nm excitation, it can produce strong upconversion fluorescence. At the same time, the nanoparticles have good temperature-sensing properties at the thermally coupled energy levels of 700 nm and 646 nm for Tm3+. Using its fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR), accurate temperature measurements can be performed, and it has been found that it exhibits different temperature sensing properties in low and high-temperature regions. The maximum relative sensitivity was found to be 0.88% K-1 and 1.89% K-1 for the lowtemperature region of 285 K-345 K and the high-temperature region of 345 K-495 K. The nanoparticles were applied to the internal temperature measurement of lithium batteries and the actual high-temperature environment, respectively, and were found to have good temperature measurementt performance.
A new “green” and mild synthesis of highly stable microcrystalline Cs2AgxNa1-xBiyIn1-yCl6 (CANBIC) perovskites under ambient conditions was developed that is scalable to the multi-gram production. Under UV illumination, the CANBIC perovskites emit intense broadband photoluminescence (PL) with a quantum yield (QY) of 92% observed for x = 0.35 and y = 0.01-0.02. The combination of strong UV absorbance and broadband visible emission, high PL QY, and long PL lifetimes of up to 1.4 μs, along with an outstanding stability makes these CANBICs a promising material class for many optical applications.
A competitive advantage in the semiconductors industry is gained through the exploitation of new materials and processes, translating into improved components’ performances. This requires a metrological infrastructure allowing reliable nanoscale characterisation of new materials and devices, particularly in terms of their electrical parameters and properties. Traceability and reliability of nanoscale measurements stand as a major challenge for electrical properties (i.e. resistance, impedance) using conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) and scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) techniques. The non-destructive analysis nature of these two methods is of paramount importance for the characterization of devices and components. However, the state of the art still lacks established measurement protocols, easy to use reference standards, well-defined best practice guides and easy to use 3D models to assess environmental and external stimulation effects. Moreover, costly instrumentation, particularly for high-frequency measurements, still hinders efficient advancements in these directions.
ELENA is a 3-years European project that aims at bringing solutions to the aforementioned difficulties. To achieve this goal, the project uses a combination of nanoscale electrodynamic scanning probe methods in combination with optical tools such as spectroscopic ellipsometry on several lateral length scales to determine the electrical properties of layers and small structures.
For test laboratories operating under accreditation schemes like ISO/IEC 17025 (ISO/IEC 17025), as the international reference for testing and calibration laboratories wanting to demonstrate their capacity to deliver reliable results, a periodical control of the critical instrumental parameters of an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) is required.
This periodical check of an EDS is specified with exact procedures and materials in the ISO 15632:2021 ”Microbeam Analysis – Selected instrumental performance parameters for the specification and checking of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers for use in electron probe microanalysis” (ISO 15632). The EDS check can be simplified to the acquisition of only one 10 kV spectrum from a dedicated test material, EDS-TM002, which is made available by BAM since 2009 (https://webshop.bam.de/webshop_en/). The optional BAM software “EDX spectrometer check” is destined to automatically evaluate this spectrum and determine the performance of the EDS in terms of energy resolution and calibration, as well as possible alteration of low-energy efficiency due to detector contamination. Nearly 200 laboratories have the EDS-TM and associated software package in use.
Practical examples based on various types of artifacts occurred in the EDS spectra and a long-term (>10 years) meticulous observation of the own spectrometers will be discussed. Different types of EDS spectrometers are considered, e.g. Si(Li) and SDD, of various window types (AP, the recent one Si3N4 or even windowless), and with different front contact layers (Au and Ni) (Hodoroaba and Procop, 2014). Evaluation of other parameters or effects such as the deadtime at different count rates or pileup effects is also explained with examples.
Heterogeneous Oxysulfide@Fluoride Core/ Shell Nanocrystals for Upconversion-Based Nanothermometry
(2022)
Lanthanide (Ln3+)-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) often suffer from weak luminescence, especially when their sizes are ultrasmall (less than 10 nm). Enhancing the upconversion luminescence (UCL) efficiency of ultrasmall UCNPs has remained a challenge that must be undertaken if any practical applications are to be envisaged. Herein, we present a Ln3+-doped oxysulfide@fluoride core/shell heterostructure which shows efficient UCL properties under 980nm excitation and good stability in solution. Through epitaxial heterogeneous growth, a ∼4 nm optically inert β-NaYF4 shell was coated onto ∼5 nm ultrasmall Gd2O2S:20%Yb,1%Tm. These Gd2O2S:20%Yb,1%Tm@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs exhibit a more than 800-fold increase in UCL intensity compared to the unprotected core, a 180-fold increase in luminescence decay time of the 3H4 → 3H6 Tm3+ transition from 5 to 900 μs, and an upconversion quantum yield (UCQY) of 0.76% at an excitation power density of 155 W/cm2. Likewise, Gd2O2S:20%Yb,2%Er@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs show a nearly 5000-fold
increase of their UCL intensity compared to the Gd2O2S:20%Yb,2%Er core and a maximum UCQY of 0.61%. In the Yb/Er core−shell UCNP system, the observed variation of luminescence intensity ratio seems to originate from a change in lattice strain as the temperature is elevated. For nanothermometry applications, the thermal sensitivities based on thermally coupled levels are estimated for both Yb/Tm and Yb/Er doped Gd2O2S@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs.
The thickness of thin films can be measured by various methods, e.g., profilometry, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), or X-ray reflectometry. For the additional determination of thin film composition, techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or mass spectrometry-based techniques can be used. An alternative non-destructive technique is electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). This method assumes a sample of homogenous (bulk) chemical composition, so that it cannot be usually applied to thin film samples. However, in combination with the thin film software StrataGEM, the thickness as well as the composition of such films on a substrate can be determined.
This has been demonstrated for FeNi on Si and SiGe on Al2O3 film systems. For both systems five samples with different elemental composition and a reference were produced and characterised by Korean research institute KRISS using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These samples were used for an international round robin test.
In 2021, a new and open-source thin film evaluation programme called BadgerFilm has been released. It can also be used to determine thin film composition and thickness from intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-ratios).
In this contribution, we re-evaluated the data acquired for the FeNi and SiGe systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the resulting composition and thickness with the results of the established StrataGEM software and other reference methods. With the current evaluation, the BadgerFilm software shows good agreement with the composition and thickness calculated by StrataGEM and as the reference values provided by the KRISS.
The conversion of solar energy into electricity and solar fuels is of crucial importance for a green and sustainable future. Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen (H2) fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, etc) and metal concentrations will be discussed.
Nanosafety is becoming increasingly important as nanomaterials are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. For nanotoxicity measurements prior sterilization of the samples is necessary, but as structure activity relationships are made with properties of pristine particles, the question arises, if the sterilization process has an impact on the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles and thus on the biological behavior.
This question will be addressed in this talk. For this purpose, results from SEM and EDS measurements are combined with those of a novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer in order to obtain a more complete picture. At the end, an influence of sterilization will be evident, which indicates a restructuring of the nanoparticles owing to sterilization.
NaYF4 as the core and NaGdF4 as the outer layer were used to obtain
NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaYF4:Ce3+/Eu3+ nanoparticles. Physical and morphological investigations indicated that the obtained nanoparticles were prepared in a hexagonal shape, with the NaGdF4 shell layer uniformly encapsulated on the NaYF4 core.
Strong Tm3+ upconversion emission peaks were observed for a 980-nm-laser-excited sample, while strong Eu3+ downconversion emission peaks were observed for a 254-nm-laser-excited sample. By zonal doping of Tm3+ and Eu3+, their fluorescence intensity can be significantly increased; more importantly, simultaneous temperature measurements with dual-mode upconversion/downconversion can be achieved. The temperature measurement properties of the dual mode were also investigated, and it was discovered that the upconversion 3F3 → 3H6 and 1G4 → 3F4 thermocouple energy levels gave the best temperature measurements with maximum absolute and relative sensitivities of 0.0877 K−1 and 1.95% K−1, respectively, which are better than the current temperature measurement sensitivities of most rare-earth-based materials. This material was prepared as fiber-optic temperature-sensing probes to detect the temperature in the environment in real time and was found to perform excellently for temperature measurement.
A first tricolor fluorescent pH nanosensor is presented, which was rationally designed from biocompatible carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles and two analyte-responsive molecular fluorophores. Its fabrication involved particle staining with a blue-red-emissive dyad, consisting of a rhodamine moiety responsive to acidic pH values and a pH-inert quinoline fluorophore, followed by the covalent attachment of a fluorescein dye to the particle surface that signals neutral and basic pH values with a green fluorescence. These sensor particles change their fluorescence from blue to red and green, depending on the pH and excitation wavelength, and enable ratiometric pH measurements in the pH range of 3.0−9.0. The localization of the different sensor dyes in the particle core and at the particle surface was confirmed with fluorescence microscopy utilizing analogously prepared polystyrene microparticles. To show the application potential of these polystyrene-based multicolor sensor particles, fluorescence microscopy studies with a human A549 cell line were performed, which revealed the cellular uptake of the pH nanosensor and the differently colored emissions in different cell organelles, that is, compartments of the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. Our results demonstrate the underexplored potential of biocompatible polystyrene particles for multicolor and multianalyte sensing and bioimaging utilizing hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic stimuli-responsive luminophores.
A fluorolytic sol–gel method was used for the fast and simple synthesis of small cubic-phase SrF2:Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion (UC) nanocrystals (UCNC) of different composition at room temperature. Systematic studies of the crystal phase and particle size of this Yb3+,Er3+-concentration series as well as excitation power density (P)-dependent UC luminescence (UCL) spectra, UCL quantum yields (ΦUCL), and UCL decay kinetics yielded maximum UCL performance for doping amounts of Yb3+ of 13.5% and Er3+ of 1.3% in the studied doping and P-range (30–400 W cm−2). Furthermore, ΦUCL were determined to be similar to popular β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+. The relative spectral UCL distributions revealed that all UCNC show a strong red emission in the studied doping and P-range (30–400 W cm−2) and suggest that the UCL quenching pathway for unshelled cubic-phase SrF2:Yb3+,Er3+ UCNC differs from the commonly accepted population and depopulation pathways of β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ UCNC. In SrF2:Yb3+,Er3+ UCNC the 4S3/2 →
4I13/2 transition exhibits a notably stronger sensitivity towards P and reveals increasing values for decreasing Yb3+–Yb3+ distances while the 4I9/2 → 4I15/2 transition is significantly less affected by P and energy migration facilitated UCL quenching. These results emphasize the complexity of the UC processes and the decisive role of the crystal phase and symmetry of the host lattice on the operative UCL quenching mechanism in addition to surface effects. Moreover, the room temperature UCNC synthesis enabled a systematic investigation of the influence of the calcination temperature on the crystal phase of powder-UCNC and the associated UCL properties. Calcination studies of solid UCNC of optimized doping concentration in the temperature range of 175 °C and 800 °C showed the beneficial influence of temperature-
induced healing of crystal defects on UCL and the onset of a phase separation connected with the oxygenation of the lanthanide ions at elevated temperature. This further emphasizes the sensitivity of the UC process to the crystal phase and quality of the host matrix.
Nanosafety is becoming increasingly important as nanomaterials are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. For nanotoxicity measurements prior sterilization of the samples is necessary, but as structure activity relationships are made with properties of pristine particles, the question arises, if the sterilization process has an impact on the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles and thus on the biological behavior.
This question will be addressed in this talk. For this purpose, results from SEM and EDS measurements are combined with those of a novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer in order to obtain a more complete picture. At the end, an influence of sterilization will be evident, which indicates a restructuring of the nanoparticles owing to sterilization.
Advanced peptide-based nanomaterials composed of self-assembling peptides (SAPs) are of emerging interest in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The introduction of fluorine into peptides, in fact, offers unique opportunities to tune their biophysical properties and intermolecular interactions. In particular, the degree of fluorination plays a crucial role in peptide engineering as it can be used to control the characteristics of fluorine-specific interactions and, thus, peptide conformation and self-assembly. Here, we designed and explored a series of amphipathic peptides by incorporating the fluorinated amino acids (2S)-4-monofluoroethylglycine (MfeGly), (2S)-4,4-difluoroethylglycine (DfeGly) and (2S)-4,4,4-trifluoroethylglycine (TfeGly) as hydrophobic components. This approach enabled studying the impact of fluorination on secondary structure formation and peptide self-assembly on a systematic basis. We show that the interplay between polarity and hydrophobicity, both induced differentially by varying degrees of side chain fluorination, does affect peptide folding significantly. A greater degree of fluorination promotes peptide fibrillation and subsequent formation of physical hydrogels in physiological conditions. Molecular simulations revealed the key role played by electrostatically driven intra-chain and inter-chain contact pairs that are modulated by side chain fluorination and give insights into the different self-organization behaviour of selected peptides. Our study provides a systematic report about the distinct features of fluorinated oligomeric peptides with potential applications as peptide-based biomaterials.
In this study the so-called laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) were produced on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) surfaces upon scan processing in air by a Ti:sapphire femtosecond (fs) laser. The tribological performance of the resulting surfaces was qualified in linear reciprocating sliding tribological tests (RSTT) against balls made of different materials (100Cr6 steel/Al2O3/Si3N4) using different oil-based lubricants. The admixture of the additive 2-ethylhexylzinc-dithiophosphate (ZDDP) to a base oil containing only anti-oxidants and temperature stabilizers disclosed the synergy of the additive with the laser-oxidized nanostructures. This interplay between the laser-textured sample topography and the local chemistry in the tribological contact area reduces friction and wear.
Nickel tungsten alloy tapes (Ni—5 at% W, 10 mm wide, 80 µm thick, biaxially textured) used in second-generation high temperature superconductor (2G-HTS) technology were laser-processed in air with ultraviolet ps-laser pulses (355 nm wavelength, 300 ps pulse duration, 250–800 kHz pulse repetition frequency). By employing optimized surface scan-processing strategies, various laser-generated periodic surface structures were generated on the tapes. Particularly, distinct surface microstructures and nanostructures were formed. These included sub-wavelength-sized highly-regular hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusions, wavelength-sized line-grating-like laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), and larger irregular pyramidal microstructures. The induced surface morphology was characterized in depth by electron-based techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (STEM/TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The in-depth EBSD crystallographic analyses indicated a significant impact of the material initial grain orientation on the type of surface nanostructure and microstructure formed upon laser irradiation. Special emphasis was laid on high-resolution material analysis of the hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusions. Their formation mechanism is discussed on the basis of the interplay between electromagnetic scattering effects followed by hydrodynamic matter re-organization after the laser exposure. The temperature stability of the hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusion was explored in post-irradiation thermal annealing experiments, in order to qualify their suitability in 2G-HTS fabrication technology with initial steps deposition temperatures in the range of 773–873 K.
This 6 minute long MP4-video presents some key results of the European research project "BioCombs4Nanofibers" to the broader public. Inspired by nature, some concepts of certain types of spiders are transferred to technology in order to develop bacteria-repellent surfaces through laser surface nanostructuring.
Funding notice: This study was funded by the European Union's research and innovation program under the FET Open grant agreement No. 862016 (BioCombs4Nanofibers, http://biocombs4nanofibers.eu).
The large surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles is understood to be the source of many interesting phenomena. The melting temperature of nanoparticles is shown to dramatically reduce compared to bulk material. Yet, at temperatures below this reduced melting point, a liquid-like atomic arrangement on the surface of nanoparticles is still anticipated to influence its properties. To understand such surface effects, here, we study the coalescence of Au nanoparticles of various sizes using molecular dynamics simulations. Analysis of the potential energy and Lindemann index distribution across the nanoparticles reveals that high-energy, high-mobility surface atoms can enable the coalescence of nanoparticles at temperatures much lower than their corresponding melting point. The smaller the nanoparticles, the larger the difference between their melting and coalescence temperatures. For small enough particles and/or elevated enough temperatures, we found that the coalescence leads to a melting transition of the two nominally solid nanoparticles, here discussed in relation to the heat released due to the surface reduction upon the coalescence and the size dependence of latent heat. Such discontinuous melting transitions can lead to abrupt changes in the properties of nanoparticles, important for their applications at intermediate temperatures.
Quantification of the Total and Accessible Number of Functional Groups and Ligands on Nanomaterials
(2022)
Surface-functionalized organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NP) are of great interest in the life and material sciences, as they can be used e.g. as drug carriers, fluorescent sensors, and multimodal labels in bioanalytical assays and imaging applications. NP performance in such applications depends not only on particle size, size distribution, and morphology, but also on surface chemistry, i.e. the total number of surface functional groups (FG) and the number of FG accessible for subsequent functionalization with ligands or biomolecules, which in turn determines surface charge, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and toxicity. Methods for FG quantification should be simple, robust, reliable, fast, and inexpensive, and allow for the characteriza-tion of a broad variety of nanomaterials differing in size, chemical composition, and optical properties.
Aiming at the development of simple, versatile, and multimodal tools for the quantification of many bioanalytically relevant FG such as amine, carboxy, thiol and aldehyde functionalities, we investigated and compared various analytical methods commonly used for functional group quantification. This includes electrochemical titration methods, dye-based optical assays, and other instrumental analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis methods.
The spatial distribution and concentration of lanthanide activator and sensitizer dopant ions are of key importance for the luminescence color and efficiency of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Quantifying dopant ion distributions and intermixing, and correlating them with synthesis methods require suitable analytical techniques. Here, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth-profiling with tender X-rays (2000–6000 eV), providing probe depths ideally matched to UCNP sizes, is used to measure the depth-dependent concentration ratios of Er3+ to Yb3+, [Er3+]/[Yb3+], in three types of UCNPs prepared using different reagents and synthesis methods. This is combined with data simulations and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) measurements of the lanthanide ion concentrations to construct models of the UCNPs’ dopant ion distributions. The UCNP sizes and architectures are chosen to demonstrate the potential of this approach. Core-only UCNPs synthesized with XCl3·6H2O precursors (β-phase) exhibit a homogeneous distribution of lanthanide ions, but a slightly surface-enhanced [Er3+]/[Yb3+] is observed for UCNPs prepared with trifluroacetate precursors (α-phase). Examination of Yb-core@Er-shell UCNPs reveals a co-doped, intermixed region between the single-doped core and shell. The impact of these different dopant ion distributions on the UCNP's optical properties is discussed to highlight their importance for UCNP functionality and the design of efficient UCNPs.
The incorporation of nanoscale particles into elastomers enable a boost in performance and/or a distinct reduction of conventional filler loadings due to their high surface to volume ratio. 2D layered nanoparticles like graphene and graphene-related materials provide a great potential as effective fillers in rubber, especially by enhancing mechanical and barrier properties. The type and properties of the nanoparticles, their interface and the elastomeric matrix materials influence the technical behavior, and therefore the potential application fields of such rubber nanocomposites. Especially crucial for the efficiency of the nanofiller, however, is its best possible incorporation into the elastomer. The dispersing of nanoparticles without agglomerates usually constitutes a challenge when using conventional two-roll milling or internal mixing. Academic approaches for highly dispersed nanocomposites solve this problem but are often energy and time consuming with no feasible scale up possibility. Therefore, an ultrasonic assisted NR latex premixing process was established to produce highly filled masterbatches, enabling the main processing with conventional rubber processing techniques.
Two carbon-based nanoparticles with similar specific surface areas were investigated and incorporated in natural rubber as nanocomposites: A commercially available multilayer graphene (MLG) and a nanoscale carbon black (nCB). The mentioned premixed masterbatches were further processed to nanocomposites by the addition of matrix NR, two-roll milling, and hot pressing (vulcanization). By this procedure an increase in Young’s modulus of 157% (MLG) and 71% (nCB) could be obtained at a concentration level of 3 phr. As anisotropic material behavior was observable for the nanocomposites containing MLG, different measurement methods were investigated to quantify the orientation of the nanoparticles in the nanocomposites: Sorption measurements (swelling in 2 dimensions), hardness and dynamical mechanical analysis (in-plane vs. cross-plane), X-Ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscopy.
A few layer/multilayer graphene (MLG) with a specific surface area of BET=250 m2/g is proposed as an efficient multifunctional nanofiller for rubbers. The preparation method, i.e., ultrasonically-assisted solution mixing of master batches followed by two-roll milling, strongly influences the dispersion in the elastomeric matrix and is fundamental for the final properties. When homogenously dispersed, single stacks of only approximately 10 graphene sheets, with an aspect ratio of 34, work at low loadings, enabling the replacement of large amounts of carbon black (CB), an increase in efficiency, and a reduction in filler load. The appropriate preparation yielded nanocomposites in which just 3 phr are sufficient to significantly improve the rheological, curing, gas barrier properties, electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as mechanical properties of different rubbers, as shown for chlorine-Isobutylene-Isoprene rubber (CIIR), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), natural rubber (NR), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). 3 phr of MLG tripled the Young’s modulus of CIIR, an effect equivalent to 20 phr of CB. The stronger interactions between MLG and NR or SBR also resulted in a reduction in the elongation at break by 20% and 50%, respectively, while the same parameter was hardly changed for CIIR/MLG and NBR/MLG. CIIR/MLG and NBR/MLG were stiffer but just as defomable than CIIR and NBR. The strong reinforcing effect of 3 phr MLG was confirmed by the increase of greater than 10 Shore A in hardness. MLG reduces gas permeability, increases thermal and electrical conductivities, and retards flammability, the latter shown by the reduction in heat release rate in the cone calorimeter. We investigated MLG also as a synergist for reducing the aluminium trihydrate loading in flame retardant hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene (HNBR), polybutadiene chloroprene (BR/CR), and chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber(CSM). The higher the nanofiller concentration is, the greater the improvement in the properties. For instance, the permeability decreased by 30% at 3 phr of MLG, 50% at 5 phr and 60% at 10 phr, respectively. Moreover, the MLG nanocomposites improve stability of mechanical properties against the effects of weathering. In key experiments an increase in UV-absorption and a pronounced radical scavenging were proved as stabilizing mechanisms. In a nutshell, MLG is an efficient multifunctional nanofiller ready to be used for innovative rubber development.
The OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) has actively worked towards understanding possible safety issues for manufactured nanomaterials and has contributed significantly to resolving these by developing Test Guidelines, Guidance Documents, Test Reports and other publications with the aim of a safe use of manufactured nanomaterials. To address the specific needs of manufactured nanomaterials, the OECD Test Guideline No. 110 “Particle Size Distribution/Fibre Length and Diameter Distributions” was identified as one of the test guidelines (TGs) to require an update. The current TG 110 (adopted in 1981) is only valid for particles and fibres with sizes above 250 nm. The WPMN prioritised to either update TG 110 to be applicable also to particles at the nanoscale or draft a new nanomaterial specific (TG).
Eventually, it was decided to develop a new TG that covers the size range from 1 nm to 1000 nm, intended for particle size and particle size distribution measurements of nanomaterials. Paragraph 11 provides further justification on the need for such measurements for nanomaterials. This TG overlaps with TG 110 in the size range from 250 nm to 1000 nm. When measuring particulate or fibrous materials, the appropriate TG should be selected depending on the size range of particles tested. In line with TG 110, the new TG for nanomaterials includes separate parts for particles and fibres.
For the part of this TG which addresses particles, several methods applicable to nanomaterials were reviewed and included to take into account developments since 1981 when the TG 110 was adopted. This TG includes the following methods: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Centrifugal Liquid Sedimentation (CLS)/Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Differential Mobility Analysis System (DMAS), (Nano)Particle Tracking Analysis (PTA/NTA), Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The method Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) could not be sufficiently validated within the interlaboratory comparison (ILC) carried out for the different methods in this TG (see also paragraph 6 for further details on the ILC). Applicability of sp-ICP-MS is strongly limited to nanomaterials with high mass values in combination with a sufficiently high particle size. However, the general method ICP-MS is widely used and the sp-mode for the size measurement of specific nanomaterials was successfully performed in ILCs elsewhere. The method is therefore included in the Appendix Part C of this TG, which further details the limitations of sp-ICP-MS.
For measuring the diameter and length of fibres, analysing images captured with electron microscopy is currently the only method available. This TG includes Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
To test the validity of this TG, an ILC was performed. Test materials were chosen to reflect a broad range of nanomaterial classes, e.g. metals, metal oxides, polymers and carbon materials. Where possible, well-characterised test materials were used.
Additionally, the test materials were chosen to reflect a broad range of sizes representing the size range 1 nm to 1000 nm. Specifically for fibres, a broad range of aspect ratios was included (length/diameter of 3 to > 50). Some of the test materials used are commercially available and further references are given in the validation report of the ILC. Sample preparation for physical chemical characterisation is critical for all listed methods. Due to the differences between individual nanomaterials and due to the wide range of individual material properties it is impossible to have a generic protocol to obtain the best possible sample preparation for every nanomaterial. Therefore, a generic protocol on sample preparation is not part of this TG. Information on sample preparation is given in the paragraphs 25-29, 33, 34 and 39 for particles and in paragraphs 159) for fibres. Further information on sample preparation of nanomaterials for physical chemical characterisation can be found in the OECD Guidance on Sample Preparation and Dosimetry for the Safety Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials and elsewhere.
Electron microscopy (EM) is the gold standard for the characterisation of the morphology (size and shape) of nanoparticles. Visual observation of objects under examination is always a necessary first step in the characterisation process. Several questions arise when undertaking to identify and count particles to measure their size and shape distribution. In addition to challenges with the dispersion and identification of the particles, more than one protocol for counting particles is in use. This paper focuses on precise rules for the counting of particles in EM micrographs, as this influences the measurement accuracy of the number of particles, thus implicitly affecting the size values of the counted particles. We review and compare four different, commonly used methods for counting, which we then apply in case studies. The impact of the selected counting rule on the obtained final particle size distribution is highlighted. One main aim of this analysis is to support the application of a specific, well-defined counting approach in accordance with regulatory
requirements to contribute to achieving more reliable and reproducible results. It is also useful for the new harmonised measurement procedures for determining the particle size and particle size distribution of nanomaterials.
Recent developments of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using excitation energies different from the usual lab-sources Mg Kα and Al Kα, thus covering larger and different kinetic energy ranges, require more flexible approaches for determining the transmission function than the well-established ones using reference spectra. Therefore, the approach using quantified peak areas (QPA) was refined allowing a more precise estimation of the transmission function. This refinement was tested by comparing the results obtained with the new version with former calculations. Furthermore, the obtained transmission function was validated by comparing the results with a transmission function using the reference spectrum of polyethylene. Additionally, an ionic liquid was used as reference for estimating the transmission function at the energy resolved HE-SGM beamline at BESSY II. Comparison between the measured and stoichiometric composition shows that a transmission function was determined, which allows a reasonable quantification.
Herein, a simple one-pot procedure is reported to obtain aqueous zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle dispersions from ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in cyclohexane. In the process, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80, Tween 80) functions as a phase transfer agent and colloidal stabilizer. The particles grow in a defined manner during the transfer, presumably via coalescence. The final particle radii are tuneable in the range from 2.3 ± 0.1 nm to 5.7 ± 0.1 nm depending on the incubation time of the dispersion at 90 °C. Small-angle X-ray scattering is employed to determine the particle radius distributions before and after phase transfer. The larger ZnO particle radii are associated with a redshift of the optical bandgap and luminescence emission, as expected for semiconductor nanoparticles. The particles presented here exhibit a relative size distribution width of 20%, rendering them attractive for applications in, e.g., biology or catalysis. The latter application is demonstrated at the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye.
High sensitizer and activator concentrations have been increasingly examined to improve the performance of multi-color emissive upconversion (UC) nanocrystals (UCNC) like NaYF4:Yb,Er and first strategies were reported to reduce concentration quenching in highly doped UCNC. UC luminescence (UCL) is, however, controlled not only by dopant concentration, yet by an interplay of different parameters including size, crystal and shell quality, and excitation power density (P). Thus, identifying optimum dopant concentrations requires systematic studies of UCNC designed to minimize additional quenching pathways and quantitative spectroscopy. Here, we quantify the dopant concentration dependence of the UCL quantum yield (ΦUC) of solid
NaYF4:Yb,Er/NaYF4:Lu upconversion core/shell nanocrystals of varying Yb3+ and Er3+ concentrations (Yb3+ series: 20%‒98% Yb3+; 2% Er3+; Er3+ series: 60% Yb3+; 2%‒40% Er3+). To circumvent other luminescence quenching processes, an elaborate synthesis yielding OH-free UCNC with record ΦUC of ~9% and ~25 nm core particles with a thick surface shell were used. High Yb3+ concentrations barely reduce ΦUC from ~9% (20% Yb3+) to ~7% (98% Yb3+) for an Er3+ concentration of 2%, thereby allowing to strongly increase the particle absorption cross section and UCNC brightness. Although an increased Er3+ concentration reduces ΦUC from ~7% (2% Er3+) to 1% (40%) for 60% Yb3+. Nevertheless, at very high P (> 1 MW/cm2) used for microscopic studies, highly Er3+-doped UCNC display a high brightness because of reduced saturation. These findings underline the importance of synthesis control and will pave the road to many fundamental studies of UC materials.
To enhance the biological effects of radiation damage in cancerous cells, we present an alternative approach to the use of gold nanoparticles (AuNP), focusing on the synthesis and characterization of highly monodisperse, spherical radioactive gold nanoparticles 198AuNP. The size of the AuNP size was optimized with the help of Geant4/TOPAS particle scattering simulations, and energy deposition per nm3 per decay for varying radii (2–10 nm) was evaluated. This work is the foundation for ongoing experimental work to evaluate cell death induced by 198AuNP which aims for the use of radioactive gold nanoparticles in cancer treatment.
Catalysts are important components in chemical processes because they lower the activation energy and thus determine the rate, efficiency and selectivity of a chemical reaction. This property plays an important role in many of today’s processes, including the electrochemical splitting of water. Due to the continuous development of catalyst materials, they are becoming more complex, which makes a reliable evaluation of physicochemical properties challenging even for modern analytical measurement techniques and industrial manufacturing.
We present a fast, vacuum-free and non-destructive analytical approach using multi-sample spectroscopic ellipsometry to determine relevant material parameters such as film thickness, porosity and composition of mesoporous IrOx–TiOy films. Mesoporous IrOx–TiOy films were deposited on Si wafers by sol–gel synthesis, varying the composition of the mixed oxide films between 0 and 100 wt%Ir. The ellipsometric modeling is based on an anisotropic Bruggeman effective medium approximation (a-BEMA) to determine the film thickness and volume fraction of the material and pores. The volume fraction of the material was again modeled using a Bruggeman EMA to determine the chemical composition of the materials. The ellipsometric fitting results were compared with complementary methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) as well as environmental ellipsometric porosimetry (EEP).
To obtain reliable data on micro- and nanoplastics (MPs, NPs) BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) is organizing interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs). Main focus is detection and physico-chemical characterisation. The accuracy and precision of the results of different laboratories and comparability of the results among the participants are addressed. The ILCs will be performed in the following order: i) ILC #1: Detection and Characterisation of MPs (1-1000 µm) and ii) ILC #2: Detection and Characterisation of NPs (< 1 µm).
For the ILC #1 the parameters to be analysed are: particle size distribution, shape, mass content, particle concentration, with thermoanalytic (Py-GC/MS, TED-GC/MS) and spectroscopy (µ-Raman, µ-FTIR) methods. For the ILC #2 the parameters are: particle size distribution, shape, particle concentration, with methods such as spectroscopical (Raman), Electron Microscopies (SEM, AFM), etc. Exact measurands and methods are still under discussion. BAM will provide test materials of well-known stability and homogeneity. ILC participants will include partners of the CUSP (the European research cluster to understand the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics), and any other institutions over the world. The ILCs will take place under the international pre-standardisation platform VAMAS, new Technical Working Area 35 “Micro and Nano Plastics in the Environment” (http://www.vamas.org/twa45/).
Atomically precise gold nanoclusters are a fascinating class of nanomaterials that exhibit molecule-like properties and have outstanding photoluminescence (PL). Their ultrasmall size, molecular chemistry, and biocompatibility make them extremely appealing for selective biomolecule labeling in investigations of biological mechanisms at the cellular and anatomical levels. In this work, we report a simple route to incorporate a preformed Au25 nanocluster into a model bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. A new approach combining small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular modeling provides a clear localization of a single Au25 within the protein to a cysteine residue on the gold nanocluster surface.
Attaching Au25 to BSA strikingly modifies the PL properties with enhancement and a redshift in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. This study paves the way to conrol the design of selective sensitive probes in biomolecules through a ligand-based strategy to enable the optical detection of biomolecules in a cellular environment by live imaging.
Biofilms are ubiquitous in nature and in the man-made environment. Given their harmful effects on human health, an in-depth understanding of biofilms and the monitoring of their formation and growth are important. Particularly relevant for many metabolic processes and survival strategies of biofilms is their extracellular pH. However, most conventional techniques are not suited for minimally invasive pH measurements of living biofilms. Here, a fluorescent nanosensor is presented for ratiometric measurements of pH in biofilms in the range of pH 4.5–9.5 using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The nanosensor consists of biocompatible polystyrene nanoparticles loaded with pH-inert dye Nile Red and is surface functionalized with a pH-responsive fluorescein dye. Its performance was validated by fluorometrically monitoring the time-dependent changes in pH in E. coli biofilms after glucose inoculation at 37 °C and 4 °C. This revealed a temperature-dependent decrease in pH over a 4-h period caused by the acidifying glucose metabolism of E. coli. These studies demonstrate the applicability of this nanosensor to characterize the chemical microenvironment in biofilms with fluorescence methods.
The continuously increasing use of plastics is supposed to result in a rising exposure of MNPs to humans. Available data on human health risks of microplastics after oral uptake increased immensely in the past years and indicates very likely only low risks after oral consumption. Concerning nanoplastics, uptake, transport and potential adverse effects after oral uptake are less well understood. This study aims to investigate differences between microplastic particles and particles in the submicron- and nanoscaled size derived from food-relevant polymers with a particle size range consistent with higher potential for cellular uptake, fate, and effects when applied to human intestinal and liver cells. This work includes the development of cellular and subcellular detection methods for synthetic polymeric particles in the micro- and nanometer-range, using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Small-Angle X-ray and Dynamic Light Scattering methods, Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation, octanol-water fractionation, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Polylactic acid (250 nm and 2 μm (polydisperse)), melamine formaldehyde (366 nm) and polymethylmethacrylate (25 nm) were thoroughly characterized. The submicro- and nanoplastic test particles showed an increased uptake and transport quantity through intestinal cells. Both types of particles resulted in observed differences of uptake behavior, most likely influenced by different lipophilicity, which varied between the polymeric test materials. Toxic effects were detected after 24 h only in overload situations for the particles in the submicrometer range. This study provides further evidence for gastrointestinal uptake of submicro- and nanoplastics and points towards differences regarding bioavailability between microplastics and smaller plastic particles that may result following the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Furthermore, the results reinforce the importance for studying nanoplastics of different materials of varying size, surface properties, polymer composition and hydrophobicity.
Asymmetrically bridged aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal multichromophores can be readily synthesized in consecutive three-, four-, or five-component syntheses in good to excellent yields by several successive Suzuki-couplings of aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and bis(boronic)acid esters. Different aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals as well as linker molecules yield a library of 23 multichromophores with substitution and linker pattern-tunable emission properties. This allows control of different communication pathways between the chromophores and of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and energy transfer (ET) properties, providing elaborate aggregation-based fluorescence switches.
This is the final report on the proficiency test (PT) „Measurement of the particle size distribution of ceramic powders by laser diffraction”. The PT was organized by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), division 5.5 “Advanced technical ceramics”. The measurements took place from 12/2021 to 03/2022. The aim of the interlaboratory comparison was the proficiency assessment of the participating laboratories.
Management and realization of PT were performed in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010.
The basis of the harmonized measuring procedure and the instructions for the interlaboratory comparison was the standard ISO 13320:2020.
The statistical analysis was performed in accordance with DIN ISO 13528:2020 by use of the software PROLab Plus (QuoData GmbH, Dresden, Germany).
A group of 44 laboratories from 17 countries participated in the PT. Laser diffraction analyzers produced by 7 different manufacturers were used. The three test materials were commercial products. Overall, the measured characteristic values of the particle distributions (d10, d50 and d90) were in the size range between 0.5 and 25 μm. The final report contains all individual results in an anonymous way.
Functionalized nanomaterials (NM) with their unique size-dependent properties are of increasing relevance for current and future developments in various fields such as medical and pharmaceutical industry, computing, electronics or food and consumer products. The performance and safety of NM are determined by the sum of their intrinsic physicochemical properties.1 Besides other key parameters, the particle surface chemistry, which is largely controlled by the chemical nature and density of functional groups and ligands, must be considered for a better performance, stability, and processibility of NM, as well as their interaction with the environment. Thus, particle standards with well-designed surfaces and methods for functional group quantification can foster the sustainable development of functional and safe(r) NM.2 Here we provide a brief overview of the ongoing research in division Biophotonics to design tailored amorphous silica reference particles with bioanalytically relevant functional groups and ligands, for the development of standardized and validated surface functional group quantification methods.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls not only for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials, but also for standardized and validated methods for surface analysis.
4,5 The analysis and quantification of surface chemistry is hence in the focus of an increasing number of standardization organizations and interlaboratory comparisons with different analytical methods are being done.5 For the monitoring of nanomaterial synthesis and the fast assessment of the number of functional groups such as carboxyl and amino functionalities, which are very commonly used functionalities in the life sciences, simple and validated methods are needed that can be performed with common laboratory instrumentation. 5,6 Here we provide a brief overview of the ongoing research in division Biophotonics employing quantitative NMR (qNMR), conductometry, and colorimetric and fluorometric optical assays for the determination of the total and the accessible number of carboxyl and amino groups on differently sized polymer and silica nano- and microparticles.5-7
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
Even though we often do not knowingly recognize them, nanoparticles are present these days in most areas of our daily life, including food and its packaging, medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pigments as well as electronic products, such as computer screens. The majority of these particles exhibits a core-shell morphology either intendedly or unintendedly. For the purpose of practicability, this core-shell nanoparticle (CSNP) morphology is often assumed to be ideal, namely a spherical core fully encapsulated by a shell of homogeneous thickness with a sharp interface between core and shell material. It is furthermore widely presumed that all nanoparticles in the sample possess the same shell thickness. As a matter of fact, most real CSNPs deviate in several ways from this ideal model with quite often severe impact on how efficiently they perform in a specific application.
The topic of this cumulative PhD thesis is the accurate characterization of the actual morphology of CSNPs by advanced X-ray analytical techniques, namely X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). A special focus is on CSNPs which deviate from an ideal core-shell morphology. In the paper from 2019 nanoparticle shell thicknesses are extracted from the elastic-peak intensities in an XPS spectrum based on an ideal particle morphology. This happens for a series of CSNP samples comprising a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) core and either a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS) shell. The same paper as well as the paper from 2020 demonstrate for the first time, that the analysis of the inelastic background in an XPS spectrum of CSNPs can identify and quantify the heterogeneity of the shell and the incomplete encapsulation of the core.
The result from an XPS experiment is always an average across a large nanoparticle ensemble. Deviations from an ideal morphology within a single particle of the sample cannot be assessed separately. As opposed to that, a spatial resolution of 35 nm enables STXM to visualize the interior of single CSNPs which exhibit a sufficient X-ray absorption contrast between core and shell material. In the paper from 2018 a STXM analysis is demonstrated based on the example of the PTFE-PS CSNP samples already mentioned in the previous paragraph.
In the publication from 2021 (Ca/Sr)F₂ core-shell like nanoparticle ensembles for the practical use in, among others, antireflective coatings are investigated. These nanoparticles do not possess a sharp interface between core and shell material, which is why a shell thickness determination as described in the second paragraph is inappropriate. Instead, in-depth profiles of the chemical composition are obtained by XPS experiments based on synchrotron radiation with variable X-ray photon energy to elucidate the internal morphology of the particles. Additionally, theoretical in-depth profiles of Ca and Sr XPS peak intensities are simulated, in order to facilitate the interpretation of the experiments. Thus, an enrichment of CaF₂ at the particle surface was determined, which could hardly have been assessed by any other analytical technique. Because this kind of non-destructive depth profiling by XPS is very demanding, more than usual effort is spent on gapless documentation of the experiments to ensure full reproducibility.
Due to the vast diversity of nanoparticles differing in material, composition and shape, a measurement procedure cannot unalteredly be transferred from one sample to another. Nevertheless, because the papers in this thesis present a greater depth of reporting on the experiments than comparable publications, they constitute an important guidance for other scientists on how to obtain meaningful information about CSNPs from surface analysis.
Here, we present a study on agarose thin-film samples that represent a model system for the exopolysaccharide matrix of biofilms. Povidone-iodide (PVP-I) was selected as an antibacterial agent to evaluate our x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-based methodology to trace specific marker elements, here iodine, commonly found in organic matrices of antibiotics. The in-depth distribution of iodine was determined by XPS analyses with variable excitation energies and in combination with argon gas cluster ion beam sputter cycles. On mixed agarose/PVP-I nanometer-thin films, both methods were found to solve the analytical task and deliver independently comparable results. In the mixed agarose/PVP-I thin film, we found the outermost surface layer depleted in iodine, whereas the iodine is homogeneously distributed in the depth region between this outermost surface layer and the interface between the thin film and the substrate. Depletion of iodine from the uppermost surface in the thin-film samples is assumed to be caused by ultrahigh vacuum exposure resulting in a loss of molecular iodine (I2) as reported earlier for other iodine-doped polymers.
Morpho-Chemical Characterisation of Me-TiO2 Nanoparticles for Enhanced Photocatalytical Activity
(2022)
The conversion of solar energy into electricity and solar fuels is of crucial importance for a green and sustainable future. Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen (H2) fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, etc) and metal concentrations will be discussed.
Iron-based catalysts are employed in CO2-FTS due to their ability to convert CO2 into CO in a first step and their selectivity towards higher hydrocarbons in a second CO hydrogenation step. According to the literature, iron carbides represent the active phase for hydrocarbon formation and are claimed to emerge in the presence of CO. We propose nanostructured FeOx films as model systems to assess information about the complex phase transformations during CO2-FTS. Mesoporous hematite, ferrihydrite, maghemite, maghemite/magnetite films were exposed to CO2-FTS atmospheres at 20 bar and 300°C. Up to three distinct phases were observed depending on the timeon-stream (TOS): a sintered maghemite/magnetite phase, a carbidic core-shell structure, and a low-crystalline, needle-type oxide phase. Our findings indicate that the formation of an intermediary maghemite/magnetite phase, predominant after short TOS (30 h), precedes the evolution of the carbide phase.
Yet, even after prolonged TOS (185 h), no full conversion into a bulk carbide is observed.
The novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer (ULVAC-PHI Quantes) gives us the possibility to measure XPS at 1486.6 eV (monochromatic Al Kα source) and HAXPES at 5414.9 eV (monochromatic Cr Kα source) on a sample at the same position. The surface analysis with this spectrometer leads to an information depth of about 10 nm for XPS and in comparison, to an analysis of deeper regions of about 30 nm for HAXPES measurements. This method provides a nondestructive way to distinguish between the near-surface region of the nanoparticles and the whole nanoparticle. Additionally, HAXPES gives access to deeper core levels at higher energy.
An application of this technique is presented using nanoparticles. The results shown were obtained with nanoparticles, that were treated differently by means of sterilization for nanosafety (i.e., before studying their toxicity it is important to establish whether nanomaterials are sterile and, if not, to be treated either via microwave or autoclave sterilisation). As a complementary method, the data is compared with SEM and EDX measurements. All methods demonstrate the influence of sterilization. More specifically, these results show that the sterilization step must be considered in the physical-chemical description of the particles for establishing reliable (quantitative structure-activity) relationships.
Nanoforms with at least one dimension below 100 nm have an important part to play in more and more areas of our daily life. Therefore, risk assessment of these materials is becoming increasingly important. In this context, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) considered eleven physico-chemical properties as relevant, of which the following six are essential for the registration: chemical composition, crystallinity, particle size, particle shape, surface chemistry and specific surface area. Four of these priority properties can be obtained with electron microscopy and surface analytics like XPS and ToF-SIMS. The reliability of this data must be ensured, especially for their use for grouping and read across approaches. On the other hand, the “reproducibility” crisis has revealed major shortcomings in the reliability of published data.
In a case study, we show how the quality of the data can be ensured by using existing standards and protocols of each step in the workflow of sample characterization. As exemplary samples, two Al-coated TiO2 samples as nanopowders were selected from the JRC repository, capped either with a hydrophilic or a hydrophobic organic ultrathin shell. SEM results provided the size and shape of the nanoparticles, a first overview about the composition was obtained with EDS. XPS and ToF-SIMS supplied the surface chemistry, especially information about the shell and the coating of the particles. Standards and protocols of all steps of the analytical workflow including preparation and data reduction are discussed regarding reliable and reproducible data. Additionally, uncertainties for the different steps are specified.
Only such a detailed description of all these factors allows a comprehensive physico-chemical characterization of the nanoparticles with understanding of their potential risk assessment.
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.
Due to its large strength-to-weight ratio and excellent biocompatibility, titanium materials are of paramount importance for medical applications, e.g. as implant material for protheses. In this work, the evolution of various types of laser-induced micro- and nanostructures emerging on titanium or titanium alloys upon irradiation by near-infrared ultrashort laser pulses (925 fs, 1030 nm) in air environment is studied for various laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz). The morphologies of the processed surfaces were systematically characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM, SEM). Complementary white-light interference microscopy (WLIM) revealed the corresponding surface topographies. Chemical and structural changes were analysed through depth-profiling time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The results point towards a remarkable influence of the laser processing parameters on the surface topography, while simultaneously altering the near-surface chemistry via laser-induced oxidation effects. Consequences for medical applications are outlined.
Using nanofiber-like cell appendages, secreted proteins and sugars, bacteria can establish initial surface contact followed by irreversible adhesion and the formation of multicellular biofilms. Here, the stabilizing extracellular biofilm matrix together with physiological changes on the single cell level leads to an increased resilience towards harsh environmental conditions, antimicrobials, the host immune response and established cleaning procedures. Persistent microbial adhesion on e.g., medical implants, in water supply networks or food-processing industry is often associated with chronic inflammation, nosocomial and foodborne infections, enhanced biofouling and product contamination. To prevent persistent microbial colonization, antibacterial surface strategies often target the initial steps of biofilm formation and impede adhesion of single cells before a mature biofilm is being formed. While chemical coatings have been widely used, their restricted biocompatibility for eukaryotic cells and attenuated antibacterial-effects due to compound release limit their areas of application and alternative strategies focus on modified surfaces topographies to impede bacterial adhesion. In this work, we used ns-UV laser treatment (wavelength 248 nm and a pulse duration of 20 ns) to generate laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) with different submicrometric periods ranging from ~210 to ~610 nm on commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) foils. Following structurally and chemically analyses, PET samples were subjected to bacterial colonization studies with Escherichia coli TG1, a bacterial test strain with a strong biofilm formation capacity due to the formation of nanofiber-like cell-appendages (pili). Bacterial adhesion tests revealed that E. coli repellence decisively depends on the spatial periods of the LIPSS with the strongest reduction (~91%) in cell adhesion observed for LIPSS periods of 214 nm. Scanning electron microscopy and additional biofilm studies using a pili-deficient E. coli TG1 strain revealed the importance of extracellular appendages in the bacterial repellence observed here, thus, pointing out new antibiotics-free strategies for antibacterial surfaces by impeding nanofiber-mediated bacterial adhesion.
The processing of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) represents a simple and robust way for the nanostructuring of solids that allows creating a wide range of surface functionalities featuring applications in optics, tribology, medicine, energy technologies, etc. While the currently available laser and scanner technology already allows surface processing rates at the m2/min level, industrial applications of LIPSS are sometimes hampered by the complex interplay between the nanoscale surface topography and the specific surface chemistry. This typically manifests in difficulties to control the processing of LIPSS and in limitations to ensure the long-term stability of the created surface functions. This presentation aims to identify some unsolved scientific problems related to LIPSS, discusses the pending technological limitations, and sketches the current state of theoretical modelling. Hereby, it is intended to stimulate further research and developments in the field of LIPSS for overcoming these limitations and for supporting the transfer of the LIPSS technology into industry.
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 activity and stability of each catalyst is highly dependent on the properties of the coating, i.e., phase composition, crystallinity, accessible surface area, and many other factors. 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). Ellipsometric models need to be validated in order to produce accurate results. 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.[4] The information on electronic structure of the catalysts shows a direct correlation with electrochemical activities. The development of an environmental electrochemical cell offers the possibility of investigations under operando conditions. Thus, changes in optical and electronic properties can be induced and monitored during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.
Im Vortrag werden das Messprinzip des Zentrifugen-Sedimentationsverfahrens erläutert und die Anforderungen der zugrundeliegenden Normen diskutiert. Es schließen sich umfangreiche Ausführungen zur praktischen Durchführung der Messung, insbesondere auch zu den vorbereitenden Arbeiten, sowie zur Auswertung der Rohdaten an. Gezeigt werden die Validierung sowie ein Beispiel zur regelmäßigen Verifizierung des Verfahrens. Nach Beispielen und Vergleichen zu Ergebnissen mit anderen Messverfahren, wird das Verfahren in einer Zusammenfassung bewertet.
Die Reduktion von Reibung und Verschleiß in technischen Systemen bietet ein großes Potenzial zur Reduktion von CO2-Emissionen. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert die Erzeugung und tribologische Charakterisierung von Ultrakurzpuls-generierten Nano- und Mikrostrukturen auf Metallen (Stahl, Titan). Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf die Rolle der laserinduzierten Oxidschicht im Zusammenspiel mit verschleißreduzierenden Additiven in ölbasierten Schmiermitteln gerichtet.
Anear-infrared (NIR) light-triggered release method for nitric oxide (NO) was developed utilizing core/shell NaYF4: Tm/Yb/Ca@NaGdF4:Nd/Yb up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) bearing a mesoporous silica (mSiO2) shell loaded with theNOdonor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP). To avoid overheating in biological samples, Nd3+ was chosen as a sensitizer, Yb3+ ions as the bridging sensitizer, andTm3+ ions as UV-emissive activator while co-doping with Ca2+ was done to enhance the luminescence of the activatorTm3+.NOrelease from SNAP was triggered by an NIR-UV up-conversion process, initiated by 808nmlight absorbed by the Nd3+ ions.NOrelease was confirmed by the Griess method. Under 808nmirradiation, the viability of the liver cancer cell line HepG2 significantly decreased with increasing UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP concentration. For a UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP concentration of 200 μgml−1, the cell survival probability was 47%. These results demonstrate that UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP can induce the release of apoptosis-inducingNOby NIR irradiation.
Friction at the microscale during reciprocal sliding tribotests was studied for the first time with self-mated steel (100Cr6/AISI 52100) taking advantage of an atomic force microscope (AFM). To this aim, microsized steel particles were glued to the AFM-cantilever and employed as colloidal tips to perform tribotests on a steel disc. The torsion of the cantilever, which correlates with the friction force, was measured during the tests. Few tests with the same load did not yield any wear and show that the load and adhesion contributions to friction stay constant when the shape of the test particle does not change. Most of the presented tribotests engendered wear. For those tests, the increase of friction during the tribotests was attributed to the emerging plowing contribution. Furthermore, analysis of both torsion and local slope gives information on the creation of wear particles and their influence on friction.
Core–shell nanoparticles have attracted much attention in recent years due to their unique properties and their increasing importance in many technological and consumer products. However, the chemistry of nanoparticles is still rarely investigated in comparison to their size and morphology. In this review, the possibilities, limits, and challenges of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for obtaining more insights into the composition, thickness, and homogeneity of nanoparticle coatings are discussed with four examples: CdSe/CdS quantum dots with a thick coating and a small core; NaYF4-based upconverting nanoparticles with a large Yb-doped core and a thin Er-doped coating; and two types of polymer nanoparticles with a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) core with either a poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene coating. Different approaches for calculating the thickness of the coating are presented, like a simple numerical modelling or a more complex simulation of the photoelectron peaks. Additionally, modelling of the XPS background for the investigation of coating is discussed. Furthermore, the new possibilities to measure with varying excitation energies or with hard-energy X-ray sources (hard-energy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) are described. A discussion about the sources of uncertainty for the determination of the thickness of the coating completes this review.
Iron nitride (Fe3N) and iron carbide (Fe3C) nanoparticles can be prepared via sol−gel synthesis. While sol−gel methods are simple, it can be difficult to control the crystalline composition, i.e., to achieve a Rietveld-pure product. In a previous in situ synchrotron study of the sol−gel synthesis of Fe3N/Fe3C, we showed that the reaction proceeds as follows:
Fe3O4 → FeOx → Fe3N → Fe3C. There was considerable overlap between the different phases, but we were unable to ascertain whether this was due to the experimental setup (side-on heating of a quartz capillary which could lead to thermal gradients) or whether individual particle reactions proceed at different rates. In this paper, we use in situ wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)) to demonstrate that the overlapping phases are indeed due to variable reaction rates. While the initial oxide nanoparticles have a small range of diameters, the size range expands considerably and very rapidly during the oxide−nitride transition. This has implications for the isolation of Rietveld-pure Fe3N, and in an extensive laboratory study, we were indeed unable to isolate phasepure Fe3N. However, we made the surprising discovery that Rietveld-pure Fe3C nanoparticles can be produced at 500 °C with a sufficient furnace dwell time. This is considerably lower than the previous reports of the sol−gel synthesis of Fe3C nanoparticles.
Both essential aspects of the surface of solid matter, its morphology and chemistry, are studied traditionally at BAM starting in the 60’s with different cyclical research focus areas, mostly related either to applicative research or method development. In the recent years, the focus has shifted almost exclusively to the nano-analytics of advanced materials such as complex nanoparticles, (ultra)thin films/coatings, nanocomposites, 2D materials, energy materials, etc. This is also the reason why BAM has established recently the new Competence Center nano@BAM (www.bam.de/Navigation/DE/Themen/Material/Nanotechnologie/sichere-nanomaterialien.html) with the five sub-fields nanoCharacterisation, nanoMaterial, nanoSafety, nanoData and nanoTechnology. The link to the BAM central guidelines to the safety in technology and chemistry is given by the development of reference products such as reference measurement procedures, reference (nano)materials, and newly reference data sets. Thus, an internationally well-networked group in surface analysis has been established @BAM, with regular contributions to integral analytical characterization with metrological and standardization background.
Examples of newly developed methodical approaches will be given with an emphasis on correlative nano-analysis of morphology and chemistry of nanomaterials. Correlative imaging by STEM-in-SEM with high-resolution SEM and EDX, and further with AFM or the new technique TKD (Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction) will be explained on various examples of nanostructures, both as starting materials and embedded/functionalized nanoparticles in products. The unique analytical benefits of the Auger electron probe as a veritable nano-tool for surface chemistry will be highlighted. The panoply of advanced surface characterization methods @BAM is completed by discussing examples of hybrid analysis of the bulk of nanomaterials by X-ray Spectroscopy with the highest surface-sensitive methods X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Particularly for the analysis of the surface chemistry of nanostructures, such as the completeness of the shells of core-shell nanoparticles or in-depth and lateral gradients of chemistry within mesoporous thin layers, the latter methods are inherent.
Other special developments like approaches for the quantitative determination of the roughness of particle surface by electron microscopy or for the quantitative determination of the porosity of thin mesoporous layers by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with SEM will be presented.
The main outcomes of the EMPIR project nPSize are presented and the suitability of the new capabilities, e.g. reference materials, sample preparation protocols, measurement procedures, and data analysis, to be standardized and implemented in accredited analytical laboratories is discussed. Complementation and/or filling gaps of published and ongoing standardisation projects on size, shape and number concentration measurements under ISO/TC 229/JWG 2 are offered.
The two VAMAS inter-laboratory comparisons resulted from the nSPize project and just started under TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations (Projects #15 and #16) of bipyramidal TiO2 anatase and bimodal SiO2 nanoparticles are presented in detail.
Dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) increases the biological effectiveness of radiation damage in biomolecules and tissue. To apply them effectively during cancer therapy their influence on the locally delivered dose has to be determined.[1] Hereby, the AuNP locations strongly influence the energy deposit in the nucleus, mitochondria, membrane and the cytosol of the targeted cells. To estimate these effects, particle scattering simulations are applied. In general, different approaches for modeling the AuNP and their distribution within the cell are possible. In this work, two newly developed continuous and discrete-geometric models for simulations of AuNP in cells are presented. [2] These models are applicable to simulations of internal emitters and external radiation sources. Most of the current studies on AuNP focus on external beam therapy. In contrast, we apply the presented models in Monte-Carlo particle scattering simulations to characterize the energy deposit in cell organelles by radioactive 198AuNP. They emit beta and gamma rays and are therefore considered for applications with solid tumors. Differences in local dose enhancement between randomly distributed and nucleus targeted nanoparticles are compared. Hereby nucleus targeted nanoparticels showed a strong local dose enhancement in the radio sensitive nucleus. These results are the foundation for ongoing experimental work which aims to obtain a mechanistic understanding of cell death induced by radioactive 198Au.
We investigate the molecular dynamics and electrical conductivity for a homologous series of linear shaped guanidinium based cyclic ILCs that vary in alkyl chain length, CLCRs (R = 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) by employing broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), and calorimetry comprised of Fast Scanning Calorimetry (FSC) and temperature modulated FSC (TMFSC). Besides conductivity at high temperatures, the dielectric dispersion reveals two relaxation modes: the fast γ and the slow α1 relaxation. The former is assigned to the localized fluctuations while the latter is due to segmental dynamics of the alkyl chains. The γ mode slows down for long chain length CLCs (12,14,16) compared to their shorter analogues. Calorimetric investigation reveals one process, the α2 process, for all ILCs. The α2 process for CLC10, 12, and 14 has a similar temperature dependence as the dielectric α1 relaxation, while for the CLC8 and 10, it's shifted to a higher temperature. For all CLCRs, the absolute values of DC conductivity increase by 4 orders of magnitude at the transition from the plastic crystalline to hexagonal columnar phase. This increase is due to the change in the underlying conduction mechanism from delocalized electron hopping in the crystalline phase to one-dimensional ion mobility in the columnar phase. The glassy dynamics shifts to higher temperatures with increasing alkyl chain length. Conversely, the DC conductivity drops by 3 orders of magnitude from CLC8 to CLC16.
Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS, ripples) are a universal phenomenon and can be generated in a contactless, single-step process on almost any material upon irradiation of solids with intense laser radiation. Nowadays, processing rates of up to m^2/min are enabling new industrial applications in medicine, optics, tribology, biology, etc. Depending on the specific type of LIPSS, their structural sizes typically range from several micrometers down to less than 100 nanometers – far beyond the optical diffraction limit – while their orientations exhibit a clear correlation with the local polarization direction of the laser radiation. From a theoretical point of view, however, a controversial and vivid debate has emerged during the last two decades, whether LIPSS originate from electromagnetic effects (seeded already during the laser irradiation) – or whether they emerge from matter reorganization processes, i.e. distinctly after the laser irradiation. This presentation reviews the currently existent theories of LIPSS. A focus is laid on the historic development of the fundamental ideas, their corresponding mathematical descriptions and numerical implementations, along with a comparison and critical assessment of the different approaches.
2D layered nanoparticles enable a distinct reduction of filler loadings in rubber compounds combined with a boost in performance due to their high surface to volume ratio. They often enable unique property profiles providing a great potential as effective fillers in rubber, especially by enhancing mechanical and barrier properties.
As the best possible incorporation into the elastomer matrix is crucial for the efficiency of the nanofiller, dispersing and exfoliation of the nanoparticles without formation of agglomerates usually constitutes an outstanding challenge - especially when using conventional processing methods. Laboratory-scale approaches for highly dispersed nanocomposites sometimes solve this problem, but these are often too energy and time consuming and provide no scale up possibility for real applications. Therefore, a latex premixing process was established to produce highly filled masterbatches, enabling the processing with conventional techniques.
The presence of nanoparticles greatly impacts the behavior of elastomeric compounds, besides affecting the properties of the final product also the processing is influenced (rheology, crosslinking).
In this study, nanocomposites of natural rubber and multilayer graphene (MLG) were prepared via a latex masterbatch route. Different strategies for masterbatch premixing are compared (stirring vs. ultrasonication, coagulation vs. drying). Dispersion and exfoliation of MLG were determined by transmission electron microscopy. The reinforcing effect of MLG affects the viscosity while the dispersed graphene layers may also act as diffusion barrier/absorbent for the crosslinking agents. In contrast to that, MLG forms physical crosslinks in the final product. Swelling measurements and differential scanning calorimetry allow a differentiation between chemical and physical network links. Different technical properties of the nanocomposites were measured with respect to mechanical and application relevant behavior.
Spherical lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) fabricated via nanoprecipitation of dissolved lignin are among the most attractive biomass-derived nanomaterials. Despite various studies exploring the methods to improve the uniformity of LNPs or seeking more application opportunities for LNPs, little attention has been given to the fundamental aspects of the solvent effects on the intrinsic properties of LNPs. In this study, we employed a variety of experimental techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the solvent effects on the intrinsic properties of LNPs. The LNPs were prepared from softwood Kraft lignin (SKL) using the binary solvents of aqueous acetone or aqueous tetrahydrofuran (THF) via nanoprecipitation. The internal morphology, porosity, and mechanical properties of the LNPs were analyzed with electron tomography (ET), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and intermodulation AFM (ImAFM). We found that aqueous acetone resulted in smaller LNPs with higher uniformity compared to aqueous THF, mainly ascribing to stronger solvent−lignin interactions as suggested by MD simulation results and confirmed with aqueous 1,4-dioxane (DXN) and aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
More importantly, we report that both LNPs were compact particles with relatively homogeneous density distribution and very low porosity in the internal structure. The stiffness of the particles was independent of the size, and the Young’s modulus was in the range of 0.3−4 GPa. Overall, the fundamental understandings of LNPs gained in this study are essential for the design of LNPs with optimal performance in applications.
Es wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit eine neue Methode der Biokonjugation entwickelt, die es ermöglicht humane Antikörper ortspezifisch mit IgG-bindenden Peptiden zu konjugieren. Als Basis fungierte ein Peptid, welches für den Einsatz gezielt modifiziert wurde. So sollte am C-Terminus ein Biotin eingefügt werden, dass für die spätere Detektion der Biokonjugation genutzt werden kann, während am N-Terminus ein Cross-Linker für die kovalente Bindung zum Antikörper eingefügt wurde. Das Biotin wurde mittels Biotin-Lysin eingebaut. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass die modifizierte Aminosäure direkt in der SPPS genutzt werden kann. Auch der Cross-Linker soll schon während der SPPS in das Peptid integriert werden. Als Cross Linker wurden die zwei heterobifunktionellen Succinimidyl(3-bromoacetamid)propionate und Succinimidyl(4-iodacetyl)aminobenzoat untersucht. Die Aktivierung des Peptides mit dem SBAP-Cross-Linker erfolgte am besten im pH-Bereich zwischen 7,0 und 9,0. Die Modifizierung des Peptides mit dem Iodid-Cross-Linker SIAB unter den gleichen Bedingungen zeigte allerdings keine zufriedenstellenden Ergebnisse. Da das erste Peptid allerdings in den Folgeexperimenten sehr gute Ergebnisse zeigte, musste kein weiterer Linker getestet werden. Zusätzlich zu der Cross-Linker-Wahl sollte der Abstand zwischen dem Cross-Linker und dem Grundgerüst des Peptides auf den Einfluss der Bindung untersucht werden. Dazu wurden drei Kontrollpeptide synthetisiert, die entweder um zwei Aminosäuren zwischen dem ursprünglichen N-Terminus des Peptides und dem SBAP-Linker verlängert wurden, keinen SBAP-Linker beinhalten oder die Verlängerung ohne SBAP-Linker besaßen. Die erfolgreiche Synthese aller vier Peptide wurde mittels MALDI-TOF-MS bestätigt.
Die neue Crosslinking-Methode ist hilfreich, um Immunglobuline des Isotyps G ortspezifisch an ihrer Bindungsstelle mit Protein A oder G zu konjugieren. Die Kopplungen von Protein A und G konnten erfolgreich an Maus- und Human-IgG durchgeführt, sowie die Bedingungen untersucht und optimiert werden. Die Aktivierung von Protein G mit Glutaraldehyd erfolgt am besten bei pH 8 und die anschließende Kopplung mit Maus-IgG1 bei einem pH-Wert von 6. Jedoch wurden mit SIAB und Sulfo-SIAB als Crosslinker im Vergleich zu Glutaraldehyd noch höhere Signale erhalten. Für die Kopplung von SIAB sind 40% DMSO im Reaktionspuffer günstig, währenddessen Sulfo-SIAB gut wasserlöslich ist daher keine Lösungsvermittler benötigt. Es ergab sich ein optimaler pH-Wert von 7,4 um Protein A mit SIAB zu aktivieren und den gleichen pH-Wert um die Kopplung mit Maus-IgG1 durchzuführen. Für die Kopplung von Protein G mit Maus-IgG1 hingegen zeigten die Experimente, dass ein leicht saurer pH-Wert bei pH 6 für den IgG-Kopplungsschritt am günstigsten ist. Während die Inkubationszeit von Maus-IgG1 mit Protein G bei 16 h liegt, muss mit Protein A bis zu 40 h inkubiert werden, um das Kopplungsmaximum zu erreichen. Des Weiteren wurde das Crosslinking von Human-IgG (Herceptin) mit SIAB untersucht. Dabei zeigte sich, wie in der Abbildung 47 zu sehen ist, dass Protein A und G vergleichbar gut an Human-IgG zu koppeln sind. Für das Crosslinking von Protein G mit Maus-IgG1 ist dagegen ein deutlich besserer Umsatz im Vergleich zu Protein A zu erkennen (Abbildung 48). Heterobifunktionale Linker können mit der reaktiveren Gruppe die erste Bindung eingehen, um erst nach Zugabe eines weiteren Reagenzes die zweite Bindung auszubilden und zudem intramolekulare Reaktionen möglichst zu vermeiden.
he main objective of the nPSize project is to improve the measurement capabilities for nanoparticle size based on both measurement methods traceable to SI units and new reference materials. Two basic approaches have been used in order to develop measurement procedures resulting in traceable results of the nanoparticle size distribution: physical modelling for the methods used in the project (TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS) and machine learning.
Physical modelling: In this part, the physical models associated with different shape measurements for the techniques TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS have been collected and further developed with the aim to simulate the resulting signal as measured by the individual methods. Uncertainties and traceability associated with each model were investigated and evaluated. In the following, the progress on these physical models is reported for each individual method.
Machine Learning modelling: The aim of this part is to use machine learning to enable automatic measurement of nanoparticle shape from expert a-priori information only. No physical model will be used as a-priori information in this task.
The accuracy and traceability of the size results obtained by each technique will be analyzed and compared with the physical modelling. A machine learning database will then be used to create automatic detection algorithms.
In dieser Arbeit wurden drei verschiedene Nanomaterialien auf ihre Bindungsfähigkeit zu Proteinen untersucht. Zu Beginn standen dabei die Herstellung stabiler Dispersionen der einzelnen Nanopartikel und die Stabilität der gebildeten Konjugate im Vordergrund. Der Nachweis einer erfolgreichen Konjugatbildung, sprich der Beschichtung von Nanopartikel mit Proteinen, wurde sowohl qualitativ mittels DLS-Messungen als auch über quantitative Protein-Bestimmungen erbracht. Für die Quantifizierung konnten verschiedene Methoden eingesetzt werden. Neben der klassischen Vorgehensweise, welche indirekt über die Quantifizierung von ungebundenem Protein im Überstand erfolgt, konnten ihm Rahmen dieser Arbeit verschiedene direkte Bestimmungsmethoden entwickelt werden. So wurden mittels kolorimetrischer Tests, wie dem BCA-Assay und dem Bradford-Assay, Nanodiamantdispersionen mit Hilfe einer Korrekturwellenlänge vermessen und quantifiziert. Ebenso zum Einsatz kam die Methode der Aminosäureanalytik, welche aufgrund ihrer guten Rückführbarkeit auf Aminosäurestandards Ergebnisse mit hoher Richtigkeit generieren kann und ebenso die Detektion kleiner Proteinmengen möglich macht.
Nach den erfolgten quantitativen Betrachtungen wurden die Protein-beschichteten Nanopartikel auf ihre Anwendbarkeit als Analoga von Virus-like Particles (VLP) bei einer Immunisierung zur Gewinnung von polyklonalen Antikörpern gegen humanes Ceruloplasmin in Kaninchen überprüft. Es konnte mittels ELISA gezeigt werden, dass die Konjugate erfolgreich für die Herstellung von Antikörpern eingesetzt werden können und im zeitlichen Verlauf einer Immunisierung eine Steigerung des Antikörper-Titers zu erreichen ist.
The molecular ruby analogue [Cr(ddpd)2]3+ (ddpd=N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dipyridine-2-ylpyridine-2,6-diamine) exhibits near infrared (NIR) emission with a high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield ΦPL of 11 % and a lifetime of 898 μs in deaerated water at room temperature. While ligand-based control of the photophysical properties has received much attention, influences of the counter anions and microenvironment are still underexplored. In this study, the luminescence properties of the molecular ruby were systematically examined for the counter anions Cl−, Br−, [BF4]−, [PF6]−, [BPh4]−, and [BArF24]− in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution, in crystals, and embedded into polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNP). Stern-Volmer analyses of the oxygen quenching studies in the intensity and lifetime domain showed the highest oxygen sensitivity of the complexes with the counter anions of [BF4]− and [BArF24]−, which also revealed the longest luminescence lifetimes. Embedding [Cr(ddpd)2][PF6]3 in PSNPs and shielding with poly(vinyl alcohol) yields a strongly NIR-emissive oxygen-insensitive material with a record ΦPL of 15.2 % under ambient conditions.
Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites—What Can Be Learned from Dielectric and Calorimetric Investigations?
(2022)
Epoxy-based nanocomposites are promisingmaterials for industrial applications (i.e., aerospace, marine, and automotive industries) due to their extraordinary mechanical and thermal properties. Regardless of the broad field of applications, there is still a considerable need to identify their structure–property relationships. Here, a detailed dielectric and calorimetric (DSC and fast scanning calorimetry) study on different epoxy-based nanocomposites was performed. Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with diethylenetriamine (DETA) was employed as the polymeric matrix, which was reinforced with three diverse nanofillers that exhibit different interaction strengths with the epoxy matrix (halloysite nanotubes, surface modified halloysite nanotubes, and taurine-modified layered double hydroxide). The structure, molecular mobility, and vitrification behavior are discussed in detail, focusing on the intrinsic structural and dynamic heterogeneity, as well as interfacial properties.
The chapter gives a brief introduction to (nano)compositecomposite materials having the focus on polymer-based nanocomposites. The different dimensionalities of nanoparticles are introduced, along with their distribution in the matrix.
Different application fields of polymer-based nanocomposites, like flame retardancy, filled rubbers, nanofilled thermosets and thermoplastics, separation membranes and nanodielectrics, are considered in greater detail.
Light-emitting nanoparticles like semiconductor nanocrystals (termed quantum dots, QDs) are promising candidates for biosensing and bioimaging applications based on their bright and stable photoluminescent properties. As high-quality QDs are often synthesized in organic solvents, strategies needed to be developed to render them water-dispersible without affecting their optical properties and prevent changes in postmodification steps like the biofunctionalization with antibodies or DNA. Despite a large number of studies on suitable surface modification procedures, the preparation of water-soluble QDs for nanobiotechnology applications still presents a challenge. To highlight the advantages of surface silanization, we systematically explored the influence of the core/multishell architecture of CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs and the silanization conditions on the optical properties of the resulting silanized QDs. Our results show that the optical properties of silica-coated CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs are best preserved in the presence of a thick CdS (6 monolayers (ML)) intermediate shell, providing a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY), and a relatively thick ZnS (4.5 ML) external shell, effectively shielding the QDs from the chemical changes during silica coating. In addition to the QD core/shell architecture, other critical parameters of the silica-coating process, that can have an influence on the optical properties of the QD, include the choice of the surfactant and its concentration used for silica coating. The highest PL QY of about 46% was obtained by a microemulsion silica-coating procedure with the surfactant Brij L4, making these water-dispersible QDs to wellsuited optical reporters in future applications like fluorescence immunoassays, biomedicine, and bioimaging.
Stability, dissolution, and cytotoxicity of NaYF4‑upconversion nanoparticles with different coatings
(2022)
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique photophysical properties. Their utilization in biomedical applications depends on the understanding of their transformations under physiological conditions and their potential toxicity. In this study, NaYF4: Yb,Er UCNPs, widely used for luminescence and photophysical studies, were modified with a set of four different coordinatively bound surface ligands, i.e., citrate, alendronate (AA), ethylendiamine tetra(methylene phosphonate) (EDTMP), and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO), as well as silica coatings with two different thicknesses. Subsequently, the aging-induced release of fluoride ions in water and cell culture media and their cytotoxic profile to human keratinocytes were assessed in parallel to the cytotoxic evaluation of the ligands, sodium fluoride and the lanthanide ions. The cytotoxicity studies of UCNPs with different surface modifications demonstrated the good biocompatibility of EDTMP-UCNPs and PMAO-UCNPs, which is in line with the low amount of fluoride ions released from these samples. An efficient prevention of UCNP dissolution and release of cytotoxic ions, as well as low cytotoxicity was also observed for UCNPs with a sufficiently thick silica shell. Overall, our results provide new insights into the
understanding of the contribution of surface chemistry to the stability, dissolution behavior, and cytotoxicity of UCNPs. Altogether, the results obtained are highly important for future applications of UCNPs in the life sciences and bioimaging studies.
This talk was part of the inauguration event for the new x-ray photoelectron spectrometer with the possibility to measure HAXPES (hard energy x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). With HAXPES detailed chemical information can now be gained not only from the first outermost nanometres of the sample surface, but also from deeper regions. In this talk first results and experiences handling the spectrometer are shown.
A series of NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles doped with Tm3+ and Er3+ were successfully prepared by the solvothermal method. Under 980 nm laser excitation, intense upconversion emission peaks of Tm3+ and Er3+ were observed for all samples. By doping Tm3+ and Er3+ with core–shell partitioning, not only a significant increase in fluorescence intensity could be achieved, but also simultaneous temperature measurements on multiple thermocouple energy levels could be realised. In addition, the temperature sensing performance of different thermocouple energy levels was also investigated, and it was found that the 3 F3 → 3 H6 and 1 G4 → 3 F4 thermocouple energy level pairs of Tm3+ were the best, with maximum absolute sensitivity and maximum relative sensitivity of up to 0.0250 K−1 and 2.155% K−1 respectively, higher than the sensitivity of other thermocouple energy levels. It has a temperature resolution of less than 0.0139 K, which is lower than that of most materials available today. By using this material as a probe to build a fiber optic temperature sensor platform, it was found to have reliable temperature measurement performance.
International standardisation network VAMAS is calling for participants in two studies on the measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension and the measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension.
Whereas the characterization of nanomaterials using different analytical techniques is often highly automated and standardized, the sample preparation that precedes it causes a bottleneck in nanomaterial analysis as it is performed manually. Usually, this pretreatment depends on the skills and experience of the analysts. Furthermore, adequate reporting of the sample preparation is often missing. In this overview, some solutions for techniques widely used in nano-analytics to overcome this problem are discussed. Two examples of sample preparation optimization by au-tomation are presented, which demonstrate that this approach is leading to increased analytical confidence. Our first example is motivated by the need to exclude human bias and focuses on the development of automation in sample introduction. To this end, a robotic system has been de-veloped, which can prepare stable and homogeneous nanomaterial suspensions amenable to a variety of well-established analytical methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), field-flow fractionation (FFF) or single-particle inductively coupled mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS). Our second example addresses biological samples, such as cells exposed to nanomaterials, which are still challenging for reliable analysis. An air–liquid interface has been developed for the exposure of biological samples to nanomaterial-containing aerosols. The system exposes transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids under reproducible conditions, whilst also allowing characterization of aerosol composition with mass spectrometry. Such an approach enables correlative measurements combining biological with physicochemical analysis. These case studies demonstrate that standardization and automation of sample preparation setups, combined with appropriate measurement processes and data reduction are crucial steps towards more reliable and reproducible data.
Improved Durability of Wood Treated with Nano Metal Fluorides against Brown-Rot and White-Rot Fungi
(2022)
Low-water soluble metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and calcium Fluoride (CaF2) were evaluated for decay protection of wood. Initially, the biocidal efficacy of nano metal fluorides (NMFs) against wood destroying fungi was assessed with an in-vitro agar test. The results from the test showed that agar medium containing MgF2 and CaF2 was more efficient in preventing fungal decay than stand-alone MgF2 or CaF2. These metal fluorides, in their nanoscopic form synthesized using fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis, were introduced into the sapwood of Scots pine and beech wood and then subjected to accelerated ageing by leaching (EN 84). MAS 19F NMR and X-ray micro CT images showed that metal fluorides were present in treated wood, unleached and leached. Decay resistance of Scots pine and beech wood treated with NMFs was tested against Wood destroying fungi Rhodonia placenta and Trametes versicolor in accordance with EN 113. Results revealed that mass losses were reduced to below 3% in wood treated with the combination of MgF2 and CaF2.
It is concluded that NMFs provide full protection to wood even after it has been leached and can be used as wood preservatives in outdoor environments.
Abstract: In this work, a conceptual framework is suggested for analyzing thermorheologically simple and complex behavior by using just one approach. Therefore, the linear relation between master time and real time which is required in terms of the time-temperature superposition principle was enhanced to a nonlinear equivalent relation. Furthermore, we evaluate whether there is any relation among well-known existing time-temperature equivalent formulations which makes it possible to generalize different existing formulations. For this purpose, as an example, the power law formulation was used for the definition of the master time. The method introduced here also contributes a further framework for a unification of established time-temperature equivalent formulations, for example the time-temperature superposition principle and time-temperature parameter models. Results show, with additional normalization conditions, most of the developed time-temperature parameter models can be treated as special cases of the new formulation. In the aspect of the arrow of time, the new defined master time is a bended arrow of time, which can help to understand the corresponding physical meaning of the suggested method.
The Competence Centre nano@BAM is presenting a new X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer – the HAXPES (XPS at hard energy) – for researching advanced materials at the nanoscale. With HAXPES detailed chemical information can now be gained not only from the first outermost nanometres of the sample surface, but also from deeper regions.
Top international experts will share their knowledge and key findings on how to utilise HAXPES for exploring the surface of various advanced materials. Following the lectures, we will show you a short demo of the new instrument and answer your questions.
Colours, nano and surface
(2022)
The basic ideas of colours and pigments are presented. The correlation between nanomaterials and colours are explained. Different methods are presented for investigating nanoparticles and their surface. At the end a case study is presented explaining the importance of coating for the properties of nanoparticles.
An analytical model for forecasting the temperature dependence of γ/γ' misfit in heat-resistant nickel alloys is proposed. The model accounts for the concentration dependences of the periods of crystalline lattices of the γ and γ' phases (Vegard law), thermal expansion of the γ and γ' lattices, and dissolution of the γ' phase at high temperatures. Adequacy of calculations of misfit is confirmed by comparison with the results of measurements using methods of X-ray and neutron diffraction. The model is applied for development of a nickel alloy with positive misfit.
Solvent annealing is a versatile tool to adjust the shape and morphology of block copolymer (BCP) particles. During this process, polar solvents are often used for block-selective swelling. However, such water-miscible solvents can induce (partial) solubilization of one block in the surrounding aqueous medium, thus, causing complex structural variations and even particle disassembly. To reduce the complexity in morphology control, we focused on toluene as a nonpolar polystyrene-selective solvent for the annealing of striped polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) ellipsoids. The selective stretching of PS chains produces unique asymmetric lamellae structures, which translate to an increase in the particle aspect ratio after toluene evaporation. Complete reversibility is achieved by changing to chloroform as a nonselective solvent. Moreover, surfactants can be used to tune block-selective wetting of the particle surface during the annealing; for example, a PS shell can protect the internal lamellae structure from disassembly. Overall, this versatile postassembly process enables the tailoring of the structural features of striped colloidal ellipsoids by only using commercial BCPs and solvents.
The influence of solvent polarity and surface ligand rigidification on the SWIR emission profile of gold nanoclusters with an anistropic surface was investigated. A strong enhancement of the SWIR emission band at 1200 nm was observed when measuring in different local environments: in solution, in polymer composites, and in solids. SWIR in vivo imaging of mice assisted by deep learning after intravenous administration of these gold nanoclusters provides high definition pseudo-3D views of vascular blood vessels.
Influence of oxidation in the formation and performance of laser-induced periodic surface structures
(2022)
The fabrication of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has been reported for metallic, semiconductor and dielectric materials when irradiated with linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulses. Different sets of processing parameters have been identified and extensively studied, allowing the use of LIPSS for applications in medicine, tribology and surface wetting to name a few. One important parameter that is often not considered is the laser-induced oxidation that is produced especially when oxidation prone materials are irradiated in air environment. This surface oxidation can potentially influence the final structures
size, shape and orientation and modify their functionality in some specific applications.
In this work, we first study the influence of the laser-induced oxidation layer on the formation of LIPSS by characterizing the response of the oxidation prone
hard-coating material chromium nitride. Moreover, we employ complementary surface and depth-profiling analytic techniques to reveal morphological, chemical and structural features of different types of surface structures and LIPSS produced on titanium-based substrates. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations finally explain how this superficial oxidation layer promotes the formation of a new type of low spatial frequency LIPSS. Also, we measure the depth-extent of the different oxides formed and demonstrate its beneficial influence for friction reduction and wear resistance applications.
The incorporation of nanoparticles like multilayer graphene (MLG) into elastomeric composites boosts their technical performance, such as their mechanical behavior and electrical conductivity. Common filler types (carbon black (CB) and aluminum trihydroxide (ATH)) generally fulfill single, specific purposes and are often used in high loadings. CB typically reinforces rubber mechanically, while ATH increases flame retardancy. Small amounts of MLG reduce these high filler contents and maintain the multifunctional characteristics of rubber composites. In chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) + ATH, an intrinsically flame-retardant rubber was designed to achieve the highest standards such as maximum average of heat emission (MARHE) <90 kW m−2, 3 phrMLG was substituted for 15 phr CB and/or 3 phr ATH via an industrially applicable processing approach. Replacing either CB or ATH resulted in a property profile that was multifunctionally improved in terms of features such as mechanical performance, reduced sorption, and flame retardance. MLG nanocomposites are reported to show promise as an industrially utilizable route to obtain multifunctional high-performance rubbers.
The roughness as a property of core–shell (CS) microparticles plays a key role in their functionality. Quantitative evaluation of the roughness of CS microparticles is, however, a challenging task with approaches using electron microscopy images being scarce and showing pronounced differences in terms of methodology and results. This work presents a generalized method for the reliable roughness determination of nonplanar specimens such as CS particles from electron microscopic images, the method being robust and reproducible with a high accuracy. It involves a self-written software package (Python) that analyzes the recorded images, extracts corresponding data, and calculates the roughness based on the deviation of the identified contour. Images of single particles are taken by a dual mode scanning electron microscopy (SEM) setup which permits imaging of the same field-of-view of the sample with high resolution and surface sensitive in SE InLens mode as well as in transmission mode (TSEM). Herein, a new type of polystyrene core–iron oxide shell–silica shell particles is developed to serve as a set of lower micrometer-sized study objects with different surface roughness; the analysis of their images by the semiautomatic workflow is demonstrating that the particles’ profile roughness can be quantitatively obtained.
The field of materials science is defined as “the study of the properties of solid materials and how those properties are determined by a material’s composition and structure.”. Many –if not most– of the materials that are produced nowadays owe their properties to structures engineered down to the nanoscopic level. This need has been partly realized thanks to the understanding of materials’ building blocks via characterization techniques that reach this level of resolution. Transmission electron microscopy, since its first implementation in the early 1930s (in Berlin), has been implemented to achieve imaging –and spectral– analysis at lateral resolutions down to the atomic level.
In this contribution, a series of practical examples will be presented, where applied materials are characterized by a range of transmission electron microscopy techniques to understand structural and functional properties of a wide range of materials. Among these materials examples will be presented on structural conventionally and additively manufactured metallic alloys, high entropy alloys, dissimilar aluminum-to-steel welds, magnetic nanoparticles, ceramic coatings, high temperature oxidation products. Addressed will be either the effect of processing route or that of the exposure to experimental conditions similar to those found in the respective intended applications.
Long-time behavior of surface properties of microstructures fabricated by multiphoton lithography
(2021)
The multiphoton lithography (MPL) technique represents the future of 3D microprinting, enabling the production of complex microscale objects with high precision. Although the MPL fabrication parameters are widely evaluated and discussed, not much attention has been given to the microscopic properties of 3D objects with respect to their surface properties and time-dependent stability. These properties are of crucial importance when it comes to the safe and durable use of these structures in biomedical applications. In this work, we investigate the surface properties of the MPL-produced SZ2080 polymeric microstructures with regard to the physical aging processes during the post-production stage. The influence of aging on the polymeric microstructures was investigated by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). As a result, a time-dependent change in Young’s Modulus, plastic deformation, and adhesion and their correlation to the development in chemical composition of the surface of MPL-microstructures are evaluated. The results presented here are valuable for the application of MPL-fabricated 3D objects in general, but especially in medical technology as they give detailed information of the physical and chemical time-dependent dynamic behavior of MPL-printed surfaces and thus their suitability and performance in biological systems.