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Paper des Monats
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Nonclassical crystallization typically occurs via the attachment of individual nanoparticles. Intuitively, materials synthesized via this route should exhibit pronounced surface roughness and porosity as a hallmark of the formation process via particle accretion. Here, we demonstrate that nonclassical mineralization of calcium carbonate allows synthesis of ultra-smooth and dense surfaces with unprece-dented root-mean-square roughness of 0.285 nm, simply by con-trolling the hydration state of the nanosized building blocks using Mg doping. High fidelity coating of corrugated substrates can even be achieved. Nonclassical crystallization can thus lead to space-filling inorganic solid-state materials transgressing the implicit porosity commonly expected for particle-driven self-organization processes.
Boehmite nanoparticles has been successfully functionalized with APTES. After APTES functionalization further modification with tailored molecules e.g. via carboxylic acids is possible. The tailored surface functionalization is strongly enhanced by improved coupling protocols. Arbitrary variation of the functionalization degree is possible. Thereby the temperature stable APTES functionalization enables a wide range of functional groups.
By TGA-MS analysis strong evidence for the bonding situation of the APTES on the boehmite surface has been found. Additionally first experiments has been performed to predict the polymer-particle compatibility enhancement via reverse wetting angle measurements with AFM.
Semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are well known for their superior optoelectronic properties and enabled advancements in several key technologies of the 21st century. II-VI QDs containing the heavy metal element cadmium plaid a central role in this research area. Due to the concerns regarding their toxic potential, the European Union will ban cadmium in 2020 from use in any consumer product.
Due to their comparable optoelectronic properties and a more environmentally friendly character, indium phosphide based QDs (InP-QDs) are a promising alternative. Their large application potential was already shown in their utilization in the newest commercial TV screens. A vital role for highly luminescent QDs for such an application plays the growth of a surface passivating shell around the InP core. The combination of InP/ZnSe/ZnS in so-called core/shell/shell materials exploits the advantages of a small lattice mismatch (3.3%) between InP and ZnSe and the large band gap of ZnS to efficiently confine the excitons in the core and to increase the overall chemical stability. Using a thin ZnSe layer and a thick ZnS shell has shown to improve the optical properties of InP QDs and only recently, the prevention of blinking and mono-exponential decay kinetics could be achieved with a thick ZnSe Shell.
In our contribution, we investigated the influence of the thickness of the intermediate ZnSe layer (1 to 8 monolayers (ML)) on the photophysical properties of InP/ZnSe/ZnS core/shell/shell QDs with a final size of about 10 nm on the ensemble and the single-particle level. By rendering these InP QDs water-soluble, we were able to compare their properties in the organic and aqueous phase and further studied their toxicological potential depending on the chemical composition of their surface shell.
Semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are well known for their superior photophysical properties and enabled advancements in several key technologies of the 21st century and numerous technological applications. However, the most studied II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals contain the toxic heavy metal element cadmium, which is limiting their utilization in commercial applications. This has drawn the interest to alternative materials with less toxicity but having similar photophysical features.
The newest generation of TV screens based on QDs have shown that there is a promising environmentally friendly alternative with similar optoelectronic properties, namely indium phosphide (InP) QDs. InP QDs possess a bulk band gap of 1.35 eV with an exciton Bohr radius of ca. 10 nm and thus allow to tune their photoluminescence (PL) from the visible to the near-infrared. Tuning the size and shape of InP QDs and thus tailor their optoelectronic properties can be achieved by different strategies, which range from different types and concentrations of precursors, synthesis temperature or post-synthetic manipulations like etching. The incorporation of other elements like Gallium within the InP core synthesis is another possibility. Using a GaP intermediate layer before growing a ZnS shell has been shown to increase the PL quantum yield, which has been attributed to reduced lattice strain and the removal of phosphor vacancies. Different Ga precursors were investigated but a thorough investigation in terms of their reactivity, localization in the QD and influence on the photophysical properties is lacking to date.
In this contribution we will present the detailed investigation of the presence of two different Ga precursors within the InP core synthesis. Photophysical characterizations (steady-state and PL life-time measurements), transmission electron microscopy, XRD and EDX gave insights into the reactivity of the Ga precursors, the Ga localization in the InP core and influences on the photophysical properties. The variation of the precursor and surfactant concentration and the utilization of different ligands for the Ga precursor allowed tuning the PL emission towards the blue or the red. Depending on the used precursor type we observed the formation of larger-sized InP/GaP core/shell nanocrystals or the formation of InGaP alloy structures enabling to assess the blue range of emission (475 nm).
In Vivo Biotransformations of Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots Revealed by X‑Ray Microspectroscopy
(2019)
Many attempts have been made to synthesize cadmium-free quantum dots
(QDs), using nontoxic materials, while preserving their unique optical properties. Despite impressive advances, gaps in knowledge of their intracellular fate, persistence, and excretion from the targeted cell or organism still exist, precluding clinical applications. In this study, we used a simple model organism (Hydra vulgaris) presenting a tissue grade of organization to determine the biodistribution of indium phosphide (InP)-based QDs by X-ray fluorescence imaging. By complementing elemental imaging with In L-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure, unique information on in situ chemical speciation was obtained. Unexpectedly, spectral profiles indicated the appearance of In−O species within the first hour post-treatment, suggesting a fast degradation of the InP QD core in vivo, induced mainly by carboxylate groups. Moreover, no significant difference in the behavior of bare core QDs and QDs capped with an inorganic Zn(Se,S) gradient shell was observed. The results paralleled those achieved by treating animals with an equivalent dose of indium salts, confirming the preferred bonding type of In3+ ions in Hydra tissues. In conclusion, by focusing on the chemical identity of indium along a 48 h long journey of QDs in Hydra, we describe a fast degradation process, in the absence of evident toxicity. These data pave the way to new paradigms to be considered in the biocompatibility assessment of QD-based biomedical applications, with greater emphasis on the dynamics of in vivo biotransformations, and suggest strategies to drive the design of future applied materials for nanotechnology-based diagnosis and therapeutics.
With the goal to improve their photostability, InP-based QDs are passivated with three types of inorganic shells, namely (i) a gradient ZnSexS1−x shell, (ii) an additional ZnS shell on top of the gradient shell with two different thicknesses (core/shell/shell, CSS), (iii) an alumina coating on top of ZnS. All three systems have photoluminescence Quantum yields (PLQY) > 50%and similar PL decay times (64–67 ns). To assess their photostability they are incorporated into a transparent poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix and exposed to continuous irradiation with simulated sunlight in a climate chamber. The alumina coated core/shell system exhibits the highest stability in terms of PLQY Retention as well as the lowest shift of the PL maximum and lowest increase of the PL linewidth, followed by the CSS QDs and finally the gradient shell system. By means of XPS studies we identify the degradation of the ZnS outer layer and concomitant xidation of the emissive InZnP core as the main origins of degradation in the gradient structure. These modifications do not occur in the case of the alumina-capped sample, which exhibits excellent chemical stability. The gradient shell and CSS systems could be transferred to the aqueous phase using surface ligand exchange with penicillamine. Cytotoxicity studies on human primary keratinocytes revealed that exposure for 24 h to 6.25–100 nM of QDs did not affect cell viability. However, a trend toward reduced cell proliferation is observed for higher concentrations of gradient shell and CSS QDs with a thin ZnS shell, while CSS QDs with a thicker ZnS shell do not exhibit any impact.
Spectral encoding of cells or particles and the discrimination of multiple spectral codes are a critical process in flow cytometry (FCM). Typical issues in spectral encoding are, e.g., the spectral overlap of codes, or the increasing complexity of instruments . The exploitation of the photoluminescence lifetime (LT) as an encoding parameter could be used to circumvent both of these issues, as it adds another dimension to the parameter space, or, when used as a stand-alone parameter, requiring only one excitation light source and one detector. While LT encoding was considered already decades ago it is still not implemented as a routine technique in FCM yet, mainly due to the challenge of very few photons being available within the limited transition time of a cell or particle through the laser spot.
Recently, we demonstrated LT-FCM based on luminophores with ns LTs in a compact and low-cost flow cytometer. Measurements on polymer microbeads containing luminophores with distinctly different excited state LTs enabled the complete discrimination of three LT codes and five codes in total could be identified.
Now, we have extended our approach towards considerably longer LTs by custom-made polymer microbeads loaded with different ratios of InP/ZnS and AgInS2 quantum dots. The use of these materials significantly expands the usable time range for LT encoding to up to several hundred ns. Our studies demonstrate the possibility to further increase the number of viable LT codes for multiplexing in LT-FCM without the need for extensive hardware modifications.
The comparison of different emitter classes and the rational design of the next generation of molecular and nanoscale reporters require accurate and quantitative photo-luminescence measurements. This is of special importance for all photoluminescence applications in the life and material sciences and nanobiophotonics. In the following, procedures for the determination of the spectroscopic key parameter photoluminescence quantum yield, i.e., the number of emitted per absorbed photons, in the UV/vis/NIR/SWIR are presented including pitfalls and achievable uncertainties and material-specific effects related to certain emitter classes are addressed.
Characterization of early crystallization stages in surface-crystallized diopside glass-ceramics
(2019)
Structure formation in glass-ceramics by means of surface crystallization is a challenging open question and remains elusive to definite answers. In several glass-ceramic systems, oriented crystal layers have been observed at the immediate surface, including diopside and some fresnoite systems. However, it is still open to debate, whether oriented surface crystallization is the result of oriented nucleation or growth selection effects. In the same vein, there is still discussion whether surface nucleation is governed by surface chemistry effects or by defects serving as active nucleation sites.
In order to help answer these questions, annealing experiments at 850°C have been performed on a MgO·CaO·2SiO2 glass, leading to the crystallization of diopside at the surface. Different annealing durations and surface treatment protocols (i.a. lapping with diamond slurries between 16 µm and 1 µm grain size) have been applied. Particular focus has been put on earliest crystallization stages, with crystal sizes down to about 200 nm. The resultant microstructure has been analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and two different kinds of textures have been observed, with the a- or b-axis being perpendicular to the sample surface and the c-axis lying in the sample plane. Even at shortest annealing durations, a clear texture was present in the samples. Additionally, selected samples have been investigated with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM-EDX). The diopside crystals have been found to exhibit distinguished submicron structure variations and the glass around the crystals was shown to be depleted of Mg.
Fresnoite glass with excess SiO2 exhibits oriented surface crystallization, in contrast to the stoichiometric glass composition. Recent EBSD studies documented that the crystals in BTS (2BaO-TiO2-xSiO2, x=0-3) can occur in a distinct [101]-orientation perpendicular to the surface and claimed that this orientation is not a result of growth selection. During these previous studies, however, the effect of surface preparation and surrounding atmosphere during the crystallization experiments were not considered. As these parameters may influence crystal orientation, we studied the surface crystallization of a BTS glass (2BaO-TiO2–2.75SiO2) under controlled conditions with the help of light, electron and polarisation microscopy as well as EBSD. Heat treatments for one hour at 840°C of fractured BTS glass surfaces in air resulted in a large number of not-separable surface crystals. This large number of crystals can be caused by dust particles, which act as nucleation agents. As crystal growth velocity could further be influenced by humidity, our experiments are performed in a filtered and dried air atmosphere. The crystal morphology and orientation will be analysed in dependence of the sample preparation and a differing surrounding atmosphere.
New reference material candidates for traceable size measurement of non-spherical nanoparticles
(2019)
New model nanoparticles with well-controlled shape were synthesized within the EMPIR project nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements. Their systematic characterization takes place by the traceable methods scanning/transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. Following reference nanoparticle candidates are under investigation with respect to their homogeneity and stability: titania nanoplatelets (10-15 nm x 50-100 nm), titania bipyramides (~60 nm x 40 nm), titania acicular particles (100 nm x 15-20 nm; aspect ratio 5.5/6), gold nanorods (~10 nm x 30 nm), and gold nanocubes (~55 nm x 55 nm x 55 nm).
The characteristics of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in large-scale applications. In the present study self-assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in multiple layers was selected as a deposition procedure on various substrates. For this, the main prerequisite constitutes the surface modification of both NPs and substrate with e.g. silane coupling agents. A set of functionalized TiO2 NPs has been produced by reaction with either (3- aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) or (3-aminopropyl)phosphonic acid (APPA) to functionalize the NP surface with free amino-groups. Then, the complementary functionalized NP set can be obtained from an aliquot of the first one, through the conversion of free surface amino-groups to aldehydes by reaction with glutaraldehyde (GA). Several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape and specific surface area have been functionalized. FTIR, TGA, SEM/EDS, XPS, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and ToF-SIMS analyses have been carried out to evaluate the degree of functionalization, all the analytical methods employed demonstrating successful functionalization of TiO2 NP surface with APTES or APPA and GA.
The impact of femtosecond (fs) laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on tribological properties was investigated for metal-reinforced ceramic composites (Al2O3-ZrO2-Nb). For this purpose, the metallic niobium (Nb) phase was selectively structured with LIPSS in an air environment with different values of the fs-laser peak fluence by near-infrared fs-laser radiation (λ = 1025 nm, τ = 300 fs, frep = 1 kHz), taking advantage of the different light absorption behavior of ceramic and metal. The tribological performance was evaluated by reciprocating sliding tests in a ball-on-disc configuration using Ringer's solution as lubricant. The surfaces were characterized before and after laser irradiation by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and by measuring the contact angle with Ringer's solution. The LIPSS formation resulted in an increased wetting of the surface with the lubricant. Moreover, the selectively structured composite surfaces revealed a coefficient of friction significantly reduced by a factor of ~3 when compared to the non-irradiated surface. Furthermore, the formation of a laser-induced oxidation layer was detected with NbO as the most prominent oxidation state. Selectively structured composites with outstanding mechanical properties and enhanced tribological performance are of particular interest for biomedical applications.
NanoDefiner e-Tool: An Implemented Decision Support Framework for Nanomaterial Identification
(2019)
The European Commission’s recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) established an applicable standard for material categorization. However, manufacturers face regulatory challenges during registration of their products. Reliable categorization is difficult and requires considerable expertise in existing measurement techniques (MTs). Additionally, organizational complexity is increased as different authorities’ registration processes require distinct reporting.
The NanoDefine project tackled these obstacles by providing the NanoDefiner e-tool: A decision support expert system for nanomaterial identification in a regulatory context. It providesMT recommendations for categorization of specific materials using a tiered approach (screening/confirmatory), and was constructed with experts from academia and industry to be extensible, interoperable, and adaptable for forthcoming revisions of the nanomaterial definition. An implemented MT-driven material categorization scheme allows detailed description. Its guided workflow is suitable for a variety of user groups. Direct feedback and explanation enable transparent decisions. Expert knowledge is Held in a knowledge base for representation of MT performance criteria and physicochemical particle type
properties. Continuous revision ensured data quality and validity. Recommendations were validated by independent case studies on industry-relevant particulate materials. Besides supporting material identification and registration, the free and open-source e-tool may serve as template for other expert systems within the nanoscience domain.
New reference material candidates for traceable size measurement of nonspherical nanoparticles
(2019)
Size measurement of nanoparticles (NP) becomes a challenging analytical problem when non-spherical shapes must be traceably measured. However, most industrial NPs have irregular shapes and broad size distribution making it often more complex to follow European regulatory to identify a material as a nanomaterial according to which accurate measurement of the smallest dimension and its size Distribution is necessary.
The European research project nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements aims to fill this gap by developing potential non-spherical reference nanoparticles, measurement procedures and physical modelling to improve the traceability chain, comparability and compatibility for NP size measurements between different methods. Therefore, new model NP with well-controlled shape has been synthesized and are supposed to be systematically characterized using the traceable methods scanning/transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering.
Following NP candidates are under investigation with respect to their homogeneity and stability: (i) titania nanoplatelets (10-15 nm thickness x 50-100 nm lateral), (ii) titania bipyramides (~60 nm length x 40 nm width), (iii) titania acicular particles (100 nm length x 15-20 nm width; aspect ratio 5.5/6), (iv) gold nanorods (~10 nm width x 30 nm length), and (v) gold nanocubes (~55 nm x 55 nm x 55 nm). In addition, sample preparation procedures as well as measurement analysis procedures with evaluation of appropriate measurands and descriptors for each material class and method are being developed to support standardization. To underpin the traceability of the size measurement of nonspherical NP, physical modelling of the signals in e.g. electron microscopy techniques will be used and in combination, the implementation of machine learning is aimed to facilitate measurement Analysis procedures, especially regarding the accurate thresholding/segmentation of the NPs.
In this study, femtosecond laser-induced sub-micrometer structures are generated to modify polyethylene (PE) surface topographies. These surfaces were subjected to bacterial colonization studies with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as test strains. The results reveal that the nanostructures do not influence S. aureus coverage, while the adhesion of E. coli is reduced.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions may give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, flexible and long as well as granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes may persist in lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to be an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus accordingly. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be identified and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of individual MWCNTs were classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
Toxicological studies have shown that some types of carbon nanotubes may provoke asbestos-like effects including chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Inhaled carbon nanotubes may reach the deep lung tissue. Alveolar macrophages are responsible to remove such foreign objects from the alveoli in a process called phagocytosis. If a macrophage fails to uptake a nanotube completely, cell lesions give rise to inflammation. It is currently assumed that short, long and flexible, and granularly agglomerated (tangled) nanofibres are clearable by macrophages, whereas biodurable long and rigid nanotubes persist in the lung tissue. The flexural rigidity of nanofibres is therefore believed to an important material property that governs fibre toxicity and needs to be investigated. The present work aims at determining the rigidity of nanofibres by detecting their resonance frequencies using a Dynamic Scanning Electron Microscope (DySEM) setup. By depositing and fixing a nanofibre to an oscillating support, it can be excited to vibrations and treated as a cantilevered beam. This way, its elastic modulus can be determined via Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were deposited on high frequency piezoelectric quartz crystals mounted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) holder. When introduced into the SEM chamber and connected to a frequency-sweeping waveform generator, the quartz crystal actuates the deposited fibre. A lock-in amplified processes the secondary electron detector signal resulting from the electron beam modulated by the vibrating nanofibre. Whenever a fibre resonance is detected, the SEM image of the fibre is stored to identify the fibre oscillation mode. The found resonance frequencies and modes allow determining the elastic modulus according. Since the frequency spacing of resonances is predicted by Euler-Bernoulli, the mode number can be checked and elastic modulus values be averaged. A significant number of MWCNTs have been classified according to their level of rigidity. The applicability and reliability of the method will be discussed.
The freeze casting technique assisted with cryo thiol-ene photopolymerization is successfully employed for the fabrication of macroporous polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide with highly aligned porosity. It is demonstrated that the free radical initiated thiol-ene click reaction effectively cross-linked the vinyl-containing liquid polysiloxanes into infusible thermosets even at low temperatures. Furthermore, mixed solution- and suspension-based freeze casting is employed by adding silica nanopowders. SiOC/SiO2 foams with almost perfect cylindrical shapes are obtained, demonstrating that the presence of nano-SiO2 does not restrict the complete photoinduced cross-linking. The post-pyrolysis HF acid treatments of produced SiOC monoliths yields hierarchical porosities, with SiOC/SiO2 nanocomposites after etching demonstrating the highest specific surface area of 494 m2/g and pore sizes across the macro-, meso- and micropores ranges. The newly developed approach gives a versatile solution for the fabrication of bulk polymer-derived ceramics with controlled porosity.
We report on ultrasmall zinc oxide single-crystalline nanoparticles of narrow size distribution and long-term colloidal stability. These oleate-stabilized nanoparticles were synthesized using microwave-assisted synthesis for 5 min, corresponding to a 99% decrease in synthesis time, when compared to the conventional synthesis method. It was observed that the average particle radius increases from 2.6 ± 0.1 to 3.8 ± 0.1 nm upon increasing synthesis temperature from 125 to 200 °C. This change also corresponded to observed changes in the optical band gap and the fluorescence energy of the particles, from 3.44 ± 0.01 to 3.36 ± 0.01 eV and from 2.20 ± 0.01 to 2.04 ± 0.01 eV, respectively. Small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, and UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy were employed for particle characterization. Debye–Scherrer analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern reveals a linear increase of the crystallite size with synthesis temperature. The consideration of the convolution of a Lorentz function with a Gaussian function for data correction of the instrumental peak broadening has a considerable influence on the values for the crystallite size. Williamson–Hall XRD analyses in the form of the uniform deformation model, uniform stress deformation model, and uniform deformation energy density model revealed a substantial increase of strain, stress, and deformation energy density of the crystallites with decreasing size. Exponential and power law models were utilized for quantification of strain, stress, and deformation energy density.
What to measure? is a key question in nanoscience, and it is not straightforward to address as different physicochemical properties define a nanoparticle sample. Most prominent among these properties are size, shape, surface charge, and porosity. Today researchers have an unprecedented variety of measurement techniques at their disposal to assign precise numerical values to those parameters. However, methods based on different physical principles probe different aspects, not only of the particles themselves, but also of their preparation history and their environment at the time of measurement. Understanding these connections can be of great value for interpreting characterization results and ultimately controlling the nanoparticle structure–function relationship. Here, the current techniques that enable the precise measurement of these fundamental nanoparticle properties are presented and their practical advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Some recommendations of how the physicochemical parameters of nanoparticles should be investigated and how to fully characterize these properties in different environments according to the intended nanoparticle use are proposed. The intention is to improve comparability of nanoparticle properties and performance to ensure the successful transfer of scientific knowledge to industrial real‐world applications.
A look inside nanoparticles
(2019)
Small-angle scattering is the method of choice when it comes to obtaining information about the interior of nanoparticles. The aim is to make nanotechnology safer. While the use of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is limited to a few instruments in the world, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is widely accessible, with an upward trend. The example of core-shell particles shows how simple their analysis is with data from an Anton Paar laboratory system. Here, SAXS is a central tool for the development of new reference materials based on poly(methyl) acrylate-PVDF core-shell particles. The dimensions of the cores and shells can be precisely determined. A detailed analysis makes it possible to show that the cores contain fluorinated and nonfluorinated polymers, whereas the shell consist only of PVDF. This core-shell particles with a diameter around 40 nm show a significantly higher PVDF beta phase content than the PVDF homopolymer when using an emulsion polymerization technique. This finding is of importance with respect to applications in electroactive devices.
3D microstructures with sub-micron resolution can be manufactured in additive manner applying multi-photon laser structuring technique. This paper is focused on the incorporation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into the photoresist in order to manufacture micrometer-sized devices featuring a magnetic moment. The aim of the project is to achieve untethered actuation of the presented objects through externally applied magnetic fields. Future medical application scenarios such as drug delivery and tissue engineering are targeted by this research.
Femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures: from light localization to applications
(2019)
This presentation reviews the current state in the field of Laser-induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS). These surface nanostructures are a universal phenomenon and can be generated on almost any material by irradiation with intense linearly polarized laser radiation. LIPSS are formed in a “self-ordered” way and are often accompanying material processing applications. They can be produced following a single-step process and enable surface functionalization through the adaption of optical, mechanical and chemical surface properties. Their structural sizes typically range from several micrometers down to less than 100 nanometers exhibiting a clear correlation with the polarization direction of the laser radiation. Various types of surface structures are classified, relevant control parameters are identified, and their material specific formation mechanisms are analyzed for different types of inorganic solids, i.e., metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics, through time-resolved optical experiments and theoretical simulations. Finally, technological applications featuring surface functionalization in the fields of optics, fluidics, medicine, and tribology are discussed.
Water as side effect of reinforcing boehmite filler Local changes in anhydride cured epoxy resin
(2019)
Nanocomposites offer wide opportunities for lightweight constructions and enable reduction of weight and volume. Beside macroscopic toughening nanoparticle reinforced polymers show a soft interface around boehmite (AlOOH) filler nanoparticles. A related strong interaction between boehmite and the anhydride cured resin system is widely suspected in literature but not determined by structural Analysis. Determination of the molecular structure is important to allow simulations approaching the real system and predict future reinforcing effects.
DRIFT (diffuse refletance infrared fourier transformed) spectra of the boehmite reinforced anhydride cured epoxy show significant changes in the molecular structure compared to the neat polymer. Further investigations of the interactions between the single components of the resin system and the boehmite filler pointed out reactions between released water released from the boehmite filler and the anhydride hardener or amine accelerator. This leads to the discussion of competing polymerisation mechanisms that highly influence the polymer properties. Ongoing experiments and literature research approve that this impact of water is able to locally change the stoichiometrie, alter the curing mechanism or support an inhomogeneous crosslink density.
In contrast to microplastics, little is known about nanoplastics (1 to 100 nm). In order to make the dectecability of nanoplasics more reliable, we started to develop nanoplastic reference materials. This project also aims to anser the question of how the single chain conformation of bio(polymers) changes in contact with nanoplastics. Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering methods are suitable methods for studing this topic. Recently the soft and hard interactions between polystyrene nanoplasics and human serum albumin corona was investigated with small-angle neutron scattering. Here we concentrate on small-angle X-ray scattering as our favorite method to study how (bio)polymers change their conformation in contact with nanoplastics. The scattering of bovine serum albumin in its native state can be detected easily. The scattering pattern of this biopolymer changes dramatically when its globular stucture changes to a coil structure. Modeling of chain conformations and the calculation of the scattering pattern is relatively easy to perform. Numerous model calculations will be provided to predict the changes of conformation of single bio(polymer) chains when in conatact with nanoplastics. These predictions will be compared with recent experimenal results from in situ measurments of bio(polymers) in contact with nanoplastics. The impact of temperature, polymer concentration and salt on the single-chain conformation changes will be discussed.
Small-angle scattering (SAS) offers a reliable route to characterize the nanostructure of large amounts of material with a minimum of tedium, for example, easily extracting size distributions and volume fractions. There are a variety of analysis programs available while the evaluation of SAS measurements has been dominated by the classical curve fitting approach. SASfit represents such a classical curve fitting toolbox: it is one of the mature programs for SAS data analysis and has been available and used for many years. The latest developments will be presented and a scattering function of a mass fractal model of branched polymers in solution is provided as an example for implementing a plug-in.
Alternatively to classical curve fitting, part two presents the latest developments of the user-friendly open-source Monte Carlo regression package McSAS. The form-free Monte Carlo nature of McSAS means, it is not necessary to provide further restrictions on the mathematical form of the parameter distribution: without prior knowledge, McSAS is able to extract complex multimodal or odd- shaped parameter distributions from SAS data. The headless mode is presented by an example of operation within interactive programming environments such as a Jupyter notebook.
The environmental pollution with plastic debris is one of the great challenges scientists are facing in recent times Due to degradation by UV radiation and other environmental factors, larger pieces of plastic can decompose into microscale fragments which can enter human foodstuff through the food chain or by environmental entry Recent publications show a contamination of various food products with microplastic particles suggesting a widespread exposure Thus, orally ingested plastic particles pose a potential health risk to humans In this study, we investigated the impact of artificial digestive juices on the size and shape of the three environmentally relevant microplastic particles polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
A central challenge to ensure the sustainable production and use of nanotechnologies is to understand and effectively control the risks along the industrial innovation value chain. Knowledge about nanotechnology processes and nanosafety issues (hazards, fate, risk...) is growing rapidly but the effective use of this knowledge for risk management by market actors is lagging behind.
EC4SafeNano (European Centre for Risk Management and Safe Innovation in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies) promotes a harmonized vision of expertise in risk assessment and management for the public and private sectors to enable the safe development and commercialization of nanotechnology.
EC4SafeNano is operated together by major European risk institutes with the support of numerous associated partners, gathering all stakeholders involved in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies (regulators, industry, society, research, service providers...).
In a case study the surface chemical transformations upon 2 different ageing procedures (long-term UV irradiation or swimming pool water) of a representative set of titanium dioxide nanoparticles has been investigated. The materials have been analyzed by various analytical techniques. Each method addresses different aspects of the complex endpoint surface chemistry. The multi technique approach allows evaluation of the capabilities and limitations of the applied methods regarding their suitability to address the endpoint surface chemistry and their sensitivity to identify even small surface chemical transformations.
Results:
- To obtain a comprehensive picture, it is insufficient to concentrate on a single analysis technique.
- By using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) it was possible to identify even subtle changes in the surface chemistry of the investigated materials.
- A general trend that was observed for the UV-aged samples is the decrease of organic material on the nanomaterial surface.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 723623.
Laser-induced periodic surface structures: from nanoscaled light localization to applications
(2019)
In this contribution the current state in the field of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) is reviewed. This includes the mechanisms of formation and current applications, particularly the colorization of technical surfaces, the control of surface wetting properties, the tailoring of surface colonization by bacterial biofilms, and the improvement of the tribological performance of nanostructured metal surfaces.
An inter-laboratory comparison on the surface charge, expressed as zeta potential ζ, of nanoscaled SiO2 has been performed using #14 BAM Silica (see D.5.41/5.42) nanoparticles. The comparability of results delivered by participants has been tested.
The Task 5.4 of NanoValid is designed to test, compare and validate current methods to measure and characterize physicochemical properties of selected engineered nanoparticles. The measurand is Surface charge expressed as zeta-Potential. The measurements are to be accompanied by estimates of the uncertainties at a confidence level of 95%, deduced from the standard uncertainties. Therefore an uncertainty budget comprising statistical (Type A) and systematic (Type B) errors has to be established and delivered for the measurand. The protocol comprises two Annexes addressing the establishment of uncertainty budgets following GUM. The final goal of the comparison is to identify those methods of measurement which have potential as reference methods in pc characterization of nanoparticles for the determination of a given measurand.
This Report describes an inter-laboratory comparison aiming on the establishment of the used method (BET) as a reference method. Another purpose was the certification of the porous reference material #15 BAM Titania as CRM BAM-P110 (cf. D 5.41/42). The certified values determined by nitrogen ad-sorption at 77.3 K according to the international standards ISO 15901-2 and ISO 9277 are summarized in the Table below.
Peptide-polymer bioconjugates combine oligopeptides with synthetic polymer blocks and can be used for various applications in material sciences. In recent years, bioconjugates were applied as compatibilizers and coatings. Biocombinatorial approaches, such as phage display, have been shown to yield strong binding peptides, which exhibit excellent coating properties as peptide-PEO conjugates. Phage display represents a widely exploited strategy to select peptides or proteins that exhibit highly specific affinity to various substrates. Following a phage display experiment, DNA sequencing of binding phage clones is required in order to get the sequence information of the binding peptides. Traditionally, random clone picking followed by Sanger sequencing was applied. However, this method may not necessarily identify the strongest binding clones. Next-generation sequencing made sequencing of whole phage libraries possible, which highly improved the selection of strong binders. Here, we show that the biocombinatorial method of phage display combined with next generation DNA sequencing of whole phage libraries represents a powerful tool for an application in material chemistry. Phage display is used to find specific target binding peptides for polypropylene surfaces (PP). PP binders are of particular interest because thus far gluing or printing on PP is challenging due to its low surface energy. Scripts for sequence data analysis were developed and promising sequences were synthesized as peptide-PEO conjugates. Fluorescence based adsorption experiments on PP surfaces led to the identification of strong binding sequences and a better understanding of the peptide-surface interactions.
An inter-laboratory comparison on the particle size, expressed as mean diameter d, of nanoscaled SiO2 (#14 BAM Silica (see NanoValid DoW, D.5.41/5.42)) has been performed. The majority of participants used Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). A few used Electron Microscopy as method. Following methods had been applied by only one partner, respectively: Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Analytical Ultracentrifugation, Atomic Force Microscopy and Atomizer with electric mobility spectrometer.
BAM provides leading expertise in preparation, characterisation and application of fluorescent reference standards and biomedical relevant nanomaterials, as well as in traceable, absolute, and quantitative fluorometric measurements of transparent and scattering systems in the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectral region. BAM will prepare solid low-RI particles in WP1, will develop reference methods to determine the fluorescence intensity and RI of reference materials in WP2, and will measure the fluorescence intensity of EVs in biological test samples of WP3.
The movement of the macroscopic magnetic moment in ferromagnetic systems can be described by the Landau-Lifshitz (LL) or Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation. These equations are strictly valid only at absolute zero temperature. To include temperature effects a stochastic version of the LL or LLG equation for a spin density of one per unit cell can be used instead. To apply the stochastic LL to micromagnetic simulations, where the spin density per unit cell is generally higher, a conversion regarding simulation cell size and temperature has to be established. Based on energetic considerations, a conversion for ferromagnetic bulk and thin film systems is proposed. The conversion is tested in micromagnetic simulations which are performed with the Object Oriented Micromagnetic Framework (OOMMF). The Curie temperatures of bulk Nickel, Cobalt and Iron systems as well as Nickel thin-film systems with thicknesses between 6.3 mono layer (ML) and 31ML are determined from micromagnetic simulations. The results show a good agreement with experimentally determined Curie temperatures of bulk and thin film systems when temperature scaling is performed according to the presented model.
Dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was shown to increase the biological effectiveness of radiation damage in biomolecules and tissue. Most of the current studies focus on external beam therapy on combination with AuNP. Here we present a Monte-Carlo study (Geant4) to characterise radioactive AuNP. Radioactive ¹⁹⁸Au emits beta and gamma rays and is considered for applications with solid tumours. To effectively apply ¹⁹⁸AuNP their energy deposit characteristics have to be determined in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic properties e.g. AuNP diameter, AuNP density, and their clustering behaviour. After each decay process, the energy deposit, inelastic scattering events, kinetic energy spectrum of secondary particles within the AuNP themselves and in a spherical target volume of water up to 1 μm radius were determined. Simulations were performed for AuNP radii ranging from 2.5 nm to 20 nm radius, different cluster sizes and densities. The results show an increase of the energy deposit in the vicinity of the AuNP up to 150 nm. This effect nearly vanishes for distances up to one micron. For the case of AuNP clusters and the same activity, the enhancement of the energy deposit increases with the relative gold mass percentage and therefore can be adjusted by changing AuNP radius or clustering behaviour.
As resistance to traditional drugs emerges for treatment of Virus infections, the need for new methods for virus inhibition increases. Graphene derivatives with large surface areas have shown strong activity against different viruses. However, the inability of current synthetic protocols to accurately manipulate the structure of graphene sheets in order to control their antiviral activity remains a major challenge. In this work, a series of graphene derivatives with defined polyglycerol sulfate and fatty amine functionalities have been synthesized and their interactions with herpes simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) are investigated. While electrostatic interactions between polyglycerol sulfate and virus particles trigger the binding of graphene to virus, alkyl chains induce a high antiviral activity by secondary hydrophobic interactions. Among graphene sheets with a broad range of alkyl chains, (C3–C18), the C12-functionalized sheets showed the highest antiviral activity, indicating the optimum synergistic effect between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, but this derivative was toxic against the Vero cell line.
In contrast, sheets functionalized with C6- and C9-alkyl chains showed low toxicity against Vero cells and a synergistic Inhibition of HSV-1. This study shows that antiviral agents against HSV-1 can be obtained by controlled and stepwise functionalization of graphene sheets and may be developed into antiviral agents for future biomedical applications.
The composites combining aluminum and silica nanoparticles with the addition of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (Al-SiO2(T)) and butanol (Al-SiO2(B)) as mixing media have been successfully fabricated. Corrosion behavior of Al-SiO2 composites before and after exposure in 1M NaCl solution was examined using potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel curve analysis). The study was also equipped with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations. Before exposure, Al-SiO2(T) exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Performance improvement was indicated by Al-SiO2(B) up to 10 times better than Al-SiO2(T) after exposure. The increased SiO2 content did not significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of the composites. The Al-SiO2 composites with 5% SiO2 content showed very high corrosion resistance (as the optimum composition). Furthermore, pitting corrosion was observed in the Al-SiO2 composites, indicated by the formation of corrosion products at grain boundaries. The product was affected by the presence of SiO2 in the Al matrix and the NaCl environment at 90 °C (approach to synthetic geothermal media: Na+, Cl, H+, OH-). Our study revealed the presence of γ-Al2O3, γ-Al(OH)3, and Al(OH)2Cl as the dominant corrosion products.
Analysis of elemental composition of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy thin films by EPMA and µ-XRF
(2019)
The present study reports on measurements on thin Fe-Ni films on silicon and first-time results of analysis on Si-Ge thin films deposited on a non-conductive aluminium oxide Substrate by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Standard-based and standardless EPMA (with EDS) results were used in combination with the thin film analysis software Stratagem for the quantification.
Further, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) can be used for the determination of elemental composition and thickness of such films as well. In this case, XRF with a μ-focus X-ray source (μ-XRF) attached to a SEM was applied. For quantification, a fundamental parameter (FP) approach has been used to calculate standard-based and standardless results.
Both thin film systems have been chosen as samples of an international round robin test (RRT) organised in the frame of standardisation technical committee ISO/TC 201 ‘Surface chemical analysis’, under the lead of KRISS. The main objective of the RRT is to compare the results of atomic fractions of Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex alloy films obtained by different surface Analysis techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) applied in the depth-profiling operation mode.
Five samples of different atomic fractions of each thin film system, i.e., Fe1-xNix and Si1-xGex, have been grown by ion beam sputter deposition on silicon and Al2O3 wafers, respectively. Reference FeNi and SiGe films with well-known elemental composition and thickness have been also supplied for standard-based analysis. An excellent agreement has been obtained between the atomic fractions determined by EPMA and µ-XRF with the KRISS certified values.
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been widely investigated for their use in separation, gas adsorption, catalysis, and biotechnology. Their practical applications, however, can be hampered by their structural instability in humid acidic conditions. Here, guided by density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that the acidic stability of two polymorphic ZIFs (i.e., ZIF-8 and ZIF-L) can be enhanced by the incorporation of functional groups on polypeptides or DNA. A range of complementary synchrotron investigations into the local chemical structure and bonding environment suggest that the enhanced acidic stability arises from the newly established coordinative interactions between the Zn centers and the inserted carboxylate (for polypeptides) or phosphate (for DNA) groups, both of which have lower pKas than the imidazolate ligand. With functional biomolecular homologs (i.e., enzymes), we demonstrate a symbiotic stability reinforcement effect, i.e., the encapsulated biomolecules stabilize the ZIF matrix while the ZIF exoskeleton protects the enzyme from denaturation.
There are different ways how to prove the quality of the results obtained by electron microscopy and related microanalysis techniques, e.g. use of validated standard operation procedures, participation in proficiency testing exercises, use of certified reference materials, etc. International standards are able to provide requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics of methods, instruments or samples with the final goal that these can be used consistently in accredited laboratories. In the field of electron microscopy and microbeam analysis standardization and metrology are terms which are encountered rather seldom at major conferences and scientific publications. Nevertheless, spectra formats like EMSA/MSA for spectral-data exchange or tagged image file format (TIFF) for SEM, guidelines for performing quality assurance procedures or for the specification of X-ray spectrometers as well as of certified reference materials (CRMs) in EPMA, or measurement of average grain size by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), or guidelines for calibrating image magnification in SEM or TEM are ISO standards already published and used successfully by a large part of the electron microscopy and microbeam analysis community. A main and continuous task of ISO/TC 202 and its subcommittees is to identify and evaluate feasible projects/proposals needed to be developed into new international standards, particularly in respect to recent but established technology, such the silicon drift detector (SDD) EDS one.
Another international platform in the frame of which pre-standardization work can be organized is VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards). International collaborative projects involving aim at providing the technical basis for harmonized measurements, testing, specifications, and standards to be further developed at ISO level. One key point of VAMAS activities is constituted by inter-laboratory comparisons for high-quality data. In the field of microbeam analysis, the technical working area (TWA) 37 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis deals with corresponding projects. Good ideas, e.g. on analysis of low-Z materials/elements and at low energies are particularly encouraged by directly contacting the author. Support and already available guidance will be supplied.
We present a comprehensive investigation of the magnetic and optical properties of an ytterbium complex, which combines two desirable and practical features into a single molecular system. Based upon YbIII Ions that promote near-infrared optical activity and a chemical backbone that is ideal for an in-depth understanding of the magnetic behaviour, we have designed a multifunctional opto-magnetic species that operates as a luminescent thermometer and as a single-molecule magnet (SMM). Our magnetic investigations, in conjunction with ab initio calculations, reveal one of the highest energy barriers reported for an YbIII-based complex. Moreover, we correlate this anisotropic barrier with the Emission spectrum of the compound, wherein we provide a complete assignment of the energetic profile of the complex. Such studies lay the foundation for the design of exciting multi-faceted materials that are able to retain information at the single-molecule level and possess built-in thermal self-monitoring capabilities.
Thin films (200-7nm) of the asymmetric polymer blend poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME)/polystyrene (PS) (25/75wt%) were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Thicker samples ([Formula: see text]37 nm) were measured by crossed electrode capacitors (CEC), where the film is capped between Al-electrodes. For thinner films ([Formula: see text]37 nm) nanostructured capacitors (NSC) were employed, allowing one free surface in the film. The dielectric spectra of the thick films showed three relaxation processes ( [Formula: see text] -, [Formula: see text] - and [Formula: see text] -relaxation), like the bulk, related to PVME fluctuations in local spatial regions with different PS concentrations. The thickness dependence of the [Formula: see text] -process for films measured by CECs proved a spatially heterogeneous structure across the film with a PS-adsorption at the Al-electrodes. On the contrary, for the films measured by NSCs a PVME segregation at the free surface was found, resulting in faster dynamics, compared to the CECs. Moreover, for the thinnest films ([Formula: see text]26 nm) an additional relaxation process was detected. It was assigned to restricted fluctuations of PVME segments within the loosely bounded part of the adsorbed layer, proving that for NSCs a PVME enrichment takes place also at the polymer/substrate interface.
Low temperature functionalization of two-dimensional boron nitride for electrochemical sensing
(2019)
Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)as an emerging nanomaterial exhibits uniquephysicochemical properties, making it suitable candidate for a wide spectrum of applications.However, due to its poor functionality, the processability of this nanomaterial is low. In this work, wereport on a straightforward and scalable approach for the functionalization of h-BN by nitrene[2+1]cycloaddition at room temperature. The triazine-functionalized h-BN(Trz-BNs)showed ahigh reactivity toward nucleophiles, through which post-modifications are performable. The post-modification of Trz-BNs by L-cysteine was studied using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulsevoltammetry. Taking advantage of the scalable and straightforward functionalization as well as abilityof triazine functional groups for the controlled post-modifications, Trz-BNs is a promisingnanoplatform for a wide range of future applications.
The rational synthesis and use of nanomaterials require the characterization of many different properties, ranging from particle size and size distribution over surface chemistry to more applicationrelevant features like optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. In the following, several methods for the characterization of functional groups on nanomaterials, like polymer and silica nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, and lanthanide-based upconversion nanocrystals are presented. Additionally, procedures for the measurement of the key spectroscopic performance parameters of nanomaterials with linear and nonlinear photoluminescence, such as the photoluminescence quantum yield, are presented for the UV/vis/NIR/SWIR.
Metal carbides have shown great promise in a wide range of applications due to their unique catalytic, electrocatalytic and magnetic properties. However, the scalable production of dispersible metal carbide nanoparticles remains a challenge. Here, we report a simple and scalable route to dispersible iron carbide (Fe3C) nanoparticles. This uses MgO nanoparticles as a removable ‘cast’ to synthesize Fe3C nanoparticles from Prussian blue (KFeIII[FeII(CN)6]). Electron tomography demonstrates how nanoparticles of the MgO cast encase the Fe3C nanoparticles to prevent sintering and agglomeration during the high-temperature synthesis. The MgO cast is readily removed with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to generate Fe3C nanoparticles that can be used to produce a colloidal ferrofluid or dispersed on a support material.
Yb,Nd,Er-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable interest as luminescent reporters for bioimaging, sensing, energy conversion/shaping, and anticounterfeiting due to their capability to convert multiple near-infrared (NIR) photons into shorter wavelength ultraviolet, visible or NIR luminescence by successive absorption of two or more NIR photons. This enables optical measurements in complex media with very little background and high penetration depths for bioimaging. The use of Nd3+ as substitute for the commonly employed sensitizer Yb3+ or in combination with Yb3+ shifts the excitation wavelength from about 980 nm, where the absorption of water can weaken upconversion luminescence, to about 800 nm, and laser-induced local overheating effects in cells, tissue, and live animal studies can be minimized. To systematically investigate the potential of Nd3+ doping, we assessed the performance of a set of similarly sized Yb3+,Nd3+,Er3+-doped core- and core–shell UCNPs of different particle architecture in water at broadly varied excitation power densities (P) with steady state and time-resolved fluorometry for excitation at 980 nm and 808 nm. As a measure for UCNPs performance, the P-dependent upconversion quantum yield (Φ) and its saturation behavior were used as well as particle brightness (B). Based upon spectroscopic measurements at both excitation wavelengths in water and in a lipid phantom and B-based calculations of signal size at different penetration depths, conditions under which excitation at 808 nm is advantageous are derived and parameters for the further optimization of triple-doped UCNPs are given.
Structural modularity of polymer frameworks is a key advantage of covalent organic polymers, however, only C, N, O, Si and S have found their way into their building blocks so far. Here, we expand the toolbox available to polymer and materials chemists by one additional nonmetal, phosphorus. Starting with a building block that contains a λ⁵‐phosphinine (C₅P) moiety, we evaluate a number of polymerisation protocols, finally obtaining a π‐conjugated, covalent phosphinine‐based framework (CPF‐1) via Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling. CPF‐1 is a weakly porous polymer glass (72.4 m2 g‐1 N2 BET at 77 K) with green fluorescence (λmax 546 nm) and extremely high thermal stability. The polymer catalyzes hydrogen evolution from water under UV and visible light irradiation without the need for additional co‐catalyst at a rate of 33.3 μmol h‐¹ g‐¹. Our results demonstrate for the first time the incorporation of the phosphinine motif into a complex polymer framework. Phosphinine‐based frameworks show promising electronic and optical properties that might spark future interest in their applications in light‐emitting devices and heterogeneous catalysis.