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Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (field + emission_scanning_electron_microscopy)
Selected AbstractsChemical, Mechanical, and Antibacterial Properties of Silver Nanocluster,Silica Composite Coatings Obtained by Sputtering,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010Monica Ferraris Abstract Silver nanocluster,silica matrix composite coatings have been deposited by radio frequency (RF) co-sputtering on silica substrates. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra of the as deposited and heated samples (150,600,°C) revealed the presence of metal silver nanoclusters, their size depending on the heating treatment. The antibacterial activity of the as deposited and heated samples has been measured in accordance to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, and it has been demonstrated on samples heated up to 450,°C in contact mode and for samples heated at 600,°C in a liquid environment. Their antibacterial activity was still present after gamma ray and ethylene oxide gas (EtO) sterilization of the samples. Silver leaching tests on the as deposited and heated samples has been measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer, revealing an amount ranging from 0.1 to 0.9,µg mm,2, over 28 days. Tape resistance (ASTM D3359-97) and scratch resistance tests have been done on each sample revealing a good adhesion of the coatings on silica. [source] Hydrothermal synthesis of nano-crystalline BaMoO4 under mild conditions using simple additiveCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Guangru Tian Abstract Large-scale high-quality BaMoO4 nanocrystals have been synthesized in aqueous solutions under mild conditions with citrate as a simple additive. The crystals have bone-like, spindle-like and wheatear-like morphologies assembled from nanoparticles, nanofibers and have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results showed that experimental parameters had great influences on the shape evolution of products. The adjustment of these parameters such as room temperature stirring time, reaction temperature and reaction time of hydrothermal reaction, can lead to obvious morphology changes of products, and the growth mechanism has been proposed. Room-temperature photoluminescence indicated that the as-prepared BaMoO4 nanocrystals had a strong blue emission peak at 481.5 nm. This facile route could be employed to synthesize more promising nanomaterials with interesting self-assembly structures. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Monocilia on chicken embryonic endocardium in low shear stress areasDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2006Kim Van der Heiden Abstract During cardiovascular development, fluid shear stress patterns change dramatically due to extensive remodeling. This biomechanical force has been shown to drive gene expression in endothelial cells and, consequently, is considered to play a role in cardiovascular development. The mechanism by which endothelial cells sense shear stress is still unidentified. In this study, we postulate that primary cilia function as fluid shear stress sensors of endothelial cells. Such a function already has been attributed to primary cilia on epithelial cells of the adult kidney and of Hensen's node in the embryo where they transduce mechanical signals into an intracellular Ca2+ signaling response. Recently, primary cilia were observed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These primary cilia disassembled when subjected to high shear stress levels. Whereas endocardial,endothelial cells have been reported to be more shear responsive than endothelial cells, cilia are not detected, thus far, on endocardial cells. In the present study, we use field emission scanning electron microscopy to show shear stress-related regional differences in cell protrusions within the cardiovasculature of the developing chicken. Furthermore, we identify one of these cell protrusions as a monocilium with monoclonal antibodies against acetylated and detyrosinated alpha-tubulin. The distribution pattern of the monocilia was compared to the chicken embryonic expression pattern of the high shear stress marker Krüppel-like factor-2. We demonstrate the presence of monocilia on endocardial,endothelial cells in areas of low shear stress and postulate that they are immotile primary cilia, which function as fluid shear stress sensors. Developmental Dynamics 235:19,28, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Preparation of Novel Arrays Silver Nanoparticles Modified Polyrutin Coat-Paraffin-Impregnated Graphite Electrode for Tyrosine and Tryptophan's OxidationELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 8 2008Guan-Ping Jin Abstract A novel array silver nanoparticles and Rutin complex film modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode was proposed in this work (denoted as Ag/Rutin/WGE). The characteristics were investigated by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), infrared spectra (IR), UV-visible (UV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical techniques. Silver ions were gradually chelated by polyrutin film at 4,-oxo-5,-OH and 5-OH-4-oxo sites accompanying adsorption, then. Silver nanoparticles were highly-dispersed electrodeposited on polyrutin film. The electrochemical behaviors of tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The Ag/Rutin/WGE electrode shows overlapping catalysis for the oxidation of Tyr and Trp. The linear response of Tyr and Trp were 0.3,10.0 and 0.7,70.0,,M with detection limit of 0.07 and 0.1,,M in a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. [source] Microstructure of the silk spigots of the green crab spider Oxytate striatipes (Araneae: Thomisidae)ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006Myung-Jin MOON Abstract The genus Oxytate L. Koch, 1878 comprises a homogeneous group of nocturnal crab spiders that have silk apparatuses even though they do not spin webs to trap prey. We examined the microstructure of the silk spinning apparatus of the green crab spider Oxytate striatipes, using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The silk glands of the spider were classified into three types: ampullate, pyriform and aciniform. The spigots of these three types of silk gland occur in both sexes. Two pairs of major ampullate glands send secretory ductules to the anterior spinnerets, and another two pairs of minor ampullate glands supply the median spinnerets. In addition, the pyriform glands send ductules to the anterior spinnerets (45 pairs in females and 40 pairs in males), and the aciniform glands feed silk into the median (9,12 pairs in females and 7,10 pairs in males) and the posterior (30 pairs in both sexes) spinnerets. The spigot system of O. striatipes is simpler and more primitive than other wandering spiders: even the female spiders possess neither tubuliform glands for cocoon production nor triad spigots for web-building. [source] Controllable Synthesis of Cu2O Microcrystals via a Complexant-Assisted Synthetic RouteEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2010Wanqun Zhang Abstract A novel method using Cu(AC)2·H2O and dimethylglyoxime as reagents has been successfully developed for the controllable synthesis of Cu2O microcrystals with distinctive morphologies, including porous hollow microspheres, octahedral microcages, and microcrystals with truncated corners and edges and octahedral microcrystals. These structures can be fine-tuned by varying reaction temperature, reaction time, and concentration. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectra. This is the first report of the preparation of the novel microcage structure of Cu2O through a simple solution-based route. By investigating the intermediate products which resemble the final crystal structures, a possible growth mechanism is proposed. Moreover, the investigations showed that the various 3D architectures of the as-made products exhibit different abilities to catalytically degrade rhodamine-B. Our work shows that octahedral Cu2O crystals with entirely {111} faces are photocatalytically more active than octahedral microcrystals with truncated corners and edges, suggesting the {111} faces of Cu2O nanostructures are catalytically more active than the {100} and {110} faces. Due to dual effect of the cavity structure and the {111} surfaces, the octahedral microcages with truncated corners and edges exhibit a higher extent of the photodecomposition reaction. As a result of very slow photocorrosion rate of the Cu2O microcrystal, it is expected that these microcrystals with different surfaces may find more applications in photocatalysis. [source] Silica Supported Submicron SiO2@Y2SiO5:Eu3+ and SiO2@Y2SiO5:Ce3+/Tb3+ Spherical Particles with a Core,Shell Structure: Sol,Gel Synthesis and CharacterizationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 18 2006Cuikun Lin Abstract X1 -Y2SiO5:Eu3+ and X1 -Y2SiO5:Ce3+ and/or Tb3+ phosphor layers have been coated on nonaggregated, monodisperse, submicron spherical SiO2 particles by a sol,gel process, followed by surface reaction at high temperature (1000 °C), to give core/shell structured SiO2@Y2SiO5:Eu3+ and SiO2@Y2SiO5:Ce3+/Tb3+ particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), TEM, photoluminescence (PL), low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), and time-resolved PL spectra and lifetimes are used to characterize these materials. The XRD results indicate that X1 -Y2SiO5 layers have been successfully coated on the surface of SiO2 particles, as further verified by the FESEM and TEM images. The PL and CL studies suggest that SiO2@Y2SiO5:Eu3+, SiO2@Y2SiO5:Tb3+ (or Ce3+/Tb3+), and SiO2@Y2SiO5:Ce3+ core/shell particles exhibit red (Eu3+, 613 nm: 5D0,7F2), green (Tb3+, 542 nm: 5D4,7F5), or blue (Ce3+, 450 nm: 5d-4f) luminescence, respectively. PL excitation, emission, and time-resolved spectra demonstrate that there is an energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ in the SiO2@Y2SiO5:Ce3+,Tb3+ core/shell particles. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] A Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Monodisperse Spherical Pigment Particles with a Core/Shell Structure,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2007C. Lin Abstract In this paper, a facile sol,gel process for producing monodisperse, spherical, and nonaggregated pigment particles with a core/shell structure is reported. Spherical silica particles (245 and 385,nm in diameter) and Cr2O3, ,-Fe2O3, ZnCo2O4, CuFeCrO4, MgFe2O4, and CoAl2O4 pigments are selected as cores and shells, respectively. The obtained core/shell-structured pigment samples, denoted as SiO2@Cr2O3 (green), SiO2@,-Fe2O3 (red), SiO2@MgFe2O4 (brown), SiO2@ZnCo2O4 (dark green), SiO2@CoAl2O4 (blue), and SiO2@CuFeCrO4 (black), are well characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis diffuse reflection, as well as by investigating the magnetic properties. The results of XRD and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) demonstrate that the pigment shells crystallize well on the surface of SiO2 particles. The thickness of the pigment shell can be tuned by the number of coatings, to some extent. These pigment particles can be well dispersed in some solvents (such as glycol) to form relatively more stable suspensions than the commercial products. Apart from the color characteristics, some of pigments like SiO2@Cr2O3, SiO2@MgFe2O4, and SiO2@CuFeCrO4 also show magnetic properties with coercivities of 1098,Oe (5,K), 648,Oe (5,K), and 91,Oe (298,K), respectively. [source] Synthesis and properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization and in situ compatibilizationJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Fangjuan Wu Abstract A novel cyclic initiator was synthesized from dibutyl tin(IV) oxide and hydroxyl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and was used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic butylene terephthalate oligomers to prepare poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/MWNT nanocomposites. The results of Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that a graft structure of PBT on the MWNTs was formed during the in situ polymerization; this structure acted as an in situ compatibilizer in the nanocomposites. The PBT covalently attached to the MWNT surface enhanced the interface adhesion between the MWNTs and PBT matrix and, thus, improved the compatibility. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which showed that the nanotubes were homogeneously dispersed in the PBT matrix when the MWNT content was lower than 0.75 wt %. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The results indicate that the MWNTs acted as nucleation sites in the matrix, and the efficiency of nucleation was closely related to the dispersion of the MWNTs in the matrix. Additionally, the thermal stability of PBT was improved by the addition of the MWNTs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Application of the biodegradable diblock copolymer poly(L -lactide)- block -poly(L -cysteine): Drug delivery and protein conjugationJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Jing Sun Abstract A novel approach to self-assembled and shell-crosslinked (SCL) micelles from the diblock copolymer poly(L -lactide)- block -poly(L -cysteine) to be used as drug and protein delivery carriers is described. Rifampicin was used as a model drug. The drug-loaded SCL micelles were obtained by self-assembly of the copolymer in the presence of the drug in aqueous media. Their morphology and size were studied with dynamic light scattering and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The rifampicin loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were studied with ultraviolet,visible spectrophotometry. The drug-release rate in vitro depended on the oxidizing and reducing environment. Moreover, a straightforward approach to the conjugation of the copolymer with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was developed, and a gel electrophoresis test demonstrated that this conjugated BSA could be reversibly released from the copolymer substrate under reducing conditions. In conclusion, this L -cysteine copolymer can be used in drug delivery and in protein fixation and recovery. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Tensile and lignocellulosic properties of Prosopis chilensis natural fabricJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010G. Venkata Reddy Abstract The uniaxial natural fabric Prosopis chilensis was treated with NaOH (alkali), poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and polycarbonate (PC) solutions. The Prosopis chilensis fabric belongs to Leguminosae family. The properties of ligno-cellulosic fabric and the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment were evaluated using thermal analysis by means of thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, Autonated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties of the untreated and fabric treated with NaOH, PVA, and PC were also studied to assess their performance. The fabric has good thermal resistance on alkali treatment. The FTIR method indicates lowering the hemi cellulose and lignin content by alkali treatment. Further, the XRD studies reveal that crystallinity of the fabric increases on alkali treatment. Tensile properties of the fabric were enhanced on treatments with NaOH, PVA, and PC treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Nanofiber organic semiconductors: The effects of nanosize on the electrical charge transport and optical properties of bulk polyanilinesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009F. Yakuphanoglu Abstract The electrical transport, optical, and microstructural properties of bulk polyaniline (PANI) and nano-PANIs were investigated. A field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of bulk PANI showed macroscopic and aggregated granular particles. A SEM image of the nanostructured PANI showed the formation of one-dimensional nano/microstructures. The formation of nanofibers was observed from the transmission electron microscopy image. The electrical conductivities of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs increased with increasing temperature, which indicated semiconductor behavior. The electrical conductivities of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs at room temperature were found to be 2.12 × 10,5 and 1.80 × 10,2 S/cm, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the nanostructured PANI was about 850 times higher than that of the bulk PANI. The obtained band gaps of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs were determined from diffuse reflectance measurements and were found to be 3.27 and 2.41 eV, respectively. The refractive index of the PANI samples changed from 1.3 to 1.61. The obtained results indicate that the electrical and optical properties of the PANI were inherently dependent on the nanostructure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Role of Mn of PEG in the morphology and properties of electrospun PEG/CA composite fibers for thermal energy storageAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Changzhong Chen Abstract As an aim toward developing novel class of form-stable polymer-matrix phase change materials for thermal energy storage, ultrafine composite fibers based on cellulose acetate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with five different molecular weight (Mn) grades were prepared by electrospinning. The effects of Mn of PEG on morphology, thermal properties and mechanical properties of the composite fibers were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing, respectively. It was found that the composite fibers were smooth and cylindrical shape, with the average diameters ranging from about 1000 to 1750 nm which increased with Mn of PEG. Thermal analysis results showed that the composite fibers imparted balanced thermal storage and release properties in different temperature ranges with the variation of Mn of PEG. Thermal cycling test indicated that the prepared composites had excellent thermal stability and reliability even they were subjected to 100 heating-cooling thermal cycles. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes via soap-free emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrileJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 10 2010Zhenping Cheng Abstract A novel method for the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-coated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a simple soap-free emulsion polymerization is presented for the first time. The polymerization was initiated with conventional anionic ammonium persulfate (APS) at 65 °C. The modification of PAN on MWCNT surfaces was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that all the surfaces of the MWCNTs were coated by PAN chains, and the PAN coating thickness could be controlled by simply adjusting the polymerization time. The obtained PAN-coated MWCNTs could be well dispersed in water. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2057,2062, 2010 [source] Multiferroic Properties of Nanocrystalline PbTiO3 CeramicsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2010Min Wang Nanocrystalline PbTiO3 (PTO) powders in a perovskite structure have been synthesized by the sol,gel process using lead acetate, glycerin, and titanium (IV) isopropoxide as precursors. PTO ceramics were obtained by sintering the powders at temperatures ranging from 600° to 1000°C. The structure and morphology of the ceramics have been determined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The PTO powder calcined at 450°C shows weak ferromagnetism at room temperature. The PTO ceramics sintered at various temperatures exhibit coexistence of ferroelectricity and weak ferromagnetism at room temperature. Enhancement in the magnetic moment and ferroelectricity with a reduction in the grain size of PTO ceramics was observed. This result facilitates the possibilities of new perovskite electromagnetic devices at the nanoscale level. [source] Morphology Transformation of Hematite Nanoparticles Through Oriented AggregationJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2008Lili Wang Hematite nanoparticles 30,45 nm in width and 15,25 nm in thickness were synthesized through oriented aggregation by a hydrothermal method. X -ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM, selected area electron diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were applied to characterize the nanocrystals. Morphology transformation of these hematite nanoparticles from irregularly shaped to flower like with the assistance of oleic acid was surveyed. Based on these results, possible formation mechanism of the hematite nanoflowers is discussed here. [source] Synthesis of Biomorphous Nickel Oxide from a Pinewood Template and Investigation on a Hierarchical Porous StructureJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2006Zhaoting Liu The hydrothermal synthesis of biomorphous nickel oxide (NiO) with pine template and nickel nitrate precursor is reported here. The morphology, porosity and connectivity of porous products in different length scales were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption measurements. Their porous structures were found to be hierarchical from 1 up to 25 ,m (in micrometer scale) and from 2 nm to 60 nm (in nanometer scale). Furthermore, depending on the heat-treatment temperatures, the porosity of the pine-templated NiO can be designed. [source] Structure Determination in Colloidal Crystal Photonic Bandgap StructuresJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2002John Ballato Structure/optical property relationships in photonic bandgap structures are evaluated by a novel combination of sample sectioning, microscopy, and image analysis. Disordered colloidal crystals of solution-derived, monosized SiO2 particles were sectioned by focused ion beam (FIB) milling and then imaged using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Pair correlation and radial distribution functions of the particulate arrangement were generated directly from a binary color scale rendering of the FE-SEM images, therein defining the level of order or disorder in the structure. These experimentally obtained spatial correlation functions were used to compute the scattering spectral properties in an analogous, although inverse (i.e., solving the inverse scattering problem), method to that used in X-ray diffraction for structure determination. Using a first-order approximation to the scattering from a disordered structure, the bandwidth and midgap values for the colloidal crystal photonic bandgap materials were within 15% of those measured. This new methodology promises to provide a simple and direct approach for quantifying the structure/optical property relationships in ordered and disordered photonic crystals directly from standard microstructural imaging techniques. [source] Behavior of flagella and flagellar root systems in the planozygotes and settled zygotes of the green alga Bryopsis maxima Okamura (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) with reference to spatial arrangement of eyespot and cell fusion sitePHYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Shinichi Miyamura SUMMARY Behaviors of male and female gametes, planozygotes and their microtubular cytoskeletons of a marine green alga Bryopsis maxima Okamura were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-speed video microscopy, and anti-tubulin immunofluorescence microscopy. After fusion of the biflagellate male and female gametes, two sets of basal bodies lay side by side in the planozygote. Four long female microtubular roots extended from the basal bodies to the cell posterior. Four short male roots extended to nearly half the distance to the posterior end. Two flagella, one each from the male and female gametes, become a pair. Specifically, the no. 2 flagellum of the female gamete and one male flagellum point to the right side of the eyespot of the female gamete, which is located at the cell posterior and which is associated with 2s and 2d roots of the female gamete. This spatial relationship of the flagella, microtubular roots, and the eyespot in the planozygote is retained until settlement. During forward swimming, the planozygote swings the flagella backward and moves by flagellar beating. The male and female flagella in the pair usually beat synchronously. The cell withdraws the flagella and becomes round when the planozygote settles to the substratum 20 min after mixing. The axoneme and microtubular roots depolymerize, except for the proximal part and the basal bodies. Subsequently, distinct arrays of cortical microtubules develop in zygotes until 30 min after mixing. These results are discussed with respect to the functional significance of the spatial relationships of flagellar apparatus-eyespot-cell fusion sites in the mating gametes and planozygote of green algae. [source] Fabrication of dendrite-like Au nanostructures and their enhanced photoluminescence emissionPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 10 2007Ying Hu Abstract Special hierarchical dendrite-like Au (DLAu) nanostructures were fabricated facilely between the gaps of Au electrodes by an electrochemical method. The composition, morphology and crystallinity of the DLAu nanostructures were characterized using energy dispersive spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The formation of these nanostructures is attributed to the distribution of the local electrical field between the Au electrodes and a diffusion-limited aggregation process. Photoluminescence (PL) having an emission peak near 530 nm is observed from these nanostructures, which is attributed to the recombination of the s,p band electrons near the Fermi energy with the d band holes in the DLAu nanostructures generated by optical excitation. We believe that such PL enhancement compared to a smooth Au film is due to the local-field enhancement from the surface plasmon resonance of the DLAu nanostructures. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] A Study of Ta Content Effect on Electro-Chemical Properties of Ir-Ta-O Coatings Deposited by Unbalanced Magnetron SputteringPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2007Sung Dae Kim Abstract In this study, Ir-Ta-O coating with various Ta contents in the range from 0 to 21.1 at.-% were synthesized by unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) method. The chemical concentration, crystalline structure, binding state, and morphology of coatings were characterized by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray photoelectron (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition, the possibilities of Ir-Ta-O coatings synthesized by UMBS on a real dimensionally stable anode (DSA) electrode were investigated by electro-chemical application test. Ta existed mainly as a densely packed tantalum oxide compound in the Ir-Ta-O coatings and Ta oxidation states were changed from low oxidation state into high oxidation state in accordance with increase in Ta contents. The feasibility of making a DSA electrode prepared by physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique was demonstrated through the present work. [source] Interfacial interactions and performance of polyamide 6/modified attapulgite clay nanocompositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2009Bingli Pan Attapulgite (AT) clay was firstly treated with sodium polyacrylate (PAS), then polyamide 6 (PA6)/AT nanocomposites were prepared by simple melt compounding. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) of treated AT confirm the success of purifying and surface modification of the original AT by PAS. X-ray diffraction spectra for the nanocomposites show that the microstructure of AT in PA6 matrix is almost unchanged. It indicates that a strong interfacial adhesion exists between AT and PA6 matrix through analyzing fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites, the variation of glass transition temperature (Tg) obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis, and interfacial interaction factors; field emission scanning electron microscopy on the fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites shows that a uniform dispersion of AT is obtained. The above two aspects conform to the improvement of mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Effects of organo-montmorillonite on the mechanical and morphological properties of epoxy/glass fiber compositesPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2007Mazlan Norkhairunnisa Abstract Epoxy composites filled with glass fiber and organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by the hand lay-up method. The flexural properties of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites were characterized by a three-point bending test. The flexural modulus and strength of epoxy/glass fiber were increased significantly in the presence of OMMT. The optimum loading of OMMT in the epoxy/glass fiber composites was attained at 3 wt%, where the improvement in flexural modulus and strength was approximately 66 and 95%, respectively. The fractured surface morphology of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy. It was found that OMMT adheres on the epoxy/glass fiber interface, and this is also supported by evidence from energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Self-assembled three-dimensional flower-like ,-Fe2O3 nanostructures and their application in catalysisAPPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2009Wu Zhang Abstract Three-dimensional flower-like ,-Fe2O3 nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by a simple surfactant-free environmental friendly solvolthermal process. The as-prepared products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. By adjusting the synthetic parameters, the shape of the ,-Fe2O3 nanostructures can be controlled. The three-dimensional flower-like ,-Fe2O3 nanostructures were found to be highly active as catalysts for phenol alkylation. The effects of various parameters, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of catalyst, were studied. The catalyst was stable and could be reused three times in normal atmosphere without suffering appreciable loss in catalytic activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rational Design of Ag/TiO2 Nanosystems by a Combined RF-Sputtering/Sol-Gel ApproachCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 18 2009Lidia Armelao Dr. Abstract The present work is devoted to the preparation of Ag/TiO2 nanosystems by an original synthetic strategy, based on the radio-frequency (RF) sputtering of silver particles on titania-based xerogels prepared by the sol,gel (SG) route. This approach takes advantage of the synergy between the microporous xerogel structure and the infiltration power characterizing RF-sputtering, whose combination enables the obtainment of a tailored dispersion of Ag-containing particles into the titania matrix. In addition, the system,s chemico-physical features can be tuned further through proper ex situ thermal treatments in air at 400 and 600,°C. The synthesized composites are extensively characterized by the joint use of complementary techniques, that is, X-ray photoelectron and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopies (XPS, XE-AES), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE,SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), high-angle annular dark field scanning TEM (HAADF,STEM), energy-filtered TEM (EF,TEM) and optical absorption spectroscopy. Finally, the photocatalytic performances of selected samples in the decomposition of the azo-dye Plasmocorinth B are preliminarily investigated. The obtained results highlight the possibility of tailoring the system characteristics over a broad range, directly influencing their eventual functional properties. [source] Back-scattered electron imaging and elemental microanalysis of retrieved bone tissue following maxillary sinus floor augmentation with calcium sulphateCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 8 2008Nicola Slater Abstract Objectives: To investigate the presence and composition of residual bone graft substitute material in bone biopsies from the maxillary sinus of human subjects, following augmentation with calcium sulphate (CaS). Material and methods: Bone cores were harvested from the maxillary sinus of patients who had undergone a sinus lift procedure using CaS G170 granules 4 months after the initial surgery. Samples from seven patients, which contained residual biomaterial particles, were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to determine the composition of the remaining bone graft substitute material. Results: Residual graft material occurred in isolated areas surrounded by bone and consisted of individual particles up to 1 mm in length and smaller spherical granules. On the basis of 187 separate point analyses, the residual material was divided into three categories (A, B and C) consisting of: A, mainly CaS (S/P atomic% ratio ,2.41); B, a heterogeneous mixture of CaS and calcium phosphate (S/P=0.11,2.4) and C, mainly calcium phosphate (S/P,0.11; C), which had a mean Ca : P ratio of 1.63±0.2, consistent with Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite. Linescans and elemental maps showed that type C material was present in areas which appeared dense and surrounded, or were adjacent to, more granular CaS-containing material, and also occurred as spherical particles. The latter could be disintegrating calcium phosphate in the final stages of the resorption process. Conclusions: CaS resorption in the human maxillary sinus is accompanied by CaP precipitation which may contribute to its biocompatibility and rapid replacement by bone. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||