Three-Dimensional Porous Network Structure Developed in Hydroxyapatite-Based Nanocomposites Containing Enzyme Pretreated Silk Fibroin

Chemically modified silk fibroin (SF) with an enzyme, Proteinase K, has been incorporated into hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based nanocomposite attempting to strengthen the interfacial bonding between the mineral phase and the organic matrix. Particular emphasis is laid on the microstructure and microhardness of the composite along with the crystallographic properties of HAp. The whisker-like HAp crystallites of nanometer size show the preferential self-assembly and anisotropic crystal growth along c-axis. There appears porous microstructure with 70% of open porosity and pore size distribution of 10–115 um in the composite. Attributed to the enzyme modification, the crosslinkage between HAp clusters and SF matrix is improved to form an enhanced three-dimensional network extending throughout the composites and an increase of 35% in microhardness of the composite is achieved as well.     

Preferential Alignment of Hydroxyapatite Crystallites in Nanocomposites with Chemically Disintegrated Silk Fibroin

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals were prepared at room temperature by a coprecipitation method from Ca(OH)₂ and H₃PO₄, in the presence of chemically disintegrated silk fibroin (SF). Adsorbed amounts of cations on SF and crystallinity of HAp in the composite were increased by the chemical disintegration of SF higher order structure. Preferential alignment of c-axis of HAp crystallites along the longitudinal direction of ca. 150nm SF fibril was observed. These changes due to disintegration of SF were discussed in terms of the chemical interaction between HAp and SF. The resulted composite with preferential alignment of HAp nanocrystals is a good candidate as a starting material for bone substitutes.     

In situ processing and properties of nanostructured hydroxyapatite/alginate composite

A series of hydroxyapatite/alginate (HA/Alg) nanocomposites with alginate amounts varying from 10 to 40 wt% were prepared through in situ hybridization technique. The inorganic phase in the composites was carbonate-substituted HA with low crystallinity. The crystallinity of HA decreased with the increase of alginate content. HA crystallites were needle-like in shape with a typical size of 20 to 50 nm in length and 5 nm in width. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that the chemical interaction occurred between the mineral phase and the polymer matrix. As compared to pure HA without alginate, the composites showed more homogeneous microstructures, where HA nanocrystals were well embedded in alginate matrix. Among all the samples, the composite containing 30 wt% alginate exhibited a highly ordered three-dimensional network, similar to natural bone’s microstructure.     

Synthesis and characterization of bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite containing silver nanoparticles for the biomedical applications

Bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite (HA) containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles was synthesized by thermal decomposition method and subsequent reduction of silver nitrate with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of poly(vinylacetate) (PVAc). The structural, morphological, and chemical properties of the HA–Ag nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM images showed that the Ag nanoparticles with size ranging from 8 to 20 nm and were arranged at the periphery of HA crystals. Bactericidal activity of HA–Ag with different concentration of Ag nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of HA was investigated against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, non-MRSA), Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the disc diffusion susceptibility test. The HA–Ag nanoparticles showed that broad spectrum activity against non-MRSA, MRSA, and E. coli bacterial strains.     

Electrical conductivity anisotropy in alkali feldspar at high temperature and pressure

The electrical conductivity of alkali feldspar along different orientations was determined at 1.0 GPa and at temperatures of 823–1286 K in a cubic anvil apparatus using alternating current impedance spectroscopy. Impedance arcs representing crystal conductivity occur in the frequency range of ～10³–10⁶ Hz. The electrical conductivity of alkali feldspar increases with increasing temperature. The highest electrical conductivities in alkali feldspars were measured along the a-axis, with somewhat lower conductivities along the b-axis, and the lowest conductivities along the c-axis, suggesting minor anisotropy. The activation enthalpies ranged from 100 to 110 kJ/mol. The anisotropic results were combined to yield an isotropic model with an activation enthalpy of 102 kJ/mol. By comparing these results with previous results, we suggest that the dominating charge carriers for alkali feldspars are alkali ions. The minor anisotropy in conductivity for alkali feldspar may not account for the anisotropy of the crust.     

Properties of Sr- and Sb-doped PZT–Portland cement composites

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic-cement-based composites have increasingly been recognized as an attractive new composite material for use as a sensor in structural applications. In this work, PZT was doped with Sr and Sb (PSZT) to give it greater dielectric constant (ε _r) and higher piezoelectric coefficient (d ₃₃) values than normal PZT and is the first time that it is mixed with normal Portland cement to produce a 0–3 connectivity PSZT–Portland cement composite using PSZT contents of 50% and 70% by volume. Scanning electron micrographs show PSZT ceramic particles closely surrounded by the hydrated cement matrix where a dense microstructure can be observed in the interfacial zone. Both the ε _r and d ₃₃ values were found to increase with PSZT content and the values are amongst the highest so far for these types of composites, where the ε _r and d ₃₃ values reached 590 and 48 pC/N, respectively.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of Co(Cr)/Ti(Cr)/ZnO films prepared by laser ablation on Si substrates

High-quality Co(Cr)(50–66 nm)/Ti(Cr)(25–30 nm)/ZnO(165–225 nm) films were grown on Si substrates by the pulsed-laser deposition technique at 450–500°C. The microstructure of the films and their magnetic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and a vibrating sample magnetometer. It was found that the Co(Cr)/Ti(Cr)/ZnO thin films had a highly preferential c-axis direction normal to the surface of the substrate, and the ZnO sublayer had columnar structures in the growth direction. The interface of the multi-layer films is smooth without interface reaction. The as-produced films had in-plane easy magnetization. It indicates that the enhancements of the magnetic properties of the films are mainly ascribed to the grain structure and multi-domain state of the Co-alloy layer, which can be controlled by the ZnO sublayer.     

Microstructure and Chemical States of Hydroxyapatite/silk Fibroin Nanocomposites Synthesized via A Wet-mechanochemical Route

Hydroxyapaptite (HAp)/silk fibroin (SF) nanocomposites were prepared via a wet-mechanochemical route at room temperature. The results reveal that the inorganic phase in the composites is carbonate-substituted HAp containing 2.9–3.1 wt% of carbonate ions. The primary HAp crystals are rod-like in shape with a typical size of 20–30nm in length and 8–10nm in width, and lattice parameters a = 9.423, c = 6.888. The self-assembled HAp crystals along their c-axes aggregate into bundles, which are connected with SF fibrils. Consequently, a three-dimensional porous network is formed in the composite, which is beneficial to inducing new bone formation in practical implantation.     

Electrical properties of expanded graphite/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) composites

A four probe method was used to measure the electrical conductivities of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)/expanded graphite composites. The composites showed excellent electrical conductivities in both a- and c-axes. The different effects of temperature and the applied current on the conductivities in a-axis and in c-axis were observed. It was found that the conductive behaviors of the composite were different from those of semiconductor and carbon black loaded polymer composites. All these differences and excellent conductivity were considered to be related to the structure of the composites.     

Flux line lattice symmetries in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi2B2C

We compare the results of small angle neutron scattering on the flux line lattice (FLL) obtained in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi₂B₂C with the applied field along the c- and a-axes. For H‖c the temperature dependence of the FLL structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry was investigated. Above 10 K the transition onset field. H ₂(T), rises sharply, bending away from H _c2(T) in contradiction to theoretical predictions of the two merging. For H‖a a first order FLL reorientation transition is observed at H _tr=3–3.5 kOe. Below H _tr the FLL nearest neighbor direction is parallel to the b-axis, and above H _tr to the c-axis. This transition cannot be explained using nonlocal corrections to the London model.     

Gelatin–Chitosan composite capped gold nanoparticles: a matrix for the growth of hydroxyapatite

Growth of hydroxyapatite (HA) on gelatin–chitosan composite capped gold nanoparticles is presented for the first time by employing wet precipitation methods and we obtained good yields of HA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum has shown the characteristic bands of phosphate groups in the HA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures have shown spherical nanoparticles with the size in the range of 70–250 nm, whereas ≥2–50 nm sized particles were visualized in high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum has shown Bragg reflections which are comparable with the HA. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) studies have confirmed calcium/phosphate stoichiometric ratio of HA. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has shown about 74% of inorganic crystals in the nanocomposite formed. These results have revealed that gelatin–chitosan capped gold nanoparticles, acted as a matrix for the growth of HA.     

Fabrication of metal-nanoparticle/carbon-fiber composites having a microtube-array morphology

In the current work, we succeeded in incorporation of Pt ions into sisal fiber (SF) – a biological matrix with a characteristic morphology of microtube array, and in subsequent in situ synthesis of Pt nanoparticles of ca. 3.6 nm. Carbonization of the SF with Pt nanopaticles at 400°C produced Pt-nanoparticle/carbon-fiber composite, preserving the initial microtube-array morphology of SF. It is interesting that the walls of neighboring microtubes and the middle lamella between these microtubes were fused by carbonization, and a homogeneous wall was formed. Although the size of Pt nanoparticles was enhanced to ca. 5.3 nm after carbonization, the solid matrices (from cellulose to carbon) acted as effective barriers against the growth of Pt nanoparticles. The Pt-nanoparticle/carbon-fiber composite combines several important aspects, including the morphologies of fiber and microtube-array, carbon matrix, and Pt nanoparticles. Thus it might be a novel type of catalyst and have potential applications in many fields.     

纳米晶复合Pr2Fe14B/α-Fe快淬薄带的织构与磁性

采用快淬方法制备了纳米晶复合Pr₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe永磁薄带，研究了不同淬火速率对薄带织构和磁性的影响.通过改善快淬工艺，使得薄带中Pr₂Fe₁₄B相的晶粒在薄带的自由面形成显著的织构，Pr₂Fe₁₄B相晶粒易轴沿垂直于带面方向取向.分析了快淬凝固过程中Pr₂Fe₁₄B相的晶粒取向过程和机理，以及晶粒的大小和薄带结构的均匀性对薄带磁性的影响.对自由面有显著取向的薄带，进行酸蚀和打磨减薄处理，去除贴辊面未取向的部分，剩余部分为具有Pr₂Fe₁₄B相晶粒取向的各向异性薄带，Pr₂Fe₁₄B相取向使薄带的剩磁得到增强，矫顽力也有所提高. 关键词： 快淬 2Fe₁₄B/α-Fe永磁薄带')" href="#">纳米晶复合Pr₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe永磁薄带 织构 磁性能     

Specific features in the behavior of electrical resistivity of the pine biocarbon preform/copper composite

The electrical resistivity ρ(T) of the novel type of composites prepared by infiltrating melted copper in vacuum in empty sap channels of white pine high-porosity biocarbon preforms has been measured in the temperature range 5–300 K. Biocarbon preforms have been prepared by pyrolysis of tree wood in an argon flow at two carbonization temperatures, 1000 and 2400°C. The electrical resistivity of the composites has been found to vary relatively weakly with temperature and to pass through a characteristic minimum near 40–50 K, which can be ascribed to iron and manganese impurities penetrating into copper from the carbon preform when liquid copper is infiltrated into it. It has been shown that the electrical resistivity ρ(T) of the composites is governed primarily by the specific microstructure of the preform, which is made up of parallel channels with an average diameter of about 50 μm interrupted by systems of thin capillaries. The small cross section of the copper-filled capillaries accounts for these regions providing the major contribution to the electrical resistivity of the composites. An increase in the wood carbonization temperature brings about a noticeable increase in the effective capillary cross section and a decrease in the electrical resistivity ρ(T) of the composite.     

Effect of radiation on conductivity of solid PVA–KOH–PC composite polymer electrolytes

The aim of this work is to enhance the room temperature conductivity of solid alkaline composite polymer electrolytes (ACPEs) based on polyvinyl alcohol/potassium hydroxide/propylene carbonate (PVA–KOH–PC) composites by cross-linking the PVA and bond scission of the PC by γ-radiation. The ACPEs were prepared by solvent-casting technique and irradiated with doses up to 200 kGy at room temperature. The microstructure of the ACPEs was measured using XRD spectrometer, and the results show the structural change from semicrystalline to amorphous, indicating that the cross-linking has been achieved at higher doses. It was found that the PKOH composite at 40 wt% KOH and PPC composite at 60 wt% PC show higher conductivities. The conductivity of the PKPC composites is dominated by dc conductivity at higher frequencies and that PC with 60 wt% has the highest conductivity at a dose of 200 kGy.Paper presented at the International Conference on Functional Materials and Devices 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 6–8, 2005.     

Preparation of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide) biocomposite microspheres

Nano-hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) composite microspheres with relatively uniform size distribution were prepared by a solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) emusion solvent evaporation method. The encapsulation of the HA nanopaticles in microshperes was significantly improved by grafting PLLA on the surface of the HA nanoparticles (p-HA) during emulsion process. This procedure gave a possibility to obtain p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with uniform morphology and the encapsulated p-HA nanoparticle loading reached up to 40 wt% (33 wt% of pure HA) in the p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres. The microstructure of composite microspheres from core-shell to single phase changed with the variation of p-HA to PLLA ratios. p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with the diameter range of 2–3 μm were obtained. The entrapment efficiency of p-HA in microspheres could high up to 90 wt% and that of HA was only 13 wt%. Surface and bulk characterizations of the composite microspheres were performed by measurements such as wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Phase composition and defect substructure of nickel alloyed with boron and copper by electric explosion of conductors

Using methods of electron microscopy, we have discovered that combined electroexplosive alloying of nickel with boron and copper gives rise to a multilayer structure. An outer amorphous crystalline layer incorporating 2–3 nm nickel-and copper-boride, oxide, and boride-oxide crystallites is formed on the alloyed surface. The intermediate (subsurface) layer 1–2 μm thick is made up of NiB ₁₂ and Ni ₄ B ₃ crystallites 120–130 nm in size, with boron-and copper-oxide particles observed along the grain boundaries. The underlying thick layer exhibits a cellular Ni-Cu-B melt crystallization structure grading initially into a high-rate dendritic crystallization structure and then into a granular structure. The electroexplosive alloying process is found to bring into existence a high scalar dislocation-density substructure in nickel crystallites both in the alloyed zone and in the adjacent heat-affected zone. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 3–7, March 2007.     

K_(0.8)Fe_2Se_2晶体c轴向载流子输运特性的研究

成功制备了超导临界温度为27 K的K0.8Fe2Se2晶体,并详细研究了晶体c轴向的载流子输运特性.结合X射线衍射、光学显微镜下的形貌、变温电阻率的测试结果表明,样品存在有"相分离",但是这类层状铁基超导体材料的两个相不是简单沿c轴向层状交替排布的,而应该是沿着c轴向存在弱联系的金属相链接通路,金属相部分形成近3维的空间网状链接模式.热导率测试和复阻抗谱z(ω,T0)的研究表明超导晶体沿着c轴方向存在有大量的相界面,所束缚的极化电荷致使相对介电常数达到106数量级,相应地在10 MHz附近出现负的相位特征.     

Intrinsic Josephson effects in 60-K phase YBCO thin film mesas

We fabricatedc-axis oriented meas on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ thin films. Columnar structures with an area of 20×20 μm² and a depth of 0.1 μm were formed on oxygen deficient films with a critical temperature (T _c ) of 64 K or less. The devices showed hysteretic I–V curves without any branches. The dependence of the critical current density on the temperature nearT _c is explained by the Ambegaokar-Baratoff relation.     

Search for magnetic fields due to anyons in high-T c superconductors

We have searched for anomalous internal magnetic fields in highT _c materials which are predicted to occur in anyon and flux phase models of superconductivity. The magnitude, anisotropy and temperature dependence of the observed fields inc-axis oriented samples of sintered YBa₂CuO₃O₇ and of thick-film Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ are consistent with a conventional nuclear dipolar origin. An upper limit of ≲0.08 mT is set for any anomalous magnetic fields along thec-axis atμ ⁺ sites in bulk CuO₂ superconductors.