Cellular and molecular responses of E. fetida c?lomocytes exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles

An in vitro approach using c?lomocytes of Eisenia fetida was investigated to evaluate toxicity of TiO₂ nanoparticles. C?lomocytes were exposed to well-dispersed suspension of small aggregates (130?nm) of TiO₂ nanoparticles (1?C25???g/ml) during 4, 12 and 24?h. Intracellular localisation suggested that the main route of uptake was endocytosis. Cellular responses showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles were not cytotoxic and had no effect on phagocytosis at any of the four concentrations for each time tested. Concerning molecular responses, an increase of fetidin and metallothionein mRNA expression was observed starting from 4?h of exposure. In contrast, expression of coelomic cytolytic factor mRNA decreased for 10 and 25???g/ml after 4?h. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase expression were not modified suggesting that oxidative stress was not induced by TiO₂ in our experimental conditions. This in vitro approach showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles were taken up by c?lomocytes and they could modify the molecular response of immune and detoxification system.     

Fabrication of single-mode waveguide structure in optical multimode fluoride fibers using self-channeled plasma filaments excited by a femtosecond laser

A permanent structure of a single-mode waveguide in optical multimode fluoride fibers was first fabricated using a self-channeled plasma filament excited by a femtosecond (110-fs) Ti:sapphire laser (_p=800 nm). The photoinduced refractive-index modification in a multimode step-index fluoride glass (ZBLAN) fiber with a 100/110-m core/cladding diameter reached a length of approximately 12–15 mm from the input surface of the optical fiber, with the diameters ranging from 5 to 8 m at input intensities more than 1.0×10¹² W/cm². The graded refractive-index profiles were fabricated to have a symmetric form from the center of a multimode fluoride fiber and a maximum value of the refractive-index change (n) was measured to be 1.3×10^-2. The beam profile of the output beam transmitted through the modified multimode fibers showed that the photoinduced refractive-index modification produced a permanent structure of a single-mode waveguide. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.65.Jx; 42.81.Wg     

Structural and optical properties of La and Gd substituted Bi4 − x M x V2O11 − δ (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)

Bi_4???x M _x V₂O_11???δ (M?=?La, Gd; 0.1?≤?x?≤?0.3) is synthesised by a solid state reaction method to study the effect of La³⁺ and Gd³⁺ substitution for Bi on the structural and optical properties. The as-prepared samples are characterised by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared analysis, UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The refinement results confirmed that even substituted samples exhibit monoclinic structure with space group C2/m. The parameters like band gap energy; Urbach energy has been calculated from the UV–visible spectra. It has been observed that even substitution at the bismuth site by isovalent cations decreases the energy band gap. The lowest observed band gap is 1.86 eV for Bi_3.9La_0.1V₂O_11???δ . The grain size and defects were observed to increase with increasing substitution along with the amount of secondary phase.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of La- and Zn-co-doped LiMn2O4 spinel as the cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

We report on the nanoparticle uptake into MCF10A neoT and PC-3 cells using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, SQUID magnetometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The aim was to evaluate the influence of the nanoparticles?? surface charge on the uptake efficiency. The surface of the superparamagnetic, silica-coated, maghemite nanoparticles was modified using amino functionalization for the positive surface charge (CNPs), and carboxyl functionalization for the negative surface charge (ANPs). The CNPs and ANPs exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in concentrations up to 500???g/cm³ in 24?h. The CNPs, bound to a plasma membrane, were intensely phagocytosed, while the ANPs entered cells through fluid-phase endocytosis in a lower internalization degree. The ANPs and CNPs were shown to be co-localized with a specific lysosomal marker, thus confirming their presence in lysosomes. We showed that tailoring the surface charge of the nanoparticles has a great impact on their internalization.     

Dual IR laser shattering of a water microdroplet

Ion desorption from the infrared (IR) laser shattering of water microdroplets (?90???m in diameter) was experimentally examined by ion current measurements coupled with time-resolved imaging by a charge-coupled-device camera. When a microdroplet was shattered by simultaneous illumination by two IR lasers (??=2.9???m) from both the left- and right-hand sides, the time-resolved imaging shows that a lot of small fragments of splash spread around the droplet. The spatial distributions of the small fragments were symmetrically compressed. The resulting fragment swarm was effectively introduced into a vacuum chamber through an inlet skimmer ?0.3?C0.4?mm in diameter. The ion current measured from a 10^?6 mol/m³ NaCl water solution microdroplet using two lasers was considerably enhanced compared to that by single IR laser shattering. When one of the two IR lasers was delayed by 0?C1000???s, the ion current gradually decreased with the delay time, and dropped substantially at delays longer than 100 ns. The results are ascribed to dynamical processes following the multi-photon excitation. The dual IR laser ablation of a liquid droplet can enhance the efficiency of ion formation with a lower dispersion velocity, which can be conveniently combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Depth-Sensing Indentation on REBa2Cu3O7?δ Single Crystals Obtained from Xenotime Mineral

A natural mixture of heavy rare-earth oxides extracted from xenotime mineral have been used to prepare large single crystals of the high-temperature REBa₂Cu₃O_7??? superconductor, grown using the CuO?CBaO self-flux method. Its mechanical properties along the ab-plane were characterized using instrumented indentation. Hardness and elastic moduli were measured by the Oliver and Pharr method, which yielded 7.4?±?0.2?GPa and the range 135?C175?GPa at small depths, respectively. Increased loads promote the nucleation of lateral cracks, which reduce hardness and measured elastic modulus, as indicated by instrumented indentation at higher loads. The indentation fracture toughness, estimated by measuring the radial crack length from cube corner indentations at various loads, was found to be 0.8?±?0.2?MPa m^1/2. The observed slip systems of REBa₂Cu₃O_7??? single crystals were [100](001) and [010](001), the same as for YBa₂Cu₃O_7??? single crystals. The initial stages of deformation and fracture in the indentation process were investigated. The hardness and elastic modulus are not strongly modified by the crystallographic orientation in the ab-plane. This was interpreted in terms of resolved shear stresses in the active slip systems. Evidence of cracking along the {100} and {110} planes on the ab-plane was observed. In conclusion, the mechanical properties of REBa₂Cu₃O_7??? single crystals prepared from xenotime are equivalent to those of YBa₂Cu₃O_7??? single crystals from conventional rare-earth oxides.     

A facile low temperature synthesis of TiO2 nanorods for high efficiency dye sensitized solar cells

Titania (TiO₂) nanorods have been synthesized with controlled size for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) via hydrothermal route at low hydrothermal temperature of 100 °C for 24 h. The titania nanorods were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM/HRTEM, UV-vis Spectroscopy, FTIR and BET specific surface area (S _BET), as well as pore-size distribution by BJH. The results indicated that the bulk traps and the surface states within the TiO₂ nanorods films have enhanced the efficiency of DSSCs. The size of the titania nanorods was 6.7 nm in width and 22 nm in length. The high surface area can provide more sites for dye adsorption, while the fast photoelectron-transfer channel can enhance the photogenerated electron transfer to complete the circuit. The specific surface area S _BET was 77.14 m²?g^?1 at the synthesis conditions. However, the band gap energy of the obtained titania nanorods was 3.2 eV. The oriented nanorods with appropriate lengths are beneficial in improving the electron transport property and thus leading to the increase of photocurrent, together enhancing the power conversion efficiency. A nearly quantitative absorbed photon-to-electrical current conversion achieved upon excitation at wave length of 550 nm and the power efficiency was enhanced from 5.6 % for commercial TiO₂ nanoparticles Degussa (P25) cells to 7.2 % for TiO₂ nanorods cells under AM 1.5 illumination (100 mW?cm^?2). The TiO₂ cells performance was improved due to their high surface area, hierarchically mesoporous structures and fast electron-transfer rate compared with the Degussa (P25).     

Influence of differential stress on the galvanic interaction of pyrite–chalcopyrite

The effect of stress action on pyrite–chalcopyrite galvanic corrosion was investigated using polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. When stress increased from 0 to 4?×?10⁵ Pa, the corrosion current density of pyrite–chalcopyrite increased from 5.678 to 6.719 μA cm^?2, and the corrosion potential decreased from 281.634 to 270.187 mV, accompanied by a decrease in polarization resistance from 25.09 to 23.79 Ω·cm². EIS results show there have three time constants in the Nyquist diagrams, which indicated the presence of different steps during the corrosion process. Stress dramatically enhanced pyrite–chalcopyrite galvanic corrosion by affecting the Cu_1???x Fe_1???y S₂ film and the double layer, whereas had little impact on the adsorption species. When the stress changed from 0 to 4?×?10⁵ Pa, the pore resistance and capacitance of the Cu_1???x Fe_1???y S₂ film, R _p and Q _p, changed by 25.72 and 72.28 %, respectively. The adsorption species resistance, R _sl, and capacitance, Q _sl, only changed by 9.77 and 2.31 %, respectively.     

Stimulated Raman scattering in natural crystals of SrSO4, BaSO4 and PbSO4: High-order Stokes and anti-Stokes generation with?single-wavelength UV, visible, and near-IR excitation, as?well?as cascaded up-conversion nonlinear �� (3)?�� (3) lasing effects under dual-wavelength picosecond collinear coherent pumping

Orthorhombic crystals of SrSO₄, BaSO₄, and PbSO₄, known as natural crystals celestine, barite, and anglesite, were found to be attractive ?? ⁽³⁾-active nonlinear optical materials. High-order Stokes and anti-Stokes picosecond generation that spans almost two octaves has been recorded with single-wavelength laser excitation in the UV, visible, and near-IR ranges. All recorded Raman induced lasing components were identified and attributed to the SRS-promoting vibration modes of the studied crystals (?? _SRS??999?cm^?1 for SrSO₄,?? _SRS??985?cm^?1 for BaSO₄ and ?? _SRS??977?cm^?1 for PbSO₄). Under dual-wavelength (?? _f1=1.06415???m + ?? _f2=0.53207???m) collinear coherent picosecond pumping several new manifestations of cascaded ?? ⁽³⁾??? ⁽³⁾ nonlinear up-conversion lasing effects were observed in BaSO₄ and SrSO₄ crystals. We classify all three studied sulfate crystals as promising SRS-active materials for Raman laser frequency converters and as efficient ?? ⁽³⁾-crystals that efficiently generate Stokes and anti-Stokes frequency combs, which can enable experiments of ultra-short pulse syntheses.     

One-pot synthesis of ferromagnetic Fe2.25W0.75O4 nanoparticles as a magnetically recyclable photocatalyst

ZnO nanostructures, including nanowires, nanorods, and nanoneedles, have been deposited on GaAs substrates by the two-step chemical bath synthesis. It was demonstrated that the O₂-plasma treatment of GaAs substrates prior to the sol?Cgel deposition of seed layers was essential to conformally grow the nanostructures instead of 2D ZnO bunches and grains on the seed layers. Via adjusting the growth time and concentration of precursors, nanostructures with different average diameter (26?C225?nm), length (0.98?C2.29???m), and density (1.9?C15.3?×?10⁹?cm^?2) can be obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of ZnO nanostructure arrays grown on GaAs substrates by the two-step chemical bath synthesis. As an anti-reflection layer on GaAs-based solar cells, the array of ZnO nanoneedles with an average diameter of 125?nm, a moderate length of 2.29???m, and the distribution density of 9.8?×?10⁹ cm^?2 has increased the power conversion efficiency from 7.3 to 12.2?%, corresponding to a 67?% improvement.     

Hydrogenation of FeCoZr–Al2O3 nanocomposites studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetometry

Hydrogenation effects on crystalline and magnetic structure of nanocomposites (FeCoZr) _x (Al₂O₃)_100???x , 38?≤?x?≤?63 at.% are studied by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetometry. Variations of local structure, blocking temperature and mean FeCoZr nanoparticles’ volume are discussed with respect to (i) composition and (ii) two competing processes—H₂ incorporation and annealing—occurred during treatment in H₂ plasma.     

The chemical stability and conductivity improvement of protonic conductor BaCe0.8 − x Zr x Y0.2O3 − δ

A series of BaCe_0.8???x Zr _x Y_0.2O_3???δ (BCZYx) (x?=?0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) powders were prepared by EDTA–citrate complexing sol–gel process in this paper. The electrical conducting behavior, as well as chemical stability, was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that all samples are homogenous perovskite phases. Observed from XRD patterns and thermogravimetric curves, the samples with x?≥?0.4 survive in the pure CO₂, while samples with various Zr contents all present structurally stable against steam at 800 °C. The Zr-free sample of BaCe_0.8Y_0.2O_3???δ possesses the maximum bulk conductivity, 4.25?×?10^?2 S/cm, but decomposes into Ba(OH)₂ and Ce_0.8Y_0.2O_3???δ in steam. A negative influence of increasing Zr content on the conductivity of BCZYx can be observed by impedance tests. Considering the effect of temperature on the bulk conductivity, BCZY0.4 is preferred to be applied in SOFC as a protonic conductor, ranging from 1.52?×?10^?4 to 1.51?×?10^?3 S/cm (500–850 °C) with E _a?=?0.859 eV, which is proved to be a good protonic conductor with t _H+?≥?0.9.     

Growth and Characterization of CdSe1 − y S y Nanofilms Obtained by Chemical Bath Deposition

In this work, the growth and characterization of cadmium selenide sulphur (CdSe_1???y S _y ) deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique at the reservoir temperature of 20?±?2 °C are presented, varying the thiourea volume added to the growth solution in the range of 0–30 ml. The films chemical stoichiometry was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Raman scattering reveal that CdSe_1???y S _y -deposited films showed hexagonal wurtzite crystalline phase. The average size of the crystalline grain in relation to the sulphur volume varies in the range of 1.48–9.2 nm that was determined by using the Debye-Scherrer equation for the direction (100), which is confirmed by analyzing the grain average diameter by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Raman scattering shows that the lattice dynamics is characteristic of bimodal behaviour and the multipeak adjust of the first optical longitudinal mode for the CdSeS denotes, in all cases, the Raman shift of the characteristic peak in the range of 177–181 cm^?1 of the CdSe crystals associated with the sulphur incorporation. CdSe_1???y S _y band gap energy can be varied from 1.86 to 2.11 eV by varying the thiourea volume added in the growth solution measured by transmittance at room temperature.     

Influence of surface quenching on luminescence dynamics of ion centers in nanocrystals

In this paper, the influence of surface quenching on decay curve and quantum efficiency of ion centers in nanoparticles were discussed by considering energy transfer between doped ions and surface quench centers.With isotropic and continuum approximation, energy transfer rate of an ion at position r within a spherical nanoparticle to all the surface quench centers was calculated. Quantum efficiency and decay curve under nonselective excitation were then calculated numerically by integrating over the sample. The calculated decay curve was fitted to the experimental one measured in Eu³⁺-doped YVO₄ nanoparticles. The ratio of the quantum efficiency of YVO₄:Eu³⁺ nanoparticle (R=13.5 nm) to that of the bulk is 17%, estimated with the parameters obtained from the fitting.     

Broadband spectral conversion due to cooperative and phonon-assistant energy transfer from ZnO to Yb3+

The broadband spectral conversion from near-UV absorption into near-infrared emission around 1???m is reported in the ZnO?CLiYbO₂ hybrid phosphor, which is the benefit from the efficient energy transfer from ZnO to the Yb³⁺ ions that are specifically located at the interfacial diffusion regions between ZnO and LiYbO₂, rather than those in LiYbO₂ crystals. The Li⁺-related and Yb³⁺-related defect energy levels are formed inside the ZnO band gap in the ZnO?CLiYbO₂ hybrid phosphor; the former act as the quenching centers for the excitons in ZnO and meanwhile the efficient energy donors for Yb³⁺ ions, and the latter are responsible for the red shift of ZnO visible emission when the excitation energy is lower than E _g. The excitation power dependence of Yb³⁺ emission intensities is measured to investigate the number of photons that are involved in the energy transfer process, which reveals that there are two channels for the sensitizing of Yb³⁺: One is due to the energy transfer by the recombination of electrons and holes, which is a cooperative energy transfer process, and the other is via the energy feeding from the Li⁺-related energy levels, which is a phonon-assistant energy transfer process.     

Reversible multi polyelectrolyte layers on gold nanoparticles

The fabrication of semiconducting functional layers using low-temperature processes is of high interest for flexible printable electronics applications. Here, the one-step deposition of semiconducting nanoparticles from the gas phase for an active layer within a thin-film transistor is described. Layers of semiconducting nanoparticles with a particle size between 10 and 25?nm were prepared by the use of a simple aerosol deposition system, excluding potentially unwanted technological procedures like substrate heating or the use of solvents. The nanoparticles were deposited directly onto standard thin-film transistor test devices, using thermally grown silicon oxide as gate dielectric. Proof-of-principle experiments were done deploying two different wide-band gap semiconducting oxides, tin oxide, SnO _x , and indium oxide, In₂O₃. The tin oxide spots prepared from the gas phase were too conducting to be used as channel material in thin-film transistors, most probably due to a high concentration of oxygen defects. Using indium oxide nanoparticles, thin-film transistor devices with significant field effect were obtained. Even though the electron mobility of the investigated devices was only in the range of 10^?6?cm^2?V^?1?s^?1, the operability of this method for the fabrication of transistors was demonstrated. With respect to the possibilities to control the particle size and layer morphology in situ during deposition, improvements are expected.     

Room-temperature ferromagnetism and optical properties of Zn1−xMnxO nanoparticles

The room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed in Zn_0.98Mn_0.02O nanoparticles, which is related to the host-lattice defects induced by doping Mn. The ferromagnetism in Zn_0.95Mn_0.05O nanoparticles can be suppressed by Mn clusters. The additional peak at 519 cm^?1 is observed in Raman scattering spectra of the Zn_1?xMn_xO nanoparticles associated with intrinsic host-lattice defects, which become activated due to the Mn doping. The decrease in band gap and the weak intensity of absorption peak in the nanoparticles may be due to the sp–d interaction between transition metal and Zn anions.     

Magnetic studies of Bi x Y3-x Fe5O12 fabricated using conventional method

A series of Bi substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi-YIG) nanoparticles with nominal formula of Bi _x Y_3???x Fe₅O₁₂ in which x varied in steps of 0.0, 0.25 and 0.5 are prepared by conventional method. Vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) at Room temperature (RT) shows saturation magnetization decreases from 27.4 to 25.2 (emu/g) as x value increases from 0.0 to 0.5. Room temperature ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra are recorded for these series. The hyperfine field value for octahedral and tetrahedral of samples increases from 484 and 390 kOe to 491 and 397 kOe respectability, as Bi replaces Y in (Bi _x Y_3???x Fe₅O₁₂) atom with increasing x value. The effect of Bi^3?+? substitution for Y^3?+? on lattice constants, morphology and magnetic properties of pure YIG has been investigated.     

TiO<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles synthesized using He/Ar thermal plasma and their effectiveness on low-concentration mercury vapor removal

Oxygen-vacant titanium dioxide (TiO_2−x ) nanoparticles were synthesized using thermal plasma as a heating source at various applied plasma currents and He/Ar ratios. Samples with diverse characteristics were developed and the mercury removal effectiveness was subsequently evaluated. TiO₂ nanoparticles possessing high purity and uniform particle sizes were successfully synthesized using metal titanium and O₂ as precursors and Ar as plasma gas. TiO_2−x in anatase phase with a particle size at 5–10 nm was formed at the He/Ar volume ratio of 25/75. Further increasing the He/Ar ratio elevated the plasma temperature, causing the tungsten to melt, vaporize from the cathode, and then dope into the formed TiO₂ nanoparticles. The doped W appeared to inhibit the growth of nanoparticles and decrease the crystallinity of formed anatase. The effectiveness of oxygen-vacant sites on Hg⁰ removal under the visible light circumstance was confirmed. Hg⁰ removal by the TiO_2−x nanoparticles was enhanced by increasing the O₂ concentration. However, moisture reduced Hg⁰ capture, especially when light irradiation was applied. The reduction in Hg⁰ capture may be resulted from the competitive adsorption of H₂O on the active sites of TiO_2−x with Hg⁰ and transformed Hg²⁺.     

Photoluminescence and optical properties of He ion bombarded ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

Ion bombardment is a suitable tool to improve the physical and chemical properties of polymer surface. In this study UHMWPE samples were bombarded with 130 keV He ions to the fluences ranging from 1 × 10¹² to 1 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻². The untreated and ion beam modified samples were investigated by photoluminescence, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Remarkable decrease in integrated luminescence intensity with increasing ion fluences was observed. The reduction in PL intensity with increase of ion fluence might be attributed to degradation of polymer surface and formation of defects. The effect of ion fluence on the optical properties of the bombarded surfaces was characterized. The values of the optical band gap E_g, and activation energy E_a were determined from the optical absorption. The width of the tail of the localized states in the band gap (E_a) was evaluated using the Urbach edge method. With increasing ion fluences a decrease in both the energy gap and the activation energy were observed. Increase in the numbers of carbon atoms (N) in a formed cluster with increasing the He ion fluence was observed.