Stable multilayer thin films composed of gold nanoparticles and lysozyme

It needs appropriately attractive forces to construct multilayer thin films by layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique. It is feasible to prepare multilayer thin films on glass slides with negatively charged gold nanoparticles and positively charged lysozyme through the electrostatic LBL assembly technique. The gold nanoparticles/lysozyme multilayer thin films are highly stable; immersion in 0.1 M HCl, NaOH, and surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate aqueous solutions cannot destroy the films. The highly stable gold nanoparticles/lysozyme multilayer thin films have potential application in long-term antibacterial coating.     

Visible-light photochromism of phosphomolybdic acid and polyvinyl alcohol by inorganic-organic nanocomposite multilayer films

A novel visible-light photochromic inorganic-organic multilayer was constructed based on phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) which was prepared using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique to form the multilayer film. The structures of the multilayer films were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The grown process, internal interaction, the surface topography and photochromic properties could be obviously studied through ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The advantage of the structure and performance of the multilayer films prepared by layer-by-layer method could be found. It was suggested that the nearly linear growth process in peak-top absorbance in multilayer assembly. The PVA polymer substrate could disperse PMoA particles and changed the surface morphology. The polymer skeleton and PMoA particles were with strong interfacial interactions. The PMoA/PVA LbL film had wonderful visible light response. The oxygen acted a significant part during the bleaching process. According to XPS resoults, 51% of Mo⁶⁺ in the PMoA turned into Mo⁵⁺, obvious photoinduce oxidation and reduction reactions happened from PVA and PMoA through the proton transfer mechanism.     

{（Eu（PW11）2）m/PEI}多层纳米复合膜的制备和光谱表征

在科技竞争日益激烈的今天,功能性分子材料的设计和获得是科学界面临的主要挑战之一.多金属氧酸盐因其具有特定的结构和优越的光、电和磁等物理化学性质,已经成为构造新型功能材料的重要无机构筑块.借助于分子间弱的相互作用将多金属氧酸盐引入到纳米复合薄膜材料中,利用无机和有机组分的协同作用来诱导和产生新的功能特性,必定会给这种无机构筑块在材料科学中的应用创造更多的机会.静电沉积技术是制备有机一无机超薄膜的一种有效方法,人们已经成功地实现了各种无机材料的组装,它们在非线形光学、导电膜、电致发光器件和传感器等方面有着潜在的应用前景.利用层层自组装法(layer bylayer self assembly,LBL),制备出有序且稳定的多金属氧酸盐Eu(PW111)2的多层膜.应用紫外光谱研究其层层组装过程,观察到层层组装是一个均一过程.荧光光谱研究表明所制备的含稀土多金属氧酸盐阴离子的多层膜,通过调节膜的厚度、组成和结构,多层膜具有Eu3 的特征发射.这一结果为发光器件的发展提供了丰富的数据.     

Protein adsorption and biomimetic mineralization behaviors of PLL-DNA multilayered films assembled onto titanium

Titanium and its alloys are frequently used as surgical implants in load bearing situations, such as hip prostheses and dental implants, owing to their biocompatibility, mechanical and physical properties. In this paper, a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique, based on the polyelectrolyte-mediated electrostatic adsorption of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and DNA, was used to the formation of multilayer on titanium surfaces. Then bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption and biomimetic mineralization of modified surfaces were studied. The chemical composition and wettability of assembled substrates were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescence microscopy and water contact angle measurement, respectively. The XPS analysis indicated that the layers were assembled successfully through electrostatic attractions. The measurement with ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer revealed that the LBL films enhanced ability of BSA adsorption onto titanium. The adsorption quantity of BSA on the surface terminated with PLL was higher than that of the surface terminated with DNA, and the samples of TiOH/P/D/P absorbed BSA most. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that samples of assembled PLL or/and DNA had better bioactivity in inducing HA formation. Thus the assembling of PLL and DNA onto the surface of titanium in turn via a layer-by-layer self-assembly technology can improve the bioactivity of titanium.     

Multilayer films of cationic graphene-polyelectrolytes and anionic graphene-polyelectrolytes fabricated using layer-by-layer self-assembly

Extremely thin sheets of carbon atoms called graphene have been predicted to possess excellent thermal properties, electrical conductivity, and mechanical stiffness. To harness such properties in composite materials for multifunctional applications, one would require the incorporation of graphene. In this study, new thin film composites were created using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of polymer-coated graphitic nanoplatelets. The positive and negative polyelectrolytes used to cover graphene sheets were poly allylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and poly sodium 4-styrenesulfonate (PSS). The synthesized poly allylamine hydrochloride-graphene (PAH-G) and poly sodium 4-styrenesulfonate-gaphene (PSS-G) were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The multilayer films created by spontaneous sequential adsorption of PAH-G and PSS-G were characterized by ultra violet spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and AFM. The electrical conductivity of the graphene/polyelectrolyte multilayer film composites measured by the four-point probe method was 0.2 S cm⁻¹, which was sufficient for the construction of advanced electro-optical devices and sensors.     

Structural and electrical studies of sodium iodide doped poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer electrolyte films for their application in electrochemical cells

Solid polymer electrolyte films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) complexed with sodium iodide (NaI) were prepared using solution cast technique. The structural properties of pure and complexed PVA polymer electrolyte films were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The XRD results revealed that the amorphous domains of PVA polymer matrix was increased with the increase in NaI salt concentration. The variation of film morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Fourier transform infrared spectral studies for pure and complexed PVA films revealed the vibrational changes that occurred due to the effect of dopant salt in the polymer. Direct current conductivity was measured in the temperature range of 303–373 K, and the conductivity was found to increase with the increase in dopant concentration as well as temperature. Measurement of transference number was carried out to investigate the nature of charge transport in these polymer electrolyte films using Wagner’s polarization technique. Transport number data showed that the charge transport in these polymer electrolyte systems was predominantly due to ions. Using these polymer electrolytes, solid-state electrochemical cells were fabricated. Various cell parameters like open-circuit voltage, short circuit current, power density, and energy density were determined.     

Preliminary investigations on the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanostructures

We have fabricated electroactive multilayer thin films containing ferritin protein cages. The multilayer thin films were prepared on a solid substrate by the alternate electrostatic adsorption of (apo)ferritin and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-carboxyisopropylacrylamide) (NIPAAm-co-CIPAAm) in pH 3.5 acetate buffer solution. The assembly process was monitored using a quartz crystal microbalance. The (apo)ferritin/poly(NIPAAm-co-CIPAAm) multilayer thin films were then cross-linked using a water-soluble carbodiimide, 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide. The cross-linked films were stable under a variety of conditions. The surface morphology and thickness of the multilayer thin films were characterized by atomic force microscopy, and the ferritin iron cores were observed by scanning electron microscopy to confirm the assembly mechanism. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed different electrochemical properties for the cross-linked ferritin and apoferritin multilayer thin films, and the effect of stability of the multilayer film on its electrochemical properties was also examined. Our method for constructing multilayer films containing protein cages is expected to be useful in building more complex functional inorganic nanostructures.     

Transparent conducting hybrid thin films fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly of single-wall carbon nanotubes and conducting polymers

The effect of conducting polymers on the performance of transparent conducting SWNT thin films fabricated by the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly has been investigated. Transparent conducting SWNT thin films were fabricated by the LBL assembly in two ways, one using conducting polymers, PEDOT-PEG, and the other using non-conducting polymers, PAH, and their electrical and optical properties were compared. The sheet resistance of (PSS-SWNT/PEDOT-PEG) _n films is more than thrice lower than that of (PSS-SWNT/PAH) _n films for the same n while the decrease of optical transmittance due to the absorbance of PEDOT-PEG is fairly small (ca. 2?% at n=30). The conductivity ratio of the (PSS-SWNT/PEDOT-PEG)₃₀ is 3.3 times larger than that of the (PSS-SWNT/PAH)₃₀. These figures indicate that the performance of the transparent conducting SWNT thin films fabricated by the LBL assembly is highly improved by using conducting polymers instead of non-conducting ones.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose via ultrasound and its reinforcement capability for poly(vinyl alcohol) composites

Rod-shaped nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using the purely physical method of high-intensity ultrasonication. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction was used for the characterization of the morphology and crystal structure of the material. The thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The reinforcement capabilities of the obtained NCC were investigated by adding it to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) via the solution casting method. The results revealed that the prepared NCC had a rod-shaped structure, with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and lengths between 50 and 250 nm. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the NCC had the cellulose I crystal structure similar to that of MCC. The crystallinity of the NCC decreased with increasing ultrasonication time. The ultrasonic effect was non-selective, which means it can remove amorphous cellulose and crystalline cellulose. Because of the nanoscale size and large number of free-end chains, the NCC degraded at a slightly lower temperature, which resulted in increased char residue (9.6-16.1%), compared with that of the MCC (6.2%). The storage modulus of the nanocomposite films were significantly improved compared with that of pure PVA films. The modulus of PVA with 8 wt.% NCC was 2.40× larger than that of pure PVA.     

The effect of substrate on magnetic properties of Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays

Ordered Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays have been fabricated into anodic aluminium oxide templates with Ag and Cu substrate by direct current electrodeposition. This paper studies the morphology, structure and magnetic properties by transmission electron microscopy, selective area electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that both as-deposited nanowire arrays films exhibit face-centred cubic structure. Magnetic measurements indicate that the easy magnetization direction of Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays films on Ag substrate is perpendicular to the long axis of nanowire, whereas the easy magnetization direction of the sample with Cu substrate is parallel to the long axis of nanowire. The change of easy magnetization direction attributed to different substrates, and the magnetic properties of the nanowire arrays are discussed.     

Microstructures and tribological properties of CrN/ZrN nanoscale multilayer coatings

Nanoscale multilayer CrN/ZrN coatings with bilayer thicknesses ranging from 11.7 to 66.7 nm were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering techniques. The structure of the thin films was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction results showed that CrN individual layers presented a <1 1 1> preferred orientation in the multilayer coatings. The diffraction peaks of CrN shifted continuously to low diffraction angle with decreasing bilayer thickness. TEM observations showed that the multilayer did not form a superlattice structure instead of the coexistence of nanocrystalline CrN and ZrN layers. Columnar growth for all the coatings was observed by cross-sectional SEM. Nanoindentation tests showed that the multilayer coatings had almost a constant nanohardness of 29 GPa in spite of the variations of bilayer thickness. Pin-on-disk tests indicated that both the friction coefficients and wear rates increased when decreasing bilayer thickness. However, in comparison with the monolayer coating, the multilayer coatings exhibited excellent wear resistance.     

Heterostructures design for Hf-Nitride/V-Nitride system

The multilayered films were grown via reactive r.f. magnetron sputtering technique by systematically varying the bilayer period (Λ) and the bilayer number (n), while maintaining constant the total coating thickness (~2.4 μm) on silicon(100) substrates. The multilayers were characterized through high-angle X-ray diffraction (HA-XRD), low-angle X-ray diffraction (LA-XRD), HfN and VN layers were analyzed via X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and electron and transmission microscopy (TEM). The HA-XRD results showed preferential growth in the face-centered cubic (111) crystal structure for HfN/VN multilayer systems with the (111)[100]_HfN//(200)[100]_VN epitaxial relation. The maximum coherent assembly was observed with presence of satellite peaks.     

Ti/TiN multilayer thin films deposited by pulse biased arc ion plating

In this work, the effect of modulation period (Λ) on Ti/TiN multilayer films deposited on high-speed-steel (HSS) substrates using pulse biased arc ion plating is reported. The crystallography structures and cross-sectional morphology of Ti/TiN multilayer films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Their mechanical properties were determined via nanoindentation measurements, while the film/substrate adhesion via the scratch test. It was found that the highest hardness value reached 43 GPa for the modulation period of 54 nm, while the film/substrate adhesion also reached the highest value of 83 N. Furthermore, the hardness enhancement mechanism in the multilayer films is discussed.     

Preparation and Characterization of Chemically Crosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol/Carboxylated Nanocrystalline Cellulose Nanocomposite Hydrogel Films with High Mechanical Strength

Chemically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carboxylated nanocry-stalline cellulose (PVA/CNCC) nanocomposite hydrogel films were fabricated by film-casting of PVA/CNCC mixture solutions and subsequent thermal-curing of the PVA with the CNCC. Gel fractions of the hydrogel films were measured to confirm the occurrence of crosslinking. Morphologies of the hydrogel films were characterized by polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal properties, swelling behavior and mechanical properties of the hydrogel films were investigated to evaluate the influence of CNCC content (10～30% of PVA mass). Equilibrium water content of the hydrogel films was in the range of 40～49%. At swelling equilibrium, the hydrogel films could be stretched to 3～3.4 times their original length, and their tensile strength was in the range of 7.9～11.6 MPa. The results show that the PVA/CNCC nanocomposite hydrogel films were both extensible and highly tough.     

Green synthesis of silver-graphene nanocomposite-based transparent conducting film

In the present work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)/graphene nanocomposite has been synthesized successfully by simple solvothermal method via green route. Citric acid is used as green reducing agent for the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and Ag ions. Silver nitrate is used as a precursor material for Ag NPs. As synthesized Ag NPs/graphene nanocomposite has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experimental results confirm the reduction of GO and the successful formation of Ag NPs decorated graphene nanosheets. In addition, spray coating technique is employed for the fabrication of transparent conducting films. Enhancement in the optoelectrical signatures has been achieved using thermal graphitization of fabricated films. Thermal graphitization at 800 °C for 1 h marks the best performance of fabricated film with sheet resistance of ~3.4 kΩ/□ and transmittance (550 nm) of ~66.40%, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of CdS/PVA nanocomposite films

A series CdS/PVA nanocomposite films with different amount of Cd salt have been prepared by means of the in situ synthesis method via the reaction of Cd²⁺-dispersed poly vinyl-alcohol (PVA) with H₂S. The as-prepared films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The XRD results indicated the formation of CdS nanoparticles with hexagonal phase in the PVA matrix. The primary FTIR spectra of CdS/PVA nanocomposite in different processing stages have been discussed. The vibrational absorption peak of CdS bond at 405 cm⁻¹ was observed, which further testified the generation of CdS nanoparticles. The TGA results showed incorporation of CdS nanoparticles significantly altered the thermal properties of PVA matrix. The photoluminescence and UV-vis spectroscopy revealed that the CdS/PVA films showed quantum confinement effect.     

非晶态多层膜和单层膜的低角X射线衍射研究

本文对a-Si:H/(a-SiN_x:H)非晶态周期多层膜和单层膜进行了低角X射线衍射研究。在周期数较少的多层膜衍射的布喇格衍射峰的低角侧发现了一系列次级衍射峰;在单层膜样品的低角衍射中也发现了一系列小峰。对此,我们提出了一个用于计算非晶多层膜和单层膜衍射强度的简单公式,使实验结果得到解释,并提出了一种测量膜厚的方法。 关键词：     

Nanosized multilayer films with concurrent photochromism and electrochromism based on Dawson-type polyoxometalate

An inorganic-organic composite multilayer film constructed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with Dawson-type phosphotungstate anion [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ (P₂W₁₈) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were fabricated on quartz, ITO, silicon and CaF₂ substrates by a layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The film was provided with concurrent photochromism and electrochromism. IR spectra showed that the structure of the PVA was fully maintained in the multilayer film. And their photochromic and electrochromic properties were investigated by UV-vis spectra, cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the surface topography. This study provides a new route to explore the possibility of application to polyoxometalate-based hybrid inorganic-organic materials.     

多层纳米Au/DPO薄膜的荧光特性

在低压直流溅射沉积的纳米Au薄膜表面喷涂有机固体晶体2,5-二苯基恶唑（DPO）,制成具有（Au+DPO）单元结构的多层纳米薄膜。利用XRD表征多层纳米薄膜的晶体结构,通过SEM表征各层薄膜的表面形貌,并测试了多层纳米薄膜的紫外荧光特性。与纯DPO薄膜相比,多层纳米薄膜的紫外荧光峰出现了5 nm的蓝移,而且DPO荧光峰形貌发生改变。在多层膜中,DPO薄膜的荧光强度与薄膜层数成反比关系,而纳米Au膜的荧光强度与薄膜层数成正比关系。SEM与XRD测试结果表明,多层薄膜中的DPO薄膜随着薄膜层数的增加逐渐成为无定型结构。DPO薄膜与纳米Au膜相互作用,导致其晶体结构异于单层薄膜,进而改变了其荧光特性。     

CdS纳米微粒有序组装体系的制备与结构研究

采用 LB膜技术制备了表面活性剂包埋的硫化镉纳米粒子多层膜 ,并利用傅里叶红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、原子力显微镜和小角 X射线衍射对其结构进行了表征。结果表明制成的 Cd S纳米粒子 LB膜为准一维超晶格