Research

16 pages, 3716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Effect of Replicated Porous Polymeric Nano-MicroStructured Biointerfaces Characteristics on Macrophages Behavior

by Luminita Nicoleta Dumitrescu, Madalina Icriverzi, Anca Bonciu, Anca Roșeanu, Antoniu Moldovan and Valentina Dinca

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1913; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081913 - 25 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

In the last decades, optimizing implant properties in terms of materials and biointerface characteristics represents one of the main quests in biomedical research. Modifying and engineering polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as scaffolds becomes more and more attractive to multiples areas of bio-applications (e.g., bone [...] Read more.

In the last decades, optimizing implant properties in terms of materials and biointerface characteristics represents one of the main quests in biomedical research. Modifying and engineering polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as scaffolds becomes more and more attractive to multiples areas of bio-applications (e.g., bone or cochlear implants). Nevertheless, the acceptance of an implant is affected by its inflammatory potency caused by surface-induced modification. Therefore, in this work, three types of nano-micro squared wells like PVDF structures (i.e., reversed pyramidal shape with depths from 0.8 to 2.5 microns) were obtained by replication, and the influence of their characteristics on the inflammatory response of human macrophages was investigated in vitro. FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the maintaining chemical structures of the replicated surfaces, while the topographical surface characteristics were evaluated by AFM and SEM analysis. Contact angle and surface energy analysis indicated a modification from superhydrophobicity of casted materials to moderate hydrophobicity based on the structure’s depth change. The effects induced by PVDF casted and micron-sized reversed pyramidal replicas on macrophages behavior were evaluated in normal and inflammatory conditions (lipopolysaccharide treatment) using colorimetric, microscopy, and ELISA methods. Our results demonstrate that the depth of the microstructured surface affects the activity of macrophages and that the modification of topography could influence both the hydrophobicity of the surface and the inflammatory response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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17 pages, 61708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thickness-Dependent Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Properties of Self-Assembled Nanostructured LaFeO₃ Perovskite Thin Films

by Florin Andrei, Valentin Ion, Ruxandra Bîrjega, Maria Dinescu, Nicoleta Enea, Dan Pantelica, Maria Diana Mihai, Valentin-Adrian Maraloiu, Valentin Serban Teodorescu, Ioan-Cezar Marcu and Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061371 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3562

Abstract

Tuning the intrinsic structural and stoichiometric properties by different means is used for increasing the green energy production efficiency of complex oxide materials. Here, we report on the formation of self-assembled nanodomains and their effects on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of LaFeO₃ [...] Read more.

Tuning the intrinsic structural and stoichiometric properties by different means is used for increasing the green energy production efficiency of complex oxide materials. Here, we report on the formation of self-assembled nanodomains and their effects on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of LaFeO₃ (LFO) epitaxial thin films as a function of layer’s thickness. The variation with the film’s thickness of the structural parameters such as in-plane and out-of-plane crystalline coherence length and the coexistence of different epitaxial orientation—<100>SrTiO₃//<001> LFO, <100>SrTiO₃//<110> LFO and [110] LFO//[10] STO, as well as the appearance of self-assembled nanodomains for film’s thicknesses higher than 14 nm, is presented. LFO thin films exhibit different epitaxial orientations depending on their thickness, and the appearance of self-assembled nanopyramids-like domains after a thickness threshold value has proven to have a detrimental effect on the PEC functional properties. Using Nb:SrTiO₃ as conductive substrate and 0.5 M NaOH aqueous solution for PEC measurements, the dependence of the photocurrent density and the onset potential vs. RHE on the structural and stoichiometric features exhibited by the LFO photoelectrodes are unveiled by the X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ellipsometry, and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy results. The potentiodynamic PEC analysis has revealed the highest photocurrent density J_photocurrent values (up to 1.2 mA/cm²) with excellent stability over time, for the thinnest LFO/Nb:SrTiO₃ sample, both cathodic and anodic behavior being noticed. Noticeably, the LFO thin film shows unbiased hydrogen evolution from water, as determined by gas chromatography in aqueous 0.5 M NaOH solution under constant illumination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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12 pages, 1785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thin Films of Metal-Organic Framework Interfaces Obtained by Laser Evaporation

by Olivia L. Rose, Anca Bonciu, Valentina Marascu, Andreea Matei, Qian Liu, Laurentiu Rusen, Valentina Dinca and Cerasela Zoica Dinu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1367; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061367 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2648

Abstract

Properties such as large surface area, high pore volume, high chemical and thermal stability, and structural flexibility render zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) well-suited materials for gas separation, chemical sensors, and optical and electrical devices. For such applications, film processing is a prerequisite. Herein, [...] Read more.

Properties such as large surface area, high pore volume, high chemical and thermal stability, and structural flexibility render zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) well-suited materials for gas separation, chemical sensors, and optical and electrical devices. For such applications, film processing is a prerequisite. Herein, matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) was successfully used as a single-step deposition process to fabricate ZIF-8 films. By correlating laser fluency and controlling the specific transfer of lab-synthesized ZIF-8, films with user-controlled physical and chemical properties were obtained. Films’ characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis showed that frameworks of ZIF-8 can be deposited successfully and controllably to yield polycrystalline films. The deposited films maintained the integrity of the individual ZIF-8 framework, while undergoing minor crystalline and surface chemistry changes. No significant changes in particle size were observed. Our study demonstrated control over both the MAPLE deposition conditions and the outcome, as well as the suitability of the listed deposition method to create composite architectures that could potentially be used in applications ranging from selective membranes to gas sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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14 pages, 1475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Active Nanointerfaces Based on Enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase and Metal–Organic Framework for Carbon Dioxide Reduction

by Qian Liu, Xinwei Bai, Huy Pham, Jianli Hu and Cerasela Zoica Dinu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11041008 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2658

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrases are enzymes capable of transforming carbon dioxide into bicarbonate to maintain functionality of biological systems. Synthetic isolation and implementation of carbonic anhydrases into membrane have recently raised hopes for emerging and efficient strategies that could reduce greenhouse emission and the footprint [...] Read more.

Carbonic anhydrases are enzymes capable of transforming carbon dioxide into bicarbonate to maintain functionality of biological systems. Synthetic isolation and implementation of carbonic anhydrases into membrane have recently raised hopes for emerging and efficient strategies that could reduce greenhouse emission and the footprint of anthropogenic activities. However, implementation of such enzymes is currently challenged by the resulting membrane’s wetting capability, overall membrane performance for gas sensing, adsorption and transformation, and by the low solubility of carbon dioxide in water, the required medium for enzyme functionality. We developed the next generation of enzyme-based interfaces capable to efficiently adsorb and reduce carbon dioxide at room temperature. For this, we integrated carbonic anhydrase with a hydrophilic, user-synthesized metal–organic framework; we showed how the framework’s porosity and controlled morphology contribute to viable enzyme binding to create functional surfaces for the adsorption and reduction of carbon dioxide. Our analysis based on electron and atomic microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and colorimetric assays demonstrated the functionality of such interfaces, while Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis and gas chromatography analysis allowed additional evaluation of the efficiency of carbon dioxide adsorption and reduction. Our study is expected to impact the design and development of active interfaces based on enzymes to be used as green approaches for carbon dioxide transformation and mitigation of global anthropogenic activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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12 pages, 6761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Characterization of Microscale Auxetic and Anisotropic Structures Fabricated by Multiphoton Lithography

by Ioannis Spanos, Zacharias Vangelatos, Costas Grigoropoulos and Maria Farsari

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020446 - 10 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3302

Abstract

The need for control of the elastic properties of architected materials has been accentuated due to the advances in modelling and characterization. Among the plethora of unconventional mechanical responses, controlled anisotropy and auxeticity have been promulgated as a new avenue in bioengineering applications. [...] Read more.

The need for control of the elastic properties of architected materials has been accentuated due to the advances in modelling and characterization. Among the plethora of unconventional mechanical responses, controlled anisotropy and auxeticity have been promulgated as a new avenue in bioengineering applications. This paper aims to delineate the mechanical performance of characteristic auxetic and anisotropic designs fabricated by multiphoton lithography. Through finite element analysis the distinct responses of representative topologies are conveyed. In addition, nanoindentation experiments observed in-situ through scanning electron microscopy enable the validation of the modeling and the observation of the anisotropic or auxetic phenomena. Our results herald how these categories of architected materials can be investigated at the microscale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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13 pages, 2491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photocatalytic Properties of Eco-Friendly ZnO Nanostructures on 3D-Printed Polylactic Acid Scaffolds

by Maria Sevastaki, Vassilis M. Papadakis, Cosmin Romanitan, Mirela Petruta Suchea and George Kenanakis

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010168 - 11 Jan 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2633

Abstract

The present paper reports a novel approach for fabrication of eco-friendly ZnO nanoparticles onto three-dimensional (3D)-printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds/structures. Several alcohol-based traditional Greek liquors were used to achieve the corrosion of metallic zinc collected from a typical galvanic anode to obtain photocatalytic [...] Read more.

The present paper reports a novel approach for fabrication of eco-friendly ZnO nanoparticles onto three-dimensional (3D)-printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds/structures. Several alcohol-based traditional Greek liquors were used to achieve the corrosion of metallic zinc collected from a typical galvanic anode to obtain photocatalytic active nanostructured ZnO, varying from water, to Greek “ouzo” and “raki”, and pure ethanol, in combination with “Baker’s ammonia” (ammonium bicarbonate), sold worldwide in every food store. The photocatalytic active ZnO nanostructures onto three-dimensional (3D)-printed PLA scaffolds were used to achieve the degradation of 50 ppm paracetamol in water, under UV irradiation. This study provides evidence that following the proposed low-cost, eco-friendly routes for the fabrication of large-scale photocatalysts, an almost 95% degradation of 50 ppm paracetamol in water can be achieved, making the obtained 3D ZnO/PLA structures excellent candidates for real life environmental applications. This is the first literature research report on a successful attempt of using this approach for the engineering of low-cost photocatalytic active elements for pharmaceutical contaminants in waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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13 pages, 2977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the Structural and Morphological Properties of WO₃ Thin Films Obtained by PLD on the Photoelectrochemical Water-Splitting Reaction Efficiency

by Florin Andrei, Andreea Andrei, Ruxandra Birjega, Eduard Nicolae Sirjita, Alina Irina Radu, Maria Dinescu, Valentin Ion, Valentin-Adrian Maraloiu, Valentin Şerban Teodorescu and Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010110 - 06 Jan 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2628

Abstract

Due to its physical and chemical properties, the n-type tungsten oxide (WO₃) semiconductor is a suitable photoanode for water decomposition reaction. The responses of the photoelectrochemical PEC water-splitting properties as an effect of structural and optical changes of WO₃ thin [...] Read more.

Due to its physical and chemical properties, the n-type tungsten oxide (WO₃) semiconductor is a suitable photoanode for water decomposition reaction. The responses of the photoelectrochemical PEC water-splitting properties as an effect of structural and optical changes of WO₃ thin films, as well as the nature of electrolyte solutions, were studied in this work. The WO₃ thins films have been obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on silicon (Si(001)) covered with platinum substrates using three different laser wavelengths. As the XRD (X-ray diffraction) and XTEM (cross-section transmission electron microscopy) analysis shows, the formation of highly crystalline monocline WO₃ phase is formed for the film deposited at 1064 nm wavelength and poor crystalline phases with a large ordering anisotropy, characteristic of 2D structures for the films deposited at 355 nm and 193 nm wavelengths, respectively. The photogenerated current densities J_ph depend on the laser wavelength, in both alkaline and acidic electrolyte. The maximum values of the photocurrent density have been obtained for the sample prepared with laser emitting at 355 nm. This behavior can be correlated with the coherent crystallized atomic ordering that appear for long distances (10–15 nm) in the (001) plane of the monoclinic WO₃ phase structure films obtained at 355 nm laser wavelength. All the samples show poor current density in dark conditions and they are very stable in both acidic and alkaline solutions. The highest photocurrent density value is obtained in acidic solution for the WO₃ thin film prepared by 355 nm laser (29 mA/cm² at 1.6 V vs. RHE (1.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl)). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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15 pages, 4093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Volatile Organic Compounds Adsorption on 3D-Printed PEGDA:PEDOT for Long-Term Monitoring Devices

by Giorgio Scordo, Valentina Bertana, Alberto Ballesio, Rocco Carcione, Simone Luigi Marasso, Matteo Cocuzza, Candido Fabrizio Pirri, Matteo Manachino, Manuel Gomez Gomez, Alessandra Vitale, Angelica Chiodoni, Emanuela Tamburri and Luciano Scaltrito

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010094 - 04 Jan 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3482

Abstract

We report on the preparation and stereolithographic 3D printing of a resin based on the composite between a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) host matrix and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) filler, and the related cumulative volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs) adsorbent properties. The control of all [...] Read more.

We report on the preparation and stereolithographic 3D printing of a resin based on the composite between a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) host matrix and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) filler, and the related cumulative volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs) adsorbent properties. The control of all the steps for resin preparation and printing through morphological (SEM), structural (Raman spectroscopy) and functional (I/V measurements) characterizations allowed us to obtain conductive 3D objects of complex and reproducible geometry. These systems can interact with chemical vapors in the long term by providing a consistent and detectable variation of their structural and conductive characteristics. The materials and the manufacture protocol here reported thus propose an innovative and versatile technology for VOCs monitoring systems based on cumulative adsorption effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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25 pages, 7240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioinstructive Micro-Nanotextured Zirconia Ceramic Interfaces for Guiding and Stimulating an Osteogenic Response In Vitro

by Livia Elena Sima, Anca Bonciu, Madalina Baciu, Iulia Anghel, Luminita Nicoleta Dumitrescu, Laurentiu Rusen and Valentina Dinca

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2465; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122465 - 09 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3205

Abstract

Osseous implantology’s material requirements include a lack of potential for inducing allergic disorders and providing both functional and esthetic features for the patient’s benefit. Despite being bioinert, Zirconia ceramics have become a candidate of interest to be used as an alternative to titanium [...] Read more.

Osseous implantology’s material requirements include a lack of potential for inducing allergic disorders and providing both functional and esthetic features for the patient’s benefit. Despite being bioinert, Zirconia ceramics have become a candidate of interest to be used as an alternative to titanium dental and cochlear bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) implants, implying the need for endowing the surface with biologically instructive properties by changing basic parameters such as surface texture. Within this context, we propose anisotropic and isotropic patterns (linear microgroove arrays, and superimposed crossline microgroove arrays, respectively) textured in zirconia substrates, as bioinstructive interfaces to guide the cytoskeletal organization of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The designed textured micro-nano interfaces with either steep ridges and microgratings or curved edges, and nanoroughened walls obtained by direct femtosecond laser texturing are used to evaluate the hMSC response parameters and osteogenic differentiation to each topography. Our results show parallel micro line anisotropic surfaces are able to guide cell growth only for the steep surfaces, while the curved ones reduce the initial response and show the lowest osteogenic response. An improved osteogenic phenotype of hMSCs is obtained when grown onto isotropic grid/pillar-like patterns, showing an improved cell coverage and Ca/P ratio, with direct implications for BAHA prosthetic development, or other future applications in regenerating bone defects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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19 pages, 46247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Intelligence Aided Design of Microtextured Surfaces: Application to Controlling Wettability

by Andrés Díaz Lantada, Francisco Franco-Martínez, Stefan Hengsbach, Florian Rupp, Richard Thelen and Klaus Bade

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112287 - 18 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2430

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful set of tools for engineering innovative materials. However, the AI-aided design of materials textures has not yet been researched in depth. In order to explore the potentials of AI for discovering innovative biointerfaces and engineering [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful set of tools for engineering innovative materials. However, the AI-aided design of materials textures has not yet been researched in depth. In order to explore the potentials of AI for discovering innovative biointerfaces and engineering materials surfaces, especially for biomedical applications, this study focuses on the control of wettability through design-controlled hierarchical surfaces, whose design is supported and its performance predicted thanks to adequately structured and trained artificial neural networks (ANN). The authors explain the creation of a comprehensive library of microtextured surfaces with well-known wettability properties. Such a library is processed and employed for the generation and training of artificial neural networks, which can predict the actual wetting performance of new design biointerfaces. The present research demonstrates that AI can importantly support the engineering of innovative hierarchical or multiscale surfaces when complex-to-model properties and phenomena, such as wettability and wetting, are involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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12 pages, 4035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fluorescent Bulk Waveguide Sensor in Porous Glass: Concept, Fabrication, and Testing

by Zhong Lijing, Roman A. Zakoldaev, Maksim M. Sergeev and Vadim P. Veiko

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112169 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3316

Abstract

In this work, we suggest the new concept of sensing elements—bulk waveguides (BWGs) fabricated by the laser direct writing technique inside porous glass (PG). BWGs in nanoporous materials are promising to be applied in the photonics and sensors industries. Such light-guiding components interrogate [...] Read more.

In this work, we suggest the new concept of sensing elements—bulk waveguides (BWGs) fabricated by the laser direct writing technique inside porous glass (PG). BWGs in nanoporous materials are promising to be applied in the photonics and sensors industries. Such light-guiding components interrogate the internal conditions of nanoporous materials and are able to detect chemical or physical reactions occurring inside nanopores especially with small molecules, which represent a separate class for sensing technologies. After the writing step, PG plates are impregnated with the indicator—rhodamine 6G—which penetrates through the nanoporous framework to the BWG cladding. The experimental investigation proved the concept by measuring the spectral characteristics of an output signal. We have demonstrated that the BWG is sensitive to ethanol molecules captured by the nanoporous framework. The sensitivity of the peak shift in the fluorescence spectrum to the refractive index of the solution is quantified as 6250 ± 150 nm/RIU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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13 pages, 4134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Synthesis of Novel 2D Porous Zinc Oxide-Nickel Oxide Composite Nanosheets for Detecting Ethanol Vapor

by Yuan-Chang Liang, Yen-Cheng Chang and Wei-Cheng Zhao

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(10), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10101989 - 09 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2853

Abstract

The porous zinc oxide-nickel oxide (ZnO-NiO) composite nanosheets were synthesized via sputtering deposition of NiO thin film on the porous ZnO nanosheet templates. Various NiO film coverage sizes on porous ZnO nanosheet templates were achieved by changing NiO sputtering duration in this study. [...] Read more.

The porous zinc oxide-nickel oxide (ZnO-NiO) composite nanosheets were synthesized via sputtering deposition of NiO thin film on the porous ZnO nanosheet templates. Various NiO film coverage sizes on porous ZnO nanosheet templates were achieved by changing NiO sputtering duration in this study. The microstructures of the porous ZnO-NiO composite nanosheets were investigated herein. The rugged surface feature of the porous ZnO-NiO composite nanosheets were formed and thicker NiO coverage layer narrowed the pore size on the ZnO nanosheet template. The gas sensors based on the porous ZnO-NiO composite nanosheets displayed higher sensing responses to ethanol vapor in comparison with the pristine ZnO template at the given target gas concentrations. Furthermore, the porous ZnO-NiO composite nanosheets with the suitable NiO coverage content demonstrated superior gas-sensing performance towards 50–750 ppm ethanol vapor. The observed ethanol vapor-sensing performance might be attributed to suitable ZnO/NiO heterojunction numbers and unique porous nanosheet structure with a high specific surface area, providing abundant active sites on the surface and numerous gas diffusion channels for the ethanol vapor molecules. This study demonstrated that coating of NiO on the porous ZnO nanosheet template with a suitable coverage size via sputtering deposition is a promising route to fabricate porous ZnO-NiO composite nanosheets with a high ethanol vapor sensing ability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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21 pages, 6055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Chemical Solvents on the Wetting Behavior Over Time of Femtosecond Laser Structured Ti6Al4V Surfaces

by Georg Schnell, Christian Polley, Stephan Bartling and Hermann Seitz

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1241; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061241 - 26 Jun 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3860

Abstract

The effect of chemical solvents on the wetting state of laser-structured surfaces over time is systematically examined in this paper. By using a 300-fs laser, nanostructures were generated on Ti6Al4V, subsequently cleaned in an ultrasonic bath with different solvents and stored in ambient [...] Read more.

The effect of chemical solvents on the wetting state of laser-structured surfaces over time is systematically examined in this paper. By using a 300-fs laser, nanostructures were generated on Ti6Al4V, subsequently cleaned in an ultrasonic bath with different solvents and stored in ambient air. The static contact angle showed significant differences for cleaning with various solvents, which, depending on the applied cleaning and time, amounted up to 100°. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal that the cleaning of the laser-structured surfaces affects the surface chemistry and the aging behavior of the surfaces, even with highly volatile solvents. The effect of the chemical surface modification is particularly noticeable when using alcohols for cleaning, which, due to their OH groups, cause highly hydrophilic behavior of the surface after one day of storage. Over the course of 14 days, enrichment with organic groups from the atmosphere occurs on the surface, which leads to poorer wetting on almost every structured surface. In contrast, the cleaning in hexane leads to a fast saturation of the surface with long-chain carbon groups and thus to a time-independent hydrophobic behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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10 pages, 6177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Pd/TiO₂ Porous Layers by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Surface Acoustic Wave H₂ Gas Sensor

by Izabela Constantinoiu and Cristian Viespe

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040760 - 15 Apr 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3507

Abstract

The influence of sensitive porous films obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on the response of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors on hydrogen at room temperature (RT) was studied. Monolayer films of TiO₂ and bilayer films of Pd/TiO₂ were deposited on [...] Read more.

The influence of sensitive porous films obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on the response of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors on hydrogen at room temperature (RT) was studied. Monolayer films of TiO₂ and bilayer films of Pd/TiO₂ were deposited on the quartz substrates of SAW sensors. By varying the oxygen and argon pressure in the PLD deposition chamber, different morphologies of the sensitive films were obtained, which were analyzed based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. SAW sensors were realized with different porosity degrees, and these were tested at different hydrogen concentrations. It has been confirmed that the high porosity of the film and the bilayer structure leads to a higher frequency shift and allow the possibility to make tests at lower concentrations. Thus, the best sensor, Pd-1500/TiO₂-600, with the deposition pressure of 600 mTorr for TiO₂ and 1500 mTorr for Pd, had a frequency shift of 1.8 kHz at 2% hydrogen concentration, a sensitivity of 0.10 Hz/ppm and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1210 ppm. SAW sensors based on such porous films allow the detection of hydrogen but also of other gases at RT, and by PLD method such sensitive porous and nanostructured films can be easily developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional 2D and 3D Nano and Microtextured Interfaces: From Medical to Environmental and Sensing Applications)

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