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Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 20983

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Juan M. Ruso

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Guest Editor

Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Interests: synthesis and characterization of nanostructured templated materials; biophysics of proteins and protein interactions; self-aggregation processes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The design and synthesis of nanomaterials or nanostructures’ templated materials has been one of the most dynamic activities over the last decade not only from a scientific point of view but also from an industrial perspective. Another of its most noteworthy features is the exceptional multidisciplinarity shown since its inception, where engineers, physicists, and chemists joined their knowledge and skills to satisfy the technological, medical, and social expectations. Traditionally, nanostructured materials’ manufacturing processes have been classified into top–down and bottom–up methods. In top–down techniques, nanomaterials are produced from macroscopic entities without any type of control at the molecular or atomic level. Bottom–up techniques, on the other hand, allow us to build materials from their atomic or molecular components through self-assembly. This requires a deeper understanding of the type of interactions that take place at that scale but achieves more complex structures with fewer defects. Despite the apparent simplicity of this classification, the huge number of possible components, the wide variety of synthesis routes, the improvement in experimental equipment, and the incorporation of computational techniques (including recent machine learning tools) offers us a horizon with infinite possibilities. The main objective of this Special Issue is to give a broad and current view of some of the most active lines of research in the field of nanostructured templated materials that stand out for their demand or originality from the point of view of applications and/or methodology.

Prof. Dr. Juan M. Ruso
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nanomaterials
biomaterials
nanocomposites
nanobiodevices
nanomedicine
nanomodelling

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth of Highly-Ordered Metal Nanoparticle Arrays in the Dimpled Pores of an Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template

by Gavin Farmer, James Abraham, Chris Littler, A. J. Syllaios and U. Philipose

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 3929; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12223929 - 08 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

A reliable, scalable, and inexpensive technology for the fabrication of ordered arrays of metal nanoparticles with large areal coverage on various substrates is presented. The nanoparticle arrays were formed on aluminum substrates using a two-step anodization process. By varying the anodization potential, the pore diameter, inter-pore spacing, and pore ordering in the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template were tuned. Following a chemical etch, the height of the pores in the AAO membrane were reduced to create a dimpled membrane surface. Periodic arrays of metal nanoparticles were subsequently created by evaporating metal on to the dimpled surface, allowing for individual nanoparticles to form within the dimples by a solid state de-wetting process induced by annealing. The ordered nanoparticle array could then be transferred to a substrate of choice using a polymer lift-off method. Following optimization of the experimental parameters, it was possible to obtain cm

^{2}

coverage of metal nanoparticles, like gold and indium, on silicon, quartz and sapphire substrates, with average sizes in the range of 50–90 nm. The de-wetting process was investigated for a specific geometry of the dimpled surface and the results explained for two different film thicknesses. Using a simple model, the experimental results were interpreted and supported by numerical estimations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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18 pages, 4526 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

From Macro to Mesoporous ZnO Inverse Opals: Synthesis, Characterization and Tracer Diffusion Properties

by Shravan R. Kousik, Diane Sipp, Karina Abitaev, Yawen Li, Thomas Sottmann, Kaloian Koynov and Petia Atanasova

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010196 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2999

Abstract

Oxide inverse opals (IOs) with their high surface area and open porosity are promising candidates for catalyst support applications. Supports with confined mesoporous domains are of added value to heterogeneous catalysis. However, the fabrication of IOs with mesoporous or sub-macroporous voids (<100 nm) continues to be a challenge, and the diffusion of tracers in quasi-mesoporous IOs is yet to be adequately studied. In order to address these two problems, we synthesized ZnO IOs films with tunable pore sizes using chemical bath deposition and template-based approach. By decreasing the size of polystyrene (PS) template particles towards the mesoporous range, ZnO IOs with 50 nm-sized pores and open porosity were synthesized. The effect of the template-removal method on the pore geometry (spherical vs. gyroidal) was studied. The infiltration depth in the template was determined, and the factors influencing infiltration were assessed. The crystallinity and photonic stop-band of the IOs were studied using X-Ray diffraction and UV-Vis, respectively. The infiltration of tracer molecules (Alexa Fluor 488) in multilayered quasi-mesoporous ZnO IOs was confirmed via confocal laser scanning microscopy, while fluorescence correlation spectroscopy analysis revealed two distinct diffusion times in IOs assigned to diffusion through the pores (fast) and adsorption on the pore walls (slow). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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20 pages, 8380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soft Actuated Hybrid Hydrogel with Bioinspired Complexity to Control Mechanical Flexure Behavior for Tissue Engineering

by Ramón Rial, Zhen Liu and Juan M. Ruso

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(7), 1302; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10071302 - 03 Jul 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2847

Abstract

Hydrogels exhibit excellent properties that enable them as nanostructured scaffolds for soft tissue engineering. However, single-component hydrogels have significant limitations due to the low versatility of the single component. To achieve this goal, we have designed and characterized different multi-component hydrogels composed of gelatin, alginate, hydroxyapatite, and a protein (BSA and fibrinogen). First, we describe the surface morphology of the samples and the main characteristics of the physiological interplay by using fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and confocal Raman microscopy. Then, their degradation and swelling were studied and mechanical properties were determined by rheology measurements. Experimental data were carefully collected and quantitatively analyzed by developing specific approaches and different theoretical models to determining the most important parameters. Finally, we determine how the nanoscale of the system influences its macroscopic properties and characterize the extent to which degree each component maintains its own functionality, demonstrating that with the optimal components, in the right proportion, multifunctional hydrogels can be developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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12 pages, 514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Properties of Molecular Sierpiński Triangle Fractals

by Eugen Mircea Anitas

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 925; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050925 - 11 May 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3985

Abstract

The structure of fractals at nano and micro scales is decisive for their physical properties. Generally, statistically self-similar (random) fractals occur in natural systems, and exactly self-similar (deterministic) fractals are artificially created. However, the existing fabrication methods of deterministic fractals are seldom defect-free. Here, are investigated the effects of deviations from an ideal deterministic structure, including small random displacements and different shapes and sizes of the basic units composing the fractal, on the structural properties of a common molecular fractal—the Sierpiński triangle (ST). To this aim, analytic expressions of small-angle scattering (SAS) intensities are derived, and it is shown that each type of deviation has its own unique imprint on the scattering curve. This allows the extraction of specific structural parameters, and thus the design and fabrication of artificial structures with pre-defined properties and functions. Moreover, the influence on the SAS intensity of various configurations induced in ST, can readily be extended to other 2D or 3D structures, allowing for exploration of structure-property relationships in various well-defined fractal geometries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 2880 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Fabrication of Superconducting Nanowires Using the Template Method

by Michael Rudolf Koblischka and Anjela Koblischka-Veneva

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1970; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081970 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3161

Abstract

The fabrication and characterization of superconducting nanowires fabricated by the anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template technique has been reviewed. This templating method was applied to conventional metallic superconductors, as well as to several high-temperature superconductors (HTSc). For filling the templates with superconducting material, several different techniques have been applied in the literature, including electrodeposition, sol-gel techniques, sputtering, and melting. Here, we discuss the various superconducting materials employed and the results obtained. The arising problems in the fabrication process and the difficulties concerning the separation of the nanowires from the templates are pointed out in detail. Furthermore, we compare HTSc nanowires prepared by AAO templating and electrospinning with each other, and give an outlook to further research directions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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38 pages, 7073 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanoparticle and Bioparticle Deposition Kinetics: Quartz Microbalance Measurements

by Anna Bratek-Skicki, Marta Sadowska, Julia Maciejewska-Prończuk and Zbigniew Adamczyk

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010145 - 08 Jan 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2258

Abstract

Controlled deposition of nanoparticles and bioparticles is necessary for their separation and purification by chromatography, filtration, food emulsion and foam stabilization, etc. Compared to numerous experimental techniques used to quantify bioparticle deposition kinetics, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method is advantageous because it enables real time measurements under different transport conditions with high precision. Because of its versatility and the deceptive simplicity of measurements, this technique is used in a plethora of investigations involving nanoparticles, macroions, proteins, viruses, bacteria and cells. However, in contrast to the robustness of the measurements, theoretical interpretations of QCM measurements for a particle-like load is complicated because the primary signals (the oscillation frequency and the band width shifts) depend on the force exerted on the sensor rather than on the particle mass. Therefore, it is postulated that a proper interpretation of the QCM data requires a reliable theoretical framework furnishing reference results for well-defined systems. Providing such results is a primary motivation of this work where the kinetics of particle deposition under diffusion and flow conditions is discussed. Expressions for calculating the deposition rates and the maximum coverage are presented. Theoretical results describing the QCM response to a heterogeneous load are discussed, which enables a quantitative interpretation of experimental data obtained for nanoparticles and bioparticles comprising viruses and protein molecules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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15 pages, 11794 KiB

Open AccessReview

Graphitic Nanocup Architectures for Advanced Nanotechnology Applications

by Hyehee Kim, Sen Gao, Myung Gwan Hahm, Chi Won Ahn, Hyun Young Jung and Yung Joon Jung

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(9), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091862 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2738

Abstract

The synthesis of controllable hollow graphitic architectures can engender revolutionary changes in nanotechnology. Here, we present the synthesis, processing, and possible applications of low aspect ratio hollow graphitic nanoscale architectures that can be precisely engineered into morphologies of (1) continuous carbon nanocups, (2) branched carbon nanocups, and (3) carbon nanotubes–carbon nanocups hybrid films. These complex graphitic nanocup-architectures could be fabricated by using a highly designed short anodized alumina oxide nanochannels, followed by a thermal chemical vapor deposition of carbon. The highly porous film of nanocups is mechanically flexible, highly conductive, and optically transparent, making the film attractive for various applications such as multifunctional and high-performance electrodes for energy storage devices, nanoscale containers for nanogram quantities of materials, and nanometrology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Templated Materials)

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