Nanomaterials

11 pages, 4575 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Synthesis of Core–Double Shell Nylon-ZnO/Polypyrrole Electrospun Nanofibers

by Mihaela Beregoi, Nicoleta Preda, Andreea Costas, Monica Enculescu, Raluca Florentina Negrea, Horia Iovu and Ionut Enculescu

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2241; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112241 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2514

Abstract

Core–double shell nylon-ZnO/polypyrrole electrospun nanofibers were fabricated by combining three straightforward methods (electrospinning, sol–gel synthesis and electrodeposition). The hybrid fibrous organic–inorganic nanocomposite was obtained starting from freestanding nylon 6/6 nanofibers obtained through electrospinning. Nylon meshes were functionalized with a very thin, continuous ZnO [...] Read more.

Core–double shell nylon-ZnO/polypyrrole electrospun nanofibers were fabricated by combining three straightforward methods (electrospinning, sol–gel synthesis and electrodeposition). The hybrid fibrous organic–inorganic nanocomposite was obtained starting from freestanding nylon 6/6 nanofibers obtained through electrospinning. Nylon meshes were functionalized with a very thin, continuous ZnO film by a sol–gel process and thermally treated in order to increase its crystallinity. Further, the ZnO coated networks were used as a working electrode for the electrochemical deposition of a very thin, homogenous polypyrrole layer. X-ray diffraction measurements were employed for characterizing the ZnO structures while spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR and Raman were employed for describing the polypyrrole layer. An elemental analysis was performed through X-ray microanalysis, confirming the expected double shell structure. A detailed micromorphological characterization through FESEM and TEM assays evidenced the deposition of both organic and inorganic layers. Highly transparent, flexible due to the presence of the polymer core and embedding a semiconducting heterojunction, such materials can be easily tailored and integrated in functional platforms with a wide range of applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thin Films Based on Nanocomposites)

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26 pages, 7052 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Thermodynamic Behaviors of Adsorbed Methane Storage Systems Based on Nanoporous Carbon Adsorbents Prepared from Coconut Shells

by Ilya E. Men’shchikov, Andrey V. Shkolin, Evgeny M. Strizhenov, Elena V. Khozina, Sergey S. Chugaev, Andrey A. Shiryaev, Anatoly A. Fomkin and Anatoly A. Zherdev

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2243; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112243 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2845

Abstract

The present work focused on the experimental study of the performance of a scaled system of adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage and transportation based on carbon adsorbents. For this purpose, three different samples of activated carbons (AC) were prepared by varying the size [...] Read more.

The present work focused on the experimental study of the performance of a scaled system of adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage and transportation based on carbon adsorbents. For this purpose, three different samples of activated carbons (AC) were prepared by varying the size of coconut shell char granules and steam activation conditions. The parameters of their porous structure, morphology, and chemical composition were determined from the nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. The methane adsorption data measured within the temperature range from 178 to 360 K and at pressures up to 25 MPa enabled us to identify the most efficient adsorbent among the studied materials: AC-90S. The differential heats of methane adsorption on AC-90S were determined in order to simulate the gas charge/discharge processes in the ANG system using a mathematical model with consideration for thermal effects. The results of simulating the charge/discharge processes under two different conditions of heat exchange are consistent with the experimentally determined temperature distribution over a scaled ANG storage tank filled with the compacted AC-90S adsorbent and equipped with temperature sensors and heat-exchanger devices. The amounts of methane delivered from the ANG storage system employing AC-90S as an adsorbent differ from the model predictions by 4–6%. Both the experiments and mathematical modeling showed that the thermal regulation of the ANG storage tank ensured the higher rates of charge/discharge processes compared to the thermal insulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Carbons for Environmental and Energy Technologies)

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16 pages, 8106 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets as Inhibitors of the Photochemical Reactions of α-Lipoic Acid in the Presence of Ag and Au Nanoparticles

by N’ghaya Toulbe, Malvina S. Stroe, Monica Daescu, Radu Cercel, Alin Mogos, Daniela Dragoman, Marcela Socol, Ionel Mercioniu and Mihaela Baibarac

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2238; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112238 - 11 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2836

Abstract

The influence of Ag and Au nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets on the photodegradation of α-lipoic acid (ALA) was determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The ALA photodegradation was explained by considering the affinity of thiol groups for the metallic nanoparticles synthesized in [...] Read more.

The influence of Ag and Au nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets on the photodegradation of α-lipoic acid (ALA) was determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The ALA photodegradation was explained by considering the affinity of thiol groups for the metallic nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of trisodium citrate. The presence of excipients did not induce further changes when ALA interacts with Ag and Au nanoparticles with sizes of 5 and 10 nm by exposure to UV light. Compared to the Raman spectrum of ALA powder, changes in Raman lines’ position and relative intensities when ALA has interacted with films obtained from Au nanoparticles with sizes between 5 and 50 nm were significant. These changes were explained by considering the chemical mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The photodegradation of ALA that had interacted with metallic nanoparticles was inhibited in the presence of RGO sheets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Graphene and Its Derivatives)

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15 pages, 3089 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Femtosecond Double-Pulse Laser Ablation and Deposition of Co-Doped ZnS Thin Films

by Ignacio Lopez-Quintas, Esther Rebollar, David Ávila-Brande, Jesús G. Izquierdo, Luis Bañares, Carlos Díaz-Guerra, Ana Urbieta, Marta Castillejo, Rebeca de Nalda and Margarita Martín

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2229; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112229 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2633

Abstract

Nanostructured thin films of Co-doped zinc sulfide were synthesized through femtosecond pulsed laser deposition. The scheme involved ablation of physically mixed Co and ZnS with pairs of ultrashort pulses separated in time in the 0–300 ps range. In situ monitorization of the deposition [...] Read more.

Nanostructured thin films of Co-doped zinc sulfide were synthesized through femtosecond pulsed laser deposition. The scheme involved ablation of physically mixed Co and ZnS with pairs of ultrashort pulses separated in time in the 0–300 ps range. In situ monitorization of the deposition process was carried out through a simultaneous reflectivity measurement. The crystallinity of generated nanoparticles and the inclusion of Co in the ZnS lattice is demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (TEM-EDX) characterization. Surface morphology, Raman response, and photoluminescence of the films have also been assessed. The role of interpulse temporal separation is most visible in the thickness of the films obtained at the same total fluence, with much thicker films deposited with short delays than with individual uncoupled pulses. The proportion of Co in the synthesized doped ZnS nanoparticles is found to be substantially lower than the original proportion, and practically independent on interpulse delay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Synthesis and Modification of Materials at the Nanoscale)

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10 pages, 3798 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Thin Films with Two-Dimensional Lamellar Stacked Multi-Layers

by Youngno Kim, Yunryeol Kim and Jung Hyun Kim

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112211 - 6 Nov 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5575

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are desired as organic electrode materials because of their functional properties such as solution process, low cost, and transparency. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in particular, shows the highest applicability, but its heterogeneous structure presents limitations in terms of electrical conductivity. In this study, [...] Read more.

Conjugated polymers are desired as organic electrode materials because of their functional properties such as solution process, low cost, and transparency. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in particular, shows the highest applicability, but its heterogeneous structure presents limitations in terms of electrical conductivity. In this study, a facile method to fabricate multi-layered thin films with higher ordered structures was developed. Through the etching process with H₂SO₄ and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), the insulated rich-PSS was removed from the upper layer to improve its electrical properties and rearrange the PEDOT molecular structures. The thickness of PEDOT:PSS thin films was experimentally optimized to maximize the enhancement of carrier mobility via a layer-by-layer (LBL) process. The combined method, consisted of etching and the LBL process, showed the improvement of the charge carrier mobility from 0.62 to 2.80 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. The morphology and crystallinity of the ordered PEDOT:PSS structure were investigated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As a result, two-dimensional lamellar-stacked PEDOT:PSS thin films were fabricated through the repetitive etching and LBL process. The optimized PEDOT:PSS thin film showed an excellent electrical conductivity of 3026 S cm⁻¹, which is 3.8 times higher than that of the pristine film (801 S cm⁻¹). Full article

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16 pages, 28691 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

On the Formation of Black Silicon Features by Plasma-Less Etching of Silicon in Molecular Fluorine Gas

by Bishal Kafle, Ahmed Ismail Ridoy, Eleni Miethig, Laurent Clochard, Edward Duffy, Marc Hofmann and Jochen Rentsch

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2214; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112214 - 6 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2825

Abstract

In this paper, we study the plasma-less etching of crystalline silicon (c-Si) by F₂/N₂ gas mixture at moderately elevated temperatures. The etching is performed in an inline etching tool, which is specifically developed to lower costs for products needing a [...] Read more.

In this paper, we study the plasma-less etching of crystalline silicon (c-Si) by F₂/N₂ gas mixture at moderately elevated temperatures. The etching is performed in an inline etching tool, which is specifically developed to lower costs for products needing a high volume manufacturing etching platform such as silicon photovoltaics. Specifically, the current study focuses on developing an effective front-side texturing process on Si(100) wafers. Statistical variation of the tool parameters is performed to achieve high etching rates and low surface reflection of the textured silicon surface. It is observed that the rate and anisotropy of the etching process are strongly defined by the interaction effects between process parameters such as substrate temperature, F₂ concentration, and process duration. The etching forms features of sub-micron dimensions on c-Si surface. By maintaining the anisotropic nature of etching, weighted surface reflection (R_w) as low as R_w < 2% in Si(100) is achievable. The lowering of R_w is mainly due to the formation of deep, density grade nanostructures, so-called black silicon, with lateral dimensions that are smaller to the major wavelength ranges of interest in silicon photovoltaics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)

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18 pages, 10404 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Molecular Dynamics Studies of Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanoparticles and Their Interactions with Vitamin E and TLR Agonists Pam₁CSK₄ and Pam₃CSK₄

by Simon Megy, Stephanie Aguero, David Da Costa, Myriam Lamrayah, Morgane Berthet, Charlotte Primard, Bernard Verrier and Raphael Terreux

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112209 - 5 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3549

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely investigated due to their bioresorbable, biocompatible and low immunogen properties. Interestingly, many recent studies show that they can be efficiently used as drug delivery systems or as adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy. Our work focuses on [...] Read more.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely investigated due to their bioresorbable, biocompatible and low immunogen properties. Interestingly, many recent studies show that they can be efficiently used as drug delivery systems or as adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy. Our work focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved during the nanoprecipitation of PLA NPs from concentrated solutions of lactic acid polymeric chains, and their specific interactions with biologically relevant molecules. In this study, we evaluated the ability of a PLA-based nanoparticle drug carrier to vectorize either vitamin E or the Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists Pam₁CSK₄ and Pam₃CSK₄, which are potent activators of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. We used dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) to simulate large systems mimicking the nanoprecipitation process for a complete NP. Our results evidenced that after the NP formation, Pam₁CSK₄ and Pam₃CSK₄ molecules end up located on the surface of the particle, interacting with the PLA chains via their fatty acid chains, whereas vitamin E molecules are buried deeper in the core of the particle. Our results allow for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the formation of the PLA NPs and their interactions with biological molecules located either on their surfaces or encapsulated within them. This work should allow for a rapid development of better biodegradable and safe vectorization systems with new drugs in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Modeling and Simulation for Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, and Nanoscience)

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20 pages, 3990 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Structural Study of (Hydroxypropyl)Methyl Cellulose Microemulsion-Based Gels Used for Biocompatible Encapsulations

by Evdokia Vassiliadi, Evgenia Mitsou, Spyridon Avramiotis, Christos L. Chochos, Franz Pirolt, Martin Medebach, Otto Glatter, Aristotelis Xenakis and Maria Zoumpanioti

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112204 - 5 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

(Hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) can be used to form gels integrating a w/o microemulsion. The formulation in which a microemulsion is mixed with a hydrated HPMC matrix has been successfully used as a carrier of biocompatible ingredients. However, little is known about the structure [...] Read more.

(Hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) can be used to form gels integrating a w/o microemulsion. The formulation in which a microemulsion is mixed with a hydrated HPMC matrix has been successfully used as a carrier of biocompatible ingredients. However, little is known about the structure of these systems. To elucidate this, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology and the bulk of the microemulsion-based gels (MBGs) and small-angle X-ray scattering to clarify the structure and detect any residual reverse micelles after microemulsion incorporation in the gel. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied using spin probes to investigate the polar and non-polar areas of the gel. Furthermore, the enzyme-labelling technique was followed to investigate the location of an enzyme in the matrix. A structural model for HPMC matrix is proposed according to which, although a w/o microemulsion is essential to form the final gel, no microemulsion droplets can be detected after incorporation in the gel. Channels are formed by the organic solvent (oil), which are coated by surfactant molecules and a water layer in which the enzyme can be hosted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biology and Medicines)

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16 pages, 5798 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of DNA Origami Nanostructures on hIAPP Aggregation

by Marcel Hanke, Alejandro Gonzalez Orive, Guido Grundmeier and Adrian Keller

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2200; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112200 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3858

Abstract

The aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and numerous strategies for controlling hIAPP aggregation have been investigated so far. In particular, several organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have shown [...] Read more.

The aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and numerous strategies for controlling hIAPP aggregation have been investigated so far. In particular, several organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have shown the potential to influence the aggregation of hIAPP and other amyloidogenic proteins and peptides. In addition to conventional NPs, DNA nanostructures are receiving more and more attention from the biomedical field. Therefore, in this work, we investigated the effects of two different DNA origami nanostructures on hIAPP aggregation. To this end, we employed in situ turbidity measurements and ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). The turbidity measurements revealed a retarding effect of the DNA nanostructures on hIAPP aggregation, while the AFM results showed the co-aggregation of hIAPP with the DNA origami nanostructures into hybrid peptide–DNA aggregates. We assume that this was caused by strong electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged DNA origami nanostructures and the positively charged peptide. Most intriguingly, the influence of the DNA origami nanostructures on hIAPP aggregation differed from that of genomic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and appeared to depend on DNA origami superstructure. DNA origami nanostructures may thus represent a novel route for modulating amyloid aggregation in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of DNA Nanotechnology)

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16 pages, 2633 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Empirical Modelling of Hydrodynamic Effects on Starch Nanoparticles Precipitation in a Spinning Disc Reactor

by Sahr Sana, Vladimir Zivkovic and Kamelia Boodhoo

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112202 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3065

Abstract

Empirical correlations have been developed to relate experimentally determined starch nanoparticle size obtained in a solvent–antisolvent precipitation process with key hydrodynamic parameters of a spinning disc reactor (SDR). Three different combinations of dimensionless groups including a conventional Reynolds number (Re), rotational [...] Read more.

Empirical correlations have been developed to relate experimentally determined starch nanoparticle size obtained in a solvent–antisolvent precipitation process with key hydrodynamic parameters of a spinning disc reactor (SDR). Three different combinations of dimensionless groups including a conventional Reynolds number (Re), rotational Reynolds number (Re_ω) and Rossby number (Ro) have been applied in individual models for two disc surfaces (smooth and grooved) to represent operating variables affecting film flow such as liquid flowrate and disc rotational speed, whilst initial supersaturation (S) has been included to represent varying antisolvent concentrations. Model 1 featuring a combination of Re, Re_ω and S shows good agreement with the experimental data for both the grooved and smooth discs. For the grooved disc, Re has a greater impact on particle size, whereas Re_ω is more influential on the smooth disc surface, the difference likely being due to the passive mixing induced by the grooves irrespective of the magnitude of the disc speed. Supersaturation has little impact on particle size within the limited initial supersaturation range studied. Model 2 which characterises both flow rate and disc rotational speed through Ro alone and combined with Re was less accurate in predicting particle size due to several inherent limitations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Intensification Techniques for the Production of Nanoparticles)

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13 pages, 1447 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering on Regular Arrays of Gold Nanostructures: Impact of Long-Range Interactions and the Surrounding Medium

by Iman Ragheb, Macilia Braïk, Stéphanie Lau-Truong, Abderrahmane Belkhir, Anna Rumyantseva, Sergei Kostcheev, Pierre-Michel Adam, Alexandre Chevillot-Biraud, Georges Lévi, Jean Aubard, Leïla Boubekeur-Lecaque and Nordin Félidj

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2201; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112201 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2517

Abstract

Long-range interaction in regular metallic nanostructure arrays can provide the possibility to manipulate their optical properties, governed by the excitation of localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances. When assembling the nanoparticles in an array, interactions between nanoparticles can result in a strong electromagnetic coupling [...] Read more.

Long-range interaction in regular metallic nanostructure arrays can provide the possibility to manipulate their optical properties, governed by the excitation of localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances. When assembling the nanoparticles in an array, interactions between nanoparticles can result in a strong electromagnetic coupling for specific grating constants. Such a grating effect leads to narrow LSP peaks due to the emergence of new radiative orders in the plane of the substrate, and thus, an important improvement of the intensity of the local electric field. In this work, we report on the optical study of LSP modes supported by square arrays of gold nanodiscs deposited on an indium tin oxyde (ITO) coated glass substrate, and its impact on the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of a molecular adsorbate, the mercapto benzoic acid (4-MBA). We estimated the Raman gain of these molecules, by varying the grating constant and the refractive index of the surrounding medium of the superstrate, from an asymmetric medium (air) to a symmetric one (oil). We show that the Raman gain can be improved with one order of magnitude in a symmetric medium compared to SERS experiments in air, by considering the appropriate grating constant. Our experimental results are supported by FDTD calculations, and confirm the importance of the grating effect in the design of SERS substrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Novel Plasmonic Nanomaterials on SERS)

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16 pages, 4204 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Capsules Rheology in Carreau–Yasuda Fluids

by Alessandro Coclite, Giuseppe Maria Coclite and Domenico De Tommasi

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2190; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112190 - 3 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2563

Abstract

In this paper, a Multi Relaxation Time Lattice Boltzmann scheme is used to describe the evolution of a non-Newtonian fluid. Such method is coupled with an Immersed-Boundary technique for the transport of arbitrarily shaped objects navigating the flow. The no-slip boundary conditions on [...] Read more.

In this paper, a Multi Relaxation Time Lattice Boltzmann scheme is used to describe the evolution of a non-Newtonian fluid. Such method is coupled with an Immersed-Boundary technique for the transport of arbitrarily shaped objects navigating the flow. The no-slip boundary conditions on immersed bodies are imposed through a convenient forcing term accounting for the hydrodynamic force generated by the presence of immersed geometries added to momentum equation. Moreover, such forcing term accounts also for the force induced by the shear-dependent viscosity model characterizing the non-Newtonian behavior of the considered fluid. Firstly, the present model is validated against well-known benchmarks, namely the parabolic velocity profile obtained for the flow within two infinite laminae for five values of the viscosity model exponent, n = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5. Then, the flow within a squared lid-driven cavity for Re = 1000 and 5000 (being Re the Reynolds number) is computed as a function of n for a shear-thinning (n < 1) fluid. Indeed, the local decrements in the viscosity field achieved in high-shear zones implies the increment in the local Reynolds number, thus moving the position of near-walls minima towards lateral walls. Moreover, the revolution under shear of neutrally buoyant plain elliptical capsules with different Aspect Ratio (AR = 2 and 3) is analyzed for shear-thinning (n < 1), Newtonian (n = 1), and shear-thickening (n > 1) surrounding fluids. Interestingly, the power law by Huang et al. describing the revolution period of such capsules as a function of the Reynolds number and the existence of a critical value, Re

_{c}

, after which the tumbling is inhibited in confirmed also for non-Newtonian fluids. Analogously, the equilibrium lateral position

y_{e q}

of such neutrally buoyant capsules when transported in a plane-Couette flow is studied detailing the variation of

y_{e q}

as a function of the Reynolds number as well as of the exponent n. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiscale Innovative Materials and Structures)

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14 pages, 41918 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Nanotopography on Early Bone Healing during Controlled Implant Loading

by Renan de Barros e Lima Bueno, Katia J. Ponce, Ana Paula Dias, Dainelys Guadarrama Bello, John B. Brunski and Antonio Nanci

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2191; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112191 - 3 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2081

Abstract

Nanoscale surface modifications influence peri-implant cell fate decisions and implant loading generates local tissue deformation, both of which will invariably impact bone healing. The objective of this study is to determine how loading affects healing around implants with nanotopography. Implants with a nanoporous [...] Read more.

Nanoscale surface modifications influence peri-implant cell fate decisions and implant loading generates local tissue deformation, both of which will invariably impact bone healing. The objective of this study is to determine how loading affects healing around implants with nanotopography. Implants with a nanoporous surface were placed in over-sized osteotomies in rat tibiae and held stable by a system that permits controlled loading. Three regimens were applied: (a) no loading, (b) one daily loading session with a force of 1.5N, and (c) two such daily sessions. At 7 days post implantation, animals were sacrificed for histomorphometric and DNA microarray analyses. Implants subjected to no loading or only one daily loading session achieved high bone-implant contact (BIC), bone-implant distance (BID) and bone formation area near the implant (BFAt) values, while those subjected to two daily loading sessions showed less BFAt and BIC and more BID. Gene expression profiles differed between all groups mainly in unidentified genes, and no modulation of genes associated with inflammatory pathways was detected. These results indicate that implants with nanotopography can achieve a high level of bone formation even under micromotion and limit the inflammatory response to the implant surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)

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27 pages, 6075 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Magnetotransport Properties of Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles in a Semiconductor Matrix Studied by Precise Size-Selective Cluster Ion Beam Deposition

by Nicolas Gack, Gleb Iankevich, Cahit Benel, Robert Kruk, Di Wang, Horst Hahn and Thomas Reisinger

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2192; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112192 - 3 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2291

Abstract

The combination of magnetic and semiconducting properties in one material system has great potential for integration of emerging spintronics with conventional semiconductor technology. One standard route for the synthesis of magnetic semiconductors is doping of semiconductors with magnetic atoms. In many semiconductor–magnetic–dopant systems, [...] Read more.

The combination of magnetic and semiconducting properties in one material system has great potential for integration of emerging spintronics with conventional semiconductor technology. One standard route for the synthesis of magnetic semiconductors is doping of semiconductors with magnetic atoms. In many semiconductor–magnetic–dopant systems, the magnetic atoms form precipitates within the semiconducting matrix. An alternative and controlled way to realize such nanocomposite materials is the assembly by co-deposition of size-selected cluster ions and a semiconductor. Here we follow the latter approach to demonstrate that this fabrication route can be used to independently study the influence of cluster concentration and cluster size on magneto-transport properties. In this case we study Fe clusters composed of approximately 500 or 1000 atoms soft-landed into a thermally evaporated amorphous Ge matrix. The analysis of field and temperature dependent transport shows that tunneling processes affected by Coulomb blockade dominate at low temperatures. The nanocomposites show saturating tunneling magnetoresistance, additionally superimposed by at least one other effect not saturating upon the maximum applied field of 6 T. The nanocomposites’ resistivity and the observed tunneling magnetoresistance depend exponentially on the average distance between cluster surfaces. On the contrary, there is no notable influence of the cluster size on the tunneling magnetoresistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanocomposite Materials)

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16 pages, 5799 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Structure-Property Relationships of 2D Ga/In Chalcogenides

by Pingping Jiang, Pascal Boulet and Marie-Christine Record

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2188; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112188 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2002

Abstract

Two-dimensional MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) homo- and heterostructures are of interest in electronics and optoelectronics. Structural, electronic and optical properties of bulk and layered MX and GaX/InX heterostructures have been investigated comprehensively using density functional theory (DFT) [...] Read more.

Two-dimensional MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) homo- and heterostructures are of interest in electronics and optoelectronics. Structural, electronic and optical properties of bulk and layered MX and GaX/InX heterostructures have been investigated comprehensively using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, topological analyses of bond degree (BD), bond length (BL) and bond angle (BA) have been detailed for interpreting interatomic interactions, hence the structure–property relationship. The X–X BD correlates linearly with the ratio of local potential and kinetic energy, and decreases as X goes from S to Te. For van der Waals (vdW) homo- and heterostructures of GaX and InX, a cubic relationship between microscopic interatomic interaction and macroscopic electromagnetic behavior has been established firstly relating to weighted absolute BD summation and static dielectric constant. A decisive role of vdW interaction in layer-dependent properties has been identified. The GaX/InX heterostructures have bandgaps in the range 0.23–1.49 eV, absorption coefficients over 10⁻⁵ cm⁻¹ and maximum conversion efficiency over 27%. Under strain, discordant BD evolutions are responsible for the exclusively distributed electrons and holes in sublayers of GaX/InX. Meanwhile, the interlayer BA adjustment with lattice mismatch explains the constraint-free lattice of the vdW heterostructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2D Materials and Their Heterostructures and Superlattices)

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27 pages, 19340 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investigation of the Ionic Liquid Graphene Electric Double Layer in Supercapacitors Using Constant Potential Simulations

by Baris Demir and Debra J. Searles

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2181; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112181 - 1 Nov 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3905

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the effect of the cation structure on the structure and dynamics of the electrode–electrolyte interface using molecular dynamics simulations. A constant potential method is used to capture the behaviour of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethane)sulfonimide ([C

_{2}

mim][NTf

_{2}

]) [...] Read more.

In this work, we investigate the effect of the cation structure on the structure and dynamics of the electrode–electrolyte interface using molecular dynamics simulations. A constant potential method is used to capture the behaviour of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethane)sulfonimide ([C

_{2}

mim][NTf

_{2}

]) and butyltrimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide ([N

_{4, 1, 1, 1}

][NTf

_{2}

]) ionic liquids at varying potential differences applied across the supercapacitor. We find that the details of the structure in the electric double layer and the dynamics differ significantly, yet the charge profile and capacitance do not vary greatly. For the systems considered, charging results in the rearrangement and reorientation of ions within ∼1 nm of the electrode rather than the diffusion of ions to/from the bulk region. This occurs on timescales of

O

(10 ns) for the ionic liquids considered, and depends on the viscosity of the fluid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ionic Interfaces in Smart Polymer Materials)

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18 pages, 8651 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Role of the Laser-Induced Oxide Layer in the Formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures

by Camilo Florian, Jean-Luc Déziel, Sabrina V. Kirner, Jan Siegel and Jörn Bonse

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10010147 - 14 Jan 2020

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4754

Abstract

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are often present when processing solid targets with linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulses. The different irradiation parameters to produce them on metals, semiconductors and dielectrics have been studied extensively, identifying suitable regimes to tailor its properties for applications [...] Read more.

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are often present when processing solid targets with linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulses. The different irradiation parameters to produce them on metals, semiconductors and dielectrics have been studied extensively, identifying suitable regimes to tailor its properties for applications in the fields of optics, medicine, fluidics and tribology, to name a few. One important parameter widely present when exposing the samples to the high intensities provided by these laser pulses in air environment, that generally is not considered, is the formation of a superficial laser-induced oxide layer. In this paper, we fabricate LIPSS on a layer of the oxidation prone hard-coating material chromium nitride in order to investigate the impact of the laser-induced oxide layer on its formation. A variety of complementary surface analytic techniques were employed, revealing morphological, chemical and structural characteristics of well-known high-spatial frequency LIPSS (HSFL) together with a new type of low-spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL) with an anomalous orientation parallel to the laser polarization. Based on this input, we performed finite-difference time-domain calculations considering a layered system resembling the geometry of the HSFL along with the presence of a laser-induced oxide layer. The simulations support a scenario that the new type of LSFL is formed at the interface between the laser-induced oxide layer and the non-altered material underneath. These findings suggest that LSFL structures parallel to the polarization can be easily induced in materials that are prone to oxidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser-Generated Periodic Nanostructures)

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