Search Results (12)

We developed dye-sensitized solar cells based on anatase–titanium dioxide (A-TiO₂) nanotubes (TiNTs) and nanocubes (TiNcs) with {001} crystal facets generated using simple and facile electrochemical anodization. We also demonstrated a simple way of developing one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional self-assembled TiO₂ nanostructures via electrochemical anodization, using them as an electron-transporting layer in DSSCs. TiNTs maintain tubular arrays for a limited time before becoming nanocrystals with {001} facets. Using FESEM and TEM, we observed that the TiO₂ nanobundles were transformed into nanocubes with {001} facets and lower fluorine concentrations. Optimizing the reaction approach resulted in better-ordered, crystalline anatase TiNTs/Ncs being formed on the Ti metal foil. The anatase phase of as-grown TiO₂ was confirmed by XRD, with (101) being the predominant intensity and preferred orientation. The nanostructured TiO₂ had lattice values of a = 3.77–3.82 and c = 9.42–9.58. The structure and morphology of these as-grown materials were studied to understand the growth process. The photoconversion efficiency and impedance spectra were explored to analyze the performance of the designed DSSCs, employing N719 dye as a sensitizer and the I⁻/I³⁻ redox pair as electrolytes, sandwiched with a Pt counter-electrode. As a result, we found that self-assembled TiNTs/Ncs presented a more effective photoanode in DSSCs than standard TiO₂ (P25). TiNcs (0.5 and 0.25 NH₄F) and P25 achieved the highest power conversion efficiencies of 3.47, 3.41, and 3.25%, respectively. TiNcs photoanodes have lower charge recombination capability and longer electron lifetimes, leading to higher voltage, photocurrent, and photovoltaic performance. These findings show that electrochemical anodization is an effective method for preparing TiNTs/Ncs and developing low-cost, highly efficient DSSCs by fine-tuning photoanode structures and components. Full article

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents the most common type of cancer in the pediatric population. The (1;19)(q23;p13) translocation is a primary chromosomal abnormality present in 3–12% of ALL cases. The current study aims to develop a label-free innovative nanodevice for the ultrasensitive diagnosis of the TCF3-PBX1 chimeric oncogene, featuring simplified operation and rapid analysis using minimal sample volumes, which positions it as a superior alternative for clinical diagnostics and early leukemia identification. The biosensor system was engineered on a nanostructured platform composed of polypyrrole (PPy) and a novel chemically functionalized hybrid nanocomposite of platinum nanospheres and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂@Pt). Single-stranded oligonucleotide sequences were chemically immobilized on the nanoengineered transducer to enable biospecific detection. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize each stage of the biotechnological device fabrication process. The analytical properties of the sensing tool were explored using recombinant plasmids containing the TCF3-PBX1 oncogenic sequence and clinical specimens from pediatric patients with B-cell ALL. After exposing the molecular monitoring system to the genetic target, significant variations were observed in the voltammetric oxidation current (∆I = 33.08% ± 0.28 to 124.91% ± 17.08) and in the resistance to charge transfer (ΔR_CT = 19.73% ± 0.96 to 83.51% ± 0.84). Data analysis revealed high reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation of 3.66%, a response range from 3.58 aM to 357.67 fM, a detection limit of 19.31 aM, and a limit of quantification of 64.39 aM. Therefore, a novel nanosensor for multiparametric electrochemical screening of the TCF3-PBX1 chimeric oncogene was described for the first time, potentially improving the quality of life for leukemic patients. Full article

The aerosol deposition (AD) method utilizes high kinetic-energy submicron powders to impact and form a film on a substrate. It is a highly efficient deposition method, capable of producing films or coatings with a strong interfacial bonding and a dense nano-grain structure without thermal assistance. In this work, PbZr_0.53Ti_0.47O₃ (PZT53/47) films (~1.2 μm thick) were deposited on Pt/Ti/Si(100) substrates via the AD method. After a conventional annealing process (700 °C for 1 h), these PZT53/47 films displayed a dense, crack-free, nano-grained morphology, corresponding to an optimal electrical performance. A large maximum polarization (P_max = 70 μC/cm²) and a small coercive field (E_c = 104 kV/cm) were achieved under the maximum applicable electric field of 1.6 MV/cm. The PZT53/47 films also exhibited a large small-field dielectric constant of ~984, a high tunability of 72%, and a low leakage current of ~3.1 × 10⁻⁵ A/cm² @ 40 V. Moreover, the transverse piezoelectric coefficient (e_31.f) of these AD-processed films was as high as −4.6 C/m², comparable to those of sputter-deposited PZT53/47 films. These high-quality PZT53/47 thick films have broad applications in piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems. Full article

The presence of PGM associated with the podiform chromitites in the Jurassic–Cretaceous ophiolite of Sebuku Island (South Kalimantan, Indonesia) is reported for the first time. Two types of chromitite have been recognized; one with high-Cr composition (Cr/(Cr + Al) > 0.7) occurs in the deep mantle, the other, high-Al (Cr/(Cr + Al) < 0.6), is located close to the Moho transition zone. The TiO₂-Al₂O₃ relations indicate affinity to IAT and MORB, for the high-Cr and high-Al chromitites, respectively. However, both are believed to have formed by mantle/melt reaction and differentiation of a magma characterized by an initial IAT composition related to an SSZ. Primary magmatic inclusions (<10 μm) of laurite characterized by Ru/Os chondritic ratio are the only PGM found in the high-Cr chromitites, indicating crystallization from undifferentiated magma, at low fS₂ in the mantle. In contrast, the high-Al to chondrite, suggesting the increase of fS₂ in the evolved melt. Besides laurite, the high-Al chromitite contains a complex assemblage of secondary PGM (Pt-Fe, garutiite, iridium, ruthenium–magnetite aggregates, zaccariniite and unnamed Ru and Mn oxides). These secondary PGM have an irregular shape and occur exclusively in the chlorite matrix sometimes associated with Mn-Ni-Fe-Cr hydroxides. They are interpreted to have formed by desulfuration of primary interstitial PGM sulfides or to have precipitated from secondary fluids during low T alteration. The relative abundance of PPGE in the high-Al chromitite is interpreted as a result of PGE fractionation during differentiation of the parent melt of the chromitites. Full article

The strain-driven interfacial coupling between the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric constituents of magnetoelectric (ME) composites makes them potential candidates for novel multifunctional devices. ME composites in the form of thin-film heterostructures show promising applications in miniaturized ME devices. This article reports the recent advancement in ME thin-film devices, such as highly sensitive magnetic field sensors, ME antennas, integrated tunable ME inductors, and ME band-pass filters, is discussed. (Pb_1−xZr_x)TiO₃ (PZT), Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ (PMN-PT), Aluminium nitride (AlN), and Al_1−xSc_xN are the most commonly used piezoelectric constituents, whereas FeGa, FeGaB, FeCo, FeCoB, and Metglas (FeCoSiB alloy) are the most commonly used magnetostrictive constituents in the thin film ME devices. The ME field sensors offer a limit of detection in the fT/Hz^1/2 range at the mechanical resonance frequency. However, below resonance, different frequency conversion techniques with AC magnetic or electric fields or the delta-E effect are used. Noise floors of 1–100 pT/Hz^1/2 at 1 Hz were obtained. Acoustically actuated nanomechanical ME antennas operating at a very-high frequency as well as ultra-high frequency (0.1–3 GHz) range, were introduced. The ME antennas were successfully miniaturized by a few orders smaller in size compared to the state-of-the-art conventional antennas. The designed antennas exhibit potential application in biomedical devices and wearable antennas. Integrated tunable inductors and band-pass filters tuned by electric and magnetic field with a wide operating frequency range are also discussed along with miniaturized ME energy harvesters. Full article

In the present work we report the sol-gel synthesis of pure TiO₂ and (TiO₂)_1−x(Fe₂O₃)_x nanocomposites with different Fe₂O₃ contents (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 for pure TiO₂, Fe₂O₃ incorporated 0.1, 0.5, and pure Fe₂O₃ which are denoted as PT, 0.1F, 0.5F, and PF, respectively). The structural, morphological, optical, and surface texture of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques. The structural studies confirm the strong influence of Fe₂O₃ contents on the crystallite sizes and dislocation values. The size of the crystallites was increased by the increase in Fe₂O₃ contents. The bandgap values elucidated from DRS analysis were decreased from 3.15 eV to 1.91 eV with increasing Fe₂O₃ contents. The N₂-Physorption analysis has confirmed the mesoporous nature of the samples with a comparable specific surface area of 35 m²/g. The photoelectrochemical measurements (CV, CA and EIS) were performed to assess the photoelectric properties of the prepared materials. It was found that the PT samples have the highest catalytic activity and photocurrent response compared to other composites. The reduction in current density was as follows: 2.8, 1.65, 1.5 and 0.9 mA/cm², while the photocurrent response was ca. 800, 450, 45, 35 µA/cm² for PT, 0.1F, 0.5F and PF samples, respectively. The EIS results showed that the (TiO₂)_1−x(Fe₂O₃)_x nanocomposites exhibit lower charge transfer resistance than pure titania and hematite samples. Full article

In this work, catalysts based on TiO₂ modified by fluorination and platinum addition were prepared and evaluated in glycerol oxidation. The materials were characterized by TEM, N₂ physisorption, XRD, UV–Vis DRS, XRF and XPS. It was found that fluorination led to an increase in the surface area of TiO₂, and by platinization treatment, it was possible to obtain a high absorption in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. From these improved properties, 0.5 wt.% Pt-F-TiO₂ was prepared as the best catalyst for the obtention of the highest yield and selectivity towards glyceraldehyde (GAL). It was also observed that the increase in Pt content had a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of fluorinated titania in the glycerol conversion. The fluorination and platinum addition modify some physicochemical properties of TiO₂, thus also modifying the reaction mechanism and selectivity during glycerol oxidation. Full article

A set of physicochemical methods, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diraction, electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, was applied to study Pt/TiO2 catalysts prepared by impregnation using a commercial TiO2-P25 support and a support produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLA). The Pt/TiO2-PLA catalysts showed increased thermal stability due to the localization of the highly dispersed platinum species at the intercrystalline boundaries of the support particles. In contrast, the Pt/TiO2-P25 catalysts were characterized by uniform distribution
of the Pt species over the support. Analysis of Pt4f XP spectra shows that oxidized Pt2+ and Pt4+ species are formed in the Pt/TiO2-P25 catalysts, while the platinum oxidation state in the Pt/TiO2-PLA catalysts is lower due to stronger interaction of the active component with the support due to strong
interaction via Pt-O-Ti bonds. The Pt4f XP spectra of the samples after reaction show Pt2+ and metallic platinum, which is the catalytically active species. The study of the catalytic properties in ammonia oxidation showed that, unlike the catalysts prepared with a commercial support, the Pt/TiO2-PLA samples show higher stability during catalysis and significantly higher selectivity to N2 in a wide temperature range of 200–400 C. Full article

A fundamental step for cell growth and differentiation is the cell adhesion. The purpose of this study was to determine the adhesion of different cell lineages, adipose derived stromal cells, osteoblasts, and gingival fibroblast to titanium and zirconia dental implants with different surface treatments. Primary cells were cultured on smooth/polished surfaces (titanium with a smooth surface texture (Ti-PT) and machined zirconia (ZrO₂-M)) and on rough surfaces (titanium with a rough surface texture (Ti-SLA) and zirconia material (ZrO₂-ZLA)). Alterations in cell morphology (f-actin staining and SEM) and in expression of the focal adhesion marker were analysed after 1, 7, and 14 days. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA with a statistical significance at p = 0.05. Cell morphology and cytoskeleton were strongly affected by surface texture. Actin beta and vimentin expressions were higher on rough surfaces (p < 0.01). Vinculin and FAK expressions were significant (p < 0.05) and increased over time. Fibronectin and laminin expressions were significant (p < 0.01) and did not alter over time. Strength of cell/material binding is influenced by surface structure and not by material. Meanwhile, the kind of cell/material binding is regulated by cell type and implant material. Full article

Crystalline Ba_0.3Sr_0.7Zr_0.18Ti_0.82O₃ (BSZT) thin film was grown on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Based on our best knowledge, there are few reports in the literature to prepare the perovskite BSZT thin films, especially using the RF magnetron sputtering method. The microstructure of the thin films was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and capacitance properties, such as capacitance density, leakage behavior, and the temperature dependence of capacitance were investigated experimentally. The prepared perovskite BSZT film showed a low leakage current density of 7.65 × 10⁻⁷ A/cm² at 60 V, and large breakdown strength of 4 MV/cm. In addition, the prepared BSZT thin film capacitor not only exhibits an almost linear and acceptable change (ΔC/C ~13.6%) of capacitance from room temperature to 180 °C but also a large capacitance density of 1.7 nF/mm² at 100 kHz, which show great potential for coupling and decoupling applications. Full article

Pt catalytic nanoparticles on F-doped SnO₂/glass substrates were prepared by polyol reduction below 200 °C. The polyol reduction resulted in better transparency of the counter electrode and high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of the resultant dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) compared to conventional thermal reduction. The PCEs of the DSSCs with 5 μm-thick TiO₂ photoanodes were 6.55% and 5.01% under front and back illumination conditions, respectively. The back/front efficiency ratio is very promising for efficient bifacial DSSCs. Full article

In this study, commercial and lab-prepared TiO₂ were modified by fluorination and platinum photodeposition; and the effect of these modifications over the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ was evaluated. It was found that F and Pt addition leads to the modification of the optical and textural properties of TiO₂. The materials prepared were tested in the photocatalytic degradation of different organic dyestuffs such as methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO); the degradation of commercial anilines employed in the staining of natural fibers was also evaluated. Photocatalysis was also studied in this work as an eco-friendly treatment of wastewater coming from handicrafts factories. In general it was observed that the effectiveness of the photocatalytic treatment strongly depends on the substrate to be degraded, thus, fluorinated and platinized commercial Titania (Pt-F-P25) showed the best photocatalytic performance in the MB and MO photodegradation and in contrast, in the case of the anilines the highest degradation was obtained over commercial TiO₂ fluorinated (F-P25). These results can be explained by differences observed in the structure and in the adsorption of these dyestuffs over the photocatalysts surfaces. F-P25 photocatalyst also demonstrated to be the best material for the treatment of real wastewater coming from handicrafts factories. Full article