Search Results (26)

Although garnet-type Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) solid electrolytes are promising candidates for high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries, their practical applications are limited by high-voltage oxidation instability and interfacial degradation. To address these limitations, Al-doped LLZO (Al-LLZO) solid electrolytes were synthesized via a conventional solid-state reaction method, and the effects of PE-ALD-derived Al₂O₃ nanocoatings on electrochemical properties and interfacial stability were investigated. Al₂O₃ nanocoatings with different structures (5 and 10 nm single-side, and 5 nm double-side) were deposited on Al-LLZO pellets using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. The Al₂O₃ coating reduced electronic conductivity by approximately one order of magnitude while maintaining similar ionic conductivity. Linear sweep voltammetry revealed that initial oxidation onset voltage increased from ~4.2 V (bare Al-LLZO) to ~5.0 V (5 nm-coated samples), while the 10 nm-coated sample exhibited the most delayed anodic current response (~5.2 V). The 5 nm double-side coated sample showed the best Li plating/stripping stability with a critical current density of 1.10 mA/cm² and stable long-term galvanostatic cycling behavior over 200 h at 0.05 mA/cm². Thus, ALD-based Al₂O₃ interfacial engineering can simultaneously improve the high-voltage oxidation and Li metal interfacial stabilities of garnet-type Al-LLZO solid electrolytes for practical all-solid-state batteries. Full article

The demand for antimicrobial and biocompatible materials in biomedical applications continues to grow, particularly in the context of wound care and textiles. This study explores the development of multifunctional coatings by applying magnesium (Mg) nanoparticles onto medical-grade cotton textiles using magnetron sputtering—a solvent-free and environmentally sustainable technique. A comprehensive material characterization confirmed the formation of Mg, MgO and Mg(OH)₂/MgH₂ phases, along with generally consistent particle coverage and increased fiber surface roughness. The antibacterial testing revealed the effective inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria—except Enterococcus faecalis. Additionally, the growth of the fungus Candida albicans and the microalgae Prototheca spp. was reduced by over 80%. Importantly, a cytocompatibility evaluation using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) demonstrated not only non-toxicity but a significant increase in cell viability after 72 h, particularly in samples treated for 20 and 60 min, indicating a potential cytoprotective and proliferative effect. These findings highlight the dual functionality of plasma-sputtered Mg nanoparticle coatings, offering a promising strategy for the development of eco-friendly, antimicrobial and cell-supportive medical textiles. Full article

Fog-proof coatings have been widely utilized in various fields, including automobile windshields, curtain walls, and fog-resistant eyewear. To date, numerous methods have been developed for preparing fog-proof coatings. However, the most effective fog-proof surfaces often suffer from poor light transmittance. In this report, we present a method for preparing fog-proof nano-coatings using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) was employed as a precursor solution, resulting in the formation of amorphous nano-coatings on glass substrates with a thickness ranging from 15 to 25 nm. The APS-coated glasses exhibit superhydrophilic properties, excellent fog resistance, and anti-reflective characteristics. Additionally, the APS coatings enhance light transmittance from 90% to 92%. Full article

This study, based on our previous research, aims to quantitatively determine the enhanced protection of austenitic stainless steels against pitting corrosion in NaCl solution by self-assembled molecular (SAM) layers, in their original form and after γ-irradiation. This study focuses on four stainless steels of varying compositions, covered by self-assembled undecenyl phosphonic acid layers. The metal dissolution in corrosion experiments was measured by a special, highly sensitive analytical technique using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The comparison of the dissolved metal ion concentrations measured in the presence of different metals with and without nanocoatings allowed the evaluation of the anticorrosion effectiveness of nanofilms as well as the importance of the alloying elements. The ICP-OES results demonstrated that the quality of layers have a significant impact on anticorrosion efficacy. The γ-irradiated self-assembled layers were the most effective in controlling the dissolution of stainless steels. The mechanisms of the inhibition in the presence of these nanolayers were elucidated by infrared spectroscopy. First of all, it revealed the differences in the adsorption of the undecenyl phosphonic acid self-assembled layer, both with and without γ-irradiation. The other important observation that confirmed the increased anticorrosion efficiency after γ-irradiation proved the formation of a more compact, polymer-like layer over the metal surface. The increased anticorrosion efficacy, defined as the enhancement in Pitting Resistance Equivalent Numbers (PRENs) in the presence of self-assembled layers (either pre- or post-γ-irradiation), can be documented. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coating integrity performance and corrosion protection property of trimethylsilane (TMS) plasma nanocoatings that were directly deposited onto cobalt chromium (CoCr) L605 cardiovascular stents. Hydrophilic surfaces were achieved for the TMS plasma nanocoatings that were deposited onto the coronary stents through NH₃/O₂ (2:1 molar ratio) plasma post-treatment. With a coating thickness of approximately 20–25 nm, the TMS plasma nanocoatings were highly durable and able to resist delamination and cracking from crimping and expansion by a Model CX with a J-Crimp Station. The stent surface that was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) showed no indications of pitting, corrosion, or adsorption products on either the luminal or abluminal surfaces of the stents, in contrast to the uncoated stent surface. The TMS plasma nanocoatings significantly enhanced the stent’s corrosion resistance in immersion experiments that followed the ASTM F2129-15 corrosion protocol, evident in the increase of the open circuit potential (OCP) from 0.01 V for the uncoated L605 stent to 0.18 V for the plasma-nanocoated L605 stent, reducing potential cytotoxic metal ion release. Cyclic polarization (CP) curves show that the corrosion rate (density level) observed in plasma-nanocoated L605 stents was approximately half an order of magnitude lower than that of the uncoated stents, indicating improved corrosion protection of the stents. CP curves of the TMS plasma-nanocoated stents with different coating thicknesses show that, in the range of 20–65 nm, the coating thickness does not result in any difference in the corrosion resistance of the stents. Full article

The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial capabilities of different coating durations of three nanoparticle (NP) coatings: molybdenum (Mo), tantalum (Ta), and zinc oxide (ZnO), and their effects on the surface characteristics of 316L stainless steel (SS). The coated substrates underwent characterization utilizing field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) techniques. The antibacterial efficacy of NPs was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. The FE-SEM and EDX images confirmed the presence of nano-sized particles of Mo, Ta, and ZnO on the surface of the substrates with perfectly symmetrical spheres and a uniform distribution of the NPs. All groups demonstrated antibacterial activity, and the ability to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. The ZnO group had the most potent antibacterial effect, followed by the Mo group, while the Ta group had the least effect. A direct-current (DC) plasma sputtering system was used to produce nano-coatings of high purity that were homogeneous, crack-free and showed no sign of delamination. Bacterial strains exposed to Mo, Ta, and ZnO coated surfaces exhibited a significant loss of viability in a time-dependent manner. The optimum sputtering time to ensure the best antibacterial properties and preserve the resources was 1 hour (h) for Mo, 3 h for Ta and 6 h for ZnO. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of trimethylsilane (TMS) plasma nanocoatings in protecting silver nanowires (AgNWs) from degradation and thus to improve their stability. TMS plasma nanocoatings at various thicknesses were deposited onto AgNWs that were prepared on three different substrates, including glass, porous styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). The experimental results showed that the application of TMS plasma nanocoatings to AgNWs induced little increase, up to ~25%, in their electrical resistance but effectively protected them from degradation. Over a two-month storage period in summer (20–22 °C, 55–70% RH), the resistance of the coated AgNWs on SEBS increased by only ~90%, compared to a substantial increase of ~700% for the uncoated AgNWs. On glass, the resistance of the coated AgNWs increased by ~30%, versus ~190% for the uncoated ones. When stored in a 37 °C phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution for 2 months, the resistance of the coated AgNWs on glass increased by ~130%, while the uncoated AgNWs saw a ~970% rise. Increasing the TMS plasma nanocoating thickness further improved the conductivity stability of the AgNWs. The nanocoatings also transformed the AgNWs’ surfaces from hydrophilic to hydrophobic without significantly affecting their optical transparency. These findings demonstrate the potential of TMS plasma nanocoatings in protecting AgNWs from environmental and aqueous degradation, preserving their electrical conductivity and suitability for use in transparent electrodes and wearable electronics. Full article

Background: The use of nitinol (NiTi) archwires in orthodontic treatment has increased significantly due to unique mechanical properties. The greatest obstacle for safe orthodontic treatment is chemically or microbiologically induced corrosion, resulting in nickel (Ni) release. The aim of this investigation was to enhance corrosion resistance and introduce antibacterial properties to NiTi archwires by coating them with copper (Cu) doper titanium nitride (TiN-Cu). Methods: NiTi archwires were coated with TiN-Cu using cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) and direct current magnetron sputtering (DC-MS). The morphology of the sample was analyzed via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and chemical composition was assessed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to estimate the ion release. The biocompatibility of samples was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Antibacterial activity was tested against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus mitis. Results: Physicochemical characterization revealed well-designed coatings with the presence of TiN phase with incorporated Cu. TiN-Cu-nanocoated archwires showed a statistically lower Ni release (p < 0.05). Relative cell viability was the highest in 28-day eluates of TiN-Cu-nanocoated archwires (p < 0.05). The most remarkable decrease in Streptococcus mitis concentrations was observed in the case of TiN-Cu-coated archwires (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Taking into account biocompatibility and antibacterial tests, TiN-Cu-nanocoated archwires may be considered as a good candidate for further clinical investigations. Full article

A superhydrophobic coating on wood can effectively improve the hydrophobicity and service life of wood. In this study, an Al superhydrophobic nano-coating was constructed on the transversal section of poplar wood by magnetron sputtering based on glow-discharge plasma. The structure, microscopic morphology, surface elements, and hydrophobic properties were characterized and tested. When coated for 20 s, the water contact angle on the sample surface can reach 148.9°. When coated for 30 min, the Al-coated wood had a contact angle of 157.3°, which could maintain excellent superhydrophobic properties for 300 s. The sputtered Al nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the wood surface and formed nanoclusters. Plenty of voids between the clusters can trap air and block contact between water droplets and the coating, making the coating obtain superhydrophobic properties. When the coating time was 60 min, the characteristic peak of the Al (111) crystal plane appeared at 38.4°, while the intensities of (101), (002), and (040) peaks of cellulose were reduced. In conclusion, magnetron sputtering was used to deposit a superhydrophobic coating on wood without low surface free energy agents. Furthermore, this research provides new inspirations for the physical modification of wood and the construction of superhydrophobic coatings on wood. Full article

Unsized single-end rovings are oxygen plasma pretreated and organosilicon plasma coated using plasma nanotechnology to optimize the interphase in glass-fiber-reinforced polyester composites and to determine the achievable range of their shear strength for potential applications. This surface modification of the fibers allows us to vary the shear strength of the composite in the range of 23.1 to 45.2 MPa at reduced financial costs of the process, while the commercial sizing corresponds to 39.2 MPa. The shear strength variability is controlled by the adhesion of the interlayer (plasma nanocoating) due to the variable density of chemical bonds at the interlayer/glass interface. The optimized technological conditions can be used for continuous surface modification of rovings in commercial online fiber-processing systems. Full article

Nanocoatings formed by various plasma and chemical methods on the surface of polymeric materials have unique properties. However, the applicability of polymeric materials with nanocoatings under specific temperature and mechanical conditions depends on the physical and mechanical properties of the coating. The determination of Young’s modulus is a task of paramount importance since it is widely used in calculations of the stress–strain state of structural elements and structures in general. Small thicknesses of nanocoatings limit the choice of methods for determining the modulus of elasticity. In this paper, we propose a method for determining the Young’s modulus for a carbonized layer formed on a polyurethane substrate. For its implementation, the results of uniaxial tensile tests were used. This approach made it possible to obtain patterns of change in the Young’s modulus of the carbonized layer depending on the intensity of ion-plasma treatment. These regularities were compared with regularities of changes in the molecular structure of the surface layer caused by plasma treatment of different intensity. The comparison was made on the basis of correlation analysis. Changes in the molecular structure of the coating were determined from the results of infrared Fourier spectroscopy (FTIR) and spectral ellipsometry. Full article

In this study, functional nanocoatings for water-repellent footwear leather materials were investigated by chemical plasma polymerisation by implanting and depositing the organosilicon compound hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) using a low-pressure plasma system. To this end, the effect of monomers on leather plasma deposition time was evaluated and both the resulting plasma polymers and the deposited leather samples were characterised using different experimental techniques, such as: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, leather samples were tested by standard tests for color change, water resistance, surface wetting resistance and dynamic water contact angle (DWCA). The resulting polysiloxane polymers exhibited hydrophobic properties on leather. Furthermore, these chemical surface modifications created on the substrate can produce water repellent effects without altering the visual leather appearance and physical properties. Both plasma coating treatments and nanocoatings with developed water-repellency properties can be considered as a more sustainable, automated and less polluting alternative to chemical conventional processing that can be introduced into product-finishing processes in the footwear industry. Full article

The permanent anti-mold protection of textile surfaces, particularly those utilized in the manufacture of outdoor sporting goods, is still an issue that requires cutting-edge solutions. This study attempts to obtain antifungal nanocoatings on four selected fabrics used in the production of high-mountain clothing and sleeping bags, and on PET foil as a model substrate, employing the cold plasma technique for this purpose. Three plasma treatment procedures were used to obtain such nanocoatings: plasma-activated graft copolymerization of a biocidal precursor, deposition of a thin-film matrix by plasma-activated graft copolymerization and anchoring biocidal molecules therein, and plasma polymerization of a biocidal precursor. The precursors used represented three important groups of antifungal agents: phenols, amines, and anchored compounds. SEM microscopy and FTIR-ATR spectrometry were used to characterize the produced nanocoatings. For testing antifungal properties, four species of common mold fungi were selected: A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. tenuissima, and P. chrysogenum. It was found that the relatively best nanocoating, both in terms of plasma process performance, durability, and anti-mold activity, is plasma polymerized 2-allylphenol. The obtained results confirm our belief that cold plasma technology is a great tool for modifying the surface of textiles to provide them with antifungal properties. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of trimethylsilane (TMS) plasma nanocoatings modified with NH₃/O₂ (2:1 molar ratio) plasma post-treatment onto cobalt chromium (CoCr) L605 alloy coupons and stents for cardiovascular stent applications. Biocompatibility of plasma nanocoatings was evaluated by coating adhesion, corrosion behavior, ion releasing, cytotoxicity, and cell proliferation. Surface chemistry and wettability were studied to understand effects of surface properties on biocompatibility. Results show that NH₃/O₂ post-treated TMS plasma nanocoatings are hydrophilic with water contact angle of 48.5° and have a typical surface composition of O (39.39 at.%), Si (31.92 at.%), C (24.12 at.%), and N (2.77 at.%). The plasma nanocoatings were conformal to substrate surface topography and had excellent adhesion to the alloy substrates, as assessed by tape test (ASTM D3359), and showed no cracking or peeling off L605 stent surfaces after dilation. The plasma nanocoatings also improve the corrosion resistance of CoCr L605 alloy by increasing corrosion potential and decreasing corrosion rates with no pitting corrosion and no mineral adsorption layer. Ion releasing test revealed that Co, Cr, and Ni ion concentrations were reduced by 64–79%, 67–69%, and 57–72%, respectively, in the plasma-nanocoated L605 samples as compared to uncoated L605 control samples. The plasma nanocoatings showed no sign of cytotoxicity from the test results according to ISO 10993-05 and 10993-12. Seven-day cell culture demonstrated that, in comparison with the uncoated L605 control surfaces, the plasma nanocoating surfaces showed 62 ± 7.3% decrease in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (PCASMCs) density and had comparable density of porcine coronary artery endothelial cells (PCAECs). These results suggest that TMS plasma nanocoatings with NH₃/O₂ plasma post-treatment possess the desired biocompatibility for stent applications and support the hypothesis that nanocoated stents could be very effective for in-stent restenosis prevention. Full article

In the past 30 years, plasma polymerization has emerged as a versatile technique for depositing ultrathin nanocoating on a variety of substrates for applications that range from providing lubricity to the substrate, protection from harsh environments, promoting adhesion, surface modification to applications of coating in ultrafiltration and gas separation membranes. Applications in the field of volatile organic compound (VOC) recovery and membrane distillation have also gained importance in recent years. Most of these applications use silicone and fluorosilicone-based plasma polymers that provide versatility, good separation characteristics, and long-term stability to the membrane. However, plasma polymers are known to age with time. The current study focuses on the aging behavior of silicone and fluorosilicone plasma polymers in different environments that include air, ionized air, heat, aqueous solutions of inorganic chemicals, as well as harsh solvents such as hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and toluene. Membrane gas permeance and gas selectivity were used to quantitatively measure the aging behavior of the coatings on gas separation membranes, while water and VOC flux were used to measure the effect of aging for membranes designed for membrane distillation and VOC separation. It was found that while all plasma polymers of this study showed changes in membrane gas permeance on exposure to air, they fundamentally retained their membrane separation characteristics in all the studied environments. Significant changes in gas permeability characteristics were observed on exposure of the membranes to organic solvents like dichloromethane, 2-propanol, hexane, and toluene, which are attributed to dimensional changes in the hollow fiber substrate rather than changes in plasma polymer characteristics. Ionized air was also found to have a significant effect on the gas permeability characteristic of the membranes, reducing the gas permeance by as much as 50% in some cases. This is attributed to accelerated oxidation and crosslinking of the polymer in ionized air. XPS studies showed an increase in the oxygen content of the polymer on aging. Differences were found in the aging behavior of polymer coatings made from different monomers with long-chain monomers such as hexamethyltrisiloxane offering more stable coatings. The cross-link density of the polymer also influenced the aging behavior, with the more cross-linked polymer showing a lesser influence on aging in a chemical environment. No significant effect of aging was found on applications of these polymer coatings in the field of membrane distillation, pervaporation, and VOC removal, and a stable performance was observed over a long period of time. It was also noted that the selection of co-monomers played a significant role in membrane distillation, with polymers forming fluoro co-monomers giving better results. The current study also demonstrated the usefulness of plasma polymers in controlling the pore size of microporous membranes that can find useful applications in bio-filtration and VOC recovery. Full article