ZnO Nanoplatelets with Controlled Thickness: Atomic Insight into Facet-Specific Bimodal Ligand Binding Using DNP NMR

Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) and nanosheets with controlled thickness have recently emerged as an exciting new class of quantum-sized nanomaterials with substantially distinct optical properties compared to 0D quantum dots. Zn-based NPLs are an attractive heavy-metal-free alternative to the so far most widespread cadmium chalcogenide colloidal 2D semiconductor nanostructures, but their synthesis remains challenging to achieve. The authors describe herein, to the best of their knowledge, the first synthesis of highly stable ZnO NPLs with the atomically precise thickness, which for the smallest NPLs is 3.2 nm (corresponding to 12 ZnO layers). Furthermore, by means of dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state ¹⁵N NMR, the original role of the benzamidine ligands in stabilizing the surface of these nanomaterials is revealed, which can bind to both the polar and non-polar ZnO facets, acting either as X- or L-type ligands, respectively. This bimodal stabilization allows obtaining hexagonal NPLs for which the surface energy of the facets is modulated by the presence of the ligands. Thus, in-depth study of the interactions at the organic–inorganic interfaces provides a deeper understanding of the ligand–surface interface and should facilitate the future chemistry of stable-by-design nano-objects.     

Adaptive method of 5-axis milling of sculptured surfaces elements with a curved line contour

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - In this paper, an attempt to develop a new adaptive method of controlling the axis orientation of a toroidal milling cutter (leading angle α)...     

A Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties,Thermal Conductivity,Residual Stresses,and Wear Resistance of Aluminum-Alumina Composites Obtained by Squeeze Casting and Powder Metallurgy

Squeeze casting and powder metallurgy techniques were employed to fabricate AlSi12/Al₂O₃ composites, which are lightweight structural materials with potential applications in the automotive industry. The impact of the processing route on the material properties was studied. Comparative analyses were conducted for the Vickers hardness, flexural strength, fracture toughness, thermal conductivity, thermal residual stresses, and frictional wear. Our results show that the squeeze cast composite exhibits superior properties to those obtained using powder metallurgy.

     

Correction to: A Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties,Thermal Conductivity,Residual Stresses,and Wear Resistance of Aluminum-Alumina Composites Obtained by Squeeze Casting and Powder Metallurgy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A -     

Elaboration of small‐diameter vascular prostheses—Selection of appropriate sterilisation method

The aim of study is the elaboration of semi‐biodegradable, multilayered tubular structures as substitutes for the reconstruction of small diameter vascular prostheses (<6 mm). The inert external layer of the prostheses will be fabricated via the melt electrospinning of poly (l ‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA). The middle layer will be constructed from polypropylene (PP); the first prototype will be produced via melt electrospinning and the second using the melt blowing technique. The general aim of this stage of the research is the selection of a sterilisation technique that is appropriate for semi‐biodegradable, multilayered tubular structures. For this purpose, single tubular structures created via the melt electrospinning of PLGA or PP and melt blown tubular structures of PP were elaborated. The influence of steam, ethylene‐oxide (EO), and radiation sterilisation techniques on the elaborated microstructure of tubular structures was analyzed during this study. The effect of each sterilisation technique was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis (SEM/EDS). The changes in average molecular weight (M_w) and crystallinity index (CI) of the PLGA tubular structures after EO and steam sterilisation were evaluated. The EO and steam sterilisation resulted in the complete destruction of PLGA tubular structures. Only the radiation sterilisation (accelerated electrons) did not influence on PLGA tubular structures morphology as well as thermal and chemical properties. FTIR and SEM/EDS analysis indicated that no changes in the chemical properties of PP tubular structures after each sterilisation occurred. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40812.     

Structure and Composition of Au–Cu and Pd–Cu Bimetallic Catalysts Affecting Acetylene Reactivity

Au–Cu and Pd–Cu bimetallic model catalysts were prepared on native SiO₂/Si(100) substrate under ultra high vacuum (UHV) by employing buffer layer assisted growth procedure with amorphous solid water as the buffer material. The effect of the bimetallic nanoclusters (NCs) surface composition and morphology on their chemical reactivity has been studied with acetylene decomposition and conversion to ethylene and benzene as the chemical probe. It was found that among the Au–Cu NCs compositions, Au_0.5Cu₃ NCs revealed outstanding catalytic selectivity towards ethylene formation. These NCs were further characterized by employing TEM, XPS and HAADF-STEM coupled EDX analysis. With CO molecule as a probe, CO temperature programmed desorption has been used to investigate the distribution of gold on the top-most surface of the supported clusters. Surface segregation at high relative elemental fraction of gold leads to a decreased activity of the Au–Cu NCs towards ethylene formation. In contrast to the Au–Cu NCs, the Pd–Cu bimetallic system reveals reduced sensitivity to the relative elemental composition with respect to selectivity of the acetylene transformation toward ethylene formation. On the other hand, remarkable activity towards benzene formation has been observed at elemental composition of Cu₃Pd, at comparable rates to those for ethylene formation on clean Pd NCs.     

Drying of Herbal Product in Closed System

A new product from a low temperature drying method that reduces the loss of highly volatile essential oils is presented. The proposed drying method consists of evaporation/sublimation of water and aromatic substances in a dryer with a closed drying agent cycle. In parallel, the evaporated compounds are continuously condensed in a heat exchanger. As a result of the drying process, high-quality dried plants and Fluidolat as liquid phase containing water and volatile organic compounds are obtained. The aim of presented investigations was to optimize the developed technology for the herb lavender.     

Exploring the Effects of Glycosylation and Etherification of the Side Chains of the Anticancer Drug Mitoxantrone

Herein we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of symmetric and asymmetric analogues of the DNA intercalating drug mitoxantrone (MTX) in which the side chains of the parent drug were modified through glycosylation or methyl etherification. Several analogues with glycosylated side chains exhibited higher DNA affinity than the parent MTX. The most potent in vitro cytotoxicity was observed for MTX analogue 8 (1,4‐dimethoxy‐5,8‐bis[2‐(2‐methoxyethylamino)ethylamino]anthracene‐9,10‐dione) with methoxy ether containing side chains. Treatment of melanoma‐bearing mice with MTX or analogue 8 decreased the intraperitoneal tumor burden relative to untreated mice; the effect of 8 was less pronounced than that of MTX. In vitro metabolism assays of MTX with rabbit liver S9 fraction gave rise to several metabolites; almost no metabolites were detected for MTX analogue 8 . The results presented indicate that derivatization of the MTX side chain primary hydroxy groups may result in a significant improvement in DNA affinity and lower susceptibility to the formation of potentially toxic metabolites.