Corrosion behaviour of niobium in phosphate buffered saline solutions with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin

The corrosion behaviour of Nb was studied in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutions at a presence of 0–6 g L⁻¹ bovine serum albumin (BSA). Addition of BSA to PBS solutions lowered the open circuit potential (OCP). OCP, polarization resistance and impedance increased over immersion time. The adsorption process of BSA on Nb surface was found to be faster than that of the PO₄³⁻. According to X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) a competitive adsorption between PO₄³⁻ and BSA was in effect during the immersion process. Based on the analysis of effective capacitances, a surface distribution of time-constants was proposed.     

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) dithiophosphoric acid surface protected gold nanoparticles: micellar synthesis, stabilization, isolation, and properties

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized in the organic solution by means of the reduction of HAuCl₄ by hydrazine in reverse micelles of oxyethylated surfactant Triton N-42, with decane as the dispersion medium. To isolate the powder of particles, the micelles were destroyed with chloroform in the presence of di-(2-ethylhexyl) dithiophosphoric acid as a surface protecting agent. According to the results of several experiments, the yield is within the limits of 90–98%, calculated for gold. The obtained preparations are dark blue hydrophobic powders containing aggregated but not agglomerated gold nanoparticles, as well as microcrystals (∼0.08–0.2 μm) of NaCl. The powders get re-dispersed in weakly polar organic solvents with the formation of colloidal solutions. The shape of the nanoparticles is spherical. Their nuclei are gold single crystals with a narrow size distribution; their diameter (d _Au) is about two times as large as the diameter of the aqueous nucleus (d _c) of initial micelles: d _Au = 7.7 ± 1.4 nm (d _c = 3.6 nm) and 8.8 ± 1.5 nm (4.6 nm). The preparations were studied by means of dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. In the case of the particles with d _Au = 8.8 nm, the product is a mixture of AuNPs and the salt with the molar ratio Au/NaCl ≈ 1:4.54, while the gross composition of AuNPs per one gold atom is estimated as Au(C₁₆H₃₄O₂PS₂Na∙2N₂H₄)_0.16 with the number of gold atoms in one particle ∼21,000.     

Effects of bovine serum albumin on the corrosion behaviour of AISI 316L, Co–28Cr–6Mo, and Ti–6Al–4V alloys in phosphate buffered saline solutions

The corrosion behaviour of AISI 316L, wrought Co–28Cr–6Mo and Ti–6Al–4V was studied in aerated solutions of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at various concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 37 °C. Open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on Co–28Cr–6Mo oxide layer were conducted to study the interaction of BSA and passive layers and to measure the corrosion rates. Ti–6Al–4V alloy had the lowest corrosion rate and the highest breakdown potential. It was shown that BSA has enhanced the alloy passive film stability at higher concentrations.     

Degradation behaviour of AZ80E magnesium alloy exposed to phosphate buffer saline medium

Corrosion behaviour of AZ80E alloy in comparison with pure Mg was investigated in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution in order to assess its bioactivity. Open circuit potential and EIS results reveal that both samples exhibit self-passivation with time. The higher corrosion resistance of the alloy is discussed from the perspective of its microstructure. Anodic oxidation for the alloy surface in borate buffer solution was also attempted potentiostatically to modify its corrosion behaviour. Anodised specimen at controlled potential of 1.0 V(SCE) can improve the durability of the alloy in PBS medium. The results were further confirmed by SEM and EDX analyses.     

Surface characterization of oxides grown on the Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy and their corrosion protection

Oxide films were formed on the biocompatible alloy Ti–13Nb–13Zr in a phosphate buffer at open-circuit potential (E_oc), potentiodynamically up to 8 V, or by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) at 300 V. Their electrochemical properties were assessed in a phosphate buffer saline solution (PBS). EIS and SEM results showed that the E_oc and potentiodynamically formed oxide films were compact and behave as a monolayer, while the MAO oxide was a bilayered film (compact inner and porous outer layers). Open-circuit potential and EIS resistance values indicated that the MAO oxide provides the best corrosion protection for the alloy in PBS.     

A novel approach to classify serum glycoproteins from patients infected by dengue using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis

Electrochemical biosensor for serum glycoproteins (SG) from patients infected by dengue fever (DF) based on gold nanoparticles (AuNp) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) adsorbed on gold electrodes has been investigated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in the frequency range from 100 mHz to 100 kHz, was performed on these electrodes, in phosphate buffer (PBS) solution containing 10 mM K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆] (1:1) as a redox probe. The electrodes modified with AuNp–Con A–PVB–BSA–SG showed larger electron transfer resistances than those modified with AuNp–Con A–PVB–BSA. The impedance spectra showed an increase in the charge transfer resistance when Con A interacted with SG. Moreover, the charge transfer resistance obtained with DF was larger than that obtained with negative serum. The resulting biosensor is capable to recognize SG from patients infected by DF.     

Synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of Fe-P alloy prepared by electrothermal reduction method

Microscale Fe-P alloy was prepared using Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and Fe₂O₃ in an electrothermal reduction process, and the electrochemical performance was investigated in detail. The initial discharge capacity could reach ∼566.8 mAh/g at 0.3 C rate, and the fade trend was so slight that the normalized capacities from 1.0 to 2.0 C rate were adjacent. The energy density and the power density could reach ∼1133.6 Wh/kg and ∼912.4 W/kg, respectively. The rate capability and the cycle performance were comparable to those of the Fe-P alloy synthesized using zerovalent iron and phosphorus. At 0.5 mV/s scan rate, the oxidation peak and the reduction peak for the reaction of lithium ions with P were positioned at ∼1.3 and ∼0.5 V, respectively. The reaction occurred under diffusion control, and the lithium ion diffusion efficient was ∼1.5×10⁻⁹ cm²/s.     

Synthesis & Characterization of PVA/STA Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Application

Chemically cross-linked composite membranes consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silicotungstic acid (STA) have been prepared by solution casting and evaluated as proton-conducting polymer electrolytes. The proton conductivity of the membranes was investigated as a function of blending composition, cross-linking density, and temperature. The conductivity mechanism was investigated by using Impedance spectroscopy in the region between 40 Hz and 10 MHz. Membranes were also characterized by FTIR spectroscopy to confirm the crossl-inking reaction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to assess the thermal stability. Membrane swelling decreased with increase in cross-linking density accompanied by improvement in mechanical properties. The proton conductivity of the membranes was of the order of 10⁻³ S/cm and showed similar resistance to methanol permeability as Nafion 117 under the same measurement conditions.     

Electrochemical behaviors of TiO2−x films synthesized by plasma-based ion implantation and deposition in fibrinogen containing PBS solution

TiO_2−x films were synthesized on carbon by plasma-based ion implantation and deposition (PBII-D). Electrochemical behaviors of the prepared films were investigated in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and fibrinogen containing PBS solution (PBS(Fn)), to probe charge transfer phenomena between TiO_2−x film and fibrinogen. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as simulated values of equivalent circuit units including reaction resistance and electric double layer has been obtained, indicating different charge transfer rate occurred across the interfaces. The shape of Mott-Schottky spectroscopy around the rest-open potential indicates that TiO_2−x films are typical n-type semiconductor. Donor density results calculated by Mott-Schottky theory show that TiO_2−x films exhibit higher donor density in PBS(Fn) than in PBS, indicating charge transfer from fibrinogen to TiO_2−x films, and the space charge layers bend lower.     

Growth of Au nanocrystals on CdS nanorods

Nanorods of S²⁻ rich CdS were synthesized by a reaction of excess S versus Cd precursors in the presence of ethylene diamine. The photoluminescence (PL) emission from the S²⁻ rich CdS nanorods was broad with a peak at ∼710 nm, which was 40 nm longer in wavelength than the PL peak from Cd²⁺ rich CdS (∼670 nm) nanorods. The influence of surface electron or hole trap states on the luminescent pathway of CdS nanorods will be discussed to explain these shifts in wavelength. Nanocrystals of Au ∼2 nm in size were grown on S²⁻ rich surfaces of CdS nanorods. Significant luminescence quenching was observed from the Au nanocrystals on the CdS nanorods due to interfacial charge separation. Change separation by the Au nanocrystals on the CdS resulted in enhanced photocatalytic degradation of Procion red mix-5B (PRB) dye in an aqueous solution under UV light irradiation.     

The voltage-dependent electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of CoCrMo medical alloy using time-domain techniques: Generalized Cauchy–Lorentz, and KWW–Randles functions describing non-ideal interfacial behaviour

In this study, we examined the change of interfacial properties of a CoCrMo biomedical alloy (ASTM F-1537) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4) at different voltages. Step polarization impedance spectroscopy technique was used to apply 50 mV voltage steps to samples, and the time-based current transients were recorded. A new equation is derived based on capacitive discharge through a Tafel element and generalized to deal with non-ideal impedance behaviour. The new function compared to the KWW–Randles function, better matches the time-transient response. The results also show a voltage-dependent oxide resistance and capacitance behaviour.     

Electrodeposition of nanocrystalline chromium-carbon alloys from electrolyte based on trivalent chromium sulfate using pulsed current

The effect of the parameters of pulsed electrolysis on the current efficiency, nanocrystal size, composition, hardness, friction coefficient, and wear resistance of nanocrystalline Cr-C coatings obtained from electrolyte based on Cr(III) sulfate containing carbamide and formic acid is studied. It is shown that coatings contain ∼9 wt % of carbon; the current density and pulse ratio produce practically no effect on their composition. It is found that a maximum appears on the dependence of current efficiency on pulse ratio in the case of the pulse ratio of ∼1.05–1.1. Thereby, current efficiency greatly exceeds the value implemented in the steady-state current mode. It is shown that, if the microhardness of Cr-C deposits obtained at constant current is close to 850–900 HV, the microhardness may increase to ∼1200−300 HV when pulsed electrolysis is used in certain modes. It is found that application of pulsed electrolysis allows a significant decrease in the friction coefficient of chromium-carbon coating (steel counterbody) both under the dry friction conditions and in the case of boundary lubrication and also results in an increase in the deposit wear resistance.     

Organic conductor: Influence of preparation temperature

The conducting polypyrrole–polyethylene glycol (PPy–PEG) composite films were produced at various polymerization temperature ranging from 5 °C to 60 °C using 1 × 10^?3 M PEG, 0.20 M pyrrole and 0.10 M p-toluene sulfonate at 1.20 V (vs. SCE). The polymerization temperature of 5 °C appeared as the optimum preparation temperature showing the highest electrical conductivity of 70 S/cm and the thermal diffusivity of 8.76 × 10^?7 m² s^?1. The electrical conductivity and thermal diffusivity exhibited a decreasing trend with the increase in polymerization temperature in the pyrrole solution used to prepare the composite films. The XRD results reveal that low temperature (5 °C) typically results in more crystalline films, which are denser, stronger and have higher conductivity. The optical microscopy of PPy–PEG shows the globular surface morphology. The surface of the of the solution side of PPy–PEG film prepared at low temperatures showed a globular morphology.     

Laser sintering of ultradispersed iron-base powder materials

Experimental data on the formation of the structure and mechanical properties of layers produced from ultradispersed Fe-base powder mixtures under laser irradiation (λ ∼ 1 μm) with a radiation density q ∼ 10³ W/cm² and pulse duration 10⁻⁵ s are reported. The results of the study provide a background for the development of a method of producing complex metal alloys in a metastable condition with the help of high-concentration energy sources. The field of application of this method is the production of thin layers on the surface of highly loaded friction units.     

Enhanced corrosion resistance of high strength Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy sheets with ultrafine grains in a phosphate-buffered saline solution

The corrosion behaviour of ultrafine grained AZ31Mg alloy sheets with very high strength, which were prepared by high-ratio differential speed rolling (HRDSR) technique, was studied in a phosphate-buffered saline solution. The corrosion resistance was greatly improved after HRDSR. This result was attributed to the enhanced stability of the Mg(OH)₂ layer due to the grain refinement and precipitation of various types of P-containing compounds on the stabilised Mg(OH)₂ layer. The HRDSR technique has a good potential to be used for the development of magnesium sheets with good combination of mechanical and biocorrosion properties.     

On the Distortion and Warpage of 7249 Aluminum Alloy After Quenching and Machining

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of solution treatment temperature, quenching media, and various machining sequences on the warpage behavior of aluminum 7249 alloy aged to T6 and T7′ tempers. Large extrusions of 7249 aluminum alloy with fins were cut into 108 “T” sections. The samples were solution-treated, aged, and machined. Three solution temperatures (445, 474, and 505 °C), two quenching media (water and 20% polyalkylene glycol), two aging treatments (T6 and T7′), and three machine sequences were used. The flatness of the samples was measured on the surfaces orthogonal to the z-axis. Three points were on top of both shoulders (six total), six were at the bottom of the sample, and six were on the top of the fin, in the cases where the fin was not milled off. They were then averaged together by surface to represent the overall warpage of each sample.     

Stable and metastable phase equilibria in the GeSe2-Se system

Stable and metastable phase equilibria in the binary system GeSe₂-Se have been investigated by means of optical and electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, and adiabatic calorimetry. A revised equilibrium phase diagram is presented. A not previously observed λ-type phase transition was observed near ∼420 K (147 °C) for GeSe₂. The intermediate phase, φ, which earlier had been considered as metastable, is shown to be stable through extensive annealing experiments and by adiabatic calorimetry. The φ phase, with composition near Ge₃Se₇, melts incongruently at 658±5 K (385±5 °C) to GeSe₂ and a liquid with 85±2 at.% Se. The liquidus of GeSe₂ and φ was determined by EPMA of annealed-and-quenched samples. Both a stable (φ-Se-liquid) and a metastable (GeSe₂-Se-liquid) eutectic point were observed. The stable one was observed at 480±2 K (207±2 °C) and 92.5±1.0 at.% Se, whereas the temperature of the metastable eutectic (GeSe₂-Se-liquid) was observed to be ∼10 K lower. Metastable phase equilibria, obtained on thermal evolution of glasses with different compositions, are described and discussed.     

The corrosion inhibition of Ti-alloy (VT-9) in mixture of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-NaF by organic compounds

This investigation deals with corrosion behavior of high strength titanium alloy in concentrated sulphuric acid solution containing different concentrations (500, 1000, 1500 ppm) of fluoride ion (F⁻) using various organic compounds (MPA, L-OH, NFP) as inhibitor, potentiodynamically. The open circuit potential values noted before and after each experiment, varied appreciably. These values were negative before polarization but after completion of the experiment turned positive and remained stable over long period of time. It is observed that cathodic current density values increase with increasing cathodic potential (more negative) and fluoride ion. The values of cathodic Tafel slopes derived from the curves (∼110 − 140 mV/dec I) indicate hydrogen evolution reaction (h.e.r). The corrosion potential (E _corr) varied slightly with addition of inhibitors. The corrosion current densities (I _corr) increased with increasing fluoride ion concentration, but these values decreased appreciably when inhibitor (MPA) was used. SEM micrograph reveals reduction of pits in the presence of inhibitor (MPA). So this concludes that organic compound was used in this case acts as a good inhibitor. The article is published in the original.     

Stable and metastable phase equilibria in the GeSe2-Se system

Stable and metastable phase equilibria in the binary system GeSe₂-Se have been investigated by means of optical and electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, and adiabatic calorimetry. A revised equilibrium phase diagram is presented. A not previously observed λ-type phase transition was observed near ∼420 K (147 °C) for GeSe₂. The intermediate phase, φ, which earlier had been considered as metastable, is shown to be stable through extensive annealing experiments and by adiabatic calorimetry. The φ phase, with composition near Ge₃Se₇, melts incongruently at 658±5 K (385±5 °C) to GeSe₂ and a liquid with 85±2 at.% Se. The liquidus of GeSe₂ and φ was determined by EPMA of annealed-and-quenched samples. Both a stable (φ-Se-liquid) and a metastable (GeSe₂-Se-liquid) eutectic point were observed. The stable one was observed at 480±2 K (207±2 °C) and 92.5±1.0 at.% Se, whereas the temperature of the metastable eutectic (GeSe₂-Se-liquid) was observed to be ∼10 K lower. Metastable phase equilibria, obtained on thermal evolution of glasses with different compositions, are described and discussed.     

Structure evolution in copper resulting from the effect of powerful current pulses

Features of structure formation and changes in microhardness of pre-deformed copper 99.9% Cu resulted from the effect of current pulses of high density (∼10 kA/mm²) and short durability (∼10² μs) at the heating rate of 10⁶–10⁷ K/s have been studied. The changes occurring are interpreted as a result of a rapid rate process of thermally activated recrystallization. The characteristics of the process are compared with the ones taking place during thermal annealing. The mechanisms responsible for the differences observed are discussed.