Synthesis of single-phase Ti3SiC2 powder

In this study, free 2Ti/2Si/3TiC powder mixture was heated at high temperatures in vacuum, in order to reveal the possibility for the synthesis of high Ti₃SiC₂ content powder. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the evaluation of phase identities and the morphology of the powder after different treatments. Results showed that almost single phase Ti₃SiC₂ powder (99.3 wt.%) can be synthesized by heat treatment with free 2Ti/2Si/3TiC powders in vacuum at 1210°C for about 3 h. The nucleation and growth of Ti₃SiC₂ within TiC particles was observed. The typical appearance of the formed Ti₃SiC₂ is equiaxed with particle size of 2–4 μm. Effects of temperature and heating time on the morphology and the particle sizes of the synthesized Ti₃SiC₂ powders are not obvious.     

Fabrication and Microstructure Characterization of Ti3SiC2 Synthesized from Ti/Si/2TiC Powders Using the Pulse Discharge Sintering (PDS) Technique

Ti/Si/2TiC powders were prepared using a mixture method (M) and a mechanical alloying (MA) method to fabricate Ti₃SiC₂ at 1200°–1400°C using a pulse discharge sintering (PDS) technique. The results showed that the Ti₃SiC₂ samples with <5 wt% TiC could be rapidly synthesized from the M powders; however, the TiC content was always >18 wt% in the MA samples. Further sintering of the M powder showed that the purity of Ti₃SiC₂ could be improved to >97 wt% at 1250°–1300°C, which is ∼200°–300°C lower than that of sintered Ti/Si/C and Ti/SiC/C powders using the hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) technique. The microstructure of Ti₃SiC₂ also could be controlled using three types of powders, i.e., fine, coarse, or duplex-grained, within the sintering temperature range. In comparison with Ti/Si/C and Ti/SiC/C mixture powders, it has been suggested that high-purity Ti₃SiC₂ could be rapidly synthesized by sintering the Ti/Si/TiC powder mixture at relatively lower temperature using the PDS technique.     

EFFECT OF INFRARED IRRADIATION ON DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF WET POROUS MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

We studied infrared drying characteristics of wet porous materials by comparison with the convective drying characteristics, and our attention was focused on the factors influencing their characteristics. By selecting three kinds of membrane filters, we examined the influences of the mean pore diameter and the spectral distribution of irradiation power as variables using a far-infrared heater and a near-infrared heater. The differences between the infrared and convective drying characteristics (drying rate, sample temperature, water content distribution) were experimentally obtained, and the influence of mean pore diameter of the sample on its drying characteristics was observed only in infrared drying but in convective drying. By measuring the diffuse transmittance of the membrane filter in consideration of the drying process, we deliberated that infrared radiation penetrating into the drying sample was absorbed directly by the water in the voids, and that the water vaporized there.     

Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction study on molecular aggregation state of imprinted polyimide film before and after hard baking

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) was carried out on precursor of polyimide (PI), poly(amic acid) film, and then hard baking to obtain imprinted PI film. The molecular aggregation states of imprinted PI films before and after hard baking were investigated by grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction comparing with the one of flat PI film. It was found that NIL and hard baking can strongly affect the molecular aggregation states of PI film. Before hard baking, PI chain is aligned parallel to the line direction on the line. After hard baking, the alignment in ordered domain was changed to that the PI molecule of which chain axis is perpendicular to the line direction is significantly increased, while, PI molecule of which chain axis is parallel to the line direction is decreased after hard baking. Through comparing with the flat PI, crystallinity of imprinted PI film has been significantly enhanced.     

Humido-sensitive conducting polymer films and applications to linear actuators

Free-standing films made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) with various PSS contents were newly prepared by casting water dispersion of the PEDOT/PSS colloidal particles in the presence of an extra PSS. Electrical conductivity, morphology, water vapor sorption, and electro-active polymer actuating behavior of the resulting films were investigated by means of four-point method, atomic force microscope (AFM), sorption isotherm, and electromechanical analyses. The maximum contraction of the film by application of an electric field increased with increasing both PSS content and relative humidity (RH), where the value attained 7% at 70% RH for the film with 93% of PSS. Since the isothermal sorption curve of the film was less dependent on the PSS content, the significant increase of the film contraction was explained by two mechanisms: (i) the extra PSS prevented from hydrogen bonding between adjacent PEDOT/PSS particles that suppressed dimensional changes of the film; and (ii) the higher the RH, the larger the degree of water vapor sorption, which led to the large film contraction by desorption of water vapor via Joule heating. On the basis of this phenomenon linear actuators utilizing PEDOT/PSS films were successfully developed and applied to leverage actuator and Braille cell.     

Preparation of π-conjugated polymers consisting of 1-aminopyrrole and 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole units

π-Conjugated polymers based on 1-aminopyrrole and 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole were prepared. Pd-catalyzed organometallic polycondensation gave poly(arylene-ethynylene) (PAE)-type π-conjugated polymers consisting of BOC-protected 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (Taz(BOC)) units (BOC = t-butoxycarbonyl). The number average molecular weights (M_n) were determined to be 5200–19,200 using GPC. An alternating copolymer of Taz(BOC) and bithiophene (Th–Th) units, P(Taz(BOC)-Th-Th)_n-Pd, with an M_n of 10,800 was also prepared by Pd-catalyzed organometallic polycondensation. (Taz(BOC)-Th-Th)_n-Pd showed a UV–Vis absorption peak at λ_max = 425 nm, which is reasonable for a π-conjugated five-membered ring polymer with a coplanar structure. The deprotection of the BOC group of the polymers proceeded at 200 °C; this BOC-deprotection was investigated using a model compound. The optical and electrochemical properties of the π-conjugated polymers are reported.     

Piezoelectric properties of langasite group based on the ionic size of cation

As langasite A₃BC₃D₂O₁₄ compounds group with piezoelectric properties has no phase transition up to the melting point of 1400–1500 °C, they have been applied for the combustion pressure sensor. As they also have a larger electromechanical coupling factor compared to quartz and nearly the same temperature stability as quartz, the surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are expected based on the digital transformation of wider bandwidth and higher-bit rates. In the case of three-element compounds such as [R₃]_A[Ga]_B[Ga₃]_C[GaSi]_DO₁₄ (R=La, Pr and Nd), the piezoelectric constant increases with the ionic radius R. In the case of four-element compounds such as [A₃]_A[B]_B[Ga₃]_C[Si₂]_DO₁₄ (A=Ca or Sr, B=Ta or Nb), |d₁₁| and k₁₂ values as a function of A_L/B_L ratio showed a linear relationship completely. There are two effects for the substitutions of A- and B-site cations: the substitution of Sr for Ca brings expansion toward [100] and enlargement in |d₁₁| and k₁₂. On the other hand, as the substitution of Ta for Nb brings not much change, the properties are similar. In this study, five-element compounds such as La_3?xSr_xTa_yGa_5?x+ySi_1+x?2yO₁₄ (0≤x≤3, 0≤y≤1) solid solutions analysed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction are compared with the three- and four-element compounds on the coordinates of oxygen ions. As the coordinates positions are located on the extended line of coordinate positions on the three-element compounds as increasing ionic radius of R-ions in A-site, the piezoelectric properties |d₁₁| and k₁₂ are expected become large.     

Immunomodulatory Properties and Osteogenic Activity of Polyetheretherketone Coated with Titanate Nanonetwork Structures

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a potential substitute for conventional metallic biomedical implants owing to its superior mechanical and chemical properties, as well as biocompatibility. However, its inherent bio-inertness and poor osseointegration limit its use in clinical applications. Herein, thin titanium films were deposited on the PEEK substrate by plasma sputtering, and porous nanonetwork structures were incorporated on the PEEK surface by alkali treatment (PEEK-TNS). Changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the PEEK surface were analyzed to establish the interactions with cell behaviors. The osteoimmunomodulatory properties were evaluated using macrophage cells and osteoblast lineage cells. The functionalized nanostructured surface of PEEK-TNS effectively promoted initial cell adhesion and proliferation, suppressed inflammatory responses, and induced macrophages to anti-inflammatory M2 polarization. Compared with PEEK, PEEK-TNS provided a more beneficial osteoimmune environment, including increased levels of osteogenic, angiogenic, and fibrogenic gene expression, and balanced osteoclast activities. Furthermore, the crosstalk between macrophages and osteoblast cells showed that PEEK-TNS could provide favorable osteoimmunodulatory environment for bone regeneration. PEEK-TNS exhibited high osteogenic activity, as indicated by alkaline phosphatase activity, osteogenic factor production, and the osteogenesis/osteoclastogenesis-related gene expression of osteoblasts. The study establishes that the fabrication of titanate nanonetwork structures on PEEK surfaces could extract an adequate immune response and favorable osteogenesis for functional bone regeneration. Furthermore, it indicates the potential of PEEK-TNS in implant applications.     

Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.