High-Performance TiO2 Nanoparticle/DOPA-Polymer Composites

2014

Many natural materials are complex composites whose mechanical properties are often outstanding considering the weak constituents from which they are assembled. Nacre, made of inorganic (CaCO 3 ) and organic constituents, is a textbook example because of its strength and toughness, which are related to its hierarchical structure and its well-defi ned organic–inorganic interface. Emulating the construction principles of nacre using simple inorganic materials and polymers is essential for understanding how chemical composition and structure determine biomaterial functions. A hard multilayered nanocomposite is assembled based on alternating layers of TiO 2 nanoparticles and a 3-hydroxytyramine…

Flexible minerals: self-assembled calcite spicules with extreme bending strength.

2013

Flexi-Fibers Glass or metal fibers can show incredible flexibility. Natalio et al. (p. 1298 ; see the Perspective by Sethmann ) used the protein silicatein-α, which is responsible for the biomineralization of silicates in sponges, to guide the formation of spicules made of calcite. These synthetic spicules could be bent to a high degree because of their inherent elasticity, whilst retaining the ability to guide light.

Microanalytical methods for in-situ high-resolution analysis of rock varnish at the micrometer to nanometer scale

2015

Abstract A wide range of analytical techniques were used to investigate rock varnish from different locations (Negev, Israel; Knersvlakte, South Africa; Death Valley and Mojave Desert, California): a 200 nm-femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS), an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), focused ion beam (FIB) slicing, and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy–near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (STXM–NEXAFS). This combination enables comprehensive high-spatial-resolution analysis of rock varnish. Femtosecond LA-ICP-MS and EPMA were used for quantitative determination of element concentrations. In-situ measurements were conducte…

Hybrid chalcogenide nanoparticles: 2D-WS2 nanocrystals inside nested WS2 fullerenes.

2013

The MOCVD assisted formation of nested WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF-WS2) was performed by enhancing surface diffusion with iodine, and fullerene growth was monitored by taking TEM snapshots of intermediate products. The internal structure of the core–shell nanoparticles was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after cross-cutting with a focused ion beam (FIB). Lamellar reaction intermediates were found occluded in the fullerene particles. In contrast to carbon fullerenes, layered metal chalcogenides prefer the formation of planar, plate-like structures where the dangling bonds at the edges are stabilized by excess S atoms. The effects of the reaction and annealing temperatures o…

Influence of Binding-Site Density in Wet Bioadhesion

2008

Detaching Microparticles from a Liquid Surface.

2018

The work required to detach microparticles from fluid interfaces depends on the shape of the liquid meniscus. However, measuring the capillary force on a single microparticle and simultaneously imaging the shape of the liquid meniscus has not yet been accomplished. To correlate force and shape, we combined a laser scanning confocal microscope with a colloidal probe setup. While moving a hydrophobic microsphere (radius 5-10  μm) in and out of a 2-5  μm thick glycerol film, we simultaneously measured the force and imaged the shape of the liquid meniscus. In this way we verified the fundamental equations [D. F. James, J. Fluid Mech. 63, 657 (1974)JFLSA70022-112010.1017/S0022112074002126; A. D.…

Forces Between Solid Surfaces Across Polymer Melts as Revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy

2007

Forces between solid surfaces across polymer melts are poorly understood despite their fundamental importance and their relevance for making composite materials. Such force measurements reveal information on the structure of polymers at surfaces and of confined polymers. Experiments with the atomic force microscope and polyisoprene (PI) confirmed theoretical predictions that no long‐range force should be present in thermodynamic equilibrium. In poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) repulsive forces are observed at high molar mass. We attribute this to the formation of an immobilized layer caused by a slow release of adsorbed segments enhanced by entanglement. In low molar mass PDMS attractive forc…

Snapshots of the Formation of Inorganic MoS2 Onion-Type Fullerenes: A “Shrinking Giant Bubble” Pathway

2010

Early homogenous amorphous precursor stages of calcium carbonate and subsequent crystal growth in levitated droplets.

2008

An in situ study of the contact-free crystallization of calcium carbonate in acoustic levitated droplets is reported. The levitated droplet technique allows an in situ monitoring of the crystallization while avoiding any foreign phase boundaries that may influence the precipitation process by heterogeneous nucleation. The diffusion-controlled precipitation of CaCO3 at neutral pH starts in the initial step with the homogeneous formation of a stable, nanosized liquid-like amorphous calcium carbonate phase that undergoes in a subsequent step a solution-assisted transformation to calcite. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that precipitation is not induced at the solution/a…

Siliceous spicules enhance fracture-resistance and stiffness of pre-colonial Amazonian ceramics

2015

AbstractPottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils and as cooking vessels. Abundance and workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality and durability. The inclusion of reinforcement particles is a possible route to improve its resistance to mechanical and thermal damage. The Amazonian civilizations incorporated freshwater tree sponge spicules (cauixí) into the clay presumably to prevent shrinkage and crack propagation during drying, firing and cooking. Here we show that isolated siliceous spicules are almost defect-f…

Segregation in Drying Binary Colloidal Droplets

2019

When a colloidal suspension droplet evaporates from a solid surface, it leaves a characteristic deposit in the contact region. These deposits are common and important for many applications in printing, coating, or washing. By the use of superamphiphobic surfaces as a substrate, the contact area can be reduced so that evaporation is almost radially symmetric. While drying, the droplets maintain a nearly perfect spherical shape. Here, we exploit this phenomenon to fabricate supraparticles from bidisperse colloidal aqueous suspensions. The supraparticles have a core-shell morphology. The outer region is predominantly occupied by small colloids, forming a close-packed crystalline structure. Tow…

Ultrastrong composites from dopamine modified-polymer-infiltrated colloidal crystals

2015

Although strong and stiff synthetic composites have long been developed, the microstructure of today's most advanced composites has yet to achieve the sophisticated hierarchy of hybrid materials built up by living organisms. We have assembled hard and tough multilayered nanocomposites, which contain alternating layers of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a 3-hydroxy-tyramine (dopamine) substituted polymer (dopamine modified polymer), strongly cemented together by chelation through infiltration of the polymer into the Fe3O4 mesocrystal. With a Young's modulus of 17 ± 3 GPa and a hardness of 1.3 ± 0.4 GPa the nanocomposite exhibits high resistance against elastic as well as plastic deformation. Key fea…

Elastic Superhydrophobic and Photocatalytic Active Films Used as Blood Repellent Dressing.

2020

Durable and biocompatible superhydrophobic surfaces are of significant potential use in biomedical applications. Here, a nonfluorinated, elastic, superhydrophobic film that can be used for medical wound dressings to enhance their hemostasis function is introduced. The film is formed by titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which are chemically crosslinked in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix. The PDMS crosslinks result in large strain elasticity of the film, so that it conforms to deformations of the substrate. The photocatalytic activity of the titanium dioxide provides surfaces with both self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. Facile coating of conventional wound dressings is demonstra…

Nanozymes in Nanofibrous Mats with Haloperoxidase-like Activity To Combat Biofouling.

2018

Electrospun polymer mats are widely used in tissue engineering, wearable electronics, and water purification. However, in many environments, the polymer nanofibers prepared by electrospinning suffer from biofouling during long-term usage, resulting in persistent infections and device damage. Herein, we describe the fabrication of polymer mats with CeO2–x nanorods that can prevent biofouling in an aqueous environment. The embedded CeO2–x nanorods are functional mimics of natural haloperoxidases that catalyze the oxidative bromination of Br– and H2O2 to HOBr. The generated HOBr, a natural signaling molecule, disrupted the bacterial quorum sensing, a critical step in biofilm formation. The pol…

Crystallization of Vaterite Nanowires by the Cooperative Interaction of Tailor-Made Nucleation Surfaces and Polyelectrolytes

2005

The concepts of template-induced crystallization on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and the use of polymer additives are combined into a new strategy, where, through the cooperative interaction of a SAM matrix involved in the nucleation process, poly(acrylic acid), a dissolved polyelectrolyte, and the dissolved ions, hierarchically ordered mineral structures are formed. The adsorption of poly(acrylic acid) to the SAM is monitored using a quartz microbalance. Transmission electron microscopy measurements on samples that are taken from polyacrylate solution in short intervals after the start of the reaction reveals that nanometer-sized particles pre-formed in solution are being attached to t…

Morphosynthesis of Strontianite Nanowires Using Polyacrylate Templates Tethered onto Self-Assembled Monolayers

2005

Strontianite nanowires have been synthesized on self-assembled monolayers (SAM) in the presence of polyacrylate templates. The morphology of this product exhibits characteristic differences from that of products obtained in the absence of polyacrylate. It is demonstrated that the template-induced crystallization process involves the interaction between the SAM surface, polyacrylate (a dissolved polyelectrolyte), and the cations/anions in solution. By the combination of these components, hierarchically ordered mineral hybrid structures are formed.

Characterization and differentiation of rock varnish types from different environments by microanalytical techniques

2017

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. We investigated rock varnishes collected from several locations and environments worldwide by a broad range of microanalytical techniques. These techniques were selected to address the challenges posed by the chemical and structural complexity within the micrometer- to nanometer-sized structures in these geological materials. Femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (fs LA-ICP-MS), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy-near edge X-ray adsorption fine structure spectroscopy (STXM-NEXAFS) in combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of focused ion beam (FIB) ultra-thin (100–200 nm) sections, conventional and polarization microscop…

Merging models of biomineralisation with concepts of nonclassical crystallisation: is a liquid amorphous precursor involved in the formation of the p…

2012

16 pages; International audience; The calcitic prisms of Pinna nobilis (Pinnidae, Linnaeus 1758) are shown to be perfect examples of a mesocrystalline material. Based on their ultrastructure and on the occurrence of an amorphous transient precursor during the early stages of prism formation, we provide evidence for the pathway of mesocrystallisation proposed by Seto et al. (2012), which proceeds not by self-organized oriented attachment of crystalline nano-bricks but by aggregation of initially amorphous nanogranules which later transform by epitaxial nucleation to a threedimensional array of well aligned nanocrystals. We further fathom the role of a liquid amorphous calcium carbonate in bi…

New Insights into the Crystallization Process of Calcium Carbonate by a Contact-Free in situ Scattering Technique using a Levitating Drop Method

2008