Search results for "Films"

Vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles mimic vanadium haloperoxidases and thwart biofilm formation

2012

Marine biofouling—the colonization of small marine microorganisms on surfaces that are directly exposed to seawater, such as ships' hulls—is an expensive problem that is currently without an environmentally compatible solution1. Biofouling leads to increased hydrodynamic drag, which, in turn, causes increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Tributyltin-free antifouling coatings and paints1, 2, 3, 4 based on metal complexes or biocides have been shown to efficiently prevent marine biofouling. However, these materials can damage5 the environment through metal leaching (for example, of copper and zinc)6 and bacteria resistance7. Here, we show that vanadium pentoxide nanowires ac…

Formation of an unprecedented (CuBr)5 cluster and a zeolite-type 2D-coordination polymer: a surprising halide effect

2013

A unique pentanuclear cluster within a zeolite-type polymer ([Cu5(μ4-Br)(μ3-Br)2(μ2-Br)2](μ2-MeSPr)3)n (1; void space >81%) and a luminescent 1D ([Cu(μ3-I)]4(MeSPr)3)n polymer, 2, are formed when MeSPr reacts with CuBr and CuI.

Surface Characterization of Organic Films for the Conservation of Bronze Archaeological Artefacts

2009

Effect of temperature on the passive state of Alloy 31 in a LiBr solution: Passivation and Mott-Schottky analysis

2015

The passive behaviour of Alloy 31, a highly-alloyed austenitic stainless steel (UNS N08031), has been investigated in a LiBr heavy brine (700 g/l) at different temperatures using potentiostatic polarisation and Mott-Schottky analysis. Cation vacancies have been found to be the dominant defect in the passive films formed on Alloy 31. An increase in temperature enhanced the generation of cation vacancies at the film/solution interface and raised the steady-state passive current density. The density of defects within the passive film also increased significantly with temperature, making the film more conductive and less protective against localised attacks.

Cobalt Electrolyte/Dye Interactions in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study

2012

We report a combined experimental and computational investigation to understand the nature of the interactions between cobalt redox mediators and TiO2 surfaces sensitized by :ruthenium and organic dyes, and their impact on. the performance of the corresponding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We : focus: on different ruthenium dyes and fully organic dyes, to understand the dramatic loss of efficiency observed for the prototype Ru(II) N719 dye in conjunction with :Cobalt: electrolytes. Both N719- and Z907-based DSSCs showed an increased lifetime in iodine-based electrolyte compared to the cobalt-based redox-shuttle; While the organic D21L6 and D25L6 cycles endowed.With long alkoxy chains,…

Hyaluronic Acid–Silica Nanohybrid Gels

2013

Excessive water sorption and low mechanical properties are a severe drawback in some biomedical applications of hyaluronic acid (HA). A way to improve these properties is here explored through the novel concept of nanohybrid hydrogels consisting of a HA matrix including different amounts of silica-derived species. This inorganic filler phase controls the mechanical and swelling properties of HA cross-linked matrices. Below a 2 wt % of silica in the systems, nanoparticle aggregates of tens of nanometers and silica oligomers are distributed more or less homogeneously throughout the organic matrix, without percolating. This morphology of the silica phase is accompanied by an increased swelling…

Electrochemical deposition of CZTS thin films on flexible substrate

2014

Abstract In this work, we report some preliminary results concerning the fabrication of quaternary semiconductor Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films on a flexible substrate through the simultaneous electrodeposition of elements having different standard electrochemical potentials. CZTS thin films were obtained by potentiostatic deposition from aqueous baths at room temperature and under N2 atmosphere, varying bath composition. Chemical composition and structure of the electrodeposited films were evaluated by EDS, SEM, RAMAN and XRD. Preliminary results on the photoelectrochemical behaviour of the films will be also presented.

Where Is the Most Hydrophobic Region? Benzopurpurine Self-Assembly at the Calcite–Water Interface

2017

Control of molecular self-assembly at solid–liquid interfaces is challenging due to the complex interplay between molecule–molecule, molecule–surface, molecule–solvent, surface–solvent, and solvent–solvent interactions. Here, we use in-situ dynamic atomic force microscopy to study the self-assembly of Benzopurpurine 4B into oblong islands with a highly ordered inner structure yet incommensurate with the underlying calcite (10.4) surface. Molecular dynamics and free energy calculations provide insights by showing that Benzopurpurine 4B molecules do not anchor to the surface directly but instead assemble on top of the second hydration layer. This seemingly peculiar behavior was then rationali…

Reactivity of gypsum faces according to the relative humidity by scanning force microscopy

1997

Abstract This article reports the experimental observation of the stability of the different faces of calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum CaSO 4 .2H 2 O) according to the relative humidity. Scanning Force Microscopy experiments were carried out with a view to discerning the topography of the surfaces, the chemical compositional domains, and in an attempt to evaluate the friction and viscoelastic properties of the surface. Our results indicate that the (010) face of gypsum is hydrophilic and very reactive contrary to the less hydrophilic (120) and (101) faces which remain stable depending on the relative humidity. It is clear from our results that a precipitation like process can be induced b…

Deposition order controls the first stages of a metal-organic coordination network on an insulator surface

2016

| openaire: EC/FP7/610446/EU//PAMS We report on first stages toward the formation of a surface-confined metal-organic coordination network (MOCN) by sequential deposition of biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and iron atoms on the surface of a bulk insulator, calcite (10.4). The influence of the deposition order on the structure formation is studied by noncontact atomic force microscopy operated in ultrahigh vacuum at room temperature. It is found that sequential deposition facilitates MOCN formation when the organic linker molecules are first adsorbed on the surface, followed by iron deposition. This observation is explained by first-principles computations, indicating that the metal-molecule…