Search results for "Scanning"

Solid-State Synthesis of “Bamboo-Like” and Straight Carbon Nanotubes by Thermolysis of Hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene–Cobalt Complexes

2006

On-surface Synthesis of a Chiral Graphene Nanoribbon with Mixed Edge Structure.

2020

Abstract Chiral graphene nanoribbons represent an important class of graphene nanomaterials with varying combinations of armchair and zigzag edges conferring them unique structure‐dependent electronic properties. Here, we describe the on‐surface synthesis of an unprecedented cove‐edge chiral GNR with a benzo‐fused backbone on a Au(111) surface using 2,6‐dibromo‐1,5‐diphenylnaphthalene as precursor. The initial precursor self‐assembly and the formation of the chiral GNRs upon annealing are revealed, along with a relatively small electronic bandgap of approximately 1.6 eV, by scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy.

PLA graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites: Physical properties and release kinetics of an antimicrobial agent

2017

Abstract Graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) as filler and ciprofloxacin (CFX) as biocide were incorporated via melt-compounding into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to obtain biopolymer-based nanocomposites with antimicrobial properties. GnP were added with the aim of improving the mechanical properties of the antimicrobial system and tuning the drug release. The obtained systems were mechanically characterized in tensile mode by quasi-static and dynamic mechanical tests. Furthermore, rheological measurements were performed. The morphology of the samples was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, a mathematical model, i.e. power law model, was used to fit the release data in order…

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites

2016

In this work, biopolymer-based nanocomposites with antimicrobial properties were prepared via melt-compounding. In particular, graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) as fillers and an antibiotic, i.e., ciprofloxacin (CFX), as biocide were incorporated in a commercial biodegradable polymer blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a copolyester (BioFlex®). The prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and rheological and mechanical measurements. Moreover, the effect of GnPs on the antimicrobial properties and release kinetics of CFX was evaluated. The results indicated that the incorporation of GnPs increased the stiffness of the biopolymeric matrix and allowed for the t…

Novel antimicrobial ultrathin structures of zein/chitosan blends obtained by electrospinning

2009

Abstract This paper describes the formulation, morphology and biocide properties of novel antimicrobial electrospun zein based ultrathin fiber structures. From the results, it was found that the electrospun fibers of zein can turn the material into a new strong antimicrobial ultrathin-structured system due to retention of remnant amounts of trifluoroacetic acid as determined by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy. Unfortunately, this system may be considered to yield very aggressive high acidic media due to release of the strong acid, which causes the antimicrobial behavior. Nevertheless, since biocide properties are more desirable at mild acidic conditions, blending zein with the natural antimicrobial c…

Design, characterization and in vitro evaluation of 5-aminosalicylic acid loaded N-succinyl-chitosan microparticles for colon specific delivery

2011

The objective of this study was to prepare NS-chitosan microparticles for the delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to the colon. Microparticles can spread out over a large area of colon allowing a more effective local efficacy of 5-ASA. N-Succinyl-chitosan was chosen as carrier system because of its excellent pharmaceutical properties in colon drug targeting such as poor solubility in acid environment, biocompatibility, mucoadhesive properties, and low toxicity. It was prepared by introducing succinic group into chitosan N-terminals of the glucosamine units. 5-ASA loaded NS-chitosan microparticles were prepared using spray-drying. As a control, a matrix obtained by freeze-drying techni…

LA MICROSCOPIA ELETTRONICA (SEM, CLSM) PER L’ANALISI DI MICROSISTEMI BIOLOGICI CHE COLONIZZANO I BENI CULTURALI

2012

RIASSUNTO - Il degrado dei materiali con cui sono realizzate le opere d’arte, è spesso causato dall’attività di macro e micro organismi (piante, insetti, licheni, alghe, batteri, attinomiceti etc.), denominati biodeteriogeni. Presenti in tutti gli habitat terrestri, costituiscono un serio problema per la conservazione sia in siti outdoor sia confinati, come biblioteche, archivi, istituti mussali, depositi e, comunque, in tutti quei luoghi dove si attua la conservazione/fruizione dei manufatti. In genere, non vi è luogo di conservazione che non mostri tracce di parziali o estese infestazioni/colonizzazioni che comportano alterazioni più o meno consistenti dei manufatti presenti. Le alterazio…

Evolution and biomineralization of pteropod shells

2021

12 pages; International audience; Shelled pteropods, known as sea butterflies, are a group of small gastropods that spend their entire lives swimming and drifting in the open ocean. They build thin shells of aragonite, a metastable polymorph of calcium carbonate. Pteropod shells have been shown to experience dissolution and reduced thickness with a decrease in pH and therefore represent valuable bioindicators to monitor the impacts of ocean acidification. Over the past decades, several studies have highlighted the striking diversity of shell microstructures in pteropods, with exceptional mechanical properties, but their evolution and future in acidified waters remains uncertain. Here, we re…

Compartmentalization of gypsum and halite associated with cyanobacteria in saline soil crusts

2016

The interface between biological and geochemical components in surface crust of a saline soil was investigated using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). Mineral compounds such as halite and gypsum were identified crystallized around filaments of cyanobacteria. A total of 92 genera were identified from the bacterial community based on 16S gene pyrosequencing analysis. The occurrence of the gypsum crystals, their shapes and compartmentalization suggested that they separated NaCl from the immediate microenvironment of the cyanobacteria, and that some cyanobacteria and communities of su…

Temperature-induced microstructural changes in shells of laboratory-grown Arctica islandica (Bivalvia).

2021

Bivalve shells are increasingly used as archives for high-resolution paleoclimate analyses. However, there is still an urgent need for quantitative temperature proxies that work without knowledge of the water chemistry–as is required for δ18O-based paleothermometry–and can better withstand diagenetic overprint. Recently, microstructural properties have been identified as a potential candidate fulfilling these requirements. So far, only few different microstructure categories (nacreous, prismatic and crossed-lamellar) of some short-lived species have been studied in detail, and in all such studies, the size and/or shape of individual biomineral units was found to increase with water temperat…