| 1. |
- Aldred, Nick, et al.
(författare)
-
Real-Time Quantification of Microscale Bioadhesion Events In situ Using Imaging Surface Plasmon Resonance (iSPR)
- 2011
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 3:6, s. 2085-2091
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- From macro- to nanoscales, adhesion phenomena are all-pervasive in nature yet remain poorly understood. In recent years, studies of biological adhesion mechanisms, terrestrial and marine, have provided inspiration for "biomimetic" adhesion strategies and important insights for the development of fouling-resistant materials. Although the focus of most contemporary bioadhesion research is on large organisms such as marine mussels, insects and geckos, adhesion events on the micro/nanoscale are critical to our understanding of important underlying mechanisms. Observing and quantifying adhesion at this scale is particularly relevant for the development of biomedical implants and in the prevention of marine biofouling. However, such characterization has so far been restricted by insufficient quantities of material for biochemical analysis and the limitations of contemporary imaging techniques. Here, we introduce a recently developed optical method that allows precise determination of adhesive deposition by microscale organisms in situ and in real time; a capability not before demonstrated. In this extended study we used the cypris larvae of barnacles and a combination of conventional and imaging surface plasmon resonance techniques to observe and quantify adhesive deposition onto a range of model surfaces (CH(3)-, COOH-, NH(3)-, and mPEG-terminated SAMs and a PEGMA/HEMA hydrogel). We then correlated this deposition to passive adsorption of a putatively adhesive protein from barnacles. In this way, we were able to rank surfaces in order of effectiveness for preventing barnacle cyprid exploration and demonstrate the importance of observing the natural process of adhesion, rather than predicting surface effects from a model system. As well as contributing fundamentally to the knowledge on the adhesion and adhesives of barnacle larvae, a potential target for future biomimetic glues, this method also provides a versatile technique for laboratory testing of fouling-resistant chemistries.
|
|
| 2. |
- Aulin, Christian, et al.
(författare)
-
Transparent Nanocellulosic Multilayer Thin Films on Polylactic Acid with Tunable Gas Barrier Properties
- 2013
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 5:15, s. 7352-7359
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition method was used for the build-up of alternating layers of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with a branched, cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI) on flexible poly (lactic acid) (PLA) substrates. With this procedure, optically transparent nanocellulosic films with tunable gas barrier properties were formed. 50 layer pairs of PEI/NFC and PEI/CMC deposited on PLA have oxygen permeabilities of 0.34 and 0.71 cm(3).mu m/m(2).day.kPa at 23 degrees C and 50% relative humidity, respectively, which is in the same range as polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene vinyl alcohol. The oxygen permeability of these multilayer nanocomposites outperforms those of pure NFC films prepared by solvent-casting. The nanocellulosic LbL assemblies on PLA substrates was in detailed characterized using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals large structural differences between the PEI/NFC and the PEI/CMC assemblies, with the PEI/NFC assembly showing a highly entangled network of nanofibrils, whereas the PEI/CMC surfaces lacked structural features. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a nearly perfect uniformity of the nanocellulosic coatings on PLA, and light transmittance results revealed remarkable transparency of the LbL-coated PLA films. The present work demonstrates the first ever LbL films based on high aspect ratio, water-dispersible nanofibrillated cellulose, and water-soluble carboxymethyl cellulose polymers that can be used as multifunctional films and coatings with tailorable properties, such as gas barriers and transparency. Owing to its flexibility, transparency and high-performance gas barrier properties, these thin film assemblies are promising candidates for several large-scale applications, including flexible electronics and renewable packaging.
|
|
| 3. |
- Balitskii, Olexiy A., et al.
(författare)
-
Tuning the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in Cu2-xSe Nanocrystals by Postsynthetic Ligand Exchange
- 2014
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 6:20, s. 17770-17775
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nanoparticles exhibiting localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) are valuable tools traditionally used in a wide field of applications including sensing, imaging, biodiagnostics and medical therapy. Plasmonics in semiconductor nanocrystals is of special interest because of the tunability of the carrier densities in semiconductors, and the possibility to couple the plasmonic resonances to quantum confined excitonic transitions. Here, colloidal Cu2-xSe nanocrystals were synthesized, whose composition was shown by Rutherford backscattering analysis and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, to exhibit Cu deficiency. The latter results in p-type doping causing LSPRs, in the present case around a wavelength of 1100 nm, closely matching the indirect band gap of Cu2-xSe. By partial exchange of the organic ligands to specific electron trapping or donating species the LSPR is fine-tuned to exhibit blue or red shifts, in total up to 200 nm. This tuning not only provides a convenient tool for post synthetic adjustments of LSPRs to specific target wavelength but the sensitive dependence of the resonance wavelength on surface charges makes these nanocrystals also interesting for sensing applications, to detect analytes dressed by functional groups.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Bi, Dongqin, et al.
(författare)
-
Improved Morphology Control Using a Modified Two-Step Method for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
- 2014
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 6:21, s. 18751-18757
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A two-step wet chemical synthesis method for methylammonium lead(II) triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite is further developed for the preparation of highly reproducible solar cells, with the following structure: fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/TiO2 (compact)/TiO2 (mesoporous)/CH3NH3PbI3/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag. The morphology of the perovskite layer could be controlled by careful variation of the processing conditions. Specifically, by modifying the drying process and inclusion of a dichloromethane treatment, more uniform films could be prepared, with longer emission lifetime in the perovskite material and longer electron lifetime in solar cell devices, as well as faster electron transport and enhanced charge collection at the selective contacts. Solar cell efficiencies up to 13.5% were obtained.
|
|
| 6. |
- Blomfeldt, Thomas O. J., et al.
(författare)
-
Thermal Conductivity and Combustion Properties of Wheat Gluten Foams
- 2012
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 4:3, s. 1629-1635
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Freeze-dried wheat gluten foams were evaluated with respect to their thermal and fire-retardant properties, which are important for insulation applications. The thermal properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, the laser flash method and a hot plate method. The unplasticised foam showed a similar specific heat capacity, a lower thermal diffusivity and a slightly higher thermal conductivity than conventional rigid polystyrene and polyurethane insulation foams. Interestingly, the thermal conductivity was similar to that of closed cell polyethylene and glass-wool insulation materials. Cone calorimetry showed that, compared to a polyurethane foam, both unplasticised and glycerol-plasticised foams had a significantly longer time to ignition, a lower effective heat of combustion and a higher char content. Overall, the unplasticised foam showed better fire-proof properties than the plasticized foam. The UL 94 test revealed that the unplasticised foam did not drip (form droplets of low viscous material) and, although the burning times varied, self-extinguished after flame removal. To conclude both the insulation and fire-retardant properties were very promising for the wheat gluten foam.
|
|
| 7. |
- Boujemaoui, Assya, et al.
(författare)
-
Facile Preparation Route for Nanostructured Composites : Surface-Initiated Ring-Opening Polymerization of epsilon-Caprolactone from High-Surface-Area Nanopaper
- 2012
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 4:6, s. 3191-3198
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work, highly porous nanopaper, i.e., sheets of papers made from non-aggregated nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), have been surface-grafted with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) by surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization (SI-ROP). The nanopaper has exceptionally high surface area (similar to 300 m(2)/g). The "grafting from" of the nanopapers was compared to "grafting from" of cellulose in the form of filter paper, and in both cases either titanium n-butoxide (Ti(On-Bu)(4)) or tin octoate (Sn(Oct)(2)) was utilized as a catalyst. It was found that a high surface area leads to significantly higher amount of grafted PCL in the substrates when Sn(Oct)2 was utilized as a catalyst. Up to 79 wt % PCL was successfully grafted onto the nanopapers as compared to filter paper where only 2-3 wt % PCL was grafted. However, utilizing Ti(On-Bu)4 this effect was not seen and the grafted amount was essentially similar, irrespectively of surface area. The mechanical properties of the grafted nanopaper proved to be superior to those of pure PCL films, especially at elevated temperatures. The present bottom-up preparation route of NFC-based composites allows high NFC content and provides excellent nanostructural control. This is an important advantage compared with some existing preparation routes where dispersion of the filler in the matrix is challenging.
|
|
| 8. |
- Bruno, Viguier, et al.
(författare)
-
Development of an Electrochemical Meta-Ion Biosensor Using Self-Assembled Peptide Nanofibrils
- 2011
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 3:5, s. 1594-1600
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article describes the combination of self-assembled peptide nanofibrils with metal electrodes for the development of an electrochemical metal-ion biosensor. The biological nanofibrils were immobilized on gold electrodes and used as biorecognition elements for the complexation with copper ions. These nanofibrils were obtained under aqueous conditions, at room temperature and outside the clean room. The functionalized gold electrode was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and atomic force microscopy. The obtained results displayed a layer of nanofibrils able to complex with copper ions in solution. The response of the obtained biosensor was linear up to 50 mu M copper and presented a sensitivity of 0.68 mu A cm(-2) mu M-1. Moreover, the fabricated sensor could be regenerated to a copper-free state allowing its reutilization.
|
|
| 9. |
- Bulota, Mindaugas, et al.
(författare)
-
Micromechanics of TEMPO-oxidized fibrillated cellulose composites
- 2012
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 4:1, s. 331-337
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Composites of poly(lactic) acid (PLA) reinforced with TEMPO-oxidized fibrillated cellulose (TOFC) were prepared to 15, 20, 25, and 30% fiber weight fractions. To aid dispersion and to improve stress transfer, we acetylated the TOFC prior to the fabrication of TOFC-PLA composite films. Raman spectroscopy was employed to study the deformation micromechanics in these systems. Microtensile specimens were prepared from the films and deformed in tension with Raman spectra being collected simultaneously during deformation. A shift in a Raman peak initially located at ∼1095 cm -1, assigned to C-O-C stretching of the cellulose backbone, was observed upon deformation, indicating stress transfer from the matrix to the TOFC reinforcement. The highest band shift rate, with respect to strain, was observed in composites having a 30% weight fraction of TOFC. These composites also displayed a significantly higher strain to failure compared to pure acetylated TOFC film, and to the composites having lower weight fractions of TOFC. The stress-transfer processes that occur in microfibrillated cellulose composites are discussed with reference to the micromechanical data presented. It is shown that these TOFC-based composite materials are progressively dominated by the mechanics of the networks, and a shear-lag type stress transfer between fibers.
|
|
| 10. |
- Carrick, Christopher, et al.
(författare)
-
Nanometer Smooth, Macroscopic Spherical Cellulose Probes for Contact Adhesion Measurements
- 2014
-
Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 6:23, s. 20928-20935
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cellulose spheres were prepared by dissolving cellulose fibers and subsequently solidifying the solution in a nonsolvent. Three different solution concentrations were tested and several nonsolvents were evaluated for their effect on the formation of spheres. Conditions were highlighted to create cellulose spheres with a diameter of similar to 1 mm and a root-mean-square surface roughness of similar to 1 nm. These solid spheres were shown to be easily chemically modified without changing the mechanical properties significantly. Contact adhesion measurements were then implemented with these spheres against a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer in order to quantify the adhesion. Using Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory, we quantified the adhesion for unmodified cellulose and hydrophobic cellulose spheres. We highlight the ability of these spheres to report more accurate adhesion information, compared to spin-coated thin films. The application of these new cellulose probes also opens up new possibilities for direct, accurate measurement of adhesion between cellulose and other materials instead of using uncertain surface energy determinations to calculate the theoretical work of adhesion between cellulose and different solid materials.
|
|
