Two-shell structured PMAA@CeO2 nanocontainers loaded with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole for corrosion protection of damaged epoxy coated AA 2024-T3

In this work, novel two-shell structured inhibitor-loaded poly(methacrylic acid)@cerium oxide (PMAA@CeO₂) nanocontainers were synthesised and characterized. The purpose of the nanocontainers is to increase the corrosion protection provided by an epoxy coating applied to an aerospace alloy (AA 2024-T3). The (PMAA@CeO₂) nanocontainers with diameters of 550 nm were synthesised by a four-step process with the method of distillation precipitation polymerization for the synthesis of the inner PMAA layer, and the sol-gel method for the development of the outer CeO₂ layer. The loaded nanocontainers were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The corrosion protection properties of the epoxy coated AA 2024-T3 with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) loaded PMAA@CeO₂ nanocontainers were evaluated with and without artificial scribes by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicated that the epoxy coating containing the 2-MBT-loaded nanocontainers provided enhanced protection of the AA 2024-T3 substrate.

Antibacterial and non-cytotoxic effect of nanocomposites based in polyethylene and copper nanoparticles

In this study, an antibacterial, but not cytotoxic nanomaterial based on polyethylene and copper nanoparticles was prepared by in situ polymerization. PE-CuNps nanocomposites against Escherichia coli, completely suppressed the number of live bacteria after 12 h incubation compared to neat PE. TEM images showed that nanocomposites damage the plasma membrane of the bacteria, revealing a bacteriolytic effect. Toxic effects of copper nanoparticles on viability of neuroblastoma line cell also was evaluated, revealing a non cytotoxic effect for the doses used, showing that this nanocomposite is a ideal material for medical devices.

Microscopic study of the corrosion behaviour of mild steel in ionic liquids for CO2 capture applications

Exposure of mild steel to ionic liquids (IL) results in two main types of degradation that may be significantly limited by addition of molybdate without affecting the IL's CO₂ capture performance.

Revelation of intertwining organic and inorganic fractal structures in polymer coatings

X-ray microtomography and serial block face scanning electron microscopy are used to reveal independent clusters of inorganic particles embedded within a polymer. These clusters are interpenetrating, of varying size, and have fractal dimensions that strongly influence transport and structure-property relations. This interpretation forms a baseline for designing hybrid materials for applications in self-healing, drug delivery, and membranes.

Release of silver and copper nanoparticles from polyethylene nanocomposites and their penetration into Listeria monocytogenes

Since infection is a major cause of death in a patient whose immune responses have been compromised (immunocompromised patient), considerable attention has been focused on developing materials for the prevention of infections. This has been directed primarily at suppressing or eliminating the host's endogenous microbial burden and decreasing the acquisition of new organisms. In this study, the antibacterial properties of two nanocomposites, polyethylene modified with silver nanoparticles (PE-AgNps) or copper nanoparticles (PE-CuNps), against Listeria monocytogenes have been investigated. In order to elucidate the antibacterial mechanism, specifically whether this mechanism corresponds to bactericidal or bacteriolytic activities, we have determined the extent of release of metal ions (Ag(+) and Cu(2+)) and, also, the morphology of the bacteria. The metal ion release from nanocomposites was followed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry and the morphology of the bacteria was revealed through examination of ultramicrotomed sections of bacteria in a transmission electron microscope. The study of metal ion release from the nanocomposites shows that for both nanocomposites the amount of ions released varies with time, which initially displays a linear behavior until an asymptotic behavior is reached. Further, TEM images show that silver nanoparticles (AgNps) and copper nanoparticles (CuNps), which are released from the nanocomposites, can penetrate to the cell wall and the plasma membrane of bacteria. Resulting morphological changes involve separation of the cytoplasmic membrane from the cell wall, which is known to be an effect of plasmolysis. It was revealed that the antibacterial abilities of the two nanocomposites against L. monocytogenes are associated with both bactericidal and bacteriolytic effects.

Calcium and titanium release in simulated body fluid from plasma electrolytically oxidized titanium

The release of titanium and calcium species to a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 degrees C has been investigated for titanium treated by dc plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in three different electrolytes, namely phosphate, silicate and calcium- and phosphorus-containing. The average rate of release of titanium over a 30 day period in immersion tests, determined by solution analysis, was in the range approximately 1.5-2.0 pg cm(-2) s(-1). Calcium was released at an average rate of approximately 11 pg cm(-2) s(-1). The passive current densities, determined from potentiodynamic polarization measurements, suggested titanium losses of a similar order to those determined from immersion tests. However, the possibility of film formation does not allow for discrimination between the metal releases due to electrochemical oxidation of titanium and chemical dissolution of the coating.

Dye-sensitization of self-assembled titania nanotubes prepared by galvanostatic anodization of Ti sputtered on conductive glass

Self-organized porous TiO(2) nanotubes (NTs) were prepared on conductive glass by galvanostatic anodizing of sputtered titanium in an NH(4)F /glycerol electrolyte. DC magnetron sputtering at an elevated substrate temperature (500 degrees C) was used to deposit 650 nm thick titanium films. After anodizing, NTs, 830 nm long, with an average external diameter of 92 nm, were grown; this gave a high conversion rate of oxide from titanium (1.9), with a 220 nm thick layer of titanium, which was not oxidized, located at the base of the tubes. The NTs revealed a mainly amorphous structure, which transformed mostly to anatase upon thermal treatment in air at 450 degrees C. The tubes were sensitized by the N719 complex and the resultant photoelectrodes were incorporated into liquid dye solar cells (DSCs) and further tested under back-side illumination. High values of V(oc) (714 mV) were obtained under 1 sun (AM 1.5), assigned to low dark current magnitude and large recombination resistance and electron lifetime. In addition, typical values of fill factors (of the order of 0.62) were attained, in agreement with the estimated ohmic resistance of the cells in combination with low electron transfer resistance at the platinum/electrolyte interface. The overall moderate power conversion efficiency (of the order of 0.3%) was mainly due to the low short-circuit photocurrents (J(sc) = 0.68 mA cm(-2)), which was confirmed further by the corresponding IPCE values (5.2% at 510 nm). The magnitude of J(sc) was attributed to absorbed light losses due to back-side illumination of the cells, the low dye loading (due to the limited thickness of anodic titania) and the high charge transfer resistance at the TiO(2)/conductive substrate due to the presence of barrier layer(s) underneath the tubes. These preliminary results encourage the DSC community to explore further the galvanostatic anodizing of titanium in order to produce highly efficient porous TiO(2) NTs directly on conductive glass. Current work is focusing on achieving complete anodizing of the metal substrate and full transparency for the photoelectrode in order to increase and optimize the resultant cell efficiencies.