National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

Novel biocompatible composite hydrogels with good elastic and antimicrobial properties have been fabricated by e-beam cross-linking using chitosan and water-soluble polymers mixed with commercial silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Hydrogels having different formulations were characterized by rheological, swelling, FTIR, SEM, and biodegradation measurements. The network structure, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties were evaluated as well. The composite hydrogels showed higher stability and absorb large amounts of fluids specific to an infected wound without losing structural integrity. The rheological, SEM, and network structure results demonstrate that at above 0.1 mg/mL AgNP, hydrogels with high cross-linking density are obtained. The in vitro response of fibroblasts proved the high biocompatibility of the hydrogel's composites. The antimicrobial activity is directly influenced by the amount of AgNP and cross-linking degree of the hydrogel. Significant antimicrobial activity was recorded against Gram-negative bacteria, while for the Gram-positive ones, the growth inhibition seems to require a decrease of the cross-linking degree.

This work investigates the conduction mechanism of hydrothermally grown Gd2O3-sensitive material in order to explain its electrical resistance behaviour when exposed to increasing concentrations of CO2 under in-field conditions. To achieve this, the experimental investigation began with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the Gd2O3 microstructure to verify the oxidation states of the surface. Subsequently, the impact of constant atmospheric factors such as oxygen and relative humidity on the electrical resistance of the Gd2O3 layer was examined. Finally, a progressive dosing of CO2 concentrations ranging from 400 to 3000 ppm was conducted. The DC electrical resistance measurements were performed using a computer-controlled Gas Mixing System operated under a dynamic gas flow regime. Experimental data was validated using the Boltzmann distribution statistics and the grain-to-grain Schottky barrier model. The results highlight the preservation of the n-type semiconductor behaviour of Gd2O3 irrespective of the background relative humidity and bring the oxidising character of CO2 to the fore.

In the present work, single phase CoSb3 skutterudite nanomaterials were prepared via a ball milling method, and their thermoelectric characteristics were compared with the samples synthesized by the solvo-hydrothermal method. Thermoelectric transport properties were recorded in the temperature regime of 300-830 K. Both samples exhibit p-type conduction behavior with a positive sign of Seebeck coefficient. CoSb3 ball mill sample exhibit higher resistivity of 127 x 10(-5)Omega.m at 300 K as compared to CoSb3 solvo-hydrothermal sample with 4.85 x 10(-5)Omega.m. However, CoSb3 ball mill sample show enhanced Seebeck coefficient of 183 mu V/K at 473 K where CoSb3 solvo-hydrothermal sample depict 98 mu V/K at 650 K. Furthermore, the total thermal conductivity of sintered CoSb3 ball mill and CoSb3 solvo-hydrothermal samples was found to be 3.02 Wm(-1)K(-1) and 3.23 W m(-1)K(-1) at room temperature and reaches a significantly lower value of 2.47 W m(-1)K(-1) and 2.46 W m(-1)K(-1) at 580 and 670 K, respectively. The dimensionless figure of merit ZT values of CoSb3 ball mill and CoSb3 solvo-hydrothermal obtained are 0.053 and 0.060 at 650 and 700 K, respectively. A systematic tuning of processing parameters by ball milling method can lead to better thermoelectric efficiency.

In the quest for advanced materials suitable for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic applications, tungsten disulfide (WS2) ultrathin films have emerged as promising candidates due to their unique properties. However, obtaining WS2 directly on the desired substrate, eliminating the need for transfer, which produces additional defects, poses many challenges. This paper aims to explore the synthesis of WS2 ultrathin films via physical vapor deposition (PVD) followed by sulfurization in a confined space, addressing the challenge of film formation for practical applications. Precursor layers of tungsten and WS2 were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering. Subsequent sulfurization treatments were conducted in a small, closed, graphite box to produce WS2 films. The physical and chemical properties of these precursor and sulfurized layers were thoroughly characterized using techniques such as X-ray reflectometry (XRR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The findings reveal notable distinctions in film thickness, structural orientation, and chemical composition, attributable to the different precursor used. Particularly, the sulfurized layers from the tungsten precursor exhibited a preferred orientation of WS2 crystallites with their (00L) planes parallel to the substrate surface, along with a deviation from parallelism in a small angular range. This study highlights the necessity of precise control over deposition and sulfurization parameters to tailor the properties of WS2 films for specific technological applications.

The thermodynamic and kinetic simulations based on the re-assessment of the thermodynamic and kinetic database of the Ni-Ti-Cu system were employed to predict the phenomena of mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering and thermal properties of the intriguing Ni-Ti-Cu system. Thermodynamic calculations are presented for the stable and unstable phases of NiTiCu materials and support a correlation with the evolving microstructure during the technological process. Also, the thermal conductivity, the thermal diffusivity and the specific heat of spark plasma sintered and aged Cu-alloyed NiTi-based shape memory alloys (NiTiCu) with two compositions, Ni45Ti50Cu5 and Ni40Ti50Cu10, are evaluated and the influence of mechanical alloying and precipitates on thermal properties is discussed. Measurements of these thermal properties were carried out from 25 degrees C up to 175 degrees C using the laser flash method, as well as differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal hysteresis of the 20 mm diameter samples was between 8.8 and 24.5 degrees C. The observed T0 temperatures from DSC experimental transformation features are in reasonable accordance with the thermodynamic predictions. The determined k values are between 20.04 and 26.87 W/m K and in agreement with the literature results. Moreover, this paper can provide some suggestions for the preparation of NiTiCu shape memory alloys and their applications.

Pseudohexagonal Nb2O5 microcolumns spanning a size range of 50 to 610 nm were synthesized utilizing a cost-effective hydrothermal process (maintained at 180 degrees C for 30 min), followed by a subsequent calcination step at 500 degrees C for 3 h. Raman spectroscopy analysis unveiled three distinct reflection peaks at 220.04 cm(-1), 602.01 cm(-1), and 735.3 cm(-1), indicative of the pseudohexagonal crystal lattice of Nb2O5. The HRTEM characterization confirmed the inter-lattice distance of 1.8 & Aring; for the 110 plain and 3.17 & Aring; for the 100 plain. The conductometry sensors were fabricated by drop-casting a dispersion of Nb2O5 microcolumns, in ethanol, on Pt electrodes. The fabricated sensors exhibited excellent selectivity in detecting C2H5OH (Delta G/G = 2.51 for 10 ppm C2H5OH) when compared to a variety of tested gases, including CO, CO2, NO2, H-2, H2S, and C3H6O. The optimal operating temperature for this selective detection was determined to be 500 degrees C in a dry air environment. Moreover, the sensors demonstrated exceptional repeatability over the course of three testing cycles and displayed strong humidity resistance, even when exposed to 90% relative humidity. This excellent humidity resistance gas sensing property can be attributed to their nanoporous nature and elevated operating temperature.

Selective growth of 2D MoS2 layers on patterned substrates is highly desired for easy fabrication of devices. Selectively grown 2D MoS2 on Mo patterned substrates for the formation of intimate metallic contact was obtained by a Mo-CVD method in which MoO2 from an oxidized Mo pattern and S powder are the growth precursors. Mo films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on SiO2(300 nm)/c-Si substrates and patterned by photolithography techniques for obtaining Mo strips and finger contact structures, with the gap between the strips and finger varied from 5 to 20 mu m. The filling of the gap by selectively grown atomically thin MoS2 plates of 1-2 monolayers (MLs) was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy imaging. Field effect devices for the characterization of the photosensitivity of selectively grown MoS2 have been fabricated from finger contact structures. The dark current is drastically reduced from 10(-9) to 10(-13)-10(-14) A by varying the gate voltage from +7 to -7 V, showing the n-type semiconductor behavior of the selectively grown 2D MoS2. High photosensitivity of 10(5) (%) was obtained for 4.5 x 10(-4) mW/cm(2) at 650 nm wavelength illumination. The spectral responsivity reaches values of 15-25 A/W at 600 nm wavelength and shows an energy onset of 1.72-1.77 eV corresponding to about 2 ML MoS2. The carrier-trapping effect responsible for the slow part of the device response can be caused by structural defects and also by adsorbed molecules like in gas sensors.

Present work reports a systematic study on the evaluation of magnetic inhomogeneities in non-stoichiometric Mg0 & sdot;5Ca0 & sdot;5Fe2O4 nanoferrite (MCNF) by conducting exhaustive dc -magnetization, ac -susceptibility and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopic measurements and exchange bias investigations using training protocol down to 6 K. Rietveld fitting to PXRD established the formation of anticipated spinel fcc phase of MCNF (non-stoichiometric) along with a minute impurity phase of calcite. Scherrer method and HRTEM micrographs illustrated broad size distribution of MCNF nanoparticles with an average nanocrystallite size of -15 nm. Combined 57Fe Mo center dot ssbauer spectroscopic and dc -magnetization analysis establishes coexistence of ferrimagnetic (67 %) & superparamagnetic (33 %) states at 300 K with notable M-s = 22 emu/g, M-r = 4 emu/g & H-c = 130 Oe and blocking of most of the nanoparticles of MCNF below 300 K. The coercivity followed the size -modified Kneller law for ferrimagnetic nanoparticles and the saturation magnetization abides the Bloch law. Moreover the frequencydependent ac -susceptibility investigations revealed two magnetic transitions: (i) A transition at - 330 K in the low frequency data attributed to the relaxation of blocked particles of bigger sizes under the superparamagnetic (SPM) regime and (ii) an irregularity at low temperatures is assigned to surface spin glass freezing. Surface spin glass freezing was further affirmed by the ageing experiments and dynamic scaling law. Furthermore, even the best fit to the dynamic scaling couldn't assert the existence of conventional spin glass phase due to slower spin -flip time of surface spins. A soft ferrimagnetic core of MCNF is enveloped with disordered surface spins, which manifest spin glass state. Concurrently, the findings of exchange bias at 30 K and training effect at 6 K affirmed that MCNF nanoparticles are presenting themselves as FM core- SG shell system. Our experimental findings suggested magnetic inhomogeneities comprised of superparamagnetism, ferrimagnetism and disordered surface spin glass state in the non-stoichiometric MCNF.

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are known for their selective ability to (i) form a mechanically strong interfacial bond with hard (bone) or soft tissues (gingivae or cartilages) (i.e., silica-, silica-phosphate-, phosphate-, boratephosphate-, or silica-phosphate-borate-based BGs); or (ii) serve as reservoirs for fast-release of therapeutic (osteogenic, angiogenic, anticarcinogenic, or antimicrobial) ions (i.e., phosphate-based BGs and mesoporous BGs). The strength of the bone bond yielded by the osteoproductive-capable BGs is generally equivalent to, or higher than the bone strength. The resorbability of phosphate-based BG is dependent on the content of network formers and cross-linkers. All BGs elicit excellent biochemical compatibility. However, their fracture toughness is typically less than and the elastic modulus is greater than those of bone, indicating that most BGs have suboptimal biomechanical compatibility when used in load-bearing applications. One promising approach to overcome this problem is the development of BGs in coating form, applied to the surface of load-bearing endosseous implants. This work critically assesses BG thin-layers fabricated by the radio-frequency magnetron sputtering method, an industry-ready large-scale physical vapour deposition technology. It is demonstrated that, despite the relative lack of attention paid to this technology, it enables the development of unique BG coatings with efficacious therapeutic capabilities. Here, we present an overview of the most relevant developments achieved thus far, along with the remarkable advantages, drawbacks to overcome, and future perspectives with the intention of highlighting the vast possibilities of this specific field of research.

In a milestone paper [F. D. M. Haldane, Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 2015 (1988)], Haldane elaborated a model of graphene within the time -reversal symmetry breaking is achieved by next -nearest -neighbors imaginary counterrotating hopping, hence conferring topological properties. In recent years, the time -reversal symmetry turned out to be broken also by light irradiation in so-called Floquet topological insulators (FTIs). On the other hand, Kane and Mele introduced a spin -orbit coupling (SOC) model [C. L. Kane et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 226801 (2005)] inspired by the Haldane's mechanism. In this paper, we present the topological properties of a FTI possessing SOC, using graphene as the playground. It was found that the interplay between sublattice subspace and the spin one triggers interesting topological phase transitions. Basically, in a FTI with SOC, two topological phases may be excited: charge quantum Hall effect (CQHE) and, respectively, spin quantum Hall effect (SQHE) phases. Also, it was demonstrated that the CQHE and SQHE coexistence is forbidden by the topology of the system. As well, it was identified a special driving regime of spin filter (SF), in which only one spin state is topological and, consequently, will be filtered in quantum transport.