National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

The present study investigates the influence of strontium (Sr) content on the intrinsic properties of barium strontium titanate (Ba1-xSrxTiO3, BST) which was successfully prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction with different concentrations of strontium (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 1). The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, the dielectric properties being also investigated. Structural and vibrational analyses reveal a structural phase transition from tetragonal to cubic at x = 0.4, with a linear decline of the tetragonality ratio as well as a shrinkage in the unit cell volume that occur with increasing Sr content. The morphological study shows that the grain size decreases as the Sr content increases in the tetragonal phase. Yet, upon the phase transition from tetragonal to cubic, the grain size initially increases, followed by a subsequent decrease with further Sr addition. It has been found that the band gap shows a decrease as Sr content increases. The temperature dependence of the dielectric parameters reveals that the Curie temperature as well as the dielectric constant and the loss tangent are strongly affected by the addition of Sr. The activation energy derived from the dielectric response, was found to be in the range 0.685-1.065eV, suggesting the dominance of doubly ionized oxygen vacancy for conduction and relaxation mechanism. Ab initio calculations were done employing the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) method. The bandgap energy (Eg) and the structural parameters were calculated using various types of exchange-correlation functionals (PWGGA, PBE, B3LYP and PBE0). A good agreement with the experimental results is achieved using the PBE0 functional. This study contributes to a better understanding of the structure-property relationship in BaSrTiO3 and provides valuable insights for optimizing its performance in various technological applications.

Amyloid beta (A(3) peptide aggregates are well-established biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, though the complete etiology of this disorder remains elusive. Developing biointerfaces to elucidate the physiological roles of these peptides is essential. This study investigates the aggregation, fibrillation, and interaction of A(3 peptides with conductive, biocompatible nanostructured materials designed for applications involving neuronal cells. Various conductive, rigid, and flexible surfaces, both functionalized and non-functionalized with A(340 fibrils, were fabricated. These included glass substrates and poly(methyl methacrylate) electrospun fiber networks coated with gold via magnetron sputtering. The substrates were also functionalized through physical adsorption with poly-L-lysine and collagen, known to support cell proliferation, as well as with the inverse-A(340 peptide and an Amyloid Protein Non-A(3 Component, and the results were compared. The scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, contact angle and electrical measurements, while their biological interactions were assessed using MTS assays, fluorescence imaging, and scanning electron microscopy. Fibroblast L929 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines were used as models, with results indicating an elevated cell viability, comparable to the control. The developed nanostructured surfaces are highly promising for integration into advanced neuromorphic engineering devices, as they have proven capable of maintaining their structural integrity when exposed to proteases.

Background/Objectives: In this paper, we report the development of the first chrome-doped hydroxyapatite in a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix enriched with amoxicillin for biomedical applications. The development of chromium-doped hydroxyapatite coatings in a PVA matrix enriched with amoxicillin aims to provide new biomaterials with improved physico-chemical and biological properties, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications. Methods: Through ultrasound studies, we obtained valuable information on the stability of the samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, metallographic microscopy (MM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed for the characterization of the samples. The biocompatibility of the CrHApAPV and CrHApAPV-Ax coatings was assessed using the MG63 human osteoblast-like cell line. To evaluate the cytotoxic potential of these coatings, the cell viability was quantified using the MTT assay after 24 h of incubation. The antibacterial activity of the coatings was evaluated with the aid of the reference strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (P. aeruginosa). Results: The XRD patterns of CrHApAPV and CrHApAPV-Ax samples were examined to evaluate the effects of PVA and amoxicillin on the lattice parameters, unit cell volume, and average crystallite sizes. The results of the in vitro antibacterial assay demonstrated that both the CrHApAPV and CrHApAPV-Ax coatings exhibited very good antibacterial properties for all the tested time intervals. Conclusions: Our results underline the stability of the analyzed samples. Moreover, our physico-chemical and biological studies highlight that CrHApAPV and CrHApAPV-Ax coatings could be considered promising materials for biomedical uses.

In this study, we developed a ternary nanocomposite using graphene oxide (GO), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and tungsten trioxide (WO3), nanostructures, synthesized via a straightforward chemical process with ultrasound assistance. The initial composition was GO/MWCNT, later combined with WO3 to form the GO/ MWCNT: WO3 (25/25:50) structure. Characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, which revealed the multiphase nature of the WO3 nanostructures. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed the one-dimensional CNTs interwoven with graphene oxide sheets decorated with densely populated WO3 nanopetals. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the chemical composition of the system. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B in water under visible light irradiation was significantly enhanced using the GO/

The present paper evidences the beneficial effect that the combination of Pt with WO3 and silicotungstic acid (STA) brings to the methanol oxidation electroactivity. To avoid substrate interferences boron doped diamond (BDD) was used as the electrocatalysts support. SEM measurements have shown that the use of a STA/WO3/BDD substrate allows the electrodeposition of smaller Pt clusters, exhibiting better dispersion, higher homogeneity in terms of size and enhanced electrochemically active surface area. Cyclic voltammetry, polarization and EIS experiments demonstrated than STA addition on the WO3/BDD support induces to the deposited Pt higher activity and improved resistance to fouling during methanol anodic oxidation. Based on the XPS results such behavior was tentatively ascribed to the higher surface concentration of Pt(OH)2 species and adsorbed water that STA presence enables, which may assist in the oxidative desorption of reaction intermediates.

The gas sensitivity of field-effect structures with 2D-MoS2 channels selectively grown between Mo electrodes using the Mo-CVD method was investigated by measuring the effect of molecular adsorption from air on the device source-drain current (Isd). The channels were composed of interconnected atomically thin MoS2 grains, with their density and average thickness varied by choosing two different distances (15 and 20 mu m) between the Mo contacts. A high response to the tested stimuli, including molecule adsorption, illumination and gate voltage changes, was observed. A significant, persistent photoconduction was induced by positive charge accumulation on traps, most likely at grain boundaries and associated defects. Isd increased under high vacuum, both in the dark and under illumination. The relative dark current response to the transition from air to high vacuum reached up to 1000% at the turn-on voltage. When monitored during the gradual change in air pressure, Isd exhibited a non-monotonic function, sharply peaking at about 10-2 mbar, suggesting molecular adsorption on different defect sites and orientations of adsorbed H2O molecules, which were capable of inducing electron accumulation or depletion. Despite the screening of disorder by extra electrons, the #20 mu m sample remained more sensitive to air molecules on its surface. The high vacuum state was also investigated by annealing devices at temperatures up to 340 K in high vacuum, followed by measurements down to 100 K. This revealed thermally stimulated currents and activation energies of trapping electronic states assigned to sulfur vacancies (230 meV) and other shallow levels (85-120 meV), possibly due to natural impurities, grain boundaries or disorder defects. The results demonstrate the high sensitivity of these devices to molecular adsorption, making the technology promising for the easy fabrication of chemical sensors.

Today, flexible and lightweight electronics are regarded as a viable alternative to conventional rigid and heavy devices in various application fields. In the optoelectronic area, organic semiconductors offer advantages such as high absorption coefficients, low processing temperatures, mechanical flexibility and compatibility with plastic substrates, while inorganic nanostructures provide good electronic properties and high thermal stability. Thus, composite films with enhanced properties can be achieved by inserting inorganic nanostructures within organic layers. In this research work, CuS nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical precipitation and then added to an organic mixture containing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and N,N-bis-(1-dodecyl)perylene-3,4,9,10 tetracarboxylic diimide (AMC14), a chemically synthesized semiconductor, for fabricating hybrid composite films by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) on indium tin oxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (ITO/PET) flexible substrates. A comparative assessment of the morphological, compositional, optical and electrical properties of the composite (P3HT:AMC14:CuS) and organic (P3HT:AMC14) layers was performed to evaluate their applicability in the photovoltaic cells. The transmission and emission spectra of the composite films are dominated by the optical features of AMC14, a perylene diimide derivative compound used as acceptor. In the case of devices based on MAPLE deposited composite layer fabricated on ITO/PET substrates, the electrical measurements carried under illumination revealed an improvement in the open circuit voltage parameter emphasizing their potential applications in the flexible device area.

Photoanodes based Ce-doped ZnO nanorods arrays were prepared by hydrothermal method in order to improve photoelectrochemical efficiency of ZnO photoanodes in water splitting process. Scanning electron microscopy investigation showed ZnO based nanorods with length of around 500 nm and different thicknesses and growth directions. Some morphological changes were noted following the thermal treatment. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements proved the presence of cerium species both in bulk and on the surface of ZnO nanorods. A current density of 2.44 mA/cm(2) at 1.23 V against the reversible hydrogen electrode (0.265 V vs. Ag/AgCl) was obtained for Ce-doped ZnO sample, which is >162% increase over that of ZnO sample. The increased photocurrent value obtained for this sample was correlated with the passivation of surface defects evidenced by photoluminescence study and the increased concentration of Ce3+ on the surface. Also, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements suggested that Ce doping improves the charge transfer in bulk.

This article describes a new synthesis of nanoscaled Y2O3 that is bioinspired. It has been confirmed that Callistemon viminalis flower extract works well as a chelator when used to bioengineer high-shape anisotropy nanorods of single-phase Y2O3 . X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to analyse the structural, morphological, surface and optical features. The photoluminescent spectra of the bio-engineered nanorods show blue emissions. As the annealing temperature was increased from 300 to 500 degrees C, the blue colour purity values of the synthesized Y2O3 nanorods were 58.1, 80.7 and 77.0% at 300, 400 and 500 degrees C respectively. The chromaticity coordinates (0.2020, 0.1931), (0.1660, 0.1082) and (0.1714, 0.1226) from the photoluminescence spectra of the biosynthesized Y2O3 nanorods were used to determine these values. The CIE y-component coordinate values of the bioengineered blue-emitting nanophosphors suggest their potential for applications in display technology and white light-emitting diodes.

In this work, we investigated the influence of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the electrical performances of ZnO/Ag multilayer transparent conductive electrodes. RGO flakes were successfully laser transferred by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) using frozen targets obtained from suspensions of commercially chemically RGO powder dispersed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The main deposition parameters such as RGO concentration, laser fluence, number of the laser pulses and deposition pressure were varied to identify the optimal morphological and optical characteristics. The laser transfer conditions for the RGO structures with the best transmittance were further employed in preparation of RGO/Ag/ZnO multilayer transparent conductive electrodes (MTCE). Thus, the MAPLE deposited RGO structures were covered with metal (Ag) by vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) and subsequently with metal oxide (ZnO) by radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RF-MS). In comparison to the optical and electrical properties of a ZnO/Ag/ZnO reference structure, the results emphasize that the RGO/Ag/ZnO are featured by a similar transmittance (similar to 82-85 %) and improved sheet resistance (similar to 10.6 Omega/square, meaning up to 2-fold smaller).