M. Pawlyta

Oxidative stress and genotoxic effects of diamond nanoparticles

Due to the unique and useful properties of nanodiamonds (ND), their production and use is rapidly increasing. Thus, more of these particles will be released into the environment and organisms will inevitably be exposed to them. The current knowledge about the toxicity of ND, especially in vivo toxicity, is fragmentary. In this study, the toxicity of nanodiamonds was assessed in Acheta domesticus following chronic exposure to different nominal concentrations of ND (20 and 200µgg(-1) food) administrated in food for the entire lifespan. The activity of oxidative stress enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase), total antioxidant capacity, as well as the level of heat shock protein were determined. A significant increase in all of the measured parameters was observed after seven weeks of exposure in individuals exposed to higher concentrations of ND (200µgg(-1) food). In animals exposed to lower concentrations of ND (20µgg(-1) food), there were few significant changes to these parameters. Analysis of DNA damage performed after fourteen weeks using the comet assay revealed DNA instabilities in the insects, especially the ones that had been exposed to the higher doses of ND. These findings may suggest that the toxicity of ND is concentration dependent. While high doses interact in a toxic manner, trace amounts, which are more likely in the environment, might be safe for organisms. Extreme caution should be taken when handling nanodiamonds.

A Structure and Morphology of Nanocomposites Composed of Carbon Nanotubes with a Varying Fraction of Platinum Nanoparticles

A structure of nanocomposite materials consisting of carbon nanotubes with a varying fraction of platinum nanoparticles (5, 10 and 20 wt %) is compared in the paper. High-quality CNTs obtained in the CVD process, 100-200 mm long with a standard deviation of below 20% and with a diameter of 10-20 nm, with a standard deviation of below 30%, were used in the research. Raw CNTs did not contain metallic impurities or amorphous carbon deposits. An indirect method of bonding the earlier produced platinum nanoparticles to the surface of functionalised carbon nanotubes was employed to deposit platinum nanoparticles onto the surface of carbon nanotubes. A full array of changes in the loading of carbon nanotubes’ surface with platinum nanoparticles was achieved as a result of the experiments performed, starting with homogenous deposition to the clearly developed large agglomerations of platinum nanoparticles. The studies carried out using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray structural analysis have confirmed differences in the morphology, homogeneity and density of coating the carbon nanotubes’ surface with variedly concentrated platinum nanoparticles. Differences were also revealed in the structure of the newly formed nanocomposites. A nanocomposite with a 5% fraction of platinum nanoparticles demonstrates the best structure-related properties for the materials obtained.

Characterisation of graphene-based layers for dye-sensitised solar cells application

The influence of the graphene-based counter electrode on the structure, optical properties and electrocatalytic activity of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCC) was analysed. The graphene and reduced graphene oxide were deposited by CVD and spin-coating method on the FTO glass substrate, respectively. HRTEM investigation confirms the crystallographic structure of graphene. The investigated layers show flat transmittance spectra across the visible and near-infrared region. The charge transfer resistance of the graphene-based film was analysed by electrochemical impedance measurement. The obtained results show the possibility of replacing expensive platinum in DSCC by using graphene-based counter electrode.

Linear polymer separation using carbon-nanotube-modified centrifugal filter units.

The separation of linear polymers such as polysaccharides and polyethylene glycol was performed with modified commercial centrifugal filter units. The deposition of a 0.16-0.35 μm layer of modified carbon nanotubes prevented permeation of linear polymers of molecular weight higher than 20 000 Da through the membrane. It allowed facile purification of solution of 0.1 g of polymer samples from small molecules within 25 min by using a bench-top centrifuge. The structure of modified carbon nanotubes was optimized in order to achieve good adhesion to the low binding regenerated cellulose surface and low solubility in aqueous solutions after deposition. The best modification of carbon nanotubes was oxidation and subsequent amide formation of diethanolamine. Introduction of acetic acid groups using sodium chloroacetate worked equally well. The modified filter could be used multiple times without the decrease of the efficiency. The carbon nanotubes layer was stable in aqueous solutions in a pH range of 1-7. The proposed method provides a convenient way of purification of modified polymers in research areas such as drug delivery or macromolecular probes synthesis.

TEM and XRD Study of Nanostructured Composite Materials Reinforced with the Halloysite Particles

In the present work selected results of TEM and XRD investigations of the new AA-6061 matrix composite materials reinforced with halloysite nanoparticles manufactured by mechanical alloying and hot extrusion are present. Halloysite nanotubes, being a clayey mineral of volcanic origin which is characterized by high porosity, large specific surface, high ion exchange and easy chemical and mechanical treatment, can be used as alternative reinforcement of metal matrix composite materials. The composite materials obtained as a result of mechanical alloying and hot extrusion are characterized with the structure of evenly distributed, disperse mineral phase particles in fine-grain matrix of AA-6061 alloy, facilitate the obtainment of higher values of strength properties, compared to the initial alloy. Thanks to HRTEM analysis, the occurrence of grains sized ca. 20÷30nm in the composite materials reinforced with halloysite nanotubes with 15% mass share has been confirmed. The crystallite size and lattice strain of the obtained composites were calculated from X-ray line broadening, applying different profiles of diffraction lines. The achieved values of crystallite size for composites powders after 6 hours of milling were in the range 65-150nm, depending on the calculation method.

Structure of Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticles

A structure and morphology of the fabricated nanocomposite materials composed of carbon nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles is reported in the paper. High quality CNTs obtained in the CVD process with a long of 100-200 mm and diameter of 10-20 nm were used in the research. Raw CNTs did not contain metallic impurities or amorphous carbon deposits. An indirect method of bonding the earlier produced platinum nanoparticles to the surface of functionalised carbon nanotubes was used to produce carbon nanotubes – platinum nanoparticles system. The main aim of current research was structure and morphology investigation of obtained nanocomposite using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) and X-ray structure analysis (XRD).

Single-step synthesis of Er3+ and Yb3+ ions doped molybdate/Gd2O3 core–shell nanoparticles for biomedical imaging

Nanostructures as color-tunable luminescent markers have become major, promising tools for bioimaging and biosensing. In this paper separated molybdate/Gd2O3 doped rare earth ions (erbium, Er3+ and ytterbium, Yb3+) core-shell nanoparticles (NPs), were fabricated by a one-step homogeneous precipitation process. Emission properties were studied by cathodo- and photoluminescence. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes were used to visualize and determine the size and shape of the NPs. Spherical NPs were obtained. Their core-shell structures were confirmed by x-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements. We postulated that the molybdate rich core is formed due to high segregation coefficient of the Mo ion during the precipitation. The calcination process resulted in crystallization of δ/ξ (core/shell) NP doped Er and Yb ions, where δ-gadolinium molybdates and ξ-molybdates or gadolinium oxide. We confirmed two different upconversion mechanisms. In the presence of molybdenum ions, in the core of the NPs, Yb3+-[Formula: see text] (∣2F7/2, 3T2〉) dimers were formed. As a result of a two 980 nm photon absorption by the dimer, we observed enhanced green luminescence in the upconversion process. However, for the shell formed by the Gd2O3:Er, Yb NPs (without the Mo ions), the typical energy transfer upconversion takes place, which results in red luminescence. We demonstrated that the NPs were transported into cytosol of the HeLa and astrocytes cells by endocytosis. The core-shell NPs are sensitive sensors for the environment prevailing inside (shorter luminescence decay) and outside (longer luminescence decay) of the tested cells. The toxicity of the NPs was examined using MTT assay.

Upconversion fluorescence imaging of HeLa cells using ROS generating SiO2-coated lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanoconstructs

Inorganic nanomaterials able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) are promising components for modern medical applications. Activated by near-infrared light, up-converting β-NaYF4 doped with Er3+–Yb3+ and Tm3+–Yb3+ pair ions nanoparticles (UCNPs), have a wide range of applications in biological imaging as compared to traditional reagents excited by ultra-violet or visible light. We analysed the green-red and the blue-red luminescence to explain the mechanism of the upconversion depended on the surface condition. The influence of SiO2 coating on the cytotoxicity of the as-produced UCNPs towards HeLa cancer cells was reported. We demonstrated a possibility of a direct UCNPs application to photodynamic therapy, without need to attach additional molecules to their surface. The presence of Tm3+–Yb3+ pair ions, thus ROS generation capability, renders the SiO2 shell coated nanoparticles to become potentially useful theranostic agent.

Synthesis of Pt nanowires with the participation of physical vapour deposition

Abstract The following paper presents the possibility of formation of Pt nanowires, achieved by a three-step method consisting of conformal deposition of a carbon nanotube and conformal coverage with platinum by physical vapour deposition, followed by removal of the carbonaceous template. The characterization of this new nanostructure was carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Electron Microscopy Investigation of Cast Aluminium Alloy after Laser Feeding with Ceramic Powder

This paper presents the results of an investigation using transmission electron microscopy concerning the structure of AlSi7Cu2 cast aluminium alloy after alloying and remelting with a high power diode laser (HPDL). In particular, the changes in the particle/precipitation type, size and shape were determined, concerning especially the SiC and TiC particles added to the initial material. The aim of this work was also to present the laser treatment technology which will be used for further alloying and remelting with ceramic powders – especially carbides and oxides. The innovatory arrangement of this investigation is based on the mixing of two different powders, which were fed simultaneously to the laser-treated aluminium surface. The overview focuses on the laser power required to achieve good layer hardness to prevent hot work tool steel from losing its work stability and to make the tool surface more resistant to action in external conditions.