Nanoscale Structures Research Articles

Nanoscale Three-Dimensional Imaging of Integrated Circuits Using a Scanning Electron Microscope and Transition-Edge Sensor Spectrometer.

X-ray nanotomography is a powerful tool for the characterization of nanoscale materials and structures, but it is difficult to implement due to the competing requirements of X-ray flux and spot size. Due to this constraint, state-of-the-art nanotomography is predominantly performed at large synchrotron facilities. We present a laboratory-scale nanotomography instrument that achieves nanoscale spatial resolution while addressing the limitations of conventional tomography tools. The instrument combines the electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the precise, broadband X-ray detection of a superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter. The electron beam generates a highly focused X-ray spot on a metal target held micrometers away from the sample of interest, while the TES spectrometer isolates target photons with a high signal-to-noise ratio. This combination of a focused X-ray spot, energy-resolved X-ray detection, and unique system geometry enables nanoscale, element-specific X-ray imaging in a compact footprint. The proof of concept for this approach to X-ray nanotomography is demonstrated by imaging 160 nm features in three dimensions in six layers of a Cu-SiO2 integrated circuit, and a path toward finer resolution and enhanced imaging capabilities is discussed.

Light-Driven Hexagonal-to-Cubic Phase Switching in Arylazopyrazole Lyotropic Liquid Crystals.

Photoinduced manipulation of the nanoscale molecular structure and organization of soft materials can drive changes in the macroscale properties. Here we demonstrate the first example of a light-induced one- to three-dimensional mesophase transition at room temperature in lyotropic liquid crystals constructed from arylazopyrazole photosurfactants in water. We exploit this characteristic to use light to selectively control the rate of gas (CO2) diffusion across a prototype lyotropic liquid crystal membrane. Such control of phase organization, dimensionality, and permeability unlocks the potential for stimuli-responsive analogues in technologies for controlled delivery.

What Elements Really Intercalate into Pd Lattice When Heated in Dimethylformamide?

Palladium hydrides (PdHx) are pivotal in both fundamental research and practical applications across a wide spectrum. PdHx nanocrystals, synthesized by heating in dimethylformamide (DMF), exhibit remarkable stability, granting them widespread applications in the field of electrocatalysis. However, this stability appears inconsistent with their metastable nature. The substantial challenges in characterizing nanoscale structures contribute to the limited understanding of this anomalous phenomenon. Here, through a series of well-conceived experimental designs and advanced characterization techniques, including aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM), in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), we have uncovered evidence that indicates the presence of C and N within the lattice of Pd (PdCxNy), rather than H (PdHx). By combining theoretical calculations, we have thoroughly studied the potential configurations and thermodynamic stability of PdCxNy, demonstrating a 2.5:1 ratio of C to N infiltration into the Pd lattice. Furthermore, we successfully modulated the electronic structure of Pd nanocrystals through C and N doping, enhancing their catalytic activity in methanol oxidation reactions. This breakthrough provides a new perspective on the structure and composition of Pd-based nanocrystals infused with light elements, paving the way for the development of advanced catalytic materials in the future.

Anion Architecture Controls Structure and Electroresponsivity of Anhalogenous Ionic Liquids in a Sustainable Fluid.

Three nonhalogenated ionic liquids (ILs) dissolved in 2-ethylhexyl laurate (2-EHL), a biodegradable oil, are investigated in terms of their bulk and electro-interfacial nanoscale structures using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflectivity (NR). The ILs share the same trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium ([P6,6,6,14]+) cation paired with different anions, bis(mandelato)borate ([BMB]-), bis(oxalato)borate ([BOB]-), and bis(salicylato)borate ([BScB]-). SANS shows a high aspect ratio tubular self-assembly structure characterized by an IL core of alternating cations and anions with a 2-EHL-rich shell or corona in the bulk, the geometry of which depends upon the anion structure and concentration. NR also reveals a solvent-rich interfacial corona layer. Their electro-responsive behavior, pertaining to the structuring and composition of the interfacial layers, is also influenced by the anion identity. [P6,6,6,14][BOB] exhibits distinct electroresponsiveness to applied potentials, suggesting an ion exchange behavior from cation-dominated to anion-rich. Conversely, [P6,6,6,14][BMB] and [P6,6,6,14][BScB] demonstrate minimal electroresponses across all studied potentials, related to their different dissociative and diffusive behavior. A mixed system is dominated by the least soluble IL but exhibits an increase in disorder. This work reveals the subtlety of anion architecture in tuning bulk and electro-interfacial properties, offering valuable molecular insights for deploying nonhalogenated ILs as additives in biodegradable lubricants and supercapacitors.

Ultrafast photoluminescence and multiscale light amplification in nanoplasmonic cavity glass.

Interactions between plasmons and exciton nanoemitters in plexcitonic systems lead to fast and intense luminescence, desirable in optoelectonic devices, ultrafast optical switches and quantum information science. While luminescence enhancement through exciton-plasmon coupling has thus far been mostly demonstrated in micro- and nanoscale structures, analogous demonstrations in bulk materials have been largely neglected. Here we present a bulk nanocomposite glass doped with cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) and silver nanoparticles, nAg, which act as exciton and plasmon sources, respectively. This glass exhibits ultranarrow, FWHM = 13 nm, and ultrafast, 90 ps, amplified photoluminescence (PL), λem≅503 nm, at room temperature under continuous-wave excitation, λexc = 405 nm. Numerical simulations confirm that the observed improvement in emission is a result of a multiscale light enhancement owing to the ensemble of QD-populated plasmonic nanocavities in the material. Power-dependent measurements indicate that >100 mW coherent light amplification occurs. These types of bulk plasmon-exciton composites could be designed comprising a plethora of components/functionalities, including emitters (QDs, rare earth and transition metal ions) and nanoplasmonic elements (Ag/Au/TCO, spherical/anisotropic/miscellaneous), to achieve targeted applications.

Bonding strength enhancement of a 30-wt.% GF/PET–2024 aluminium alloy joint by synergistic action of multi-scale mechanical interlocking and multiplex H-bonding

In this study, micro-scale cellular and nano-scale labyrinth structures were obtained on the surface of A2024 aluminium alloy adherends through ultrasonic-aided corrosion using an FeCl3 etchant solution to significantly enhance the mechanical interlock of it and a 30-wt.% glass-fibre-enhanced polyethylene terephthalate substrate. The tensile shear strength of the 30-wt.% GF/PET–A2024 joint was increased to 31.84 MPa. The subsequent treatment of an appropriate amount of KH-892/PVA transformed the surface of the aluminium alloy from hydrophobic to hydrophilic to significantly improve its wettability. Furthermore, this treatment generated multiplex hydrogen bonding of O–H⋯O⋯H–N at the interface, further improving the tensile shear strength of the joint up to 50.94 MPa, which is significantly higher than the values obtained using exiting methods. The tensile shear tests of a ring-shaped insulator specimen according to GB 7251-87 verified the improved fracture work equation herein and the bonding strength enhancement of the 30-wt.% GF/PET–A2024 aluminium alloy joint treated by ultrasonic-aided corrosion with an FeCl3 etchant solution and pre-coating of an appropriate amount of KH-892/PVA.

Optimizing Wound Healing: Examining the Influence of Biopolymers Through a Comprehensive Review of Nanohydrogel-Embedded Nanoparticles in Advancing Regenerative Medicine.

Nanohydrogel wound healing refers to the use of nanotechnology-based hydrogel materials to promote the healing of wounds. Hydrogel dressings are made up of a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or other fluids. Nanohydrogels take this concept further by incorporating nanoscale particles or structures into the hydrogel matrix. These nanoparticles can be made of various materials, such as silver, zinc oxide, or nanoparticles derived from natural substances like chitosan. The inclusion of nanoparticles can provide additional properties and benefits to the hydrogel dressings. Nanohydrogels can be designed to release bioactive substances, such as growth factors or drugs, in a controlled manner. This allows for targeted delivery of therapeutics to the wound site, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Nanoparticles can reinforce the structure of hydrogels, improving their mechanical strength and stability. Nanohydrogels often incorporate antimicrobial nanoparticles, such as silver or zinc oxide. These nanoparticles have shown effective antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. By incorporating them into hydrogel dressings, nanohydrogels can help prevent or reduce the risk of infection in wounds. Nanohydrogels can be designed to encapsulate and release bioactive substances, such as growth factors, peptides, or drugs, in a controlled and sustained manner. This targeted delivery of therapeutic agents promotes wound healing by facilitating cell proliferation, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue regeneration. The unique properties of nanohydrogels, including their ability to maintain a moist environment and deliver bioactive agents, can help accelerate the wound healing process. By creating an optimal environment for cell growth and tissue repair, nanohydrogels can promote faster and more efficient healing of wounds.

Non-enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Ni(OH)2/NF Materials Using Different Pulse Voltammetry Technique

Non-enzymatic glucose sensors have gained significant attention owing to their potential for accurate and cost-effective glucose detection. Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in enhancing performance of non-enzymatic glucose sensor. In this study, a novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Ni(OH)2/NF (nickel hydroxide/nickel foam) materials was developed using different pulse voltammetry technique. Chemical precipitation methods have been used to grow Ni(OH)2 nanostructures directly on a nickel foam electrode. The characterization of the synthesized materials was performed through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The performance of the Ni(OH)2/NF-based glucose sensor was evaluated through electrochemical measurements. Nanoscale hive-like structures of Ni(OH)2 with a diameter ranging from 450 to 530 μm and a thickness of 20 nm were formed on the NF surface. The sensor exhibited good performance, displaying a high sensitivity of 8.42mA.mM-1.cm-2 with a low detection limit of 0.84 μM. These results position the synthesized electrode as a promising contender for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors.

The Nanoscale Structure and Stability of Organic Photovoltaic Blends Processed with Solvent Additives.

Controlling the nanomorphology in bulk heterojunction photoactive blends is crucial for optimizing the performance and stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies. A promising approach is to alter the drying dynamics and consequently, the nanostructure of the blend film using solvent additives such as 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO). Although this approach is demonstrated extensively for OPV systems incorporating fullerene-based acceptors, it is unclear how solvent additive processing influences the morphology and stability of nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) systems. Here, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to probe the nanomorphology of two model OPV systems processed with DIO: a fullerene-based system (PBDB-T:PC71BM) and an NFA-based system (PBDB-T:ITIC). To overcome the low intrinsic neutron scattering length density contrast in polymer:NFA blend films, the synthesis of a deuterated NFA analog (ITIC-d52) is reported. Using SANS, new insights into the nanoscale evolution of fullerene and NFA-based systems are provided by characterizing films immediately after fabrication, after thermal annealing, and after aging for 1year. It is found that DIO processing influences fullerene and NFA-based systems differently with NFA-based systems characterized by more phase-separated domains. After long-term aging, SANS reveals both systems demonstrate some level of thermodynamic induced domain coarsening.

Tailoring Microenvironments and In Situ Transformations of Cu Catalysts for Selective and Stable Electrosynthesis of Multicarbon Products

AbstractElectrochemical CO2 reduction is of tremendous interest for storing chemical energy from renewable sources while reducing CO2 emissions. While copper is one of the most effective catalysts, it suffers from low selectivity and limited long‐term durability. Here, these limitations are overcome by engineering Nafion coatings on CuO nanoparticle‐based catalysts supported on glassy carbon. By tuning the Nafion thickness and internal structure, it is shown that both the selectivity to multicarbon (C2+) products and long‐term stability can be dramatically enhanced. Optimized catalyst layers reach Faradaic efficiencies for C2+ products of 86% during long‐term testing for 200 h, with no evidence for performance degradation. Indeed, the C2+ Faradaic efficiency increases during testing, which is attributed to favorable in situ electrochemical fragmentation of catalytic nanoparticles. Finally, the optimized Nafion/Cu catalytic coatings are utilized to create scalable membrane electrode assemblies for CO2 electrolysis, yielding significantly enhanced C2H4 selectivity (≈58%) and activity at technologically‐relevant currents of 1–2 A. These results highlight the potential for creating multi‐functional Nafion coatings on CO2 reduction catalysts to favorably tune the reaction environment, while also promoting in situ transformations to active and selective nanoscale structures and morphologies, not just on model surfaces but also in state‐of‐the‐art gas diffusion electrodes.

Improved Structural Description of Different γ-Al2O3 Materials Using Disordered δ5-Al2O3 Phase via X-ray Pair Distribution Function Analysis

Extensive research has been conducted in the past on the crystallographic characteristics of γ-Al2O3 support materials due to their advantageous properties in heterogeneous catalysis. While their structure is most commonly described as spinel, their intrinsic disorder and nanostructure have prompted alternative models involving tetragonal space groups, supercells, or occupancy of non-spinel positions. X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis has further postulated the existence of short-range order domains with structural remnants from boehmite precursors from which γ-Al2O3 is commonly prepared via calcination. In this PDF study, we now show that a recently theoretically found monoclinic δ5-Al2O3 phase is, in fact, best suited for describing the structure of different commercial Al2O3 supports, as well as a self-prepared and an industrial Ni/Al2O3 methanation catalyst. Furthermore, in situ experiments under catalytic cycling in the methanation reaction demonstrate that the nanoscale structure of this δ5 phase is preserved during cycling, pointing towards the high stability of the therein-represented disorder. A complete description of the disordered Al2O3 support structure is crucial in the field of heterogeneous catalysis in order to distinguish disorder within the bulk support from additional interfacial restructuring processes such as surface oxidation or spinel formation due to nanoparticle–support interactions during catalytic cycling in in situ scattering experiments.

Hydrophilic properties of the aluminum alloy induced by femtosecond laser structuring

This study explored the changes in wetting property and surface morphology in aluminum alloy plates due to femtosecond laser structuring. The laser scanning produced a hierarchical micro- and nano-scale structure consisting of microchannels decorated by irregular shape particles. The surface morphology was controlled by laser power and scanning line density. The surface wettability gradually changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic one due to various chemical reactions for low laser power and scanning line density. However, femtosecond laser structuring with appropriate laser power and scanning line density was demonstrated to maintain strong and stable hydrophilic properties of aluminum alloy surfaces.

Amorphous nanoscale antimony-vanadium oxide: A high capacity anode material for potassium ion batteries

Antimony (Sb)-based materials, as a kind of potential high capacity and low cost materials, are the focus of attention in the anode materials of potassium ion batteries. However, at present, studies on Sb-based anode materials mainly focus on Sb metal, Sb alloy and Sb chalcogenides, while reports on Sb-based oxides are relatively rare. In addition, the development of Sb-based materials is limited by their large volume variation and poor reaction kinetics for potassium storage. Herein, a novel amorphous Sb2VO5 (A-SbVO) as bimetallic antimony vanadium oxide has been synthesized by solvothermal method. The A-SbVO exhibits high K storage activity and capacity due to its nanoscale and amorphous structure. Moreover, ex-situ transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the evolution of the A-SbVO in the potassium storage process as follows: A-SbVO → Sb → K3Sb → Sb → Sb + Sb2VO5. After compounding with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), the as-prepared A-SbVO/rGO shows better K storage stability, with discharge specific capacities of 313.0 and 248. 8 mAh/g at 500 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. After 300 cycles at 200 mA g−1, the A-SbVO/rGO still has a high discharge specific capacity of 382.1 mAh/g.

Aberration correction for deformable-mirror-based remote focusing enables high-accuracy whole-cell super-resolution imaging

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) enables three-dimensional (3D) investigation of nanoscale structures in biological samples, offering unique insights into their organization. However, traditional 3D super-resolution microscopy using high numerical aperture (NA) objectives is limited by imaging depth of field (DOF), restricting their practical application to relatively thin biological samples. Here, we developed a unified solution for thick sample super-resolution imaging using a deformable mirror (DM) which served for fast remote focusing, optimized point spread function (PSF) engineering, and accurate aberration correction. By effectively correcting the system aberrations introduced during remote focusing and sample aberrations at different imaging depths, we achieved high-accuracy, large DOF imaging ( ∼8 μm ) of the whole-cell organelles [i.e., nuclear pore complex (NPC), microtubules, and mitochondria] with a nearly uniform resolution of approximately 35 nm across the entire cellular volume.

FAST-EM array tomography: a workflow for multibeam volume electron microscopy.

Elucidating the 3D nanoscale structure of tissues and cells is essential for understanding the complexity of biological processes. Electron microscopy (EM) offers the resolution needed for reliable interpretation, but the limited throughput of electron microscopes has hindered its ability to effectively image large volumes. We report a workflow for volume EM with FAST-EM, a novel multibeam scanning transmission electron microscope that speeds up acquisition by scanning the sample in parallel with 64 electron beams. FAST-EM makes use of optical detection to separate the signals of the individual beams. The acquisition and 3D reconstruction of ultrastructural data from multiple biological samples is demonstrated. The results show that the workflow is capable of producing large reconstructed volumes with high resolution and contrast to address biological research questions within feasible acquisition time frames.

Deposition of high-quality, nanoscale SiO2 films and 3D structures

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is ubiquitous in biomedical diagnostics and other applications as a capture medium for nucleic acids and proteins. Diagnostic devices have seen rapid miniaturisation in recent years, due to the increased demand for portable point-of-care diagnostics. However, there are increasing challenges with incorporating SiO2 nanostructures into diagnostic devices, due to the complexity of nanostructured SiO2 synthesis, often involving etching and chemical vapour deposition under high vacuum conditions.We report a novel and straightforward method for deposition of high-quality, nanoscale SiO2 films and 3D SiO2 structures using thermal decomposition of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), in a furnace at atmospheric pressure at 500 °C. This method allows individual nanometre controllability of conformal pinhole-free layers on a variety of materials and morphologies. The temperature ramp rate is a key factor in determining the SiO2 deposit morphology, with slower ramp rates leading to highly conformal 2D films and faster ones yielding 3D nanodentrite structures. For the 2D films, the film thickness, as determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and confirmed by SEM data, is shown to correlate excellently with initial PDMS source material mass in the thickness range 0.8–18 nm. Fits to ellipsometry models confirm that the refractive index of the deposited film matches the expected value for SiO2, while electrical breakdown measurements confirm that the breakdown strength of the films is comparable to that of high-quality thermal oxides. Depositions on high aspect ratio ZnO nanostructures are shown to be highly conformal, leading to core-shell ZnO-SiO2 nanostructures whose shell thickness is in excellent agreement with the expected values from deposition on planar substrates. At faster ramp rates an abrupt morphological transition is seen to a deposit which displays a 3D nanodentrite morphology. The possibilities for applications of both morphologies (and core-shell combinations with other nanostructured materials) in biosensing and related areas are briefly discussed, and the DNA capture capabilities of each nanostructure are measured. The high aspect ratio nanodendrite structures allow for significant DNA capture within microfluidic devices in the presence of low DNA concentrations, with a maximum average capture efficiency of 43.4 % achieved in the presence of 10 ng/mL of DNA, which is an improvement by a factor of ∼ 3 over planar Si surfaces. Improvements by factors of >10 over planar surfaces were achieved at higher DNA concentrations of 100 and 1000 ng/mL.

Hybrid metamaterials combining zero-index and graded-index materials for multi-directional Bessel beam generation

Bessel beams, characterized by their unique non-diffractive and self-healing properties, have been a focal point in optical research. They offer unique advantages in various applications, from high-resolution imaging to the enhancement of optical communication. However, traditional methods of Bessel beam generation face limitations in producing multiple beams simultaneously, which hinders the application of complex light manipulation and multiple beam pathways. In this work, by merging the wave steering function of zero-refractive index metamaterials and the phase tailoring functionality of dielectric metasurfaces, we have realized the generation of multi-directional Bessel beams with the hybrid metamaterials. The multidirectional Bessel beams are not only self-healing to the defects along the propagation paths but also robust to the defects in the Bessel beam generator. Notably, the intrinsic zero-index property facilitates the minimization of light crosstalk beyond the hybrid metamaterials, preventing interference and providing a disturbance-free environment for the generation of Bessel beams. Our results provide a new perspective on designing novel optical devices with multi-channel and open novel routes to steer the electromagnetic waves in nano-scale structures.

Nanoscale Structure of Lipid-Gemini Surfactant Mixed Monolayers Resolved with AFM and KPFM Microscopy.

Drug delivery vehicles composed of lipids and gemini surfactants (GS) are promising in gene therapy. Tuning the composition and properties of the delivery vehicle is important for the efficient load and delivery of DNA fragments (genes). In this paper, we studied novel gene delivery systems composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and GS of the type N,N-bis(dimethylalkyl)-α,ω-alkanediammonium dibromide at different ratios. The nanoscale properties of the mixed DOPC-DPPC-GS monolayers on the surface of the gene delivery system were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). We demonstrate that lipid-GS mixed monolayers result in the formation of nanoscale domains that vary in size, height, and electrical surface potential. We show that the presence of GS can impart significant changes to the domain topography and electrical surface potential compared to monolayers composed of lipids alone.

Ultrastructure of human brain tissue vitrified from autopsy revealed by cryo-ET with cryo-plasma FIB milling

Ultrastructure of human brain tissue has traditionally been examined using electron microscopy (EM) following fixation, staining, and sectioning, which limit resolution and introduce artifacts. Alternatively, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows higher resolution imaging of unfixed cellular samples while preserving architecture, but it requires samples to be vitreous and thin enough for transmission EM. Due to these requirements, cryo-ET has yet to be employed to investigate unfixed, never previously frozen human brain tissue. Here we present a method for generating lamellae in human brain tissue obtained at time of autopsy that can be imaged via cryo-ET. We vitrify the tissue via plunge-freezing and use xenon plasma focused ion beam (FIB) milling to generate lamellae directly on-grid at variable depth inside the tissue. Lamellae generated in Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue reveal intact subcellular structures including components of autophagy and potential pathologic tau fibrils. Furthermore, we reveal intact compact myelin and functional cytoplasmic expansions. These images indicate that plasma FIB milling with cryo-ET may be used to elucidate nanoscale structures within the human brain.

Lactic Acid-Induced Colloidal Microrheology of Synovial Fluids.

The presence of colloidal scaffolds composed of proteins and hyaluronic acid engenders unique viscous and elastic properties to the synovial fluid (SF). While the elastic resistance of SF due to the presence of such nanoscale structures provides the load-bearing capacity, the viscous nature enables fluidity of the joints during the movements to minimize the wear and tear of the adjacent muscle, cartilage, or bone tissues. It is well-known that the hypoxic conditions at the bone joints often increase the lactic acid (LA) concentration due to the occurrence of excess anaerobic respiration during either hyperactivity or arthritic conditions. The present study uncovers that in such a scenario, beyond a critical loading of LA, the colloidal nanoscaffolds of SF break down to precipitate higher molecular weight (MW) proteins and hyaluronic acid (HA). Subsequently, the viscosity and elasticity of SF reduce drastically to manifest a fluid that has reduced load bearing and wear and tear resistance capacity. Interestingly, the study also suggests that a heathy SF is a viscoelastic fluid with a mild Hookean elasticity and non-Newtonian fluidity, which eventually transforms into a viscous watery liquid in the presence of a higher loading of LA. We employ this knowledge to biosynthesize an artificial SF that emulates the characteristics of the real one. Remarkably, the spatiotemporal microscopic images uncover that even for the artificial SF, a dynamic cross-linking of the high MW proteins and HA takes place before precipitating out of the same from the artificial SF matrix, emulating the real one. Control experiments suggest that this phenomenon is absent in the case when LA is mixed with either pure HA or proteins. The experiments unfold the specific role of LA in the destruction of colloidal nanoscaffolds of synovia, which is an extremely important requirement for the biosynthesis and translation of artificial synovial fluid.