Scattering Measurements Research Articles

Fabrication and magnetic properties of Co based thin films synthesized by physical vapor deposition under vacuum

We used thermal heating process, under a pressure of 10−7 mbar, to fabricate thin films of cobalt on monocrystalline silicon Si (100) substrates. The incident beam strikes the substrates under normal and oblique incidences within a home-made evaporation chamber. The thickness of the deposited films ranges from 18 to 400 nm. Microscopic characterizations of the films are performed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and infer that all the samples are polycrystalline, with an hexagonal close packed (h.c.p.) structure and exhibit a <0001> preferred orientation, for the perpendicularly evaporated films. The grain size is found to increase with the thickness of the magnetic layer. The values of the computed parameters allow concluding to a compressive stress for the thinnest films. The static magnetic properties have been performed by means of magnetic force microscopy (M.F.M.) and Alternating Gradient Field Magnetometer (A.G.F.M.) tools. The dynamic magnetic properties have been investigated using Brillouin Light Scattering (B.L.S.) measurements. The M.F.M. observations were performed after in-plane ac demagnetization, and stripe patterns are only observed for the thickest films, showing the weaker perpendicular anisotropies. We used the experimental results provided by these tools to compute the effective magnetic anisotropy factors Ku . Values of Ku anisotropy constants, higher than 13 × 106 erg.cm−3, have been found.

Role of TMAO, a Gut Metabolite, on Proline‐Rich Proteins

Osmoprotectants, a group of low molecular weight compounds, are accumulated in various cells to protect organism from various stresses. Most of the osmoprotectants (osmolytes) are known to stabilize proteins by assisting them in proper folding into the native conformation. However, Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), a human gut metabolite, is one such osmolyte that is believed to have both stabilizing and destabilizing effect on different proteins. Till date the destabilizing effect of TMAO has been confined only to the fast‐folding proteins. We, therefore, investigated the destabilizing effect of TMAO on folding pattern of various slow‐folding proteins.MethodologyFolding pattern of chosen proteins in absence and presence of TMAO were studied using enzyme kinetic assays. Different spectroscopic probes were further used to measure effect on native and refolded state structure. Light Scattering measurements and electron micrographs were obtained using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively to measure aggregation status of different protein species.ResultsProtein stability and enzyme activity studies revealed TMAO acts as a denaturant. Among all osmolytes this effect was found to be unique to TMAO only. No recovery of the enzyme activity of refolded protein even after prolonged incubation without formation of aggregates confirms TMAO interfere with refolding of proteins with high number of proline residues. Structural studies revealed refolding of protein to a compact denatured state. Changed behavior of protein from denatured to native state was observed upon addition of Peptidyl‐Prolyl Isomerase (PPIase).ConclusionWe discovered that TMAO fails to stabilize or refold the slow folding proteins. Furthermore, we showed that in proteins with high number of proline residues, proline cis‐trans isomerization becomes the rate limiting step in protein folding process, thus resulting into slow folding of proteins. Recovery of native like activity of protein in presence of PPIase indicate that TMAO might have interfered cis‐trans conversion generating a non‐native protein species. This study highlights the potential role of TMAO in protein folding and associated pathological consequences.

Symmetry-breaking transitions in the early steps of protein self-assembly.

Protein misfolding and subsequent self-association are complex, intertwined processes, resulting in development of a heterogeneous population of aggregates closely related to many chronic pathological conditions including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. To address this issue, here, we develop a theoretical model in the general framework of linear stability analysis. According to this model, self-assemblies of peptides with pronounced conformational flexibility may become, under particular conditions, unstable and spontaneously evolve toward an alternating array of partially ordered and disordered monomers. The predictions of the theory were verified by atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) used as a paradigm of aggregation-prone polypeptides (proteins). Simulations of dimeric, tetrameric, and hexameric human-IAPP self-assemblies at physiological electrolyte concentration reveal an alternating distribution of the smallest domains (of the order of the peptide mean length) formed by partially ordered (mainly β-strands) and disordered (turns and coil) arrays. Periodicity disappears upon weakening of the inter-peptide binding, a result in line with the predictions of the theory. To further probe the general validity of our hypothesis, we extended the simulations to other peptides, the Aβ(1-40) amyloid peptide, and the ovine prion peptide as well as to other proteins (SOD1 dimer) that do not belong to the broad class of intrinsically disordered proteins. In all cases, the oligomeric aggregates show an alternate distribution of partially ordered and disordered monomers. We also carried out Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) measurements of hIAPP as an experimental validation of both the theory and in silico simulations.

Trastuzumab Conjugated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Labeled with 225Ac as a Perspective Tool for Combined α-Radioimmunotherapy and Magnetic Hyperthermia of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

It has been proven and confirmed in numerous repeated tests, that the use of a combination of several therapeutic methods gives much better treatment results than in the case of separate therapies. Particularly promising is the combination of ionizing radiation and magnetic hyperthermia in one drug. To achieve this objective, magnetite nanoparticles have been modified in their core with α emitter 225Ac, in an amount affecting only slightly their magnetic properties. By 3-phosphonopropionic acid (CEPA) linker nanoparticles were conjugated covalently with trastuzumab (Herceptin®), a monoclonal antibody that recognizes ovarian and breast cancer cells overexpressing the HER2 receptors. The synthesized bioconjugates were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurement, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and application of 131I-labeled trastuzumab for quantification of the bound biomolecule. The obtained results show that one 225Ac@Fe3O4-CEPA-trastuzumab bioconjugate contains an average of 8–11 molecules of trastuzumab. The labeled nanoparticles almost quantitatively retain 225Ac (>98%) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and physiological salt, and more than 90% of 221Fr and 213Bi over 10 days. In human serum after 10 days, the fraction of 225Ac released from 225Ac@Fe3O4 was still less than 2%, but the retention of 221Fr and 213Bi decreased to 70%. The synthesized 225Ac@Fe3O4-CEPA-trastuzumab bioconjugates have shown a high cytotoxic effect toward SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells expressing HER2 receptor in-vitro. The in-vivo studies indicate that this bioconjugate exhibits properties suitable for the treatment of cancer cells by intratumoral or post-resection injection. The intravenous injection of the 225Ac@Fe3O4-CEPA-trastuzumab radiobioconjugate is excluded due to its high accumulation in the liver, lungs and spleen. Additionally, the high value of a specific absorption rate (SAR) allows its use in a new very perspective combination of α radionuclide therapy with magnetic hyperthermia.

Mechanistic insights on ultra-tough polylactide-based ionic nanocomposites

We report the synthesis and characterization of ultra-tough polylactide-based ionic nanocomposites via melt-blending of commercial polylactide (PLA), imidazolium-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-based polyurethane (im-PU) and surface-modified sulfonated silica nanoparticles (SiO2–SO3H) using extrusion techniques. The proximity of bulky pendant imidazolium cationic sites attached onto the highly functionalized polyurethane to the anionic sulfonate groups at the silica nanoparticle surface readily allow maximizing dynamic ionic interactions within the resulting PLA-based materials. This new design leads to a unique property profile that combines ultra-toughness (no break) and ductility (up to 150%), without critical loss of stiffness as well as improved thermal stability (up to 40 °C higher compared to neat PLA). In addition, we present a detailed mechanistic study aiming at elucidating the energy-dissipative toughening in these PLA/im-PU/SiO2–SO3H blends under quasi-static and high-speed loadings (ca. impact, tensile, 3-points bending). Relying on Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), creep and rheological measurements, a toughening mechanism is finally proposed to account for the impact behavior of the resulting ionic nanocomposites.

On the Kinetics of Gamma Prime (R') Precipitation and its Strengthening Mechanism in Alloy 617 During a Long-Term Thermal Aging

The changes in the mechanical properties and the microstructure of Alloy 617 during an extended thermal aging at 750 °C from 200 h up to 32,000 h are investigated. It is shown that formation of nanoscale r' precipitates [Ni3(Al,Ti)] and their consequent coarsening significantly affect the strengthening of the r-matrix and thus overall mechanical properties of Alloy 617. Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) measurements confirms that about 3 vol.% of nanoscale r' precipitates with an average radius below 20 nm is formed after thermal aging for only 200 h. The volume fraction of formed precipitates does not increase dramatically reaching about 6% after 32,000 h, however, their size does change significantly reaching the average of about 100 nm after 32,000 h. The kinetics of the coarsening of the present nanoscale r' precipitates is shown to follow the classical Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) theory for diffusion-controlled precipitate Ostwald ripening. SANS measurements of the microstructure-averaged volume fraction and size of present nanoscale r' precipitates allowed us to investigate strengthening mechanisms of the formed nanoscale r' precipitates. It is found that the Jackson-Reed order strengthening model, which accounts for shearing of precipitates by the strongly coupled dislocation pairs describes well the experimental observations (increment of the yield strength).

Microstructure Analysis of Graded Interface Layers in a Model Multilayer Al/Al–Zn/Al Sample by Scanning Microbeam Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Measurements

Microstructure Analysis of Graded Interface Layers in a Model Multilayer Al/Al–Zn/Al Sample by Scanning Microbeam Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Measurements

A High-Precision Tagged Neutron n-p Scattering Measurement at 14.9 MeV

The n-p scattering angular distribution was measured with 14.9 MeV incident neutrons produced at the neutron facility of Ohio University. The traditional time-of-flight technique with neutron-gamma discrimination was applied for the measurement of the number and energy of scattered neutrons. The scattering angle varied from 20 to 65 deg (laboratory system) in 5 deg incremental steps corresponding to an ejectile energy range from 13.16 to 2.66 MeV. The efficiency of the neutron detectors was measured in the energy range 2 to 9 MeV relative to the 252Cf standard and was calculated using Monte Carlo methods in the 2 to 14 MeV energy range. Two methods of analysis were applied for experimental and simulated data: a traditional approach with a fixed threshold ~0.1MeVee and a dynamic threshold approach. The efficiencies determined by both methods are in excellent agreement for simulated and experimental results within the energy interval 2 to 9 MeV. The experimental (<9 MeV) and calculated efficiencies (>9 MeV) were applied for evaluation of the n-p scattering experimental result. The corrections for neutron attenuation in the “scatter-detector” were calculated with analytical formulas and by the Monte Carlo method. Additional minor corrections for edge effect, C(n,n’)3α background and dead time were also included. The present data agree with recent evaluations for the n-p angular distribution within about 1.6%. The current state-of-the-art of experimental uncertainties that can be realized for a neutron counting experiment were reached in this investigation. An additional correlation analysis allows us to conclude that the standard deviation connected with existing correlations may be the main component of the total uncertainty.

An Improved STEM/EDX Quantitative Method for Dopant Profiling at the Nanoscale.

In this paper, an improved quantification technique for STEM/EDX measurements of 1D dopant profiles based on the Cliff-Lorimer equation is presented. The technique uses an iterative absorption correction procedure based on density models correlating the local mass density and composition of the specimen. Moreover, a calibration and error estimation procedure based on linear regression and error propagation is proposed in order to estimate the total measurement error in the dopant density. The proposed approach is applied to the measurement of the As profile in a nanodevice test structure. For the calibration, two crystalline Si specimens implanted with different As doses have been used, and the calibration of the Cliff-Lorimer coefficients has been carried out using Rutherford Back Scattering measurements. The As profile measurement has been carried out on an FinFET test structure, showing that quantitative results can be obtained in the nanometer scale and for dopant atomic densities lower than 1%. Using the proposed approach, the measurement error and detection limit for our experimental setup are calculated and the possibility to improve this limit by increasing the observation time is discussed.

Physical-Chemical Study of Anthracene Selective Oxidation by a Fe(III)-Phenylporhyrin Derivative.

In this work, we studied the anthracene oxidation by hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radical was generated by reaction of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin Fe (III) (TPPFe) with hydrogen peroxide under visible radiation at a nitrogen atmosphere. The TPPFe was synthesized by Adler Method followed by metal complexation with Fe (III) chloride hexahydrate. Hydroxyl radical was detected by fluorescence emission spectroscopy and we studied kinetic of anthracene selective oxidation by hydroxyl radicals through the differential method. The TPPFe was characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements. The results indicated that TPPFE was compound by micro-particles with a size distribution of around 2500 nm. Kinetic results showed that the apparent rate constant for the oxidation of anthracene increased exponentially on as temperature increases, furthermore, the activation energy for the Anthracene oxidation by hydroxyl radicals under visible irradiation was 51.3 kJ/mol. Finally, anthraquinone was the main byproduct generated after oxidation of anthracene by TPP-Fe under visible irradiation.

PECVD Growth of Composition Graded SiGeSn Thin Films as Novel Approach to Limit Tin Segregation

SiGeSn is a promising group IV material to develop the field of silicon photonics. Increasing the tin concentration in the alloy is desired in order to achieve a direct bandgap in the material. This necessitates low temperature growth and proper strain management in the films during growth to prevent tin segregation. In this work, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) was used to grow composition graded SiGeSn films at low processing temperatures of 350 °C–380 °C using a simplified PECVD reactor. Polycrystalline films were deposited using a multi-step approach to prevent tin phase separation at higher Sn concentrations by alleviating the strain arising from the incorporation of Sn in the film lattice. Rutherford Back Scattering measurements indicated that films with Sn content of up to 8% without any Sn phase segregation were achieved. The structural and optical properties of the films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

Integrated software for the analysis of high-resolution scattering signals during mm-wave beam injection

Recently, during Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) measurements at mm-waves aimed at studying the ion dynamics in fusion plasmas, strong signals of scattering of the injected beam with non-CTS origin have been detected. A possible explanation of these signals in terms of parametric decay instabilities (PDIs) of the injected wave with power threshold much lower than previously envisaged by theory was proposed [1,2]. The experimental activity with CTS diagnostic at FTU is aimed at two purposes: the characterization of the thermal ion distribution function and the investigation of the possible low power PDIs processes foreseen by the recent models. In order to ease the data analysis, a set of data processing tools has been integrated on purpose, with an activity started in 2014. Here we present the last implementation of an integrated data analysis tool, aimed at the investigation of the signals detected with the CTS diagnostic. The last version of the software integrates information included in the raw spectra of scattered radiation with the modeled ECE emission, with the aim of providing calibrated spectra improved with respect to the ones provided up to now. The correct calibration of the signals on the real line of sight of the beams is helpful to better distinguish anomalous emissions from less powerful CTS radiation. In addition, the analysis tool compares the calibrated spectra with the ones predicted considering real scattering parameters evaluated by means of realistic beam-trajectories, changing during the pulse, allowing also to extract information on ion dynamics and plasma composition. The last version of the software, which takes into account also multi-reflection beam-tracing simulations in both polarization modes in support to the scattering experiments, is presented.

Machine Learning Classification of S-Band Microwave Scattering Measurements From the Forearm as a Novel Biometric Technique

Biometrics use an individual's biological traits for personal identification. Various sensors have been used to obtain these measurements. Microwave biometric scans have recently gained traction as a non-contact technique due to their robustness to environmental lighting and unobtrusiveness. To evaluate microwave signature of human forearm as a biometric modality, an 8-antenna (Wi-Fi) data collection setup was developed and initially tested with foil-wrapped tubes of different geometric cross sections. The system was later evaluated by collecting microwave samples from human volunteers' forearms and classifying the data, from different antenna subsets, using Support Vector Machines and Naive Bayesian classifiers. Our results show that human identification via microwave signals is possible even with a subset of the above mentioned 8-antenna configuration.

Characterization of a Novel Temperature Lidar Receiver by Means of Laboratory Rayleigh-Brillouin Scattering Measurements

A new receiver setup based on an imaging Fizeau interferometer measuring the Rayleigh Brillouin scattering (RBS) spectra to retrieve tropospheric temperature profiles is introduced. The optical layout of the proposed receiver design is discussed and its functionality is demonstrated by means of accurate and controlled laboratory RBS measurements. The proposed temperature receiver is based on a Fizeau interferometer and a 32 channel PMT array which can resolve the RBS spectrum without applying any scanning procedures. In order to avoid any incidence angle fluctuations on the Fizeau interferometer caused by for instance atmospheric turbulence, the application of a fiver coupled telescope was investigated. It is shown that a 50 µm fiber (NA=0.12) provides both, sufficient coupling efficiency and sufficiently low divergence in order to keep the Finesse of the interferometer. The performance of the novel lidar receiver is verified by means of accurate laboratory RBS measurements.

Mass Accommodation Coefficients of Water on Organics from Complementary Photoacoustic and Light Scattering Measurements on Laser-Trapped Droplets

The mass accommodation coefficient, $\alpha_M$, describes evaporation and condensation kinetics at the liquid-vapor interface. In spite of numerous experimental efforts, reliable values of $\alpha_M$ are still not available for many substances. Here, we present a novel experimental technique, photothermal single-particle spectroscopy (PSPS), that allows for a robust retrieval of mass accommodation coefficients from three simultaneous independent measurements. PSPS combines resonant photoacoustic absorption spectroscopy with modulated Mie scattering measurements on single particles. We study the mass transport of water on organic aerosol droplets that are optically trapped using counter-propagating tweezers. We find the mass accommodation coefficient of water on a pure model organic that is fully miscible with water to be 0.021 at 296K, and to decrease by more than an order of magnitude when the temperature increases to 309K. The experimentally observed temperature dependence of $\alpha_M$ shows an Arrheni...

Impact of Sample Concentration on the Determination of Particle Size of Nano Polymer Particles and Nano Liposomes by Dynamic Light Scattering

Determination of particles size is important in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing of drug delivery system in nano scale. This study was carried out to evaluate particles size of nano polymer particles, composed of Eudragit RL 100, and nano liposomes, composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Dynamic light scaterring was used to determine nano particles size. The results showed that, dilution ratio influenced differently on the determined nanoparticles. Liposomal suspension, which was diluted to count rate less than 170 kcps, had statistically significant larger particle than that, which had greater count rate. Polymer particles, which were diluted to count rate less than 126 had statistically significant larger particles than that, which had greater count rate.&#x0D; Keywords&#x0D; Particle size, nano polymer particle, nano liposomes, dynamic light scattering (DLS).&#x0D; References&#x0D; [1] E.H.M. Sakho, E. Allahyari, O.S. Oluwafemi, S. Thomas, and N. Kalarikkal, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) in: Thermal and rheological measurement techniqus for nanometerials characterization, Elsevier, Europe 2017.[2] V.X. Minh, P.T.M. Hue, Applications of nanotechnology and liposomes in Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, Medical publishing house, Hanoi, 2013 (in Vietnamese).[3] ISO 22412:2017, Particle size analysis - Dynamic light scattering (DLS).[4] J. Panchal, J. Kotarek, E. Marszal, and E.M. Topp, Analyzing Subvisible Particles in Protein Drug Products: a Comparison of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Resonant Mass Measurement (RMM), AAPS J., 16(3) (2014) 440–451. http://doi.org/ 10.1208/s12248-014-9579-6.[5] A. Chaudhury et al, Lyophilization of cholesterol-free PEGylated liposomes and its impact on drug loading by passive equilibration, Int. J. Pharm., 430(1–2) (2012) 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.04.036.[6] T. Ishida, H. Harashima, and H. Kiwada, Liposome clearance, Biosci. Rep., 22(2) (2002) 197–224. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020134521778.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Effect of iPP molecular weight on its confinement within mesoporous SBA-15 silica in extruded iPP−SBA-15 nanocomposites

Different nanocomposites based on two isotactic polypropylenes (iPP) and mesoporous SBA-15 silica have been attained by melt extrusion as an attempt to understand the influence of average molecular weight in the rheological behavior, morphological and crystalline features and in the final properties (thermal stability and mechanical response) as well as in the capability of incorporating iPP chains within the nanometric SBA-15 pores. Closeness to rheological percolation and a significant increase of viscosity are observed as SBA-15 content is raised, this effect being more evident for the materials prepared from the iPP with the lowest molecular weight. These composites also shift their maximum degradation to lower values under inert atmosphere but keep rather unchanged decomposition behavior in oxidant conditions. No considerable changes are found with molecular weight in their morphological characteristics, nor in the type of iPP polymorph developed. The confinement of iPP chains in the SBA-15 channels, implied by a small endotherm in the DSC melting curves, is definitely ascertained by real-time variable-temperature Small Angle X-ray Scattering measurements with synchrotron radiation, suggesting, additionally, that somewhat thicker crystallites are developed within the mesostructure in the materials prepared from the iPP with inferior molecular weight. Moreover, the SBA-15 mesoporous particles exert a reinforcing role in all cases and reduce the deformation capacity of the ultimate materials as their content is increased. • Uniform and random distribution of SBA-15 within iPP occurs, independently of iPP molecular weight, M w . • Reinforcement in molten state is more important at high SBA-15 contents in iPPL, i.e. , as M w decreases. • Rigidity in the bulk is also superior for the iPPL based materials because of their higher crystallinity. • DSC endotherm and SAXS discontinuity from iPP confinement show a shift at lower temperatures in iPPH composites.

Using Dynamic Light Scattering for Monitoring the Size of the Suspended Particles in Wastewater

Abstract A coherent light scattering experiment on wastewater samples extracted from several stages of water processing within a wastewater processing plant was carried out. The samples were allowed to sediment while they were the subject of a Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurement. The recorded time series were processed using an Artificial Neural Network based DLS procedure to produce the average diameter of the particles in suspension. The method, using a single physical procedure for monitoring the variation of the average diameter in time, indicates the dominant type of suspensions in water.

Thermally-Induced morphological evolution of spherical silica nanoparticles using in-operando X-ray scattering measurements

The assembly and morphology of pores determine thermodynamic, flow and reactive properties of confined fluids. However, there is a limited understanding of how pore architectures dynamically develop in engineered and natural materials. To develop a calibrated understanding of fluid properties in confinement, the synthesis of architected materials has been proposed. The design of geo-architected materials has to be informed by the dynamic evolution of the morphology in response to thermal or chemical events. In this study, we probe thermally induced morphological evolution of spherical silica nanoparticles 220 ± 30 nm in diameter using in-operando Ultra-Small and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering measurements. The calcination experiments demonstrated that at temperatures up to 600 °C the pore radii remained in the range of 2.15 nm–2.35 nm and the particle diameters in the range of 220 ± 30 nm. Sintering these calcined silica nanoparticles to temperatures up to 1050 °C reduced the pore size from 2.2 ± 0.1 nm to ∼1.8–0.2 nm. These changes corresponded to the formation of siloxane (Si-O-Si) bridges resulting from dehydroxylation. The characteristic pore radius of sintered particles was also confirmed by N2 adsorption measurements. These studies represent the use of non-invasive dynamic characterization methods such as X-ray scattering to elucidate thermally induced morphological evolution in architected siliceous materials.

Synthesis of Colloidal Au Nanoparticles through Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Their Use in the Preparation of Polyacrylate-AuNPs' Composites.

Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared from two different liquid precursors (gold (III) acetate and gold (III) chloride), using the Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) process. The STEM characterisation showed that the AuNPs from gold chloride are spherical, with average diameters of 57.2 and 69.4 nm, while the AuNPs from gold acetate are ellipsoidal, with average diameters of 84.2 and 134.3 nm, according to Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements. UV/VIS spectroscopy revealed the maximum absorbance band of AuNPs between 532 and 560 nm, which indicates a stable state. Colloidal AuNPs were used as starting material and were mixed together with acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (Am) for the free radical polymerization of polyacrylate-AuNPs’ composites, with the purpose of using them for temporary cavity fillings in the dental industry. SEM characterisation of polyacrylate-AuNPs’ composites revealed a uniform distribution of AuNPs through the polymer matrix, revealing that the AuNPs remained stable during the polymerization process. The density measurements revealed that colloidal AuNPs increase the densities of the prepared polyacrylate-AuNPs’ composites; the densities were increased up to 40% in comparison with the densities of the control samples. A compressive test showed that polyacrylate-AuNPs’ composites exhibited lower compressive strength compared to the control samples, while their toughness increased. At 50% compression deformation some of the samples fracture, suggesting that incorporation of colloidal AuNPs do not improve their compressive strength, but increase their toughness significantly. This increased toughness is the measured property which makes prepared polyacrylate-AuNPs potentially useful in dentistry.