Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques Research Articles

Unraveling the mystery of sandwich structure: Emerging photocatalytic hydrogen production by g-C3N5 coupled Nb2C MXene forming Schottky heterojunction

The development of new photocatalysts and photocatalytic systems is the essence of the development of photocatalytic hydrogen production engineering. Nitrogen-rich graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N5) has gradually replaced conventional graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with a smaller bandgap and high-efficiency visible light utilization. In this study, g-C3N5 and Nb2C MXene coupled composition with sandwich structure were manufactured by a simple ultrasonic magnetic stirring method and used for photocatalytic hydrogen production. By adjusting the ratios of single components in the system, the hydrogen production rate of the optimal sample 4:1g-C3N5/Nb2C under visible light irradiation is 2529.5 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is 21 times higher than that of g-C3N5. The high apparent quantum yield (AQY) value of 17.3 % also proves a high light utilization rate. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique reveals variations in the thickness of the samples, while strongly demonstrating the formation of sandwich structure. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further reveals the electron transfer paths within the system, preliminarily verifying the formation of Schottky heterojunctions. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) tests not only re-validate the correctness of the electron transfer path but also demonstrate the accuracy of the energy bands. The density-functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborate that Nb2C MXene plays the role of a photoco-catalyst to form Schottky heterojunctions with g-C3N5 for efficient carrier separation and migration. This work highlights the key role of sandwich structure photocatalytic systems on photocatalytic performance.

Grape Seed Extract as an Environment-Friendly Green Inhibitor for Corrosion of Mild Steel in 1 M Sulfamic Acid

AbstractA corrosion inhibition study of mild steel in 1 M sulfamic acid was conducted using grape seed extract (GSE) as a possible green inhibitor. Electrochemical techniques were adopted to measure the corrosion rate in both the absence and presence of the GSE. Conditions were standardized to obtain optimum inhibition efficiency by varying the concentration of inhibitor and temperature. The kinetic parameters were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. Surface analysis was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) techniques. A suitable mechanism was proposed for the corrosion inhibition process. Grape seed extract showed a maximum efficiency of 65%, with a concentration of 0.24 g/L at 303 K from potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) studies. With the increase in temperature, the efficiency decreased, resulting in the GSE inhibitor’s physical adsorption. Surface morphology studies supported the adsorption of GSE on mild steel. GSE acted as an efficient green inhibitor with environmental benefits.

Verbena officinalis (VO) leaf extract as an anti-corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic environment

In the present work, Verbena Officinalis (VO) leaf extract was used as potential corrosion inhibitor for the corrosion of carbon steel (CS) in 0.5 M H2SO4 medium. Further, the corrosion inhibiting nature of VO leaf extract towards the CS was evaluated using mass loss (ML), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and surface morphological analyses using atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Calculation of activation energy Ea∗\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\left( {{\ ext{E}}_{{\ ext{a}}}^{*} } \\right)$$\\end{document} using Arrhenius equation shows the increase in activation energy when adding the VO leaf extract in 0.5 M H2SO4 medium and the maximum activation energy (Ea∗\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{E}}_{{\ ext{a}}}^{*}$$\\end{document} = 49.9 kJ mol−1) was observed for 1000 mg L−1 VO leaf extract in acid medium. The negative free energy values suggested the spontaneous and the stability of the adsorbed layer of VO leaf extract on the CS surface. Using EIS measurements, high percent inhibitory effectiveness of 91.1% for 1000 ppm solutions was achieved. With an increase in VO leaf extract dose, the double layer capacitance (Cdl) values fall while the values of charge transfer (Rct) increase. This showed that a protective layer of VO leaf extract on CS surface was formed. The polarization curves showed that the VO leaf extract acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. It is discovered that the adsorption of VO leaf extract molecules adhering to the CS surface followed the Langmuir isotherm. The anti-corrosion action of VO leaf extract is fully demonstrated by some surface techniques.

Preparation of pyridoxine-based polyurethane modified sensors and their use in simultaneous determination of Cu(II) – Co(II) ions

In this study, pyridoxine-based polyurethane-modified electrodes were prepared to simultaneously and sensitively measure copper (Cu(II)) and cobalt (Co(II)) ions in complex matrix samples. For the production of the electrodes, firstly, the synthesis of pyridoxine-based polyurethane structures was carried out. In these syntheses, the polymer structure was diversified by using different isocyanates. Polyethyleneglycol-200 (PEG), pyridoxine (B6), and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) groups were used as the source of polyol. The synthesized polyurethane structures were characterized by different instrumental techniques and used in gold electrode surface modification. Modified sensor surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. The prepared modified sensors were used for the simultaneous detection of Cu(II) and Co(II) ions using the differential pulse voltammetry technique. The limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), and R2 values for Cu(II) ions were calculated as 8.81 μM, 29.4 μM, and 0.993, respectively. LOD, LOQ, and R2 values for Co(II) ions were calculated as 9.84 μM, 32.8 μM, and 0.9935, respectively. For repeatability, the relative standard deviation (RSD %) of the prepared simultaneous sensors was determined as 1.54 and 1.71 for Cu(II) and Co(II), respectively. As a result, Cu(II) and Co(II) ions were measured independently and simultaneously with high sensitivity. According to these results, it is predicted that pyridoxine-based polyurethane-modified sensors may be suitable for the simultaneous detection of Cu(II) and Co(II) in medical, food, and agricultural samples.

Early diagnosis of autoimmune diseases through electrochemical biosensing using a modified plastic chip electrode.

Detecting chronic autoimmune disorders (ADs) early reduces the risk of morbidity, disability, and mortality and offers the possibility of significant therapeutic action in a timely manner. Developing low-cost, reliable, and sensitive sensors for ADs can ensure the efficient utilization of healthcare resources at earlier stages. Here, we report on the development of an electrochemical biosensor for sensing CXCL10, a chemokine protein that serves as a biomarker for autoimmune diseases. A self-assembly strategy is used for the immobilization of biorecognition elements on a plastic chip electrode (PCE). A homemade PCE offers a versatile and cost-effective scaffold for sensing applications. Gold nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on the electrode via the reduction of gold ions on the PCE galvanostatically. The CXCL10 antibody and recognition elements were immobilized on the gold-deposited PCE. The attachment of recognition molecules was confirmed by energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for the detection of CXCL10 within a concentration range spanning from pico- to micro-molar levels. The sensor exhibited remarkable linearity in both buffer and plasma solutions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of up to 0.72 pg mL-1.

Microstructural analysis of ex-service neutron irradiated stainless steel nuclear fuel cladding by high-speed AFM

Fuel cladding in advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactors is made of an austenitic stainless steel referred to as 20Cr/25NiNb. This material can undergo microstructural changes in these extreme environments through a combination of thermal effects and radiation damage. In this work, the microstructures present in an ex-service irradiated 20Cr/25Ni-Nb sample are studied using correlated high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) and electron microscopy techniques for the first time. Correlated topographic, crystallographic, and chemical information from the sample surface enabled identification of secondary phase precipitates (SPPs) including M23C6, sigma phase, NbC, and G phase. These SPPs can have adverse effects on the material properties. HS-AFM analysis showed surface textures unique to each SPP. Voids formed due to irradiation were also identified across the surface by HS-AFM. These voids were found to be larger in size and depth along grain boundaries. Further analysis identified a relationship between void size and frequency and grain boundary misorientation and SPP presence.

Microstructural Analysis of Ex-Service Neutron Irradiated Stainless Steel Nuclear Fuel Cladding by High-Speed AFM

Fuel cladding in advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactors is made of an austenitic stainless steel referred to as 20Cr/25NiNb. This material can undergo microstructural changes in these extreme environments through a combination of thermal effects and radiation damage. In this work, the microstructures present in an ex-service irradiated 20Cr/25Ni-Nb sample are studied using correlated high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) and electron microscopy techniques for the first time. Correlated topographic, crystallographic, and chemical information from the sample surface enabled identification of secondary phase precipitates (SPPs) including M23C6, sigma phase, NbC, and G phase. These SPPs can have adverse effects on the material properties. HS-AFM analysis showed surface textures unique to each SPP. Voids formed due to irradiation were also identified across the surface by HS-AFM. These voids were found to be larger in size and depth along grain boundaries. Further analysis identified a relationship between void size and frequency and grain boundary misorientation and SPP presence.

Development of Focused Ultrasound-Assisted Nanoplexes for RNA Delivery.

RNA-based therapeutics, including siRNA, have obtained recognition in recent years due to their potential to treat various chronic and rare diseases. However, there are still limitations to lipid-based drug delivery systems in the clinical use of RNA therapeutics due to the need for optimization in the design and the preparation process. In this study, we propose adaptive focused ultrasound (AFU) as a drug loading technique to protect RNA from degradation by encapsulating small RNA in nanoliposomes, which we term nanoplexes. The AFU method is non-invasive and isothermal, as nanoplexes are produced without direct contact with any external materials while maintaining precise temperature control according to the desired settings. The controllability of sample treatments can be effectively modulated, allowing for a wide range of ultrasound intensities to be applied. Importantly, the absence of co-solvents in the process eliminates the need for additional substances, thereby minimizing the potential for cross-contaminations. Since AFU is a non-invasive method, the entire process can be conducted under sterile conditions. A minimal volume (300 μL) is required for this process, and the treatment is speedy (10 min in this study). Our in vitro experiments with silencer CD44 siRNA, which performs as a model therapeutic drug in different mammalian cell lines, showed encouraging results (knockdown > 80%). To quantify gene silencing efficacy, we employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were employed to capture images of nanoplexes. These images revealed the presence of individual nanoparticles measuring approximately 100-200 nm in contrast with the random distribution of clustered complexes observed in ultrasound-untreated samples of liposome nanoparticles and siRNA. AFU holds great potential as a standardized liposome processing and loading method because its process is fast, sterile, and does not require additional solvents.

Exploring asphaltene aggregation: Model systems based on toluene-heptane mixtures

This work evaluates how chemical characteristics, such as polarity and aromaticity, can affect asphaltene aggregation. The asphaltene fraction was extracted from two different crude oils by precipitation in n-heptane, and these extracted asphaltenes were named A and B. Based on infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, we found that asphaltenes B present greater aromaticity. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), asphaltene B showed higher heteroatom content. Model systems based on toluene/n-heptane/asphaltene (0.05 g/L) were prepared to evaluate the aggregation/precipitation of asphaltenes. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis of aggregation kinetics revealed that aromatic asphaltenes with higher heteroatom content tend to form larger aggregates. Moreover, hydroxyl content exhibits a greater impact on aggregation compared to diffusivity. Furthermore, once the aggregates reach a critical size, the suspension stability is reduced, and the aggregates sediment. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and DLS results revealed a wide range of particle size distribution. The larger clusters likely consisted of smaller aggregates that adhered together. Still, we highlight that the sizes of these aggregates determined by AFM are not directly comparable to the measurements obtained from DLS. The drying of the samples for the AFM measurements probably affects the asphaltene aggregation process. For this reason, the results obtained from the AFM and DLS techniques are not comparable.

Design, development, and performance of a versatile graphene epitaxy system for the growth of epitaxial graphene on SiC.

A versatile graphene epitaxy (GrapE) furnace has been designed and fabricated for the growth of epitaxial graphene (EG) on silicon carbide (SiC) in diverse growth environments ranging from high vacuum to atmospheric argon pressure. Radio-frequency induction enables heating capabilities up to 2000 °C, with controlled heating ramp rates achievable up to 200 °C/s. The details of critical design aspects and temperature characteristics of the GrapE system are discussed. The GrapE system, being automated, has enabled the growth of high-quality EG monolayers and turbostratic EG on SiC using diverse methodologies, such as confinement-controlled sublimation (CCS), open configuration, polymer-assisted CCS, and rapid thermal annealing. This showcases the versatility of the GrapE system in EG growth. Comprehensive characterizations involving atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction techniques were employed to validate the quality of the produced EG.

Analysis of converter transformer pressboard insulation degradation under surge using mathematical morphology

Nowadays, with the significant expansion of industrial growth, the bulk power requirement can only be satisfied through high-voltage direct current HVDC transmission. The converter transformer is the utmost vital part of the HVDC transmission. Pressboard insulation is most commonly used as inter-disc insulation in converter transformers. During working conditions due to elevated temperature and different operational stresses, insulation material gets deteriorated. It may cause a risk to the life of the converter transformer. The effects of elevated temperatures as well as frequency on pressboard insulation of the converter transformer are examined in this study. The condition evaluation and morphological changes in pressboard insulation at elevated temperatures can evaluate with the help of frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The impact of elevated temperatures on insulation material can be analyzed based on surface roughness and dielectric parameters. In MATLAB Simulink environment, a dual winding single-phase converter transformers valve side star winding 60 discs model is constructed for impulse test. Based upon arrival time and velocity of traveling wave, insulation degradation location can be identified by using mathematical morphology. The simulation results demonstrate that the suggested method can notably located degradation across disc winding.

Exploring the physicochemical traits, antifungal capabilities, and 3D spatial complexity of hydroxyapatite with Ag+[sbnd]Mg2+ substitution in the biocomposite thin films

The silver/magnesium doped hydroxyapatite (AgMgHAp, Ca10−x-yAgxMgy(PO4)6(OH)2, xAg=0.05 and yMg=0.02) nanocomposites coatings were deposited on Si substrate using the dip coating technique. The resulting coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The EDS analysis highlighted the presence of the constitutive elements of the silver/magnesium doped hydroxyapatite (AgMgHAp) nanocomposites coatings. The surface microtexture of the AgMgHAp was assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The AFM data suggested the obtaining of a uniform deposited layer comprised of equally distributed nanoconglomerates. FT-IR studies highlighted the presence of vibrational modes associated with the phosphate and hydroxyl groups. No bands associated with silver or magnesium were observed. The XPS analysis highlighted the presence of the constituent elements of hydroxyapatite (Ca 2p, P 2 s, O 1 s), as well as dopants (Ag 3d, Mg 1 s and Mg 2p). The antifungal evaluation of AgMgHAp coatings was carried out using the Candida albicans ATCC 10231 fungal strain. The results of the antifungal assay revealed that the AgMgHAp coatings exhibited a strong inhibitory antifungal activity. Furthermore, the data highlighted that the AgMgHAp inhibited the development of biofilm on their surface. The results revealed that the antifungal activity of the coating varied based on the duration of incubation. On the other hand, the data also showed that AgMgHAp nanocomposites coatings inhibited the fungal cell adhesion and development from the early stages of the incubation. In addition to morphological analysis, we additionally take advantage of AFM images to investigate and explore the domain of fractal and multifractal analysis applied to the films under evaluation. Our studies indicates that nanocomposite coatings made from AgMgHAp demonstrate strong antifungal properties. Our studies indicates that nanocomposite coatings made from AgMgHAp demonstrate strong antifungal properties. These results suggest the potential of AgMgHAp nanocomposite coatings as a promising solution for developing innovative antifungal devices in biomedical applications.

In situ constructed ferroelectric-nanonet-supported heterostructure thin film for high-performance photovoltaics

Heterostructure, which combines robust ferroelectrics and narrow-bandgap semiconductors together, is promising for acquiring both intensive photocurrent and large photovoltage output in photovoltaics; therefore, manipulation of the properties by engineering heterostructure has driven significant research activity. Herein, well-known Aurivillius-type ferroelectric Bi2WO6 and mullite-type Bi2Fe4O9 are chosen, and an excellent platform to investigate the role of ferroelectric-semiconductor heterostructure in tuning the photovoltaic effect is constructed by in situ depositing p-type nanoscale Bi2Fe4O9 onto n-type Bi2WO6 nanonet matrix. The nanonet-supported two-dimensional planar-like heterostructure and its ferroelectric domain switchability are confirmed by atomic force microscopy techniques. Significantly, the desired Bi2WO6/Bi2Fe4O9 film optimizes the key steps from light to electricity, and exhibits a large and stable photovoltaic effect, achieving four/three orders of magnitude enhancement of short-circuit photocurrent density/open-circuit voltage under laser irradiation. Furthermore, electric-field-controlled switchable asymmetric photoresponse and device stability were clearly observed, due to, in particular, Bi2WO6/Bi2Fe4O9 interfacial Schottky barrier formation and its modulation by poling-modified ferroelectric polarization. These findings highlight an important insight to construct diversified heterostructures with multi-functioning performances.

Atomic Force Microscopy to Measure the Mechanical Property of Nanosized Lipid Vesicles and Its Applications

Nanoparticles, including liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, have garnered global attention due to their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and gene therapies. These particles enable targeted delivery of new drug modalities such as highly active small molecules and nucleic acids. However, for widespread use of nanoparticle-based formulations, it is crucial to comprehensively analyze their characteristics to ensure both efficacy and safety, as well as enable consistent production. In this context, this review focuses on our research using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study liposomes and lipid nanoparticles. Our work significantly contributes to the capability of AFM to measure various types of liposomes in an aqueous medium, providing valuable insights into the mechanical properties of these nanoparticles. We discuss the applications of this AFM technique in assessing the quality of nanoparticle-based pharmaceuticals and developing membrane-active peptides.

Xyloglucan deficiency leads to a reduction in turgor pressure and changes in cell wall properties, affecting early seedling establishment

Xyloglucan is believed to play a significant role in cell wall mechanics of dicot plants. Surprisingly, Arabidopsis plants defective in xyloglucan biosynthesis exhibit nearly normal growth and development. We investigated a mutant line, cslc-Δ5, lacking activity in all five Arabidopsis cellulose synthase like-C (CSLC) genes responsible for xyloglucan backbone biosynthesis. We observed that this xyloglucan-deficient line exhibited reduced cellulose crystallinity and increased pectin levels, suggesting the existence of feedback mechanisms that regulate wall composition to compensate for the absence of xyloglucan. These alterations in cell wall composition in the xyloglucan-absent plants were further linked to a decrease in cell wall elastic modulus and rupture stress, as observed through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and extensometer-based techniques. This raised questions about how plants with such modified cell wall properties can maintain normal growth. Our investigation revealed two key factors contributing to this phenomenon. First, measurements of turgor pressure, a primary driver of plant growth, revealed that cslc-Δ5 plants have reduced turgor, preventing the compromised walls from bursting while still allowing growth to occur. Second, we discovered the conservation of elastic asymmetry (ratio of axial to transverse wall elasticity) in the mutant, suggesting an additional mechanism contributing to the maintenance of normal growth. This novel feedback mechanism between cell wall composition and mechanical properties, coupled with turgor pressure regulation, plays a central role in the control of plant growth and is critical for seedling establishment in a mechanically challenging environment by affecting shoot emergence and root penetration.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-biocomposite (PMMA-hydroxyapatite - CaZrO3) for bone tissue engineering

ABSTRACT In a common scenario, bone fractures have a self-healing function with free-surgical intervention. However, some fractures in bone tissue are complex and leave behind remnant deformation that requires biomaterials for replacement. The aim of this study is to develop a new composite 3D scaffold for bone regeneration and replacement composed of calcium zirconate (CaZrO3), hydroxyapatite (HA) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer. Different 3D scaffolds were fabricated by mixing 90, 80, 70, and 60 wt. % PMMA with HA and CaZrO3 nanoparticles in different concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were applied to characterize the 3D composite scaffold properties. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the fabricated scaffolds were investigated using Brazilian diametral fracture test. It was found that incorporating a uniform distribution of HA nanoparticles significantly increased the surface roughness of the composite scaffold. Furthermore, the fracture strength of the fabricated 3D scaffolds showed a remarkable improvement of 86% in the sample containing 90% PMMA, 7% HA, and 3% CaZrO3 compared to the sample devoid of CaZrO3. Our findings strongly indicate that integrating hybrid CaZrO3-HA nanoparticles into PMMA polymer for the production of 3D composite scaffolds holds significant promise for bone tissue applications, potentially enhancing their efficacy and performance.

Gamma irradiated Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for selective ammonia sensing

In this research, the effect of gamma ray doses on volatile organic compound (VOC) sensing properties of Cu doped TiO2 nanoparticles are studied to further improve the VOC sensing performance. Pure and Cu doped TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared by sol-gel technique on Au interdigitated plexiglas substrate and irradiated by gamma-rays with doses varying from 1 to 150 KGy. The irradiation was performed by using 60Co as gamma source. The structural, morphology and modifications were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) techniques. The sensing performance of these films toward ethanol, methanol, 2-propanol, benzene, toluene, xylene and ammonia vapors has been tested. It was observed that no remarkable sensor response to any vapors except ammonia was observed at room temperature. Changes in sensor’ ammonia sensitivity have been correlated with the gamma radiation dose and Cu doping ratio. Maximum sensing performance was observed with 3% Cu doped TiO2 exposed to gamma radiation dose of 150 kGy.

Multiparametric AFM insights into electron transport mechanisms in biomemristors

Biomemristors have attracted significant attention due to their applications in biodegradable and flexible electronic devices, and their prospective functions in information storage, neural synapses, and neuromorphic computation. Hence, understanding biomaterials' resistive switching (RS) mechanism is essential to design novel biomemristors with enhanced performance. In the last decade, various atomic force microscopy (AFM) modes, such as Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM), in situ/operando visualize the electron transport behaviors within biomemristors at the nanoscale. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of multiparametric AFM techniques to characterize biomemristors and inspire new ideas in developing next-generation consumer electronics. We also summarize the progress of revealing the internal mechanism of biomemristors with functional AFM to visualize and understand the switching behavior. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of further utilizing multiparametric AFM to explore the electron transport mechanisms in biomemristors are presented.

Optical Observations of Sputtered Au-nanostructures and Characterizations

o develop novel optoelectronic devices, controlling and predetermined absorption is necessary. In the current work, the gold nano-islands were sputtered onto quartz surface substrates using a DC sputtering unit with an optimized chamber. The effects of the sputtering time (10, 15, and 20 seconds) on the characteristics of the golden layers deposited on quartz substrates were studied. Au nanofilms were investigated by XRD (X-ray diffraction), UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible light) diffractometer, and AFM (atomic force microscopy) techniques. The thicknesses of the three films prepared at different sputtering times (10, 15, and 20 seconds) were calculated using the theoretical deposition formula method. The average layer thickness, and hence the size of the golden crystallites, rose from 6.8 to 13.6 nm when the sputtering period was increased. The X-ray spectra revealed a very distinguish peak at (111), pointing that the gold single crystal has fully oriented along [111] and the gold film has a pure crystalline Fcc structure. When deposition times are lengthened, the color of the resulting films changes from blue to green. Nano-films have seen important changes in their surface shape and roughness. The structural layer of Au's surface is remarkably semi-spherical, giving it the appearance of spherolytic and hummock-like. Analyzing the UV-VIS spectra of the precipitated structures using Tauc's paradigm revealed the optical energy gap (non-zero Eg in the range of 2.36 to 2.38 eV) that is associated with the nanostructure's semiconducting properties. In addition, as the sputtering duration increases from 10 to 20 seconds, the wavelengths at which peak values of the surface plasmon resonance occur shift from 610 to 650 nm, and the widths of the peaks rise. The AFM images of the ultra-thin Au layers showed smooth surfaces whose roughness decreases from 1.82 to 0.673 nm with increasing sputtering time from 10 to 20 nm. Solar cells can take advantage of the higher absorption in the blue spectrum region by using a set of depositing parameters and prescribed thicknesses. In addition, the formation of nano-islands can also be used as nucleation sites (seed layer) to promote the growth of various nanostructures to obtain a good aspect ratio and improve the performance of various optoelectronic devices and gas sensors.

Insights into the dual nature of αB-crystallin chaperone activity from the p.P39L mutant at the N-terminal region

The substitution of leucine to proline at position 39 (p.P39L) in human αB-crystallin (αB-Cry) has been associated with conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity in cataracts and cardiomyopathy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the p.P39L mutation on the structural and functional features of human αB-Cry. The mutant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified using anion exchange chromatography. We employed a wide range of spectroscopic analyses, gel electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques to investigate the structure, function, stability, and fibrillation propensity of the mutant protein. The p.P39L mutation caused significant changes in the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of human αB-Cry and increased the thermal stability of the protein. The mutant αB-Cry exhibited an increased chaperone activity and an altered oligomeric size distribution, along with an increased propensity to form amyloid aggregates. It is worth mentioning, increased chaperone activity has important positive and negative effects on damaged cells related to cataracts and cardiomyopathy, particularly by interfering in the process of apoptosis. Despite the apparent positive nature of the increased chaperone activity, it is also linked to adverse consequences. This study provides important insights into the effect of proline substitution by leucine at the N-terminal region on the dual nature of chaperone activity in human αB-Cry, which can act as a double-edged sword.