Single step synthesis of Janus nano-composite membranes by atmospheric aerosol plasma polymerization for solvents separation.

Solvent permeation across membranes is limited due to physical resistance to diffusion from the selective layer within the membrane and to plasticizing effects generated by the solvent molecules onto the polymeric macromolecular matrix. Nano-composite thin film membranes provide promising routes to generate controlled microstructural separation materials with higher selectivities and permeabilities. Here, the fabrication of nano-composite based on octamethyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane - hexamethyldisiloxane thin film membranes is demonstrated by aerosol assisted atmospheric plasma deposition onto pre-formed nano-porous membrane supports for the first time. Stable, atomically smooth and continuous solid films with controllable thickness down to 50 nm were achieved. The deposition process allowed for the control of the wettability of the surfaces to water and organic solvents, leading to the generation of hydrophobic but alcohol-philic surfaces. The liquid entry pressure of the films to water was found to be 8 bar from plasma polymerization as oppose to 3 bar for the bare nano-porous support only. In addition, the ideal separation selectivity for ethanol to water, up to 6.5, highlight the impact of both the surface energy and level of cross-linking of the hexamethyldisiloxane nanostructures on the diffusion mechanisms. This new atmospheric plasma deposition strategy opens-up cost-effective and environmentally friendly routes for the design of the smart Janus membrane with customizable properties and performance.

Ex situ electrochemical sodiation/desodiation observation of Co3O4 anchored carbon nanotubes: a high performance sodium-ion battery anode produced by pulsed plasma in a liquid.

Liquid plasma, produced by nanosecond pulses, provides an efficient and simple way to fabricate a nanocomposite architecture of Co3O4/CNTs from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and clusters of Co3O4 nanoparticles in deionized water. The crucial feature of the composite's structure is that Co3O4 nanoparticle clusters are uniformly dispersed and anchored to CNT networks in which Co3O4 guarantees high electrochemical reactivity towards sodium, and CNTs provide conductivity and stabilize the anode structure. We demonstrated that the Co3O4/CNT nanocomposite is capable of delivering a stable and high capacity of 403 mA h g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1) after 100 cycles where the sodium uptake/extract is confirmed in the way of reversible conversion reaction by adopting ex situ techniques. The rate capability of the composite is significantly improved and its reversible capacity is measured to be 212 mA h g(-1) at 1.6 A g(-1) and 190 mA h g(-1) at 3.2 A g(-1), respectively. Due to the simple synthesis technique with high electrochemical performance, Co3O4/CNT nanocomposites have great potential as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Theoretical modeling and experimental validation of surface stress in thrombin aptasensor.

Adsorption of target molecules on the immobilized microcantilever surface produced beam displacement due to the differential surface stress generated between the immobilized and non-immobilized surface. Surface stress is caused by the intermolecular forces between the molecules. Van der Waals, electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effect and steric hindrance are some of the intermolecular forces involved. A theoretical framework describing the adsorption-induced microcantilever displacement is derived in this paper. Experimental displacement of thrombin aptamer-thrombin interactions was carried out. The relation between the electrostatic interactions involved between adsorbates (thrombin) as well as adsorbates and substrates (thrombin aptamer) and the microcantilever beam displacement utilizing the proposed mathematical model was quantified and compared to the experimental value. This exercise is important to aid the designers in microcantilever sensing performance optimization.

Fabrication of boron nitride nanotube-gold nanoparticle hybrids using pulsed plasma in liquid.

Plasma, generated in liquid at atmospheric pressure by a nanosecond pulsed voltage, was used to fabricate hybrid structures from boron nitride nanotubes and gold nanoparticles in deionized water. The pH was greatly reduced, conductivity was significantly increased, and concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the water were increased by the plasma treatment. The treatment reduced the length of the nanotubes, giving more individual cuplike structures, and introduced functional groups onto the surface. Gold nanoparticles were successively assembled onto the functionalized surfaces. The reactive species from the liquid plasma along with the nanosecond pulsed electric field seem to play a role in the shortening and functionalization of the nanotubes and the assembly of gold nanoparticles. The potential for targeted drug delivery was tested in a preliminary investigation using doxorubicin-loaded plasma-treated nanotubes which were effective at killing ∼99% of prostate cancer cells.

A surface-stress-based microcantilever aptasensor.

Biosensors based on microcantilevers convert biological recognition events into measurable mechanical displacements. They offer advantages such as small size, low sample volume, label-free detection, ease of integration, high-throughput analysis, and low development cost. The design and development of a microcantilever-based aptasensor employing SU-8 polymer as the fabrication material is presented in this paper. Aptamers are employed as bioreceptor elements because they exhibit superior specificity compared to antibodies due to their small size and physicochemical stability. To immobilise thrombin DNA aptamer on the bare SU-8 surface of the aptasensor, a combined plasma mode treatment method is implemented which modifies the surface of the aptasensor. Label-free detection of thrombin molecules using the fabricated aptasensor is successfully demonstrated. The measured deflection is one order of magnitude higher than that of a silicon nitride microcantilever biosensor. The developed aptasensor also demonstrates high specificity.

Clusters of α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles incorporated into multi-walled carbon nanotubes: a lithium-ion battery cathode with enhanced lithium storage properties.

We report the preparation of a novel nanocomposite architecture of α-LiFeO2-MWCNT based on clusters of α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles incorporated into multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The composite represents a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The preparation of the nanocomposite is achieved by combining a molten salt precipitation process and a radio frequency oxygen plasma for the first time. We demonstrate that clusters of α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles incorporated into MWCNTs are capable of delivering a stable and high reversible capacity of 147 mA h g(-1) at 1 C after 100 cycles with the first cycle Coulombic efficiency of ~95%. The rate capability of the composite is significantly improved and its reversible capacity is measured to be 101 mA h g(-1) at a high current rate of 10 C. Both rate capability and cycling stability are not simply a result of introduction of functionalized MWCNTs but most likely originate from the unique composite structure of clusters of α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles integrated into a network of MWCNTs. The excellent electrochemical performance of this new nanocomposite opens up new opportunities in the development of high-performance electrode materials for energy storage application using the radio frequency oxygen plasma technique.

Study of Radio Frequency Plasma Treatment of PVDF Film Using Ar, O2 and (Ar + O2) Gases for Improved Polypyrrole Adhesion.

Improvement of the binding of polypyrrole with PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) thin film using low pressure plasma was studied. The effects of various plasma gases i.e., Ar, O2 and Ar + O2 gases on surface roughness, surface chemistry and hydrophilicity were noted. The topographical change of the PVDF film was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy and chemical changes by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, with adhesion of polypyrrole (PPy) by abrasion tests and sheet resistance measurements. Results showed that the increase in roughness and surface functionalization by oxygen functional groups contributed to improved adhesion and Ar + O2 plasma gave better adhesion.

Mechanically activated catalyst mixing for high-yield boron nitride nanotube growth.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have many fascinating properties and a wide range of applications. An improved ball milling method has been developed for high-yield BNNT synthesis, in which metal nitrate, such as Fe(NO3)3, and amorphous boron powder are milled together to prepare a more effective precursor. The heating of the precursor in nitrogen-containing gas produces a high density of BNNTs with controlled structures. The chemical bonding and structure of the synthesized BNNTs are precisely probed by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The higher efficiency of the precursor containing milling-activated catalyst is revealed by thermogravimetric analyses. Detailed X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations disclose that during ball milling the Fe(NO3)3 decomposes to Fe which greatly accelerates the nitriding reaction and therefore increases the yield of BNNTs. This improved synthesis method brings the large-scale production and application of BNNTs one step closer.

Design and analysis of a multilayer localized surface plasmon resonance graphene biosensor.

This paper describes a multilayer localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) graphene biosensor that includes a layer of graphene sheet on top of the gold layer, and the use of different coupled configuration of a laser beam. The study also investigates the enhancement of the sensitivity and detection accuracy of the biosensor through monitoring biomolecular interactions of biotin-streptavidin with the graphene layer on the gold thin film. Additionally, the role of thin films of gold, silver, copper and aluminum in the performance of the biosensor is separately investigated for monitoring the binding of streptavidin to the biotin groups. The performance of the LSPR graphene biosensor is theoretically and numerically assessed in terms of sensitivity, adsorption efficiency, and detection accuracy under varying conditions, including the thickness of biomolecule layer, number of graphene layers and operating wavelength. Enhanced sensitivity and improved adsorption efficiency are obtained for the LSPR graphene biosensor in comparison with its conventional counterpart; however, detection accuracy under the same resonance condition is reduced by 5.2% with a single graphene sheet. This reduction in detection accuracy (signal to noise ratio) can be compensated for by introducing an additional layer of silica doped B2O3 (sdB2O3) placed under the graphene layer. The role of prism configuration, prism angle and the interface medium (air and water) is also analyzed and it is found that the LSPR graphene biosensor has better sensitivity with triangular prism, higher prism angle, lower operating wavelength and larger number of graphene layers. The approach involves a plot of a reflectivity curve as a function of the incidence angle. The outcomes of this investigation highlight the ideal functioning condition corresponding to the best design parameters.

Controlled surface modification of boron nitride nanotubes.

Controlled surface modification of boron nitride nanotubes has been achieved by gentle plasma treatment. Firstly, it was shown that an amorphous surface layer found on the outside of the nanotubes can be removed without damaging the nanotube structure. Secondly, it was shown that an oxygen plasma creates nitrogen vacancies that then allow oxygen atoms to be successfully substituted onto the surface of BNNTs. The percentage of oxygen atoms can be controlled by changing the input plasma energy and by the Ar plasma pre-treatment time. Finally, it has been demonstrated that nitrogen functional groups can be introduced onto the surface of BNNTs using an N(2) + H(2) plasma. The N(2) + H(2) plasma also created nitrogen vacancies, some of which led to surface functionalization while some underwent oxygen healing.

Controlling cell growth on titanium by surface functionalization of heptylamine using a novel combined plasma polymerization mode.

A novel bio-interface, produced by a combined plasma polymerization mode on a titanium (Ti) surface, was shown to enhance osteoblast growth and reduce fibroblast cell growth. This new method can securely attach a tailored interface to difficult materials such as Ti or ceramics. Here a more stable and higher density of NH2 functional groups is able to withstand sterilization in ethanol. The biocompatibility, in terms of cell attachment and actin cytoskeleton development, was markedly improved in vitro, compared with untreated Ti surfaces and samples treated by other plasma modes. It gave a boosted (approximately six times higher) cellular response of osteoblasts in their initial adhesion stage. These factors should increase the formation of new bone around implants (reducing healing time), promoting osseointegration and thereby increasing implantation success rates.

Comparison of performance parameters for conventional and localized surface plasmon resonance graphene biosensors.

This paper investigates the enhancement of the sensitivity and adsorption efficiency of a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor that includes a layer of graphene sheet on top of the gold layer. For this purpose, biomolecular interactions of biotin-streptavidin with the graphene layer on the gold thin film are monitored. The performance of the LSPR graphene biosensor is theoretically and numerically assessed in terms of sensitivity and adsorption efficiency under varying conditions, including the thickness of biomolecule layer, number of graphene layers and operating wavelength. Enhanced sensitivity and improved adsorption efficiency are obtained for the LSPR graphene biosensor in comparison with its conventional counterpart. It is found that the LSPR graphene biosensor has better sensitivity with lower operating wavelength and larger number of graphene layers.

3-D modeling of a carbon nanotube cantilever biosensor.

In this paper, 3-D finite element modeling and simulations are carried out to investigate the bending deformation of a single-walled carbon nanotube cantilever biosensor due to mass attached, and addition of a nano-scale particles to the beam tip resulting from the bioparticle detection. In addition, an algorithm for an electrostatic-mechanical coupled system is developed. The computed results are in excellent agreement with the well known electrostatic equations that govern the deformation.