ABSTRACT
The properties of quantum dot (QD)-size material depend directly upon its unit cell structure. Spinel zinc ferrite QD powder is produced via a one-pot microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis for just 5 min. Varying initial pH values of the preparation sol from 6 to 12 enlarges the Zn/Fe atomic ratio (by ca. 10%), unit cell volume (by ca. 0.5%), particle size (3.5-4.5 nm), and degree of inversion. This leads to a change in the magnetic behavior of the QD-size zinc ferrite from a superparamagnetic to a perfect-paramagnetic type. This novel finding points that the significant changes in the inherent structural parameters of spinel ZnFe2O4 QDs (Zn/Fe ratio and degree of inversion) induced by the systematic pH change of the preparation sol are exclusively responsible for the observed unique magnetic behavior instead of mere QD (single domain) nanosizes.
ABSTRACT
The advent of non-thermal plasma brought a breakthrough in exploring its clinical applications in dermatology to bolster tissue generation in the domain of plasma medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of non-thermal plasma on the corneocyte of the skin cells, in treating superficial skin diseases via the process of corneocyte desquamation, a probable mechanism for skin cell proliferation. The postulated brick and mortar arrangement of corneocytes in the stratum corneum was modeled consisting of three corneocytes and three corneodesmosomes in a simulation domain of 40.30 × 3.00 µm² using Maxwell 2D finite element analyzer. The corneocyte desquamation was quantified by the weakening of corneodesmosomes due to electrostatic pressure (~530 MV/m) on the corneodesmosome surface exceeding its tensile strength (~76 MPa). A mathematical model displaying a relationship between the plasma potential and the skin tensile strength is also presented in this investigation. The non-thermal plasma could emerge as a clean and dry therapy to treat superficial skin diseases. Our study propels investigating the interaction of non-thermal plasma with the wet tissue in the deeper layer (dermis) of the skin cells and also, the development of such instruments for a comprehensive skin treatment.
