N-Heterocyclic carbene-based gold etchants

• Robert B. Chevalier,
• Justin Pantano,
• Matthew K. Kiesewetter and
• Jason R. Dwyer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 865–871, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.71

• dissolution of gold. We present scanning electron micrographs and elemental imaging analyses by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to examine the effect of solutions of each species on the gold film. This work highlights the risk of unwanted etching during some routes to NHC-based surface functionalization

• observation contrasts with the localized depletion of gold during etching by solutions of 1 in DCM and THF, as shown in the electron micrographs in Figure 3b,c. The formation of voids in the gold film allowed for comparison of this material loss between different samples without the need to standardize

• scanning electron microscope instrument and image settings across samples, and indeed the comparison between process conditions is centered on this prevailing result. The degree of gold loss varied with solvent, reagent concentration, and exposure time. In Figure 3 we show the effect of solutions of 1 in

Industrial perspectives for personalized microneedles

• Remmi Danae Baker-Sediako,
• Benjamin Richter,
• Matthias Blaicher,
• Michael Thiel and
• Martin Hermatschweiler

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 857–864, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.70

• with varying heights were printed via two-photon polymerization on a “Quantum X shape” lithography system, and the 10 × 10 microneedle array was printed in 130 min. The scale bar is 1 mm in both images. (A) Scanning electron microscopy image of microcones. (B) Optical microscopy image of transparent

• microcones. Various solid and hollow microneedle designs printed via two-photon polymerization on a “Quantum X shape” lithography system. (A) Scanning electron microscopy image of a 4 × 4 array consisting of both solid and hollow microneedles. The designs were inspired by Mizuno et al. [32] and Cordeiro et

Biomimetics on the micro- and nanoscale – The 25th anniversary of the lotus effect

• Matthias Mail,
• Kerstin Koch,
• Thomas Speck,
• William M. Megill and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 850–856, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.69

• epicuticular wax coverage on leaves of Deschampsia antarctica as a possible adaptation to severe environmental conditions”, used cryo-scanning electron microscopy to study surfaces of D. antarctica, one of the only two flowering plants native to Antarctica. The results show that the two-layered wax, which

• were performed and the mandibles were analysed using (cryo-) scanning electron microscopy, indicating that a fluid substance covers the medial surface of the mandibles reducing propolis adhesion. Weiser et al. [13] take biomimetics into industrial production with their paper “Roll-to-roll fabrication

• Mail, Kerstin Koch, Thomas Speck, William M. Megill and Stanislav N. Gorb Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Kleve, Freiburg, and Kiel, July 2023 Biological archetype and eponym of the lotus effect: The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). a) Photo of a lotus plant. b) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of

Ultralow-energy amorphization of contaminated silicon samples investigated by molecular dynamics

• Grégoire R. N. Defoort-Levkov,
• Alan Bahm and
• Patrick Philipp

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 834–849, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.68

• substantially more controllable at low energies [10][11], which also makes such beams valid candidates for these processes. Another application includes lamella preparation for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have high constraints regarding cleanliness [12

• ]. TEM samples require a small thickness [13] to be electron transparent and are usually prepared through ion milling processes [14][15], which rely heavily on the precise ablation of materials to preserve the crystalline structure of the analyzed sample. These samples, usually shaped as lamellas, are

A wearable nanoscale heart sound sensor based on P(VDF-TrFE)/ZnO/GR and its application in cardiac disease detection

• Yi Luo,
• Jian Liu,
• Jiachang Zhang,
• Yu Xiao,
• Ying Wu and
• Zhidong Zhao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 819–833, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.67

• . Composition and β-phase content of the piezoelectric composite films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The morphology of the composite film fibers was observed through scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the P(VDF-TrFE)/ZnO/graphene composite film was encapsulated in a sandwich-structure heart sound

• underwent characterization through electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and piezoelectric performance testing. The results indicated that the piezoelectric film with a composition ratio of 12% P(VDF-TrFE) + 10% ZnO + 0.1% GR exhibited superior performance regarding various aspects. Consequently, in

• utilized to analyze the composition and β-phase content of the composite piezoelectric nanofilms, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the morphology of the thin film filaments. Figure 6 displays the XRD patterns of the three composite piezoelectric nanofilms. In the P(VDF-TrFE

Nanostructured lipid carriers containing benznidazole: physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and cellular in vitro studies

• Giuliana Muraca,
• María Esperanza Ruiz,
• Rocío C. Gambaro,
• Sebastián Scioli-Montoto,
• María Laura Sbaraglini,
• Gisel Padula,
• José Sebastián Cisneros,
• Cecilia Yamil Chain,
• Vera A. Álvarez,
• Cristián Huck-Iriart,
• Guillermo R. Castro,
• María Belén Piñero,
• Matias Ildebrando Marchetto,
• Catalina Alba Soto,
• Germán A. Islan and
• Alan Talevi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 804–818, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.66

• observed by transmission electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and small-angle X-ray scattering analyses of the nanoparticles indicated that BNZ might be dispersed in the nanoparticle matrix in an amorphous state. The

• different types of nanoparticles and BNZ, including SLN and NLC [21]. The NLC-BNZ formulation was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to confirm the presence of nanoparticles showing a spherical morphology and a narrow distribution of sizes (Figure 1). Image analysis through ImageJ [22

• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra were obtained. The attenuated total reflection mode was used to record the spectra over the range of 400–4000 cm−1 at a resolution of 2 cm−1. Transmission electron microscopy Transmission electron microscopy images

Silver-based SERS substrates fabricated using a 3D printed microfluidic device

• Phommachith Sonexai,
• Minh Van Nguyen,
• Bui The Huy and
• Yong-Ill Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 793–803, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.65

• (USA). Deionized water with a resistivity of 18 MΩ·cm−1, provided by a Milli-Q water purification system (Millipore Corp., MA, USA), was used throughout all the experiments. The morphologies of Ag NPs and SERS substrates were examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM, Mira II

Silver nanoparticles loaded on lactose/alginate: in situ synthesis, catalytic degradation, and pH-dependent antibacterial activity

• Nguyen Thi Thanh Tu,
• T. Lan-Anh Vo,
• T. Thu-Trang Ho,
• Kim-Phuong T. Dang,
• Van-Dung Le,
• Phan Nhat Minh,
• Chi-Hien Dang,
• Vinh-Thien Tran,
• Van-Su Dang,
• Tran Thi Kim Chi,
• Hieu Vu-Quang,
• Radek Fajgar,
• Thi-Lan-Huong Nguyen,
• Van-Dat Doan and
• Thanh-Danh Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 781–792, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.64

• the nanoscale metal particles served as an absorbent of dyes and BH4− ions. Subsequently, an electron transfer process occurs from BH4− (electron donor) to the dyes (electron acceptor) (Figure 6). As a result, the catalytic efficacy of metal NPs is significantly influenced by factors such as the

• morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a JEOL JEM-1400 instrument. Thermal analysis, including thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), was conducted using a LabSys Evo 1600 thermal analyzer (SETARAM, France

Carboxylic acids and light interact to affect nanoceria stability and dissolution in acidic aqueous environments

• Matthew L. Hancock,
• Eric A. Grulke and
• Robert A. Yokel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 762–780, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.63

• a second carboxylic acid group may optimally complex with nanoceria. The results provide mechanistic insight into the role of carboxylic acids in nanoceria dissolution and its fate in soils, plants, and biological systems. Keywords: acidic aqueous environments; carboxylic acids; electron microscopy

• representative of particle dissolution, due to the valence state change from Ce4+ to Ce3+ during dissolution. The particles in citric acid exposed to light were completely dissolved after four weeks as indicated by DLS and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), shown in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. In

• ; however, after twelve weeks, an increase in the electron energy loss spectroscopy M5 peak, corresponding to an increase in the Ce3+ valence state, is apparent. DLS analysis DLS results of the 20 chemicals studied under the two conditions are shown in Table 1. Numerical values of these results are given in

In situ magnesiothermic reduction synthesis of a Ge@C composite for high-performance lithium-ion batterie anodes

• Ha Tran Huu,
• Ngoc Phi Nguyen,
• Vuong Hoang Ngo,
• Huy Hoang Luc,
• Minh Kha Le,
• Minh Thu Nguyen,
• My Loan Phung Le,
• Hye Rim Kim,
• In Young Kim,
• Sung Jin Kim,
• Van Man Tran and
• Vien Vo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 751–761, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.62

• carried out for structural and phase information. Infrared (IR, Shimadzu IRAffinity-1S) and Raman (LabRAM HR evolution confocal Raman microscope) spectra were measured for bond analysis. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM, Hitachi S-4800) and high-resolution transmission electron

Control of morphology and crystallinity of CNTs in flame synthesis with one-dimensional reaction zone

• Muhammad Hilmi Ibrahim,
• Norikhwan Hamzah,
• Mohd Zamri Mohd Yusop,
• Ni Luh Wulan Septiani and
• Mohd Fairus Mohd Yasin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 741–750, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.61

• source, showed that different growth temperatures produce CNTs with similar crystallinity. In a study by Chong et al. [12], the combustion of propane in a premixed flame at varying equivalence ratios yielded similar effects on CNT growth, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed a

• by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM, Zeiss Crossbeam 340) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for morphology and elemental analysis. Raman spectroscopy (HORIBA XploRA PLUS, 532 nm) was done to analyze the signature spectra of the grown CNTs. Line-of-sight images of

Nanomaterials for photocatalysis and applications in environmental remediation and renewable energy

• Viet Van Pham and
• Wee-Jun Ong

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 722–724, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.58

• photocatalysis mechanism outlining several possible targets (i.e., NOx degradation, water splitting, degradation of organic pollutants, and enhancement of electron generation in a solar-cell application). This Thematic Issue highlights recent experimental and theoretical developments in using light harvesting by

Current-induced mechanical torque in chiral molecular rotors

• Richard Korytár and
• Ferdinand Evers

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 711–721, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.57

• . We expect that the threshold current will vanish in a strongly overdamped limit and a linear response of is expected. The results presented here demonstrate a directed current-induced rotation without any angular momentum transfer in a molecular rotor. We remark that each electron boosts the angle

• of freedom, assuming that the quantization levels of the rotational motion fall below the working temperature. Rotation only happens via inelastic electron tunneling. Importantly, each single electron scattering event must obey fundamental conservation laws. Therefore, the principles outlined in this

• manuscript will remain valid in the quantum limit. Two quantum aspects are significant in this context: (1) The electron transport process is stochastic, allowing for both transmission and reflection. Particle reflection off the helix can not induce any rotation, unless the following effect is considered. (2

A graphene quantum dots–glassy carbon electrode-based electrochemical sensor for monitoring malathion

• Sanju Tanwar,
• Aditi Sharma and
• Dhirendra Mathur

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 701–710, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.56

• hydrothermal process with glucose as a precursor undergoing carbonization. Different spectroscopic techniques were used to analyze the optical characteristics of GQDs, including UV–visible, photoluminescence, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray

• use of graphene and its derivatives is widespread for electrochemical detection since 2D graphene sheets provide numerous electrochemical sites for the detection of target molecules, while electrons in the sp2-hybridized pz orbital have a faster electron transfer rate, which enhances response time and

• obtained from a Bruker AFM analyzer atomic force microscope and a FEI Tecnai G2 20 S-TWIN transmission electron microscope. Electrochemical measurements GQDs/GCE, Ag/AgCl, and a platinum wire were used as working, reference, and counter electrode, respectively, in all electrochemical experiments, conducted

Humidity-dependent electrical performance of CuO nanowire networks studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

• Jelena Kosmaca,
• Juris Katkevics,
• Jana Andzane,
• Raitis Sondors,
• Liga Jasulaneca,
• Raimonds Meija,
• Kiryl Niherysh,
• Yelyzaveta Rublova and
• Donats Erts

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 683–691, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.54

• electron microscopy (SEM, Hitachi S4800) and atomic force microscopy (AFM, Asylum Research MFP-3D). Electrochemical impedance measurements were performed under various atmospheric conditions in a custom-made system described elsewhere [28]. The main system parameters were RH from 4% to 97%, gas flow from

• cell geometry and a parallel circuit scheme. Scanning electron microscopy: (a) CuO nanowires grown on Cu substrate by thermal oxidation; (b) system of Cr/Au microelectrodes with teeth-like shape; (c–f) pairs of microelectrodes (c, e) without and (d, f) with dielectrophoretically aligned nanowires

Metal-organic framework-based nanomaterials as opto-electrochemical sensors for the detection of antibiotics and hormones: A review

• Akeem Adeyemi Oladipo,
• Saba Derakhshan Oskouei and
• Mustafa Gazi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 631–673, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.52

• excitation, for photoluminescence to occur, whether it be fluorescence or phosphorescence. The molecule-bound electron in the fluorescence mechanism absorbs a photon and is activated after the analyte interacts with the molecular recognition element. The transition from the ground state (S0) to the excited

• state (Sn, n = 1, 2, ...) occurs in femtoseconds [39]. Depending on the wavelength of the absorbed photon, the excited state of the electron may result in the electron occupying any one of a number of possible vibrational levels. In a rapid (nano- to microseconds) transition from the lowest excited

• state (S1) to the ground state (S0), the excited electrons relax radiatively through a combination of steps. It is conceivable for the emission to relax to a range of vibrational levels of the S0, which gives rise to a bandwidth of potential photon wavelengths. The electron will have lost some of the

Titania nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ethanol under simulated solar light

• Evghenii Goncearenco,
• Iuliana P. Morjan,
• Claudiu Teodor Fleaca,
• Florian Dumitrache,
• Elena Dutu,
• Monica Scarisoreanu,
• Valentin Serban Teodorescu,
• Alexandra Sandulescu,
• Crina Anastasescu and
• Ioan Balint

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 616–630, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.51

• transmission electron microscopy. Also, specific surface area and photoluminescence with optical absorbance were evaluated. By varying the synthesis parameters (especially the working pressure), different TiO2 nanopowders were obtained, whose photodegradation properties were tested compared to a commercial

• differences in crystal structure are reflected in direct or indirect electron transitions. The bandgaps of anatase and rutile differ only by 0.2 eV, but can influence significantly the creation of electron–hole pairs, resulting in an increase of the photocatalytic activity. Anatase has a higher decomposition

• efficiency than rutile [14][31], while the highest photocatalytic activity has been found in mixed anatase/rutile TiO2 [13][32]. One possible explanation is that the difference in the crystal structure and chemical bonding results in different ionization potentials and electron affinities. Exploiting these

Transferability of interatomic potentials for silicene

• Marcin Maździarz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 574–585, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.48

• ] as an exchange–correlation functional, and optimized norm-conserving Vanderbilt pseudopotential [22] (ONCVPP) are similar. Cut-off energy and electron configuration of Si were used in the DFT calculations according to the pseudopotential and Gaussian smearing scheme with tsmear (Ha) = 0.02. To

ZnO-decorated SiC@C hybrids with strong electromagnetic absorption

• Liqun Duan,
• Zhiqian Yang,
• Yilu Xia,
• Xiaoqing Dai,
• Jian’an Wu and
• Minqian Sun

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 565–573, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.47

• filler load of 20 wt % for all SCZ samples. This indicates that multiple dielectric relaxation processes (such as Maxwell–Wagner relaxation and electron polarization) may occur when the electromagnetic waves interact with the materials [31]. The plots of ε′ and ε″ for all samples are quasi-linear

SERS performance of GaN/Ag substrates fabricated by Ag coating of GaN platforms

• Magdalena A. Zając,
• Bogusław Budner,
• Malwina Liszewska,
• Bartosz Bartosewicz,
• Łukasz Gutowski,
• Jan L. Weyher and
• Bartłomiej J. Jankiewicz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 552–564, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.46

• substrates were examined regarding their optical properties using UV–vis spectroscopy and regarding their morphology using scanning electron microscopy. SERS properties of the fabricated GaN/Ag substrates were evaluated by measuring SERS spectra of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid molecules adsorbed on them. For all

• morphology of fabricated Ag layers examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, we present the results of their optical properties determined using UV–vis spectroscopy. Finally, we compare the SERS performance of the GaN/Ag substrates toward 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (pMBA) molecules adsorbed on them

• GaN/Ag substrates The morphology of the fabricated GaN/Ag substrates was visualized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Quanta 3D FEG, FEI Company, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The thickness of the reference Ag layers, deposited on flat silicon substrates at room temperature, was measured with an

Observation of multiple bulk bound states in the continuum modes in a photonic crystal cavity

• Rui Chen,
• Yi Zheng,
• Xingyu Huang,
• Qiaoling Lin,
• Chaochao Ye,
• Meng Xiong,
• Martijn Wubs,
• Yungui Ma,
• Minhao Pu and
• Sanshui Xiao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 544–551, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.45

• To verify the multiple modes in the bandgap mirror-assisted BIC cavity, several samples with different sidelengths (w) were fabricated by electron beam lithography (EBL) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching on 500 nm thick AlGaAs on a sapphire wafer. The parameter sweep of w around 400 nm was

• carried out to compensate for deviations between fabricated and designed values. To obtain devices with larger Q factors and higher scattering power, cavities with larger Na = 30 and Nb = 10 were fabricated. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images are given in Figure 3a. A microscope was

• all bulk modes. (d) The near-field H field intensity distribution of modes M11 to M44. The yellow dashed squares indicate the boundary of region A. Fabricated samples and optical setup. (a) Optical and scanning electron microscopy images of fabricated samples, scale bar: 10 μm. (b) Diagram of the

Carbon nanotube-cellulose ink for rapid solvent identification

• Tiago Amarante,
• Thiago H. R. Cunha,
• Claudio Laudares,
• Ana P. M. Barboza,
• Ana Carolina dos Santos,
• Cíntia L. Pereira,
• Vinicius Ornelas,
• Bernardo R. A. Neves,
• André S. Ferlauto and
• Rodrigo G. Lacerda

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 535–543, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.44

• length of 5 μm were produced at CTNano/UFMG [59][60][61]. Morphological analysis was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in a Quanta 200 FEG, using secondary electrons between 2 and 10 kV. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was carried out on a Bruker MultiMode8 SPM using the intermittent

• pressure of the solvents controls the time the liquid will stay within the sensor before it evaporates. This makes it a key factor regarding the swelling process of the CPC matrix and the electron tunneling process. To investigate this hypothesis, we designed an experiment to mimic the thermal effects

Nanoarchitectonics to entrap living cells in silica-based systems: encapsulations with yolk–shell and sepiolite nanomaterials

• Celia Martín-Morales,
• Jorge Fernández-Méndez,
• Pilar Aranda and
• Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 522–534, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.43

• systems were studied by means of optical and electron microscopy (SEM and FE-SEM). Both techniques allowed us to study in detail the cellular arrangement of the microorganisms and their interaction with the inorganic matrix system. FE-SEM microscopy images of the different gel encapsulation systems are

• without staining. Electron microscopy imaging was conducted using a field-emission scanning electron microscope FEI-NOVA NanoSEM 230 equipped with an Apollo XL silicon drift detector from EDAX-Ametek or using a high-resolution JEOL IT500HR/LA microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray

On the use of Raman spectroscopy to characterize mass-produced graphene nanoplatelets

• Keith R. Paton,
• Konstantinos Despotelis,
• Naresh Kumar,
• Piers Turner and
• Andrew J. Pollard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 509–521, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.42

• widely used characterization tool for GR2Ms [8]. A search of Web of Science showed that of 97,532 articles published in the last five years with “Graphene” in the abstract, 9.3% also mentioned “Raman”. This is compared with atomic force microscopy (AFM) (2.4%), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (11.4

• %), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (7.2%) or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (5.6%). It has the advantages of relatively low cost, simple sample preparation, quick measurements, and automated analysis, offering clear benefits for quality control applications. It has been demonstrated in several

The origin of black and white coloration of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

• Manuela Rebora,
• Gianandrea Salerno,
• Silvana Piersanti,
• Alexander Kovalev and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 496–508, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.41

• analysed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Reflectance spectra of the white areas are measured. No clear difference is present in the morphology of micro- and nanostructures of black and white scales in SEM and TEM, but black scales contain a

• . The ultrastructure of the white and black scales on the hindlegs of Ae. albopictus is analysed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, reflectance spectra of the white areas are measured. The scales are present also on other body

• (Figure 4b–d,h). Such nanovoids originate from the rests of epidermal cells and appear in TEM as white or light grey areas inside the scales, together with electron-dense debris (Figure 4h). Their occurrence is higher at the bases of microribs, because the cuticle thickness is higher there (Figure 4h