STEM-in-SEM high resolution imaging of gold nanoparticles and bivalve tissues in bioaccumulation experiments

The methodology termed scanning transmission electron microscopy in scanning electron microscopy (STEM-in-SEM) has been used in this work to study the uptake of citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) (average particle sizes of 23.5 ± 4.0 nm) into tissue samples uponin vitro exposure of the dissected gills of the Ruditapes philippinarum marine bivalve to the nanoparticle suspensions. The STEM-in-SEM…

Self-lubricity of WSex nanocomposite coatings

Transition metal chalcogenides with lamellar structure are known for their use in tribological applications although limited to vacuum due to their easy degradation in the presence of oxygen and/or moisture. Here we present a tailored WSex coating with low friction (0.07) and low wear rates (3 × 10–7 mm3 Nm–1) even in ambient air. To understand the low…

Hydrogen production through sodium borohydride ethanolysis

In this work, sodium borohydride (SB) ethanolysis was explored for the first time as a method to generate hydrogen for Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Ethanolysis by-product was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Metal and acid catalysts were tested. RuCl3 center dot 3H(2)O was the best metal catalyst.…

Aplicación de técnicas avanzadas de microscopía electrónica para la caracterización de recubrimientos nano-estructurados para aplicaciones en energías limpias

Este proyecto se centra en la generación y almacenamiento de hidrógeno con el objetivo de producir hidrógeno para energías limpias. Esto sucede durante una reacción exotérmica en la que es necesaria la presencia de un catalizador para que se lleve a cabo en condiciones de seguridad. Los catalizados basados en metales nobles son buenos candidatos…

High N-content a-C:N films elaborated by femtosecond PLD with plasma assistance

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-C:N) thin films are a interesting class of carbon-based electrode materials. Therefore, synthesis and characterization of these materials have found lot of interest in environmental analytical microsystems. Herein, we report the nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon thin film elaboration by femtosecond pulsed laser deposition (fs-PLD) both with and without a plasma assistance. The chemical…

Biotribological behavior of Ag–ZrCxN1−x coatings against UHMWPE for joint prostheses devices

This study aims to evaluate the structural, mechanical and tribological properties of zirconium carbonitrides (ZrCxN1−x) coatings with embedded silver nanoparticles, produced with the intention of achieving a material with enhanced multi-functional properties, including mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, tribological performance and antibacterial behavior suitable for their use in joint prostheses. The coatings were deposited by direct…