Section topographs recorded at different spatial locations and at different rocking angles of a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) crystal allow three-dimensional maps of the local angular-dependent scattering power to be obtained. This is performed with a direct reconstruction from the intensity distribution on such topographs. The maps allow the extraction of information on local structural parameters such as size, form and internal mosaic spread of crystalline domains. This data analysis leads to a new method for the characterization of mosaic crystals. Perspectives and limits of applicability of this method are discussed.
We discuss methods of Extended X-ray Absorption Fine-Structure (EXAFS) analysis that provide three-dimensional structural characterization of metal nanoparticles, both mono- and bi-metallic. For the bimetallic alloys, we use short range order measurements to discriminate between random and non-random inter-particle distributions of atoms. We also discuss the application of EXAFS to heterogeneous nanoparticle systems.
A Bioglass® reinforced polyethylene (Bioglass®/polyethylene) composite has been prepared, which combines the high bioactivity of Bioglass® and the toughness of polyethylene. The spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles within the composite is important for the performance of composites in-vivo. Recent developments in X-ray microtomography (XμT) have made it possible to visualize internal and microstructural details with different X-ray absorbencies, nondestructively, and to acquire 3D information at high spatial resolution. In this study, the volume fraction and 3D spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles has been acquired quantitatively by XμT. The information obtained provides a foundation for understanding the mechanical and bioactive properties of the Bioglass®/polyethylene composites.
Abstract A new mixed-ligand complex of copper(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2-methyllactate was prepared. [Cu(HmL)2(phen)] ·2H2O (where HmL = monodeprotonated 2-methyllactic acid) was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements at room temperature, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffractometry. The copper atom is in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment and the 2-methyllactato ligand is bidentately chelating. The presence of lattice water molecules mediates the formation of a three-dimensional network.
AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) nondestructive microstructural characterization was performed using full-field transmission X-ray microscopy on an Sn-rich alloy, at a spatial resolution of 60 nm. This study highlights the use of synchrotron radiation along with Fresnel zone plate optics to perform absorption contrast tomography for analyzing nanoscale features of fine second phase particles distributed in the tin matrix, which are representative of the bulk microstructure. The 3D reconstruction was also used to quantify microstructural details of the analyzed volume.
Highly-ordered, three-dimensional superlattices were self-assembled from dodecanethiol-ligated gold nanocrystals using a simple drop-drying technique. The superlattices had the shape of truncated pyramids (frustums) and reached lateral dimensions of several micrometers. The formation and thermal stability were studied by grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering. We found that the superlattice frustums adopt a
Complete assignment of the aromatic and haem proton resonances in the cytochromes c3 isolated from Desulfovibrio baculatus strains (Norway 4, DSM 1741) and (DSM 1743) was achieved using one- and two-dimensional 1H n.m.r. Nuclear Overhauser enhancements observed between haem and aromatic resonances and between resonances due to different haems, together with the ring-current contributions to the chemical shifts of haem resonances, support the argument that the haem core architecture is conserved in the various cytochromes c3, and that the X-ray structure of the D. baculatus cytochrome c3 is erroneous. The relative orientation of the haems for both cytochromes was determined directly from n.m.r. data. The n.m.r. structures have a resolution of approximately 0.25 nm and are found to be in close agreement with the X-ray structure from D. vulgaris cytochrome c3. The proton assignments were used to relate the highest potential to a specific haem in the three-dimensional structure by monitoring the chemical-shift variation of several haem resonances throughout redox titrations followed by 1H n.m.r. The haem with highest redox potential is not the same as that in other cytochromes c3.
Characterization of the structure and redox behaviour of cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio baculatus by 1H-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy