Cold Stage Scanning Electron Microscopy of Bentonite Suspensions

Author(s):  
S. A. Jenekhe ◽  
H. T. Davis ◽  
L. E. Scriven

Aqueous suspensions of clay mineral particles evidently form gels owing to interactions between the electrically charged particles. It is generally accepted that physical properties of a suspension, especially rheological properties, reflect its microstructure and that deformation brings about structural changes (1) We have applied fast-freeze cold-stage scanning electron microscopy to visualize the microstructures of bentonite clay suspensions of known shear history.

2014 ◽  
Vol 1000 ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Murínová ◽  
Miroslava Mamoňová ◽  
Pavel Mec ◽  
Jana Daňková ◽  
Petr Rezek

Wooden mineralization is a familiar term that indicates mainly natural process during which chemical changes of the material arise by specific conditions and mineral particles remain in the lumen of wooden cells or penetrate into the cell wall, where they can bind with some components. This principle can be also used for chemical modification for the purpose of extending the life of wooden elements. This study was focused on the survey of artificial mineralized wood by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Evaluation of the SEM images aimed at structural changes of wood and localization of mineral particles is the key knowledge, which can serve for the determination of mineralization extent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6805
Author(s):  
Mihaela-Cristina Bunea ◽  
Victor-Constantin Diculescu ◽  
Monica Enculescu ◽  
Horia Iovu ◽  
Teodor Adrian Enache

The electrochemical behavior and the interaction of the immunosuppressive drug azathioprine (AZA) with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were investigated using voltammetric techniques, mass spectrometry (MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The redox mechanism of AZA on glassy carbon (GC) was investigated using cyclic and differential pulse (DP) voltammetry. It was proven that the electroactive center of AZA is the nitro group and its reduction mechanism is a diffusion-controlled process, which occurs in consecutive steps with formation of electroactive products and involves the transfer of electrons and protons. A redox mechanism was proposed and the interaction of AZA with DNA was also investigated. Morphological characterization of the DNA film on the electrode surface before and after interaction with AZA was performed using scanning electron microscopy. An electrochemical DNA biosensor was employed to study the interactions between AZA and DNA with different concentrations, incubation times, and applied potential values. It was shown that the reduction of AZA molecules bound to the DNA layer induces structural changes of the DNA double strands and oxidative damage, which were recognized through the occurrence of the 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine oxidation peak. Mass spectrometry investigation of the DNA film before and after interaction with AZA also demonstrated the formation of AZA adducts with purine bases.


1985 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.-H. Yahia ◽  
G. Drouin ◽  
C.-H. Rivard

ABSTRACTSpinal ligaments were obtained from normal and scoliotic individuals. Detailed morphological studies were carried out on the yellow, interspinous and supraspinous ligaments by light and scanning electron microscopy. Normal yellow ligaments are mostly constituted of dense elastin fibers with only a few collagen fibers and sparse blood vessels, while in normal interspinous and supraspinous ligaments, the presence of collagen is highly dominant. In the latter structures, the collagen fascicles are characterized by a regular waviness morphology. The fibrils constituting the fascicles appear either parallel or helical with respect to the fascicle axis. Structural changes are observed in the spinal ligaments of patients with congenital as well as idiopathic scoliosis. For yellow ligaments, only slight differences are found between normal and scoliotic specimens. However, alterations in collagen waviness and architecture are observed mainly in the supraspinous ligaments and to a lesser extent in the interspinous ligaments. In addition, increases in the cellularity, loose connective tissue and vessels are found in both forgoing ligaments. These results indicate that the more pronounced scoliosis-related changes occur in ligaments having the farthest distance from the axis of flexion-rotation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safrina Rahmah ◽  
Safiah Ahmad Mubbarakh ◽  
Khor Soo Ping ◽  
Sreeramanan Subramaniam

Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) ofBrassidiumShooting Star orchid were successfully cryopreserved using droplet-vitrification method. Vitrification based cryopreservation protocol is comprised of preculture, osmoprotection, cryoprotection, cooling, rewarming, and growth recovery and each and every step contributes to the achievement of successful cryopreservation. In order to reveal the lethal and nonlethal damage produced by cryopreservation, histological observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and biochemical analysis were carried out in both cryopreserved and noncryopreserved PLBs ofBrassidiumShooting Star orchid comparing with the control PLBs stock culture. Histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses displayed structural changes in cryopreserved PLBs due to the impact of cryoinjury during exposure to liquid nitrogen. Total soluble protein significantly increased throughout the dehydration process and the highest value was achieved when PLBs were stored in liquid nitrogen. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) showed the highest enzyme activities in both dehydration and cryostorage treatments indicating that stress level of PLBs was high during these stages.


Cerâmica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (361) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Alves ◽  
A. E. Zanini ◽  
M. E. de Souza ◽  
M. L. F. Nascimento

Abstract Clays obtained from nature have a lot of impurities. Therefore, for best using of these materials, it is necessary its selection and purification. Thus, the aim of this work is to separate and to purify the smectite fractions using water as a solvent at a low flux mixed with a bentonite clay extracted from a mine in Vitória da Conquista - Bahia / Brazil. For this a separation method of fractions of expandable clays based on the Stokes' Law was applied - this process is called elutriation, in order to ensure and to expand possible industrial applications of this material. The samples were characterized by analysis of X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The Rietveld method enabled the quantification of main phase minerals: montmorillonite, kaolinite, nontronite and quartz, reaching 85% in mass of montmorillonite phase at the end of the process. Results showed that the method used was efficient to remove almost all quartz, carbonates and organic matter from the sample. It was also observed a monomodal grain size distribution of elutriated materials with thinner grains, around (18.1 ± 1.8) μm at the end of the process. It has been concluded that the method developed and applied showed promising characters to be applied to elutriate kilograms of clays and could be used in industrial scale.


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