A Novel Biomimetic Nanocomposite Exhibiting Petal Wetting Phenomenon: Fabrication and Experimental Investigations

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adithya Lenin ◽  
Pandurangan Arumugam ◽  
Aruna Prakasa Rao ◽  
Angayarkanny Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Water Droplet ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Boron Nitride Nanotubes ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Roughness Parameters ◽  
Droplet Penetration

Abstract A functional composite material that simultaneously exhibits hydrophobicity and water droplet adhesion has monumental potential in controlling fluid flow, studying phase separation, and biological research. This article reports the fabrication of a petal wetting biomimetic Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) -Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite achieved by drop casting. The petal effect was investigated by non-destructive techniques. The nanotubes were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition at 1150 °C and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The mean diameter of the nanotubes was found to be 70 nm. The nanocomposites had BNNT fillers ranging from 0.5 wt. % to 2 wt. %. Water contact angles for pure PDMS polymer was 94.7° and for the 2 wt. % BNNT-PDMS nanocomposite was 132.4°. The petal wetting nanocomposite displayed a characteristic trait of high contact angle hysteresis. The surface roughness parameters of the nanocomposites were determined by atomic force microscopy. Laser scanning confocal microscopy aided in analyzing the droplet penetration and in observing the trapped air between the water droplet and the nanocomposite surface. Based on surface observations, roughness parameters, and the extent of droplet penetration by the surface, we shed light on the Cassie impregnating wetting regime followed by the biomimetic nanocomposite. Such a surface would be beneficial in the study of the embryogenesis of cells and aid in moisture collection.

scholarly journals Phase Relations in the ZrO2-MgO-FeOx System: Experimental Data and Assessment of Thermodynamic Parameters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Saenko ◽  
O. Fabrichnaya
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Solid Solution ◽  
Thermodynamic Parameters ◽  
Spinel Phase ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Preliminary Phase ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractThermodynamic parameters were assessed for the MgO–FeOx system and combined with already available descriptions of ZrO2-FeOx and ZrO2-MgO systems to calculate preliminary phase diagrams for planning experimental investigations. Samples of selected compositions were heat treated at 1523, 1673 and 1873 K and characterized using x-ray and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Experiments indicated extension of cubic ZrO2 solid solution into the ternary system at 1873 K (75 mol.% ZrO2, 10 mol.% FeOx and 15 mol.% MgO) and limited solubility of 4 mol.% ZrO2 in spinel phase. Based on the obtained results thermodynamic parameters of C-ZrO2 and spinel phase were optimized.

scholarly journals Biomimetic Approach for the Elaboration of Highly Hydrophobic Surfaces: Study of the Links between Morphology and Wettability

Biomimetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Quentin Legrand ◽  
Stephane Benayoun ◽  
Stephane Valette
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle ◽  
Ginkgo Biloba ◽  
Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Textured Surfaces ◽  
Replication Process ◽  
Wetting Behavior ◽  
Static Contact ◽  
Biomimetic Approach ◽  
Highly Hydrophobic

This investigation of morphology-wetting links was performed using a biomimetic approach. Three natural leaves’ surfaces were studied: two bamboo varieties and Ginkgo Biloba. Multiscale surface topographies were analyzed by SEM observations, FFT, and Gaussian filtering. A PDMS replicating protocol of natural surfaces was proposed in order to study the purely morphological contribution to wetting. High static contact angles, close to 135∘, were measured on PDMS replicated surfaces. Compared to flat PDMS, the increase in static contact angle due to purely morphological contribution was around 20∘. Such an increase in contact angle was obtained despite loss of the nanometric scale during the replication process. Moreover, a significant decrease of the hysteresis contact angle was measured on PDMS replicas. The value of the contact angle hysteresis moved from 40∘ for flat PDMS to less than 10∘ for textured replicated surfaces. The wetting behavior of multiscale textured surfaces was then studied in the frame of the Wenzel and Cassie–Baxter models. Whereas the classical laws made it possible to describe the wetting behavior of the ginkgo biloba replications, a hierarchical model was developed to depict the wetting behavior of both bamboo species.

scholarly journals Investigation of Spin Coating Cerium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Thin Films with Antifungal Properties

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 464
Author(s):  
Simona Liliana Iconaru ◽  
Mihai Valentin Predoi ◽  
Patrick Chapon ◽  
Sofia Gaiaschi ◽  
Krzysztof Rokosz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Spin Coating ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Antifungal Properties ◽  
Scanning Electron

In this study, the cerium-doped hydroxyapatite (Ca10−xCex(PO4)6(OH)2 with xCe = 0.1, 10Ce-HAp) coatings obtained by the spin coating method were presented for the first time. The stability of the 10Ce-HAp suspension particles used in the preparation of coatings was evaluated by ultrasonic studies, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface morphology of the 10Ce-HAp coating was studied by SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The obtained 10Ce-HAp coatings were uniform and without cracks or unevenness. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for the investigation of fine chemical depth profiling. The antifungal properties of the HAp and 10Ce-HAp suspensions and coatings were assessed using Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (C. albicans) fungal strain. The quantitative antifungal assays demonstrated that both 10Ce-HAp suspensions and coatings exhibited strong antifungal properties and that they successfully inhibited the development and adherence of C. albicans fungal cells for all the tested time intervals. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) visualization of the C. albicans fungal cells adherence to the 10Ce-HAp surface also demonstrated their strong inhibitory effects. In addition, the qualitative assays also suggested that the 10Ce-HAp coatings successfully stopped the biofilm formation.

Analysis of water droplet penetration in earth plasters using X-ray microtomography

2021 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 122651
Author(s):  
T. Mauffré ◽  
E. Keita ◽  
E. Contraires ◽  
F. McGregor ◽  
A. Fabbri
Keyword(s):  
Water Droplet ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Droplet Penetration

scholarly journals Wettability control of polymeric microstructures replicated from laser-patterned stamps

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangxi Fu ◽  
Marcos Soldera ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Stephan Milles ◽  
Kangfa Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Spatial Period ◽  
Structured Surfaces ◽  
High Adhesion ◽  
Direct Laser ◽  
Periodic Microstructures ◽  
Structure Height ◽  
Direct Laser Interference Patterning ◽  
Micropillar Arrays

AbstractIn this study, two-step approaches to fabricate periodic microstructures on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates are presented to control the wettability of polymeric surfaces. Micropillar arrays with periods between 1.6 and 4.6 µm are patterned by plate-to-plate hot embossing using chromium stamps structured by four-beam Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP). By varying the laser parameters, the shape, spatial period, and structure height of the laser-induced topography on Cr stamps are controlled. After that, the wettability properties, namely the static, advancing/receding contact angles (CAs), and contact angle hysteresis were characterized on the patterned PET and PMMA surfaces. The results indicate that the micropillar arrays induced a hydrophobic state in both polymers with CAs up to 140° in the case of PET, without modifying the surface chemistry. However, the structured surfaces show high adhesion to water, as the droplets stick to the surfaces and do not roll down even upon turning the substrates upside down. To investigate the wetting state on the structured polymers, theoretical CAs predicted by Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter models for selected structured samples with different topographical characteristics are also calculated and compared with the experimental data.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional relationships between tumor cells and microcirculation with double cyanine immunolabeling, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and computer-assisted reconstruction: an alternative to cast corrosion preparations.

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Rummelt ◽  
L M Gardner ◽  
R Folberg ◽  
S Beck ◽  
B Knosp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Tumor Blood Vessels ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Scanning Electron

The morphology of the microcirculation of uveal melanomas is a reliable market of tumor progression. Scanning electron microscopy of cast corrosion preparations can generate three-dimensional views of these vascular patterns, but this technique sacrifices the tumor parenchyma. Formalin-fixed wet tissue sections 100-150 microns thick from uveal melanomas were stained with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEAI) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to demonstrate simultaneously the tumor blood vessels and proliferating tumor cells. Indocarbocyanine (Cy3) was used as a fluorophore for UEAI and indodicarbocyanine (Cy5) was used for PCNA. Double labeled sections were examined with a laser scanning confocal microscope. Images of both stains were digitized at the same 5-microns intervals and each of the two images per interval was combined digitally to form one image. These combined images were visualized through voxel processing to study the relationship between melanoma cells expressing PCNA and various microcirculatory patterns. This technique produces images comparable to scanning electron microscopy of cast corrosion preparations while permitting simultaneous localization of melanoma cells expressing PCNA. The microcirculatory tree can be viewed from any perspective and the relationship between tumor cells and the tumor blood vessels can be studied concurrently in three dimensions. This technique is an alternative to cast corrosion preparations.

The Surface Modification with Fluorocarbon Thin Films for the Prevention of Stiction in Mems

1998 ◽  
Vol 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Ho Lee ◽  
Myong-Jong Kwon ◽  
Jin-Goo Park ◽  
Yong-Kweon Kim ◽  
Hyung-Jae Shin
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle ◽  
Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Fluorocarbon Films ◽  
Perfluorodecanoic Acid ◽  
Large Hysteresis ◽  
Static Contact ◽  
Receding Contact ◽  
Highly Hydrophobic ◽  
Receding Contact Angle

AbstractHighly hydrophobic fluorocarbon films were prepared by the vapor phase (VP) deposition method in a vacuum chamber using both liquid (3M's FC40, FC722) and solid sources (perfluorodecanoic acid (CF3(CF2)8COOH), perfluorododecane (C12F26)) on Al, Si and oxide coated wafers. The highest static contact angles of water were measured on films deposited on aluminum substrate. But relatively lower contact angles were obtained on the films on Si and oxide wafers. The advancing and receding contact angle analysis using a captive drop method showed a large contact angle hysteresis (ΔH) on the VP deposited fluorocarbon films. AFM study showed poor film coverage on the surface with large hysteresis. FTIR-ATR analysis positively revealed the stretching band of CF2 groups on the VP deposited substrates. The thermal stability of films was measured at 150°C in air and nitrogen atmospheres as a function of time. The rapid decrease of contact angles was observed on VP deposited FC and PFDA films in air. However, no decrease of contact angle on them was observed in N2.

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