Temperature dependence of the optical properties of InAs/GaAs self-organized quantum dots with bimodal size distribution

In this work we report the optical and microscopic properties of self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (1 0 0) oriented GaAs substrates. A distinctive double-peak feature of the PL spectra from quantum dots has been observed, and a bimodal distribution of dot sizes has also been confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) image for uncapped sample. The power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) study demonstrates that the distinctive PL emission peaks are associated with the ground-state emission of islands in different size branches. The temperature-dependent PL study shows that the PL quenching temperature for different dot families is different. It is shown that the coupling between quantum dots plays a key role in unusual temperature dependence of QD photoluminescence. In addition, we have tuned the emission wavelength of InAs QDs to 1.3 mu m at room temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation and Bioactivity of the Composite of PLGA and Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals Surface-grafted with L-lactic Acid Oligomer

The hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals of 100-200 nm in length and 20-30 nm in width were hydrothermally synthesized by the reaction of phosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide. Lactic acid oligomer surface grafted HA(op-HA) nanoparticles were obtained by oligomeric lactic acid with a certain molecular weight grafting onto the HA surface to form a Ca carboxylate bond in the absence of any catalyst. The op-HA was further blended with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to prepare the nanocomposite of op-HA/PLGA. FTIR, TGA, ESEM and EDX were used to analyze grafting reaction, the graft ratio of op-HA, surface topography and calcium deposition of the composites, respectively. The rabbit osteoblasts were seeded and cultured on the surface of composites in vitro. The cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation and gene expression were evaluated with FITC staining, NIH image J software and the analysis of real-time PCR, respectively. The results show that the graft ratio of op-HA is 8.3% (mass fraction). The op-HA/PLGA nanocomposite possessed more suitable surface properties, including roughness and plenty of calcium and phosphor. It exhibited better cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation of rabbit osteoblasts, compared to pure PLGA.

Preparation, Surface Properties and Biological Activity of the Composite of Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) and Bioglass Nanoparticles Surface Grafted with Poly(L-lactide)

SiO2-CaO-P2O5 gel bioglass (BG) nanoparticles with the diameter of 40 nm were synthesized by sol-gel approach. The surface of BG nanoparticles was grafted through the ring-open polymerization of the L-lactide to yield poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) grafted gel particle (PLLA-g-BG). The PLLA-g-BG was further blended with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to prepare the nanocomposites of PLLA-g-BG/PLGA with the various blend ratios of two phases. PLLA-g-BG accounted 10%, 20% and 40% in the composite, respectively. TGA, ESEM and EDX were used to analyze the graft ratio of PLLA-g-BG, the dispersion of nano-particles and the surface elements of the composites respectively. The rabbit osteoblasts were seeded and cultured on the thin films of composites in vitro. The cell adhesion, spreading and growth of osteoblasts were analyzed with FITC staining, NIH Image J software and MTT assay. The change of cell cycle was monitored by flow cytometry (FCM). The results demonstrated that the Surface modification of BG with PLLA could significantly improve the dispersing of the particles in the matrix of PLGA. The nanocomposite with 20% PLLA-g-BG exhibited superior surface properties, including roughness and plenty of silicon, calcium and phosper, to enhance the adhesion, spreading and proliferation of osteoblasts.

Synthesis and photoluminescence of the Y2O3 : Eu3+ phosphor nanowires in AAO template

The monodisperse array and nanowires Of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor were synthesized using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by sol-gel method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that Y2O3:Eu3+ nanowires are parallelly arranged, all of which are in uniform diameter of about 50 nm. The high-magnification SEM image showed that each nanowire is composed of a lot of agglutinating particles. The patterns of selected-area electron diffraction confirmed that Y2O3:EU3+ nanowires mainly consist of polycrystalline materials. Excitation and emission spectra Of Y2O3:E U3+/AAO composite films were measured. The characteristic red emission peak of EU3+ ion attributed to D-5(0)-->F-7(2) transition in Y2O3:EU3+/AAO nanowires broadened its halfwidth.

Structure and properties of the ordered double perovskites Sr2MWO6 (M = Co, Ni) by sol-gel route

The single-phase double perovskites Sr2MWO6 (M=Co, Ni) were prepared by sol-gel method. Crystal Structure, magnetic properties and the morphology of Sr2CoWO6 and Sr2NiWO6 were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis shows single phase structure for Sr2MWO6 (M=Co, Ni) without any traces of impurities and the crystal structure of all the samples belongs to the tetragonal I4/m space group. SEM image for Sr2MWO6 (M=Co, Ni) indicate that the grains are homogeneous and connect each other very well. The Neel temperature for Sr2CoWO6 and Sr2NiWO6 are 23 K and 59 K, respectively. Magnetic measurements showed that the magnetic moment in these double perovskites originates mainly from the interactions between Ni ions and Co ions.

Circadian rhythms in the growth and reproduction of the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida and gametogenesis under different photoperiods

Circadian growth rhythm of the juvenile sporophyte of the brown alga Undaria pirznatifida was measured with the computer-aided image analysis system in constant florescent white light under constant temperature (10 degrees C). The growth rhythm persisted for 4 d in constant light with a free-running period of 25. 6 h. Egg release from filamentous gametophytes pre-cultured in the light - dark regime was evaluated for six consecutive days at fixed time intervals in constant white light and 12 h light per day. Egg release rhythm persisted for 3 d in both regimes, indicating the endogenous nature. Temporal scale of egg release and gametogenesis in 18, 16, 12 and 8 h light per day were evaluated respectively using vegetatively propagated filamentous gametophytes. Egg release occurred 2 h after the onset of dark phase and peaked at midnight. Evaluation of the rates of oogonium formation, egg release or fertilization revealed no significant differences in four light-dark regimes, indicating; the great plasticity of sexual reproduction. No photoperiodic effect in gametogenesis in terms of oogonium formation and egg release was found, but fertilization in short days was significantly higher than in long days. Results of this investigation further confirmed the general occurrence of circadian rhythms in inter-tidal seaweed species.