PEGylation of SPIONs by polycondensation reactions: A new strategy to improve colloidal stability in biological media

In this study, we report on a new route of PEGylation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) by polycondensation reaction with carboxylate groups. Structural and magnetic characterizations were performed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD confirmed the spinel structure with a crystallite average diameter in the range of 3.5-4.1 nm in good agreement with the average diameter obtained by TEM (4.60-4.97 nm). The TGA data indicate the presence of PEG attached onto the SPIONs' surface. The SPIONs were superparamagnetic at room temperature with saturation magnetization (M S) from 36.7 to 54.1 emu/g. The colloidal stability of citrate- and PEG-coated SPIONs was evaluated by means of dynamic light scattering measurements as a function of pH, ionic strength, and nature of dispersion media (phosphate buffer and cell culture media). Our findings demonstrated that the PEG polymer chain length plays a key role in the coagulation behavior of the Mag-PEG suspensions. The excellent colloidal stability under the extreme conditions we evaluated, such as high ionic strength, pH near the isoelectric point, and cell culture media, revealed that suspensions comprising PEG-coated SPION, with PEG of molecular weight 600 and above, present steric stabilization attributed to the polymer chains attached onto the surface of SPIONs. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Tribocorrosion behavior of Ti-C-O-N nanostructured thin films (black) for decorative applications

Abstract: In the past few years, tribocorrosion has become a focus of research because of its relevance in terms of the future in-service degradation mechanisms of materials. In the particular case of decorative coatings, tribocorrosion is certainly one of the most important issues, and sweat corrosion and human contact wear are two other factors that may act as material selection tools. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the tribocorrosion behavior of a new class of thin films, the Ti-C-O-N system, which is being developed to be used as a surface decorative material due to its relatively dark appearance. The films were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering. The influence of the structural features on the tribocorrosion behavior is discussed. Crown Copyright © 2013.

Effects of high temperature plasma immersion ion implantation on wear resistance of Ti-Si-B sintered alloys

Although titanium and its alloys own good mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance, these materials present poor tribological properties for specific applications that require wear resistance. In order to produce wear-resistant surfaces, this work is aimed at achieving improvement of wear characteristics in Ti-Si-B alloys by means of high temperature nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). These alloys were produced by powder metallurgy using high energy ball milling and hot pressing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction identified the presence of α-titanium, Ti6Si2B, Ti5Si3, TiB and Ti3Si phases. Wear tests were carried out with a ball-on-disk tribometer to evaluate the friction coefficient and wear rate in treated and untreated samples. The worn profiles were measured by visible light microscopy and examined by SEM in order to determine the wear rates and wear mechanisms. Ti-7.5Si-22.5B alloy presented the highest wear resistance amongst the untreated alloys produced in this work. High temperature PIII was effective to reduce the wear rate and friction coefficient of all the Ti-Si-B sintered alloys. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Improvements of plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) and deposition (PIII&D) processing for materials surface modification

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) process is a three dimensional surface modification method that is quite mature and well known to the surface engineering community nowadays, especially to those working in the field of plasma-materials interaction, aiming at both industrial and academic applications. More recently, deposition methods have been added to PIII, the PIII&D, opening possibilities of broader range of applications of these techniques. So, PIII&D is becoming a routine method of surface modification, with the advantage of pushing up the retained dose levels limited by the sputtering due to ion implantation. Therefore, well adherent, thick, three-dimensional films without stress are possible to be achieved, at relatively low cost, using PIII&D. In this paper, we will discuss about a few PIII and PIII&D experiments that have been performed recently to achieve surface improvements in different materials: 1 - high temperature nitrogen PIII in Ti6Al4V alloy in which a deep nitrogen rich treated layer resulted in surface improvements as increase of hardness, corrosion resistance and resistance to wear of the Ti alloy; 2 - nanostructures in ZnO films, obtained by PIII&D of vaporized & ionized Zn source; 3 - combined implantation and deposition of calcium for biomaterial activity of Ti alloy (PIII&D), allowing the growth of hydroxyapatite in a body solution; 4 - magnetron sputtering deposition of Cr that was enhanced by the glow discharge Ar plasma to allow implantation and deposition of Cr on SAE 1070 steel (PIII&D) resulting in surfaces with high resistance to corrosion; and 5 - implantation of nitrogen by ordinary PIII into this Cr film, which improved resistance to corrosion, while keeping the tribological properties as good as for the SAE 1070 steel surface. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Si-based thin film coating on Y-TZP: Influence of deposition parameters on adhesion of resin cement

This study evaluated the influence of deposition parameters for Si-based thin films using magnetron sputtering for coating zirconia and subsequent adhesion of resin cement. Zirconia ceramic blocks were randomly divided into 8 groups and specimens were either ground finished and polished or conditioned using air-abrasion with alumina particles coated with silica. In the remaining groups, the polished specimens were coated with Si-based film coating with argon/oxygen magnetron discharge at 8:1 or 20:1 flux. In one group, Si-based film coating was performed on air-abraded surfaces. After application of bonding agent, resin cement was bonded. Profilometry, goniometry, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy analysis were performed on the conditioned zirconia surfaces. Adhesion of resin cement to zirconia was tested using shear bond test and debonded surfaces were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Si-based film coating applied on air-abraded rough zirconia surfaces increased the adhesion of the resin cement (22.78 ± 5.2 MPa) compared to those of other methods (0-14.62 MPa) (p = 0.05). Mixed type of failures were more frequent in Si film coated groups on either polished or air-abraded groups. Si-based thin films increased wettability compared to the control group but did not change the roughness, considering the parameters evaluated. Deposition parameters of Si-based thin film and after application of air-abrasion influenced the initial adhesion of resin cement to zirconia. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Air-particle abrasion on zirconia ceramic using different protocols: Effects on biaxial flexural strength after cyclic loading, phase transformation and surface topography

This study evaluated the effect of different air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength and structural stability of zirconia ceramics. Zirconia ceramic specimens (ISO 6872) (Lava, 3M ESPE) were obtained (N=336). The specimens (N=118, n=20 per group) were randomly assigned to one of the air-abrasion protocols: Gr1: Control (as-sintered); Gr2: 50 μm Al2O3 (2.5 bar); Gr3: 50 μm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr4: 110 μm Al2O3(2.5 bar); Gr5: 110 μm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr6: 30 μm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (CoJet); Gr7: 30 μm SiO2(3.5 bar); Gr8: 110 μm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (Rocatec Plus); and Gr9: 110 μm SiO2 (3.5 bar) (duration: 20 s, distance: 10 mm). While half of the specimens were tested immediately, the other half was subjected to cyclic loading in water (100,000 cycles; 50 N, 4 Hz, 37 °°C) prior to biaxial flexural strength test (ISO 6872). Phase transformation (t→m), relative amount of transformed monoclinic zirconia (FM), transformed zone depth (TZD) and surface roughness were measured. Particle type (p=0.2746), pressure (p=0.5084) and cyclic loading (p=0.1610) did not influence the flexural strength. Except for the air-abraded group with 110 μm Al2O3 at 3.5 bar, all air-abrasion protocols increased the biaxial flexural strength (MPa) (Controlnon-aged: 1030±153, Controlaged: 1138±138; Experimentalnon-aged: 1307±184-1554±124; Experimentalaged: 1308±118-1451±135) in both non-aged and aged conditions, respectively. Surface roughness (Ra) was the highest with 110 μm Al2O3(0.84 μm. FM values ranged from 0% to 27.21%, higher value for the Rocatec Plus (110 μm SiO2) and 110 μm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure. TZD ranged between 0 and 1.43 μm, with the highest values for Rocatec Plus and 110 μm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Deposição de filmes por plasma eletrolítico em ligas de alumínio

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais - FC

Alteração das propriedades superficiais do alumínio via eletrólise e plasma

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais - FC

Avaliação de maçã Royal Gala revestida com filme de quitosana durante o período de pós-colheita

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação das condições cromatográficas de análise e efeito da aplicação de coberturas comestíveis nos caratenóides de abóboras desidratadas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo dacriocistográfico e tomográfico da via lacrimal excretora de cães portadores de epífora

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Contribuição da comunicação visual para o design de superfície

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito da adição de revestimentos comestíveis sobre a qualidade de mamão desidratado após a secagem e durante o armazenamento

Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos - IBILCE

Estudo de polímeros comerciais tratados a plasma em pressão atmosférica

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de revestimentos híbridos do sistema siloxano-PMMA com aplicações anticorrosivas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)