Collagen membrane functionalized with magnesium oxide via room-temperature atomic layer deposition promotes osteopromotive and antimicrobial properties

Artificial bone grafting materials such as collagen are gaining interest due to the ease of production and implantation. However, collagen must be supplemented with additional coating materials for improved osteointegration. Here, we report room-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) of MgO, a novel method to coat collagen membranes with MgO. Characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron beam dispersion mapping confirm the chemical nature of the film. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies show the surface topography and morphology of the collagen fibers were not altered during the ALD of MgO. Slow release of magnesium ions promotes bone growth, and we show the deposited MgO film leaches trace amounts of Mg when incubated in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C. The coated collagen membrane had a superhydrophilic surface immediately after the deposition of MgO. The film was not toxic to human cells and demonstrated antibacterial properties against bacterial biofilms. Furthermore, in vivo studies performed on calvaria rats showed MgO-coated membranes (200 and 500 ALD) elicit a higher inflammatory response, leading to an increase in angiogenesis and a greater bone formation, mainly for Col-MgO500, compared to uncoated collagen. Based on the characterization of the MgO film and in vitro and in vivo data, the MgO-coated collagen membranes are excellent candidates for guided bone regeneration.

Recent advances and progress in biotemplate catalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Complex structures and morphologies in nature endow materials with unexpected properties and extraordinary functions. Biotemplating is an emerging strategy for replicating nature structures to obtain materials with unique morphologies and improved properties. Recently, efforts have been made to use bio-inspired species as a template for producing morphology-controllable catalysts. Fundamental information, along with recent advances in biotemplate metal-based catalysts are presented in this review through discussions of various structures and biotemplates employed for catalyst preparation. This review also outlines the recent progress on preparation routes of biotemplate catalysts and discusses how the properties and structures of these templates play a crucial role in the final performance of metal-based catalysts. Additionally, the application of bio-based metal and metal oxide catalysts is highlighted for various key energy and environmental technologies, including photocatalysis, fuel cells, and lithium batteries. Biotemplate metal-based catalysts display high efficiency in several energy and environmental systems. Note that this review provides guidance for further research in this direction.

Advanced Atomic Layer Deposition Technologies for Micro-LEDs and VCSELs

In recent years, the process requirements of nano-devices have led to the gradual reduction in the scale of semiconductor devices, and the consequent non-negligible sidewall defects caused by etching. Since plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can no longer provide sufficient step coverage, the characteristics of atomic layer deposition ALD technology are used to solve this problem. ALD utilizes self-limiting interactions between the precursor gas and the substrate surface. When the reactive gas forms a single layer of chemical adsorbed on the substrate surface, no reaction occurs between them and the growth thickness can be controlled. At the Å level, it can provide good step coverage. In this study, recent research on the ALD passivation on micro-light-emitting diodes and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers was reviewed and compared. Several passivation methods were demonstrated to lead to enhanced light efficiency, reduced leakage, and improved reliability.

Tuning Internal Strain in Metal-Organic Frameworks via Vapor Phase Infiltration for CO2 Reduction

A gas-phase approach to form Zn coordination sites on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by vapor-phase infiltration (VPI) was developed. Compared to Zn sites synthesized by the solution-phase method, VPI samples revealed approximately 2.8 % internal strain. Faradaic efficiency towards conversion of CO₂ to CO was enhanced by up to a factor of four, and the initial potential was positively shifted by 200-300 mV. Using element-specific X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the local coordination environment of the Zn center was determined to have square-pyramidal geometry with four Zn-N bonds in the equatorial plane and one Zn-OH₂ bond in the axial plane. The fine-tuned internal strain was further supported by monitoring changes in XRD and UV/Visible absorption spectra across a range of infiltration cycles. The ability to use internal strain to increase catalytic activity of MOFs suggests that applying this strategy will enhance intrinsic catalytic capabilities of a variety of porous materials.

Fracture Mechanics and Oxygen Gas Barrier Properties of Al₂O₃/ZnO Nanolaminates on PET Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition

Rapid progress in the performance of organic devices has increased the demand for advances in the technology of thin-film permeation barriers and understanding the failure mechanisms of these material systems. Herein, we report the extensive study of mechanical and gas barrier properties of Al₂O₃/ZnO nanolaminate films prepared on organic substrates by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Nanolaminates of Al₂O₃/ZnO and single compound films of around 250 nm thickness were deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foils by ALD at 90 °C using trimethylaluminium (TMA) and diethylzinc (DEZ) as precursors and H₂O as the co-reactant. STEM analysis of the nanolaminate structure revealed that steady-state film growth on PET is achieved after about 60 ALD cycles. Uniaxial tensile strain experiments revealed superior fracture and adhesive properties of single ZnO films versus the single Al₂O₃ film, as well as versus their nanolaminates. The superior mechanical performance of ZnO was linked to the absence of a roughly 500 to 900 nm thick sub-surface growth observed for single Al₂O₃ films as well as for the nanolaminates starting with an Al₂O₃ initial layer on PET. In contrast, the gas permeability of the nanolaminate coatings on PET was measured to be 9.4 × 10⁻³ O₂ cm³ m⁻² day⁻¹. This is an order of magnitude less than their constituting single oxides, which opens prospects for their applications as gas barrier layers for organic electronics and food and drug packaging industries. Direct interdependency between the gas barrier and the mechanical properties was not established enabling independent tailoring of these properties for mechanically rigid and impermeable thin film coatings.

Synthesis of core/shell structured Pd3Au@Pt/C with enhanced electrocatalytic activity by regioselective atomic layer deposition combined with a wet chemical method

Core/shell structured Pd₃Au@Pt/C created by regioselective atomic layer deposition combined with a wet chemical method demonstrates improved electrocatalytic activity toward formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction compared with commercial Pt/C.

A Novel Investigation of the Formation of Titanium Oxide Nanotubes on Thermally Formed Oxide of Ti-6Al-4V

Traditionally, titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotubes (TNTs) are anodized on Ti-6Al-4V alloy (Ti-V) surfaces with native TiO2 (amorphous TiO2); subsequent heat treatment of anodized surfaces has been observed to enhance cellular response. As-is bulk Ti-V, however, is often subjected to heat treatment, such as thermal oxidation (TO), to improve its mechanical properties. Thermal oxidation treatment of Ti-V at temperatures greater than 200°C and 400°C initiates the formation of anatase and rutile TiO2, respectively, which can affect TNT formation. This study aims at understanding the TNT formation mechanism on Ti-V surfaces with TO-formed TiO2 compared with that on as-is Ti-V surfaces with native oxide. Thermal oxidation–formed TiO2 can affect TNT formation and surface wettability because TO-formed TiO2 is expected to be part of the TNT structure. Surface characterization was carried out with field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements, and white light interferometry. The TNTs were formed on control and 300°C and 600°C TO-treated Ti-V samples, and significant differences in TNT lengths and surface morphology were observed. No difference in elemental composition was found. Thermal oxidation and TO/anodization treatments produced hydrophilic surfaces, while hydrophobic behavior was observed over time (aging) for all samples. Reduced hydrophobic behavior was observed for TO/anodized samples when compared with control, control/anodized, and TO-treated samples. A method for improved surface wettability and TNT morphology is therefore discussed for possible applications in effective osseointegration of dental and orthopedic implants.

Thermal stability of gold nanoparticles embedded within metal oxide frameworks fabricated by hybrid modifications onto sacrificial textile templates

The stability and spatial separation of nanoparticles (NP's) is essential for employing their advantageous nanoscale properties. This work demonstrates the entrapment of gold NP's embedded in a porous inorganic matrix. Initially, gold NP's are decorated on fibrous nylon-6, which is used as an inexpensive sacrificial template. This is followed by inorganic modification using a novel single exposure cycle vapor phase technique resulting in distributed NP's embedded within a hybrid organic-inorganic matrix. The processing is extended to the synthesis of porous nanoflakes after calcination of the modified nylon-6 yielding a porous metal oxide framework surrounding the disconnected NP's with a surface area of 250 m(2)/g. A unique feature of this work is the use of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with an in situ annealing sample holder. The apparatus affords the opportunity to explore the underlying nanoscopic stability of NP's embedded in these frameworks in a single step. TEM analysis indicates thermal stability up to 670 °C and agglomeration characteristics thereafter. The vapor phase processes developed in this work will facilitate new complex NP/oxide materials useful for catalytic platforms.

In situ Raman spectroscopic study of Al-infiltrated spider dragline silk under tensile deformation

Natural materials consisting of protein structures impregnated with a tiny amount of metals often exhibit impressive mechanical behavior, which represents a new design paradigm for the development of biomimetic materials. Here, we produced Al-infiltrated silks by applying a modified Al2O3 atomic layer deposition process to the dragline silk of the Nephila pilipes spider, which showed unusual mechanical properties. The deformation behavior of the molecular structure of the Al-infiltrated silk was investigated by performing in situ Raman spectroscopy, where Raman shifts were measured concurrently with macroscopic mechanical deformations. For identifying the role of the infiltrated Al atoms, the study was performed in parallel with untreated silk, and the results were compared. Our experimental results revealed that superior mechanical properties of the Al-infiltrated silk are likely to be caused by the alterations of the sizes of the β-sheet crystals and their distribution.

Temperature-dependent infiltration of polymers during sequential exposures to trimethylaluminum

Atomic layer deposition provides the opportunity to introduce nanoscale inorganic coatings to organic polymers creating coatings of varied compositions of finish with distinctive interfaces. Prior research has shown that ALD materials nucleation on polymers varies in composition and structure based on how the precursor interacts with the polymer chemistry and the process conditions. To study this in more detail, in situ quartz crystal microgravimetry is employed to understand the infiltration and saturation behavior of trimethylaluminum in polyamide-6, poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene terephthalate), and poly(methyl methacrylate). Emphasis is placed on understanding reactive vapor diffusion into these polymers as the exposure temperature is varied. Finally, we propose potential growth mechanisms based on the temperature-dependent observations in this work that enables the ability to produce a customized interface for ALD materials growth on polymer substrates.

Molecular layer deposition on carbon nanotubes

Molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques were used to deposit conformal coatings on bulk quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Several metalcone MLD chemistries were employed, including alucone (trimethylaluminum/glycerol and trimethylaluminum/ethylene glycol), titanicone (TiCl4/glycerol), and zincone (diethyl zinc/glycerol). The metalcone MLD films grew directly on the CNTs and MLD initiation did not require atomic layer deposition (ALD) of an adhesion layer. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that MLD formed three-dimensional conformal deposits throughout a CNT scaffold. Mechanical testing was also performed on sheets of CNT networks coated by MLD. Young's Modulus values improved from an initial value of 510 MPa for uncoated CNT sheet to values that ranged from 2.2 GPa, for 10 nm of glycerol alucone (AlGL), to 8.7 GPa for a composite 5 nm AlGL + 5 nm Al2O3 coating.

Temperature and exposure dependence of hybrid organic-inorganic layer formation by sequential vapor infiltration into polymer fibers

The characteristic processing behavior for growth of a conformal nanoscale hybrid organic-inorganic modification to polyamide 6 (PA6) by sequential vapor infiltration (SVI) is demonstrated. The SVI process is a materials growth technique by which exposure of organometallic vapors to a polymeric material promotes the formation of a hybrid organic-inorganic modification at the near surface region of the polymer. This work investigates the SVI exposure temperature and cycling times of sequential exposures of trimethylaluminum (TMA) on PA6 fiber mats. The result of TMA exposure is the preferential subsurface organic-inorganic growth by diffusion into the polymer and reaction with the carbonyl in PA6. Mass gain, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis indicate enhanced materials growth and uniformity at lower processing temperatures. The inverse relationship between mass gain and exposure temperature is explained by the formation of a hybrid layer that prevents the diffusion of TMA into the polymer to react with the PA6 upon subsequent exposure cycles. As few as 10 SVI exposure cycles are observed to saturate the growth, yielding a modified thickness of ∼75 nm and mass increase of ∼14 wt %. Removal of the inherent PA6 moisture content reduces the mass gain by ∼4 wt % at low temperature exposures. The ability to understand the characteristic growth process is critical for the development of the hybrid materials fabrication and modification techniques.