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Zinc oxide particles were synthesized in various sizes and shapes, i.e., spheres of 40-nm, 200-nm, and 500-nm diameter and rods of 40∙100 nm2 and 100∙400 nm2 (all PVP-stabilized and well dispersed in water and cell culture medium). Crystallographically, the particles consisted of the hexagonal wurtzite phase with a primary crystallite size of 20 to 100 nm. The particles showed a slow dissolution in water and cell culture medium (both neutral; about 10% after 5 days) but dissolved within about 1 h in two different simulated lysosomal media (pH 4.5 to 4.8). Cells relevant for respiratory exposure (NR8383 rat alveolar macrophages) were exposed to these particles in vitro. Viability, apoptosis, and cell activation (generation of reactive oxygen species, ROS, release of cytokines) were investigated in an in vitro lung cell model with respect to the migration of inflammatory cells. All particle types were rapidly taken up by the cells, leading to an increased intracellular zinc ion concentration. The nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than the microparticles and comparable with dissolved zinc acetate. All particles induced cell apoptosis, unlike dissolved zinc acetate, indicating a particle-related mechanism. Microparticles induced a stronger formation of reactive oxygen species than smaller particles probably due to higher sedimentation (cell-to-particle contact) of microparticles in contrast to nanoparticles. The effect of particle types on the cytokine release was weak and mainly resulted in a decrease as shown by a protein microarray. In the particle-induced cell migration assay (PICMA), all particles had a lower effect than dissolved zinc acetate. In conclusion, the biological effects of zinc oxide particles in the sub-toxic range are caused by zinc ions after intracellular dissolution, by cell-to-particle contacts, and by the uptake of zinc oxide particles into cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of simultaneous measurements of small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS-SWAXS) to investigate the overall size, shape, and crystallinity of silver nanoparticles and alloyed silver-gold nanoparticles in the size range of 8 to 80 nm is shown. The obtained results for overall size are in agreement with the particle size obtained by differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition to the overall size, SWAXS provided precise information about the crystallographic internal structure of the particles, providing a powerful multi-scale tool for structural characterization of the studied systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods of scanning electron microscopy have been used to study the microstructure of superplastically deformed samples of eutectic alloy Bi-43 wt % Sn. The observed specific features of the deformation relief of the samples reveal the active development of the viscous dislocation-diffusion flow under superplasticity conditions. The manifestation of the hydrodynamic mode of deformation has been revealed under these conditions. The opportunity of the realization of viscous mechanisms of the transport of substance and of the manifestation of the effect of superplasticity are explained by the appearance in the material of a state that is characterized by a high dislocation density and low strength properties. An additional increase in the dislocation density and softening under superplasticity conditions are attributed to the occurrence of structural and phase transformations stimulated by deformation, the relaxation of significant internal elastic stresses, and the instability of the structural state of the initially nonequilibrium alloy in the field of mechanical stresses. Factors responsible for the appearance of significant internal elastic stresses in the alloy are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and morphology of monodisperse spherical particles of (YEu)O solid solutions prepared through the low-temperature thermolysis of an amorphous precursor under isothermal conditions ( t = 800°C) have been analyzed in detail in relation to the particle size and composition. The results demonstrate that, in addition to having a polycrystalline (block) structure, the spherical (YEu)O particles are porous, with a mesoscopic residual pore size. Reducing the diameter of the spherical particles from 400 to 70 nm reduces their porosity and improves their structural perfection. The addition of Eu cations stimulates the growth of crystalline blocks that form a spherical particle, activating diffusion processes in the cation sublattice of the solid solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiTi was investigated as a model system for a binary alloy where the properties strongly depend on the relative proportion of the two elements and on the grain size. The NiTi nanoparticles were generated by laser ablation in water. For the analysis of the particle size distribution, we used transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Here, we found a broad particle size distribution (10-200 nm). Furthermore, the temperature-resolved x-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to evaluate the phase transition behavior of the generated NiTi nanoparticles. Here, we found an interesting effect. During the heating by DSC, an austenite phase transition and a weak martensite phase transition in the NiTi nanoparticles appeared. Moreover, the phase transformation temperature was about 40 K lower than that of the bulk target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of x-ray powder diffraction to analyze the size and ultrastructure of metallic nanoparticles (silver, gold, silver-gold alloy, and calcium phosphate) is demonstrated. By the Rietveld analysis, it is possible to estimate the crystallite size for such nanoparticles, even if they are very small (4 nm), using the effect of peak broadening in small crystallites. The results correspond well to crystallite size as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), also confirming the twinned nature of the metallic nanoparticles. For calcium phosphate nanorods which are not twinned, the results by x-ray powder diffraction and TEM are in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regularities of the formation of calcium phosphate coatings on the surface of titanium and zirconium alloys formed by the method of microarc oxidation are investigated. The scheme of deposition of the calcium phosphate coating in microarc discharges is suggested that explains the difference in the morphology, microstructure, and properties of coatings on the surface of titanium and zirconium alloys. It is demonstrated that coatings on the surface of titanium and zirconium alloys have different structures, phase compositions, and physicomechanical properties due to different electrophysical characteristics of metal (titanium and zirconium) substrates, disperse β-Nb particles, and passivating oxide films on their surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are presented of studies of the physical-mechanical properties of silver-doped calcium phosphate coatings formed by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on a surface of technically pure VT1-0 titanium and 12Cr18Ni10Ti stainless chromium-nickel surgical steel. The films have the nanocrystalline structure of hydroxyapatite with mean diameter of the coherently diffracting domains equal to 20-30 nm. It has been established that the configuration of the magnetic field of the magnetron has an effect on the roughness, thickness, and refractive index of the coatings. The thickness of the coatings and the refractive index vary within the ranges 300-700 nm and 1.68-1.80, respectively. The nanohardness of the coatings is within the range 4-7GPa, the modulus of elasticity of the coatings depends on the material of the substrate and is equal to 130-150 GPa for titanium and 170-200 GPa for steel. Sclerometric measurements of the coatings made it possible to establish a high adhesion strength of the coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Wettability of Thin Silicate-Containing Hydroxyapatite Films Formed by RF-Magnetron Sputtering," by S. N. Gorodzha and colleagues that was published in the 2014 issue is presented.