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In order to effectively utilize the photovoltaic properties of gallium arsenide, its surface/interface needs to be properly prepared. In the experiments described here we examined eight different paths of GaAs surface treatment (cleaning, etching, passivation) which resulted in different external quantum efficiency (EQE) values of the tested photovoltaic (PV) cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations were conducted to obtain structural details of the devices. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with depth profiling was used to examine interface structure and changes in the elemental content and chemical bonds. The photoluminescence (PL) properties and bandgap measurements of the deposited layers were also reported. The highest EQE value was obtained for the samples initially etched with a citric acid-based etchant and, in the last preparation step, either passivated with ammonium sulfide aqueous solution or treated with ammonium hydroxide solution with no final passivation. Subsequent I–V measurements, however, confirmed that from these samples, only the sulfur-passivated ones provided the highest current density. The tested devices were fabricated by using the ALD method.

Hereby the possible applications of oxide nanoparticles in the cancer diagnostics and therapy are presented. Cancer diseases are nowadays one of the most common causes of death in the highly-developed countries. Discussed will be the current clinical cancer detection methods with their shortcomings. The role of nanomedicine in cancer medicine and the potential applications of nanoparticles debated in the literature will be critically evaluated. In the second part, the most common methods for the nanoparticle synthesis will be discussed. Finally, the system for cancer detection based on the enhanced permeation-retention of multimodal high-k oxide nanoparticles doped with lanthanides will be proposed for both for themagnetic resonance imaging (non-gadolinium contrast agents) and for fluorescence guided biopsy and surgery.

Two-step synthesis of Y2O3:Eu nanostructures was performed. It includes microwave driven hydrothermal and calcination stages. Performed route results in crystallization of Y4O(OH)9(NO3):Eu crystals initially, then Y2O3:Eu crystals after calcination. Arranged Eu contents in relation to overall cation quantity were set to 2 mol%, 10 mol% and 20 mol%. Varying europium concentrations influence habit of obtained Y4O(OH)9(NO3):Eu crystals from needle-like to plate-like and as a result, also shapes of final Y2O3:Eu nanostructures. Additionally, certain amount of Eu2+ ions was detected in as-grown material using laser spectroscopy and decay kinetics measurements. Obtained material was calcined at 1200 °C in the air, which results in oxidation of Eu2+ ions and crystallization of small number of cubic Eu2O3 nanocrystals. Characterization of obtained materials was performed using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, CL, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

Europium doped hafnium dioxide nanoparticles were crystallized using biologically friendly microwave hydrothermal method and employed in observation of small rodents tissues. Main solvent in synthesis is water, in consequence nanoparticles are found surrounded by thin hydroxide layer. Size of the nanoparticles is controlled by temperature of calcination. 1200 °C heating causes drop of luminescence intensity, explained as damage of high symmetry surface emission centers in the nanocrystals. On the other hand, growth of crystallites increases intensity of X-ray and electron beam excited luminescence. This makes them promising activator in photodynamic therapy.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized with microwave hydrothermal technique and tested as luminescent contrast for biological imaging. Luminescence was activated by Eu3+ ions embedded in the nanoparticle matrix in the increasing concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 %mol. It was found that europium did not create a separate crystalline phase up to the concentration as high as 5 %mol. However, Eu3+ ions did not substitute Zn2+ in the host lattice, but allocated in the low symmetry environment. It was proposed that europium was locating in the inter-grain space or on the surface of nanoparticles. The luminescence intensity in ZnO:Eu, as well as the size of particles, increased with the Eu ion concentration. Moreover, in 10 %mol Eu sample, the separate phase of Eu-hydroxide was identified with crystals of micrometre length. Interestingly, in vivo study revealed, that contrary to the in silico experiments, following gastric gavage, the brightest nanoparticle-related luminescence signal was observed at 1 %mol. concentration of Eu. Since the alimentary uptake of nanoparticles was related to their size, we concluded that the increase in luminescence at 5 and 10 %mol. Eu concentrations was associated with the largest ZnO:Eu and Eu-hydroxide particles that did not cross the gastrointestinal barrier.

Well-aligned ZnO nano/micro-rods with identical crystallographic orientation were synthesized on a c-plane GaN template, using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 50 °C for duration of 2 min. The ZnO nanorods exhibited true epitaxial growth, in contrast to most of the previously reported methods, which involve nucleation on a ZnO buffer layer pre-deposited on the substrate. Homogeneous in-plane alignment as well as the c-axis orientation were confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements and TEM analysis. More importantly, in the photoluminescence spectra of the nanorods a strong, narrow excitonic emission and an extremely weak deep level emission were observed, indicating high optical quality. The diameter was controlled by adjusting pH of the solution used in the growth process. The main achievement of the research was the opportunity to obtain oriented, high quality ZnO nano/microrods, using a surprisingly quick, cheap, and safe growth process, without the use of toxic substances or ultra-high purity compounds.

The use of nanoparticles in medicine is a rapidly growing research field with numerous potential applications, especially in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy. Nanoparticles can be intrinsically diagnostic of therapeutic, or they can be conjugated with diagnostic or therapeutic compounds. Nanoparticles may also passively or actively target tumor cells specifically using the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect, or the addition of targeting ligands to their surface. This may provide a diagnostic or/and therapeutic tools to target primary as well as metastatic tumors. The transport, distribution and toxicity of nanoparticles depends greatly on their size and composition, thus every new formulation needs to be extensively researched. This work was focused on the development of Tb-doped ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) for application in cancer imaging. Obtained nanoparticles were below 10 nm with very low influence of Tb concentration on size. Terbium stabilization of ZrO2 had influence on the luminescence properties of obtained material. Partially stabilized zirconium dioxide exhibited broad host related emission peaking at 500 nm, disappearing with the terbium content. We confirmed alimentary absorption and wide distribution of luminescent ZrO2:Tb nanoparticles in mice with their gradual accumulation in the experimentally induced mammary cancers. Furthermore, a high concentration of NPs was found within the lung metastases as opposed to healthy lung tissue, where no NPs-related signal was observed.

Recent decades have brought rapid development in the field of nanotechnology, which has led to applications of nanoparticles in many industries. Unique properties of nanoparticles and their biocompatibility increase their potential as drug carriers in drug-delivery systems. Prof. Marek Godlewski’s team from the Institute of Physics PAS has developed wide band-gap metal oxide nanoparticles doped with rare-earth metals for applications as fluorescent markers. The potential of those nanoparticles to cross the closed gut barrier after alimentary application has prompted their use in drug delivery systems. In this study, we show that after conjugation with a model bioactive substance, lectin (Phaseolus vulgaris), these nanoparticles retained their advantageous properties and, following oral administration (10 mg/ml in RO, 0.3 ml/mouse), entered a variety of organs in the mouse model. Internal organs collected at key time points were analysed under a scanning cytometer and a confocal microscope. The results show that the conjugation reduced, but did not completely abolish, the capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate physiological barriers (intestinal, blood-brain barrier) in the organism.

Iron is the crucial element for living organisms and its deficiency is described as the most common nutritional disorder all over the world. Nowadays, more effective and safe iron supplementation strategies for both humans and animals become one of the most important challenges in the therapy of nutritional deficiencies. Our previous in vivo studies confirmed safety and biodegradability of in-house manufactured zinc oxide-based nanoparticles and their rapid distribution to majority of organs and tissues in the body. In vitro examinations performed on Caco-2 cell line, a model of epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, revealed a low toxicity of studied nanomaterials. In the current study, we investigated biodegradable zinc oxide nanoparticles doped with Fe(III) as a perspective supplementation strategy for iron deficiency. Biodegradable ZnO:Fe nanoparticles were intra-gastrically administered to adult mice and following 24 h, animals were sacrificed with collection of internal organs for further analyses. The iron concentration measured with atomic absorption spectrometry and histological staining (Perl’s method) showed a rapid distribution of iron-doped nanoparticles to tissues specifically related with iron homeostasis. Accumulation of iron was also visible within hepatocytes and around blood vessels within the spleen, which might indicate the transfer of Fe-doped nanoparticles from the bloodstream into the tissue. Reassuming, preliminary results obtained in the current study suggest that biodegradable ZnO nanoparticles doped with Fe might be a good carriers of exogenous iron in the living body. Therefore, subsequent investigations focus on determination an exact mechanisms related with an iron deposition in the tissue and influence of nanoparticle carriers on iron metabolism are required.

The Effect of Synthesis Pressure on Properties of Eu-Doped ZnO Nanopowders Prepared by Microwave Hydrothermal Method J. Rosowska, J. Kaszewskia,∗, B. Witkowski, Ł. Wachnicki and M. Godlewski Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotnikow 32/46, PL–02668 Warsaw, Poland Dept. of Mathematics and Natural Sciences College of Science, Cardinal S. Wyszynski University, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland

Europium doped ZnO nanopowders made by microwave hydrothermal method are investigated. As zinc oxide precursor zinc nitrate(V) hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) was used. Two types of nanopowder samples are examined: as grown and annealed at 750 °C in air atmosphere. We investigate the structural, morphological and optical prosperities of europium doped ZnO. Results of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photo- and cathodoluminescence investigations and also CIE1961 chromaticity diagram are presented.

Microwave hydrothermal growth of Y2O3 crystallites results in needle-shaped aggregates of μm length. Thermal treatment has little influence on the material microstructure, but significant impact on the nanometric level. Nanoparticles doped with europium show an intense red luminescence, related to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. The luminescence intensity increases with the calcination temperature and is accompanied by increasing size of Y2O3:Eu crystallites. EPR studies show the absence of Eu2+ related signals in the material. Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles crystallized via a microwave hydrothermal method were employed as luminescent biomarkers in mice. The initial tests confirmed their applicability as biological markers. Persorption of the Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles after IG in the adult mouse duodenum, brain and liver is reported.

Thermally induced crystallization of cubic Eu2O3 obtained with the microwave hydrothermal method has been investigated. The starting material crystallized in the form of needle-shaped agglomerates of nanocrystalline hexagonal Eu(OH)3. Thermal treatment up to 800 °C induced the crystallization of cubic Eu2O3, after further calcination at 1200 °C in the air a monoclinic phase appeared. The phase transformation caused abnormal reduction of Eu3+ ions, related to the oxygen vacancy creation during sintering of the oxide crystallites. The crystallization process of cubic Eu2O3 occurred within the agglomerates without change of their shapes. The cubic form exhibited bright emission of Eu3+ related luminescence with intensity increasing with the size of crystallites.

In this paper a new generation of non-toxic nanoparticles based on the zirconium oxide doped with 0.5%Tb and co-doped by the range of 0–70% with Y was evaluated for the use as a fluorescent biomarker of neuronal trafficking. The ZrO 2 :Tb nanoparticles were created by microwave driven hydrothermal method. Influence of the yttrium content and thermal processing on the Tb 3+ related luminescence emission was discussed. The higher intensities were achieved, when host was cubic and for the nanoparticles with 33 nm. Presence of yttrium was associated with the energy coupling of the host and dopant, wide excitation band is present at 309 and 322 nm before and after calcination respectively. For the experiment on living primary neurons, nanoparticles doped with 0.5%Tb and 7%Y were chosen based on their luminescence emission intensity. Recently transfer of the nanoparticles through the barriers in the organism including blood–brain barrier following their alimentary absorption was confirmed (Godlewski and Godlewski, 2012). This raised the possibility of the nanoparticle application as a tool in the neuroscience, and the question of potential mechanisms of nanoparticle turnover in neurons. Concentration of 0.001 mg/ml of ZrO 2 :0.5%Tb 7%Y in growth medium was added to the primary murine culture medium, and the intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles was observed following 15 min pre-incubation period. ZrO 2 :0.5%Tb 7%Y nanoparticles were dynamically absorbed by the neurons and the dynamic passage of transport vesicles containing ZrO 2 :0.5%Tb 7%Y nanoparticles was observed along the neuronal processes and in between two neighbouring neurons. Reassuming, the ZrO 2 :0.5%Tb 7%Y nanoparticles proved to be biocompatible and a valid tool to assess intracellular trafficking dynamics in the neurobiology.

Terbium doped yttrium oxide was prepared with the microwave hydrothermal method. The Y 2 O 3 :Tb nanomaterial crystallized as needle-like grains. Bright luminescence in the green region was observed. Significant luminescence intensity increase was obtained after thermal treatment. Reduction of terbium ions was observed after heating in the air atmosphere. Tb 4+ ions were found to be stabilized by crystal impurities. Hydroxyl species were found to have impact on vacancies elimination. The terbium ions were used as optical and magnetic indicator of the material properties.

Iron doped (in the range from 1 to 10 mol %) ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by microwave hydrothermal method. The effects of iron content on morphology, crystal structure, optical and magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic measurements. XRD studies revealed presence of ZnFe2O4 foreign phase in NPs for iron doping concentrations above 5% placing the solubility limit of Fe in ZnO NPs near this value. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra show an increase of the intensity ratio between near band edge (NBE) and deep level emission band (DLE) of ZnO, which is tentatively related by us with intrinsic cracking of ZnO crystals. The blue-shift of NBE band maxima was observed as a concentration of Fe dopant increases. The results of magnetic measurements indicate superparamagnetic behavior of nanoparticles.

Thin films of wide band-gap oxides grown by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) are suitable for a range of applications. Some of these applications will be presented. First of all, ALD-grown high-k HfO2 is used as a gate oxide in the electronic devices. Moreover, ALD-grown oxides can be used in memory devices, in transparent transistors, or as elements of solar cells. Regarding photovoltaics (PV), ALD-grown thin films of Al2O3 are already used as anti-reflection layers. In addition, thin films of ZnO are tested as replacement of ITO in PV devices. New applications in organic photovoltaics, electronics and optoelectronics are also demonstrated Considering new applications, the same layers, as used in electronics, can also find applications in biology, medicine and in a food industry. This is because layers of high-k oxides show antibacterial activity, as discussed in this work.

Zinc-based nanoparticles are promising materials for various applications, including in biomedicine. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of fluorescent europium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO:Eu NPs) on sperm parameters, cell apoptosis and integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in mice. Nanostructures were orally administered to adult mice (n = 34). Animals were sacrificed after 3 h, 24 h, 7 d and 14 d following oral administration. Sperm was collected and analysed for viability and kinetic parameters. Collected testes were quantitatively analysed for accumulation of ZnO:Eu NPs. Microscopic evaluation based on immunofluorescence and histopathological studies were also conducted. Results showed that ZnO:Eu NPs were able to overcome the BTB with their subsequent accumulation in the testis. No toxic or pro-apoptotic effects of nanoparticles on the male reproductive system were observed. The results suggested that ZnO:Eu NPs were able to accumulate in the testis with no negative impact on sperm parameters, tissue architecture or the integrity of the BTB.

Oxide nanoparticles (NPs) doped with rare-earth ions are tested for applications as nanomarkers in biology. The aim of this study was to investigate the intra-organism distribution of ZnO nanoparticles doped with europium following gastric gavage (IG) in mice. The study is an example of the innovative and comprehensive methodology in research on biodistribution of nanomaterials in the body. We used quantitative (AAS) and imaging (scanning cytometry, confocal microscope) methods of assessing the distribution of rare-earth doped ZnO nanoparticles in the living organism. Visualization of these processes in the body was possible because of high fluorescence yield of europium. Imaging methods applied in this study (scanning cytometry and confocal microscopy) seem to be crucial for understanding the uptake and distribution patterns of nanoparticles within the living organism.

Biodegradable zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are considered promising materials for future biomedical applications. To fulfil this potential, biodistribution and elimination patterns of ZnO NPs in the living organism need to be resolved. In order to investigate gastrointestinal absorption of ZnO NPs and their intra-organism distribution, water suspension of ZnO or fluorescent ZnO:Eu (Europium-doped zinc oxide) NPs (10 mg/ml; 0.3 ml/mouse) was alimentary-administered (IG: intra-gastric) to adult mice. Internal organs collected at key time-points after IG were evaluated by AAS for Zn concentration and analysed by cytometric techniques. We found that Zn-based NPs were readily absorbed and distributed (3 h post IG) in the nanoparticle form throughout the organism. Results suggest, that liver and kidneys were key organs responsible for NPs elimination, while accumulation was observed in the spleen and adipose tissues. We also showed that ZnO/ZnO:Eu NPs were able to cross majority of biological barriers in the organism (including blood–brain-barrier).