A closer look into two-step perovskite conversion with X-ray scattering

Recently, hybrid perovskites have gathered much interest as alternative materials for the fabrication of highly efficient and cost-competitive solar cells; however, many questions regarding perovskite crystal formation and deposition methods remain. Here we have applied a two-step protocol where a crystalline PbI2 precursor film is converted to MAPbI3–xClx perovskite upon immersion in a mixed solution of methylammonium iodide and methylammonium chloride. We have investigated both films with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to probe the inner film morphology. Our results demonstrate a strong link between lateral crystal sizes in the films before and after conversion, which we attribute to laterally confined crystal growth. Additionally, we observe an accumulation of smaller grains within the bulk in contrast with the surface. Thus, our results help to elucidate the crystallization process of perovskite films deposited via a two-step technique that is crucial for controlled film formation, improved reproducibility, and high photovoltaic performance

Layer-by-Layer Spray-Coating of Cellulose Nanofibrils and Silver Nanoparticles for Hydrophilic Interfaces

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and AgNP-based composite materials have attracted growing interest due to their structure-dependent optical, electrical, catalytic, and stimuli-responsive properties. For practical applications, polymeric materials are often combined with AgNPs to provide flexibility and offer a scaffold for homogenous distribution of the AgNPs. However, the control over the assembly process of AgNPs on polymeric substrates remains a big challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of AgNP/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) thin films via layer-by-layer (LBL) spray-coating. The morphology and self-assembly of AgNPs with increasing number of spray cycles are characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), and grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). We deduce that an individual AgNP (radius = 15 ± 3 nm) is composed of multiple nanocrystallites (diameter = 2.4 ± 0.9 nm). Our results suggest that AgNPs are assembled into large agglomerates on SiO2 substrates during spray-coating, which is disadvantageous for AgNP functionalization. However, the incorporation of CNF substrates contributes to a more uniform distribution of AgNP agglomerates and individual AgNPs by its network structure and by absorbing the partially dissolved AgNP agglomerates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the spray-coating of the AgNP/CNF mixture results in similar topography and agglomeration patterns of AgNPs compared to depositing AgNPs onto a precoated CNF thin film. Contact-angle measurements and UV/vis spectroscopy suggest that the deposition of AgNPs onto or within CNFs could increase the hydrophilicity of AgNP-containing surfaces and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) intensity of AgNP compared to AgNPs sprayed on SiO2 substrates, suggesting their potential applications in antifouling coatings or label-free biosensors. Thereby, our approach provides a platform for a facile and scalable production of AgNP/CNF films with a low agglomeration rate by two different methods as follows: (1) multistep layer-by-layer (LBL) spray-coating and (2) direct spray-coating of the AgNP/CNF mixture. We also demonstrate the ability of CNFs as a flexible framework for directing the uniform assembly of AgNPs with tailorable wettability and plasmonic properties

Solvent content in thin spin-coated polystyrene homopolymer films

The solvent content of thin polystyrene (PS) films, spin-coated from protonated and deuterated toluene onto silicon substrates, is investigated. Neutron reflectometry (NR) is used to probe the total remaining solvent inside the PS films in a nondestructive and noninvasive way. In freshly prepared films, the investigated parameters are the molecular weight of PS and the total film thickness. Moreover, the effect of postproduction treatment by annealing at temperatures below and above the glass transition of PS as well as long-term storage over 2 years are examined to deduce the reduction of the remaining solvent. The remaining solvent content increases with increasing molecular weight and with increasing film thickness. An enrichment of toluene at the Si/polymer interface is found. Under the different annealing and storage conditions tested, the remaining solvent is not totally removed. The observed behavior is discussed in the framework of polymer thin films and compared with results obtained by alternative experimental approaches

The role of extracellular polymers on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm biomass and metabolic activity

Staphylococcus epidermidis is now well established as being a major nosocomial pathogen, associated with indwelling medical devices. Its major virulence factor is related with the ability to adhere to indwelling medical devices, with consequent biofilm formation. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of polysaccharides and proteins on biofilm biomass and metabolic activity of five S. epidermidis clinical isolates. For this purpose, S. epidermis biofilms, formed on acrylic coupons, were characterized in terms of total biofilm biomass, determined through crystal violet assay, cell concentration, established by colony forming units (CFU) enumeration, and biofilm matrix composition, which was assessed for polysaccharides and proteins content. Biofilm metabolic activity was evaluated by two distinct methods: glucose uptake and XTT reduction assays. According to the results, S. epidermidis strains revealed different abilities for biofilm formation. In fact, some strains were able to form thicker biofilms than others and this is important because biofilm formation is considered one of the major virulence factors of S. epidermidis species. S. epidermidis 1457 was the strain that produced the larger amount of biofilm and strain LE7 was the lowest biofilm producer, and these were also the highest and the lowest polysaccharides producers, respectively. This suggests a certain degree of correlation between exopolysaccharides production and total amount of biomass formed. Besides, comparing the results obtained, in terms of exopolysaccharides production and biofilm cellular activity, it seems clear that a strong production of exopolysaccharides can lead to a decrease in the metabolic activity of cells, which was the case of S. epidermidis 1457. The protein concentration also varied among strains, with the biofilm matrix of S. epidermidis 9142 presenting a higher concentration of proteins comparing to the remaining strains. This fact indicates the different levels of importance that matrix proteins can have on biofilm composition among strains albeit overall, it is suggested that extracellular protein production it is not a determinant factor for biofilm total biomass, despite its qualitative value. In conclusion, this work provided a reliable approach for a better understanding of S. epidermidis biofilms composition and metabolic activity

Ландшафтное проектирование (городские объекты) : учеб.-метод. пособие

Spray coating, a cost-effective and scalable technique, has been employed for fabricating titania films for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs). The spray deposition of films is inherently based on kinetic processes with great complexity, which poses great challenges in its understanding. In the present work, the kinetics of the structure evolution of deposited films are investigated by in situ grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering during spray deposition. The spray-solution is prepared via a polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) template assisted sol-gel synthesis. It is turned into nanostructured titania/PS-b-PEO composite films via spray deposition. The information about nanostructure length scales of the composite film is obtained in real-time and in situ, revealing the morphological evolution during the spray deposition. The resulting mesoporous titania films serve as photoanodes of ssDSSCs, which couple with the solution-cast hole transport layer to form the active layers. The well working ssDSSCs demonstrate the successful use of spray deposition as a large-scale manufacturing process for photoanodes

New Perspectives on the Use of Phytochemicals as an Emergent Strategy to Control Bacterial Infections Including Biofilms

The majority of current infectious diseases are almost untreatable by conventional antibiotic therapy given the advent of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The degree of severity and the persistence of infections are worsened when microorganisms form biofilms. Therefore, efforts are being applied to develop new drugs not as vulnerable as the current ones to bacterial resistance mechanisms, and also able to target bacteria in biofilms. Natural products, especially those obtained from plants, have proven to be outstanding compounds with unique properties, making them perfect candidates for these much-needed therapeutics. This review presents the current knowledge on the potentialities of plant products as antibiotic adjuvants to restore the therapeutic activity of drugs. Further, the difficulties associated with the use of the existing antibiotics in the treatment of biofilm-related infections are described. To counteract the biofilm resistance problems, innovative strategies are suggested based on literature data. Among the proposed strategies, the use of phytochemicals to inhibit or eradicate biofilms is highlighted. An overview on the use of phytochemicals to interfere with bacterial quorum sensing (QS) signaling pathways and underlying phenotypes is provided. The use of phytochemicals as chelating agents and efflux pump inhibitors is also reviewed