Spontaneous Formation of Gold Nanoparticles on Graphene by Galvanic Reaction through Graphene

We demonstrate an effective and facile method for the deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on graphene by using spontaneous galvanic reaction. Despite the interest and importance of the hybrid structure of noble metal-deposited graphene has been considerably increased for its fundamental knowledge in chemical and physical sciences and for its various applications, the progress of this subject is very slow mainly because of the lack of synthetic methods for such structures, especially that are not free from chemical contamination and usage of complex and expensive equipment. Therefore, we developed a new method allowing chemically pure AuNPs/graphene hybrid structures employing galvanic reaction. The spontaneous galvanic reaction was derived from reductant/graphene/oxidant sandwich structures, such as Au ions/graphene/Ge wafer and Au ions/graphene/copper foil, by placing Au ion solution droplets on graphene transferred on a germanium wafer or as made graphene on Cu foil, respectively. According to scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy results, it was confirmed that AuNPs were successfully formed on the graphene surface. This result implies two important points. One is that the formation of pure AuNPs on graphene is possible without using other chemicals frequently required for conventional NP preparation. The other one is that it was experimentally demonstrated that there are electronic communications between the oxidant and reductant that are separated by graphene, through which electrons can pass freely.11Ysciescopu

Highly reproducible alkali metal doping system for organic crystals through enhanced diffusion of alkali metal by secondary thermal activation

In this paper, we report an efficient alkali metal doping system for organic single crystals. Our system employs an enhanced diffusion method for the introduction of alkali metal into organic single crystals by controlling the sample temperature to induce secondary thermal activation. Using this system, we achieved intercalation of potassium into picene single crystals with closed packed crystal structures. Using optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we confirmed that the resulting samples were uniformly doped and became K2picene single crystal, while only parts of the crystal are doped and transformed into K2picene without secondary thermal activation. Moreover, using a customized electrical measurement system, the insulator-to-semiconductor transition of picene single crystals upon doping was confirmed by in situ electrical conductivity and ex situ temperature-dependent resistivity measurements. X-ray diffraction studies showed that potassium atoms were intercalated between molecular layers of picene, and doped samples did not show any KH- nor KOH-related peaks, indicating that picene molecules are retained without structural decomposition. During recent decades, tremendous efforts have been exerted to develop high-performance organic semiconductors and superconductors, whereas as little attention has been devoted to doped organic crystals. Our method will enable efficient alkali metal doping of organic crystals and will be a resource for future systematic studies on the electrical property changes of these organic crystals upon doping. © 2018 The Author(s

Nano encapsulation of Drug-loaded Lipid by Temperature induced Phase Transition

Pluronic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by means of a temperature-induced phase transition in the mixture composed of Pluronic F-68 and liquid Tween 80/soybean oil containing model drugs such as orlistat, caffeine, and ibuprofen sodium salt. Liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 was used as a solubilizer for model drugs, and Pluronic F-68 was the polymer that stabilizes liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 containing model drugs. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyzer were used to observe the morphology and size distribution of the prepared NPs. X-ray diffractometer was used to understand relationship between the crystalline state of the model drug and its solubility in the aqueous media. To observe the feasibility of Pluronic NPs as a drug delivery system, the release pattern of model drugs was observed

Nano encapsulation of Drug-loaded Lipid by Temperature induced Phase Transition

Pluronic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by means of a temperature-induced phase transition in the mixture composed of Pluronic F-68 and liquid Tween 80/soybean oil containing model drugs such as orlistat, caffeine, and ibuprofen sodium salt. Liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 was used as a solubilizer for model drugs, and Pluronic F-68 was the polymer that stabilizes liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 containing model drugs. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyzer were used to observe the morphology and size distribution of the prepared NPs. X-ray diffractometer was used to understand relationship between the crystalline state of the model drug and its solubility in the aqueous media. To observe the feasibility of Pluronic NPs as a drug delivery system, the release pattern of model drugs was observed

Dust in Supernovae and Supernova Remnants II: Processing and survival

Observations have recently shown that supernovae are efficient dust factories, as predicted for a long time by theoretical models. The rapid evolution of their stellar progenitors combined with their efficiency in precipitating refractory elements from the gas phase into dust grains make supernovae the major potential suppliers of dust in the early Universe, where more conventional sources like Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars did not have time to evolve. However, dust yields inferred from observations of young supernovae or derived from models do not reflect the net amount of supernova-condensed dust able to be expelled from the remnants and reach the interstellar medium. The cavity where the dust is formed and initially resides is crossed by the high velocity reverse shock which is generated by the pressure of the circumstellar material shocked by the expanding supernova blast wave. Depending on grain composition and initial size, processing by the reverse shock may lead to substantial dust erosion and even complete destruction. The goal of this review is to present the state of the art about processing and survival of dust inside supernova remnants, in terms of theoretical modelling and comparison to observations