X-ray study of strain, composition, elastic energy and atomic ordering in Ge islands on Si(001)

Exportado OPUSMade available in DSpace on 2019-08-09T16:26:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 teseangeloms.pdf: 8133807 bytes, checksum: 0fc2a90f51adba57b2958d47ae5c6e28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 19Neste trabalho foram utilizadas técnicas de difração de raios-x para estudar propriedades químicas e estruturais de ilhas de Ge:Si(001). Através de experimentos de difração por incidência rasante foi realizado um mapeamento estrutural da relaxação de strain dentro de pirâmides e domos de Ge. Alterando-se a energia dos raios-x próximo à borda K do Ge em medidas de difração anômala foi possível determinar a composição química dos dois tipos de ilhas. A energia elástica, obtida correlacionandose estes dois resultados, provou ser um dos fatores responsáveis pelas transições morfológicas neste sistema. Uma extensão dos resultados, com o uso de um novo método de análise, permitiu um completo mapeamento tri-dimensional da estrutura e estequiometria dos domos de Ge. Por último, foi observada a existência de uma liga ordenada de SiGe dentro dos domos, indicando o importante papel da cinética de crescimento na incorporação de Si nas ilhas.X-ray diffraction techniques were employed here to study several structural and chemical properties of Ge:Si(001) islands. Grazing incidence diffraction was used to map the strain status of Ge pyramids and domes. By tuning the x-ray energy near the Ge K edge to perform anomalous diffraction measurements it was possible to determine the chemical composition of both types of islands. The elastic energy was directly evaluated and found to be one of the driving forces of morphological evolution in this system. These results were extended by a new analysis method to a complete threedimensional chemical and structural mapping of Ge domes. Finally, the existence of SiGe ordered alloys was observed inside domes, indicating the important rule played by surface kinetics on Si interdiffusion

Near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy signature of image potential states in multilayer epitaxial graphene.

Single layer behavior in multilayer epitaxial graphene has been a matter of intense investigation. This is due to the layer decoupling that occurs during growth of graphene on some types of substrates, such as carbonterminated silicon carbide. We show here that near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy can be used to observe the signature of this decoupling. To this end, samples of multilayer graphene from silicon carbide sublimation were grownwith different degrees of decoupling. Raman spectroscopy was used to infer the degree of structural decoupling. X-ray grazing-incidence diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy showed that growth initiates with the presence of bilayer graphene commensurate structures, while layer decoupling is associated to the formation of incommensurate structures observed for longer sublimation time. Near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopywas used to probe the electronic states above the Fermi energy. Besides the σ* and π* empty states, image potential states are observed and show a clear change of intensity as a function of incident angle. These image potential states evolve from a graphite- to graphene-like behavior as a function of growth time and can be used to infer the degree of structural coupling among layers

Room temperature observation of the correlation between atomic and electronic structure of graphene on Cu(110).

In this work we have used atomically-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to study the interplay between the atomic and electronic structure of graphene formed on copper via chemical vapor deposition. Scanning tunneling microscopy directly revealed the epitaxial match between a single layer of graphene and the underlying copper substrate in different crystallographic orientations. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy we have directly measured the electronic density of states of graphene layers near the Fermi level, observing the appearance of a series of peaks in specific cases. These features were analyzed in terms of substrate-induced perturbations in the structural and electronic properties of graphene by means of atomistic models supported by density functional theory calculations

Modifying internal organization and surface morphology of siRNA lipoplexes by sodium alginate addition for efficient siRNA delivery

International audienceVectorized small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are widely used to induce specific mRNA degradation in the intracellular compartment of eukaryotic cells. Recently, we developed efficient cationic lipid-based siRNA vectors (siRNA lipoplexes or siLex) containing sodium alginate (Nalg-siLex) with superior efficiency and stability properties than siLex. In this study, we assessed the physicochemical and some biological properties of Nalg-siLex compared to siLex. While no significant addition of sodium alginate modified the particle morphology, producing smoother and heterogeneous particles characterized by transmission electron microscopy. We also noted that Nalg-siLex have surface differences observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These differences could arise from an internal reorganization of components induced by the addition of sodium alginate, that is indicated by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering results. Moreover, Nalg-siLex did not trigger significant hepatotoxicity nor inflammatory cytokine secretion compared to siLex. Taken together these results suggest that sodium alginate played a key role by structuring and reinforcing siRNA lipoplexes, leading to more stable and efficient delivery vector

Paclitaxel-loaded pH-sensitive liposome : new insights on structural and physicochemical characterization.

A long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposome containing paclitaxel (SpHL-PTX) was recently developed by our group. Once in an acidic environment, for example, tumors, these liposomes undergo destabilization, releasing the encapsulated drug. In this way, the aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular and supramolecular interactions between the lipid bilayer and PTX in similar biological environment conditions. High-sensitivity analyses of SpHL-PTX structures were obtained by the small-angle X-ray scattering technique combined with other techniques such as dynamic light scattering, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation, transmission electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that PTX incorporation in the liposomal bilayer clearly leads to changes in supramolecular organization of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) molecules, inducing the formation of more ordered structures. Changes in supramolecular organization were observed at lower pH, indicating that pH sensitivity was preserved even in the presence of fetal bovine serum proteins. Furthermore, morphological and physicochemical characterization of SpHL-PTX evidenced the formation of nanosized dispersion suitable for intravenous administration. In conclusion, a stable nanosized dispersion of PTX was obtained at pH 7.4 with suitable parameters for intravenous administration. At lower pH conditions, the pH sensitivity of the system was clearly evidenced by changes in the supramolecular organization of DOPE molecules, which is crucial for the delivery of PTX into the cytoplasm of the targeted cells. In this way, the results obtained by different techniques confirm the feasibility of SpHL as a promising tool to PTX delivery in acidic environments, such as tumors

Physical and biological effects of paclitaxel encapsulation on disteraroylphosphatidylethanolamine-polyethyleneglycol polymeric micelles.

Simple size observations of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-2000] (DSPE-mPEG2000) polymeric micelles (PM) with different compositions including or not paclitaxel (PTX) are unable to evidence changes on the nanocarrier structure. In such system a detailed characterization using highly sensitive techniques such as X-ray scattering and asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering and dynamic light scattering (AF4-MALS-DLS) is mandatory to observe effects that take place by the addition of PTX and/or more lipid-polymer at PM, leading to complex changes on the structure of micelles, as well as in their supramolecular organization. SAXS and AF4-MALS-DLS suggested that PM can be found in the medium separately and highly organized, forming clusters of PM in the latter case. SAXS fitted parameters showed that adding the drug does not change the average PM size since the increase in core radius is compensated by the decrease in shell radius. SAXS observations indicate that PEG conformation takes place, changing from brush to mushroom depending on the PM composition. These findings directly reflect in in vivo studies of blood clearance that showed a longer circulation time of blank PM when compared to PM containing PTX

Structural and magnetic confinement of holes in the spin-polarized emission of coupled quantum ring–quantum dot chains

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Development of a bone-targeted pH-sensitive liposomal formulation containing doxorubicin: physicochemical characterization, cytotoxicity, and biodistribution evaluation in a mouse model of bone metastasis

Background: Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, the treatment of bone tumors remains a major challenge. A possible underlying hypothesis, limitation, and unmet need may be the inability of therapeutics to penetrate into dense bone mineral, which can lead to poor efficacy and high toxicity, due to drug uptake in healthy organs. The development of nanostructured formulations with high affinity for bone could be an interesting approach to overcome these challenges. Purpose To develop a liposomal formulation with high affinity for hydroxyapatite and the ability to release doxorubicin (DOX) in an acidic environment for future application as a tool for treatment of bone metastases. Materials and methods Liposomes were prepared by thin-film lipid hydration, followed by extrusion and the sulfate gradient-encapsulation method. Liposomes were characterized by average diameter, ζ-potential, encapsulation percentage, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Release studies in buffer (pH 7.4 or 5), plasma, and serum, as well as hydroxyapatite-affinity in vitro analysis were performed. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay against the MDA-MB-231 cell line, and biodistribution was assessed in bone metastasis-bearing animals. Results: Liposomes presented suitable diameter (~170 nm), DOX encapsulation (~2 mg/mL), controlled release, and good plasma and serum stability. The existence of interactions between DOX and the lipid bilayer was proved through differential scanning calorimetry and small-angle X-ray scattering. DOX release was faster when the pH was in the range of a tumor than at physiological pH. The bone-targeted formulation showed a strong affinity for hydroxyapatite. The encapsulation of DOX did not interfere in its intrinsic cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Biodistribution studies demonstrated high affinity of this formulation for tumors and reduction of uptake in the heart. Conclusion: These results suggest that bone-targeted pH-sensitive liposomes containing DOX can be an interesting strategy for selectively delivering this drug into bone-tumor sites, increasing its activity, and reducing DOX-related toxicity