Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 108 in total

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  1. Atomic force microscopy as a tool for asymmetric polymeric membrane characterization
    Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Lim YP, Indok Nurul Hasyimah Mohd Amin, Rafeqah Raslan, Hilal N
    Sains Malaysiana, 2011;40.
    Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has a wide range of applications and is rapidly growing in research and development. This powerful technique has been used to visualize surfaces both in liquid or gas media. It has been considered as an effective tool to investigate the surface structure for its ability to generate high-resolution 3D images at a subnanometer range without sample pretreatment. In this paper, the use of AFM to characterize the membrane roughness is presented for commercial and self-prepared membranes for specific applications. Surface roughness has been regarded as one of the most important surface properties, and has significant effect in membrane permeability and fouling behaviour. Several scan areas were used to compare surface roughness for different membrane samples. Characterization of the surfaces was achieved by measuring the average roughness (Ra) and root mean square roughness (Rrms) of the membrane. AFM image shows that the membrane surface was composed entirely of peaks and valleys. Surface roughness is substantially greater for commercial available hydrophobic membranes, in contrast to self-prepared membranes. This study also shows that foulants deposited on membrane surface would increase the membrane roughness.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  2. Effect of TMAH etching duration on the formation of silicon nanowire transistor patterned by AFM nanolithography
    Hutagalung SD, Lew KC
    Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:1023-1028.
    Atomic force microscopy (AFM) lithography was applied to produce nanoscale pattern for silicon nanowire transistor fabrication. This technique takes advantage of imaging facility of AFM and the ability of probe movement controlling over the sample surface to create nanopatterns. A conductive AFM tip was used to grow the silicon oxide nanopatterns on silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. The applied tip-sample voltage and writing speed were well controlled in order to form pre-designed silicon oxide nanowire transistor structures. The effect of tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) etching duration on the oxide covered silicon nanowire transistor structure has been investigated. A completed silicon nanowire transistor was obtained by removing the oxide layer via hydrofluoric acid etching process. The fabricated silicon nanowire transistor consists of a silicon nanowire that acts as a channel with source and drain pads. A lateral gate pad with a nanowire head was fabricated very close to the channel in the formation of transistor structures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  3. Nanoscale patterning by AFM lithography and its application on the fabrication of silicon nanowire devices
    Hutagalung SD, Kam CL, Darsono T
    Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:267-272.
    Many techniques have been applied to fabricate nanostructures via top-down approach such as electron beam lithography. However, most of the techniques are very complicated and involves many process steps, high cost operation as well as the use of hazardous chemicals. Meanwhile, atomic force microscopy (AFM) lithography is a simple technique which is considered maskless and involves only an average cost and less complexity. In AFM lithography, the movement of a probe tip can be controlled to create nanoscale patterns on sample surface. For silicon nanowire (SiNW) fabrication, a conductive tip was operated in non-contact AFM mode to grow nanoscale oxide patterns on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer surface based on local anodic oxidation (LAO) mechanism. The patterned structure was etched through two steps of wet etching processes. First, the TMAH was used as the etchant solution for Si removing. In the second step, diluted HF was used to remove oxide mask in order to produce a completed SiNW based devices. A SiNW based device which is formed by a nanowire channel, source and drain pads with lateral gate structures can be fabricated by well controlling the lithography process (applied tip voltage and writing speed) as well as the etching processes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  4. Characterizations of cupric oxide thin films on glass and silicon substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering
    Ooi P, Ching C, Ahmad M, Ng S, Abdullah M, Abu Hassan H, et al.
    Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:617-621.
    Cupric oxide (CuO) thin films were prepared on a glass and silicon (Si) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering system. The structural, optical and electrical properties of CuO films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (xRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ultra-violet visible spectrophotometer, respectively, four point probe techniques and Keithley 4200 semiconductor characterization system. The xRD result showed that single phase CuO thin films with monoclinic structure were obtained. AFM showed well organized nano-pillar morphology with root mean square surface roughness for CuO thin films on glass and Si substrates were 3.64 and 1.91 nm, respectively. Infrared reflectance spectra shown a single reflection peak which is corresponding to CuO optical phonon mode and it confirmed that only existence of CuO composition on both substrates. The optical direct band gap energy of the CuO film grown on glass substrate, which is calculated from the optical transmission measurement was 1.37 eV. Finally, it was found that the deposited CuO films are resistive and the palladium formed ohmic contact for CuO on glass and schottky contact for CuO on Si.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  5. DNA Morphology: Global Alteration of DNA Topological States Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents and Its Implication in Cancer
    Ahammed KS, Pachal S, Majumdar P, Dutta S
    Chembiochem, 2023 Apr 17;24(8):e202200715.
    PMID: 36747378 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200715
    The dynamic topological states of chromosomal DNA regulate many cellular fundamental processes universally in all three domains of life, that is, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. DNA-binding proteins maintain the regional and global supercoiling of the chromosome and thereby regulate the chromatin architecture that ultimately influences the gene expression network and other DNA-centric molecular events in various microenvironments and growth phases. DNA-binding small molecules are pivotal weapons for treating a wide range of cancers. Recent advances in single-molecule biophysical tools have uncovered the fact that many DNA-binding ligands not only alter the regional DNA supercoiling but also modulate the overall morphology of DNA. Here we provide insight into recent advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) acquired DNA structural change induced by therapeutically important mono- and bis-intercalating anticancer agents as well as DNA-adduct-forming anticancer drugs. We also emphasize the growing evidence of the mechanistic relevance of changes in DNA topology in the anticancer cellular responses of DNA-targeting chemotherapeutic agents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  6. Fulltext SnO2/Pt thin film laser ablated gas sensor array
    Shahrokh Abadi MH, Hamidon MN, Shaari AH, Abdullah N, Wagiran R
    Sensors (Basel), 2011;11(8):7724-35.
    PMID: 22164041 DOI: 10.3390/s110807724
    A gas sensor array was developed in a 10 × 10 mm(2) space using Screen Printing and Pulse Laser Ablation Deposition (PLAD) techniques. Heater, electrode, and an insulator interlayer were printed using the screen printing method on an alumina substrate, while tin oxide and platinum films, as sensing and catalyst layers, were deposited on the electrode at room temperature using the PLAD method, respectively. To ablate SnO(2) and Pt targets, depositions were achieved by using a 1,064 nm Nd-YAG laser, with a power of 0.7 J/s, at different deposition times of 2, 5 and 10 min, in an atmosphere containing 0.04 mbar (4 kPa) of O(2). A range of spectroscopic diffraction and real space imaging techniques, SEM, EDX, XRD, and AFM were used in order to characterize the surface morphology, structure, and composition of the films. Measurement on the array shows sensitivity to some solvent and wood smoke can be achieved with short response and recovery times.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force/methods
  7. Fulltext A Review of Cell Adhesion Studies for Biomedical and Biological Applications
    Khalili AA, Ahmad MR
    Int J Mol Sci, 2015 Aug 05;16(8):18149-84.
    PMID: 26251901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160818149
    Cell adhesion is essential in cell communication and regulation, and is of fundamental importance in the development and maintenance of tissues. The mechanical interactions between a cell and its extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence and control cell behavior and function. The essential function of cell adhesion has created tremendous interests in developing methods for measuring and studying cell adhesion properties. The study of cell adhesion could be categorized into cell adhesion attachment and detachment events. The study of cell adhesion has been widely explored via both events for many important purposes in cellular biology, biomedical, and engineering fields. Cell adhesion attachment and detachment events could be further grouped into the cell population and single cell approach. Various techniques to measure cell adhesion have been applied to many fields of study in order to gain understanding of cell signaling pathways, biomaterial studies for implantable sensors, artificial bone and tooth replacement, the development of tissue-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip in tissue engineering, the effects of biochemical treatments and environmental stimuli to the cell adhesion, the potential of drug treatments, cancer metastasis study, and the determination of the adhesion properties of normal and cancerous cells. This review discussed the overview of the available methods to study cell adhesion through attachment and detachment events.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force/methods
  8. Quantifying the ultrastructure changes of air-dried and irradiated human amniotic membrane using atomic force microscopy: a preliminary study
    Mohd S, Ghazali MI, Yusof N, Sulaiman S, Ramalingam S, Kamarul T, et al.
    Cell Tissue Bank, 2018 Dec;19(4):613-622.
    PMID: 30056604 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-018-9711-4
    Air-dried and sterilized amnion has been widely used as a dressing to treat burn and partial thickness wounds. Sterilisation at the standard dose of 25 kGy was reported to cause changes in the morphological structure as observed under the scanning electron microscope. This study aimed to quantify the changes in the ultrastructure of the air-dried amnion after gamma-irradiated at several doses by using atomic force microscope. Human placentae were retrieved from mothers who had undergone cesarean elective surgery. Amnion separated from chorion was processed and air-dried for 16 h. It was cut into 10 × 10 mm, individually packed and exposed to gamma irradiation at 5, 15, 25 and 35 kGy. Changes in the ultrastructural images of the amnion were quantified in term of diameter of the epithelial cells, size of the intercellular gap and membrane surface roughness. The longest diameter of the amnion cells reduced significantly after radiation (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force*
  9. Fulltext Thickness Dependent Nanostructural, Morphological, Optical and Impedometric Analyses of Zinc Oxide-Gold Hybrids: Nanoparticle to Thin Film
    Perumal V, Hashim U, Gopinath SC, Haarindraprasad R, Liu WW, Poopalan P, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(12):e0144964.
    PMID: 26694656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144964
    The creation of an appropriate thin film is important for the development of novel sensing surfaces, which will ultimately enhance the properties and output of high-performance sensors. In this study, we have fabricated and characterized zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films on silicon substrates, which were hybridized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to obtain ZnO-Aux (x = 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 nm) hybrid structures with different thicknesses. Nanoscale imaging by field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed increasing film uniformity and coverage with the Au deposition thickness. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the AuNPs exhibit an increasing average diameter (5-10 nm). The face center cubic Au were found to co-exist with wurtzite ZnO nanostructure. Atomic force microscopy observations revealed that as the Au content increased, the overall crystallite size increased, which was supported by X-ray diffraction measurements. The structural characterizations indicated that the Au on the ZnO crystal lattice exists without any impurities in a preferred orientation (002). When the ZnO thickness increased from 10 to 40 nm, transmittance and an optical bandgap value decreased. Interestingly, with 50 nm thickness, the band gap value was increased, which might be due to the Burstein-Moss effect. Photoluminescence studies revealed that the overall structural defect (green emission) improved significantly as the Au deposition increased. The impedance measurements shows a decreasing value of impedance arc with increasing Au thicknesses (0 to 40 nm). In contrast, the 50 nm AuNP impedance arc shows an increased value compared to lower sputtering thicknesses, which indicated the presence of larger sized AuNPs that form a continuous film, and its ohmic characteristics changed to rectifying characteristics. This improved hybrid thin film (ZnO/Au) is suitable for a wide range of sensing applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  10. Fulltext Effect of ultraviolet light irradiation on bond strength of fiber post: Evaluation of surface characteristic and bonded area of fiber post with resin cement
    Reza F, Ibrahim NS
    Eur J Dent, 2015 2 26;9(1):74-79.
    PMID: 25713488 DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.149646
    OBJECTIVE: Fiber post is cemented to a root canal to restore coronal tooth structure. This research aims to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on bond strength of fiber post with resin cement.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 of the two types of fiber posts, namely, FRC Prostec (FRC) and Fiber KOR (KOR), were used for the experiment. UV irradiation was applied on top of the fiber post surface for 0, 15, 20, and 30 min. The irradiated surface of the fiber posts (n = 5) were immediately bonded with resin cement (Rely X U200) after UV irradiation. Shear bond strength (SBS) MPa was measured, and the dislodged area of post surfaces was examined with scanning electron microscopes. Changes in surface roughness (Ra) of the FRC group after UV irradiation were observed (n = 3) using atomic force microscopy. Data of SBS were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by multiple comparisons (P < 0.05).

    RESULTS: SBS was significantly higher for 20 min of UV irradiation of the FRC group while significantly higher SBS was observed with 15 min of UV irradiation of the KOR group. Resin cement was more evident (cohesive failure) on the dislodged post surface of the UV treated groups compared with the control. The surface roughness of the FRC post was Ra = 175.1 nm and Ra = 929.2 nm for the control and the 20 min group, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: Higher surface roughness of the UV irradiated group indicated formation of mechanical retention on the fiber post surface. Evidence of cohesive failure was observed which indicated higher SBS of fiber post with the UV irradiated group.

    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  11. Fulltext Biophysical properties of intrinsically disordered p130Cas substrate domain--implication in mechanosensing
    Hotta K, Ranganathan S, Liu R, Wu F, Machiyama H, Gao R, et al.
    PLoS Comput Biol, 2014 Apr;10(4):e1003532.
    PMID: 24722239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003532
    Mechanical stretch-induced tyrosine phosphorylation in the proline-rich 306-residue substrate domain (CasSD) of p130Cas (or BCAR1) has eluded an experimentally validated structural understanding. Cellular p130Cas tyrosine phosphorylation is shown to function in areas without internal actomyosin contractility, sensing force at the leading edge of cell migration. Circular dichroism shows CasSD is intrinsically disordered with dominant polyproline type II conformations. Strongly conserved in placental mammals, the proline-rich sequence exhibits a pseudo-repeat unit with variation hotspots 2-9 residues before substrate tyrosine residues. Atomic-force microscopy pulling experiments show CasSD requires minimal extension force and exhibits infrequent, random regions of weak stability. Proteolysis, light scattering and ultracentrifugation results show that a monomeric intrinsically disordered form persists for CasSD in solution with an expanded hydrodynamic radius. All-atom 3D conformer sampling with the TraDES package yields ensembles in agreement with experiment when coil-biased sampling is used, matching the experimental radius of gyration. Increasing β-sampling propensities increases the number of prolate conformers. Combining the results, we conclude that CasSD has no stable compact structure and is unlikely to efficiently autoinhibit phosphorylation. Taking into consideration the structural propensity of CasSD and the fact that it is known to bind to LIM domains, we propose a model of how CasSD and LIM domain family of transcription factor proteins may function together to regulate phosphorylation of CasSD and effect machanosensing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  12. Fulltext Structural and optical properties of ITO/TiO2 anti-reflective films for solar cell applications
    Ali K, Khan SA, Jafri MZ
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2014;9(1):175.
    PMID: 24721986 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-175
    Indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) were deposited on a (100) P-type monocrystalline Si substrate by a radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Polycrystalline ITO and anatase TiO2 films were obtained at room temperature (RT). The thickness of ITO (60 to 64 nm) and TiO2 (55 to 60 nm) films was optimized, considering the optical response in the 400- to 1,000-nm wavelength range. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The XRD analysis showed preferential orientation along (211) and (222) for ITO and (200) and (211) for TiO2 films. The XRD analysis showed that crystalline ITO/TiO2 films could be formed at RT. The crystallite strain measurements showed compressive strain for ITO and TiO2 films. The measured average optical reflectance was about 12% and 10% for the ITO and TiO2 ARCs, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  13. Characterization of fatty acid liposome coated with low-molecular-weight chitosan
    Tan HW, Misran M
    J Liposome Res, 2012 Dec;22(4):329-35.
    PMID: 22881198 DOI: 10.3109/08982104.2012.700459
    Preparation of chitosan-coated fatty acid liposomes is often restricted by the solubility of chitosan under basic conditions. In this experiment, the preparation of chitosan-coated oleic acid (OA) liposomes using low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan (10 and 25 kDA) was demonstrated. These selected LMW chitosans are water soluble. The coating of the chitosan layer on OA liposomes was confirmed by its microscope images and physicochemical properties, such as zeta potential and the size of the liposomes. The "peeling off" effect on the surface of chitosan-coated OA liposomes was observed in the atomic force microscope images and showed the occurrence of the chitosan layer on the surface of OA liposomes. The size of the chitosan-coated liposomes was at least 20 nm smaller than the OA liposomes, and the increase of zeta potential with the increasing amount of LMW chitosan further confirmed the presence of the surface modification of OA liposomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  14. Fulltext Simple room-temperature preparation of high-yield large-area graphene oxide
    Huang NM, Lim HN, Chia CH, Yarmo MA, Muhamad MR
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2011;6:3443-8.
    PMID: 22267928 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S26812
    Graphene has attracted much attention from researchers due to its interesting mechanical, electrochemical, and electronic properties. It has many potential applications such as polymer filler, sensor, energy conversion, and energy storage devices. Graphene-based nanocomposites are under an intense spotlight amongst researchers. A large amount of graphene is required for preparation of such samples. Lately, graphene-based materials have been the target for fundamental life science investigations. Despite graphene being a much sought-after raw material, the drawbacks in the preparation of graphene are that it is a challenge amongst researchers to produce this material in a scalable quantity and that there is a concern about its safety. Thus, a simple and efficient method for the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) is greatly desired to address these problems. In this work, one-pot chemical oxidation of graphite was carried out at room temperature for the preparation of large-area GO with ~100% conversion. This high-conversion preparation of large-area GO was achieved using a simplified Hummer's method from large graphite flakes (an average flake size of 500 μm). It was found that a high degree of oxidation of graphite could be realized by stirring graphite in a mixture of acids and potassium permanganate, resulting in GO with large lateral dimension and area, which could reach up to 120 μm and ~8000 μm(2), respectively. The simplified Hummer's method provides a facile approach for the preparation of large-area GO.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  15. Fulltext Time-dependent effect in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles
    Darroudi M, Ahmad MB, Zamiri R, Zak AK, Abdullah AH, Ibrahim NA
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2011;6:677-81.
    PMID: 21556342 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S17669
    The application of "green" chemistry rules to nanoscience and nanotechnology is very important in the preparation of various nanomaterials. In this work, we successfully developed an eco-friendly chemistry method for preparing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in natural polymeric media. The colloidal Ag-NPs were synthesized in an aqueous solution using silver nitrate, gelatin, and glucose as a silver precursor, stabilizer, and reducing agent, respectively. The properties of synthesized colloidal Ag-NPs were studied at different reaction times. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra were in excellent agreement with the obtained nanostructure studies performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and their size distributions. The prepared samples were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The use of eco-friendly reagents, such as gelatin and glucose, provides green and economic attributes to this work.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  16. Fulltext Characterization of mixed xWO3(1-x)Y2O3 nanoparticle thick film for gas sensing application
    Abadi MH, Hamidon MN, Shaari AH, Abdullah N, Misron N, Wagiran R
    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(5):5074-89.
    PMID: 22399925 DOI: 10.3390/s100505074
    Microstructural, topology, inner morphology, and gas-sensitivity of mixed xWO(3)(1-x)Y(2)O(3) nanoparticles (x = 1, 0.95, 0.9, 0.85, 0.8) thick-film semiconductor gas sensors were studied. The surface topography and inner morphological properties of the mixed powder and sensing film were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, gas sensitivity properties of the printed films were evaluated in the presence of methane (CH(4)) and butane (C(4)H(10)) at up to 500 °C operating temperature of the sensor. The results show that the doping agent can modify some structural properties and gas sensitivity of the mixed powder.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  17. Fulltext Properties and Characterization of New Approach Organic Nanoparticle-Based Biocomposite Board
    Ismail I, Arliyani, Jalil Z, Mursal, Olaiya NG, Abdullah CK, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2020 Sep 28;12(10).
    PMID: 32998404 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102236
    Conventionally, panel boards are produced with material flex or microparticle with P.U. or U.F. as adhesives. However, in this study, nanoparticle with epoxy resin as an adhesive was used to produce nanoboard. Coconut shell nanoparticle composite with epoxy resin as an adhesive was prepared using a compression molding technique. The coconut shell particles were originally 200 mesh size and then milled mechanically with a ball mill for the duration of 10, 20, 30, and 40 h (milling times) to produce nanoparticles. The composition ratio of the composite is 85 vol.% of coconut shell and 15 vol.% of epoxy resin. The formation of nanoparticles was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical, physical, and microstructure properties of the composite were examined with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and universal testing machine. The results established that the properties of the composite (microstructures, mechanical, and physical) are influenced by the duration of milling of coconut shell particles. The modulus and flexural strength of the composite improved with an increase in the milling time. The density, thickness swelling, and porosity of the composite were also influenced by the milling times. The result suggested that the composite properties were influenced by the particle size of the coconut shell. The coconut shell nanoparticle composite can be used in the manufacturing of hybrid panels and board.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  18. Interfacial Mechanical Strength Enhancement for High-Performance ZnS Thin-Film Anodes
    Jiang H, Peng H, Guo H, Zeng Y, Li L, Zhang Y, et al.
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2020 Nov 18;12(46):51344-51356.
    PMID: 33146507 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13139
    Thin-film lithium-ion microbatteries with a high energy density and long lifespan are exceedingly desired for developing self-powered integrated micro-nano devices and systems. However, exploring high-performance thin-film anodes still remains a challenge. Herein, a double-layer-structure diamond-like carbon-ZnS (DLC-ZnS) thin-film anode fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering exhibits high specific capacity and good cycling stability up to 1000 cycles, superior to the pure ZnS thin-film anode. To understand the mechanism, the bimodal amplitude modulated-frequency modulated atomic force microscopy was used to explore the mechanical properties of the thin films, and the DLC layer shows significantly higher Young's modulus than the ZnS thin film. The DLC interface with a high Young's modulus can effectively buffer the mechanical stress originating from the huge volume changes of the ZnS layer during lithiation/delithiation processes; therefore, the DLC interface maintains the higher mechanical integrity of the DLC-ZnS thin film and improves the utilization of ZnS. In addition, the electrochemical kinetics of the DLC-ZnS and ZnS thin films were also investigated by electrochemical methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests indicate the obstacle of the DLC interface to Li+ ion diffusion in the initial charge/discharge processes; however, the DLC-ZnS thin film exhibits lower total resistance than the ZnS thin film afterward. In particular, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique tests were performed to find out the differences between the two thin films during the galvanostatical charge/discharge processes. The results demonstrate the obviously enhanced conversion reaction reversibility and decreased alloy reaction polarization of the DLC-ZnS thin film; therefore, it delivers higher reversible capacity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  19. Fulltext Antifouling Properties of PES Membranes by Blending with ZnO Nanoparticles and NMP⁻Acetone Mixture as Solvent
    Ahmad AL, Sugumaran J, Shoparwe NF
    Membranes (Basel), 2018 Dec 14;8(4).
    PMID: 30558199 DOI: 10.3390/membranes8040131
    In this study, the antifouling properties of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes blended with different amounts of ZnO nanoparticles and a fixed ratio of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)-acetone mixture as a solvent were investigated. The properties and performance of the fabricated membranes were examined in terms of hydrophilicity, porosity, pore size, surface and cross-section image using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface roughness using atomic force microscopy (AFM), pure water flux, and humic acid filtration. Addition of ZnO as expected was found to improve the hydrophilicity as well as to encourage pore formation. However, the agglomeration of ZnO at a higher concentration cannot be avoided even when dissolved in a mixed solvent. The presence of highly volatile acetone contributed to the tight skin layer of the membrane which shows remarkable antifouling ability with the highest flux recovery ratio and negligible irreversible fouling. ZnO NPs in acetone/NMP mixed solvent shows an improvement in flux and rejection, but, the fouling resistance was moderate compared to the pristine membrane.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
  20. Fulltext Antiamoebic activity of plant-based natural products and their conjugated silver nanoparticles against Acanthamoeba castellanii (ATCC 50492)
    Anwar A, Ting ELS, Anwar A, Ain NU, Faizi S, Shah MR, et al.
    AMB Express, 2020 Feb 03;10(1):24.
    PMID: 32016777 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-020-0960-9
    Acanthamoeba spp. are the causative agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The current options to treat Acanthamoeba infections have limited success. Silver nanoparticles show antimicrobial effects and enhance the efficacy of their payload at the specific biological targets. Natural folk plants have been widely used for treating diseases as the phytochemicals from several plants have been shown to exhibit amoebicidal effects. Herein, we used natural products of plant or commercial sources including quercetin (QT), kolavenic acid (PGEA) isolated from plant extracts of Polyalthia longifolia var pendula and crude plant methanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (CPFLM) as antiacanthamoebic agents. Furthermore, these plant-based materials were conjugated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to determine the effects of the natural compounds and their nanoconjugates against a clinical isolate of A. castellanii from a keratitis patient (ATCC 50492) belonging to the T4 genotype. The compounds were conjugated with AgNPs and characterized by using ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry and atomic force microscopy. Quercetin coated silver nanoparticles (QT-AgNPs) showed characteristic surface plasmon resonance band at 443 nm and the average size distribution was found to be around 45 nm. The natural compounds alone and their nanoconjugates were tested for the viability of amoebae, encystation and excystation activity against A. castellanii. The natural compounds showed significant growth inhibition of A. castellanii while QT-AgNPs specifically exhibited enhanced antiamoebic effects as well as interrupted the encystation and excystation activity of the amoebae. Interestingly, these compounds and nanoconjugates did not exhibit in vitro cytotoxic effects against human cells. Plant-based compounds and extracts could be an interesting strategy in development of alternative therapeutics against Acanthamoeba infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Atomic Force
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