Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization Of Semiconductor Refrigeration Cold Stage Usage Conditions And Its Application In High Moisture Content Samples In Scanning Electron Mmicroscopy, Chen Xiyan, Wei Lanlan, Kang Jingquan, Duan Hui, Fan Ningjuan

Food and Machinery

Objective: To effectively solve the difficulty of observing the electron microstructure of samples with high water content. Methods: A series of samples with high water content were observed by conventional scanning electron microscope with a new mode instrument combination of semiconductor cold cooling table. Results: Under the conditions of conductive tape as matrix, voltage 5 kV, electron beam spot of 50 or 60, and cold table temperature of 4 ℃, the sample with high water content did not need to be fixed and dehydrated, and its microstructure could be directly imaged under the scanning electron microscope to observe its microstructure. …

A Super-Hard High Entropy Boride Containing Hf, Mo, Ti, V, And W, Suzana Filipovic, Nina Obradovic, Greg E. Hilmas, William G. Fahrenholtz, Donald W. Brenner, Jon Paul Maria, Douglas E. Wolfe, Eva Zurek, Xiomara Campilongo, Stefano Curtarolo

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Super-Hard (Hf,Mo,Ti,V,W)B2 Was Synthesized by Boro-Carbothermal Reduction and Densified by Spark Plasma Sintering. This Composition Was Produced for the First Time as a Single-Phase Ceramic in the Present Research. the Optimized Ceramic Had a Single Hexagonal AlB2-Type Crystalline Phase with a Grain Size of 3.8 µm and Homogeneous Distribution of the Constituent Metals. the Vickers Hardness Exhibited the Indentation Size Effect, Increasing from 27 GPa at a Load of 9.8 N to as High as 66 GPa at a Load of 0.49 N. This is the Highest Hardness Reported to Date for High Entropy Boride Ceramics.

Thin Film Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Nanostructured Materials: Tailoring Size, Porosity, Morphology Of Zinc Stannate Perovskites (Abx3), Christopher Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

Three dimensional (3D) piezoelectric zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) nanoweb arrays are synthesized using a combination of treatment methods deposited in PDMS thin films for electrochemical analysis of its piezoelectric response. Advantages of hydrothermal, molten salt, and solvothermal synthesis methods were leveraged to facilitate several chemical and surface engineering techniques. The combination of these treatments reduce the size of zinc stannate to approximately ~40nm-80nm weblike networks, much smaller than previously reported ZnSnO3 sub-micro cubes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis reveal a mesoporous protonated tristannate (H2Sn3O7) nanoweb template with connecting wirelike strands having diameters ranging from 12-27nm across and …

Synthesis, Sintering, And Electronic Conductivity Studies Of Medium- And High-Entropy Perovskite Oxides, Sai Ram Gajjala

Dissertations

The application of the entropy concept to stabilize oxide systems opens the possibility of discovering new materials with unique structural and functional properties. High-entropy alloys and oxides, which are based on the entropy stabilization concept and composed of multi-principal elements, have the potential to tailor structural and functional properties to meet specific needs. The study of lanthanum-based perovskite materials that benefit from the entropy stabilization approach is a promising area of research.However, the inherent randomness of multi-principal elements presents new challenges, making it difficult to predict their behavior. To understand these difficulties, we have initiated a methodical investigation of La-based …

Ohio Wesleyan Bacillus Collection Student Research, Madeline Russell, Nandini Arora, Emily Bode, Morgan Chmielenski, Rebecca Coppenbarger, Ginny Faeth, Carianne Hutchison, Mindi Klaus, Jonna Mendenhall, Natalia Molotievskiy, Jess Nichols, Jennifer Paul, Brynn Schlesinger, Olivia Smith, Myles Steed, Abby Thierauf, Ivan Vore

Student Symposium

This semester students in BIOL 328 Bacterial Physiology lab worked in teams on a laboratory project that they devised, developed, and conducted. Each group met weekly with Dr. Tuhela-Reuning and Maddy Russell during the first third of the semester to develop a research project that involved the Bacillus culture collection at OWU. The Bacillus collection contains over 3000 isolates of Bacillus obtained from wild songbirds in Ohio, Arizona, and Washington, and many of these isolates degrade feathers. Student projects involved quantification of bird feather degradation by several Bacillus isolates, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of biofilms and feather, possible correlation of …

Comparative Leaf Water Absorption Between Chaparral Island And Mainland Taxa: A Common Garden Experiment, Humera S. Mirza, Lauren M. Tucker, Rodrigo Méndez-Alonzo, Edward G. Bobich, Frank W. Ewers

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

In California and other Mediterranean-type ecosystems, island species are typically exposed to more fog but less rain than mainland species. Because adaptations to absorb water from fog may conflict with those to minimize water loss, we hypothesized that island species should have greater fog absorption than their mainland congeners due to foliar uptake but at the cost of modifying other leaf structural and functional traits. To determine whether foliar water absorption is an adaptation to insularity, we compared seven physiological and anatomical leaf traits between congeneric island and mainland species of two genera, Ceanothus and Arctostaphylos, in a common …

Arterial Vascularization Of The Spleen In Merino Sheep, Melek Tosun, Şükrü Hakan Atalgin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study, it is aimed to reach detailed information about the anatomy of arteries in the sheep spleen, which can be used as an example and model for the success of planned or emergency surgical interventions related to the spleen. In spleen injuries, the spleen may be divided into two or three parts, or it may be limited to cracks on the spleen. In particular, it is aimed to protect the organs that have been damaged by trauma recently. Operations such as splenectomy and splenography are surgical procedures that require good knowledge of the pathways of artery and its …

“Revisiting The Past”: A Redescription Of Physaloptera Retusa (Nemata, Physalopteridae) From Material Deposited In Museums And New Material From Amazon Lizards = “Revisitando O Passado”: Uma Redescrição De Physaloptera Retusa (Nemata, Physalopteridae) A Partir De Material Depositado Em Museus E Novo Material De Lagartos Amazônicos, Lílian Cristina Macedo, Yuri Willkens, Leandro Maurício Oliveira Da Silva, Scott Lyell Gardner, Francisco Tiago De Vasconcelos Melo, Jeannie Nascimento Dos Santos

Scott L. Gardner Publications

Abstract

Physaloptera Rudolphi, 1819 is a genus of nematodes that includes approximately 100 species parasitic in vertebrates around the world. From these, approximately 30 occur in the Neotropical region, with nine reported from neotropical reptiles. Physaloptera spp. are recognized by their distinct morphology of the apical end and characters of the reproductive system. However, despite the fact that the morphological characters for species diagnosis have been firmly established, we frequently find identification problems regarding poorly detailed descriptions and poorly preserved specimens. These may lead to taxonomic incongruencies. Physaloptera retusa (Rudolphi, 1819) is the most common species of the genus and …

Ultrasensitive Tapered Optical Fiber Refractive Index, Erem Ujah, Meimei Lai, Gymama Slaughter

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Refractive index (RI) sensors are of great interest for label-free optical biosensing. A tapered optical fiber (TOF) RI sensor with micron-sized waist diameters can dramatically enhance sensor sensitivity by reducing the mode volume over a long distance. Here, a simple and fast method is used to fabricate highly sensitive refractive index sensors based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Two TOFs (l = 5 mm) with waist diameters of 5 µm and 12 µm demonstrated sensitivity enhancement at λ = 1559 nm for glucose sensing (5-45 wt%) at room temperature. The optical power transmission decreased with increasing glucose concentration due …

Seed Morphology Of Some Plantago (Plantaginaceae) Species In Iran And Its Systematic And Phylogenetic Implications, Saeed Mohsenzadeh, Masoud Sheidai, Fahimeh Koohdar

Turkish Journal of Botany

Plantago is a cosmopolitan genus with approximately 200 species and various infrageneric classifications have been reported. In this study, the seed morphologies of 19 species of Plantago from Iran were studied and documented in detail using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The studied species were grouped by using statistical analyses such as a minimum spherical cluster method based on Euclidean distance, principal coordinate analysis, and multidimentional scaling. We have described four types based on the seed shape and states of the inner side of the studied seeds: convex- angular type, convex-elliptic type, flat-elliptic type, and concave-elliptic type. In this …

Key To Isotomidae (Collembola) Of Iran And A Photographic Guide Of Key Characters Of Species, Elham Yoosefi Lafooraki, Jalil Hajizadeh, Masoumeh Shayanmehr, Reza Hosseini, Pietro Paolo Fanciulli

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Present work deals with providing an identification key to 60 Iranian species of the family Isotomidae. The photographic support provided here, both light micrographs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures, can be used as a practical tool for researchers who are not well acquainted with the morphology of Isotomidae.

A New Study Of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis And The Microstructure Of Polyurethanefoams Filled, Noureddine Boumdouha, Zitouni Safidine, Achraf Boudiaf

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Polyurethane foams have good shock-absorbing properties. This article discusses the study of the physical, dynamic analysis, and microstructure of filled polyurethane foams (PUR). We used mineral fillings nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and calcium carbonate (C1) to support and strengthen the foam cell structure to develop shock absorption and thermal resistance properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and compression tests compared the mechanic characterization results with different modelling approaches. For studies of physicochemical properties, we used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). We deduced the flame retardancy mechanism. It appears that a detailed description of the characteristics of viscosity …

A Preliminary Investigation Into The Effects Of Lucilia Sericata (Meigen) Blow Fly Larval Feeding On Sharp Force Trauma (Sft) Wound Patterns In Decomposing Bones Of Sus Scrofa Domesticus, Erica L. Klafehn

Student Theses

An important aspect of forensic investigations involves the characterization and analysis of bone related trauma as this can provide valuable information regarding the manner and circumstances of death. Bone trauma can be classified into three main categories, which include Sharp Force Trauma (SFT), Blunt Force Trauma (BFT), and Gunshot Trauma. Previous experiments have explored SFT on flesh and bones, specifically made with knives or saws, coupled with various microscopic analytical methods. Minimal research has been done integrating both a forensic entomology and forensic anthropology approach, so it is imperative to understand previous literature detailing the behaviors of insects (blow flies), …

Wave Optics In Scanning Electron Microscopy, Surya Kamal

Theses

Better quality imaging is often needed for all optical instruments including the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Inside the SEM, an electron beam is generated by applying a voltage to the electron gun. The electron beam propagates through the SEM column and illuminates the specimen with a small probe. Our research is oriented towards the end goal of obtaining better images by modeling the SEM column which contains the lens system needed for probe formation. This probe which scans the specimen to produce the final image is one of the pivotal factors which determines the fundamental resolution of a SEM. We …

Evaluation Of The Potential Of Automated Sem-Eds Analysis For The Discrimination Of Inorganic Soil Particles, Anna S. Duggar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Soil, that complex mixture of minerals, organic particles, chemicals, and anthropogenic materials, is ubiquitous and easily transferred, which gives it forensic relevance. Forensic soil analysis has traditionally included the identification and comparison of both organic and inorganic components, the inorganic portion being most commonly examined by light microscopy and other instrumental techniques. Predominantly, the inorganic materials in soil are naturally-occurring minerals, contributed as grains from the surrounding bedrock, which gives a soil its regional character. That parent material then undergoes physical, chemical, and anthropogenic changes producing wide geographic variation within a single region. This variation forms the basis for potential …

Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Conditioned Root Dentin Promotes Attraction And Attachment Of Primary Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Real-Time Ex Vivo, Yeon Jee Yoo, Min Ji Kang, Hiran Perinpanayagam, Joo Cheol Park, Seung Ho Baek, Kee Yeon Kum

Dentistry Publications

This study investigated if non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) treatment of root dentin surfaces promotes human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSCs) adhesion. Freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth (n = 36) were decoronated and cut (first vertically, then horizontally) into root dentin slices (3 mm thick). Primary hDPSCs cultures were seeded onto slices randomly assigned to pretreatment groups (n = 9/group): NaOCl (1.5%), EDTA (17%) then NTAPP (Group I); NaOCl then NTAPP (Group II); NaOCl then EDTA (Group III); and NaOCl alone (Group IV). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT assay with log-linear statistical analysis. Cell attachment and spreading …

Using Quantitative Stereology On High Resolution Sem Images To Estimate Diatom Percentages, Ariadna Covarrubias Ornelas

Dissertations and Theses

Diatoms are single-celled organisms of various shapes and sizes typically found in aquatic environments. When diatoms die, the organic material decomposes, and the outer skeletons (i.e., frustules) settle and accumulate as sedimentary deposits. These soils, called diatomaceous soils, exhibit nontraditional behavior since the diatom particles are typically hollow skeletons composed of amorphous silica with intricately patterned and abrasive surfaces. Recent studies have shown that diatomaceous soils are challenging geomaterials since even a small percentage of diatom particles will notably affect engineering behavior. Furthermore, laboratory studies on diatomaceous soil mixtures have demonstrated that many engineering soil properties depend on the percentage …

Atomic Layer Deposition Of Sodium Fluoride Thin Films, Sara Kuraitis, Donghyeon Kang, Anil U. Mane, Hua Zhou, Jake Soares, Jeffrey W. Elam, Elton Graugnard

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The need for advanced energy conversion and storage devices remains a critical challenge amid the growing worldwide demand for renewable energy. Metal fluoride thin films are of great interest for applications in lithium-ion and emerging rechargeable battery technologies, particularly for enhancing the stability of the electrode-electrolyte interface and thereby extending battery cyclability and lifetime. Reported within, sodium fluoride (NaF) thin films were synthesized via atomic layer deposition (ALD). NaF growth experiments were carried out at reactor temperatures between 175 and 250 °C using sodium tert-butoxide and HF-pyridine solution. The optimal deposition temperature range was 175–200 °C, and the resulting …

Assessment Of Erythrocyte Morphology In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilotstudy Of Electron Microscopy-Based Analysis In Relation To Healthy Controls, Tülay Mortaş, Şenay Arikan Durmaz, Şaban Cem Sezen, Yasemi̇n Savranlar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The present study aimed to assess erythrocyte morphology in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using scanning electron microscopy. Materials and methods: In total, 30 patients admitted to endocrine outpatient clinics were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their fasting blood glucose levels: type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 15, fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 126 mg/dL) and control (n = 15, fasting blood glucose levels < 99 mg/dL). The patient's demographic characteristics, haemoglobin A1c levels, and scanning electron microscopy findings regarding erythrocyte morphology were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference between the control and type 2 diabetes mellitus group in terms of the participants' age (51.13 ± 8.53 vs. 50.33 ± 8.72 years, p = 0.8) and the male/female ratio (9/6 vs. 9/6). In the control group, discocytes were abundant, echinocytes were rare, and spherocytes were absent. On the other hand, discocytes were less common and echinocyte-shaped erythrocytes were more common in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group than in the control group. In addition, spherocytes were detected in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group. Moreover, the diameter of discocytes was significantly lower (p = 0.014), and blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05 for both) in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group than in the control group. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that high glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients lead to significant alterations in erythrocyte morphology, including decreased erythrocyte deformability and the formation of echinocytes and spherocytes due to eryptosis. The possibility of decreased erythrocyte deformability due to excessive eryptosis may disturb microcirculation in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who do not have any complications.

Achene Micromorphology Of The Genus Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) In Iran And Its Systematicapplication, Samira Sadeghi, Marzieh Beygom Faghir, Farideh Attar, Ali Alaami

Turkish Journal of Botany

Achene micromorphological evidence belonging to 32 species of Potentilla from Iran were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multivariate analysis was used to estimate the potential contribution of the quantitative and qualitative traits to the species relationships. Based on the present results, the achene micromorphological traits exhibited considerable variations. The SEM observations revealed 4 types of achene shapes, 4 main types and 6 sub types of surface patterns, 3 types of wax, 8 types, 15 subtypes, and 4 categories of sculpturing, 2 types of anticlinal cell boundaries, and 3 types of outer periclinal walls. In addition, the results demonstrated variations …

Post-Harvest Reduction Of Salmonella In Pork Trimming, Dishnu Sajeev

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the current study was to determine the efficacy of 3% acetic acid in reducing Salmonella in pork trimming and the effects of such treatment on meat quality. For 15-s dipping and 5-log CFU/pork cube inoculation, only 0.2- to 0.3-log reduction was observed (P ≤ 0.026). Acetic acid worked best at 75 s and 50°C, providing 1.4-log reduction (P < 0.001), damaging Salmonella cell membranes. When an inoculated pork cube was placed at the geometrical center of 2.3-kg pork trimming, dipping at 50°C for 75 s only reduced Salmonella by 0.2 log (P = 0.040). Although dipping slightly increased lightness (P < 0.001) and decreased redness (P ≤ 0.008) on the meat surface, no inside color change was detected (P = 0.120). Neither lipid oxidation (TBARS, P = 0.644), protein solubility (P = 0.187), nor water-holding capacity (P = 0.076) were affected by treatments.

Archaeology Or Crime Scene? Teeth Micro And Macro Structure Analysis As Dating Variable, Jessica A. Vincenty

Student Theses

Simple methods to aid in the determination of forensic or archaeologic relevancy of skeletonized remains have been researched since the 1950s. With advances in microscopic imaging techniques and machine learning computer data analysis methods the relevancy of decontextualized, comingled remains has room for improvement. This thesis is a study done to pioneer a new approach to analyzing dental skeletal remains to determine forensic relevancy.

Archaeological dental samples collected from the ancient city of Ur in modern day southern Iraq in addition to modern dental extractions were processed for scanning electron microscopy imaging. Archaeological and modern samples displayed different surface and …

Fibrinogen-Conjugated Gold-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles For Targeting Activated Platelets In A Whole Blood System, Cammy Nu Truong

Theses and Dissertations

Activated platelets are a key component of the arterial thrombi responsible for heart attack and stroke. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is currently the only FDA-approved drug for ischemic stroke. It works by dissolving fibrin, thus breaking down the clot and restoring blood flow to the brain. However, it must be administered within 4.5 hours of the onset of stroke. This leaves a significant number of patients who are ineligible for intervention and who have poor clinical outcomes. Additionally, tPA is not injury site-specific; consequently, the side effects range from mild to severe. We are investigating targeting activated platelets in occlusive …

Morphological Study Of The Lingual Papillae Of Jentink’S Flying Squirrel(Hylopetes Platyurus), Hevi Wihadmadyatami, Golda Rani Saragih, Geraldus Gunawan, Made Bagus Auriva Mataram, Ulayatul Kustiati, Dwi Liliek Kusindarta

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study describes the anatomy and histology of the tongue in the Jentink’s flying squirrel (Hylopetesplatyurus), a rodent native to Indonesia (Borneo and Sumatra). We examined the characteristics of the tongue using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). Macroscopic observations revealed three distinct regions: the apex, corpus (body) and radix (root). The dorsal surface of the apex was characterized by a median groove and lacked the lingual prominence that is common in many rodents. SEM and LM revealed the distribution of papillae over the dorsal surface of the tongue. The papillae could be categorized as mechanical papillae (filiform, …

Coal Fracturing Through Liquid Nitrogen Treatment: A Micro-Computed Tomography Study, Hamed Akhondzadeh, Alireza Keshavarz, Faisal Ur Rahman Awan, Ahmed Z. Al-Yaseri, Stefan Iglauer, Maxim Lebedev

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Low permeability of coal has been a constant obstacle to economic production from coalbed methane reservoirs, and liquid nitrogen (LN₂) treatment has been investigated as one approach to address this issue. This study examined LN₂ fracturing of a bituminous coal at pore-scale through 3D X-ray micro-computed tomography. For this purpose, a cylindrical sample was immersed into LN₂ for 60 min. The micro-CT results clearly showed that the rapid freezing of the coal with LN₂ generated fracture planes with large apertures originating from the pre-existing cleats in the rock. This treatment also connected original cleats with …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Fluoridated And Non-Fluoridated Desensitizing Agents In Dentinal Tubule Occlusion Using Scanning Electron Microscopy. An In-Vitro Study, Ashwini Dessai, Neeta Shetty, N. Srikant

Open Access archive

Dentin hypersensitivity is primarily caused due to patent or exposed dentinal tubules. Nonfluoridated-desensitizing agents deposit hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA), within the dentinal tubules, thereby relieving hypersensitivity. Fluoride-containing bioactive glass-based agents form fluorapatite which is less soluble when compared to hydroxyapatite and HCA. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study forty dentin specimens obtained from extracted human premolars were divided randomly into four groups (n = 10): Group 1 - fluoridated bioactive glass (FBaG); Group 2 - bioactive glass (BaG); Group 3 - arginine calcium carbonate; Group 4 - saline. 37.5% phosphoric acid was used to ensure patent dentinal tubules. Test …

Experimental Investigation Of Corrosion Of Coated Cast Iron Rotors In The Automotive Industry, Prabin Parajuli

Theses

Electric and hybrid vehicles uses regenerative braking, where application of the brake triggers the electric motor to work as a generator to produce electricity, which in turn charges the battery. This results in much less use of the friction brake, changing the corrosion and wear behavior of the rotor surface. There is a need for research on this topic, since fully electric or hybrid vehicles are replacing combustion engines due to concerns about global warming and climate change. Here the corrosion behavior of coated cast iron vehicle rotors in 3.5wt% NaCl is studied. The corrosion study has been performed using …

Hot Electron Chemistry On Bimetallic Plasmonic Nanoparticles, Bryn E. Merrill, Bingjie Zhang, Jerry Larue

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Catalysis provides pathways for efficient and selective chemical reactions through the lowering of energy barriers for desired products. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) show excellent promise as plasmonic catalysts. Localized surface plasmon resonances are oscillations of the electron bath at the surface of a nanoparticle that generate energetically intense electric fields and rapidly decay into energetically excited electrons. The excited electrons have the potential to destabilize strongly bound oxygen atoms through occupation of accessible anti-bonding orbitals. Tuning the anti-bonding orbitals to make them accessible for occupancy will be achieved by coating the AuNP in a thin layer of another transition metal, such …

Preparation Of Selenium Nanoparticles Based On Fish Gelatin Dispersion System And Investigation Of Their Anti-Oxidant Activities, Du Peng-Cheng, Wang Hui, Hu Yue-Ming, Tu Zong-Cai

Food and Machinery

Selenium nano particles (SeNPs) were prepared using fish gelatin dispersion system, and its particle size, morphology, and digestive stability were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant capacity of SeNPs were determined. The results showed that fish gelatin was excellent dispersion system for preparation of SeNPs. The particle size of SeNPs and its morphology was barely affected by the concentration of fish gelatin dispersion system. Moreover, SeNPs presented good antioxidant ability. Among them, the DPPH radical scavenging ability of SeNPs prepared by 1.000%, 0.500%, 0.125% fish gelatin dispersion system, and IC50 value were 1.846 …

Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem) Investigation Of Morphology Changes In The Reduction Of Silica Nanoparticles To Elemental Silicon, Allison M. Cairns

University Honors Theses

The application of silicon nanoparticles varies from energy storage materials, to drug-delivery, and molecular recognition. Various chemical and physical properties of the Si nanoparticles arise from their morphology. This paper aims to reveal the morphology of Si nanoparticles following magnesiothermic reduction of silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles. Two sets of SiO₂ nanoparticles were used, commercially available NanoXact nanoparticles and laboratory-synthesized Stöber nanoparticles. A Zeiss Sigma VP FEG SEM was used to examine the morphology. Following the magnesiothermic reduction, the nanoparticles were etched with HF. Ten sets of images were taken of both Stöber and NanoXact nanoparticles: 1,2: the SiO …