HRTEM image-stitching for measurement of distances

Very accurate measurement of distances in the order of several µm is demonstrated on a single crystal Si sample by counting the lattice fringes on stitched high resolution TEM/STEM images. Stitching of TEM images commonly relies on correspondence points found in the image, however, the nearly perfect periodic nature of a lattice image renders such a procedure very unreliable. To overcome this difficulty artificial correspondence points are created on the sample using the electron beam. An accuracy better than 1% can be reached while measuring distances in the order of 1 µm. A detailed description of the process is provided, and its usability for accurately measuring large distances is discussed in detail.

Reduction of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots using nascent hydrogen: The investigation of morphological and structural changes

In order to modify both chemical and electrical properties of graphene-based nanomaterials, we conducted the chemical modification of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The reaction of the reduction with nascent hydrogen was conducted on both materials. The structure and morphology of produced chemically reduced GO and GQDs were analyzed. While the chemical composition of both GQD and GO changed significantly, GO showed also significant changes in morphology as opposite to GQDs where were morphological changes were not observed.

Reduced graphene oxide-chitosan flexible nanocomposites for efficient bacteria capture and photothermal ablation

One of the major public health concerns today is bacterial infection-associated diseases. Traditional antibacterial therapies are becoming less efficient because frequent and inadequate use of antibiotics has caused mutations in bacteria that led to many antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. It is, therefore, crucial to develop novel antibacterial materials and strategies that will successfully combat both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, we will demonstrate a simple and efficient method for bacteria capture and elimination through photothermal ablation. The developed material consists of a flexible Kapton substrate, coated with reduced graphene oxide-chitosan (rGO-CS) thin films. Reduced graphene oxide has strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region, while chitosan has the ability to bind bacteria through electrostatic interactions. The K/rGO-CS device proved to capture and efficiently eradicate both planktonic Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria after 10 min of NIR (980 nm) irradiation.