Monitoring the penetration and accumulation of gold nanoparticles in rat skin ex vivo using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

Contamination by accidental cutaneous contact with the commercial products and the air pol-hutants raised a considerable health and safety issue.This study aimed to trace the dynamics of the 20 nm gold nanopartide(GNP)penetration and accumulation in rat skin tissues using a surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)techmique.After the topical application of GNPs on rat skin surface,the SERS spectra were recorded for every 15 pum to an overall depth of 75 pum from skin surface for 150 min.The processes of GNP penetration in rat skin were accompanied by aggregation of GNPs,which affected SERS spectra.The results revealed that 20 nm GNPs can penetrate through stratum corneum layer,viable epidermis layer,and then into dermis layer.This study demonstrated for the first time the potential of SERS spectroscopy to monitor the penetration and accumulation of GNPs in rat skin.

Advancing Energy Systems with In-Situ and Operando Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy(SERS)has emerged as a powerful analytical technique to enable nanoscale investigations of energy systems.This mini-review focuses on the applications of in-situ and operando SERS in energy-related research,highlighting its unique capabilities and significant contributions to understanding energy storage and conversion processes.We first introduce the fundamental principles of SERS,key SERS-derived techniques,and commonly employed platforms.Subsequently,we delve into the diverse applications of in-situ and operando SERS across various energy systems,encompassing photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems,fuel cells,solar cells,and batteries.Finally,we conclude with our perspective on the current challenges and prospects in this area.We hope thismini-review serves as an essential overview to guide the design and implementation of in-situ and operando SERS studies of energy systems.

Optical spectroscopy study of damage evolution in 6H-SiC by H_(2)^(+)implantation

Lattice defects induced by ion implantation into SiC have been widely investigated in the decades by various techniques.One of the non-destructive techniques suitable to study the lattice defects in SiC is the optical characterization.In this work,confocal Raman scattering spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrum have been used to study the effects of 134-keV H_(2)^(+)implantation and thermal treatment in the microstructure of 6H-SiC single crystal.The radiation-induced changes in the microstructure were assessed by integrating Raman-scattering peaks intensity and considering the asymmetry of Raman-scattering peaks.The integrated intensities of Raman scattering spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrum decrease with increasing the fluence.The recovery of the optical intensities depends on the combination of the implantation temperature and the annealing temperature with the thermal treatment from 700℃to 1100℃.The different characterizations of Raman scattering spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrum are compared and discussed in this study.

Characterization of the Diamond-like Carbon Based Functionally Gradient Film

Diamond-like carbon coatings have been used as solid lubricating coatings in vacuum technology for their good physical and chemical properties. In this paper, the hybrid technique of unbalanced magnetron sputtering and plasma immersion ion implantation (Plll) was adopted to fabricate diamond-like carbon-based functionally gradient film, N/TiN/Ti(N,C)/DLC, on the 304 stainless steel substrate. The film was characterized by using Raman spectroscopy and glancing X-ray diffraction (GXRD), and the topography and surface roughness of the film was observed using AFM. The mechanical properties of the film were evaluated by nano-indentation. The results showed that the surface roughness of the film was approximately 0.732 nm. The hardness and elastic modulus, fracture toughness and interfacial fracture toughness of N/TiN/Ti(N,C)/DLC functionally gradient film were about 19.84 GPa, 190.03 GPa, 3.75 MRa.m1/2 and 5.68 MPa.m1/2, respectively. Compared with that of DLC monolayer and C/TiC/DLC multilayer, this DLC gradient film has better qualities as a solid lubricating coating.

Structural evolution and bandgap modulation of layeredβ-GeSe_(2)single crystal under high pressure

Germanium diselenide(GeSe_(2))is a promising candidate for electronic devices because of its unique crystal structure and optoelectronic properties.However,the evolution of lattice and electronic structure ofβ-GeSe_(2)at high pressure is still uncertain.Here we prepared high-qualityβ-GeSe_(2)single crystals by chemical vapor transfer(CVT)technique and performed systematic experimental studies on the evolution of lattice structure and bandgap ofβ-GeSe_(2)under pressure.High-precision high-pressure ultra low frequency(ULF)Raman scattering and synchrotron angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction(ADXRD)measurements support that no structural phase transition exists under high pressure up to 13.80 GPa,but the structure ofβ-GeSe_(2)turns into a disordered state near 6.91 GPa and gradually becomes amorphous forming an irreversibly amorphous crystal at 13.80 GPa.Two Raman modes keep softening abnormally upon pressure.The bandgap ofβ-GeSe_(2)reduced linearly from 2.59 eV to 1.65 eV under pressure with a detectable narrowing of 36.5%,and the sample under pressure performs the piezochromism phenomenon.The bandgap after decompression is smaller than that in the atmospheric pressure environment,which is caused by incomplete recrystallization.These results enrich the insight into the structural and optical properties ofβ-GeSe_(2)and demonstrate the potential of pressure in modulating the material properties of two-dimensional(2D)Ge-based binary material.