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An important issue in the context of both potenial toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) and their medical applications is tracking of the internalization process of these nanomaterials into living cells, as well as their localization and fate within them. The typical methods used for this purpose are transmission electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy as well as light-scattering techniques including dark-field microscopy and flow cytometry. All the techniques mentioned have their advantages and disadvantages. Among the problems it is necessary to mention complicated sample preparation, difficult interpretation of experimental data requiring qualified and experienced personnel, different behavior of fluorescently labeled IONP comparing to those label-free or finally the lack of possibility of chemical composition characteristics of nanomaterials. The purpose of the present investigation was the assessment of the usefulness of Raman microscopy for the tracking of the internalization of IONP into cells, as well as the optimization of this process. Moreover, the study focused on identification of the potential differences in the cellular fate of superparamagnetic nanoparticles having magnetite and maghemite core. The Raman spectra of U87MG cells which internalized IONP presented additional bands which position depended on the used laser wavelength. They occurred at the wavenumber range 1700-2400 cm -1 for laser 488 nm and below the wavenumber of 800 cm -1 in case of laser 532 nm. The intensity of the mentioned Raman bands was higher for the green laser (532 nm) and their position, was independent and not characteristic on the primary core material of IONP (magnetite, maghemite). The obtained results showed that Raman microscopy is an excellent, non-destructive and objective technique that allows monitoring the process of internalization of IONP into cells and visualizing such nanoparticles and/or their metabolism products within them at low exposure levels. What is more, the process of tracking IONP using the technique may be further improved by using appropriate wavelength and power of the laser source., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

There is a global problem with the effective purification of wastewater containing organic compounds, including dyes, pharmaceuticals and surfactants. Therefore, technologies for the removal of pollutants are still being explored. One of the promising methods could be the application of mineral sorbent composite based on lignite and bentonite. However, it is crucial to comprehensively recognize the mechanisms responsible for immobilizing organic compounds using mineral composite sorbents. The purpose of this work was to prepare and investigate the sorption mechanism of lignite-bentonite composite (BL) sorbents for the removal of dyes: Rhodamine B (RB), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), pharmaceuticals: ibuprofen (IB), sulfamethoxazole (STX) and surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS). The quantitative sorption results have been performed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The application of infrared (IR) spectroscopy method was crucial to describe the sorption mechanism. After completing the sorption test, the spectra for the sorbents revealed bands associated with adsorbed RB, RBBR, IB, STX, and SDBS on the BL sorbent. Because lignite is predominated in BL composite, the sorption capacity and mechanism strictly correspond to its sorption properties rather than to bentonite ones. The spectra results indicate that the physical sorption process related to electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, and dispersion interactions are predominantly responsible for the immobilization of organic compounds tested on mineral sorbents. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate the ion exchange process involved in the case of RB adsorption on the bentonite sample. Nevertheless, the sorption mechanism was complex because of the extensive sorption properties of mineral composite and the different chemical properties of the tested organic compounds. The results of our spectroscopic studies help interpret the sorption mechanisms of organic compounds on mineral materials., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Calcification is a well-known process of calcium phosphate mineralization observed in intraocular lenses. Despite the many works conducted in this field, there is no strict explanation of the mechanisms of this process. In order to better understand the phenomenon, i.e., the mechanisms and structural conditions that promote calcification, any research observations should be conducted under conditions that best reflect those of the human eye. Taking into account the specific anatomy and physicochemical conditions of the human eye, the problem under discussion becomes difficult to solve in vitro. In the present study, calcium phosphates formed under conditions similar to those in the human eye were characterized using SEM/EDS and infrared spectroscopy. Conducted study showed the formation of white spherical precipitates, which are unstable when extracted from solution. Such precipitates were characteristic of solutions containing 1.5-3.0 mM 2 of solutes. Elemental analysis showed a Ca/P ratio of 1.64-1.65, which is similar to the ratio for hydroxyapatite (1.67). Chemical structure analysis revealed the presence of broad bending and stretching bands at 475-830 cm -1 and 880-1250 cm -1 , respectively, which are characteristic of PO 4 3- groups in apatite calcium phosphates. In further analysis involving numerical fitting the bands corresponding to apatitic PO 4 3- and indicating the presence of calcium phosphates hydration were found. The results allow the selection of immersion media for further studies involving the incubation of hydrogel intraocular lenses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Kordian Chamerski reports financial support was provided by National Science Centre Poland (Grant no. 2017/25/N/ST8/01533)., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The endophytic Basidiomycete Sporobolomyces ruberrimus protects its host Arabidopsis arenosa against metal toxicity. Plants inoculated with the fungus yielded more biomass and exhibited significantly fewer stress symptoms in medium mimicking mine dump conditions (medium supplemented with excess of Fe, Zn and Cd). Aside from fine-tuning plant metal homeostasis, the fungus was capable of precipitating Fe in the medium, most likely limiting host exposure to metal toxicity. The precipitated residue was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX/SAED) techniques. The performed analyses revealed that the fungus transforms iron into amorphous (oxy)hydroxides and phosphates and immobilizes them in the form of a precipitate changing Fe behaviour in the MSR medium. Moreover, the complexation of free Fe ions by fungi could be obtained by biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, or biosynthesized redox-active molecules., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Vibrational spectroscopy is the most effective, efficient and informative method of structural analysis of amorphous materials with silica matrix and, therefore, an indispensable tool for examining silicon oxycarbide-based amorphous materials (SiOC). The subject of this work is a description of the modification process of SiOC glasses with phosphate ions based on the structural examination including mainly Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy. They were obtained as polymer-derived ceramics based on ladder-like silsesquioxanes synthesised via the sol-gel method. With the high phosphate's volatility, it was decided to introduce the co-doping ions to create [AlPO 4 ] and [BPO 4 ] stable structural units. As a result, several samples from the SiPOC, SiPAlOC and SiPBOC systems were obtained with various quantities of the modifiers. All samples underwent a detailed structural evaluation of both polymer precursors and ceramics after high-temperature treatment with Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR). Obtained results proved the efficient preparation of desired materials that exhibit structural parameters similar to the unmodified one. They were X-ray-amorphous with no phase separation and crystallisation. Spectroscopic measurements confirmed the presence of the crucial Si-C bond and how modifying ions are incorporated into the SiOC network. It was also possible to characterise the turbostratic free carbon phase. The modification was aimed to improve the bioperformance of the materials in the context of their future application as bioactive coatings on metallic implants., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The development of nanomaterials technology allows to design a novel medical strategies, and could also be useful in the field of regenerative medicine. The paper presents a study on the functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-f) layers deposited by electrophoretic method (EPD) on the surfaces of two types of substrates: titanium (Ti) and stainless steel. SEM and EDS analyses confirm that incubation in a simulated body fluid (SBF) caused a formation of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the Ti/MWCNTs-f. Raman micro-spectroscopy was a method of choice to study presented materials. The MWCNTs-f layer on the surface of the titanium plate shows better layer order than the corresponding layer deposited on the stainless steel. The structure and ordering of the nanocarbon layer play a key role in the biological activity of the materials. This was confirmed by the incubation of the plates with deposited layer of carbon nanotubes in SBF. A titanium substrate with a MWCNTs-f layer supports the deposition of some components from the environment, while a stainless steel substrate promotes the formation of a carbon film that inhibits the deposition of certain components from the environment. A two-trace two-dimensional (2T2D) analysis confirmed a different effect of SBF on the MWCNTs-f layer depending on the type of substrate. The MWCNTs-f layer on titanium substrate seems to represent an interesting proposition for novel bioactive strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nanocelluloses are the subject of much interest on the account of their mechanical properties, high surface area, porosity, etc. Typically, sulfuric acid is used to produce cellulose nanocrystals with high aspect ratio and dispersibility in water suspensions. However, hydrolysis in sulfuric acid leads to cellulose esterification, which has some drawbacks such as lower thermal stability of nanocellulose. Hydrochloric acid does not cause functionalization of the nanocellulose surface, yet yields in poor colloidal stability in aqueous solutions due to the lack of ionic interactions between CNC/CNF and water molecules. Therefore, it should be possible to tune the colloidal stability of nanocellulose aqueous suspensions by modifying the properties of the solution (such as pH and/or the presence of surfactants). In this work, we attempted to obtain stable aqueous CNF suspensions via hydrochloric acid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis was performed at three time intervals, at 60 °C temperature and 6 mol/dm 3 of hydrochloric acid. To find the optimum stabilizing conditions, the effect of different pH values and various surfactants on CNF stability was explored. The best stabilizing effect was observed at pH range 5-9 and in nonionic surfactant. The obtained products were characterized by using spectroscopic (FTIR), microscopic (AFM), thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction techniques., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The core size of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) is a crucial factor defining not only their magnetic properties but also toxicological profile and biocompatibility. On the other hand, particular IONPs may induce different biological response depending on the dose, exposure time, but mainly depending on the examined system. New light on this problem may be shed by the information concerning biomolecular anomalies appearing in various cell lines in response to the action of IONPs with different core diameters and this was accomplished in the present study. Using Raman microscopy we studied the abnormalities in the accumulation of proteins, lipids and organic matter within the nucleus, cytoplasm and cellular membrane of macrophages, HEK293T and U87MG cell line occurring as a result of 24-hour long exposure to PEG-coated magnetite IONPs. The examined nanoparticles had 5, 10 and 30 nm cores and were administered in doses 5 and 25 μg Fe/ml. The obtained results showed significant anomalies in biochemical composition of macrophages and the U87MG cells, but not the HEK293T cells, occurring as a result of exposure to all of the examined nanoparticles. However, IONPs with 10 nm core diminished the accumulation of biomolecules in cells only when they were administered at a larger dose. The Raman spectra recorded for the macrophages subjected to 30 nm IONPs and for the U87MG cells exposed to 5 and 10 nm showed the presence of additional bands in the wavenumber range 1700-2400 cm -1 , probably resulting from the appearance of Fe adducts within cells. Our results indicate, moreover, that smaller IONPs may be effectively internalized into the U87MG cells, which points at their diagnostic/therapeutic potential in the case of glioblastoma multiforme., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

In this work, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were synthesized by a modified polyol process using TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (TOCN) as a stabilizing and co-reducing agent. Different ratios of TOCN nanocellulose to Pt 4+ ions were studied to establish the optimum stabilizing effect of PtNPs. The effect of different pH of aqueous TOCN suspensions on the morphology of PtNPs was also examined. It was proved that PtNPs can be obtained solely in the presence of TOCN without the use of an additional reducing agent or ethylene glycol. The morphology and structural properties of the nanocellulose‑platinum nanoparticles composites were assessed using spectroscopic, microscopic and diffraction techniques, The catalytic performance in 4-nitrophenol reduction was evaluated. Significant differences in reaction rate constants k were found depending on the pH of the TOCN suspension applied during Pt 4+ reduction. The crucial effect of reaction conditions on PtNPs performance was confirmed in tests of antibacterial efficacy against E. coli., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The objective of our study was to develop and optimize the in situ synthesis of zeolitic thin coatings with USY (ultrastabilised form of faujasite) and MFI (Model Five) type structure on metallic structured catalysts supports using the hydrothermal method. Thus, obtained zeolitic materials were studied in terms of their prospective activity in selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (SCR of NO x ) with ammonia. Optimization of the preparation method consisted of several steps including: the pretreatment of steel carrier to obtain an adhesive surface, hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites at different conditions and adjustment of the zeolite structure type (MFI vs. USY). As a result, uniform zeolitic layers were deposited on steel supports. Prepared structured supports were ion-exchanged with copper or cobalt precursors to obtain active catalysts and then characterised by various physicochemical methods with a particular reference to the in situ Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible Diffusion Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS-UV/VIS) and Raman spectroscopy. For CuUSY sample, slightly better catalytic properties are related to higher copper content. In the case of Co-samples, worse catalytic properties in comparison with Cu counterparts might imply from higher concentration of Brønsted acid sites, lower cobalt loading (thus concentration of Lewis acid sites) and the presence of cobalt cation significantly in oxide form (evidenced by Raman, DRS-UV/VIS spectroscopy and by in situ FT-IR sorption studies)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the paper analysis of structural and luminescent properties of antimony-germanate-borate glasses and glass fiber co-doped with 0.6AgNO 3 /0.2Eu 2 O 3 are presented. Heat treatment of the fabricated glass and optical fiber (400 °C, 12 h) enabled to obtain Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with average size 30-50 nm on their surface. It has been proofed that silver ions migrate to the glass surface, where they are reduced to Ag 0 nanoparticles. Simultaneously, FTIR analysis showed that heat treatment of the glass and optical fiber increases the local symmetry of the Eu 3+ site., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this paper structural and optical properties of Rare Earth doped (RE) gallo-germanate glasses modified with various amount of Al 2 O 3 have been investigated. Glasses doped with Yb 3+ , Tm 3+, and Ho 3+ ions were synthesized to study Al 2 O 3 additive influence on their structural and emission properties in the visible spectral region. MIR spectra indicated that the structure of prepared glasses tends to order and its polymerization along with the aluminum content increase. Glass samples consisting of the low molar content of Al 2 O 3 are characterized by a significant contribution of Tm 3+ ions in light emission while Ho 3+ ions luminescence dominates in samples consisting of the higher molar content of Al 2 O 3 . Additionally, investigation of light emission in visible range showed that samples consisting of the low molar content of Al 2 O 3 are characterized by greenish blue light emission whereas light emitted by samples consisting of 15-20 mol% is much closer to the white colour., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd 3+ and Ho 3+ ions in barium gallo-germanate glasses have been reported. Several spectroscopic parameters for Nd 3+ and Ho 3+ ions have been determined from the Judd-Ofelt analysis and absorption/luminescence measurements. Quite large luminescence lifetime, quantum efficiency and stimulated emission cross-section have been obtained for the main 4 F 3/2  →  4 I 11/2 (Nd 3+ ) and 5 I 7  →  5 I 8 (Ho 3+ ) laser transitions of rare earths in barium gallo-germanate glasses. It suggests that barium gallo-germanate glass is promising for near-infrared laser application at emission wavelengths 1064 nm (Nd 3+ ) and 2020 nm (Ho 3+ )., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The paper deals with the influence of the microwave treatment on sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na) applied as a binder for moulding sands. The Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) and XRD analysis data of native potato starch and three different carboxymethyl starches (CMS-Na) with various degree of substitution (DS) before and after exposition to microwave radiation have been compared. FT-IR studies showed that polar groups present in CMS-Na structure take part in the formation of new hydrogen bonds network after water evaporation. However, these changes depend on DS value of the modified starch. The FT-Raman study confirmed that due to the impact on the samples by microwave, the changes of intensity in the characteristic bands associated with the crystalline regions in the sample were noticed. The X-ray diffraction data for microwave treated CMS-Na samples have been compared with the diffractograms of initial materials and analysis of XRD patterns confirmed that microwave-treated samples exhibit completely amorphous structure. Analysis of structural changes allows to state that the binding of sand grains in moulding sand with CMS-Na polymeric binder consists in the formation of hydrogen bonds networks (physical cross-linking)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, structural and nanomechanical properties of zirconia polymorphs induced by ion irradiation were investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation techniques. The zirconia layer have been produced by high temperature oxidation of pure zirconium at 600 °C for 5 h at normal atmospheric pressure. In order to distinguish between the internal and external parts of zirconia, the spherical metallographic sections have been prepared. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with 150 keV Ar + ions at fluences ranging from 1 × 10 15 to 1 × 10 17  ions/cm 2 . The main objective of this study was to distinguish and confirm different structural and mechanical properties between the interface layer and fully developed scale in the internal/external part of the oxide. Conducted studies suggest that increasing ion fluence impacts Raman bands positions (especially characteristic for tetragonal phase) and increases the nanohardness and Young's modulus of individual phases. This phenomenon has been examined from the point of view of stress-induced hardening effect and classical monoclinic → tetragonal (m → t) martensitic phase transformation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The influence of CaO/SiO 2 molar ratio of calcium aluminosilicate glasses on resulting structure and reactivity was investigated. Chemical compositions of glasses were chosen to mimic the composition of the fly ash and slag amorphous phase. Understanding the reactivity of these materials is of high importance allowing further development of the composite cements to limit the environmental footprint of cement industry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were employed to examine the structure of glasses. Reactivity of the glasses was analyzed on paste samples after 1, 2, 7, 28 and 90days of curing by means of thermogravimetry (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR. Spectroscopic results emphasize dependence of the structure on the chemical composition of the glasses. The higher CaO/SiO 2 the more depolymerized the glass network is, though there is no direct correlation with the reactivity. Significant differences in reactivity is observed primarily between the glasses of peraluminous (CaO/Al 2 O 3 <1) and percalcic region (CaO/Al 2 O 3 >1). Amongst the pastes made of glasses of percalcic region a higher degree of reaction at later ages is observed for the paste containing glass of lower CaO/SiO 2 molar ratio. This is due to both degree of depolimerization and the nature of these glasses (pozzolanic and hydraulic materials). No difference of degree of reaction has been observed within the glasses of CaO/SiO 2 lower than 1., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Silicone oil is the one of the artificial materials used in vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment treatment. Since the silicone oil is sometimes applied along with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation the direct influence of silicone oil on the artificial implant should be taken into account. Presented study was performed in order to determine the time-dependent impact of silicone oil on hydrogel based ophthalmic materials. Two kinds of IOLs based on hydroxyethyl 2-methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogel material were immersed in silicone oil based on linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Incubation in oil medium was performed in 37°C for 1, 3 and 6months. After appropriate period of the incubation samples were examined by means of FTIR-ATR method as the technique of surface study as well as Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) as the method of internal structure investigation. Results obtained during the study revealed that silicone oil is not capable to penetrate the internal structure of investigated materials and its impact has come down to interaction with the samples surfaces only., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The Raman, MIR and UV-vis spectroscopy have been used to characterize Omafilcon A material constructing the one of the Proclear family contact lenses. The Omafilcon A is hydrogel material composed of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (PC) polymers crosslinked with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Vibrational and electronic properties of the Omafilcon A material were also investigated by quantum chemical calculations. Experimentally obtained Raman, MIR and optical spectra were compared to the theoretical ones calculated applying RHF and DFT methodology. The quantum chemical calculations were performed for isolated monomers of lenses compounds as well as for their dimers and trimers to elucidate the effect of Omafilcon A polymerization and the role of an individual components., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effect of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based silicone oil, that is widely used in vitreoretinal surgery, on internal structures of the polymer intraocular lenses was investigated. The effect of PDMS was studied on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) rigid lenses and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) flexible lenses. The research was carried out by means of the positron lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) as well as the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the Raman spectroscopy (RS). The studies involving the use of PALS and FT-IR methods have revealed that the PHEMA based lenses absorbed, whereas the PMMA lenses did not absorb, silicone oil. The results obtained with the use of the RS method were inconclusive, probably due to the too low intensity of the characteristic PDMS bands. The evidence from this study was discussed in terms of physics and related to the clinical use of both silicone oil and intraocular lenses., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The hardening process of moulding sands on quartz matrices bound by polymer binders containing carboxyl and hydroxyl groups can be carried out by using physical (microwave radiation, thermal holding) and chemical (Ca(2+) cations, glutaraldehyde) cross-linking agents. The highest hardening level obtain moulding sand samples containing binders in a form of the aqueous composition of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium salt of carboxymethyl starch (PAA/CMS-Na) within the microwave radiation field, for which the bending strength is of 1.6 MPa value even after 24h from ending the agent activity. The authors focused, in this study, on finding the reason of this effect. It was shown, by means of the FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic methods, that the chemical adsorption process activated by microwaves plays an essential role. The applied microwaves activate the polar groups present in the polymer composition structure as well as the quartz crystals surfaces (silane groups). Then the chemical adsorption occurs in the binder-matrix system within the microwave radiation field and intermolecular lattices are formed with a participation of hydrogen bridges (SiOH⋯OC, SiOH⋯OH) and COSi type bonds., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic methods allowed to identify the cross-linking process of the aqueous composition of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium salt of carboxymethyl starch (PAA/CMS-Na) applied as a binder for moulding sands. The cross-linking was performed by chemical methods by introducing cross-linking substances with Ca(2+) ions or glutaraldehyde and by physical way, applying the microwave radiation. It was found that Ca(2+) ions cause formation of cross-linking ionic bonds within carboxyl and carboxylate groups. Glutaraldehyde generates formation of cross-linking bonds with hemiacetal and acetal structures. Whereas in the microwave radiation field, due to dehydration, lattices are formed by anhydride bonds., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ceramic glazes are commonly used to covering of the facing surface of ceramics ware. A well-chosen oxide composition and firing conditions of glazes causes significant improvement of technical parameters of ceramic products. Modern glazes are classified as glass-ceramic composites with different crystalline phases arising during firing. The presence of crystals in the glass matrix is influenced by many factors, especially by oxides molar composition. A crucial role is played by the molar ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃. In this work the six composition of glazes from SiO₂-Al₂O₃-CaO-MgO-Na₂O-K₂O system were examined. The only variable is the ratio of the silicon oxideto alumina at a constant content of other components: MgO, CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, ZnO. In order to determine the real phase composition of the obtained glazes research on fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) were done. For structural studies X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectroscopic in the middle infrared (MIR) were performed. In order to determine the state of the surface (microstructure) research on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDX. The research allowed to determine the influence of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio on the structure and phase composition of glazes and the nature, and type of formed crystalline phases., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Structural, spectroscopic and thermal properties of SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Sb₂O₃-Na₂O glass system doped with 0.2 mol% Tm₂O₃ have been presented. Synthesis of antimony-silicate glasses with relatively low phonon energy (600 cm(-1), which implicates a small non-radiative decay rate) was performed by conventional high-temperature melt-quenching methods. The effect of SiO₂/Sb₂O₃ ratio in fabricated Tm(3+) doped glass on thermal, structural and luminescence properties was investigated. On the basis of structural investigations decomposition of absorption bands in the infrared FTIR region was performed, thus determining that antimony ions are the only glass-forming ions, setting up the lattice of fabricated glasses. Luminescence band at the wavelength of 1.8 μm corresponding to (3)F₄→(3)H₆ transition in thulium ions was obtained under 795 nm laser pumping. It was observed that combination of relatively low phonon energy and greater separation of optically active centers in the fabricated glasses influenced in decreasing the luminescence intensity at 1800 nm., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Optically active glass-ceramics (GC) with the low-phonon phases of fluorides, doped with Er(3+) was studied. Glass based on SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Na₂F₂-Na₂O-GdF₃-BaO system was obtained. Dopant were introduced to the glass in an amount of 0.01 mol Er₂O₃ per 1 mol of glass. DTA/DSC study shows multi-stage crystallization. XRD identification of obtained phases did not confirm the presence of pure GdF₃ phase. Instead of that ceramization process led to formation of NaGdF₄ and BaGdF₅. The structural changes were studied using FT-IR spectroscopic method. The study of luminescence of the samples confirmed that optical properties of the obtained GC depend on crystallizing phases during ceramization. Time resolved spectroscopy of Er-doped glass showed the 3 and 8 times increase of lifetime of emission from (4)S₃/₂ and (4)F₉/₂ states, respectively. It confirms the erbium ions have ability to locate in the low phonon gadolinium-based crystallites. The results give possibility to obtain a new material for optoelectronic application., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The molecular structure of 1:1 complex formed between the naturally occurring polyether ionophore, called lasalocid acid (LAS) and propargylamine (PROP) is studied by X-ray, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and ESI-MS methods. The complex formed between deprotonated LAS acid and protonated PROP molecule is stabilized by intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. The protons of the protonated amine group are hydrogen bonded to etheric and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of the LAS anion. The similarity of the FT-IR spectra of the LAS-PROP complex in solid state and in solution demonstrated that the molecular structures of the complex in both states are comparable. It is shown that LAS in solution can form concurrent complexes with metal cations (M=Li(+), Na(+), K(+)) and amine existing in equilibrium. Analysis of the structures of lasalocid complexes is important for a better understanding of the antibacterial and anticancer properties of lasalocid acid., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A thin native oxide film that forms on the titanium surface makes contact with the bone tissue has been considered to be of great importance to successful osseointegration. The study investigated oxygen-diffused grade 2 titanium obtained by introducing oxygen into the titanium crystal lattice using thermal treatment in fluidized bed performed at 610°C and 640°C in 6, 8, 12h. The thermal treatment at different temperatures and different times led to the formation of a TiO2 rutile film on the titanium surface and a concentration gradient of oxygen into titanium (XRD/GID analyses and GDOS results). Moreover Raman spectroscopy results showed that the TiO2 film on the surface titanium was composed of two oxides (TiO2), i.e. anatase and rutile, for the analyzed variants of heat treatment. The aim of the present study was to establish the optimum conditions for obtaining oxygen-diffused TiO2 film. The results obtained in the study demonstrated that the use of a fluidized bed for titanium oxidation processes allows for obtaining uniform oxide layers with good adhesion to the substrate, thus improving the titanium surface to suit biomedical applications., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Carbon nanotubes deposited on the surface of the metal can be used in a wide variety of applications for modern medicine including: sensors and sensor array devices, electrodes for neural system stimulation, scaffolds for improved healing process for bone defects. Additionally it is debated if deposited on the surface of e.g. endoprosthesis, CNT coating can significantly increase the strength of the tissue/bone joint and stimulate a fast integration of the implant and the tissue. The aim of this paper is the analysis of the electrophoretically deposited nanocomposite coating made of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes on the surface of titanium. The paper concentrates on the analysis of the layer's structure and its bioactivity properties. The nanocomposite films were investigated using Raman Spectroscopy as well as AFM and SEM microscopy. The measurements were conducted at every stage of layer preparation and after bioactivity test. Bioactivity was evaluated by in vitro test in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF, 37°C, for 30days). It was shown that hybrid HAp/CNT layers are very attractive materials for modification of the surface of metallic orthopedic implants., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The paper presents the results of the investigations of the surface layer obtained after application of the combined hybrid method of oxidation in a fluidized bed (FB) and deposition of the oxide coating by PVD technique. The material used in the study was Ti Grade 2. The process of diffusive saturation was carried out in a fluidized-bed reactor at the temperature of 640°C for 8h in air while the top oxide layer was obtained through PVD method - magnetron sputtering using TiO2 target and argon atmosphere with the pressure of 3×10(-2)mbar and the distance between the substrate to the target of 60mm. In order to determine changes in the properties that occur as a result of modification of the Ti surface, the following examinations were carried out by SEM-EDX, X-ray diffraction methods, Raman spectroscopy, Glow Discharge Optical Spectroscopy (GDOS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The coatings obtained were characterized by zonal structure comprising the solution zone of Tiα(O) and oxide zone of TiO2 with modifications of rutile and anatase, depending on the oxidation method. It was found that formation of oxide layers using the hybrid method (FB+PVD) leads to limitation of defects in the oxide layer after fluidized-bed thermal treatment and obtaining a uniform, tight coating with improved corrosion properties which are important from the biomedical standpoint., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Black glasses are very interesting and promising materials from the point of their thermal and mechanical resistance. They can be used as protective layers on different kind of substrates, like steel, titanium, glasses. Controlling amount of carbon introduced to its structure is crucial for the properties of the material. Samples were prepared by sol-gel method using ladder-like silsesquioxanes as precursor and were heat-treated at 800°C in inert atmosphere. Middle infrared, EDX and MAS NMR studies were carried out on heated samples to determine their structure. All methods confirmed presence of Si-C bonds in the resulting material. Theoretical MIR spectrum, of the constructed black glass model, allowed to make a precise assignment of bands in the experimental spectrum., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The paper presents effect of low temperature upon location of selected Raman bands. The structural properties of pure zirconium pre-oxidized at 773K and 873K have been studied during cooling in the range of temperatures 273K and 93K by Raman spectroscopy. Analysis of the Raman band positions for the monoclinic phase of zirconia oxide was performed. Raman spectroscopy has shown that monoclinic phase of zirconia oxide undergoes a continuous band displacement, individual for each studied Raman mode. Registered shift is aimed towards the high frequency direction. Recorded Raman band displacement was employed to study stress state in zirconia oxide films grown on pure zirconium developed during control cooling. Presented results showed a good correlation between different thicknesses of the oxide scale., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Determination of free volume holes of the hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel polymer contact lenses were investigated. Two types of polymer contact lenses were used as materials: the first is a hydrogel contact lenses Proclear family (Omafilcon A), while the second is a silicone-hydrogel contact lens of the family Biofinity (Comfilcon A). Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy PALS was used to characterize geometrical sizes and fraction of the free volume holes in the investigated samples. There is a clear difference in the free volume sizes and their fractions between silicone-hydrogel and polymer hydrogel contact lenses which in turn are connected with oxygen permeability in these lenses. Apart from that, spectroscopic (middle infrared) MIR and Raman examinations were carried out in order to demonstrate the differences of the water content in the test contact lenses., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the work the new glass compositions in the GeO2-GaO-BaO system have been prepared and thermal, structural properties of in germanate glasses co-doped with Yb(3+)/Tb(3+)ions were studied. Glasses were obtained by conventional high-temperature melt-quenching technique. The study of the crystallization kinetics processes of glasses co-doped with 0.7Yb2O3:0.7Tb2O3 was performed with DSC measurements. The activation energies have been calculated using Freedman analysis and verified with the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method. In this order, the DSC curves have been registered with different heating rates, between 5 and 15 degrees/min. The structure of fabricated glasses has been studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopes. The effect of heat treatment on the structural properties was determined. In all glass samples the dominated infrared absorbance band at 800cm(-1) corresponds to asymmetric stretching motions of GeO4 tetrahedra containing bridging (Ge-O(Ge)) and non-bridging (Ge-O(-)) oxygens. Additionally, the influence of heat treatment on the luminescent properties was evaluated. Strong luminescence at 489, 543, 586 and 621nm corresponding to (5)D4→(7)FJ (J=6, 5, 4, 3) transitions was measured. The highest upconversion emission intensity was obtained in the germanate glass co-doped with 0.7Yb2O3/0.7Tb2O3., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The study deals with the XPS, Raman and EDX characterization of a series of structured catalysts composed of cobalt oxides promoted by palladium and cerium oxides. The aim of the work was to relate the information gathered from spectroscopic analyses with the ones from kinetic tests of methane combustion to establish the basic structure-activity relationships for the catalysts studied. The most active catalyst was the cobalt oxide doped with little amount of palladium and wins a confrontation with pure palladium oxide catalyst which is commercially used in converters for methane. The analyses Raman and XPS analyses showed that this catalyst is composed of a cobalt spinel and palladium oxide. The quantitative approach to the composition of the catalysts by XPS and EDX methods revealed that the surface of palladium doped cobalt catalyst is enriched with palladium oxide which provides a great number of active centres for methane combustion indicated by kinetic parameters., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

PALS in comparison with FTIR studies have been applied to investigate the structure of different oxide glasses. Three components of the positron lifetime τ (τ1 para- and τ3 ortho-positronium and τ2 intermediate lifetime component) and their intensities were obtained. The results of the calculation of mean values of positron lifetimes for the investigated glasses showed the existence of a long-living component on the positron annihilation lifetime spectra. From the Tao-Eldrup formula we can estimate the size of free volume. On the basis of the measurements we can conclude that the size and fraction of free volume reaches the biggest value for the fused silica glass. The degree of network polymerisation increases void size., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The authors discuss the results of structural investigations (XRD, MIR, Raman) of Polish cherts from different geological formations. The X-ray diffraction analyses explicitly confirmed the presence of moganite, which was identified on the basis of satellite XRD peaks positioned/occurring close to the quartz reflections and the additional reflections with the dhkl values 4.456 and 3.101 Ǻ, and established its amounts as varying between about 1 and above 17 wt%. The mid-infrared and Raman spectroscopy also proved the presence of moganite, indicated by the 695 and 560-555 cm(-)(1) bands, respectively. These analytical finds allow to identify moganite in samples containing various SiO2 polymorphs., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The structure of 2,5-dicarboxy-1-methylpyridinium inner salt (1), has been studied by X-ray diffraction, B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) calculations, FTIR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. The molecules are linked by short intermolecular and asymmetric O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds of 2.486(2)Å between carboxyl and carboxylate groups of neighboring molecules into infinite chains. The hydrogen bonds in the molecules optimized by the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) approach in trimer (2) and dimer (3) are slightly longer than in the crystal. The FTIR spectrum of the investigated inner salt is dominated by a broad and intense absorption in the 1500-800 cm(-1) region attributed to the ν(as)(OHO) and γ(OHO) vibrations of the strong hydrogen bond. In the Raman spectrum the broad absorption is absent. Linear correlations, δ(exp)=a+b σ(calc) between the experimental (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts (δ(exp)) of the investigated inner salt in D2O and the calculated magnetic isotropic shielding constants (σ(calc)) for the optimized monomer (4a) solvated in water are reported. The pKa value for 1 of 2.31±0.02 was determined by the potentiometric titration., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Computational and spectroscopic properties of 2,3-diethoxycarbonyl-1-methylpyridinium iodide, 1, were studied. The crystal structure of 1 was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Molecular geometry of title compound has been calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory and was compared with the experimental data. Iodide anion interacts electrostatically with the positively charged pyridinium nitrogen atom and via weak CH⋯I(-) hydrogen bonds. In crystals the N-methyl and ethoxycarbonyl groups are disordered in two orientations. The structures of 2 (in vacuum), 3 (in CHCl3) and 4 (in DMSO) optimized by the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) approach are different than that in crystal 1. The experimental (13)C and (1)H chemical shifts (δexp) of the investigated ester in CDCl3 and DMSO-d6 correlate linearly with GIAO/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) magnetic isotropic shielding constants calculated according to the screening solvation model (COSMO), δexp=a+b σcalc. The FTIR and Raman spectra of the solid compound are consisted with the X-ray structure., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, we describe a new method based on aerosol-assisted vapor synthesis for making glass materials by pyrolysis of readily available silsesquioxanes CH3Si(OCH3)3 and CH3Si(OC2H5)3. Combined powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectroscopic studies in the far infrared region (FIR) showed that under applied conditions the method yielded amorphous materials. Subsequent structural studies with the application of the (29)Si and (13)C MAS NMR, Raman, and middle infrared (MIR) techniques led to the conclusion that the pyrolysis of the silsesquioxane precursors resulted in glass materials with a structure of amorphous silica v-SiO2. In the case of certain glasses prepared from CH3Si(OCH3)3, they were also shown to possess in the structure some Si-C bonds (black glasses), whereas those originated from CH3Si(OC2H5)3 were composites that in addition to the silica glass phase contained domains of free/unbound carbon., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Infrared (IR) spectroscopic studies of mineral and synthetic phosphates have been presented. The interpretation of the spectra has been preceded by the isolated [PO(4)](3-) tetrahedron spectra analyse. The K(3)PO(4) saturated aqueous solution was measured in the special cell for liquids. The obtained IR results have been compared with the theoretical number of IR-active modes. The number and positions of the bands due to P-O vibrations have been established. The phase composition of the phosphates has been determined using XRD and IR spectroscopy methods. The influence of non-tetrahedral cations on the shape of the spectra and the positions of bands has been analysed and the crystalline field splitting effect has been discussed., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Silico-phosphate glasses of XCaPO(4)-SiO(2) and XCaPO(4)-AlPO(4)-SiO(2) (X=Na(+) and/or K(+)) system have been the subject of the presented investigations. Glasses belonging to those systems are characterized by a liquation phenomenon-spherical amorphous inclusions dispersed in an amorphous matrix. Thorough EDX investigations have shown that introduction of aluminum ions into the structure of phospho-silicate glasses results in inversion of matrix and inclusions composition, when XCaPO(4) exceeds 25-35% mol. Such a substantial influence of aluminum ions on phospho-silicate glasses texture as well as matrix and inclusions composition (inversion) must be a result of structural changes. (27)Al MAS NMR research stated that aluminum ions in structures of XCaPO(4)-AlPO(4)-SiO(2) phospho-silicate glasses always acts as a glass-forming ion-i.e. aluminum always occupies fourfold coordinated sites. (23)Na and (31)P MAS NMR research has shown that the inversion of matrix and inclusions composition, brought about by introduction of aluminum ions into the structure of phospho-silicate glasses, is an outcome of a change in phosphorous and alkaline ions coordination., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Glasses of the SiO(2)-P(2)O(5)-K(2)O-MgO-CaO-Fe(2)O(3) system acting as slow release fertilizers were synthesized by the melt-quenching technique. The influence of iron addition on the structure of glasses was evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy (with spectra decomposition) and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The chemical activity of glasses in the 2 mass% citric acid solutions was measured by the ICP-AES method. It has been found that the formation of domains with structure similar to phosphates with chemically stable P-O-Fe(3+) and P-O-Fe(2+) bonds decreases the glass solubility under conditions simulating the soil environment., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this work application of IR spectra for the determination of silcooxygen ring types in framework silicates structures has been presented. Results of the spectra interpretation for cyclosilicates ('isolated' silicooxygen rings) have been adopted for the spectra of highly polymerized SiO2 structures. In such structures, silicooxygen rings are interconnected. In this work, spectra of three basic polymorphous SiO2 types, i.e. cristobalite, tridymite quartz (in various temperature forms) and v-SiO2 are discussed. It has been shown that identification of rings is possible after precise analysis of the spectra preceded by mathematical decomposition.