https://zirconia.typepad.com/files/zirconia-as-a-ceramic-biomaterial---piconi---biomaterials-1999.pdf

Zirconia as a ceramic biomaterial

Crystals are generally considered to grow by attachment of ions to inorganic surfaces or organic templates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of biomineralization products of iron-oxidizing bacteria revealed an alternative coarsening mechanism in which adjacent 2- to 3-nanometer particles aggregate and rotate so their structures adopt parallel orientations in three dimensions. Crystal growth is accomplished by eliminating water molecules at interfaces and forming iron-oxygen bonds. Self-assembly occurs at multiple sites, leading to a coarser, polycrystalline material. Point defects (from surface-adsorbed impurities), dislocations, and slabs of structurally distinct material are created as a consequence of this growth mechanism and can dramatically impact subsequent reactivity.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/289/5480/751.full.pdf

Aggregation-Based Crystal Growth and Microstructure Development in Natural Iron Oxyhydroxide Biomineralization Products

Progress in material selection for solid oxide fuel cell technology: A review

With the rapid advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology, detailed knowledge of interactions between engineered nanomaterials and cells, tissues and organisms has become increasingly important, especially in regard to possible hazards to human health. This review intends to give an overview of current research on nano-bio interactions, with a focus on the effects of NP size on their interactions with live cells. We summarize common techniques to characterize NP size, highlight recent work on the impact of NP size on active and passive cellular internalization and intracellular localization. Cytotoxic effects are also discussed.

/pdf/engineered-nanoparticles-interacting-with-cells-size-matters-epuvmv4d03.pdf

Engineered nanoparticles interacting with cells: size matters

Gold nanorods have been synthesized by photochemically reducing gold ions within a micellar solution. The aspect ratio of the rods can be controlled with the addition of silver ions. This process reported here is highly promising for producing uniform nanorods, and more importantly it will be useful in resolving the growth mechanism of anisotropic metal nanoparticles due to its simplicity and the relatively slow growth rate of the nanorods.

Photochemical synthesis of gold nanorods.

This paper compares the accuracy of conventional dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for characterizing size distributions of polystyrene nanoparticles in the size range of 20–100 nm. Average DLS values for monosize dispersed particles are slightly higher than the nominal values whereas AFM values were slightly lower than nominal values. Bimodal distributions were easily identified with AFM, but DLS results were skewed toward larger particles. AFM characterization of nanoparticles using automated analysis software provides an accurate and rapid analysis for nanoparticle characterization and has advantages over DLS for non-monodispersed solutions.

/pdf/a-comparison-of-atomic-force-microscopy-afm-and-dynamic-5e7b7p5cs1.pdf

A comparison of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods to characterize nanoparticle size distributions

Growth Mechanisms of Iron Oxide Particles of Differing Morphologies from the Forced Hydrolysis of Ferric Chloride Solutions

A method for applying zirconia barrier coatings using a sol-gel method is described. The coatings of 8 wt % yttria-stabilized zirconia are applied by spin coating a solution containing zirconium alkoxides and yttrium acetate on to stainless steel substrates. Crystallization of the films was observed for thermal treatments in the range 750 to 1050° C. Excellent adhesion at the interface, due to significant coating-substrate interfacial reactions, indicates that this sol-gel route is a feasible method for applying zirconia coatings.

Sol-gel synthesis of zirconia barrier coatings

Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films have been prepared by coevaporation using an ozone vapor jet as an oxygen source. Films exhibiting zero resistance at 82 K have been fabricated in situ under high vacuum conditions using substrate temperatures of 700 °C without a post‐evaporation anneal in oxygen. This process has implications for in situ measurements of fully superconducting surfaces using a variety of probes as well as for the fabrication of devices and structures whose properties are dependent on surfaces and interfaces.

In situ formation of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films using pure ozone vapor oxidation

http://ceramics.eng.uci.edu/Publications/Grain%20boundary%20ionic%20conductivity%20of%20yttrium%20stabilized%20zirconia%20as%20a%20function%20of%20silica%20content%20and%20grain%20size.pdf

Martha L. Mecartney

Papers

A comparison of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods to characterize nanoparticle size distributions

Growth Mechanisms of Iron Oxide Particles of Differing Morphologies from the Forced Hydrolysis of Ferric Chloride Solutions

Sol-gel synthesis of zirconia barrier coatings

In situ formation of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films using pure ozone vapor oxidation

Grain boundary ionic conductivity of yttrium stabilized zirconia as a function of silica content and grain size