Leibniz University of Hanover

About: Leibniz University of Hanover is a education organization based out in Hanover, Niedersachsen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Computer science. The organization has 14283 authors who have published 29845 publications receiving 682152 citations.

Brookite versus anatase TiO2 photocatalysts: phase transformations and photocatalytic activities

Abstract: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles consisting of pure anatase, anatase-rich, brookite-rich, and pure brookite modifications were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The phase transformations among the three modifications of TiO2 (anatase, brookite, and rutile) and the photocatalytic activities of these nanoparticles were investigated by heat treatment over the temperature range from 400 to 800 °C and by the photooxidation of methanol, respectively. Direct transformation of anatase and brookite to rutile was observed, while in the case of the anatase–brookite mixture, anatase transforms firstly to brookite and then to rutile. The photocatalytic activity measurements indicate that brookite nanoparticles exhibit higher photocatalytic activities than anatase, and a comparable activity to that of the anatase-rich nanoparticles. The phase transformations and photocatalytic results are discussed regarding their dependence on crystallite size, surface area, and phase composition.

Two-photon polymerization technique for microfabrication of CAD-designed 3D scaffolds from commercially available photosensitive materials.

Abstract: We report on recent advances in the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine constructs using a two-photon polymerization technique (2PP). 2PP is a novel CAD/CAM technology allowing the fabrication of any computer-designed 3D structure from a photosensitive polymeric material. The flexibility of this technology and the ability to precisely define 3D construct geometry allows issues associated with vascularization and patient-specific tissue fabrication to be directly addressed. The fabrication of reproducible scaffold structures by 2PP is important for systematic studies of cellular processes and better understanding of in vitro tissue formation. In this study, 2PP was applied for the generation of 3D scaffold-like structures, using the photosensitive organic–inorganic hybrid polymer ORMOCER® (ORganically MOdified CERamics) and epoxy-based SU8 materials. By comparing the proliferation rates of cells grown on flat material surfaces and under control conditions, it was demonstrated that ORMOCER® and SU8 are not cytotoxic. Additional tests show that the DNA strand breaking of GFSHR-17 granulosa cells was not affected by the presence of ORMOCER®. Furthermore, gap junction conductance measurements revealed that ORMOCER® did not alter the formation of cell–cell junctions, critical for functional tissue growth. The possibilities of seeding 3D structures with cells were analysed. These studies demonstrate the great potential of 2PP technique for the manufacturing of scaffolds with controlled topology and properties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.