Water-soluble nanoscale systems of the hydrophobic fluorescent dye zinc tetraphenylporphyrinate (ZnTPP) were preparated by its solubilizing with amphiphilic terpolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with (di)methacrylates. The sizes of nanoparticles were determined in phosphate-buffered and saline solutions using dynamic light scattering. It was shown that ZnTPP nanoparticles based on terpolymers contained methacrylate acid units or residues-SC10H21 react to an increase in temperature range of 37-42 degrees C, a sharp jump in the average light scattering intensity is observed and the hydrodynamic radius of scattering centers increases. The polymer compositions demonstrated high stability in aqueous media and in the solid state after long-term storage while maintaining absorbance and fluorescence. To TEM data, the sample dried from an aqueous solution consists of amorphous particles as well as particles with ordered ("crystalline") structure. The fluorescence of developed nanoscale systems was studied in water, saline solution, and mouse brain homogenate. At first time, we studied their biodistribution in tumors and normal animal tissues in vivo and ex vivo using fluorescence imaging. The fluorescence imaging in vivo demonstrated the ability of nanoparticles based on the small-sized terpolymer to accumulate selectively in tumors. The developed systems can be used for fluorescence diagnostics and visualization for affected cells and tissues.

Bundles of nanowires with diameters 2 divided by 5 nm were obtained by laser ablation of a tungsten target immersed in superfluid helium. The morphology and structure of the nanowires were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the tungsten nanowires were formed in the beta-phase. The thermal stability of the beta-W nanowires was studied. The electrical resistance of the bundles manifested a very weak dependence on temperature with the range from 5 up to 290 & Kcy; at helium gas pressure 1 bar.

Materials containing cobalt phosphide nanoparticles are among the most promising electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction in terms of compromise between activity, cost, and durability. A simple and effective approach to fabricating a nanocomposite of graphene–phosphorene structures decorated with CoP nanoparticles 2–5 nm in size is proposed. The nanocomposite was fabricated by the electrochemical exfoliation of black phosphorus followed by the solvothermal synthesis. The synthesis was carried out in the presence of few-layer graphene structures doped with nitrogen atoms in the solution containing Co2+ ions. The electrocatalyst exhibited high activity and stability towards hydrogen evolution reaction in the acidic medium. In order to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm–2, an overpotential of 220 mV was required, and the Tafel slope was 63 mV dec–1. It is suggested that this result is due to both the synergistic effect of the interaction between graphene and phosphorene structures and the electrocatalytic activity of CoP nanoparticles, which are located at the edges of phosphorene structures.

This work demonstrated the possibility of obtaining continuous thin transparent films of reduced graphene oxide of large size. The process of chemical interaction of individual graphene oxide microsheets is implemented in a planar version on a silicon substrate with an oxide layer during preheating and subsequent reduction under hydrothermal conditions. Based on the results of thermal analysis, in situ X-ray diffraction, and results of XPS, a model of the chemical interaction of functional groups of graphene oxide during its primary thermal and subsequent hydrothermal treatment is proposed. The thin films obtained in this work were transferred to a measuring structure and their conductive properties were measured in planar and vertical geometries.

The terpolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with acrylic acid and triethylene glycol methacrylate were synthesized with more than 90% yield by radical copolymerization in ethanol from monomeric mixtures of different molar composition (98:2:2, 95:5: 2 and 98:2:5) and their monomer composition, absolute molecular masses and hydrodynamic radii in aqueous media were determined. Using the MTT test, these terpolymers were established to be low toxic for non-tumor Vero cells and HeLa tumor cells. Polymer compositions of hydrophobic dye methyl pheophorbide a (MPP) based on studied terpolymers and linear polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were obtained and characterized in water solution. Quantum-chemical modeling of the MPP-copolymer structures was conducted, and the possibility of hydrogen bond formation between terpolymer units and the MPP molecule was shown. Using fluorescence microscopy, the accumulation and distribution of polymer particles in non-tumor (FetMSC) and tumor (HeLa) cells was studied, and an increase in the accumulation of MPP with both types of particles was found.

This article presents experimental results on the preparation and characterisation of a multi-component AB(2)-type intermetallic hydrogen storage alloy (A = Ti0.85Zr0.15, B = Mn1.22Ni0.22Cr0.2V0.3Fe0.06). The alloy samples were prepared by induction melting using Y2O3-lined alumo-silica and graphite crucibles. The characterisation results were compared with the ones for the reference sample of the same composition prepared by arc melting. It has been shown that the induction-melted samples exhibit reduced hydrogen sorption capacities and sloping plateaux on the pressure composition isotherms (PCI's). The origin of the observed effects has been shown to be in the inhomogeneity of the induction-melted alloys and their contamination due to crucible-melt interaction, particularly pronounced for the alloy melted in the alumo-silica crucible; this alloy was additionally characterised by the decrease of Zr/Ti ratio and, in turn, higher plateau pressures of the PCI's.

Nanocomposites of few-layer graphene structures with PdNi-alloy nanoparticles are synthesized using the electrochemical dispersion method. The composites’ chemical modification is shown to lead to a significant increase in their electrocatalytic activity in the methanol oxidation reaction.

In this work we present the results of studying the growth of bismuth nanowires (Bi NWs) on oxidized silicon substrates with predeposited islanded films of different metals (V, Re, Fe). We show that during the subsequent deposition of bismuth by radio frequency diode sputtering on such substrates Bi NWs grow longer and in a larger quantity than on bare substrates. Fe nanoparticles underlayer exerts the strongest influence on the growth of bismuth nanowires. Iron islands stimulate the formation of a continuous bismuth film deposited onto them at earlier stages in comparison with the clean oxidized silicon surface. In addition, they promote the earlier appearance of the [110]R (rhombohedral system) texture, which is favorable for the formation of centers of nucleation and subsequent growth of Bi NWs. Using this technique, Bi NWs with a length of about 15 µm and a diameter of less than 100 nm were obtained on 27 nm thick bismuth films.

Hollow submicrometer-sized SiO 2 particles are synthesized, and changes in the structure and morphology of their shells during heat treatment are studied. The dependences of the shrinkage of silica shells on the temperature of annealing of particles are studied. It is found the shells of hollow particles are pore-free and impervious to liquids after annealing at 600°C.

Hollow SiO2 particles of submicron size were synthesized and changes in the structures and morphology of their shells during heat treatment were investigated. The dependences of the shrinkage of silica shells on the annealing temperature of the particles were studied. It has been found that after annealing at 600°C, shells of hollow particles become non-porous and impermeable to liquid media.

The search for new hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with lower cost and higher activity and stability than noble metal catalysts is essential. In this regard cobalt phosphide is considered one of the most promising nanomaterials. The present work proposes a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of a nanocomposite of graphene–phosphorene structures decorated with CoP nanoparticles 2–5 nm in size via the electrochemical exfoliation of black phosphorus carried out in the presence of nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene structures and followed by solvothermal synthesis in a Co2+-containing solution. The obtained CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite demonstrates high electrocatalytic activity and stability towards HER in an alkaline medium. The nanocomposite is characterized by an overpotential of 190 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 as well as a small Tafel slope (78 mV dec−1). These characteristics make the CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite superior to most electrocatalysts based on cobalt phosphides. The results of this study could be in demand for the future design and improvement of HER electrocatalysts.

New amphiphilic VP-(di)methacrylate terpolymers of different monomer compositions and topologies have been synthesized by radical polymerization in toluene without any growth regulator of polymer chains. Their structures and properties in solid state and water solution were studied by double-detector size-exclusion chromatography; IR-, 1H, and 13C NMR-spectroscopy; DLS, TEM, TG, and DSC methods. The composition of the VP-AlkMA-TEGDM monomer mixture has been established to regulate the topology of the resulting macromolecules. The studied terpolymers presented on TEM images as individual low-contrast particles and their conglomerates of various sizes with highly ordered regions; in general, they are amorphous structures. None of the terpolymers demonstrated cytotoxic effects for noncancerous Vero and tumor HeLa cells. Hydrophobic D-α-tocopherol (TP) was encapsulated in terpolymer nanoparticles (NPs), and its antioxidant activity was evaluated by ABTS (radical monocation 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) or DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods. The reaction efficiency depends on the TP-NP type. The IC50 values for the decolorization reaction of ABTS•+ and DPPH inhibition in the presence of initial and encapsulated TP were obtained.

A novel carbon sorbent has been prepared from natural shungite by removing noncarbon components. We have studied sorption properties of this material for heavy metal ions and methylene blue, a cationic dye. The results demonstrate that the sorbent has high adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions (247 mg/g) and cationic dyes (120 mg/g) and can be used to remove them from aqueous solutions.

A boron-doped diamond electrode with a network structure of PdNi alloy nanowires, which is deposited onto its surface by laser ablation in superfluid helium, is considered as a possible sensor for formaldehyde. It is shown that the electrode is highly sensitive to trace amounts of formaldehyde.

The paper reports on carbon coatings deposited by accelerated C-60 ion beam irradiation onto the VT1-0 titanium alloy surface at different substrate temperatures, considering potential applications in fuel-cell bipolar plates. We identified the temperature range for forming a conductive carbon nanocomposite coating (CNC) at different accelerating voltages (U-a). The obtained CNC consists of graphite nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous diamond-like matrix. The nanocomposite containing similar to 40% of sp(3) bonds is formed at T-s = 300-400 degrees C under U-a = 6 kV. The increase in accelerating voltage to 8 kV reduces the temperature of the nanocomposite formation to T-s = 200 degrees C. Interface contact resistance (ICR) of a CNC coated titanium plate decreases to 2.6 +/- 0.7 mOhm & sdot;cm(2) at a sealing pressure of 1.5 MPa, which is close to carbon paper - graphite contact resistance. This low ICR value persists after prolonged corrosion tests. Tribological studies established high wear resistance and high adhesion of CNC to titanium substrate, showing potential for stable operation of coated bipolar plates in mobile applications. CNC allows to overcome the limitation of corrosion-caused ICR increase, which makes CNC-coated titanium a promising candidate to substitute gold-coated stainless steel as a raw material for bipolar plates of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.

Water-soluble forms of α-tocopherol (TP) as an effective antioxidant were obtained by encapsulating it into nanoparticles (NPs) of amphiphilic copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (CPL1-TP) and N-vinylpyrrolidone with hexyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (CPL2-TP) synthesized by radical copolymerization in toluene. The hydrodynamic radii of NPs loaded with TP (3.7 wt% per copolymers) were typically ca. 50 or 80 nm depending on copolymer composition, media, and temperature. Characterization of NPs was accomplished by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), IR-, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical modeling showed that TP molecules are capable to form hydrogen bonds with donor groups of the copolymer units. High antioxidant activity of both obtained forms of TP has been found by the thiobarbituric acid reactive species and chemiluminescence assays. CPL1-TP and CPL2-TP effectively inhibited the process of spontaneous lipid peroxidation as well as α-tocopherol itself. The IC50 values of luminol chemiluminescence inhibition were determined. Antiglycation activity against vesperlysine and pentosidine-like AGEs of TP water-soluble forms was shown. The developed NPs of TP are promising as materials with antioxidant and antiglycation activity and can be used in various biomedical applications.

In this work, we studied phase composition, hydrogen desorption kinetics and microstructural topology of hydrogen-sorbing composite materials prepared by ball milling under hydrogen of the powders of Mg 89 Ni 11 eutectic alloy without and with additive of graphene-like material (GLM). It was shown that in both cases the reproducible fast desorption kinetics were achieved after the fifth dehydrogenation—re-hydrogenation cycle. Using transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and the effect of MgH 2 radiolysis it was found that after seven hydrogenation–dehydrogenation cycles the material retains a highly dispersed microstructure: in the regions with a cross-sectional area of 1 micron in the size there are grains of Mg and Mg 2 Ni hydride-forming phases that are in direct contact, that favors the hydrogen sorption performance of the material.

Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron microdiffraction with the radiolysis effect and a series of calibration images of TEM obtained for single-phase MgH2 samples at different exposure times, we studied the topological features of the microstructure of powder hydrogen-sorbing composites based on the Mg89Ni11 eutectic alloy. It was found that after several hydrogenation–dehydrogenation cycles the composite retains a highly dispersed microstructure: in the regions of composite samples with a cross-sectional area of 1 μm2 there are grains of Mg and Mg2Ni hydride-forming phases that are in direct contact, which improves the hydrogen-sorbing characteristics of the composite.

The regularities of superhard carbon nanocomposite (CNCs) growth on a titanium substrate using accelerated C60 ion beam are investigated. Substrate temperature Ts and ion energy E are the main parameters varied during film growth. The formation of CNC coatings with a specific electrical resistance below 1 Ω × m is observed at a substrate temperature Ts above 300 ºC and ion energies from 5 to 8 keV. CNC coatings obtained at Ts in the range of 300–400 ºC consist of graphite crystals with a size of 1–2 nm enclosed in a diamond-like matrix. The sp2/sp3 bond ratio weakly depends on Ts in this temperature range and slightly decreases with ion energy increase (from 0.33 to 0.26 at 5–8 keV). Diamond-like coating grows on a substrate at Ts lower than 300 ºC by 5 and 7 keV ions. At an ion energy of 8 keV and above sputtering of the substrate was found. In all cases a TiC layer is formed at the substrate-coating interface due to the ion-beam mixing. Formation of this interlayer provides good adhesion of the coating to the substrate. The CNC coating on Ti exhibits high corrosion resistance and good protective properties. Thus, composite carbon films could be used as a conductive electrode in various chemical and bio applications.

The paper considers the development of a technological scheme for preparing metal matrix nanocomposites based on the interaction between nanodiamond reinforcing particles and a chromium matrix when being heated, forming chromium carbide nanoparticles. These carbides are in situ synthesized ceramic reinforcing nanoparticles. The first stage of preparing composites is to obtain composites with the chromium matrix and nanodiamond reinforcing particles. For this purpose, mechanical alloying is used, i.e., processing in planetary mills. The size of a primary nanodiamond particle is 5 nm, but they are combined in agglomerates that are hundreds of micrometers in size. The time of processing in the planetary mill defines the crushing degree of the agglomerates. In this study, processing was carried out for 0.5 h, 2 h, and 4 h. The second stage for obtaining composites with reinforcing particles of chromium carbides is thermal processing. Explorations using the method of differential scanning calorimetry showed that reducing the size of nanodiamond reinforcing particles (by prolonging the time of processing in the planetary mill) leads to a decrease in the initial temperature of the reaction for developing carbides. The worked-out technique for obtaining composites was patented in the Russian Federation (the patent for invention 2772480).