Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN­(H)) is a semiconductor with high mechanical and thermal stability which provides good dispersion of metal particles. As it is resistant to corrosion, it constitutes an alternative to carbon black as a catalyst support in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), e.g., in alcohol oxidation reactions. In this research work, gCN (H)-supported catalyst has been characterized by spectroscopic (UV–vis, IR, Raman) and microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM) in order to gain deeper understanding of the relationship between material properties and electrochemical activity. Ni-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Ni/gCN­(H)) was tested in electrooxidation of ethanol demonstrating comparatively high peak current density and interesting photocatalytic properties. The obtained results suggest that the improvement of the activity and selectivity of Ni-modified gCN­(H) can be related to the chemical and electronic material modification, while the sample morphology and topology is preserved. Metal–support interactions account for the high photocatalytic activity, superior to that of the Pt counterpart.

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The spectroscopic approaches of FTIR imaging and Raman mapping were applied to the characterisation of a new carbon hydroxyapatite/β-glucan composite developed for bone tissue engineering. The composite is an artificial bone material with an apatite-forming ability for the bone repair process. Rabbit bone samples were tested with an implanted bioactive material for a period of several months. Using spectroscopic and chemometric methods, we were able to determine the presence of amides and phosphates and the distribution of lipid-rich domains in the bone tissue, providing an assessment of the composite's bioactivity. Samples were also imaged in transmission using an infrared microscope combined with a focal plane array detector. CaF2 lenses were also used on the infrared microscope to improve spectral quality by reducing scattering artefacts, improving chemometric analysis. The presence of collagen and lipids at the bone/composite interface confirmed biocompatibility and demonstrate the suitability of FTIR microscopic imaging with lenses in studying these samples. It confirmed that the composite is a very good background for collagen growth and increases collagen maturity with the time of the bone growth process. The results indicate the bioactive and biocompatible properties of this composite and demonstrate how Raman and FTIR spectroscopic imaging have been used as an effective tool for tissue characterisation.

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Non-invasive methods of skin condition assessment include, among others, the evaluation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The aim of the study was to examine whether TEWL values depend on horse breed. The study was conducted on four breeds: "Felin" ponies (FP) (n=16), Polish koniks (PK) (n=15), Polish cold-blooded horses (PcbH) (n=11) and Wielkopolska horses (WH) (n=12). It was found that horse breed influences TEWL values. In the neck region, statistically significant differences were found between PK and FP (p=0.006), and PK and WH (p=0.0005). In the lumbar region, there were statistically significant differences between FP and PK (p=0.0009), FP and PcbH (p=0.0016) as well as between PK and WH (p=0.000037), and PcbH and WH (p=0.0006). In the inguinal region statistically significant differences were found between FP and PK (p=0.0003), FP and PcbH (p=0.0005), PK and WH (p=0.009) and PcbH and WH (p=0.006). In the lip region statistically significant differences were observed between FP and PK (p=0.013) as well as between PK and PcbH (p=0.029) and PK and WH (p=0.009). In the examination of TEWL animal breed should be taken into consideration. The non-significant differences found in three of the examined body regions may suggest that these regions are the most adequate for TEWL assessment.