Abstract:We apply high-energy proton ion-implantation to modify TiO 2 nanotubes selectively at their tops. In the proton-implanted region we observe the creation of intrinsic co-catalytic centers for photocatalytic H 2 -evolution. We find proton implantation to induce specific defects and a characteristic modification of the electronic properties not only in nanotubes but also on anatase single crystal (001) surfaces. Nevertheless, for TiO 2 nanotubes a strong synergetic effect between implanted region (catalyst) and implant-free tube segment (absorber) can be obtained. Keywords:nanotubes; photocatalysts; water-splitting; titania; self-organization; ion-implantation 2 Ever since 1972, when Honda and Fujishima introduced photolysis of water using a single crystal of TiO 2 , photocatalytic water splitting has become one of the most investigated scientific topics of our century [1]. The concept is strikingly simple: light (preferably sunlight) is absorbed in a suitable semiconductor and thereby generates electron-hole pairs. These charge carriers migrate in valence and conduction bands to the semiconductor surface where they react with water to form O 2 and H 2 , respectively. Thus hydrogen, the energy carrier of the future, could be produced using just water and sunlight.Key factors for an optimized conversion of water to H 2 are i) as complete as possible absorption of solar light (small band gap) while ii) still maintaining the thermodynamic driving force for water splitting (sufficiently large band-gap), including suitable band-edge positions relative to the water red-ox potentials, and iii) possibly most challenging -a sufficiently fast carrier transfer from semiconductor to water to obtain a reasonable reaction kinetics as opposed to carrier recombination or photo-corrosion [2][3][4][5][6][7].In spite of virtually countless investigations on a wide range of semiconductor materials that in many respects are superior to titania (mostly in view of solar light absorption and carrier transport), TiO 2 still remains one of the most investigated photocatalysts. This is only partially due to suitable energetics but more so because of its outstanding (photo-corrosion) stability [2][3][4][5][6][7].In general, the main drawbacks of TiO 2 are on the one hand its too large band-gap of 3-3.2 eV that allow only for about 7% of solar light absorption, and on the other hand that although a charge transfer to aqueous electrolytes is thermodynamically possible, the kinetics of these processes at the TiO 2 /water interface are extremely slow if no suitable co-catalysts such as Pt, Au, Pd or similar are used [8][9][10]. Mao demonstrated a significantly increased photocatalytic activity for water splitting when black TiO 2 was loaded with a Pt co-catalyst and used under bias-free conditions (i.e. used directly as a nanoparticle suspension in an aqueous/methanol solution under sunlight (AM 1.5) conditions). The high catalyst activity was attributed to a thin amorphous TiO 2 hydrogenated layer that was formed under high pressure tre...

Bioactive glasses represent important biomaterials being investigated for the repair and reconstruction of diseased bone tissues, since they exhibit outstanding bonding properties to human bone. In the present study bioactive glass (type 45S5) nanoparticles (nBG) with a mean particle size in the range of 20-60 nm, synthesized by flame spray synthesis, are investigated in relation to in vitro bioreactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF) and response to osteoblast cells. The structure and kinetics of hydroxyapatite formation in SBF were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealing a very rapid transformation (after 1d) of nBG to nanocrystalline bone-like carbonated HAp. Additionally, calcite is formed after 1d of SBF immersion due to the high surface reactivity of the nBG particles. In the initial state nBG particles were found to exhibit chain-like porous agglomerates of amorphous nature which are transformed upon immersion in SBF into compact agglomerates covered by hydroxyapatite with a reduced size of the primary nanoparticles. In vitro studies revealed high cytocompatibility of nBG with human osteoblast cells, indicated through high lactatedehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial activity as well as alkaline phosphatase activity. Hence, this study contributes to the understanding of the structure and bioactivity of bioactive glass (type 45S5) nanoparticles, providing insights to the phenomena occurring at the nanoscale after immersion in SBF. The results are relevant in relation to the understanding of the nanoparticles' bioreactivity required for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Angiogenesis is essential for tissue regeneration and repair. A growing body of evidence shows that the use of bioactive glasses (BG) in biomaterial-based tissue engineering (TE) strategies may improve angiogenesis and induce increased vascularization in TE constructs. This work investigated the effect of adding nano-sized BG particles (n-BG) on the angiogenic properties of bovine type I collagen/n-BG composites. Nano-sized (20-30 nm) BG particles of nominally 45S5 Bioglass® composition were used to prepare composite films, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The in vivo angiogenic response was evaluated using the quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as an model of angiogenesis. At 24 h post-implantation, 10 wt% n-BG containing collagen films stimulated angiogenesis by increasing by 41 % the number of blood vessels branch points. In contrast, composite films containing 20 wt% n-BG were found to inhibit angiogenesis. This experimental study provides the first evidence that addition of a limited concentration of n-BG (10 wt%) to collagen films induces an early angiogenic response making selected collagen/n-BG composites attractive matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Titania is one of the key materials used in 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures as electron transport media in energy conversion devices. In the present study, it is shown that the electronic properties of TiO2 nanotubes can be drastically improved by inducing a nanotwinned grain structure in the nanotube wall. This structure can be exclusively induced for “single‐walled” nanotubes with a high‐temperature treatment in pure oxygen atmospheres. Nanotubes with a twinned grain structure within the tube wall show a strongly enhanced conductivity and photogenerated charge transport compared to classic nanotubes. This remarkable improvement is exemplified in the electronic properties by using nanotwinned TiO2 nanotubes in dye‐sensitized solar cells where a significant increase in efficiency of up to 10.2% is achieved.

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