Laser-assisted surface patterning of magnesium with silver nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and modelling

Abstract

Surface patterning of biocompatible materials may improve cell adhesion, infiltration and proliferation. Magnesium is a biocompatible metal which has bioresorption capability, as well as a low elastic modulus. This unique combination of properties has attracted researchers to develop biodegradable magnesium devices. In this work, the patterning of magnesium with silver nanoparticles printed by the laser-assisted maskless microdeposition (LAMM) process was studied. The geometry and microstructure of the printed silver patterns and the diffusion zone at the Mg/Ag interface were studied using profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM analysis suggested that some intermetallic particles may form at the interface during laser sintering. The penetration curve of the Ag–Mg diffusion couple was obtained using EDS analysis. A finite element model is developed to simulate the LAMM process of silver nanoparticles on magnesium substrates. The model included a thermal analysis for determining the temperature history throughout the process, coupled with a diffusion model for evaluating compositional profiles across the interface. A comparison of the predicted profiles with the EDS results showed that the modelling and the experimental results qualitatively match. The analysis of SEM micrographs of the sintered nanoparticles, in light of the thermal modelling results, suggested that a minimum laser heat input was required for effective sintering of the nanoparticles.

Highly thermally conductive polymer nanocomposites based on boron nitride nanosheets decorated with silver nanoparticles

“…When compared with the values for the AgNPs (368.5 eV and 374.4 eV), both peaks shi to lower binding energies by 0.9 eV and 0.8 eV, suggesting that the AgNPs were attached mainly on the surface of the BNNSs by either physical adsorption or electrostatic adsorption, which is consistent with a previous report. 26 The main peaks of the N 1s and B 1s spectra (Fig. 2b and c) of the BNNSs/AgNPs are at 397.6 eV and 190.2 eV, a little lower than the values of N 1s and B 1s in BNNSs (Fig.…”

Selective laser-assisted deposition of silver nanoparticles on a Mg-2wt.%Ca substrate

“…The trajectory program was made with the 2D application of the AutoCAD software. In order to improve the wettability during this deposition step, the substrate sample was continuously heated at 80 °C using a hot plate attached to the stage [27].…”

“…where (x 0 , y 0 ) is the Cartesian coordinates of the center of laser beam at t = 0 and v l is the velocity of the laser beam. Following Foroozmehr et al [27], the silver deposit is described as a porous material made of packed silver nanoparticles with a layer thickness of 1 µm. According to Dullien et al [31], the porosity for a random packing of spheres is approximately 37.5%.…”

“…Silver is a well-known antibacterial agent [24] and is already used in connection with dental procedures, catheters and treating burn wounds [25]. Concerning silver nanoparticles deposition, it has been demonstrated by Loveless et al [26] and Foroozmehr et al [27] that the LAMM technique is able to produce silver nanoparticle layers or deposits with different geometries. In their studies, the substrate was pure magnesium and a pulsed laser was used to sinter the deposit.…”