Calixresorcinarenes and calixarenes have seen extensive usage as receptors for cations, anions and even neutral molecules. Incorporation of binding capabilities and chemical groups that respond to analytes complexation has given these macrocycles additional advantages in applications as efficient selective chemical sensors. Three major types of macrocyclic calixresorcinarenes namely C-dec-9-en-1-ylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CAL 11U), C-trans-2, cis-6-octa-1,5-dien-1-ylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CAL 9U) and C-nonylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CAL 10) were synthesized. They differ in the alkyl/alkenyl side chains. They were characterized by different techniques (melting point measurements, Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy FT-IR, Thermal Gravimetric analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry coupled with Mass Spectrometry TG-DSC-MS, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy NMR, and Powder X-Ray Diffraction measurements PXRD). Calixresorcinarene derivatives, immobilized onto Au surfaces of quartz crystal resonators, have been successfully applied to detect the presence of lead in aqueous solution.

Stainless steel grade AISI 304 is one of the most widespread modern structural material, alas its sliding wear and cavitation wear resistance are limited. Thus, AlTiN and TiAlN coatings can be deposited for increasing the resistance to wear of stainless steel components. The aim of the work was to investigate the cavitation erosion and sliding wear mechanisms of magnetron sputtered AlTiN and TiAlN coatings deposited on SS304 stainless steel. AlTiN and TiAlN films were deposited on a stainless steel substrate grade AISI 304. Films surface morphology and structure were examined using a profilometer, light optical microscope (LOM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties (hardness, elastic modulus) were tested by nanoindentation tester. The adhesion of deposited coatings was determined by means of the scratch test and Rockwell test. Cavitation erosion tests were performed according to ASTM G32 (vibratory apparatus) with stationary specimen procedure. Sliding wear tests were conducted using a nano-tribo testes i.e. ball-on-disc apparatus. Wear mechanisms are strongly contingent upon the structure and morphology of the tested materials. In relation to stainless steel substrate, the PVD films present a superior resistance to sliding wear and cavitation erosion. Higher resistance was noticed for AlTiN than for TiAlN film, mainly due to its superior hardness and elastici modulus. Cavitation erosion mechanism of both, AlTiN and AlTiN coatings is prone to embrittlement, imputable to fatigue processes that result in coating rupture and spallation that consist in coating fragmentation, formation of pits and finally detachment from the substrate. In contrary to PVD coatings, steel substrate is characterized by developed cavitation erosion wear with roughened surface and plastically deformed, semi-brittle, eroded surface. Sliding wear of thin films is based on micro-ploughing mechanism. For stainless steel adhesive sliding wear mode and plastic deformation with smearing, material transfer and grooving were observed. It was confirmed that various fluid machinery components made from austenitic stainless steel that undergo cavitation erosion, can be prevented by deposition of AlTiN and TiAlN films.

Coatings are a versatile tool for modulation of the biological response of biomaterials; in particular, the use of biopolymers as coating material may improve cell interactions and tissue adhesion. Among others, keratin is a natural protein able to stimulate fibroblast cells effectively and has the ability to bind metal ions. Coatings of keratin fibers onto titanium substrates can improve soft tissue adhesion, eventually coupling topographical (contact guidance) and chemical stimulus through the alignment of the fibers along sub-micrometric grooves of the substrate. Sub-micrometric keratin fibers were obtained by electrospinning both in random and oriented arrangements (though a rotating collector); in addition, antibacterial properties were added by enrichment of the coating with silver ions. This type of coating can be of interest in transmucosal dental implants, where perimplantitis is often due to infection (biofilm formation) and disease worsening is due to inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue, which is guided by fibroblasts. Keratin fibres coatings were prepared and characterized by means of Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cell (gingival fibroblasts) and bacteria (S. aureus) culture tests. FESEM observations demonstrated the possibility to deposit keratin fibres onto titanium substrates in random or oriented arrangements effectively. Keratin fibres were able to increase fibroblast adhesion and proliferation. On randomly deposited keratin fibres, fibroblast cells were significantly biologically stimulated and showed high adhesion and proliferation, but not orientation ability; on the other hand, aligned keratin fibres on a grooved substrate were able to stimulate cells both from the topographical (orientation) and biological standpoint. Finally, Ag-doped keratin fibres coatings were able to reduce S. aureus adhesion significantly, maintaining high biocompatibility. Considering these results, keratin sub-micrometric fibres coatings are a promising strategy for stimulating fibroblasts and reducing bacterial contamination.

Corrosion testing is a very important step in quality control for metal industrial processes. Especially for electroplated goods, corrosion resistance is a primary indicator of surface quality. International Standard Organization has established several standards that use Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), alone or combined with other electrochemical techniques, to determine corrosion resistance of metal surfaces such ISO 16773 for testing coated and uncoated metallic specimens and ISO 17463 specially designed for organic-coated metal surfaces. EIS is a versatile procedure for the accelerated evaluation of the anti-corrosion performance of coatings: unlike other standard procedures is generally a non-destructive method. EIS works applying an electrical sinusoidal perturbation with a fixed frequency and measuring electrical impedance Z of the sample. Measuring impedance at different frequencies and analysing the data it is possible to postulate the structure of an equivalent circuit and extract corrosion resistance data. This approach is commonly used for high-impedance coatings, in this study we will explore EIS as well as the OCP measurement, the corrosion current and other techniques to find the best option for low-impedance metallic coatings analysis. The objective of this study is to develop a method to determine corrosion resistance for electroplated goods that can give results as reliable as other more diffuse and traditional destructive corrosion testing techniques (such as corrosion tests in artificial atmosphere ISO 9227 and ISO 17228) with a non-destructive process and in a fair less amount of time.

Different chemical and physical treatments have been used to improve the properties and functionalities of steels. The anodizing is one of the most promising treatments, due to its versatility and easy industrial implementation, since it allows obtaining different microstructures on the surface, in order to be employed in different industrial sectors. The present work has studied the influence of the anodizing time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min), as well as the stirring speed (0, 200, 400 and 600 rpm), on the morphology and the resistance corrosion behavior of anodic layers grown in 304L stainless steel. The anodic layers were characterized morphologically, compositionally and electrochemically, in order to determine the influence of these parameters on their corrosion behavior in a 0.6 M NaCl saline solution. The results show that the generation of anodic layers at different times propitiates the definition of nonporous morphologies, while the phenomena of dissolution of the layers that increase with the time of anodizing. However, the resistance to corrosion decreases respect to the non-anodized 304L SS. On the other hand, the effect of the stirring speed during the generation of these anodic layers does not seem to influence the corrosion behavior in the saline medium studied.