Mira 2

To confirm and validate the results observed with light microscopy, we examined the cellular structure of S. aureus by scanning electron microscopy according to a previously reported method (Bai et al., 2019 (link)) with slight modifications. S. aureus (10⁸ CFU/mL) was treated with the MIC concentration of UPPP at 37°C for 2 h. The bacteria were centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 10 min to precipitate and washed three times with PBS. The precipitated cells were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde at 4°C for 24 h and then dehydrated with a series of different concentrations (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 100%) of ethanol for 10 min. Finally, the dehydrated samples were coated with gold and examined by SEM (Tescan mira 2, Tescan, Europe, Czech Republic). A control experiment was performed without UPPP treatment.

For FUR: The morphology and composition were examined by scanning emission microscopy while using a Tescan MIRA 2 that was equipped with a field emission gun (Tescan Ltd., Brno, Czech Republic). The SEM was fitted with an external SE detector with working distance that was set between 14.95–15.47 mm and at 15 kV acceleration voltage. Pixel images (768 × 858) were obtained at 1000 folds magnification covering a sample area of 216.7–217.4 µm.
For other samples: The morphology and composition were examined by scanning emission microscopy on a Tescan MAIA 3 that was equipped with a field emission gun (Tescan Ltd., Brno, Czech Republic). Best images were obtained while using the external SE detector at working distance between 6.81–10.99 mm and at 5 kV acceleration voltage. The pixel images (768 × 858) were obtained at 1000 folds magnification covering a sample area of 208 µm. Full frame capture was performed in analytical mode and accumulation of image with image shift correction enabled, and it took about 1.5 min. with the $~$ 1 µs/pixel dwell time. Spot size was set at 17 nm.

The surface morphology, particle size distribution, and particle aggregation mode were assessed by FE‐SEM using a TESCAN Mira II instrument. The mesoporous ZnO NP powder was dispersed in H2O, and then the sediment was dried at room temperature before gold coating.

The solvents and starting materials were purchased from Merck (Germany) and Sigma‐Aldrich (USA). Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of the prepared samples were recorded on a Thermo AVATAR FT‐IR spectrometer in the wavenumber range of 400–4000 cm⁻¹ using spectroscopic‐grade and pure KBr. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were recorded at room temperature with a Philips X‐Pert 1710 diffractometer using Co Kα radiation (λ=1.78897 Å) at a voltage of 40 kV and current of 40 mA to study the crystalline structure of the nanocatalyst, data were recorded from 10° to 80° (2θ) with the scan speed of 0.05° s⁻¹. The morphology of nanoparticles was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM; TESCAN MIRA II) equipped with Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images were obtained using a CM120 apparatus with an accelerating voltage of 100 kV.

Morphology of the electrodes printed on Si samples was investigated by means of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Mira II (Tescan, Brno-Kohoutovice, Czech Republic) with an operating voltage of 30 kV. SEM images were collected in a secondary electrons mode.
The resistivity of electrodes printed on Si samples was measured by means of a semiconductor device analyzer Agilent B1500A (Keysight, Santa Rosa, CA, USA) in combination with a PM-5 probe station (CascadeMicrotech, Thiendorf, Germany). The measurements were carried out using a pseudo-Kelvin connection (two probes). The measurement range was from −2 to 2 V with a current limit of 30 mA.
The surface tension of Ag nano-ink deposited on the surface of the LiNbO₃ samples was determined with a static method of a hanging drop by means of a ThetaLite optical tensiometer (Biolin Scientific, Espoo, Finland). It has been found that the surface tension of used Ag ink is equal to 39.8 × 10⁻³ N/m. The contact wetting angle of the sample surface was measured by the method of a sitting drop by means of recording the lateral profiles of the ink drops. These measurements were carried out for both rough and polished surfaces of the LiNbO₃ samples.