Ultradry

To investigate the surface morphology and elemental composition of the dispersed nanoparticles in the hybrid ion-exchange resins, a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) (model JEOL JSM-7800F), coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) (Thermo Scientific Ultradry) detector was used. The FESEM was operated at an accelerating voltage of 5 kV, a magnification of 900–9500×, a resolution of 1–10 µm, and a scan time of 10 s. The EDS spectra were collected using an acquisition time of 60 s and a dead time of less than 25%.
Raman spectroscopy (Witec, Alpha 300, TS 150 Raman spectrometer), with a laser power source of 532 mW and 784.898 mW as an excitation source, was used to identify the form of the iron oxide in the hybrid ion-exchange resins. The Raman spectra were recorded in the range of 100–2000 cm⁻¹, with a resolution of 4 cm⁻¹, and an integration time of 10 s.
The Agilent Technologies 700 series ICP-OES was used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative levels of metals in aqueous samples. The following conditions were used to operate the ICP-OES: an RF power of 1500 W, a plasma gas maintained at a flow rate of 15 L·min⁻¹, an auxiliary gas flow rate kept at 1.5 L·min⁻¹, a nebulizer gas flow rate of 0.8 L·min⁻¹, a sample uptake rate of 1 mL·min⁻¹, and an integration time of 10 s per replicate.

Prior to analysis, the aluminum
cylindrical sample holder was washed
in isopropanol in an ultrasonic bath for approximately 2 min. An isopropanol
based catalyst ink was drop-casted on the sample holder and positioned
in a 25 mm working distance. The SEM measurements were executed on
a Jeol JSM 6500F instrument at an acceleration voltage of 15 kV, coupled
with an energy dispersed X-ray analysis detector (Ultradry, Thermo
Scientific).

Before elemental analysis with EDX, the mats surface was coated with a carbon layer of around 15 nm in order to ensure electrical conductivity. An EDX detector with an active detector area of 30 mm² and an energy resolution of 123 eV (Mn Kα) of the type UltraDry from Thermo Scientific™ (Waltham, MA, USA) coupled with a tungsten thermionic emitter scanning electron microscope (SEM) of type EVO MA 10 (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Jena, Germany) were used for the elemental analysis of the fiber mats.

The surface alterations of the clear aligner samples (5 × 5 mm squares) were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Carl Zeiss SMT Ltd., Cambridge, UK). The samples were sputter-coated with gold, and images were taken at different magnifications. A low EHT voltage (5 kV) was used for imaging. A silicon drift energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) detector (UltraDry) (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madison, WI, USA) was used to assess the elemental composition of the morphological alterations. Elemental microanalysis was conducted with a 10 kV accelerating voltage, 500 X original magnification, a 300 s acquisition time, and 5% dead time. Quantitative analysis of weight percentages (% wt) of the probed elements was conducted using the “Phi-Rho-Z” matrix correction algorithm using NSS version 3.0 software (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madison, WI, USA) [9 (link),13 (link),16 (link),17 (link)].

The evaluation of biocide dispersion in the LDPE plastic was carried out using a scanning electron microscope, SEM (Hitachi SU8010, Tokyo, Japan). Fragments of 20 × 20 mm were cut from the samples and sputtered with a 1 nm gold coating using a gold sputtering machine (Cressington Sputter Coater 108 auto, Watford, UK) with a sputter thickness measurement module (Cressington Thickness Monitor mtm10, Watford, UK). The photos were taken at 1000× magnification and a voltage of 30 kV. Elemental analysis of the film samples surface was performed using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) using the SEM-EDX attachment (Thermo Scientific Ultra Dry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). The EDX spectrum of the sample surface allows for a semi-quantitative analysis of the elemental composition to a depth of about 1 µm [36 (link)]. During the EDX analysis, the samples were subjected to a voltage of 30 kV and intensity of 15 μA. Elemental analysis of the surface took 30 s at 100× magnification and 15 mm working distance.

The green synthesis OE-Ag NPs were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was performed using Bruker D₂ PHASER with LYNXEYE XE-T detector diffractometer (Haidian, Beijing, China) operating at 40 kV and 30 mA with Cu Kα radiation (k =1.54056 A°) to test the crystallinity and purity of OE-Ag NPs. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy using Thermo Fisher Scientific Ultradry (Madison, WI, USA) was performed to determine the elemental composition of the green-synthesized OE-Ag NPs. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) (Jeol, 5910 LV, Tokyo, Japan) was carried out to determine the morphology of the synthesized Ag NPs. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectra (FTIR) (Bruker, Germany. Model: Vertex 70) analysis was performed to determine whether phytomolecules of plant leaves extract were involved or not in the green synthesis of OE-Ag NPs. UV–visible analysis was carried out using a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu 1700, Columbia, MD, USA).

The morphology, elemental mapping and bulk composition of the synthesized catalyst materials were investigated using LEO 1530 Gemini field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a Thermo Scientific UltraDry EDX detector. The SEM images were collected at 4 kV acceleration voltage using a standard aperture size of 30 µm and in-lens secondary electron detector. Elemental mapping (EDX analysis) was acquired at 15 kV acceleration voltage using an aperture size of 60 µm. Survey images at multiple locations of each sample were obtained to assess homogeneity, and the images presented in the manuscript are representative of uniform electrode surfaces. Cross-section samples were prepared via focused ion beam milling using a Zeiss Crossbeam 340 KMAT dual beam instrument with Ga ion source. The milling cut was directly performed without any protection layer using an acceleration voltage of 30 kV and two different polishing currents (80 nA for rough cut and 1.5 nA for fine polishing).