Phi x tool

The surface morphology of Ti disks, contaminated Tallow-Ti disks, and Ti disks cleaned using the three methods (Finevo-Ti, UV-Ti, and Plasma-Ti) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM; S-4800; Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) at a 5 kV accelerating voltage. The mean average surface roughness (Ra) and surface topography were assessed using a scanning probe microscope (SPM; SPM-9600; Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). The range of analysis was 125 μm × 125 μm. To compare the elemental composition of the Ti surface before and after cleaning using the three methods, the samples were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS; PHI X-tool; ULVAC-PHI, Kanagawa, Japan) equipped with a monochromatic X-ray source (Al Kα anode) operating at 15 kV and 13 W. The diameter of the analysis point was about 55 μm, and the angle between the electronic analyzer and the sample surface was 45 degrees.

The morphology and composition of the Fe₃O₄-Fe nanohybrids and the Fe₃O₄ nanospheres were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM; Tecnai G2 F30 S-Twin, FEI), high angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HAADF-STEM with EDS; JEM-2100F, JEOL, USA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM; S-4300, Hitachi), and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS; PHI X-tool, ULVAC-PHI, Japan). The phase and crystal structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD; Ultima III, Rigaku). The particle size distribution was determined from dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses using a particle size analyzer (PSA; ELSZ-1000, Otsuka Electronics Korea Co. Ltd.).

The surface atomic changes of each specimen were characterized by XPS using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (PHI X-tool, ULVAC-PHI, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan) with an Al-Kα radiation source (15 kV 4 W, spot size: 19 µm). Peak decomposition was achieved using software (PHI MultiPak, ULVAC-PHI, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan), and the peak assignments were supported with Handbook of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ULVAC-PHI, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan).

Calcium phosphate coating is known to facilitate the bone-forming ability of biomaterials [52 (link)]. Both sponges were incubated in DMEM for 1 day and 1–4 weeks in cryotubes (500 µL per tube) to analyze the calcium phosphate precipitation. At prescribed time points, the treated sponges were evaluated using FE-SEM (S-4800; Hitachi), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS; PHI X-tool, ULVAC-PHI, Kanagawa, Japan), and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy (IRAffinity-1S, Shimadzu).

Membrane characterizations were conducted at the inner surface of hollow fibers to assess the membrane fouling condition during the FO concentration process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Ultra 55, ZEISS, Oberkochen, Germany) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) (IE450, Oxford, Oxford, England) was used to analyze the surface morphology and elemental composition of the membrane. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) (SPA300HV, Seiko, Tokyo, Japan) was used to evaluate the surface roughness of the membrane. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (PHI X-tool, Ulvac-Phi, Kanagawa, Japan) was used to further identify the membrane elemental composition.