Quorum sc7620

The morphological properties of the CS/R-VNRL and CS/RP-VNRL composites (both before and after being biodegraded) were determined using SEM with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX; Quanta 450 FEI: JSM-6610LV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) at 10 kV accelerating voltage. Prior to the SEM measurement, the specimens were coated with gold using a sputter coater (Quorum SC7620: Mini Sputter Coater/Glow Discharge System, Lewes, UK) at a power voltage of 10 kV and a current of 10 mA for 120 s, to increase electrical conductivity of the surface [33 (link),34 (link)].
Changes in the functional groups of the R-VNRL and RP-VNRL composites after the addition of CS were determined using FT-IR (Vertex 70, Bruker, San Jose, CA, USA), with wavenumbers in the range 500–4000 cm⁻¹ [35 (link)].

At each time point, a 5 mm piece of the outer membrane of each dressing was obtained as centrally as possible. These pieces were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 4% freshly prepared formaldehyde in 0.1 M HEPES buffer; for 2 h. The samples were then dehydrated in a graded (30–100%) ethanol series for 1 h and critical point-dried in CO₂ using a Quorum K 850 (Quorum Technologies Limited, Lewes, UK). Finally, the samples were sputter-coated with gold–palladium alloy using a Quorum SC7620 (Quorum Technologies Ltd.) and observed with an FEI Quanta 250 scanning electron microscope (ThermoFisher Scientific, Paisley, UK).

Scanning electron microscopy analysis of non-discolored and discolored lenticels was performed on peel parts of healthy and chilling-stressed ‘Keitt’ mango fruit 19 days after cold storage at 5 or 12°C. Samples were fixed in FAA then dehydrated in a graded ethanol series (50, 70, 90, 95, and 100% × 2), critical-point dried in a Quorum K850, and coated with gold palladium (Quorum SC7620 mini sputter coater). Images were taken with a JEOL JCM6000 benchtop scanning electron microscope.

One-quarter of each sample was taken from each group, including the positive control, and scanned using SEM (AURA 100, Saeron Technology, Korea). The samples were soaked in 100% ethanol for 10 min. The segments were sputter-coated with gold/platinum for 180 s in a coating machine (Quorum SC7620, Quorum Technologies, UK).

The density was determined based on Archimedes principle in accordance with ASTM D792. Hardness test was conducted using Instron A654 R Rockwell Hardness (Norwood, MA, USA) tester machine following ASTM D785-08 standard. The calculated density and hardness of composites are presented in Table 2. The morphologies of worn surfaces were examined by Hitachi TM3000 (Illinois, USA) scanning electron microscope (SEM). The specimens were plated with a platinum coating to render electrically conductive using SC7620 QUORUM (Quorum Technologies Ltd., East Sussex, UK) sputter coater machine.