Comparative Studies of g-C3N4 and C3N3S3 Organic Semiconductors-Synthesis, Properties, and Application in the Catalytic Oxygen Reduction.

Exfoliated g-C3N4 is a well-known semiconductor utilized in heterogenous photocatalysis and water splitting. An improvement in light harvesting and separation of photogenerated charge carriers may be obtained by polymer doping with sulfur. In this work, we incorporate sulfur into the polymer chain by chemical polymerization of trithiocyanuric acid (C3N3S3H3) to obtain C3N3S3. The XRD measurements and TEM images indicated that C3N3S3, in contrast to g-C3N4, does not exist in the form of a graphitic structure and is not exfoliated into thin lamellas. However, both polymers have similar optical properties and positions of the conduction and valence bands. The comparative studies of electrochemical oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution indicated that the overpotentials for the two processes were smaller for C3N3S3 than for g-C3N4. The RDE experiments in the oxygen-saturated solutions of 0.1 M NaOH have shown that O2 is electrochemically reduced via the serial pathway with two electrons involved in the first step. The spectroscopic experiments using NBT demonstrated that both polymers reveal high activity in the photocatalytic reduction of oxygen to superoxide anion radical by the photogenerated electrons.

Upcycling of Acid-Leaching Solutions from Li-Ion Battery Waste Treatment through the Facile Synthesis of Magnetorheological Fluid.

The rapidly growing production and usage of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dramatically raises the number of harmful wastes. Consequently, the LIBs waste management processes, taking into account reliability, efficiency, and sustainability criteria, became a hot issue in the context of environmental protection as well as the scarcity of metal resources. In this paper, we propose for the first time a functional material-a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) from the LIBs-based liquid waste containing heavy metal ions. At first, the spent battery waste powder was treated with acid-leaching, where the post-treatment acid-leaching solution (ALS) contained heavy metal ions including cobalt. Then, ALS was used during wet co-precipitation to obtain cobalt-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and as an effect, the harmful liquid waste was purified from cobalt. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized with SEM, TEM, XPS, and magnetometry. Subsequently, superparamagnetic nanoparticles sized 15 nm average in diameter and magnetization saturation of about 91 emu g-1 doped with Co were used to prepare the MRF that increases the viscosity by about 300% in the presence of the 100 mT magnetic fields. We propose a facile and cost-effective way to utilize harmful ALS waste and use them in the preparation of superparamagnetic particles to be used in the magnetorheological fluid. This work describes for the first time the second life of the battery waste in the MRF and a facile way to remove the harmful ingredients from the solutions obtained after the acid leaching of LIBs as an effective end-of-life option for hydrometallurgical waste utilization.

Nitrogen Dioxide Sensing Using Multilayer Structure of Reduced Graphene Oxide and α-Fe2O3.

Multilayers consisting of graphene oxide (GO) and α-Fe2O3 thin layers were deposited on the ceramic substrates by the spray LbL (layer by layer) coating technique. Graphene oxide was prepared from graphite using the modified Hummers method. Obtained GO flakes reached up to 6 nanometers in thickness and 10 micrometers in lateral size. Iron oxide Fe2O3 was obtained by the wet chemical method from FeCl3 and NH4OH solution. Manufactured samples were deposited as 3 LbL (GO and Fe2O3 layers deposited sequentially) and 6 LbL structures with GO as a bottom layer. Electrical measurements show the decrease of multilayer resistance after the introduction of the oxidizing NO2 gas to the ambient air atmosphere. The concentration of NO2 was changed from 1 ppm to 20 ppm. The samples changed their resistance even at temperatures close to room temperature, however, the sensitivity increased with temperature. Fe2O3 is known as an n-type semiconductor, but the rGO/Fe2O3 hybrid structure behaved similarly to rGO, which is p-type. Both chemisorbed O2 and NO2 act as electron traps decreasing the concentration of electrons and increasing the effective multilayer conductivity. An explanation of the observed variations of multilayer structure resistance also the possibility of heterojunctions formation was taken into account.

Effect of Gelation Temperature on the Molecular Structure and Physicochemical Properties of the Curdlan Matrix: Spectroscopic and Microscopic Analyses.

In order to determine the effect of different gelation temperatures (80 °C and 90 °C) on the structural arrangements in 1,3-ß-d-glucan (curdlan) matrices, spectroscopic and microscopic approaches were chosen. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy are well-established techniques that enable the identification of functional groups in organic molecules based on their vibration modes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a quantitative analytical method utilized in the surface study, which provided information about the elemental and chemical composition with high surface sensitivity. Contact angle goniometer was applied to evaluate surface wettability and surface free energy of the matrices. In turn, the surface topography characterization was obtained with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Described techniques may facilitate the optimization, modification, and design of manufacturing processes (such as the temperature of gelation in the case of the studied 1,3-ß-d-glucan) of the organic polysaccharide matrices so as to obtain biomaterials with desired characteristics and wide range of biomedical applications, e.g., entrapment of drugs or production of biomaterials for tissue regeneration. This study shows that the 1,3-ß-d-glucan polymer sample gelled at 80 °C has a distinctly different structure than the matrix gelled at 90 °C.

The Influence of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Process Parameters on In-Vitro Cell Response.

The use of laser 3D printers is very perspective in the fabrication of solid and porous implants made of various polymers, metals, and its alloys. The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process, in which consolidated powders are fully melted on each layer, gives the possibility of fabrication personalized implants based on the Computer Aid Design (CAD) model. During SLM fabrication on a 3D printer, depending on the system applied, there is a possibility for setting the amount of energy density (J/mm³) transferred to the consolidated powders, thus controlling its porosity, contact angle and roughness. In this study, we have controlled energy density in a range 8⁻45 J/mm³ delivered to titanium powder by setting various levels of laser power (25⁻45 W), exposure time (20⁻80 µs) and distance between exposure points (20⁻60 µm). The growing energy density within studied range increased from 63 to 90% and decreased from 31 to 13 µm samples density and Ra parameter, respectively. The surface energy 55⁻466 mN/m was achieved with contact angles in range 72⁻128° and 53⁻105° for water and formamide, respectively. The human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) adhesion after 4 h decreased with increasing energy density delivered during processing within each parameter group. The differences in cells proliferation were clearly seen after a 7-day incubation. We have observed that proliferation was decreasing with increasing density of energy delivered to the samples. This phenomenon was explained by chemical composition of oxide layers affecting surface energy and internal stresses. We have noticed that TiO2, which is the main oxide of raw titanium powder, disintegrated during selective laser melting process and oxygen was transferred into metallic titanium. The typical for 3D printed parts post-processing methods such as chemical polishing in hydrofluoric (HF) or hydrofluoric/nitric (HF/HNO3) acid solutions and thermal treatments were used to restore surface chemistry of raw powders and improve surface.

Albumin suppresses oxidation of TiNb alloy in the simulated inflammatory environment.

Literature data has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by immune cells during post-operative inflammation, could induce corrosion of standard Ti-based biomaterials. For Ti6Al4V alloy, this process can be further accelerated by the presence of albumin. However, this phenomenon remains unexplored for Ti ß-phase materials, such as TiNb alloys. These alloys are attractive due to their relatively low elastic modulus value. This study aims to address the question of how albumin influences the corrosion resistance of TiNb alloy under simulated inflammation. Electrochemical and ion release tests have revealed that albumin significantly enhances corrosion resistance over both short (2 and 24 h) and long (2 weeks) exposure periods. Furthermore, post-immersion XPS and cross-section TEM analysis have demonstrated that prolonged exposure to an albumin-rich inflammatory solution results in the complete coverage of the TiNb surface by a protein layer. Moreover, TEM studies revealed that H2O2-induced oxidation and further formation of a defective oxide film were suppressed in the solution enriched with albumin. Overall results indicate that contrary to Ti6Al4V, the addition of albumin to the PBS + H2O2 solution is not necessary to simulate the harsh inflammatory conditions as could possibly be found in the vicinity of a TiNb implant.

Surface Engineering of Anodic WO3 Layers by In Situ Doping for Light-Assisted Water Splitting.

This study presents a novel approach to fabricating anodic Co-F-WO3 layers via a single-step electrochemical synthesis, utilizing cobalt fluoride as a dopant source in the electrolyte. The proposed in situ doping technique capitalizes on the high electronegativity of fluorine, ensuring the stability of CoF2 throughout the synthesis process. The nanoporous layer formation, resulting from anodic oxide dissolution in the presence of fluoride ions, is expected to facilitate the effective incorporation of cobalt compounds into the film. The research explores the impact of dopant concentration in the electrolyte, conducting a comprehensive characterization of the resulting materials, including morphology, composition, optical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical properties. The successful doping of WO3 was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Mott-Schottky analysis. Optical studies reveal lower absorption in Co-doped materials, with a slight shift in band gap energies. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis demonstrates improved PEC activity for Co-doped layers, with the observed shift in photocurrent onset potential attributed to both cobalt and fluoride ions catalytic effects. The study includes an in-depth discussion of the observed phenomena and their implications for applications in solar water splitting, emphasizing the potential of the anodic Co-F-WO3 layers as efficient photoelectrodes. In addition, the research presents a comprehensive exploration of the electrochemical synthesis and characterization of anodic Co-F-WO3, emphasizing their photocatalytic properties for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It was found that Co-doped WO3 materials exhibited higher PEC activity, with a maximum 5-fold enhancement compared to pristine materials. Furthermore, the studies demonstrated that these photoanodes can be effectively reused for PEC water-splitting experiments.

Magnetic-nanoparticle-decorated polypyrrole microvessels: toward encapsulation of mRNA cap analogues.

Many phosphorylated nucleoside derivatives have therapeutic potential, but their application is limited by problems with membrane permeability and with intracellular delivery. Here, we prepared polypyrrole microvessel structures modified with superparamagnetic nanoparticles for use as potential carriers of nucleotides. The microvessels were prepared via the photochemical polymerization of the monomer onto the surface of aqueous ferrofluidic droplets. A complementary physicochemical analysis revealed that a fraction of the nanoparticles was embedded in the microvessel walls, while the other nanoparticles were in the core of the vessel. SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) measurements indicated that the incorporated nanoparticles retained their superparamagnetic properties; thus, the resulting nanoparticle-modified microvessels can be directed by an external magnetic field. As a result of these features, these microvessels may be useful as drug carriers in biomedical applications. To demonstrate the encapsulation of drug molecules, two labeled mRNA cap analogues, nucleotide-derived potential anticancer agents, were used. It was shown that the cap analogues are located in the aqueous core of the microvessels and can be released to the external solution by spontaneous permeation through the polymer walls. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the cap analogues were preserved during encapsulation, storage, and release. This finding provides a foundation for the future development of anticancer therapies and for the delivery of nucleotide-based therapeutics.

Nitrilotriacetic Acid Improves Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation of Titanium for Biomedical Applications.

Dental implants have become a routine, affordable, and highly reliable technology to replace tooth loss. In this regard, titanium and its alloys are the metals of choice for the manufacture of dental implants because they are chemically inert and biocompatible. However, for special cohorts of patients, there is still a need for improvements, specifically to increase the ability of implants to integrate into the bone and gum tissues and to prevent bacterial infections that can subsequently lead to peri-implantitis and implant failures. Therefore, titanium implants require sophisticated approaches to improve their postoperative healing and long-term stability. Such treatments range from sandblasting to calcium phosphate coating, fluoride application, ultraviolet irradiation, and anodization to increase the bioactivity of the surface. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has gained popularity as a method for modifying metal surfaces and delivering the desired mechanical and chemical properties. The outcome of PEO treatment depends on the electrochemical parameters and composition of the bath electrolyte. In this study, we investigated how complexing agents affect the PEO surfaces and found that nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) can be used to develop efficient PEO protocols. The PEO surfaces generated with NTA in combination with sources of calcium and phosphorus were shown to increase the corrosion resistance of the titanium substrate. They also support cell proliferation and reduce bacterial colonization and, hence, lead to a reduction in failed implants and repeated surgeries. Moreover, NTA is an ecologically favorable chelating agent. These features are necessary for the biomedical industry to be able to contribute to the sustainability of the public healthcare system. Therefore, NTA is proposed to be used as a component of the PEO bath electrolyte to obtain bioactive surface layers with properties desired for next-generation dental implants.

Photopolymerized polypyrrole microvessels.

We report on the preparation of water-filled polymer microvessels through the photopolymerization of pyrrole in a water/chloroform emulsion. The resulting structures were characterized by complementary spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, XPS, SEM, and TEM. The encapsulation of fluorescent, magnetic, and ionic species within the microvessels has been demonstrated. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence anisotropy measurements revealed that the encapsulated chromophore (Rhodamine 6G) resides within voids in the capsules; however, strong interaction of the dye with polypyrrole results in a measurable decrease in its rotational dynamics. Microvessels loaded with ferrofluid exhibit magnetic properties, and their structures can be directed with an external magnetic field. TEM measurements allowed imaging of individual nanoparticles entrapped within the vessels. The application of Cu(2+)-loaded microvessels as a transducer layer in all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes was also demonstrated.

CdS-Decorated Porous Anodic SnOx Photoanodes with Enhanced Performance under Visible Light.

Electrochemically generated nanoporous tin oxide films have already been studied as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting systems. However, up to now, the most significant drawback of such materials was their relatively wide band gap (ca. 3.0 eV), which limits their effective performance in the UV light range. Therefore, here, we present for the first time an effective strategy for sensitization of porous anodic SnOx films with another narrow band gap semiconductor. Nanoporous tin oxide layers were obtained by simple one-step anodic oxidation of metallic Sn in 1 M NaOH followed by further surface decoration with CdS by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. It was found that the nanoporous morphology of as-anodized SnOx is still preserved after CdS deposition. Such SnOx/CdS photoanodes exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical activity in the visible range compared to unmodified SnOx. However, the thermal treatment at 200 °C before the SILAR process was found to be a key factor responsible for the optimal photoresponse of the material.

Sarcoid-like Lung Disease as a Reaction to Silica from Exposure to Bentonite Cat Litter Complicated by End-Stage Renal Failure-A Case Report.

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with end-stage renal failure, productive cough, and decreased exercise tolerance. She had owned nine cats, which resulted in long-term exposure (18 years) to silica-containing bentonite cat litter. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest showed micronodular lesions in the lungs, and mild mediastinal lymphadenopathy. A lung biopsy revealed multinucleated giant cells, some of which had birefringent material and Schaumann bodies. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the presence of silicon in the lung biopsy specimen, as well as in the patient's cat litter. The pulmonary condition was suggestive of sarcoid-like lung disease, rather than silicosis, sarcoidosis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, according to the clinicopathological findings. Renal failure appeared to be a result of chronic hypercalcemia due to extrarenal calcitriol overproduction in activated alveolar macrophages. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with sarcoid-like lung disease complicated by end-stage renal failure from exposure to bentonite cat litter. Therapy with steroids, in addition to elimination of the bentonite cat litter exposure, resulted in a significant improvement in the health condition. At a follow-up visit after 4 months, an almost complete resolution of the lung lesions and a significant improvement in renal function were observed.

New Concept for the Facile Fabrication of Core-Shell CuO@CuFe2O4 Photocathodes for PEC Application.

The CuO@CuFe2O4 core-shell structure represents a new family of photocatalysts that can be used as photoelectrodes that are able to produce hydrogen under a broad spectrum of visible light. Herein, we report a novel approach for the production of this active film by the thermal conversion of CuFe Prussian Blue Analogues. The outstanding photoelectrochemical properties of the photocathodes of CuO@CuFe2O4 were studied with the use of combinatory photo-electrochemical instrumental techniques which proved that the electrodes were stable over the whole water photolysis run under relatively positive potentials. Their outstanding performance was explained by the coupling of two charge transfer mechanisms occurring in core-shell architectures.

Nanofunctionalization of Additively Manufactured Titanium Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Measurements.

Powder bed fusion using a laser beam (PBF-LB) is a commonly used additive manufacturing (3D printing) process for the fabrication of various parts from pure metals and their alloys. This work shows for the first time the possibility of using PBF-LB technology for the production of 3D titanium substrates (Ti 3D) for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. Thanks to the specific development of the 3D titanium surface and its nanoscale modification by the formation of TiO2 nanotubes with a diameter of ~80 nm by the anodic oxidation process, very efficient SERS substrates were obtained after deposition of silver nanoparticles (0.02 mg/cm2, magnetron sputtering). The average SERS enhancement factor equal to 1.26 × 106 was determined for pyridine (0.05 M + 0.1 M KCl), as a model adsorbate. The estimated enhancement factor is comparable with the data in the literature, and the substrate produced in this way is characterized by the high stability and repeatability of SERS measurements. The combination of the use of a printed metal substrate with nanofunctionalization opens a new path in the design of SERS substrates for applications in analytical chemistry. Methods such as SEM scanning microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to determine the morphology, structure and chemical composition of the fabricated materials.

Polydopamine-coated curdlan hydrogel as a potential carrier of free amino group-containing molecules.

Curdlan hydrogel obtained after thermal gelling exhibits elasticity and high water-absorbing capacity. However, its modifications leading to the increase of biofunctionality usually alter its solubility and reduce mechanical parameters. Therefore, curdlan hydrogel was modified by deposition of polydopamine to improve its capacity to bind biologically active molecules with free amino groups. It exhibited the unchanged structure, mechanical properties and increased soaking capacity. Aminoglycoside antibiotic (gentamicin) as a model molecule was effectively immobilized to such modified curdlan via quinone moiety (but not amino groups) of polydopamine. Approximately 50 % of the immobilized drug was released following Fickian diffusion and inhibited the bacterial growth in matrix-surrounding medium in prolonged manner. The remaining drug amount was stably attached and prevented the hydrogel against bacterial adhesion even when all the mobile drug has been released. Therefore, polydopamine-modified curdlan hydrogel shows the potential for fabrication of functional materials for different purposes, including drug-loaded biomaterials.

Improving the Properties of Composite Titanium Nitride Layers on the AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Using Hydrothermal Treatment.

Coating magnesium alloys with nitride surface layers is a prospective way of improving their intrinsically poor surface properties; in particular, their tribological and corrosion resistance. These layers are usually produced using PVD methods using magnetron sputtering or arc evaporation. Even though the thus-produced layers significantly increase the wear resistance of the alloys, their effects on corrosion resistance are unsatisfactory because of the poor tightness, characteristic of PVD-produced products. Tightness acquires crucial significance when the substrate is a highly-active magnesium alloy, hence our idea to tighten the layers by subjecting them to a post-deposition chemical-hydrothermal-type treatment. This paper presents the results of our experiments with a new hybrid surface engineering method, using a final tightening pressure hydrothermal gas treatment in overheated steam of the composite titanium nitride layers PVD, produced on AZ91D magnesium alloy. The proposed method resulted in an outstanding improvement of the performance properties, in particular resistance to corrosion and wear, yielding values that exceed those exhibited by commercially anodized alloys and austenitic stainless 316L steel. The developed hybrid method produces new, high-performance corrosion and wear resistant, lightweight magnesium base materials, suitable for heavy duty applications.

Materials characterization of TiO2 nanotubes decorated by Au nanoparticles for photoelectrochemical applications.

The structural and chemical modification of TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) by the deposition of a well-controlled Au deposit was investigated using a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Raman measurements, UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical investigations. The fabrication of the materials focused on two important factors: the deposition of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in UHV (ultra high vacuum) conditions (1-2 × 10-8 mbar) on TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) having a diameter of ∼110 nm, and modifying the electronic interaction between the TiO2 NTs and Au nanoparticles (NPs) with an average diameter of about 5 nm through the synergistic effects of SMSI (Strong Metal Support Interaction) and LSPR (Local Surface Plasmon Resonance). Due to the formation of unique places in the form of "hot spots", the proposed nanostructures proved to be photoactive in the UV-Vis range, where a characteristic gold plasmonic peak was observed at a wavelength of 580 nm. The photocurrent density of Au deposited TiO2 NTs annealed at 650 °C was found to be much greater (14.7 µA cm-2) than the corresponding value (∼0.2 µA cm-2) for nanotubes in the as-received state. The IPCE (incident photon current efficiency) spectral evidence also indicates an enhancement of the photoconversion of TiO2 NTs due to Au NP deposition without any significant change in the band gap energy of the titanium dioxide (E g ∼3.0 eV). This suggests that a plasmon-induced resonant energy transfer (PRET) was the dominant effect responsible for the photoactivity of the obtained materials.

Wear Resistance Improvement of Cemented Tungsten Carbide Deep-Hole Drills after Ion Implantation.

The paper is dedicated to the lifetime prolongation of the tools designed for deep-hole drilling. Among available methods, an ion implantation process was used to improve the durability of tungsten carbide (WC)-Co guide pads. Nitrogen fluencies of 3 × 1017 cm-2, 4 × 1017 cm-2 and 5 × 1017 cm-2 were applied, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) measurements were performed for both nonimplanted and implanted tools. The durability tests of nonimplanted and the modified tools were performed in industrial conditions. The durability of implanted guide pads was above 2.5 times more than nonimplanted ones in the best case, presumably due to the presence of a carbon-rich layer and extremely hard tungsten nitrides. The achieved effect may be attributed to the dissociation of tungsten carbide phase and to the lubrication effect. The latter was due to the presence of pure carbon layer with a thickness of a few dozen nanometers. Notably, this layer was formed at a temperature of 200 °C, much smaller than in previously reported research, which makes the findings even more valuable from economic and environmental perspectives.

Effects of the sources of calcium and phosphorus on the structural and functional properties of ceramic coatings on titanium dental implants produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation.

Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) is as a promising technique to modify metal surfaces by application of oxide ceramic coatings with appropriate physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Therefore, objective of this research was to find the simplest settings, yet able to produce relevant bioactive implant surfaces layers on Ti implants by means of PEO. We show that an electrolyte containing potassium dihydrogen phosphate as a source of P and either calcium hydroxide or calcium formate as a source of Ca in combination with a chelating agent, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), is suitable for PEO to deliver coatings with desired properties. We determined surface morphology, roughness, wettability, chemical and phase composition of titanium after the PEO process. To investigate biocompatibility and bacterial properties of the PEO oxide coatings we used microbial and cell culture tests. The electrolyte based on Ca(OH)2 and EDTA promotes active crystallization of apatites after PEO processing of the Ti implants. The PEO layers can increase electrochemical corrosion resistance. The PEO can be potentially used for development of bioactive surfaces with increased support of eukaryotic cells while inhibiting attachment and growth of bacteria without use of antibacterial agents.

Development of new localized surface plasmon resonance interfaces based on gold nanostructures sandwiched between tin-doped indium oxide films.

This article reports on the fabrication and characterization of plasmonic interfaces composed of a sandwiched structure comprising a tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) substrate, gold nanostructures (Au NSs), and a thin ITO film overcoating. The change in the optical characteristics of the ITO/Au NSs/ITO interfaces as a function of the ITO overlayer thickness (d(ITO) = 0-200 nm) was followed by recording UV-vis transmission spectra. The influence of the thickness of the ITO overcoating on the position and shape of the plasmonic signal is discussed. The possibility to functionalize the ITO/Au NSs/ITO interfaces chemically is demonstrated by covalently linking ethynyl ferrocene to azide-terminated ITO/Au NSs/ITO interfaces. The resulting interfaces were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry) techniques, and UV-vis transmission spectroscopy.