Intrinsic room-temperature electrophosphorescence from a pi-conjugated polymer

Electrically induced phosphorescence from a poly(para-phenylene) ladder-type polymer is observed for the first time and characterized using time resolved spectroscopy. Short-lived phosphorescence is also observed in gated fluorescence spectra and is found to be quenched reversibly by oxygen. Thermally activated triplet diffusion to covalently bound palladium sites, which are formed at a concentration of about 80 ppm in a side reaction during polymer synthesis, is believed to be the cause of this novel effect, which suggests a new approach to the design of efficient electroluminescent materials.     

New Perspectives of Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

The principle of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is outlined. The technique has been applied to a mutant of the well-known green fluorescent protein. A comparative study has been made with time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. The latter experiment shows that the fluorophore is rigidly bound inside the protein matrix follows the rotation of the whole protein and does not show any fast restricted motion. It is evident from fluorescence correlation spectroscopy that some excited-state reaction plays a role, since the autocorrelation traces show a significant effect on the incident laser power. Other potential applications of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are presented as taken from very recent publications.     

Synthesis,Photophysical Properties and Application of New Porphyrin Derivatives for Use in Photodynamic Therapy and Cell Imaging

New derivatives of tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin were designed, synthesized and characterized by IR, proton NMR and mass spectroscopy. The ground and excited state nature of new derivatives were examined using UV-Vis. absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime studies. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of each synthesized derivative of porphyrin was estimated for their further efficacy as potential photosensitizer in biological studies. The significant photophysical data of all synthesized derivatives was supplementary accessed to examine the cell imaging and cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines viz. MBA-MD-231 and A375. The fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield and efficiency of singlet oxygen generation suggests alkyl amine and alkyl hydrazide linked new porphyrin photosensitizers can be useful for PDT agent in cancer treatment.     

Adsorption states and Ga depletion during oxygen adsorption on clean polar GaAs surfaces

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and Auger (AES) measurements were used to study oxygen adsorption on sputtered an annealed GaAs(111)Ga, (1̄1̄1̄)As, and (100) surfaces. Two forms of adsorbed oxygen are seen in UPS. One of them is associatively bound and desorbs at 400–550 K mainly as molecular O₂. It is most probably bound to surface As atoms as indicated by the small amounts of AsO which desorb simultaneously. The second form is atomic oxygen bound in an oxidic environment. It desorbs at 720–850 K in the form of Ga₂O. Electron irradiation of the associatively bound oxygen transforms it into the oxidic form. This explains the mechanism of the known stimulating effect of low energy electrons on the oxidation of these surfaces. During oxygen exposure a Ga depletion occurs at the surface which indicates that oxygen adsorption is a more complex phenomenon then is usually assumed. The following model for oxygen adsorption is proposed: oxygen impinges on the surface, removes Ga atoms and thus creates sites which are capable of adsorbing molecular oxygen on As atoms of the second layer and are surrounded by Ga atoms of the first layer. This molecular oxygen is stable and simultaneously forms the precursor state for the dissociation to the oxidic form.     

p-Nitrostilbene-tert-Butyl-Nitrone: a Novel Fluorescent Spin Trap for the Detection of ROS with Subcellular Resolution

A fluorescent nitrone composed of a nitrostilbene moiety and the tert-butyl-nitrone has been synthesized. Upon addition of short-lived oxygen radicals a relatively stable nitroxide is formed which quenches the fluorescence. Simultaneously, the fluorescence maximum is shifted to shorter wavelength due to the shorter conjugated system. Hence, by means of confocal laser microscopy the formation of reactive oxygen species can be followed with subcellular resolution. The probe co-localizes with mitochondria. Quench was followed in Chinese hamster ovary cells on the second time scale either after generation of hydroxyl radicals by the Fenton reaction or, at almost the same rate, by blocking complexes I and III of the respiratory chain by rotenone and antimycin A. The fluorescence lasted for more than 20 min in controls. The fluorescence decay can be followed in a video presentation on our homepage (http://pcbc00.chemie.uni-kl.de/videostream/stream2java.html). The nature of the initial radical may eventually be determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of the adduct.     

Peptide backbone-copper ring structure: A molecular insight into copper-induced amyloid toxicity

Copper ions can promote amyloid diseases that are associated with amyloid peptides, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains obscure. Here we present that Cu²⁺ is able to specifically bind to the backbone of T2D-related human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) by forming a ring structure, which causes the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the modulation of hIAPP aggregation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that Cu²⁺ bound to the backbone of a turn region, His18—Ser21, which is critical for hIAPP aggregation. Ab initio calculations and x-ray absorption fine structure analyses revealed that Cu²⁺ simultaneously bound with both the amide nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen on the peptide backbone, resulting in a ring structure, and causing the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ to form a hIAPP-Cu⁺ complex. 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate fluorescence measurements further indicated that this complex led to enhanced ROS levels in rat insulinoma cells. Additionally, thioflavin T fluorescence and atomic force microscopy measurements denoted that the backbone-Cu ring structure largely modulated hIAPP aggregation, including the inhibition of hIAPP fibrillation and the promotion of peptide oligomerization. These findings shed new light on the molecular mechanism of Cu²⁺-induced amyloid toxicity involving both the enhancement of ROS and the modulation of hIAPP aggregation.     

Vibrational characterization of carbon monoxide oxidation on the Pt(111) surface

The surface reaction between coadsorbed carbon monoxide and atomic oxygen has been characterized using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, coupled with temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy on a Pt(111) surface characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. Preferential oxidation of bridge bonded CO is not observed despite the fact that bridge bonded CO is adsorbed less vigorously than linearly bound CO. Saturation of the Pt(111) surface with one quarter of a monolayer of atomic oxygen completely suppresses the adsorption of bridge bonded CO. However, substantial coverages of bridge bonded CO can be coadsorbed if the Pt(111) surface is only partially saturated with atomic oxygen. The vibrational data for reaction of coadsorbed CO and atomic oxygen is consistent with a reaction mechanism involving reaction of mobile CO along oxygen island perimeters.     

Time-gated Cherenkov emission spectroscopy from linear accelerator irradiation of tissue phantoms

Radiation from a linear accelerator induces Cherenkov emission in tissue, which has recently been shown to produce biochemical spectral signatures that can be interpreted to estimate tissue hemoglobin and oxygen saturation or molecular fluorescence from reporters. The Cherenkov optical light levels are in the range of 10(-6) to 10(-9) W/cm2, which limits the practical utility of the signal in routine radiation therapy monitoring. However, due to the fact that the radiation is pulsed, gated-acquisition of the signal allows detection in the presence of ambient lighting, as is demonstrated here. This observation has the potential to significantly increase the value of Cherenkov emission spectroscopy during radiation therapy to monitor tissue molecular events.     

多波长消荧光拉曼光谱仪的研制及应用研究

拉曼光谱技术作为探究分子、晶体及其结构特征的有力手段,具有快速、无损、样品用量小、无需前处理且适应性强等优点,已被广泛应用于食品安全、石油化工等领域。但在拉曼光谱应用中,常常受到荧光背景干扰,导致拉曼信号降低,严重的情况下拉曼信号甚至会淹没在荧光背景中。为解决拉曼技术在实际应用中荧光背景干扰的问题,从仪器角度出发,采用二色镜对多波长拉曼光谱进行光路耦合设计,研制了近红外拉曼光谱与移频差分拉曼复合一体的多波长消荧光拉曼光谱检测系统,其中近红外拉曼光谱采用1 064 nm激光光源设计,移频差分拉曼光谱选取784.5和785.5 nm两组激光光源进行时分复用,在移频差分拉曼光谱检测的同时,亦可获得两组单波长拉曼光谱数据。通过对比同步测试和分时逐次测试的强度及峰位稳定性,验证了多波长消荧光拉曼光谱仪的同步测试性能;选取了多种荧光背景强弱不同的样品,进行了单波长拉曼、近红外拉曼及移频差分拉曼光谱的对比分析。针对丙酮、乙腈等荧光背景较弱的样品,可采用单波长拉曼光谱对样品进行定量及定性分析;针对食用油、红色塑胶微粒等荧光背景与拉曼信号强度相当的样品,可采用近红外拉曼光谱对样品进行定量及定性分析;针对红酒、棕色塑胶微粒等荧光背景较强的样品,需结合近红外拉曼光谱和差分拉曼光谱对样品进行定性分析。研究表明：通过多波长消荧光拉曼光谱检测系统的研制,在常规单波长拉曼光谱技术的基础上,将两种抑制荧光干扰技术有机结合,有效扩充了应用领域及样品检测范围。     

荧光光谱用于光动力疗法中光敏剂光漂白特性研究

应用荧光光谱技术研究溶液中血卟啉单甲醚(HMME)的光漂白与光产物生成。以532 nm倍频Nd∶YAG激光器照射样品,功率密度为100 mW·cm-2,以光学多通道分析仪(OMA)采集荧光光谱。照光过程与荧光光谱采集同步进行。通过构建基本光谱与最小二乘拟合,由单条实测光谱中分解求得HMME荧光(613 nm)、光产物荧光(639 nm)及自体荧光的强度。HMME初始浓度不超过10 μg·mL-1时符合荧光-浓度线性函数关系。对照光过程的荧光光谱监测同时观察到HMME漂白、光产物生成与漂白,以及样品光学特性变化引起的自体荧光强度起伏。光产物漂白后的二次产物引起样品光学特性显著改变。所建立的荧光光谱探测系统与光谱分析方法可满足光敏剂漂白特性体外研究的需要,并为光动力治疗的剂量学在体监测提供有效研究方法。     

A TPD and IR study of co-adsorption of NO and oxygen on Ru(001)

The adsorption of NO on Ru(001), and its co-adsorption with oxygen, has been investigated using temperature programmed desorption and infra-red reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). Only one band due to the NO stretch of adsorbed NO could be observed and was assigned to the linearly bound v₂ species. Pre-adsorption of oxygen caused surprisingly little effect on the total desorbed flux of NO and its dissociation products in the TPD spectrum. The main effect of oxygen was to shift intensity from the v₁ peak to a new desorption peak v₁(O), which is accompanied by a splitting in the IRAS spectrum of the v₂ species. The absence of the band observed in the “bridging region” in EELS experiments and the small influence of the pre-adsorbed oxygen on the v₂ species is discussed in the light of current models for this adsorption system.     

Investigations of the spatio-temporal build-up of atomic oxygen inside the micro-scaled atmospheric pressure plasma jet

The ascent of atomic oxygen densities created inside the micro-scaled atmospheric pressure plasma jet has been investigated spatially resolved under parameter variations such as applied power, gas mixture and gas velocity using two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Along the discharge channel an increase of the atomic oxygen density within the plasma is observed. The density shows an exponentially asymptotic convergence into an equilibrium close to the effluent. In the post-discharge effluent an exponential spatial decrease can be found. Typical ascent distances of a few hundreds of μm decrease with the applied power and increase with gas velocity and oxygen admixture. The maximum atomic oxygen density increases with applied power and admixed molecular oxygen up to more than 10¹⁶ cm^-3. An increase of the maximum atomic oxygen density with increasing gas velocity has been found. Optical emission spectroscopy measurements indicate a strong increase of the nitrogen emission at low gas flow rates along the channel.     

Enhanced Emission Induced by FRET from a Long-Lifetime, Low Quantum Yield Donor to a Long-Wavelength, High Quantum Yield Acceptor

We report observation of high quantum yield, long-lifetime fluorescence from a red dye BO-PRO-3 excited by resonance energy transfer (RET). The acceptor fluorescence was highly enhanced upon binding to the donor-labeled DNA. A ruthenium complex (Ru) was chosen as a donor in this system because of its long fluorescence lifetime. Both donor and acceptor were non-covalently bound to DNA. Emission from the donor-acceptor system (DA) at wavelengths exceeding 600 nm still preserves the long-lifetime component of the Ru donor, retaining average fluorescence lifetimes in the range of 30–50 ns. Despite the low quantum yield of the Ru donor in the absence of acceptor, its overall quantum yield of the DA pair was increased by energy transfer to the higher quantum yield acceptor BO-PRO-3. The wavelength-integrated intensity of donor and acceptor bound to DNA was many-fold greater than the intensity of the donor and acceptor separately bound to DNA. The origin of this effect is due to an efficient energy transfer from the donor, competing with non-radiative depopulation of the donor excited state. The distinctive features of DA complexes can be used in the development of a new class of engineered luminophores that display both long lifetime and long-wavelength emission. Similar DA complexes can be applied as proximity indicators, exhibiting strong fluorescence of adjacently located donors and acceptors over the relatively weak fluorescence of separated donors and acceptors.     

Sonodynamic and sonocatalytic damage of BSA molecules by Cresol Red,Cresol Red-DA and Cresol Red-DA-Fe under ultrasonic irradiation

The interaction of Cresol Red derivatives (Cresol Red (o-Cresolsulfonphthalein), Cresol Red-DA (3,3′-Bis [N,N-di (carboxymethyl) aminomethyl]-o-cresolsulfonphthalein) and Cresol Red-DA-Fe(III) (3,3′-Bis [N,N-di (carboxymethyl) aminomethyl]-o-cresolsulfonphthalein-Ferrous(III)) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by the combination of ultraviolet spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. On that basis, the sonodynamic and sonocatalytic damages of Cresol Red derivatives to BSA under ultrasonic irradiation were also investigated by means of corresponding spectrum technology. Meanwhile, some influenced factors such as ultrasonic irradiation time, Cresol Red derivatives concentration and ionic strength on the damage degree of BSA molecules were also reviewed. In addition, the binding site and damage site of BSA molecules were estimated by synchronous fluorescence spectra. Finally, the results of oxidation-extraction photometry (OEP) using several reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers indicated that the damage of BSA molecules is mainly due to the generation of ROS. Perhaps, this paper may offer some important subjects for broadening the application of Cresol Red derivatives in sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and sonocatalytic therapy (SCT) technologies for tumor treatment.     

基于明胶制备碳量子点及其光学性能的研究

通过水热法采用热解明胶制备出有蓝色荧光的碳量子点,并通过单因素优化实验对制备碳量子点的温度、时间进行优化以选择出制备碳量子点的最佳条件,结果表明在水热反应温度为200 ℃,反应时间为6 h时制备的碳量子点的荧光性能最强。同时,利用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、Ｘ射线衍射(XRD)、紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV)及荧光光谱(PL)等手段对最佳条件下制备的碳量子点进行测试与表征,结果表明,该方法制备的碳量子点量子产率为39.4%,与不掺杂的碳量子点相比其量子产率相对较高,这可能是因为有N元素的存在使得量子产率有所提高;所制备的碳量子点不仅具有丰富的含氧官能团而且抗光漂白性能良好,形态主要是均匀分散的球形,没有明显的晶格条纹,这与相关文献报道的碳量子点的形态相一致,其在250～300 nm有较弱的吸收,但无明显的特征吸收峰,这可能是由于C=O基团的n-π*跃迁引起的;此外,还讨论了氙灯照射时间、pH、碳量子点浓度、不同类型溶剂及离子强度等因素对碳量子点荧光性能的影响,研究结果表明,氙灯照射时间及离子强度对碳量子点荧光性能几乎无影响,在过酸或过碱的条件下其荧光强度相对较弱,原因可能是在过酸或过碱的条件下发生质子化或非质子化的作用导致其荧光强度减弱;且碳量子点溶液随着其浓度的增加,荧光强度先增加后减小;而对于溶剂类型而言,其在极性溶剂中的荧光强度大于其在非极性溶剂中的荧光强度,说明该方法制备的碳量子点具有良好的水溶性。     

Reaction of oxygen with gallium surfaces

The adsorption of oxygen molecules on evaporated gallium films has been studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy between 10 and 300 K. In addition to the oxygen levels, the chemical shift of the Ga 3d core level has been investigated using monochromatized light from a He discharge lamp at ?ω = 40.8 eV. Four different states of oxygen have been found depending on temperature. At 10 K the molecules of the first layer are physisorbed onto which several additional layers can be condensed. The rigid relaxation shifts to smaller binding energies are 2.7 eV for physisorbed and 1.3 eV for condensed oxygen. During warming-up the oxygen reacts with the gallium surface. Between 70 and 130 K an oxygen species develops which is interpreted as chemisorbed molecular oxygen. This is concluded from the valence band UP spectra, the chemical shift of the Ga 3d level, and the work function change. At 300 K oxygen is dissociatively bound and the bulk oxide grows.     

Extrinsic fluorescence probe study of human serum albumin using Nile red

Nile red bound to human serum albumin (HSA) shows an order of magnitude increase in the probe's fluorescence intensity. Here, we report on the fluorescence characteristics of the probe-protein complex in Trizma buffer (pH 7.1), urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and AOT/isooctane/buffer reverse micelles using both steady—state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. With a view to illustrating the use of extrinsic probe fluorescence spectroscopy in protein research, we demonstrate that protein unfolding can be observed through measurements of the probe's time-resolved anisotropy and steady-state fluorescence spectrum. Moreover, this shows that thermal unfolding is fundamentally different from using denaturant, with respect to changes in both the nanosecond diffusional rotation of the probe at intermediate stages and in the denatured protein's structure. Also, the large Stokes shift of Nile red allows the changes in the environment of the probe-protein complex in reverse micelles of varying waterpool size to be easily identified in the steady-state fluorescence. This was not seen in earlier work exploiting the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of HSA and further demonstrates the complementary information that extrinsic fluorescence probe studies can offer protein science. We discuss the complex acrylamide quenching characteristics of Nile red bound to HSA in terms of the possibility of at least two binding sites for the probe and the effect of acrylamide on the probe-protein structure at very high quencher concentrations.     

Analysis of fluorescence quenching of pyronin B and pyronin Y by molecular oxygen in aqueous solution

The fluorescence quenching of pyronin B and pyronin Y molecules by molecular oxygen in aqueous solution was studied by using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy techniques. In order to understand the quenching mechanism, fluorescence decays, absorption and fluorescence spectra of the probes were recorded as a function of the oxygen concentration and temperature. The quenching was found to be appreciable and shows positive deviation in the Stern-Volmer representation obtained from the fluorescence intensity ratio. Fluorescence quenching constants (k_q) were calculated from the τ_o/τ vs. [Q] plots having linear correlation and compared with calculated diffusion-controlled rate constants (k_diff) values. Experimental results were in good agreement with the simultaneous dynamic and static quenching model.     

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy on analcime and pollucite in comparison to X‐ray diffraction

Natural and synthetic samples of analcime and pollucite (both zeolites belonging to the analcime group) were studied by means of micro‐Raman spectrometry, X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XFA) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). On knowing the chemical and structural characteristics of each solid‐solution member, the observed shift in the spectral position of the Raman active modes can be explained and used for phase determination. As shown, the distinction between members of the analcime–pollucite solid‐solution series using Raman spectroscopy is significantly more conclusive than the corresponding XRD findings. Also, information about the structurally bound water inside the zeolite structure can be gained using Raman spectroscopy as long as a suitable exciting wavelength is selected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biophysical Properties of Phenyl Succinic Acid Derivatised Hyaluronic Acid

Modification of hyaluronic acid (HA) with aryl succinic anhydrides results in new biomedical properties of HA as compared to non-modified HA, such as more efficient skin penetration, stronger binding to the skin, and the ability to blend with hydrophobic materials. In the present study, hyaluronic acid has been derivatised with the anhydride form of phenyl succinic acid (PheSA). The fluorescence of PheSA was efficiently quenched by the HA matrix. HA also acted as a singlet oxygen scavenger. Fluorescence lifetime(s) of PheSA in solution and when attached to the HA matrix has been monitored with ps resolved streak camera technology. Structural and fluorescence properties changes induced on HA-PheSA due to the presence of singlet oxygen were monitored using static light scattering (SLS), steady state fluorescence and ps time resolved fluorescence studies. SLS studies provided insight into the depolymerisation kinetics of PheSA derivatised HA matrix in the presence of singlet oxygen. Time resolved fluorescence studies grave insight into the dynamics of the reaction mechanisms induced on HA-PheSA by singlet oxygen. These studies provided insight into the medical relevance of PheSA derivatised HA: its capacity of scavenging singlet oxygen and of quenching PheSA fluorescence. These studies revealed that HA-PheSA is a strong quencher of electronic excited state PheSA and acts as a scavenger of singlet oxygen, thus medical applications of this derivatised form of HA may protect tissues and organs, such as skin, against reactive oxygen species damage.