Photoinduced one-electron reduction of MV2+ in titania nanosheets using porphyrin in mesoporous silica thin films

Composite films of a meso-(tetramethylpyridinium)porphyrin (TMPyP) hybrid incorporated in mesoporous silica (MPS) and cast on a methyl viologen (MV2+)/titania nanosheet hybrid were synthesized and a light-induced charge separation between the two could be observed. These composite thin films were able to initiate a one-electron reduction of the MV2+ ions accompanied by the simultaneous decomposition of the TMPyP organic dye within the mesoporous silica channels.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films of a cationic zinc porphyrin-imidazole-functionalized fullerene dyad: formation and photoelectrochemical studies

Electron donor-acceptor dyad ensembles of a water-soluble cationic zinc porphyrin (viz., zinc tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin tetrachloride, Zn(TMPyP)) and a C60 derivative that bears an imidazole ligand (viz., 2-(phenylimidazolyl)fulleropyrrolidine, C60im) were assembled during the formation of Langmuir and then Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. Surface pressure versus surface area isotherms and surface pressure time profiles, as well as Brewster angle microscopic images documented that the Langmuir films formed were remarkably stable. Subsequently, these Langmuir films were transferred onto different solid substrates, by using the LB technique, for spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical characterization. The UV-vis spectroscopic investigations confirmed that the water-soluble Zn(TMPyP) was, indeed, transferred together with C60im in the LB films. Upon visible light illumination of these LB films, deposited on the ITO transparent conductive supports, a photocurrent generated in the C60im-Zn(TMPyP) system is ascribed to an efficient photoinduced electron transfer from the electron donor, porphyrin singlet excited-state to the electron acceptor, C60. Overall, internal photon-to-current efficiency, IPCE, of the photoanodic current generation (with ascorbate as a sacrificial electron donor) in the ITO/C60im-Zn(TMPyP)/ascorbate/Pt construct is over 5x larger than that of the photocathodic system (with methyl viologen, MV2+, as a sacrificial electron acceptor) in the ITO/Zn(TMPyP)-C60im/MV2+/Pt construct. Highly ordered film stacking favors vectorial electron transfer within the dyad, giving rise to the highest IPCE values of 2.5% determined for a photoanode that was composed of around 20 monolayer films.     

J-aggregation of a water-soluble tetracationic porphyrin in mixed LB films with a calix[8]arene carboxylic acid derivative

The molecular organization of a mixed film, containing a water-soluble tetracationic porphyrin (TMPyP) and a p-tert-butyl calix[8]arene octacarboxylic acid derivative (C8A), at the air-water interface and on a solid support (LB film), has been investigated. Although the TMPyP aggregation was not detected at the air-water interface, TMPyP J-aggregates have been found in the LB films (Y-type). Unlike tetraanionic porphyrins, for example TSPP, the TMPyP J-aggregates are not induced by a zwitterion formation. The TMPyP J-aggregation is a result of a "double comb" configuration, where porphyrins from opposite layers are interwoven in a linear infinite J-aggregate. Our results confirm that TMPyP molecules tend to self-aggregate strongly, provided the electrostatic repulsions of their peripheral groups are cancelled by the anionic groups of the C8A matrix.     

电活性分子L-B膜修饰CdSe薄膜电极的光电化学研究

用电活性分子——硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜修饰了薄膜CdSe电极,在单色光650nm光照下用循环伏安法研究修饰的薄膜电极的光电化学性能。研究结果指出经多层L-B膜修饰后,薄膜CdSe电极的,I-V性能和光稳定性都有明显改善。用界面能级关系讨论了硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜在光照的CdSe薄膜/Fe(CN)₆^4-溶液界面起传递电荷的中介作用,加速了界面的电荷转移。     

The Interaction of Water‐Soluble Manganese Porphyrins with DNA Films and Their Electrocatalytic Properties with Hydrazine

The electrochemistry of water‐soluble manganese porphyrins (Mn(4‐TMPyP)) has been studied as an electrochemically‐active film on double‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) modified electrodes in solutions at various pH. An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the in situ deposition of DNA on gold disk electrodes, and Mn(4‐TMPyP) (manganese meso‐tetrakis‐(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphyrin) deposition on DNA film modified electrodes. Mn^II(4‐TMPyP) (the reduced form) is more easily deposited on a DNA film than Mn^III(4‐TMPyP) (the oxidized form). Electrodeposition of Mn(4‐TMPyP) can be performed in strong basic aqueous solutions, and shows two redox couples with electrochemically active voltammograms. The films can also be produced on glassy carbon, platinum, gold, and transparent semiconductor tin (IV) oxide electrodes. The Mn(4‐TMPyP)/DNA film was electrocatalytically oxidative for hydrazine, hydroxylamine, and SO in a basic aqueous solution through a Mn(IV) species. The electrocatalytic efficiency of Mn^IV(O)(4‐TMPyP) was observed to be greater than (OH)Mn^IV(O)(4‐TMPyP). Electrocatalytic oxidation by a Mn(4‐TMPyP) film as a catalyst for hydrazine oxidation is also discussed. This shows a new anodic peak current in the second segment after the positive scan during electrocatalytic oxidation, and is pH dependent.     

Spectral properties of TMPyP intercalated in thin films of layered silicates

The objective of this study was to investigate the spectral characteristics of tetracationic porphyrin dye (TMPyP), intercalated into films of three smectites. The smectites represented the specimens of high (Fluorohectorite; FHT), medium (Kunipia F montmorillonite; KF), and low layer charge (Laponite; LAP). Intercalation of TMPyP molecules was proven by XRD measurements. The molecular orientations of the dye cations were studied by means of linearly polarized ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and infrared (IR) spectroscopies. Both the UV-vis and the IR spectroscopy proved the anisotropic character of the films. The spectral analysis of the polarized UV-vis spectra and consequent calculations of tilting angles of the transition moments in the region of Soret band transitions were in the range of 25-35 degrees . The determined angles indicated that the molecular orientation of the dye cations was almost parallel to the surface of the silicates. Slightly higher values, determined for a FHT film, indicated either a slightly more tilted orientation of the dye cations or the change of molecular conformation after the intercalation of the dye. Quenching of TMPyP fluorescence was observed, resulting from the formation of bimolecular layer arrangements with sandwich-type assemblies of the dye molecules.     

Binding of Scandium Ions to Metalloporphyrin–Flavin Complexes for Long‐Lived Charge Separation

A porphyrin–flavin‐linked dyad and its zinc and palladium complexes (MPor?Fl: 2 ?M, M=2 H, Zn, and Pd) were newly synthesized and the X‐ray crystal structure of 2 ?Pd was determined. The photodynamics of 2 ?M were examined by femto‐ and nanosecond laser flash photolysis measurements. Photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in 2 ?H₂ occurred from the singlet excited state of the porphyrin moiety (H₂Por) to the flavin (Fl) moiety to produce the singlet charge‐separated (CS) state ¹(H₂Por^.+?Fl^.?), which decayed through back ET (BET) to form ³[H₂Por]*?Fl with rate constants of 1.2×10¹⁰ and 1.2×10⁹ s^?1, respectively. Similarly, photoinduced ET in 2 ?Pd afforded the singlet CS state, which decayed through BET to form ³[PdPor]*?Fl with rate constants of 2.1×10¹¹ and 6.0×10¹⁰ s^?1, respectively. The rate constant of photoinduced ET and BET of 2 ?M were related to the ET and BET driving forces by using the Marcus theory of ET. One and two Sc³⁺ ions bind to the flavin moiety to form the Fl?Sc³⁺ and Fl?(Sc³⁺)₂ complexes with binding constants of K₁=2.2×10⁵ M ^?1 and K₂=1.8×10³ M ^?1, respectively. Other metal ions, such as Y³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺, form only 1:1 complexes with flavin. In contrast to 2 ?M and the 1:1 complexes with metal ions, which afforded the short‐lived singlet CS state, photoinduced ET in 2 ?Pd???Sc³⁺ complexes afforded the triplet CS state (³[PdPor^.+?Fl^.??(Sc³⁺)₂]), which exhibited a remarkably long lifetime of τ=110 ms (k_BET=9.1 s^?1).     

Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution without an electron mediator using a simple electron donor-acceptor dyad

A highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution system without an electron mediator such as methyl viologen (MV(2+)) has been constructed using 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr(+)-Mes), poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-protected platinum nanoclusters (Pt-PVP) and NADH (beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) as the photocatalyst, hydrogen evolution catalyst and electron donor, respectively. The photocatalyst (Acr(+)-Mes) undergoes photoinduced electron transfer (ET) from the Mes moiety to the singlet excited state of the Acr(+) moiety to produce an extremely long-lived ET state, which is capable of oxidizing NADH and reducing Pt-PVP, leading to efficient hydrogen evolution. The hydrogen evolution efficiency is 300 times higher than that in the presence of MV(2+) because of the much faster reduction rate of Pt-PVP by Acr(*)-Mes compared with that by MV(*+). When the electron donor (NADH) is replaced by ethanol in the presence of an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), NADH is regenerated during the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.     

Analysis of Low-k Organosilicon and Low-Density Silica Films Deposited in HMDSO Plasmas

Low-dielectric constant (low-k) films have been prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The films are analyzed by ellipsometry, infrared absorption spectroscopy while their electrical properties are deduced from C–V and I–V measurements performed on metal/insulator/silicon structures. First, it is shown that the carbon-containing silicon oxide films deposited in HMDSO and HMDSO/Ar plasmas have a dielectric constant equal to 3.0 ± 0.1 and are thermally stable at 400°C. The leakage current densities measured for an electric field of 1 MV/cm are less than 10^–9 A/cm² and the breakdown fields are in the range of 6–7 MV/cm. Then, a low-density silica film was obtained by exposing a film deposited in an HMDSO plasma to an O₂ plasma. The dielectric constant of this low-density silica film is 3.5 and its breakdown field is close to 6 MV/cm.     

Synthesis of (thia)Calixarene-based exTTF Derivatives and Their Electron Transfers Towards p-Chloranil and C60

Two novel (thia)calixarene-based exTTF derivatives(3a and 3b) were prepared by Mitsunobu reactions in toluene using diethyl azodicarboxylate(DEAD) and triphenylphosphine(PPh₃) system. The cyclic voltammograms of compounds 3a and 3b were provided, and two electron-irreversible waves with redox potentials were observed. Meanwhile, the intermolecular electron transfer(ET) properties of both compounds 3a and 3b towards p-chloranil(Q) and C₆₀ were investigated via UV-Vis and fluorescent spectroscopies, respectively. The results indicated that the introduced nonoxidable metal ions(Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Sc³⁺) might promote the intermolecular ET from compounds 3a and 3b towards Q ensembles, whereas the effects of Sc³⁺ were the most impressive. Furthermore, the effects of the same metal ions(Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Sc³⁺) added for compound 3b were greater than those for compound 3a. Additionally, the photoinduced intermolecular ET from compounds 3a and 3b towards C₆₀ was observed.     

Macroporous thin films for planar chromatography

A procedure for the preparation of macroporous silica films suitable for planar chromatography is described. The films are produced by a low pH catalyses of alkyltrialkoxysilanes in oversaturated solution of pore forming organic compounds. A segregated three phase system yields thick films (10–60 µm) that have good adhesion to silica glass supports, uniform, mirror like surface and intercalated micron-dimension pores that permit capillarity driven elution of solvents through the film. A phase diagram demonstrating optimal operating conditions for macroporous and microporous film formation is introduced and analyzed.     

四氰基乙烯-四甲基乙烯体系光诱导电子转移双势阱的从头算研 究

以两态模型为基础,用从头算方法,在DZP[所有原子带极化函数的Dunning(9s,5p)/(3s,2p)]基组水平上对四氰基乙烯与四甲基乙烯间的电子转移进行理论计算。通过孤立给体和受体的几何构型优化,计算了给体的电离能和受体的电子亲和能。计算表明,在光诱导电荷分离之后的返回电子转移处于高放热的Marcus反转区。通过碰撞配合物的结构优化和电荷分离处理,在线性反应坐标近似下得到四甲基乙烯-四氰基乙烯配合物电荷分离反应的双势阱,进而获得反应热,键重组能,以及跃迁能。     

Interfacial organizations of gel phospholipid and cholesterol in bovine lung surfactant films

Pulmonary surfactants stabilize the lung by way of reducing surface tension at the air-lung interface of the alveolus. 31P NMR, thin-layer chromatography, and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy of bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) confirmed dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) to be the major phospholipid species, with significant amounts of palmitoyl-oleoylphosphatidylcholine, palmitoyl-myristoylphosphatidylcholine, and palmitoyl-oleoylphosphatidylglycerol. BLES and DPPC spread at the air-water interface were studied through surface pressure area, fluorescence, and Brewster angle microscopy measurements. Langmuir-Blodgett films of monomolecular films, deposited on mica, were characterized by atomic force microscopy. BLES films displayed shape, size, and vertical height profiles distinct from those of DPPC alone. Calcium ions in the subphase altered BLES film domain structure. The addition of cholesterol (4 mol %) resulted in the destabilization of compressed BLES films at higher surface pressures (>40 mN m-1) and the formation of multilayered structures, apparently consisting of stacked monolayers. The studies suggested potential roles for individual surfactant lipid components in supramolecular arrangements, which could be the contributing factors in pulmonary surfactant to attain low surface tension at the air-water interface.     

Pd Nanoparticles Supported on Triangle-Shaped La2O2CO3 Nanosheets: A New Highly Efficient and Durable Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde to Hydrocinnamaldehyde

A catalyst in which Pd nanoparticles are supported on triangle-shaped La₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets exposing predominantly the (001) planes (Pd/La₂O₂CO₃-TNS; where TNS denotes triangular nanosheets) was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The Pd/La₂O₂CO₃-TNS catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity and recycling stability for hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde with turnover frequency of up to 41 238 h⁻¹. This enhanced activity of Pd/La₂O₂CO₃-TNS results from strong metal–support interactions. Structure analysis and characterization demonstrated that surface-oxygen-enriched La₂O₂CO₃-TNS supports exposing (001) planes are beneficial to charge transfer between the Pd nanoparticles and triangle-shaped La₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets and increase the electron density of Pd. Moreover, the modulated electronic states of the Pd/La₂O₂CO₃-TNS catalysts can enhance the adsorption and activation of hydrogen to enhance the hydrogenation activity.     

Formation of photochromic spiropyran polymer brushes via surface-initiated, ring-opening metathesis polymerization: reversible photocontrol of wetting behavior and solvent dependent morphology changes

In this article, we described a method for the formation of photochromic polymer brushes grafted from oxide surfaces using surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization of spiropyran-based monomers in the presence of second generation Grubbs catalyst. The growth of the polymer film, as monitored by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM), is strongly influenced by the initial concentrations of the catalyst and monomer, as well as reaction time. These densely packed and highly smooth polymer films were successfully used as surfaces with switchable color and wettability using light as the external stimulus. The relatively nonpolar spiropyran can be switched to a polar, zwitterionic merocyanine isomer (with a larger dipole moment) using light of the appropriate wavelength. This process is reversible and can be switched back using visible light. The spiropyran-merocyanine photoinduced isomerization gives a reversible contact angle change up to 15 degrees for smooth Si/SiO 2 substrate under sequential irradiation cycles with UV and visible light. This contact angle change can be amplified by complexing the merocyanine form with metal ions through the phenolate oxygen, which enhances the switching of wettability with these polymer brushes. Irradiation in the presence of cobalt(II) ions gives rise to a contact angle variation as high as 35 degrees . This is the largest change in photoinduced surface wettability observed for a flat substrate. Photoisomerization in spiropyrans also yields a change in the refractive index of the film, which we have investigated using ellipsometric imaging. Lastly, morphological changes accompanying photochromism were investigated using atomic force microscopy. Significant morphological changes can only be induced in the films by irradiating in polar solvents that help to stabilize the merocyanine ring open form.     

Fabrication and characterization of a α,β,γ,δ-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphine/silica nanocomposite thin-layer membrane for detection of ppb-level heavy metal ions

A new detection membrane for filtration enrichment combined with colorimetric determination of Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions is presented. We have demonstrated the use of a dye nanoparticle coated test strip (DNTS) structured with a reagent layer for on-site analysis of trace metal ions. In this study, a [TMPyP/SA] DNTS coated with a nanocomposite layer (average thickness: 5.39 μm) of α,β,γ,δ-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphine (TMPyP) and silica-SA on the top surface of a cellulose ester membrane filter was fabricated by a simple filtration of an aqueous TMPyP/silica-SA nanocomposite dispersion through a membrane filter. The nanocomposite formation of cationic TMPyP and negatively charged colloidal SA (9–80 nm) was based on electrostatic interaction and was confirmed in the 120–800 nm diameter range by a dynamic light scattering photometer (DLS). To optimize the DNTS nanocomposite layer, surface uniformity, mechanical strength, the percent retention of TMPyP, and sensitivity to Cd(II) detection for six DNTSs with five different types of silica were examined. A half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS with an average layer thickness of 2.60 μm, which was prepared by controlling the amount of TMPyP and SA, demonstrated the highest sensitivity to Cd(II) ion because it had the lowest background absorbance. In addition, factors that affected the percent retention of TMPyP, such as pH and TMPyP/SA ratio, were determined. More than 99% of the TMPyP was retained on a membrane filter at pH 7.8 with a TMPyP and SA concentration of 2 × 10⁻⁵ M and 4 × 10⁻⁵ wt%, respectively. Filtration enrichment of 100 mL of an aqueous solution containing Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) at ppb levels was achieved by concentrating the metal ions in a nanocomposite layer (the effective TMPyP area was 1.77 cm², pH 10.2). The signaling surface changed from a brown color to green when the ions were captured. The percent extraction for metal ions on a half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS were estimated by TLC scanning and ICP-MS. It was observed that, when using the half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS, Cd(II) concentrations as low as 1 ppb were detectable at a filtration rate of 4.0–5.0 mL min⁻¹.     

Formation of Silver Nanoparticles by Electron Transfer in Peptides and c-Cytochromes

The reduction of Ag⁺ ions to Ag⁰ atoms is a highly endergonic reaction step, only the aggregation to Ag_n clusters leads to an exergonic process. These elementary chemical reactions play a decisive role if Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) are generated by electron transfer (ET) reactions to Ag⁺ ions. We studied the formation of AgNPs in peptides by photoinduced ET, and in c-cytochromes by ET from their Fe²⁺/hemes. Our earlier photoinduced experiments in peptides had demonstrated that histidine prevents AgNP formation. We have now observed that AgNPs can be easily synthesized with less-efficient Ag⁺-binding amino acids, and the rate increases in the order lysine<asparagine<aspartate<serine. The ability of Fe²⁺/hemes of c-cytochromes to reduce Ag⁺ to AgNPs was studied in an enzymatic experiment and with living bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens (Gs).     

Reversible photoswitchable wettability in noncovalently assembled multilayered films

Reversible and irreversible photoinduced changes in surface wettability were observed in noncovalently assembled multilayered films. The multilayered films studied were fabricated from a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) consisting of 4-(10-mercaptodecyloxy)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid on gold, Cu(II) ions complexed to the pyridine head group of the SAM, and either cis- (film 1) or trans- (film 2) stilbene-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid complexed to the Cu(II) ions. Irradiation of film 1 at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption band of the cis-stilbene isomer resulted in an irreversible chemical change and an irreversible increase in wettability, as indicated by surface contact angle and grazing incidence IR measurements. However, no evidence for cis-/trans-photoisomerization was observed. Films 3 and 4, similar to films 1 and 2 in that they consist of an underlying SAM, an intermediate layer consisting of Cu(II) ions, and either cis- or trans-stilbene-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid as the capping ligand, were fabricated with a mixed SAM that contained both 4-(10-mercaptodecyloxy)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and 4-tert-butylbenzenethiol. Irradiation of these films at wavelengths corresponding to stilbene isomer absorption bands resulted in reversible cis- to trans- (film 3) and trans- to cis- (film 4) photoisomerization and reversible switching of the surface wettability between a low wetting state (cis-stilbene) and a high wetting state (trans-stilbene). The difference in observed behavior between films 1 and 2 and films 3 and 4 is attributed to the greater surface spacing afforded by the mixed monolayer, which allows greater conformational flexibility and lowers the steric barriers to isomerization.     

Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2薄膜催化剂的结构对其光催化性能影响

以硅胶为载体,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了掺杂不同量Fe3+的TiO2光催化剂(Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2),以氙灯为光源,罗丹明B为目标降解物,对其光催化活性进行了研究.结果表明,Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2比TiO2纳米粉有更好的催化活性,Fe3+的最佳掺入量为0.03％.罗丹明B在粉体和膜催化剂的作用下遵循不同的光催化反应机理.根据XRD,SEM,Raman,XPS和FTIR的表征结果可认为,TiO2在SIO2表面薄膜化和Ti-O-Si键的形成是催化活性提高和降解机理不同的主要原因.     

Mass transport and electrode accessibility through periodic self-assembled nanoporous silica thin films

Ordered nanoporous silica films have attracted great interest for their potential use to template nanowires for photovoltaics and thermoelectrics. However, it is crucial to develop films such that an electrode under the nanoporous film is accessible to solution species via facile mass transport through well-defined pores. Here, we quantitatively measure the electrode accessibility and the effective species diffusivity for nearly all the known nanoporous silica film structures formed by evaporation-induced self-assembly upon dip-coating or spin-coating. Grazing-angle of incidence small-angle X-ray scattering was used to verify the nanoscale structure of the films and to ensure that all films were highly ordered and oriented. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was then used to assess the transport properties. A model has been developed that separates the electrode/film kinetics and the film transport properties from the film/solution interface and bulk solution effects. Accounting for this, the accessible area of the nanoporous film coated FTO electrode (1-theta) is obtained from the high-frequency data, while the effective diffusivity of the ferrocene dimethanol (D(FDM)) redox couple is obtained from intermediate frequencies. It was found that the degree of order and orientation in the film, in addition to the symmetry/topology, is a dominant factor that determines these two key parameters. The EIS data show that the (211) oriented double gyroid, (110) oriented distorted body center cubic, and (211) distorted primitive cubic silica films have significant accessibility (larger than 26% of geometric area). However, the double-gyroid films showed the highest diffusivity by over an order of magnitude. Both the (10) oriented 2D hexagonal and (111) oriented rhombohedral films were found to be highly blocking with only small accessibility due to microporosity. The impedance data were also collected to study the stability of the nanoporous silica films in aqueous solutions as a function of pH. The distorted primitive silica film showed much faster degradation in pH 7 solution when compared to a blocking film such as the 2D hexagonal. However, silica films maintained their structure at pH 2 for at least 12 h.