A capacitive sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers and poly( p -aminobenzene sulfonic acid) film for detection of pazufloxacin mesilate

A novel capacitive sensor for pazufloxacin mesilate (pazufloxacin) determination was developed by electropolymerizing p-aminobenzene sulfonic (p-ABSA) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MPs), which was synthesized through thermal radical copolymerization of metharylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in the presence of pazufloxacin template molecules, on the gold electrode surface. Furthermore, 1-dedecanethiol was used to insulate the modified electrode. Alternating current (ac) impedance experiments were carried out with a Model IM6e to obtain the capacitance responses. Under the optimum conditions, the sensor showed linear capacitance response to pazufloxacin in the range of 5 ng·mL⁻¹ to 5 μg·mL⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation (RSD) 5.3% (n=7) and a detection limit of 1.8 ng·mL⁻¹. The recoveries for different concentration levels of pazufloxacin samples varied from 94.0% to 102.0%. Electrochemical experiments indicated the capacitive sensor exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity and showed excellent parameters of regeneration and stability. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20675064), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing City (Grant No. CSTC-2004BB4149 and 2005BB4100) and High Technology Project Foundation of Southwest University (Grant No. XSGX02).     

Nano Au/TiO2 hollow microsphere membranes for the improved sensitivity of detecting specific DNA sequences related to transgenes in transgenic plants

Gold nanoparticles (nano Au)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) hollow microsphere membranes were prepared on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) for enhancing the sensitivity of DNA hybridization detection. The immobilization of nano Au and TiO₂ microsphere was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hybridization events were monitored with EIS using [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as indicator. The sequence-specific DNA of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S) gene was detected with this DNA electrochemical sensor. The dynamic detection range was from 1.0×10⁻¹² to 1.0×10⁻⁸ mol/L DNA and a detection limit of 2.3×10⁻¹³ mol/L could be obtained. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the terminator of nopaline synthase (NOS) gene from the real sample of a kind of transgenic soybean was also satisfactorily detected. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20635020 and 20375020), Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 20060426001) and Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao City (Grant No. 04-2-JZP-8)     

Direct electrochemistry and enzymatic activity of hemoglobin in positively charged colloid Au nanoparticles and hemoglobin layer-by-layer self-assembly films

Alternate adsorption of positively charged colloid-Au nanoparticles (nano-Au⊕) and negatively charged hemoglobin (Hb) on L-cysteine (L-cys) modified gold electrode resulted in the assembly of {Hb/nano-Au⊕}n layer-by-layer films/L-cys modified gold electrode. The nano-Au⊕ was characterized by transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and microelectrophoresis. The modified electrode interface morphology was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force mi- croscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammograms (CV) and chronoamperometry. Direct electron transfer between hemoglobin and gold electrodes was studied, and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant ( km app) of the modified electrode was evaluated to be 0.10 mmol·L?1. Moreover, the higher activity of proteins in the nano-Au⊕ films could be retained compared with the electropolymerization membrane, since the pro- teins in nano-Au⊕ films retained their near-native structure. Direct electron transfer between hemoglo- bin and electrode and electrochemically catalyzed reduction of hydrogen peroxide on a modified elec- trode was studied, and the linear range was from 2.1×10-8 to 1.2 ×10?3 mol·L-1 (r = 0.994) with a detection limit of 1.1×10-8 mol·L-1 H2O2.     

Study of third-order nonlinear susceptibility of polySchiff base containing triphenylamine

PolySchiff base containing triphenylamine has been synthesized by polycondensation and character-ized by FT-IR,NMR,UV-visible spectrometer. Measurements of the third-order optical nonlinear sus-ceptibility χ(3) by Z-scan technique have shown that the large nonlinearity is dominated by the two-photon absorption in PSB. The sign and size of real part Reχ(3) ,nonlinear refractive index n2 have been measured with the condition of 532 nm,8 ns-duration pulses to be -1.23×10-10 esu,-3.06×10-12 esu;nonlinear absorption index β and size of image part Imχ(3) to be 3.63×10-10 m/W,1.15×10-11 esu,respec-tively,so the third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) is 1.19×10-11 esu. The value is larger than other polymers reported. PSB is self-focusing material and has potential application in nonlinear optic field.     

Immobilization and hybridization of DNA based on magnesium ion modified 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid polymer and its application for label-free PAT gene fragment detection by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

A new approach for a simple electrochemical detection of PAT gene fragment is described. Poly(2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) (PDC) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared by potential scan electropolymerization in an aqueous solution. Mg2 ions were incorporated by immer-sion of the modified electrode in 0.5 mol/L aqueous solution of MgCl2 to complete the preparation of a generic "activated" electrode ready for binding the probe DNA. The ssDNA was linked to the conduct-ing polymer by forming a bidentate complex between the carboxyl groups on the polymer and the phosphate groups of DNA via Mg2 . DNA immobilization and hybridization were characterized with dif-ferential pulse voltammetry (DPV) by using methylene blue (MB) as indicator and electrochemical im-pedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS was of higher sensitivity for DNA detection as compared with voltammetric methods in our strategy. The electron transfer resistance (Ret) of the electrode surface in EIS in [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- solution increased after the immobilization of the DNA probe on the Mg/PDC/GCE electrode. The hybridization of the DNA probe with complementary DNA (cDNA) made Ret increase further. The difference between the Ret at ssDNA/Mg/PDC/GCE and that at hybridization DNA modified electrode (dsDNA/Mg/PDC/GCE) was applied to determine the specific sequence related to the target PAT gene with the dynamic range comprised between 1.0 × 10-9 and 1.0 × 10_5 mol/L. A detection limit of 3.4 × 10-10 mol/L of oligonucleotides can be estimated.     

An accurate three-dimensional potential energy surface for the He-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript> complex

An accurate three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for the He-Na₂ van der Waals complex was calculated at the coupled cluster singles-and-doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triple (CCSD(T)) level of theory. A mixed basis set, aug-cc-pVQZ for the He atom and cc-pCVQZ for the sodium atom, and an additional (3s3p2d1f) set of midbond functions were used. The computed interaction energies in 819 configurations were fitted to a 96-parameter analytic potential model by least squares fitting. The PES has two shallow wells corresponding to the T-shaped structure and the linear configuration, which are located at 12.5a ₀ and 14 a ₀ with depths of 1.769 and 1.684 cm⁻¹, respectively. The who potential energy surface exhibits weak anisotropy. Based on the fitted PES, state-to-state differential cross sections were calculated. Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Educational Committee (Grant No. 2006kj072A) and the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (Grant No. 070416236)     

Potential energy curves for the X1∑ g, B1△g and B''''1∑ g states of C2 using MRCI and approximate CI methods

The potential energy curves for the X1∑ g, B1△g and B′1∑ g states of C2 have been studied by using MRCI and approximate CI methods, and are benchmarked against the calculations of full configuration interaction (FCI). The results obtained by MRCI method agree with the FCI very well, and even are accurate enough to compare other approximate methods as benchmark, when the calculations of FCI are not feasible. The approximate CI methods mentioned in this paper are reliable for treating chemical problems.     

Resonance scattering spectral detection of ultratrace IgG using immunonanogold-HAuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>OH catalytic reaction

Nanogold particles of 10 nm were used to label goat anti-human IgG (GIgG) to obtain nanogold-labeled GIgG (AuGIgG). In a citrate-HCI buffer solution of pH 2.27, AuGIgG showed a strong catalytic effect on the reaction between HAuCl₄ and NH₂OH to form big gold particles that exhibited a resonance scattering (RS) peak at 796 nm. Under the chosen conditions, AuGIgG combined with IgG to form immunocomplex AuGIgG-IgG that can be removed by centrifuging at 16000 r/min. AuGIgG in the centrifuging solution also showed catalytic effect on the reaction. On those grounds, an immunonanogold catalytic RS assay for IgG was designed. With addition of IgG, the amount of AuGIgG in the centrifuging solution decreased; the RS intensity at 796 nm (I _{796 nm}) decreased linearly. The decreased intensity ΔI _{796 nm} was linear with respect to the IgG concentration in the range of 0.08–16.0 ng · mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.02 ng · mL⁻¹. This assay was applied to analysis of IgG in sera with satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity and rapidity. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20667001), Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province (Grant No. 0728213), and the Foundation of New Century Ten-Hundred-Thousand Talents of Guangxi Province     

Theoretical observation of hexaatomic molecules containing pentacoordinate planar carbon

The smallest molecules up to date containing a D5h pentacoordinate planar carbon (PPC) atom, CBe5 and CBe54-, are presented by means of ab initio calculations. To gain a better understanding about which electronic factors contribute to their stabilization, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and the nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) were calculated. The data reported here suggest that D5h CBe5 is σ aromaticity in nature, while in D5h CBe54- π aromaticity is dominating. The classical octet rule is well satisfied in both molecules, and is one of the fundamental reasons to understand the stability of the pentagon structures. The Be5 ring serves as σ donor in D5h CBe5, and π-acceptor in D5h CBe54-. The D5h CBe54- possessing 18 valence electrons with a closed-shell electron configuration is the most plau-sible candidate for experimental detection.     

A new fluorescent sensor selective for Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in water capable of two-photon-induced fluorescence measurement

A new fluorescent sensor (1) for Pb²⁺ containing a 1,4-dicyano-2,5-bis(styryl)benzene fluorophore and 2-(N,N′-bis(carboxylmethyl))amino-1-carboxylmethoxylbenzene as receptor has been synthesized. The sensor selectively responds to Pb²⁺ in the aqueous environment, and brings about similar and significant changes in one- and two-photon excited emission spectra: λ _max red-shift from 460 (519) to 590 nm. The selective response is pH-independent in a large physiological pH range, and two-photon action cross section (ϕδ) is 51 GM (1 GM = 1×10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴·s·photon⁻¹·molecule⁻¹) at 740 nm. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20705621 & 20706008), the National Basic Research Project of China (Grant No. 2009CB724706), the Ministry of Education of China, Changjiang Scholars Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0711) and Cultivation Fund of the Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Project (Grant No. 707016)     

A fluorescent sensing membrane for iodine based on intramolecular excitation energy transfer of anthryl appended porphyrin

A single anthryl appended meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) dyad has been synthesized and applied in fluorescence sensing of iodine based on the intramolecular excitation energy transfer. The molecular recognition of the sensor is based on the interaction of iodine with inner anthracene moiety of the dyad, while the signal reporter for the recognition process is the TPP fluorescence quenching. Because the emission spectrum of anthracene is largely overlapped with the Soret band absorption of TPP, intramolecular excitation energy transfer interaction occurs between the donor, anthracene and acceptor, TPP. This energy transfer leads to TPP fluorescence emission by excitation of anthracene. The sensor was constructed by immobilizing the dyad in a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane. The sensing membrane shows higher sensitivity compared to the sensors by using anthracene, TPP, or a mixture of anthracene and TPP as sensing materials. Under the optimum conditions, iodine in a sample solution can be determined from 2.04 to 23.6 mmol·L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 33 nmol·L⁻¹. The sensing membrane shows satisfactory response characteristics including good reproducibility, reversibility and stability, as well as the short response time of less than 60 s. Except for Cr₂O₇²⁻ and MnO₄⁻, other common metal ions and anions in foodstuff do not interfere with iodine determination. The proposed method was applied in the determination of iodine in table salt samples. The results agree well with those obtained by other methods. Supported by the National Outstanding Youth Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20525518), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20775005), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Hunan province (Grant No. JJ076021)     

Development of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on the immobilization of glucose oxidase in an ormosil-PVA matrix onto a Prussian Blue modified electrode

An amperometric glucose biosensor was developed based on the immobilization of glucose oxidase in the organically modified silicate (ormosil)-polyvinyl acetate (PVA) matrix onto a Prussian Blue (PB)-modified glassy carbon electrode. A higher stability PB-modified electrode was prepared by the electrochemical deposition of FeCl₃, K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) under cyclic voltammetric (CV) conditions. The effects of the potential range of CV conditions, electrolyte cations, applied potential, pH, temperature and co-existing substances were investigated. The detection limit of the glucose biosensor was 8.1 μmol·L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) with a linear range from 20 μmol·L⁻¹ to 2 mmol·L⁻¹ (R = 0.9965). The biosensor presented a fast response and good selectivity. Additionally, excellent reproducibility and stability of the biosensor were observed. Supported by the National High Technical Development Project (863 project) Foundation (Grant No. 2006AA09Z160) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20775064)     

Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia using a cell with a Nafion membrane and SmFe0.7Cu0.3?xNixO3 (x = 0?0.3) cathode at atmospheric pressure and lower temperature

Samaria-doped ceria Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2−δ (SDC) and SmFe_0.7Cu_0.3−x Ni _x O₃ have been synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical synthesis of ammonia was investigated at atmospheric pressure and low temperature, using the SFCN materials as the cathode, a Nafion membrane as the electrolyte, nickel-doped SDC (Ni-SDC) as the anode and silver-platinum paste as the current collector. Ammonia was synthesized from 25 to 100°C when the SFCN materials were used as cathode, with SmFe_0.7Cu_0.1Ni_0.2O₃ giving the highest rates of ammonia formation. The maximum rate of evolution of ammonia was 1.13 × 10⁻⁸ mol·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at 80°C, and the current efficiency reached as high as 90.4%. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20863007)     

The thermal decomposition of N , N -dimethyl-3-oxaglutaramic acid and the kinetics of its second-stage thermal decomposition reaction

N,N-dimethyl-3-oxa-glutaramic acid was purified and characterized by ¹H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and elemental analysis. The thermal decomposition of the title compound was studied by means of thermogravimetry differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) and FT-IR. The kinetic parameters of its second-stage decomposition reaction were calculated and the decomposition mechanism was discussed. The kinetic model function in a differential form, apparent activation energy and pre-exponential constant of the reaction are 3/2 [(1−α)^1/3−1]⁻¹, 203.75 kJ·mol⁻¹ and 10^17.95s⁻¹, respectively. The values of ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠ and ΔG ^≠ of the reaction are 94.28 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹, 203.75 kJ·mol⁻¹ and 155.75 kJ·mol⁻¹, respectively. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20106009)     

Resonance-enhanced photon excitation spectroscopy of the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states of Kr

Kr atoms were produced in their metastable states 4p⁵5s [3/2]₂ and 4p⁵5s’ [1/2]₀ in a pulsed DC discharge in a beam, and subsequently excited to the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states 4p⁵ np′ [3/2]_1,2, [1/2]₁ and 4p⁵ nf′ [5/2]₃ using single photon excitation. The excitation spectra of the even-parity autoionizing resonance series from the metastable Kr were obtained by recording the autoionized Kr⁺ ions with time-of-flight ion detection in the photon energy range of 29000–40000 cm⁻¹. A wealth of autoionizing resonances were newly observed, from which more precise and more systematic spectroscopic data of the level energy and quantum defects were derived. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20673107), the National Key Basic Research Special Foundation of China (Grant No. 2007CB815203), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KJCX2-SW-H08)     

Effect of strontium substitution on the activity of La2?xSrxNiO4 (x = 0.0–1.2) in NO decomposition

The aim of this work is to study the effect of Sr substitution on the redox properties and catalytic activity of La_2−x Sr _x NiO₄ (x = 0.0–1.2) for NO decomposition. Results suggest that the x = 0.6 sample shows the highest activity. The characterization (TPD, TPR, etc.) of samples indicates that the x = 0.6 sample possesses suitable abilities in both oxidation and reduction, which facilitates the proceeding of oxygen desorption and NO adsorption. At temperature below 700°C, the oxygen desorption is difficult, and is the rate-determining step of NO decomposition. With the increase of reaction temperature (T > 700°C), the oxygen desorption is favorable and, the active adsorption of NO on the active site (NO + V _o + Ni²⁺ → NO⁻-Ni³⁺) turns out to be the rate-determining step. The existence of oxygen vacancy is the prerequisite condition for NO decomposition, but its quantity does not relate much to the activity. Supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (863 Program)(Grant No. 2004CB 719502) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20177022)     

Properties of meso-tetrakis (4- n -alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrin liquid crystal Co and Ni complexes

Six series of meso-tetrakis (4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrin Co and Ni complexes (12 kinds) were reported. Nine of the compounds were found to exhibit liquid crystal properties and display a hexagonal columnar discotic columnar (Col_h) phase. Molecular structure of all synthesized compounds was confirmed by IR, UV, MS, ¹H NIVR, and elemental analysis. These liquid crystalline compounds have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, luminescence, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 59783001), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. Y2006B41), the Foundation of Shandong Provincial Education Department (Grant No. J06A53), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong University of Technology (Grant No. 2004KJM15) and Doctor Foundation of Shandong University of Technology     

Catalytic activity of Mn-substituted barium hexaaluminates for methane combustion

The catalysts of hexaaluminate (BaMnxAl12-xO19-δ , x = 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0) to be used in methane combustion have been successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method and supercritical drying. The crystalline structure and surface area of catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption analysis of BET method. BET analysis revealed that the preparing and drying method proposed here provides stable materials with higher surface area of 51.4 m2/g in comparison to materials prepared using conventional ambient drying method for BaMnxAl12?xO19-δ calcined at 1200℃ under oxygen. XRD analysis indicated that formation of a pure single phase BaMnxAl12-xO19-δ occurred up to x = 3 in the case of Mn-substituted barium hexaaluminates. Incorporation of Mn in excess leads to BaAl2O4 phase formation. As far as the valence state of Manganese ions was concerned, the introduced Mn ions were either divalent or trivalent. The first Mn ions were introduced in the matrix essentially as Mn2 and only for BaMn3Al9O19-δ does manganese exist exclusively as Mn3 ; the higher the Mn concen- tration, the higher the proportion of Mn3 . Catalytic activity for methane combustion has been measured for Mn-substituted barium hexaaluminates, light-off temperature was observed in the 512-624℃ range. The highest activity was obtained for catalysts containing 3 Mn ions per unit cell, which reveals that the BaMnxAl12-xO19-δ catalyst was a promising methane combustion catalyst with high activity and good thermal stability. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) under hydrogen has been used to correlate the catalytic activity with the amount of easily reducible species.     

Photochemical properties of a new kind of anti-cancer drug: <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-glycoside compound

Due to the nontoxicity and efficient anti-cancer activity, more and more attention has been paid to N-glycoside compounds. Laser photolysis of N-(α-D-glucopyranoside) salicyloyl hydrazine (NGSH) has been performed for the first time. The research results show that NGSH has high photosensitivity and is vulnerable to be photo-ionized via a monophotonic process with a quantum yield of 0.02, generating NGSH^+· and hydrated electrons. Under the aerobic condition of cells, the hydrated electrons are very easy to combine with oxygen to generate ¹O₂ and O₂ ⁻, both of which are powerful oxidants that can kill the cancer cells. In addition, NGSH^+· can be changed into neutral radicals by deprotonation with a pK _a value of 4.02 and its decay constant was determined to be 2.55×10⁹dm³·mol⁻¹·s⁻¹. NGSH also can be oxidized by SO₄ ^−· with a rate constant of 1.76×10⁹ dm³·mol⁻¹·s⁻¹, which further confirms the results of photoionization. All of these results suggest that this new N-glycoside compound might be useful for cancer treatment. The same contribution to the work Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30570376 and 50673078) and Shanghai Project (Grant Nos. 06JC14068 and 08ZZ21)