Wheel-shaped polyoxotungstate [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- macroanions form supramolecular "blackberry" structure in aqueous solution

The hydrophilic polyoxotungstate [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- ({Cu20P8W48}) self-assembles into single-layer, hollow, spherical "blackberry"-type structures in aqueous solutions, as studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. This represents the first report of blackberry formation for a non-Mo-containing polyoxometalate. There is no obvious change in the shape and size of the blackberries during the slow blackberry formation process, neither with macroionic concentration nor with temperature. Our results suggest that the blackberry-type structure formation is most likely a general phenomenon for hydrophilic macroions with suitable size and charge in a polar solvent, and not a specific property of polyoxomolybdates and their derivatives. The {Cu20P8W48} macroions are thus far the smallest type of macroions to date (equivalent radius < 2 nm) showing the unique self-assembly behavior, helping us to move one step closer toward identifying the transition point from simple ions (can be described by the Debye-Hückel theory) to macroions in very dilute solutions. Moreover, by using {Cu20P8W48} blackberry-type structures as the model system, the electrophoretic properties of macroionic supramolecular structures are studied for the first time via zeta-potential analysis. The mobility of blackberry-type structures is determined and used for understanding the state of small cations in solution. We notice that the average charge density on each {Cu20P8W48} macroanion in a blackberry is much lower than that of discrete "free" {Cu20P8W48} macroions. This result suggests that some small alkali counterions are closely associated with, or even incorporated into, the blackberry-type structures and thus do not contribute to solution conductivity. This model is fully consistent with our speculation that monovalent counterions play an important role in the self-assembly of macroions, possibly providing an attractive force contributing to blackberry formation.     

Fabrication of palladium nanoparticles as effective catalysts by using supramolecular gels

Two-component supramolecular gels were made through self-assembly of tetrazolyl derivatives and Pd(OAc)₂. The robust gels indicated high storage modulus(>10,000 Pa) and loss modulus, which were studied by rheological measurements. The formed Pd nanoparticles(~9 nm) obtained during the formation of the gel showed effective catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and could be recovered and reused without loss of activity.     

层层自组装聚烯丙胺盐酸盐/Pd纳米复合薄膜的制备及其电催化特性

利用层层静电自组装技术将聚烯丙胺盐酸盐(PAH)和四氯合钯酸根离子( )交替沉积在基底上, 然后用硼氢化钠还原, 构筑了含钯纳米粒子的PAH/Pd纳米复合薄膜. 通过紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)、扫描电子显微镜(FESEM), X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和循环伏安(CV)等手段对复合膜的组装、成分、微结构、表面形貌和光学性能进行了测试分析. FESEM图形显示膜表面有一定的粗糙度, 膜上生成了粒径在50～100 nm 范围的钯纳米粒子; UV-Vis结果显示多层膜在特征吸收峰处的吸光度数值随膜双层数增加逐渐增大, 呈良好的线性关系, 表明多层膜是均匀组装的; XPS结果证实了复合膜上有Pd生成, CV结果说明复合薄膜对尿酸的氧化具有较好的电催化活性, 有望用于电化学传感器.     

钯纳米粒子在电极表面的制备及其对氧的催化还原

纳米微粒的体积效应使其成为表面纳米工程及功能化纳米结构材料制备的理想研究对象 [1～ 3] .纳米粒子具有独特的电子、催化及光学特性[4 ] ,近年来关于纳米粒子的制备及其在材料科学领域中的应用受到研究者的极大关注 .而贵金属纳米粒子由于其在催化领域中的广泛应用而成为最重要的研究对象之一[5,6 ] .电催化氧还原是一直为化学家瞩目的研究领域[7～ 9] .研究主要目的之一是寻找合适的氧电极反应催化剂 ,并使之能够应用于燃料电池中 .其中催化氧电极材料研究得最多的是贵金属 Pt[10 ,11] .贵金属 Pd对氧催化还原的研究工作很少 .我们首次…     

Self-assembly of Yttrium-containing lacunary polyoxotungstate macroanions in solution with controllable supramolecular structure size by pH or solvent content

The self-assembly and the formation of "Blackberry" type supramolecular structures for a type of Yttrium-containing polyoxometalate (K 15Na 6(H 3O) 9[(PY 2W 10O 38) 4(W 3O 14)].9H 2O, or {P 4Y 8W 43}) macroanions is characterized by using static and dynamic light scattering techniques. {P 4Y 8W 43} macroions are found to form hollow, spherical, single-layer "blackberry" structures in water and water-acetone mixed solvents. Very interestingly, the blackberry size can be accurately controlled by either changing acetone content in water-acetone mixed solvents, or by changing solution pH in aqueous solution. The blackberry size increases with decreasing pH (lower charge density) or higher acetone content in the mixed solvent (lower dielectric constant) and the blackberry size can change in responding to the change of external conditions. This indicates that the {P 4Y 8W 43} macroanions possess the properties of both "strong electrolyte type" and "weak electrolyte type" macroions, as we outlined previously. This is due to the special chemical feature of such clusters, which can be treated as Na 2HPO 4-type electrolytes in solution. The kinetics of the blackberry formation can be controlled by temperature.     

球状多孔Pd纳米粒子超结构的合成及其对甲酸的电催化氧化

在丙酮／水混合溶剂中,以氯代十六烷基吡啶为结构导向剂,水合肼还原PdCl42-,制得了直径范围在30～50nm之间的球状多孔Pd纳米粒子超结构．实验表明,氯代十六烷基吡啶对球状多孔Pd纳米粒子超结构的形成起着重要的作用,不加该表面活性剂时,得到的是实心Pd纳米粒子;而丙酮主要影响表面活性剂胶束的尺寸．此外,本文还研究了球状多孔Pd纳米粒子超结构对甲酸氧化的电催化活性,在0．5mol／L H2SO4＋0．5mol／L HCOOH溶液中的循环伏安结果表明,球状多孔Pd纳米粒子超结构修饰电极在酸性溶液中电催化氧化甲酸的峰电流约为180mA／mg,明显优于实心Pd纳米粒子修饰电极（峰电流为120mA／mg）,且表现出较高的稳定性．     

Thermodynamic properties of the unique self-assembly of {Mo72Fe30} inorganic macro-ions in salt-free and salt-containing aqueous solutions

Static and dynamic laser light scattering techniques are used to monitor the slow self-assembly of 2.5-nm-diameter, hollow spherical, fully hydrophilic heteropolyoxometalate {Mo72Fe30} macro-ions into single-layer vesicle-like "blackberries" (averaging approximately 50-60 nm in diameter) in dilute salt-free and salt-containing aqueous solutions, to obtain the thermodynamic properties of the unique self-assembly. A very high activation energy is observed during the transition from the single ion (general solute state) to blackberries (so-called "second solute state"), which might be responsible for the interestingly slow self-assembly process in dilute solutions. The thermodynamic parameters of the blackberry formation can be affected by adding simple electrolytes into the solution, because the electrostatic interactions are responsible for the unique self-assembly, and the effects of various anions and cations (in the low salt concentration regimes) are discussed. Multivalent anions make the single {Mo72Fe30} macro-ions more stable and make the blackberry formation more difficult. Small cations carrying more charges tend to accelerate the self-assembly process. This is the first study on the thermodynamic properties of the novel self-assembly in dilute solutions and the equilibrium and transition between the two solute states of macro-ions in solution.     

Preparation and characterization of 4-dimethylaminopyridine-stabilized palladium nanoparticles

4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-stabilized palladium nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 3.4 +/- 0.5 nm are prepared from the aqueous phase reduction of Na2PdCl4 using NaBH4 in the presence of DMAP. TEM and UV-vis spectroscopy characterization of the nanoparticle dispersion shows no obvious change in the nanoparticles several months after preparation. 1H NMR spectroscopy of the nanoparticles shows that the nanoparticle dispersion also contains a boron/DMAP complex and two palladium/DMAP complexes. One of the palladium complexes crystallizes out of the dispersion and is identified as Pd(DMAP)4(OH)2 by X-ray crystallography. Following extensive analysis, it is believed that the palladium/DMAP complexes are formed following the oxidation of the palladium nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticle dispersion promotes selective hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange on the carbon atoms alpha to the endocyclic nitrogen atom on the DMAP-stabilizing ligands through reaction with D2O. This activity is attributed to the presence of the nanoparticles rather than to the presence of the oxidized palladium/DMAP complexes.     

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of palladium nanoparticle growth on tobacco mosaic virus nanotemplates

We present an examination of palladium (Pd) nanoparticle growth on genetically modified tobacco mosaic virus (TMV1cys) nanotemplates via in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Specifically, we examine the role of the TMV1cys templates in Pd nanoparticle formation through the electroless reduction of Pd precursor by a chemical reducing agent as compared to identical conditions in the absence of the TMV1cys templates. We show that in the presence of TMV1cys, the viral nanotemplates provide preferential growth sites for Pd nanoparticle formation, as no measurable Pd particle growth was observed in the bulk solution. In situ SAXS confirmed that particle formation was due to the rapid adsorption of Pd atoms onto the TMV1cys templates at the very early stage of mixing, rather than adsorption of particles formed in the bulk solution. Importantly, Pd nanoparticles were significantly smaller and more uniform as compared to particle formation in the absence of TMV1cys. The Pd nanoparticle coating density was tunable based on Pd precursor concentration. Finally, we show that Pd particle growth on the TMV1cys templates was highly rapid, and complete within 33 s for most samples, in contrast to slower Pd particle growth in the absence of TMV templates. We envision that the results presented here will be valuable in furthering the fundamental understanding of the role of viral nanotemplates in particle formation, as well as of their utility in a wide range of applications.     

Size control and catalytic activity of bio-supported palladium nanoparticles

The development of nanoparticles has greatly improved the catalytic properties of metals due to the higher surface to volume ratio of smaller particles. The production of nanoparticles is most commonly based on abiotic processes, but in the search for alternative protocols, bacterial cells have been identified as excellent scaffolds of nanoparticle nucleation, and bacteria have been successfully employed to recover and regenerate platinum group metals from industrial waste. We report on the formation of bio-supported palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on the surface of two bacterial species with distinctly different surfaces: the gram positive Staphylococcus sciuri and the gram negative Cupriavidus necator. We investigated how the type of bacterium and the amount of biomass affected the size and catalytic properties of the nanoparticles formed. By increasing the biomass:Pd ratio, we could produce bio-supported Pd nanoparticles smaller than 10nm in diameter, whereas lower biomass:Pd ratios resulted in particles ranging from few to hundreds of nm. The bio-supported Pd nanoparticle catalytic properties were investigated towards the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction and hydrogenation reactions. Surprisingly, the smallest nanoparticles obtained at the highest biomass:Pd ratio showed no reactivity towards the test reactions. The lack of reactivity appears to be caused by thiol groups, which poison the catalyst by binding strongly to Pd. Different treatments intended to liberate particles from the biomass, such as burning or rinsing in acetone, did not re-establish their catalytic activity. Sulphur-free biomaterials should therefore be explored as more suitable scaffolds for Pd(0) nanoparticle formation.     

Formation mechanism of supramolecular hydrogels in the presence of L-phenylalanine derivative as a hydrogelator

A novel chiral hydrogelator, L-phenylalanine derivative can self-assemble in aqueous media at different pH values to form supramolecular hydrogels. The images of the FE-SEM indicate that different aggregates of TC(18)PheBu in morphology were formed, which further lead to the formation of spherical crystallites as observed by polarized optical microscope (POM). The FT-IR spectra of the supramolecular hydrogels reveal that intermolecular hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions are the driving forces for the self-assembly of TC(18)PheBu. Fluorescence spectra of TC(18)PheBu in aqueous solutions in the presence of pyrene as a probe further confirm the importance of hydrophobic interactions for the self-assembly. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of TC(18)PheBu in supramolecular hydrogels in the presence of KF indicate that the hydrogen-bonding interaction can be disrupted by fluoride ions, which further confirm the importance of hydrogen bonding for the self-assembly of TC(18)PheBu.     

Selective Hydrogenation of Acrolein Over Pd Model Catalysts: Temperature and Particle‐Size Effects

The selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein over Fe₃O₄‐supported Pd nanoparticles has been investigated as a function of nanoparticle size in the 220–270 K temperature range. While Pd(111) shows nearly 100 % selectivity towards the desired hydrogenation of the C=O bond to produce propenol, Pd nanoparticles were found to be much less selective towards this product. In situ detection of surface species by using IR‐reflection absorption spectroscopy shows that the selectivity towards propenol critically depends on the formation of an oxopropyl spectator species. While an overlayer of oxopropyl species is effectively formed on Pd(111) turning the surface highly selective for propenol formation, this process is strongly hindered on Pd nanoparticles by acrolein decomposition resulting in CO formation. We show that the extent of acrolein decomposition can be tuned by varying the particle size and the reaction temperature. As a result, significant production of propenol is observed over 12 nm Pd nanoparticles at 250 K, while smaller (4 and 7 nm) nanoparticles did not produce propenol at any of the temperatures investigated. The possible origin of particle‐size dependence of propenol formation is discussed. This work demonstrates that the selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein is controlled by the relative rates of acrolein partial hydrogenation to oxopropyl surface species and of acrolein decomposition, which has significant implications for rational catalyst design.     

Spontaneous self-assembly of metal-organic cationic nanocages to form monodisperse hollow vesicles in dilute solutions

In this communication we report the unprecedented spontaneous self-assembly of cationic nanoporous metal-organic coordination cages (nanocages) into giant hollow vesicle-like structures in polar solvents. Such highly soluble nanocages (macrocations) have separated hydrophobic regions. However, their assembly is not due to hydrophobic interactions but the counterion-mediated attractions, very similar to the unique self-assembly of polyoxometalate macroanions into single-layer, spherical blackberry structures, as characterized by laser light scattering and TEM studies. This is the first study on the solution behavior of metal-organic nanocages and also the first report on the self-assembly of soluble macrocations. Therefore, the blackberry structure is likely to be a universal type of self-assembly for soluble macroions. In addition, the self-assembled nanocages can provide blackberry structures a wide range of organic functionalities that are impossible to reach with purely inorganic systems, which may open the door to many types of applications.     

刚棒-线团分子的自组装研究进展

超分子化学领域的自组装研究是近年来研究的热点,对这种由一种或多种结构单元自发聚集而成具有一定尺寸和结构的过程研究已经取得了重大进展。以亲水基团和亲脂基团为主要构成单元的两亲性分子在自组装领域中的表现优异于其他分子,其亲水的刚性棒状基团和疏水的柔性线团基团通过不同方法共同构成了各种类型的刚柔两亲性分子,而在水溶液中自组装而成不同结构与性能的聚集体又与两亲性分子的结构密切相关。目前,已报道的调控超分子自组装的方法大致可以分为两类,即外部刺激法和自身修复法,本文亦从这两个方面总结了近年来刚棒-线团分子自组装的研究进展。     

钯/聚苯胺纳米多层膜的制备及对抗坏血酸和多巴胺的催化氧化

采用脉冲电位法(PPSM)结合聚苯胺(PANI)的层层自组装制备了Pd/PANI交替沉积纳米多层膜, 并用于抗坏血酸(AA)和多巴胺(DA)的检测. 实验发现, 多层膜结构形貌及催化性能受前躯体K₂PdCl₆浓度、 脉冲条件及膜厚度等影响. 当K₂PdCl₆浓度为2×10^-3 mol/L, 阴极脉冲电位为-0.3 V, 阶跃次数为17时, 5层Pd/PANI修饰玻碳电极对AA和DA的催化性能最佳; 在0.1 mol/L磷酸盐缓冲液中, AA和DA的氧化峰明显分离[ΔE_p(AA, DA)=160 mV], 其峰电流与浓度分别在5×10^-5～4×10^-4和4×10^-5～1×10^-4 mol/L范围内呈较好线性关系, 实现了对AA和DA的同时测定. 该修饰电极具有良好的抗干扰性和稳定性.     

Synthesis,properties, and activity of nanosized palladium catalysts modified with elemental phosphorus for hydrogenation

The applicability of elemental phosphorus as a modifier of palladium catalysts for hydrogenation was demonstrated, and the conditions for the synthesis of nanoparticles that are highly efficient in hydrogenation catalysis were optimized. The modifying effect of elemental phosphorus depends on the P/Pd ratio; it is associated with changes in the catalyst dispersity and the nature of the formed nanoparticles containing various palladium phosphides (PdP₂, Pd5P₂, and Pd₆P) and Pd(0) clusters. The main stages of the formation of palladium catalysts for hydrogenation were determined, and a model of an active catalyst, in which the Pd₆P phosphide is the core of a nanoparticle and Pd(0) clusters form a shell, was proposed.     

Trapping Pd(0) in nanoparticle-assembled microcapsules: an efficient and reusable catalyst

Pd nanoparticles dually encased by soft (polyamine) and hard (silica) materials in a microcapsule structure, obtained via a nanoparticle self-assembly method, exhibit excellent catalytic activity, with efficient catalyst recovery and reusability.     

基于生物大分子的纳米药物载体

生物大分子材料由于其可再生性、无毒性以及良好的生物相容性、生物可降解性和黏膜粘附性等特点成为药物载体研究的热点,尤其是将其作为纳米药物载体材料更加受人关注。本文首先对生物大分子纳米颗粒常用的制备方法--乳化法、自组装法和离子凝聚法进行了详细的介绍。由于乳化法在一定程度上破坏了生物大分子的生物相容性,因此自组装法和离子凝聚法是比较理想的制备方法。其中自组装法是利用两亲性的生物大分子,如蛋白质、多糖衍生物等在静电作用、疏水作用、范德华力等非键合作用力下组装成纳米结构;而离子凝聚法则是利用聚电解质与带相反电荷物质之间的静电作用形成纳米结构。接着本文对通过这些方法获得的生物大分子纳米颗粒作为蛋白类药物、抗癌药物以及基因药物的载体在近年来的研究进展进行了归纳和总结,结果显示其在药物缓释体系中具有广阔的应用前景。     

Preparation and characterization of metal-chitosan nanocomposites

Various metal-chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized, including silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd) in aqueous solutions. Metal nanoparticles were formed by reduction of corresponding metal salts with NaBH4 in the presence of chitosan. And chitosan molecules adsorbing onto the surface of as-prepared metal nanoparticles formed the corresponding metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and UV-vis spectra of the nanocomposites revealed the presence of metal nanoparticles. Comparison of all the resulting particles size, it shows that silver nanoparticles are much larger than others (Au, Pt and Pd). In addition, the difference in particles size leads to develop different morphologies in the films cast from prepared metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) images show a batonet-like structure for Ag-chitosan nanocomposites film, while for the films cast from other metal (Au, Pt, and Pd)-chitosan nanocomposites, some branched-like structures with a few differences among them were observed under POM observation.     

Growth and characterization of highly branched nanostructures of magnetic nanoparticles

Magnetite nanoparticles of Fe(3)O(4) have been found to grow into large highly branched nanostructures including nanochains and highly branched nanotrees in the solid state through a postannealing process. By varying the preparation conditions such as annealing time and temperature, the nanostructures could be easily manipulated. Changing the starting concentration of the magnetic nanoparticle solution also caused significant changes of the nanoarchitectures. When the magnetic nanoparticle concentration is low, the nanoparticles formed straight rods mainly with an average diameter of 80 nm and a length of several microns. With increasing concentration of the nanoparticles, treelike structures began to form. With further increase of the concentration, well-ordered nanostructures with the appearance of snowflakes were generated. The driving force for the formation of the highly ordered nanostructures includes interaction between the nanoparticles and interaction through surface-capping molecules. This experiment demonstrates that novel nanostructures can be generated by self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles under the solid state.