TDPAC and first-principles study of electronic and structural properties of a Pd-vacancy complex in undoped germanium

Pd is one of the metals suitable for inducing low-temperature crystallization in Ge. However, it is not clear how residual Pd atoms are integrated into the Ge lattice. Therefore, time-differential γ–γ perturbed angular correlations (TDPAC) technique using the ¹⁰⁰Pd(→¹⁰⁰Rh) nuclear probe produced by recoil implantation has been applied to study the hyperfine interactions of this probe in single-crystalline undoped Ge. A Pd-vacancy complex aligned along the <111> crystallographic direction with a unique interaction frequency of 8.4(5) Mrad/s has been identified. This complex was measured to have a maximum relative fraction of about 76(4)% following annealing at 350 ^°C. Further annealing at higher temperatures reduced this fraction, possibly via dissociation of the complex. Calculations suggest dissociation energy of 1.94(5) eV for the complex. DFT calculations performed in this work are in reasonable good agreement with the experimental values for the electric-field gradient of the defect complex in Ge and Si for comparison. The calculations predict a split-vacancy configuration with the Pd on a bond-centred interstitial site having a nearest-neighbour semi-vacancy on both sides (V-Pd_BI-V) in Ge and Si.     

Methylene blue as a DNA probe for a comparative study of Cd, Pb and Cr ions binding to calf thymus DNA

Methylene blue (MB) was developed as a sensitive DNA probe for a comparative study of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions binding with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA). The fluorescence intensity of the MB-ctDNA system increased dramatically when heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions) were added, which indicated that some of the bound MB molecules were released from the ctDNA base pairs. To compare the binding affinity of these three different heavy metal ions with ctDNA, the relationships between the fluorescence intensity of the MB-ctDNA-M (Metal ions) system and the concentration ratio of [M]/[DNA(p)] were investigated. The results showed that the order of the binding affinity of heavy metal ions with ctDNA had the following sequence: Cr³⁺> Cd²⁺>Pb²⁺. This order was further proved by the effects of heavy metal ions on the number of MB bound to ctDNA, the measurements of binding constants of these heavy metal ions to ctDNA, and the effects of heavy metal ions on the absorption of the MB-ctDNA system. In addition, the interaction mechanisms of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions with ctDNA were also discussed in detail. These results indicated that their interaction mechanisms are related to the concentration ratios of heavy metal ions to DNA.     

Intercalation reaction kinetics: a TDPAC study of 2H-TaS2 intercalation

Summary We report on thein situ observation of the¹⁸¹Ta nuclear quadrupole interaction during electrointercalation of 2H-TaS₂ with hydrated gadolinium ions by means of time differential perturbed angular correlations (TDPAC). Paper presented at the ?V International Conference on Ternary and Multinary Compounds?, held in Cagliari, September 14–16, 1982.     

Site and probe dependence of hyperfine magnetic field in L21 Heusler alloys X2MnZ (X=Ni,Cu, Rh,Pd and Z=Ga,Ge, In,Sn, Pb)

Results of TDPAC and Mössbauer measurements of hyperfine magnetic fields in L2₁ Heusler alloys X₂MnZ are given. TDPAC utilized Cd-111 from In-111 at the Z site and Ag-111 at the X site, and Ru-99 from Rh-99 at the X site. Mössbauer studies utilized Sn-119 at the Z site or at the Mn site. A compilation of hmf values is presented, and estimates of the polarized electron density are given for 1 nn, 2 nn, and 3 nn of the Mn ions in these alloys.     

高性能三维纳米结构SERS芯片设计、批量制备与痕量汞离子检测

表面增强拉曼散射（SERS）是一种无损、高灵敏、快速检测痕量重金属离子的光谱技术。通过调控和优化纳米结构图案和尺寸可显著增强局域表面等离子体共振（LSPR）与表面等离子体激元（SPP）的耦合以提升电磁场强度,是获得高性能SERS芯片的重要新途径。提出一种用于检测痕量汞离子的新型金属/介质三维周期纳米结构高性能SERS芯片。利用新型应力分化式双层模板纳米压印方法实现了大面积高均一纳米结构SERS芯片的低成本、批量制备。该芯片成功用于痕量汞离子的高灵敏快速检测。采用有限元方法对压印过程界面微区应力进行模拟,通过调控压印模板纵向结构和横向尺寸对模板进行设计。模拟结果表明,纵向有台阶结构的双层模板图案区域呈现高、低两个应力分区,其中,高应力区占图案~72%的面积,其应力均匀性比单层模板提升17%;低应力区分布在图案边缘~28%的区域,可有效减小脱模切应力。当模板横向尺寸从15 mm缩减至7 mm,界面应力整体提升1～2个数量级,将显著提高压印成功率。使用不同横向尺寸的单、双层模板进行压印实验结果表明,尺寸为7 mm的压力分化式双层模板实现了大面积高均一纳米结构的高质量制备,这与模拟结果高度一致。在压印胶纳米结构上构筑金纳米颗粒得到金属/介质三维周期纳米结构SERS芯片。此芯片对罗丹明6G分子的检测极限为2.08×10-12 mol·L-1,增强因子达3×108,检测均一性RSD为8.07%。该芯片对汞离子的探测限浓度仅为10 ppt(5.0×10-11 mol·L-1),浓度线性工作范围为5.0×10-11～5.0×10-5 mol·L-1,跨度达6个数量级,呈现良好的线性关系(R2=0.966),在目前汞离子检测技术中具有显著优势。提出一种通用的高灵敏快速检测痕量物质的SERS芯片设计和制备方法。这种基于光学原理芯片“结构设计-批量制备-实际应用”的研究范式将连接芯片设计和批量制备两个关键点,推动其实际应用。     

Nuclear probes in life sciences

The nuclear quadrupole interaction at metal sites in macromolecules monitored by time differential perturbed angular correlation provides information on the local environment of metal ions residing at these sites. This information is obtained in the ultra-trace regime and is, therefore, extremely valuable for research on reaction pathways of enzymatic heavy metal detoxification, for the development of radiopharmaceuticals, for investigations into protein architectures on surfaces, and for environmental research. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Suppression of the charge density waves in 1T-TaS2 by 70 MeV16O6+ bombardment

We report on the measurement of the nuclear quadrupole interaction by TDPAC on a single crystal of 1T-TaS₂ before and after bombardment with 70 MeV¹⁶O⁶⁺ ions. In 1T-TaS₂, two groups of inequivalent Ta-sites are observed at 298 K due to the presence of a nearly commensurate charge density wave (CDW) Upon¹⁶O⁶⁺ bombardment a single slightly broadened line is observed which resembles closely the incommensurate CDW state.     

共振光散射技术测定核酸的研究进展

核酸分析是生命科学研究中最重要的技术之一。目前主要是应用核酸内源紫外吸收光谱的紫外分光光度法和基于荧光探针分子与核酸相互作用的荧光分光光度法。紫外分光光度法灵敏度低 ,荧光分光光度法试剂昂贵 ,有毒性。近年来 ,共振光散射技术在核酸分析中的应用得到了迅速的发展。核酸的共振光散射分析方法可以用普通的荧光分光光度计进行测定 ,应用安全、便宜的试剂获得很高的灵敏度。简要介绍了共振光散射分析的基本原理 ,并对近年来利用共振光散射技术分析核酸的研究进行了评述。内容主要包括利用有机染料分子作为核酸的共振光散射探针的分析方法 ;基于阳离子表面活性剂、金属离子及其络合物以及药物与核酸相互作用的分析方法 ;核酸形成大粒子的散射分析方法。     

Electric field gradients at Ta in Zr and Hf inter-metallic compounds

Here we calculate the electric field gradient (EFG) at the nucleus of the substitutional Ta impurity site in Zr₂T and Hf₂T (T=Cu, Ag, Au, and Pd) C11_b inter-metallic compounds. We use the ab initio FP-LAPW method as embodied in the Wien97 code in a super-cell approach and include lattice relaxations around the impurity. Our results are compared with EFG values inferred from measurements of the quadrupole coupling constants at the ¹¹¹Ta probe in these compounds performed with the time differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) technique. We also performed EFG calculations for the pure inter-metallic compounds. Through the comparison of theoretical and experimental EFGs in these cases, we elucidate the role played by the Ta probe in the TDPAC measurements of Hf and Zr compounds. Our results show that, although the EFGs at the Hf site are very similar to the EFGs at the Ta impurity, there is no direct correlation between the Zr and Ta EFGs.     

有机-无机复合纳米材料的传感应用及机理

有机-无机杂化复合纳米材料可以在微观尺寸上将有机和无机组分相结合,使复合材料兼具两种组分的优点,实现所需的性能或功能,因此成为材料学的研究热点之一。本文以有机荧光染料罗丹明、三苯胺和金属配合物发光材料为母体,制备出一系列对汞离子、铜离子、铁离子等常见金属离子具有明显光谱响应的探针类材料并选取合适的支撑基质组装成有机-无机复合材料,实现了对金属离子和一些阴离子的目视比色传感。不同离子的加入及加入顺序都会对探针类材料的吸收及发光光谱造成明显的变化。以不同的金属离子或氧气作为输入值,以吸收强度/发光强度作为输出值,模拟了分子水平的逻辑门,拓展了这些材料的应用。为了解决背景荧光干扰,我们利用六角相的β-NaYF4纳米晶为激发源,采用二氧化硅进行包覆,然后将荧光探针分子固载到二氧化硅表面,得到了对金属离子具有传感性能的核壳型的上转换纳米复合材料。在近红外激发下能够显示明亮的上转换绿光发射,同时对金属离子具有较好的选择性、较高的灵敏度,并且其荧光强度表现出对汞离子浓度的线性响应。这种纳米复合材料的上转换光学性质、汞离子传感性能使它们在分析化学、生物化学等领域有潜在的应用价值。     

TDPAC study of indium oxide

TDPAC measurements on polycristalline indium oxide powder using the well known 174–245 keV cascade of¹¹¹In were performed at different temperatures. In accordance with X-ray diffraction data,¹¹¹In was observed in two sites which are clearly distinguishable by the coordinations of the nearest neighbor oxygen ions. A calculation of the ionic electric field gradient produced by these gave fair agreement with the experimental ratio of the two field gradients, the asymmetry parameters and the relative fraction of In ions at both sites. The observed quadrupole interaction parameters are very similar to the ones found in the internal oxidation of In in Ag and AgIn alloys.     

Perturbed Angular Correlation of the stretched cascade in the decay of 180mHf using a digital spectrometer

We report on the measurement of the nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) at Hf sites using the nuclear probe ^180mHf in HfF₄·HF·2H₂O at 300 K by exploiting all possible start quanta in the stretched cascade with a digital Time Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC) spectrometer. With conventional spectrometers, multiple prompt start signals would paralyze the router. The gain in coincidence rate is about a factor of 5 compared to a conventional spectrometer using a single start only. With multiple starts ^180mHf is a promising new isomeric nuclear probe in TDPAC experiments. As an additional feature we implemented the possibility to measure up to four cascades simultaneously in order to save data collection time or to measure isobaric contaminations like ^111mCd and ¹¹¹In.     

TDPAC Study of the Hydrogen Uptake Process in HfNi

The electronic properties of the HfNi-hydrogen system has been investigated, as a function of the hydrogen composition ratio (x), using combined Time Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC) technique and standard full-potential Linearized-Augmented-Plane-Wave method. The experimental TDPAC data confirm the presence of a two-step hydrogenation process in this system, with the octahedral holes filled first. The major part of the electric field gradient at the hafnium site is from p–p contribution, shifted down in energy by hydrogen s-states contribution.     

Perturbed angular correlation study of radiation-induced defects in Rh metal

Radiation-induced defects are studied in cubic rhodium metal, using the local probe technique ‘Time differential perturbed angular correlation’ (TDPAC) at liquid N₂ temperature. Isochronal annealing was done at 300, 1073 and 1473 K temperatures. The irradiated sample showed two quadrupole interaction frequencies at 1150 and 93 MHz. The low frequency disappeared at room-temperature annealing, which was assigned to In trapped at a vacancy, whereas the higher frequency remained up to high temperatures and was attributed to In trapped at Rh–C complexes in the Rh matrix.     

Dendronization of gold and CdSe/cdS (core-shell) quantum dots with tomalia type, thiol core, functionalized poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrons

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers containing disulfide cores (i.e., cystamine) and possessing carboxylic acid or hydroxyl terminal groups were reduced with dithiothreitol (DTT) to yield single site, thiol core, functionalized PAMAM dendron reagents. These thiol functionalized dendron reagents were used to surface modify (dendronize) both gold nanoparticles, as well as CdSe/CdS (core-shell) quantum dots (QDs). Dendronization involved self-assembly of the focal point thiol functional dendrons at the metal interface of both gold and CdSe/CdS QDs by ligand exchange of protective surfactants used for their synthesis. The synthesis, characterization and preliminary luminescence studies of these new dendritic hybrids are reported.     

Silica-coated quantum dots fluorescent spheres synthesized using a quaternary ‘water-in-oil’ microemulsion system

Nanoscale and microscale silica spheres embedded with multiple CdSe quantum dots (QDs, having average diameters of about 2.4 and 5.0 nm, respectively.) were synthesized by using a quaternary ‘water-in-oil’ microemulsion. Comparing the uncoated QDs, the quantum yields (QYs) of the silica-coated QD spheres were enhanced when the QD cores were synthesized using mercaptoacetic acid (MA) as a stabilizer, while the QYs were dramatically decreased when the cores were synthesized using citric acid (CA) as a stabilizer. The enhanced QYs could be further improved by heating the silica-coated QDs in aqueous solution. Although the QYs of the silica-coated QDs were not high, these spheres emitted bright fluorescence. The silica shells contained numerous micropores (∼0.58–0.91 nm), and small amounts of toxic ions (such as Cd²⁺) could be released from the silica spheres. However, the release rate of toxic ions from the silica spheres was significantly reduced compared with that of the uncoated QDs.     

PAC investigation of implanted semiconductors

The TDPAC investigation of compound semiconductors in which the probes were recoil implanted provides valuable statements to the microscopic environments of implanted atoms. In all cases considered the probe surroundings anneal nearly completely. The extent and annealing behaviour of radiation damage is connected with the binding properties of the tetrahedrally coordinated substances as expressed by the spectroscopic ionicity parameter f_i.     

Investigation of Implanted Semiconductors by Nuclear Spectroscopie Methods

By help of nuclear spectroscopic methods the microscopic structure of the environments of implanted atoms can be studied. Moessbauer-effect investigations of implanted semiconductors give a dominating substitution of implanted probes and in most cases the observed radiation damage is relatively small. On the other side experiments with perturbed angular correlations (TDPAC) in comparable systems clearly proof that after implantation a high degree of radiation damage exists. Electron channelling investigations support the statements of the Moessbauer experiments. A model for the structure of radiation damaged zones where the tetrahedral coordination of the atoms is prefered strongly and where the bond angles are distributed in a random manner around the ideal values is able to interprete the measured results satisfactorily.     

Toxic effects of copper (II) ions on bovine hemoglobin

In this paper, the toxic influence of copper ions (II) on bovine hemoglobin was investigated by the combination of ultraviolet-visible absorption, fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectra. Driven by hydrophobic and electrostatic forces, copper ions (II) could interact with bovine hemoglobin to form bovine hemoglobin-copper ions (II) complex with one binding site. The binding constant (K) was 1.57?×?10⁴, 1.89?×?10⁴ and 2.11?×?10⁴?L/mol at 298, 304, and 310?K, respectively. The binding distance (r) was 4.24?nm. Fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectra showed that bovine hemoglobin quenched by copper ions (II) was a static quenching process. Results of synchronous fluorescence spectra revealed that the microenvironment and the conformation of bovine hemoglobin were changed during the binding reaction. Data of circular dichroism spectra suggested that with the increasing concentration of copper ions (II), the secondary structure of bovine hemoglobin underwent a decrease in α-helix and alteration in backbone microenvironment. Copper ions (II) was thus evidenced to have a certain toxic effect on physical bodies.