A class of supported membranes: formation of fluid phospholipid bilayers on photonic band gap colloidal crystals

We report the formation of a new class of supported membranes consisting of a fluid phospholipid bilayer coupled directly to a broadly tunable colloidal crystal with a well-defined photonic band gap. For nanoscale colloidal crystals exhibiting a band gap at the optical frequencies, substrate-induced vesicle fusion gives rise to a surface bilayer riding onto the crystal surface. The bilayer is two-dimensionally continuous, spanning multiple beads with lateral mobilities which reflect the coupling between the bilayer topography and the curvature of the supporting colloidal surface. In contrast, the spreading of vesicles on micrometer scale colloidal crystals results in the formation of bilayers wrapping individual colloidal beads. We show that simple UV photolithography of colloidal crystals produces binary patterns of crystal wettabilities, photonic stopbands, and corresponding patterns of lipid mono- and bilayer morphologies. We envisage that these approaches will be exploitable for the development of optical transduction assays and microarrays for many membrane-mediated processes, including transport and receptor-ligand interactions.     

随星形聚氧化乙烯的分子拓扑形状演变的单层片晶图案

以不同臂(Arm)数的星形聚氧化乙烯(PEO)为对象,系统地研究了其在不同温度下结晶的晶体冰花图案.实验中采用的星形PEO样品,其臂数分别为3,4和8(3-arm-PEO,4-arm-PEO和8-arm-PEO)且每臂的分子量均为5000,线形PEO其分子量为5000.显然,随着星形PEO分子臂数的增加,分子拓扑形状的各向异性不断减小.在单层片晶冰花图案研究中发现,随着结晶温度逐渐向平衡熔点靠近,这些PEO样品的结晶冰花图案具有从树枝状晶体转变为海藻状晶体,然后转变为非规整的紧凑形晶体,最后变成多面晶体的变化规律.对细节的分析进一步表明,随着星形PEO分子臂数的增加,由于分子的各向异性减小,导致冰花状晶体的各向异性程度不断减弱,因此从树枝状晶体到海藻状晶体和从树枝状晶体到多面晶体的转变温度也都逐渐降低.将这些转变温度对臂数作图获得的一张形态相图(morphology diagram)说明了星形PEO结晶图案的分子形状依赖性,也阐明了冰花图案形成的大分子拓扑形状效应.     

In situ observation of homogeneous nucleation of nanosized zeolite A

The formation of zeolite A (LTA) in the presence of tetramethylammonium cations is studied using in situ small angle and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques. The SAXS measurements show the formation of homogeneous precursors 10 nm in size prior to the crystallization of LTA which were consumed during the crystallization. The crystal size is estimated by fitting the SAXS patterns with an equation for a cubic particle, and it is revealed that the final crystal size of the LTA depends on the synthesis temperature. However, although such temperature dependence is noted for the final crystal size, the initial precursor particles size appears to be closely similar (ca. 10 nm) irrespective of the synthesis temperature.     

Nucleation, growth, and form in crystals of peptide helices

A model for the nucleation of crystallization in peptide helices is presented. The crystal structures of four polymorphic forms of a hydrophobic helical decapeptide Boc-Leu-Aib-Phe-Phe-Leu-Aib-Ala-Ala-Leu-Aib-OMe (I) exemplify alternative packing modes in cylindrical molecules. Three crystal forms of peptide I are monoclinic P2(1), while one is orthorhombic P22121. The five different helical molecules characterized have very similar backbone conformations over much of the peptide length. A survey of 117 helical peptide structures with a length >/=8 residues reveals a preponderance of the triclinic (P1), monoclinic (P2(1)), and orthorhombic (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) crystal forms. Models for the formation of critical nuclei are based on helix association driven by solvophobic forces, resulting in the formation of raftlike structures. Raft association can be further driven by the imperative of minimizing solvent accessible surface area with the formation of blocks, which can be subsequently fitted in Lego set fashion by multiple hydrogen bond interactions in the head-to-tail region. This model provides a rationalization for observed crystal formation based on a postulated structure for an embryonic nucleus, which is determined by aggregation patterns and unconstrained by the dictates of symmetry.     

Surface-templated formation of protein microfibril arrays.

Ordered arrays of collagen microfibrils form rapidly and spontaneously from a solution of monomers deposited onto a mica substrate. These arrays are well-ordered and apparently continuous over the entire substrate. Correlated atomic force microscope images and Laué diffraction patterns indicate that the protein alignment and microfibril formation is controlled by the crystal orientation of the mica substrate rather than fluid flow or drying effects. This surface-induced mechanism allows for immediate, robust, and reproducible pattern formation.     

The serine-proline turn: a novel hydrogen-bonded template for designing peptidomimetics

Serine-Proline (SP) dipeptide motifs have been shown to form unique hydrogen-bonding patterns in protein crystal structures. Peptides were designed to mimic these patterns by forming the 6 + 10 and the 9 + 10 hydrogen-bonded rings. Factors that contribute to the formation of SP turns include controlling backbone flexibility and amino acid chirality along with creating a hydrophobic environment around the intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Morphological orders of spherulitic crystal textures in Belousov-Zhabotinsky-type oscillatory reaction system

The morphological orders of spherulitic crystal patterns in a Belousov-Zhabotinsky-type oscillatory reaction system were studied. The experiments showed that the morphology of crystal patterns were highly dependent on the reaction temperature. The reaction was initially carried out at 30 °C, leading to the growth of multi-centred spherulitic patterns. The single-centred spherulitic patterns with fairly large crystal fibrils were obtained at 35°C. A number of undersized crystal assemblies with fractal geometry were also investigated at 25°C. The gross morphology of the crystal patterns was examined using optical microscopy and a scanning electron microscope which revealed the fibrous organisations. A particle-mediated self-assembly scheme was proposed for the growth of the spherulitic patterns. The insight into the nucleation mechanism, growth behaviour, and morphological orders of the growing patterns is discussed in detail. The crystal phases, ordering of textures, and composition of the crystals were characterised by thermal and X-ray diffraction techniques.     

A new model for simulating 3-d crystal growth and its application to the study of antifreeze proteins

A novel computational technique for modeling crystal formation has been developed that combines three-dimensional (3-D) molecular representation and detailed energetics calculations of molecular mechanics techniques with the less-sophisticated probabilistic approach used by statistical techniques to study systems containing millions of molecules undergoing billions of interactions. Because our model incorporates both the structure of and the interaction energies between participating molecules, it enables the 3-D shape and surface properties of these molecules to directly affect crystal formation. This increase in model complexity has been achieved while simultaneously increasing the number of molecules in simulations by several orders of magnitude over previous statistical models. We have applied this technique to study the inhibitory effects of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) on ice-crystal formation. Modeling involving both fish and insect AFPs has produced results consistent with experimental observations, including the replication of ice-etching patterns, ice-growth inhibition, and specific AFP-induced ice morphologies. Our work suggests that the degree of AFP activity results more from AFP ice-binding orientation than from AFP ice-binding strength. This technique could readily be adapted to study other crystal and crystal inhibitor systems, or to study other noncrystal systems that exhibit regularity in the structuring of their component molecules, such as those associated with the new nanotechnologies.     

Dissipative structures formed in the course of drying the colloidal crystals of silica spheres on a cover glass

Macroscopic and microscopic dissipative structural patterns formed in the course of drying the deionized aqueous colloidal crystal suspensions of silica spheres (diameter: 103 nm) on a cover glass have been observed. Spoke-like and ring-like patterns are formed in the macroscopic scale; the former is the crack in the sphere film and the latter is the hill accumulated with spheres formed around the outside edge. The neighbored inter-spoke angle, thickness of the film, and other morphological parameters have been discussed as a function of sphere concentration, concentration of sodium chloride, and the inclined angle of the cover glass. Fractal patterns of the mud cracks are observed in the microscopic scale. Capillary forces between spheres at the air-liquid surface and the relative rates between the water flow at the drying front and the convection flow of spheres are important for the pattern formation. Electronic Publication     

失活加氢精制催化剂中硫铁相的高分辨透射电镜研究

利用高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)结合X射线能谱仪(EDS)和选区电子衍射(SAED)分析,对运转后的加氢精制催化剂中含有的微量未知相的化学组成、晶体结构进行了研究.通过X射线能谱仪确定该未知相主要成分为硫和铁.根据选区电子衍射结果,该硫铁相为单晶结构.采用样品倾转的方法,获得3幅不同取向的选区电子衍射图,根据衍射谱中衍射斑点对应的晶体学信息及3幅电子衍射图取向间的夹角关系,确定该硫铁化合物属于正交晶系的硫化亚铁,分子式为Fe0.91S.该催化剂应用于高温高压下的加氢环境中,其中原料油中的酸性物质,尤其是环烷酸对加氢设备材质的腐蚀是导致硫铁化合物相形成的主要原因,并由此探讨了硫铁化合物相的形成机制.     

The proper structure of cubic ice confined in mesopores

To examine the reason for the formation and the structure of cubic ice in a restricted space, we measured the powder x-ray diffraction patterns of cubic ice formed within the mesopores of porous silicas as a function of pore size (4-70 nm). The results strongly suggest that cubic ice formed in the mesopores does not take a cubic structure as envisaged by Konig. It may be actually composed of very small crystallites of hexagonal ice that contains a large amount of growth faults depending on the crystallite size, that is, ice with disordered stacking sequence. Suppression of crystal growth of ice in the mesopores seems to be a vital factor for the formation and the stability of cubic ice.     

Biomineralization of sea urchin teeth

The sea urchin tooth, which is composed almost entirely of Mg-enriched CaCO₃, is of particular interest as a model for the study of biomineralization process due to its amazing mechanical toughness and hardness. Our recent work on the formation process, the crystal composition and orientation, and the mechanical properties of sea urchin tooth are summarized in this paper. First, transmission electron microscopy images and electron diffraction patterns, as well as crystal overgrowth experiments, show that the highly convoluted primary plate-lamellar needle complex grows into a single crystal of calcite from a transient amorphous precursor phase in the sea urchin tooth. Amorphous calcium carbonate exists in the center of both the primary plates and the needles, even though the surfaces are already well crystallized. Second, X-ray photoelectron emission spectromicroscopy demonstrates that the needles, primary plates, and polycrystalline matrix crystals are all aligned. And there are two alternating crystal orientations in the stone part of the sea urchin tooth. Microbeam X-ray diffraction patterns further prove the existence of the two crystal orientations in sea urchin tooth. The c axes of calcite in the two oriented crystals are only a few degrees from each other. Third, the mechanical properties of sea urchin tooth grinding tip were studied by nanoindentation. The polycrystalline matrix has a higher elastic modulus and hardness than single crystalline needles and plates. It is proposed that the grinding capability of the tooth can be attributed to the small and uniform sizes of the polycrystalline crystals, their high Mg contents, and the two co-orientations of single crystals and polycrystalline structure. The improved understanding of the biomineralization process of sea urchin tooth and the relations between their structures and mechanical properties may shed light on the design of mechanical grinding and cutting tools with tunable properties.     

Elastic constant anisotropy and disclination interaction in nematic polymers II. Effect of disclination interaction

A theoretical study has been undertaken to elucidate the three‐dimensional pattern formation during holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal fabrication employing various optical wave interference techniques. Initially miscible mixtures of nematic liquid crystal and reactive multifunctional monomer with a photosensitive initiator were exposed to geometrically arranged interfering beams of light, producing a spatially dependent intensity distribution within the sample. To mimic the spatio‐temporal evolution of periodic photonic structures in three dimensions, the time‐dependent Ginzburg–Landau Model C equations, coupled with spatially variant reaction rate equations, have been solved numerically incorporating the local free energy densities pertaining to isotropic mixing, nematic ordering, and network elasticity. The simulated results reveal some key observations during the formation of electrically switchable photonic crystals with few defects. It appears that the network elasticity term exerts profound effects on resultant structures, indicating that photonic crystals with fewer point defects may be fabricated in shorter times. The simulated results are in good qualitative agreement with reported experimental observations in respect of emerged patterns, length and time scales.     

Three-dimensional switchable polymer photonic crystals via various optical wave interference techniques

A theoretical study has been undertaken to elucidate the three-dimensional pattern formation during holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal fabrication employing various optical wave interference techniques. Initially miscible mixtures of nematic liquid crystal and reactive multifunctional monomer with a photosensitive initiator were exposed to geometrically arranged interfering beams of light, producing a spatially dependent intensity distribution within the sample. To mimic the spatio-temporal evolution of periodic photonic structures in three dimensions, the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau Model C equations, coupled with spatially variant reaction rate equations, have been solved numerically incorporating the local free energy densities pertaining to isotropic mixing, nematic ordering, and network elasticity. The simulated results reveal some key observations during the formation of electrically switchable photonic crystals with few defects. It appears that the network elasticity term exerts profound effects on resultant structures, indicating that photonic crystals with fewer point defects may be fabricated in shorter times. The simulated results are in good qualitative agreement with reported experimental observations in respect of emerged patterns, length and time scales.     

Self-oscillations and chemical waves in CO oxidation on Pt and Pd: Kinetic Monte Carlo models

Theoretical studies of the spatiotemporal dynamics of CO oxidation on Pt(100) and Pd(110) single crystal surfaces have been carried out by the kinetic Monte Carlo method. For both surfaces, Monte Carlo simulation has revealed oscillations of the CO₂ formation rate and of the concentrations of adsorbed species. The oscillations are accompanied by wave processes on the model surface. Simulations have demonstrated that there is a narrow reaction zone when an oxygen wave propagates over the surface. The existence of this zone has been confirmed by experimental studies. Taking into account the anisotropy of the Pd(110) crystal has no effect on the oscillation period and amplitude, but leads to the formation of elliptic oxygen patterns on the surface. It is possible to obtain a wide variety of chemical waves (cellular and turbulent structures, spirals, rings, and strips) by varying the parameters of the computational experiment.     

Moiré patterns in the electron image of solution-grown polymer crystals

Relative tilt between two similar thin crystals may result in the formation of a moiré pattern in the electron image. Patterns hitherto interpreted as being parallel moirés or rotation moiré obtained from overlapping solution-grown polymer crystals are reconsidered, and it is shown that in some cases a tilt model is more acceptable. The general features of tilt moiré patterns predicted for crystals of this kind are discussed and compared with micrographs appearing in the literature. Methods of distinguishing tilt moiré patterns are indicated, though it is admitted that such experiments would be difficult to complete in the time limited by destruction of the crystal structure under the action of the electron beam. Extinction contours may also sometimes be confused with long-period tilt moiré patterns, and again careful experimentation is required for accurate identification. The model of the structure of solution-grown polyethylene crystals inferred from a tilt moiré interpretation of many of the electron image fringe patterns found in the literature is consistent with that derived from other sources.     

Crystal Structures and Packing of 4-Cyanocubanecarboxylic Acid,Its Methyl Ester,and the Solid Solution of 1,4-Dicyanocubane and 1,4-Dibromocubane

The crystal structure of 4-cyanocubanecarboxylic acid contains the same syn–anti carboxyl group catemer that is found in other cubane monocarboxylic acids. The cyano groups are arranged according to the type-II geometry, in that they are 2₁ screw-axis related. Curiously, there is a 5% orientational disorder of the cyano and anti carboxyl groups. The ester of the title acid packs isostructurally with the corresponding chloro and fluoro analogs because of the importance of the C—H...O hydrogen bond patterns. 1,4-Dicyanocubane forms solid solutions with 1,4-dibromocubane, but, interestingly, the crystal structure of the solid solution is distinct from that of either component. The formation of these solid solutions seems to be governed by shape and size factors.     

Modification of surface crystal formation on mother crystal by additive molecules

Additive molecules and excess reactant species (NaOH and NH4F) in NaF crystallization were used to control surface crystal formation on a mother crystal. When the surface integration was inhibited or bulk diffusion facilitated, more surface crystals were found on the mother crystal due to an increase in the interfacial supersaturation on the crystal. The inclusion of KCl as an additive and increases in the reactant concentration and agitation speed resulted in a higher population of surface crystals on the mother crystal, because surface integration was inhibited. However, surface crystal formation was suppressed by the polymer gelatin due to retardation of the bulk diffusion by the gelatin layer formed around the crystal. In addition, surface crystal formation significantly changed according to the feeding mode, and the excess species of NaOH originating from the NH4F feeding mode were more effective in facilitating surface crystal formation than the excess species of NH4F coming from the NaOH feeding mode due to the smaller ionic radii of NaOH than of NH4F.     

Pd/Al2O3催化剂催化毛竹与聚乙烯共裂解反应研究

我们采用等体积浸渍法制备了Al2O3负载贵金属Pd系列催化剂,分别在N2和H2气氛下,研究了不同Pd负载量的催化剂对毛竹和低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)混合物的催化裂解性能.实验结果表明:Pd的负载量为1.0%时,Pd/Al2O3催化剂在两种气氛下活性均较好,在H2气氛下所得到的油品中烯烃含量较低,异链烷烃和环烷烃含量较高,油品的收率和质量均明显优于在N2气氛下所得到的油品.XRD表征发现,Pd负载量为1.0%的催化剂上,Pd在Al2O3载体上生成了晶形,表明金属钯有利于毛竹和LDPE共裂解生成液体产物.     

Influence of Fluorine Substitution on Nonbonding Interactions in Selected Para-Halogeno Anilines

A series of 4-halogeno aniline derivatives was studied employing combined theoretical and experimental methods (i. e. crystal structure analysis and vibrational spectroscopies). This simplified model system was selected to shed light on the impact of fluorine substitution on the formation of noncovalent interactions such as halogen bonds (XBs) and hydrogen bonds (HBs), which are key interactions in fluorinated/halogenated drug-protein complex formation. Comparative analysis of three previously reported and five newly determined crystal structures indicated that, in most cases, 2-fluoro and 2,6-difluoro substitution of 4-X anilines increases the ability of adjacent amine to form strong N−H⋅⋅⋅N HBs. Additionally, fluorine substituents in the difluorinated derivatives are competitive and attractive HB and XB acceptors and increase the probability of halogen-halogen contacts. A peculiar observation was made for 4-iodoaniline and 2,6-difluoro-4-iodoaniline, which form distinct interaction patterns compared to the corresponding 4-Cl and 4-Br analogs. The observed intramolecular N−H⋅⋅⋅F interactions lead to additional NH bands in the FT-IR spectra.