Oxygen-binding property of hemoglobin films

Oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin films were obtained by drying corresponding hemoglobin solutions with maltose (≧0.3 M). The resulting hemoglobin films were homogeneous and smooth, and the methemoglobin formation in the oxyhemoglobin film was well suppressed. The dry, rigid networks of maltose molecules work to preserve the conformation of hemoglobin against the removal of water. The coordination of oxygen to the deoxygenated hemoglobin film was slow and saturated up to 50%, while nearly 100% saturation was achieved if the film contained a residual moisture of 8.7%.     

Electron beam irradiation of poly(vinyl methyl ether) films: 1. Synthesis and film topography

Temperature-sensitive hydrogel layers on silicon (Si) substrates were synthesized by electron beam irradiation of spin-coated poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) films. The influences of the used solvent, the polymer concentration, and the spinning velocity on the homogeneity and the thickness of the PVME film were investigated. In the range of concentration c(p) = 1-15 wt% PVME in ethanol solution, homogeneous films with a thickness between d = 50 nm and 1.7 mum were obtained. The films were cross-linked by electron beam irradiation under inert atmosphere and analyzed by sol-gel-analysis. The results were compared with bulkgels formed by electron beam irradiation of PVME in the dry state. The film topography was analyzed by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. An islandlike structure in the dry, swollen, and shrunken state of the hydrogel films was observed.     

Chemistry-Crystallization-Microstructure Relations of Sol-Gel Derived Lanthanum Modified Lead Titanate Thin Films

Lanthanum modified lead titanate thin films have been obtained by the deposition of sol-gel solutions onto platinized (100) silicon substrates. Crystallization of perovskite films was achieved by thermal treatments at 650°C with slow or rapid heatings. Lead oxide excesses were used in the precursor solutions to counterbalance the lead losses produced during the thermal treatment. Rapid heatings and large excesses of lead produce a preferred orientation of the films. These films have more homogeneous and denser microstructures than slow heated films without lead excess.     

AFM characterization of spin-coated multilayered dry lipid films prepared from aqueous vesicle suspensions

We present a detailed AFM study on multilayered dry lipid films prepared from aqueous vesicle suspensions. Different preparation techniques were applied in order to optimize the preparation of homogeneous lipid films of various film thicknesses. Suspensions of preformed DOPC/DPPC vesicles were adsorbed onto indium tin oxide-coated glass coverslips, a substrate also commonly employed for the formation of giant liposomes. We found that the homogeneity of the lipid films could substantially be improved when applying a spin-coating step during the film preparation. These films were much more homogeneous than those prepared by conventional drop-casting and in addition the film thickness could be controlled. When using a combination of vesicle adsorption and spin-coating the quality and thickness of the films depended crucially on the lipid concentration of the vesicle suspension, the adsorption temperature and the adsorption time. For lipid films prepared by direct spin-coating the lipid concentration and the applied spin-coating sequence were critical parameters for the quality and thickness of the deposited lipid films.     

Nanomechanical properties of polyaniline and azo polyelectrolyte multilayer films

<正>Nanomechanical properties of multilayer films constructed of polyaniline(PANI) and azobeneze-containing polyelectrolytes(PNACN and PPAPE) were studied by using nanoindentation method.The multilayer films were prepared by the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly through alternately dipping in the polymer solutions.The multilayer films deposited onto the glass slides after proper dry were used for the nanomechanical property testing.The nanomechanical measurement indicated that the PANI/PNACN and PANI/PPAPE multilayers possessed the mean elastic modulus of 5.42 GPa and 4.35 GPa,and hardness of 0.26 GPa and 0.18 GPa,respectively.The nanoscratch properties of the PANI/PNACN and PANI/PPAPE multilayer films were also measured.The critical loads of PANI/PNACN and PANI/PPAPE films were 103.52 mN and 100.59 mN.The degree of electrostatic cross-linking in the multilayers could be altered by exposing the films to aqueous solutions with different pH values.As a result,the modulus and hardness of the multilayer films were changed through the solvent treatment.Both modulus and hardness of the PANI/PNACN films obviously increased after dipping the multilayer films in solutions with pH in a range from 9 to 11.     

Interaction of chitosan with benzoic acid in solution and films

Chitosan films are prepared from solutions containing benzoic acid. Depending on preparation conditions, films of two types can be prepared: homogeneous optically transparent films and biphasic films containing fractal inclusions in a transparent matrix. The presence of ionic interaction between chitosan and benzoic acid in films is confirmed with the use of IR spectroscopy. The algorithm of the analysis of fractal dimensionality based on halftone images is suggested.     

Solution behavior and surface properties of carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate

Solution behavior of carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB) in acetone and ethyl acetate has been investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and capillary viscometry and correlated with the characteristics of CMCAB films. Viscosity and SAXS measurements showed that ethyl acetate is a better solvent than acetone for CMCAB. Thin films of CMCAB were deposited onto silicon wafers (Si/SiO₂) by spin coating. AFM images revealed that CMCAB spin coated films from solutions prepared in ethyl acetate were homogeneous and flat. However, films obtained from solutions in acetone were very rough. Contact angle measurements with polar and apolar test liquids characterized CMCAB surfaces as hydrophobic and allowed estimating the surface energy of CMCAB. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy was used to understand the role played by solvents and to gain insight about molecular orientation at Si/SiO₂/CMCAB interface.     

Characterization of maleic acid/anhydride copolymer films by low-rate dynamic liquid-fluid contact angle measurements using axisymmetric drop shape analysis

Thin films of alternating maleic acid/anhydride copolymers (poly(octadecene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), POMA; poly(propene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), PPMA; poly(styrene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), PSMA) were studied to unravel the influence of the comonomer characteristics in the backbone on the surface-energetic properties of the copolymer films in the dry state and in contact with aqueous solutions. Water contact angle measurements revealed a graduation of the wettability of the dry hydrolyzed and annealed copolymer films that was dependent on the comonomer unit. It ranged from moderately hydrophilic (PPMA, annealed gamma(sv) = 39.9 mJ/m2) to very hydrophobic (POMA, annealed, gamma(sv) = 18.4 mJ/m2) surfaces. Liquid-fluid contact angle measurements using captive air bubbles were performed in different aqueous media (pure water, phosphate-buffered saline, and 10(-)(3) M KCl of two different pH values (pH = 3 and pH = 10) to study the copolymer films in their hydrated states relevant for biointerfacial phenomena. It was found that the graduation of the wettability of the copolymer films in the dry state is overall maintained upon immersion in aqueous solutions. The dependence of the wettability on the pH value of the aqueous medium could be related to the (de)protonation of the carboxylic groups.     

Hydrophilic films based on poly(acrylic acid)–poly(vinyl methyl ether) blends cross-linked by gamma-radiation

Hydrophilic polymeric films based on blends of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) were prepared by casting technique and were cross-linked by gamma-radiation. The films are soft and elastic in a dry state and form hydrogels upon immersion in water. Effect of absorbed dose on the gel fraction as well as on the swelling of the films in aqueous solutions of different pH is studied. It was found that addition of lower molecular weight PVME decreases the gelation dose, which is likely related to a decrease in glass transition temperature of the blends. In acidic media the films have low swelling degree because of suppression of carboxylic groups ionisation and formation of additional physical cross-links via interpolymer hydrogen bonding.     

pH- and ionic strength-controlled cation permselectivity in amine-modified nanoporous opal films

The influence of pH and ionic strength on permselective transport in nanoporous opal films prepared from 440 nm silica spheres was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous and acetonitrile solutions. Three-layer opal films were deposited from a 1.5 wt % colloidal solution of silica spheres onto 25-microm-diameter Pt microdisk electrodes shrouded in glass. The films were chemically modified by immersing them in a dry acetonitrile solution of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane. When the surface amino groups of the modified opal films are protonated and there is little or no supporting electrolyte present in solution, the flux of cationic redox species through the opal membrane is blocked because of electrostatic repulsion. The permselectivity is pH-dependent and can be modulated by adjusting the Debye screening length within the nanopores of the opal by changing the ionic strength of the contacting solution.     

Self‐organization of functional gradient structure in the biodegradable chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend film

Biologically inspired optimal structures combining the bioresorbable and bioactive properties are expected for the next generation of biomaterials. A compositional gradient structure was found to be spontaneously formed in the film of biodegradable chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend by casting aqueous solution on an aluminum dish. The formation of compositional gradient structure was confirmed by FTIR mapping measurement, DMTA measurement, and SEM observation on the freeze‐fractured cross section. In DMTA measurement, a broadening of the α‐relaxation curve corresponding to the glass transition was observed for the compositional gradient film, while a composition‐dependent single glass transition was observed for the homogeneous blend films. The resulted film with stable self‐organized compositional gradient exhibits novel physical properties inaccessible for the film of homogeneous blends obtained by casting from the same solution on a Teflon dish. The compositional gradient films present a unique combination of stronger stress and higher yield strain when compared with those of the homogeneous films at both dry and wet states. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3069–3076, 2005     

Preparation of ready-to-use, stockable and reconstituted collagen

Collagen is a widely used material in biomedical applications. Although processes that prepare collagen and collagen-based materials that show suitable properties after extraction exist, a ready-to-use, easily stockable, with tailored collagen concentration has not yet been developed. Using rat tail tendons, acid soluble collagen solutions were prepared by two different methods. To improve cell viability of pure collagen films, solutions with physiological pH were also prepared by mixing with NaOH solution. Specimens in the form of thin sheets were then fabricated by solvent evaporation. Next, IR spectroscopy, tensile testing techniques as well as human fibroblast cell morphology and cytotoxicity were used to validate the significant variations in the processes. The results demonstrated that, during the synthesis of collagen stock solution, lyophilization and mechanical blending had little effect on the final properties and therefore offers a method for obtaining solutions with a more homogeneous and modifiable collagen concentration and longer storage time. Neutralizing the stock solution with aqueous NaOH prior to solvent evaporation provided films that had lower mechanical properties but significantly improved biological performance.     

PH effects in the complex formation and blending of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(ethylene oxide)

The effect of pH on the complex formation between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been studied in aqueous solutions by turbidimetric and fluorescent methods. It was shown that the formation of insoluble interpolymer complexes is observed below a certain critical pH of complexation (pH(crit1)). The formation of hydrophilic interpolymer associates is possible above pH(crit1) and below a certain pH(crit2). The effects of polymer concentrations in solution and PEO molecular weight as well as inorganic salt addition on these critical pH values were studied. The polymeric films based on blends of PAA and PEO were prepared by casting from aqueous solutions with different pHs. These films were characterized by light transmittance measurements and differential scanning calorimetry. The existence of the pH value above which the polymers form an immiscible blend was demonstrated. The transitions between the interpolymer complex, miscible blend, and immiscible blend caused by pH changes are discussed. The recommendations for preparation of homogeneous miscible films based on compositions of poly(carboxylic acids) and various nonionic water-soluble polymers are presented.     

Raman study of oriented ZnO thin films deposited by sol-gel method

ZnO films with preferred orientation along the (0 0 2) plane were successfully deposited by the sol-gel method using Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O as starting material and inorganic precursor. A homogeneous and stable solution was prepared by dissolving the zinc acetate in a solution of ethanol and monoethanolamine. Thin films are obtained by spin-coating on glass substrates. ZnO films were obtained by preheating the spin-coated films at 300 degrees C for 10 min after each coating and postheating upto 550 degrees C for 2h. The as-deposited films are transformed into mono-oriented ZnO upon thermal treatment. The films consist of spongy particles aggregates with an uniform size and homogenous surface. The films aim to be used in optoelectronic devices. Raman spectroscopy from ZnO films and deposit solutions has been investigated. New Raman results of the deposit solution suggest that Zn-O bond forms first in solution and that these entities play the role of germs initiating the crystallization mechanisms during films annealing. Raman spectra of the annealed films show the presence of a compressive stress within the film structure.     

Preparation of polyaniline conductive composites with diene‐rubber or polyphenylacetylene

We describe the preparation of polyaniline (PANI‐EB) by aniline oxidation with KIO₃ and the purification of the resulting dedoped polymer by an acetone extraction step to eliminate undesired by‐products from polyaniline, which could generate some safety concerns in the application and use of PANI. Excellent homogeneous and electrically conducting composite films can be prepared from chloroform solutions of purified PANI doped with camphorsulfonic acid in presence of cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene as the film‐forming agent. These films have been characterized by FT‐IR and UV‐VIS‐NIR spectroscopy. A method to synthesisze PANI directly doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) is also reported. DBSA‐doped‐PANI was then used to prepare composites with polyphenylacetylene (PPA) by growing homogeneous films from chloroform solution. These films were conductive and were studied by FT‐IR and UV‐VIS‐NIR spectroscopy. In view of the application of these composites as gas sensors or in “electronic noses”, a short discussion is presented about the criteria used in the selection of the chemical nature of the host polymer where doped PANI is included to confer electrical conductivity. The interaction between the molecules to be detected and the polymeric sensing surface is discussed in terms of physisorption, chemisorption and charge‐transfer‐complex formation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploiting distinct molecular architectures of ultrathin films made with iron phthalocyanine for sensing

The possibility of generating distinct film properties from the same material is crucial for a number of applications, which can only be achieved by controlling the molecular architecture. In this paper we demonstrate as a proof-of-principle that ultrathin films produced from iron phthalocyanine (FePc) may be used to detect trace amounts of copper ions in water, where advantage was taken of the cross sensitivity of the sensing units that displayed distinct electrical properties. The ultrathin films were fabricated with three methods, namely physical vapor deposition (PVD), Langmuir-Blodgett (LB), and electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) techniques, where for the latter tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine was used (FeTsPc). PVD and LB films were more homogeneous than the LbL films at both microscopic and nanoscopic scales, according to results from micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. From FTIR spectroscopy data, these more homogeneous films were found to have FePc molecules oriented preferentially, tilted in relation to the substrate surface, while FeTsPc molecules were isotropically distributed in the LbL films. Impedance spectroscopy measurements with films adsorbed onto interdigitated gold electrodes indicated that the electrical response depends on the type of film-forming method and varies with incorporation of copper ions in aqueous solutions. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we were able to exploit the cross sensitivity of the sensing units and detect copper ions (Cu(2+)) down to 0.2 mg/L, not only in ultrapure water but also in distilled and tap water. This level of sensitivity is sufficient for quality control of water for human consumption, with a fast, low-cost method.     

Complexes in polymers IV. FTIR microscopic characterization of thin organic polymer films containing embedded transition-metal carbonyl complexes

Thin films of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer (PS-AN), containing various embedded transition-metal complexes, have been studied by FTIR microscopy. The spatial distributions of the transition-metal carbonyl complexes throughout the thin organic polymer films have been determined by a two-dimensional IR mapping procedure. The spectral variations observed in the distribution of the metal carbonyls throughout the different polymer films are discussed. The IR data show that the technique used to prepare the organometallic-embedded thin films (viz. freeze-drying of solutions followed by hot mechanical pressing of the residues) does in general lead to homogeneous films which may eventually find industrial application, e.g. as membrane sensors for small molecules.     

Simple and easy recycling of poly(amic acid) gels through microwave irradiation

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs), which are precursors of polyimides, often undergo gel formation during their synthesis or storage, and these insoluble gels have been discarded. In this work, we discovered that the gels could be converted to homogeneous PAA solutions by fast and simple microwave (MW) irradiation. The PAA gels were placed inside a domestic MW oven, and MW irradiation was carried out with 240 W for 2 min. The recycled PAA solutions afforded polyimide films, coatings, and powders. The polyimides prepared from the recycled PAA solutions exhibited higher glass transition temperatures (T_gs), decomposition temperatures, and char yields than comparison polyimides obtained from ordinary PAA solutions. Flexible free‐standing polyimide films were obtained by drop‐casting of the MW‐treated solutions and subsequent thermal imidization. Mechanical properties and dielectric constants were measured for the polyimide films and coatings, respectively. This new method has significant advantages for the environment, economy, and industry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 981–987     

Efficient formation of giant liposomes through the gentle hydration of phosphatidylcholine films doped with sugar

Giant liposomes, or giant vesicles, are cell-size (approximately 5-100 microm) compartments enclosed with phospholipid bilayers, and have often been used in biological research. They are usually generated using hydration methods, "electroformation" and "gentle hydration (or natural swelling)", in which dry lamellar films of phospholipids are hydrated with aqueous solutions. In gentle hydration, however, giant liposomes are difficult to prepare from an electrostatically neutral phospholipid because lipid lamellae cannot repel each other. In this study, we demonstrate the efficient formation of giant liposomes using the gentle hydration of neutral phospholipid (dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, DOPC) dry films doped with nonelectrolytic monosaccharides (glucose, mannose, and fructose). A mixture of DOPC and such a sugar in an organic solvent (chloroform/methanol) was evaporated to form the films, which were then hydrated with distilled water or Tris buffers containing sodium chloride. Under these conditions, giant liposomes spontaneously formed rapidly and assumed a swollen cell-sized spherical shape with low lamellarity, whereas giant liposomes from pure DOPC films had multilamellar lipid layers, miscellaneous shapes and smaller sizes. This observation indicates that giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) of DOPC can be obtained efficiently through the gentle hydration of sugar-containing lipid dry films because repulsion between lipid lamellae is enhanced by the osmosis induced by dissolved sugar.     

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/chitin and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/chitosan blend films with compositional gradients: fabrication and their biodegradability

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/chitin and PCL/chitosan blend films with compositional gradients were successfully fabricated by a dissolution/diffusion method; that is, repeatedly pouring the PCL/chitin (or PCL/chitosan) blend solutions, with variable composition, onto polysaccharide layers. The compositional gradient structure in the resulting films was characterized by polarized optic microscopy, ATR-FT-IR and trans-FT-IR microscopic spectroscopy. Enzymatic degradability of the PCL/chitin and PCL/chitosan blend films with compositional gradients in the presence of lysozyme was compared with those of homogeneous films and two-layer films. It was found that the degradation rate of PCL/chitin blend films with a compositional gradient was far lower than that of the neat chitin film, whereas the degradation rate of PCL/chitosan blend films with a compositional gradient was close to that of the neat chitosan film. The suppression of the chitosan crystallization, which accelerates the enzymatic degradation, at the surface of PCL/chitosan films with a compositional gradient was much more severe than that for PCL/chitin films with a compositional gradient.