单分子结的构筑及分子电导性质的测试

分子电子学已成为21世纪研究的热点. 通过将具有特定功能的分子连接在纳米尺度金属电极之间从而构筑包括分子导线、开关、整流器在内的各种分子尺度电子器件, 这引起了科学家们广泛的研究兴趣. 在分子电子学研究中, 构筑金属/分子/金属(MMM)分子结是研究分子器件中电子传输性质的关键. 尽管已经取得了很大的进展, 目前在纳米尺度下构筑稳定可靠的MMM分子结并测试单个分子的电学性质仍然面临很多挑战. 本文着重对单分子电学性质的测试技术和相关理论研究的最新进展以及存在的挑战做了概述.     

超分子相互作用主导的纳米药物成核

纳米沉淀法是目前制备纳米药物的主要途径, 是指通过向药物的良溶剂中引入不良溶剂产生过饱和体系, 进而形成纳米尺度药物颗粒的方法. 该方法操控灵活, 能够大范围地选择药物分子、 溶剂、 载体、 表面活性剂及其它赋形剂, 实现对纳米药物成核及生长过程的调控. π-π堆积和疏水相互作用等分子间弱相互作用能够主导纳米药物成核, 从而用于制备高生物安全性的无载体纳米药物(CFNs). 目前超分子自组装在成核过程中的具体作用、 协同效应及调控方法尚缺少归纳总结. 根据纳米沉淀法的成核理论, 本文对超分子相互作用在成核过程中的重要贡献进行了诠释; 基于目前单药自组装CFNs的进展, 对多药共组装CFNs的优势进行了强调; 并将超分子相互作用主导成核的概念拓展到通过金属离子螯合形成的CFNs. 从理论上阐明了超分子相互作用在纳米药物成核过程中的主导作用, 将极大促进以高生物安全、 多功能及以联合治疗为标志的下一代CFNs的发展.     

金属-分子-金属结器件研究进展

有机功能分子是新型纳光电器件研究热门材料之一, 多用金属-分子-金属结方法研究其荷电输运特性.本文从无损制备、微纳尺度及可寻址性等方面, 综述了金属-分子-金属结器件研究进展. 将制备方法归为软接触法、扫描探针显微镜法、对电极法、交叉线法、角沉积法和纳米孔法等六大类, 并分析了不同方法及实验参数对荷电输运特性的影响. 总的来说, 扫描探针法可用于分子电学特性的快速统计分析, 但可寻址性差; 纳米孔分子结具有良好的可寻址性, 可用于分子输运特性的变温研究, 但上电极沉积可导致分子层破坏或界面特性不确定; 角度沉积法和软接触法可有效减少电极热沉积对分子层的烧蚀, 但器件尺度较大; 对电极法可获得纳米级可寻址分子结, 若结合模板压印交叉纳米线法制备电极, 则在无损分子器件研究及其集成方面有很好的前景.     

分子存储材料的设计和思路探讨

从低年级本科生的视角对新型分子存储材料的设计提出设想,尝试以超分子光切换器件为核心构造存储功能分子,结合超分子光化学、超分子光转化和能量转移器件以及超分子电活性材料等方面的知识研究了信息在分子尺度上的传递、记录和表达。并对该方案的可行性、理论模型及其读写过程以何种方式完成进行了分析与探讨。     

从分子水平研究电子传递

有机分子中电子传递受到诸多因素的影响, 纳米电极、界面、环境和分子本身都是必须要系统考察的因素. 本文从理论模拟和实验研究两个方面总结了在分子尺度上电子传递研究的最新进展. 着重讨论了分子动力学方法模拟纳米电极的制备, 量子化学方法研究电场作用下的分子构象及分子电导, 另外还讨论了扫描隧道显微术和电化学方法研究单分子结的电子传递. 分子电子传递的研究不仅涉及微观的实验测量, 从宏观的实验结果通过合理的分析推导, 也可以得到微观的信息.     

纳米孔生物分子检测研究

纳米孔单分子检测技术是一种集操作简单、灵敏度高、检测速度快、无需标记等优点的传感检测技术,广泛应用于蛋白质检测、基因测序和标志物检测等领域。基因测序的费用、灵敏度和精度是该检测技术的发展中亟待解决的主要问题,而开发新型的纳米孔材料则是解决这些问题的关键手段。本文从纳米孔材料的选择和设计角度出发,综述了三种不同的纳米孔,即蛋白质等生物纳米孔、固态纳米孔和新型二维材料纳米孔在生物分子检测方面的应用现状,并比较了生物纳米孔与固态纳米孔的差别。本文也重点阐述了二维材料纳米孔在生物分子检测中的实验和模拟研究进展。最后,对纳米孔检测技术的发展前景进行了展望。     

分子纳米磁体的研究进展及应用

分子磁学主要研究无机配合物以及有机自由基的电子结构和磁性之间的关系。近些年发展起来的分子纳米磁体可以在单分子尺度上实现磁双稳态,独立作为一个磁功能单元,可能突破尺寸对传统磁性材料的制约,有望实现超高密度磁存储。分子纳米磁体中清晰的量子态也为量子退相干研究提供了化学调控的手段,这将为量子计算机提供物质基础。本文简要介绍了分子纳米磁体的概念和特征,并对研究进展进行了简要综述。     

超分子和高分子自组装的动力学模拟研究

超分子和高分子的自组装是发展新型高性能材料的有力手段.通过自组装构筑多级有序结构,从而显著提高材料的力学、光学或电学性能,是化学和材料科学研究的前沿.然而精确调控自组装需要深入理解范德华、氢键、静电、主客体复合和π-π等相互作用以及动力学机理所扮演的角色.计算机模拟,尤其是分子动力学模拟,为研究自组装结构和演化过程提供了独一无二的手段.本文主要阐述超分子和高分子的多尺度模型和动力学模拟方法,讨论不同模拟方法的特点、适用范围和优势;进一步简述我们发展的定制模型和方法,以及同时提高模型精度和计算效率方面采取的策略.通过总结应用这些方法对超分子和高分子自组装开展的研究工作所取得的进展,为进一步发展自组装动力学模拟方法提供参考.     

超分子凝胶:结构多样性与超分子手性

超分子凝胶作为一种重要的软物质材料,在构建多重刺激响应性、光电功能,以及生物相容材料等功能软物质方面表现出了独特的优越性。超分子凝胶在形成过程中往往得到比较均一的纳米结构,且具有结构多样性;而另一方面,超分子凝胶的构筑单元大部分是手性分子,超分子凝胶也是实现手性在超分子层次/纳米层次表达的重要途径,尤其是手性传递、手性放大、不对称催化方面,同时超分子凝胶也是构筑手性纳米结构的重要手段。本文主要对超分子凝胶形成中的纳米结构以及形貌的多样性和超分子手性进行介绍,并展望该领域未来的发展方向。     

宏观超分子组装——超分子材料制备新理念

近年来,宏观超分子组装已经逐渐发展成为超分子化学中的一个新兴研究方向.宏观超分子组装是指特征尺寸在微米及微米以上尺度的构筑基元,通过分子间相互作用发生组装,形成有序结构的过程,是实现"全尺度自组装"不可或缺的环节,为超分子体相材料的制备提供了新的理念和方案.本文从宏观超分子组装的发展概况、设计原则与策略和应用方向3个方面展开综述,介绍了从基于长程作用力的"宏观组装"到基于分子间相互作用的"宏观超分子组装"的区别与联系,阐释了实现宏观超分子组装的设计原则和相关机理.最后,针对实现超分子材料广泛应用的目标,从"精准组装"的角度综述了提高组装结构有序程度的方法,以及宏观超分子组装在组织工程支架等方面的应用前景.     

Anomalous transport in molecularly confined spaces

We develop a novel theory to predict the density dependence of the diffusivity of simple fluids in a molecularly sized nanopore with diffusely reflecting walls, incorporating nearest neighbor intermolecular interactions within the framework of the recent oscillator model of low density transport arising from this laboratory. It is shown that when the pore width is about two molecular diameters, at sufficiently high densities these interactions lead to a repulsive inner core, as a result of which the diffusing molecules undergo more frequent reflections at the wall. This leads to a reduction in diffusivity with increase in density, which is consistent with molecular dynamics simulation results, and contrasts with the behavior in larger pores where the transport coefficient has previously been shown to increase with increase in density due to viscouslike intermolecular interactions. At low densities the behavior is opposite, with the inner core becoming more attractive with increase in density, which can lead to an increase in diffusivity. The theory consistently explains molecular dynamics simulation results when the inhomogeneous pair distribution function of moving particles in the pore is axially periodic, suggesting concerted motion of neighboring molecules. It is also shown that a potential of mean force concept is inadequate for describing the influence of intermolecular interactions on transport.     

Modeling molecular transport in slit pores

We examine the transport of methane in microporous carbon by performing equilibrium and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations over a range of pore sizes, densities, and temperatures. We interpret these simulation results using two models of the transport process. At low densities, we consider a molecular flow model, in which intermolecular interactions are neglected, and find excellent agreement between transport diffusion coefficients determined from simulation, and those predicted by the model. Simulation results indicate that the model can be applied up to fluid densities of the order to 0.1-1 nm(-3). Above these densities, we consider a slip flow model, combining hydrodynamic theory with a slip condition at the solid-fluid interface. As the diffusion coefficient at low densities can be accurately determined by the molecular flow model, we also consider a model where the slip condition is supplied by the molecular flow model. We find that both density-dependent models provide a useful means of estimating the transport coefficient that compares well with simulation.     

超临界流体的共溶剂效应和混合流体研究进展

共溶剂的出现极大地拓展了超临界流体的应用范围，推动了超临界流体科学与技术的发展。本文从相行为和分子间相互作用热力学的角度，对相行为测定、量热技术、光谱技术和分子模拟等在超临界流体中共溶剂效应的研究作了综述，主要介绍超临界流体中共溶剂的作用机理和混合流体在临界点附近热力学性质研究，并对其未来发展方向进行了展望。     

A novel orientation-dependent potential model for prolate mesogens

An intermolecular potential is introduced for the study of molecular mesogenic fluids. The model combines distinct features of the well-known Gay-Berne and Kihara potentials by incorporating dispersive interactions dependent on the relative pair orientation to a spherocylinder molecular core. Results of a Monte Carlo simulation study focused on the liquid crystal phases exhibited by the model fluid are presented. For the chosen potential parameters, molecular aspect ratio L*=5 and temperatures T*=2, 3, and 5, isotropic, nematic, smectic-A, and hexatic phases are found. The location of the phase boundaries as well as the equation of state of the fluid and further thermodynamical and structural parameters are discussed and contrasted to the Kihara fluid. In comparison to this latter fluid, the model induces the formation of ordered liquid crystalline phases at lower packing fractions and it favors, in particular, the appearance of layered hexatic ordering as a consequence of the greater attractive interaction assigned to the parallel side-to-side molecular pair configurations. The results contribute to the evaluation of the role of specific interaction energies in the mesogenic behavior of prolate molecular liquids in dense environments.     

Chloroform sorption in nanoporous crystalline and amorphous phases of syndiotactic polystyrene

The transport of chloroform in films of atactic polystyrene and of semicrystalline syndiotactic polystyrene in its nanoporous form (δ‐form) has been investigated by gravimetric analysis. Experimental tests have been performed at 35, 49, and 56 °C and at several vapor pressures ranging from 0.5 to 100 Torr. Nonequilibrium lattice fluid prediction of the amorphous sorption behavior was used to enucleate the sorption contribution of the crystalline nanoporous phase from semicrystalline samples. Sorption behavior of the crystalline phase has been interpreted on the basis of Langmuir equation. Moreover, the chloroform sorption at low activities in the crystalline nanoporous phase has been predicted by using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo molecular simulations. Isosteric heats of sorption were also experimentally evaluated for the crystalline phase, and compared with the corresponding prediction of molecular simulation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 8–15, 2008     

Clustering of Lennard-Jones particles in water: temperature and pressure effects

While the hydrophobic effect is, for many systems, one of the most relevant interactions, it may be said that in the case of biological systems this effect becomes of determinant importance. Although the matter has been analyzed extensively, certain aspects are yet to be elucidated. Hence, the study on the behavior of the hydrophobic effect with temperature, and particularly with pressure deserves further investigation; model systems may help us in the task. We have analyzed the behavior of Lennard-Jones particles in water by means of molecular dynamics simulation under different conditions of size, concentration, temperature, and pressure. Following the formation of particle aggregates we can observe an increase of the hydrophobic effect with temperature and a strong weakening of the effect at high pressures. The results agree with the experimental evidence and show the ability of molecular dynamics simulation to account for the behavior of nonpolar substances under different conditions, provided that the intermolecular interactions used are adequate.     

Molecularly-tunable nanoelectrode arrays created by harnessing intermolecular interactions

Intermolecular interactions play a critical role in the binding strength of molecular assemblies on surfaces. The ability to harness them enables molecularly-tunable interfacial structures and properties. Herein we report the tuning of the intermolecular interactions in monolayer assemblies derived from organothiols of different structures for the creation of nanoelectrode arrays or ensembles with effective mass transport by a molecular-level perforation strategy. The homo- and hetero-intermolecular interactions can be fully controlled, which is demonstrated not only by thermodynamic analysis of the fractional coverage but also by surface infrared reflection absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic characterizations. This understanding enables controllable electrochemical perforation for the creation of ensembles or arrays of channels across the monolayer thickness with molecular and nanoscale dimensions. Redox reactions on the nanoelectrode array display molecular tunability with a radial diffusion characteristic in good agreement with theoretical simulation results. These findings have implications for designing membrane-type ion-gating, electrochemical sensing, and electrochemical energy storage devices with molecular level tunability.

Intermolecular interactions in monolayer assembly are harnessed for creating molecularly-tunable nanoelectrode arrays or ensembles.     

Moment equations for partial filling capillary electrophoresis

Moment equations were developed for partial filling CE systems, in which solute dissolution phenomena by spherical molecular assemblies or intermolecular interactions take place. Because experimental conditions of partial filling CE are divided into five categories on the basis of the magnitude relationship between the migration velocity of solute molecules and that of molecular assemblies or ligand molecules, the moment equations were systematically developed for each case by using the Einstein equation for diffusion and the random walk model. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the moment equations, they were applied to the analysis of partial filling CE behavior, which is correlated with dissolution phenomena of small solute molecules into spherical molecular assemblies as specific examples. Simulation results only in the case that the migration velocity of solute molecules is faster than that of molecular assemblies were represented in this paper. Detailed explanations about the derivation procedure of the moment equations and the simulation results in other cases can be found in the Supporting Information. The moment equations are theoretical bases for applying partial filling CE to the study on solute permeation kinetics at the interface of spherical molecular assemblies and on reaction kinetics of intermolecular interactions.     

Fully flexible unit cell simulation with recursive thermostat chains

The recursive thermostat chained fully flexible cell molecular dynamic simulation (NsigmaT ensemble) is performed. The ensemble is based on the metric tensor, whose components are used as extended variables. These variables are combined with Nosé-Poincaré recursive thermostat chains. This extended Hamiltonian approach preserves Hamiltonian in structure, and the partition function satisfies the NsigmaT ensemble state in phase space. In the present study, the generalized leap frog method was employed for time integration. The resulting molecular dynamics simulation was performed for bulk and thin film solid materials in the face-centered-cubic crystal structure. Uniaxial tension test and simple shear test are performed to predict the behaviors of a solid material in the bulk state and nanoscale thin film state. The proposed flexible cell method should serve as a powerful tool for the prediction of mechanical and thermal properties of solid materials including nanoscale behavior.     

Understanding thermodynamic competitivity between biopolymer folding and misfolding under large-scale intermolecular interactions

Cooperativity is a hallmark of spontaneous biopolymer folding. The presence of intermolecular interactions could create off-pathway misfolding structures and suppress folding cooperativity. This raises the hypothesis that thermodynamic competitivity between off-pathway misfolding and on-pathway folding may intervene with cooperativity and govern biopolymer folding dynamics under conditions permitting large-scale intermolecular interactions. Here we report direct imaging and theoretical modeling of thermodynamic competitivity between biopolymer folding and misfolding under such conditions, using a two-dimensional array of proton-fueled DNA molecular motors packed at the maximal density as a model system. Time-resolved liquid-phase atomic force microscopy with enhanced phase contrast revealed that the misfolding and folding intermediates transiently self-organize into spatiotemporal patterns on the nanoscale in thermodynamic states far away from equilibrium as a result of thermodynamic competitivity. Computer simulations using a novel cellular-automaton network model provide quantitative insights into how large-scale intermolecular interactions correlate the structural dynamics of individual biomolecules together at the systems level.