Non-invasive Monitoring of Biochemical Response of Wheat Seedlings Toward Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Treatment Using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared and Laser Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Widespread commercial application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles leads to their dispersion in the environment and inevitable interaction with living organisms. Their presence necessitates the monitoring of nanoparticle interactions with plants using advanced techniques that are capable of noninvasively and sensitively estimating the changes involved in the biochemical profile. The current study aims to investigate the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on biochemicals of wheat leaves using label free, nondestructive, rapid, sensitive, and advanced spectroscopic probes: laser induced fluorescence and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis. The fluorescence and infrared spectra of control and titanium dioxide nanoparticle treated wheat leaves were acquired in the region from 400 to 800?nm and 4000 to 485?cm^?1. The treatment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles decreases the chlorophyll content and the concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, xyloglucans, pectin, and lignin indicating interferences in the biosynthesis and structure of cell walls of the wheat leaves. The level of amide I, carbonyl, and methylene groups also increases following the treatment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles indicating lipid and protein peroxidation and the accumulation of carbonyl compounds. The changes in the integrated area ratios of the amide II/amide I, carbonyl/methyl, and methylene/amide II bands demonstrate disorder in the membrane integrity. This study establishes the efficiency of noninvasive, label-free, and rapid protocols based on attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared and laser induced fluorescence to monitor the interactions of nanoparticles with plants at early stage of plant growth before visual signs of toxicity appear.     

FTIR Spectroscopy in Cultural Heritage Studies:Non-destructive Analysis of Chinese Handmade Papers

Chinese handmade papers have been the carriers of paper-based documents, paintings and calligraphies, which are of great importance for historical and cultural heritage studies. This research developed the attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared(ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic technique for the analysis of Chinese handmade papers. The test was applied to Chinese handmade papers taken from bark, hemp and bamboo groups, followed by papers from ancient books and arts collected in library and museum. Our study indicated tliat FTIR was an efficient analytical method to identify fiber types of library/museum papers of unknown origin. Moreover, information about degree of crystallinity and state of deterioration of cellulosic fibers was learned from FTIR spectra. This research provides a non-destnictive method to study the molecular structure of cellulosic fibers, and guides tlie selection of appropriate Chinese handmade papers for the restoration of cultural heritage objects.     

In situ ATR-FTIR Combined with SIMPLISMA Algorithm to Investigate the Synthesis Mechanism of 4-Amino-3, 5-dimethyl Pyrazole

In situ attenuated total refletion-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) was used to monitor and acquire spectral information on the synthesis of 4-amino-3,5-dimethyl pyrazole. Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to determine the number of principle components(PCs). The score vectors of the PCs were analysed using the simple-to-use interactive self-modelling mixture analysis(SIMPLISMA) algorithm to obtain spectral and concentration profiles for the reactants, intermediates and product. The vibrational frequencies of the interme-diates were calculated via density functional theory(DFT) at the level of the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set, and the geometrical configurations of the intermediates were simultaneously optimized. Finally, a reasonable synthesis mechanism for 4-amino-3,5-dimethyl pyrazole was determined based on the changes observed in the feature peaks. The results from the SIMPLISMA algorithm correlated well with the quantum chemistry calculations. This proved that the SIMPLISMA algorithm combined with ATR-FTIR can be used to determine the synthesis mechanism for 4-amino-3,5-dimethyl pyrazole and can even provide a new, useful method to explore dynamic synthesis reaction mechanisms.     

衰减全反射傅里叶红外光谱在聚丙烯的表面改性的应用

应用衰减全反射傅里叶变换红外光谱法(ATR-FTIR)对聚丙烯共混薄膜的表面组成进行了测试.通过比尔定律的验证,确认1 103和1 733 cm-1可以分别用于含聚乙二醇和含羰基结构单元的改性剂共混体系的定量计算.利用ATR校正程序,以相应的特征峰峰面积比作为定量测定的基准,可以减少测试误差.通过工作曲线法,定量地分析了聚丙烯共混物薄膜表层中改性剂的含量.此外,利用变角全反射,通过改变入射光线的角度,可以测定不同深度的改性剂含量,剖析改性剂在PP共混薄膜的表层分布.     

原位ATR-FTIR法研究丁二烯配位聚合反应动力学

将原位全反射傅立叶红外光谱(in situATR-FTIR)技术应用于研究稀土催化丁二烯配位聚合反应过程,探讨了采集FTIR谱图的背景、用于定量计算的特征峰的选择与确定、单体浓度和所确定的特征峰强度的关系及丁二烯溶液聚合反应动力学.在聚合过程中不同时间取样得到聚合物样品,采用GPC、FTIR、POM和DSC分别对这些样品进行分子量及其分布、微观结构及其含量、玻璃化温度及结晶特性的分析与表征.结果表明,选用溶剂正己烷为背景,采集的FTIR谱图(600~1800 cm-1)中仅出现丁二烯的3个特征峰1592、1010和904 cm-1,且基线更为平滑,计算误差小.在丁二烯浓度为0.46~3.88 mol.L-1的范围内,丁二烯的这3个特征峰的强度均与丁二烯浓度成正比,其中904 cm-1处的特征峰强,可选作定量计算的特征峰.聚合反应速率对单体浓度呈现一级动力学关系,表观增长活化能为56.5 kJ.moL-1.聚丁二烯产物的分子量随单体转化率呈线性增加,其GPC谱图表明所得聚合物的分子量呈单峰分布,分布指数(Mw/Mn)在2.5左右.聚丁二烯产物中顺-1,4结构含量大于98%,其玻璃化转变温度约为-109℃,可产生较明显的结晶现象.     

Ligand‐Induced Conformational Changes in HSP90 Monitored Time Resolved and Label Free—Towards a Conformational Activity Screening for Drug Discovery

Investigation of protein–ligand interactions is crucial during early drug‐discovery processes. ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy can detect label‐free protein–ligand interactions with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here we immobilized, as an example, the heat shock protein HSP90 on an ATR crystal. This protein is an important molecular target for drugs against several diseases including cancer. With our novel approach we investigated a ligand‐induced secondary structural change. Two specific binding modes of 19 drug‐like compounds were analyzed. Different binding modes can lead to different efficacy and specificity of different drugs. In addition, the k_obs values of ligand dissociation were obtained. The results were validated by X‐ray crystallography for the structural change and by SPR experiments for the dissociation kinetics, but our method yields all data in a single and simple experiment.     

Surface characteristics of PLA and PLGA films

Surface segregation and restructuring in polylactides (poly(d,l-lactide) and poly(l-lactide)) and poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) films of various thicknesses were investigated using both attenuated total reflection FTIR (ATR-FTIR) and contact angle relaxation measurements. In case of poly(d,l-lactide) (DLPLA), it was observed that the surface segregation and the surface restructuring of methyl side groups are influenced by the polymer film thickness. This result has been confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the same way, PLGA thick films were also characterized by an extensive surface segregation of methyl side groups. Finally, surface restructuring was investigated by dynamic contact angle measurements and it was observed when film surface comes into contact with water.In parallel, we also found that poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) thin and clear films with thickness ∼15 μm undergo conformational changes on the surface upon solvent treatment with certain solvents. The solvent treated surface of PLLA becomes hazy and milky white and its hydrophobicity increases compared to untreated surface. FTIR spectroscopic analysis indicated that polymer chains at the surface undergo certain conformational changes upon solvent treatment. These changes are identified as the restricted motions of C-O-C segments and more intense and specific vibrations of methyl side groups. During solvent treatment, the change in water contact angle and FTIR spectrum of PLLA is well correlated.     

Surface Modification and Characterization of Dichloromethane Plasma Treated Polypropylene Film

Surface of polypropylene (PP) film was modified in plasma of dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). The nature of surface modifications and formation of cross-linked layer due to plasma polymerization was studied by surface energy measurements and solubility test. Surface modification achieved by CH₂Cl₂ plasma was compared with the reported work on chloroform (CHCl₃) and carbontetrachloride (CCl₄) plasma modifications. Modified surface characterized by ATR-FTIR technique indicated formation of saturated and unsaturated cross-linked product. On the basis of relative intensity change of the specific bands, the site of attachment of chlorine on PP surface was investigated. Adhesive strength of modified film was measured by T-peel test method. Stability of modified surface was studied by measuring surface energy and peel strength after two months.     

全反射红外逐层检测含重氮高分子薄膜的生长

运用全反射红外技术对逐层组装的含重氮高分子薄膜进行了分步定量分析.利用－CH2－峰的逐层变化规律,确认了在组装过程中每层吸附高分子的量是一致的.通过重氮基－N≡N＋特征的吸收峰,定量计算了在特定实验条件下,－N≡N＋分解生成共价键的比例.这些结果为认识重氮高分子薄膜的生长提供了更为直接和细致的信息.     

Thermal behaviour of dickite-dimethylsulfoxide intercalation complex

The thermal behaviour of the intercalation complex of a dickite from Tarifa, Spain, with dimethylsulfoxide was studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry, and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The ATR-FTIR study indicated that the heating between room temperature and 75°C produced the elimination of adsorbed molecules. Above this temperature the elimination of intercalated molecules occurs through several stages. Loss of 6.5% of the intercalated DMSO first causes a slight contraction of the basal spacing at 90şC due to a rearrangement of the DMSO molecules in the interlayers positions. This contraction is followed by the formation of a single layer complex and the restoring of the dickite structure, at 300°C, when the loss of intercalated species have been completed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.