Molecular Imprinting in Sol-Gel Materials: Recent Developments and Applications

Since its inception five decades ago, imprinted sol-gel materials went practically unnoticed, until in the 1970s the conceptual introduction of molecular imprinting in synthetic polymers triggered a new interest in this field. The recent growth in interest in organic–inorganic hybrid materials prepared by sol-gel chemistry and the development of a variety of new strategies for imprinting polymeric matrices have led to a growing activity in what became known as molecularly imprinted sol-gel materials. This paper intends to give an overview of recent progress in molecular imprinting in sol-gel matrices, the potential analytical applications of these tailor-made materials and their limitations, with the aim of drawing attention to useful information and to enhancing interest in this practically unexplored but promising field.     

Syntheses and characterization of two new zinc phosphites with 1D chains decorated by Zn-centered complexes

Two inorganic-organic hybrid solids, Zn₂(phen)(HPO₃)₂ (1) and Zn(phen)(HPO₃) (2), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and fluorescent spectra. Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclnic system, space group P-1, , , , α=75.609(1)°, β=79.145(2)°, γ=67.157(2)°, , Z=2. Compound 2 is monoclinic, C2/c, , , , β=94.175(4)°, , Z=8. Both structures consist of 1D chains constructed from strictly alternating ZnO₄ and HPO₃ polyhedra through sharing vertices. The chains are further decorated by Zn-centered complex architectures, [Zn(phen)]²⁺ for 1 and [Zn(phen)₂]²⁺ for 2. The 2D and 3D supramolecular arrays for 1 and 2 are stably stacked via strong π-π interactions of the phen groups, respectively.     

Thermal lens spectrometric determination of hexavalent chromium

The applicability of thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) for quantification and routine determination of hexavalent chromium was investigated by using a collinear dual beam thermal lens spectrometer. In aqueous solutions the LOD of 0.1 μg l⁻¹ was obtained for Cr(VI) by using 160 mW laser power. The performance of the technique was verified by the determination of hexavalent chromium in standard reference water samples (NIST SRM 1643a and NIST SRM 1643c) and comparing the results for Cr(VI) in CCA (Cr, Cu, As)-treated timber extracts to concentrations obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Good agreement between the TLS results and reported values for Cr(VI) in SRMs as well as AAS results for Cr(VI) in CCA-treated timbers confirmed that TLS is a reliable and accurate analytical technique applicable for the determination of Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions at concentration levels 0.5–100 μg l⁻¹.     

Atomic structure of InAs quantum dots on GaAs

In recent years, the self-assembled growth of semiconductor nanostructures, that show quantum size effects, has been of considerable interest. Laser devices operating with self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) embedded in GaAs have been demonstrated. Here, we report on the InAs/GaAs system and raise the question of how the shape of the QDs changes with the orientation of the GaAs substrate. The growth of the InAs QDs is understood in terms of the Stranski–Krastanow growth mode. For modeling the growth process, the shape and atomic structure of the QDs have to be known. This is a difficult task for such embedded entities.

In our approach, InAs is grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs until self-assembled QDs are formed. At this point the growth is interrupted and atomically resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images are acquired. We used preparation parameters known from the numerous publications on InAs/GaAs. In order to learn more about the self-assemblage process we studied QD formation on different GaAs(0 0 1), (1 1 3)A, and ( )B substrates. From the atomically resolved STM images we could determine the shape of the QDs. The quantum “dots” are generally rather flat entities better characterized as “lenses”. In order to achieve this flatness, the QDs are terminated by high-index bounding facets on low-index substrates and vice versa. Our results will be summarized in comparison with the existing literature.     

Mineral–water interfacial structures revealed by synchrotron X-ray scattering

Chemical reactions occurring at the mineral–water interface are controlled by an interfacial layer, nanometers thick, whose properties may deviate from those of the respective bulk mineral and water phases. The molecular-scale structure of this interfacial layer, however, is poorly constrained, and correlations between macroscopic phenomena and molecular-scale processes remain speculative. The application of high-resolution X-ray scattering techniques has begun to provide substantial new insights into the molecular-scale structure of the mineral–water interface. In this review, we describe the characteristics of synchrotron-based X-ray scattering techniques that make them uniquely powerful probes of mineral–water interfacial structures and discuss the new insights that have been derived from their application. In particular, we focus on efforts to understand the structure and distribution of interfacial water as well as their dependence on substrate properties for major mineral classes including oxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, silicates, halides and chromates. We compare these X-ray scattering results with those from other structural and spectroscopic techniques and integrate these to provide a conceptual framework upon which to base an understanding of the systematic variation of mineral–water interfacial structures.     

Molecular imprinting in ultrathin titania gel films via surface sol-gel process

Recent progresses of molecular imprinting in metal oxide matrices were summarized. Application of the surface sol-gel process to mixtures of organic carboxylic acids and titanium alkoxide provides ultrathin layers of titania gel (10-20 nm thick), in which molecule-sized cavities are kept intact upon removal of the organic templates. The imprinted cavity reflects the structural and functional features of the template molecule, and the enantioselective imprinting of dipeptide isomers is observed. Robustness and flexibility of the ultrathin titania layer is demonstrated by the formation of interconnected titania hollow structures. Possible practical applications and unsolved problems of this technique are discussed.     

PREPARATION OF POLY（METHYL METHACRYLATE）/LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES NANOCOMPOSITES via in situ SOLUTION POLYMERIZATION

An exfoliated layered double hydroxides/poly(methyl methacrylate)(LDHs/PMMA)nanocomposite was prepared by in situ solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA)in the presence of 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate intercalated LDHs(MgAl-VBS LDHs).MgAl-VBS LDHs was prepared by the ion exchange method,and the structure and composition of the MgA1-VBS LDHs were determined by X-ray diffraction(XRD),infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis.XRD and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)were employed to examine the structure of LDHs/PMMA nanocomposite.It was indicated that the LDHs layers were well exfoliated and dispersed in the PMMA matrix.The grafting of PMMA onto LDHs was confirmed by the extraction result and the weight fraction of grafted PMMA increased as the weight fraction of LDHs in the nanocomposites increased.     

Reaction paths of some open-shell reactive intermediates

The intermolecular interaction energy for reacting systems in singlet, triplet and doublet states was partitioned by the perturbation expansion method into the chemically meaningful five interaction terms: the Coulomb, exchange-repulsion, induction, dispersion, and charge-transfer energies. In the local ZDO approximation, these energy terms were evaluated for the dimerization of methylenes (^1,3CH₂), the additions of carbenes (^1,3CH₂ and^1,3CF₂) as well as amino radicals (²NH₂ and²NF₂) toward ethylene, and the hydrogen abstractions by methylenes (^1,3CH₂), nitrene (³NH), and hydroxyl radical (²OH) from methane. It has been found that the reaction path is much influenced by the spinmultiplicity, and that the charge-transfer and exchange-repulsion terms play a dominant role in determining the course of reactions.     

Sampling and sample preparation

Summary Problems, techniques and means of water sampling are reviewed. Applicability and performance are discussed with regard to individual and composite samples, and also to automatic sampling. Storage and preservation of samples are dealt with.

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Probenahme und Behandlung von ProbenWasser

Zusammenfassung Probleme, Verfahren und Hilfsmittel bei der Probenahme von Wasser werden behandelt. Ausführung und Anwendbarkeit von Einzel und Mischproben sowie der automatischen Probenahme werden diskutiert, ebenso die Aufbewahrung und Konservierung von Proben.

Start of discussion held at the 6th Annual Symposium on Recent Advances in the Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants, April 21–23, 1976; Vienna, Austria.     

Formation of CaF and AlF in the arc plasma and spectrochemical determination of Ca and Al

Summary The influence of chemical reactions in d.c. arc plasma on the atomic emission determination of traces has been investigated. The effect of added NH₄F on the intensity of spectral lines of Ca and Al was examined. A decrease of the spectral line intensities of Ca and Al in the presence of NH₄F occurred, if the sample had not been mixed in the electrode with NH₄F. The AlF band spectrum, transition A ¹ X ¹ , was observed in absorption of the arc radiation. Further, the axial intensity distribution of Ca, Al, Ga and Ag spectral lines and of the head of the green system of CaF band, has been measured. The depressive effect of fluorine on spectral line intensities of Ca, Al, Ga and Ag has to be connected with the processes in plasma. It is suggested that the formation of fluoride radicals could take part in this effect.

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Bildung von CaF und AlF im Bogenplasma und spektrochemische Bestimmung von Ca und Al

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von chemischen Reaktionen im Lichtbogenplasma auf die spektrochemische Spurenanalyse wurde erörtert. Die Wirkung einer Zugabe von Ammoniumfluorid auf die Intensitäten der Spektrallinien des Calciums und Aluminiums wurde untersucht. Wenn die Probe nicht in der Elektrode mit NH₄F gemischt war, wurde eine Intensitätserniedrigung von Ca- und Al-Spektrallinien in Anwesenheit von NH₄F beobachtet. Das AlF-Bandenspektrum, Übergang A ¹ X ¹ , wurde in Absorption der Bogenstrahlung beobachtet. Die Axialverteilung der Linienintensitäten von Ca, Al, Ga und Ag wie auch der Intensität der Kante des grünen Systems der CaF-Banden wurde untersucht. Die depressive Wirkung des Fluors auf die Linienintensitäten von Ca, Al, Ga und Ag sollte mit den Vorgängen im Plasma in Zusammenhang gebracht werden. Es kann vorausgesetzt werden, daß die Bildung der Fluoridradikale bei diesem Effekt eine Rolle spielt.