Sonochemical Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

The sonochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with different shapes and size distributions by using high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) operating at 463 kHz is reported. GNP formation proceeds through the reduction of Au³⁺ to Au⁰ by radicals generated by acoustic cavitation. TEM images reveal that GNPs show irregular shapes at 30 W, are primarily icosahedral at 50 W and form a significant amount of nanorods at 70 W. The size of GNPs decreases with increasing acoustic power with a narrower size distribution. Sonochemiluminescence images help in the understanding of the effect of HIFU in controlling the size and shapes of GNPs. The number of radicals that form and the mechanical forces that are generated control the shape and size of the GNPs. UV/Vis spectra and TEM images are used to propose a possible mechanism for the observed effects. The results presented demonstrate, for the first time, that the HIFU system can be used to synthesise size‐ and shape‐controlled metal nanoparticles.     

Light‐Driven Reversible Alignment Switching of Liquid Crystals Enabled by Azo Thiol Grafted Gold Nanoparticles

Stimuli‐directed alignment control of liquid crystals (LCs) with desired molecular orientation is currently in the limelight for the development of smart functional materials and devices. Here, photoresponsive azo thiol (AzoSH) was grafted onto gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The resulting hybrid GNPs were able to homogeneously mix with a commercially available nematic LC host, as evidenced by Cryo‐TEM. Interestingly, the LC nanocomposites were found to undergo reversible alignment transition upon light irradiation as a consequence of the trans–cis photoisomerization of the azo groups on the GNP surface. LC molecules in either planar or bare glass cells were able to change their alignment to vertical upon UV irradiation, while the vertically aligned LC molecules returned to the planar or random orientation under visible irradiation. Neither the azo thiol molecules nor the unfunctionalized GNPs alone promoted the alignment of the LC molecules in the system upon light irradiation. The photoinduced vertical alignment without applied electric or magnetic field was very stable over time and with respect to temperature. Furthermore, an optically switchable device based on the photostimulated reversible alignment control of LCs was demonstrated.     

A New Porphyrin for the Preparation of Functionalized Water-Soluble Gold Nanoparticles with Low Intrinsic Toxicity

A potential new photosensitizer based on a dissymmetric porphyrin derivative bearing a thiol group was synthesized. 5-[4-(11-Mercaptoundecyloxy)-phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (PR-SH) was used to functionalize gold nanoparticles in order to obtain a potential drug delivery system. Water-soluble multifunctional gold nanoparticles GNP-PR/PEG were prepared using the Brust–Schiffrin methodology, by immobilization of both a thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the porphyrin thiol compound (PR-SH). The nanoparticles were fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the ability of GNP-PR/PEGs to induce singlet oxygen production was analyzed to demonstrate the activity of the photosensitizer. Cytotoxicity experiments showed the nanoparticles are nontoxic. Finally, cellular uptake experiments demonstrated that the functionalized gold nanoparticles are internalized. Therefore, this colloid can be considered to be a novel nanosystem that could potentially be suitable as an intracellular drug delivery system of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.     

活性炭吸附-火焰原子吸收光谱法测定粗硒中的金

建立了活性炭吸附-火焰原子吸收光谱法测定粗硒中金量的分析方法。讨论了称样量、溶样条件和活性炭的灰化程度对金量测定的影响,并且对火焰原子吸收光谱法与火试金法测定粗硒中的金量做了比较。火焰原子吸收光谱法和火试金法测定的相对标准偏差分别为1.3%~5.9%和0.91%~7.8%;加标回收率分别为93.1%~100.7%和94.8%~102.2%。结果表明,方法有较好的精密度和准确度,并且具有较强的实用性。     

Gold Nanorod–Photosensitizer Complex Obtained by Layer‐by‐Layer Method for Photodynamic/Photothermal Therapy In Vitro

Gold nanorod (GNR)–photosensitizer (PS) complex was prepared using anionic PS (sodium salt of purpurin‐18) and cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) by layer‐by‐layer method, and was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and zeta potential. The GNR–PS complex is a promising agent for synergistic (photothermal and photodynamic) therapy (PTT/PDT), in which PTT generates heat as well as operates the PS release which maximize the following PDT activity. The combined dual therapy, PTT followed by PDT, exhibits a significantly higher photocytotoxicity result based on synergistic effect of hyperthermia from PTT as well as singlet oxygen photogeneration from PDT.     

Gold/Palladium Alloy for Carbon–Halogen Bond Activation: An Unprecedented Halide Dependence

New catalytic activity of gold/palladium alloy nanoclusters (NCs) for carbon–halogen bond activation is demonstrated. In the case of an aryl chloride, the inclusion of gold in a bimetallic catalyst is indispensable to achieve the coupling reactions. Gold has the unique effect of stabilizing palladium, such that Pd²⁺ leached from clusters by means of spillover of chloride during oxidative addition. The thus‐formed spillover intermediate further reacts heterogeneously in both Ullmann and Suzuki‐type coupling reactions through a new type of mechanism. In the case of an aryl bromide, Ullmann coupling occurs through the spillover of bromide, similar to that of aryl chloride. However, a significant fraction of palladium also leached, which diminished the Ullmann coupling activity of the aryl bromide and, as a result, the order of reactivity was ArCl>ArBr. With regard to the activation of the C?Br bond towards a Suzuki‐type reaction, the inclusion of a higher gold content in gold/palladium clusters stabilized palladium to prevent the leaching of Pd²⁺ from the clusters by means of spillover of bromide. The spillover intermediate reacts heterogeneously with PhB(OH)₂, palladium‐rich gold/palladium, or pure palladium clusters; the oxidative addition of ArBr favors the extraction of palladium from the clusters, yielding Pd²⁺ intermediates. The extracted intermediates react homogenously (Pd^2+/Pd⁰ catalysis) with PhB(OH)₂, which results in the higher selectivity of the cross‐coupling product. An initial step to observe such unprecedented halide dependency, together with the dynamic behavior of palladium on the surface of gold is the oxidative addition of Ar?X. A detailed insight into the first oxidative addition process was also examined by quantum chemical calculations.     

Mechanism of the Aerobic Homocoupling of Phenylboronic Acid on Au20−: A DFT Study

The mechanism of the gold nanocluster‐catalyzed aerobic homocoupling of arylboronic acids has been elucidated by means of DFT calculations with Au₂₀^? as a model cluster for the Au:[poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidin‐2‐one)] catalyst. We found that oxygen affects the adsorption of phenylboronic acid and, by lowering the energy barrier, a water molecule enhances dissociation of the C?B bond, which is probably the rate‐determining step. The key role of oxygen is in activating the surface of the gold cluster by generating Lewis acidic sites for adsorption and activation of the phenylboronic acid, leading to the formation of biphenyl through a superoxo‐like species. Moreover, the oxygen adsorbed on the Au nanocluster can act as an oxidant for phenylboronic acid, giving phenol as a byproduct. As shown by NBO analysis, the basic aqueous reaction medium facilitates the reductive elimination process by weakening the Au?C bond, thereby enhancing the formation of biphenyl. The coupling of phenyl and reductive elimination of biphenyl occur at the top or facet site with low‐energy‐barrier through spillover of phenyl group on Au NC. The present findings are useful for the interpretation or design of other coupling reactions with Au NC.     

基于受众的多形式多维度化学科普新模式的探索与实践*

根据化学科普现状,探索和实践了一套化学科普新模式,即:针对受众、量体裁衣、深挖项目、以点带面。以“黄金雨”科普项目为例简要介绍新模式的实施,并重点讨论了重金属的毒性以及循环回收和利用,提升大众对绿色化学、环保和可持续发展的认知。项目对不同层次人群的具体科普实践也收到了很好的反馈。     

亚硫酸盐无氰电沉积金新工艺及机制

直接以氯金酸作为主盐、 羟基乙叉二膦酸（HEDP）作为镀液稳定剂和镀层细化剂、 结合添加剂, 组成亚硫酸盐无氰镀金新工艺; 研究镀液稳定性、 镀层形态及金电沉积机制。结果表明, HEDP可明显提升镀液稳定性;不含HEDP的亚硫酸盐镀金液中, 镀层呈棒状晶粒并随沉积时间延长而逐渐生长,导致镀层外观随镀层厚度增加由金黄色转变为红棕色。镀液含有HEDP时, 金晶粒形态由棒状转变为棱锥状, 且棱锥状晶粒随沉积时间延长生长速率较小, 镀层厚度为1 μm时仍呈现金外观。电化学实验表明金电沉积不经历成核过程。     

手性无机纳米材料圆偏振发光的研究进展

手性无机纳米材料因为具有优异的光物理特性及广泛的应用价值而备受关注。通过采用手性配体对无机纳米材料的表面进行修饰或将无机纳米材料与手性模板进行组装获得的手性结构,可以与光子强烈作用引起偏振态的改变,产生圆偏振光(circularly polarized light, CPL)。从产生机理来讲,CPL主要包括圆偏振荧光和圆偏振散射,在一些情况下这两个机理是共存的。本文总结了硫族半导体纳米材料、金属纳米团簇、钙钛矿、镧系配合物及其他复合纳米材料中CPL的研究进展。此外,还讨论了不同的手性无机纳米材料中CPL的主要来源。本综述得出的结论有望在分子水平上实现对CPL活性材料的各向异性因子进行调控,促进其在量子计算、光学数据存储、信息加密、3D显示器和光学传感等多个领域的发展。