Immunoassay based on peroxidase silver conjugate for the determination of human immunoglobulins against tick-borne borreliosis (lyme disease) by voltammetry and spectrophotometry

In this work two strategies for the synthesis of peroxidase silver conjugates for the qualitative and quantitative determination of immunoglobulins (IgG) to ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) (Lyme disease) in human serum were proposed. The first approach for Ab-HRP@AgNP conjugate synthesis involved silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) capped with a commercial peroxidase conjugate (Ab-HRP) by passive adsorption. The second strategy was based on the initial coupling of Ag NPs with human anti-species antibodies (Ab) by passive adsorption followed by the introduction of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme into the reaction mixture as a blocking reagent for Ab@AgNP@HRP conjugate synthesis. The formation of peroxidase silver conjugates was proved by UV/Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity of Ab-HRP@AgNP and Ab@AgNP@HRP conjugates was evaluated by Michaelis-Menten kinetics. A commercially available 96-well microtiter plate with recombinant antigens to ITBB was used as a platform for immobilization of analyzed IgG. The HRP in Ab-HRP@AgNP conjugate was found to retain a sufficient level of activity for interaction with the H₂O₂ substrate to form an intensely colored reaction product. Therefore Ab-HRP@AgNP conjugate can be used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with spectrophotometric detection of 3,3’,5,5’-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB Ox) for quantitative determination of IgG to ITBB in human serum in the concentration range 12.5–800 ng ml⁻¹ with LOD 2 ng ml⁻¹. Ab@AgNP@HRP conjugate is recommended for the electrochemical determination of IgG to ITBB in human serum at LOD 3 ng ml⁻¹ with registration of silver oxidation by linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry (LSASV). Ag NPs in Ab-HRP@AgNP and Ab@AgNP@HRP conjugates do not change electrochemical activity during storage and can be used as an electrochemical label in LSASV method in case of HRP inactivation. The immunoassay based on peroxidase silver conjugates expands the analytical potential for the determination of IgG to ITBB especially during the period of increasing incidence.     

Experimental and Theoretical Structure Elucidation of the [2 : 1] Complex Ion of Carbo[n]helicene with n=6, 7 and 8 and Ag+

Gas-phase complexes of [n]helicenes with n=6, 7 and 8 and the silver(I) cation are generated utilizing electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Besides the well-established [1 : 1] helicene/Ag⁺-complex in which the helicene provides a tweezer-like surrounding for the Ag⁺, there is also a [2 : 1] complex formed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations in conjunction with energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation (ER-CID) experiments reveal that the second helicene attaches via π-π stacking to the first helicene, which is part of the pre-formed [1 : 1] tweezer complex with Ag⁺. For polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of planar structure, the [2 : 1] complex with silver(I) is typically structured as an Ag⁺-bound dimer in which the Ag⁺ would bind to both PAHs as the central metal ion (PAH–Ag⁺–PAH). For helicenes, the Ag⁺-bound dimer is of similar thermochemical stability as the π-π stacked dimer, however, it is kinetically inaccessible. Coronene (Cor) is investigated in comparison to the helicenes as an essentially planar PAH. In analogy to the π-π stacked dimer of the helicenes, the Cor−Ag⁺−Cor−Cor complex is also observed. Competition experiments using [n]helicene mixtures reveal that the tweezer complexes of Ag⁺ are preferably formed with the larger helicenes, with n=6 being entirely ignored as the host for Ag⁺ in the presence of n=7 or 8.     

Crystal Growth and Crystal Structures of Gold(V) Compounds: Cu(AuF6)2, Ag(AuF6)2, and O2(CuF)3(AuF6)4 ⋅ HF

Crystal growth from anhydrous hydrogen fluoride solutions of M²⁺ (M=Cu, Ag) and [AuF₆]⁻ gave M(AuF₆)₂ salts (M=Cu, Ag). Similar attempts to prepare single crystals of the corresponding nickel, zinc and magnesium salts failed. The crystal structure of Cu(AuF₆)₂ consists of layers of Cu²⁺ cations connected by [AuF₆]⁻ anions, thus forming slabs. Only van der Waals interactions exist between adjacent slabs. The crystal structure of Ag(AuF₆)₂ consists of a three-dimensional framework in which Ag⁺ cations are linked by [AuF₆]⁻ anions. Both structures are members of the M^II(X^VF₆)₂ family, in which seven different structure types have been observed to date. In the crystal structure of O₂(CuF)₃(AuF₆)₄ ⋅ HF, the bridging AuF₆ units connect [−Cu−F−Cu−F−]_∞ chains to form stacks between which O₂⁺ cations and HF molecules are located.     

The enhanced photo-stability of defective Ag3PO4 tetrahedron prepared using tripolyphosphate

Ag₃PO₄ is an excellent photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. However, the low stability due to photo-corrosion is still an obstacle in its application. It is a big challenge to improve stability using synthesis modification. Here, the photocatalyst stability enhancement was successfully prepared by tripolyphosphate. Photocatalyst was prepared by reacting AgNO₃ solution with STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate) solution to form a white suspension. The addition of phosphate solution to the white suspension produces yellow Ag₃PO₄ with a new type of defective photocatalyst. The XPS measurement showed that the increase of STPP concentration significantly decreased the Ag/P atomic ratio, indicating the silver vacancy formation on the surface of Ag₃PO₄. The photocatalytic reaction formed a metallic Ag with a lower d-space in the cube structure occurred in the silver vacancy of Ag₃PO₄. This defect increases the interaction of metallic silver and Ag₃PO₄. The enhanced photo-stability might be induced by metallic silver that can act as a photogenerated electron acceptor.     

用硝酸银溶液沉淀及分步沉淀卤素离子的数字化实验研究*

卤化银难溶电解质的沉淀溶解平衡是中学化学教学的重要知识点。应用本项目组研制的MXLab21先进数字化实验系统,结合银硫离子电极,测定AgNO₃溶液沉淀Cl^-,Br^-,I^-及其混合离子的沉淀曲线,即电动势(E)随AgNO₃溶液体积(V)变化的关系曲线。3种单一离子的沉淀曲线可以直观体现出滴定的电动势突跃范围与相应沉淀的溶度积大小的关系及其规律性变化。通过混合离子的沉淀曲线分析3种离子两两混合或3者混合时分步沉淀的可行性。Cl^-,Br^-,I^-的沉淀及分步沉淀的动态E-V曲线的建立,对中学化学教学具有重要作用,对化学学科核心素养的发展和培养具有重要价值。     

AgNP-decorated SBA-15 for MWCNT Paste Modified Electrode: A Sensor for Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol and Sulfamethoxazole

A new electrochemical sensor based on a carbon nanotube paste electrode modified with a Santa Barbara Amorphous material (SBA-15) decorated with silver nanoparticles, namely CNT/SBA/Ag-PE, was developed. It was successfully applied for individual and simultaneous determination of both paracetamol (PC) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) medicines. The electrode exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.12–110 μmol L⁻¹ for paracetamol and 0.06–70 μmol L⁻¹ for sulfamethoxazole, and detection limits of 38 and 19 nmol L⁻¹, respectively. The proposed sensor offered high sensitivity, fast response time and the potential for detecting both drugs simultaneously. The CNT/SBA/Ag-PE enabled the simultaneous determination of PC and SMZ in urine samples with high recovery rates.     

The Quenching and Sonication Effect on the Mechanical Strength of Silver Nanowires Synthesized Using the Polyol Method

This study aims to determine the effect of fast cooling (quenching) on thermal properties, mechanical strength, morphology and size of the AgNWs. The synthesis of AgNWs was carried out at three different quenching-medium temperatures as follows: at 27 °C (ambient temperature), 0 °C (on ice), and −80 °C (in dry ice) using the polyol method at 130 °C. Furthermore, the AgNWs were sonified for 45 min to determine their mechanical strength. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the quenched AgNWs had decreased significantly; at 27 °C, the AgNWs experienced a change in length from (40 ± 10) to (21 ± 6) µm, at 0 °C from (37 ± 8) to (24 ± 8) µm, and at −80 °C from (34 ± 9) to (29 ± 1) µm. The opposite occurred for their diameter with an increased quenching temperature: at 27 °C from (200 ± 10) to (210 ± 10) nm, at 0 °C from (224 ± 4) to (239 ± 8) nm, and at −80 °C from (253 ± 6) to (270 ± 10) nm. The lower the temperature of the quenching medium, the shorter the length and the higher the mechanical strength of AgNWs. The UV-Vis spectra of the AgNWs showed peak absorbances at 350 and 411 to 425 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that AgNWs quenched at −80 °C have better thermal stability as their mass loss was only 2.88%, while at the quenching temperatures of 27 °C and 0 °C the mass loss was of 8.73% and 4.17%, respectively. The resulting AgNWs will then be applied to manufacture transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) for optoelectronic applications.     

DNA/银纳米簇在分析检测中的应用

银纳米簇(AgNCs)为几个到数十个原子所组成的聚集体,核尺寸小于2 nm,具有优异的物理化学性质,常以聚合物、蛋白质、DNA等作为模板采用化学合成法制备,其中以DNA为模板合成的AgNCs(DNA/AgNCs)是一种新型的发光纳米材料,其突出的荧光特性和良好的生物相容性,被应用于纳米传感器、细胞标记与检测等多种分析领域,引起广泛关注。本文针对近些年来DNA/AgNCs在重金属离子、有机小分子、核酸、蛋白质、细胞分析检测方面的最新应用进展以及面临的问题进行简要总结概括。     

柠檬酸辅助可控制备花状银粒子及其表面增强拉曼散射性能

以抗坏血酸为还原剂,柠檬酸为结构导向剂,一步还原硝酸银,合成了尺寸和形状可调的花状银颗粒。纳米粒子的粒径可在600～1 200 nm范围内调整,表面突起可达到10～25 nm。柠檬酸的化学性质在银纳米粒子合成多级花状银结构的过程中起着至关重要的作用。通过改变柠檬酸或抗坏血酸溶液的用量,银结构的各向异性形貌可以很容易地调节。以制备的多级花状银颗粒作为表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)基底,对浓度为10~(-10)mol·L~(-1)的罗丹明6G(R6G)仍具有较高的检测灵敏度。     

Ag@硅氧倍半聚合物的合成及其对对硝基苯酚的催化还原性能

以氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷和草酰氯为原料,合成得到链上含亚氨基和羰基官能团的硅氧倍半聚合物。以此聚合物为载体,通过配位吸附和还原得到银纳米粒子（平均粒径约为15 nm）高度分散于硅氧烷聚合物表面的复合物。研究结果表明,复合物中银负载量（质量分数）约为13.66%,在水溶液中25℃、6 min内可将对硝基苯酚（4-NP）完全催化还原为对氨基苯酚（4-AP）,且7次循环使用后依然保持95%以上的催化活性。在常温常压条件下,催化剂的最高活性达到33.0 g_4-AP·g_Ag^-1,表现出优异的催化还原性能。