Membrane-bound dehydrogenases from Gluconobacter sp.: Interfacial electrochemistry and direct bioelectrocatalysis

Although membrane-bound dehydrogenases isolated from Gluconobacter sp. (mainly PQQ-dependent alcohol and fructose dehydrogenase) have been used for preparing diverse forms of bioelectronic interfaces for almost 2 decades, it is not an easy task to interpret an electrochemical behaviour correctly. Recent discoveries regarding redox properties of membrane-bound dehydrogenases along with extensive investigations of direct electron transfer (DET) or direct bioelectrocatalysis with these enzymes are summarized in this review. The main aim of this review is to draw general conclusions about possible electronic coupling paths of these enzymes on various interfaces via direct electron transfer or direct bioelectrocatalysis. A short overview of the metabolism and respiration chain in Gluconobacter relevant to interfacial electrochemistry is given. Biosensor devices based on DET or direct bioelectrocatalysis using membrane-bound dehydrogenases from Gluconobacter sp. are described briefly with the emphasis given on practical applications of preparing enzymatic biofuel cells. Moreover, interfacial electrochemistry of Gluconobacter oxydans related to the construction of microbial biofuel cells is also discussed.     

Classification, reduction, group invariant solutions and conservation laws of the Gardner-KP equation

In this paper, symmetries and group invariant solutions to the Gardner-KP equation are obtained by using the direct symmetry method. At the same time, we find the corresponding Lie algebra, optimal system, classification and the similarity reductions to the equation, respectively. Our exact solutions generalize the corresponding results obtained by Wazwaz. In addition, the conservation laws of Gardner-KP equation are also given.     

Application of Rouche’s theorem for MP filter design

The method for the minimum-phase (MP) finite impulse response (FIR) filter design, based on Rouche’s theorem from complex analysis is presented here. The filter is designed directly from a given specification. The method uses the cosine filters and the sharpening technique resulting in a multiplierless filter.     

Choice Functions and Extensive Operators

The paper puts forth a theory of choice functions in a neat way connecting it to a theory of extensive operators and neighborhood systems. We consider classes of heritage choice functions satisfying conditions M, N, W, and C, or combinations of these conditions. In terms of extensive operators these classes can be considered as generalizations of symmetric, anti-symmetric and transitive binary relations. Among these classes we meet the well-known classes of matroids and convex geometries. Using a ‘topological’ language we discuss these classes of monotone extensive operators (or heritage choice functions) in terms of neighborhood systems. A remarkable inversion on the set of choice functions is introduced. Restricted to the class of heritage choice functions the inversion turns out to be an involution, and under this involution the axiom N is auto-inverse, whereas the axioms W and M change places. This research was supported in part by NWO–RFBR grant 047.011.2004.017, by RFBR grant 05-01-02805 CNRSL_a, and the grant NSh-929.2008.6, School Support. We want to thank B. Monjardet, the editor and a referee for discussions and useful suggestions.     

A novel approach for highly proton conductive electrolyte membranes with improved methanol barrier properties: Layer-by-Layer assembly of salt containing polyelectrolytes

A series of highly proton conductive electrolyte membranes with improved methanol barrier properties are prepared from polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) including salt by Layer-by-Layer (LbL) method. The effects of added salt type (NaCl, MgCl₂) and salt concentration (1.0 M, 0.1 M) on proton conductivity (σ) and methanol barrier properties of the LbL self-assembled composite membranes are discussed in terms of controlled layer thickness and charge density. Furthermore, the influences of ion type in the multilayered composite membranes are studied in conjunction with physicochemical and thermal properties.The deposition of the self-assembly of PAH/PSS film on Nafion is followed by UV–Vis spectroscopy and it is observed that the polyelectrolyte layers growth on both sides of Nafion membrane regularly. (PAH/PSS)₅–Na⁺ and (PAH/PSS)₅–H⁺ with 1.0 M NaCl exhibits 49.6 and 27.8% reduction in lower methanol permittivity in comparison with the pristine Nafion^®117, respectively, while the proton conductivities are 12.97 and 74.69 mS cm⁻¹. Promisingly, it is found that the membrane selectivity values (Φ) of all multilayered membranes in H⁺ form are much higher than that of salt form (Na⁺ and Mg²⁺) and perfluorosulfonated ionomers reported in the literature. Also, we find out that the use of polyelectrolytes with high charge density causes a further improvement in proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties simultaneously. These encouraging results indicate that upon a suitable choice of LbL deposition conditions, composite membranes exhibiting both high proton conductivity and improved methanol barrier properties can be tailored for fuel cells.     

二乙醇胺改性聚乳酸的直接熔融聚合法合成及其表征

以乳酸(LA)、二乙醇胺(DEA)为原料,采用熔融聚合法直接合成了二乙醇胺改性聚乳酸,并用特性粘数、FT-IR、1H NMR、GPC、DSC、XRD等手段进行表征,探讨了催化剂种类和用量、熔融聚合反应时间、反应温度以及不同投料比、不同构型乳酸对聚合物合成的影响.在单体投料摩尔比n(DEA):n(L-LA)=1:200、160℃、70Pa、催化剂SnO用量0.7(wt)%、熔融聚合8h条件下,聚合物重均相对分子质量(Mw)可达8100.随着投料比中DEA的增加,产物特性粘数逐步降低,Mw逐渐减小,玻璃化温度(Tg)有降低的趋势.以L-LA聚合得到的聚合物的Mw、分散度(Mw/Mn)和结晶度均比由D,L-LA得到的产物的更高.因此,笔者认为,由于D,L-A与L-LA存在反应速率差异,因而二者有不同的反应历程.新合成方法有利于降低二乙醇胺改性聚乳酸作为药物缓释载体等生物医学材料的合成成本.     

SPEEK/PES-C、SPEEK/SPES-C共混质子交换膜研究

通过在磺化聚醚醚酮(SPEEK,DS=61.68%)中分别混入酚酞型聚醚砜(PES-C)、磺化酚酞型聚醚砜(SPES-C,DS=53.7%)制备出SPEEK/PES-C、SPEEK/SPES-C共混质子交换膜.结果表明,共混的两种聚合物之间均具有较好的相容性.PES-C、SPES-C的混入能有效降低膜的溶胀及甲醇透过,且随着共混量的增加,这种作用越趋明显.纯SPEEK膜在75℃左右溶解,而SPEEK/PES-C(30wt%)、SPEEK/SPES-C(30wt%)共混膜在80℃时溶胀度仅为22.5%、26.32%.在室温至80℃范围内,纯SPEEK及共混膜的甲醇透过系数都在10-7cm2.s-1数量级上,远小于Nafion115膜.在饱和湿度下,温度大于90℃时,SPEEK/PES-C(20wt%)共混膜电导率超过Nafion115膜;温度大于110℃时,SPEEK/SPES-C(30wt%)共混膜电导率与Nafion115膜相当,达到0.11S.cm-1.高电导率,低透醇系数以及明显提高了的可使用温度表明该类共混膜有望在DMFC中使用.     

Investigations of flow field designs in direct methanol fuel cell

An experimental and simulation research had been performed to investigate the performance as well as the flow distribution in the cathode flow field in the case of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The gas was well distributed in serpentine flow field, whereas stagnation of the gas was observed in parallel flow field. These would contribute to the cell performance greatly due to mass transfer effect when the cells start operating. In addition, the durability test of DMFC was drastically affected in parallel flow field due to poor ability to drain flooded water produced electrochemically at cathode and crossover from anode. In addition, pressure drops of different flow fields were also investigated to evaluate their contribution and feasibility as an economic application for DMFC. DMFC with serpentine flow field featuring higher pressure difference resulted in a larger parasitic energy demand. However, the optimal flow field designs are needed to balance the performance and pressure loss to achieve a uniform fluid distribution and simultaneously minimize energy demand for mass transport. Consequently, flow field with grid pattern appears to be the optimal design for the DMFC cathode.     

PtCeOx/C as a novel methanol-tolerant electrocatalyst of oxygen reduction for direct methanol fuel cells

A prominent methanol-tolerant characteristic of the PtCeO_x/C electrocatalyst was found during oxygen reduction reaction process. The carbon-supported platinum modified with cerium oxide (PtCeO_x/C) as cathode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells was prepared via a simple and effective route. The synthesized electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the cerium oxide within PtCeO_x/C present in an amorphous form on the carbon support surface and the PtCeO_x/C possesses almost similar disordered morphological structure and slightly smaller particle size compared with the unmodified Pt/C catalyst.     

Electrochemical Determination of Homocysteine at Disposable Graphite Electrodes

In the case of disruption of Hcy metabolism, the blood level of Hcy increases and it causes particularly the cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Thus, the sensitive analysis of Hcy levels in biological fluids is very important. Hcy analysis was performed herein using very practical and cost‐effective protocol using differential pulse voltammetry and graphite electrode. Detection limit of Hcy was found to be 1.21 µM in the linear range from 2 µM to 20 µM. The electrochemical Hcy detection in artificial urine medium was also successfully performed even in the presence of L ‐Cysteine, L ‐Methionine and Glutathione.