Recent Progress in the Simulation of Chiral Systems with Real Time Propagation Methods

In this brief review, an overview about recent efforts to simulate the spectroscopic signatures of chiral molecules is given with focus on real time propagation approaches to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. In particular the simulation of electric circular dichroism spectra and vibrational Raman optical activity is discussed. In comparison to linear absorption spectra, where only the response of the electric dipole moment is necessary, the response of the magnetic dipole moment and electric quadrupole moment is more intricate. Issues such as gauge origin dependence, basis set dependence, non-local potentials and the dipole approximation are addressed.     

How the Aggregates Determine Bound Rubber Models in Silicone Rubber? A Contrast Matching Neutron Scattering Study

The correlation between aggregates and bound rubber structures in silicone rubbers(S(phr)) with various silica fractions(ΦSi) has been investigated by contrast matching small-angle neutron scattering(SANS), swelling kinetics, and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR).Mixed solvents with deuterated cyclohexane fractions of 4.9% and 53.7% were chosen to match the scattering length densities of the matrix(SMP(phr)) and the filler(SMS(phr)), respectively. All the data consistently suggest that:(i) There is a critical threshold ΦSic between 10 and 30 phr;below ΦSic, the isolated aggregates are dominant, while beyond ΦSic, some rubber fraction is trapped among the agglomerate;(ii) ΦSiindependent thicknesses around 7.5 nm(NMR) and 8.6 nm(SANS) suggest that the bound rubber formation is determined by inherent properties of the components, and the power-law around 4.2 suggests an exponential changed gradient density of the bound rubber;(iii) SMS(80) presents a bicontinuous bound rubber with three characteristic lengths of 41, 100, and 234 nm. The expanded correlation length, a 20 nm smaller aggregate sizes suggest that such existent bicontinuous network in dry samples with less ΦSi is kind of impacted by swelling. With the obtained bound rubber models, the reinforcing mechanism of filled silicone rubber is elucidated.     

应用镍超微电极的电化学表面增强拉曼光谱技术研究

镍（Ni）电极在电化学中应用广泛。原位表征Ni电极表面的吸附物种有益于帮助理解电极反应历程、指导发展高效电催化剂。应用超微电极作为工作电极的电化学表面增强拉曼光谱技术结合了超微电极表面的传质特性和分子水平的高灵敏度表征,是研究Ni电化学的有力手段。本文所述的研究工作通过在金（Au）超微电极表面电吸附具有SERS活性的Au纳米粒子并恒电流沉积金属Ni薄层,制备并表征了具有SERS活性的Ni超微电极。在氢氧化钠溶液中的循环伏安实验和以4-甲基苯硫酚分子作为探针分子的SERS实验结果表明,沉积速率和沉积电量是影响超微电极表面Ni的覆盖度和SERS活性的关键因素。在吸附了直径为55 nm Au纳米粒子的、直径为10 μm Au的超微电极表面,以100 μA·cm^-2电流密度电沉积厚度约为5个原子层Ni的条件下,可获得Ni覆盖完好的、具有最强SERS活性的Ni超微电极。     

Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering of Self-assembled Superstructures

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) is a molecular specific spectroscopic technique that amplifies the Raman signal of absorbed molecules for up to 10¹⁰times. Over the past decades, SERS substrates experienced rapid growth, resulting in excellent development for SERS analysis. Because the surface plasmonic resonance coupling between individual materials can form a "hotspot" region to maximize the Raman signal, among many substrate construction strategies, self-assembly attracts more attention in constructing superstructures with strong, uniform and stable SERS activity. In addition, a number of plasmon-free nanomaterials with appropriate superstructures samely show enhanced SERS activity, which is primarily attributed to the formation of the optical resonator. This review aims to provide a scientific synopsis on the progress of self-assembled superstructures for SERS and ignite new dis˗ coveries in the SERS platform, as well as SERS applications in various fields.     

等离子体金属纳米结构在SERS传感及可穿戴应力传感中的应用

等离子体金属(金、银)纳米结构因其特有的理化性能,被广泛应用于表面增强拉曼散射(Surface-enhanced Raman scattering,SERS)传感及可穿戴应力传感领域。其中,SERS是一种应用贵金属纳米材料增强拉曼散射信号的检测技术,该技术灵敏度高、特异性强,已被广泛用于生物医学、环境监测、食品药品检测等领域。随着电子检测技术和柔性电子材料的快速发展,柔性可穿戴传感技术也得到了快速发展,且取得了大量的研究成果。SERS检测技术主要依赖于贵金属纳米增强基底材料,而基于贵金属纳米结构的可穿戴传感元件对人体微应力、微应变的传感具有极高的灵敏度。SERS增强基底材料与可穿戴应力传感元件材料具有互通互用性,将贵金属纳米SERS基底应用于柔性可穿戴式检测,这是SERS检测技术比较新颖的、尚未深入研究的应用领域之一。该文综述了贵金属溶胶纳米结构的材料组成分类以及该类材料在SERS和可穿戴应力传感中的应用,并分析了胶体贵金属纳米结构组成及成分对SERS传感、可穿戴应力传感灵敏度、可重复性及稳定性的影响,最后展望了贵金属胶体纳米结构在SERS传感和柔性可穿戴应用中的发展趋势。     

Changes in the physical properties of low bandgap polymer after interaction with ionic liquids

Over the past few years, polymers shown comprehensive utilization in optical devices, solar cells, sensors, and other such devices. However, the efficiency of these devices remains a problem. We have synthesized new thiophene based, lowband gap polymer, poly(2-heptadecyl-4-vinylthieno[3,4-d] [1,3] selenazole) (PHVTS) and investigated the interactions between the PHVTS and ionic liquids (ILs), in this study. We have used imidazolium- and ammonium-family ILs, and studied the interactions using various spectroscopic techniques such UV–visible, FTIR, and confocal Raman spectroscopies. Additionally, we studied surface morphology of the polymer-IL film. Spectroscopic studies show that both families of ILs can interact with the newly synthesized polymer poly(2-heptadecyl-4-vinylthieno[3,4-d] [1,3] selenazole). However, the imidazolium-family Ionic Liquid-polymer (IL-polymer) mixture films show higher conductivities than ammonium-family IL–polymer mixture films.     

Differentiating bulk nanobubbles from nanodroplets and nanoparticles

History has shown that it is not as easy as one might think to differentiate between bulk nanobubbles and nanodroplets or nanoparticles. It is generally easy to detect colloids (i.e. something that looks different, e.g. scatters light differently than its surrounding solvent), but less easy to determine the nature of these colloids. This has led to misinterpretations in the literature, where nanodroplets or nanoparticles have mistakenly been assumed to be nanobubbles. In this paper, we review a multitude of experimental methods and approaches to prove the existence of bulk nanobubbles. We conclude that combinations of optical detection with physical perturbations such as pressure or ultrasound, or phase-sensitive holographic methods are the most promising and convenient approaches.     

Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy for Analysis of Connective Tissues

Advances in vibrational spectroscopy have propelled new insights into the molecular composition and structure of biological tissues. In this review, we discuss common modalities and techniques of vibrational spectroscopy, and present key examples to illustrate how they have been applied to enrich the assessment of connective tissues. In particular, we focus on applications of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), near infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy to assess cartilage and bone properties. We present strengths and limitations of each approach and discuss how the combination of spectrometers with microscopes (hyperspectral imaging) and fiber optic probes have greatly advanced their biomedical applications. We show how these modalities may be used to evaluate virtually any type of sample (ex vivo, in situ or in vivo) and how “spectral fingerprints” can be interpreted to quantify outcomes related to tissue composition and quality. We highlight the unparalleled advantage of vibrational spectroscopy as a label-free and often nondestructive approach to assess properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with normal, developing, aging, pathological and treated tissues. We believe this review will assist readers not only in better understanding applications of FTIR, NIR and Raman spectroscopy, but also in implementing these approaches for their own research projects.     

Pore Development during the Carbonization Process of Lignin Microparticles Investigated by Small Angle X-ray Scattering

Application of low-cost carbon black from lignin highly depends on the materials properties, which might by determined by raw material and processing conditions. Four different technical lignins were subjected to thermostabilization followed by stepwise heat treatment up to a temperature of 2000 °C in order to obtain micro-sized carbon particles. The development of the pore structure, graphitization and inner surfaces were investigated by X-ray scattering complemented by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Lignosulfonate-based carbons exhibit a complex pore structure with nanopores and mesopores that evolve by heat treatment. Organosolv, kraft and soda lignin-based samples exhibit distinct pores growing steadily with heat treatment temperature. All carbons exhibit increasing pore size of about 0.5–2 nm and increasing inner surface, with a strong increase between 1200 °C and 1600 °C. The chemistry and bonding nature shifts from basic organic material towards pure graphite. The crystallite size was found to increase with the increasing degree of graphitization. Heat treatment of just 1600 °C might be sufficient for many applications, allowing to reduce production energy while maintaining materials properties.     

作为表面增强拉曼光谱基底的高度均匀Au纳米棒的构筑及对福美双的检测

采用种子生长法制备Au纳米棒(GNRs),随后进行组装和煅烧得到单层致密堆积的GNRs薄膜。在煅烧过程中,组装所需有机物在煅烧过程中分解,从而使得GNRs表面具有较高的清洁度。研究中发现,煅烧前后金纳米棒表面的间隙进一步提高,增强了其SERS(表面增强拉曼光谱)活性。为了研究其SERS活性,选择了2种探针分子以研究其灵敏度和均匀性,发现其具有较高的灵敏度和高的信号稳定性。随后将所制备的SERS基底成功用于检测超低浓度的农药分子。