Polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters as a fluorescence probe for sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose

In this work, we utilized polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters (PEI-Ag nanoclusters) to develop a new fluorometric method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose with high sensitivity. The PEI-Ag nanoclusters have an average size of 2 nm and show a blue emission at 455 nm. The photostable properties of the PEI-Ag nanoclusters were examined. The fluorescence of the PEI-Ag nanoclusters could be particularly quenched by H₂O₂. The oxidization of glucose by glucose oxidase coupled with the fluorescence quenching of PEI-Ag nanoclusters by H₂O₂ can be used to detect glucose. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity quenched linearly in the range of 500 nM–100 μM with high sensitivity. The detection limit for H₂O₂ was 400 nM. And a linear correlation was established between fluorescence intensity (F₀ − F) and concentration of glucose in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. The method was used for the detection of glucose in human serum samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, the mechanism of sensitive fluorescence quenching response of Ag nanoclusters to glucose and H₂O₂ has been discussed.     

A novel ultrasound-assisted approach to the synthesis of CdSe and CdS nanoparticles

Hexagonal CdSe and hexagonal CdS nanoparticles have been prepared using Cd(Ac)₂ and less hazardous elemental Se or S as precursors, respectively, with the aid of ultrasound irradiation under an atmosphere of H₂/Ar (5/95, V/V). The products consist of 7-10 nm nanocrystallites which aggregated in the form of polydispersive nanoclusters with sizes in the range 30-40 nm in the case of CdSe, and near monodispersive nanoclusters with a mean size of about 40 nm in the case of CdS. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution TEM and SAED patterns (selected area electron diffraction patterns) show that the as-prepared particles are well crystallized. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements further confirm the formation of CdSe and CdS. Diffuse reflection spectra indicate that both the CdSe and the CdS nanocryslallites are direct band-gap semiconductors with band-gap values of about 1.83 and 2.62 eV, respectively. Control experiments demonstrate that the hydrogen is the reducing agent, and the extreme high temperature induced by the collapse of the bubble accelerates the reduction of elemental Se or S by hydrogen. An ultrasound assisted in situ reduction/combination mechanism is proposed.     

Controllable synthesis of functionalized CdS nanocrystals and CdS/PMMA nanocomposite hybrids

We reported controllable synthesis of CdS nanocrystal-polymer transparent hybrids by using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a polymer matrix. In a typical run, the appropriate amounts of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and sodium sulfide (Na₂S) in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) as the organic ligand are well dispersed in H₂O/DMF solution without any aggregation. From a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a computing method of Brus’s model according UV-vis absorption spectra, the particle size of as-prepared hydroxyl-coated CdS nanocrystal was determined to be about 5 nm. Then, with the surface treatment with methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), CdS-PMMA hybrids were obtained via free radical polymerization in situ. FT-IR characterization indicates the formation of robust bonding between CdS nanocrystals and the organic ligand and the formation of double-bond functional CdS nanocrystals. The TGA measurement displays CdS-PMMA hybrids possess better thermal stability compared with pure PMMA polymer. The fluorescence measurement shows that CdS nanocrystals and CdS-PMMA hybrids exhibit good optical properties. Also, the luminescent photographs taken under ultraviolet light prove the luminescence properties.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of plasticized polystyrene-based ionomers. I. Glassy to rubbery zones

The plasticizing effect of a nonpolar and a polar diluent in ionomers was studied by dynamic mechanical methods in the glassy to rubbery regions. Specifically, a carboxylate and a sulfonate polystyrene-based ionomer were investigated with variation of diethylbenzene content and of glycerol content. It was found that the nonpolar diluent plasticizes the transition by formation of ionic aggregates as well as lowering the glass transition temperature. However, the ionic regions of the carboxylate ionomer are plasticized more than those of the sulfonate ionomer. This corroborates the results of other studies which had found that the sulfonate groups in ionomers interact more strongly than the carboxylate groups. The polar diluent causes the ionic transition to disappear; this is probably due to solvation of the ions by the diluent.     

Structure of ionic aggregates of ionomers. II. Effect of humidity and temperature on ethylene and styrene ionomers

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles of ethylene and styrene ionomers were studied to clarify the structure of ionic aggregates as a function of humidity or temperature. The intensity and position of ionic cluster peaks were observed for ionomers with a certain degree of neutralization. The intensity of the ionic cluster peak for the ethylene ionomer increased with increasing relative humidity, but it decreased for the styrene ionomer. With increasing humidity, the position of the ionic cluster peak shifted to smaller angles for both ionomers. The size of the ionic aggregates and the closest approach distance between the aggregates were analyzed, and the results varied with humidity for both ionomers. The size did not vary markedly with a change in temperature, whereas the closest approach distance and number of ionic aggregates changed slightly with the melting temperature of the ethylene ionomer and the glass‐transition temperature of the styrene ionomer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 831–839, 2002     

A dual-responsive fluorescence method for the detection of clenbuterol based on BSA-protected gold nanoclusters

The illegal feeding of clenbuterol (CLB) to domestic animals and the potential harm of it to human health lead an urgent requirement for the efficient detection of CLB, especially in the edible meat. In this paper we reported a new fluorescence method for the detection of trace amount of CLB by using the BSA-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs@BSA). Under the excitation of either 280 or 500 nm the emission of AuNCs@BSA was quenched obviously by diazotized CLB, supplying a dual-responsive fluorescence method to detect CLB in aqueous solution. In addition, the linear response of the fluorescence intensity of AuNCs@BSA to diazotized CLB allowed the quantitative detection of CLB in a range of 4.0 nM–300 μM upon excitation at two wavelength, and the limit of detection for CLB was 3.0 nM upon 280 nm excitation and 1.6 nM upon 500 nm excitation, respectively. In addition, the dual-responsive mechanism of AuNCs@BSA to CLB was investigated in detail by using several CLB analogues and reference compounds. Particularly, the proposed method was successfully applied to detect CLB in pork mince and the results were validated well by HPLC, illustrating it could be used as a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective technique for the determination of CLB residues in real samples.     

Size effect of added LaB6 particles on optical properties of LaB6/Polymer composites

Modified LaB₆ particles with sizes ranging from 50 nm to 400 nm were added into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix in order to investigate the effect of added LaB₆ particles on optical properties of LaB₆/PMMA composites. Method of in-situ polymerization was applied to prepare PMMA from raw material—methyl methacrylate (MMA), a process during which LaB₆ particles were dispersed in MMA. Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) absorption spectrum was used to study optical properties of the as-prepared materials. The difference in particle size could apparently affect the composites' absorption of visible light around wavelength of 600 nm. Added LaB₆ particles with size of about 70 nm resulted in the best optical properties among these groups of composites.     

Formation and properties of the nanocluster structure of iron oxides

Nanostructures based on iron oxide clusters 1–300 nm in size were synthesized and studied. Thermodynamic models of nanocluster nucleation resulting in the formation of both primary nanoclusters and nanocluster aggregates with the sizes up to 70–80 nm were considered. Models of heat capacity of the nanoclusters were examined, and the twofold increase in the heat capacity of the iron oxide clusters 2–3 nm in size compared to that of the bulk iron oxide samples was found. The size of the primary nanoclusters and the intercluster interaction make it possible to vary the magnetic properties of the nanostructures in a wide range from paramagnetic to magnetically ordered α-Fe₂O₃-γ-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures with the first-order magnetic phase transitions, magnetic twinning, and a strong magnetic field (10 Oe) effect on the magnetization increase at low temperatures. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1693–1704, October, 2006.     

Occurrence of single-electron phenomenon in CdS nanoclusters in Langmuir-Blodgett films of n -octadecyl succinic acid

Cadmium complex ofn-octadecyl succinic acid (ODSA) in Langmuir films at air/water interface has been studied using surface pressure-molecular area (π - A) and surface potential-molecular area (ΔV - A) isotherms. The metal complex formed, transferred as LB film onto solid substrates, was analysed using FT-IR and was subjected to sulphidation reaction. Antisymmetric and symmetric carboxylate stretching vibrations have been used to determine the nature of the ODSA/cation complexes. CdS formed after sulphidation of the cadmium complex (ODSACd) showed possible single-electron phenomenon indicating the nanosized nature of clusters formed. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements carried out confirmed the size of these CdS clusters.     

Sensitive signal-on fluorescent sensing for copper ions based on the polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters–cysteine system

In this work, we present a label-free sensor for copper ions. This sensor is composed of silver nanoclusters and cysteine. The fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters was quenched by cysteine, which was recovered in the presence of copper ions. This binding of silver nanoclusters to cysteine promoted agglomeration of silver nanoclusters to yield larger non-fluorescent silver nanoparticles. The presence of copper ions resulted in the oxidation of cysteine to form a disulfide compound, leading to recovery of fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters. The fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters in the presence of cysteine increased with increasing concentration of copper ions in the range of 10–200 nM. The detection limit of this sensor for copper ions was 2.3 nM. The silver nanoclusters–cysteine sensor provides a simple, cost-effective, and sensitive platform for the detection of copper ions.     

One-step synthesis and applications of fluorescent Cu nanoclusters stabilized by l-cysteine in aqueous solution

Herein, an innovative and simple strategy for synthesizing high fluorescent Cu nanoclusters was successfully established while l-cysteine played a role as the stabilizer. Meaningfully, the current Cu nanoclusters together with a quantum yield of 14.3% were prepared in aqueous solution, indicating their extensive applications. Subsequently, the possible fluorescence mechanism was elucidated by fluorescence, UV–vis, HR-TEM, FTIR, XPS, and MS. Additionally, the CuNCs were employed for assaying Hg²⁺ on the basis of the interactions between Hg²⁺ and l-cysteine; thus facilitating the quenching of their fluorescence. The proposed analytical strategy permitted detections of Hg²⁺ in a linear range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.4 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Significantly, this CuNCs described here were further applied for coding and fluorescent staining, suggesting may broaden avenues toward diverse applications.     

A novel sandwiched membrane as polymer electrolyte for application in lithium-ion battery

A novel kind of sandwiched polymer membrane was prepared, which consists of two outer layers of electrospun poly(vinyl difluoride) (PVDF) fibrous films and one inner layer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film. Its characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The membrane can easily absorb non-aqueous electrolyte to form gelled polymer electrolytes (GPEs). The resulting gelled polymer electrolytes had a high ionic conductivity up to 1.93 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature, and exhibited a high electrochemical stability potential of 4.5 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). It is of great potential application in polymer lithium-ion batteries.     

Novel synthesis of gold nanoclusters templated with l-tyrosine for selective analyzing tyrosinase

l-Tyrosine (Tyr), playing roles as both a reducing reagent and a protecting ligand, has been first employed for synthesizing fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs@Tyr) via a novel one-pot strategy. The as-prepared AuNCs@Tyr exhibited a fluorescence emission at 470 nm with a quantum yield of approximately 2.5%. Subsequently, the AuNCs@Tyr described here was applied for detections of tyrosinase (TR) activity, which was based on the mechanism of aggregations of AuNCs@Tyr occurring on the active sites of TR since TR was introduced, thus leading to the fluorescence quenching of AuNCs@Tyr. Accordingly, TR was analyzed in a linear range of 0.5–200 u mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.08 u mL⁻¹ at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Significantly, TR has been considered as a critical marker for melanoma owing to its specifically expressing in melanoma cells. Therefore, this analytical method towards investigating TR activity may broaden avenues for meaningfully clinical applications.     

Poly(methyl methacrylate) composites prepared by in situ polymerization using organophillic nano-to-submicrometer zinc oxide particles

Nano- and submicrometer zinc(II) oxide particles were synthesized by the polyol method and were used for the preparation of ZnO/poly(methyl methacrylate) (ZnO/PMMA) composite materials by the chain polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in bulk. ZnO particles with an organophilic surface layer were homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA matrix. Very low concentrations (0.1 wt.%) of nano zinc oxide absorbed over 98% of UV light as determined by UV-vis spectroscopy. Nano zinc oxide (75 nm) increased the initial decomposition temperature of the PMMA matrix by 30-40 °C at concentrations of 0.1% and above. This was explained by the changes in the termination mechanism of MMA polymerization resulting in a reduced concentration of vinylidene chain ends. Nano ZnO also increased the MMA polymerization reaction rate and reduced the activation energy. Submicrometer ZnO showed lower UV absorption, thermal stabilization and no influence on the reaction kinetics indicating that average particle size is of vital importance for the properties of PMMA nanocomposites and for MMA polymerization.     

Thermo-oxidative dehydrochlorination of rigid and plasticised poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

The aim of this work was to study the thermo-oxidative dehydrochlorination of rigid and plasticised poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends. For that purpose, blends of variable compositions from 0 to 100 wt% were prepared in the presence (15, 30 and 50 wt%) and in the absence of diethyl-2-hexyl phthalate as plasticiser. Their miscibility was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Their thermo-oxidative degradation at 180 ± 1 °C was studied and the amount of HCl released from PVC was measured by a continuous potentiometric method. Degraded samples were characterised, after purification, by FTIR spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results showed that the two polymers are miscible up to 60 wt% of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This miscibility is due to a specific interaction of hydrogen bonding type between carbonyl groups (CO) of PMMA and hydrogen (CHCl) groups of PVC as shown by FTIR analysis. On the other hand, PMMA exerted a stabilizing effect on the thermal degradation of PVC by reducing the zip dehydrochlorination, leading to the formation of shorter polyenes.     

Use of ionic liquids in the synthesis of nanocrystals and nanorods of semiconducting metal chalcogenides

We have synthesized nanoparticles of hexagonal CdS in the diameter range 3-13 nm by the reaction of cadmium acetate dihydrate with thioacetamide in imidazolium [BMIM]-based ionic liquids. We have obtained three different particle sizes of CdS by changing the anion of the ionic liquid. Addition of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) to the reaction mixture causes greater monodispersity as well as smaller particle size, while addition of ethylenediamine produces nanorods of 7 nm average diameter. Hexagonal ZnS and cubic PbS nanoparticles with average diameters of 3 and 10 nm, respectively, have been prepared by the reaction of the metal acetates with thioacetamide in [BMIM][BF4]. Hexagonal CdSe nanoparticles with an average diameter 12 nm were obtained by the reaction of cadmium acetate dihydrate with dimethylselenourea in [BMIM][BF4]. In this case also we observe the same effect of the addition of TOPO as in the case of CdS. Addition of ethylenediamine to the reaction mixture gives rise to nanorods. ZnSe nanowires with a cubic structures, possible diameters in the range 70-100 nm by the reaction of zinc acetate dihydrate with dimethylselenourea in [BMIM][MeSO4]. The nanostructures obtained are single crystalline in all the cases. Most of the nanostructures show characteristic UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence emission spectra. The thermodynamically most stable structures are generally produced in the synthesis carried out in ionic liquids.     

Well Dispersed SnO2 Nanoclusters Preparation and Modulation of Metal-Insulator Transition Induced by Ionic Liquid

Tin dioxide (SnO₂) has attracted broad interest due to its particular gas-sensor property. Nano- or atom-scale SnO₂ material has always been the aim in order to ultimately improve the sensitivity. However, until now, it remains difficult to synthesize SnO₂ nanoclusters by using traditional methods. In the present work, we have achieved the preparation of SnO₂ nanoclusters by using the cluster beam deposition technique. The obtained nanoclusters were well characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscope HR-TEM. Results indicated the formation of the well-dispersed SnO₂ nanoclusters with uniform size distribution (5-7 nm). Furthermore, an obvious metal insulator transition was observed by gating with ionic liquid. Combined with theory calculation, the corresponding mechanism was systematically analyzed from oxygen vacancy induced electron doping.     

复合半导体光催化剂p-CoO/n-CdS的制备、表征及光催化性能

以醋酸镉、十二硫醇、硬脂酸和醋酸钴等为原料,采用新方法制备了CdS和一系列p-CoO/n-CdS复合半导体光催化剂.用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、N2吸附-脱附和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)等对产物进行了表征.结果表明,p-CoO/n-CdS复合半导体中,CoO粒子紧密结合在CdS颗粒上,CdS的颗粒粒径在100 nm左右,为六方纤锌矿晶型,CoO的颗粒粒径在10 nm左右,颗粒粒径分布均匀.p-CoO/n-CdS的UV-Vis DRS分析结果表明,在400-550 nm范围内都有一强吸收带,属于CdS在可见光区的特征吸收.用光催化降解甲基橙测试了光催化性能,结果表明,p-CoO/n-CdS光催化活性是CdS光催化活性的2.2倍左右.光腐蚀测试结果表明,CdS的光腐蚀速率是p-CoO/n-CdS中CdS光腐蚀速率的2倍以上,说明CoO与CdS复合对CdS的光腐蚀具有明显的抑制作用.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnSe: An in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction study

The hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnSe has been studied by in situ X-ray powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The formation of ZnSe was studied using the following starting mixtures: Zn+Se+H₂O (route A) and ZnCl₂+Se+H₂O+Na₂SO₃ (route B). The route A experiment showed that Zn powder starts reacting with water at 134 °C giving ZnO and H₂ followed by the formation of ZnSe which takes place in temperature range from 167 to 195 °C. The route B experiment shows a considerably more complex reaction path with several intermediate phases and in this case the formation of ZnSe starts at 141 °C and ZnSe and Se were the only crystalline phases observed at the end of the experiment where the temperature was 195 °C. The sizes of the nanocrystalline particles were determined to 18 and 9 nm in the route A and B experiments, respectively. Nanocrystalline ZnSe was also synthesized ex situ using the route A and B methods and characterized by conventional X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. An average crystalline domain size of ca. 8 nm was determined by X-ray powder diffraction in fair agreement with TEM images, which showed larger aggregates of nanoparticles having approximate diameters of 10 nm. Furthermore, a method for purification of the ZnSe nanoparticles was developed and the prepared particles showed signs of anisotropic size broadening of the diffraction peaks.     

New route to synthesis of PVP‐stabilized palladium(0) nanoclusters and their enhanced catalytic activity in Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

Herein we report a new method for the synthesis and characterization of PVP‐stabilized palladium(0) nanoclusters and their enhanced catalytic activity in Suzuki coupling and Heck reactions of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid and styrene, respectively, under mild conditions. The PVP‐stabilized palladium(0) nanoclusters with a particle size of 4.5 ± 1.1 nm were prepared using a new method: refluxing a mixture of potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) and PVP in methanol at 80 °C for 1 h followed by reduction with sodium borohydride. Palladium(0) nanoclusters prepared in this way were stable in solution for weeks, could be isolated as solid materials and were characterized by TEM, XPS, UV–vis, and XRD techniques. The PVP‐stabilized palladium(0) nanoclusters were active catalysts in Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions of arylbromides with styrene and phenylboronic acid affording stilbenes and biphenyls, respectively, in high yield. Recycling experiments showed that PVP‐stabilized palladium(0) nanoclusters could be used five times with essentially no loss in activity in the Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.