Amyloidosis of Alzheimer's Abeta peptides: solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies

Aggregation cascade for Alzheimer's amyloid-beta peptides, its relevance to neurotoxicity in the course of Alzheimer's disease and experimental methods useful for these studies are discussed. Details of the solid-phase peptide synthesis and sample preparation procedures for Alzheimer's beta-amyloid fibrils are given. Recent progress in obtaining structural constraints on Abeta-fibrils from solid-state NMR and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) data is discussed. Polymorphism of amyloid fibrils and oligomers of the 'Arctic' mutant of Abeta(1-40) was studied by (1)H,(13)C solid-state NMR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and a real-time aggregation of different polymorphs of the peptide was observed with the aid of in situ AFM. Recent results on binding of Cu(II) ions and Al-citrate and Al-ATP complexes to amyloid fibrils, as studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and solid-state (27)Al NMR techniques, are also presented.     

Perforated organometallic nanotubes prepared from a Rh N-heterocyclic carbene using a porous alumina membrane

Fabrication of perforated organometallic nanotubes using a di-rhodium bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complex by a simple nanoporous template wetting technique is described along with characterization data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), proton NMR and Mass spectroscopy.     

Finding hydrogen-storage capability in iridium induced by the nanosize effect

We report nanosize-induced hydrogen storage in Ir, which does not absorb hydrogen in its bulk form. The mean diameter of the obtained Ir nanoparticles was estimated as 1.5 ± 0.5 nm by transmission electron microscopy. Hydrogen storage was confirmed by solid-state (2)H NMR and hydrogen pressure-composition isotherm measurements.     

Morphological Changes and Component Characterization of Coffee Silverskin

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of aqueous extracts of unroasted and roasted coffee silverskin (CS). Twenty compounds were identified from 1D and 2D NMR spectra, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid (CGA), trigonelline, fructose, glucose, sucrose, etc. For the first time, the presence of trigonelline was detected in CS. Results of the quantitative analysis showed that the total amount of the main components after roasting was reduced by 45.6% compared with values before roasting. Sugars in the water extracts were the main components in CS, and fructose was the most abundant sugar, its relative content accounting for 38.7% and 38.4% in unroasted and roasted CS, respectively. Moreover, 1D NMR combined with 2D NMR technology shows application prospects in the rapid, non-destructive detection of CS. In addition, it was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that the morphology of CS changed obviously before and after roasting.     

Superlattice of octanethiol-protected copper nanoparticles

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations of size-controlled Cu nanoparticles forming self-assembled 2D superlattices with hexagonal packing are described. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) techniques were used to characterize the octanethiol-protected copper nanoparticles.     

碳纳米管对聚酯相容共混体系酯交换反应的影响

采用熔融共混制备了聚对苯二甲酸丙二酯(PTT)/聚对苯二甲酸丁二酯(PBT)共混体系以及碳纳米管(C NTs)填充改性的三元复合体系,通过核磁共振波谱仪(NMR)研究了CNTs对共混基体组分间酯交换反应的影响,并结合透射电子显微镜( TEM)、沉降实验等多种测试结果初步探讨了影响的机理.研究结果表明,PTT/PBT为典...     

A Triformylphloroglucinol-based Covalent Organic Polymer: Synthesis,Characterization and Its Application in Visible-light-driven Oxidative Coupling Reactions of Primary Amines

A triformylphloroglucinol-based A₃B₂-typed covalent organic polymer(TFG-BPTH) was successfully constructed by the condensation reaction of triformylphloroglucinol(TFG) and 2,5-bis(2-propynyloxy)terephthalo-hydrazide(BPTH) under solvothermal conditions. The structure of the TFG-BPTH was confirmed by spectra techniques including FTIR and solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. The mophological features of TFG-BPTH were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The TFG-BPTH possessed good thermal and chemical stability, and exhibited good photocatalytic activity as a metal-free heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of amines to valuable imines under visible light irradiation using O₂ as green oxidant. In addition, the catalyst could be readily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reused for at least five cycles without any observable change in structure and catalytic activity.     

Preparation and study on the solid inclusion complex of sparfloxacin with HP-beta-cyclodextrin

The interaction of sparfloxacin with HP-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) has been studied by several analytical techniques, including 1H NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. In this paper, solid inclusion complex of sparfloxacin with HP-beta-CD was synthesized by the coprecipitation method. In addition, the characterization of the inclusion complex has been proved by fluorimetry, infrared, differential scanning calorimetry and 1D, 2D NMR. The experimental results confirmed the existence of 1:1 inclusion complex of sparfloxacin with HP-beta-CD. The formation constant of complex was determined by the fluorescence method and 1H NMR. Spacial configuration of complex has been proposed on 2D NMR technique.     

Influence of the Al source and synthesis of ordered Al-SBA-15 hexagonal particles with nanostairs and terraces

We investigated the effect of various aluminum sources on the morphology and microstructure of nanoporous Al-SBA-15. With aluminum tri-sec-butoxide (Al-TSB), very large, ordered hexagonal rods of Al-SBA-15 covered by nanostairs and terraces were synthesized. Such a morphology was not obtained with an inorganic Al source (sodium aluminate) or with organic sources seemingly similar to Al-TSB, such as aluminum tri-tert-butoxide, aluminum tri-n-butoxide, or aluminum isopropoxide. The results obtained from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/transmission electron microscopy, N(2) adsorption/desorption, and high-performance (129)Xe NMR suggest that preparing an organic Al-Si precursor by premixing liquid organic Al and Si sources (Al-TSB and tetraethyl orthosilicate) is crucial in obtaining highly ordered mesoporous Al-SBA-15 materials with a well-defined morphology.     

Effect of Sodium Concentration on the Synthesis of Faujasite by Two-step Synthesis Procedure

The relationship between the concentration of sodium cations and the properties of faujasite(FAU) zeolite was investigated using a two-step synthesis procedure including (1) formation of amorphous aluminosilicate precursors and separation of amorphous nanoparticles, and (2) transformation of these amorphous particles into zeolite crystals by treatment with alkali solutions(NaOH). Three representative samples including two nano-sized zeolites and one micron-sized zeolite were prepared using different concentrations of sodium hydroxide. The crystallization process of these zeolites was studied in detail by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(NMR), X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and N₂ adsorption. The results indicated that minor changes in the concertation of inorganic cations can significantly shorten the induction period and crystallization time and thus affect the morphology, size and chemical composition of the zeolite crystals.     

Fabrication and physicochemical characterization of graphene oxide derived from thermally expanded graphite

Graphene oxide was obtained from expanded graphite according to the modified Hummers method. The reaction time was significantly reduced (from 24 to 8 h) by applying the expanded graphite in the oxidation process. The interlayer distance in obtained samples was equal to 0.70–0.74 nm. Structural features of the material were studied by the powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, XPS spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, characterization and application of Ni(tta)2.tmeda to MOCVD of nickel oxide thin films

A novel nickel beta-diketonate adduct, Ni(tta)2.tmeda, has been synthesized using 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone as the beta-diketonate and N,N,N,'N'-tetramethylethylendiamine as the Lewis base. It has been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Physical and thermal properties of Ni(tta)2.tmeda precursor have been also extensively investigated. Its efficacy as a metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) precursor for the growth of nickel oxide films has been fully tested by applying it to the deposition of NiO films on quartz substrate. NiO thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and UV spectroscopy.     

Supramolecular Architectures by Fullerene‐Bridged Bis(permethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin)s with Porphyrins

The Hirsch–Bingel reaction of bis{4‐methyl[1,2,3]triazolyl}malonic ester‐bridged bis(permethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin) 1 with C₆₀ has led to the formation of a new fullerene‐bridged bis(permethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin) 2 , which has been comprehensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐MS, and elemental analysis. Taking advantage of the high affinity between 2 and 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ( 3 ) or [5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinato]zinc(II) ( 4 ), linear supramolecular architectures with a width of about 2 nm and a length ranging from hundreds of nanometers to micron dimension were conveniently constructed and fully investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significantly, the photoinduced electron‐transfer (PET) process between porphyrin and C₆₀ moieties takes place within the 2 ? 3 and 2 ? 4 supramolecular architectures under light irradiation, leading to the highly efficient quenching of the porphyrin fluorescence. The PET process and the charge‐separated state were investigated by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence decay, cyclic voltammetry, and nanosecond transient absorption measurements.     

Synthesis of highly dispersed potassium hexacobaltinitrite in the ionic liquid medium

A method for synthesizing highly dispersed potassium hexacobaltinitrite K₃[Co(NO₂)₆] in an ionic liquid (IL) is discussed. The crystalline products are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and laser diffraction.     

Organic/inorganic hybrid vesicles based on a reactive block copolymer

Presented in this communication is a novel hybrid vesicle with a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane wall based on a new reactive block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PTMSPMA), which was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The vesicles were prepared first by self-assembly of the block copolymer in a selective solvent, and then the PTMSPMA block was subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction to fix vesicle wall in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, NMR, and light scattering have been used to characterize the vesicles.     

三元无规接枝共聚物的合成及其自组装性能的研究

通过甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(HEMA)引发ε-己内酯(ε-CL)开环聚合得到带有双键的大分子预聚体甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯-聚己内酯(HEMA-PCL), 该预聚体与N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(NIPAAm)及丙烯酸(AAc)自由基聚合得到一系列含有不同比例组分的三元无规接枝共聚物. 研究了该聚合物的自组装性能. 通过1H NMR, FTIR, 凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)对聚合物进行结构和分子量的表征. 通过TEM, DLS与表面张力等方法表征其纳米粒子情况.     

Evolution of a lamellar domain structure for an equilibrating lyotropic liquid crystal

Aerosol OT/water exhibits a lamellar phase over a wide range of concentrations. We show, by magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), that the morphology of the lamellar phase varies significantly across that range and that the rate of equilibration depends strongly on concentration (25, 33, and 50 wt %) with, paradoxically, the faster equilibration at higher surfactant concentrations. We find that the 25 wt % sample exhibits a defect-rich local structure, characteristic of a superposed L(3) character. Further into the lamellar region, at 33 wt %, this defect-rich structure persists heterogeneously, while, at 50 wt %, the lamellar phase domains are highly ordered. The NMR methods used here included (2)H spectroscopy and the two-dimensional NMR method, diffusion-diffusion exchange spectroscopy (DEXSY). The latter was used to obtain quantitative information on the domain sizes and defects within the polydomain lamellar mesophase. Comparison of the NMR with the SEM results suggests that, at 25 wt % AOT, bilayer defects play an important role in influencing the (2)H NMR and DEXSY NMR results.     

Synthesis of nanometer-sized sodalite without adding organic additives

Aggregates (80 nm) of sodalite nanocrystals with crystallite sizes ranging from 20 to 40 nm have been synthesized from a sodium aluminosilicate solution at low temperature, without adding any organic additives, while paying attention to the key factors for the synthesis of nanosized zeolite crystals. The physical properties of nanosized sodalite crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, 29Si solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, and N2 adsorption. As expected, the external surface area of nanosized sodalite crystals is significantly increased compared with that of microsized sodalite crystals. The size of synthesized sodalite crystals can be controlled from 20 nm to 10 microm. It is found that the preparation of a homogeneous aluminosilicate solution followed by the formation of an aluminosilicate hard gel by adjusting the initial composition, for example, SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/H2O ratios, is critical for synthesis.     

Solid-state NMR study of the transformation of octacalcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite: a mechanistic model for central dark line formation

For many years, octacalcium phosphate (OCP) has been postulated as the precursor phase of biological apatite in bones and teeth. In this work, we study the molecular mechanism of OCP to hydroxyapatite (HAp) transformation in vitro by several physical techniques, with particular emphasis on solid-state (31)P homonuclear double-quantum (DQ) NMR spectroscopy. The in vitro system is prepared by mixing urea, sodium phosphate monobasic dehydrate, and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate at 100 degrees C. The images obtained by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that the bladelike OCP crystals will transform into hexagonal rod-shaped HAp crystals as the pH of the reaction mixture increases slowly from 4.35 to 6.69 in 12 h. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that a trace amount of monetite was also precipitated when the pH was around 5. Together with computer-assisted lattice matching, our DQ NMR data reveal that OCP crystals transform to HAp topotaxially, where the [000](HAp) and [20](HAp) axes are along the same directions as the [001](OCP) and [010](OCP) axes, respectively. On the basis of our in vitro results, the formation of the central dark line commonly found in biological hard tissues could be explained by the inherent lattice mismatch between OCP and HAp. Furthermore, the data of the (31)P{(1)H} cross-polarization NMR suggest that water molecules enter the hydration layers of OCP crystals via the hydrolysis reaction HPO(4)(2)(-) + OH(-) = PO(4)(3)(-) + H(2)O, which also accounts for the deprotonation of the HPO(4)(2)(-) ions during the transformation.