Monolayers of proteins: β-lactoglobulin and its interactions with phospholipids

Summary Monolayers of a protein β-lactoglobulin (βL) and two lipids distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and dimirystoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) on aqueous subphase containing Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ ions are studied. The spreading isotherms and the ATR-FTIR spectra of LB plurilayers transferred, allow to deduce that α-helix conformation of β-lactoglobulin is the prevailing form. The study of bidimensional mixtures between βL with DSPC and with DMPC shows that the components are incompatible at the W/A interface. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Sc修饰Si@Al_(12)团簇吸附CO的第一性原理研究

本文采用密度泛函理论的广义梯度近似,研究了Sc原子修饰的Si@Al_(12)团簇与CO分子之间的相互作用.结果显示:Sc原子倾向于以穴位的形式吸附于Si@Al_(12)团簇表面;Sc周围最多可以吸附7个完整CO分子,CO的平均吸附能处于0.990~1.602 eV之间;Sc Si@Al_(12)·7CO团簇中CO质量分数可达33.07%,有望作为CO气体过滤材料.     

C6H6分子振动能谱的涨落统计特征

分析了C6 H6 分子振动能谱的涨落统计特征 .研究结果显示 ,C6 H6 分子振动能谱的涨落统计特征属于低Poisson型 ,即谱刚度值大于Poisson型与Wigner型 ,而能谱分维函数值则小于Poisson型与Wigner型 ,这是一种与通常的Poisson型、Wigner型完全不同的类型 ,该特性在一定程度上反映了C6 H6 分子结构的特殊性 .     

Geometric and electronic structures of B12C6N6 fullerene

An electron deficient fullerene B₁₂C₆N₆ is studied by using ab initio calculations. The structure is generated by replacing N with C in the B₁₂N₁₂ cage to ensure only B–C and B–N bonds are formed. All the possible isomers are optimized and the low energy structures are determined. C and N atoms in the low energy isomers are inclined to segregate and form B₂C₂ and B₂N₂ squares. Natural bond analysis shows that the atomic orbitals of B, C and N in this cage hybrid approximately in sp^2.3 and then form B–C and B–N bonds. The 2p orbitals perpendicular to the cage surface are partially occupied and the molecular orbitals formed by these orbitals are highly delocalized. The natural charge on N is about −1.17 in both B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂C₆N₆, and the charge on C is −0.72 to −0.60. The molecular orbital compositions show that the B–N bonds are the same in B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂C₆N₆, and the B–C bonds possess stronger covalent character. The HOMO of B₁₂C₆N₆ is formed by 2p of B and C, and the LUMO is formed by 2p of C. The energy gap of C₂₄, B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂C₆N₆ is 2.52, 6.84 and 3.22 eV, respectively.     

DFT studies on a high-energy density cage compound 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11-hexo(N(CH3)NO2)-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12-hexaazatetracyclo[5, 5, 0, 0, 0] dodecane

The infrared and Raman spectra, heat of formation (HOF) and thermodynamic properties were investigated by B3LYP/6-31G^** method for a new designed polynitro cage compound 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexo(N(CH₃)NO₂)-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0,0,0]dodecane. The detonation velocity (D) and pressure (P) were predicted by the Kamlet–Jacobs equations based on the theoretical density and condensed HOF. The bond dissociation energies and bond orders for the weakest bonds were analysed to investigate the thermal stability of the title compound. The computational result shows that the detonation velocity and pressure of the title compound are superior to those of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), but inferior to those of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW). And the analysis of thermal stability shows that the first step of pyrolysis is the rupture of the N₇–NO₂ bond. The crystal structure obtained by molecular mechanics belongs to the P2₁ space group, with the lattice parameters Z = 2, a = 11.8246 Å, b = 10.4632 Å, c = 15.9713 Å, ρ = 1.98 g cm^?3.     

Effect of plasticizer on surface of free films prepared from aqueous solutions of salts of cationic polymers with different plasticizers

Acquisition of a more detailed understanding of all technological processes is currently a relevant tendency in pharmaceutical technology and hence in industry. A knowledge of film formation from dispersion of polymers is very important during the coating of solid dosage forms. This process and the structure of the film can be influenced by different additives. In the present study, taste-masking films were prepared from aqueous citric acid solutions of a cationic polymer (Eudragit^® E PO) with various hydrophilic plasticizers (glycerol, propylene glycol and different poly(ethylene glycols)). The mechanical properties, film thickness, wetting properties and surface free energy of the free films were studied. The aim was to evaluate the properties of surface of free films to predict the arrangement of macromolecules in films formed from aqueous solutions of salts of cationic polymers. A high molecular weight of the plasticizer decreased the work of deformation. The surface free energy and the polarity were highest for the film without plasticizer; the hydrophilic additives decreased these parameters. The direction of the change in polarity (a hydrophilic component caused a decrease in the polarity) was unexpected. It can be explained by the change in orientation of the macromolecules, a hydrophobic surface being formed. Examination of the mechanical properties and film thickness can furnish additional results towards a knowledge of film formation by this not frequently applied type of polymer from aqueous solution.     

Bromine adsorption on Cu(111)

The dissociative chemisorption of molecular bromine on Cu(111) at 300 K has been studied using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and work function change measurements. A (√3 × √3)R30° structure is formed initially at a bromine coverage of 0.33 ML. This then converts to a (9√3 × 9√3)R30° compression structure with a coverage of 0.41 ML. The coincidence distance of the compression structure is determined entirely by the van der Waals diameter of adsorbed bromine. The applicability of using the van der Waals diameters of the three halogens, Cl, Br and I, to predict the saturation compression structures on Cu(111), is discussed.     

Influence of ionic liquids on the surface properties of poplar veneers

In this paper, the influence of four types of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) on the surface properties of common aspen (Populus tremula) veneers has been studied by using contact angle, electrical conductivity and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The measurements showed that wood wettabillity is increased by IL treatment. The electrical conductivities of treated wood were in the 0.5-1 mS/cm range, higher than the ones reported in the reference literature. It has been determined that the ILs decrease the crystallinity and improve the flexibility of the cellulose matrix. It has been determined by photographic image analysis that the surface roughness of the IL treated veneers decreases in comparison with the untreated samples.     

A DFT study of 5-fluorouracil adsorption on the pure and doped BN nanotubes

The electronic and adsorption properties of the pristine, Al-, Ga-, and Ge-doped BN nanotubes interacted with 5-fluorouracil molecule (5-FU) were theoretically investigated in the gas phase using the B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the adsorption behavior of 5FU molecule on the pristine (8, 0) and (5, 5) BNNTs are electrostatic in nature. In contrast, the 5FU molecule (O-side) implies strong adsorption on the metal-doped BNNTs. Our results indicate that the Ga-doped presents high sensitivity and strong adsorption with the 5-FU molecule than the Al- and Ge-doped BNNTs. Therefore, it can be introduced as a carrier for drug delivery applications.     

CO adsorption on oxygen-modified molybdenum surfaces

Structures of carbon monoxide layers on the oxygen-modified Mo(1 1 0) and Mo(1 1 2) surfaces have been investigated by means of density-functional (DFT) calculations. It is found that CO molecules adsorb at hollow sites on the O/Mo(1 1 0) surface and nearly atop Mo atoms on the O/Mo(1 1 2) surface. The favorable positions for adsorption are shown to be near protrusions of electron density above the Mo surface atoms. The presence of oxygen on the molybdenum surface significantly reduces the binding energy of the CO molecule with the substrate; on the oxygen-saturated Mo(1 1 0) surface, the adsorption of CO is completely blocked. The calculated local densities of states (LDOS) demonstrate that the O 2s peak for O adsorbed on Mo(1 1 0) surface is at −19 eV (with respect to the Fermi level), while for the oxygen atom of an adsorbed CO molecule the related 3σ molecular orbital gives rise to a peak at −23 eV. This difference stems from the bonding of the O atom either with Mo surface for adsorbed O or with C atom in adsorbed CO, and therefore the position of the O 2s peak in photoemission spectra can serve as a convincing argument in favor of either the presence or absence of the CO dissociation on Mo surfaces.     

NO分子宏观气体热力学性质的理论研究

采用量子统计系综理论,研究了基态NO分子宏观气体摩尔熵、摩尔内能、摩尔热容等热力学性质.首先应用课题组前期建立的变分代数法(variational algebraic method, VAM)计算获得了基态NO分子的完全振动能级,得到的VAM振动能级作为振动部分,结合欧拉-麦克劳林渐进展开公式的转动贡献,应用于经典的热力学与统计物理公式中,从而计算得到了1000-5000 K温度范围内NO宏观气体的摩尔内能、摩尔熵和摩尔热容.将不同方法计算得到的摩尔热容结果分别与实验值进行比较,结果表明基于VAM完全振动能级获得的结果优于其他方法获得的理论结果.振动部分采用谐振子模型对无限能级求和计算热力学性质的方法有一定的局限性,应当使用有限的完全振动能级进行统计求和.     

Effect of oxygen surface groups on adsorption of benzene derivatives from aqueous solutions onto active carbon samples

The process of adsorption of selected benzene derivatives from aqueous solution is investigated on two carbonaceous materials of differentiated surface properties - quantity of oxygen functional groups. Carbon samples were prepared by removal of external layers from granules of unmodified and oxidized active carbon. The surface and structure characteristics of carbon samples were estimated by various methods. The experimental isotherms of organics adsorption from liquid phase were measured and interpreted in terms of the theory of adsorption on heterogeneous solid surfaces. The influence of differences in adsorbate and adsorbent properties on adsorption uptake was analyzed. The adsorption effectiveness was regarded as a result of the differences in adsorbate hydrophobicities and the effect of specific interactions of its functional groups with active sites on carbon surface.     

Diffusivity of adatoms on plasma-exposed surfaces determined from the ionization energy approximation and ionic polarizability

Microscopic surface diffusivity theory based on atomic ionization energy concept is developed to explain the variations of the atomic and displacement polarizations with respect to the surface diffusion activation energy of adatoms in the process of self-assembly of quantum dots on plasma-exposed surfaces. These polarizations are derived classically, while the atomic polarization is quantized to obtain the microscopic atomic polarizability. The surface diffusivity equation is derived as a function of the ionization energy. The results of this work can be used to fine-tune the delivery rates of different adatoms onto nanostructure growth surfaces and optimize the low-temperature plasma based nanoscale synthesis processes.     

Density functional theory studies on the structural and physical properties of Cu-doped anatase TiO2(101) surface

Structure and physical properties of anatase TiO₂ (101) surface doped with copper have been studied by using density functional theory. Results show that Cu@Ti and Cu@O systems behave as p and n type semiconductors, respectively. Anatase TiO₂ (101) surface exhibits a blue shift in optical absorption spectra compared with pure TiO₂ bulk materials. Enhanced photocatalytic activity at wavelength around 400 nm could be contributed by the change in electronic structure.     

Change of electrostatic potential of mean force between two curved surfaces due to different salt composition,ion valence and size under certain ionic strength

Change of an electrostatic potential of mean force (EPMF) between two cylindrical rod surfaces with salt composition, ion valence, and ion size at a constant ionic strength of 0.3 M is studied by a classical density functional theory (CDFT) in a primitive model electrolyte solution. Several novel observations are made: (i) strength of a so-called like charge attraction (LCA) reduces in an invariable manner with the salt solution changing from single 2:1 electrolyte to mixture of 2:1 and 1:1 type electrolytes of varying concentration ratios; the change is even over entire range of the composition variation under low surface charge strength, and tends to be insensitive to the composition variation in the presence of the divalent counter-ion, and more and more drastic at a critical point the divalent counter-ion disappears, respectively, as the surface charge strength becomes big enough. (ii) Both monovalent counter-ion and co-ion diameters have only a marginal effect on both the LCA strength and equilibrium distance, and the former “abnormally” affects less than the latter. (iii) Depending on the surface charge strength considered, the divalent counter-ion diameter influences the LCA strength in solution comprised of 2:1 type and 1:1 type electrolytes, monotonously or non-monotonously. All of these findings provide forceful support for a recently proposed hydrogen-bonding style mechanism explaining the LCA.     

Surface,micellar, and thermodynamic properties of antidepressant drug nortriptyline hydrochloride with TX‐114 in aqueous/urea solutions

This paper deals with a comprehensive study of the mixed micellization and adsorption behavior of mixed systems enclosing an amphiphilic antidepressant drug nortriptyline hydrochloride (NOT) and Triton X‐114 (TX‐114) (nonionic surfactant) in aqueous/urea (500 mmol·kg^?1 and 1000 mmol·kg^?1) solutions by tensiometric method. The NOT is used for the cure of depression. For comparison purpose cmc value of pure drug NOT was also evaluated by conductimetric technique. Different theoretical models like Clint, Rubingh, and Rosen were used to get information about the nature of interaction between the components in bulk and at the interface. Because of the occurrence of urea increase in the surface charge of the micelles was obtained resulting a delay of the micelles formation. The cmc values of the mixed systems of NOT and TX‐114 were found to be in between the cmc values of pure components, which signify nonideal mixed system having attractive interactions in the absence and presence of urea. Various parameters such as micellar mole fractions of TX‐114 (X₁^m, X₁^σ) in solution and at interface, interaction parameter (β^m/β^σ) in solution and at interface, and activity coefficient in solution and at interface were evaluated and discussed using Rubingh's and Rosen's models. Surface excess (Γ_max) increases that means minimum area per head group (A_min) decreases as mole fraction (α₁) of TX‐114 increases in the absence/presence of urea. Different thermodynamic parameters have been calculated and discussed. The ?G⁰_m values achieved are all negative both in the absence and occurrence of urea.     

One-step synthesis of hydrophobic mesoporous silica and its application in nonylphenol adsorption

Highly CH₃-functionalized mesoporous silica with nearly spherical morphology was synthesized under acidic conditions by co-condensation of two different silica precursors polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of triblock copolymer P123 as template. XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, HRTEM, SEM and ²⁹Si MAS NMR were used to identify its highly-ordered mesopore array structure, nearly spherical particle morphology and CH₃ functionalization of the as-synthesized material. The resulting hydrophobic mesoporous silica possessed regular mesochannel arrays, indicating that the introduction of PMHS had little impact on the formation of an ordered mesostructure. Also, PMHS played an important role in morphology control and organic functionalization, ensuring nearly spherical particle morphology and high CH₃ functionalization degree of the obtained mesoporous silica material. As compared with pristine mesoporous silica SBA-15, the hydrophobic mesoporous silica showed the higher adsorption performance when they were used as adsorbents to remove organic pollutant nonylphenol at a very low concentration from aqueous solution.     

凝胶改性基底微藻细胞黏附特性及热力学分析

为强化微藻生物膜成膜过程中藻细胞与基底黏附,同时解决藻细胞残留造成的基底重复利用性差的问题,用聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAAm)温缩型凝胶修饰基底.傅里叶红外光谱分析改性表面化学特性;结合微藻培养温度给出适宜藻细胞黏附的基底浸润特性;通过构建热力学模型,明晰温度对藻细胞与温缩型凝胶改性基底界面作用自由能的影响规律,...     

C@Al_(12)团簇吸附H的密度泛函理论研究

利用密度泛函理论的方法研究了C@Al12Hn(1≤n≤7)团簇的结构和稳定性.n为偶数的C@Al12Hn具有更高的稳定性,大的HOMO-LUMO能隙、H原子的结合能以及高的垂直电离势表明这些团簇具有很高的物理和化学稳定性.最高占据分子轨道电荷密度分析显示,偶数n的C@Al12Hn团簇中,一对H原子倾向于占据相反的位置.变形电荷密度分析表明H原子与主体C@Al12之间的结合表现为共价键的特征.对奇数n的C@Al12Hn都具有1μB的磁矩.     

First-principle investigation on the thermodynamics of X_2N_2O(X = C,Si, Ge) compounds

The structures under different pressures, elastic properties, electronic structures and lattice vibrations of the X_2N_2O(X = C, Si, Ge) compounds are investigated by using the first-principle method. Based on the phonon density of state,the thermodynamic properties of the present compounds are studied under different pressures and at different temperatures. The structural parameters including the bond lengths and bond angles are in agreement with available experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. We employ the elastic theory to calculate the nine independent elastic constants(C_(ij)) and the derived elastic moduli(B, G, E, v). Results indicate that these X_2N_2O(X = C, Si, Ge) compounds are mechanically stable and show the brittle behaviors. The electronic properties of the present compounds are analyzed by using the band structure and density of states. The phonon dispersion calculations imply that the present compounds are dynamically stable. Based on the quasi-harmonic approximation, the calculations of the specific heat indicate that the temperature in a range of 0 K–1500 K and pressure in a range of 0 GPa–40 GPa have a large effect on the thermal quantities of Ge_2N_2O,compared with on those of the C_2N_2O and Si_2N_2O compounds.