A Copper–Formate Framework Showing a Simple to Helical Antiferroelectric Transition with Prominent Dielectric Anomalies and Anisotropic Thermal Expansion,and Antiferromagnetism

We present here the compound [NH₄][Cu(HCOO)₃], a new member of the [NH₄][M(HCOO)₃] family. The Jahn–Teller Cu²⁺ ion leads to a distorted 4⁹?6⁶ chiral Cu–formate framework. In the low‐temperature (LT) orthorhombic phase, the Cu²⁺ is in an elongated octahedron, and the ${{\rm NH}{{+\hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ ions in the framework channel are off the channel axis. From 94 to 350 K the ${{\rm NH}{{+\hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ ion gradually approaches the channel axis and the related modulation of the framework and the hydrogen‐bond system occurs. The LT phase is simple antiferroelectric (AFE). The material becomes hexagonal above 355 K. In the high‐temperature (HT) phase, the Cu²⁺ octahedron is compressed, and the ${{\rm NH}{{+\hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ ions are arranged helically along the channel axis. Therefore, the phase transition is one from LT simple AFE to HT helical AFE. The temperature‐dependent structure evolution is accompanied by significant thermal and dielectric anomalies and anisotropic thermal expansion, due to the different status of the ${{\rm NH}{{+\hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ ions and the framework modulations, and the structure–property relationship was established based on the extensive variable‐temperature single‐crystal structures. The material showed long range ordering of antiferromagnetism (AFM), with low dimensional character and a Néel temperature of 2.9 K. Therefore, within the material AFE and AFM orderings coexist in the low‐temperature region.     

Unprecedented Electron‐Poor Octahedral Ta6 Clusters in a Solid‐State Compound: Synthesis,Characterisations and Theoretical Investigations of Cs2BaTa6Br15O3

The crystal structure of Cs₂BaTa₆Br₁₅O₃ has been elucidated by using synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and absorption experiments. It is built from edge‐bridged octahedral [(Ta₆${{\rm Br}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 9\hfill}}}$ ${{\rm O}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ )${{\rm Br}{{{\rm a}\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ]^4? cluster units with a singular poor metallic electron (ME) count equal to thirteen. This leads to a paramagnetic behaviour related to one unpaired electron. The arrangement of the Ta₆ clusters is similar to that of Cs₂LaTa₆Br₁₅O₃ exhibiting 14‐MEs per [(Ta₆${{\rm Br}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 9\hfill}}}$ ${{\rm O}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ )${{\rm Br}{{{\rm a}\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ]^5? motif. The poorer electron‐count cluster presents longer metal–metal distances as foreseen according to the electronic structure of edge‐bridged hexanuclear cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on molecular models were used to rationalise the structural properties of 13‐ and 14‐ME clusters. Periodic DFT calculations demonstrate that the electronic structure of these solid‐state compounds is related to those of the discrete octahedral units. Oxygen–barium interactions seem to prevent the geometry of the octahedral cluster to strongly distort, allowing stabilisation of this unprecedented electron‐poor Ta₆ cluster in the solid state.     

Surface‐Tuned Electron Transfer and Electrocatalysis of Hexameric Tyrosine‐Coordinated Heme Protein

Molecular modeling, electrochemical methods, and quartz crystal microbalance were used to characterize immobilized hexameric tyrosine‐coordinated heme protein (HTHP) on bare carbon or on gold electrodes modified with positively and negatively charged self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), respectively. HTHP binds to the positively charged surface but no direct electron transfer (DET) is found due to the long distance of the active sites from the electrode surfaces. At carboxyl‐terminated surfaces, the neutrally charged bottom of HTHP can bind to the SAM. For this “disc” orientation all six hemes are close to the electrode and their direct electron transfer should be efficient. HTHP on all negatively charged SAMs showed a quasi‐reversible redox behavior with rate constant k_s values between 0.93 and 2.86 s^?1 and apparent formal potentials ${E{{0{^{\prime }}\hfill \atop {\rm app}\hfill}}}$ between ‐131.1 and ‐249.1 mV. On the MUA/MU‐modified electrode, the maximum surface concentration corresponds to a complete monolayer of the hexameric HTHP in the disc orientation. HTHP electrostatically immobilized on negatively charged SAMs shows electrocatalysis of peroxide reduction and enzymatic oxidation of NADH.     

Effect of Poly(amine)s on the Redox Properties of Carboxymethylcellulose and Ferrocene‐modified Poly(amine) Layer‐by‐Layer Films

Multilayer films consisting of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and ferrocene‐modified poly(ethyleneimine) (Fc‐PEI) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (Fc‐PAH) were successfully prepared on a gold electrode to examine their redox properties. The redox current of (Fc‐PEI/CMC)_n film‐coated electrodes increased with the number of layers, while the (Fc‐PAH/CMC)_n film‐coated electrodes exhibited increased response only for the first eight bilayers. The (Fc‐PEI/CMC)_n and (Fc‐PAH/CMC)_n films deposited on the surface of Fc‐free multilayer film‐coated electrodes also showed a redox response. The (PEI/CMC)₅ film‐coated electrode showed redox responses in Fc‐PEI and Fc‐PAH solutions, confirming the uptake of the Fc‐polymers in the inner film. In contrast, the uptake of the Fc‐polymers in the (PAH/CMC)₅ film was severely suppressed, suggesting that different permeability of (PEI/CMC)₅ and (PAH/CMC)₅ films.     

Design of a Solid‐State Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for Detection of PML/RARα Fusion Gene Using Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$‐AuNPs Aggregations on Gold Electrode

A solid‐state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on special ferrocene‐labeled molecular beacon (Fc‐MB) for highly sensitive detection of promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML/RARα) fusion gene was developed successfully using Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ /2‐(dibutylamino)ethanol (DBAE) as detecting pattern. Such a special sensor involves two main parts, an ECL substrate and an ECL intensity switch. The ECL substrate was made by modifying the complex of Ruthenium (II) tris‐(bipyridine) and Au nanoparticles (Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ ‐AuNPs) onto the Au electrode (AuE) surface. The molecular beacon probe in which the ferrocene tag could effectively quench the ECL of the Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ acted as ECL intensity switch. The molecular beacon probe was designed with special base sequence, which could hybridize with its complementary target DNA. In the absence of a target, the hairpin structure of the probe forced the ferrocene (Fc) into close proximity with the ECL substrate, thus reducing ECL intensity. Target binding allowed the Fc away from the ECL substrate and resulted in an obvious increment in ECL intensity due to the decreased Fc quenching effect. The effect of the amount of Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ and the mixing procedure of Ru(bpy)${{{2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ and AuNPs solution on the fabrication of ECL film had been investigated. As a result, the change of ECL intensity had a direct relationship with the logarithm of PML/RARα fusion gene concentration in the range of 0.05–500 pM with a detection limit of 7 fM, and the developed biosensor possessed good molecular recognizability in human serum. Thus, the approach holds promise for the early diagnostics and prognosis monitoring of APL and other diseases.     

A Bis(pyridine N‐oxide) Analogue of DOTA: Relaxometric Properties of the GdIII Complex and Efficient Sensitization of Visible and NIR‐Emitting Lanthanide(III) Cations Including PrIII and HoIII

We report the synthesis of a cyclen‐based ligand (4,10‐bis[(1‐oxidopyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,7‐diacetic acid= L1 ) containing two acetate and two 2‐methylpyridine N‐oxide arms anchored on the nitrogen atoms of the cyclen platform, which has been designed for stable complexation of lanthanide(III) ions in aqueous solution. Relaxometric studies suggest that the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of the Gd^III complex may be sufficient for biological applications. A detailed structural study of the complexes by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations indicates that they adopt an anti‐Δ(λλλλ) conformation in aqueous solution, that is, an anti‐square antiprismatic (anti‐SAP) isomeric form, as demonstrated by analysis of the ¹H NMR paramagnetic shifts induced by Yb^III. The water‐exchange rate of the Gd^III complex is ${k{{298\hfill \atop {\rm ex}\hfill}}}$ =6.7×10⁶ s^?1, about a quarter of that for the mono‐oxidopyridine analogue, but still about 50 % higher than the ${k{{298\hfill \atop {\rm ex}\hfill}}}$ of GdDOTA (DOTA=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid). The 2‐methylpyridine N‐oxide chromophores can be used to sensitize a wide range of Ln^III ions emitting in both the visible (Eu^III and Tb^III) and NIR (Pr^III, Nd^III, Ho^III, Yb^III) spectral regions. The emission quantum yield determined for the Yb^III complex (${Q{{{\rm L}\hfill \atop {\rm Yb}\hfill}}}$ =7.3(1)×10^?3) is among the highest ever reported for complexes of this metal ion in aqueous solution. The sensitization ability of the ligand, together with the spectroscopic and relaxometric properties of its complexes, constitute a useful step forward on the way to efficient dual probes for optical imaging (OI) and MRI.     

Computational Design of Cyclic Nitroxides as Efficient Redox Mediators for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Cyclic nitroxide radicals represent promising alternatives to the iodine‐based redox mediator commonly used in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To date DSSCs with nitroxide‐based redox mediators have achieved energy conversion efficiencies of just over 5 % but efficiencies of over 15 % might be achievable, given an appropriate mediator. The efficacy of the mediator depends upon two main factors: it must reversibly undergo one‐electron oxidation and it must possess an oxidation potential in a range of 0.600–0.850 V (vs. a standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) in acetonitrile at 25 °C). Herein, we have examined the effect that structural modifications have on the value of the oxidation potential of cyclic nitroxides as well as the reversibility of the oxidation process. These included alterations to the N‐containing skeleton (pyrrolidine, piperidine, isoindoline, azaphenalene, etc.), as well as the introduction of different substituents (alkyl‐, methoxy‐, amino‐, carboxy‐, etc.) to the ring. Standard oxidation potentials were calculated using high‐level ab initio methodology that was demonstrated to be very accurate (with a mean absolute deviation from experimental values of only 16 mV). An optimal value of 1.45 for the electrostatic scaling factor for UAKS radii in acetonitrile solution was obtained. Established trends in the values of oxidation potentials were used to guide molecular design of stable nitroxides with desired ${E{{{\circ}\hfill \atop {\rm ox}\hfill}}}$ , and a number of compounds were suggested for potential use as enhanced redox mediators in DSSCs.     

Polysulfide Chemistry in Sodium–Sulfur Batteries and Related Systems— A Computational Study by G3X(MP2) and PCM Calculations

The sodium–sulfur (NAS) battery is a candidate for energy storage and load leveling in power systems, by using the reversible reduction of elemental sulfur by sodium metal to give a liquid mixture of polysulfides (Na₂S_n) at approximately 320 °C. We investigated a large number of reactions possibly occurring in such sodium polysulfide melts by using density functional calculations at the G3X(MP2)/B3LYP/6‐31+G(2df,p) level of theory including polarizable continuum model (PCM) corrections for two polarizable phases, to obtain geometric and, for the first time, thermodynamic data for the liquid sodium–sulfur system. Novel reaction sequences for the electrochemical reduction of elemental sulfur are proposed on the basis of their Gibbs reaction energies. We suggest that the primary reduction product of S₈ is the radical anion ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ , which decomposes at the operating temperature of NAS batteries exergonically to the radicals ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ and ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ together with the neutral species S₆ and S₅, respectively. In addition, ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ is predicted to disproportionate exergonically to S₈ and ${{\rm S}{{2- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ followed by the dissociation of the latter into two ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ radical ions. By recombination reactions of these radicals various polysulfide dianions can in principle be formed. However, polysulfide dianions larger than ${{\rm S}{{2- \hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ are thermally unstable at 320 °C and smaller dianions as well as radical monoanions dominate in Na₂S_n (n=2–5) melts instead. The reverse reactions are predicted to take place when the NAS battery is charged. We show that ion pairs of the types ${{\rm NaS}{{{{\bullet}}\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ , ${{\rm NaS}{{- \hfill \atop n\hfill}}}$ , and Na₂S_n can be expected at least for n=2 and 3 in NAS batteries, but are unlikely in aqueous sodium polysulfide except at high concentrations. The structures of such radicals and anions with up to nine sulfur atoms are reported, because they are predicted to play a key role in the electrochemical reduction process. A large number of isomerization, disproportionation, and sulfurization reactions of polysulfide mono‐ and dianions have been investigated in the gas phase and in a polarizable continuum, and numerous reaction enthalpies as well as Gibbs energies are reported.     

Guanidinium Alkynesulfonates with Single‐Layer Stacking Motif: Interlayer Hydrogen Bonding Between Sulfonate Anions Changes the Orientation of the Organosulfonate R Group from “Alternate Side” to “Same Side”

Hydrolyses of HC?CSO₃SiMe₃ ( 1 ) and CH₃C?CSO₃SiMe₃ ( 2 ) lead to the formation of acetylenic sulfonic acids HC?CSO₃H?2.33 H₂O ( 3 ) and CH₃C?CSO₃H?1.88 H₂O ( 4 ). These acids were reacted with guanidinium carbonate to yield [⁺C(NH₂)₃][HC?CSO₃^?] ( 5 ) and [⁺C(NH₂)₃][CH₃C?CSO₃^?] ( 6 ). Compounds 1 – 6 were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the X‐ray crystal structures of the guanidinium salts were determined. The X‐ray results of 5 show that the guanidinium cations and organosulfonate anions associate into 1D ribbons through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions, whereas association of these ions in 6 is achieved through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) and ${{\rm R}{{1\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (6) interactions. The ribbons in 5 associate into 2D sheets through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions and ${{\rm R}{{3\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ (12) rings, whereas those in 6 are connected through ${{\rm R}{{1\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (6) and ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions and ${{\rm R}{{4\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ (14) rings. Compound 6 exhibits a single‐layer stacking motif similar to that found in guanidinium alkane‐ and arenesulfonates, that is, the alkynyl groups alternate orientation from one ribbon to the next. The stacking motif in 5 is also single‐layer, but due to interlayer hydrogen bonding between sulfonate anions, the alkynyl groups of each sheet all point to the same side of the sheet.     

Transport,Electrochemical and Thermophysical Properties of Two N‐Donor‐Functionalised Ionic Liquids

Two N‐donor‐functionalised ionic liquids (ILs), 1‐ethyl‐1,4‐dimethylpiperazinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 1 ) and 1‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)‐dimethylethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 2 ), were synthesised and their electrochemical and transport properties measured. The data were compared with the benchmark system, N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 3 ). Marked differences in thermal and electrochemical stability were observed between the two tertiary‐amine‐functionalised salts and the non‐functionalised benchmark. The former are up to 170 K and 2 V less stable than the structural counterpart lacking a tertiary amine function. The ion self‐diffusion coefficients (D_i) and molar conductivities (Λ) are higher for the IL with an open‐chain cation ( 2 ) than that with a cyclic cation ( 1 ), but less than that with a non‐functionalised, heterocyclic cation ( 3 ). The viscosities (η) show the opposite behaviour. The Walden [Λ∝(1/η)^t] and Stokes–Einstein [D_i/T)∝(1/η)^t] exponents, t, are very similar for the three salts, 0.93–0.98 (±0.05); that is, the self‐diffusion coefficients and conductivity are set by η. The D_i for 1 and 2 are the same, within experimental error, at the same viscosity, whereas Λ for 1 is approximately 13 % higher than that of 2 . The diffusion and molar conductivity data are consistent, with a slope of 0.98±0.05 for a plot of ln(ΛT) against ln(D₊+D_?). The Nernst–Einstein deviation parameters (Δ) are such that the mean of the two like‐ion VCCs is greater than that of the unlike ions. The values of Δ are 0.31, 0.36 and 0.42 for 3 , 1 and 2 , respectively, as is typical for ILs, but there is some subtlety in the ion interactions given 2 has the largest value. The distinct diffusion coefficients (DDC) follow the order ${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop - - \hfill}}}$ <${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop ++\hfill}}}$ <${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop +- \hfill}}}$ , as is common for [Tf₂N]^? salts. The ion motions are not correlated as in an electrolyte solution: instead, there is greater anti‐correlation between the velocities of a given anion and the overall ensemble of anions in comparison to those for the cationic analogue, the anti‐correlation for the velocities of which is in turn greater than that for a given ion and the ensemble of oppositely charged ions, an observation that is due to the requirement for the conservation of momentum in the system. The DDC also show fractional SE behaviour with t～0.95.     

Crystal Structures and Emitting Properties of Trifluoromethylaminoquinoline Derivatives: Thermal Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformation of Polymorphic Crystals That Emit Different Colors

2,4‐Trifluoromethylquinoline (TFMAQ) derivatives that have amine ( 1 ), methylamine ( 2 ), phenylamine ( 3 ), and dimethylamine ( 4 ) substituents at the 7‐position of the quinoline ring were prepared and crystallized. Six crystals including the crystal polymorphs of 2 (crystal GB and YG) and 3 (crystal B and G) were obtained and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. In solution, TFMAQ derivatives emitted relatively strong fluorescence (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =418–469 nm and Φ_f(s)=0.23–0.60) depending on the solvent polarity. From Lippert–Mataga plots, Δμ values in the range of 7.8–14 D were obtained. In the crystalline state, TFMAQ derivatives emitted at longer wavelengths (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =464–530 nm) with lower intensity (Φ_f(c)=0.01–0.28) than those in n‐hexane solution. The polymorphous crystals of 2 and 3 emitted different colors: 2 , ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =470 and 530 nm with Φ_f(c)=0.04 and approximately 0.01 for crystal GB and YG, respectively; and 3 , ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =464 and 506 nm with Φ_f(c)=0.28 and approximately 0.28 for crystal B and G, respectively. In both crystal polymorphs of 2 and 3 , crystals GB and G showed emission color changes by heating/melting/cooling cycles that were representative. By following the color changes in heating at the temperature below the melting point with X‐ray diffraction measurements and X‐ray crystallography, the single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations from crystal GB to YG for 2 and from crystal B to G for 3 were revealed.     

Komplexe zwischen Eisen(II)- und Tartrat-Ion

The formation of complexes between iron(II) and tartrate ion (L) has been studied at 25° C in 1m-NaClO₄, by using a glass electrode. The e.m.f. data are explained with the following equilibria: $$\begin{gathered} Fe^{2 + } + L \rightleftarrows FeL log \beta _1 = 1,43 \pm 0,05 \hfill \\ Fe^{2 + } + 2L \rightleftarrows FeL_2 log \beta _2 = 2,50 \pm 0,05 \hfill \\\end{gathered} $$ The protonation constants of the tartaric acid have been determinated: $$\begin{gathered} H^ + + L \rightleftarrows HL logk_1 = 3,84 \pm 0,03 \hfill \\ 2H^ + + L \rightleftarrows H_2 L logk_2 = 6,43 \pm 0,02 \hfill \\\end{gathered}$$ .     

The Electronic Structure of the Al3− Anion: Is it Aromatic?

Multiconfigurational high‐level electronic structure calculations show that the ${{\rm Al}{{- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ ring‐like cluster anion has three close low‐lying electronic states of different spin, all of them having strong multiconfigurational character. The aromaticity of the cluster has, therefore, been studied by means of total electron delocalization and normalized multicenter electron delocalization indices evaluated from the multiconfigurational wave functions of each state. The lowest‐lying singlet and triplet states are found to be highly aromatic, whereas the next lowest‐lying state, the quintet state, has much less, though non‐negligible, aromatic character.     

Rubidium Polyhydrides Under Pressure: Emergence of the Linear H3− Species

The structures of compressed rubidium polyhydrides, RbH_n with n>1, and their evolution under pressure are studied using density functional theory calculations. These phases, which start to stabilize at only P=2 GPa, consist of Rb⁺ cations and one or more of the following species: H^? anions, H₂ molecules, and ${{\rm H}{{- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ molecules. The latter motif, the simplest example of a three‐center four‐electron bond, is found in the most stable structures, RbH₅ and RbH₃, which metallize above 200 GPa. At the highest pressures studied, our evolutionary searches find an RbH₆ phase which contains polymeric (${{\rm H}{{- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ )_∞ chains that show signs of one‐dimensional liquid‐like behavior.     

Catalytic deposition of Pb on regenerated gold nanofilm surface and its application in selective determination of Pb2+

We report a simple method of catalytic deposition of Pb on a gold nanofilm substrate, which was in situ prepared and used as nanocrystal seeds. Due to the unique properties of gold nanocrystal seeds, Pb could be catalytically deposited on the surface of the gold nanofilm. Compared with the deposition of Pb on bare gold electrode, a larger amount of Pb was deposited on the gold nanofilm and the electrical response was amplified significantly. The catalytic deposition of Pb on the gold nanofilm was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical methods. A stable and quasi-reversible redox couple was obtained in neutral solution and studied in detail. The surface of the gold nanofilm could be easily regenerated in 0.1 mol L(-1) nitric acid solution. Since the redox peaks of Pb could be effectively separated from those of other metals such as Cu, Cd, and Zn, a selective determination of Pb2+ was achieved. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was used for the determination of Pb2+. The peak currents of Pb varies linearly with the concentration of Pb2+ in aqueous solution ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 micromol L(-1) (R=0.999), with a detection limit of 0.1 micromol L(-1). It is expected that the gold nanofilm will facilitate the appearance of heavy metal ion sensors with good performance.     

Gold Nanoparticle‐Hybridized “Nano‐Sponge” Polymer Coatings to Enhance the Reliability and Sensitivity of Biosensors

We have created a new functional biosensor coating composed of polyelectrolyte multilayers containing gold nanoparticles. This gold‐hybridized polyelectrolyte multilayer film possesses a stable nanoporous structure under physiological conditions. Antibody molecules were successfully conjugated onto the gold nanoparticles within the film. This functional coating successfully extinguished false signals from non‐specific binding of proteins and cells and also provided highly enhanced detection sensitivity. Furthermore, the drastic differences in protein and cellular adhesion properties between a chip coated with the nanoporous PEM film and a bare chip demonstrate that morphological control of biological interactions on chip surfaces is possible.

     

An Investigation into the Suitability of Bismuth as an Alternative to Gold‐Amalgam as a Working Electrode for the In Situ Determination of Chemical Redox Species in the Natural Environment

The suitability of the bismuth film working electrode was investigated as an alternative to the gold‐amalgam electrode used in solid state microelectrodes for in situ voltammetric analysis of redox chemistry in the natural environment (e.g., lakes, oceans, sedimentary pore waters). Chemical redox species measurable with the Au‐amalgam include O₂, H₂S, S , S₂O , Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, I^?. Bismuth was electrochemically deposited to form a solid film analogous to the Au‐amalgam on a polished gold disk electrode. The useable potential window of the Bi‐film was found to be narrower than that of the Au‐amalgam, precluding the detection of dissolved O₂, I^? and S₂O , whose redox potentials fall outside the Bi‐film's range. The Bi‐film was able to detect free H₂S/HS^? and total sulfide (AVS), but not Fe²⁺ or Mn²⁺. The Bi‐film was less sensitive to low levels of total sulfide (<10 μM) than the Au‐amalgam; however, the Bi‐film was able to accurately quantify very high concentrations of sulfide (at least 15 mM), with a linear response up to an order of magnitude higher than that of the Au‐amalgam. Thus the Bi‐film appears to have limited application as an alternative to the Au‐amalgam microelectrode for in situ analysis of redox species in natural waters.     

Bifunctional Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on C60‐Cryptand 22 for Silver and Iodine Ions

Fullerence C60‐cryptand 22 was prepared and successfully applied as the electric carrier in the PVC electrode membrane of a bifunctional ion‐selective electrode for cations, e.g., Ag⁺ ions as well as anions, e.g., I^? ions. The bifunctional ion‐selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 can be applied as a Silver (Ag⁺) ion selective electrode with an internal electrode solution of 10^?3 M AgNO₃ in water (pH = 6.3), or as an Iodide (I^?) ion selective electrode with an acidic internal electrode solution of 10^?4 M KI_(aq) (pH = 2) in which the cryptand 22 is protonated, and the C60‐cryptand 22 is changed to C60‐Cryptand22–H⁺ and becomes an anionic electro‐carrier to absorb the I^? ion. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 gave a linear response with a near‐Nernstian slope (59.5 mV decade^?1) within the concentration range 10^?1‐10^?3 M Ag⁺_(aq). The Ag⁺ ion electrode exhibited comparatively good selectivity for silver ions, over other transition‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode with good stability and reproducibility was successfully used for the titration of Ag⁺_(aq) with Cl^? ions. The Iodide (I^?) Ion selective electrode based on protonated C60–cryptand22‐H⁺ also showed a linear response with a nearly Nernstian slope (58.5 mV decade^?1) within 10^?1 ‐ 10^?3 M I^? _(aq) and exhibited good selectivity for I^? ions and had small selectivity coefficients (10^?2–10^?3) for most of other anions, e.g., F^? , OH^?, CH₃COO^?, SO₄^2?, CO₃^2?, CrO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2? and PO₄^3? ions.     

Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance Studies on Cytochrome c/Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Assemblies on Gold Electrodes

Polyelectrolyte multilayer assemblies containing proteins are of interest for applications such as sensors, bioreactors, and bioelectronics. A multilayer electrode was built up by the layer‐by‐layer strategy consisting of alternating layers of cytochrome c and poly(aniline sulfonic acid). The electrode showed a linear increase of redox active protein with the number of deposited layers. The principle of electrode preparation was transferred from needle electrodes to planar surfaces in order to further the understanding of electron transfer through the layer assembly by means of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance studies. The deposition process was followed on‐line by detection of the frequency shift of the crystals and was found to be rather fast (minutes). The total mass deposited was found to correlate well with the electrochemical response of the immobilized cyt.c. Furthermore, the influence of the polyelectrolyte was investigated by addition of PSS to the PASA solution. The strong interaction of the former polyelectrolyte seemed to hinder the electron transfer although a multilayer formation was proved. Dilution of the protein solution with redox inactive apo‐cyt.c led to a strong decrease of the voltammetric signal, well beyond the percentage of apo‐cyt.c inside the assembly. Thus, arguments for an electron transfer via protein–protein interaction were found.     

Enzymatic mechanisms and electron transfer mediation in chronoamperometric biosensors

Electron transfer mediation to an anode, whose potential is judiciously controlled, provides the conceptual basis for the development of novel chronoamperometric biosensors. The mediators are appropriately selected redox couples (Ox/Red) which are amenable to recycling in the following type of enzyme E catalyzed reaction sequence