Fullerene‐Crown Ether Coated Piezoelectric Crystal Liquid Chromatographic Detector for Metal Ions and Polar/Nonpolar Organic Molecules

Fullerene(C60)‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5‐oxyacetic acid (DBI6C5‐OCH₂‐COOC₆₀) was prepared and applied as the coating material on piezoelectric quartz crystals for detection of various metal ions and polar/nonpolar organic molecules. The C60‐crown ether‐coated piezoelectric crystal sensor with a home‐made computer interface for signal acquisition and data processing was applied as an ion chromatographic (IC) detector for various metal ions, e.g., alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and transition‐metal ions. The piezoelectric detector exhibited quite good sensitivity of 10⁴ ～ 10⁶ Hz/M and good detection limit of 10^?3 ～ 10^?4 M for these metal ions. The C60‐crown ether piezoelectric detector compared well with the commercial conductivity detector conventionally used for metal ions. The ionic size and ionic charge seemed to have significant effect on the frequency response of the piezoelectric detector. The C60‐crown ether coated piezoelectric crystal sensor was also employed as a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) detector for various polar organic molecules with frequency responses in the order: amines > carboxylic acids > alcohols > ketones. Furthermore, nonpolar organic molecules, e.g., n‐hexane, 1‐hexene and 1‐hexyne, were also detected with this piezoelectric crystal detector. The frequency responses of the piezoelectric crystal detector for these nonpolar organic molecules were in the following order: alkynes > alkenes > alkanes. The effects of solvents and flow rate on the frequency responses of the piezoelectric crystal detector were investigated. The C60‐crown ether coated piezoelectric crystal detector also showed short response time (< 1 min.) and good reproducibility.     

Piezoelectric Crystal Membrane Chemical Sensors Based on Fullerene and Macrocyclic Polyethers

Various reusable and sensitive piezoelectric (PZ) quartz crystal membrane sensors with home‐made computer interfaces for signal acquisition and data processing were developed to detect organic/inorganic vapors and organic/inorganic/biologic species in solutions, respectively. Fullerene(C60), fullerene derivatives and artificial macrocyclic polyethers, e.g., crown ethers and cryptands, were synthesized and applied as coating materials on quartz crystals of the PZ crystal sensors. The oscillating frequency of the quartz crystal decreased due to the adsorption of organic or inorganic species onto coating material molecules on the crystal surface. The crown ether‐coated PZ crystal gas detector exhibited high sensitivity with a frequency shift range of 10–340 Hz/(mg/L) for polar organic gases, a short response time (< 2.0 min.), good selectivity, and good reproducibility. The Ag(I)/crptand22 and Ru(III) / crptand22 coated PZ gas detectors were also prepared for nonpolar organic vapors, e.g., alkynes and alkenes. The frequency shifts of the nonpolar PZ sensors were in the order: alkynes > alkenes > alkanes. A Ti(IV)/Cryptand22‐coated PZ crystal sensor was also developed to detect the inorganic air pollutants, e.g., CO and NO₂. A piezoelectric gas sensor for both polar/nonpolar organic vapors based on C60‐cryptand22 was also prepared. The cryptand22‐coated PZ gas sensor was also employed as a GC detector for organic molecules. The cryptand22‐coated piezoelectric GC detectors compared well with the commercial thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The interaction between fullerene C60 and organic molecules was studied with a fullerene coated PZ gas detector. A multi‐channel PZ organic gas detector with PCA(Principal Component Analysis) and BPN (Back Propagation Neural) analysis methods was developed. Various liquid piezoelectric crystal sensors based on long‐chain macrocyclic polyethers, e.g., C₁₀H₂₁‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5, C₁₈H₃₇‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5, (C₁₇CO)₂‐cyptand22 and fullerene derivatives, e.g., C60‐NH‐cryptand22 and dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5‐C60, were also developed as HPLC detectors for metal ions, anions, and various organic compounds in solutions. The sensitive and highly selective PZ bio‐sensors based on enzymes, polyvinylaldehyde, polycinnaldehyde‐C60 and C60‐cryptand22 were developed to detect various biologic species, e.g., proteins, glucose, and urea. A quite sensitive EQCM (Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Micro‐balance) detection system was also developed for detection of trace heavy metal ions.     

Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Anti‐Protein Immunosensors Based on Immobilized Fullerene C60‐Proteins

Various fullerene C60‐proteins such as C60‐myoglobin (C60‐Mb), C60‐hemoglobin (C60‐Hb) and C60‐gliadin, coated piezoelectric quartz crystals were prepared and applied in piezoelectric quartz crystal immunosensors for protein‐antibodies such as anti‐myoglobin (Anti‐Mb), anti‐hemoglobin (Anti‐Hb) and anti‐gliadin respectively. The immobilizations of myoglobin, hemoglobin and gliadin onto Fullerene C60 were studied with a C60‐coated piezoelectric crystal detection system, respectively. The partially irreversible frequency responses for theses proteins were observed by a desorption study, implying that C60 can strongly adsorb these proteins. Thus, immobilized C60‐Mb, C60‐Hb and C60‐gliadin coating materials were successfully prepared and identified with FTIR spectrometry. The C60‐Mb, C60‐Hb and C60‐gliadin coated piezoelectric (PZ) quartz crystal immunosensors with homemade computer interfaces for signal acquisition and data processing were developed and applied for detection of Anti‐Mb, Anti‐Hb and anti‐gliadin respectively. The C60‐protein coated PZ immunosensors for Anti‐Mb, Anti‐Hb and antigliadin exhibited linear frequency responses to the concentrations of theses anti‐proteins with sensitivities of 1.43 × 10³, 2.59 × 10³ and 8.05 × 10³ Hz/(mg/mL) respectively. The detection limits of these PZ‐immunosensors were 4.36 × 10^?3, 3.23 × 10^?3 and 1.98 × 10^?3 mg/mL for Anti‐Mb, Anti‐Hb and anti‐gliadin respectively. Effects of pH and temperature on the frequency responses of the anti‐protein PZ‐immunosensors were also investigated. The optimum pH of these anti‐proteins and the optimum temperature for the PZ‐immunosensors were observed at pH = 7 and around 30 °C respectively. The interferences of various common species in human blood, e.g., cysteine, tyrosine, urea, glucose, ascorbic acid and metal ions, to these anti‐protein PZ‐immunosensors were also investigated respectively. These species showed nearly no interference or quite small interference with the anti‐protein PZ‐immunosensors. The reproducibility and lifetime of these immobilized C60‐protein coated PZ crystal immunosensors were also investigated and discussed.     

Polymer Coated Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Protein Bio‐Sensors

A polymer coated piezoelectric crystal detection system with a home‐made computer interface for signal acquisition and data processing was prepared as a liquid chromatographic detector for various proteins. Various polymers, e.g., polyvinyl aldehhyde (polyacrolein) (PVA), polyacrylamide/glutaldehyde (PAA/GA) and bio‐gel A, were used as coating materials on quartz crystals for adsorption of various protein molecules, e.g., catalase (CA), hemoglobin (Hb), α‐chymotrypsin (Ch), albumin (Ab). The frequency responses of the polyacrlein coated piezoelectric detector for various proteins were in the order: catalase> hemoglobin> α‐chymotrypsin > albumin. In contrast, the order of the frequency responses of bio‐gel A and polyacrylamide/glutaldehyde coated piezoelectric crystals for these proteins were: hemoglobin> catalase > α‐chymotrypsin ≥ albumin and hemoglobin > albumin > catalase. The polyacrolein coated piezoelectric crystal protein detector exhibited a good linear frequency response with a high sensitivity of about 2.5×10³ Hz/(mg/mL) for catalase. In addition, bio‐gel A and polyacrylamide/glutaraldehyde coated crystals were sensitive to hemoglobin with sensitivities of about 4.5×10³ Hz/(mg/mL) and 3.0×10³ Hz/(mg/mL), respectively. Study of the interference of various organic molecules, e.g., alcohols, amines, ketones and carboxylic acids, in the detection of proteins with theses polymer coated crystals was also made. The polyacrolein coated crystal for proteins under went less interference from various organic molecules than bio‐gel A or polyacrylamide/glutaraldehyde coated crystals. Effects of coating load, concentration of proteins and flow rate of liquid chromatographic eluent were also investigated and discussed.     

Competitive heavy metal removal by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid‐co‐itaconic acid)

The competitive removal of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by the copolymer of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and itaconic acid (IA), P(AMPS‐co‐IA), was investigated. Homopolymer of AMPS (PAMPS) was also used to remove these ions from their aqueous solution. In the preparation of AMPS–IA copolymer, the molar percentages of AMPS and IA were 80 and 20, respectively. In order to observe the changes in the structures of polymers due to metal adsorption, FTIR spectra by attenuated total reflectancetechnique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures of the polymers were taken both before and after adsorption experiments. Total metal ion removal capacities of PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were 1.685 and 1.722 mmol Me²⁺/g_polymer, respectively. Experimental data were evaluated to determine the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption process. Competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions onto both PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) was found to fit pseudo‐second‐order type kinetics. In addition, the removal orders in the competitive adsorption of these metal ions onto PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were found to be Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid‐State Binding Studies of Group 2 Metal Ions with 12‐Crown‐4

The mode of co‐ordination of 12‐crown‐4 with the heavier group(II) ions Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ has been studied. Size limitations of the 12‐crown‐4 ligand enforced co‐ordinated metal ions to reside above the macrocyclic plane, with the remaining co‐ordination sphere occupied by water molecules and/or counter anions, or a second crown ether ligand to form a sandwich type species. Variation of the anion, by virtue of its co‐ordinating ability, affects the structural outcome.     

Preparation and Application of Cholesteryl‐Benzo‐15‐Crown‐5/Cholesteryl Mixed Liquid Crystals

Various mixed liquid crystals containing crown ether‐cholesteryl liquid crystal, benzo‐15‐crown‐5‐COO‐C₂₇H₄₅ (B15C5‐COOCh), with various common cholesteric liquid crystals, e.g., cholesteryl chloride, cholesteryl benzoate and cholesteryl palmitate, were prepared and studied using polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Investigating the concentration effect of B15C5‐COOCh in mixed liquid crystals revealed that the addition of B15C5‐COOCh resulted in wider phase transition temperature ranges of these cholesteryl liquid crystals. The stability of these B15C5‐COOCh/cholesteryl mixed liquid crystals was studied using comprehensive graphic molecular modeling computer programs (Insight II and Discover) to calculate their molecular energy and stability energy. The effect of salts, e.g. Na⁺, Co³⁺, Y³⁺ and La³⁺, on the transition temperature range of the mixed liquid crystals was also investigated. The crown ether cholesteric liquid crystal B15C5‐COOCh was applied both as a surfactant and an ion transport carrier to transport metal ions through liquid membranes. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 exhibited distinctive characteristics of a surfactant and the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the surfactant was investigated by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 was successfully applied as a good ion transport carrier (Ionophore) to transport various metal ions, e.g. Li⁺, Na⁺, La³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co³⁺, through organic liquid membranes. The transport ability of the cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 surfactant for these metal ions was in the order: Co³⁺ ≥ Li⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Na⁺ > La³⁺.     

Phenoxazine‐based Near‐infrared Fluorescent Probes for the Specific Detection of Copper (II) Ions in Living Cells

Abstract : It is well known that copper ions play a critical role in various physiological processes. However, a variety of human diseases are tightly correlated with copper overload. Although there are numerous fluorescent probes capable of detecting copper ions, most of them are “turn‐off” probes owing to copper (II) ions fluorescence quenching effect, resulting in poor sensitivity. Herein, a novel “turn‐on” near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe PZ‐N based on phenoxazine was designed and synthesized for the selective detection of copper (II) ions (Cu²⁺). Upon the addition of Cu²⁺, the probe could quickly react with Cu²⁺ and emit strong fluorescence, along with colour change from colourless to obvious blue. Moreover, the probe PZ‐N showed good water solubility, high selectivity, and excellent sensitivity with low limit of detection (1.93 nM) towards copper (II) ions. More importantly, PZ‐N was capable of effectively detecting Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Synthesis of Novel 4‐((Substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 for the Colorimetric Detection of Hg2+ Ions in an Aqueous Medium

A practical, two‐step synthesis of novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 has been reported. The strategy employed for the synthesis of the desired molecules involved Duff formylation of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 to get 4‐formyl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 followed by subsequent reactions with substituted indoles in trifluoroacetic acid to yield novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 in moderate to good yield. One of the reported novel molecule tested for the complexation behavior with various metal cations, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Sn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺, showed a visual colorimetric probe for the detection of mercury cations (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous medium.     

Immunosensing of NT‐proBNP via Cu2+‐based MOFs Biolabeling and in situ Microliter‐droplet Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Immunoassay of amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was conducted using Cu²⁺‐1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid metal‐organic frameworks (HKUST‐1 MOFs) as the secondary antibody label, and in situ microliter‐droplet anodic stripping voltammetry detection of Cu²⁺ in 0.1 M HNO₃+1 M NaCl directly on the glassy carbon immunoelectrode. Electrochemical methods, quartz crystal microbalance, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed for material and electrode characterizations. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.33 fg mL^?1, and the analysis of NT‐proBNP in clinical serum samples returned good results.     

Preparation and Application of Fullerene C60‐Polymers in Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Sensors for Hemoglobin and Olefins

The C60—polycinnamaldehyde (C₆₀—PCA) and C60—polyphenylacetylene (C60—PPA) polymers were synthesized by the Friedel—Craft reaction and applied as piezoelectric (PZ) quartz crystal coating materials. A C60—polycinnamaldehyde (PCA) coated piezoelectric quartz crystal liquid sensor with a homemade computer interface was prepared and applied as a PZ hemoglobin sensor. The adsorption of hemoglobin onto the C60—PCA coated crystal resulted in a decreased oscillating frequency. The variations in crystal frequency were converted to voltage with a frequency to voltage converter, followed by amplification with OPA and data acquisition with an analog to digital converter. The PZ hemoglobin sensor exhibited good sensitivity of 6530 Hz/(mg/mL) with a detection limit at the ppm level for hemoglobin. Further, a C60—polyphenylacetylene (C60—PPA) coated piezoelectric quartz crystal gas sensor with an Intell‐8255 data processing system for various olefin vapors was also made. The aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene seem to have greater adsorption onto C60—PPA membrane than alkynes, alkenes, and alkanes. The adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto the C60—PPA membrane was also examined. The C₆₀—PPA coated PZ crystal gas sensor showed much better sensitivity for PAHs than for other olefins such as toluene, 1‐hexyne and 1‐hexene, and a much larger frequency shift for naphthalene than other PAHs was also found.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and metal ion complexation studies of novel diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing aromatic thiol‐derived side arms

The Mannich aminomethylation reaction of aromatic thiols has been used to produce diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing thiol‐derived side arms. Thiophenols were attached to the azacrown through N‐CH₂‐S linkages even in the presence of hydroxy or acetamido groups. Heteroaromatic thiols containing N=C‐SH (or NH‐C=S) structural fragments were attached to diaza‐18‐crown‐6 by N‐CH₂‐N linkages with the thiol becoming a thione function. X‐ray crystal structural analyses show the N‐CH₂‐S and N‐CH₂‐N linkages for some of the new macrocyclic compounds. Interactions of four of the new diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands with Na⁺, K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were evaluated by calorimetric titration at 25° in methanol. The results show that these ligands form stable complexes with many of the metal ions studied.     

9‐Benzylidene‐9H‐fluorene Derivatives Linked to Monoaza‐15‐crown‐5: Synthesis and Metal Ion Sensing

Two kinds of novel styryl chemosensory 2‐FMNC and 3‐FMNC, were designed and synthesized by an apporiate introduction of 9‐benzylidene‐9H‐fluorene group as fluorophore with the aim at avoiding photoisomerisation. These 9‐benzylidene‐9H‐fluorene derivatives showed the similar selectivity and sensitivity upon addition of metal ions. The sensitivity of FMNC to alkaline earth metal ions was Ba²⁺>Sr²⁺>Ca²⁺≈Mg²⁺.     

Syntheses,structures of N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes and their application as redox sensor for Cu2+ ion

Rigid N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes L1 and L2 were easily synthesized from 1,1 ‐dicarboxyaldehydeferrocene and the corresponding amines. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The coordination abilities of L1 and L2 with metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 125 mV was observed in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while no significant shift of the Fc/Fc + couple was observed when Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ metal ions were added to the solution of L1 in the mixture of MeOH and H₂O. Moreover, the extent of the anodic shift of redox potentials was approximately equal to that induced by Cu²⁺ alone when a mixture of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was added to a solution of L1. Ligand L1 was proved to selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of large, excessive first‐row transition and late‐transition metal cations. The coordination model was proposed from the results of controlled experiments and quantum calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective and Sensitive Recognition of Cu2+ in an Aqueous Medium: A Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)‐Based Analysis with a Low‐Cost Raman Reporter

In the present study, surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of a bifunctional Raman reporter, 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole, has been found to be responsive exclusively towards Cu²⁺ ions while the reporter remains anchored on the Au nanoparticle surface. Thus a specific Cu²⁺‐ion‐detection protocol emerges. The simplicity, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the method allow routine and quantitative detection of Cu²⁺ ions. An interference study involving a wide number of other metal ions shows the procedure to be uniquely selective and analytically rigorous. A theoretical study was carried out to corroborate the experimental results. Finally, the method is promising for real‐time assessment of Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous samples and also has the ability to discriminate Cu^I and Cu^II ions in solution.     

Synthesis and Optical Properties of 2,13‐Dibenzothiazol‐2′‐yldibenzo[b,k]‐18‐crown‐6

A new crown ether of 2,13‐dibenzothiazol‐2′‐yldibenzo[b,k]‐18‐crown‐6 was synthesized from 2,13‐diformyl‐ dibenzo[b,k]‐18‐crown‐6 with 2‐aminothiophenol. The binding behavior and the optical properties of the crown ether were examined through UV‐visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. When complexed with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ ions, it led to intramolecular charge transfer and caused the changes of the fluorescence spectra. The protonation of the crown ether was also studied.     

Membrane Transport of Pb(II) with a Cooperative Carrier Composed of Dibenzyldiaza‐18‐Crown‐6 and Palmitic Acid

A chloroform membrane system containing a given mixture of dibenzyldiaza‐18‐crown‐6 and palmetic acid was applied for transport of Pb²⁺ ions. The transport was capable of moving metal ions “uphill”. Thus, it was possible to follow the transfer of Pb(II) from the aqueous source phase to the organic layer and from the organic layer to the receiving phase. The effects of thiosulfate concentration in the receiving phase, palmetic acid and dibenzyldiaza‐18‐crown‐6 concentration in the organic phase on the efficiency of the transport system were examined. By using S₂O₃^2? ion as metal ion acceptor in the receiving phase, the amount of lead ion transport across the liquid membrane after 150 minutes is 96 ± 1.5%. The selectivity and efficiency of lead transport from aqueous solution containing Cu²⁺, Tl⁺, Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺ were investigated. In the presence of thiosulfate as a suitable masking agent in the source phase, the interfering effects of Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ were diminished drastically.     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Membrane Sensors for Copper(II) Ion Based on a New Benzo‐Substituted Macrocyclic Diamide 6,7,8,9,10‐Hexahydro‐2H‐1,13,4,7,10‐benzodioxatriazacyclopentadecine‐3,11(4H,12H)‐dione

Novel PVC membrane (PME) and coated graphite (CGE) Cu²⁺‐selective electrodes based on 5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐2H‐1,13,4,7,10‐benzodioxatriazacyclopentadecine‐3,11(4H,12H)‐dione are prepared. The electrodes reveal a Nernstian behavior over wide Cu²⁺ ion concentration ranges (1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 M for PME and 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?1 M for CGE) with very low limits of detection (7.8×10^?8 M for PME and 9.1×10^?9 M for CGE). The potentiometric responses are independent of the pH of the test solutions in the pH range 2.7–6.2. The proposed electrodes possess very good selectivities for Cu²⁺ over a wide variety of the cations including alkali, alkaline earth, transitions and heavy metal ions. The practical utility of the proposed electrodes have been demonstrated by their use in the study of interactions between copper ions and human growth hormone (hGH) in biological systems, potentiometric titration of copper with EDTA and determination of copper content of a sheep blood serum sample and some other real samples.     

Calix[4]Resorcinarene Macrocycles Interactions with Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ Cations: A QCM‐I and Langmuir Ultra‐thin Monolayers Study

Stable ultra‐thin Langmuir monolayers of calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives, namely: C‐dec‐9‐enylcalix[4]resorcinarene‐O‐(R+)‐α‐methylbenzylamine (Ionophore I ), and C‐dec‐9‐enylcalix[4]resorcinarene‐O‐(S‐)‐α‐methylbenzylamine (Ionophore II ), were prepared at the air‐water interface. Their interactions with a series of heavy metals (HM) ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺) present in the aqueous subphase were investigated by measuring surface pressure‐area isotherms, at different concentrations. The surface pressure‐area (Π‐A) isotherms were stable and demonstrated the HM amounts influence on the limiting area (A_lim) values, therefore confirming the examined macrocycles capability to host the metallic toxicants. Additionally, a HM concentration dependence was realized and interpreted by a selective tendency of both ionophores towards Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions over Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺, especially at high concentrations. The HM ions interactions with the applied calix[4]resorcinarene Langmuir ultra‐thin monolayers were interpreted based on the Gibbs‐Shishkovsky adsorption equation. Moreover, quartz crystal microbalance with impedance measurement (QCM‐I), was applied for the detection of HM ions in solutions. The QCM‐I results showed the effectiveness of the coated QCM‐I crystals in detecting the ions at different concentrations. The detection limit values were in the order of 0.16, 0.3, 0.65, 1.1 ppm (Ionophore I), as well 0.11, 0.45, 0.2, 0.89 (Ionophore II) for the Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations, respectively. Additionally, a selective tendency of both ionophores towards copper ions was shown.     

Cationization of dendritic macromolecule adsorbates on metals studied by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was utilized to study dendritic macromolecules with various architectures, such as dendrons, dendrimers and hyperbranched polyesters prepared from bis‐(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (Bis‐MPA) and a series of hyperbranched polyethers based on 3‐ethyl‐3(hydroxymethyl)oxetane. The measurements were performed on spin‐coated thin films of the branched molecules (D) onto silicon, chemically etched copper foil and silver‐coated wafers. They showed weak signatures of molecular ions by proton capture (D + H)⁺ in the high mass range of the spectra (m/z > 400). On the contrary, cationization of the intact molecules with alkali or transition metal ions such as Na⁺, Cu⁺ or Ag⁺ was observed. High‐intensity quasi‐molecular ions (D + M)⁺ (with M = Na⁺, Cu⁺ or Ag⁺) allowed the studied polymers to be identified. The whole molecular species were observed for Bis‐MPA dendrons and dendrimers up to 3000 Da for hydroxyl or acetonide‐terminated derivatives. The success of the so‐called cationization experiments with metal substrates compared with analysis of molecular adsorbates on silicon is highlighted. The ToF‐SIMS sensitivity appeared useful to provide information about the molecular end‐groups or to highlight incomplete reaction occurring during some deprotection step of the synthesis. Only uncationized fragments of low masses were detected for the hyperbranched polyesters. This result suggested the effect of molecular asymmetry and/or flattening of the molecules on the substrates, which hampered the molecule lift‐off efficiency. Nevertheless, the hyperbranched polyethers were characterized based on the peak distribution of intensities, which allowed estimation of their molecular weight average. This work was intended to illustrate the capabilities of ToF‐SIMS to analyse dendritic polymers on surfaces. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.