Bridging nanogap electrodes by in situ electropolymerization of a bis(terthiophenylphenanthroline)ruthenium complex

A novel complex containing a 3,8-bis[terthiophenyl-(1,10-phenanthroline)] ligand coordinated to [Ru(bpy)(2)] was synthesized and characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The complex was shown to be a suitable starting material for the electrodeposition of functionalized molecular wires between nanogap electrodes to generate stable molecular nanodevices. Temperature-dependent nonlinear I-V curves were obtained at 80-300 K. The material can also be deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) to form compact electrochromic films at surface concentrations lower than approximately 1 x 10(-8) mol cm(2); however, a more loosely bond fibrous form is preferentially deposited at higher surface concentrations.     

Quantification of the pore size distribution (porosity profiles) in microfiltration membranes by SEM,TEM and computer image analysis

Transport properties of membranes are closely related to morphological properties like surface porosity and variation of their inner pore structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are powerful tools to characterise the microscopical pore structure of membranes in a qualitative manner. In order to provide more quantitative data of surface and cross-sectional pores computer image analysis can be used. Parameters like ‘porous area fraction’ and ‘mean free path length’ have been selected to describe the pore distribution within porosity profiles in order to consider the effect that the pores within the cross-section are connected to each other.     

The role of the interface in a Ti‐based metallic glass matrix composite with in situ dendrite reinforcement

Many in situ metallic glass matrix (MGM) composites have been developed as promising engineering materials having distinguished properties because of sharing virtues of high strength of metallic glasses and large plasticity of crystal phase, for example, Ti₄₇Zr₁₉Be₁₅V₁₂Cu₇ MGM composites (the yield strength: 1600 MPa, the fracture strength: 3024 MPa and the total strain 32.6%). Although the toughening mechanisms in these materials have been investigated, the role of the interface bridging the ductile dendrite and the glass phase is still unclear. To this aim, specimens of the as‐received and after compression of this Ti‐based MGM composite were investigated to by using the transmission electron microscopy and the high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results of the microstructure investigation indicated that the interface in the composite consists of a nanosized transform layer with an approximate width of 4 nm. During plastic deformation, the interface either suppresses plastic deformation caused by dislocations on the dendrite side or initiates nucleation of multiple shear bands throughout nanocrystallization on the glass phase side nearby the interface, which is favorable for the plastic deformation of the material. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Progress in Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy by Coupling with Electrochemical Impedance and Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful technique for performing quantitative measurements at a local scale. This paper covers the development of combinations of SECM with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Basic aspects are described and potential applications reported by several research groups are covered. The unique advantages of the coupled techniques—with additional information being obtained from each coupling—are also discussed.     

The behaviour of water molecules associated with structural changes in negatively charged phosphatidyl-glycerol assemblies as studied by DSC

Variation of the thermotropic behaviour of both lipid assemblies and associated water molecules with an increase in water content was investigated for negatively charged phosphatidyl-glycerol (PG)-water system up to 90 wt.% water by DSC. The number of water molecules existing in interbilayer regions of the present gel phase was estimated from a deconvolution analysis of ice-melting DSC curves. On the basis of a result of the calorimetric analysis, a water-distribution diagram was constructed over the water content range from 0 to 90 wt.%. The diagram presented a continuous incorporation of interlamellar water up to 90 wt.% water, related to unilamellar-vesicle forming properties of charged lipids. Furthermore, similarly to a result for neutral lipid systems previously reported by us, the present diagram also showed the existence of a specific water content region (i.e., pre-region) where a structural change of planar to curved bilayers for multilamellar structures proceeds with the aid of bulk-like water before finally reaching unilamellar vesicles.     

Determination of Tetracycline in Water and Honey by Iron(II,III)/Aptamer-Based Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis

A novel aptamer-based adsorbent was prepared for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of tetracycline. The Fe₃O₄/aptamer adsorbent was fabricated by immobilizing an aptamer on the surface of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles by the reaction between avidin and biotin. The parameters affecting the isolation efficiency such as the pH, extraction time, extraction temperature, eluent, and elution time were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, a linear relationship between the peak area and the concentration of tetracycline was observed in the range from 10.0 to 3000.0?µg L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9985 and a limit of detection of 2.5?µg L^?1. The developed method was successfully employed for the determination of tetracycline in honey and water samples with recovery values from 82.9 to 107.3% and relative standard deviations less than 7.6%. Compared with previously reported methods for the determination of tetracycline, the proposed protocol provides improvements in the limit of detection and specificity with reduced consumption of adsorbent and organic solvents.