Effect of mixed thiols on the adsorption,capacitive and hybridization performance of DNA self-assembled monolayers on gold

In this article, we investigated the effect of mixed thiols (HS(CH₂)₅CH₃, HS(CH₂)₆OH and HS(CH₂)₂NH₂) on the adsorption, capacitive and hybridization performance of thiol-modified probe DNA self-assembled monolayers on gold by chronocoulometry (CC) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Co-assembly of HS(CH₂)₅CH₃ with probe DNA availed DNA surface adsorption on gold more than HS(CH₂)₆OH and HS(CH₂)₂NH₂. With the increase of the assembly concentration ratio of probe DNA and mixed thiols (C _DNA/C _thiols), DNA surface coverage (Γ _m) was almost constant for DNA/HS(CH₂)₅CH₃ mixed SAMs and increased gradually for DNA/HS(CH₂)₆OH or DNA/HS(CH₂)₂NH₂ mixed SAMs. Interfacial capacitance (C _d) value of DNA/thiol-mixed SAMs on gold mainly depended on the capacitance of thiols SAMs. DNA hybridization almost did not change the capacitance value of DNA/thiol-mixed SAMs on gold. Hybridization experiments indicated that the maximal DNA hybridization density (H _D) was 1.2 × 10^?11 and 1.1 × 10^?11 mol cm^?2 with HS(CH₂)₅CH₃ or HS(CH₂)₆OH as mixed thiols respectively, much bigger than that with short-chain thiols (HS(CH₂)₂NH₂). The size fitting coefficient d _c/d _t values for the optimal hybridization of DNA/HS(CH₂)₅CH₃ and DNA/HS(CH₂)₆OH mixed SAMs were 0.70 and 0.93, respectively. This indicated that probe DNA with much bigger Γ _m should be co-assembled with HS(CH₂)₅CH₃ on gold to obtain the biggest H _D than with HS(CH₂)₆OH. These conclusions provided the important reference for optimally designing DNA sensor.     

Self-assembly of the pre-formed inclusion complexes between cyclodextrins and alkanethiols on gold electrodes

A new kind of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed in aqueous solution through the pre-formed inclusion complexes (abbreviated CD · C_n) between α, β-cyclodextrins (CDs) and alkanethiols (CH₃(CH₂)_n−1)SH, n = 10, 14 and 18) was prepared successfully on gold electrodes. High-resolution ¹H NMR was used to confirm the formation of CD · C_n. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to characterize the resulting SAMs (denoted as M_CD·Cn). It was found that M_CD·Cn were more stable against repeated potential cycling in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ than SAMs of CH₃(CH₂)_n−1SH (denoted as M_Cn), with a relative sequence of M_β−CD·Cn > M_α−CD·Cn > M_Cn. In addition, an order of blocking the electron transfer between gold electrodes and redox couples (both Fe(CN)³₆ and Ru(NH₃)³⁴₆) in solution, M_CD·C10 > M_CD·C14 > M_CD·C18, was observed. A plausible explanation is provided to elucidate some of the observations.     

Enthalpies of Solution of Aliphatic Amines, Aliphatic Benzene, and Alkane in Dimethyl Sulfoxide at 298.15 K

The enthalpies of solution of aliphatic compounds [{aliphatic amine, H(CH₂) _n NH₂, n = 3 to 10}, aliphatic benzene {H(CH₂) _n C₆H₅, n = 0 to 8}, and alkane {H(CH₂) _n H, n = 6 to 10}] in dimethyl sulfoxide have been measured at 298.15 K in the low concentration range from x = 5 × 10^?6 to x = 0.002. The partial molar enthalpies at infinite dilution of each aliphatic compound were determined and were found to increase linearly with increasing number of methylene groups. The enthalpic group contribution of methylene, phenyl, methyl, hydroxyl, nitrile, and amine in aliphatic compounds were 1.55, 2.65, 3.81, ?2.55, ?3.71, and ?4.43 kJ-mol^?1, respectively.     

Intercalation of α,ω-alkyldiamines in layered α-zirconium phosphate and the inclusion behaviour of some of the intercalates obtained

The paper reports a study on the intercalation mechanism of NH₂(CH₂) _n NH₂ (withn=2, 4, 6, 8, 10) diamines in layered Zr(HOPO₃)₂·H₂O, performed by titrating the host with aqueous solutions of amines at 80°C. The intercalation reactions occur stepwise according to the ‘moving boundary’ model, with the formation of a number of intermediate intercalation compounds of formula Zr(HOPO₃)₂·xNH₂(CH₂) _n NH₂ (0<x<1) before obtaining the fully intercalated ones (x=1). For each diamine the batch titration curve and a diagram of the phases involved in the interaclation reaction are reported. Twenty-two intercalation compounds have been isolated and characterized by their composition, XRD patterns and thermal behaviour, and information on the disposition of the guests within the interlayer region have been derived. At full intercalation the diamines form a monolayer of extended molecules with their axis inclined at 58° to the plane of the sheet. The terminal amino groups are protonated by the —POH groups of the host, thus each diamine binds adjacent layers and, in a sense, transforms a layered structure into a framework structure that may have an accessible or potentially accessible porosity. The intercalation compound Zr(HOPO₃)₂·0.5NH₂(CH₂)₈NH₂ is indeed able to include polar molecules such as water and short chain alkanols.     

Molecule-Based Artificial Photosynthesis

Guidelines for the design of molecules with a long lifetime of the charge-separated state and for the formation of a self-assembled monolayer were studied by preparing various model compounds linking donor and acceptor with chemical bonds. Based on the obtained results we designed and prepared the SAMs of C₆₀-(porphyrin)-(ferrocene)-(CH₂)₁₁SH on a gold surface and observed a photocurrent with high efficiency (25% quantum yield). In addition, a well-defined, rigid-sheet-structured oligoporphyrin with 21 porphyrin chromophores was prepared as a model for antenna chlorophylls.     

Synthesis of N-doped TiO2 particles from aquaethylenediaminetitanium(IV) hydroxide complex and their optical properties on dye-sensitized solar cells

To promote the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cell, N-doped TiO₂ particles are introduced as working electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The N-doped TiO₂ particles (N–en–TiO₂) are easily synthesized from [Ti(NH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂) _x (H₂O) _y ]zOH (aquaethylenediaminetitanium(IV) hydroxide) complex using a modified sol–gel process. The produced N–en–TiO₂ particles show rice-shapes of 25–50 nm and their band-gaps become to be shorter than that of TiO₂. The N–en–TiO₂ particles are applied to working electrode layers in dye-sensitized solar cells, and on comparing the performances of pure TiO₂ and N–en₂–TiO₂–DSCs, the latter shows good performance with a solar energy conversion efficiency of ~5.54 % versus the former of 4.21 % respectively with a notable photocurrent enhancement. Particularly, the N–en₂–TiO₂–DSCs exhibit relatively low charge transfer resistance at counter electrode and electron transfer resistance from dye/TiO₂/photoanode, slower recombination times, faster electron transport times, and higher electron diffusion coefficients than non-doped TiO₂–DSCs.     

The relaxation processes of several long-chain aliphatic ketones and amines in glassy media

The dielectric absorption of 2-alkanones (CH₃(CH₂)_nCOCH₃) (where n = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16) and 1-aminoalkanes (CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂) (where n = 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) has been studied in a polystyrene matrix between 80 and 300 K in the frequency range 10–10⁵ Hz. 2-alkanone with n = 8 has also been examined in polyphenylether, glassy o-terphenyl and a polypropylene matrix. For both series two sets of absorption peaks were obtained, one around 80–150 K and the other in approximately the 170–300 K region. The lower-temperature absorption can be accounted for by a model involving segmental motion about the CC bonds with consequent displacement of the polar end group. The enthalpy of activation for this intramolecular motion is independent of whether the polar end group is -CH₂Br, -COCH₃, or -CH₂NH₂. The higher-temperature absorption may be ascribed to a molecular relaxation process.     

Subsolidus phase diagram of the binary system (n-C n H2n+1NH3)2CoCl4

The perovskite-type layered compounds decylammonium tetrachlorocobaltate (n-C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂CoCl₄ and dodecylammonium tetrachlorocobaltate (n-C₁₂H₂₅NH₃)₂CoCl₄ exist the solid–solid phase transition in the temperatures range 330–380 K. These laminar materials contain bilayers sandwiched between metal halide layers. The experimental subsolidus binary phase diagram of (n-C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂CoCl₄–(n-C₁₂H₂₅NH₃)₂CoCl₄ has been established over the whole composition range by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. In the phase diagram, one intermediate compound (n-C₁₀H₂₁NH₃) (n-C₁₂H₂₅NH₃)CoCl₄ at $ W_{{{\text{C}}_{ 1 0} {\text{Co}}}} \% = 50. 9 2 $ and two eutectoid invariants points at $ W_{{{\text{C}}_{ 10} {\text{Co}}}} \% = 2 9. 8 3 $ and $ W_{{{\text{C}}_{ 10} {\text{Co}}}} \% = 7 7. 9 8 $ were observed, two eutectoids temperatures are about 343 ± 1 and 340 ± 1 K. There are three noticeable solid solution ranges (α, β, γ) at the left and right boundary and middle of the phase diagram.     

Tin chloride perovskite-sensitized core/shell photoanode solar cell with spiro-MeOTAD hole transport material for enhanced solar light harvesting

An attempt has been made to fabricate methyl ammonium tin chloride (CH₃NH₃SnCl₃) perovskite-sensitized TiO₂ nanostructure photoanode solar cell with hole transport material (HTM) spiro-MeOTAD and graphite-coated counter electrode (CE). The TiO₂ nanoparticles (TNPs), TiO₂ nanoleaves (TNLs), and TNLs with MgO core/shell photoanodes were prepared to fabricate perovskite-sensitized solar cells (PSSCs). The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photovoltaic characteristics of the PSSCs, photocurrent density (J _sc), open-circuit voltage (V _oc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were determined under illumination of AM 1.5 G. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis was carried out to study the charge transport and lifetime of charge carriers at the photoanode–sensitizer–electrolyte interface of the PSSCs. The PSSC made with CH₃NH₃SnCl₃ perovskite-sensitized TNL–MgO core/shell photoanode and spiro-MeOTAD HTM shows an impressive photovoltaic performance, with J _sc = 17.24 mA/cm², V _oc = 800 mV, FF = 73 %, and PCE = 9.98 % under 100 mW/cm² light intensity. The advent of such simple solution-processed mesoscopic heterojunction solar cells paves the way to realize low-cost and high-efficiency solar cells. By the aid of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, it is revealed that the core/shell structure can increase an interfacial resistance of the photoanode–CH₃NH₃SnCl₃ interface and retard an electron recombination process in the photoanode–sensitizer–HTM interface.     

Distonic radical cations : Guidelines for the assessment of their stability

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations on the distonic radical cations CH₂(CH₂)_nN⁺H₃ and their conventional isomers CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂+ (n = 0,1, 2 and 3) indicate a preference in each case for the distonic isomer. The energy difference appears to converge with increasing n towards a limit which is close to the energy difference between the component systems CH₃·H₂+CH₃^+NH₃ (representing the distonic isomer) and CH₃CH₃+CH₃NH₂+ (representing the conventional isomer). The generality of this result is assessed by using results for the component systems CH₃·Y+CH₃X⁺H and CH₃YH+CH₃X^+. (or CH₃YH^+. + CH₃X) to predict the relative energies of the distonic ions ·Y(CH₂)_nX⁺H and their conventional isomers HY(CH₂)nX^+. (X = NH₂, OH, F, PH₂, SH, Cl; Y = CH₂, NH, O) and testing the predictions through explicit calculations for systems with n = 0,1 and 2. Although the predictions based on component systems are often close to the results of direct calculations, there are substantial discrepancies in a number of cases; the reasons for such discrepancies are discussed. Caution must be exercised in applying this and related predictive schemes. For the systems examined in the present study, the conventional radical cation is predicted in most cases to lie lower in energy than its distonic isomer. It is found that the more important factors contributing to a preference for distonic over conventional radical cations are the presence in the system of a group(X) with high proton affinity and the absence of a group (X, Y or perturbed (C—C) with low ionization energy.     

Gold nanoparticle/alkanedithiol conductive films self-assembled onto gold electrode: Electrochemistry and electroanalytical application for voltammetric determination of trace amount of catechol

This paper describes novel electrochemical properties of gold nanoparticles/alkanedithiol conductive films and their electroanalytical applications for voltammetric determination of trace amount of one kind of environmental pollutants, catechol. The conductive films are prepared by closely packing 12-nm diameter gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) onto Au electrodes modified with the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanedithiols (i.e., HS(CH₂)_nSH, n = 3, 6, 9). The assembly of the Au-NPs onto the SAM-modified electrodes essentially restores the heterogeneous electron transfer between Au substrate and redox species in solution phase that is almost totally blocked by the SAMs and, as a result, the prepared Au-NP/SAM-modified electrodes possess a good electrode reactivity without a remarkable barrier toward the heterogeneous electron transfer. Moreover, the prepared Au-NP/SAM-modified electrodes are found to exhibit a largely reduced interfacial capacitance, compared with bare Au electrode. These electrochemical properties of the Au-NP/SAM-modified electrodes essentially make them very useful for electroanalytical applications, which is illustrated by voltammetric determination of trace amount detection of environmental pollutant, catechol.     

Formate dehydrogenase–viologen-immobilized electrode for CO2 conversion,for development of an artificial photosynthesis system

Formate dehydrogenase (FDH)–viologen with a long alkyl chain (CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH) immobilized on an indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode, with the function of reduction of CO₂ to formic acid, was investigated as an artificial photosynthesis device based on CO₂ reduction. The amount of formic acid produced by use of FDH–CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH immobilized on ITO in CO₂-saturated buffer solution, on application of a potential, as a result of one-electron reduction of viologen, depends on the carbon chain length of CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH. When a CH₃V(CH₂)₉COOH–FDH/ITO electrode was used, production of formic acid was estimated to be 23 μmol after 3 h.     

Intercalation of primary diamines in the lamellar niobate HNb3O8 · H2O

The intercalation of alkyl diamines in the protonic oxide HNb₃O₈ · H₂O is quantitative for the diamines H₂N(CH₂)_nNH₂ with n ranging from 2 to 10. All the intercalated oxides [H₃N(CH₂)_nNH₃]_0.5Nb₃O₈ · yH₂O are hydrated at room temperature; they can be easily and reversibly dehydrated to the oxides [H₃N(CH₂)_nNH₃]_0.5Nb₃O₈. The structural behavior of those compounds is compared to that of the alkyldiammonium titanoniobates [H₃N(CH₂)_nNH₃]_0.5TiNbO₅. An interpretation of their structural properties is given which takes into account the tendency of amines to assume an orientation transverse to oxide layers, the conformation of the amine chains, and the tendency to form dense organic layers.     

Phase Diagram of the Quaternary System KCl–MgCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>–NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis> = 60.00 °C and Their Application

Based on the requirement for the comprehensive exploitation and utilization of the salt lake resources magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, a new technology to produce KCl and ammonium carnallite (NH₄Cl·MgCl₂·6H₂O) by using NH₄Cl as salting-out agent to separate carnallite is proposed. The solubilities of quaternary system KCl–MgCl₂–NH₄Cl–H₂O were measured by the isothermal method at t = 60.00 °C and the corresponding phase diagram was plotted and analyzed. The analysis of this phase diagram shows that there are seven saturation points and eight regions of crystallization. These eight regions of crystallization represent salts corresponding to KCl, NH₄Cl, MgCl₂·6H₂O, (K_1?n (NH₄) _n )Cl, ((NH₄) _n K_1?n )Cl, (K_1?n (NH₄) _n )Cl·MgCl₂·6H₂O, KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O and NH₄Cl·MgCl₂·6H₂O. According to the phase diagram analysis and calculations, ammonium carnallite (NH₄Cl·MgCl₂·6H₂O) and KCl can be obtained using carnallite as raw materials and ammonium chloride as salting-out agent at t = 60.00 °C. The new technology shows the advantages of being easy to operate and having low energy consumption. The research on this quaternary phase diagram is the foundation for reasonable development of carnallite resources and comprehensive utilization of the salt lake brines.     

Assembly and Dissociation of Α-Cyclodextrin [2]Pseudorotaxanes with α,ω-Bis(N-(N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)alkane Threads

A series of novel bischelate bridging ligands, CH₃NH(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)(CH₂) _n N(CH₃)(CH₂)₂NHCH₃ (n = 9, 10, 11, and 12) were synthesized as hydrochloride salts and characterized by elemental analyses, electrospray mass spectrometry, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. These ligands form [2]pseudorotaxanes with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and the stability constants have been determined from ¹H NMR titrations in D₂O. The kinetics and mechanism of the assembly and dissociation of a [2]pseudorotaxane in which α-CD has been threaded by the CH₃NH₂(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)(CH₂)₁₂N(CH₃)(CH₂)₂NH₂CH ₃ ²⁺ ligand were determined in aqueous solution using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A weak inclusion of the dimethylethylenediamine end group precedes the passage of the α-CD onto the hydrophobic dodecamethylene chain.     

Enhanced thermal stability and structural ordering in short chain <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanethiol monolayers on gold probed by vibrational spectroscopy and EQCM

Monolayers of alkanethiols with varied chain lengths, CH₃(CH₂)_nSH where n = 3, 5, and 7, on gold substrates have been prepared by adsorption from (1) neat thiol, (2) millimolar thiol solution in alcohol (conventional method), and (3) potential-controlled adsorption. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) have been used to characterize the integrity of the monolayers. Methylene and methyl stretching modes along with C–S stretching modes have been used as benchmarks to follow the order–disorder transitions in the monolayer structure, in the temperature range from 25 to 175 °C. Monolayers adsorbed from neat thiol show superior quality in terms of stability and structural arrangement. Short chain thiols with n = 3, 5, and 7 do show substantial stability. The possibility of multilayer formation is ruled out by EQCM studies comparing the frequency and mass change associated with the monolayer desorption. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) adsorbed under potential control behave very similarly to the monolayers adsorbed from neat thiol as far as stability and structural orientation are concerned, irrespective of the chain length. The adsorption from neat thiol gets rid of the solvent-induced defects and arrests the propagation of defects under temperature constraints.     

Characterization on Lead-Free Hybrid Perovskite [NH3(CH2)5NH3]CuCl4: Thermodynamic Properties and Molecular Dynamics

It is essential to develop novel zero- and two-dimensional hybrid perovskites to facilitate the development of eco-friendly solar cells. In this study, we investigated the structure and dynamics of [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃]CuCl₄ via various characterization techniques. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results indicated that the crystallographic environments of ¹H in NH₃ and ¹³C on C3, located close to NH₃ at both ends of the cation, were changed, indicating a large structural change of CuCl₆ connected to N–H···Cl. The thermal properties and structural dynamics of the [NH₃(CH₂)_nNH₃] cation in [NH₃(CH₂)_nNH₃]CuCl₄ (n = 2, 3, 4, and 5) crystals were compared using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and NMR results for the methylene chain. The ¹H and ¹³C spin-lattice relaxation times (T_1ρ) exhibited similar trends upon the variation of the methylene chain length, with n = 2 exhibiting shorter T_1ρ values than n = 3, 4, and 5. The difference in T_1ρ values was related to the length of the cation, and the shorter chain length (n = 2) exhibited a shorter T_1ρ owing to the one closest to the paramagnetic Cu²⁺ ions.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Binding Interaction between Hormone Glucagon Protein and Self-Assembled Monolayer Molecules

Restrained molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the binding affinity of the peptide with alkanethiols of different tail-groups, S（CH2）7CH3, S（CH2）7OH and S（CH2）7COOH, which self-assembled on Au（111） surface in the presence of water molecules. The curves of binding affinity were calculated by fixing the center of mass of the peptide at various distances from the assembling surface. Simulation results show that the binding affin- ity is in the order as COOH-SAMs〉OH-SAMs〉CH3-SAMs, while 100% COOH-SAMs〉5% COOH-SAMS in concentration. The effects on binding affinity by different tail-groups were also studied. Results show that the binding affinity between COOH-SAMs and the peptide is bigger than those of the others and increasing the acidity of COOH-SAMs will result in stronger attractive power.     

Development of a new series of polyamine-type polymeric surfactants used for emulsion liquid membranes

By summarizing studies of surfactants used for emulsion liquid membrane, a new polyamine-type surfactant called LMA has been developed. This type of surfactant is composed of copolymer of isobutene and isoprene in hydrophobic site and polyethylene polyamine [NH₂(CH₂CH₂NH)_nCH₂CH₂NH₂, n≥1] in hydrophilic site. Experimental results show that the characteristics of this surfactant mainly depends on its mean molecular weight and its distribution of molecular weight, and the suitable surfactants are those with number-average molecular weight (M_n) of 5000–9000 and proper molecular weight distribution (usually M_w/M_n=3.0–6.0).     

Unconventional H‐bonds: SH···N interaction

Quantum calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level are used to analyze the SH···N H‐bond in complexes pairing H₂S and SH radical with NH₃, N(CH₃)₃, NH₂NH₂, and NH₂N(CH₃)₂. Complexes form nearly linear H‐bonds in which the S? H covalent bond elongates and shifts its stretching frequency to the red. Binding energies vary from 14 kJ/mol for acceptor NH₃ to a maximum of 22 kJ/mol for N(CH₃)₃ and N(CH₃)₂NH₂. Analysis of geometric, vibrational, and electronic data indicate that the SH···N interaction involving SH is slightly stronger than that in which the closed‐shell H₂S serves as donor. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011