Dispersing and functionalizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes in TiO2 sol

We report that oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be synchronously dispersed and functionalized in TiO2 sol via an in situ sol-gel process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the functionalized MWCNTs. The results revealed that the hydrolysis and condensation originated from Ti(OC4H9)4 molecules favor the dispersion of MWCNTs in as-prepared TiO2 sol. Based on the strong interaction between the oxidized MWCNTs and TiO2 sol during the in situ sol-gel process, MWCNT (core)-TiOx (shell) tubular composites and TiO2 nanotubes can be obtained through filtrating, washing, and annealing of this kind of TiO2 sol containing functionalized MWCNTs, as revealed by TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and redispersion experiment. By casting the dilute dispersion of functionalized MWCNTs onto a hydrophilic Si surface, discrete and individual nanotubes can be observed by AFM.     

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Chitosan Modified Single‐Use Biosensors for Electrochemical Monitoring of Drug‐DNA Interactions

A multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT)‐chitosan (CHIT) modified pencil graphite electrode (CNT‐CHIT/PGE) was developed for the first time herein for electrochemical monitoring of the interaction of an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (MC) and DNA. The characterization of unmodified PGE, CHIT/PGE, CNT/PGE and CHIT‐CNT/PGE were performed by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The oxidation signals of MC and guanine were measured before and after interaction at the surface of CNT‐CHIT/PGEs using differential pulse voltammetry. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique was also successfully utilized for monitoring of the interaction process at the surface of CNT‐CHIT/PGEs in different interaction times.     

DNA condensation induced by a cationic polymer studied by atomic force microscopy and electrophoresis assay

We synthesized a cationic polymer, poly(PEGMA)-4N, which has brush-like chains and four positively charged amino groups at the end of the molecules. DNA condensation induced by poly(PEGMA)-4N was investigated through electrophoresis assay by its ability to retard DNA mobility and to inhibit HindIII enzyme cleavage. The detailed structures of DNA condensates induced by poly(PEGMA)-4N were observed through atomic force microscopy (AFM). Interactions between polymers and DNA are mainly attributed into depletion effect and electrostatic interaction. Positively charged amino groups in poly(PEGMA)-4N interact with DNA through electrostatic interaction, and depletion effect also takes effect because poly(PEGMA)-4N is a flexible polymer. Comparing the contributions that the two interactions gave in DNA condensation process, we found that depletion effect played a major role compared with electrostatic interaction.     

基于纳米MnO2的免标记型DNA电化学生物传感器用于大肠杆菌的测定

以室温固相合成法制备纳米MnO2,通过壳聚糖（CHIT）的成膜效应将纳米MnO2固定在玻碳电极表面。DNA在MnO2/CHIT膜上的固定和杂交通过循环伏安和电化学交流阻抗进行表征。以电化学阻抗免标记法检测目标DNA,固定于电极表面的DNA探针与目标DNA杂交后使电极表面的电子传递电阻增大,以此作为检测信号可以高灵敏度地测定目标DNA。电化学阻抗谱检测大肠杆菌基因片段的线性范围为2.0×10^-11 ～2.0×10^-6mol/L,检出限为1.0×10^-12mol/L。     

Interactions of New Synthesized Fluorescent Cationic Amphiphiles Bearing Pyrene Hydrophobe with Plasmid DNA: Binding Affinities,Aggregation and Intracellular Uptake

In this work, we prepared a novel series of cationic amphiphiles denoted as the Py‐cations (Py‐Gly, Py‐Ala, Py‐Cap, Py‐G₁‐Lys and Py‐G₂‐Lys) bearing fluorescent pyrene and various hydrocarbon linkers between the pyrene hydrophobe and cationic block. Employing these new cationic amphiphiles with pyrene as the fluorescent probe, the interactions between these Py‐cations and plasmid DNA (pDNA) in distilled water and 0.1 M PBS buffer solution have been explored by means of UV‐vis and fluorescent spectrometers, and ethidium bromide dye displacement and agarose‐gel retardant assays were also implemented to evaluate their pDNA binding affinities in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the average sizes and morphologies of self‐assembled Py‐cation/pDNA lipoplex aggregates were examined by dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that these fluorescent cationic amphiphiles showed blue fluorescence emission of pyrene probe at λ = 340 nm in distilled water while their interactions with pDNA led to new strong green emission at λ = 490 nm, and this may be due to the stacking of pyrene and new formation of excimers via the rigid pDNA templated self‐assembly. It was also revealed that the binding between new Py‐cations and pDNA in aqueous solution was strongly influenced by the Py‐cation hydrophobicity, charges of the cation and the presence of electrolytes. With respect to the Py‐cation/pDNA aggregate morphologies, very interesting 1‐D hybrid nanofibers were predominantly observed by AFM for the Py‐Cap/pDNA aggregates. In addition, utilizing a COS‐7 cell‐line, in‐vitro cellular uptakes of new cationic amphiphiles with pyrene probe were studied and visualized by fluorescent microscopy. As a result, this may provide a new approach to investigate the interactions between synthetic cationic lipids and nucleic acids, and pave an alternative clue to design new organic gene delivery carriers.

     

Amperometric determination of xanthine in fish meat by zinc oxide nanoparticle/chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite film bound xanthine oxidase

Xanthine oxidase (XOD) was immobilized on a composite film of zinc oxide nanoparticle/chitosan/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (ZnO-NP/CHIT/c-MWCNT/PANI) electrodeposited over the surface of a platinum (Pt) electrode. A xanthine biosensor was fabricated using XOD/ZnO-NP/CHIT/c-MWCNT/PANI/Pt as working electrode, Ag/AgCl as reference electrode and Pt wire as auxiliary electrode connected through a potentiostat. The ZnO-NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the enzyme electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The biosensor showed optimum response within 4 s at 0.5 V potential, pH 7.0, 35 °C and linear range 0.1-100 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The enzyme electrode was employed for determination of xanthine in fish meat during storage. The electrode lost 30% of its initial activity after 80 uses over one month, when stored at 4 °C.     

Disposable electrochemical biosensor with multiwalled carbon nanotubes-chitosan composite layer for the detection of deep DNA damage.

A novel electrochemical DNA-based biosensor for the detection of deep DNA damage was designed employing the bionanocomposite layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) in chitosan (CHIT) deposited on a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The biocomponent represented by double-stranded (ds) herring sperm DNA was immobilized on this composite using layer-by-layer coverage to form a robust film. Individual and complex electrode modifiers are characterized by a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with the DNA redox marker [Co(phen)(3)](3+), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) as a redox probe in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). A good correlation between the CV and EIS parameters has been found, thus confirming a strong effect of MWNT on the enhancement of the electroconductivity of the electrode surface and that of CHIT on the MWNT distribution at the electrode surface. Differences between the CV and EIS signals of the electrodes without and with DNA are used to detect deep damage to DNA, advantageously using simple working procedures in the same experiment.     

Layer-by-layer self-assembly of multiwalled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes prepared by in situ radical polymerization

Anionic and cationic multiwalled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes, prepared by covalent modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with poly(acrylic acid) and poly(acrylamide), were used for the layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of MWCNTs on different substrates with polyelectrolytes, such as poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and sodium poly(styrenesulfonate). Thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to demonstrate the modification of MWCNTs. Investigations using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, SEM, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy proved this method to be practicable for preparing LBL films.     

Improved antibacterial properties of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy coated with chitosan nanofibers incorporating silver sulfadiazine multiwall carbon nanotubes for bone implants

Bacteria‐caused infection remains an issue in the treatment of bone defects by means of Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants. This study aimed to improve the antibacterial properties of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy by coating with chitosan‐based nanofibers with incorporated silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). AgSD and MWCNTs were prepared at a weight ratio of 1:1 and then added to chitosan at varying concentrations (ie, 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.5 wt.%) to form composites. The obtained composites were ejected in nanofiber form using an electrospinning technique and coated on the surface of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy to improve its antibacterial properties. A microstructural examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the diameter of chitosan nanofiber ejected increased with the concentration of AgSD‐MWCNTs. The incorporation of AgSD‐MWCNTs into the chitosan nanofibers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Examination of the antibacterial activity shows that chitosan nanofibers with AgSD‐MWCNTs can significantly inhibit the growth and infiltration of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Biocompatibility assay and cell morphology observations demonstrate that AgSD‐MWCNTs incorporated into nanofibers are cytocompatible. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential application of electrospun chitosan with AgSD‐MWCNTs as an antibacterial coating on Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants for bone treatment.     

Chitosan/Ionic Liquid Composite Electrode for Electrochemical Monitoring of the Surface‐Confined Interaction Between Mitomycin C and DNA

In the present study a chitosan/ionic liquid modified pencil graphite electrode (CHIT‐IL‐PGEs) was developed for the first time for enhanced electrochemical monitoring of nucleic acid, and the interaction of the anticancer drug Mitomycin C (MC) and calf thymus double stranded DNA (dsDNA) by measuring the oxidation signals of MC and guanine in the same voltammetric scale. Differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to evaluate the performance of the CHIT‐IL based biosensor on electrochemical monitoring of DNA, and drug‐DNA interaction. The experimental parameters, IL, dsDNA and MC concentration and the interaction time were then optimized.     

Electrochemical Study of Chitosan‐SiO2‐MWNT Composite Electrodes for the Fabrication of Cholesterol Biosensors

We report a novel composite electrode made of chitosan‐SiO₂‐multiwall carbon nanotube (CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT) composite coated on the indium‐tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) was covalently immobilized on the CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO electrode that resulted in a ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO cholesterolactive bioelectrode. The CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO and ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO electrodes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The influence of various parameters was investigated, including the applied potential, pH of the medium, and the concentration of the enzyme on the performance of the biosensor. The cholesterol bioelectrode exhibited a sensitivity of 3.4 nA/ mgdL^?1 with a response time of five seconds. The biosensor using ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO as the working electrode retained its original response after being stored for six months. The biosensor using ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO as the working electrode showed a linear current response to the cholesterol concentration in the range of 50–650 mg/dL.     

Oxidation, deformation, and destruction of carbon nanotubes in aqueous ceric sulfate

A simple wet chemical method involving only ultrasonic processing in dilute ceric sulfate (CS) was used to functionalize carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Unexpectedly, single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) were cut, oxidized, and disintegrated by sonication in 0.1 N CS for 2-5 h. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman scattering, and photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to probe wall damage during the chemical processing. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the conductivity of the CS-treated CNTs. This one-step process resulted in the destruction of SWCNTs to produce nonconducting amorphous carbon. MWCNTs were oxidized and converted to graphitic materials and amorphous carbon with retained conductivity.     

Synthesis of N-methylene phosphonic chitosan （NMPCS） and its potential as gene carder

N-Methylene phosphoulc chitosan (NMPCS),an amphiphilic macromolecule with powerful chelating ability of Ca~(2 ) ions,was synthesized and characterized.The physicochemical properties of NMPCS and the interactions between NMPCS and plasmid DNA were investigated by FTIR,~(13)C NMR,X-ray,agarose gel electrophorcsis retardation assay,atomic force microscopy (AFM) and circular dichroism (CD).The results suggest that at charge ratio 2:1 or above,DNA could be completely entrapped and spherical complexes with mean size of 80-210 nm were formed.Taking HeLa as host cell,luciferase expression mediated by NMPCS improved about 100 times compared to the expression mediated by chitosan.     

Wet-grinding assisted ultrasonic dispersion of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in chitosan solution

Ultrasonication is often used to disperse nano-particles in aqueous solution. However, a good dispersion of nano-particles in aqueous solution is not always achieved, due to the fact that incoming ultrasonicwaves in liquid are usually reflected and damped at the gas/liquid interface. In this work, we report a so-called wet-grinding assisted ultrasonication (GU) method, in which wet-grinding of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in chitosan solution is carried out before ultrasonication. The dispersions of MWCNTs were characterized by visual comparison, UV/vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate that the dispersion quality of chitosan/MWCNT suspension prepared by wet-grinding assisted ultrasonication is much better than that by ultrasonication or wet-grinding alone. It was found that wet-grinding could improve the water wettability of MWCNTs and eliminate the barrier of air layer around MWCNTs to ultrasonicwaves. Meanwhile, the composite from the chitosan/MWCNTs suspension prepared by GU method has an obvious improvement in mechanical property compared to pure chitosan. This simple method for integrating MWCNTs and biocompatible chitosan into a homogeneous dispersion may have great potential application in biotechnology, such as preparing composite materials for medicine, bio-fiber, biosensor, antibacterial coating, and cell cultivation.     

侧链末端含荧光基团芘的EC-g-PCL梳形共聚物的合成与性能研究

首先以乙基纤维素(EC)为大分子引发剂引发ε-己内酯(CL)的开环聚合反应(ROP),合成乙基纤维素接枝聚ε-己内酯的梳形共聚物(EC-g-PCL).之后利用N,N'-二环己基碳二亚胺(DCC)做脱水剂将荧光基团芘(Pyr)引入侧链聚ε-己内酯(PcL)末端,经控制投料比,合成不同含量芘端基的乙基纤维素接枝聚ε-己内酯...     

Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase immobilized on NdPO4 nanoparticles/chitosan composite film on glassy carbon electrodes and its biosensing application

The direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized on a composite matrix based on chitosan (CHIT) and NdPO(4) nanoparticles (NPs) underlying on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was achieved. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the modified electrode. In deaerated buffer solutions, the cyclic voltammetry of the composite films of GOx/NdPO(4) NPs/CHIT showed a pair of well-behaved redox peaks that are assigned to the redox reaction of GOx, confirming the effective immobilization of GOx on the composite film. The electron transfer rate constant was estimated to be 5.0 s(-1). The linear dynamic range for the detection of glucose was 0.15-10 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and the detection limit was estimated at about 0.08 mM (S/N=3). The calculated apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was 2.5 mM, which suggested a high affinity of the enzyme-substrate. The immobilized GOx in the NdPO(4) NPs/CHIT composite film retained its bioactivity. Furthermore, the method presented here can be easily extended to immobilize and obtain the direct electrochemistry of other redox enzymes or proteins.     

壳聚糖-纳米金-葡萄糖氧化酶生物传感器的制备及其应用于葡萄糖的测定

采用了一种简便快捷的电沉积方法制备了壳聚糖-纳米金复合膜并应用于葡萄糖生物传感器的构建.氯金酸和壳聚糖的混合液在玻碳电极表面电化学还原为金纳米粒子,再将葡萄糖氧化酶通过戊二醛交联的方式固定在纳米金复合膜修饰的玻碳电极表面,制成一种新型的葡萄糖氧化酶生物传感器.该传感器对葡萄糖的响应十分快速,在5 S内即达到平衡.测定葡萄糖的线性范围为20μmol·L-1～5 mmol·L-1,检出限(3S/N)为12μmol·L-1.     

Chitosan/anionic surfactant complex membranes for the pervaporation separation of methanol/MTBE and characterization of the polymer/surfactant system

For the separation of methanol/MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) mixtures, methanol selective chitosan composite membranes were prepared and tested for pervaporation experiments. When anionic surfactants are added into the cationic chitosan solution, the solution viscosity was drastically decreased due to the collapsed chain conformation. Pervaporation characteristics of surfactant modified chitosan membrane were substantially improved due to the decreased membrane thickness and possible enhanced affinity to methanol. Rheological data of the casting solution was measured using viscometer and the surface morphology of the surfactant complexed chitosan membrane was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

DNA condensations on mica surfaces induced collaboratively by alcohol and hexammine cobalt

We performed systematic studies of λ-DNA condensation on mica surfaces induced by alcohol and hexammine cobalt (III) [Co(NH(3))(6)(3+)] using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The critical condensation concentration for [Co(NH(3))(6)(3+)] was found to be about 10 microM; the DNA molecules extended freely on mica when the concentration was below the critical value. The morphology of condensed DNA became more compact with increasing concentration. At about 500 microM [Co(NH(3))(6)(3+)] concentration, no condensation patterns could be observed due to charge inversion of the compact structures resulting in failure of adhesion to the positively charged surfaces. The critical concentration for alcohol was about 15% (v/v). At this concentration, a few intramolecular loops could be observed in the AFM images. With increasing ethanol concentration the condensation pattern became more complicated ranging from flower-like to pancake-like. When the solution contained both alcohol and hexammine cobalt (III), DNA condensation patterns could be observed even when the concentrations of the two condensation agents were lower than their critical values. We observed this phenomenon by adding mixtures of 10% alcohol and 8 microM hexammine cobalt (III) to DNA solutions. The condensation patterns were more compact than those of the condensation agents separately. Typical toroids were found at an appropriate alcohol and hexammine cobalt (III) concentration. The collaborative condensation phenomenon was analyzed by electrostatic interaction and charge neutralization.     

基于纳米ZnO/壳聚糖复合膜DNA电化学传感器用于HIV基因的免标记检测

以室温固相合成法制备纳米ZnO,通过壳聚糖(CHIT)的成膜效应将纳米ZnO固定在玻碳电极(GCE)表面,制得的ZnO/CHIT/GCE电极成为DNA固定和杂交的良好平台。DNA的固定和杂交通过电化学交流阻抗进行表征。以电化学交流阻抗免标记法检测目标DNA,固定于电极表面的DNA探针与目标DNA杂交后使电极表面的电子传递电阻增大,以此作为检测信号可以高灵敏度地测定目标DNA。电化学阻抗谱检测人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)基因片段的线性范围为2.0×10-11~2.0×10-6mol/L,检出限为2.0×10-12mol/L。