A general phase transfer protocol for synthesizing alkylamine-stabilized nanoparticles of noble metals

The ethanol-mediated phase transfer protocol was extended herein to prepare alkylamine-stabilized nanoparticles of several noble metals by transferring them from aqueous environment into toluene. This method relies on the use of ethanol as a mediator to provide and maintain adequate contact between dodecylamine and metal nanoparticles during the transfer process and involves first mixing the metal hydrosols and an ethanol solution of dodecylamine and then extracting the dodecylamine-stabilized metal nanoparticles into toluene. Alkylamine-stabilized Ag, Pd, Rh, Ir and Os nanoparticles with 7.09, 3.45, 6.89, 2.42 and 4.52 nm in diameter, respectively, could be prepared this way. The self-assembly of dodecylamine-stabilized Ag and Rh nanoparticles was also detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Platinum monolayers stabilized on dealloyed AuCu core-shell nanoparticles for improved activity and stability on methanol oxidation reaction

Deposition of platinum(Pt)monolayers(PtML)on Au substrate represents a robust strategy to maximally utilize the Pt atoms and meanwhile achieve high catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation reaction for direct methanol fuel cells owing to a substrate-induced tensile strain effect.However,recent studies showed that Pt(ML)on Au substrate are far from perfect smooth monoatomic layer,but actually exhibited three-dimensional nanoclusters.Moreover,the Pt(ML)suffered from severe structural instability and thus activity degradation during long-term electrocatalysis.To regulate the growth of Pt(ML)Au surface and also to improve its structural stability,we exploit dealloyed AuCu core-shell nanoparticles as a new substrate for depositing Pt(ML).By using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray elemental mapping combined with electrochemical characte rizations,we reveal that the dealloyed AuCu core-shell nanoparticles can effectively promote the deposition of Pt(ML)closer to a smooth monolayer structure,thus leading to a higher utilization efficiency of Pt and higher intrinsic activity towards methanol oxidation compared to those on pure Au nanoparticles.Moreover,the Pt(ML)deposited on the AuCu core-shell NPs showed substa ntially enhanced stability compared to those on pure Au NPs during long-term electrocatalysis over several hours,during which segregation of Cu to the Au/Pt interface was revealed and suggested to play an important role in stabilizing the Pt(ML)catalysts.     

Enhanced electrochemical activity for ethanol oxidation on the carbon-supported Pt3Te nanocatalysts by addition of Ru

Ternary Pt–Te–Ru catalysts with different atomic ratios were synthesized by reducing the precursor with formic acid. The physical and electrochemical characterization of the Pt₃TeRu_0.25/C catalyst was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy equipped with TEM (TEM-EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, ethanol oxidation, and CO stripping. In TEM images, the Pt₃TeRu_0.25/C nanoparticles with an average particle size of around 2.9 nm were well dispersed on the carbon support. The Pt₃TeRu_0.25/C catalyst was superior to the Pt₃Te/C catalyst in respect of catalytic activity, durability, and CO tolerance. The positive effect of the Ru presence in the Pt₃TeRu_0.25/C catalyst was ascribed to the interactions of Ru or Ru oxides.     

A highly efficient phase transfer method for preparing alkylamine-stabilized Ru, Pt, and Au nanoparticles

A highly efficient phase-transfer method was developed to prepare alkylamine-stabilized nanoparticles of several noble metals. This method involved first mixing the metal hydrosols and an ethanol solution of dodecylamine and then extracting the dodecylamine-stabilized metal nanoparticles into toluene. The efficiency of this phase-transfer method was nearly 100%. Alkylamine-stabilized Ru, Pt, and Au nanoparticles 3.45, 4.33, and 7.89 nm in diameter, respectively, could be prepared this way. The self-assembly of dodecylamine-stabilized Pt and Au particles was also detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Synthesis and characterization of water‐soluble gold nanoparticles stabilized by comb‐shaped copolymers

The water‐soluble gold nanoparticles stabilized by well‐defined comb‐shaped copolymers have been synthesized successfully. The hybrid nanoparticles consist of gold core and poly[poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether acrylate]‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [P(A‐MPEO)‐block‐PNIPAM] shell. The water‐soluble comb‐shaped copolymers, P(A‐MPEO)‐block‐PNIPAM with PNIPAM as a handle, were successfully synthesized via a macromonomer technique using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization method. The terminal dithioester group of the comb‐shaped copolymer was reduced to a thiol end group forming SH‐terminated copolymers, P(A‐MPEO)‐block‐PNIPAM‐SH. Successively they were used to stabilize gold nanoparticles by the “grafting‐to” approach. The hybrid nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, UV–vis, and HRTEM. Because of the thermosensitive property of PNIPAM in aqueous solution, the comblike copolymer‐tethered gold nanoparticles show a sharp and reversible phase transition at 30 °C in aqueous solution, which was determined by microdifferential scanning calorimetry. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 341–352, 2008     

M/Al2O3-CeO2（M=Pt-Ru，Ru，Pt）催化剂在甲胺催化湿式氧化中的活性与选择性

采用浸渍法制备了M/Al₂O₃-CeO₂（M=Pt-Ru,Ru,Pt）催化剂,并将其用于甲胺的催化湿式氧化反应（CWAO）.结果表明,Pt-Ru/Al₂O₃-CeO₂具有最佳活性和选择性.运用程序升温还原、X射线光电子能谱、X射线衍射、透射电子显微镜、N₂吸附和CO化学吸附等技术对催化剂的物化性质进行了表征.Pt组分的引入可有效提高双金属催化剂活性组分的分散度,从而明显提高了其催化性能.升降温过程中总有机碳（TOC）转化率与N₂选择性迟滞效应表明,甲胺CWAO遵循化学吸附-脱附机理.     

Half sandwich complexes of Ru(II) and complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) with seleno and thio derivatives of pyrrolidine: Synthesis, structure and applications as catalysts for organic reactions

The reactions of PhSe⁻, PhS⁻ and Se²⁻ with N-{2-(chloroethyl)}pyrrolidine result in N-{2-(phenylseleno)ethyl}pyrrolidine (L1), N-{2-(phenylthio)ethyl}pyrrolidine (L2), and bis{2-pyrrolidene-N-yl)ethyl selenide (L3), respectively, which have been explored as ligands. The complexes [PdCl₂(L1/L2)] (1/7), [PtCl₂(L1/L2)] (2/8), [RuCl(η⁶-C₆H₆)(L1/L2)][PF₆] (3/9), [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(L1/L2)][PF₆] (4/10), [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(NH₃)₂][PF₆] (5) and [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(L1)(CH₃CN)][PF₆]₂·CH₃CN (6) have been synthesized. The L1-L3 and complexes were found to give characteristic NMR (Proton, Carbon-13 and Se-77). The crystal structures of complexes 1, 3-6, 9 and 10 have been solved. The Pd-Se and Ru-Se bond lengths have been found to be 2.353(2) and 2.480(11)/2.4918(9)/2.4770(5) Å, respectively. The complexes 1 and 7 have been explored for catalytic Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. The value of TON has been found up to 85 000 with the advantage of catalyst’s stability under ambient conditions. The efficiency of 1 is marginally better than 7. The Ru-complexes 3 and 9 are good for catalytic oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO). The TON value varies between 8.0 × 10⁴ and 9.7 × 10⁴ for this oxidation. The 3 is somewhat more efficient catalyst than 9.     

Addition von kationischen Lewis‐Säuren [M′Ln]+ (M′Ln = Fe(CO)2Cp,Fe(CO)(PPh3)Cp,Ru(PPh3)2Cp,Re(CO)5, ${1 \over 2}$ Pt(PPh3)2, W(CO)3Cp an die anionischen Thiocarbonyl‐Komplexe [HB(pz)3(OC)2M(CS)]− (M = Mo,W; pz = 3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)

Addition of Cationic Lewis Acids [M′L_n]⁺ (M′L_n = Fe(CO)₂Cp, Fe(CO)(PPh₃)Cp, Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp, Re(CO)₅, Pt(PPh₃)₂, W(CO)₃Cp to the Anionic Thiocarbonyl Complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂M(CS)]⁻ (M = Mo, W; pz = 3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl) Adducts from Organometallic Lewis Acids [Fe(CO)₂Cp]⁺, [Fe(CO)(PPh₃)Cp]⁺, [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺, [Re(CO)₅]⁺, [ Pt(PPh₃)₂]⁺, [W(CO)₃Cp]⁺ and the anionic thiocarbonyl complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂M(CS)]⁻ (M = Mo, W) have been prepared. Their spectroscopic data indicate that the addition of the cations occurs at the sulphur atom to give end‐to‐end thiocarbonyl bridged complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂MCSM′L_n].     

Au Nanoparticles Modified with Pt,Ru and SnO2 as Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction in Acids

The anodic reaction in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs), ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) faces challenges, such as incomplete electrooxidation of ethanol and high cost of the most efficient electrocatalyst, Pt in acidic media at low temperature. In this study, core‐shell electrocatalysts with an Au core and Pt‐based shell (Au@Pt) are developed. The Au core size and Pt shell thickness play an important role in the EOR activity. The Au size of 2.8 nm and one layer of Pt provide the most optimized performance, having 6 times higher peak current density in contrast to commercial Pt/C. SnO₂ as a support also enhances the EOR activity of Au@Pt by 1.73 times. Further modifying the Pt shell with Ru atoms achieve the highest EOR current density that is 15 and 2.5 times of Pt/C and Au@Pt. Our results suggest the importance of surface modification in rational design of advanced electrocatalysts.     

Fabrication of high‐performance,gradient‐refractive‐index plastic rods with surfmer‐cluster‐stabilized nanoparticles

A novel method was developed with surfmer‐cluster‐stabilized silver nanoparticles to prepare high‐performance, gradient‐refractive‐index (GRIN) plastic rods based on methyl methacrylate. To fabricate the GRIN plastic rods, a novel polymerizable surfactant (surfmer) of 4‐(11‐acryloxyundecyloxy)benzoic acid (AUBA) was synthesized. Silver nanoparticles were prepared with a reverse micelle method in the presence of the novel surfmer. During the fabrication of the silver nanoparticles, the sodium salt of AUBA was formed. GRIN plastic rods were fabricated through centrifugal polymerization and then were heat‐treated at 100 °C under 0.1 Torr for 24 h to remove residual monomers and water. The distribution of the surfmer‐cluster‐stabilized nanoparticles inside the plastic rods was studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The real‐image transmission through the fabricated rods was also confirmed. The results obtained in this investigation suggested that the control of the distribution of surfmer‐cluster‐stabilized nanoparticles could be used to fabricate GRIN rods. Furthermore, the existence of the crosslink‐like surfmers increased the thermal stability of the plastic rods. The GRIN distribution of the rods was established by the dispersion of nanoparticles inside the plastic rods through TEM analysis, refractive‐index analysis, and real‐image transmission. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5933–5942, 2006     

Properties of Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles Doped Polypyrrole Composite Films and Their Electrocatalytic Activity for Glucose Oxidation

A type of novel electroanalytical sensing nanobiocomposite material was prepared by electropolymerization of pyrrole containing poly(amidoamine) dendrimers‐encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (Pt‐PAMAM), and glucose oxidase (GOx). The Pt nanoparticles encapsulated in PAMAM are nearly monodisperse with an average diameter of 3 nm, and they provide electrical conductivity. Polypyrrole acts as a polymer backbone to give stable and homogeneous cast thin films, and it also defines the electrical conductivity. Both Polypyrrole and PAMAM can provide a favorable microenvironment to keep the bioactivity of enzymes such as glucose oxidase. The homogeneity of GOx/Pt‐PAMAM‐PPy nanobiocomposite films was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Amperometric biosensors fabricated with these materials were characterized electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and amperometric measurements in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or glucose. All those show the resultant biosensor sensitivity was strongly enhanced within the nanobiocomposite film. The optimized glucose biosensor displayed a sensitivity of 164 μA mM^?1 cm^?1, a linear range of 0.2 to 600 μM, a detection limit of 10 nM, and a response time of <3 s.     

An electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for tumor cells assay based on signal amplification of Ru(II) covalently doped silica nanoparticles

A sensitive and stable aptasensor for the assay of tumor cells based on signal amplification with novel ruthenium(II) covalently doped silica nanoparticles (Si NPs) was presented for the first time. For the proposed aptasensor, one target signal could be transformed into multiple ECL signals of Ru(II) markers since a single Si NP could be loaded with multiple of Ru(II) markers. The binding of Si NPs on the electrode further increased the sensor sensitivity. The advantage of extraordinary stability of covalently doped Si NPs made the sensor exhibit excellent reproducibility. The new method for the assay of tumor cells is reliable.     

Self-organized nanotubular TiO2 matrix as support for dispersed Pt/Ru nanoparticles: Enhancement of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

We explore oxidative electrocatalytic properties of a system consisting of bimetallic Pt/Ru nanoparticles dispersed over a nanotubular self-organized TiO₂ matrix. The nanotubular TiO₂ layers consist of individual tubes of 100 nm diameter, 500 nm length and 15 nm wall thickness. This nanotubular TiO₂ support provides a high surface area and it significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity of Pt/Ru for methanol oxidation (relative to the performance of Pt/Ru at the same loading but immobilized on a conventional compact TiO₂ support). Annealed to anatase, the TiO₂ nanotubular support exhibits even higher enhancement effect during electrooxidation of methanol than when used in the “as-formed” amorphous structure. The overall electrocatalytic activity of the system can be further increased by illumination with UV-light (wavelength 325 nm).     

Ag nanoparticles stabilized on basalt fibers as a novel,stable, and reusable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

Using Ag nanoparticles on basalt fibers as a thermal and chemical resistant surface is a novel method for Suzuki coupling reactions. The characterization of this catalyst was done with various analytical tools. It was used as a heterogeneous catalyst and separated from the reaction medium easily. Also, it is economically advantageous, and we use it several times without reducing its catalytic activity.     

Highly efficient polymer‐stabilized palladium heterogeneous catalyst: Synthesis,characterization and application for Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck coupling reactions

A suitable approach to stabilize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs), with an average diameter of 3–4 nm, on magnetic polymer is described. A new magnetic polymer containing 4′‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (HPTPy) ligand was prepared by the polymerization of itaconic acid (ITC) as a monomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as a cross‐linker and fully characterized. Pd NPs embedded on the magnetic polymer were successfully applied in Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck coupling reactions under low palladium loading conditions, and provided the corresponding products with excellent yields (up to 98%) and high catalytic activities (TOF up to 257 hr^?1). Also, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused for at least consecutive five times with a small drop in catalytic activity.     

Copper immobilized onto polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst for ‘click’ reaction

Copper supported on polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles was designed and synthesized as a separable heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst was fully characterized using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. All results showed that copper was successfully supported on the polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. Also, results showed that the synthesized material can be used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of a series of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles from corresponding halides, alkynes and sodium azide. The catalyst can be easily isolated from the reaction solution by applying an external magnet and reused for nine runs without any significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Structural features responsible for GFPuv and S147P-GFP’s improved fluorescence

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is used as a biological marker. It is a protein in the jellyfish, Aequorea victorea, which is found in the cold Pacific Northwest. Mature GFP, i.e. fully fluorescent GFP, is most efficiently formed at temperatures well below 37 °C. The GFPuv (F99S/M153T/V163A) and S147P-GFP mutants mature more efficiently at room temperature than wild-type GFP, and therefore result in increased fluorescence at room temperature. Computational methods have been used to examine whether the low-energy precyclized forms of these improved GFP-mutants are preorganized so that they can more efficiently form the chromophore than the wild-type and S65T-GFP. All mutations examined (S147P, F99S, M153T, V163A and F99S/M153T/V163A) more efficiently preorganize the immature precyclized forms of GFP for chromophore formation than immature wild-type GFP. It has been proposed that Arg96 is involved in chromophore formation. Our calculations suggest that the M153T and V163A mutations in GFPuv maybe partially responsible for the increased maturation efficiency observed in GFPuv because they improve the Arg96–Tyr66 interaction. The same is true for the S147P mutation in S147P-GFP.     

An improved procedure for the separation of (+) or (−)-isopinocampheol, the major side product of the oxidation workup procedure of Brown’s asymmetric crotylborations

Separation of (+) or (−)-isopinocampheol, the major side product of the oxidation workup procedure of Brown’s asymmetric reactions such as crotylborations from the desired product is quite tedious and often requires repeated column chromatography. It is discovered that a sublimation process can be used to easily separate this major side product.     

Electrodeposition Sample Introduction for Ultra Trace Determinations of Platinum Group Elements (Pt,Pd, Rh,Ru) in Road Dust by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A novel method for the determination of the platinum group elements (PGEs: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru) in environmental samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) was developed. Sample preparation involved complete microwave-assisted acid digestion of the matrix with HNO₃-HF-HClO₃/HClO₄mixtures in a high-pressure Teflon bomb. Traces of PGEs were deposited on the inner wall of a graphite tube in a flow-through cell of 1 ml volume. A flow system for this preconcentration was constructed. For the electrodeposition, a three-electrode arrangement was used. The geometry of the cell, flow rate during electrodeposition, deposition potential and electrolyte composition were optimized. After the deposition step, the graphite tube was placed into the graphite furnace and an atomization program applied. Detection limits (LOD, 3σ_{total procedure blank}, peak area) of 3.6, 0.5, 0.3 and 5.9 ng were obtained for Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru, respectively, reflecting preconcentration factors of 416, 503, 423 and 46, respectively. The detection limits were restricted by variations in the blank. Precision of replicate determination was typically 21% RSD at a concentration 25-fold above the LOD for a 100-mg sample mass. Reasonable agreement was found between results for CW7 road tunnel dust literature and for CRM NIES No. 8 Vehicle Exhaust Particulates. Calibration was achieved via the method of standard additions.     

Schiff base stabilized silver nanoparticles as potential sensor for Hg(II) detection,and anticancer and antibacterial agent

This study reports a facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles (C3-AgNPs) by chemical route, using C3; 2,2′-((1E,1′E)-(propane-1,3-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))diphenol (3) and silver nitrate. The formation of nanoparticles was monitored using UV–Vis spectroscopy by the appearance of typical surface plasmon absorption maxima. The synthesized C3-AgNPs were characterized using Fourier-Transform-infrared (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. In addition, the effect of concentration, temperature, time, pH, and stability in salts solution on C3-AgNPs was determined. From AFM, C3-AgNPs were found polydispersed with average size of 29.93 nm. Furthermore, the study reports C3-AgNPs as sensitive protocol for the detection of toxic metal; Hg(II) in tap water. From ten salts tested, C3-AgNPs demonstrated a sensitive and selective spectrophotometric signal and aggregation induced decrease of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band. The nanosensor probe displayed a sensitive response to Hg(II) in a wide range of concentrations and pH. In addition, the decrease in SPR band of C3-AgNPs due to Hg(II) was not affected by tap water samples. C3-AgNPs also exhibited a redox catalytic potential in dyes degradation. In biological application, C3-AgNPs exhibited significant anticancer and antibacterial potential of 65 to 94% at 24–72 h, and inhibition zone of 7–18 mm, respectively. Hence, the synthesized C3-AgNPs could have promising application in environmental and pharmacological remediation.