Platinum-catalyzed synthesis of water-soluble gold-platinum nanoparticles

The ability to control composition and size in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles is important for the exploitation of the bimetallic catalytic properties. This paper reports findings of an investigation of a new approach to the synthesis of gold-platinum (AuPt) bimetallic nanoparticles in aqueous solution via one-phase reduction of AuCl(4-) and PtCl(4)(2-) using a combination of reducing and capping agents. Hydrogen served as a reducing agent for the reduction of Pt(II), whereas acrylate was used as a reducing agent for the reduction of Au(III). The latter reaction was found to be catalyzed by the formation of Pt as a result of the reduction of Pt(II). Acrylate also functioned as capping agent on the resulting nanocrystals. By controlling the feed ratios of AuCl(4-) and PtCl(4)(2-) and the relative concentrations of acrylate, an effective route for the preparation of AuPt nanoparticles with bimetallic compositions ranging from approximately 4 to 90% Au and particle sizes ranging from 2 to 8 nm has been demonstrated. The composition, size, and shell properties were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Implications of the results to the exploration of bifunctional catalysts are also briefly discussed.     

Formation of Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles in a two-layer SiO2 films doped with Au and Pt, respectively, through interlayer diffusion

Bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles have been generated inside a relatively porous SiO2 film matrix by a two-layer (2L) coating methodology. Two overlapping coating layers were deposited on glass substrates from Au- and Pt-doped inorganic-organic hybrid silica sols and air dried at 60 degrees C. The 2L coating assembly was then UV- and followed by heat-treated at 450 and 550 degrees C in air. UV-treatment decomposes AuCl(4)(-) and PtCl(6)(2-) ions in the respective layers and the subsequent heat treatment in air influences the diffusion of Au and Pt nanometals to each other to form bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles inside the silica matrix. A UV-visible study showed damping of Au-plasmon after heat treatments. GIXRD and TEM analyses reveal the formation of a partial Au/Pt solid solution with a small fraction of Pt ( approximately 16%), while the major fraction of Pt remains fused with the Au(Pt) solid solution.     

Electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles in a room-temperature ionic liquid

The electrochemistry of the [PtCl(6)](2-)-[PtCl(4)](2-)-Pt redox system on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode in a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [i.e., N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DEMEBF(4))] has been examined. The two-step four-electron reduction of [PtCl(6)](2-) to Pt, i.e., reduction of [PtCl(6)](2-) to [PtCl(4)](2-) and further reduction of [PtCl(4)](2-) to Pt, occurs separately in this RTIL in contrast to the one-step four-electron reduction of [PtCl(6)](2-) to Pt in aqueous media. The cathodic and anodic peaks corresponding to the [PtCl(6)](2-)/[PtCl(4)](2-) redox couple were observed at ca. -1.1 and 0.6 V vs a Pt wire quasi-reference electrode, respectively, while those observed at -2.8 and -0.5 V were found to correspond to the [PtCl(4)](2-)/Pt redox couple. The disproportionation reaction of the two-electron reduction product of [PtCl(6)](2-) (i.e., [PtCl(4)](2-)) to [PtCl(6)](2-) and Pt metal was also found to occur significantly. The electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles could be carried out on a GC electrode in DEMEBF(4) containing [PtCl(6)](2-) by holding the potential at -3.5 or -2.0 V. At -3.5 V, the four-electron reduction of [PtCl(6)](2-) to Pt can take place, while at -2.0 V the two-electron reduction of [PtCl(6)](2-) to [PtCl(4)](2-) occurs. The results obtained demonstrate that the electrodeposition of Pt at -3.5 V may occur via a series of reductions of [PtCl(6)](2-) to [PtCl(4)](2-) and further [PtCl(4)](2-) to Pt and at -2.0 V via a disproportionation reaction of [PtCl(4)](2-) to [PtCl(6)](2-) and Pt. Furthermore, the deposition potential of Pt nanoparticles was found to largely influence their size and morphology as well as the relative ratio of Pt(110) and Pt(100) crystalline orientation domains. The sizes of the Pt nanoparticles prepared by holding the electrode potential at -2.0 and -3.5 V are almost the same, in the range of ca. 1-2 nm. These small nanoparticles are "grown" to form bigger particles with different morphologies: In the case of the deposition at -2.0 V, the GC electrode surface is totally, relatively compactly covered with Pt particles of relatively uniform size of ca. 10-50 nm. On the other hand, in the case of the electrodeposition at -3.5 V, small particles of ca. 50-100 nm and the grown-up particles of ca. 100-200 nm cover the GC surface irregularly and coarsely. Interestingly, the Pt nanoparticles prepared by holding the potential at -2.0 and -3.5 V are relatively enriched in Pt(100) and Pt(110) facets, respectively.     

Deposition of Au and Ag nanoparticles on PEDOT

The deposition of Au and Ag, locally and from bulk solution, on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was studied. Specifically, PEDOT was electrochemically polymerized onto a glassy carbon (GC) electrode and used for bulk deposition of Au and Ag from their respective ions dissolved in the solution as well as for the local deposition of these metals using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). These two sets of experiments were utilized to investigate the difference between Au and Ag electrochemical deposition on PEDOT. In particular, SECM experiments, which were conducted by the controlled anodic dissolution of Au and Ag microelectrodes close to GC/PEDOT, probed the effect of different PEDOT oxidation states on local deposition. The current-time transients recorded during the deposition, combined with scanning electron microscopy and EDX analysis provided insight into the reduction processes. AuCl(4)(-) and Ag(+) ions were electrochemically reduced at a potential equal to and more negative than the ions redox potentials (0.4 and 0.2 V, respectively) and more positive than -0.7 V, where the PEDOT starts transforming into the reduced, i.e. insulating, state. We found that the electroreduction of Ag(+) ions was diffusion-controlled and the PEDOT film served as a simple conductor. On the other hand, the reduction of AuCl(4)(-) ions was enhanced on GC/PEDOT as compared with bare GC, indicating that PEDOT catalyzes the reduction of AuCl(4)(-) to Au.     

Platinum nanofilm formation by EC-ALE via redox replacement of UPD copper: studies using in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy

The growth of Pt nanofilms on well-defined Au(111) electrode surfaces, using electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE), is described here. EC-ALE is a deposition method based on surface-limited reactions. This report describes the first use of surface-limited redox replacement reactions (SLR(3)) in an EC-ALE cycle to form atomically ordered metal nanofilms. The SLR(3) consisted of the underpotential deposition (UPD) of a copper atomic layer, subsequently replaced by Pt at open circuit, in a Pt cation solution. This SLR(3) was then used a cycle, repeated to grow thicker Pt films. Deposits were studied using a combination of electrochemistry (EC), in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using an electrochemical flow cell, and ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) surface studies combined with electrochemistry (UHV-EC). A single redox replacement of upd Cu from a PtCl(4)(2-) solution yielded an incomplete monolayer, though no preferential deposition was observed at step edges. Use of an iodine adlayer, as a surfactant, facilitated the growth of uniformed films. In-situ STM images revealed ordered Au(111)-(square root 3 x square root 3)R30 degrees-iodine structure, with areas partially distorted by Pt nanoislands. After the second application, an ordered Moiré pattern was observed with a spacing consistent with the lattice mismatch between a Pt monolayer and the Au(111) substrate. After application of three or more cycles, a new adlattice, a (3 x 3)-iodine structure, was observed, previously observed for I atoms adsorbed on Pt(111). In addition, five atom adsorbed Pt-I complexes randomly decorated the surface and showed some mobility. These pinwheels, planar PtI(4) complexes, and the ordered (3 x 3)-iodine layer all appeared stable during rinsing with blank solution, free of I(-) and the Pt complex (PtCl(4)(2-)).     

Morphology of gold nanoparticles synthesized by filamentous cyanobacteria from gold(I)-thiosulfate and gold(III)--chloride complexes

Plectonema boryanum UTEX 485, a filamentous cyanobacterium, has been reacted with aqueous Au(S(2)O(3))(2)(3)(-) and AuCl(4)(-) solutions ( approximately 400-550 mg/L Au) at 25-100 degrees C for up to 1 month and at 200 degrees C for 1 day. The interaction of cyanobacteria with aqueous Au(S(2)O(3))(2)(3)(-) promoted the precipitation of cubic (100) gold nanoparticles (<10-25 nm) at membrane vesicles and admixed with gold sulfide within cells and encrusted on the cyanobacteria, whereas reaction with AuCl(4)(-) resulted in the precipitation of octahedral (111) gold platelets ( approximately 1-10 microm) in solutions and nanoparticles of gold (<10 nm) within bacterial cells. Functional groups imaged by negative ion TOF-SIMS on (111) faces of the octahedral platelets were predominantly Cl and CN, with smaller amounts of C(2)H and CNO.     

Synthesis, characterization, and stereochemistry of S-bridged Co(III)MCo(III)(M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) trinuclear complexes containing two non-bridging thiolato groups: building blocks for the construction of chiral heterometallic aggregates

The reaction of fac(S)-[Co(aet)(3)](aet = aminoethanethiolate) with [PdCl(4)](2-) in a 2:1 ratio in water gave an S-bridged Co(III)Pd(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex composed of two mer(S)-[Co(aet)(3)] units, [Pd[Co(aet)(3)](2)](2+)([1](2+)). In [1](2+), each of the two mer(S)-[Co(aet)(3)] units is bound to a square-planar Pd(II) ion through two of three thiolato groups, leaving two non-bridging thiolato groups at the terminal. Of two geometrical forms, syn and anti, possible for [Pd[Co(aet)(3)](2)](2+), which arise from the difference in arrangement of two terminal non-bridging thiolato groups, [1](2+) afforded only the syn form. A similar reaction of fac(S)-[Co(aet)(3)] with [PtCl(4)](2-) or trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] produced an analogous Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex, [Pt[Co(aet)(3)](2)](2+)([2](2+)), but both the syn and anti forms were formed for [2](2+). Complexes [1](2+) and syn- and anti-[2](2+), which exclusively exist as a racemic(DeltaDelta/LambdaLambda) form, were successfully optically resolved with use of [Sb(2)(R,R-tartrato)(2)](2-) as the resolving agent. The reaction of syn-[2](2+) with [AuCl[S(CH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)]] led to the formation of an S-bridged Co(III)(4)Pt(II)(2)Au(I)(2) octanuclear metallacycle, [Au(2)[Pt[Co(aet)(3)](2)](2)](6+)([3](6+)), while the corresponding reaction of anti-[2](2+) afforded a different product ([[4](3+)](n)) that is assumed to have a polymeric structure in [[Au[Pt[Co(aet)(3)](2)]](3+)](n).     

Fabrication and electrochemical application of three-dimensional gold nanoparticles: self-assembly

Multilayers film of nanostructured citrate-stabilized gold particles (AuNPs) has been fabricated based on the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique using a self-assembled monolayer of 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol (BDMT). The formation of AuNPs and BDMT self-assemblies as alternative multilayers was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The formation of uniform AuNP layers with an average monolayer thickness of 5-6 nm was obvious in the TEM images. The existence of BDMT molecules as cross linkers for the AuNPs' layers was proved by XPS measurements. The greater affinity of AuNPs' layers to bind BDMT molecules in comparison with the bare Au bulk electrode was revealed by QCM measurements. Electrochemically, the AuNPs' layers on the electrode surface did not only catalyze the reduction of oxygen (ca. 100-mV positive shift of the reduction peak potential compared with that at the bare Au bulk electrode) but also showed a fascinating nature of working as a renewed activated-electrode surface; a zigzag response was observed for oxygen reduction during alternative immobilization of BDMT and the AuNP layer. The self-assembly of a new AuNPs layer restored the catalytic activity that was entirely blocked by the preceding BDMT layer.     

A facile method of achieving low surface coverage of Au nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode and its application to protein detection

Low surface coverage of Au nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for sensitive electrochemical detection was achieved using electrostatic adsorption of AuCl(4)(-) followed by reduction.     

Synthesis of acetimino complexes of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) and the first heteronuclear mu-acetimido complexes

The reactions of [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 with cis-[PtCl2L2] in a 1:1 molar ratio give cis-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)2]ClO4 (1cis) or cis-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)2(dmso)]ClO4 (2), and in 2:1 molar ratio, they produce [Pt(NH=CMe2)2L2](ClO4)2 [L = PPh3 (3), L2= tbbpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl (4)]. Complex 2 reacts with PPh3 (1:2) to give trans-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)2]ClO(4) (1trans). The two-step reaction of cis-[PtCl2(dmso)2], [Au(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4, and PPh3 (1:1:1) gives [SP-4-3]-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(dmso)(PPh3)]ClO4 (5). The reactions of complexes 2 and 4 with PhICl2 give the Pt(IV) derivatives [OC-6-13]-[PtCl3(NH=CMe2)(2)(dmso)]ClO4 (6) and [OC-6-13]-[PtCl2(NH=CMe2)2(dtbbpy)](ClO4)2 (7), respectively. Complexes 1cis and 1trans react with NaH and [AuCl(PPh3)] (1:10:1.2) to give cis- and trans-[PtCl{mu-N(AuPPh3)=CMe2}(PPh3)2]ClO4 (8cis and 8trans), respectively. The crystal structures of 4.0.5Et2O.0.5Me2CO and 6 have been determined; both exhibit pseudosymmetry.     

Au单晶电极上H2O2的氧化反应研究

本文利用旋转圆盘电极系统研究了酸性介质中H₂O₂在Au(100)和Au(111)电极表面的电化学行为. 实验发现在Au电极上H₂O₂难以发生还原,但是当电位稍微正于H₂O₂氧化为O₂的平衡电势时即可发生氧化. 在Au(111)上H₂O₂氧化的起始电位比在Au(100)正0.1 V左右. Au(100)上的双桥位位点能增强反应中间体*OOH的吸附,可能是导致Au(100)上H₂O₂氧化反应超电势比Au(111)低的主要原因. 在较正电位区(E>1.2 V), 当电极表面被氧物种覆盖时,H₂O₂在两个电极上的氧化都会受到一定程度的抑制,这种影响在Au(111)上比Au(100)上更加明显,这与Au(111)上氧物种的生成与逆向还原可逆性差的趋势一致. 最后还将Au与Pt单晶电极上H₂O₂氧化的行为进行了对比分析.     

Kinetics of hydrogen production upon reduction of aqueous TiO2 nanoparticles catalyzed by Pd(0), Pt(0), or Au(0) coatings and an unusual hydrogen abstraction; steady state and pulse radiolysis study

Reduction of H(+) by TiO(2) electrons (e(TiO)(2)(-)) in aqueous colloidal solution takes place in the presence of surface metal catalysts. The catalytic reduction gives rise to adsorbed hydrogen atoms. In the presence of Pd(0) or Pt(0), material balance shows that most of the adsorbed H atoms combine to molecular hydrogen. When the TiO(2) nanoparticles are partially coated with Au(0) instead of Pd(0) or Pt(0), a higher than expected molecular hydrogen level is observed, attributed to a short chain reaction involving hydrogen abstraction from 2-propanol. This unusual hydrogen abstraction reaction has not been reported before. The mechanism and energy balance are discussed. The surface modification of TiO(2) nanoparticles was carried out by reduction of K(2)PdCl(4), H(2)PtCl(6), or HAuCl(4) with e(TiO)(2)(-). The latter had been generated through electron injection from hydrated electrons, hydrogen atoms, or 2-propanol radicals, produced by gamma or pulse radiolysis prior to the addition of the metal compounds. Upon addition of the metal compounds, immediate reactions take place producing metals clusters (M(0)) by multistep reductions reactions on the TiO(2) surface. The chemical kinetics involving the different metals and the reaction rate constant of e(aq)(-) and e(TiO)(2)(-) with AuCl(4)(-) is also reported.     

Heterogeneous Au-Pt nanostructures with enhanced catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction

Heterogeneous Au-Pt nanostructures have been synthesized using a sacrificial template-based approach. Typically, monodispersed Au nanoparticles are prepared first, followed by Ag coating to form core-shell Au-Ag nanoparticles. Next, the galvanic replacement reaction between Ag shells and an aqueous H(2)PtCl(6) solution, whose chemical reaction can be described as 4Ag + PtCl(6)(2-)→ Pt + 4AgCl + 2Cl(-), is carried out at room temperature. Pure Ag shell is transformed into a shell made of Ag/Pt alloy by galvanic replacement. The AgCl formed simultaneously roughens the surface of alloy Ag-Pt shells, which can be manipulated to create a porous Pt surface for oxygen reduction reaction. Finally, Ag and AgCl are removed from core-shell Au-Ag/Pt nanoparticles using bis(p-sulfonatophenyl)phenylphosphane dihydrate dipotassium salt to produce heterogeneous Au-Pt nanostructures. The heterogeneous Au-Pt nanostructures have displayed superior catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction in direct methanol fuel cells because of the electronic coupling effect between the inner-placed Au core and the Pt shell.     

An in situ STM/AFM and impedance spectroscopy study of the extremely pure 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate/Au(111) interface: potential dependent solvation layers and the herringbone reconstruction

The structure and dynamics of the interfacial layers between the extremely pure air- and water-stable ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate and Au(111) has been investigated using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy measurements. The in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements reveal that the Au(111) surface undergoes a reconstruction, and at -1.2 V versus Pt quasi-reference the famous (22 × √3) herringbone superstructure is probed. Atomic force microscopy measurements show that multiple ion pair layers are present at the ionic liquid/Au interface which are dependent on the electrode potential. Upon applying cathodic electrode potentials, stronger ionic liquid near surface structure is detected: both the number of near surface layers and the force required to rupture these layers increases. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results reveal that three distinct processes take place at the interface. The fastest process is capacitive in its low-frequency limit and is identified with electrochemical double layer formation. The differential electrochemical double layer capacitance exhibits a local maximum at -0.2 V versus Pt quasi-reference, which is most likely caused by changes in the orientation of cations in the innermost layer. In the potential range between -0.84 V and -1.04 V, a second capacitive process is observed which is slower than electrochemical double layer formation. This process seems to be related to the herringbone reconstruction. In the frequency range below 1 Hz, the onset of an ultraslow faradaic process is found. This process becomes faster when the electrode potential is shifted to more negative potentials.     

Platinum- and gold-catalyzed hydrative carbocyclization of oxo diynes for one-pot synthesis of benzopyrones and bicyclic spiro ketones

We report a one-pot synthesis of benzopyrones and tricyclic spiroketones from hydrative carbocyclization of oxodiyne substrates catalyzed by PtCl2 and PPh3AuCl/AgOTf, respectively. The distinct carbocyclizations with Pt and Au catalysts stem from their altered regioselectivity in the oxo-assisted hydration of the neighboring alkyne carbons.     

电化学石英晶体微天平研究碱性介质中单层级铂原子修饰的金电极上甲醇的电催化氧化

通过在Au电极表面欠电位沉积(UPD)Cu、再与Pt源(H2PtCl6或K2PtCl4)进行置换反应,制得单层级Pt原子修饰的金电极(对H2PtCl6或K2PtCl4,所制电极分别记为Pt(CuUPD-Pt4+)n/Au或Pt(CuUPD-Pt2+)n/Au,n表示欠电位沉积-置换过程的重复次数).用电化学石英晶体微天平(EQCM)技术定量研究了所制电极,评估了其在碱性环境中催化甲醇氧化的质量比活性(SECA).结果表明,以H2PtCl6为Pt源所制电极(Pt(CuUPD-Pt4+)3/Au)的活性更高,最大SECA高达35.7mAμg-1.根据EQCM结果计算了置换效率,籍此讨论了Pt原子在Au电极表面的层层组装结构,发现所制电极表面的裸Au位点分布百分数与实验结果(由AuOx还原峰电量测算)吻合.我们认为,EQCM技术是一种定量研究电极支撑的超薄催化剂的有效手段,这种高效的单层级贵金属催化剂有望在生物、能源、环境相关的电催化研究中进一步应用.     

Amperometric L‐cysteine Sensor Using a Gold Electrode Modified with Thiolated Catechol

A thiolated catechol (CA) consisting of 1,6‐Hexanedithiol (HDT) and CA was modified on a gold (Au) electrode to obtain an amperometric L‐cysteine sensor with detection limit of 60.6 nM. The preparation of thiolated CA was conducted via a thiol addition between HDT and electro‐oxidized CA (EOCA). Briefly, the thiol addition reaction was accomplished by potential cycling of HDT/Au electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PB, pH 7.2) containing CA, and an EOCA‐HDT/Au electrode was produced. The obtained EOCA‐HDT/Au electrode exhibits a pair of well‐defined redox peaks (at 0.22/0.10 V) of o‐quinone moiety, which effectively mediates the oxidation of L‐cysteine in a 0.1 M PB (pH 7.2), with an over‐potential decrease by ca. 0.12 V (versus bare Au electrode). Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, cyclic voltammetry and surface‐enhanced Raman spectra were used to study relevant processes and/or film properties. The amperometric L‐cysteine sensor has good anti‐interferent ability and reproducibility. It also has acceptable recovery for detection of L‐cysteine in urine samples.     

Platinum complexes of naphthalene-1,8-dichalcogen and related polyaromatic hydrocarbon ligands

Platinum bisphosphine complexes bearing dichalcogen-derivatised naphthalene, acenaphthene or phenanthrene ligands have been prepared by either oxidative addition to zero-valent platinum species or from [PtCl(2)(PPhR(2))] (R=Ph or Me) and the disodium or dilithium salts of the parent disulfur, diselenide or mixed S/Se species. The parent naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene chalcogen compounds were treated with either [Pt(PPh(3))(4)] or [Pt(C(2)H(4))(PMe(3))(2)] (prepared in situ from [PtCl(2)(PMe(3))(2)], ethene and sodium naphthalide or super hydride [LiBEt(3)H]) to give the appropriate platinum(II) species. The dilithium salts of 1,8-E(2)-naphthalene (E=S or Se) prepared in situ by reduction of the E-E bond with [LiBEt(3)H] were treated with [PtCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] to give [Pt(1,8-E(2)-nap)(PPh(3))(2)]. The tetraoxides [Pt(1,8-(S(O)(2))(2)-nap)(PR(3))(2)] (PR(3)=PPh(3) or PMe(2)Ph) were prepared in a similar metathetical manner from the appropriate [PtCl(2)(PR(3))] complexes and the disodium salt of naphthalene 1,8-disulfinic acid (1,8-(S(O)ONa)(2)-nap). The X-ray structures of selected examples reveal bidentate coordination with the naphthalene-E(2) unit hinged (111-137 degrees) with respect to the coordination plane. The naphthalene ring suffers significant distortion from planarity.     

In situ sensing of metal ion adsorption to a thiolated surface using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy

The kinetics of the adsorption of metal ions onto a thiolated surface and the selective and quantitative sensing of metal ions were explored using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. The target metal ion was an aqueous solution of Pt2+ and a thin-gold-film-coated glass substrate was modified with 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT) as a selective sensing layer. SPR spectroscopy was used to examine the kinetics of metal ion adsorption by means of the change in SPR angle. The selectivity of the thiolated surface for Pt2+ over other divalent metal ions such as Cu2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ was evident by the time-resolved SPR measurement. SPR angle shift, deltatheta(SPR), was found to increase logarithmically with increasing concentration of Pt2+ in the range of 1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 mM. The rate of Pt2+ adsorption on HDT observed at both 0.1 and 1 mM Pt2+ accelerates until the surface coverage reaches approximately 17%, after which the adsorption profile follows Langmuirian behavior with the surface coverage. The experimental data indicated that heavy metal ions were adsorbed to the hydrophobic thiolated surface by a cooperative mechanism. A mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) composed of HDT and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid was used to reduce the hydrophobicity of the thiol-functionalized surface. The addition of hydrophilic groups to the surface enhanced the rate of adsorption of Pt2+ onto the surface. The findings show that the adsorption of metal ions is strongly dependent upon the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the surface and that the technique represents an easy method for analyzing the adsorption of metal ions to a functionalized surface by combining SPR spectroscopy with a SAM modification.     

Comparison between measurements of elasticity and free amino group content of ovalbumin microcapsule membranes: discrimination of the cross-linking degree

Gold nanoparticle-doped poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) microcapsules and foam films were synthesized and assembled at the P2VP chloroform solution/HAuCl(4) aqueous solution interface at 25 °C. It was found that Au nanoparticles with the average diameter of 2.1 nm were homogeneously embedded in and adsorbed on the walls of the capsules and foams, the nanoparticles were composed of Au(0) and Au(III) with the molar ratio of about 75/25, and the mass percent of Au elements was measured to be 19.65%. The formation of the nanostructures was attributed to the self-assembly of P2VP at the liquid/liquid interface, the simultaneous reduction of AuCl(4)(-) ions by a small amount of ethanol in the chloroform and adsorption of AuCl(4)(-) ions. After irradiated by UV-light for 1h, the average diameter of the nanoparticles was found to be 2.2 nm, and the AuCl(4)(-) ions were transformed to Au(0) completely. The catalytic performance of these composite nanostructures were evaluated by using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by potassium borohydride in aqueous solutions. The catalytic activity was very high in the first cycle, decreased rapidly and slightly in the second and third cycles, respectively, due to the aggregation of some nanoparticles, and stabilized after the third cycle.