Single Potential Scan Methods for Nanoporous Gold Formation on Ultramicroelectrode Surfaces

Nanoporous gold (NPG) has been extensively investigated because of their applications. Here, we report a straightforward method for the preparation of NPG on micrometer-scale electrodes. Well-defined NPG structures were formed on Au surfaces by a single potential scan within 100 seconds. This method is applied to Au surfaces with small dimensions regardless of the electrode geometry, whereas it is not applicable to conventional millimeter-scale electrodes. The effects of electrode sizes and scan rates on NPG formation were systematically examined, and the amperometric glucose detection with 20-μL sample volumes using an ultramicroelectrode (UME) with NPG surfaces was demonstrated.     

Streaming Potential Collection and Data Processing Techniques

To date, no comprehensive comparison of streaming potential coupling coefficient collection or processing techniques has been made. Here, time-varying streaming potential and dc streaming potential data collection and processing techniques are presented and compared. The time-varying streaming potential data include sinusoidal and transient data. The collection techniques include acquiring dc streaming potentials at various pressures, acquiring time-varying streaming potentials at varying pressure, acquiring streaming potentials as a function of frequency, and collecting time-varying raw data. The processing techniques include dc filtering, rms processing, cross-correlation, spectral analysis, and plotting of raw time-varying streaming potential versus raw pressure data. The results show that all processing methods yield the same coupling coefficient within 3%. The analysis also shows that if there is a good signal-to-noise ratio, all processing methods perform satisfactorily. If the signal-to-noise ratio is poor, then the spectral analysis outperforms the other processing methods. The data collection methods are all adequate, but individual applications may make one method superior to another. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

The Studies of the Heterogeneous Properties of Solid Surfaces by Means of the Derivatograph Q-1500 D

A simple method has been adopted to obtain an important information on the heterogeneous properties of materials studied, adsorbed liquid films and liquid-solid interactions. The method utilizes Q-TG mass loss and the first derivative Q-DTG mass loss curves with respect to temperature and time obtained during programmed liquid thermodesorption in quasi-isothermal conditions. The values of the adsorption capacity, total porosity of material, the value of active centers, desorption energy distribution and mesopore-size distribution functions obtained by this method are in good agreement with those estimated on the basis of independent methods. The theoretical and experimental results provided novel and unique data on the heterogeneity of solid surfaces, properties of liquid adsorbed films and thermal stability of the liquid/solid interfaces. This paper presents the more important results obtained so far in the studies the liquid/solid systems by means of the Paulik's classical and quasi-isothermal techniques. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of the Isoelectric Point in Moderately Concentrated Alumina Suspensions Using Electroacoustic and Streaming Potential Methods

ABSTRACT

Alumina suspended in aqueous electrolytic solution was used as a model ceramic suspension to investigate the measurement precision and influencing factors for the determination of the isoelectric point (IEP) in moderately concentrated systems. Techniques used in this study include colloid vibration current (CVI), electrokinetic sonic amplitude (ESA), and particle charge detection (PCD). A number of important factors were examined, focusing on those related to sample preparation, measurement methodology and instrumentation. A total of 145 acid-base titrations were included in the analysis. Although sample preparation factors influence the magnitude of the measured signal, primarily due to agglomeration effects, these factors do not significantly impact the determination of the IEP for alumina. The primary factor affecting IEP precision and accuracy is the level of sample agitation during titration. Poor mixing gives rise to hysteresis phenomena that introduce large systematic errors. Colloid vibration current, ESA, and PCD produce comparable electrokinetic data over the solids volume fraction range between 1% and 10%, although some systematic differences are apparent. Further refinements in methodology and greater fundamental understanding are necessary to improve measurement agreement between different techniques and to reduce variability in IEP results.     

Sampling Potential Energy Surfaces in the Condensed Phase with Many-Body Electronic Structure Methods

Sampling potential energy surfaces (PES) is pivotal for understanding chemical structure, energetics and reactivity and is of special importance for complex condensed-phase systems. Until recently such simulations based on electronic structure theory have been performed only by density functional theory and semiempirical methods. Many-body electronic structure methods, almost routinely used for molecules, have been practically unavailable for sampling PES in the condensed-phase. This has changed during the last few years, as efficient algorithms and software implementations for the evaluation of electronic energies and forces on atoms have been developed, allowing for geometry optimization, molecular dynamics and Monte-Carlo simulations, which was previously unthinkable. Herein, we introduce the theory and software developments and overview the applications in the field, the most encouraging results being obtained for aqueous chemistry. Requiring state-of-the-art computer resources PES sampling with many-body electronic structure methods in the condensed phase provides high-quality benchmarks and will gradually become more available due to fast progress in reduced scaling algorithms and computational technologies.     

多相硅氢加成催化剂的制备及应用

硅氢加成反应是有机硅化学领域最为重要的反应之一。自该反应于1947年被发现以来,大量的文献对其进行了报道。本文综述了近十年来应用于硅氢加成反应的各类负载型催化剂的研究进展,介绍了活性炭、二氧化硅、分子筛等负载过渡金属催化剂,重点介绍了有机-无机杂化载体负载Pt、Rh、Au等多相催化剂的制备方法及其在硅氢加成反应中的应用,并分析了其催化作用机理;总结了功能高分子化合物负载过渡金属在硅氢加成反应中的研究,和新型含不同官能基团的离子液体络合金属催化剂的制备方法及其对不饱和烃与含氢硅烷的硅氢加成反应的催化性能,总结和讨论了催化反应机理的研究,并对多相硅氢加成催化剂的发展方向进行了分析和展望。     

Computed Potential Energy Surfaces and Minimum Energy Pathways for Chemical Reactions

Computed potential energy surfaces are often required for computation of such observables as rate constants as a function of temperature, product branching ratios, and other detailed properties. We have found that computation of the stationary points/reaction pathways using CASSCF/derivative methods, followed by use of the internally contracted CI method with the Dunning correlation consistent basis sets to obtain accurate energetics, gives useful results for a number of chemically important systems. Applications to complex reactions leading to NO_x and soot formation in hydrocarbon combustion are discussed.     

Metal-Organic Frameworks as Versatile Heterogeneous Solid Catalysts for Henry Reactions

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have become one of the versatile solid materials used for a wide range of applications, such as gas storage, gas separation, proton conductivity, sensors and catalysis. Among these fields, one of the more well-studied areas is the use of MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts for a broad range of organic reactions. In the present review, the employment of MOFs as solid catalysts for the Henry reaction is discussed, and the available literature data from the last decade are grouped. The review is organized with a brief introduction of the importance of Henry reactions and structural properties of MOFs that are suitable for catalysis. The second part of the review discusses the use of MOFs as solid catalysts for the Henry reaction involving metal nodes as active sites, while the third section provides data utilizing basic sites (primary amine, secondary amine, amides and urea-donating sites). While commenting on the catalytic results in these two sections, the advantage of MOFs over other solid catalysts is compared in terms of activity by providing turnover number (TON) values and the structural stability of MOFs during the course of the reaction. The final section provides our views on further directions in this field.     

Heterogeneous Solid Acid Catalysts for Esterification of Free Fatty Acids

Use of low-quality (and inexpensive) feedstock such as waste oils and animal fats for biodiesel synthesis has been continuously researched as a prospective means of improving the economic efficiency of the process. Pretreatment of free fatty acids by catalytic esterification is necessary for achieving this purpose. This paper reviews some relevant studies on heterogeneous acid catalysts that have been shown to be effective for this reaction.     

A Strategy for the Regional Characterization of Potential Energy Surfaces

The problem of characterization of a region of an n-dimensional potential energy surface with maximization of the quality of representation for a given amount of computational effort is examined with the aid of well known theorems from numerical analysis. A choice of nonlinear grid and a representation of the potential expanded in Chebyshev polynomials is shown to be efficient. The strategy was applied to a two-dimensional analytical representation of a transition state and to the ground-state equilibrium geometry region of the Hartree-Fock potential energy surface obtained with split-valence basis sets for H₂O, H₂S, and H₂Se. Results are reported for the equilibrium geometries and force constants for these molecules. Results are comparable to those obtained by others for H₂O and H₂S. A full set of values is reported for H₂Se.     

多原子反应体系的高精度拟合势能面

本文介绍了近几年来我们组构建多原子反应体系的高精度拟合势能面的进展。我们基于神经网络(NN)方法,成功构建了多原子气相分子体系和气相分子在金属表面解离的一系列势能面。这些势能面的拟合精度相当高,并且经过了严格的量子动力学测试,能广泛应用到动力学研究中。我们还提出了一种新的置换不变势能面的拟合方法,即基本不变量神经网络方法(FI-NN)。基本不变量的使用极大地减少了神经网络输入层多项式的个数,有效提高了势能面的计算速度。     

Methods for Characterizing the 3-D Morphology of Polymer Composites

3-dimensional visualization of polymer morphology is of increasing interest in the polymer community because it provides a deeper insight into the arrangement of the phases in heterophasic polymeric materials, for example in composites. Depending on the size of the fillers, an adequate method offering a good compromise between suitable resolution and observable volume must be selected. Different polypropylene composites filled with long glass fibres, mica and talcum particles were investigated. Four methods were applied to account for the different filler sizes. For composites containing fillers larger than several micrometers, i.e. glass fibres and mica particles, X-ray tomography offers a very good combination of visibility and volume. Serial sectioning by polishing in combination with light optical microscopy can be an alternative if no X-ray equipment is available. This combined method has the disadvantage, however, that the imaged volume is smaller and involves more effort, which makes it unsuitable for routine observations. The much smaller talcum particles with thicknesses down to 200 nm were investigated by coupling focused ion beam (FIB) milling and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by insitu ultramicrotomy in the SEM. Both methods led to good and comparable results.     

Zeta Potential as an Analytical Tool for Graft Copolymers and for Polymer Surfaces

Polymers with electrically charged groups exhibit a zeta potential when in contact with electrolyte solutions in water. This can be measured with solid polymers as fibers, foils, or granulates. The method of streaming potential/streaming current allows the determination of the carboxyl content of cellulose grafted with poly-(acrylic acid). Since zeta-potential measurements concern the surface of the sample, the method yields information on the type of grafting; i.e., whether it takes place mainly on the surface or throughout the bulk. By measuring the pH dependence of the zeta potential it is possible to obtain the pK value of the charged groups. The significance of zeta potential as an analytical tool is emphasized.     

Modeling Steroid 5alpha-reductase and Characterizing Its Potential Active Sites

Steroid 5alpha-reductase of human is an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway from testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Up to now, no crystal structure of this enzyme has been reported. However, knowledge of the tertiary structure and possible active sites is essential for understanding the catalysis mechanism and for the design of inhibitors. A model with putative active sites has been created and evaluated by using homology modeling and molecular docking techniques based on the bioinformatics knowledge. The homology model is optimized in Swiss PDB Viewer with MM method and substrate structures before docking are also optimized on HF/6-31G. The active site for the docking of NADP, T, DHT and Finasteride is located near the N-terminus of enzyme. Four active amino acids in the active site are identified as Ala26, Arg53, Arg176 and Lys177. Reaction procedure, binding pattern of active sites, the types of weak interaction and so on are also discussed.     

Static and Dynamic Wetting Behavior of Triglycerides on Solid Surfaces

Triglyceride wetting properties on solid surfaces of different hydro-phobicities were investigated using three different methods, namely, the sessile drop method for static contact angle measurements, the Wilhelmy method for dynamic contact angle measurements, and the captive bubble method to investigate thin triglyceride film stability. For solid surfaces having a surface free energy higher than the surface tension of triglycerides (tributyrin, tricaprylin, and triolein), a qualitative correlation was observed between wetting and solid/triglyceride relative hydrophobicities. On surfaces presenting extreme hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties, medium-chain triglycerides had a behavior similar to that of long-chain unsaturated ones. On a high-energy surface (glass), tricaprylin showed an autophobic effect subsequent to molecular adsorption in trident conformation on the solid, observed with the three methods. Thin triglyceride films between an air bubble and a solid surface were stable for a short time, for solids with a surface free energy larger than the triglyceride surface tension. If the solid surface had a lower surface free energy, the thin film collapsed after a time interval which increased with triglyceride viscosity. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

NbC固体表面能带和电子结构的理论研究

采用DFT/BLYP方法对NbC(001)和(111)面的电子结构进行研究。计算结果表明,对于NbC(001)表面,其表面态主要集中于费米能级(EF)下方约4.5eV附近区域,并以表面Nb原子和C原子为主要成分。O2分子在该表面吸附时,趋向于吸附在表面Nb原子上。对于NbC(111)表面,其表面态集中在EF下方0.02.0eV区域,靠近EF的态具有较高的表面活性,其主要成分为表面Nb原子的4dxz/dyz成分。上述结论与光电子能谱实验结果基本一致;但由于金属原子d电子数的差异导致NbC(111)表面态成分与类似的TiC化合物并不相同。     

表面上和纳米孔道内以及乳液中的手性催化

多相手性催化是合成手性化合物的有效途径之一,开发高活性、高选择性的多相手性催化剂并应用于不对称催化反应是兼具基础科学和应用科学背景的重要研究方向. 本文综述了近年来具有代表性的固体表面上、纳米孔道内以及手性乳液体系中的多相手性催化研究进展,着重对本实验室近年来在该领域中的探索研究进行了介绍,涉及的重要手性催化反应包括氢化、氢转移、氢甲酰化、环氧化、环氧化物水解动力学拆分、Aldol反应和Diels-Alder反应等. 我们的研究表明,手性修饰纳米粒子催化剂上的手性氢化反应可以获得95% ee以上的手性选择性以及高达 20 000 h-1 的TOF, 手性氢甲酰化反应得到90% ee的手性选择性;在手性催化剂组装的乳液体系中,催化不对称Aldol反应获得高达99% ee的手性选择性,催化活性得到显著提升,乳液氢转移反应的TOF可达3×105 h-1;在纳米孔中多个手性环氧化反应的例子显示出孔道效应能够显著提高手性选择性,并发现在纳米反应器中的环氧化物水解动力学拆分反应显示出催化剂协同活化效应,使催化反应的活性大幅度提高. 本文还讨论了表面、界面上以及孔道中的催化剂组装、孔道限阈以及多中心协同效应等因素对多相手性催化反应性能的影响.     

多相固体催化剂用于甘油氧化制乳酸研究进展

随着新的全球气候协议下的中国双碳行动计划的实施, 开发和利用可再生生物质资源显得极为重要. 甘油作为生物柴油在生产过程中的主要副产物, 将其催化转化成各种高附加值衍生物受到广泛关注, 其中甘油选择性氧化为乳酸具有巨大的应用前景. 近年来, 采用固体催化剂催化氧化甘油制乳酸成为国内外学者研究的热点. 我们综述了固体催化剂用于甘油催化转化制备乳酸的研究现状, 对甘油催化转化为乳酸的反应途径做了分析, 并讨论了影响催化剂活性的因素, 对当前所存在的问题提出建议, 也对未来相关催化剂制备发展进行了展望.     

二维平面细胞微图案化技术及其生物学应用

可以控制细胞粘附形状、大小的方法统称为细胞图案化技术.这些方法结合微纳米制备、表面化学、电化学和光化学等手段可以动态控制细胞的粘附、迁移、分化及其相互作用,为细胞生物学研究提供了一个新平台.本文介绍了二维平面细胞图案化的各种方法,并对其优缺点进行了总结,评述了细胞图案化技术在细胞生物学基础研究、组织工程以及基于细胞的生物传感器领域的应用.