Exploring the electrocatalytic sites of carbon nanotubes for NADH detection: an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode study

The electrocatalytic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes toward the oxidation of NADH are critically evaluated. Carbon nanotube modified electrodes are examined and compared with boron-doped diamond and glassy carbon electrodes, and most importantly, edge plane and basal pyrolytic graphite electrodes. It is found that CNT modified electrodes are no more reactive than edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes with the comparison with edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes allowing the electroactive sites for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH to be unambiguously determined as due to edge plane sites. Using these highly reactive edge plane sites, edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are examined with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry for the electroanalytical determination of NADH. It is demonstrated that a detection limit of 5 microM is possible with cyclic voltammetry or 0.3 microM using amperometry suggesting that edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes can conveniently replace carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrodes for biosensing applications with the relative advantages of reactivity, cost and simplicity of preparation. We advocate the routine use of edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes in studies utilising carbon nanotubes particularly if 'electrocatalytic' properties are claimed for the latter.     

An efficient first-principle approach for electronic structures calculations of nanomaterials

An efficient parallel implementation has been realized for a recently proposed central insertion scheme (Jiang, Liu, Lu, Luo. J Chem Phys 2006, 124, 214711; J Chem Phys 2006, 125, 149902) that allows to calculate electronic structures of nanomaterials at various density functional theory levels. It has adopted the sparse-matrix format for Fock/Kohn-Sham and overlap matrices, as well as a combination of implicitly restarted Arnoldi methods (IRAM) and spectral transformation for computing selected eigenvalues/eigenvectors. A systematic error analysis and control for the proposed method has been provided based on a strict mathematical basis. The efficiency and applicability of the new implementation have been demonstrated by calculations of electronic structures of two different nanomaterials consisting of one hundred thousand electrons.     

A facile approach for constructing nitrogen-doped carbon layers over carbon nanotube surface for oxygen reduction reaction

Fabricating nitrogen-doped carbon layers over the conductive substrate is a cost-effective and efficient approach to develop practical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst. In the current work, relying on the commercially available carbon nanotube (CNT), nitrogen-doped carbon layers over CNT is constructed by annealing the in situ formed complex over the CNT surface derived from iron ion inducing diaminonaphthalene (DAN) polymerization and DAN self-polymerization. Physical and electrochemical characterizations are carefully conducted to comparatively analyze the structure and activity relationship. The significance of iron in constructing nitrogen-doped carbon layers and tuning active sites of N types over multiwall carbon nanotube for ORR is demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman scattering spectrum. The excellent performance of nitrogen-doped carbon layers over CNT (catalyzed by iron) towards ORR is displayed by rotating ring-disk electrode. Specifically, the onset potential, half-wave potential, and limiting current density are 0.961 V, 0.831 V, and 5.20 mA cm^?2 respectively, very close to the state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C catalyst. Both high surface area and efficient N active sites should be considered in the nitrogen-doped carbon materials design and fabrication for ORR. Considering the large-scale availability, it has significant value in fuel cells commercial applications.     

Synthesis and structures of bis(dithiolene)-tungsten(IV) complexes related to the active sites of tungstoenzymes

Recent protein crystallographic results on tungsten enzymes and primary sequence relationships between certain molybdenum and tungsten enzymes provoke interest in the generalized bis(dithiolene) complexes [WIV(QR)(S2C2R'2)2]1- and [WVIO(QR)(S2C2R'2)2]1- (Q = O, S, Se) as minimal representations of enzyme sites. The existence and stability of W(IV) complexes have been explored by synthesis. Reaction of [W(CO)2(S2C2Me2)2] (1) with PhO- results in complete CO substitution to give [W(OPh)(S2C2Me2)2]1- (2). Reaction of 1 with PhQ- affords the monocarbonyls [W(CO)(QPh)(S2C2Me2)2]1- (Q = S (3), Se (5)). The use of sterically demanding 2,4,6-Pri3C6H2Q- also yields monocarbonyls, [W(CO)(QC6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)(S2C2Me2)2]1- (Q = S (4), Se (6)). The X-ray structures of square pyramidal 2 and trigonal prismatic 3-6 (with unidentate ligands cis) are described. The tendency to substitute one or both carbonyl ligands in 1 in the formation of [MIV(QAr)(S2C2Me2)2]1- and [MIV(CO)(QAr)(SeC2Me2)2]1- with M = Mo and W is related to the M-Q bond length and ligand steric demands. The results demonstrate a stronger binding of CO by W(IV) than Mo(IV), a behavior previously demonstrated by thermodynamic and kinetic features of zerovalent carbonyl complexes. Complexes 3-6 can be reversibly reduced to W(III) at approximately -1.5 V versus SCE. On the basis of the potential for 2(-2.07 V), monocarbonyl ligation stabilizes W(III) by approximately 500 mV. This work is part of a parallel investigation of the chemistry of bis(dithiolene)-molybdenum (Lim, B. S.; Donahue, J. P.; Holm, R. H. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 263) and -tungsten complexes related to enzyme active sites.     

A facile and efficient approach for the synthesis of 3-arylthiazol-2(3H)-one

A facile and efficient method for synthesis of 3-arylthiazol-2(3H)-one through the reaction of acyl azide and 1,4-dithiane-2,5-diol was reported. This reaction proceeded at 80?°C at first and then in acidic condition at room temperature, to afford products in good yields for a wide range of substrates and a possible mechanism has also been proposed.     

The role of oxygen functionalities and edge plane sites on screen-printed carbon electrodes for simultaneous determination of dopamine,uric acid and ascorbic acid

The role of oxygen functionalities and edge plane sites on disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) was evaluated for simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid in this study. Both electrochemically preanodized and oxygen plasma treated SPCEs were adopted for the purpose of partially differentiating these two effects. Raman and XPS analyses verify that different treatment can indeed induce different surface characteristics. The electrocatalytic activity thereby increases by the substantial increase in surface bound carbon–oxygen functional groups and/or the generation of edge plane sites through surface reorientation. Possible mechanism is proposed to explain the voltammetric behavior. The peaks for dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid are especially well-resolved from each other at the electrochemically preanodized SPCE and simultaneous detection at neutral pH can thus be obtained by this simple approach.     

A facile approach to preparation of long-chain-branched poly(p-dioxanone)

Long-chain-branched poly(p-dioxanone)s (LCB-PPDOs) with different branch densities were prepared via the chain-extending reaction of hydroxyl group terminated linear bi-functional PPDO (2a-PPDO) and star-like tri-functional PPDO (3a-PPDO) prepolymers, which were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of p-dioxanone (PDO) using 1,4-butanediol (BD) and trimethylolpropane (TMP) as multi-functional initiators, respectively. The undesirable gelation was successfully depressed by adjusting the chain length and feed ratio of prepolymers. The average molecular weight between branch points (M_b) and the average number of branch per 100,000 g/mol (B_n) of LCB-PPDOs were calculated from the ¹H NMR spectra. The average number of branch ranged from 0 to 6.72 branch points per 100,000 g/mol, and the number-average molecular weights between branch points ranged from 6900 to 20,500 g/mol. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the crystallization behavior of LCB-PPDOs was changed evidently with the branch density. Small-amplitude dynamic oscillatory rheometer was used to investigate the rheological properties of the melts of LCB-PPDO including zero-shear viscosity, storage modulus, relaxation times and loss angle, which largely depended on the branch density and length of LCB-PPDOs. Therefore, the rheological behaviors of PPDO can be well-controlled via synthesizing LCB-PPDOs with the desired architectures.     

A facile approach for morphosynthesis of Pd nanoelectrocatalysts

A facile approach has been developed for synthesis of highly-structured, anisotropic Pd nanostructures. The dendritic Pd nanostructures show superior performance toward oxidation of formic acid and methanol for fuel cell application.     

A facile and convenient approach for the one-pot synthesis of 2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinediones

A fast and efficient method is described for the one-pot synthesis of 2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinediones by cyclization reaction of anthranilic acid derivatives with potassium cyanate and acetic acid in PEG.Good to high yields of the products obtain in short reaction times with simple work-up.     

A single-wall carbon nanotubes modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite sensor for determination of methylprednisolone in biological fluids

An electrochemical protocol based on reduction is developed to determine methylprednisolone using single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPGE). To obtain a good sensitivity, instrumental variables were studied using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV). The voltammetric results indicate that SWNTs modified EPPGE remarkably enhances the reduction of methylprednisolone which leads to considerable improvement of peak current with shift of peak potential to less negative values. The voltammetric current showed a linear response for methylprednisolone concentration in the range 5-500 nM with a sensitivity of 98 nA nM⁻¹. The limit of detection was estimated to be 4.5 × 10⁻⁹ M. The developed method is used for the determination of methylprednisolone in pharmaceutical dosages and human blood plasma samples of patients undergoing treatment with methylprednisolone. The major metabolites present in blood plasma did not interfere with the present investigation as they did not exhibit reduction peak in the experimental range used. A comparison of results with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicates a good agreement.     

A novel and facile iodine(III)-mediated approach for C(5)-acetoxylation of 6-hydroxyflavone and 6-hydroxyflavanones

Oxidation of 6-hydroxyflavone 1 and 6-hydroxyflavanones 2a-c with iodobenzene diacetate (IBD) in acetic acid leads to regioselective acetoxylation, thereby providing a novel and convenient route for the synthesis of 5-acetoxylated products.     

A facile approach to the preparation of loose-packed Ni(OH)2 nanoflake materials for electrochemical capacitors

Loose-packed nickel hydroxides were successfully synthesized by a facile chemical precipitation method. Structure characterizations indicate that a nanoflake structure with low crystallinity for the nickel hydroxide samples was obtained. Electrochemical studies were carried out using cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry technology, and alternating current impedance spectroscopy, respectively. A maximum specific capacitance of 2,055F/g could be achieved in 2M aqueous KOH with the potential range of 0 to 0.4V (vs. the saturated calomel electrode) in a half-cell setup configuration for the nanoflake Ni(OH)₂ electrode, suggesting its potential application in the electrode material for electrochemical capacitors. Furthermore, the effect of annealing temperatures on the electrochemical capacitance characteristics has also been systemically explored.     

A facile method for generation of carbon oxide sulfide

Carbon oxide sulfide was easily generated upon heating of amine salts of carbamothioic acids at 85°C which were produced in situ from amines, carbon monoxide, and elemental sulfur in the presence of a catalytic amount of selenium under mild conditions.     

A new approach to the facile synthesis of 2-substituted-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

A new approach to the facile synthesis of 2-substituted-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and its derivatives using the condensation reaction of substituted 2-aminobenzamide and orthoesters is reported.     

Synthesis and structures of bis(dithiolene)molybdenum complexes related to the active sites of the DMSO reductase enzyme family

Structural analogues of the reduced (Mo(IV)) sites of members of the DMSO reductase family of molybdoenzymes are sought. These sites usually contain two pterin-dithiolene cofactor ligands and one protein-based ligand. Reaction of [Mo(MeCN)3(CO)3] and [Ni(S2C2R2)2] affords the trigonal prismatic complexes [Mo(CO)2(S2C2R2)2] (R = Me (1), Ph (2)), which by carbonyl substitution serve as useful precursors to a variety of bis(dithiolene)molybdenum-(IV,V) complexes. Reaction of 1 with Et4NOH yields [MoO(S2C2Me2)2]2- (3), which is readily oxidized to [MoO(S2C2Me2)2]1- (4). The hindered arene oxide ligands ArO- afford the square pyramidal complexes [Mo(OAr)(S2C2R2)2]1- (5, 6). The ligands PhQ- affordthe trigonal prismatic monocarbonyls [Mo(CO)(QPh)(S2C2Me2)2]1- (Q = S (8), Se (12)) while the bulky ligand ArS- forms square pyramidal [Mo(SAr)(S2C2R2)2]- (9, 10). In contrast, reactions with ArSe- result in [Mo(CO)(SeAr)(S2C2R2)2]1-(14, 15), which have not been successfully decarbonylated. Other compounds prepared by substitution reactions of 1 and 2 include the bridged dimers [Mo2(mu-Q)2(S2C2Me2)4]2- (Q = S (7), Se (11)) and [Mo2(mu-SePh)2(S2C2Ph2)4]2- (13). The complexes 1, 3-5, 7-10, 12-14, [Mo(S2C2Me2)3] (16), and [Mo(S2C2Me2)3]1- (17) were characterized by X-ray structure determinations. Certain complexes approach the binding arrangements in at least one DMSO reductase (5/6) and its Ser/Cys mutant, and in dissimilatory nitrate reductases (9/10). This investigation provides the initial demonstration of the new types of bis(dithiolene)molybdenum(IV) complexes available through [Mo(CO)2(S2C2R2)2] precursors, some of which will be utilized in reactivity studies. (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl or 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl.)     

A facile approach to the synthesis of substituted dibenzofulvenes-precursors to pi-stacked poly(dibenzofulvene)s

A series of novel substituted (2-methoxy, 2-nitro, 2-bromo, 2-iodo, 2-cyano, and 2-acetyl) and disubstitiuted (2-bromo-7-methoxy, 2-bromo-7-propoxy, 2-bromo-7-hexoxy, 2-nitro-7-propoxy, 2-nitro-7-hexoxy, and 2,7-di-bromo) dibenzofulvenes have been prepared from the corresponding fluorenes with fair to very good overall yields (35.7-66.7%) based on the Wittig chemistry. The new approach enjoyed much simpler experimental procedures and has the advantage of higher functional group tolerance. Preliminary results on their polymerization using solution free-radical approach are also presented.     

A facile approach for the delivery of inorganic nanoparticles into the brain by passing through the blood-brain barrier (BBB)

This study provides an easy and simple method to obtain inorganic nanoparticles that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, the heavily guarded system in the brain, via cross-linked serum albumin surface coatings. Their intact BBB permeability was confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo tests.     

Native and denatured forms of proteins can be discriminated at edge plane carbon electrodes

In an attempt to develop a label-free electrochemical method for detection of changes in protein structures based on oxidizability of tyrosine and tryptophan residues we tested different types of carbon electrodes. We found that using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPGE) we can discriminate between native and denatured forms of human serum albumin (HSA) and of other proteins, such as bovine and chicken serum albumin, aldolase and concanavalin. Treatment of natively unfolded α-synuclein with 8 M urea resulted only in a small change in the tyrosine oxidation peak, in a good agreement with absence of highly ordered structure in this protein. Using square wave voltammetry with EPGE we were able to follow the course of HSA denaturation at different urea concentrations. The electrochemical denaturation curve agreed reasonably well with that based on intrinsic fluorescence of tyrosine and tryptophan. It can be expected that the electrochemical method will be applicable to a large number of proteins and may become useful in biomedicine and proteomics.