Surface-potential reversibility of an amino-terminated self-assembled monolayer based on nanoprobe chemistry

Nanoprobe chemistry offers a promising approach for the construction of nanostructures consisting of organic molecules by employing the tip of a scanning probe microscope. In a previous report, we demonstrated that a nitroso-terminated surface on an organosilane self-assembled monolayer could be converted into an amino-terminated surface by applying such a nanoprobe electrochemical technique. This paper reports on surface-potential reversibility originating from a reversible chemical reaction between amino and nitroso groups. In addition, we demonstrate surface-potential memory based on this chemical reversibility. Amino-terminated SAMs were prepared from p-aminophenyl-trimethoxysilane through chemical vapor deposition. Surface potentials were acquired by Kelvin force microscopy. When scanning probe lithography was conducted with a gold tip at positive-bias voltages, the surface potential of the scanned area shifted dramatically in the negative direction. Scanning with negative-bias voltages led to positive shift in the surface potential of the scanned area. The surface potential could be recovered even after multiple scannings with positive and negative applied bias voltages. On the basis of this discovery, we also succeeded in demonstrating surface-potential memory via our nanoprobe electrochemical technique.     

Photocatalytic decomposition of orange II over TiO2-loaded on SBA-15 prepared using a microwave process

SBA-15 mesoporous material was prepared by microwave-hydrothermal method and was used as support in TiO₂-loaded SBA-15 photocatalysts. The physical properties of these particles were investigated. We also examined the activity of these samples as photocatalysts for the decomposition of orange II. Titania loaded on a silica matrix decreases the surface area of the support as expected for TiO₂ incorporation. For TiO₂-loaded SBA-15 photocatalysts, the IR absorption at ∼960 cm⁻¹ commonly accepted as the characteristic vibration of the Ti-O-Si bond. The photocatalytic activity increases with an increase of the TiO₂ loading.     

Electrophoresis of concentrated mercury drops

The electrophoretic behavior of concentrated monodispersed, positively charged mercury drops is investigated theoretically. The present study extends previous analyses by considering arbitrary surface potentials, double-layer polarization, and the interaction between adjacent double layers. The coupled equations describing the spatial variations in the flow field, the electric field, and the concentration field are solved by a pseudo-spectral method. For a low surface potential phi(r), the mobility increases monotonically with kappaalpha; kappa and alpha are respectively the reciprocal Debye length and the radius of a mercury drop. For medium and high phi(r), the mobility curve has a reflection point, which arises from the interaction of adjacent double layers, for kappaalpha. Also, if phi(r) is high, the mobility curve may exhibit a local minimum as kappaalpha varies. This phenomenon is pronounced if the concentration of the dispersed phase is high. If the double layer is thick, the mobility increases with phi(r), and the reverse is true if it is thin. We show that the higher the concentration of the dispersed phase the smaller the mobility, and as kappaalpha becomes large the mobility approaches a constant value, which is independent of the concentration of the dispersed phase. The mobility of mercury drops is larger than that of the corresponding rigid particles.     

Characterization and epitope mapping of two monoclonal antibodies against human CD99

CD99 plays a critical role in the diapedesis of monocytes, T cell differentiation, and the transport of MHC molecules. Engagement of CD99 by agonistic monoclonal antibodies has been reported to trigger multifactorial events including T cell activation as well as cell-cell adhesion during hematopoietic cell differentiation. In this study, to identify the functional domains participating in the cellular events, we mapped the epitopes of CD99, which are recognized by two agonistic CD99 monoclonal antibodies, DN16 and YG32. Using recombinant fusion proteins of GST with whole or parts of CD99, we found that both antibodies interact with CD99 molecules independently of sugar moieties. DN16 mAb detected a linear epitope located in the amino terminal region of CD99 while YG32 mAb bound another linear epitope in the center of the extracellular domain. To confirm that the identified epitopes of CD99 are actually recognized by the two mAbs, we showed the presence of physical interaction between the mAbs and the fusion proteins or synthetic peptides containing the corresponding epitopes using surface plasmon resonance analyses. The dissociation constants of DN16 and YG32 mAbs for the antigen were calculated as 1.27 x 10(-7) and 7.08 x 10(-9) M, respectively. These studies will help understand the functional domains and the subsequent signaling mechanism of CD99.     

Chitosan-mediated and spatially selective electrodeposition of nanoscale particles

Nanoscale particles offer a variety of interesting properties, and there is growing interest in their assembly into higher ordered structures. We report that the pH-responsive aminopolysaccharide chitosan can mediate the electrodeposition of model nanoparticles. Chitosan is known to electrodeposit at the cathode surface in response to a high localized pH. To demonstrate that chitosan can mediate nanoparticle deposition, we suspended fluorescently labeled latex nanoparticles (100 nm diameter spheres) in a chitosan solution (1%) and performed electrodeposition (0.05 mA/cm2 for several minutes). Results demonstrate that chitosan is required for nanoparticle electrodeposition; chitosan confers spatial selectivity to electrodeposition; and nanoparticles distribute throughout the electrodeposited chitosan film. Additionally, we observed that the deposited films reversibly swell upon rehydration. This work indicates that chitosan provides a simple means to assemble nanoparticles at addressable locations and provides further evidence that stimuli-responsive biological materials may facilitate fabrication at the microscale.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterisation and structure of the first chiral heteroleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth complexes

Treatment of MIII(Pc)(acac) (M = Sm, Eu, Gd; Pc = phthalocyaninate; acac = acetylacetonate), generated in situ, with 3-(3-pentyloxy)phthalonitrile in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in n-pentanol affords racemic mixtures of the chiral double-deckers MIII(Pc)[Pc(OC5H11)4] [Pc(OC5H11)4 = 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyaninate], which have been spectroscopically and structurally characterised.     

Cyclization of 1-bromo-2,7- and 1-bromo-2,8-enynes mediated by indium

[reaction: see text] The cyclization of 1-bromo-2,7- and 1-bromo-2,8-enynes mediated by indium in DMF produced five- and six-membered cyclic compounds. Although KI was a necessary additive in the cyclization of terminal 1-bromo-2,7-enynes to give the desired products at 25 degrees C, reactions of terminal 1-bromo-2,8-enynes and internal 1-bromo-2,7-enynes with indium proceeded at 100 degrees C in DMF without KI. After cyclizations, subsequent cross-coupling reaction and iodolysis increase the usefulness of this reaction.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF PYRENE INCORPORATED IN NAFION MEMBRANES*

Abstract— High concentrations of organic chromophores, in particular pyrene, were found to incorporate into the cluster network of water swollen Nation. The vibrational structure of the fluorescent molecule and its fluorescence lifetime were used to probe the location of pyrene in this structure. Strong heavy-atom induced room temperature phosphorescence was observed from the chromophore in the water swollen membrane. Excimer formation in tm-butanol swollen Nation was observed and was utilized to estimate the micro viscosity in this system.     

Effect of transient acid diffusion on pretreatment/hydrolysis of hardwood hemicellulose

Diffusivities of sulfuric acid in Aspen wood were experimentally determined at various diffusional temperatures and fitted to Arrhenius equations. These equations were subsequently incorporated into a theoretical model to establish the effect of transient acid concentration gradients within a solid substrate during acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of hemicellulose. Total xylose yield was found to decrease for increasing chip size, and this effect was intensified by increasing reaction temperature. Quantitative criteria were established for assessment of transient acid concentration effects upon xylose yield and reaction time at various reaction conditions.

     

Methods for the determination of the number of polytetrahydrofuran branches in neoprene-g-polytetrahydrofuran

Methods for the determination of the number of the number of polytetrahydrofuran branches in neoprene-g-polytetrahydrofuran were examined. Only two suitable methods were found; namely, termination of oxonium ions by triphenylphosphine followed by ³¹P-NMR and termination with NH₄OH? NH₄Cl buffer and reaction with fluorescamine followed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Both methods led to the conclusion that Neoprene W has 9 ± 1 active halogens per mole that can be used to initiate tetrahydrofuran polymerization when silver salts are added. Among the methods examined in this study the fluorescence method was the most reliable, most reproducible, fastest, and simplest.