Study on magnetization reversal of cobalt nanowire arrays by magnetic force microscopy

The magnetic properties of self-assembly cobalt nanowire arrays formed in anodic porous alumina template were investigated by nanosize imaging method and macroscopic magnetic measurement. We have successfully made a wire-by-wire observation of magnetization reversal of a cobalt nanowire array using magnetic force microscopy with a home-made FePt tip. The nanowires in this medium have uniaxial anisotropy with easy axis along the wire due to the large aspect ratio of the wires (30 nm in diameter and 300 nm in length). Considering the nanowires as single-domain structures, we can obtain the average DC demagnetization curve from nanosize images by calculating the number of wires in each magnetized direction, and the results agreed well with the DC demagnetization curve measured by macroscopic measurement. The magnetostatic field between wires was evaluated by a new nanosize imaging method. Macroscopic measurement shows that reversible magnetization occurs in this medium. Nanosize images of the remanent and saturated states prove that the reversible magnetization processes mainly take place inside individual wires and reversed wires induced by magnetostatic field just give a little contribution to the reversible magnetization.     

A plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of silver nanoparticles embedded in titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) displays photocatalytic behavior under near-ultraviolet (UV) illumination. In another scientific field, it is well understood that the excitation of localized plasmon polaritons on the surface of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) causes a tremendous increase of the near-field amplitude at well-defined wavelengths in the near UV. The exact resonance wavelength depends on the shape and the dielectric environment of the NPs. We expected that the photocatalytic behavior of TiO2 would be greatly boosted if it gets assisted by the enhanced near-field amplitudes of localized surface plasmon (LSP). Here we show that this is true indeed. We named this new phenomenon "plasmonic photocatalysis". The key to enable plasmonic photocatalysis is to deposit TiO2 on a NP comprising an Ag core covered with a silica (SiO2) shell to prevent oxidation of Ag by direct contact with TiO2. The most appropriate diameter for Ag NPs and thickness for the SiO2 shell giving rise to LSP in the near UV were estimated from Mie scattering theory. Upon implementing a device that took these design considerations into account, the measured photocatalytic activity under near UV illumination of such a plasmonic photocatalyst, monitored by decomposition of methylene blue, was enhanced by a factor of 7. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity increases with a decreased thickness of the SiO2 shell. The plasmonic photocatalysis will be of use as a high performance photocatalyst in nearly all current applications but will be of particular importance for applications in locations of minimal light exposure.     

The synthesis of imidazo[4,5-c] - and v-triazolo[4,5-c] pyridazines

The parent imidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine (IV) has been prepared for the first time by three different routes. 1-Methylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine (XX) and 3-methylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine (XXVII) have been prepared by unequivocal syntheses. The constitution of the methylation product of imidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine-2-thiol (VIII) has been shown to be 2-methylthioimidazo[4,5-c]-pyridazine (IX) by the unequivocal syntheses of 1-methylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine-2-thiol (XXIII) and 3-methylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine-2-thiol (XXXIII). Likewise, the structure of the methylation product (XIII) was shown to be S-methylation by the unequivocal syntheses of 1-methyl-2-methylthio-6-chloroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine (XXIV) and 3-methyl-2-methylthio-6-chloroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridazine (XXXI), respectively. Several 7-substituted amino-v-triazolo-[4,5-c]pyridazines (XXXVIII) have been prepared from 7-chloro-v-triazolo[4,5-c]pyridazine (XXXVII).     

Noncovalent wrapping of chemically modified graphene with π-conjugated disk-like molecules

A facile and scalable preparation of dispersion of isolated graphene in various organic solvents has been developed by combining between covalent and noncovalent functionalizations of the graphene surface. Covalently functionalized graphene (FRG) was prepared by the reaction of partially reduced graphene oxide with aryl diazonium salts, followed by the graphene oxide being completely reduced with hydrazine. The resulting FRG disperse readily in organic solvents such as N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and the functionalization of graphene was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric thermogram, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The hydrophobic surface of FRG was noncovalently wrapped with aromatic hexakis-dodecylhexa-peri-benzocorone (HBC) by simply mixing of dispersion of FRG in DMF with toluene solution of HBC. The complexation of FRG and HBC was monitored by viewing the absorption and fluorescence spectral changes. Atomic force microscopic images confirmed that graphene was covalently and noncovalently functionalized, while keeping a two-dimensional sheet shape.     

Electrochemical etching process to tune the diameter of arrayed deep pores by controlling carrier collection at a semiconductor–electrolyte interface

An approach to control the diameter of high-aspect-ratio pores formed into a silicon wafer by an electrochemical etching process is reported. Hole (h⁺) was involved in the etching reaction and the collection of the h⁺ was the key factor. Artificial micro-cavities were fabricated on the silicon surface prior to the etching. The depth of the space charge region (SCR), Schottky barrier on the silicon-electrolyte interface, was adjusted regarding the depth of the micro-cavities by applied overpotential and specific resistance of the silicon wafer. The collection of h⁺ at the tip of the cavity site was widely controlled by the adjusted SCR. Consequently the electrochemically etched domain at the cavity site was actively tuned, and then high-aspect-ratio pore with the controlled diameter was formed. The diameter was tuned by the SCR depth which was controlled by the overpotential and the specific resistance. The diameter tuning mechanism worked under the mask-free condition.     

Computational simulations of HIV-1 proteases--multi-drug resistance due to nonactive site mutation L90M

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV-1 PR) is one of the proteins that currently available anti-HIV-1 drugs target. Inhibitors of HIV-1 PR have become available, and they have lowered the rate of mortality from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in advanced countries. However, the rate of emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants is quite high because of their short retroviral life cycle and their high mutation rate. Serious drug-resistant mutations against HIV-1 PR inhibitors (PIs) frequently appear at the active site of PR. Exceptionally, some other mutations such as L90M cause drug resistance, although these appear at nonactive sites. The mechanism of resistance due to nonactive site mutations is difficult to explain. In this study, we carried out computational simulations of L90M PR in complex with each of three kinds of inhibitors and one typical substrate, and we clarified the mechanism of resistance. The L90M mutation causes changes in interaction between the side chain atoms of the 90th residue and the main chain atoms of the 25th residue, and a slight dislocation of the 25th residue causes rotation of the side chain at the 84th residue. The rotation of the 84th residue leads to displacement of the inhibitor from the appropriate binding location, resulting in a collision with the flap or loop region. The difference in levels of resistance to the three inhibitors has been explained from energetic and structural viewpoints, which provides the suggestion for promising drugs keeping its efficacy even for the L90M mutant.