Direct electron transfer reaction of glucose oxidase at bare silver electrodes and its application in analysis

The direct electron transfer reaction of glucose oxidase (GOx) at a bare silver electrode is verified. The electron transfer number n = 2, electron transfer coefficient α = 0.45 and rate constant of the electrochemical reaction K_s = 0.1 s⁻¹ are obtained. This communication presents a multimolecular adsorption model to explain the properties of the direct electron reaction between GOx and bare silver electrodes. The residual valence force may be an important factor to ensure a direct electron transfer reaction on the bare electrode. On the basis of the experimental fact that only biologically active GOx exhibits electrochemical activity in solution, a facile analytical method for analyzing the active GOx concentration is developed. The results determined correspond very well to that of a spectrometric method.     

Characteristics of vinyl iodide microwave plasma etching of GaAs/AlGaAs and InP/InGaAs heterostructures

Vinyl iodide (C₂H₃I) microwave discharges with additions of H₂ and Ar are found to provide faster etch rates than conventional CH₄/H₂/Ar discharges for InP, InGaAs, GaAs, and AlGaAs. This is a result of the relatively high volatilities of indium, gallium, and aluminum iodide species. The etched features are smooth and anisotropic over a wide range of do self-biases (–150 to –350 V), process pressures (1–20mTorr), and microwave powers (150–500 W). The polymer that forms on the mask during the plasma exposure can be readily removed in O₂ discharges. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) showed that the etched surfaces are slightly deficient in the group V elements under most conditions, but changes to the optical properties of the semiconductors are minimal. No defects are visible by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in GaAs or InP samples etched at dc biases –250 V.     

新型陶瓷材料的光激励发光性质研究

针对以往电子俘获光存储材料存在的问题，利用高温固相反应发制备了一种Eu^2 掺杂的氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷，研究表明在该材料中具有光激励发光(PSL)特性，并可用于电子俘获光存储。XRD分析表明该材料含有大量的BaF2微晶。根据其与BaF2相似的发光特性，推断玻璃陶瓷的PSL有可能来源于微晶中Eu^2 的5d-4f发射。但是决定光激励发光过程中的电子(空穴)陷阱的存在方式、电子迁移途径都有待进一步探讨的问题。与传统的BaFCl：Eu相比，这种材料的光激励发光衰减速度较慢。     

Model Reactions for Photosynthesis—Photoinduced Charge and Energy Transfer between Covalently Linked Porphyrin and Quinone Units

Photosynthesis is one of the fascinating fields of current interdisciplinary research. It seems miraculous that nature, in the process of evolution, has managed to bring about the process of photosynthesis. The first step involves a charge separation at the reaction centers, which proceeds with 100% quantum yield from the photoexcited singlet state of the bacteriochlorophyll donor, despite the fact that the wasteful deactivation of the electron into the ground state should be highly favored. Biomimetic model compounds (that is, those which resemble the pigments nature has developed) have been constructed from porphyrins and quinones. These model systems have allowed the study of the factors contributing to the highly efficient charge separation. This report focuses on recent developments in the study of electron transfer in porphyrinoquinones. Some of the results of these investigations may not be not fully understood and are often the subject of controversial discussions.     

电子显微技术应用于生物纳米材料表征与测试的研究进展

该文简述了电子显微技术的发展历程,并介绍了现代电子显微镜的新功能。针对生物纳米材料理化性能与功能应用的特殊性,结合研究实例,重点阐述运用电子显微结构表征与原位分析测试技术指导构建新颖纳米结构、揭示材料与细胞/组织相互作用并发挥功能的机制。并在此基础上,展望了电子显微技术在生物纳米材料研究领域的发展方向(大尺寸图像拼接、三维重构、动态原位实时成像)。     

Investigation of polymer-protected noble metal nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy: control of particle morphology and shape

 Noble metal nanoparticles were prepared by the in situ reduction of the respective metal salt precursors in the presence of various protective polymers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to determine the particle shapes and morphologies. These are strongly influenced by the reduction methods and conditions chosen, but the choice of the protective polymer is equally important for controlling the particle morphologies and for the stabilization of the colloids. A whole spectrum of nanoparticle morphologies and shapes was obtained, ranging from nanoagglomerates which are nevertheless well-defined and well-stabilized to nanosized single crystals with triangular shape. Received: 2 February 1998 Accepted: 29 May 1998     

Effects of polystyrene-encapsulated magnesium hydroxide on rheological and flame-retarding properties of HIPS composites

In this study, polystyrene (PS)-encapsulated magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization of styrene on the surface of Mg(OH)₂ in a high-speed mixer. A large amount of PS chemically bonded on Mg(OH)₂ surface was confirmed by means of FT-IR, TGA and SEM. A series of composites of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) were prepared by melt blending in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The effects of PS-encapsulated filler on the properties of HIPS composites were studied by SEM, rheology and combustion tests (horizontal burning tests and cone calorimetry). The dispersion and adhesion patterns of PS-encapsulated Mg(OH)₂ in HIPS matrix were investigated through FT-IR and SEM. The experimental results demonstrated that comparing to the composites containing untreated filler, the rheological and flame retardant properties of those containing PS-encapsulated filler were found to be significantly improved. This improvement is mostly attributed to a better dispersion of the encapsulated filler and a strong adhesion between the filler and matrix.     

Morphology-controlled nonaqueous synthesis of anisotropic lanthanum hydroxide nanoparticles

The preparation of lanthanum hydroxide and manganese oxide nanoparticles is presented, based on a nonaqueous sol-gel process involving the reaction of La(OiPr)₃ and KMnO₄ with organic solvents such as benzyl alcohol, 2-butanone and a 1:1 vol. mixture thereof. The lanthanum manganese oxide system is highly complex and surprising results with respect to product composition and morphology were obtained. In dependence of the reaction parameters, the La(OH)₃ nanoparticles undergo a shape transformation from short nanorods with an average aspect ratio of 2.1 to micron-sized nanofibers (average aspect ratio is more than 59.5). Although not directly involved, KMnO₄ plays a crucial role in determining the particle morphology of La(OH)₃. The reason lies in the fact that KMnO₄ is able to oxidize the benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid, which presumably induces the anisotropic particle growth in [0 0 1] direction upon preferential coordination to the ±(1 0 0), ±(0 1 0) and ±(−110) crystal facets. By adjusting the molar La(OiPr)₃-to-KMnO₄ ratio as well as by using the appropriate solvent mixture it is possible to tailor the morphology, phase purity and microstructure of the La(OH)₃ nanoparticles. Postsynthetic thermal treatment of the sample containing La(OH)₃ nanofibers and β-MnOOH nanoparticles at the temperature of 800 °C for 8 h yielded polyhedral LaMnO₃ and worm-like La₂O₃ nanoparticles as final products.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin in gelatine film modified glassy carbon electrode

Direct electrochemical and electrocatalytic behavior of hemoglobin (Hb) immobilized on glass carbon electrode (GCE) containing gelatine (Gel) films was investigated. The characteristics of Hb/Gel film modified GC electrode were performed by using SEM microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The immobilized Hb showed a couple of quasi-reversible redox peak with a formal potential of −0.38 V (versus SCE) in 0.1 M pH 7.0 PBS. The formal potential changed linearly from pH 4.03 to 8.41 with a slope value of −52.0 mV pH⁻¹, which suggested that a proton transfer was accompanied with each electron transfer (ET) in the electrochemical reaction. The Hb/gelatine/GCE displayed a rapid amperometric response to the reduction of H₂O₂ and nitrite.