Novel Fabrication of Conductive Polymers Contained Micro‐Array Gas Sensitive Films Using A Micromanipulation Method

A novel method for fabricating a micro gas sensor film on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode patterned using micro‐machining technology was developed. A micromanipulation system equipped with a counter electrode (Au; Ø10 μm) and a microsyringe, which was connected to a microinjection system, was first constructed. With this system, micro gas sensor arrays could be successfully prepared on ITO electrodes. Two kinds of micro gas sensor films were prepared, based on polythiophene (PTh) and poly(3‐n‐dodecylthiophene) (PD). The response behavior of conventional PTh and micro‐PTh films against NH₃ at three different operating temperatures (25, 40 and 60 °C) was investigated by measuring the resistance of the film. With the micro‐PTh film, a reversible response was observed against NH₃ when measured at 40 and 60 °C. In addition, the responsive characteristics of the microsensor films against different testing gases were examined at the three operating temperatures. The resistance of the microsensor films of PTh and PD changed considerably, depending on the type of testing gas, allowing these sensor films to be used for the detection of various gases. Furthermore, the microsensor films had a high stability compared with conventional films prepared from the same polymer.     

A novel oligothiophene derivative as a hole‐transport with emitting material for OLED

A novel oligothiophene derivative containing the triphenylamine moiety with high glass transition temperature (T_g; 135 °C), 5,5′‐{bis[4‐di(4‐thiophenyl)amino]phenyl}‐2,2′‐bithiophene (TTPA‐dimer) was synthesized by the dimerization of tris[4‐(2‐thienyl)phenyl]amine (TTPA) with a palladium catalysis. Some types of electroluminescent (EL) devices that use the amorphous material for a hole‐ and an electron‐transporting with an emitting layer were fabricated. These devices emitted a bright green‐yellowish light (λ_emi; around 510 nm) with a small full width at half maximum (FWHM) rather than that of Alq₃. The single layer EL device showed a maximum luminance of 221 cd/m² at 8 V (0.06 lm/W at 100 cd/m²). On the other hand, the double layer (TTPA‐dimer/Alq₃) EL device that used Alq₃ as the electron transport material was increased up to 10830 cd/m² at 12 V (0.89 lm/W at 300 cd/m²) and with a lower turn‐on voltage (3.2 V at 0.1 cd/m²) than other types of EL devices. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electric-field-driven deracemization.

We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, that it is possible to use an electric field to drive the formation of macroscopic chiral (conglomerate) domains from an initially homogeneous fluid racemate. Field-induced segregation is exhibited in a fluid smectic liquid-crystal phase of a racemic mesogen, wherein enantiomerically-enriched domains are readily identifiable by their chiral electro-optical response. The sharp field-generated boundaries that form between opposite-handed domains broaden by diffusion in the absence of field, but reform rapidly if the field is switched on again, providing unambiguous evidence for the field-driven physical separation of enantiomers. A mean-field model successfully describes the steady-state and the dynamic evolution of conglomerate formation.     

Poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith in-tube solid-phase microextraction applied to simultaneous analysis of some amphetamine derivatives in urine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A method based on in-tube solid-phase microextraction and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was proposed for simultaneously determining four amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in urine. A poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolithic capillary column, which can provide sufficient extraction efficiency, was introduced for the extraction of amphetamines from urine samples. The hydrophobic main chains and acidic pendant groups of the monolithic column make it a superior material for extraction of basic analytes from aqueous matrix. After extraction, the samples were analyzed by CZE. The best separation was achieved using a buffer composed of 0.1 M disodium hydrogen phosphate (adjusted to pH 4.5 with 1 M hydrochloric acid) and 20% methanol v/v, with a temperature and voltage of 25 degrees C and 20 kV, respectively. By applying electrokinetic injection with field-amplified sample stacking, detection limits of 25-34 microg/L were achieved. Excellent method of reproducibility was found over a linear range of 0.1-5 mg/L. Determination of these analytes from abusers' urine sample was also demonstrated.     

Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

A Rapid and Convenient Synthesis of Derivatives of Imidazoles under Microwave Irradiation

An efficient and a quick microwave‐assisted synthesis of benzimidazoles and trisubstituted imidazoles was developed. Three benzimidazoles were obtained as a result of the condensation of 1,2‐phenylenediamine with carboxylic acids and acetoacetic ester without catalyst. A series of trisubstituted imidazoles were synthesized by condensation of benzil, aromatic aldehyde and ammonium acetate in the presence of glacial acetic acid.     

2-硝基丙烯热解反应的理论研究

利用MO-AM1方法研究了2-硝基丙烯热解的反应途径。结果表明, 2-硝基丙烯可能首先热解产生一个四元环状中间体。该中间体依照分步过程继续分解时, 存在两种可能的途径, 其中先断N—O键的反应过程比先断C—C键的过程从能量上更为有利。反应过程中电荷无明显转移, 具有双自由基反应特点。     

Crystal Structures and Magnetic Studies of Naphthalene Derivatives Containing Nitronly Nitroxides

Crystal structures of new nitronyl nitroxide derivatives 1, 2 and 3 were determined with X‐ray diffraction analysis: 1, monoclinic, C₂/c, a = 1.2404(5) nm, b = 0.9730(5) um, c = 2.7049(10) ran, β = 98.189(15)°, V = 3.2315(24) nm³, Z = 8; 2, or‐thorhombic, Pbca, a = 0.61262(2) nm, b = 1.11426(6) nm, c = 2.30543(13) nm, V = 1.57373(13) nm³, Z = 4; 3, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a=0.64253(4) nm, b=2.55003(17) nm, c = 1.15497(6) nm, β = 95.000(3)°, V = 1.8852(2) nm³, Z = 4. Their magnetic properties were measured with SQUID and analyzed based on their crystal structures with simple singlet‐triplet, modified one dimensional antiferromagnetic chain and modified singlet‐triplet models respectively: 1, J/k_b= ?2.5 K; 2, J/k_b = 7.8 K, θ = 2.8 K; 3, J/k_b = ?0.96 K, θ = 0.21 K.     

Conductive characteristics of radical‐bearing polythiophenes using a microcomb‐shaped electrode

The electric conductivity of π‐conjugated and radical‐bearing polymers, i.e., polythiophenes bearing pendant galvinoxyl and phenoxyl radical groups, was measured using a microcomb‐shaped electrode. The electric conductivity was found to be enhanced by the radical content in the polymer. The infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies suggested a structural change from an aromatic form to a quinoid one in the polythiophene backbone by the phenoxyl radical generation. The effect of the pendant galvinoxyl radical's unpaired electron on the electric conductivity of the polythiophene was discussed by comparing the conductivity of a radical‐bearing polystyrene and a polythiophene mixed with low‐molecular radical molecules. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.