Morphology of Electropolymerized Poly(N-Methylaniline) Films

The influence of polymerization conditions on the morphology of thin films of poly-(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) was studied. The films were prepared by electropolymerization on gold and platinum electrodes and studied by optical and electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the film morphology does not depend on the polymerization rate or on the electrode metal. However, it is sensitive to the kind of counter ion of PNMA. The polymers containing acetate or chloride do not form stable films. Polymer films containing phosphate or sulfate display inhomogeneous structures. A formation of sprouts and nanotubes was observed for PNMA sulfate. The films formed by PNMA perchlorate are smooth and transparent (glass-like structure). A sublayer of 4-aminothiophenol increases the adhesion of polymers to the gold surface.     

Random replicators with high-order interactions

We use tools of the equilibrium statistical mechanics of disordered systems to study analytically the statistical properties of an ecosystem composed of N species interacting via random mutual interactions, as well as via deterministic self-interactions of order p>/=2. We show that the main effect of increasing the order of the interactions among the species is to make the system less competitive, in the sense that the fraction of extinct species is greatly reduced. In addition, we find that for p>2 there is a threshold value which gives a lower bound to the concentration of the surviving species, preventing then the existence of rare species and, consequently, increasing the robustness of the ecosystem to external perturbations.     

Terahertz split-ring metamaterials as transducers for chemical sensors based on conducting polymers: a feasibility study with sensing of acidic and basic gases using polyaniline chemosensitive layer

We report on the first application of terahertz metamaterials acting as transducers for chemical sensors based on conducting polymers. In our feasibility study aimed at sensing of gaseous hydrochloric and ammonia, a two-dimensional sensor metamaterial consisting of an array of split-ring resonators on the surface of undoped silicon wafer was prepared. The surface of the resonator was coated with a 150-μm layer of polyaniline. Binding of hydrogen chloride to polyaniline leads to distinct changes in the resonance frequency of the metamaterial. Measurements can be performed both in the reflection and transmission mode. A numerical simulation of the response revealed an increase of both the real and the imaginary components of the dielectric function of the polyaniline film. These changes are attributed to the transition from emaraldine base to emeraldine salt. The results demonstrate a new approach for formation of highly sensitive transducers for chemical sensors.

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Anomalous adsorptive properties of HIV protease: indication of two-dimensional crystallization?

Adsorption of HIV protease onto surfaces that are usually considered to be protein-resistant was studied quantitatively using surface plasmon resonance. Adsorption onto gold surfaces functionalized by OH-terminated alkyl chains was much stronger than onto oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated surfaces. Equilibrium and kinetic adsorption constants were determined. An anomalous mutual attraction between adsorbate molecules was observed, indicating the possibility of two-dimensional crystallization of HIV protease. These results are applicable for the design of sensors/biosensors for HIV protease resistance detection and for proper manipulation of this enzyme in laboratory devices.     

Electroanalytical measurements without electrolytes: Conducting polymers as probes for redox titration in non-conductive organic media

Electroanalytical methods have been applied only in conducting media. An application of conducting polymers allows to overcome this limitation. If such material is in electrochemical equilibrium with dissolved redox active species, its electrical conductivity depends on the redox potential of these species. Therefore, conductometric measurements with conducting polymers can provide about the same information as classical redox electrodes. The approach was applied for redox titration. Equivalent points obtained by this titration in aqueous and organic electrolytes were identical. Then the approach was applied for determination of bromine number by redox titration in non-conducting organic phase.