Latex Fractionation by Sedimentation and Colloidal Crystallization: The Case of Poly(styrene-co-acrylamide)

Poly(styrene-co-acrylamide) (PS-AAM) latex was prepared, fractionated by sedimentation under gravity, and characterized by PCS, infrared spectra, secondary and backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope, and electron spectroscopy imaging in an analytical transmission electron microscope. Three latex fractions were obtained. The lower fraction was opalescent and its particles were the more uniform, concerning size, chemical composition, and topochemical features. This lower fraction was still further fractionated by zonal centrifugation in a density gradient, yielding two fractions with similar macrocrystal-forming abilities but different sizes and chemical compositions. These results confirm those previously obtained for the PS-HEMA latex. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

EXAFS and XANES Structure determination of Mn2+ binding in ATP complexes

Summary The binding of Mn²⁺ ions to ATP molecules has been studied by means of the fine-structure analysis of X-ray absorption spectra (EXAFS and XANES) at theK-edge of Mn using the synchrotron, radiation facility PULS in Frascati. The results obtained in both freeze-dried and liquid samples of aqueous solutions at room temperature of the Mn-ATP complex under diffrent values ofpH and Mn:ATP ratio are reported and discussed. The Mn²⁺ ion appears to be octahedrally coordinated, the phosphate oxygen atoms being in the first co-ordination shell. Values of (2.15±0.05) ? and (3.4±0.05) ?, respectively, have been found for Mn-O and Mn-P distances. Theoretical considerations together with experimental results do not support the existence of a direct binding of the Mn to the N(7) atom of the adenine ring. The coordination numbers for the first and second shell are consistent with the formation of a Mn(ATP)₂ complex in solution atpH=9 and Mn: ATP=1:10, while a Mn-ATP 1:1 complex is found at lowerpH and higher Mn: ATP ratios. To speed up publication, the authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.