Two cubane-like [M4O4] {M = nickel(II), cobalt(II)} complexes: syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties

Transition Metal Chemistry - Two cubane-like complexes, namely [Ni4L4(HOEt)4] (1), [Co4L4(HOEt)4] (2) (H2L?=?(E)-2-((3-hydroxypropylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol), were prepared under...     

不同沉淀剂制备的Ag／TS－1催化丙烯直接气相氧化合成环氧丙烷

 在423K、常压固定床石英反应器中，以丙烯直接气相氧化为探针反应，考察了催化剂制备方法、沉淀剂的种类和浓度对制备的Ag／TS－1催化剂催化性能的影响，采用TEM，XRD和UV－Vis等表征手段对Ag／TS－1催化剂进行了分析．结果表明，沉积－沉淀法是最佳的催化剂制备方法，但浸渍法也可制得具有环氧丙烷选择性的催化剂．K2CO3是一种良好的沉淀剂．以K2CO3为沉淀剂，硅钛比为64的TS－1为载体制备的Ag／TS－1催化剂上的丙烯转化率为1．72％，环氧丙烷选择性为98．2％．少量单质银的存在有利于环氧丙烷的生成，除银粒子的分散状态外，银粒子与载体TS－1间的相互作用对提高催化剂的选择性具有决定性作用．     

Preparation of biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer conjugates with controllable bioactivity via RAFT polymerization

The preparation of biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer bioconjugates with controllable enzymatic activity via reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and amidation conjugation reaction is presented. A new 2-mercaptothiazoline ester functionalized RAFT agent with intra-disulfide linkage was synthesized and used as chain transfer agent (CTA) to generate a biocompatible homopolymer, poly(ethyleneglycol) acrylate (polyPEG-A) and a thermoresponsive copolymer of poly(ethyleneglycol) acrylate with di(ethyleneglycol)ethyl ether acrylate [poly(PEG-A-co-DEG-A)]. These biodegradable and thermoresponsive polymers were then conjugated to the surface of glucose oxidase (GOx) under mild condition to afford the biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer conjugates. Cleavage of the polymer chains from the GOx surface obviously recovered the enzymatic activity. The thermoresponsive test of GOx-poly(PEG-A-co-DEG-A) revealed that the bioconjugate exhibited regular enzymatic activity fluctuation upon the temperature change below or above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The as-prepared enzyme–polymer conjugates were also characterized using ¹H NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and biocatalytic activity tests. These smart enzyme–polymer conjugates would envision promising applications in biotechnology and biomedicine.     

Thermoresponsive Copolymer/SiO2 Nanoparticles with Dual Functions of Thermally Controlled Drug Release and Simultaneous Carrier Decomposition

The preparation of thermoresponsive drug carriers with a self‐destruction property is presented. These drug carriers were fabricated by incorporation of drug molecules and thermoresponsive copolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide), into silica nanoparticles in a one‐pot preparation process. The enhanced drug release was primarily attributed to faster molecule diffusion resulting from the particle decomposition triggered by phase transformation of the copolymer upon the temperature change. The decomposition of the drug carriers into small fragments should benefit their fast excretion from the body. In addition, the resulting drug‐loaded nanoparticles showed faster drug release in an acidic environment (pH 5) than in a neutral one. The controlled drug release of methylene blue and doxorubicin hydrochloride and the self‐decomposition of the drug carriers were successfully characterized by using TEM, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy. Together with the nontoxicity and excellent biocompatibility of the copolymer/SiO₂ composite, the features of controlled drug release and simultaneous carrier self‐destruction provided a promising opportunity for designing various novel drug‐delivery systems.     

Single-Molecule Magnetism in Dy2 Cluster Based on a Schiff Base Ligand

Two dinuclear Ln^III-based clusters, namely [Dy₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 1 ) and [Gd₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 2 ) [H₂L = (E)-2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol] were obtained under hydrothermal condition. Two Ln^III ions are bridged by two phenolic hydroxyl oxygen atoms, and the distances of them are 3.829 Å (Dy1–Dy1A) and 3.860 Å (Gd1–Gd1A). Two Dy1–O–Dy1A and Gd1–O–Gd1A angles are 109.4° and 109.8°, respectively. Magnetic studies reveal a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Gd ions in complex 2 , and single-molecule magnet behavior for 1 with U_eff = 49.9 K and τ₀ = 1.54 × 10^–6 s.     

面向脑机接口的犹他神经电极技术

A human brain is composed of a large number of interconnected neurons forming a neural network. To study the functional mechanism of the neural network, it is necessary to record the activity of individual neurons over a large area simultaneously. Brain-computer interface (BCI) refers to the connection established between the human/animal brain and computers/other electronic devices, which enables direct interaction between the brain and external devices. It plays an important role in understanding, protecting, and simulating the brain, especially in helping patients with neurological disorders to restore their impaired motor and sensory functions. Neural electrodes are electrophysiological devices that form the core of BCI, which convert neuronal electrical signals (carried by ions) into general electrical signals (carried by electrons). They can record or interfere with the state of neural activity. The Utah Electrode Array (UEA) designed by the University of Utah is a mainstream neural electrode fabricated by bulk micromachining. Its unique three-dimensional needle-like structure enables each electrode to obtain high spatiotemporal resolution and good insulation between each other. After implantation, the tip of each electrode affects only a small group of neurons around it even allowing to record the action potential of a single neuron. The availability of a large number of electrodes, high quality of signals, and long service life has made UEA the first choice for collecting neuronal signals. Moreover, UEA is the only implantable neural electrode that can record signals in the human cerebral cortex. This article mainly serves as an introduction to the construction, manufacturing process, and functioning of UEA, with a focus on the research progress in fabricating high-density electrode arrays, wireless neural interfaces, and optrode arrays using silicon, glass, and metal as that material of construction. We also discuss the surface modification techniques that can be used to reduce the electrode impedance, minimize the rejection by brain tissue, and improve the corrosion resistance of the electrode. In addition, we summarize the clinical applications where patients can control external devices and get sensory feedback by implanting UEA. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges faced by existing electrodes such as the difficulty in increasing electrode density, poor response of integrated wireless neural interface, and the problems of biocompatibility. To achieve stability and durability of the electrode, advancements in both material science and manufacturing technology are required. We hope that this review can broaden the scope of ideas for the development of UEA. The realization of a fully implantable neural microsystem can contribute to an improved understanding of the functional mechanisms of the neural network and treatment of neurological diseases.     

Molecularly engineered graphene surfaces for sensing applications: A review

Graphene is scientifically and commercially important because of its unique molecular structure which is monoatomic in thickness, rigorously two-dimensional and highly conjugated. Consequently, graphene exhibits exceptional electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Herein, we critically discuss the surface modification of graphene, the specific advantages that graphene-based materials can provide over other materials in sensor research and their related chemical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, we describe the latest developments in the use of these materials for sensing technology, including chemical sensors and biosensors and their applications in security, environmental safety and diseases detection and diagnosis.     

Target Syntheses of Two New Bivanadyl Capped Keggin Polyoxometalate Derivatives

Two new bivanadyl capped Keggin polyoxometalate-based inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, [M(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]₂[AsMo₁₂O₄₀(VO)₂]}(M = Co 1, Zn 2; bipy = bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by directly using Li₃[AsMo₁₂O₄₀] · nH₂O as starting materials. Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that compounds 1 and 2 were isostructural, consisting of a neutral bivanadyl capped Keggin POMs bigrafted by [M(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ fragments. Other characterizations by elemental analysis, IR spectra, XPS spectra, power X-ray diffraction and TG analysis were also described in the paper. The study of the electrochemical properties of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit similar redox behaviors, undergoing three two-electron reversible redox processes, and the electrocatalysis of 1 has also been studied in detail. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Thermosensitive graphene nanocomposites formed using pyrene‐terminal polymers made by RAFT polymerization

Thermosensitive graphene‐polymer composites have been prepared by attaching poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) onto the basal plane of graphene sheets via π‐π stacking. Pyrene‐terminated PNIPAAm was synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization via a pyrene‐functional RAFT agent. Aqueous solutions of the graphene‐polymer composites were stable and thermosensitive. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of pyrene‐terminated PNIPAAm was measured to be 33 °C. When the pyrene‐functional polymer was attached to graphene the resultant composites were also thermosensitive in aqueous solutions exhibiting a reversible suspension behavior at 24 °C. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed that the thickness of a graphene‐PNIPAAm (M_n: 10,000 and PDI: 1.1) sheet was ～5.0 nm. The surface coverage of polymer chains on the graphene basal plane was calculated to be 7.2 × 10^?11 mol cm^?2. The graphene‐PNIPAAm composite material was successfully characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 425–433, 2010     

Energy transfer kinetics of phycoerythrocyanins (PECs) from the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis(Ⅰ)

The excitation energy transfer processes in nionomeric phycoerythrocyanins ( PEC)have been studied in detail using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra techniques as well as the deconvolution fech nique of spectra.The results indicate that the energy transfer processes should take place between α84 PVB md β8 or β155-PCB chromophores,the time constants of energy transfer are 34.7 and 130 ps individually;the component with lifetime of 1.57 ns originates from the fluorescence lifetime of the terminal emitter of β84 and /or β155 PCB chre-mophores; and the component with lifetime of 515 ps might be assigned to the energy transfer between two PCB chro mophores of β subunit.