Supported phospholipid membranes: Comparison among different deposition methods for a phospholipid monolayer

Supported lipid membranes consisting of self-assembled alkanethiol and lipid monolayers on gold substrates could be produced by three different deposition methods: the Langmuir-Blodgett (L-B) technique, the painted method, and the paint-freeze method, By using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry/chronocoulometry and a.c. impedance measurements, we demonstrated that lipid membranes prepared by these three deposition methods had obvious differences in specific capacitance, resistance and thickness. The specific capacitance of lipid membranes prepared by depositing an L-B monolayer on the alkanethiol alkylated surfaces was 0.53 mu Fcm(-2), 0.44 mu Fcm(-2) by the painted method and 0.68 mu Fcm(-2) by the paint-freeze method. The specific conductivity of lipid membranes prepared by the L-B method was over three times lower than that of the painted lipid membranes, while that of the paint-freeze method was the lowest. The difference among the three types of lipid membranes was ascribed to the influence of the organic solvent in lipid films and the changes in density of the films. The lipid membranes prepared by the usual painted method contained a trace amount of the organic solvent. The organic solvent existing in the hydrocarbon core of the membrane reduced the density of the membrane and increased the thickness of the membrane. The membrane prepared by depositing an L-B monolayer containing no solvent had higher density and the lowest fluidity, and the thickness of the membrane was smaller. The lipid membrane prepared by the paint-freeze method changed its structure sharply at the lower temperature. The organic solvent was frozen out of the membrane while the density of the membrane increased greatly. All these caused the membrane to exist in a ''tilted'' state and the thickness of this membrane was the smallest. The lipid membrane produced by the paint-freeze method was a membrane not containing organic solvent. This method was easier in manipulation and had better reproducibility than that of the usual painting method and the method of forming free-standing lipid film. The solvent-free membrane had a long lifetime and a higher mechanical stability. This model membrane would be useful in many areas of scientific research.

Structure and luminescent properties of three new silver lanthanide molybdates

Three new compounds AgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) crystallize with a tetragonal scheelite-type structure characterized by MoO4 tetrahedra. The IR spectra show three absorption bands, which correspond respectively to the nu(1), nu(2), and nu(3) modes of the tetrahedral-MoO42- groups. The emission of AgGdMo2O8 shows the band of the MoO42- groups around 600 nm wavelength with very weak intensity. Both AgEuMo2O8 and AgTbMo2O8 emit intensely, and the concentration quenchings of both Eu3+ and Tb3+ luminescences are very weak. For all compounds, Ag+ luminescence is not observed. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.

PREPARATION STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF NEW SILVER LANTHANIDE MOLYBDENUM OXIDES [AGLNMO(2)O(8)(LN=LA-ND AND SM)]

We present the synthesis of AgLnMo(2)O(8) compounds with Ln = La-Nd and Sm. These compounds represent a scheelite-type structure characterized by MoO4- tetrahedrons. IR spectra show five absorption peaks in the region of 1000-400cm(-1), around 800cm(-1) and 400cm(-1), which correspond to the modes of the tetrahedral MoO42- groups. All of AgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = La-Nd and Sm) oxides are dielectric materials at room temperature. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility ofAgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = Ce-Nd and Sm) shows Curie-Weiss law behavior from 100K to 300K. This indicates that both Ce and Pr exist in +3 oxidation state in AgLnMo(2)O(8). For AgLaMo2O8, diamagnetic properties are found as expected.

INTERACTION OF LANTHANUM AND CALCIUM WITH HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANES

The effect of lanthanum and calcium on the structure and function of human erythrocyte membranes was investigated by fluorescence polarization, spin- labeled electron spin resonance (ESR) and laser Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that low concentration of La3+ (0.5 mu mol/L) activated a Little (Na++K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities, and it inhibited obvi ously the ATPase activities with increasing its concentrations. La3+ lowered the lipid fluidity of human erythrocyte membranes and decreased the vibration intensity of alpha-helix of the protein in the Amide I '. The effect of Ca2+ on the lipid fluidity and alpha-helix of the protein in the Amide I ' was smaller than that of La3+.

AN EXTENSION OF THE METHOD FOR PREDICTING PERMEABILITY THROUGH POLYMER MEMBRANES FROM SIMPLE GASES TO WATER-VAPOR

It is found that there is a linear relationship between log P-w, and the parameter term V-f/0.5 E(coh) [1+(delta(w) - delta(p))(2)/delta(p)(2), from the water permeability (P-w) data of 21 polymers covering 4 orders of magnitude. This correlation may be useful in choosing membrane materials for dehumidification of gases.

STUDIES ON THE SULFONATION OF POLY(PHENYLENE OXIDE) (PPO) AND PERMEATION BEHAVIOR OF GASES AND WATER-VAPOR THROUGH SULFONATED PPO MEMBRANES .3. SORPTION BEHAVIOR OF WATER-VAPOR IN PPO AND SULFONATED PPO MEMBRANES

Water vapor absorption and desorption by poly (phenylene oxide) (PPO) and sulfonated PPO (SPPO) membranes were studied at a constant temperature of 30-degrees-C and over a broad range of water activity (0.05 less-than-or-equal-to a < 0.8) by the weighing

STUDIES ON THE SULFONATION OF POLY(PHENYLENE OXIDE) (PPO) AND PERMEATION BEHAVIOR OF CASES AND WATER-VAPOR THROUGH SULFONATED PPO MEMBRANES .1. SULFONATION OF PPO AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PRODUCTS

Poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide) (PPO) was sulfonated to varying degrees using different sulfonating agents. Physical properties such as solubility, density, and thermal properties were studied for both PPO and sulfonated PPO (SPPO) with different degree

STUDIES ON THE SULFONATION OF POLY(PHENYLENE OXIDE) (PPO) AND PERMEATION BEHAVIOR OF CASES AND WATER-VAPOR THROUGH SULFONATED PPO MEMBRANES .2. PERMEATION BEHAVIOR OF CASES AND WATER-VAPOR THROUGH SULFONATED PPO MEMBRANES

The permeation behaviors of water vapor and gases were studied for both PPO and SPPO of different sulfonation degree. It was found that the permeability of water vapor increased, and those of oxygen and nitrogen decreased; thus the selectivity for water v

GAS PERMEABILITIES OF POLY(TRIMETHYLSILYLPROPYNE) MEMBRANES SURFACE MODIFIED WITH CF4 PLASMA

Surface fluorination of poly (trimethylsilylpropyne) (PTMSP) membranes by CF4 plasma was studied. The surface fluorination of the membranes was carried out in an atmosphere of CF4 in a capacitively coupled discharge apparatus with external electrodes. Dramatic increase in selectivity (P(O2)/P(N2)) was observed. The effect of fluorination conditions such as duration of treatment and discharge power on the permeabilities of the membranes was studied. X-ray photoelectron spectrometric data of modified PTMSP membranes showed a drastic alternation in the surface layer. The P(O2) and P(O2)/P(N2) of the membranes were observed to be dependent on the F/C atomic ratio. At F/C > 1, the P(O2/P(N2) value of the membranes could be more than four.

SURFACE-MODIFIED HYDROPHILIC MEMBRANES IN MEMBRANE DISTILLATION

The porosity and the hydrophobicity of membranes are two essential requirements for membrane distillation (MD) of aqueous solutions. So far, the hydrophobic porous membranes used in MD studies have been prepared from hydrophobic materials. In this work, hydrophilic cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate membranes were modified into hydrophobic membranes by radiation grafting polymerization and plasma polymerization, and used in MD studies successfully. The results indicated that modified membranes with good performance in MD can be obtained if the modifying conditions are controlled appropriately. Especially plasma polymerization, in which many particular kinds of monomer could be polymerized onto the surface of porous materials, has become an efficient method to prepare hydrophobic porous membrane with high performance from hydrophilic membranes. It will stimulate the development and practical application of MD.

PLASMA POLYMERIZATION OF OCTAFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE AND HYDROPHOBIC MICROPOROUS COMPOSITE MEMBRANES FOR MEMBRANE DISTILLATION

In this paper, hydrophilic microporous cellulose nitrate membranes have been surface-modified by plasma polymerization of octafluorocyclobutane (OFCB). The microporous composite membranes with a hydrophilic layer sandwiched between two hydrophobic layers have been obtained. The obtained composite membranes have been used in a membrane distillation (MD) process and have exhibited good performance. The effects of polymerization conditions, such as glow-discharge power and deposition time, on the structures and MD performances of the obtained composite membranes have been investigated by SEM, X-ray microscopical analysis, and XPS. The polymerization conditions should be as mild as possible in order to prepare the hydrophobic composite membrane with good MD performance. The typical MD behaviors of the obtained hydrophobic composite membranes are in agreement with that of hydrophobic membranes directly prepared from hydrophobic polymeric materials, like PVDF, PTFE, or PP.

ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF N-METHYL-N'-HEXADECYLVIOLOGEN MONOLAYERS ON SILVER ELECTRODES - EFFECTS OF COUNTERIONS

N-Methyl-N'-hexadecylviologen (C16MV) has been the subject of several electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies which characterized the species present in various redox states for C16MV monolayers on silver electrode surfaces. Both self-assembled monolayers (SA) and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) transferred systems have been studied. These indicated inconsistencies regarding the presence or absence of splitting of the first reduction peak in its cyclic voltammogram (CV). The present study demonstrates the important influence of the specific anionic species present in the supporting electrolyte. Splitting may or may not take place, depending on the size and relative strength of the adsorption of specific anions contributed by the supporting electrolyte. Small, strongly adsorbing anions such as iodide produced peak splitting in the CV of C16MV monolayers; bulky but weakly adsorbing anions such as perchlorate may disrupt the ordered structure of monolayers but produce no splitting. Ancillary data provided by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was consistent with the electrochemical measurements.

COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF GLYCOPROTEIN AND GLYCOLIPID COMPOSITION OF VIRULENT AND AVIRULENT STRAIN MEMBRANES OF MYCOPLASMA-HYOPNEUMONIAE

The glycoproteins and glycolipids from membranes of virulent strain Z and avirulent strain M of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae have been compared. The proteins and the glycoproteins were identified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and concanavalin A-biotin labeling, respectively. The membrane preparation contained approximately 34 protein bands with molecular weights between 20 KD and 100 KD. The concanavalin A-biotin system reacted with a glycoprotein of a molecular weight of approximately 28,000 from avirulent strain M and did not react with the correspondent band from virulent strain Z. The membrane glycolipids of both strains consisted of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), and the percentages of 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 fatty acids comprised more than 80% of the total fatty acids of membrane glycolipids. The 18:0 fatty acid of MGDG in avirulent strain M was twofold higher than that of virulent strain Z.