Real-Time Study of Genomic DNA Structural Changes upon Interaction with Small Molecules Using Dual-Polarization Interferometry

The structural changes of genomic DNA upon interaction with small molecules have been studied in real time using dual-polarization interferometry (DPI). Native or thermally denatured DNA was immobilized on the silicon oxynitride surface via a preadsorbed poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) layer. The mass loading was similar for both types of DNA, however, native DNA formed a looser and thicker layer due to its rigidity, unlike the more flexible denatured DNA, which mixed with PEI to form a denser and thinner layer. Ethidium bromide (EtBr), a classical intercalator, induced the large thickness decrease and density increase of native DNA (double-stranded), but a slight increase in both the thickness and density of denatured DNA (partial single-stranded).

Ultrasound-promoted chiral fluorescent organogel

In this paper, we have described a chiral binaphthyl-based fluorescent organogel. Very interestingly, similar to sonocrystallisation of organics, ultrasound can promote the gelation while it cannot occur spontaneously at relatively high temperature or low concentration. The fluorescence enhancement of the gel obtained via ultrasound irradiation is observed. In solution there exist rapid dynamic equilibria between (S)-1 oligomers. The association interactions both between gelator molecules and between solvent and gelator molecules could together effect the helical growth of distorted (S)-1 nanocrystals.

The first liquid crystalline phthalocyanine derivative capable of edge-on alignment for solution processed organic thin-film transistors

Tetraoctyl-substituted vanadyl phthalocyanine (OVPc4C8) as a new NIR-absorbing discotic liquid crystalline material can form highly ordered thin films with edge-on alignment of the molecules and molecular packing mode identical to that in the phase II of OVPc for solution processed OTFTs with mobility up to 0.017 cm(2) V-1 s(-1).

Solvent size effect on the static and dynamic properties of polymer chains in athermal solvents

The static and dynamic properties of polymer chains in athermal solvents with different sizes are studied by molecular dynamics method. With increasing solvent size, the radius of gyration and the diffusion coefficient of the polymer decay fast until a critical solvent size is reached. For the polymer diffusion coefficients, this decay only depends on the solvent size; while for the radius of gyration of polymers, this decay depends on both solvent size and the length of the polymers. The increase of solvent size also makes the polymer tend to be thicker ellipsoid until a critical solvent size is reached. The static scaling exponent of the polymer also shows the solvent size dependence. Moreover, four regions are identified where the polymers show different dynamic behaviors according to the dynamic structure factors of the polymer.

Microphase Separation of Mixed Polymer Brushes: Dependence of the Morphology on Grafting Density, Composition, Chain-Length Asymmetry, Solvent Quality, and Selectivity

Microphase separation of binary mixed A/B polymer brushes exposed to different solvents is studied using Single-Chain-in-Mean-Field simulations. Effects of solvent quality and selectivity, grafting density, composition, and chain-length asymmetry are systematically investigated, and diagrams of morphologies in various solvents are constructed as a function of grafting density and composition or chain-length asymmetry. The structure of the microphase segregated morphologies lacks long-range periodic order, and it is analyzed quantitatively Using Minkowski measures.

Solvent impregnated resin prepared using task-specific ionic liquids for rare earth separation

A novel bifunctional task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), i.e. [trialkylmethylammonium][sec-nonylphenoxy acetate] ([A336] [CA-100]) was impregnated on intermediate polarized XAD-7 resin, and the prepared solvent impreganated resin (SIR) was studied for rare earth (RE) separation. Adsorption ability of the SIR was indicated to be obviously higher than that prepared by [A336][NO3] because of the functional anion of [A336][CA-100]. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, separation and desorption of the SIR were also studied.

Simulation Study of Aggregate Morphologies Formed by ABC Linear Triblock Copolymers in a Selective Solvent Through the Self-Consistent Field Theory

The effect of the hydrophobic properties of blocks B and C on the aggregate morphologies formed by ABC linear triblock copolymers in selective solvent was studied through the self-consistent field theory. Five typical micelles, such as core-shell-corona, hamburger-like, segmented-wormlike, were obtained by changing the hydrophobic properties of blocks B and C. The simulation results indicate that the shape and size of micelle are basically controlled by the hydrophobic degree of the middle block B, whereas the type of micelle is mainly determined by the hydrophobic degree of the end block C.

Effect of Solvent Molecular Size on the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymer in Selective Solvent

Real-space self-consistent field theory (SCFT) is employed to study the effect of solvent molecular size on the self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymer in selective solvent. The phase diagrams in wide ranges of interaction parameters and solvent molecular size were obtained in present study. The results indicate that the solvent molecular size is a key factor that determines the self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymer. The self-assembled morphology changes from circle-like micelle to line-like micelle, then to loop-like micelle by decreasing the solvent molecular size in a wide range of solvent selectivity. We analyze and discuss this change in terms of the solvent solubility and the entropy contribution.

Solvent extraction study of rare earth elements from chloride medium by mixtures of sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid with Cyanex301 or Cyanex302

The extraction of rare earth elements from chloride medium by mixtures of sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA100) with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) dithiophosphinic acid (Cyanex301) or bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) monothiophosphinic acid (Cyanex302) in n-heptane has been studied. The synergistic enhancement of the extraction of lanthanum (III) by mixtures of CA100 with Cyanex301 has been investigated using the methods of slope analysis and constant mole. The extracted complex of lanthanum (III) is determined. The logarithm of the equilibrium constant is calculated as - 1.41. The formation constants and the thermodynamic functions, Delta H, Delta G, and Delta S have also been determined.

Solvent extraction of rare earths from chloride medium with mixtures of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazalone-5 and sec-octylphenoxyacetic acid

The extraction of rare earth elements from chloride medium by mixtures of sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA100) with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) dithiophosphinic acid (Cyanex301) or bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) monothiophosphinic acid (Cyanex302) in n-heptane has been studied. The synergistic enhancement of the extraction of lanthanum (III) by mixtures of CA100 with Cyanex301 has been investigated using the methods of slope analysis and constant mole. The extracted complex of lanthanum (III) is determined. The logarithm of the equilibrium constant is calculated as - 1.41. The formation constants and the thermodynamic functions, Delta H, Delta G, and Delta S have also been determined.

Monitoring catalytic degradation of dye molecules on silver-coated ZnO nanowire arrays by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Catalytic degradation of organic dye molecules has attracted extensive attention due to their high toxicity to water resources. In this paper, we propose a novel method for the fabrication of uniform silver-coated ZnO nanowire arrays. The degradation of typical dye molecule rhodamine 6G (R6G), as an example, is investigated in the presence of the as-prepared silver-coated ZnO nanowire arrays. The experimental results show that such composite nanostructures exhibit high catalytic activity, and the reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. Furthermore, these nanowire arrays are desirable SERS substrates for monitoring the catalytic degradation of dye molecules. Compared with traditional UV-visible spectroscopy, SERS technology can reflect more truly the catalytic degradation process occurring on the surface of the catalysts.

Constructing Thin Polythiophene Film Composed of Aligned Lamellae via Controlled Solvent Vapor Treatment

Thin poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT) film composed of aligned lamellae attached to the edge of the original film has been achieved via a controlled solvent vapor treatment (C-SVT) method. The polarized optical microscopy operated at both single-polarization and cross-polarization modes has been used to investigate the alignment of the fiber-like lamellae. A numerical simulation method is used to quantitatively calculate angle distributions of the lamellae deviated from the film growth direction. Prepatterned P3BT film edge acts as nuclei which densely initialize subsequent crystal growth by exhausting the materials transported from the partially dissolved film. The growth of new film upon crystallization is actually a self-healing process where the two-dimensional geometric confinement is mainly responsible for this parallel alignment of P3BT crystals. The solvent vapor pressure should be carefully chosen so as to induce crystal growth but avoid liquid instability which will destroy the continuity of the film.

Solvent Vapor-Induced Self Assembly and its Influence on Optoelectronic Conversion of Poly(3-hexylthiophene): Methanofullerene Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells

Nanoscale-phase separation of electron donor/acceptor blends is crucial for efficient charge generation and collection in Polymer bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells. We investigated solvent vapor annealing effect of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/methanofullerene (PCBM) blend oil its morphology and optoelectronic properties. The organic solvents of choice for the treatment have a major effect oil the morphology of P3HT/PCBM blend and the device performance. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectro,;copy shows that specific solvent vapor annealing can induce P3HT self-assembling to form well-ordered structure; and hence, file absorption in the red region and the hole transport are enhanced. The solvent that has a poor Solubility to PCBM Would cause large PCBM Clusters and result in a rough blend film. By combining an appropriate solvent vapor treatment and post-thermal annealing of the devices, the power conversion efficiency is enhanced.

Avidin conjugation to up-conversion phosphor NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chains

NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a polyol process using diethyleneglycol (DEG) as solvent. After being functionalized with SiO2-NH2 layer, these NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles can conjugate with activated avidin molecules (activated by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chain). The as-formed NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles, NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles functionalized with amino groups, avidin conjugated amino-functionalized NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV/Vis absorption spectra, and up-conversion luminescence spectra, respectively. The biofunctionalization of the NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles has less effect on their luminescence properties, i.e., they still show the up-conversion emission (from Er3+, with S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) at similar to 540 nm and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) at similar to 653 nm), indicative of the great potential for these NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles to be used as fluorescence probes for biological system.

Autophobic Dewetting of a Poly(methyl methacrylate) Thin Film on a Silicon Wafer Treated in Good Solvent Vapor

The wettability of thin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films on a silicon wafer with a native oxide layer exposed to solvent vapors is dependent on the solvent properties. In the nonsolvent vapor, the film spread on the substrate with some protrusions generated on the film surface. In the good solvent vapor, dewetting happened. A new interface formed between the anchored PMMA chains and the swollen upper part of the film. Entropy effects caused the upper movable chains to dewet on the anchored chains. The rim instability depended on the surface tension of solvent (i.e., the finger was generated in acetone vapor (gamma(acetone) = 24 mN/m), not in dioxane vapor (gamma(dioxane) = 33 mN/m)). The spacing (lambda) that grew as an exponential function of film thickness h scaled as similar to h(1.31) whereas the mean size (D) of the resulting droplets grew linearly with h.