Polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan and phosphotungstic acid as proton-conducting membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of chitosan and phosphotungstic acid have been prepared and evaluated as novel proton-conducting membranes for direct methanol fuel cells. Phosphotungstic acid can be fixed within PECs membranes through strong electrostatic interactions, which avoids the decrease of conductivity caused by the dissolving of phosphotungstic acid as previously reported. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the PECs membranes are homogeneous and dense. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrates that hydrogen bonding is formed between chitosan and phosphotungstic acid. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the PECs membranes have good thermal stability up to 210 degrees C. The PECs membranes exhibit good swelling properties and low methanol permeability (P, 3.3 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1)). Proton conductivity (sigma) of the PECs membranes increases at elevated temperature, reaching the value of 0.024 S cm(-1) at 80 degrees C.

Surface-modified Nafion (R) membrane by casting proton-conducting polyelectrolyte complexes for direct methanol fuel cells

Surface-modified Nafion (R) membrane was prepared by casting proton-conducting polyelectrolyte complexes on the surface of Nafion (R). The casting layer is homogeneous and its thickness is about 900 nm. The proton conductivity of modified Nafion (R) is slightly lower than that of plain Nafion (R); however, its methanol permeability is 41% lower than that of plain Nafion (R). The single cells with modified Nafion (R) exhibit higher open circuit voltage (OCV = 0.73 V) and maximal power density (P-max = 58 mW cm(-2)) than the single cells with plain Nafion (R) (OCV = 0.67 V, P x = 49 mW cm-2). It is a simple, efficient, cost-effective approach to modifying Nafion (R) by casting proton-conducting materials on the surface of Nafion (R).

Polyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan and poly(L-glutamic acid)

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) were prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of chitosan (CS) and poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) at various pH. It was found that the stoichiometry of the PECs depends on pH.An investigation of the PECs using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved that the formation of the complexes is due to electrostatic interaction between –NH3 + groups of CS and –COO− groups of PLGA. The solid PECs were characterized using wide-angle X-ray diffraction, which suggested that a strong interaction occurs between the two polymers at pH = 4 or 5 and relatively weak interaction at pH = 3. These results were further confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis data. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the complexes have a spherical shape. The effect of ionic strength on the size of the PECs was also studied using dynamic light scattering. It was found that the size of the PECs is dependent on pH.

Biodegradable Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Methoxy Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(alpha,L-glutamic acid) and Chitosan

We synthesized methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(alpha,L-glutamic acid) (mPEGGA) diblock copolymer by ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxy anhydride of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate (NCA) using amino-terminated methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) as macroinitiator. Polyelectrolyte complexation between mPEGGA as neutral-block-polyanion and chitosan (CS) as polycation has been scrutinized in aqueous solution as well as in the solid state.

Implantation of Nafion (R) ionomer into polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composites to form novel proton-conducting membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

A series of cost-effective, proton-conducting composite membranes, comprising of Nafion (R) ionomer, chitosan (CS). and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), is successfully prepared. By taking advantage of the strong electrostatic interactions between Nafion (R) ionomer and CS component, Nafion ionomer is effectively implanted into the PVA/CS composite membranes, and improves proton conductivity of the PVA/CS composite membranes. Furthermore, this effect dramatically depends on the composition ratio of PVA/CS, and the optimum conductivity is obtained at the PVA/CS ratio of 1:1. The developed composite membranes exhibit much lower methanol permeability compared with the widely used Nafion (R) membrane, indicating that these novel membranes have great potential for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).

Highly conductive, methanol resistant fuel cell membranes fabricated by layer-by-layer self-assembly of inorganic heteropolyacid

Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly is a simple and elegant method of constructing organic-inorganic composite thin films from environmentally benign aqueous solutions. In this paper, we utilize this method to develop proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells. The multilayer film is constructed onto the surface of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK-COOH) membrane by LBL self-assembly of polycation chitosan (CTS) and negatively charged inorganic particle phosphotungstic acid (VIA). The highly conductive inorganic nanoparticles ensure SPAEK-COOH-(CTS/PTA)(n) membranes to maintain high proton conductivity values up to 0.086 S cm(-1) at 25 degrees C and 0.24S cm(-1) at 80 degrees C, which are superior than previous LBL assembled electrolyte systems.

Chitosan/heteropolyacid composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell

As inorganic proton conductors. phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and silicotungstic acid (SiWA) are extremely attractive for proton-conducting composite membranes. An interesting phenomenon has been found in our previous experiments that the mixing of chitosan (CS) solution and different heteropolyacids (HPAs) leads to strong electrostatic interaction to form insoluble complexes. These complexes in the form of membrane (CS/PMA, CS/PWA and CS/SiWA composite membranes) have been prepared and evaluated as novel proton-conducting membranes for direct methanol fuel cells. Therefore, HPAs can be immobilized within the membranes through electrostatic interaction, which overcomes the leakage problem from membranes.

Prostate cancer cell-specific VEGF siRNA delivery system using cell targeting peptide conjugated polyplexes

A polymeric gene carrier was developed to deliver vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) small interfering RNA (siRNA) for prostate cancer cells in a target-specific manner. Prostate cancer-binding peptide (PCP) was conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI) via a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) linker (PEI-PEG-PCP). The PEI-PEG-PCP conjugate could effectively condense siRNA to form stable polyelectrolyte complexes (polyplexes) with an average diameter of approximately 150 nm in an aqueous solution. VEGF siRNA/PEI-PEG-PCP polyplexes exhibited significantly higher VEGF inhibition efficiency than PCP-unmodified polycationic carriers (PEI-PEG or PEI) in human prostate carcinoma cells (PC-3 cells). The enhanced gene silencing activity of VEGF siRNA/PEI-PEG-PCP was maintained even under serum conditions, owing to the steric stabilization of the polyplexes with hydrophilic PEG grafts. Confocal microscopic studies revealed that the siRNA/PEI-PEG-PCP polyplexes were delivered into PC-3 cells in a PCP ligand-specific manner.

Comparison of the shape parameters of DNA-cationic lipid complexes and model polyelectrolyte-lipid complexes

In this study, we used a rheological method to study the shape of DNA-cationic lipid complexes and model polyelectrolyte-lipid complexes. We introduced two kinds of anionic polyelectrolytes, sodium polygalacturonate (PGU) and sodium dextran sulfate (DSS), of varying size, as models for DNA. The prepared complexes were incubated under laminar flow conditions. The results show the same quantitative relation between the shape parameter of lipoplexes and the length of anionic polyelectrolytes, including DNA. The rheological behavior of PGU and DSS were similar to that of DNA. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Polyelectrolyte on DNA-RecA Nucleoprotein Filaments: Poly-L-Lysine Used as a Model

RecA of Escherichia coli and its active nucleoprotein filaments with DNA are important for the genomic integrity and the genetic diversity. The formation of the DNA-RecA nucleoprotein filaments is a complex multiple-step process and can be affected by many factors. In this work, the effects of poly-L-lysine (PLL) on the DNA-RecA nucleoprotein filaments are investigated in vitro by agarose gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The observed morphologies vary with the concentration, the length, and the addition order of PLL. These distinctions provide information for the conformation change of DNA and the binding sites of RecA protein in the formation process of nucleoprotein filaments.

A method to construct polyelectrolyte multilayers film containing gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles in polyelectrolyte multilayers film can be easily prepared by repeating immersion of a substrate in poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA)-AuCl4- complexes solution followed by reduction Au3+ through heating. UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used to confirm the successful construction of the polyelectrolyte multilayers film and the formation of gold nanoparticles. The multilayers film shows electrocatalytic activity to dioxygen reduction.

Syntheses and crystal structures of mononuclear rhodium hydrido complexes from the reactions of [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(EtOH)(2)]ClO4 with various nitrogen ligands

Reactions of the Rh hydrido complex [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(EtOH)(2)]ClO4 (1) With nitrogen ligands such as 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (tbz). pyridazine (pdz), imidazole (im) and pyrimidine (pmd) in CH,Cl, afforded Various mononuclear Rh hydrido complexes, [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(tbz)]CIO4 (2), [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(pdZ)(2)]ClO(4)(.)2CH(2)Cl(2) (3). [Rh(H)Cl(PPh3)(2)(pdz)(2)](ClO4CH2Cl2)-C-. (4). [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(im)(2)]ClO(4)(.)2CH(2)Cl(2) (5). [Rh(H)Cl(PPh3)(2)(im)(2)](ClO4CH2Cl2)-C-. (6). [Rh(H)(2)(PPh3)(2)(pmd)(2)](ClO4CH2Cl2)-C-. (7) and the Rh non-hydrido complex [RhCl2(pmd)(4)]ClO4 (8). The Rh complexes 2. 3, 5 and 6 were crystallographically characterized. The formation process was monitored by H-1 NMR and UV-Vis spectra. In all the Rh hydrido complexes, the Rh atom is coordinated by two PPh3. ligands in trans-positions and two nitrogen ligands in the cis-positions. The remaining sites Lire occupied by one or two hydride atoms to form a saturated 18-electron framework in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. For complex 2 an appreciable inter-molecular pi interaction is observed between planes of tbz and PPh3 ligands, while an intra-molecular hydrogen bonding interaction between C-H and Cl atoms is found in complex 6.

Electrochemiluminescence of tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) ion-exchanged in polyelectrolyte-silica composite thin-films

The organic-inorganic hybrid, PSS-silica composite material was developed for the immobilization of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) on glassy carbon electrode via ion-exchange (PSS stands for poly(sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate)). The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and electrochemistry of Ru(bpy)(3)(2-) immobilized in the composite thin films have been investigated with tripropylamine (TPA) as the coreactant. The immobilized Ru(bpy)(3)(2-) underwent a surface process. The modified electrode was used for the ECL detection of TPA and showed high sensitivity. Detection limit was 0,1 mumol L-1 for TPA (S/N = 3) with a linear range from 0.5 mumol L-1 to 5 mmol L-1 (R = 0.998), Moreover, the resulting modified electrode was stable over six months and the good stability may be due to the strong interaction between Ru(bpy)(3)(2-) and the high ion-exchange able PSS-silica composite films on GCE. Compared with other materials. the PSS-silica composite films containing incorporated Ru(bpy)(3)(2-) showed improved sensitivity and long-term stability, Thus, such composite thin film can be a promising material for the construction of ECL sensor.

Lanthanide coordination polymers with dicarboxylate-like ligands: crystal structures of polymeric lanthanum(III) and terbium(III) complexes with flexible double betaines

Four novel polymeric lanthanide(III) complexes of two new double betaine derivatives have been synthesized and structurally determined. In [{La-2(L-1)(2)(H2O)(9)}(n)]Cl-6n. 2nH(2)O (1) and [{Tb(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. nH(2)O (2) (L-1 =4,4'-trimethylenedipyridinio-N,N'-diacetate), the lanthanide(III) ions form a two-dimensional layer in which each pair of lanthanide(III) ions is bridged by two syn-anti mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups. Adjacent layers are cross-linked through hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions, to form a three-dimensional network. Isomorphous [{Ln(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. 5nH(2)O (Ln=La, 3; Ln=Tb, 4; L-2=1,3 bis(pyridinio-4-carboxylato)-propane) each contain a centrosymmetric paddle-wheel-like dimeric unit in which each pair of adjacent metal atoms is bridged by four syn-syn mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups that are oriented nearly perpendicular to each other about the metal-metal axis. Neighboring dimeric subunits are bridged by a pair of flexible LL ligands into a polymeric chain. Adjacent chains are inter-linked by hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions into a three-dimensional network. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural characterization and luminescence studies of new lanthanide(III) complexes with nicotinic and isonicotinic acid N-oxides

Four new polymeric lanthanide(III) complexes of nicotinic acid N-oxide and isonicotinic acid N-oxide have been synthesized and structurally determined. In the isomorphous compounds [(Ln(L-1)(3) (H2O)(2))(n)]. 4nH(2)O(HL1 = nicotinic acid N-oxide; Ln = Eu, 1; Ln = Er, 2) the lanthanide(III) ions form infinite double chains along the b direction through the coordination of bridging carboxylate and N-oxide groups. The chains are cross-linked through hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands and uncoordinated N-oxide groups and between aqua ligands and lattice water molecules, to form a three-dimensional network. [(Eu(L-2)(2)-(H2O)(4))(n)](NO3)(n). nH(2)O (HL2 = isonicotinic acid N-oxide, 3) has a polymeric structure in which the europium (III) ions are connected into infinite chains by pairs of syn-syn carboxylate groups. Adjacent chains are interlinked by hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands and N-oxide groups to form a layer parallel to the (100) plane, and such layers are connected by hydrogen bonds between nitrate anions and aqua ligands, and between oxide groups and lattice water molecules, into a three-dimensional network. In [(Er-2(L-2)(4)(H2O)(10))](NO3)(2). H2O, 4, dinuclear units are inter-linked into a three-dimensional network through hydrogen bonding between aqua ligands and N-oxide groups of both bidentate bridging and unidentate L-2 ligands. Factors affecting the formation of coordination chains and dinuclear units are discussed. Luminescence properties of 1 and 3 have also been studied. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.