Induction effect of Ca2+ on ion-channel behavior of supported phospholipid membranes

As a kind of supported bilayer lipid membranes, hybrid bilayer membrane (HBM) was applied to the interaction between Ca2+ and lipid for the first time. By using Fe(CN)(6)(3-) as a probe, we found that Ca2+ could induce the ion channel of HBM to be in open state. STM images study proved this phenomenon.

Preparation, characterization and luminescent properties of MCM-41 type materials impregnated with rare earth complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated as Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM-41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ under UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showed significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of the red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, the hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding character of the MCM-41 host.

Luminescent properties of Gd3PO7 : Eu in UV/VUV region

The luminescent properties of Gd3PO7:Eu were investigated in W and VUV regions. This phosphor has such strong emissions around 618.5 nn under UV excitation, especially around 209nn, that it has a better colour saturation than that of Y2O3:Eu. It could be a new potential red phosphor for lamp and other applications with W-excitation source or even for displaying devices. In the VUV excitation spectrum of Eu3+ emissions, energy absorptions by Gd3+, Gd-O and PO43- have been observed, on which it can be inferred that there are three kinds of energy transferring processes to Eu-3(+) ions. The energy absorptions of Gd3+, Gd-O and PO43- are induced by 4f --> 4f transitions, a bandgap transition of Gd3PO7 and intramolecular (2t(2) --> 2a, 3t(2)) transition, respectively. The energy transfer efficiency of the PO43- intramolecular transition is lower compared with that of the bandgap transition (Gd-O).

Luminescent centers of EU2+ in BaMgAl10O17 phosphor

Two kinds of luminescent centers an observed in BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor. Influence of flux on luminescence of Eu2+ in the phosphor is discussed in detail. There exists Eu2+ (F-) center (a luminescent center with 277 nm excitation band and 386 nm emission band) due to the substitution of F- ions for O2- ions, Effective energy transfer from Eu2+ (F-) to Eu2+ (O2-) (a luminescent center with 334 nm excitation band and 450 nm emission band) is observed. The quenching concentration of Eu2+ in BaMgAl10O17 is raised by 0.20 mole per mole host due to forming of new luminescent center Eu2+ (F-). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progress in luminescent films prepared by sol-gel process

In this paper, state of the art for luminescent films prepared by sol-gel process has been reviewed. The basic process and characteristics for the synthesis of luminescent films via sol-gel method, Characterization methods for the films and the current status for the development and application of luminescent films are discussed in the context, An elucidation has been made on the luminescent films classified by composition, including inorganic luminescent films and organic/inorganic hybrid luminescent films. The sol-gel derived luminescent films have found applications in the display devices for photoluminescence, electroluminescence, cathodoluminescence and field emission etc. Finally, the future development tendency for the luminescent films are forecasted.

A facile approach to immobilize protein for biosensor: self-assembled supported bilayer lipid membranes on glassy carbon electrode

A kind of solid substrate, glassy carbon (GC) electrode. was selected to support self-assembled lipid layer membranes. On the surface of GC electrode. we made layers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPG, a kind of lipid). From electrochemical impedance experiments. we demonstrated that the lipid layers on the GC electrode were bilayer lipid membranes. We immobilized horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the supported bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLM) to develop a kind of mediator-free biosensor for H2O2. The biosensor exhibited fine electrochemical response, stability and reproducibility due to the presence of the s-BLM. As a model of biological membrane, s-BLM could supply a biological environment for enzyme and maintain its activity. So s-BLM is an ideal choice to immobilize enzyme for constructing the mediator-free biosensor based on GC electrode. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Energy transfer in phase-separated luminescent polymer films

The energy transfer in a blend film of poly 3-(2-(5-chlorobenzotriazolo) ethyl) thiophene (PCSET) and polyvinylcarzole (PVK) was investigated. The UV-VIS and photoluminescence (PL) results suggest that the energy transfer from PVK to PCBET leads to the enhancement of PL emission of PCBET. The AFM and LMF results indicated that the domains of blend polymer film are of micro-meter size. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The luminescent properties of Sm2+ in strontium tetraborates (SrB4O7 : Sm2+)

The luminescence of Sm2+ in SrB4O7 was studied as a function of temperature from 10 K up to 600 K. According to the high-resolution spectra of Sm2+ in matrix at 10 K, the line numbers of D-5(0)-F-7(J) transitions were 1, 3, 5 for J = 0, 1, 2, respectively. The D-5(1)-F-7(J) (J = 0, 1, 2) transitions were observed at high temperature. The intensities of D-5(0)-F-7(J) transitions increased up to 400 K and then decreased with increase in temperature. 4f(5)d(1)-4f(6) transition of Sm2+ appeared at high temperature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Luminescent properties of divalent samarium-doped strontium hexaborate

The valence change of samarium from trivalent to divalent in strontium hexaborate (SrB6O10) prepared in air is observed. The temperature dependence of the luminescence and vibronic transitions of Sm2+ are studied. The Sm2+ ions occupy three crystallographic sites. With increasing temperature, the D-5(0)-->F-7(0) transition line exhibits red shifts, and the half-width increases. At room temperature, due to the thermal population through the 4f(5)5d channel, the D-5(1)-->F-7(J) transitions are observed even though the vibrational energy is very close to the energy gap between the D-5(1) and D-5(0) levels in the host. A coupled phonon energy of about 108 cm(-1) is determined from the vibronic transitions of Sm2+ in the host.

A new high efficiency green luminescent material - the system Al2O3-B2O3 containing Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions

To obtain high efficiency luminescent materials, the system Al2O3-B2O3 containing Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions with variation of B2O3-content, has been prepared by Al2O3, H3BO3, CeO2 and Tb4O7 under reducing atmosphere at 1250(j)ae. It is notable that the brightness of the sample with appropriate composition is similar to that of commercial phosphorous containing Ce3+ and Tb3+, indicating that a new high efficency green luminescent material was obtained with appropriate B2O3-content.

Structure and luminescent properties of YAG : Eu, Bi synthesized by sol-gel method

(Y1-xEux)(3)Al5O12 and (Y1-x-yEuxBiy)(3)Al5O12 were prepared by so-gel method. Their structures of the luminophor are similar to that of YAG, which is recorded on the ASTM card and belongs to a cubic system. The luminescent properties show that the reaction temperature of the current sol-gel method is in the range of 400-500 degrees C, which is lower than that of the conventional solid state reaction. The luminophors have the strongest emission intensity when the values of x and y are 0.06 and 0.013, respectively.

Preparation and luminescent properties of inorganic polymer nano - Structured hybrid films doped with rare earth complexes

The inorganic/polymer hybrid films with good luminescent properties have been obtained by the sol - gel process via incorporating the polymer component doped with rare earth complexes. These films exhibit good toughness and transparency. Their fluorescence spectra and lifetimes indicate that they all have the characteristic luminescence of the central rare earth ions. The lifetimes of these films are longer than those of pure complexes. TEM have showed that the rare earth complexes are dispersed homogeneously in SiO2/PVB interpenetratiny networks, and the dispersed size is between 20 and 30 nn.

Electrochemical study of gramicidin D forming ion-permeable channels in the bilayer lipid membranes

Gramicidin within the lipid bilayer matrix is a well-known channel-forming polypeptide, but the mechanism of the ions across the membrane induced by gramicidin is not well understood. We found that at very low concentration of gramicidin in a bilayer lipid membrane, the channel behavior was controlled by the voltage applied across the membrane. When the voltage is higher than 75 mV, the channel is closing, while lower than 75 mV, the channel is opening. But when the concentration of the gramicidin in the BLMs is high, the channel behavior is changed into voltage-independent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of polymer chain structure and chain distance on luminescent efficiency

Three kinds of PPV-based copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Their luminescent properties were investigated and discussed by PL spectrum, and time-dependence luminescent spectrum in film and solution stare. The results show that in the range of our study, the PL intensity and lifetime of luminescent decay increase with the increasing length of flexible segments and the solution diluting, indicating the tendency of the increase of luminescent efficiency.

Effects of La3+ on lipid fluidity land structural transitions in human erythrocyte membranes

The effects of La3+ on the structure and function of human erythrocyte membranes were investigated by fluorescence polarization, spin-labeled electron spin resonance (ESR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that increasing concentrations of La3+ inhibited (Na++K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities. La3+ lowered the lipid fluidity of erythrocyte membranes and induced structural transitions in erythrocyte membranes.