Atomic force microscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of DNA based on DNA-nanoparticle complexes

We report a simple method for the label-free detection of double-stranded DNA using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We prepared cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped silver nanoparticles and a DNA-nanoparticle complex by adding silver nanoparticles to lambda-DNA solutions. In the present study, the utilization of CTAB-capped silver nanoparticles facilitates the electrostatic interaction between DNA molecules and silver nanoparticles; at the same time, the introduction of DNA avoids adding aggregating agent for the formation of nanoparticle aggregates to obtain large enhancement of DNA, because the DNA acts as both the probe molecules and aggregating agent of Ag nanoparticles.

Surface-Relevant Regulable DNA Toroids Induced by Dopamine

Dopamine (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine) is known as a natural chemical neurotransmitter and is also a cytotoxic and genotoxic molecule for cell apoptosis. In this work, the interaction of DNA with dopamine was investigated. Though the electrostatic interaction of DNA and dopamine was weak in aqueous solution, dopamine condensed circular pBR322 DNA into toroids on the mica surface cooperatively with ethanol. The formed DNA toroids came from the shrinking of DNA that was driven by ethanol-enhanced DNA-dopamine electrostatic interaction. The size of the DNA toroids could be modulated by varying the concentration of dopamine. This study offers useful information about the DNA condensation induced by monovalent cations and the sample preparation for AFM measurement and application.

An Engineering-Purpose Preparation Strategy for Ammonium-Type Ionic Liquid with High Purity

A new strategy for preparing ammonium-type ionic liquid (IL) by acid/base neutralization reaction was proposed. The method contributed to preparing hydroxide-based ammonium IL and resulting task specific ionic liquid (TSIL) with high purity using a low-costly and environment-friendly synthetic. route. Halide contamination in the prepared ILs could be markedly decreased than those prepared by well-established anion metathesis method. Moreover, some novel TSILs composed of cations and anions with big steric hindrances could be prepared by this method. Physicochemical properties of the bifunctional TSILs, i.e., density, water content, decomposition temperature, and munal solubility, were also studied in this article.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New 3D Copper B-Paradodecatungstate Compound: [Na-2(H2O)(8)][Na-8(H2O)(20)][Cu(en)(2)][W12O42] center dot 3H(2)O

A new polyoxotungstate complex [Na-2(H2O)(8)][Na-8(H2O)(20)][Cu(en)(2)][W12O42] center dot 3 H2O (1) (en = ethylenediamine) has been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and TG analysis, together with a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. In compound 1, the Cu(en)(2)(2+) complex cation links the [W12O42](12-) anions to form a I D chain, and the ID chains are further interconnected with Na-8(H2O)(20)(8+) and Na-2(H2O)(8)(2+) cations to construct a new 3D framework.

3D metal-organic frameworks incorporating water-soluble tetra-p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

Water-soluble tetra-p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, acting as a four-connected node, bridges the rare earth cations into a 3D porous MOF in which 1D smaller circular hydrophilic channels and larger quadratic ones are lined up along the c axis and interconnected to each other by the calixarene cavities and other interstices.

Synthesis and Characterization of One-Dimensional and Molecular M(tren)InAsS4 (M = Mn, Co, and Zn) Compounds with a Noncondensed AsS33- Unit

Four transition-metal-amine complexes incorporating indium thioarsenates with the general formula M(tren)InAsS4 (M=Mn, Co, and Zn) and a noncondensed AsS33- unit have been prepared and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that compound 1 (M=Mn) crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group: P (1) over bar) and consists of a one-dimensional (1D) inorganic (1)(infinity){[InAsS4](2-)} chain and [Mn(tren)](2+) groups bonded to the opposite sides of an eight-membered In2As2S4 ring along the backbone of the infinite inorganic chains. Compounds 2 (M=Mn), 3 (M=Zn), and 4 (M=Co) are isomorphous molecular compounds. They all crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system (space group: P2(1)/c). The Mn2+ cation of [Mn(tren)](2+) in 1 has a distorted octahedral environment, while the transition-metal cations of [M(tren)](2+) in the other three compounds locate in trigonal-bipyramidal environments.

Molecular Nanocluster with a [Sn4Ga4Zn2Se20](8-) T3 Supertetrahedral Core

A multinary molecular nanocluster, in which a T3 supertetrahedral [Sn4Ga4Zn2Se20](8-) core was neutralized and covalently terminated by four [(TEPA)Mn](2+) (TEPA = tetraethylenepentamine) metal complexes, was synthesized and characterized. The cluster is assembled into, through hydrogen bonding and van de Waals forces, a superlattice that is chemically stable and free of strong covalent coupling. The four different cations were distributed within the cluster in such a manner that both the local charge balance and global charge compensation by the metal complex could be satisfied.

Poly[[(pentaethylenehexamine)manganese(II)] [hepta-mu-selenido-tritin(IV)]]: a tin-selenium net with remarkable flexibility

The title compound, {[Mn(C10H28N6)][Sn3Se7]}(n), consists of anionic (infinity){[Sn3Se7](2-)} layers interspersed by [Mn(peha)](2+) complex cations ( peha is pentaethylenehexamine). Pseudo-cubic (Sn3Se4) cluster units within each layer are held together to form a 6(3) net with a hole size of 8.74 x 13.87 angstrom. Weak N-H center dot center dot center dot Se interactions between the host inorganic frameworks and metal complexes extend the components into a three-dimensional network. The incorporation of metal complexes into the flexible anion layer dictates the distortion of the holes.

N-Methyl-N-Allylpyrrolidinium Based Ionic Liquids for Solvent-Free Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We prepared four new ionic liquids consisting of N-methyl-N-allylpyrrolidinium cation in conjunction with anions including iodide, nitrate, thiocyanate, and dicyanamide, respectively, and measured their physical properties of density, viscosity, and conductivity. Owing to the relatively lower melting point of electroactive N-methyl-N-allylpyrrolidinium iodide, in combination with three other nonelectroactive ionic liquids, we could construct solvent-free electrolytes possessing high iodide concentrations for dye-sensitized solar cells. We correlated temperature-dependent electrolyte viscosity with molar conductivity and triiodide mobility through applying an empirical Walden's rule and a modified Stokes-Einstein equation, respectively. We have further found that these anions (nitrate, thiocyanate, and dicyanamide) have different influences on surface states and electron transport in the mesoporous titania film, resulting in different photovoltages and photocurrents of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Formation of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-containing microstructures induced by electrostatic assembly and their application in solid-state detection of electrochemiluminescence

Tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ((Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)) is one of the most extensively studied and used electrochemiluminescent (ECL) compounds owing to its superior properties, which include high sensitivity and stability under moderate conditions in aqueous solution. In this paper we present a simple method for the preparation of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-containing microstructures based on electrostatic assembly The formation of such micro-structures occurs in a single process by direct mixing of aqueous solutions of [Ru(bpy)(3)]Cl-2 and K-3[Fe(CN)(6)] at room temperature. The electrostatic interactions between [Ru(bpy)(3)]Cl-2 cations and [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) anions cause them to assemble into the resulting microstructures. Both the molar ratio and concentration of reactants were found to have strong influences on the formation of these microstructures. Most importantly, the resulting [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)- containing microstructures exhibit excellent ECL behavior and, therefore, hold great promise for solid-state ECL detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE) or CE microchips.

Gold nanoparticle probes

Depending on their size, shape. degree of aggregation and nature of the protecting organic shells on their surface, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can appear red, blue and other colors and emit bright resonance light scattering of various wavelengths. Because of this unique optical property. AuNPs have been extensively explored as probes for sensing/imaging a wide range of analytes/targets, such as heavy metallic cations, nucleic acids, proteins, cells, etc. Since their initial discovery, novel synthetic methods have led to precise control over particle size, shape and stability, thus allowing the modification of a wide variety of ligands on the AuNP surfaces to meet different experimental conditions. This review discusses the synthesis and applications of functionalized AuNPs in chemical sensing and imaging.

Small-Molecule Selectively Recognizes Human Telomeric G-Quadruplex DNA and Regulates Its Conformational Switch

Structural complexity is an inherent feature of the human telomeric sequence, and it presents a major challenge for developing ligands of pharmaceutical interest. Recent studies have pointed out that the induction of a quadruplex or change of a quadruplex conformation on binding may be the most powerful method to exert the desired biological effect. In this study, we demonstrate a quadruplex ligand that binds selectively to different forms of the human telomeric G-quadruplex structure and regulates its conformational switch. The results show that not only can oxazine750 selectively induce parallel quadruplex formation from a random coil telomeric oligonucleotide, in the absence of added cations, it also can easily surpass the energy barrier between two structures and change the G-quadruplex conformation in Na+ or K+ solution. The combination of its unique properties, including the size and shape of the G-quadruplex and the small molecule, is proposed as the predominant force for regulating the special structural formation and transitions.

Structure and magnetic properties of new compounds CdYFeWO7

The solid solutions of CdYFeWO7, which are cubic pyrochlores of the type A(2)B(2)O(7), have been prepared and their structures were determined using Ab initio method. Rietveld refinement of the powder XRD data showed that CdYFeWO7 adopted cubic (Fd-3m) structure, while oxides crystallized in a defect-pyrochlore structure where both O (48f) and O'(8b) sites were partially occupied, and the frustrated cations sublattice precluded long range ordering of Fe/W in the pyrochlore structure. Charge distribution analysis also suggested incomplete occupation of different oxygen sites, thus the compound was non-stoichiometric, with the formula CdYFeW0.982O6.94, Magnetic measurements were carried out to find that Fe ions were in the high spin trivalent state. Curie Weiss paramagnetism down to similar to 5 K and the characteristic superposition between FC and ZFC suggested spin liquid rather than spin glass state.

Electrochemiluminescence sensor based on partial sulfonation of polystyrene with carbon nanotubes

Herein, homogenously partial sulfonation of polystyrene (PSP) was performed. An effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on PSP with carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite film was developed. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy were applied to characterize this composite film. The PSP was used as an immobilization matrix to entrap the ECL reagent Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) due to the electrostatic interactions between sulfonic acid groups and Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) cations. The introduction of CNTs into PSP acted not only as a conducting pathway to accelerate the electron transfer but also as a proper matrix to immobilize Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) on the electrode by hydrophobic interaction. Furthermore, the results indicated the ECL intensity produced at this composite film was over 3-fold compared with that of the pure PSP film due to the electrocatalytic activity of the CNTs. Such a sensor was verified by the sensitive determinations of 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol and tripropylamine.

Enhanced electrochemiluminescence sensor from tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) incorporated into MCM-41 and an ionic liquid-based carbon paste electrode

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,29-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)] ion-exchanged in the sulfonic-functionalized MCM-41 silicas was developed with tripropylamine (TPrA) as a co-reactant in a carbon paste electrode (CPE) using a room temperature ionic liquid (IL) as a binder. The sulfonic-functionalized silicas MCM-41 were used for preparing an ECL sensor by the electrostatic interactions between Ru( bpy)(3)(2+) cations and sulfonic acid groups. We used the IL as a binder to construct the CPE (IL-CPE) to replace the traditional binder of the CPE (T-CPE)-silicone oil. The results indicated that the MCM-41-modified IL-CPE had more open structures to allow faster diffusion of Ru( bpy)(3)(2+) and that the ionic liquid also acted as a conducting bridge to connect TPrA with Ru( bpy)(3)(2+) sites immobilized in the electrode, resulting in a higher ECL intensity compared with the MCM-41-modified T-CPE. Herein, the detection limit for TPrA of the MCM-41-modified IL-CPE was 7.2 nM, which was two orders of magnitude lower than that observed at the T-CPE. When this new sensor was used in flow injection analysis (FIA), the MCM-41-modified IL-CPE ECL sensor also showed good reproducibility. Furthermore, the sensor could also be renewed easily by mechanical polishing whenever needed.