Self-assembly of a polymer pair through poly(lactide) stereocomplexation

A polymer pair composed of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate terminated oligo( L-lactide)) ( poly( NIPAAm-co-HEMAOLLA)) graft random copolymer and poly( D-lactide) ( PDLA) homopolymer was self-assembled into micelles with a diameter around 100 nm through the stereocomplexation between the OLLA branches of the graft copolymer and the PDLA homopolymer. The specific intermolecular stereocomplexation was considered as the powerful ordered aggregation force in the micelle cores. The shell's component of poly( NIPAAm-co-HEMA) and its thermosensitivity were proved by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR) and dynamic light scattering ( DLS), respectively. The incorporation of PDLA homopolymer into the graft copolymer affected the micelle size and the critical micelle concentration ( CMC). The incorporation of even a small quantity ( 11 wt%) of PDLA into the graft copolymer micelles resulted in a great decrease of the micelle size. For the graft copolymer with low per cent grafting of 18%, the size of the corresponding micelles decreased slightly even if the PDLA content increased up to 33 wt%. For the graft copolymer with high per cent grafting of 58%, with the further increase of PDLA content, the size of the corresponding micelles at first decreased further and then began to increase. The molecular weight of the PDLA did not significantly affect the micelle size.

One-step synthesis of gold-polyaniline core-shell particles

A one-step method has been developed for synthesizing gold-polyaniline (Au@PANI) core-shell particles by using chlorauric acid (HAuCl4) to oxidize aniline in the presence of acetic acid and Tween 40 at room temperature. SEM images indicated that the resulting core-shell particles were composed of submicrometre-scale Au particles and PANI shells with an average thickness of 25 nm. Furthermore, a possible mechanism concerning the growth of Au@PANI particles was also proposed based on the results of control experiments.

Manipulations of atoms and molecules by scanning probe microscopyk

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM), including scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), has become a powerful tool in building nanoscale structures required by modern industry. In this article, the use of SPM for the manipulation of atoms and molecules for patterning nanostructures for opt-electronic and biomedical applications is reviewed. The principles and procedures of manipulation using STM and AFM-based technologies are presented with an emphasis on their ability to create a wide variety of nanostructures for different applications. The interaction among the atoms/molecules, surface, and tip are discussed. The approaches for positioning the atom/molecule from and to the desired locations and for precisely controlling its movement are elaborated for each specific manipulation technique. As an AFM-based technique, the dip-pen nanolithography is also included. Finally, concluding remarks on technological improvement and future research is provided.

Synthesis of AgCl/PAN composite nanofibres using an electrospinning method

A new route based on electrospinning is designed for the preparation of silver chloride/polyacrylonitrile (AgCl/PAN) composite nanofibres. The AgCl nanoparticles uniform in size, were dispersed on the surfaces of the composite nanofibres. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images gave direct evidence of the structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of AgCl crystals.

In situ synthesis of silica gel nanowire/Na+-montmorillonite nanocomposites by the sol-gel route

Silica-gel nanowire/Na+-montmorillonite (Na+-MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by the in situ sol-gel process of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of Na+-MMT and ammonia as catalyst. Microstructure characterization of the nanocomposites was done by SEM, , EDX, XRD and FTIR. It was found that a lot of silica-gel nanowires grew along the edges of Na+-MMT. The combination between the nanowires and Na+-MMT was accomplished via polycondensation of the hydrolyzed TEOS and the edge-OH groups of Na+-MMT.

Atomic force microscope investigation of large-circle DNA molecules

A circular bacterial artificial chromosome of 148.9 kbp on human chromosome 3 has been extended and fixed on bare mica substrates using a developed fluid capillary flow method in evaporating liquid drops. Extended circular DNA molecules were imaged with an atomic force microscope (AFM) under ambient conditions. The measured total lengths of the whole DNA molecules were in agreement with sequencing analysis data with an error range of +/-3.6%. This work is important groundwork for probing single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human genome, mapping genomic DNA, manipulating biomolecular nanotechnology, and studying the interaction of DNA-protein complexes investigated by AFM.

Surprising arching sheet-like dendrites growing from BaF2 nanocubes

BaF2 nanocubes were prepared from quaternary reverse micelles of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), n-butanol, n-octane, and water. Interestingly, there are arching sheet-like dendrites growing between two neighbouring sides of these cubes. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the products were BaF2 single phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transition electron microscopy (TEM) was used to estimate the size of the final products. The results showed that the shape and size of particles were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions, such as the temperature and reaction time. When the reaction temperature was 25 degreesC, we obtained cuboid-like particles with 'clean' surfaces (no dendrites growing on them), and when the temperature was 35 degreesC, we obtained nanocubes with dendrites growing from them between the neighbouring sides. The influence of reaction time at a temperature of 35 degreesC is also discussed.

Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of SiO2@CaWO4, SiO2@CaWO4 : Eu3+/Tb3+ core-shell structured spherical particles

Nanocrystalline CaWO4 and Eu3+ (Tb3+)-doped CaWO4 phosphor layers were coated on non-aggregated, monodisperse and spherical SiO2 particles by the Pechini sol-gel method, resulting in the formation of SiO2@CaWO4, SiO2@CaWO4:Eu3+/Tb3+, core-shell structured particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), time-resolved PL spectra and lifetimes were used to characterize the core-shell structured materials. Both XRD and FT-IR indicate that CaWO4 layers have been successfully coated on the SiO2 particles, which can be further verified by the FESEM and TEM images. The PL and CL demonstrate that the SiO2@CaWO4 sample exhibits blue emission band WO42- with a maximum at 420 nm (lifetime = 12.8 mu s) originated from the 4 groups, while SiO2@CaWO4:Eu3+ and SiO2@CaWO4:Tb3+ show additional red emission dominated by 614 nm (Eu3+:D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition, lifetime = 1.04 ms) and green emission at 544 nm (Tb3+:D-5(4)-F-7(5) transition, lifetime = 1.38 ms), respectively.

Sol-gel synthesis and photoluminescence properties of spherical SiO2@LaPO4 : Ce3+/Tb3+ particles with a core-shell structure

LaPO4: Ce3+ and LaPO4: Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphor layers have been deposited successfully on monodispersed and spherical SiO2 particles of different sizes ( 300, 500, 900 and 1200 nm) through a sol - gel process, resulting in the formation of core - shell structured SiO2@ LaPO4: Ce3+/ Tb3+ particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microcopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and general and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting SiO2@ LaPO4: Ce3+/ Tb3+ samples. The XRD results demonstrate that the LaPO4: Ce3+, Tb3+ layers begin to crystallize on the SiO2 templates after annealing at 700 degrees C, and the crystallinity increases on raising the annealing temperature. The obtained core - shell phosphors have perfectly spherical shape with a narrow size distribution, non-agglomeration, and a smooth surface. The doped rare-earth ions show their characteristic emission in the core - shell phosphors, i.e. Ce3+ 5d - 4f and Tb3+5D4 - F-7(J) (J = 6 - 3) transitions, respectively. The PL intensity of the Tb3+ increased on increasing the annealing temperature and the SiO2 core particle size.

Fabrication of self-assembled palladium nanosheets using layered organic/inorganic hybrid as the template

In this paper, a simple route to the fabrication of palladium nanosheets is described. The interaction of palladium chloride (PdCl2) and n-octylamine salt resulted in the formation of a quasi-perovskite-type composite with a layered structure on a molecular scale. This composite can be employed as a template for preparing ultrathin Pd nanosheets when a {PdCl4}(2-) network is reduced in situ by hydrogen in toluene. The x-ray diffraction results indicate that the resulting Pd nanosheets are highly ordered, and they are confined inside the organic matrix as evidenced by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. These Pd nanosheets can be reorganized into layered structures in non-polarized organic solvent when the ordered structure is destroyed. This method of preparing Pd nanosheets is expected to be applicable to other layered organic/inorganic perovskite systems for obtaining the corresponding metal nanosheets.

Seed-mediated synthesis of branched gold nanoparticles with the assistance of citrate and their surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties

We report an easy synthesis of highly branched gold particles through a seed-mediated growth approach in the presence of citrate. The addition of citrate in the growth solution is found to be crucial for the formation of these branched gold particles. Their size can be varied from 47 to 185 nm. The length of the thumb-like branch is estimated to be between about 5 and 20 nm, and changes slightly as the particle size increases. Owing to these obtuse and short branches, their surface plasmon resonance displays a marked red-shift with respect to the normal spherical particles. These branched gold particles exhibit stronger SERS activity than the non-branched ones, which is most likely related to these unique branching features.

Facile sonochemical synthesis of CePO4 : Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanorods with highly improved photoluminescent properties

A simple, efficient and quick method has been established for the synthesis of CePO4:Tb nanorods and CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanorods via ultrasound irradiation of inorganic salt aqueous solution under ambient conditions for 2 h. The as-prepared products were characterized by means of powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction ( SAED), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and lifetimes. TEM micrographs show that all of the as-prepared cerium phosphate products have rod-like shape, and have a relatively high degree of crystallinity and uniformity. HRTEM micrographs and SAED results prove that these nanorods are single crystalline in nature. The emission intensity and lifetime of the CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanorods increased significantly with respect to those of CePO4: Tb core nanorods under the same conditions. A substantial reduction in reaction time as well as reaction temperature is observed compared with the hydrothermal process.

An effective approach to synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites

A novel synthetic route for nearly monodispersed poly(methyl methacrylate)/SiO2 composite particles (PMSCP) is reported. Silica nanoparticles modified with oleic acid were used as 'seeds'. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer was copolymerized with oleic acid via in situ emulsion polymerization, in the presence of an initiator; it resulted finally in the formation of composites with core-shell morphology. The composite particles were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The number of silica particles inside the composite particles increases with an increase in the silica concentration. The effect of grafted silica concentration on the morphology of PMSCP is also reported in detail. It was found by thermogravimetric analysis that PMSCP show a potential application for fire retardance.

Synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals stabilized by polyoxometalates

A novel and facile chemical synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals is reported. The gold nanocrystals are hexagonal in transmission electron microscopy and icosahedral in scanning electron microscopy. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA), which was previously reduced, serves as a reductant and stabilizer for the synthesis of gold nanocrystals. The PTA-gold nanocomposites are quite stable in aqueous solutions, and electrochemically active towards the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Controlled synthesis of 2D Au nanostructure assembly with the assistance of sulfonated polyaniline nanotubes

A wet chemical approach is used successfully to produce nanostructured Au material by the reduction of sulfonated polyaniline (SPANI) nanotubes. The Au nanostructures obtained are composed of single crystal Au nanoplates, which are aggregated layer-by-layer into stacks or edge-on-face into clusters at various conditions. The Au nanoplate diameter and thickness can be conveniently controlled in the range of 100 nm to 2 mu m and 10 to 30 nm, respectively, with no accompanying single Au nanoparticles being observed. The formation of the Au nanostructures was controlled by the degradation of SPANI. The gradually and slowly released segments of SPANI served as the reductant during the growth of the 2D Au nanostructures.