Poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene) Derivatives with Ether Substituents to Improve Polymer Solubility for Use in Organic Light-Emitting Diode Devices

New ether-substituted poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives were synthesized via Horner-Emmons coupling. The structures of the monomers and the resultant oligomers were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The molecular weights of the oligomers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, giving the number-average and weight-average molecular weights and the corresponding polydispersity indices. Measurements of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence were used to characterize the optical properties of the oligomers. Estimation of the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels and other electrochemical characteristics of the oligomers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Dialkyl and dialkoxy PPV oligomers were also prepared and characterized following the same instrumental methods used for the ether-substituted oligomers, providing a known reference system to judge the performance of the new conjugated oligomers. Devices were fabricated to analyze the electroluminescent characteristics of the oligomers in organic light-emitting diodes.

Hydrogel-Encapsulated Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanoshells for Smart Drug Delivery

A "smart" core@shell composite nanoparticle (NP) having dual-response mechanisms (i.e., temperature and light) was synthesized, and its efficacy in the loading and release of small molecules was explored. These core@shell NPs are composed of an optically active gold nanoshell (GNS) core and a mesoporous (m-) silica layer (m-SiO2). The GNS@m-SiO2 nanoparticles are further encapsulated within a thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel (PNIPAM-co-AA). The multi-responsive composite NPs were designed to create thermally and optically modulated drug-delivery vehicles with a m-SiO2 layer providing additional non-collapsible space for drug storage. The influence of the m-SiO2 layer on the efficacy of loading and release of methylene blue, which serves as a model for a small-molecule therapeutic drug, was evaluated. The "smart" core@shell composite NPs having a m-SiO2 layer demonstrated an improved capacity to load and release small molecules compared to the corresponding NPs with no m-SiO2 shell. Additionally, an efficient response by the composite NPs was successfully induced by the thermal energy generated from the gold nanoshell core upon exposure to near infrared (NIR) stimulation.

Sum Frequency Generation Imaging Microscopy of Self-Assembled Monolayers on Metal Surfaces: Factor Analysis of Mixed Monolayers

Sum frequency generation (SFG) images of microcontact patterned self-assembled alkanethiol monolayers on metal surfaces were analyzed by factor analysis (FA) to determine the spatial distribution of the patterned monolayers over the images. Additionally, each significant abstract factor produced by FA was assessed to determine the information contained within it. These results indicate that FA of the SFG spectra is a promising method to determine the composition and identities of mixed alkanethiol systems that show different vibrational spectra and image contrast. Factor analysis has successfully been applied to SFG images obtained with low signals, which reduces the time required for full spectral SFG imaging.

Porous silver-coated pNIPAM-co-AAc hydrogel nanocapsules

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of a new type of core-shell nanoparticle in which the structure consists of a hydrogel core encapsulated within a porous silver shell. The thermo-responsive hydrogel cores were prepared by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization of a selected mixture of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and acrylic acid (AAc). The hydrogel cores were then encased within either a porous or complete silver shell for which the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) extends from visible to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (i.e., λ_max varies from 550 to 1050 nm, depending on the porosity), allowing for reversible contraction and swelling of the hydrogel via photothermal heating of the surrounding silver shell. Given that NIR light can pass through tissue, and the silver shell is porous, this system can serve as a platform for the smart delivery of payloads stored within the hydrogel core. The morphology and composition of the composite nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, TEM, and FTIR, respectively. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the optical properties.

Ginger Extract Promotes Telomere Shortening and Cellular Senescence in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Replicative senescence, which is caused by telomere shortening from the end replication problem, is considered one of the tumor-suppressor mechanisms in eukaryotes. However, most cancers escape this replicative senescence by reactivating telomerase, an enzyme that extends the 3'-ends of the telomeres. Previously, we reported the telomerase inhibitory effect of a crude Zingiber officinale extract (ZOE), which suppressed hTERT expression, leading to a reduction in hTERT protein and telomerase activity in A549 lung cancer cells. In the present study, we found that ZOE-induced telomere shortening and cellular senescence during the period of 60 days when these A549 cells were treated with subcytotoxic doses of ZOE. Using assay-guided fractionation and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis, we found that the major compounds in the active subfractions were paradols and shogaols of various chain lengths. The results from studies of pure 6-paradol and 6-shogaol confirmed that these two compounds could suppress hTERT expression as well as telomerase activity in A549 cells. These results suggest that these paradols and shogaols are likely the active compounds in ZOE that suppress hTERT expression and telomerase activity in these cells. Furthermore, ZOE was found to be nontoxic and had an anticlastogenic effect against diethylnitrosamine-induced liver micronucleus formation in rats. These findings suggest that ginger extract can potentially be useful in dietary cancer prevention.

Quaternary Ammonium-Terminated Films Formed from Mixed Bidentate Adsorbates Provide a High-Capacity Platform for Oligonucleotide Delivery

The exposure of quaternary ammonium groups on surfaces allows self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to serve as architectural platforms for immobilizing oligonucleotides. The current study describes the preparation of SAMs derived from four unique bidentate adsorbates containing two different ammonium termini (i.e., trimethyl- and triethyl-) and comparison to their monodentate analogs. Our studies found that SAMs derived from the bidentate adsorbates offered considerable enhancements in oligonucleotide binding when compared to SAMs derived from their monodentate analogs. The generated SAMs were analyzed using ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. These analyses showed that the immobilization of oligonucleotides was affected by changes in the terminal functionalities and the relative packing densities of the monolayers. In efforts to enhance further the immobilization of oligonucleotides on these SAM surfaces, we explored the use of adsorbates having aliphatic linkers with systematically varying chain lengths to form binary SAMs on gold. Mixed monolayers with 50:50 ratios of adsorbates showed the greatest oligonucleotide binding. These studies lay the groundwork for oligonucleotide delivery using gold-based nanoparticles and nanoshells.

Vibrational response of clusters of Fe3O4 nanoparticles patterned on glass surfaces investigated with magnetic sample modulation AFM

The vibration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in response to an alternating magnetic field can be sensitively detected using contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with selective modulation of magnetic domains. While imaging patterned samples of magnetic nanoparticles with contact mode AFM, a magnetic field was applied to drive sample vibration. The field altered in polarity and strength according to parameters of an AC current applied to a solenoid located under the sample. The vibration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was detected by a nonmagnetic AFM tip to map the changes in frequency and amplitude of the vibrating sample at the level of individual Fe3O4 nanoparticles and clusters. Colloidal lithography, was used to prepare patterns of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on a glass surface using the basic steps of mixing, drying and removing the surface template of latex spheres. Monodisperse latex spheres were used to guide the deposition of magnetic nanoparticles in the spaces between the close-packed spheres of the latex film. With a mixture approach of "two-particle" lithography, 2D arrays of patterned aggregates of metal nanoparticles were generated which formed a periodic, well-defined arrangement that was suitable for subsequent characterizations with magnetic sample modulation (MSM).

Unsymmetrical Spiroalkanedithiols Having Mixed Fluorinated and Alkyl Tailgroups of Varying Length: Film Structure and Interfacial Properties

A custom-designed series of unsymmetrical spiroalkanedithiols having tailgroups comprised of a terminally fluorinated chain and a hydrocarbon chain of varying lengths were synthesized and used to prepare self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates. The specific structure of the adsorbates was of the form [CH₃(CH₂)n][CF₃(CF₂)₇(CH₂)₈]C[CH₂SH]₂, where n = 7, 9, and 15 (designated as F8H10-C10, F8H10-C12, and F8H10-C18, respectively). The influence of the length of the hydrocarbon chain in the bidentate dithiol on the structure and interfacial properties of the monolayer was explored. A structurally analogous partially fluorinated monodentate alkanethiol and the corresponding normal alkanethiols were used to generate appropriate SAMs as reference systems. Measurements of ellipsometric thickness showed an unexpectedly low film thickness for the SAMs derived from the bidentate adsorbates, possibly due to disruptions in interchain packing caused by the fluorocarbon chains (i.e., phase-incompatible fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon interactions), ultimately giving rise to loosely packed and disordered films. Analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were also consistent with a model in which the films were loosely packed; additionally, the XPS spectra confirmed the attachment of the sulfur headgroups of the bidentate adsorbates onto the gold substrates. Studies of the SAMs by polarization modulation-infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) suggested that as the length of the hydrocarbon chain in the adsorbates was extended, a more ordered surface was achieved by reducing the tilt of the fluorocarbon segment. The wettability data indicated that the adsorbates with longer alkyl chains were less wettable than those with shorter alkyl chains, likely due to an increase in interchain van der Waals forces in the former.

Inhibiting Reductive Elimination as an Intramolecular Disulfide Dramatically Enhances the Thermal Stability of SAMs on Gold Derived from Bidentate Adsorbents

The bidentate aromatic adsorbate, 5-(octadecyloxy)-1,3-benzenedimethanethiol (R1ArmDT), with a specific design of extended S-S distance and a geometric constraint to resist cyclic disulfide formation was synthesized. The film formation and thermal stability of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) derived from R1ArmDT were investigated and compared to those of SAMs derived from an analogous bidentate dithiol 2-(4-(octadecyloxy)-phenyl)propane-1,3-dithiol (R1ArDT), in which the two sulfur atoms can readily form a cyclic disulfide upon reductive elimination from the surface. Although the SAMs derived from R1ArmDT were less densely packed than those derived from R1ArDT, as judged by the data obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, the SAMs derived from R1ArmDT were markedly more thermally stable than those derived from R1ArDT. The greater thermal stability of the R1ArmDT SAMs can be rationalized on the basis of the structure of the bidentate R1ArmDT headgroup, in which the two pendant sulfur atoms cannot access each other intramolecularly to form a cyclic disulfide upon reductive elimination from the surface.

Temperature-Responsive Hydrogel-Coated Gold Nanoshells

Gold nanoshells (~160 nm in diameter) were encapsulated within a shell of temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-co-AA)) using a surface-bound rationally-designed free radical initiator in water for the development of a photothermally-induced drug-delivery system. The morphologies of the resultant hydrogel-coated nanoshells were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the temperature-responsive behavior of the nanoparticles was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The diameter of the P(NIPAM-co-AA) encapsulated nanoshells decreased as the solution temperature was increased, indicating a collapse of the hydrogel layer with increasing temperatures. In addition, the optical properties of the composite nanoshells were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of the hydrogel-coated nanoshells appeared at ~800 nm, which lies within the tissue-transparent range that is important for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the periphery of the particles was conjugated with the model protein avidin to modify the hydrogel-coated nanoshells with a fluorescent-tagged biotin, biotin-4-fluorescein (biotin-4-FITC), for colorimetric imaging/monitoring.

Magnetic Sensing Potential of Fe3O4 Nanocubes Exceeds That of Fe3O4 Nanospheres

This paper highlights the relation between the shape of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) particles and their magnetic sensing ability. We synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanocubes and nanospheres having tunable sizes via solvothermal and thermal decomposition synthesis reactions, respectively, to obtain samples in which the volumes and body diagonals/diameters were equivalent. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) data showed that the saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity of 100-225 nm cubic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were, respectively, 1.4-3.0 and 1.1-8.4 times those of spherical MNPs on a same-volume and same-body diagonal/diameter basis. The Curie temperature for the cubic Fe₃O₄ MNPs for each size was also higher than that of the corresponding spherical MNPs; furthermore, the cubic Fe₃O₄ MNPs were more crystalline than the corresponding spherical MNPs. For applications relying on both higher contact area and enhanced magnetic properties, higher-M_s Fe₃O₄ nanocubes offer distinct advantages over Fe₃O₄ nanospheres of the same-volume or same-body diagonal/diameter. We evaluated the sensing potential of our synthesized MNPs using giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensing and force-induced remnant magnetization spectroscopy (FIRMS). Preliminary data obtained by GMR sensing confirmed that the nanocubes exhibited a distinct sensitivity advantage over the nanospheres. Similarly, FIRMS data showed that when subjected to the same force at the same initial concentration, a greater number of nanocubes remained bound to the sensor surface because of higher surface contact area. Because greater binding and higher M_s translate to stronger signal and better analytical sensitivity, nanocubes are an attractive alternative to nanospheres in sensing applications.

Biosensing Using Magnetic Particle Detection Techniques

Magnetic particles are widely used as signal labels in a variety of biological sensing applications, such as molecular detection and related strategies that rely on ligand-receptor binding. In this review, we explore the fundamental concepts involved in designing magnetic particles for biosensing applications and the techniques used to detect them. First, we briefly describe the magnetic properties that are important for bio-sensing applications and highlight the associated key parameters (such as the starting materials, size, functionalization methods, and bio-conjugation strategies). Subsequently, we focus on magnetic sensing applications that utilize several types of magnetic detection techniques: spintronic sensors, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors, superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), sensors based on the atomic magnetometer (AM), and others. From the studies reported, we note that the size of the MPs is one of the most important factors in choosing a sensing technique.

Homogeneously Mixed Monolayers: Emergence of Compositionally Conflicted Interfaces

The ability to manipulate interfaces at the nanoscale via a variety of thin-film technologies offers a plethora of avenues for advancing surface applications. These include surfaces with remarkable antibiofouling properties as well as those with tunable physical and electronic properties. Molecular self-assembly is one notably attractive method used to decorate and modify surfaces. Of particular interest to surface scientists has been the thiolate-gold system, which serves as a reliable method for generating model thin-film monolayers that transform the interfacial properties of gold surfaces. Despite widespread interest, efforts to tune the interfacial properties using mixed adsorbate systems have frequently led to phase-separated domains of molecules on the surface with random sizes and shapes depending on the structure and chemical composition of the adsorbates. This feature article highlights newly emerging methods for generating mixed thin-film interfaces, not only to enhance the aforementioned properties of organic thin films, but also to give rise to interfacial compositions never before observed in nature. An example would be the development of monolayers formed from bidentate adsorbates and other unique headgroup architectures that provide the surface bonding stability necessary to allow the assembly of interfaces that expose mixtures of chains that are fundamentally different in character (i.e., either phase-incompatible or structurally dissimilar), producing compositionally "conflicted" interfaces. By also exploring the prior efforts to produce such homogeneously blended interfaces, this feature article seeks to convey the relationships between the methods of film formation and the overall properties of the resulting interfaces.