Adsorption of histidine and histidine-containing peptides on Au(111): A molecular dynamics study

Impact of hybrid plasmonic nanoparticles on the charge carrier mobility of P3HT:PCBM polymer solar cells

The solution processable polymer solar cells have shown a great promise as a cost-effective photovoltaic technology. Here, the effect of carrier mobility changes has been comprehensively investigated on the performance of P3HT:PCBM polymer solar cells using electro-optical coupled simulation regimes, which may result from the embedding of SiO₂@Ag@SiO₂ plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in the active layer. Firstly, the active layer thickness, stemmed from the low mobility of the charge carriers, is optimized. The device with 80 nm thick active layer provided maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.47%. Subsequently, the PCE has increased to 6.75% and 6.5%, respectively, along with the benefit of light scattering, near-fields and interparticle hotspots produced by embedded spherical and cubic nanoparticles. The PCE of the devices with incorporated plasmonic nanoparticles are remarkably enhanced up to 7.61% (for spherical NPs) and 7.35% (for cubic NPs) owing to the increase of the electron and hole mobilities to \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\upmu }_{e}=8\times {10}^{-7} \,{\text{m}}^{2}/\text{V}/\text{s}$$\end{document}μe=8×10-7m2/V/s and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\upmu }_{h}=4\times {10}^{-7} \,{\text{m}}^{2}/\text{V}/\text{s}$$\end{document}μh=4×10-7m2/V/s, respectively (in the optimum case). Furthermore, SiO₂@Ag@SiO₂ NPs have been successfully synthesized by introducing and utilizing a simple and eco-friendly approach based on electroless pre-treatment deposition and Stober methods. Our findings represent a new facile approach in the fabrication of novel plasmonic NPs for efficient polymer solar cells.

Penetration and Displacement Behavior of N2 in Porous Interlayer Structures Containing Water/Salt Component by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The penetration and displacement behavior of N₂ molecules in porous interlayer structures containing a water/salt component with porosities of 4.29%, 4.73%, 5.17%, 7.22%, and 11.38% were explored using molecular dynamics simulations. The results demonstrated that the large porosity of the interlayer structures effectively enhanced the permeation and diffusion characteristics of N₂. The water and salt in the interlayer structures were displaced during the injection of N₂ in the porosity sequence of 4.29% < 4.73% < 5.17% < 7.22% < 11.38%. The high permeance of 7.12 × 10⁻⁶ indicated that the interlayer structures with a porosity of 11.38% have better movability. The strong interaction of approximately 15 kcal/mol between N₂ and H₂O had a positive effect on the diffusion of N₂ and the displacement of H₂O before it reached a stable equilibrium state. The distribution of N₂ in porous interlayer structures and the relationship between the logarithm of permeability and breakthrough pressure were presented. This work highlighted the effects of porosity on the permeability and diffusion of N₂/H₂O in the interlayer, thus providing theoretical guidance for the development of petroleum resources.

A “center-determination” phenomenon of C13H27CO-Gly-Ala-Ala lipotripetides: relationship between the molecular chirality and handedness of organic self-assemblies

The chirality of the central alanine residue dominates the handedness of molecular packing and that of organic self-assemblies.

Understanding the nanoparticle-protein corona complexes using computational and experimental methods

Nanoparticles (NP) have capability to adsorb proteins from biological fluids and form protein layer, which is called protein corona. As the cell sees corona coated NPs, the protein corona can dictate biological response to NPs. The composition of protein corona is varied by physicochemical properties of NPs including size, shape, surface chemistry. Processing of protein adsorption is dynamic phenomena; to that end, a protein may desorb or leave a surface vacancy that is rapidly filled by another protein and cause changes in the corona composition mainly by the Vroman effect. In this review, we discuss the interaction between NP and proteins and the available techniques for identification of NP-bound proteins. Also we review current developed computational methods for understanding the NP-protein complex interactions.

Synergistic inhibition of carbon steel corrosion in 0.5 M HCl solution by indigo carmine and some cationic organic compounds: experimental and theoretical studies

The synergistic corrosion inhibition effect of indigo carmine and three kinds of cationic organic compounds on 1045 carbon steel (CS) in 0.5 M HCl solution is reported.

Effect of peptide length on the conjugation to the gold nanoparticle surface: a molecular dynamic study

BACKGROUND

Gold nanoparticles now command a great deal of attention for medical applications. Despite the importance of nano-bio interfaces, interaction between peptides and proteins with gold surfaces is not still fully understood, especially in a molecular level.

METHODS

In the present study computational simulation of adsorption of 20 amino acids, in three forms of mono-amino acid, homo di-peptide and homo tri-peptide, on the gold nanoparticles was performed by Gromacs using OPLSAA force field. The flexibility, stability, and size effect of the peptides on the gold nanoparticles were studied as well as the molecular structure of them.

RESULTS

According to our results, adsorbed homo tri-peptides on the gold surface had more flexibility, more gyration, and the farthest distance from the GNP in comparison with homo di-peptides and mono-amino acids.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide new insights into the precise control of interactions between amino acids anchored on the GNPs.

The effect of crosslinking agent on sustained release of bFGF–collagen microspheres

Initial burst release and loss of bioactivity of drugs are the shortcomings of drug delivery systems (DDSs) used for in vivo treatment.