Assembly of nanosize metallic particles and molecular wires on electrode surfaces

π-Donor/π-Acceptor Interactions for the Encapsulation of Neurotransmitters on Functionalized Polysilicon-Based Microparticles

Bipyridinium salts, commonly known as viologens, are π-acceptor molecules that strongly interact with π-donor compounds, such as porphyrins or amino acids, leading their self-assembling. These properties have promoted us to functionalize polysilicon microparticles with bipyridinium salts for the encapsulation and release of π-donor compounds such as catecholamines and indolamines. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of four gemini-type amphiphilic bipyridinium salts (1·4PF₆–4·4PF₆), and their immobilization either non-covalently or covalently on polysilicon surfaces and microparticles have been achieved. More importantly, they act as hosts for the subsequent incorporation of π-donor neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline or noradrenaline. Ultraviolet-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to detect the formation of the complex in solution. The immobilization of bipyridinium salts and neurotransmitter incorporation on polysilicon surfaces was corroborated by contact angle measurements. The reduction in the bipyridinium moiety and the subsequent release of the neurotransmitter was achieved using ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, as a triggering agent. Quantification of neurotransmitter encapsulated and released from the microparticles was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies of the bipyridinium salt 1·4PF₆, which was selected for the non-covalent functionalization of the microparticles, demonstrated its low toxicity in the mouse fibroblast cell line (3T3/NIH), the human liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2).

Sorting of Molecular Building Blocks from Solution to Surface

We demonstrate that molecular gradients on an organic monolayer is formed by preferential binding of ruthenium complexes from solutions also containing equimolar amounts of isostructural osmium complexes. The monolayer consists of a nanometer-thick assembly of 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylethenyl)benzene (TPEB) covalently attached to a silicon or metal-oxide surface. The molecular gradient of ruthenium and osmium complexes is orthogonal to the surface plane. This gradient propagates throughout the molecular assembly with thicknesses over 30 nm. Using other monolayers consisting of closely related organic molecules or metal complexes results in the formation of molecular assemblies having an homogeneous and equimolar distribution of ruthenium and osmium complexes. Spectroscopic and computational studies revealed that the geometry of the complexes and the electronic properties of their ligands are nearly identical. These subtle differences cause the isostructural osmium and ruthenium complexes to pack differently on modified surfaces as also demonstrated in crystals grown from solution. The different packing behavior, combined with the organic monolayer significantly contributes to the observed differences in chemical composition on the surface.

Photocurrent Generation of Reconstituted Photosystem II on a Self-Assembled Gold Film

Photosystem II (PSII)-modified gold electrodes were prepared by the deposition of PSII reconstituted with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on Au electrodes. PtNPs modified with 1-[15-(3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone-2-yl)]pentadecyl disulfide ((TMQ(CH₂)₁₅S)₂) were incorporated into the Q_B site of PSII isolated from thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus. The reconstitution was confirmed by Q_A-reoxidation measurements. PSII reconstituted with PtNPs was deposited and integrated on a Au(111) surface modified with 4,4'-biphenyldithiol. The cross section of the reconstituted PSII film on the Au electrode was investigated by SEM. Absorption spectra showed that the surface coverage of the electrode was about 18 pmol PSII cm^-2. A photocurrent density of 15 nAcm^-2 at E = +0.10 V (vs Ag/AgCl) was observed under 680 nm irradiation. The photoresponse showed good reversibility under alternating light and dark conditions. Clear photoresponses were not observed in the absence of PSII and molecular wire. These results supported the photocurrent originated from PSII and moved to a gold electrode by light irradiation, which also confirmed conjugation with orientation through the molecular wire.

Layered Metal Nanoparticle Structures on Electrodes for Sensing, Switchable Controlled Uptake/Release, and Photo-electrochemical Applications

Layered metal nanoparticle (NP) assemblies provide highly porous and conductive composites of unique electrical and optical (plasmonic) properties. Two methods to construct layered metal NP matrices are described, and these include the layer-by-layer deposition of NPs, or the electropolymerization of monolayer-functionalized NPs, specifically thioaniline-modified metal NPs. The layered NP composites are used as sensing matrices through the use of electrochemistry or surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as transduction signals. The crosslinking of the metal NP composites with molecular receptors, or the imprinting of molecular recognition sites into the electropolymerized NP matrices lead to selective and chiroselective sensing interfaces. Furthermore, the electrosynthesis of redox-active, imprinted, bis-aniline bridged Au NP composites yields electrochemically triggered "sponges" for the switchable uptake and release of electron-acceptor substrates, and results in conductive surfaces of electrochemically controlled wettability. Also, photosensitizer-relay-crosslinked Au NP composites, or electrochemically polymerized layered semiconductor quantum dot/metal NP matrices on electrodes, are demonstrated as functional nanostructures for photoelectrochemical applications.

Catalytic aspects of metallophthalocyanines adsorbed on gold-electrode. Theoretical exploration of the binding nature role

We report a computational study of supramolecular complexes of metallophthalocyanines (MPcs, M = Fe, Co, Cu) on gold substrates, and the effect of the substrate on their electrocatalytic properties at the DFT and DFT-D3 levels.

Three-state near-infrared electrochromism at the molecular scale

Self-assembled monolayer films of a cyclometalated ruthenium complex with a redox-active amine substituent and three carboxylic acid groups have been prepared on ITO electrode surfaces. The obtained thin films show three-state electrochromic switching with low electrochemical potential inputs and high near-infrared absorbance outputs. Thanks to the long retention time of each oxidation states, these films have been used to demonstrate surface-confined flip-flop memory functions with high ON/OFF ratios at the molecular scale.

Bio-inspired photoresponse of porphyrin-attached gold nanoparticles on a field-effect transistor

A bio-inspired photoresponse was engineered in porphyrin-attached Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on a field-effect transistor (FET). The system mimics photosynthetic electron transfer, using porphyrin derivatives as photosensitizers and AuNPs as photoelectron counting devices. Porphyrin-protected AuNPs were immobilized onto the gate of an FET via the formation of self-assembled monolayers. Photoinduced electron transfer from the porphyrin led to single electron transfer at the Au nanoparticles, which was monitored via a changing gate voltage on the FET in the presence of organic electrolyte. The further attachment of other functional molecules to this system should enable various other potential functionalities. This article is part of a special issue entitled: photosynthesis research for sustainability: keys to produce clean energy.

Nanoparticle assemblies via coordination with a tetrakis(terpyridine) linker bearing a rigid tetrahedral core

Controlling particle-particle interactions is a major challenge in achieving the programmable assembly of nanoparticles, which shows great potential for device fabrication and detection systems. We present here a simple chemical method that allows the formation of Pd nanoparticle assemblies using a tetrakis(terpyridine) linker with a rigid tetrahedral core.

A new method to generate arene-terminated Si(111) and Ge(111) surfaces via a palladium-catalyzed arylation reaction

Formation of silicon-aryl and germanium-aryl direct bonds on the semiconductor surface is a key issue to realize molecular electronic devices, but the conventional methods based on radical intermediates have problems to accompany the side reactions. We developed the first example of versatile and efficient methods to form clean organic monolayers with Si-aryl and Ge-aryl bonds on hydrogen-terminated silicon and germanium surfaces by applying our original catalytic arylation reactions of hydrosilanes and hydrogermanes using Pd catalyst and base in homogeneous systems. We could immobilize aromatic groups with redox-active and photoluminescent properties, and further applied in the field of rigid π-conjugated redox molecular wire composites, as confirmed by the successive coordination of terpyridine molecules with transition metal ions. The surfaces were characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescence spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Especially, the AFM analysis of 17 nm-long metal complex molecular wires confirmed their vertical connection to the plane surface.

Synergism in multicomponent self-propagating molecular assemblies

Multicomponent self-propagating molecular assemblies (SPMAs) have been generated from an organic chromophore, a redox-active polypyridyl complex, and PdCl(2). The structure of the multicomponent SPMA is not a linear combination of two assemblies generated with a single molecular constituent. Surface-confined assemblies formed from only the organic chromophore and PdCl(2) are known to follow linear growth, whereas the combination of polypyridyl complexes and PdCl(2) results in exponential growth. The present study demonstrates that an iterative deposition of both molecular building blocks with PdCl(2) results in an exponentially growing assembly. The nature of the assembly mechanism is dictated by the polypyridyl complex and overrides the linear growth process of the organic component. Relatively smooth, multicomponent SPMAs have been obtained with a thickness of ∼20 nm on silicon, glass, and indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass. Detailed information of the structure and of the surface-assembly chemistry were obtained using transmission optical (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR), and electrochemistry.

Reliable signal processing using parallel arrays of non-identical nanostructures and stochastic resonance

In the stochastic resonance (SR) phenomena, the response of a non-linear system to a weak periodic input signal is optimised by the presence of a particular level of noise which enhances signal detection. We explore, theoretically, the influence of thermal noise in arrays of metal nanoparticles functionalised with organic ligands acting as tunnelling junctions, with emphasis on the interplay between the SR phenomena and the nanostructure variability. In this system, the transference of a reduced number of electrons may suffice to implement a variety of electronic functions. However, because nanostructures are expected to show a significant variability in their physical characteristics, it is important to study the relation between the diversity-induced static noise and the dynamic noise caused by thermal fluctuations. We consider an ideal model based on the Coulomb blockade and tunnelling effects that includes the stochastic nature of electron transference due to thermal noise together with the nanostructure variability found in experimental distribution functions. The correlation between the input (potential) and the output (current) signals, as well as the absolute value of the current and its time fluctuations, are analysed as a function of the temperature and the number of nanostructures. Extensive kinetic Monte Carlo simulations suggest that the interplay between thermal noise and variability could permit reliable processing of weak signals with many non-identical nanostructures.

Device variability and circuit redundancy in signal processing based on nanoswitches

Signal processing based on molecular switches whose conductance can be tuned by an external stimulus between two (on and off) states has been proposed recently (Cervera et al 2008 J. Appl. Phys. 104 084317). The basic building block is a metal nanoparticle linked to two electrodes by an organic ligand and a nanoswitch. The net charge delivered by this nanostructure exhibits a sharp resonance when the alternating potential applied between the electrodes has the same frequency as the periodic variation between the on and off conductance states induced on the nanoswitch. This resonance can be used to process an external signal by selectively extracting the weight of the different harmonics. However, because of the fabrication process at the nanoscale, the nanostructures will show a significant variability in the physical characteristics. By using a phenomenological model that includes this variability, the stochastic nature of electron transference, and the thermal noise, we demonstrate that reliable signal processing can still be achieved by adapting the number of nanoswitches per bit of information (circuit redundancy) to the nanostructure tolerance (device variability). Extensive kinetic Monte Carlo simulations show that a moderate level of redundancy can compensate for significant nanostructure variability. This result gives support to the concept of ensembles of redundant switches as reliable components for signal processing at the nanoscale.

Molecular Recognition and Specific Interactions for Biosensing Applications

Molecular recognition and specific interactions are reliable and versatile routes for site-specific and well-oriented immobilization of functional biomolecules on surfaces. The control of surface properties via the molecular recognition and specific interactions at the nanoscale is a key element for the nanofabrication of biosensors with high sensitivity and specificity. This review intends to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular recognition- and specific interaction-mediated biosensor fabrication routes that leads to biosensors with well-ordered and controlled structures on both nanopatterned surfaces and nanomaterials. Herein self-assembly of the biomolecules via the molecular recognition and specific interactions on nanoscaled surfaces as well as nanofabrication techniques of the biomolecules for biosensor architecture are discussed. We also describe the detection of molecular recognition- and specific interaction-mediated molecular binding as well as advantages of nanoscale detection.

Challenges and breakthroughs in recent research on self-assembly

The controlled fabrication of nanometer-scale objects is without doubt one of the central issues in current science and technology. However, existing fabrication techniques suffer from several disadvantages including size-restrictions and a general paucity of applicable materials. Because of this, the development of alternative approaches based on supramolecular self-assembly processes is anticipated as a breakthrough methodology. This review article aims to comprehensively summarize the salient aspects of self-assembly through the introduction of the recent challenges and breakthroughs in three categories: (i) types of self-assembly in bulk media; (ii) types of components for self-assembly in bulk media; and (iii) self-assembly at interfaces.