Self-Assembled Film of Tb^(3+) and Poly(3- Thiophene Acetic Acid) via Layer-by-Layer Complexation Technique and Its Photoluminescence

The layer by layer complexation technique of polymer and metal ion was successfully utilized to fabricate the ultrathin multilayer film of poly(3 thiophene acetic acid (PTAA) and Tb 3+ ion by dipping the substrates alternatively in polymer and Tb 3+ ion aqueous solutions. UV-vis measurement revealed that the absorbance has linearity with the bilayer number from layer to layer and the X ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) confirmed the existence of Tb 3+ ion. The pH of both the polymer and TbCl 3 solutions influence the thickness dramatically while the concentration of the solutions is not so sensitive. The luminescent spectrum of the complex film shows the characteristic emission of Tb 3+ ion as well as the ligand indicating the formation of the complex.

Controlled crystallization of hydroxyapatite under hexadecylamine self-assembled monolayer

The role of self assembled monolayer in inducing the crystal growth was investigated by X ray diffractions (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that crystallization in the absence of monolayer results in a mixture of poorly crystallized calcium phosphates, including hydroxyapatite (HAP) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP), while the presence of self assembled monolayer gives rise to oriented and well crystallized HAP crystals. Moreover, the HAP crystal grows very quickly under the self assembled monolayer, whereas very little calcium phosphate crystals grow without the monolayer. It is rationalized that the hexadecylamine monolayer with high polarity and charged density leads to increase supersaturation and lower the interfacial energy, which attributes to the HAP crystals nucleation. On the other hand, the positive headgroups construct the ordered "recognized site" with distinct size and topology, which results in the oriented HAP crystals deposit.

Stability Behaviour of Monolayer Tetraether Lipids on the Amino-Silanised Silicon Wafer: Comparative Study between Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayers with Self-Assembled Monolayers

This study investigated the stability behaviour of molecular monolayer symmetric chemically modified tetraether lipids caldarchaeol-PO4 on the amino-silanised silicon wafer using Langmuir-Blodgett films, Self Assembling Monolayers (SAMs), ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The monolayers of caldarchaeol-PO4 were stable on the solid surface amino-silanised silicon wafer. The organizations of molecular monolayers caldarchaeol-PO4 by Langmuir-Blodgett method and SAMs have been analyzed. The surface of pressure in Langmuir-Blodgett processing is carried out monolayers caldarchaeol-PO4 more flat island inhomogeneous. Another method of monolayers caldarchaeol-PO4 by SAMs is showed a large flat domain. Monolayers caldarchaeol-PO4 by Langmuir-Blodgett method seems to be stable and chemically resistant after washing with organic solvent and an additional treatment ultrasonification with various thickness lipids arround 2 nm to 6 nm. Conversely, monolayer caldarchaeol-PO4 by SAMs appears fewer than monolayers caldarchaeol-PO4 by Langmuir-Blodgett method, the thickness of various from 1 nm to 3 nm.

Attachment of tyrosinase on mixed self-assembled monolayers for the construction of electrochemical biosensor

A mixed self-assembled monolayers （SAMs） of thioctic acid （T-COOH） and thioctic acid amide （T-NH2） were used to immobilize tyrosinase for fabricating biosensor. The results showed that the mixed SAMs prepared from solution at the ratio of 1：4 provided an excellent microenvironment for enzymatic reaction between tyrosinase and substrate. The biosensor exhibited a fast response and high sensitivity for sensing substrate.

Novel self-assembled films of La-based phosphonate 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane

Silane coupling reagent (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) was prepared on single-crystal silicon substrates to form two-dimensional self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The terminal-NH2 groups in the film were in situ phosphorylated to -PO(OH)2 group to endow the film with good chemisorption ability. Then La-based thin films were deposited on phosphorylated APTES-SAM in order to make good use of the chemisorption ability of -PO(OH)2 groups. The thickness of the film was determined with ellipsometer, while phase transformation and surface morphology, surface energy, phase composition were analyzed by means of atomic force microscope (AFM), contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the terminal-NH2 groups could be completely transformed into desirable-PO(OH)2 groups after phosphorylation of APTES-SAM. Detailed XPS analysis of the La3+ peaks revealed that lanthanum element existed in the films in different states. As a result, conclusion could be made that lanthanum reacted with -PO(OH)2 groups on the surface of the substrate by chemical bond which would improve the bonding strength between the film and silicon substrate. Since the La-based thin films were well adhered to the silicon substrate, it might find promising application in the surface-modification of single-crystal Si and SiC in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

Self-assembled superparamagnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents — A review

Recent progress of the preparation and applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide（SPIO） clusters as magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） probes is reviewed with regard to their applications in labeling and tracking cells in vivo, in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and tumors, and in drug delivery systems. Magnetic nanoparticles（NPs）, especially SPIO nanoparticles, have long been used as MRI contrast agents and as an advantageous nanoplatform for drug delivery,taking advantage of their unique magnetic properties and ability to function at the molecular and cellular levels. Due to advances in nanotechnology, various means to control SPIO NPs＇ size, composition, magnetization and relaxivity have been developed, as well as ways to usefully modify their surface. Recently, self-assembly of SPIO NP clusters in particulate carriers — such as polymeric micelles, vesicles, liposomes, and layer-by-layer（Lb L） capsules — have been widely studied for application as ultrasensitive MRI probes, owing to their remarkably high spin–spin（T2） relaxivity and convenience for further functionalization.

Preparation and characterization of 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers

Silane coupling regent （3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane （MPTS）） was prepared on the single-crystal silicon substrate to form 2-dimensional self-assembled monolayers （SAMs）. The growth behavior of SAMs formed from 3-MPTS was investigated using atomic force microscopy （AFM）, contact angle measurements, ellipsometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The formation behavior of MPTS SAMs was investigated by a series of AFM images and the roughness of MPTS SAMs on silicon substrates with the assembling time from 1 min to 24 h. The water contact angle measurements indicated the growth behavior of MPTS that correlated with the AFM measurements at different immersion times, too. The chemical states of the typical elements in the MPTS SAMs were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that MPTS is self-assembled on the substrate.

A New Approach for Preparing Effective Inhibition Film on Copper Based on Self-assembled Process

A new method for preparing effective inhibition film on copper has been developed. Phenylthiourea (PT) was first absorbed to copper surface to form a monolayer. 1-Dodecanethiol (DT) was then assembled on the surface for modification. Finally, AC voltage was loaded on copper covered the mixed film to improve it further. After these processes, an effective inhibition film was gained because of its high charge transfer resistance and low corrosion current density shown in electrochemical impedance spectra and polarization. The inhibition efficiency was more than 97%.

Characterization and tribological investigation of self-assembled trimethoxysilyl-functionalized poly(phthalazinone ether ketone)thin films on glass substrates

Trimethoxysilyl-functionalized PPEK（PKGS） films had been designed to serve as wear resistant coatings for silicon surfaces. These surface films were formed by a dip-coating technique applied to self-assembled monolayers（SAMs）.The formation and wetting behavior of PKGS films were characterized by means of contact angle measurement.The friction coefficient of the film prepared is very low（about 0.1）,and the anti-wear behavior is good,with a lack of failure after sliding over 1800 s.

The Molecular Recognition Characteristics of ω-MercaptoMethoxy Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Self-assembled Monolayer at Gold Electrode and the Detection of Dopamine in Serum

Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of to-mercapto methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)(MPEG) on gold electrode were used as a means to detect dopamine. Dopamine (DA) had good response at the MPEG film electrode and ascorbic acid (AA) was repelled from the SAMs. TheMPEG film is a biocompatible film, there was no adsorption of biosample and no inactivation atelectrode surface when it was used to detect DA in biosamples.

Hybrid Self-Assembled Multilayer Films Formed by Alternating Layers of Keggin Polyoxometalates and 1,10DAD

Hybrid self-assembled multilayer films were prepared by alternate adsorption of 1,10-diaminodecane (1,10-DAD) and Keggin polyoxometalates of SiW12O404-, SiW11VO405-, and PMo12O403-, respectively. The films were reproducibly grown at each adsorption cycle as monitored by UV spectroscopy.

Electrochemical Behavior and Determination of Trifluoperazine at Decanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayer Modified Gold Electrodes

The electrochemical behavior of trifluoperazine at decanethiol self-assembledmonolayer (SAM) modified gold electrodes (i. e. C_(10) H_(21) SH/Au) has been studied,Trifluoperazine can effectively accumulate on C_(10) H_(21) SH/Au electrodes and generate asensitive anodic peak at about 0.63 V (vs. SCE) in 0.05 mol/L pH 9.4 Na_2 B_4 O_7 buffer solution.Under the selected conditions, the anodic peak current was linear to trifluoperazine concentrationin the range of 5.0 X 10^(-7)-3.O X 10^(-3) mol/Lwith correlation coefficient of 0.997, thedetection limit was 3.0 X 10^(-5) mol/L. This method was applied to the determination oftrifluoperazine in drug samples and the recovery was 97.3%-104.0% It was found that sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) could make the anodic peak current increase. In the presence of SDS, the peak at about0.63 V turned into two peaks, resulting from the change of the electrochemical mechanism.

Preparation and Characterization of SrTiO_3 Thin Film on Functional Organic Self-Assembled Monolayers

SrTiO3 thin film was successfully prepared on the functionalized organic self-assembled monolayers（SAMs） by the Liquid Phase Deposition（LPD） method.The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,atomic force microscope（AFM）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and metallographic microscope.Measurement of contact angle showed that the hydrophobe substrate was changed into hydrophile by UV irradiation.AFM photographs of octadecyl-trichloro-silane self-assembled monolayer（OTS-SAM） surface approved that UV irradiation did change the morphology of OTS monolayer and provided evidence for the conversion of hydrophilic characteristic.Photographs of Metallographic Microscope showed that OTS-SAM had an active effect on the deposition of SrTiO3 thin film.XRD and SEM indicated that the thin film was of pure cubic phase SrTiO3 and composed of nanosized grains with a size in the range of 100-500 nm.The formation mechanism of the SrTiO3 film was proposed.

5-Fluorouracil-loaded Self-assembled pH-sensitive Nanoparticles as Novel Drug Carrier for Treatment of Malignant Tumors

In order to improve the cancer-targeting and selective activity of antineoplastic agent [5-fluorouracil (5-FU)], a novel pH-responsive drug delivery system [pullulan acetate/sulfonamide (PA/SDM) conjugate] was syn- thesized by a diafiltration method. Sulfonamide was grafted to the hydrophobically modified pullulan acetate to enhance the pH sensitivity for better cancer-targeting delivery. 5-FU was loaded into the self-assembled nanoparti- cles by the same method. The drug-loaded self-assembled nanoparticles were successfully obtained and character- ized in terms of particle size, morphology and drug loading and release profile at various pHs. The results showed that the mean diameter of the self-assembled particles was approximately 100nm, with uniform size and good spherical morphology. The nanoparticles showed good stability at pH 7.4, which is equal to that of the normal body fluid, but shrank and aggregated below pH 6.8, which is close to the pH with tumors. The loading efficiency and concentration of released 5-FU was monitored at 269 nm on the UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The release profile was heavily pH-dependent around physiological pH, and the release rate was significantly enhanced under pH of 6.8.

FABRICATION AND AFM/FFM STUDIES OF C_(60)-CONTAINING POLYELECTROLYTE SELF-ASSEMBLED FILMS

An initial investigation on the roughness and frictional properties of the self-assembled thin films from polyelectrolytes is presented. Star-shaped C-60-Poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) was successful prepared. The multilayer thin films have been fabricated on mica with diazoresin as the cationic polyelectrolyte and hydrolyzed star-shaped C-60-poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) as the anionic polyelectrolyte via self-assembly technique. The crosslinking structure of the films is formed from the conversion of ionic bond to covalent bond after UV irradiation. AFM/FFM investigations provide insights into the roughness and frictional properties on a microscale. The roughness depends strongly on the number of film layers in the case of C-60-containing films. The frictional forces of the films exhibited a well behaved non-linear relationship in response to the change of applied load. It supports the prediction of enhanced load-bearing property Of C60-containing thin films.

Characterization of Self-assembled Monolayers on Gold Electrode Using Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance

The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) is used to investigate the characteristics of the thiolated self-assembled monolayer(SAM) on gold surface.A 5MHz QCM element serves as both the mass-sensitive sensor and the working electrode of the electrochemical system.The 6-mecapto-1-hexanol and and the 16-mer oligonucleotide with a mercaptohexyl group at the 5'-phosphate end are utilized to form the SAM on the gold electrode.The frequency response of the QCM during cyclic voltammetry (CV) scanning and cbronoamperometry are recorded together with the electrochemical current.The experimental results indicates that the frequency response is more sensitive to the surface coverage.Therefore,the response of the EQCM reveals more details of the SAM on gold electrode.It is especially useful for analysing the immobilization quality,such as probe orientation and coverage,of the SAM.

Novel Covalently Linked Self-Assembled Films from a Functional Hyperbranched Conjugated Poly (Phenylene Vinylene)

A new self-assembled films of a functional dendritic molecule, hyperbranched conjugated poly (phenylene vinylene), is obtained through covalent bond linkage. The highly ordered and homogenous molecular films are obtained;and characterized by UV-vis spectra, fluorescent spectra and atomic force microscopy.

Seed-mediated growth of gold nanoparticles using self-assembled monolayer of polystyrene microspheres as nanotemplate arrays

Arrays of noble metal nanoparticles show potential applications in （bio-）sensing, optical storage, surface-enhanced spectroscopy, and waveguides. For all such potential devices, controlling the size, morphology, and interparticle spacing of the nanoparticles is very important. Here, we combine seed-mediated growth with nanosphere lithography to study the controllable growth of gold nanoparticles （Au NPs）, in which the self-assembly monolayer of polystyrene （PS） on a silicon surface is used to guide the modification of allaunesilanes and the subsequent adsorption of gold seeds; seed-mediated growth is applied to controlling the morphology and size of Au NPs. The size of adsorption region （determining the number of adsorbed gold seeds） is controlled by etching PS microspheres with oxygen plasma or annealing PS microspheres at the glass transition temperature. The size and morphology of the Au NPs are controlled by changing growth conditions. In such a way, we have achieved the dual control of the obtained Au NPs. Preliminary results show that this strategy holds a great promise. This approach can also be extended to a wide range of materials and substrates.

Self-assembled IKVAV Peptide Nanofibers Promote Adherence of PC12 Cells

Lack of biocompatibility and bioactivity is a big problem for the synthetic materials that have been generated for neural tissue engineering. To get around the problem and generate better scaffold for neural tissue repair, we intended to generate nano-fibers by self-assembly of polypeptide IKVAV. Bioactive IKVAV Peptide-Amphiphile （IKVAV-PA） was first synthesized and purified, the property of which was analyzed and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and mass spectrometry （MS）. Then, by addition of hydrogen chloride （HC1）, self-assembly of IKVAV-PA was induced in vitro and nano-fibers formed as shown by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The effect of IKVAV nanofibers on adherence of PCI2 cells was assayed in cell culture and the results showed that the rates of adherence of PC12 increased significantly when the density of IKVAV was within a certain range （0.58 μg/cm^2 to 15.6 μg/cm^2）. However, its effect on the rates of adherence did not significantly alter with time, whether after 1 hour or 3 hours of culture. In general, we showed that IKVAV-PA can successfully self-assemble to form nanofiber, and promote rapid and stable adherence of PC12 cells, and the effect of the self-assembled IKVAV to promote PCI2 cells adherence is dosage-dependent within a certain range of densities.

Enhanced performance of a solar cell based on a layer-by-layer self-assembled luminescence down-shifting layer of core–shell quantum dots

In this paper, core–shell quantum dots(QDs) with two polar surface functional groups(ZnSe/ZnS–COOH QDs and ZnSe/ZnS–NH_2 QDs) are synthesized in an aqueous phase. Photoluminescence(PL) and absorption spectra clearly indicate luminescence down-shifting(LDS) properties. On the basis of QDs, surface functional group multilayer LDS films(MLDSs) are fabricated through an electrostatic layer-by-layer(LBL) self-assembly method. The PL intensity increases linearly with the number of bilayers, showing a regular and uniform film growth. When the M-LDS is placed on the surface of a Si-based solar cell as an optical conversion layer for the first time, the external quantum efficiency(EQE) and shortcircuit current density(Jsc) notably increases for the LDS process. The EQE response improves in a wavelength region extending from the UV region to the blue region, and its maximum increase reaches more than 15% between 350 nm and 460 nm.