Factors resisting protein adsorption on hydrophilic/hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers terminated with hydrophilic hydroxyl groups

The hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer(OH-SAM),as a surface resistant to protein adsorption,exhibits substantial potential in applications such as ship navigation and medical implants,and the appropriate strategies for designing anti-fouling surfaces are crucial.Here,we employ molecular dynamics simulations and alchemical free energy calculations to systematically analyze the factors influencing resistance to protein adsorption on the SAMs terminated with single or double OH groups at three packing densities(∑=2.0 nm^(-2),4.5 nm^(-2),and 6.5 nm^(-2)),respectively.For the first time,we observed that the compactness and order of interfacial water enhance its physical barrier effect,subsequently enhancing the resistance of SAM to protein adsorption.Notably,the spatial hindrance effect of SAM leads to the embedding of protein into SAM,resulting in a lack of resistance of SAM towards protein.Furthermore,the number of hydroxyl groups per unit area of double OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) is approximately 2 to 3 times that of single OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) and 4.5 nm^(-2),consequently yielding a weaker resistance of double OH-terminated SAM towards protein.Meanwhile,due to the structure of SAM itself,i.e.,the formation of a nearly perfect ice-like hydrogen bond structure,the SAM exhibits the weakest resistance towards protein.This study will complement and improve the mechanism of OH-SAM resistance to protein adsorption,especially the traditional barrier effect of interfacial water.

Interfacial Modification of NiO_(x)by Self-assembled Monolayer for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

NiO_(x)as a hole transport material for inverted perovskite solar cells has received great attention owing to its high transparency,low fabrication temperature,and superior stability.However,the mismatched energy levels and possible redox reactions at the NiO_(x)/perovskite interface severely limit the performance of NiO_(x) based inverted perovskite solar cells.Herein,we introduce a p-type self-assembled monolayer between NiO_(x)and perovskite layers to modify the interface and block the undesirable redox reaction between perovskite and NiO_(x)The selfassembled monolayer molecules all contain phosphoric acid function groups,which can be anchored onto the NiOr surface and passivate the surface defect.Moreover,the introduction of self-assembled monolayers can regulate the energy level structure of NiO_(x),reduce the interfacial band energy offset,and hence promote the hole transport from perovskite to NiO_(x)layer.Consequently,the device performance is significantly enhanced in terms of both power conversion efficiency and stability.

Self‑Assembly of Binderless MXene Aerogel for Multiple‑Scenario and Responsive Phase Change Composites with Ultrahigh Thermal Energy Storage Density and Exceptional Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

The severe dependence of traditional phase change materials(PCMs)on the temperature-response and lattice deficiencies in versatility cannot satisfy demand for using such materials in complex application scenarios.Here,we introduced metal ions to induce the self-assembly of MXene nanosheets and achieve their ordered arrangement by combining suction filtration and rapid freezing.Subsequently,a series of MXene/K^(+)/paraffin wax(PW)phase change composites(PCCs)were obtained via vacuum impregnation in molten PW.The prepared MXene-based PCCs showed versatile applications from macroscale technologies,successfully transforming solar,electric,and magnetic energy into thermal energy stored as latent heat in the PCCs.Moreover,due to the absence of binder in the MXene-based aerogel,MK3@PW exhibits a prime solar-thermal conversion efficiency(98.4%).Notably,MK3@PW can further convert the collected heat energy into electric energy through thermoelectric equipment and realize favorable solar-thermal-electric conversion(producing 206 mV of voltage with light radiation intensity of 200 mw cm^(−2)).An excellent Joule heat performance(reaching 105℃with an input voltage of 2.5 V)and responsive magnetic-thermal conversion behavior(a charging time of 11.8 s can achieve a thermal insulation effect of 285 s)for contactless thermotherapy were also demonstrated by the MK3@PW.Specifically,as a result of the ordered arrangement of MXene nanosheet self-assembly induced by potassium ions,MK3@PW PCC exhibits a higher electromagnetic shielding efficiency value(57.7 dB)than pure MXene aerogel/PW PCC(29.8 dB)with the same MXene mass.This work presents an opportunity for the multi-scene response and practical application of PCMs that satisfy demand of next-generation multifunctional PCCs.

Electrostatic Interaction-directed Construction of Hierarchical Nanostructured Carbon Composite with Dual Electrical Conductive Networks for Zinc-ion Hybrid Capacitors with Ultrastability

Metal-organic framework(MOF)-derived carbon composites have been considered as the promising materials for energy storage.However,the construction of MOF-based composites with highly controllable mode via the liquid-liquid synthesis method has a great challenge because of the simultaneous heterogeneous nucleation on substrates and the self-nucleation of individual MOF nanocrystals in the liquid phase.Herein,we report a bidirectional electrostatic generated self-assembly strategy to achieve the precisely controlled coatings of single-layer nanoscale MOFs on a range of substrates,including carbon nanotubes(CNTs),graphene oxide(GO),MXene,layered double hydroxides(LDHs),MOFs,and SiO_(2).The obtained MOF-based nanostructured carbon composite exhibits the hierarchical porosity(V_(meso)/V_(micro)∶2.4),ultrahigh N content of 12.4 at.%and"dual electrical conductive networks."The assembled aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitor(ZIC)with the prepared nanocarbon composite as a cathode shows a high specific capacitance of 236 F g^(-1)at 0.5 A g^(-1),great rate performance of 98 F g^(-1)at 100 A g^(-1),and especially,an ultralong cycling stability up to 230000 cycles with the capacitance retention of 90.1%.This work develops a repeatable and general method for the controlled construction of MOF coatings on various functional substrates and further fabricates carbon composites for ZICs with ultrastability.

Dielectric Properties of Self-assembled Monolayers of Dithiols

Dielectric properties of dithiol self-assemble monolayers （SAMs） under ac electric field were presented, Using a Hg-SAM/SAM-Ⅱg junction, the ac impedances of dithiol SAMs were measured using a sinusoidal perturbation of 30 mV （peak to-peak） with the frequency ranging from 1 Hz to 1 MHz at zero bias. The contributions from dithiol SAMs and solvent interlayers were separated due to their different behaviors at ac impedance. The peak position in the loss spectra （the plot; of tgδ vs. frequency） moves to low frequcney with the incrcase of chain length of dithiols. Using a correlation of peak position with the chain length, the active energies of 23-39 meV for dithiol SAMs of C6-C10 under an ac electric field were derived,

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.

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.

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.

Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid at 2-Amino-5-mercapto-[1, 3, 4]triazole Self-assembled Monolayers Gold Electrode

A newly synthesized reagent 2-amino-5-mercapto-[1, 3, 4]triazole (MATZ) has been usedto fabricate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode for the first time. The SAMselectrode was characterized by electrochemical methods and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM),the SAMs electrode can be used to determinate dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) simultaneouslywith a detection limit of 8×10-7 mol/L for DA and 1×10-6 mol/L for UA respectively. The SAMscan also be used to detect the contents of DA and UA in synthetic urine sample with satisfactoryresults.

Characterization and tribological investigation of self-assembled MPTS-MPTES/RE composite films

γ-mercapto-propyl trimethoxysilane （MPTS） and γ-methacryloxy propyltrimethoxysilane （MPTES） were self-assembled on a hy- droxylated glass substrate to form a two-dimensional organic monolayer （MPTS-MPTES SAM）. The terminal thiol groups （-SH） in the MPTS-MPTES SAM were in-situ oxidized into sulfonic acid groups （-SO3H） to endow the film with good chemisorption ability. Then rare earth （RE） （lanthanum-based） composite thin films were prepared by self-assembly technique based on the as-prepared SAM, taking advantage of the chemisorption ability of the sulfonic acid groups. Automatic force microscope （AFM）, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry （XPS）, contact angle measurement and ellipsometer were used to characterize MPTS-MPTES/RE composite films. The macrofriction and wear behaviors of the films sliding against an AISI-52100 steel ball were examined on a unidirectional friction and wear tester, and the worn surface morphologies were observed on an AFM. The results showed that MPTS-MPTES/RE films had a low friction coefficient （0.09） and a long wear life （5980 sliding pass） at a light load （50 mN）. It indicated that the superior tribological properties of the MPTS-MPTES/RE composite films were attributed to the special characteristic of RE elements, the mobility of the films and good bonding strength.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase immobilized on L-glutathione self-assembled monolayers

A novel hydrogen peroxide biosensor has been fabricated based on covalently linked horseradish peroxidase （HRP） onto L- glutathione self-assembled monolayers （SAMs）. The SAMs-based electrode was characterized by electrochemical methods, and direct electrochemistry of HRP can be achieved with formal potential of-0.242 V （vs. saturated Ag/AgCl） in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution （PBS）, the redox peak current is linear to scan rate and rate constant can be calculated to be 0.042 s^-1. The HRP-SAMs- based biosensors show its better electrocatalysis to hydrogen peroxide in the concentration range of 1 × 10^-6 mol/L to 1.2 × 10^-3 mol/L with a detection limit of 4 × 10^-7 mol/L. The apparent Michealis-Menten constant is 3.12 mmol/L. The biosensor can effectively eliminate the interferences of dopamine, ascorbic acid, uric acid, catechol and p-acetaminophen.

Studies of Self-assembled Monolayers Formed by Imidazofine on Iron Surface by SEM and SECM

The self-assembled monolayers （SAMs） of imidazoline （IM） on the iron surface were characterized by scanning electron microscope （SEM） and scanning electrochemical microscopy （SECM）. The results showed that SAMs were an effective inhibition film for iron.

A MEMS Based Amperometric Immunosensor with Self-assembled Monolayers Immobilization Technique

Based on MEMS technology,immunosensor with an'Au,Pt,Pt'three-microelectrode system enclosed in a SU-8 micro pool was fabricated.Employing SAMs technique,the Au electrode was modified by cysteamine(Cys)to assemble gold nanopanicles(nanogold)layer,subsequently,a layer of protein G(PG)was immobilized on nanogold layer to further capture antibody orientedly.Compared with the immunosensors using bulky gold electrode and direct PG binding to electrode immobilization technique for antibody,it has attractive advantages,such as miniaturization,good compatibility,broad linear range for human immunoglobulin(HIgG)and easy to be designed into array.

Characterization of Formation Kinetics of Self-Assembled Thiol Monolayers on Gold by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Self-assembled monolayers of octadecanethiol (ODT) on gold have been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The fractional coverage has been examined as a function of immersion time of Au in ODT deposition solution. The fractional coverage exhibits two distinct adsorption steps: an initial rapid step followed by a slow one. The fractional coverage of ODT monolayer increases sharply from zero to more than 99% of its maximum within the first minute. However. it takes a day for the fractional coverage to approach its final value.

The Intermolecular Interaction in Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Electrode

The intermolecular interaction in an azobenzene self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode was investigated by controlling the assembling time and using mixed self-assembled techniques, and the variation of apparent electron transfer rate constant (k(s)) of azobenzene SAMs with different molecular packing density is reported.

Structure and Properties of Self-assembled Narural Rubber/Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Composites

Natural rubber （NR）/multi-walled carbon nanotube （MWCNTs） composites were prepared by combining self-assembly and latex compounding techniques.The acid-treated MWCNTs （H2SO4：HNO3=3：1,volume ratio） were self-assembled with poly （diallyldimethylammonium chloride） （PDDA） through electrostatic adhesion.In the second assembling,NR/MWCNTs composites were developed by mixing MWCNTs/PDDA solution with NR latex.The results show that MWCNTs are homogenously distributed throughout the NR matrix as single tube and present a great interfacial adhesion with NR phase when MWCNTs contents are less than 3 wt%.Moreover,the addition of the MWCNTs brings about the remarkable enhancement in tensile strength and crosslink density compared with the NR host,and the data peak at 2 wt% MWCNTs loadings.When more MWCNTs are loaded,aggregations of MWCNTs are gradually generated,and the tensile strength and crosslink both decrease to a certain extent.

Surface Dissociation Properties of Short Chain Carboxyl Mercaptan Self-Assembled Monolayers by Impedance Titration

Impedance titration was used to determine the surface dissociation characteristics of short-chain carboxyl mercaptan self-assembled monolayers （SAMs）. Based on the change of the cyclic voltammetric peak current and the charge-transfer resistance, which was related to pH value of the solution, the surface pKa of mercaptoacetic acid（MA）, 3-mercaptopropionic acid（MPA） and ω-mercaptohexanic acid（MHA） self-assembled membranes, with ionic strength being 0.1 mol/L, were determined to be 5.20, 4.80, 7.40, respectively. In addition, factors such as time needed for assembling, structure of monolayers and ionic strength, which effected the surface pKa, were studied as well. Such surface pKa shifts were sufficiently explained by interactions between interfacial molecules and hydrophobicity.

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs): Which Perspectives in Implant Dentistry?

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are ordered organic films formed by adsorption of an active organic coating on a solid surface. Their formation provides an alternative, highly innovative, to current traditional chemical treatments of the titanium surfaces. For this reason the structural phases, the formation and the growth of SAMs is described from a surface science point of view. Particulars are given to SAMs on titanium concerning surface morphology, chemical composition and affinity of specific head group for Ti surfaces (silanes, siloxane, phosphonates and phosphates). Preparation, coating methodologies, limitations and techniques used for the characterization of SAMs are reported. For their physicochemical characteristics and micro-nano scale features some perspectives of using SAMs in biomedical application are outlined.

A New Thionine Modified Electrode by Anchorage to Bi-(2-aminoethyl)-aminodithiocarboxyl Acid Self-assembled Monolayers through Coordination with Cu^(2+#)

A new method for preparing chemically modified gold electrode by anchoring thionine to self-assembled bi - (2 -aminoethyl) -aminodithiocarboxyl acid(BANTC) monolayers through coordination with Cu2+ is described. This thionine modified electrode exhibits two-new redox couples.Two protons were involved in the electrochemical process undergone by the couple I in the pH range of 5.0-10.0. The apparent surface electron transfer rate constant is about 0.050s-1.

Tunneling Electron Induced Fluorescence from Single Porphyrin Molecules Decoupled by Striped-Phase Octanethiol Self-assembled Monolayer

We investigate tunneling electron induced luminescence from isolated single porphyrin molecules that are decoupled by striped-phase self-assembled monolayer of octanethiol from the underneath Au（111） substrate. Intrinsic single-molecule electroluminescence has been realized by such decoupling at both bias polarities. The photon emission intensity acquired from the molecular lobe is found stronger than that from the molecular center. These re- sults provide useful information on the understanding of electroluminescent behavior and mechanism in molecular tunnel junctions.