Regiospecific Grafting of Chitosan Oligomers Brushes onto Silicon Wafers.

The functionalization of surfaces using chitosan oligomers is of great interest for a wide range of applications in biomaterial and biomedical fields, as chitosan oligomers can provide various functional properties including biocompatibility, wetting, adhesion, and antibacterial activity. In this study, an innovative process for the regiospecific chemical grafting of reducing-end-modified chitosan oligomers brushes onto silicon wafers is described. Chitosan oligomers (COS) with well-defined structural parameters (average DP ~19 and DA ~0%) and bearing a 2,5-anhydro-d-mannofuranose (amf) unit at the reducing end were obtained via nitrous acid depolymerization of chitosan. After a silanization step where silicon wafers were modified with aromatic amine derivatives, grafting conditions were studied to optimize the reductive amination between aldehydes of amf-terminated COS and aromatic amines of silicon wafers. Functionalized surfaces were fully characterized by AFM, ATR-FTIR, ellipsometry, contact angle measurement, and ToF-SIMS techniques. Smooth surfaces were obtained with a COS layer about 3 nm thick and contact angle values between 72° and 76°. Furthermore, it was shown that the addition of the reducing agent NaBH3CN could positively improve the COS grafting density and/or led to a better stability of the covalent grafting to hydrolysis. Finally, this study also showed that this grafting process is also efficient for chitosan oligomers of higher DA (i.e., ~21%).

Orthogonal Chemical Functionalization of Au/SiO2/TiW Patterned Substrates.

Macropatterned and micropatterned gold/silicon dioxide/titanium tungsten (Au/SiO2/TiW) substrates were orthogonally functionalized: three different molecules (monovalent silane, thiol, and phosphonic acid) were used to specifically form organolayers on Au, SiO2, or TiW areas of patterned substrates. The orthogonality of the functionalization (i.e., selective grafting of thiol on Au, phosphonic acid on TiW, and silane on SiO2) was assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle measurements. These results are especially promising for the selective anchoring of targets (e.g., biomolecules, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, or other nano-objects) onto patterned zones of multimaterial substrates, such as nanosensors or other nanodevices.

Oxidized Titanium Tungsten Surface Functionalization by Silane-, Phosphonic Acid-, or Ortho-dihydroxyaryl-Based Organolayers.

Titanium tungsten (TiW) films (200 nm thick) were cleaned by oxygen plasma, and the resulting oxidized surfaces were functionalized by 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid (APPA), 3-ethoxydimethylsilylpropylamine (APDMES), or dopamine (DA) to form three different organolayers. The three resulting organolayers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The stability of each organolayer was investigated. Our results suggested that the Si-O-Ti or Si-O-W bonds formed by the reactions of APDMES with surface-oxidized TiW were rather labile, whereas the catechol layer was less labile. The APPA layer was the most stable of all tested surface modifications.

Orthogonal chemical functionalization of patterned Au/TiW substrate for selective immobilization of nanoparticles.

The evolution of nanobiosensors stresses the need for multi-material nanopatterned surfaces to enhance sensing performances. Titanium tungsten (TiW) has been mastered and routinely implemented in nanoelectronic devices, in a reproducible way and at industrial production scales. Such a material may be envisioned for use in (bio)chemical nanoelectronic sensors, but the surface functionalization of such material has yet to be studied. In the present article, the orthogonal chemical functionalization of patterned Au on TiW substrates has been explored for the first time. Surface functionalizations were assessed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging. Au/TiW patterned substrates were functionalized with mercapto-undecamine. Thanks to the orthogonality of thiol/Au versus phosphonic acid/TiW reactions, only the Au features were modified leading to the amine derivatized surface. This allowed for the localizing of carboxy-functionalized nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction on Au with a selectivity above 10 when compared to TiW.

Carbodiimide/NHS derivatization of COOH-terminated SAMs: activation or byproduct formation?

COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are widely used in biosensor technology to bind different amine-containing biomolecules. A covalent amide bond, however, can be achieved only if the carboxylic acids are activated. This activation process usually consists of forming an N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (NHS-ester) by consecutively reacting carboxylic acids with a carbodiimide and NHS. Though many papers report using this method,1-8 the experimental conditions vary greatly between them and chemical characterization at this stage is often omitted. Evidence of an efficient activation is therefore rarely shown. Furthermore, recent publications9-11 have highlighted the complexity of this process, with the possible formation of different byproducts. In this paper, we have conducted a study on NHS activation under different conditions with chemical characterization by polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS). Our results indicate that the nature of the solvent and carbodiimide and the reactant concentrations play crucial roles in activation kinetics and efficiency.

Monitoring the extraction of additives and additive degradation products from polymer packaging into solutions by multi-residue method including solid phase extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

The use of polymer materials in industry for product packaging is increasing. The presence of additives in the polymer matrix enables the modification or improvement of the properties and performance of the polymer, but these industries are concerned regarding the extractability of these additives. The quantification of these additives is particularly challenging because of the presence of these substances as contaminants in all the analytical equipment and the diversity of their physicochemical properties. In this context, a multi-residue analytical method was developed for the trace analysis of the twenty main additives (and their degradation products) authorized in plastic products such as pharmaceutical packaging (e.g., antioxidants, release agents, and light absorbers). This analytical method consisted of a solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by an analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS). A comparison of two ionization interfaces and the optimization of the extraction procedure were discussed. The influence of the quality of the solvent type (distilled versus not distilled) and the nature of the SPE cartridges (Polypropylene versus Teflon(®)) were demonstrated. The optimized method exhibited a quantification limit lower than 20 ng mL(-1) and recoveries between 70 % and 120 % for all compounds. Finally, the method was validated according to the ICH directive and was subsequently applied to the extraction of polymers under different pH conditions and storage temperatures. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first methodology allowing the simultaneous quantification of 24 additives at low ng mL(-1).

Cleaner degreasing of sheepskins by the Yarrowia lipolytica LIP2 lipase as a chemical-free alternative in the leather industry.

Conventional degreasing of skins and hides in the leather industry requires high amounts of organic solvents and detergents that cause environmental issues. In this study, the LIP2 lipase from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica (YLLIP2) was shown to be effective in degreasing sheepskins, thus reducing the amount of harmful chemicals. Using 6 mg of lipase/kg of raw skin, successful degreasing was achieved in only 15 min at pH 8 and 30°C. ToF-SIMS mass spectra of chemically and enzymatically treated sheepskins are consistent with a selective elimination process for the enzymatic treatment. Comparative SEM microscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and physicochemical analyses showed better properties of the enzymatically treated leather than those of the chemical treatment. Effluent physicochemical parameters showed that the enzymatic treatment is a cleaner degreasing operation. Altogether, this work opens new horizons to use the YLLIP2 lipase as a more efficient alternative in the leather industry.

Exploring the benefits of surface analysis techniques to develop double multilayer transfer printing of J-Aggregates cyanine dyes by integrating L-b-L and µCp processes.

Layer-by-layer self-assembly (L-b-L assembly) makes possible to obtain polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) and one of the polyelectrolytes could be replaced by a dye molecule to obtain multilayers which may exhibit optical properties of great interest. On the other hand, µCp has become a routine technique for the preparation of micro- and nanostructured surfaces. In our development in progress of a surface engineering strategy to transfer J-Agg cyanine dyes onto surfaces by integrating L-b-L process and µCp, this contribution highlights how surface analysis imaging techniques can bring valuable information for the development of the process involving a double Multilayers Transfer Printing (MTP) with a Moiré effect. Key parameters sustaining image interpretation are difference in deposit thickness (optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy), in roughness (atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy), in charge effect (scanning electron microscopy) and the chemical contrast between unprinted and printed areas (time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry).

Hydrogen Production at a NiO Photocathode Based on a Ruthenium Dye-Cobalt Diimine Dioxime Catalyst Assembly: Insights from Advanced Spectroscopy and Post-operando Characterization.

The production of hydrogen by efficient, low-cost, and integrated photoelectrochemical water splitting processes represents an important target for the ecological transition. This challenge can be addressed thanks to bioinspired chemistry and artificial photosynthesis approaches by designing dye-sensitized photocathodes for hydrogen production, incorporating bioinspired first-row transition metal-based catalysts. The present work describes the preparation and photoelectrochemical characterization of a NiO photocathode sensitized with a phosphonate-derivatized ruthenium tris-diimine photosensitizer covalently linked to a cobalt diimine dioxime hydrogen-evolving catalyst. Under simulated AM 1.5G irradiation, hydrogen is produced with photocurrent densities reaching 84 ± 7 µA·cm-2, which is among the highest values reported so far for dye-sensitized photocathodes with surface-immobilized catalysts. Thanks to the unique combination of advanced spectroscopy and surface characterization techniques, the fast desorption of the dyad from the NiO electrode and the low yield of electron transfer to the catalyst, resulting in the Co demetallation from the diimine dioxime framework, were identified as the main barriers limiting the performances and the stability of the system. This work therefore paves the way for a more rational design of molecular photocathodes for solar fuel production and represents a further step toward the development of sustainable processes for the production of hydrogen from sunlight and water.

Cellulose phosphorylation comparison and analysis of phosphorate position on cellulose fibers.

Chemical modifications of cellulose fibers as pretreatment for cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) production have been investigated to improve the production process and the quality of obtained cellulosic nanomaterial. In this study, phosphorylation of cellulose fibers was done in anticipation of a future nanofibrillation. Different phosphate salts, namely NH4H2PO4, (NH4)2HPO4, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4 and LiH2PO4 with different constants of solubility (Ks) were used to increase the efficiency of the modification. Phosphorylated cellulose pulps were analyzed using elemental analysis, solid-state 13C and 31P NMR, or conductimetric titration method. No effect of Ks was observed whereas a counterion effect was pointed out. The study also reported the effect of pH, cellulose consistency, temperature and urea content in phosphorylation efficiency. Finally, chemical functionalization and penetration of phosphorylation reagents in the cellulose fibers were evaluated using XPS, SEM-EDX, ToF-SIMS and solid-state NMR.

Safer-by-design biocides made of tri-thiol bridged silver nanoparticle assemblies.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are efficient biocides increasingly used in consumer products and medical devices. Their activity is due to their capacity to release bioavailable Ag(i) ions making them long-lasting biocides but AgNPs themselves are usually easily released from the product. Besides, AgNPs are highly sensitive to various chemical environments that triggers their transformation, decreasing their activity. Altogether, widespread use of AgNPs leads to bacterial resistance and safety concerns for humans and the environment. There is thus a crucial need for improvement. Herein, a proof of concept for a novel biocide based on AgNP assemblies bridged together by a tri-thiol bioinspired ligand is presented. The final nanomaterial is stable and less sensitive to chemical environments with AgNPs completely covered by organic molecules tightly bound via their thiol functions. Therefore, these AgNP assemblies can be considered as safer-by-design and innovative biocides, since they deliver a sufficient amount of Ag(i) for biocidal activity with no release of AgNPs, which are insensitive to transformations in the nanomaterial.

A novel biosorbent for dye removal: extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Proteus mirabilis TJ-1.

This paper deals with the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Proteus mirabilis TJ-1 used as a novel biosorbent to remove dye from aqueous solution in batch systems. As a widely used and hazardous dye, basic blue 54 (BB54) was chosen as the model dye to examine the adsorption performance of the EPS. The effects of pH, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature on the sorption of BB54 to the EPS were examined. At various initial dye concentrations (50-400 mg/L), the batch sorption equilibrium can be obtained in only 5 min. Kinetic studies suggested that the sorption followed the internal transport mechanism. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum BB54 uptake of 2.005 g/g was obtained. Chemical analysis of the EPS indicated the presence of protein (30.9%, w/w) and acid polysaccharide (63.1%, w/w). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the EPS with a crystal-linear structure was whole enwrapped by adsorbed dye molecules. FTIR spectrum result revealed the presence of adsorbing groups such as carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups in the EPS. High-molecular weight of the EPS with more binding-sites and stronger van der Waals forces together with its specific construct leads to the excellent performance of dye adsorption. The EPS shows potential board application as a biosorbent for both environmental protection and dye recovery.

Validation of a conductometric bienzyme biosensor for the detection of proteins as marker of organic matter in river samples.

This article describes a conductometric bi-layer based bienzyme biosensor for the detection of proteins as a marker of organic matter in rivers. Proteins were chosen to be used as indicators of urban pollution. The working mechanism of the bienzyme biosensor is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins into several fractions (peptides and amino acids), which results in a local conductivity change depending of the concentration of proteins. In this work, we began with the optimization of biosensor response using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as standard protein. For this objective seven enzymatic biosensors were prepared: four enzymatic sensors with only one layer of enzyme (proteinase K, trypsin, pronase or protease X) and three other enzymatic sensors with two layers (first layer: membrane containing proteinase K; second layer: one of the three other enzymes: trypsin, pronase or protease X). The biosensors were obtained through the deposition of enzymatic layers and the cross-linking process between enzymes and BSA in saturated glutaraldehyde vapour. The response of the various biosensors, described previously, were compared with the values of total organic carbon (TOC), and those of organic nitrogen (Norg), as determined by the laboratory accredits (CEMAGREF of Lyon) using the traditional method of analysis (NF EN 1484, infrared spectroscopy) and (NF EN 25663, mineralization/colorimetry assay) respectively for each water sample obtained from different sites in Lyon (France). The linear correlations obtained with the response of the seven biosensors showed the most important indices of correlations for the biosensor with two enzymatic layers: proteinase K + pronase (pkp). The optimum conditions for the preparation of the pkp biosensor increased the sensitivity and gave a limit of quantification of 0.583 microg/L for TOC and 0.218 microg/L for Norg in water samples. This sensor shows good reproducibility (2.28%), a capacity to be used at temperatures range 10-30 degrees C (depending on the season) and moreover a long lifetime (5 weeks).

Production and characterization of a bioflocculant by Proteus mirabilis TJ-1.

A bioflocculant TJ-F1 with high flocculating activity, produced by strain TJ-1 from a mixed activated sludge, was investigated with regard to its production and characterization. By 16S rDNA sequence and biochemical and physiological characteristics, strain TJ-1 was identified as Proteus mirabilis. The most preferred carbon source, nitrogen source and C/N ratio (w/w) for strain TJ-1 to produce the bioflocculant were found to be glucose, peptone and 10, respectively. TJ-F1 production could be greatly stimulated by cations Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Fe(3+). The optimal conditions for TJ-F1 production were inoculum size 2 per thousand (v/v), initial pH 7.0, culture temperature 25 degrees C, and shaking speed 130r/min, under which the flocculating activity of the bioflocculant reached 93.13%. About 1.33 g of the purified bioflocculant, whose molecular weight (MW) was 1.2 x 10(5) Da, could be recovered from 1.0 l of fermentation broth. Chemical analysis of bioflocculant TJ-F1 indicated that it contained protein (30.9%, w/w) and acid polysaccharide (63.1%, w/w), including neutral sugar, glucuronic acid and amino sugar as the principal constituents in the relative weight proportions of 8.2:5.3:1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the purified solid-state TJ-F1 showed that it had a crystal-linear structure. Spectroscopic analysis of the bioflocculant by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups preferred for the flocculation process.

Tribochemical Competition within a MoS2/Ti Dry Lubricated Macroscale Contact in Ultrahigh Vacuum: A Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Investigation.

Controlling and predicting the tribological behavior of dry lubricants is a necessity to ensure low friction, long life, and low particle generation. Understanding the tribochemistry of the materials as a function of the environment is of primary interest as synergistic effects exist between the mechanics, the physicochemistry, and the thermodynamics within a contact. However, in most studies the role of the coating internal contaminants in the process is often discarded to the benefit of a more common approach in which the performances of the materials are compared as a function of different atmospheric pressure environments. The study focuses on the understanding of the tribochemical processes occurring between the materials and their internal contaminants inside an AISI440C contact lubricated by a MoS2/Ti coating. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is used to study at the molecular level, the material before and after friction. Friction tests with different durations are performed in ultrahigh vacuum at the macroscale to stay relevant to the real application (space). The adsorption/desorption of gaseous species during friction is monitored by mass spectrometry to ensure reliable study of the tribochemical processes inside the contact. The study shows that a competition exists between the Ti- and MoS2-based materials to create the appropriate lubricating materials via (i) recrystallization of MoS2 materials with creation of a MoS xO y material via reactions with internal contaminants (presumably H2O), (ii) reaction of Ti-based materials with internal contaminants (mostly H2O and N2). The biphasic material created is highly similar to the one created in both humid air and dry N2 environments and providing low friction and low particle generation. However, the process is incomplete. The study thus brings insight into the possibility of controlling friction via a rational inclusion of reactants in a form of contaminants to control the tribochemical processes governing the low friction and long life.

Insights into the mechanism and aging of a noble-metal free H2-evolving dye-sensitized photocathode.

Dye-sensitized photo-electrochemical cells (DS-PECs) form an emerging technology for the large-scale storage of solar energy in the form of (solar) fuels because of the low cost and ease of processing of their constitutive photoelectrode materials. Preparing such molecular photocathodes requires a well-controlled co-immobilization of molecular dyes and catalysts onto transparent semiconducting materials. Here we used a series of surface analysis techniques to describe the molecular assembly of a push-pull organic dye and a cobalt diimine-dioxime catalyst co-grafted on a p-type NiO electrode substrate. (Photo)electrochemical measurements allowed characterization of electron transfer processes within such an assembly and to demonstrate for the first time that a CoI species is formed as the entry into the light-driven H2 evolution mechanism of a dye-sensitized photocathode. This co-grafted noble-metal free H2-evolving photocathode architecture displays similar performances to its covalent dye-catalyst counterpart based on the same catalytic moiety. Post-operando time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis of these photoelectrodes after extensive photoelectrochemical operation suggested decomposition pathways of the dye and triazole linkage used to graft the catalyst onto NiO, providing grounds for the design of optimized molecular DS-PEC components with increased robustness upon turnover.

Elucidating the mechanism of the considerable mechanical stiffening of DNA induced by the couple Zn2+/Calix[4]arene-1,3-O-diphosphorous acid.

The couple Calix[4]arene-1,3-O-diphosphorous acid (C4diP) and zinc ions (Zn2+) acts as a synergistic DNA binder. Silicon NanoTweezer (SNT) measurements show an increase in the mechanical stiffness of DNA bundles by a factor of >150, at Zn2+ to C4diP ratios above 8, as compared to Zinc alone whereas C4diP alone decreases the stiffness of DNA. Electroanalytical measurements using 3D printed devices demonstrate a progression of events in the assembly of C4diP on DNA promoted by zinc ions. A mechanism at the molecular level can be deduced in which C4diP initially coordinates to DNA by phosphate-phosphate hydrogen bonds or in the presence of Zn2+ by Zn2+ bridging coordination of the phosphate groups. Then, at high ratios of Zn2+ to C4diP, interdigitated dimerization of C4diP is followed by cross coordination of DNA strands through Zn2+/C4diP inter-strand interaction. The sum of these interactions leads to strong stiffening of the DNA bundles and increased inter-strand binding.

Elaboration of PLLA-based superparamagnetic nanoparticles: characterization, magnetic behaviour study and in vitro relaxivity evaluation.

Oleic acid-coated magnetite has been encapsulated in biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) by a simple emulsion evaporation method. The different parameters influencing the particles size were studied. Between these parameters, the stirring speed and the polymer concentration were found to influence positively or negatively, respectively, the MNP size which varied between 320 and 1500nm. The magnetite encapsulation efficacy was about than 90% yielding a high magnetite loading of up to 30% (w/w). X-ray diffraction showed that magnetite crystalline pattern was not modified after emulsification and solvent evaporation. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the presence of less than 0.1% of iron atoms at the nanoparticles surface. Vibration simple magnetometer (VSM) showed a superparamagnetic behaviour of the MNP and a saturation magnetization increasing with the increased magnetite amount used in formulation. Moreover, T(1) and T(2) relaxivities of MNP (4.7T, 20 degrees C) were 1.7+/-0.1 and 228.3+/-13.1s(-1)mM(-1), respectively, rendering them in the same category of known negative contrast agents which shorten the T(2) relaxation time. Therefore, by using an appropriate anticancer drug in their formulation, these magnetic nanoparticles can present a promising mean for simultaneous tumor imaging, drug delivery and real time monitoring of therapeutic effect.

Evaluation of endothelial cell adhesion onto different protein/gold electrodes by EIS.

To study cell attachment to biomaterials, several proteins such as fibronectin, collagen IV, heparin, immunoglobulin G, and albumin have been deposited onto polystyrene adsorbed on a self-assembled monolayer (silane or thiol) on glass or gold, respectively. The different steps of this multilayer assembly have been characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These data are compared to those of adhesion rate, viability percentage, and cytoskeleton labeling for a better understanding of the cell adhesion process to each protein. All the proteins are endothelial cell adhering biomolecules but not with the same features. A linear relationship has been established between adhesion rate and resistance of the endothelial cell/protein interface for all negatively charged proteins.

Aqueous Photocurrent Measurements Correlated to Ultrafast Electron Transfer Dynamics at Ruthenium Tris Diimine-Sensitized NiO Photocathodes.

Understanding the structural and electronic factors governing the efficiency of dye-sensitized NiO photocathodes is essential to optimize solar fuel production in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). For these purpose, three different ruthenium dyes, bearing either two or four methylphosphonate anchoring groups and either a bipyridine or a dipyridophenazine ancillary ligand, were synthesized and grafted onto NiO films. These photoelectrodes were fully characterized by XPS, ToF-SIMS, UV-vis absorption, time-resolved emission and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopies. Increasing the number of anchoring groups from two to four proved beneficial for the grafting efficiency. No significant modification of the electronic properties compared to the parent photosensitizer was observed, in accordance with the non-conjugated nature of the grafted linker. The photoelectrochemical activity of the dye-sensitized NiO electrodes was assessed in fully aqueous medium in the presence of an irreversible electron acceptor and photocurrents reaching 190 µA.cm-2 were recorded. The transient absorption study revealed the presence of two charge recombination pathways for each of the sensitizers and evidenced a stabilized charge separated state in the dppz derivative, supporting its superior photoelectrochemical activity.