A rapidly-reversible absorptive and emissive vapochromic Pt(II) pincer-based chemical sensor.

Selective, robust and cost-effective chemical sensors for detecting small volatile-organic compounds (VOCs) have widespread applications in industry, healthcare and environmental monitoring. Here we design a Pt(II) pincer-type material with selective absorptive and emissive responses to methanol and water. The yellow anhydrous form converts reversibly on a subsecond timescale to a red hydrate in the presence of parts-per-thousand levels of atmospheric water vapour. Exposure to methanol induces a similarly-rapid and reversible colour change to a blue methanol solvate. Stable smart coatings on glass demonstrate robust switching over 104 cycles, and flexible microporous polymer membranes incorporating microcrystals of the complex show identical vapochromic behaviour. The rapid vapochromic response can be rationalised from the crystal structure, and in combination with quantum-chemical modelling, we provide a complete microscopic picture of the switching mechanism. We discuss how this multiscale design approach can be used to obtain new compounds with tailored VOC selectivity and spectral responses.

The influence of surface modification on the cytotoxicity of PAMAM dendrimers.

The influence of surface modification on the cytotoxicity of PAMAM dendrimers was examined using Caco-2 cells. Dendrimers were modified by conjugating either lauroyl chains or polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 onto the surface of cationic PAMAM dendrimers (G2, G3, G4). The cytotoxicity of unmodified dendrimers towards Caco-2 cells was appreciably higher for cationic (whole generation) compared with anionic (half generation) dendrimers and for both types increased with increasing size (generation) and concentration. A marked decrease in the cytotoxicity of cationic PAMAM dendrimers was noted when the surface was modified, with the addition of six lauroyl or four PEG chains being particularly effective in decreasing cytotoxicity. This decrease in cytotoxicity is thought to be due to a reduction/shielding of the positive charge on the dendrimer surface by the attached chains. The cytotoxicity of dendrimer-based delivery systems is likely to be very different from the parent dendrimer.

Polyamidoamine Starburst dendrimers as solubility enhancers.

The solubility of the hydrophobic drug ibuprofen has been compared in an aqueous solution of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) G4 dendrimer and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The PAMAM G4 dendrimer solution significantly enhanced the solubility of ibuprofen compared to 2% SDS solution. It was found that the solubility of ibuprofen in dendrimer solution was directly proportional to dendrimer concentration and inversely proportional to temperature. The influence of dendrimer solution pH on the solubility enhancement of ibuprofen suggests that it involves an electrostatic interaction between the carboxyl group of the ibuprofen molecule and the amine groups of the dendrimer molecule.

Improved biocompatibility of silicone rubber by removal of surface entrapped air nuclei.

Biomaterials activate the complement system which is important since C3a promotes platelet aggregation and release, and C5a activates neutrophils that may augment coagulation. Tiny air nuclei (microbubbles) are found in the surface roughness of biomaterials on exposure to a liquid, therefore two interfaces exist: (a) a blood/biomaterial, and (b) a blood/air interface. Experiments were carried out that documented that air bubbles activate complement and augment in vitro platelet aggregation in human plasma. The air nuclei were removed from the surface of silicone rubber by a technique termed denucleation to determine if complement activation and platelet aggregation could be reduced. We observed a significant reduction in C3a and C5a in the plasma samples incubated with denucleated silicone rubber as compared to the control samples (p less than 0.001, ANOVA). The plasma incubated with the denucleated silicone caused reduced platelet aggregation as compared to the plasma incubated with the control silicone when added to a platelet suspension (p less than 0.001, ANOVA). Surface chemical analysis by x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) showed no change in the silicone rubber surface after the denucleation procedure.

The synthesis and glass-forming properties of phthalocyanine-containing poly(aryl ether) dendrimers.

The synthesis, structural characterisation and properties of a number of phthalocyanine-containing dendrimers are described. Peripheral substitution of phthalocyanine (Pc) with four poly(aryl ether) dendritic wedges (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation) produces materials whose properties are dominated both by the columnar self-association of the Pc core and by the glass-forming character of the dendritic substituents. Asymmetric Pcs containing a single poly(aryl ether) dendron display a columnar mesophase, the structure of which can be frozen into an anisotropic glass at room temperature. Placing the dendritic wedges at the axial sites of silicon phthalocyanine prohibits self-association and gives materials from which can be fabricated robust, isotropic solid solutions of Pc with high glass transition temperatures. A single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of one of these compounds illustrates the ability of the axial dendrons to prevent cofacial aggregation in the solid state.

Surface modification of the biomedical polymer poly(ethylene terephthalate).

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to characterize modified surfaces of a biomedically important polymer, poly(ethylene terephthalate). Several modification schemes were investigated and direct silanization with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane was found to be the optimum procedure, resulting in an aminated surface. Surface coverage of up to 100% was achieved with retention of the polymeric structural integrity. Further activation of the silanized surface was accomplished with two cross-linkers, glutaraldehyde and sebacoyl chloride. A simple biomolecule, L-cysteine, was successfully immobilized onto a surface pre-treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde, with a coverage of 42%.

Facilitation of endothelial cell growth on hydroxylated ePTFE vascular grafts.

The authors have modified ePTFE by hydroxylating the surface using aluminum deposition and removal with sodium hydroxide. This process has no effect on the microfibrillar structure, but reduces the hydrophobicity of ePTFE. There were significantly greater numbers of rat aortic endothelial cells on the surface of modified as compared to control ePTFE after 14 days (469 +/- 44 vs. 4 +/- 3 cells/mm2, p less than 0.01, paired t-test). This simple chemical modification facilitates endothelialization, without using thrombogenic cell adhesives.