Ternary Holey Carbon Nanohorns/TiO2/PVP Nanohybrids as Sensing Films for Resistive Humidity Sensors

In this paper, we present the relative humidity (RH) sensing response of a chemiresistive sensor, employing sensing layers based on a ternary nanohybrids comprised of holey carbon nanohorns (CNHox), titanium (IV) oxide, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at 1/1/1/(T1), 2/1/1/(T2), and with 3/1/1 (T3) mass ratios. The sensing device is comprised of a silicon-based substrate, a SiO2 layer, and interdigitated transducer (IDT) electrodes. The sensitive layer was deposited via the drop-casting method on the sensing structure, followed by a two-step annealing process. The structure and composition of the sensing films were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The resistance of the ternary nanohybrid-based sensing layer increases when H increases between 0% and 80%. A different behavior of the sensitive layers is registered when the humidity increases from 80% to 100%. Thus, the resistance of the T1 sensor slightly decreases with increasing humidity, while the resistance of sensors T2 and T3 register an increase in resistance with increasing humidity. The T2 and T3 sensors demonstrate a good linearity for the entire (0–100%) RH range, while for T1, the linear behavior is limited to the 0–80% range. Their overall room temperature response is comparable to a commercial humidity sensor, characterized by a good sensitivity, a rapid response, and fast recovery times. The functional role for each of the components of the ternary CNHox/TiO2/PVP nanohybrid is explained by considering issues such as their electronic properties, affinity for water molecules, and internal pore accessibility. The decreasing number of holes in the carbonaceous component at the interaction with water molecules, with the protonic conduction (Grotthus mechanism), and with swelling were analyzed to evaluate the sensing mechanism. The hard–soft acid-base (HSAB) theory also has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the complex interaction of the ternary nanohybrid with moisture.

Structure of the dimeric ATP synthase from bovine mitochondria

The structure of the dimeric ATP synthase from bovine mitochondria determined in three rotational states by electron cryo-microscopy provides evidence that the proton uptake from the mitochondrial matrix via the proton inlet half channel proceeds via a Grotthus mechanism, and a similar mechanism may operate in the exit half channel. The structure has given information about the architecture and mechanical constitution and properties of the peripheral stalk, part of the membrane extrinsic region of the stator, and how the action of the peripheral stalk damps the side-to-side rocking motions that occur in the enzyme complex during the catalytic cycle. It also describes wedge structures in the membrane domains of each monomer, where the skeleton of each wedge is provided by three α-helices in the membrane domains of the b-subunit to which the supernumerary subunits e, f, and g and the membrane domain of subunit A6L are bound. Protein voids in the wedge are filled by three specifically bound cardiolipin molecules and two other phospholipids. The external surfaces of the wedges link the monomeric complexes together into the dimeric structures and provide a pivot to allow the monomer–monomer interfaces to change during catalysis and to accommodate other changes not related directly to catalysis in the monomer–monomer interface that occur in mitochondrial cristae. The structure of the bovine dimer also demonstrates that the structures of dimeric ATP synthases in a tetrameric porcine enzyme have been seriously misinterpreted in the membrane domains.

Hypothesis of Lipid-Phase-Continuity Proton Transfer for Aerobic ATP Synthesis

The basic processes harvesting chemical energy for life are driven by proton (H+) movements. These are accomplished by the mitochondrial redox complex V, integral membrane supramolecular aggregates, whose structure has recently been described by advanced studies. These did not identify classical aqueous pores. It was proposed that H+ transfer for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) does not occur between aqueous sources and sinks, where an energy barrier would be insurmountable. This suggests a novel hypothesis for the proton transfer. A lipid-phase-continuity H+ transfer is proposed in which H+ are always bound to phospholipid heads and cardiolipin, according to Mitchell's hypothesis of asymmetric vectorial H+ diffusion. A phase separation is proposed among the proton flow, following an intramembrane pathway, and the ATP synthesis, occurring in the aqueous phase. This view reminiscent of Grotthus mechanism would better account for the distance among the Fo and F1 moieties of FoF1–ATP synthase, for its mechanical coupling, as well as the necessity of a lipid membrane. A unique active role for lipids in the evolution of life can be envisaged. Interestingly, this view would also be consistent with the evidence of an OXPHOS outside mitochondria also found in non-vesicular membranes, housing the redox complexes.

Proton Transfer in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane by Molecular Dynamics Method

This paper describes characteristics of proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. Nafion was used as a membrane. Grotthus mechanism as well as Vehicle mechanism was considered in the simulation. To treat Grotthus mechanism, Empirical Valence Bond (EVB) method was used. The parameters or functions of the interaction potential of EVB method were determined so that potential energy barrier of proton hopping obtained by EVB method is consistent with that obtained by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and adjusted so that the diffusion coefficient of hydronium ion in water obtained by MD simulation is consistent with that of experimental results. After annealing the system, radial distribution function or mean square displacements of hydronium ion and water, which correspond to diffusivity of each compound, was obtained. These results show the nanoscale characteristics of proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane.

A Molecular Dynamics Study for Diffusivity of Proton in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

This paper describes characteristics of proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. Nafion was used as a membrane. Grotthus mechanism as well as Vehicle mechanism was considered in the simulation. To treat Grotthus mechanism, Empirical Valence Bond (EVB) method was used. The parameters or functions of the interaction potential of EVB method were determined so that potential energy barrier of proton hopping obtained by EVB method is consistent with that obtained by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and adjusted so that the diffusion coefficient of hydronium ion in water obtained by MD simulation is consistent with that of experimental results. After annealing the system, radial distribution function or mean square displacements of hydronium ion and water, which correspond to diffusivity of each compound, was obtained. These results show the nanoscale characteristics of proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane.

Positively charged polysilsesquioxane/iodide lonic liquid as a quasi solid-state redox electrolyte for dye-sensitized photo electrochemical cells: Infrared,29SiNMR, and electrical studies

A new sol-gel precursor based on 1-methyl-3-[3-(trimethoxy-λ4-silyl)propyl]-1H-imidazolium iodide (MTMSPI+I−) was synthesized and investigated as a potential novel quasi solid-state ionic liquid redox electrolyte for dye-synthesized photoelectrochemical (DSPEC) cells of the Graetzel type. MTMSPI+I−was hydrolyzed with acidified water and the reaction products of the sol-gel condensation reactions assessed with the help of29SiNMR and infrared spectroscopic techniques. Results of the time-dependent spectra analyses showed the formation of positively charged polyhedral cube-like silsesquioxane species that still contained a small amount of silanol end groups, which were removed after heating at200°C. After cooling, the resulting material formed is a tough, yellowish, and transparent solid, which could be reheated again and used for assembling DSPEC cells. The addition of iodine increased the specific conductivity of the hydrolyzed and nonhydrolyzed MTMSPI+I−, which we attributed to the formation of triiodide ions contributed to the conductivity via the Grotthus mechanism. DSPEC cells based on a titania-dye system with MTMSPI+I−electrolyte containing iodine (0.1 M) reached an overall efficiency between 3.3–3.7%.

Some physicochemical characteristics of molten salts derived from trimethylsulfonium bromide

Ambient temperature melts were derived from trimethylsulfonium bromide (TMSuBr) and AlBr3, AlCl3, or HBr. The aluminum halide melts have low-wavelength UV cutoffs and single-band 1H NMR spectra. In the TMSuBr–HBr system, the formation of HBr2− and likely existence of H2Br3− are indicated by 1H NMR and IR spectra. Conductivity and viscosity data indicate stronger TMSu+–anion interactions than those between substituted imidazolium and halide anions. A Grotthus mechanism may operate for conduction in TMSuBr:HBr melts. Keywords: ambiant temperature melts, trimethylsulfonium–anion itneractions, Grotthus mechanism.