Organic building blocks at inorganic nanomaterial interfaces

Inorganic–organic interfaces: a tutorial on using organic functional groups to enhance the performances and/or enable new functionality of inorganic nanomaterials.

Molecular Compositions and Morphological Structures of Fermented African Locust Bean Seed (Parkia biglobosa)

The effect of production processes on molecular compositions and structure of fermented Parkia biglobosa were investigated in this study. The protein-based condiment was obtained from fermented P. biglobosa seed. Fermentation took place for five days with Bacillus subtilis used as a starter culture. The raw seeds were processed to bring out the edible seed for fermentation. There were examined the effect of fermentation with respect to time and temperature on identifying organic functional groups using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and morphological structure of the seed using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy. Different magnifications were used for the SEM analysis, and the ones with the best images were reported in this work. Images were described based on the surface pattern morphology.

Interfacial Compatibility on the Crystal Transformation of Isotactic Poly (1-Butene)/Herb Residue Composite

Isotactic poly (1-butene) (iPB) has excellent properties which are recognized as a green and energy saving product. However, the most stable and valuable crystal form I had a spontaneous transformation that took as long as seven days to complete. As a special solid waste, the herb residue (HR) is rich in cellulose which has great potential to accelerate the crystal transformation of the iPB. However, the polarity of HR results in the interface compatibility with non-polar iPB. In this study, the HR was modified by silane coupling agent (KH570) to obtain KHR and the iPB/HR composite was prepared. The FTIR spectrum was indicated that the organic functional groups of KH570 successfully graft onto the surface of HR and the water contact angle test was indicated that the hydrophilicity of the KHR was greatly decreased. The complete crystal transformation time is 7 days for iPB, 6 days for iPB+5% HR but only 3 days for iPB+5% KHR. The addition of the HR and KHR improve the thermal stability of the composite and this beneficial effect is more obvious for KHR. After annealing for 5 days, the physical properties value include tensile strength, flexural strength, and HDT of iPB+5% HR reach that of pure iPB after annealing for 7 days, but only 3 days for iPB+5% KHR. The TG analysis and SEM photographs give clear evidence that the beneficial effect of KH570 modified HR on improving the interface compatibility with iPB.

Mapping Organic Functional Groups at Nanosurfaces Using Colloidal Gold Conjugation

The functionalization of nanomaterials surface is key to improve their stability, reactivity and confer specific properties. However, mapping functional groups at the nanoscale remains difficult, <i>i.e.</i> identifying chemical nature but also spatial distribution. It is particularly challenging for organic groups and non-planar objects such as nanoparticles. Here we report a strategy for mapping amine groups on the surface of silica particles using chemically-modified gold colloids, which are used as tags to specifically and spatially identify these organic groups under electron microscopy. A complete understanding of the correlation between spatial distribution of gold colloids and chemical state of the silica particle surface (by XPS) is presented. The range of reliability of this strategy for mapping organic groups at nanointerfaces is assessed and its implications for biofunctional nanoobjects where interdistance of biomolecules are of paramount importance are discussed.

Mapping Organic Functional Groups at Nanosurfaces Using Colloidal Gold Conjugation

The functionalization of nanomaterials surface is key to improve their stability, reactivity and confer specific properties. However, mapping functional groups at the nanoscale remains difficult, <i>i.e.</i> identifying chemical nature but also spatial distribution. It is particularly challenging for organic groups and non-planar objects such as nanoparticles. Here we report a strategy for mapping amine groups on the surface of silica particles using chemically-modified gold colloids, which are used as tags to specifically and spatially identify these organic groups under electron microscopy. A complete understanding of the correlation between spatial distribution of gold colloids and chemical state of the silica particle surface (by XPS) is presented. The range of reliability of this strategy for mapping organic groups at nanointerfaces is assessed and its implications for biofunctional nanoobjects where interdistance of biomolecules are of paramount importance are discussed.

Simulating the binding of organic functional groups to aqueous calcium carbonate species

The interaction of organic molecules with mineral systems is relevant to a wide variety of scientific problems both in the environment and minerals processing. In this study, the coordination of...