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The process of "mineralisation" in biology leads to a diversity of inorganic structures based on silica or calcium carbonate. Some of these are composite and, at the same time, highly crystalline. In all cases a molecular or self assembled "template" species has been identified as the promoter for the crystallisation of the new structure. In biology these "templates" are the end step in the convey
The development of surfactant-templated mesoporous films grown at the air/water interface was investigated using specular and off-specular X-ray reflectivity techniques. The samples were prepared in acidic conditions using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr, 0.075 M) and different concentrations (0.27-0.88 M) of tetramethyloxysilane (TMOS). At CTABr/TMOS molar ratio between 0.277 and 0.093, the
The plant defence proteins α1- and α2-purothionin (Pth) are type 1 thionins from common wheat (Triticum aestivum). These highly homologous proteins possess characteristics common amongst antimicrobial peptides and proteins, that is, cationic charge, amphiphilicity and hydrophobicity. Both α1- and α2-Pth possess the same net charge, but differ in relative hydrophobicity as determined by C18 reverse
Partially C(6) oxidised, dispersed cellulose nanofibres form shear thinning gels in the presence of moderate amounts of simple salts or surfactants providing a novel method to structure aqueous formulations, which may be of use in a substantial number of applications where it is desirable to enhance the viscosity of formulated materials using components from a renewable, sustainable source.
The degradation of pure silica MCM-41 materials prepared under various synthesis conditions has been investigated. Materials from preparations titrated with acid during synthesis not only show improved long range ordering of the pore system but also greater stability. This effect is greatest in unheated preparations.
Nanoparticles of MIL-101(Cr) have been fabricated using a hydrothermal method for the first time. The particle size can be controlled from 19 (4) nm to 84 (12) nm, by using a monocarboxylic acid as a mediator. These nano MIL-101(Cr) materials exhibit higher selectivities for CO2 over N2 than bulk MIL-101(Cr). This journal is
The formation of mesophase silica-surfactant thin films at the air/solution interface has been studied in situ using off-specular X-ray reflectivity, Brewster angle microscopy and small angle scattering. Results for cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-templated films suggest that the formation mechanism is strongly dependent on the silica:surfactant ratio, and this is confirmed by studies on the subpha
Carbon nanoparticles with phenylsulfonate negative surface functionality (Emperor 2000, Cabot Corp.) are coated with positive chitosan followed by hydrothermal carbonization to give highly pH-responsive core-shell nanocarbon composite materials. With optimised core-shell ratio (resulting in an average shell thickness of ca. 4 nm, estimated from SANS data) modified electrodes exhibit highly pH-sens
Nanotechnology is the science of making and using very small structures. As the scales of the constructions become smaller, the existing methods of making these structures - lithography, etching and micromoulding - although constantly improving, will reach physical limits. To overcome the limitations and create smaller, designed and ordered structures, a so-called 'bottom-up' approach must be used
The preparation of chemisorbents based on tungsto- and molybdophosphoric acids supported on two types of synthetic mesoporous carbons and two types of mesoporous silica is described. Strong solid acids with good accessibility to acid sites may potentially be effective adsorbents for the removal of basic molecular impurities, such as amines, from ultrapure manufacturing environments. Prepared mater
We study the electrochemical roughening of a silicon electrode surface during the hydrogen evolution reaction in a fluoride electrolyte using neutron reflection. We demonstrate that as the roughening process modifies the morphology of the silicon surface we can follow the changes by observing the changes in the shape of the total reflection feature. We assume that the change in the morphology of t
Neutron reflectometry has been used to study the development of mesoporous silicated films at a hydrophilic silicon-solution interface. We find the time for film formation was altered in a manner similar to that seen at the air-liquid interface as the silica source-to-surfactant ratio was altered. Interestingly for films grown at the silica-liquid interface in a cell with no air space only one gro
A thin composite film of carbon nanoparticles (ca. 8 nm diameter) and chitosan biopolymer (poly-D-glucosamine, from chitin, 75-85% deacetylated) was prepared by evaporation from aqueous dispersion onto glassy carbon electrode surfaces. The amine groups in the chitosan biopolymer were used to effectively bind Hg(II) ions from an aqueous pH 5 KCl solution. During redox cycling voltammetric responses
The use of a semi-empirical alternative to the standard Washburn equation for the interpretation of raw mercury porosimetry data has been advocated. The alternative expression takes account of variations in both mercury contact angle and surface tension with pore size, for both advancing and retreating mercury meniscii. The semi-empirical equation presented was ultimately derived from electron mic
In situ characterisation of a growing surfactant-templated silica film has been carried out by X-ray reflectivity, diffuse X-ray scattering from the surface. Brewster angle microscopy and surface pressure measurements. The results indicate an unexpected film growth mechanism where layered structures form in solution and diffuse to the interface after some critical induction period.
A facile in situ nanoparticle seeding method is reported to prepare MIL-101(Cr) films on alumina supports. The in situ seeding of MIL-101(Cr) nanoparticles was promoted by use of dimethylacetamide (DMA). The generality of this approach is further demonstrated for Cu3(btc)2 films by using a (poly)acrylate promoter.
Off-specular X-ray reflectivity measurements were carried out to follow the in situ development of surfactant-templated silica thin films at the air-water interface under conditions of controlled relative humidity and temperature, using an enclosed sample cell designed for this purpose. The results suggest a strong dependence of formation time and growth mechanism on ambient conditions. Thin films
Colloidal ZnO is obtained during microwave-enhanced electrochemical deposition experiments from an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M Zn(NO 3)2 and 0.02 M H2O2 via repetitive negative going potential cycles from 0.3 to -0.8 V vs. SCE. The effects of temperature and temperature gradients on ZnO electro-formation at fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes are investigated with both a conventional t
We have investigated the spontaneous self-assembly of solid, mesostructured films that form at the air-solution interface on solutions containing a neutral water-soluble polymer and catanionic surfactant mixtures of hexadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS). The formation processes and structures were probed using neutron reflectivity, X-ray reflectivity, off-spec
Micron-thick hydrogel films with ordered 3D mesostructures form spontaneously at the interface of polyelectrolyte-surfactant solutions. Here we demonstrate that by rationally designing the micelle shapes it is possible to predict and so tailor the nanostructure formed within surfactant-polyelectrolyte films. Using quaternary ammonium surfactants with a range of packing parameters, we demonstrate t
