Search results for "Microscopy"

Strategy for good dispersion of well-defined tetrapods in semiconducting polymer matrices.

2014

The morphology or dispersion control in inorganic/organic hybrid systems is studied, which consist of monodisperse CdSe tetrapods (TPs) with grafted semiconducting block copolymers with excess polymers of the same type. Tetrapod arm-length and amount of polymer loading are varied in order to find the ideal morphology for hybrid solar cells. Additionally, polymers without anchor groups are mixed with the TPs to study the effect of such anchor groups on the hybrid morphology. A numerical model is developed and Monte Carlo simulations to study the basis of compatibility or dispersibility of TPs in polymer matrices are performed. The simulations show that bare TPs tend to form clusters in the m…

Functional templates for hybrid materials with orthogonal functionality.

2009

We demonstrate an integrated approach to prepare a nanostructured, multifunctional material with mutually exclusive, orthogonal properties. The hybrid material was obtained within a single step via self-assembly in solution. It consists of TiO(2) as a functional metal oxide and an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(triphenylamine) (PEO-PTPA). Within the materials' synthesis, the block copolymer not only acts as a templating agent but also adds an electronic functionality to the resulting hybrid material. During the synthesis, a variety of self-assembled morphologies, ranging from spheres to wires, can be created. The obtained morphology depends on the weight fraction o…

Self-Diffusion in Concentrated Colloid Suspensions Studied by Digital Video Microscopy of Core−Shell Tracer Particles

1998

Optical video microscopy and digital image processing have been used to study the self-diffusion of colloidal particles with a hard-sphere potential. The colloid particles consist of cross-linked polymers and are dispersed in a good solvent to avoid aggregation. To investigate single particle motion in highly concentrated dispersions, a host−tracer system, consisting of two different kinds of polymer particles, has been designed:  the host particles are made of poly-t-butylacrylate (with ethanedioldiacrylate as cross-linker) and have the same refractive index as the employed solvent, 4-fluorotoluene. The tracer particles have a core−shell structure with a polystyrene core (cross-linked with…

SPM and TOF-SIMS investigation of the physical and chemical modification induced by tip writing of self-assembled monolayers

2003

Abstract The nanoelectrochemical modification of alkyl self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) obtained on hydrogenated silicon surfaces via radical-initiated reactions of 1-octadecene has been investigated. Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) showed that the modification of the organic layer occurs by applying either positive or negative biases to the tip at a threshold of about ±5 V. When the bias absolute value was ≤6 V, the height of the monolayer was only faintly modified, whereas a consistent increase in tip/sample friction force was observed, in agreement with the formation of hydrophilic moieties at the organic surface. In addition to the increase of friction, bias absolute values larger than …

Distribution of molecularly imprinted polymer layers on macroporous silica gel particles by STEM and EDX

2005

Abstract Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in parallel and scanning mode (STEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) the distribution of molecularly imprinted polymer layers covalently grafted on the inner and outer surface of macroporous silica gel particles was observed. The grafting was achieved using a special initiator system ( iniferter ) and applied on a well known model system producing molecularly imprinted layers with l -phenyl alanine analide ( l -PA) as template. By staining the sample with RuO 4 before its embedment in epoxy resin and cutting ultra thin slices it was possible to identify the stained grafted polymer on the silica matrix by EDX. Bas…

Use of transmission electron microscopy to obtain quantitative information about polymers

2005

In the polymer field the electron microscope is frequently used as a tool for obtaining purely qualitative data, but only rarely to obtain quantitative information. In order to discuss the potential of this instrument for the latter purpose it is convenient to separate the discussion into the following sub-sections.

On the Use of the Nanoindentation Unloading Curve to Measure the Young's Modulus of Polymers on a Nanometer Scale

2005

Summary: The nanoindentation test is a fundamental tool to assess the link between morphology and mechanical properties. The preliminary results of a more exhaustive study about the applicability to polymers of the most used procedure to determine elastic modulus by indentation are reported in this short communication. A departure of the experimental conditions from the theoretical assumptions and results that give rise to the Oliver and Pharr analysis is shown to occur under a wide range of experimental conditions, with applied loads and penetration depths covering several orders of magnitude and using different indenter geometries. Unloading curves with exponents significantly larger than…

Soluble Single-Molecule Nanogels of Controlled Structure as a Matrix for Efficient Artificial Enzymes

2006

Differential localization of two acid proteinases in germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare) seed

1995

A cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase (EC 3.4.23) is abundant in ungerminated barley (Hordeum vulgare) seed while a 30 kDa cysteine endoproteinase (EC 3.4.22) is one of the proteinases synthesized de novo in the germinating seed. In this work, the localization of these two acid proteinases was studied at both the tissue and subcellular levels by immunomicroscopy. The results confirm that they have completely different functions. The aspartic proteinase was present in the ungerminated seed and, during germination, it appeared in all the living tissues of the grain, including the shoot and root. Contrary to previous suggestions, it was not observed in the starchy endosperm. By immunoblotting…

Self-assembly of small gold colloids with functionalized gold nanorods.

2007

We present a general strategy to stabilize gold nanorod suspensions with mono- and bifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG) and to attach a controlled number of nanoparticles or biomolecules. Characterization by gel electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical dark-field microscopy show the specific binding of functionalized nanorods to their target while avoiding nonspecific binding to substrates, matrices, and other particles. Such nanorods are well suited for self-assembly of nanostructures and single-molecule labeling.