@misc{LiebigSarhanPrietzeletal.2016, author = {Liebig, Ferenc and Sarhan, Radwan Mohamed and Prietzel, Claudia Christina and Reinecke, Antje and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {"Green" gold nanotriangles: synthesis, purification by polyelectrolyte/micelle depletion flocculation and performance in surface-enhanced Raman scattering}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-394430}, pages = {33561 -- 33568}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The aim of this study was to develop a one-step synthesis of gold nanotriangles (NTs) in the presence of mixed phospholipid vesicles followed by a separation process to isolate purified NTs. Negatively charged vesicles containing AOT and phospholipids, in the absence and presence of additional reducing agents (polyampholytes, polyanions or low molecular weight compounds), were used as a template phase to form anisotropic gold nanoparticles. Upon addition of the gold chloride solution, the nucleation process is initiated and both types of particles, i.e., isotropic spherical and anisotropic gold nanotriangles, are formed simultaneously. As it was not possible to produce monodisperse nanotriangles with such a one-step procedure, the anisotropic nanoparticles needed to be separated from the spherical ones. Therefore, a new type of separation procedure using combined polyelectrolyte/micelle depletion flocculation was successfully applied. As a result of the different purification steps, a green colored aqueous dispersion was obtained containing highly purified, well-defined negatively charged flat nanocrystals with a platelet thickness of 10 nm and an edge length of about 175 nm. The NTs produce promising results in surface-enhanced Raman scattering.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{FortesMartin2023, author = {Fortes Mart{\´i}n, Rebeca}, title = {Water-in-oil microemulsions as soft-templates to mediate nanoparticle interfacial assembly into hybrid nanostructures}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-57180}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-571801}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {119}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Hybrid nanomaterials offer the combination of individual properties of different types of nanoparticles. Some strategies for the development of new nanostructures in larger scale rely on the self-assembly of nanoparticles as a bottom-up approach. The use of templates provides ordered assemblies in defined patterns. In a typical soft-template, nanoparticles and other surface-active agents are incorporated into non-miscible liquids. The resulting self-organized dispersions will mediate nanoparticle interactions to control the subsequent self-assembly. Especially interactions between nanoparticles of very different dispersibility and functionality can be directed at a liquid-liquid interface. In this project, water-in-oil microemulsions were formulated from quasi-ternary mixtures with Aerosol-OT as surfactant. Oleyl-capped superparamagnetic iron oxide and/or silver nanoparticles were incorporated in the continuous organic phase, while polyethyleneimine-stabilized gold nanoparticles were confined in the dispersed water droplets. Each type of nanoparticle can modulate the surfactant film and the inter-droplet interactions in diverse ways, and their combination causes synergistic effects. Interfacial assemblies of nanoparticles resulted after phase-separation. On one hand, from a biphasic Winsor type II system at low surfactant concentration, drop-casting of the upper phase afforded thin films of ordered nanoparticles in filament-like networks. Detailed characterization proved that this templated assembly over a surface is based on the controlled clustering of nanoparticles and the elongation of the microemulsion droplets. This process offers versatility to use different nanoparticle compositions by keeping the surface functionalization, in different solvents and over different surfaces. On the other hand, a magnetic heterocoagulate was formed at higher surfactant concentration, whose phase-transfer from oleic acid to water was possible with another auxiliary surfactant in ethanol-water mixture. When the original components were initially mixed under heating, defined oil-in-water, magnetic-responsive nanostructures were obtained, consisting on water-dispersible nanoparticle domains embedded by a matrix-shell of oil-dispersible nanoparticles. Herein, two different approaches were demonstrated to form diverse hybrid nanostructures from reverse microemulsions as self-organized dispersions of the same components. This shows that microemulsions are versatile soft-templates not only for the synthesis of nanoparticles, but also for their self-assembly, which suggest new approaches towards the production of new sophisticated nanomaterials in larger scale.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bomm2012, author = {Bomm, Jana}, title = {Von Gold Plasmonen und Exzitonen : Synthese, Charakterisierung und Applikationen von Gold Nanopartikeln}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-66402}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In dieser Arbeit wurden sph{\"a}rische Gold Nanopartikel (NP) mit einem Durchmesser gr{\"o}ßer ~ 2 nm, Gold Quantenpunkte (QDs) mit einem Durchmesser kleiner ~ 2 nm sowie Gold Nanost{\"a}bchen (NRs) unterschiedlicher L{\"a}nge hergestellt und optisch charakterisiert. Zudem wurden zwei neue Synthesevarianten f{\"u}r die Herstellung thermosensitiver Gold QDs entwickelt werden. Sph{\"a}rische Gold NP zeigen eine Plasmonenbande bei ~ 520 nm, die auf die kollektive Oszillation von Elektronen zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren ist. Gold NRs weisen aufgrund ihrer anisotropen Form zwei Plasmonenbanden auf, eine transversale Plasmonenbande bei ~ 520 nm und eine longitudinale Plasmonenbande, die vom L{\"a}nge-zu-Durchmesser-Verh{\"a}ltnis der Gold NRs abh{\"a}ngig ist. Gold QDs besitzen keine Plasmonenbande, da ihre Elektronen Quantenbeschr{\"a}nkungen unterliegen. Gold QDs zeigen jedoch aufgrund diskreter Energieniveaus und einer Bandl{\"u}cke Photolumineszenz (PL). Die synthetisierten Gold QDs besitzen eine Breitbandlumineszenz im Bereich von ~ 500-800 nm, wobei die Lumineszenz-eigenschaften (Emissionspeak, Quantenausbeute, Lebenszeiten) stark von den Herstellungs-bedingungen und den Oberfl{\"a}chenliganden abh{\"a}ngen. Die PL in Gold QDs ist ein sehr komplexes Ph{\"a}nomen und r{\"u}hrt vermutlich von Singulett- und Triplett-Zust{\"a}nden her. Gold NRs und Gold QDs konnten in verschiedene Polymere wie bspw. Cellulosetriacetat eingearbeitet werden. Polymernanokomposite mit Gold NRs wurden erstmals unter definierten Bedingungen mechanisch gezogen, um Filme mit optisch anisotropen (richtungsabh{\"a}ngigen) Eigenschaften zu erhalten. Zudem wurde das Temperaturverhalten von Gold NRs und Gold QDs untersucht. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine lokale Variation der Gr{\"o}ße und Form von Gold NRs in Polymernanokompositen durch Temperaturerh{\"o}hung auf 225-250 °C erzielt werden kann. Es zeigte sich, dass die PL der Gold QDs stark temperaturabh{\"a}ngig ist, wodurch die PL QY der Proben beim Abk{\"u}hlen (-7 °C) auf knapp 30 \% verdoppelt und beim Erhitzen auf 70 °C nahezu vollst{\"a}ndig gel{\"o}scht werden konnte. Es konnte demonstriert werden, dass die L{\"a}nge der Alkylkette des Oberfl{\"a}chenliganden einen Einfluss auf die Temperaturstabilit{\"a}t der Gold QDs hat. Zudem wurden verschiedene neuartige und optisch anisotrope Sicherheitslabels mit Gold NRs sowie thermosensitive Sicherheitslabel mit Gold QDs entwickelt. Ebenso scheinen Gold NRs und QDs f{\"u}r die und die Optoelektronik (bspw. Datenspeicherung) und die Medizin (bspw. Krebsdiagnostik bzw. -therapie) von großem Interesse zu sein.}, language = {de} } @article{KoshkinaWestmeierLangetal.2016, author = {Koshkina, Olga and Westmeier, Dana and Lang, Thomas and Bantz, Christoph and Hahlbrock, Angelina and W{\"u}rth, Christian and Resch-Genger, Ute and Braun, Ulrike and Thiermann, Raphael and Weise, Christoph and Eravci, Murat and Mohr, Benjamin and Schlaad, Helmut and Stauber, Roland H. and Docter, Dominic and Bertin, Annabelle and Maskos, Michael}, title = {Tuning the Surface of Nanoparticles: Impact of Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) on Protein Adsorption in Serum and Cellular Uptake}, series = {Macromolecular bioscience}, volume = {16}, journal = {Macromolecular bioscience}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.201600074}, pages = {1287 -- 1300}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Due to the adsorption of biomolecules, the control of the biodistribution of nanoparticles is still one of the major challenges of nanomedicine. Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) for surface modification of nanoparticles is applied and both protein adsorption and cellular uptake of PEtOxylated nanoparticles versus nanoparticles coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and non-coated positively and negatively charged nanoparticles are compared. Therefore, fluorescent poly(organosiloxane) nanoparticles of 15 nm radius are synthesized, which are used as a scaffold for surface modification in a grafting onto approach. With multi-angle dynamic light scattering, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation, gel electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, it is demonstrated that protein adsorption on PEtOxylated nanoparticles is extremely low, similar as on PEGylated nanoparticles. Moreover, quantitative microscopy reveals that PEtOxylation significantly reduces the non-specific cellular uptake, particularly by macrophage-like cells. Collectively, studies demonstrate that PEtOx is a very effective alternative to PEG for stealth modification of the surface of nanoparticles.}, language = {en} } @article{DraudeGallaPelsteretal.2013, author = {Draude, F. and Galla, S. and Pelster, Axel and Tentschert, J. and Jungnickel, H. and Haase, Alfred and Mantion, Alexandre and Thuenemann, Andreas F. and Taubert, Andreas and Luch, A. and Arlinghaus, H. F.}, title = {ToF-SIMS and Laser-SNMS analysis of macrophages after exposure to silver nanoparticles}, series = {Surface and interface analysis : an international journal devoted to the development and application of techniques for the analysis surfaces, interfaces and thin films}, volume = {45}, journal = {Surface and interface analysis : an international journal devoted to the development and application of techniques for the analysis surfaces, interfaces and thin films}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0142-2421}, doi = {10.1002/sia.4902}, pages = {286 -- 289}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are among the most commercialized nanoparticles because of their antibacterial effects. Besides being employed, e. g. as a coatingmaterial for sterile surfaces in household articles and appliances, the particles are also used in a broad range of medical applications. Their antibacterial properties make SNPs especially useful for wound disinfection or as a coating material for prostheses and surgical instruments. Because of their optical characteristics, the particles are of increasing interest in biodetection as well. Despite the widespread use of SNPs, there is little knowledge of their toxicity. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and laser post-ionization secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-SNMS) were used to investigate the effects of SNPs on human macrophages derived from THP-1 cells in vitro. For this purpose, macrophages were exposed to SNPs. The SNP concentration ranges were chosen with regard to functional impairments of the macrophages. To optimize the analysis of the macrophages, a special silicon wafer sandwich preparation technique was employed; ToF-SIMS was employed to characterize fragments originating from macrophage cell membranes. With the use of this optimized sample preparation method, the SNP-exposed macrophages were analyzed with ToF-SIMS and with Laser-SNMS. With Laser-SNMS, the three-dimensional distribution of SNPs in cells could be readily detected with very high efficiency, sensitivity, and submicron lateral resolution. We found an accumulation of SNPs directly beneath the cell membrane in a nanoparticular state as well as agglomerations of SNPs inside the cells.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Stoeckle2010, author = {St{\"o}ckle, Silke}, title = {Thin liquid films with nanoparticles and rod-like ions as models for nanofluidics}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-46370}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2010}, abstract = {With the rise of nanotechnology in the last decade, nanofluidics has been established as a research field and gained increased interest in science and industry. Natural aqueous nanofluidic systems are very complex, there is often a predominance of liquid interfaces or the fluid contains charged or differently shaped colloids. The effects, promoted by these additives, are far from being completely understood and interesting questions arise with regards to the confinement of such complex fluidic systems. A systematic study of nanofluidic processes requires designing suitable experimental model nano - channels with required characteristics. The present work employed thin liquid films (TLFs) as experimental models. They have proven to be useful experimental tools because of their simple geometry, reproducible preparation, and controllable liquid interfaces. The thickness of the channels can be adjusted easily by the concentration of electrolyte in the film forming solution. This way, channel dimensions from 5 - 100 nm are possible, a high flexibility for an experimental system. TLFs have liquid IFs of different charge and properties and they offer the possibility to confine differently shaped ions and molecules to very small spaces, or to subject them to controlled forces. This makes the foam films a unique "device" available to obtain information about fluidic systems in nanometer dimensions. The main goal of this thesis was to study nanofluidic processes using TLFs as models, or tools, and to subtract information about natural systems plus deepen the understanding on physical chemical conditions. The presented work showed that foam films can be used as experimental models to understand the behavior of liquids in nano - sized confinement. In the first part of the thesis, we studied the process of thinning of thin liquid films stabilized with the non - ionic surfactant n - dodecyl - β - maltoside (β - C₁₂G₂) with primary interest in interfacial diffusion processes during the thinning process dependent on surfactant concentration 64. The surfactant concentration in the film forming solutions was varied at constant electrolyte (NaCl) concentration. The velocity of thinning was analyzed combining previously developed theoretical approaches. Qualitative information about the mobility of the surfactant molecules at the film surfaces was obtained. We found that above a certain limiting surfactant concentration the film surfaces were completely immobile and they behaved as non - deformable, which decelerated the thinning process. This follows the predictions for Reynolds flow of liquid between two non - deformable disks. In the second part of the thesis, we designed a TLF nanofluidic system containing rod - like multivalent ions and compared this system to films containing monovalent ions. We presented first results which recognized for the first time the existence of an additional attractive force in the foam films based on the electrostatic interaction between rod - like ions and oppositely charged surfaces. We may speculate that this is an ion bridging component of the disjoining pressure. The results show that for films prepared in presence of spermidine the transformation of the thicker CF to the thinnest NBF is more probable as films prepared with NaCl at similar conditions of electrostatic interaction. This effect is not a result of specific adsorption of any of the ions at the fluid surfaces and it does not lead to any changes in the equilibrium properties of the CF and NBF. Our hypothesis was proven using the trivalent ion Y3+ which does not show ion bridging. The experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions and a quantitative agreement on the system's energy gain for the change from CF to NBF could be obtained. In the third part of the work, the behavior of nanoparticles in confinement was investigated with respect to their impact on the fluid flow velocity. The particles altered the flow velocity by an unexpected high amount, so that the resulting changes in the dynamic viscosity could not be explained by a realistic change of the fluid viscosity. Only aggregation, flocculation and plug formation can explain the experimental results. The particle systems in the presented thesis had a great impact on the film interfaces due to the stabilizer molecules present in the bulk solution. Finally, the location of the particles with respect to their lateral and vertical arrangement in the film was studied with advanced reflectivity and scattering methods. Neutron Reflectometry studies were performed to investigate the location of nanoparticles in the TLF perpendicular to the IF. For the first time, we study TLFs using grazing incidence small angle X - ray scattering (GISAXS), which is a technique sensitive to the lateral arrangement of particles in confined volumes. This work provides preliminary data on a lateral ordering of particles in the film.}, language = {en} } @article{ZouSchlaad2015, author = {Zou, Hua and Schlaad, Helmut}, title = {Thermoresponsive PNIPAM/Silica Nanoparticles by Direct Photopolymerization in Aqueous Media}, series = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, number = {10}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0887-624X}, doi = {10.1002/pola.27593}, pages = {1260 -- 1267}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This article presents a simple and facile method to fabricate thermoresponsive polymer-grafted silica particles by direct surface-initiated photopolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). This method is based on silica particles bearing thiol functionalities, which are transformed into thiyl radicals by irradiation with UV light to initiate the polymerization of NIPAM in aqueous media at room temperature. The photopolymerization of NIPAM could be applied to smaller thiol-functionalized particles (approximate to 48 nm) as well as to larger particles (approximate to 692 nm). Hollow poly(NIPAM) capsules could be formed after etching away the silica cores from the composite particles. It is possible to produce tailor-made composite particles or capsules for particular applications by extending this approach to other vinyl monomers. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 2015, 53, 1260-1267}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Dai2018, author = {Dai, Xiaolin}, title = {Synthesis of artificial building blocks for sortase-mediated ligation and their enzymatic linkage}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-420060}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XIV, 125}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Das Enzym Sortase A katalysiert die Bildung einer Peptidbindung zwischen der Erkennungssequenz LPXTG und einem Oligoglycin. W{\"a}hrend vielf{\"a}ltige Ligationen zwischen Proteinen und verschiedenen Biomolek{\"u}len, Proteinen und kleinen synthetischen Molek{\"u}len, sowie Proteinen und Oberfl{\"a}chen durchgef{\"u}hrt wurden, besteht das Ziel dieser Arbeit darin, die Sortase-katalysierte Verlinkung von synthetischen Bausteinen zu untersuchen. Dies k{\"o}nnte den Weg bereiten f{\"u}r die Anwendung von Sortase A f{\"u}r chemische Aufgabenstellungen und eventuell sogar in den Materialwissenschaften. F{\"u}r diese grunds{\"a}tzliche Untersuchung wurden die verwendeten Bausteine zun{\"a}chst so einfach wie m{\"o}glich gehalten und leicht zug{\"a}ngliche SiO2 Nanopartikel und kommerziell erh{\"a}ltliche Polymerbl{\"o}cke ausgew{\"a}hlt. Die Bausteine wurden als erstes mit den Peptidsequenzen f{\"u}r Sortase-vermittelte Ligationen funktionalisiert. SiO2 Nanopartikel wurden mit Durchmessern von 60 und 200 nm hergestellt und mit C=C Doppelbindungen oberfl{\"a}chenmodifiziert. Dann wurden Peptide mit einem terminalen Cystein kovalent durch eine Thiol-en Reaktion angebunden. An die 60 nm NP wurden Peptide mit einem Pentaglycin und an die 200 nm Partikel Peptide mit LPETG Sequenz gebunden. Auf die gleiche Art und Weise wurden Peptide mit terminalem Cystein an die Polymere Polyethylenglykol (PEG) und Poly(N Isopropylacrylamid) (PNIPAM), die beide {\"u}ber C=C Endgruppen verf{\"u}gen, gebunden und G5-PEG und PNIPAM-LPETG Konjugate erhalten. Mit den vier Bausteinen wurden nun durch Sortase-vermittelte Ligation NP-Polymer Hybride, NP-NP und Polymer-Polymer Strukturen hergestellt und die Produkte u. a. durch Transmissionselektronen-mikroskopie, MALDI-ToF Massenspektrometrie sowie Dynamische Lichtstreuung charakterisiert. Die Verlinkung dieser synthetischen Bausteine konnte eindeutig gezeigt werden. Das Verwenden von kommerziell erh{\"a}ltlichen Polymeren hat jedoch zu einem Gemisch der Polymer-Peptid Konjugate mit unmodifiziertem Polymer gef{\"u}hrt, welches nicht gereinigt werden konnte. Deswegen wurden anschließend Synthesestrategien f{\"u}r reine Peptid-Polymer und Polymer-Peptid Konjugate als Bausteine f{\"u}r Sortase-vermittelte Ligationen entwickelt. Diese basieren auf der RAFT Polymerisation mit CTAs, die entweder an N- oder C-Terminus eines Peptids gebunden sind. GG-PNIPAM wurde durch das Anbinden eines geeigneten RAFT CTAs an Fmoc-GG in einer Veresterungsreaktion, Polymerisation von NIPAM und Abspalten der Fmoc Schutzgruppe synthetisiert. Weiterhin wurden mehrere Peptide durch Festphasen-Peptidsynthese erhalten. Die Anbindung eines RAFT CTAs (oder eines Polymerisationsinitiators) an den N-Terminus eines Peptids kann automatisiert als letzter Schritt in einem Peptid-Synthetisierer erfolgen. Die Synthese eines solchen Konjugats konnte in dem Zeithorizont dieser Arbeit noch nicht erreicht werden. Jedoch existieren mehrere vielversprechende Strategien, um diesen Ansatz mit verschiedenen Kopplungsreagenzien zur Anbindung des CTAs fortzusetzen. Solche Polymer Bausteine k{\"o}nnen in Zukunft f{\"u}r die Synthese von Protein-Polymer Konjugaten durch Sortase-Katalyse verwendet werden. Außerdem kann der Ansatz auch f{\"u}r die Synthese von Block-Copolymeren aus Polymerbl{\"o}cken mit Peptidmotiven an beiden Enden ausgebaut werden. Auch wenn bei der grunds{\"a}tzlichen Untersuchung im Rahmen dieser Arbeit Hybridstrukturen hergestellt wurden, die auch durch traditionelle chemische Synthesen erhalten werden k{\"o}nnten, wird ein Bausatz solcher Bausteine in Zukunft die Synthese neuer Materialien erm{\"o}glichen und kann auch den Weg f{\"u}r die Anwendung von Enzymen in den Materialwissenschaften ebnen. In Erg{\"a}nzung zu Nanopartikeln und Block-Copolymeren k{\"o}nnen dann auch Hybridmaterialien unter Einbezug von Protein-basierten Bausteinen hergestellt werden. Daher k{\"o}nnten Sortase Enzyme zu einem Werkzeug werden, welches etablierte chemische Verlinkungstechniken erg{\"a}nzt und mit den hoch spezifischen Peptidmotiven {\"u}ber funktionale Einheiten verf{\"u}gt, die orthogonal zu allen chemischen Gruppen sind.}, language = {en} } @misc{Metzke2013, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Metzke, Sarah}, title = {Synthesis and characterization of transition metal nitrides and carbides for catalysis and electrochemistry application}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-69835}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2013}, abstract = {It was the goal of this work to explore two different synthesis pathways using green chemistry. The first part of this thesis is focusing on the use of the urea-glass route towards single phase manganese nitride and manganese nitride/oxide nano-composites embedded in carbon, while the second part of the thesis is focusing on the use of the "saccharide route" (namely cellulose, sucrose, glucose and lignin) towards metal (Ni0), metal alloy (Pd0.9Ni0.1, Pd0.5Ni0.5, Fe0.5Ni0.5, Cu0.5Ni0.5 and W0.15Ni0.85) and ternary carbide (Mn0.75Fe2.25C) nanoparticles embedded in carbon. In the interest of battery application, MnN0.43 nanoparticles surrounded by a graphitic shell and embedded in carbon with a high surface area (79 m^2/g) were synthesized, following a previously set route.The comparison of the material characteristics before and after the discharge showed no remarkable difference in terms of composition and just slight differences in the morphological point of view, meaning the particles are stable but agglomerate. The graphitic shell is contributing to the resistance of the material and leads to a fine cyclic stability over 140 cycles of 230 mAh/g after the first charge/discharge and coulombic efficiencies close to 100\%. Due to the low voltage towards Li/Li+ and the low polarization, it might be an attractive anode material for lithium ion batteries. However, the capacity is still noticeably lower than the theoretical value for MnN0.43. A mixture of MnN0.43 and MnO nanoparticles embedded in carbon (surface area 93 m^2/g) was able to improve the cyclic stability to over 160 cycles giving a capacity of 811 mAh/g, which is considerably higher than the capacity of the conventional material graphite (372 mAh/g). This nano-composite seems to agglomerate less during the process of discharge. Interestingly, although the capacity is much higher than of the single phase manganese nitride, the nano-composite seems to only contain MnN0.43 nanoparticles after the process of discharge with no oxide phase to be found. Concerning catalysis application, different metal, metal alloy, and metal carbide nanoparticles were synthesized using the saccharide route. At first, systems that were already investigated before, being Pd0.9Ni0.1, Pd0.5Ni0.5, Fe0.5Ni0.5 and Mn0.75Fe2.25C using cellulose as the carbon source were prepared and tested in an alkylation reaction of toluene with benzylchloride. Unexpectedly, the metal alloys did not show any catalytic activity, but the ternary carbide Mn0.75Fe2.25C showed fine catalytic activity of 98\% conversion after 9 hour reaction time (110 °C). In a second step, the saccharide route was modified towards other carbon sources and carbon to metal ratios in order to improve the homogeneity of the samples and accessibility of the particle surfaces. The used carbon sources sucrose and glucose are similar in their basic structure of carbohydrates, but reducing the (polymeric) chain length. Indeed, the cellulose could be successfully replaced by sucrose and glucose. A lower carbon to metal ratio was found to influence the size, homogeneity and accessibility (as evidenced by TEM) of the samples. Since sucrose is an aliment, glucose is the better choice as a carbon source. Using glucose, the synthesis of Cu0.5Ni0.5 and W0.15Ni0.85 nano-composites was also possible, although the later was never obtained as pure phase. These alloy nano-composites were tested, along with nickel0 nanoparticles also prepared with glucose and on their catalytic activity towards the reduction of phenylacetylene. The results obtained let believe that any (poly) saccharide, including lignin, could be used as carbon source. The nickel0 nano-composites prepared with lignin as a carbon source were tested along with those prepared with cellulose and sucrose for their catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzene (results compared with exposed nickel nanoparticles and nickel supported on carbon) leading to very promising results. Based on the urea-glass route and the saccharide route, simple equipment and transition metals, it was possible to have a one-pot synthesize with scale-up possibilities towards new material that can be applied in catalysis and battery systems.}, language = {en} } @article{DaiMateGlebeetal.2018, author = {Dai, Xiaolin and Mate, Diana M. and Glebe, Ulrich and Garakani, Tayebeh Mirzaei and K{\"o}rner, Andrea and Schwaneberg, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Sortase-mediated ligation of purely artificial building blocks}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10020151}, pages = {13}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Sortase A (SrtA) from Staphylococcus aureus has been often used for ligating a protein with other natural or synthetic compounds in recent years. Here we show that SrtA-mediated ligation (SML) is universally applicable for the linkage of two purely artificial building blocks. Silica nanoparticles (NPs), poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) are chosen as synthetic building blocks. As a proof of concept, NP-polymer, NP-NP, and polymer-polymer structures are formed by SrtA catalysis. Therefore, the building blocks are equipped with the recognition sequence needed for SrtA reaction-the conserved peptide LPETG-and a pentaglycine motif. The successful formation of the reaction products is shown by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The sortase catalyzed linkage of artificial building blocks sets the stage for the development of a new approach to link synthetic structures in cases where their synthesis by established chemical methods is complicated.}, language = {en} }