@misc{WischerhoffBadiLaschewskyetal.2011, author = {Wischerhoff, Erik and Badi, Nezha and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Lutz, Jean-Francois}, title = {Smart polymer surfaces concepts and applications in biosciences}, series = {Advances in polymer science = Fortschritte der Hochpolymeren-Forschung}, volume = {240}, journal = {Advances in polymer science = Fortschritte der Hochpolymeren-Forschung}, number = {1}, editor = {B{\"o}rner, Hans Gerhard and Lutz, JF}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, isbn = {978-3-642-20154-7}, issn = {0065-3195}, doi = {10.1007/12_2010_88}, pages = {1 -- 33}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Stimuli-responsive macromolecules (i.e., pH-, thermo-, photo-, chemo-, and bioresponsive polymers) have gained exponential importance in materials science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology during the last two decades. This chapter describes the usefulness of this class of polymer for preparing smart surfaces (e.g., modified planar surfaces, particles surfaces, and surfaces of three-dimensional scaffolds). Some efficient pathways for connecting these macromolecules to inorganic, polymer, or biological substrates are described. In addition, some emerging bioapplications of smart polymer surfaces (e.g., antifouling surfaces, cell engineering, protein chromatography, tissue engineering, biochips, and bioassays) are critically discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{CywinskiMoroRitscheletal.2011, author = {Cywinski, Piotr J. and Moro, Artur J. and Ritschel, Thomas and Hildebrandt, Niko and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd}, title = {Sensitive and selective fluorescence detection of guanosine nucleotides by nanoparticles conjugated with a naphthyridine receptor}, series = {Analytical \& bioanalytical chemistry}, volume = {399}, journal = {Analytical \& bioanalytical chemistry}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1618-2642}, doi = {10.1007/s00216-010-4420-2}, pages = {1215 -- 1222}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Novel fluorescent nanosensors, based on a naphthyridine receptor, have been developed for the detection of guanosine nucleotides, and both their sensitivity and selectivity to various nucleotides were evaluated. The nanosensors were constructed from polystyrene nanoparticles functionalized by (N-(7-((3-aminophenyl) ethynyl)-1,8-naphthyridin- 2-yl) acetamide) via carbodiimide ester activation. We show that this naphthyridine nanosensor binds guanosine nucleotides preferentially over adenine, cytosine, and thymidine nucleotides. Upon interaction with nucleotides, the fluorescence of the nanosensor is gradually quenched yielding Stern-Volmer constants in the range of 2.1 to 35.9mM(-1). For all the studied quenchers, limits of detection (LOD) and tolerance levels for the nanosensors were also determined. The lowest (3 sigma) LOD was found for guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and it was as low as 150 ng/ml. In addition, we demonstrated that the spatial arrangement of bound analytes on the nanosensors' surfaces is what is responsible for their selectivity to different guanosine nucleotides. We found a correlation between the changes of the fluorescence signal and the number of phosphate groups of a nucleotide. Results of molecular modeling and zeta-potential measurements confirm that the arrangement of analytes on the surface provides for the selectivity of the nanosensors. These fluorescent nanosensors have the potential to be applied in multi-analyte, array-based detection platforms, as well as in multiplexed microfluidic systems.}, language = {en} } @article{KupstatKumkeHildebrandt2011, author = {Kupstat, Annette and Kumke, Michael Uwe and Hildebrandt, Niko}, title = {Toward sensitive, quantitative point-of-care testing (POCT) of protein markers miniaturization of a homogeneous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for prostate-specific antigen detection}, series = {The analyst : the analytical journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry}, volume = {136}, journal = {The analyst : the analytical journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry}, number = {5}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0003-2654}, doi = {10.1039/c0an00684j}, pages = {1029 -- 1035}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Point-of-care testing (POCT) systems which allow for a sensitive, quantitative detection of protein markers are extremely useful for the early detection and therapy progress monitoring of cancer. However, currently commercially available POCT devices are mainly limited to the qualitative detection of protein markers. In this study we demonstrate the successive miniaturization of a sensitive and fast assay for the quantitative detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using a well established and clinically approved homogeneous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay technology (TRACE (R)) on a commercial plate-reader system (KRYPTOR (R)). Regarding the initial requirements for the development of POCT devices we applied a 30-fold assay volume reduction (150 mu L to 5 mu L) to achieve a reasonable lab-on-a-chip volume and a 24-fold and 120-fold excitation pulse energy reduction to achieve reasonable pulse energies for low-cost miniature excitation sources. Due to highly efficient optimization of key POCT parameters our miniaturized PSA assay achieved a 30\% increased sensitivity and a 2-fold improved limit of detection compared to the standard plate-reader method. Our results demonstrate the successful implementation of key parameters for a significant miniaturization and for cost reduction in the clinically approved KRYPTOR (R) platform for protein detection. The technological alterations required are easy-to-implement and can be immediately adapted for more than 30 diagnostic protein markers already available for the KRYPTOR (R) platform. These features strongly recommend our assay format to be utilized in innovative, sensitive, quantitative POCT of protein markers.}, language = {en} } @article{SkrabaniaMiasnikovaBivigouKoumbaetal.2011, author = {Skrabania, Katja and Miasnikova, Anna and Bivigou Koumba, Achille Mayelle and Zehm, Daniel and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Examining the UV-vis absorption of RAFT chain transfer agents and their use for polymer analysis}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {2}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, number = {9}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c1py00173f}, pages = {2074 -- 2083}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The absorption characteristics of a large set of thiocarbonyl based chain transfer agents (CTAs) were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy in order to identify appropriate conditions for exploiting their absorbance bands in end-group analysis of polymers prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. Substitution pattern and solvent polarity were found to affect notably the wavelengths and intensities of the pi-pi*- and n-pi*-transition of the thiocarbonyl bond of dithioester and trithiocarbonate RAFT agents. Therefore, it is advisable to refer in end group analysis to the spectral parameters of low molar mass analogues of the active polymer chain ends, rather than to rely on the specific RAFT agent engaged in the polymerisation. When using appropriate conditions, the quantification of the thiocarbonyl end-groups via the pi-pi* band of the thiocarbonyl moiety around 300-310 nm allows a facile, sensitive and surprisingly precise estimation of the number average molar mass of the polymers produced, without the need of particular end group labels. Moreover, when additional methods for absolute molar mass determination can be applied, the quantification of the thiocarbonyl end-groups by UV-spectroscopy provides a good estimate of the degree of active end group for a given polymer sample.}, language = {en} } @article{AhnertAbelKolloscheetal.2011, author = {Ahnert, Karsten and Abel, Markus and Kollosche, Matthias and Jorgensen, Per Jorgen and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Soft capacitors for wave energy harvesting}, series = {Journal of materials chemistry}, volume = {21}, journal = {Journal of materials chemistry}, number = {38}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0959-9428}, doi = {10.1039/c1jm12454d}, pages = {14492 -- 14497}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Wave energy harvesting could be a substantial renewable energy source without impact on the global climate and ecology, yet practical attempts have struggled with the problems of wear and catastrophic failure. An innovative technology for ocean wave energy harvesting was recently proposed, based on the use of soft capacitors. This study presents a realistic theoretical and numerical model for the quantitative characterization of this harvesting method. Parameter regions with optimal behavior are found, and novel material descriptors are determined, which dramatically simplify analysis. The characteristics of currently available materials are evaluated, and found to merit a very conservative estimate of 10 years for raw material cost recovery.}, language = {en} } @article{KoethAppelhansRobertsonetal.2011, author = {Koeth, Anja and Appelhans, Dietmar and Robertson, Daniela and Tiersch, Brigitte and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Use of weakly cationic dendritic glycopolymer for morphological transformation of phospholipid vesicles into tube-like networks}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {7}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {22}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c1sm06439h}, pages = {10581 -- 10584}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Using cationic polyelectrolytes with different molecular architectures, only hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) with maltose shell is suited to tailor the morphological transformation of anionic vesicles into tube-like networks. The interaction features of those materials partly mimic biological features of tubular proteins in nature.}, language = {en} } @article{FarraThielWinteretal.2011, author = {Farra, Ramzi and Thiel, Kerstin and Winter, Alette and Klamroth, Tillmann and Poeppl, Andreas and Kelling, Alexandra and Schilde, Uwe and Taubert, Andreas and Strauch, Peter}, title = {Tetrahalidocuprates(II)-structure and EPR spectroscopy Part 1: Tetrabromidocuprates(II)}, series = {New journal of chemistry}, volume = {35}, journal = {New journal of chemistry}, number = {12}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1144-0546}, doi = {10.1039/c1nj20271e}, pages = {2793 -- 2803}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Tetrahalidocuprates(II) show a high degree of structural flexibility. We present the results of crystallographic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic analyses of four new tetrabromidocuprate(II) compounds and compare the results with previously reported data. The cations in the new compounds are the sterically demanding benzyltriphenylphosphonium, methyltriphenylphosphonium, tetraphenylphosphonium, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium ions; they were used to achieve a reasonable separation of the paramagnetic Cu(II) ions for EPR spectroscopy. X-Ray crystallography shows that in all four complexes the [CuBr4](2-) units have a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry which is in agreement with DFT calculations. The EPR hyperfine structure was not resolved. This is due to the exchange broadening resulting from still incomplete separation of the paramagnetic Cu(II) centres. Nevertheless, the principal values of the electron Zeemann tensor (g(parallel to) and g(perpendicular to)) of the complexes could be determined. A correlation of structural (X-ray) parameters with the spin density at the copper centres (DFT) is well reflected in the EPR spectra of the bromidocuprates. This enables the correlation of X-ray and EPR parameters to predict the structure of tetrabromidocuprates in physical states other than the crystalline state. As a result, we provide a method to structurally characterize [CuBr4](2-) in, for example, ionic liquids or in solution, which has important implications for e.g. catalysis or materials science.}, language = {en} } @article{HaaseGrigorievMoehwaldetal.2011, author = {Haase, Martin F. and Grigoriev, Dmitry and Moehwald, Helmuth and Tiersch, Brigitte and Shchukin, Dmitry G.}, title = {Nanoparticle modification by weak polyelectrolytes for pH-sensitive pickering emulsions}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {27}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/la1027724}, pages = {74 -- 82}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The affinity of weak polyelectrolyte coated oxide particles to the oil-water interface can be controlled by the degree of dissociation and the thickness of the weak polyelectrolyte layer. Thereby the oil in water (o/w) emulsification ability of the particles can be enabled. We selected the weak polyacid poly(methacrylic acid sodium salt) and the weak polybase poly(allylamine hydrochloride) for the surface modification of oppositely charged alumina and silica colloids, respectively. The isoelectric point and the pH range of colloidal stability of both particle-polyelectrolyte composites depend on the thickness of the weak polyelectrolyte layer. The pH-dependent wettability of a weak polyelectrolyte-coated oxide surface is characterized by contact angle measurements. The o/w emulsification properties of both particles for the nonpolar oil dodecane and the more polar oil diethylphthalate are investigated by measurements of the droplet size distributions. Highly stable emulsions can be obtained when the degree of dissociation of the weak polyelectrolyte is below 80\%. Here the average droplet size depends on the degree of dissociation, and a minimum can be found when 15 to 45\% of the monomer units are dissociated. The thickness of the adsorbed polyelectrolyte layer strongly influences the droplet size of dodecane/water emulsion droplets but has a less pronounced impact on the diethylphthalate/water droplets. We explain the dependency of the droplet size on the emulsion pH value and the polyelectrolyte coating thickness with arguments based on the particle-wetting properties, the particle aggregation state, and the oil phase polarity. Cryo-SEM visualization shows that the regularity of the densely packed particles on the oil-water interface correlates with the degree of dissociation of the corresponding polyelectrolyte.}, language = {en} } @article{MoellerBeuermann2011, author = {M{\"o}ller, Eleonore and Beuermann, Sabine}, title = {Homogeneous phase copolymerizations of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene in supercritical carbon dioxide}, series = {Macromolecular reaction engineering}, volume = {5}, journal = {Macromolecular reaction engineering}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-832X}, doi = {10.1002/mren.201000031}, pages = {8 -- 21}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Copolymerizations of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropene (HFP) were carried out in homogeneous phase with supercritical carbon dioxide up to complete VDF conversion using conventional peroxide initiators. The HFP monomer feed ratios, f(HFP), were varied between 0.65 and 0.20. Depending on f(HFP) amorphous or semi-crystalline copolymers were obtained. f(HFP) also determines the minimum pressure required to allow for homogeneous phase reactions. For example, HFP-rich copolymerizations in 70 wt.-\% CO(2) at 100 degrees C require a pressure of around 500 bar. Further, bulk copolymerizations in homogenous phase were feasible for f(HFP) 0.65 at 900 bar up to complete VDF conversion. Copolymerizations in the presence of perfluorinated hexyl iodide carried out at 75 degrees C gave access to low dispersity polymers. Due to homogeneous phase conditions the use of any surfactants or fluorinated cosolvent is avoided.}, language = {en} } @article{AwadSchildeStrauch2011, author = {Awad, Duha Jawad and Schilde, Uwe and Strauch, Peter}, title = {4,4 '-Bis(tert-butyl)-2,2 '-bipyridinedichlorometal(II) - Synthesis, structure and EPR spectroscopy}, series = {Inorganica chimica acta : the international inorganic chemistry journal}, volume = {365}, journal = {Inorganica chimica acta : the international inorganic chemistry journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {0020-1693}, doi = {10.1016/j.ica.2010.08.035}, pages = {127 -- 132}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Due to the better solubility of the 4,4'-substituted bipyridine ligand a series of 4,4'0-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2'-bipyridinedichlorometal(II) complexes, [M(tbbpy)Cl(2)], with M = Cu, Ni, Zn, Pd, Pt was synthesised and characterised. The blue copper complex 4,4'-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2'-bipyridinedichlorocopper(II) was isolated in two different polymorphic forms, as prisms 1 with a solvent inclusion and solvent-free as needles 2. Both structures were determined by X-ray structure analysis. They crystallise in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with four molecules in the unit cell, but with different unit cells and packing motifs. Whereas in the prisms 1, with the unit cell parameters a = 12.1613(12), b = 10.6363(7), c = 16.3074(15) angstrom, eta = 94.446(8)degrees, the packing is dominated by intra-and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, in the needles 2, with a = 7.738(1), b = 18. 333(2), c = 13.291(3) angstrom, beta = 97.512(15)degrees, only intramolecular hydrogen bonds appear and the complex molecules are arranged in columns which are stabilised by p-p-stacking interactions. In both complexes the copper has a tetrahedrally distorted coordination sphere. These copper complexes were also studied by EPR spectroscopy in solution, as frozen glass and diamagnetically diluted powder with the analogue [Pd(tbbpy)Cl(2)] as host lattice.}, language = {en} }