Publications

High-quality ultrathin poly(diacetylene) (PDA) films were produced by using a horizontal Langmuir deposition technique. The resultant films exhibit strong friction anisotropy that is correlated with the direction of the polymer backbone structure. Shear forces applied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) or near field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) tips locally induced the blue-to-red chromatic transition in the PDA films.

Abstract not provided.

We have investigated the thermochromic transition of an ultrathin poly(diacetylene) film. The Langmuir film is composed of three layers of polymerized 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid [CH{sub 3}(CH{sub 2}){sub 11}C{triple_bond}CC{triple_bond}C(CH{sub 2}){sub 8}COOH] (poly-PCDA) organized into crystalline domains on a silicon substrate. Spectroscopic ellipsometry and fluorescence intensity measurements are obtained with in-situ temperature control. Poly-PCDA films exhibit a reversible thermal transition between the initial blue form and an intermediate ''purple'' form that exists only at elevated temperature (between 303-333 K), followed by an irreversible transition to the red form after annealing above 320 K. We propose that the purple form is thermally distorted blue poly-PCDA, and may represent a transitional configuration in the irreversible conversion to red. This hypothesis is supported by the appearance of unique features in the absorption spectra for each form as derived from the ellipsometry measurements. Significant fluorescence emission occurs only with the red form, and is reduced at elevated temperatures while the absorption remains unchanged. Reduced emission is likely related to thermal fluctuations of the hydrocarbon side chains. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements of the irreversible transition have been performed. Using a first-order kinetic analysis of these measurements we deduce an energy barrier of 17.6 {+-} 1.1 kcal mol{sup -1} between the blue and red forms.

Phosphonate binding sites in guanidine and ammonium surface-functionalized silica xerogels were prepared via the molecular imprinting technique and characterized using solid state {sup 31}P MAS NMR. One-point, two-point, and non-specific host-guest interactions between phenylphosphonic acid (PPA) and the functionalized gels were distinguished by characteristic chemical shifts of the observed absorption peaks. Using solid state as well as solution phase NMR analyses, absorptions observed at 15.5 ppm and 6.5 ppm were identified as resulting from the 1:1 (one-point) and 2:1 (two-point) guanidine to phosphonate interactions, respectively. Similar absorptions were observed with the ammonium functionalized gels. By examining the host-guest interactions within the gels, the efficiency of the molecular imprinting procedure with regard to the functional monomer-to-template interaction could be readily assessed. Template removal followed by substrate adsorption studies conducted on the guanidine functionalized gels provided a method to evaluate the binding characteristics of the receptor sites to a phosphonate substrate. During these experiments, {sup 29}Si and {sup 31}P MAS NMR acted as diagnostic monitors to identify structural changes occurring in the gel matrix and at the receptor site from solvent mediated processes.

A metal ion sensitive, fluorescent lipid-b i layer material (5oA PSIDA/DSPC) was successfully immobilized in a silica matrix using a tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) sol-gel procedure. The sol-gel immobilization method was quantitative in the entrapment of seif-assembled Iipid-bilayers and yielded thin films for facile configuration to optical fiber piatforms. The silica matrix was compatible with the solvent sensitive lipid bilayers and provided physical stabilization as well as biological protection. Immobilization in the silica sol-gel produced an added benefit of improving the bilayer's metal ion sensitivity by up to two orders of magnitude. This enhanced performance was attributed to a preconcentrator effect from the anionic surface of the silica matrix. Thin gels (193 micron thickness) were coupled to a bifurcated fiber optic bundle to produce a metal ion sensor probe. Response times of 10 - 15 minutes to 0.1 M CUCIZ were realized with complete regeneration of the sensor using an ethylenediarninetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution.

The organization and assembly of molecules in cellular membranes is orchestrated through the recognition and binding of specific chemical signals. A simplified version of the cellular membrane system has been developed using a synthetically prepared membrane receptor incorporated into a biologically derived lipid bilayer. Through an interplay of electrostatic and van der Waals interactions, aggregation or dispersion of molecular components could be executed on command using a specific chemical signal. A pyrene fluorophore was used as an optical probe to monitor the aggregational state of the membrane receptors in the bilayer matrix. The pyrene excimer emission to monomer emission (E/M) intensity ratio gave a relative assessment of the local concentration of receptors in the membrane. Bilayers were prepared with receptors selective for the divalent metal ions of copper, mercury, and lead. Addition of the metal ions produced a rapid dispersion of aggregated receptor components at nano- to micro-molar concentrations. The process was reversible by sequestering the metal ions with EDTA. Receptors for proteins and polyhistidine were also prepared and incorporated into phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayers. In this case, the guest molecules bound to the membrane through multiple points of interaction causing aggregation of initially dispersed receptor molecules. The rapid, selective, and sensitive fluorescence optical response of these lipid assemblies make them attractive in sensor applications for aqueous phase metal ions and polypeptides.