Name: synthesis of platinum-nickel nanowires and optimization for oxygen reduction performance
Uploaded: 2018-04-27T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance at JoVE.com

Financial support was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under contract number DE-AC36-08GO28308 to NREL.

1. Synthesis of Pt-Ni Nanowires
<ol>
	<li>To begin the displacement process, suspend the nickel nanowire template in water and heat it to 90 &#176;C.
	<ol>
		<li>Add 40 mg of commercially available, nickel nanowires to 20 mL of deionized water in a 50 mL centrifuge tube. Sonicate it for 5 min. 
		&#8203;NOTE: The nanowires are approximately 150-250 nm in diameter and 100-200 &#181;m in length.</li>
		<li>Transfer the suspended nanowires to a 250 mL glass round bottom flask and add 60 mL of deionized water. Heat th...

<ol>
	<li>Bregoli, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+Platinum+Crystallite+Size+on+Electrochemical+Reduction+of+Oxygen+in+Phosphoric-Acid.">Influence of Platinum Crystallite Size on Electrochemical Reduction of Oxygen in Phosphoric-Acid.</a> Electrochim. Acta. 23 (6), 489-492 (1978).</li><li>Debe, M. K., Parsonage, E. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanostructured+electrode+membranes.">Nanostructured electrode membranes.</a> US patent. , (1994).</li><li>Papandrew, A. 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M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platinum-Coated+Nickel+Nanowires+as+Oxygen-Reducing+Electrocatalysts.">Platinum-Coated Nickel Nanowires as Oxygen-Reducing Electrocatalysts.</a> ACS Cat. 4 (4), 1114-1119 (2014).</li><li>Alia, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exceptional+Oxygen+Reduction+Reaction+Activity+and+Durability+of+Platinum-Nickel+Nanowires+through+Synthesis+and+Post-Treatment+Optimization.">Exceptional Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity and Durability of Platinum-Nickel Nanowires through Synthesis and Post-Treatment Optimization.</a> ACS Omega. 2 (4), 1408-1418 (2017).</li><li>Norskov, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Origin+of+the+Overpotential+for+Oxygen+Reduction+at+a+Fuel-Cell+Cathode.">Origin of the Overpotential for Oxygen Reduction at a Fuel-Cell Cathode.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 108 (46), 17886-17892 (2004).</li><li>Sha, Y., Yu, T. H., Merinov, B. V., Shirvanian, P., Goddard, W. 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Acta. 47 (22-23), 3787-3798 (2002).</li><li>Stamenkovic, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changing+the+activity+of+electrocatalysts+for+oxygen+reduction+by+tuning+the+surface+electronic+structure.">Changing the activity of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction by tuning the surface electronic structure.</a> Angew. Chem. 118 (18), 2963-2967 (2006).</li><li>Cui, C., Gan, L., Heggen, M., Rudi, S., Strasser, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Compositional+segregation+in+shaped+Pt+alloy+nanoparticles+and+their+structural+behaviour+during+electrocatalysis.">Compositional segregation in shaped Pt alloy nanoparticles and their structural behaviour during electrocatalysis.</a> Nat Mater. 12 (8), 765-771 (2013).</li><li>Chen, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Highly+Crystalline+Multimetallic+Nanoframes+with+Three-Dimensional+Electrocatalytic+Surfaces.">Highly Crystalline Multimetallic Nanoframes with Three-Dimensional Electrocatalytic Surfaces.</a> Science. 343 (6177), 1339-1343 (2014).</li><li>Alia, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Porous+Platinum+Nanotubes+for+Oxygen+Reduction+and+Methanol+Oxidation+Reactions.">Porous Platinum Nanotubes for Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation Reactions.</a> Adv. Funct. Mater. 20 (21), 3742-3746 (2010).</li><li>Alia, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platinum+Coated+Copper+Nanowires+and+Platinum+Nanotubes+as+Oxygen+Reduction+Electrocatalysts.">Platinum Coated Copper Nanowires and Platinum Nanotubes as Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts.</a> ACS Cat. 3 (3), 358-362 (2013).</li><li>Alia, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platinum-Coated+Cobalt+Nanowires+as+Oxygen+Reduction+Reaction+Electrocatalysts.">Platinum-Coated Cobalt Nanowires as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts.</a> ACS Cat. 4 (8), 2680-2686 (2014).</li><li>Alia, S. M., Duong, K., Liu, T., Jensen, K., Yan, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Palladium+and+Gold+Nanotubes+as+Oxygen+Reduction+Reaction+and+Alcohol+Oxidation+Reaction+Catalysts+in+Base.">Palladium and Gold Nanotubes as Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Alcohol Oxidation Reaction Catalysts in Base.</a> ChemSusChem. , (2014).</li><li>Alia, S. M., Pylypenko, S., Neyerlin, K. C., Kocha, S. S., Pivovar, B. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platinum+Nickel+Nanowires+as+Methanol+Oxidation+Electrocatalysts.">Platinum Nickel Nanowires as Methanol Oxidation Electrocatalysts.</a> J. Electrochem. Soc. 162 (12), 1299-1304 (2015).</li><li>Alia, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxidation+of+Platinum+Nickel+Nanowires+to+Improve+Durability+of+Oxygen-Reducing+Electrocatalysts.">Oxidation of Platinum Nickel Nanowires to Improve Durability of Oxygen-Reducing Electrocatalysts.</a> J. Electrochem. Soc. 163 (3), 296-301 (2016).</li></ol>

These protocols have been used to produce extended surface electrocatalysts with both high surface areas and specific activities in the oxygen reduction reaction8. By depositing Pt onto nanostructured templates, the nanowires avoided low coordinated sites and minimize particle size effects, producing specific activities more than 12 times greater than carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles. Using galvanic displacement as the synthesis approach also produced an approximate coating on the Ni template<sup...

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are partially limited by the amount and cost of platinum required in the catalyst layer, which can account for half of fuel cell costs1. In fuel cells, nanomaterials are typically developed as oxygen reduction catalysts, since the reaction is kinetically slower than hydrogen oxidation. Carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles are often used as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts due to their high surface area; however, they have specific selective activity and are prone to durability losses.
Extended thin films offer potential benefits to nanoparticles by addressing these limitations. Extended Pt surfaces typically produce specific activities an order of magnitude greater than nanoparticles, by limiting less active facets and particle size effects, and have been shown to be durable under potential cycling2,3,4. While high mass activities have been achieved in extended surface electrocatalysts, improvements have been made primarily through increases in specific activity, and the catalyst type has been limited to Pt with a low surface area (10 m2 gPt-1)3,4,5.
Spontaneous galvanic displacement combines the aspects of corrosion and electrodeposition6. The process is generally governed by the standard redox potentials of the two metals, and the deposition typically occurs when the metal cation is more reactive than the template. The displacement tends to produce nanostructures that match the template morphology. By applying this technique to extended nanostructures, Pt-based catalysts can be formed that take advantage of the high specific oxygen reduction activity of extended thin films. Through partial displacement, small amounts of Pt have been deposited, and have produced materials with high surface areas (&#62; 90 m2 gPt-1)7,8.
These protocols involve hydrogen annealing to mix Pt and Ni zones and improve oxygen reduction activity. A number of studies have theoretically established the mechanism and experimentally confirmed an alloying effect in Pt oxygen reduction. Modeling and correlating Pt-OH and Pt-O binding to oxygen reduction activity suggest that Pt improvements can be made through lattice compression9,10. Alloying Pt with smaller transition metals has confirmed this benefit, and Pt-Ni has been investigated in a number of forms, including polycrystalline, faceted electrodes, nanoparticles, and nanostructures11,12,13,14.
Galvanic displacement has been used in Pt-oxygen reduction catalyst development with a variety of other templates, including silver, copper, and cobalt nanostructures15,16,17. The synthesis technique has also been used in the deposition of other metals and has produced electrocatalysts for fuel cells, electrolyzers, and the electrochemical oxidation of alcohols18,19,20,21. Similar protocols can also be adapted for the synthesis of nanomaterials with a wider range of electrochemical applications.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:681px;" width="680">
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	<tbody>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:215px;">Nickel nanowires</td>
			<td style="width:300px;">Plasmachem GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">250 mL round bottom flask</td>
			<td>Ace Glass</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Hot plate</td>
			<td>VWR International</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Mineral oil</td>
			<td>VWR International</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Potassium tetrachloroplatinate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Syringe pump</td>
			<td>New Era Pump Systems</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Rotator</td>
			<td>Arrow Engineering</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Teflon paddle</td>
			<td>Ace Glass</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Glass shaft</td>
			<td>Ace Glass</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Split hinge tubular furnace</td>
			<td>Lindberg</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Customized in-house</td>
		</tr>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Schlenk line</td>
			<td>Ace Glass</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Condensers</td>
			<td>VWR International</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Nitric acid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">2-propanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Nafion ionomer (5 wt. %)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Glassy carbon working electrode</td>
			<td>Pine Instrument Company</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">RDE glassware</td>
			<td>Precision Glassblowing</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Customized in-house</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Platinum wire</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Customized in-house</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Platinum mesh</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Customized in-house</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">MSR Rotator</td>
			<td>Pine Instrument Company</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Potentiostat</td>
			<td>Metrohm Autolab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

synthesis of platinum-nickel nanowires and optimization for oxygen reduction performance

Platinum-nickel (Pt-Ni) nanowires were developed as fuel cell electrocatalysts, and were optimized for the performance and durability in the oxygen reduction reaction. Spontaneous galvanic displacement was used to deposit Pt layers onto Ni nanowire substrates. The synthesis approach produced catalysts with high specific activities and high Pt surface areas. Hydrogen annealing improved Pt and Ni mixing and specific activity. Acid leaching was used to preferentially remove Ni near the nanowire surface, and oxygen annealing was used to stabilize near-surface Ni, improving durability and minimizing Ni dissolution. These protocols detail the optimization of each post-synthesis processing step, including hydrogen annealing to 250 &#176;C, exposure to 0.1 M nitric acid, and oxygen annealing to 175 &#176;C. Through these steps, Pt-Ni nanowires produced increased activities more than an order of magnitude than Pt nanoparticles, while offering significant durability improvements. The presented protocols are based on Pt-Ni systems in the development of fuel cell catalysts. These techniques have also been used for a variety of metal combinations, and can be applied to develop catalysts for a number of electrochemical processes.

Spontaneous galvanic displacement of Ni nanowires with Pt, using the specified amount, produced Pt-Ni nanowires that were 7.3 wt. % Pt (Figure 1 and Figure 2A). Some modification to the amount of Pt precursor may be required to reach the optimum Pt loading. Pt displacement is sensitive to the thickness of the surface Ni oxide layer, which can vary based on template age (air exposure) and upstream variability<sup ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance at JoVE.com

Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance

&#160; The protocol describes the synthesis and electrochemical testing of platinum-nickel nanowires. Nanowires were synthesized by the galvanic displacement of a nickel nanowire template. Post-synthesis processing, including hydrogen annealing, acid leaching, and oxygen annealing were used to optimize nanowire performance and durability in the oxygen reduction reaction.

Platinum-nickel (Pt-Ni) nanowires were developed as fuel cell electrocatalysts, and were optimized for the performance and durability in the oxygen ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to produce platinum based, extended surface electro-catalysts, that demonstrate a high level of performance and durability in the oxygen reduction reaction. This method could help address key issues in hydrogen fuel cells by reducing the amount of platinum required, and cutting the cost of the catalyst layer. The main advantage of this technique is that produces materials with high electrochemical surface areas, attritional limitation of surface catalysts.Begin the nanowire synthesis steps with the displacement process. In a 50 milliliter centrifuge tube, add 20 milliliters deionized water, and 40 milliliters nickel nanowires. Place the mixture in a sonicator and sonicate for five minutes.Meanwhile, prepare a mineral oil bath and an electric stirrer. Retrieve the suspended nanowires from the sonicator, and transfer them to a glass, 250 milliliter round-bottom flask. Add to the flask, 60 milliliters of deionized water.Then place it in the mineral bath to be heated to 90 degrees Celsius, and simultaneously stirred at 500 RPM. Equip the stirrer with a PTFE paddle on a glass shaft. Now form the platinum nickel nanowires.Have ready an automated syringe pump, and prepare a syringe. Use a 20 milliliter syringe with about 8 centimeters of tubing on its tip. Next, obtain 15 milliliters of deionized water, and add 8.1 milligrams of potassium tetrachloroplatinate.Transfer the solution to the syringe. Then place the syringe on the syringe pump. Arrange for the pump to add the solution to the flask containing nanowires.Set the rate to one milliliter per minute, and start the pump. Once the transfer is complete, continue stirring and heating the flask at 90 degrees Celsius for two hours. After two hours, put the solution in to a centrifuge tube, and centrifuge at 2500 G, for 15 minutes.Centrifugation gives rise to supernatant in the tube. Pour this off in to a waste container. With the supernatant gone, add fresh deionized water to the solids.Sonicate the mixture for about 10 seconds. Repeat the centrifuge, supernatant removal, and re-suspension steps, 3 times with the water, and a fourth with 2-Proponal. In the end, put the nanowires in a 20 milliliter, glass scintillation vial.Take the nanowires to a vacuum oven to dry at 40 degrees Celsius, overnight. First prepare, in a 20 milliliter scintillation vial, what is called the Ink. This is deionized water, a catalyst with 73 micrograms of platinum, and 2-propanol.Ice the vial for five minutes. After five minutes, add 10 microliters of ionomer to the ink. Return the vial to the container of ice, and move both to the sonicator.Sonicate the vial for 30 seconds by horn. Follow this with bath sonication for 20 minutes. End with another 30 seconds of horned sonication.During sonication, prepare a container of graphitized carbon nanofibers. Get the sonicated ink and use a pipette to draw out 7.5 milliliters. Add the drawn out ink to the nanofibers.Now, sonicate the ink in ice with a horn for 30 seconds. Then by bath for 20 minutes. And by horn again, for 30 seconds.Have ready, an inverted rotator with a working electrode mounted on it. Here, a glassy carbon electrode is ready for coating. Start the electrode spinning at 100 RPM, and pipette 10 microliters of the sonicated ink on to it.When done, increase the rotation to 700 RPM. As the electrode drys, repeat the three sonication steps with the ink. With the mixture speed at 100 RPM, pipette and additional 10 micrograms of ink on to the working electrode, before increasing the rotation speed to 700 RPM.Fill the half cell with one-tenth molar perchloric acid. Now assemble the rotating disk electrode test station. The test station has a working reference, and counter electrode connected to the main testing cell.Next, connect the working electrode to a modulated speed controller. Then, submerge the working electrode tip in the acid. Set up a potentiostat to take electrochemical measurements.Prior to electrochemical conditioning, purge the electrolyte with nitrogen for seven minutes. Now, prepare to measure oxygen reduction polarization curves. Start the working electrode, rotating at 2500 RPM.Purge the electrolyte with oxygen. After seven minutes, set the oxygen purge to blanket the electrolyte. Slow the electrode rotation to 1600 RPM.Set the parameters for an automated linear sweep photometry measurement and run the experiment. When the measurement is completed, stop the rotation and discard the electrolyte. After refilling the cell with perchloric acid, and immersing the electrode, purge it with oxygen for seven minutes.Perform the linear sweep photometry measurement again, using the same parameters. These data show the platinum nickel nanowire composition as a function of the amount of the platinum precursor. Potassium tetrachloroplatinate, added to 40 milligrams of nickel nanowires during galvanic displacement.An increase of platinum precursor during galvanic displacement, increases the platinum content and the resulting catalyst. This plot is the electrochemical surface area versus the platinum displacement. Increasing platinum content, generally results in catalyst with lower platinum based electrochemical surface areas.Optimal performance occurred at a composition of 7.3%platinum. Here's the mass activity for the oxygen reduction reaction as a function of a kneeling temperature. A temperature of 250 degrees Celsius, produced catalyst with optimal mass activity.Once mastered, this technique can be completed at approximately one week, if performed properly. While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember that contaminants on a part-per-trillion level are electrochemically relevant. Following this procedure, other methods, including microscopy and membrane electrode assembly testing can be completed to answer additional questions, including kettle structure and device performance.From these protocols, we have developed extended service catalysts for proton and nano exchanged membrane fuel cells, electrolyzers and alcohol based fuel cells. After watching this video, you should have a good idea how to synthesize and electrochemically test platinum based extended surface electro-catalyst that demonstrate a high level of performance and durability in the ontra production reaction. Don't forget that working with concentrated acid and pressurized gas, particularly, hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be extremely hazardous and precautions such as, using personal protective equipment and ventilation control should always be taken while performing this procedure.

synthesis-platinum-nickel-nanowires-optimization-for-oxygen-reduction

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Chemistry

Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of Gold Intercalated in the Walls of Mesoporous Silica

As a promising catalytically active nano reactor, gold nanoparticles intercalated in mesoporous silica (GMS) were successfully synthesized and properties of the materials were investigated. We used a one pot sol-gel approach to intercalate gold nano particles in the walls of mesoporous silica. To start with the synthesis, P123 was used as template to form micelles. Then TESPTS was used as a surface modification agent to intercalate gold nano particles. Following this process, TEOS was added in as a silica source which underwent a polymerization process in acid environment. After hydrothermal processing and calcination, the final product was acquired. Several techniques were utilized to characterize the porosity, morphology and structure of the gold intercalated mesoporous silica. The results showed a stable structure of mesoporous silica after gold intercalation. Through the oxidation of benzyl alcohol as a benchmark reaction, the GMS materials showed high selectivity and recyclability.

Here, we present a protocol with a sol-gel process to synthesize gold intercalated in the walls of mesoporous materials (GMS), which is confirmed to possess a mesoporous matrix with gold intercalated in the walls imparting great stability and recyclability.

As a promising catalytically active nano reactor, gold nanoparticles intercalated in mesoporous silica (GMS) were successfully synthesized and properties ...

Optimization of Synthetic Proteins: Identification of Interpositional Dependencies Indicating Structurally and/or Functionally Linked Residues

Protein alignments are commonly used to evaluate the similarity of protein residues, and the derived consensus sequence used for identifying functional units (e.g., domains). Traditional consensus-building models fail to account for interpositional dependencies &#8211; functionally required covariation of residues that tend to appear simultaneously throughout evolution and across the phylogentic tree. These relationships can reveal important clues about the processes of protein folding, thermostability, and the formation of functional sites, which in turn can be used to inform the engineering of synthetic proteins. Unfortunately, these relationships essentially form sub-motifs which cannot be predicted by simple &#8220;majority rule&#8221; or even HMM-based consensus models, and the result can be a biologically invalid &#8220;consensus&#8221; which is not only never seen in nature but is less viable than any extant protein. We have developed a visual analytics tool, StickWRLD, which creates an interactive 3D representation of a protein alignment and clearly displays covarying residues. The user has the ability to pan and zoom, as well as dynamically change the statistical threshold underlying the identification of covariants. StickWRLD has previously been successfully used to identify functionally-required covarying residues in proteins such as Adenylate Kinase and in DNA sequences such as endonuclease target sites.

Synthetic protein sequences based on consensus motifs typically ignore co-evolving residues, that imply interpositional dependencies (IPDs). IPDs can be essential to activity, and designs that disregard them may result in suboptimal results. This protocol uses StickWRLD to identify IPDs and help inform rational protein design, resulting in more efficient results.

Protein alignments are commonly used to evaluate the similarity of protein residues, and the derived consensus sequence used for identifying functional ...

Curtain Flow Column: Optimization of Efficiency and Sensitivity

Active Flow Technology (AFT) is a form of column technology that increases the separation performance of a HPLC column through the use of a specially purpose built multiport end-fitting(s). Curtain Flow (CF) columns belong to the AFT suite of columns, specifically the CF column is designed so that the sample is injected into the radial central region of the bed and a curtain flow of mobile phase surrounding the injection of solute prevents the radial dispersion of the sample to the wall. The column functions as an 'infinite diameter' column. The purpose of the design is to overcome the radial heterogeneity of the column bed, and at the same time maximize the sample load into the radial central region of the column bed, which serves to increase detection sensitivity. The protocol described herein outlines the system and CF column set up and the tuning process for an optimized infinite diameter 'virtual' column.

Here, we present a protocol for the operation and optimization of Active Flow Technology (AFT) column in Curtain flow (CF) mode for enhanced separation performance.

Active Flow Technology (AFT) is a form of column technology that increases the separation performance of a HPLC column through the use of a specially ...

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids

Control over colloidal assembly is of utmost importance for the development of functional colloidal materials with tailored structural and mechanical properties for applications in photonics, drug delivery and coating technology. Here we present a new family of colloidal building blocks, coined supramolecular colloids, whose self-assembly is controlled through surface-functionalization with a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) derived supramolecular moiety. Such BTAs interact via directional, strong, yet reversible hydrogen-bonds with other identical BTAs. Herein, a protocol is presented that describes how to couple these BTAs to colloids and how to quantify the number of coupling sites, which determines the multivalency of the supramolecular colloids. Light scattering measurements show that the refractive index of the colloids is almost matched with that of the solvent, which strongly reduces the van der Waals forces between the colloids. Before photo-activation, the colloids remain well dispersed, as the BTAs are equipped with a photo-labile group that blocks the formation of hydrogen-bonds. Controlled deprotection with UV-light activates the short-range hydrogen-bonds between the BTAs, which triggers the colloidal self-assembly. The evolution from the dispersed state to the clustered state is monitored by confocal microscopy. These results are further quantified by image analysis with simple routines using ImageJ and Matlab. This merger of supramolecular chemistry and colloidal science offers a direct route towards light- and thermo-responsive colloidal assembly encoded in the surface-grafted monolayer.

A protocol for the synthesis and characterization of colloids coated with supramolecular moieties is described. These supramolecular colloids undergo self-assembly upon the activation of the hydrogen-bonds between the surface-anchored molecules by UV-light.

Control over colloidal assembly is of utmost importance for the development of functional colloidal materials with tailored structural and mechanical ...

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

This protocol presents both the synthesis method of the Ni single atom catalyst, and the electrochemical testing of its catalytic activity and selectivity in aqueous CO2 reduction. Different from traditional metal nanocrystals, the synthesis of metal single atoms involves a matrix material that can confine those single atoms and prevent them from aggregation. We report an electrospinning and thermal annealing method to prepare Ni single atoms dispersed and coordinated in a graphene shell, as active centers for CO2 reduction to CO. During the synthesis, N dopants play a critical role in generating graphene vacancies to trap Ni atoms. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom probe tomography were employed to identify the single Ni atomic sites in graphene vacancies. Detailed setup of electrochemical CO2 reduction apparatus coupled with an on-line gas chromatography is also demonstrated. Compared to metallic Ni, Ni single atom catalyst exhibit dramatically improved CO2 reduction and suppressed H2 evolution side reaction.

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Here, we present a protocol for the synthesis and electrochemical testing of transition metal single atoms coordinated in graphene vacancies as active centers for selective carbon dioxide reduction to carbon monoxide in aqueous solutions.

This protocol presents both the synthesis method of the Ni single atom catalyst, and the electrochemical testing of its catalytic activity and selectivity ...

Synthesis of Substrate-Bound Au Nanowires Via an Active Surface Growth Mechanism

Advancing synthetic capabilities is important for the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The synthesis of nanowires has always been a challenge, as it requires asymmetric growth of symmetric crystals. Here, we report a distinctive synthesis of substrate-bound Au nanowires. This template-free synthesis employs thiolated ligands and substrate adsorption to achieve the continuous asymmetric deposition of Au in solution at ambient conditions. The thiolated ligand prevented the Au deposition on the exposed surface of the seeds, so the Au deposition only occurs at the interface between the Au seeds and the substrate. The side of the newly deposited Au nanowires is immediately covered with the thiolated ligand, while the bottom facing the substrate remains ligand-free and active for the next round of Au deposition. We further demonstrate that this Au nanowire growth can be induced on various substrates, and different thiolated ligands can be used to regulate the surface chemistry of the nanowires. The diameter of the nanowires can also be controlled with mixed ligands, in which another &#34;bad&#34; ligand could turn on the lateral growth. With the understanding of the mechanism, Au nanowire-based nanostructures can be designed and synthesized.

We report a solution-based method to synthesize substrate-bound Au nanowires. By tuning the molecular ligands used during the synthesis, the Au nanowires can be grown from various substrates with different surface properties. Au nanowire-based nanostructures can also be synthesized by adjusting the reaction parameters.

Advancing synthetic capabilities is important for the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The synthesis of nanowires has always been a ...

A Rapid Synthesis Method for Au, Pd, and Pt Aerogels Via Direct Solution-Based Reduction

Here, a method to synthesize gold, palladium, and platinum aerogels via a rapid, direct solution-based reduction is presented. The combination of various precursor noble metal ions with reducing agents in a 1:1 (v/v) ratio results in the formation of metal gels within seconds to minutes compared to much longer synthesis times for other techniques such as sol-gel. Conducting the reduction step in a microcentrifuge tube or small volume conical tube facilitates a proposed nucleation, growth, densification, fusion, equilibration model for gel formation, with final gel geometry smaller than the initial reaction volume. This method takes advantage of the vigorous hydrogen gas evolution as a by-product of the reduction step, and as a consequence of reagent concentrations. The solvent accessible specific surface area is determined with both electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. After rinsing and freeze drying, the resulting aerogel structure is examined with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and nitrogen gas adsorption. The synthesis method and characterization techniques result in a close correspondence of aerogel ligament sizes. This synthesis method for noble metal aerogels demonstrates that high specific surface area monoliths may be achieved with a rapid and direct reduction approach.

A rapid, direct solution-based reduction synthesis method to obtain Au, Pd, and Pt aerogels is presented.

Here, a method to synthesize gold, palladium, and platinum aerogels via a rapid, direct solution-based reduction is presented. The combination of various ...

Bio-inspired Polydopamine Surface Modification of Nanodiamonds and Its Reduction of Silver Nanoparticles

Surface functionalization of nanodiamonds (NDs) is still challenging due to the diversity of functional groups on the ND surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a simple protocol for the multifunctional surface modification of NDs by using mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) coating. In addition, the functional layer of PDA on NDs could serve as a reducing agent to synthesize and stabilize metal nanoparticles. Dopamine (DA) can self-polymerize and spontaneously form PDA layers on ND surfaces if the NDs and dopamine are simply mixed together. The thickness of a PDA layer is controlled by varying the concentration of DA. A typical result shows that a thickness of ~5 to ~15 nm of the PDA layer can be reached by adding 50 to 100 &#181;g/mL of DA to 100 nm ND suspensions. Furthermore, the PDA-NDs are used as a substrate to reduce metal ions, such as Ag[(NH3)2]+, to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The sizes of the AgNPs rely on the initial concentrations of Ag[(NH3)2]+. Along with an increase in the concentration of Ag[(NH3)2]+, the number of NPs increases, as well as the diameters of the NPs. In summary, this study not only presents a facile method for modifying the surfaces of NDs with PDA, but also demonstrates the enhanced functionality of NDs by anchoring various species of interest (such as AgNPs) for advanced applications.

A facile protocol is presented to functionalize the surfaces of nanodiamonds with polydopamine.

Surface functionalization of nanodiamonds (NDs) is still challenging due to the diversity of functional groups on the ND surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a ...

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen

We describe a method to produce U2O5 films in situ using the Labstation, a modular machine developed at JRC Karlsruhe. The Labstation, an essential part of the Properties of Actinides under Extreme Conditions laboratory (PAMEC), allows the preparation of films and studies of sample surfaces using surface analytical techniques such as X-ray and ultra-violet photoemission spectroscopy (XPS and UPS, respectively). All studies are made in situ, and the films, transferred under ultra-high vacuum from their preparation to an analyses chamber, are never in contact with the atmosphere. Initially, a film of UO2 is prepared by direct current (DC) sputter deposition on a gold (Au) foil then oxidized by atomic oxygen to produce a UO3 film. This latter is then reduced with atomic hydrogen to U2O5. Analyses are performed after each step involving oxidation and reduction, using high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy to examine the oxidation state of uranium. Indeed, the oxidation and reduction times and corresponding temperature of the substrate during this process have severe effects on the resulting oxidation state of the uranium. Stopping the reduction of UO3 to U2O5 with single U(V) is quite challenging; first, uranium-oxygen systems exist in numerous intermediate phases. Second, differentiation of the oxidation states of uranium is mainly based on satellite peaks, whose intensity peaks are weak. Also, experimenters should be aware that X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) is a technique with an atomic sensitivity of 1% to 5%. Thus, it is important to obtain a complete picture of the uranium oxidation state with the entire spectra obtained on U4f, O1s, and the valence band (VB). Programs used in the Labstation include a linear transfer program developed by an outside company (see Table of Materials) as well as data acquisition and sputter source programs, both developed in-house.

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen

This protocol presents the preparation of U2O5 thin films obtained in situ under ultra-high vacuum. The process involves oxidation and reduction of UO2 films with atomic oxygen and atomic hydrogen, respectively.

We describe a method to produce U2O5 films in situ using the Labstation, a modular machine developed at JRC Karlsruhe. The Labstation, an essential part ...

Optimization of Radiochemical Reactions using Droplet Arrays

Current automated radiosynthesizers are designed to produce large clinical batches of radiopharmaceuticals. They are not well suited for reaction optimization or novel radiopharmaceutical development since each data point involves significant reagent consumption, and contamination of the apparatus requires time for radioactive decay before the next use. To address these limitations, a platform for performing arrays of miniature droplet-based reactions in parallel, each confined within a surface-tension trap on a patterned polytetrafluoroethylene-coated silicon "chip", was developed. These chips enable rapid and convenient studies of reaction parameters including reagent concentrations, reaction solvent, reaction temperature and time. This platform permits the completion of hundreds of reactions in a few days with minimal reagent consumption, instead of taking months using a conventional radiosynthesizer.

This method describes the use of a novel high-throughput methodology, based on droplet chemical reactions, for the rapid and economical optimization of radiopharmaceuticals using nanomole amounts of reagents.