Features of the crystal structure and surface of superprotonic conductor caesium hydrogen sulfate phosphate.

The crystal structure of superprotonic conductor caesium hydrogen sulfate phosphate [Cs(HSO)(HPO)] have been analyzed using neutron diffraction methods. Additionally, its structure and surface layers have been investigated using atomic force microscopy. From the diffraction data obtained, Fourier syntheses of neutron scattering densities were calculated, and the localization of hydrogen atoms and the parameters of three types of hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure were accurately determined.

X-ray fluorescence methods for investigations of lipid/protein membrane models.

The protective effect of the bisphosphonate drug xydiphone (K,Na-ethidronate) on membrane-bound enzyme damaged by lead ions has been studied. A protein/lipid film of Ca-ATPase/phosphatedylethanolamine deposited on a silicon substrate was used as a model system. The position of lead ions within the molecular film before and after the xydiphone treatment was determined using the total-reflection X-ray fluorescence method.

[DNA complexes, formed on aqueous phase surfaces: new planar polymeric and composite nanostructures].

The formation of DNA complexes with Langmuir monolayers of the cationic lipid octadecylamine (ODA) and the new amphiphilic polycation poly-4-vinylpyridine with 16% of cetylpyridinium groups (PVP-16) on the surface of an aqueous solution of native DNA of low ionic strength was studied. Topographic images of Langmuir-Blodgett films of DNA/ODA and DNA/PVP-16 complexes applied to micaceous substrates were investigated by the method of atomic force microscopy. It was found that films of the amphiphilic polycation have an ordered planar polycrystalline structure.

AFM characterization of domain structure of ferroelectric TGS crystals on a nanoscale.

Atomic force microscopy has been used for the study of the surface topography and domain structures of triglycin sulfate (TGS) crystals. The images of various types of domains at the polar (0 1 0) surfaces of as-cleaved TGS crystals have been obtained (in contact mode and resonant mode). The crystals grown old, after annealing, gamma-irradiated by various doses, were studied.