Gold nanoparticles assembled with dithiocarbamate-anchored molecular wires.

A protocol for the bottom-up self-assembly of nanogaps is developed through molecular linking of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Two π-conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) molecules (OPE) with dithiocarbamate anchoring groups are used as ligands for the AuNPs. OPE-4S with a dithiocarbamate in each end of the molecule and a reference molecule OPE-2S with only a single dithiocarbamate end group.

Electrochemical stability and postmortem studies of Pt/SiC catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

In the presented work, the electrochemical stability of platinized silicon carbide is studied. Postmortem transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to document the change in the morphology and structure upon potential cycling of Pt/SiC catalysts. Two different potential cycle aging tests were used in order to accelerate the support corrosion, simulating start-up/shutdown and load cycling.

Stabilizing catalytically active nanoparticles by ligand linking: toward three-dimensional networks with high catalytic surface area.

A general approach for the linking of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with bifunctional amine ligands (organic molecules with two amine groups) is presented that allows for the preparation of NP catalysts without inorganic supports and high densities of the catalytically active metal. Advantage was taken of the use of "unprotected" NPs, which enables us to prepare different ligand-functionalized NPs from the same particle batch and thus to relate changes of the resulting material properties exclusively to the influence of the ligand. Three bifunctional ligands with similar functional groups (amines) but different hydrocarbon skeletons were used and compared to monofunctional ligands of similar molecular structures (alkyl and aryl amines) showing significantly different material properties.

Pt based PEMFC catalysts prepared from colloidal particle suspensions--a toolbox for model studies.

A colloidal synthesis approach is presented that allows systematic studies of the properties of supported proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts. The applied synthesis route is based on the preparation of monodisperse nanoparticles in the absence of strong binding organic stabilizing agents. No temperature post-treatment of the catalyst is required rendering the synthesis route ideally suitable for comparative studies.

Technical Note on VDS. A System for the Endovascular Electrolytical Detachment of Platinum Coils at Variable Length.

A new system was deviced that allows the electrolytical detachment of platinum microcoils at variable lengths for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The detachment element consists of two short platinum coil segments, which are connected by a threat of stainless steel. The steel threat is interrupted by electrolysis, using a continuous current with 1-2 mA at a voltage of 4-8 Volt.