A model describing the binding of biological signaling proteins to highly charged polymer networks is presented. The networks are formed by polyelectrolyte chains for which the distance between two charges at the chain is smaller than the Bjerrum length. Counterion condensation on such highly charged chains immobilizes a part of the counterions. The Donnan-equilibrium between the polymer network and the aqueous solution with salt concentration is used to calculate the salt concentration of the co- and counterions entering the network. Two factors are decisive: i) The electrostatic interaction between the network and the protein is given by the Donnan-potential of the network and the net charge of the protein. In addition to this leading term, a second term describes the change in the Born-energy of the proteins when entering the network. ii) The interaction of the protein with the highly charged chains within the network is governed by counterion release: Patches of positive charge at the protein become multivalent counterions of the polyelectrolyte chains thus releasing a concomitant number of condensed counterions. The model compares favorably to experimental data obtained on a set of biohybrid polymer networks composed of crosslinked glycosaminoglycan chains that interact with a mixture of key signaling proteins.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mabi.202200561 | DOI Listing |
J Am Chem Soc
January 2025
Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
All-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs) have attracted extensive attention as candidates for next-generation energy storage devices; however, promising cathodes with high energy density are still lacking. In this study, CuN is investigated as a cathode material for all-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries, which offers enough anionic vacancies around the 2-fold coordinated Cu center for F intercalation, thereby enabling a multielectron-transferred fluorination process. The contribution of both cationic and anionic redox to charge compensation, in particular, the generation of molecular nitrogen species in highly charged states, has been proved by several synchrotron-radiation-based spectroscopic technologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
City University of Hong Kong, Chemistry, HONG KONG.
Achieving rational control over chemical and energetic properties at the perovskite/electron transport layer (ETL) interface is crucial for realizing highly efficient and stable next-generation inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To address this, we developed multifunctional ferrocene (Fc)-based interlayers engineered to exhibit adjustable passivating and electrochemical characteristics. These interlayers are designed to minimize non-radiative recombination and, to modulate the work function (WF) and uniformity of the perovskite surface, thereby enhancing device performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Department of Materials Science and Technology, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan.
Apatite nanoparticles are biocompatible nanomaterials, so their film formation on biodevices is expected to provide effective bonding with living organisms. However, the biodevice-apatite interfaces have not yet been elucidated because there is little experimental evaluation and discussion on the nanoscale interactions, as well as the apatite surface reactivities. Our group has demonstrated the biomolecular adsorption properties on a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) sensor coated with apatite nanoparticles, demonstrating the applicability of apatite nanoparticle films on devices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVolume electron microscopy (vEM) enables biologists to visualize nanoscale 3D ultrastructure of entire eukaryotic cells and tissues prepared by heavy atom staining and plastic embedding. The highest resolution vEM technique is focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), which provides nearly isotropic (~5-10 nm) spatial resolution at fluences of > 10,000 e /nm . However, it is not clear how such high resolution is achievable because serial block-face (SBF) SEM, which incorporates an in-situ ultramicrotome instead of a Ga FIB beam, results in radiation-induced collapse of similar specimen blocks at fluences of only ~20 e /nm .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPorous structures offer several key advantages in energy harvesting, making them highly effective for enhancing the performance of piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (PENG and TENG). Their high surface area-to-volume ratio improves charge accumulation and electrostatic induction, which are critical for efficient energy conversion. Additionally, their lightweight and flexible nature allows for easy integration into wearable and flexible electronics.
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