Origin of anomalously stabilizing ice layers on methane gas hydrates near rock surface.

Gas hydrates (GHs) in water close to freezing temperatures can be stabilised via the formation of ice layers. In a recent work [Boström et al., Astron. Astrophys., A54, 650, 2021], it was found that a surface region with partial gas dilution could be essential for obtaining nano- to micron-sized anomalously stabilizing ice layers. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the Casimir-Lifshitz free energy in multi-layer systems could induce thinner, but more stable, ice layers in cavities than those found for gas hydrates in a large reservoir of cold water. The thickness and stability of such ice layers in a pore filled with cold water could influence the leakage of gas molecules. Additional contributions, e.g. from salt-induced stresses, can also be of importance, and are briefly discussed.

La3+ and Y3+ interactions with the carboxylic acid moiety at the liquid/vapor interface: Identification of binding complexes, charge reversal, and detection limits.

Specific interactions of yttrium and lanthanum ions with a fatty acid Langmuir monolayer were investigated using vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy. The trivalent ions were shown to interact with the charged form of the carboxylic acid group from nanomolar concentrations (<300 nM). Analysis of the spectral features from both the symmetric and the asymmetric carboxylate modes reveals the presence of at least three distinct coordination structures linked to specific binding configurations. Although the same species were identified for both La3+ and Y3+, they display a different concentration dependence, highlighting the ion-specificity of the interaction. From the analysis of the response of interfacial water molecules, the reversal of the surface charge, as well as the formation of yttrium hydroxide complexes, were detected upon increasing the amount of salt in solution. The binding interaction and kinetics of absorption are sensitive to the solution pH, showing a distinct ion speciation in the interfacial region when compared to the bulk. Changing the subphase pH or adding a monovalent background electrolyte that promotes deprotonation of the carboxylic acid headgroup could further improve the detection limit of La3+ and Y3+ to concentrations < 100 nM. These findings demonstrate that nM concentrations of trace metals contaminants, typically found on monovalent salts, can significantly influence the binding structure and kinetics in Langmuir monolayers.

Solventless synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles and their application in UV protective clear coatings.

Colloidal dispersions of cerium oxide nanoparticles are of importance for numerous applications including as catalysts, chemical mechanical polishing agents and additives for UV protective and anticorrosion coatings. Here, concentrated oleate-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) with a uniform size have been produced by solventless thermolysis of cerium-oleate powder under low pressure at 320 °C and subsequently dispersed in hexane. Unlike any previously reported colloidal synthesis process for ceria nanoparticles, this process does not involve any toxic high boiling point organic solvent that requires subsequent removal at high cost. Although the process is very simple, highly concentrated cerium oxide nanoparticles with more than 17 wt% solid content and 70% of the theoretical yield can be easily obtained. Moreover, the size, shape and crystallinity of cerium oxide nanoparticles can be tailored by changing the thermal decomposition temperature and reaction time. Moreover, the new synthesis route developed in this study allows the synthesis of clean and dispersible ceria nanoparticles at a relatively low cost in a single step. The prepared ceria nanoparticles have an excellent UV absorption property and remain transparent to visible light, thus having the potential to replace potentially hazardous organic compounds in UV absorbing clear coatings. As a proof of concept, the prepared dispersions of cerium oxide nanoparticles in hexane were formulated into a solvent borne binder base to develop clear UV protecting coatings for light sensitive substrates. The general synthesis strategy presented in this study is generally applicable for the low-cost production of a concentrated dispersion of metal oxide nanoparticles with minimal environmental impact.

Bioinspired Adhesion Polymers: Wear Resistance of Adsorption Layers.

Mussel adhesive polymers owe their ability to strongly bind to a large variety of surfaces under water to their high content of 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (DOPA) groups and high positive charge. In this work, we use a set of statistical copolymers that contain medium-length poly(ethylene oxide) side chains that are anchored to the surface in three different ways: by means of (i) electrostatic forces, (ii) catechol groups (as in DOPA), and (iii) the combination of electrostatic forces and catechol groups. A nanotribological scanning probe method was utilized to evaluate the wear resistance of the formed layers as a function of normal load. It was found that the combined measurement of surface topography and stiffness provided an accurate assessment of the wear resistance of such thin layers. In particular, surface stiffness maps allowed us to identify the initiation of wear before a clear topographical wear scar was developed. Our data demonstrate that the molecular and abrasive wear resistance on silica surfaces depends on the anchoring mode and follows the order catechol groups combined with electrostatic forces > catechol groups alone > electrostatic forces alone. The devised methodology should be generally applicable for evaluating wear resistance or "robustness" of thin adsorbed layers on a variety of surfaces.

On the colour of wing scales in butterflies: iridescence and preferred orientation of single gyroid photonic crystals.

Lycaenid butterflies from the genera Callophrys, Cyanophrys and Thecla have evolved remarkable biophotonic gyroid nanostructures within their wing scales that have only recently been replicated by nanoscale additive manufacturing. These nanostructures selectively reflect parts of the visible spectrum to give their characteristic non-iridescent, matte-green appearance, despite a distinct blue-green-yellow iridescence predicted for individual crystals from theory. It has been hypothesized that the organism must achieve its uniform appearance by growing crystals with some restrictions on the possible distribution of orientations, yet preferential orientation observed in Callophrys rubi confirms that this distribution need not be uniform. By analysing scanning electron microscope and optical images of 912 crystals in three wing scales, we find no preference for their rotational alignment in the plane of the scales. However, crystal orientation normal to the scale was highly correlated to their colour at low (conical) angles of view and illumination. This correlation enabled the use of optical images, each containing up to 104-105 crystals, for concluding the preferential alignment seen along the [Formula: see text] at the level of single scales, appears ubiquitous. By contrast, [Formula: see text] orientations were found to occur at no greater rate than that expected by chance. Above a critical cone angle, all crystals reflected bright green light indicating the dominant light scattering is due to the predicted band gap along the [Formula: see text] direction, independent of the domain orientation. Together with the natural variation in scale and wing shapes, we can readily understand the detailed mechanism of uniform colour production and iridescence suppression in these butterflies. It appears that the combination of preferential alignment normal to the wing scale, and uniform distribution within the plane is a near optimal solution for homogenizing the angular distribution of the [Formula: see text] band gap relative to the wings. Finally, the distributions of orientations, shapes, sizes and degree of order of crystals within single scales provide useful insights for understanding the mechanisms at play in the formation of these biophotonic nanostructures.

Characterization of red-shifted phycobilisomes isolated from the chlorophyll f-containing cyanobacterium Halomicronema hongdechloris.

Phycobilisomes are the main light-harvesting protein complexes in cyanobacteria and some algae. It is commonly accepted that these complexes only absorb green and orange light, complementing chlorophyll absorbance. Here, we present a new phycobilisome derived complex that consists only of allophycocyanin core subunits, having red-shifted absorption peaks of 653 and 712 nm. These red-shifted phycobiliprotein complexes were isolated from the chlorophyll f-containing cyanobacterium, Halomicronema hongdechloris, grown under monochromatic 730 nm-wavelength (far-red) light. The 3D model obtained from single particle analysis reveals a double disk assembly of 120-145 Å with two α/ß allophycocyanin trimers fitting into the two separated disks. They are significantly smaller than typical phycobilisomes formed from allophycocyanin subunits and core-membrane linker proteins, which fit well with a reduced distance between thylakoid membranes observed from cells grown under far-red light. Spectral analysis of the dissociated and denatured phycobiliprotein complexes grown under both these light conditions shows that the same bilin chromophore, phycocyanobilin, is exclusively used. Our findings show that red-shifted phycobilisomes are required for assisting efficient far-red light harvesting. Their discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of light harvesting under extreme conditions for photosynthesis, as well as the strategies involved in flexible chromatic acclimation to diverse light conditions.

Phase transitions and chain dynamics of surfactants intercalated into the galleries of naturally occurring clay mineral magadiite.

We investigate conformational dynamics and phase transitions of surfactant molecules confined in the layered galleries of the organo-modified, natural polysilicate clay, magadiite. We have shown that our approach to studying this class of materials is capable of delivering detailed information on the molecular mobility of the confined molecules. From the analysis of the measured heteronuclear dipolar couplings, the orientational order parameters of the C-H bonds along the hydrocarbon chain have been determined. Three phases have been observed in the nanocomposite, characterized by distinct dynamical states of the surfactant. At room temperature, restricted mobility of the molecules led to the adoption of an essentially all-trans conformation by the chains. This behavior can be described by a model incorporating small-angle wobbling around the long molecular axes of the chains. Upon heating, dynamic transformation takes place, resulting in a rotator type solid phase where molecules in extended all-trans conformations undergo fast and unrestricted rotation about their respective symmetry axes. The second phase transition is associated with chain melting and the onset of translational dynamics and results in an essentially liquid-crystalline-like state of the organic component. The mobility of the surfactant is one of the key factors facilitating the efficient penetration of macromolecules in the process of preparing of polymer/organoclay nanocomposites. The exploration of dynamic properties of the functionalizing organic layer should provide important input into the improved design of new organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

Selective and ATP-driven transport of ions across supported membranes into nanoporous carriers using gramicidin A and ATP synthase.

We report a robust and versatile membrane protein based system for selective uptake and release of ions from nanoporous particles sealed with ion-tight lipid bilayers of various compositions that is driven by the addition of ATP or a chemical potential gradient. We have successfully incorporated both a passive ion channel-type peptide (gramicidin A) and a more complex primary sodium ion transporter (ATP synthase) into the supported lipid bilayers on solid nanoporous silica particles. Protein-mediated controlled release/uptake of sodium ions across the ion-tight lipid bilayer seal from or into the nanoporous silica carrier was imaged in real time using a confocal laser scanning microscope and the intensity changes were quantified. ATP-driven transport of sodium ions across the supported lipid bilayer against a chemical gradient was demonstrated. The possibility of designing durable carriers with tight lipid membranes, containing membrane proteins for selective ion uptake and release, offers new possibilities for functional studies of single or cascading membrane protein systems and could also be used as biomimetic microreactors for controlled synthesis of inorganic multicomponent materials.

Inorganic chiral 3-D photonic crystals with bicontinuous gyroid structure replicated from butterfly wing scales.

Three dimensional silica photonic crystals with the gyroid minimal surface structure have been synthesized. The butterfly Callophrys rubi was used as a biotemplate. This material represents a significant addition to the small family of synthetic bicontinuous photonic crystals.

Microbial growth at hyperaccelerations up to 403,627 x g.

It is well known that prokaryotic life can withstand extremes of temperature, pH, pressure, and radiation. Little is known about the proliferation of prokaryotic life under conditions of hyperacceleration attributable to extreme gravity, however. We found that living organisms can be surprisingly proliferative during hyperacceleration. In tests reported here, a variety of microorganisms, including Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Shewanella amazonensis; Gram-positive Lactobacillus delbrueckii; and eukaryotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were cultured while being subjected to hyperaccelerative conditions. We observed and quantified robust cellular growth in these cultures across a wide range of hyperacceleration values. Most notably, the organisms P. denitrificans and E. coli were able to proliferate even at 403,627 × g. Analysis shows that the small size of prokaryotic cells is essential for their proliferation under conditions of hyperacceleration. Our results indicate that microorganisms cannot only survive during hyperacceleration but can display such robust proliferative behavior that the habitability of extraterrestrial environments must not be limited by gravity.

On the formation and structure of nanometric polyhedral foams: toward the dry limit.

High surface area, high porosity, nanometric polygonal silica foams with hierarchically connected and uniformly sized pore systems are reported here. We observe a remarkable increase in foam cell sizes from mesoscopic to macroscopic dimensions upon swelling the self-assembled template with oil. The resultant structures resemble classical macroscopic soap foams and display, among other features, Plateau borders and volume fractions approaching the dry limit of 100%. In well-developed foams of this kind, dimensionally isometric polyhedral cells are connected by relatively short, flat cylindrical mesopores through polyhedral faces and micropores through the walls. For one sample, with approximately 75 nm diameter primary foam cells, we infer three separate sets of cell-connecting mesopores puncturing tetragonal, pentagonal, and hexagonal faces of the component polyhedra. A multiple step model of foam formation is discussed where an organic silica precursor progressively hydrolyzes and condenses as a growing flexible shell from the core-corona interface of oil-swollen triblock copolymer micelles or microemulsion droplets, inducing a clouding phenomena in the otherwise stabilizing poly(ethylene oxide) chains, leading to aggregation, deformation, and jamming to high volume fractions.

AFM-porosimetry: density and pore volume measurements of particulate materials.

We introduced the novel technique of AFM-porosimetry and applied it to measure the total pore volume of porous particles with a spherical geometry. The methodology is based on using an atomic force microscope as a balance to measure masses of individual particles. Several particles within the same batch were measured, and by plotting particle mass versus particle volume, the bulk density of the sample can be extracted from the slope of the linear fit. The pore volume is then calculated from the densities of the bulk and matrix materials, respectively. In contrast to nitrogen sorption and mercury porosimetry, this method is capable of measuring the total pore volume regardless of pore size distribution and pore connectivity. In this study, three porous samples were investigated by AFM-porosimetry: one ordered mesoporous sample and two disordered foam structures. All samples were based on a matrix of amorphous silica templated by a block copolymer, Pluronic F127, swollen to various degrees with poly(propylene glycol). In addition, the density of silica spheres without a template was measured by two independent techniques: AFM and the Archimedes principle.

Pore morphology and interconnectivity in a mesoporous/macroporous polyhedral silica foam material.

The pore system of a highly swollen, block-copolymer-templated, polyhedral silica foam material is investigated by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption, and NMR cryoporometry. The adsorption-desorption hysteresis and melting-freezing hysteresis data recorded by the respective methods provide pore volume and access channel sizes that virtually coincide for the two used methods. This provides a consistent picture where polyhedral foam cells of 60-70 nm diameter are interconnected by cylindrical access channels with several characteristic sizes for the latter.

A case for discotic liquid crystals in molten triglycerides.

To date, essentially only two structural models have been proposed and debated in detail for explaining the liquid state order of triglycerides, and both invoke a form of thermotropic liquid crystalline order in triglyceride melts. These are the paralamellar model of Larsson et al. (J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1992, 69, 835) and the nematic model of Cebula et al. (J. Am. Oil Chem Soc. 1992, 69, 130). An alternative discotic model is proposed here that adequately accounts for the broad small-angle X-ray diffraction peak often observed in the liquid state of fats and oils. In this alternative model, triglyceride molecules exist in the liquid state with fully splayed chains, approximating "Y"-shapes (Y-conformers). These are loosely bound within discs that stack into flexible, relatively short cylindrical rods of colloidal dimension, which in turn assemble into rod-packings with short-range order akin to disordered versions of thermotropic discotic liquid crystalline phases in other lipidic systems.