Chemical engineering of self-assembled Alzheimer's peptide on a silanized silicon surface.

The aim of this work is to develop a sensitive and specific immune-sensing platform dedicated to the detection of potential biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in biological fluids. Accordingly, a controlled and adaptive surface functionalization of a silicon wafer with 7-octenyltrichlorosilane has been performed. The surface has extensively been characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM; morphology) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS; chemical composition) and contact angle measurements. The wettability of the grafted chemical groups demonstrated the gradual trend from hydrophilic to hydrophobic surface during functionalization. XPS evidenced the presence of silanes on the surface after silanization, and even carboxylic groups as products from the oxidation step of the functionalization process. The characterization results permitted us to define an optimal protocol to reach a high-quality grafting yield. The issue of the quality of controlled chemical preparation on bioreceiving surfaces was also investigated by the recognition of one AD biomarker, the amyloid peptide Aß 1-42. We have therefore evaluated the biological activity of the grafted anti Aß antibodies onto this silanized surface by fluorescent microscopy. In conclusion, we have shown, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the uniformity of the optimized functionalization on slightly oxidized silicon surfaces, providing a reliable and chemically stable procedure to determine specific biomarkers of Alzheimer disease. This work opens the route to the integration of controlled immune-sensing applications on lab-on-chip systems.

Modification of a cyclo-olefin surface by radio-sterilization: is there any effect on the interaction with drug solutions?

A cyclo-olefin copolymer was subjected to an e-beam ionizing treatment. Two doses were studied: one corresponding to the recommended dose for the sterilization of pharmaceutical packaging (25 kGy), and a greater one to enhance the modifications caused by the treatment (150 kGy). The surface modifications were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The roughness and the wettability of the surface were enhanced by the treatment. The consequences of the surface modifications on the drug interaction with the polymer were studied.

Modification of TiO2 by Bimetallic Au-Cu Nanoparticles for Wastewater Treatment.

Au, Cu and bimetallic Au-Cu nanoparticles were synthesized on the surface of commercial TiO2 compounds (P25) by reduction of the metal precursors with tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) (0.5 % in weight). The alloyed structure of Au-Cu NPs was confirmed by HAADF-STEM, EDS, HRTEM and XPS techniques. The photocatalytic properties of the modified TiO2 have been studied for phenol photodegradation in aqueous suspensions under UV-visible irradiation. The modification by the metal nanoparticles induces an increase in the photocatalytic activity. The highest photocatalytic activity is obtained with Au-Cu/TiO2 (Au/Cu 1:3). Their electronic properties have been studied by time resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) to follow the charge-carrier dynamics. TRMC measurements show that the TiO2 modification with Au, Cu and Au-Cu nanoparticles plays a role in charge-carrier separations increasing the activity under UV-light. Indeed, the metal nanoparticles act as a sink for electron, decreasing the charge carrier recombination. The TRMC measurements show also that the bimetallic Au-Cu nanoparticles are more efficient in electron scavenging than the monometallic Au and Cu ones.