| 1. |
- Nicholls, Ian A., et al.
(författare)
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Rational design of biomimetic molecularly imprinted materials : theoretical and computational strategies for guiding nanoscale structured polymer development
- 2011
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Ingår i: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1618-2642 .- 1618-2650. ; 400:6, s. 1771-1786
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In principle, molecularly imprinted polymer science and technology provides a means for ready access to nano-structured polymeric materials of predetermined selectivity. The versatility of the technique has brought it to the attention of many working with the development of nanomaterials with biological or biomimetic properties for use as therapeutics or in medical devices. Nonetheless, the further evolution of the field necessitates the development of robust predictive tools capable of handling the complexity of molecular imprinting systems. The rapid growth in computer power and software over the past decade has opened new possibilities for simulating aspects of the complex molecular imprinting process. We present here a survey of the current status of the use of in silico-based approaches to aspects of molecular imprinting. Finally, we highlight areas where ongoing and future efforts should yield information critical to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms sufficient to permit the rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers.
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| 2. |
- Damas, Giane Benvinda, et al.
(författare)
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Carbon dioxide reduction mechanism on Ru-based electrocatalysts [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)(2)](2+) : insights from first-principles theory
- 2021
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Ingår i: Sustainable Energy & Fuels. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2398-4902. ; 5:23, s. 6066-6076
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solar fuel production through the so-called artificial photosynthesis has attracted a great deal of attention to the development of a new world energy matrix that is renewable and environmentally friendly. This process is characterized by light absorption with enough photon energy to generate conduction electrons, which drive the carbon dioxide reduction to produce organic fuels. It is also common to couple Ru-complex electrocatalysts to form a more efficient and selective hybrid system for this application. In this work, we have undertaken a thorough investigation of the redox reaction mechanism of Ru-based electrocatalysts by means of density functional theory (DFT) methods under the experimental conditions that have been previously reported. More specifically, we have studied the electrochemistry and catalytic activity of the [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)(2)](2+) coordination complex. Our theoretical assessment supports the following catalytic cycle: (i) [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)(2)](2+) is transformed into [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)](0) upon two-electron reduction and CO release; (ii) [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)](0) is protonated to form the [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)H](+) hydride complex; (iii) CO2 is activated by the hydride complex through an electrophilic addition to form the [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)(OCHO)](+) intermediate; (iv) the resulting formic acid ligand is released in solution; and, finally, (v) the CO ligand is reattached to the complex to recover the initial [Ru(bpy)(2)(CO)(2)](2+) catalyst.
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| 3. |
- Wiklander, Jesper G., 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a synthetic avidin mimic
- 2011
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Ingår i: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1618-2642 .- 1618-2650. ; 400:5, s. 1397-1404
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A series of streptavidin-mimicking molecularly imprinted polymers has been developed and evaluated for their biotin binding characteristics. A combination of molecular dynamics and NMR spectroscopy was used to examine potential polymer systems, in particular with the functional monomers methacrylic acid and 2-acrylamidopyridine. The synthesis of copolymers of ethylene dimethacrylate and one or both of these functional monomers was performed. A combination of radioligand binding studies and surface area analyses demonstrated the presence of selectivity in polymers prepared using methacrylic acid as the functional monomer. This was predicted by the molecular dynamics studies showing the power of this methodology as a prognostic tool for predicting the behavior of molecularly imprinted polymers.
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| 4. |
- Borg, O. Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Electron-transfer induced repair of 6-4 photoproducts in DNA : a computational study.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Physical Chemistry A. - Washington, DC : American Chemical Society. - 1089-5639 .- 1520-5215. ; 111:12, s. 2351-2361
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mechanism employed by DNA photolyase to repair 6-4 photoproducts in UV-damaged DNA is explored by means of quantum chemical calculations. Considering the repair of both oxetane and azetidine lesions, it is demonstrated that reduction as well as oxidation enables a reversion reaction by creating anionic or cationic radicals that readily fragment into monomeric pyrimidines. However, on the basis of calculated reaction energies indicating that electron transfer from the enzyme to the lesion is a much more favorable process than electron transfer in the opposite direction, it is suggested that the photoenzymic repair can only occur by way of an anionic mechanism. Furthermore, it is shown that reduction of the oxetane facilitates a mechanism involving cleavage of the C−O bond followed by cleavage of the C−C bond, whereas reductive fragmentation of the azetidine may proceed with either of the intermonomeric C−N and C−C bonds cleaved as the first step. From calculations on neutral azetidine radicals, a significant increase in the free-energy barrier for the initial fragmentation step upon protonation of the carbonylic oxygens is predicted. This effect can be attributed to protonation serving to stabilize reactant complexes more than transition structures.
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| 5. |
- Co, Michelle, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Degradation effects in the extraction of antioxidants from birch bark using water at elevated temperature and pressure
- 2012
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Ingår i: Analytica Chimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-2670 .- 1873-4324. ; 716, s. 40-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Experiments with birch bark samples have been carried to enable a distinction between extraction and degradation effects during pressurised hot water extraction. Two samples, E80 and El 80, contained birch bark extracts obtained after extraction at 80 and 180 degrees C for up to 45 min, respectively. Two other samples, P80 and P180, were only extracted for 5 min at the two temperatures and were thereafter filtered and hydrothermally treated at 80 and 180 degrees C, respectively. During the latter treatment, samples were collected at different times to assess the stability of the extracted compounds. An offline DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, as well as a high performance liquid chromatographic separation coupled to an electrochemical detector, were used to determine the antioxidant capacity of the processed samples. The results obtained with the different techniques were compared to assess the yield of the extraction and degradation processes. In addition, an online hyphenated system comprising high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode-array; electrochemical; and tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD-ECD-MS/MS) was used to study the compositions of the extracts in more detail. The results for the samples processed at 80 degrees C showed that the extraction reached a steady-state already after 5 min, and that the extracted compounds were stable throughout the entire extraction process. Processing at 180 degrees C, on the other hand, gave rise to partly degraded extracts with a multitude of peaks in both the diode array and electrochemical detectors, and a higher antioxidant capacity compared to for the extracts obtained at 80 degrees C. It is concluded that HPLC-DAD-ECD is a more appropriate technique for the determination of antioxidants than the DPPH assay. The mass spectrometric results indicate that one of the extracted antioxidants, catechin, was isomerised to its diastereoisomers; (+)-catechin, (-)-catechin, (+)-epicatechin, and (-)-epicatechin.
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| 6. |
- Guo, Y., et al.
(författare)
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Reversible Structural Isomerization of Nature's Water Oxidation Catalyst Prior to O-O Bond Formation
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0002-7863 .- 1520-5126. ; 144:26, s. 11736-11747
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Photosynthetic water oxidation is catalyzed by a manganese-calcium oxide cluster, which experiences five "S-states" during a light-driven reaction cycle. The unique "distorted chair"-like geometry of the Mn4CaO5(6)cluster shows structural flexibility that has been frequently proposed to involve "open" and "closed"-cubane forms from the S1 to S3states. The isomers are interconvertible in the S1 and S2states, while in the S3state, the open-cubane structure is observed to dominate inThermosynechococcus elongatus (cyanobacteria) samples. In this work, using density functional theory calculations, we go beyond the S3+Yzstate to the S3nYz•→ S4+Yzstep, and report for the first time that the reversible isomerism, which is suppressed in the S3+Yzstate, is fully recovered in the ensuing S3nYz•state due to the proton release from a manganese-bound water ligand. The altered coordination strength of the manganese-ligand facilitates formation of the closed-cubane form, in a dynamic equilibrium with the open-cubane form. This tautomerism immediately preceding dioxygen formation may constitute the rate limiting step for O2formation, and exert a significant influence on the water oxidation mechanism in photosystem II.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Rickaby, Rosalind E. M., et al.
(författare)
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Perturbing phytoplankton : response and isotopic fractionation with changing carbonate chemistry in two coccolithophore species
- 2010
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Ingår i: Climate of the Past. - : Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. - 1814-9324 .- 1814-9332. ; 6, s. 771-785
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- All species of coccolithophore appear to respond to perturbations of carbonate chemistry in a different way. Here, we show that the degree of malformation, growthrate and stable isotopic composition of organic matter and carbonate produced by two contrasting species of coccolithophore (Gephyrocapsa oceanica and Coccolithus pelagicusssp. braarudii) are indicative of differences between their photosynthetic and calcification response to changing DIC levels (ranging from 1100 to 7800 μmol kg−1) at constant pH (8.13±0.02). Gephyrocapsa oceanica thrived under all conditions of DIC, showing evidence of increased growth rates at higher DIC, but C. braarudii was detrimentally affected at high DIC showing signs of malformation, and decreased growth rates. The carbon isotopic fractionation into organic matter and the coccoliths suggests that C. braarudii utilises a common internal pool of carbon for calcification and photosynthesis but G. oceanica relies on independent supplies for each process. All coccolithophores appear to utilize bicarbonate as their ultimate source of carbon for calcification resulting in the release of a proton. But, we suggest that this proton can be harnessed to enhance the supply of CO2(aq) for photosynthesis either from a large internal HCO−3 pool which acts as a pH buffer (C. braarudii), or pumped externally to aid the diffusive supply of CO2 across the membrane from the abundant HCO−3 (G. oceanica), likely mediated by an internal and external carbonic anhydrase respectively. Our simplified hypothetical spectrum of physiologies may provide a context to understand different species response to changing pH and DIC, the species specific Ep and calcite “vital effects”, as well as accounting for geological trends in coccolithophore cell size.
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| 9. |
- Sun, Bing, et al.
(författare)
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Ion transport in polycarbonate based solid polymer electrolytes : experimental and computational investigations
- 2016
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 18:14, s. 9504-9513
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Among the alternative host materials for solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), polycarbonates have recently shown promising functionality in all-solid-state lithium batteries from ambient to elevated temperatures. While the computational and experimental investigations of ion conduction in conventional polyethers have been extensive, the ion transport in polycarbonates has been much less studied. The present work investigates the ionic transport behavior in SPEs based on poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and its co-polymer with epsilon-caprolactone (CL) via both experimental and computational approaches. FTIR spectra indicated a preferential local coordination between Li+ and ester carbonyl oxygen atoms in the P(TMC20CL80) co-polymer SPE. Diffusion NMR revealed that the co-polymer SPE also displays higher ion mobilities than PTMC. For both systems, locally oriented polymer domains, a few hundred nanometers in size and with limited connections between them, were inferred from the NMR spin relaxation and diffusion data. Potentiostatic polarization experiments revealed notably higher cationic transference numbers in the polycarbonate based SPEs as compared to conventional polyether based SPEs. In addition, MD simulations provided atomic-scale insight into the structure-dynamics properties, including confirmation of a preferential Li+-carbonyl oxygen atom coordination, with a preference in coordination to the ester based monomers. A coupling of the Li-ion dynamics to the polymer chain dynamics was indicated by both simulations and experiments.
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| 10. |
- Sahlberg, Martin, 1981-
(författare)
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Light-Metal Hydrides for Hydrogen Storage
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Demands for zero greenhouse-gas emission vehicles have sharpened with today’s increased focus on global warming. Hydrogen storage is a key technology for the implementation of hydrogen powered vehicles. Metal hydrides can claim higher energy densities than alternative hydrogen storage materials, but a remaining challenge is to find a metal hydride which satisfies all current demands on practical usability. Several metals store large amounts of hydrogen by forming a metal hydride, e.g., Mg, Ti and Al. The main problems are the weight of the material and the reaction energy between the metal and hydrogen. Magnesium has a high storage capacity (7.6 wt.% hydrogen) in forming MgH2; this is a slow reaction, but can be accelerated either by minimizing the diffusion length within the hydride or by changing the diffusion properties. Light-metal hydrides have been studied in this thesis with the goal of finding new hydrogen storage compounds and of gaining a better understanding of the parameters which determine their storage properties. Various magnesium-containing compounds have been investigated. These systems represent different ways to address the problems which arise in exploiting magnesium based materials. The compounds were synthesized in sealed tantalum tubes, and investigated by in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, isothermal measurements, thermal desorption spectroscopy and electron microscopy. It is demonstrated that hydrogen storage properties can be improved by alloying magnesium with yttrium or scandium. Mg-Y-compounds decompose in hydrogen to form MgH2 nano-structures. Hydrogen desorption kinetics are improved compared to pure MgH2. The influence of adding a third element, gallium or zinc has also been studied; it is shown that gallium improves hydrogen desorption from YH2. ScAl1-xMgx is presented here for the first time as a hydrogen storage material. It absorbs hydrogen by forming ScH2 and Al(Mg) in a fully reversible reaction. It is shown that the hydrogen desorption temperature of ScH2 is reduced by more than 400 °C by alloying with aluminium and magnesium.
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