Search

Laddningsbeteendet hos amingruppen vid ytgränsskiktet mellan vatten och luft har studerats under ändring av vattenfasens pH och NaCl-koncentration via den ickelinjära laserspektroskopiska tekniken, vibrationssumfrekvensspektroskopi (VSFS). Modellen som användes för ytan bestod av ett Langmuirmonolager av 1-docosanamin, en icke-löslig fettkedjeamin med NH2-gruppen riktad mot vattenfasen. En av de huvudsakliga syftena med projektet var att bestämma det skenbara samt yt-pKa:t för amingruppen, såväl som att testa gränserna för de klassiska Poisson-Boltzmann-formuleringarna av teorin för det elektriska dubbellagret. Molekylär information av laddningsbeteendet hos aminen erhölls från VSFS-spektra genom att följa NH-, OH- och CH-sträckningsvibrationsmoderna. Specifikt så identifierades de spektrala dragen från den neutrala formen (R-NH2) och den laddade formen (R-NH3+) av aminen, vilka direkt korrelerades med monolagrets ytladdning. Intensiteten hos OH-banden från vattenmolekylerna i det diffusa dubbellagret kunde länkas till ytpotentialen och CH-vibrationerna från alkylkedjan av amino-tensiden kopplades slutligen till packningstätheten hos monolagret. Ytterligare experiment utfördes med en deutererad vattenfas (D2O) för att bekräfta sträckningsvibrationsmoderna hos NH3+, vilka aldrig tidigare har rapporterats. Resultaten visar på att fettkedjeaminen får ett avsevärt lägre yt- och skenbart pKa jämfört med bulken (∼ 4 jämfört med 10,5). Detta är i enlighet med vad Gouy-Chapmann-modellen av det elektriska dubbellagret förutser. Dessutom så indikerar datat att det inneboende pKa:t hos aminen också blir lägre vid ytan än för bulken (9,7±0,7 jämfört med 10,5), vilket kan beskrivas som en effekt av begränsningen i frihetsgrader hos den ytbundna aminen. Dock, så hindrades en mer utförlig kvantitativ jämförelse mot teorin av ett sämre val av det experimentella referensvärdet som användes för att jämföra data mellan olika dagar. Dessutom så var anpassningsrutinen för datat begränsa, The charging behaviour of the amine moiety at the water-air interface upon changes in the aqueous subphase pH and NaCl concentration has been studied using the non-linear laser spectroscopy technique, Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy (VSFS). The model surface consisted of a Langmuir monolayer of 1-docosaneamine, an insoluble fatty amine that exposes its NH2 group to solution. One of the main purposes of the project is to determine the surface, and the apparent pKa of the amine moiety, as well as testing the limits of validity of classical formulations of the electrical double layer theory within the Poisson-Boltzmann formalism. Molecular information of the charging behaviour was obtained from the VSFS spectra by targeting the NH, OH and CH stretching modes. Specifically, spectral features from the neutral amine (i.e. R-NH2) and charged (R-NH3+) groups could be identified and directly correlated to the surface charge of the monolayer. The intensity of the OH bands from water molecules in the diffuse double layer, were linked to the surface potential, and finally, the CH modes from the surfactant alkyl chain gave information of the packing density in the monolayer. Additional experiments were also carried out in D2O to help confirm the assignment of the NH3+ stretching modes that had not been previously reported. The results show that as predicted from the Gouy-Chapman electric double layer model, the apparent pKa of the fatty amine monolayer is significantly lower than in the bulk (∼ 4 compared with 10.5) . However, the data show indication that the intrinsic pKa at the surface is also lower than in the bulk (9.7+/- 0.7, compared to 10.5), an effect that is ascribed to the 2D molecular confinement in the monolayer. A more quantitative comparison with the theoretical predictions was nonetheless hampered by a poor selection of the experimental reference for comparing data collected in different days, and the limitations in the fitting routines due spectral o

Hur elektrolytlösningar interagerar med laddade ytor är viktigt för många fenomen. I detta arbete undersöktes samspelet mellan flera joner med en negativt laddad yta som exponerade sulfonat funktionella grupper mot lösning. Särskild vikt lades på deprotoneringsbeteendet vid ytan. Samspelet mellan olika joner och sulfonatgruppen hade inte tidigare beaktats ur ett molekylärt perspektiv. Här användes ett Langmuir-monolager bestående av dokosan-1-sulfonsyra deponerat på olika elektrolytlösningar som modellsystem. För att studera molekylära interaktioner mellan ytan och elektrolyterna användes Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy (VSFS). Denna inneboende ytkänsliga teknik gör det möjligt att observera små förändringar i vibrationsenergier i sulfonagruppen vid kontakt med olika joner, här hydronium, litium, natrium och cesium. Ett av huvudsyftena med detta arbete var att jämföra de experimentellt bestämda parametrarna med teoretiska modeller av det elektriska dubbelskiktet vid laddade gränssnitt, såsom Gouy-Chapman-teorin och andra mer avancerade Poisson-Boltzmann-baserade modeller, för att utforska deras lämplighet och gränser av giltighet. Docosan-1-sulfonsyra packades snyggt i monolager, med packningstätheten ökande med starkare jonstyrka I underfasen. Två toppar i vibrationsspektra sågs för sulfonatgruppen, den symmetriska och asymmetriska sträckningen vid 1048 cm-1 respektive 1150 cm-1. Dessa band sågs blåskiftas vid bindning av litium- och natriummotjoner. Amplituden för den symmetriska sträckningen kunde kopplas direkt till mängden laddade arter. Den teoretiska Gouy-Chapman-modellen var tillräcklig att användas för relativt låga ytpotentialer (<|150mV|). För högre potentialer var motjonens storlek nödvändig att inkludera i modellen för mer exakta förutsägelser. Sulfonsyrans surhetsgrad uppmättes till att vara pKa=-1.8±0.4 och bindningskonstanterna för olika hårda joner till den sulfonatfunktionella gruppen uppskattades vara pKLi=0 och pKNa=-0.7. Däremot binder, How electrolyte solutions interact with charged surfaces is essential for many phenomena in physics, chemistry and biology. In this work, the interactions of several ions with a negatively charged surface exposing sulfonate functional groups to solution were investigated. Specific emphasis was made on the deprotonation behaviour at the surface. The interplay between different ions and the sulfonate moiety had not been previously considered from a molecular perspective. Here, a Langmuir monolayer consisting of docosane-1-sulfonic acid deposited on top of different electrolyte solutions was used as model system. To study the molecular interactions between the surface and the electrolytes, Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy (VSFS) was used. This intrinsically surface sensitive technique allows observing small changes in vibrational energies of the sulfonate functional group when in contact with different ionic species, here hydronium, lithium, sodium and cesium. One of the main objectives of this work was to compare the experimentally determined parameters with theoretical models of the electric double layer at charged interfaces, such as the Gouy-Chapman theory and other more advanced Poisson-Boltzmann based models, to explore their suitability and limits of validity. Docosane-1-sulfonic acid packed nicely into monolayers, with the packing density increasing with stronger ionic strength in the subphase. Two peaks in the vibrational spectra were seen for the sulfonate functional group, the symmetric and asymmetric stretch at 1048 cm-1 and 1150 cm-1, respectively. These bands were seen to blue-shift upon binding of lithium and sodium counterions. The amplitude of the symmetric stretch could be directly linked to the amount of charged species. The Gouy-Chapman theoretical model was adequate to use for relative low surface potentials (<|150mV|). For higher potentials, the size of the counterion was necessary to include in the model for more accurate predictions. T

Ion specific effects at charged interfaces find numerous applications in colloidal sciences and play a vital role in many biological processes. Despite having been studied for over a century, starting with the work of F. Hofmeister in the 1880s, a comprehensive molecular understanding remains elusive. It is currently believed that specific molecular interactions between ions and the various chemical functional groups, including the disruption of the interfacial water structure, are the key underlying steps. The research presented in this doctoral thesis focuses on the carboxylic acid moiety which is one of the chemical functionalities most frequently encountered at biological interfaces. Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS), a non-linear optical technique with an exquisite surface specificity, was used to investigate the interactions between the carboxylic acid moiety of a fatty acid Langmuir monolayer with monovalent (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+), divalent (Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+), and trivalent (Y3+, La3+) cations. The studies also focused on understanding the remarkable effect of negatively charged co-ions (Cl-, Br-, I-, SCN-) on the cation-carboxylate interactions. Another key result of this work is the identification of resolved spectral features linked to the Eigen-like hydronium (H3O+) cation at the charged carboxylic acid interface. VSFS allowed quantifying the surface charge, type of cation binding, and structural changes in the interfacial water molecules upon changes of the ion identity, concentration, and pH. The findings demonstrate that the physical-chemical properties of the interfacial layers reflect a subtle balance between molecular and electrostatic competitive interactions, providing new experimental quantitative insights for testing the suitability of extended new theories on charged interfaces and ion specific interactions., QC 2019-09-05

Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) complemented by surface pressure isotherm and neutron reflectometry (NR) experiments were employed to investigate the interactions between propofol, a small amphiphilic molecule that currently is the most common general anaesthetic drug, and phospholipid monolayers. A series of biologically relevant saturated phospholipids of varying chain length from C18 to C14 were spread on either pure water or propofol (2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenol) solution in a Langmuir trough, and the change in the molecular structure of the film, induced by the interaction with propofol, was studied with respect to the surface pressure. The results from the surface pressure isotherm experiments revealed that propofol, as long as it remains at the interface, enhances the fluidity of the phospholipid monolayer. The VSF spectra demonstrate that for each phospholipid the amount of propofol in the monolayer region decreases with increasing surface pressure. Such squeeze out is in contrast to the enhanced interactions that can be exhibited by more complex amphiphilic molecules such as peptides. At surface pressures of 22–25 mN m−1, which are relevant for biological cell membranes, most of the propofol has been expelled from the monolayer, especially in the case of the C16 and C18 phospholipids that adopt a liquid condensed phase packing of its alkyl tails. At lower surface pressures of 5 mN m−1, the effect of propofol on the structure of the alkyl tails is enhanced when the phospholipids are present in a liquid expanded phase. Specifically, for the C16 phospholipid, NR data reveal that propofol is located exclusively in the head group region, which is rationalized in the context of previous studies. The results imply a non-homogeneous distribution of propofol in the plane of real cell membranes, which is an inference that requires urgent testing and may help to explain why such low concentration of the drug are required to induce general anaesthesia., QC 20180529

The molecular structure, packing properties, and hydrating water of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of the phospholipids 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glyercophosphatidylcholine (DSPC, 18:0 PC), its deuterated analogue (18:0 PC-d83), and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glyerco-phosphatidylserine (DSPC, 18:0 PS) deposited on planar calcium fluoride (CaF2) substrates have been investigated using the surface-specific nonlinear optical technique vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS). Compression isotherms were recorded before the deposition of the monolayers at a surface pressure of 35 mN/m, mimicking the conditions of biological cell membranes. The CH and CD stretch regions, the water region, and the lower wavenumber region, containing phosphate, ester, carboxylate, and amine signals, thus partly covering the fingerprint region, were probed to obtain a complete map of the molecules. The data indicate that all deposited monolayers formed a well-ordered and stable film, and probing the water region revealed significant differences in hydration for the different headgroups. In addition, the tilt angle of the aliphatic chains relative to the surface normal was estimated to be approximately 4 degrees to 10 degrees based on orientational analysis using the antisymmetric methyl stretching vibration. Orientational analysis of the ester C=O groups was also performed, and the result was consistent with the estimated tilt angle of the aliphatic chains., QC 20100924. Uppdaterad från manuscript till published. Tidigare titel: Supported Phospholipid Monolayers: The Molecular Structure Investigated by Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy (VSFS)

The structure and order of insoluble Langmuir monolayers consisting of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC or 18:0 PC) and the surrounding water molecules have been investigated by vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS). At surface pressures of 1, 15, and 57 mN/m corresponding to molecular areas of 53, 50, and 43 Å2, respectively, the DSPC molecules formed a well ordered film. Both the VSF signal from the methyl stretching vibrations of the lipid and the surrounding water increased with enhanced surface pressure, as a result of the higher surface density and increased order of the system. Water molecules hydrating the polar parts of the headgroup and in close contact to the hydrocarbon groups of the lipid were observed in all three polarization combinations of the laser beams, and distinguished by their different vibrational frequencies., QC 20100924

Atmospheric gas phase species such as methane sulfonic acid (MSA) are adsorbed and accommodated into atmospheric aqueous-phase aerosols and in some cases MSA is thought to be produced via aerosol surface chemistry. The studies described herein probe the surface molecular structure of MSA at aqueous solution surfaces using surface vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS). In the studies presented here, it is shown that MSA partitions at the surface and that the surface MSA has a preferred surface orientation in which the MSA methyl group points away from the liquid surface. The surrounding surface water structure is significantly affected by the adsorption of MSA. Small amounts of MSA at the surface of water enhances the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between interfacial water molecules. Additional VSF studies show that MSA is effectively displaced by sulfuric acid at an aqueous surface. The structural details presented here may have implications for understanding atmospheric aerosol growth properties.

The structure and hydrogen bonding of water molecules provides this unique solvent with properties essential to many physical, chemical and biological processes. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding between water molecules in the bulk medium is disrupted at the surface, imparting the surface with unique structural and thermodynamic properties. In this article we provide an overview of a range of experimental studies from this laboratory in which the structure, orientation and hydrogen bonding of interfacial water molecules at liquid interfaces are directly probed by resonant vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy. The studies provide insight into the difference in water structure and hydrogen bonding at an air/water interface relative to the interface between two bulk immiscible liquids, namely the CCl4/H2O interface. Also described are studies aimed at understanding how the presence of a charged alkyl surfactant alters the structure of water at these two interfaces. In both cases field induced alignment of water molecules in the double layer region is prevalent. This induced alignment has been examined under a variety of experimental conditions. A series of isotopic dilution studies conducted for the first time at liquid surfaces are also described. In these studies the intermolecular and intramolecular coupling of vibrational modes in the water molecules are diminished. The results of these and above mentioned studies provide valuable information for those interested in developing theoretical descriptions of water at surfaces and interfaces.

Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy in conjunction with interfacial pressure measurements provide direct information about the molecular structure of phosphocholine monolayers adsorbed to the interface between D2O and carbon tetrachloride. Monolayers form from breakup at the interface of aqueous phase phosphocholine vesicles. For the saturated, symmetric, dialkyl phosphocholines used in this study, alkyl chain conformation as inferred from the relative intensity of CH stretch vibrational bands depends on both alkyl chain length and interfacial concentration. Temperature controlled experiments show the lipid bilayer gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature to play a pivotal role in determining interfacial coverage and alkyl chain structure. At equivalent interfacial coverages, longer chain phosphocholine species form more disordered monolayers than shorter chain phosphocholines.