Robert Pelton

Temperature-sensitive aqueous microgels

An account of the preparation and characterization of temperature-sensitive aqueous microgels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was first published in 1986. Since then there has been a steady increase in the number of publications describing preparation, characterization and applications of temperature-sensitive microgels. This paper reviews the important developments in the area of temperature-sensitive aqueous microgels over the last decade. Although most of the work involves gels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), other polymers are also considered. Core-shell latex particles exhibiting temperature-sensitive properties are also described.

Bioactive paper provides a low-cost platform for diagnostics

Abstract Bioactive paper includes a range of potential paper-based materials that can perform analytical functions normally reserved for multi-well plates in the laboratory or for portable electronic devices. Pathogen detection is the most compelling application. Simple paper-based detection, not requiring hardware, has the potential to have impacts in society, ranging from the kitchen to disasters in the developing world. Bioactive-paper research is an emerging field with significant efforts in Canada, USA (Harvard), Finland and Australia. Following a brief introduction to the material and surface properties of paper, I review the literature. Some of the early work exploits the porosity of paper to generate paper-based microfluidics (“paperfluidics”) devices. I exclude from this review printed electronic devices and plastics-supported devices.

DNA Aptamer Folding on Gold Nanoparticles: From Colloid Chemistry to Biosensors

We have investigated the effect of the folding of DNA aptamers on the colloidal stability of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to which an aptamer is tethered. On the basis of the studies of two different aptamers (adenosine aptamer and K+ aptamer), we discovered a unique colloidal stabilization effect associated with aptamer folding: AuNPs to which folded aptamer structures are attached are more stable toward salt-induced aggregation than those tethered to unfolded aptamers. This colloidal stabilization effect is more significant when a DNA spacer was incorporated between AuNP and the aptamer or when lower aptamer surface graft densities were used. The conformation that aptamers adopt on the surface appears to be a key factor that determines the relative stability of different AuNPs. Dynamic light scattering experiments revealed that the sizes of AuNPs modified with folded aptamers were larger than those of AuNPs modified with unfolded (but largely collapsed) aptamers in salt solution. From both the electrostatic and steric stabilization points of view, the folded aptamers that are more extended from the surface have a higher stabilization effect on AuNP than the unfolded aptamers. On the basis of this unique phenomenon, colorimetric biosensors have been developed for the detection of adenosine, K+, adenosine deaminase, and its inhibitors. Moreover, distinct AuNP aggregation and redispersion stages can be readily operated by controlling aptamer folding and unfolding states with the addition of adenosine and adenosine deaminase.

The kinetics of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel latex formation

Conversion versus time curves were measured for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel latexes prepared by polymerization in water with sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS. Polymerization rates increased with temperature with methylenebisacrylamide crosslinking monomer consumed faster thanN-isopropylacrylamide. The particle diameter decreased with increasing concentrations of SDS in the polymerization recipe and there was evidence that the rate of polymerization increased somewhat with SDS concentration. Particle formation occurred by homogeneous nucleation as micelles were absent.Comparison of particle size distributions from dynamic light scattering to those from a centrifugal sizer led to the conclusion that larger particles within a specific latex were less swollen with acetonitrile than were the smaller ones. This was interpreted as evidence for the polymer in larger particles having a higher crosslink density. Particle swelling was estimated from swelling ratios defined as the particle volume at 25 °C divided by the volume at 50 °C. In the absence of crosslinking poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) linear chains would disolve at 25 °C. The swelling results indicated that the average crosslink density in the particles decreased with conversion. This was explained by the observation that the methylenebisacrylamide was consumed more quickly and is typical of crosslinking in emulsion polymerization where polymer particles have high polymer concentrations at their birth.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is never hydrophobic

PNIPAM chains have hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains below and above the LCST. Temperature dependent interactions between PNIPAM and solutes arise because of changes in the local environment around the hydrophobic isopropyl domains. Below the LCST the isopropyl groups are surrounded by water, whereas above the LCST the hydrophobic groups are in contact with both water and polymer segments. Contrary to numerous claims in the literature, PNIPAM is not a hydrophobic material at temperatures above the LCST.

Microgel-based inks for paper-supported biosensing applications.

As a first step for the development of biosensing inks for inexpensive paper-based biodetection, we prepared paper strips printed with carboxylic poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels that were modified either with an antibody or with a DNA aptamer. We found that the antibody and the DNA aptamer retained their recognition capabilities when coupled to microgel. The printed microgel remains stationary during chromatographic elution while the microgel-supported molecular recognition elements are accessible to their intended targets present in the elution solution. Our work indicates that microgels, large enough to isolate the biosensors from the paper surface, are sufficiently hydrophilic to be wetted during chromatographic elution, exposing the gel-supported affinity probes to their targets.

Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in meat by using phages immobilized on modified cellulose membranes.

ABSTRACT The ability of phages to specifically interact with and lyse their host bacteria makes them ideal antibacterial agents. The range of applications of bacteriophage can be extended by their immobilization on inert surfaces. A novel method for the oriented immobilization of bacteriophage has been developed. The method was based on charge differences between the bacteriophage head, which exhibits an overall net negative charge, and the tail fibers, which possess an overall net positive charge. Hence, the head would be more likely to attach to positively charged surfaces, leaving the tails free to capture and lyse bacteria. Cellulose membranes modified so that they had a positive surface charge were used as the support for phage immobilization. It was established that the number of infective phages immobilized on the positively charged cellulose membranes was significantly higher than that on unmodified membranes. Cocktails of phages active against Listeria or Escherichia coli immobilized on these membranes were shown to effectively control the growth of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat and raw meat, respectively, under different storage temperatures and packaging conditions. The phage storage stability was investigated to further extend their industrial applications. It was shown that lyophilization can be used as a phage-drying method to maintain their infectivity on the newly developed bioactive materials. In conclusion, utilizing the charge difference between phage heads and tails provided a simple technique for oriented immobilization applicable to a wide range of phages and allowed the retention of infectivity.

Surfactant-enhanced cellulose nanocrystal Pickering emulsions.

The effect of surfactants on the properties of Pickering emulsions stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was investigated. Electrophoretic mobility, interfacial tension, confocal microscopy and three-phase contact angle measurements were used to elucidate the interactions between anionic CNCs and cationic alkyl ammonium surfactants didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Both surfactants were found to adsorb onto CNCs with concentration-dependent morphology. At low concentrations, individual surfactant molecules adsorbed with alkyl tails pointing outward leading to hydrophobic CNCs. At higher concentrations, above the surfactants apparent critical micelle concentration, surfactant aggregate morphologies on CNCs were inferred and the hydrophobicity of CNCs decreased. DMAB, which has two alkyl tails, rendered the CNCs more hydrophobic than CTAB which has only a single alkyl tail, at all surfactant concentrations. The change in CNC wettability from surfactant adsorption was directly linked to emulsion properties; adding surfactant increased the emulsion stability, decreased the droplet size, and controlled the internal phase of CNC Pickering emulsions. More specifically, a double transitional phase inversion, from oil-in-water to water-in-oil and back to oil-in-water, was observed for emulsions with CNCs and increasing amounts of DMAB (the more hydrophobic surfactant). With CNCs and CTAB, no phase inversion was induced. This work represents the first report of CNC Pickering emulsions with surfactants as well as the first CNC Pickering emulsions that can be phase inverted. The ability to surface modify CNCs in situ and tailor emulsions by adding surfactants may extend the potential of CNCs to new liquid formulations and extruded/spray-dried materials.

Detection of DNA using bioactive paper strips.

Paper strips containing DNA-conjugated microgels (MG) are used to achieve sensitive DNA detection in three steps: target DNA promoted ligation of a DNA primer to the MG-bound DNA, rolling circle amplification (RCA) between the primer and a circle DNA, and hybridization of the RCA products and a fluorescent DNA probe.

Packed column reactor for continuous atom transfer radical polymerization : Methyl methacrylate polymerization using silica gel supported catalyst

A continuous column reactor packed with silica gel supported CuBr-HMTETA catalyst has been successfully developed for ATRP of MMA. The reactor had a good catalytic stability up to 100 h. The MMA conversion decreased with an increasing feeding flow rate. The polymerization kinetics was first order with respect to the monomer. The molecular weight increased linearly with conversion, demonstrating the living character. Possible flow back-mixing and polymer trapping in the pores of silica gel caused some broadening in the molecular weight distribution. This type of packed column reactor is believed to be a significant development for possible commercial exploitation of the ATRP process.