Values Of Surface Charge Density Research Articles

Capillary Electrophoresis as a Complementary Analytical Tool for the Separation and Detection of Nanoplastic Particles.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is presented as a technique for the separation of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs, particle diameters ranging from 30 to 300 nm) through a bare fused silica capillary and ultraviolet detection. The proposed strategy was also assessed for other types of nanoplastics, finding that stronger alkaline conditions, with an ammonium hydroxide buffer (7.5%, pH = 11.9), enabled the separation of poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene, and polyethylene NP for the first time by means of CE for particle diameters below 200 nm. Particle behavior has been investigated in terms of its effective electrophoretic mobility, showing an increasing absolute value of effective electrophoretic mobility from the smaller to the larger sizes. On the other hand, the absolute value of surface charge density decreased with increasing size of NPs. It was demonstrated and quantified that the separation mechanism was a combination of linear and nonlinear electrophoretic effects. This work is the first report on the quantification of nonlinear electrophoretic effects on nanoplastic particles in a CE system.

Plasmonic Imaging of Single DNA with Charge Sensitive Monolayer WS2.

Imaging the surface charge of biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, is crucial for comprehending their structure and function. Unfortunately, current methods for label-free, sensitive, and rapid imaging of the surface charge of single DNA molecules are limited. Here, we propose a plasmonic microscopy strategy that utilizes charge-sensitive single-crystal monolayer WS2 materials to image the local charge density of a single λ-DNA molecule. Our study reveals that WS2 is a highly sensitive charge-sensitive material that can accurately measure the local charge density of λ-DNA with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. The consistency of the surface charge density values obtained from the single-crystal monolayer WS2 materials with theoretical simulations demonstrates the reliability of our approach. Our findings suggest that this class of materials has significant implications for the development of label-free, scanning-free, and rapid optical detection and charge imaging of biomolecules.

Method for Measuring Surface Charge on Insulating Materials Based on the Vibrating Capacitor Method

The phenomenon of surface charging, known as contact electrification or tribocharging, has wide-ranging applications but also notable hazards. Precisely measuring surface charge density in insulating materials is crucial for optimizing tribocharging and mitigating adverse effects. Although the vibrating capacitor method is commonly used for this purpose, its principle, designed for conductive materials, limits direct application to insulating surfaces, leaving the relationship between measured surface potential and surface charge density unclear. To address this issue, this study simulated the process of measuring the surface potential of insulating materials using Comsol simulations. It analyzed the effects of charged area size, probe height, and probe position, and utilized the spatial distribution of potential measurement values of surface point charges to derive an integral relationship between the distribution of measured surface potential values and the distribution of surface charge density. The integral relationship of surface potential distribution under different forms of surface charge density distributions calculated from this formula largely matches the numerical simulation results. Based on this, a relationship between the distribution of surface charge density and surface potential measurement values was further derived. This relationship can be used for measuring the surface charge density of insulating materials.

The effect of sulphur supplementation on cadmium phytotoxicity in wheat and lettuce: changes in physiochemical properties of roots and accumulation of phytochelatins.

Intensive sulphur fertilisation has been reported to improve the nutrient balance and growth of Cd-exposed plants, but the reasons of this phenomenon and the role of sulphur compounds in the resistance to cadmium are unclear. We investigated sulphur supplementation-induced changes in the surface properties of roots and the level of thiol peptides (PCs) in Cd-stressed Triticum aestivum L. (monocots clade) and Lactuca sativa L. (dicots clade) grown in nutrient solution. The combination of three sulphur (2mM S-basic level, 6 or 9mM S-elevated levels) and four cadmium (0, 0.0002, 0.02 or 0.04mM Cd) concentrations was used. The physicochemical parameters of the roots were determined based on the apparent surface area (Sr), total variable surface charge (Q), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and surface charge density (SCD). In Cd-exposed plants supplied with sulphur, a different character and trend in the physicochemical changes (adsorption and ion exchange) of roots were noted. At the increased sulphur levels, as a rule, the Sr, CEC, Q and SCD values clearly increased in the lettuce but decreased in the wheat in the entire range of the Cd concentrations, except the enhanced Sr of wheat supplied with 6mM S together with elevated (0.0002mM) and unchanged (0.02, 0.04mM Cd) value of this parameter at 9mM S. This indicates a clade-specific and/or species-specific plant reaction. The 6mM S appears to be more effective than 9mM S in alleviation of the cadmium's toxic effects on roots. It was found that at 0.02 and 0.04mM Cd, the use of 6mM S limits the Cd accumulation in the roots of both species in comparison with the basic S fertilisation. Moreover, PC accumulation was much more efficient in wheat than in lettuce, and intensive sulphur nutrition generally induced biosynthesis of these chelating compounds. Physicochemical parameters together with quantitative and qualitative assessment of thiol peptides can be important indicators of the efficiency of root system functioning under cadmium stress. The differences between the species and the multidirectional character of the changes are a result of the involvement of a number of multi-level mechanisms engaged in the defence against metal toxicity.

Non‐monotonic salt concentration dependence of inverted electrokinetic flow

AbstractModeling of electrokinetic flows is crucial to understand numerous phenomena associated with electrochemistry, biophysics, and colloidal science. Here, we incorporate the modified Gaussian renormalized fluctuation theory into transport equations for electrolyte solutions to study the ion‐correlation‐induced inversion of electrokinetic flows, also known as charge inversion. We are able to capture the non‐monotonic dependence of inverted streaming current and reversed electrophoretic mobility on salt concentration. By analyzing the double‐layer structure, we elucidate that this non‐monotonicity is a consequence of the competition between spatially varying ion correlations and the translational entropy of the ions. We find that for practical values of surface charge densities, the excluded volume effect does not play any significant role. In a significant improvement over existing theories, our theoretical predictions are in quantitative agreement with experimental measurements for charge inversion in trivalent salts.

Dielectric layer modulated nanofluidic transport: Formation of parent–sister vortices

Our analysis, consistent with the induced-charge electrokinetic, aptly discusses the effect of gate potential on the formation of vortices of disparate scales in a nanofluidic channel. The nanochannel considered here is connected with reservoirs at its ends, while a pair of dielectric gate electrodes is also embedded on the outer layer of the channel wall. In this endeavor, we establish that a suitable modulation of the dielectric polarization and inherent surface charge of the channel wall leads to the development of pair of “parent–sister” vortices in the flow field alongside yields a net flow in the channel, as well a unique fluidic functionality achieved at small scale is reported here for the first time. Moreover, we identify for the first time that the critical value of surface charge density (“critical-sigma,” i.e., σc) for two different typical heights of the nanofluidic channel, leading to the formation of maximum strength and size vortices by ceasing the net throughput. Also, we establish a critical range of surface charge density for a window of an arbitrary dimension of the dielectric gate electrode—a range for which optimum vortices are generated in the pathway, simultaneously producing adequate net flow through the channel. Under the present modeling configuration, we obtain that |σc|∼O(1 mC/m2) for a 1 μm long nanochannel having embedded quartz layer gate electrodes with gate potential |Vg|∼O(1 V). We believe that critical-sigma would be a crucial parameter for the design and fabrication of state-of-the-art nanodevices/nanosystems intended for augmented fluidic functionalities, for example, efficient solute mixing.

The Effect of Selected Flavonoids and Lipoic Acid on Natural and Model Cell Membranes: Langmuir and Microelectrophoretic Methods.

The influence of kaempferol (K), myricetin (M) and lipoic acid (LA) on the properties of natural erythrocytes, isolated from animal blood and biological membrane models (monolayers and liposomes) made of phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (CHOL), and sphingomyelin (SM), CHOL in a ratio of 10:9, was investigated. The Langmuir method, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and microelectrophoresis were used. The presented results showed that modification of liposomes with kaempferol, myricetin and lipoic acid caused changes in the surface charge density and the isoelectric point value. Comparing the tested systems, several conclusions were made. (1) The isoelectric point for the DPPC:Chol:M (~2.2) had lower pH values compared to lipoic acid (pH~2.5) and kaempferol (pH~2.6). (2) The isoelectric point for the SM-Chol with myricetin (~3.0) had lower pH values compared to kaempferol (pH~3.4) and lipoic acid (pH~4.7). (3) The surface charge density values for the DPPC:Chol:M system in the range of pH 2-9 showed values from 0.2 to -2.5 × 10-2 C m-2. Meanwhile, for the DPPC:Chol:K and DPPC:Chol:LA systems, these values were higher at pH~2 (0.7 × 10-2 C m-2 and 0.8 × 10-2 C m-2) and lower at pH~9 (-2.1 × 10-2 C m-2 and -1.8 × 10-2 C m-2), respectively. (4) The surface charge density values for the SM:Chol:M system in the range of pH 2-9 showed values from 0.5 to -2.3 × 10-2 C m-2. Meanwhile, for the DPPC:Chol:K and DPPC:Chol:LA systems, these values were higher at pH~2 (0.8 × 10-2 C m-2), and lower at pH~9 (-1.0 × 10-2 C m-2 and -1.8 × 10-2 C m-2), respectively. (5) The surface charge density values for the erythrocytes with myricetin in the range of pH 2-9 showed values from 1.0 to -1.8 × 10-2 C m-2. Meanwhile, for the erythrocytes:K and erythrocytes:LA systems, these values, at pH~2, were 1.3 × 10-2 C m-2 and 0.8 × 10-2 C m-2 and, at pH~9, -1.7 × 10-2 C m-2 and -1.0 × 10-2 C m-2, respectively.

Interactions between Phosphatidylcholine and Kaempferol or Myristicin: Langmuir Monolayers and Microelectrophoretic Studies.

Flavonoid compounds are known for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Therefore, they can influence membrane properties that interest us, modifying both their structure and functions. We used kaempferol (K) and myricetin (M) as representatives of this group. We investigated the influence of the abovementioned compounds on model cell membranes’ properties (i.e., Langmuir monolayers and liposomes). The basic research methods used in these studies were the Langmuir method with Brewster angle microscopy and microelectrophoresis. The π–A isotherms were registered for the pure components and mixtures of these compounds with phosphatidylcholine (PC) in appropriate volume ratios. Using mathematical equations, we established that kaempferol, myricetin, and the lipids formed complexes at 1:1 ratios. We derived the parameters characterizing the formed complexes, i.e., the surfaces occupied by the complexes and the stability constants of the formed complexes. Using the microelectrophoretic method, we determined the dependence of the lipid membranes’ surface charge density as a function of the pH (in the range of 2 to 10) of the electrolyte solution. The presented results indicate that the PC membrane’s modification with kaempferol or myricetin affected changes in the surface charge density and isoelectric point values.

Experimental and Theoretical Approaches to Describing Interactions in Natural Cell Membranes Occurring as a Result of Fatal Alcohol Poisoning.

We propose herein a theoretical model describing the effect of fatal ethanol poisoning on the equilibria between cell membranes and the surrounding ions. Using this model, we determined the parameters characterizing the interaction between the electrolyte solution’s ions and the functional groups on the blood cells’ surface. Via the application of mathematical equations, we calculated the total surface concentrations of the acidic and basic groups, cA and cB, and their association constants with solution ions, KAH and KBOH. Using the determined parameters and mathematical equations’ values, we calculated the theoretical surface charge density values. We verified the proposed model by comparing these values with experimental data, which were selected based on measurements of the electrophoretic mobility of erythrocyte and thrombocyte membranes. Compatibility of the experimental and theoretical surface charge density values was observed in the range of pH 2–8, while deviations were observed at higher pH values.

Effect of Selected Anionic and Cationic Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System on Electrical Properties of Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes: Experiment and Theory.

Interactions between phospholipid membranes and selected drugs affecting the central nervous system (CNS) were investigated. Small, unilamellar liposomes were used as biomimetic cell membrane models. Microelectrophoretic experiments on two-component liposomes were performed using the electrophoretic light scattering technique (ELS). The effect of both positively (perphenazine, PF) and negatively (barbituric acid, BA) charged drugs on zwitterionic L-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes were analyzed. Experimental membrane surface charge density (δ) data were determined as a function of pH. Quantitative descriptions of the adsorption equilibria formed due to the binding of solution ions to analyzed two-component membranes are presented. Binding constants of the solution ions with perphenazine and barbituric acid-modified membranes were determined. The results of our research show that both charged drugs change surface charge density values of phosphatidylcholine membranes. It can be concluded that perphenazine and barbituric acid are located near the membrane surface, interacting electrostatically with phosphatidylcholine polar heads.

РЕШЕНИЕ ОБРАТНОЙ ЗАДАЧИ НАХОЖДЕНИЯ ПОВЕРХНОСТНОЙ ПЛОТНОСТИ ЗАРЯДА ПО ИЗВЕСТНОМУ ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКОМУ ПОТЕНЦИАЛУ СРЕДСТВАМИ COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS

Relevance Polymer materials capable of electric charge accumulation on their surface and in volume have wide application in a great number of applied problems of electrophysics and high-voltage engineering due to their excellent dielectric property. This property can be both an advantage (in electret manufacture), and a disadvantage (when using polymers as an isolating medium). Fundamentally important here is the need to characterize and control the degree of charge using the value of surface charge density which, however, can be determined indirectly through the electric potential only. When measuring the potential using a capacitive probe, difficulties arise in solving an inverse problem of converting the potential into surface charge density, since the relationship between these values largely depends on the geometry of the charged body and the capacitive probe. An effective and universal conversion method will greatly simplify the measurement of the surface charge density that will be helpful in practical tasks of electrical technology and operation of high-voltage equipment with elements made of polymer materials. Aim of research Aim of the research is to develop a technique for restoring surface charge density distribution according to a given measured distribution of electric potential created by the surface charge; give recommendations on how to achieve an optimal balance between accuracy and labor intensity of numerical calculations. Methods The problem is solved using numerical modeling in finite element method based software Comsol Multiphysics. With the help of the created 3D model containing the reproduced design of the capacitive probe and the charged examined material, the principle of the weight coefficients matrix formation is explained, through which the relationship between a discrete set of measured potentials and the unknown distribution of the surface charge density is subsequently established. Results An effective method has been developed to recalculate the known distribution of the electric potential from a charged surface into its surface charge density. The principle of constructing and setting the boundary conditions in the 3D model required for recalculation is shown. On the example of one given distribution of electric potential, the high efficiency of the method for obtaining the distribution of the charge density was shown. It has been established that the accuracy of the method increases with a finer partition of the charged surface into elementary charged areas. Recommendations are given on the use of methods for solving the arising systems of linear algebraic equations. It was also shown how to simplify the technique used in the presence of an axisymmetric distribution of the charge density.

Monitoring of the Surface Charge Density Changes of Human Glioblastoma Cell Membranes upon Cinnamic and Ferulic Acids Treatment.

Cinnamic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) are naturally occurring phenolic acids claimed to exert beneficial effects against disorders related to oxidative stress, including cancer. One such malignancy that still remains a therapeutic challenge mainly due to its heterogeneity and inaccessibility to therapeutic agents is Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here, the influence of CA and FA on the surface charge density of human GBM cell line LN-229 was studied using the electrophoretic light scattering technique. Also, the cytotoxicity of both phenolic acids was determined by metabolic activity-assessing tetrazolium test (MTT) analysis after exposure to CA and FA for 24 h and 48 h. Results showed that both compounds reduced cell viability of LN-229 cells, with more pronounced effect evoked by CA as reflected in IC50 values. Further analyses demonstrated that, after treatment with both phenolic acids, the negative charge of membranes decreased at high pH values and the positive charge of the membranes increased at low pH values compared to the data obtained for untreated cells. Afterward, a four-equilibrium model was applied to estimate the total surface concentrations of both acidic and basic functional groups and their association constants with solution ions in order to calculate theoretical values of membrane surface charge densities. Then, the theoretical data were compared to the experimental data in order to verify the mathematical model. As such, our results indicate that application of electrochemical methods to determine specific drug–membrane interactions might be crucial for predicting their pharmacological activity and bioavailability.

An analysis on electrophoretic mobility of hydrophobic polystyrene particles with low surface charge density: effect of hydrodynamic slip

The electrophoretic mobility of hydrophobic polystyrene particles in aqueous monovalent electrolyte solutions is analyzed using standard electrokinetic equations with a hydrodynamic boundary condition called the Navier slip condition, in which a fictitious slip length is a parameter for a slip velocity, at the particle surface. The standard electrokinetic equations underestimate the mobility of polystyrene particles bearing lower surface charge density when using the values of surface charge density from titration and a no-slip boundary condition. The introduction of the slip length of a few nanometer increases the magnitude of electrophoretic mobility and leads to the agreement between experimental mobility and theoretical mobility. The slip length increases with increasing the distance between chargeable groups on the particle surface. This result indicates the increase in hydrophobicity for the surface of polystyrene particle with the lower number of chargeable sites.

Coalescence Conditions for Bulk Nanobubbles

The coalescence of two nanobubbles with substantially different radii is considered. Studies of this problem have practical significance, because coalescence is an undesirable process (the nanobubbles lose their unique properties after enlargement). An energy-based approach is used with a simplified model of charged nanobubbles to demonstrate that bulk nanobubble coalescence can take place at specific values of surface charge density, concentration, and radius ratio, in contrast to the case of surface nanobubbles.

Equilibria in DPPC-Diosgenin and DPPC-Diosgenin Acetate Bilayer Lipid Membranes: Interfacial Tension and Microelectrophoretic Studies

Interactions between components of model lipid membranes (spherical lipid bilayers and liposomes) are investigated here. Parameters characterizing equilibria in the 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)-diosgenin (Dio) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)-diosgenin acetate (DAc) membrane systems have been determined. The interfacial tension measurement of spherical lipid bilayers was based on the Young-Laplace’s equation using a homemade computer-controlled device. We assume a 1:1 complex in the DPPC-Dio and DPPC-DAc membrane systems. The parameters A 3 − 1 , the surface concentration of lipid membranes formed from these complexes, γ 3 , the interfacial tension of such membranes, and, K, the constant stability of these complexes were calculated. Microelectrophoresis was used for examinations of the surface charge density of lipid membranes. The values were obtained here from electrophoretic mobility data applying Smoluchowsky’s equation. The effect of pH (pH ranged of 2 to 10) on the electrolyte solution and the compositions of the membranes was analyzed. The obtained results indicate that the modification of DPPC membranes with both Dio and DAc causes changes in surface charge density values and shifts of the isoelectric point.

Simulation of field effect in porous silicon nanostructures

The peculiarities of field effect in porous silicon with a cylindrical pore shape have been theoretically studied. It has been established that the Debye screening length decreases with increasing surface curvature. The spatial distribution of the potential was obtained by computer simulation of the nonlinear Poisson’s equation. The coordinate dependences of the electrostatic potential were analyzed for various values of surface charge density. It has been shown that the redistribution of charge carriers caused by the field effect can lead to the inversion of the conductivity type of the porous semiconductor. The inversion depth depends on the surface charge density and pore radius. The features of the influence of surface charge on the change in conductivity of the porous silicon have been studied.

Условия коалесценции объемных нанопузырьков

The paper considers the coalescence of two bulk nanobubbles with significantly different radii. The study of this issue is of practical importance,since coalescence is an undesirable process: nanobubbles lose their unique properties as they grow larger. In a simplified model of charged nanobubbles based on the energy approach, it is shown that, in contrast to surface nanobubbles , for bulk nanobubbles coalescence can occur at certain values of surface charge density, concentration , and radius ratio.

Theoretical Considerations and the Microelectrophoresis Experiment on the Influence of Selected Chaotropic Anions on Phosphatidylcholine Membrane Surface Charge Density.

Influence of sodium salts of selected chaotropic anions from the Hofmeister series (NaCl, NaBr, NaNO3, NaI) on the surface charge density of phosphatidylcholine membranes was studied. Small unilamellar lipid vesicles were used as a model system in the investigations. The theoretical and experimental approach to the interactions between inorganic anions and phosphatidylcholine membranes is presented. Experimental membrane surface charge densities data were determined as a function of pH of the aqueous electrolytes using microelectrophoresis method. The quantitative description of the interactions between zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine membrane and monovalent anions is presented. The equilibria constants of the binding of solution ions onto phospholipid surface were calculated. Knowledge of these parameters was essential to determine the theoretical membrane surface charge density values. The theoretical data were compared to the experimental ones in order to verify the mathematical model. Both approaches indicate that the anion-phosphatidylcholine membrane interaction increases with the size of the anion. The adsorption of chaotropic anions to membranes was found to follow the Hofmeister series I− > NO3− > Br− > Cl−.

On the Colloidal Stability of Nitrogen-Rich Carbon Nanodots Aqueous Dispersions

The present survey reports on the colloidal stability of aqueous dispersions of nitrogen-rich carbon nanodots (N-CDs). The N-CDs were synthesized by thermally induced decomposition of organic precursors and present an inner core constituted of a β - C 3 N 4 crystalline structure surrounded by a surface shell containing a variety of polar functional groups. N-CDs size and structure were checked by combined analysis of XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) measurements. FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) experiments revealed the presence of carboxyl and amide groups on N-CDs surface. Towards a better understanding of the relation between colloidal stability and surface charge development, zetametry experiments were applied in N-CDs dispersions at different pHs and constant ionic strength. The increase of the absolute values of zeta potential with the alkalinization of the dispersion medium is consistent with the deprotonation of carboxyl groups on N-CDs surface, which agrees with the macroscopic visual observations of long-term colloidal stability at pH 12. The saturation value of N-CDs surface charge density was evaluated by means of potentiometric-conductometric titrations. The difference between carboxyl-related surface charge and the one determined by zeta potential measurements point to the presence of oxidized nitrogen functionalities onto the N-CDs surface in addition to carboxyl groups. These novel results shed light on the electrostatic repulsion mechanism that allows for the remarkable colloidal stability of N-CDs dispersions.

The modulating effect of lipid bilayer/p-coumaric acid interactions on electrical properties of model lipid membranes and human glioblastoma cells

Biological membranes are one of the most important elements of living cells determining their permeability to the active compounds. Still, little is known about the drug-membrane interactions in terms of pharmacological properties of potential drugs. Chemoprevention based on natural compounds is becoming a strong trend in modern oncopharmacology, and p-coumaric acid (p-CoA) is one such compound with tentative anticancer activity. The microelectrophoretic mobility measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were applied to study the effects of p-CoA on electrical properties of liposomes, spherical bilayers, and human glioblastoma cell membranes. Our results demonstrated that after treatment with p-CoA, the surface charge of LBC3, LN-229 and LN-18 cell lines was significantly changed in alkaline pH solutions, but not in acidic pH solutions. In contrast, no changes in surface charge density values were registered for phosphatidylethanolamine liposomal membranes and A172 cell membranes after p-CoA treatment. The impedance data showed an increase in values of both the electrical capacitance and the electrical resistance, indicating that p-CoA can be partially inserted into the phosphatidylcholine bilayers. The MTT assay showed cell line-dependent cytotoxic effect of p-CoA. Further molecular analyses revealed the ATP depletion and gene transcription modulation, which might indicate organelle membrane-crossing potential of p-CoA. These results suggest, that changes in surface charge of membranes of living cells not only might be potential predictor of membrane permeability, but also indicate differential composition of cell membranes in various cell lines. Thus further multidirectional analyses are required to implement electrochemical methods as standard testing procedures during drug development process.