Raman scattering of molecules adsorbed on the surface of TiO(2) nanoparticles was investigated. We find strong enhancement of Raman scattering in hybrid composites that exhibit charge transfer absorption with TiO(2) nanoparticles. An enhancement factor up to approximately 10(3) was observed in the solutions containing TiO(2) nanoparticles and biomolecules, including the important class of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and dopac (3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid). Only selected vibrations are enhanced, indicating molecular specificity due to distinct binding and orientation of the biomolecules coupled to the TiO(2) surface. All enhanced modes are associated with the asymmetric vibrations of attached molecules that lower the symmetry of the charge transfer complex. The intensity and the energy of selected vibrations are dependent on the size and shape of nanoparticle support. Moreover, we show that localization of the charge in quantized nanoparticles (2 nm), demonstrated as the blue shift of particle absorption, diminishes SERS enhancement. Importantly, the smallest concentration of adsorbed molecules shows the largest Raman enhancements suggesting the possibility for high sensitivity of this system in the detection of biomolecules that form a charge transfer complex with metal oxide nanoparticles. The wavelength-dependent properties of a hybrid composite suggest a Raman resonant state. Adsorbed molecules that do not show a charge transfer complex show weak enhancements probably due to the dielectric cavity effect.

Nanoparticles rapidly interact with the proteins present in biological fluids, such as blood. The proteins that are adsorbed onto the surface potentially dictate the biokinetics of the nanomaterials and their fate in vivo. Using nanoparticles with different sizes and surface characteristics, studies have reported the effects of physicochemical properties on the composition of adsorbed plasma proteins. However, to date, few studies have been conducted focusing on the nanoparticles that are commonly exposed to the general public, such as the metal oxides. Using previously established ultracentrifugation approaches, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, the current study investigated the binding of human plasma proteins to commercially available titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles. We found that, despite these particles having similar surface charges in buffer, they bound different plasma proteins. For TiO2, the shape of the nanoparticles was also an important determinant of protein binding. Agglomeration in water was observed for all of the nanoparticles and both TiO2 and ZnO further agglomerated in biological media. This led to an increase in the amount and number of different proteins bound to these nanoparticles. Proteins with important biological functions were identified, including immunoglobulins, lipoproteins, acute-phase proteins and proteins involved in complement pathways and coagulation. These results provide important insights into which human plasma proteins bind to particular metal oxide nanoparticles. Because protein absorption to nanoparticles may determine their interaction with cells and tissues in vivo, understanding how and why plasma proteins are adsorbed to these particles may be important for understanding their biological responses.

While plasma proteins can influence the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, the adsorption of protein to the surface of nanomaterials can also alter the structure and function of the protein. Here, we show that plasma proteins form a hard corona around synthetic layered silicate nanoparticles (LSN) and that one of the principle proteins is serum albumin. The protein corona was required for recognition of the nanoparticles by scavenger receptors, a major receptor family associated with the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Albumin alone could direct nanoparticle uptake by human macrophages, which involved class A but not class B scavenger receptors. Upon binding to LSN, albumin unfolded to reveal a cryptic epitope that could also be exposed by heat denaturation. This work provides an understanding of how albumin, and possibly other proteins, can promote nanomaterial recognition by the MPS without albumin requiring chemical modification for scavenger receptor recognition. These findings also demonstrate an additional function for albumin in vivo.

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A comprehensive spectroscopic analysis consisting of Raman, infrared (IR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was undertaken on two forms of calcium acetate with differing degrees of hydration. A monohydrate (Ca(CH 3 COO) 2 .H 2 O) and half-hydrate (Ca(CH 3 COO) 2 .0.5H 2 O) species were analysed. Assignments of vibrational bands due to the acetate anion have been made in all three forms of spectroscopy. Thermal analysis of the mineral was undertaken to follow its decomposition under a nitrogen atmosphere. Three major mass loss steps at ~120, 400 and 600 °C were revealed. These mass losses correspond very well to firstly, the loss of co-ordinated water molecules, and then the loss of water from the acetate anion, followed by finally the loss of carbon dioxide from the carbonate mineral to form a stable calcium oxide.

Hydrotalcites with phosphate in the interlayer were prepared at different pH values. At pH >11.0 (PO 4 ) 3− was the intercalated ionic species, whereas at pH < 11.0 a mixture of (PO 4 ) 3− and (HPO 4 ) 2− ions was intercalated. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that the hydrotalcite formed at pH 9.5 is poorly diffracting with a d-spacing of 11.9Å; whereas the d(003) spacing for the phosphate interlayered hydrotalcite formed at pH 11.9 and 12.5 was 8.0 and 7.9Å respectively. The addition of a thermally activated ZnAl-HT to a phosphate solution resulted in the uptake of the phosphate and the reformation of the hydrotalcite. Raman spectroscopy of the phosphate interlayered hydrotalcites shows that the interlayered anion is pH dependent and only above pH 11.9 is the orthophosphate anion intercalated. At lower pH, the monohydrogen phosphate anion is intercalated. Raman spectroscopy shows that upon addition of the thermally activated hydrotalcite to an aqueous phosphate solution, results in the uptake of phosphate anion from the solution.

Raman microscopy has been used to characterize the interlayer anions in synthesized hydrotalcites of formula Mg 6 Al 2 (OH) 16 (XO 4 )·4H 2 O, where X is S, Mo or Cr. The Raman spectrum shows that both the chromate and molybdate anions are not polymerized in the hydrotalcite interlayer. This lack of polymerization is attributed to the effect of pH during synthesis. A model of bonding is proposed for the interlayer anions based upon the observation of two symmetric stretching modes and symmetry lowering of the chromate, molybdate and sulphate anions. Two types of anions are present, hydrated and hydroxyl surface-bonded.

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