Monolayers of di-6A,6B-deoxy-6-(4-pyridylmethyl)amino-gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD-(py)2) have been formed on polycrystalline platinum electrodes and investigated using electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The behavior of self-assembled monolayers of (gamma-CD-(py)2) alone, (gamma-CD-(py)2) backfilled with 1-nonanethiol, and 1-nonanethiol are reported. The potential dependence of the capacitance indicates that the film capacitance is higher for the backfilled CD layers than for 1-nonanethiol layers, most likely due to ion flux through the CD cavity. SERS spectra of the backfilled layer exhibit features associated with both pyridine-functionalized CD and alkane moieties. Investigations using [Fe(CN)6]4- as a solution-phase probe indicate that the backfilled CD-alkane thiol layer exhibits enhanced blocking properties compared to gamma-CD-(py)2 films alone. Complete blocking was achieved by a combination of backfilling and insertion of a high-affinity guest 1-adamantylamine into the cavity. Significantly, an electroactive guest with high affinity for gamma-CD, [Co(biptpy)2]2+, does not exhibit a redox response at the gamma-CD-(py)2 layer but molecular recognition is turned on by backfilling the CD layer with 1-nonanethiol molecules. This switching on of the electrochemical activity suggests that the CD hosts are initially inaccessible but reorientate upon backfilling, exposing the CD opening to solution and permitting a supramolecular host-guest complex to form. The binding of [Co(biptpy)2]2+ to gamma-CD in the backfilled monolayer depends on the bulk concentration of guest and is modeled by the Langmuir isotherm, yielding an association constant for the Co2+ state of 1.45 +/- 0.46 x 105 M-1 and a limiting surface coverage 1.49 +/- 0.25 x 10-11 mol cm-2. The surface coverage of the divalent state is higher than the trivalent state, reflecting the dynamic nature of the inclusion.

Selective chemical modification of a gold nano-cavity array is achieved via nanoscale templating to create fibrinogen patterned cavities with a polyethylene glycol modified top surface. Application of a reducing potential to the array readily releases the protein from the cavities.

The unusual uranyl peroxide studtite, [UO(2)(η(2)-O(2))(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O, is a phase alteration product of spent nuclear fuel and has been characterized by solid-state cyclic voltammetry. The voltammogram exhibits two reduction waves that have been assigned to the U(VI/V) redox couple at -0.74 V and to the U(V/IV) redox couple at -1.10 V. This potential shows some dependence upon the identity of the cation of the supporting electrolyte, where cations with larger ionic radii exhibit more cathodic reduction potentials. Raman spectroelectrochemistry indicated that exhaustive reduction at either potential result in a product that does not contain peroxide linkers and is likely to be UO(2). On the basis of the reduction potentials, the unusual behavior of neptunium in the presence of studtite can be rationalized. Furthermore, the oxidation of other species relevant to the long-term storage of nuclear fuel, namely, iodine and iodide, has been explored. The phase altered product should therefore be considered as electrochemically noninnocent. Radiotracer studies with (241)Am show that it does not interact with studtite so mobility will not be retarded in repositories. Finally, a large difference in band gap energies between studtite and its dehydrated congener metastudtite has been determined from the electronic absorption spectra.

The assembly of lipid bilayer membranes, using ultrasonic disruption of liposomes of L-α-Dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, across 820 nm diameter spherical cap gold cavity arrays is demonstrated.