Efficient selection of semiconducting SWCNTs of large diameter range (0.8-1.6 nm) on demand is demonstrated. Different diameters of SWCNT are systematically selected by tuning the alkyl side-chain lengths of the wrapping polymers of similar backbone. The exceptional quality and high concentration of the SWCNTs is validated by the outstanding optical properties and the highly performing random network ambipolar field-effect transistors.

The electronic structure of nitrogen-containing diamondlike films prepared by sputtering was determined by photoelectron spectroscopy. The N 1s core-level spectra are constituted by two peaks at 400.5 and 398.2 eV associated with substitutional N sp 2 in aromatic rings and N bonded to C sp 3 , respectively. On increasing N, the top of the valence band suffers profound changes. The new features are identified by a comparison of the experimental spectra with theoretically calculated density of states of nitrogen-containing graphite and C 3 N 4 structures. ͓S0163-1829͑98͒04004-1͔

We report on the photophysical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) suspensions in toluene solutions of poly[9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl](PFO). Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in the near-infrared and visible spectral regions are used to study the interaction of the dispersed SWNTs with the wrapped polymer. Molecular dynamics simulations of the PFO-SWNT hybrids in toluene were carried out to evaluate the energetics of different wrapping geometries. The simulated fluorescence spectra in the visible region were obtained by the quantum chemical ZINDO-CI method, using a sampling of structures obtained from the dynamics trajectories. The tested schemes consider polymer chains aligned along the nanotube axis, where chirality has a minimal effect, or forming helical structures, where a preference for high chiral angles is evidenced. Moreover, toluene affects the polymer structure favoring the helical conformation. Simulations show that the most stable hybrid system is the PFO-wrapped (8,6) nanotube, in agreement with the experimentally observed selectivity.

N-doped graphene can be used as a substrate for different molecules to effectively enhance their Raman scattering signal.

A series of randomly nitrogen-substituted carbon clusters in graphitelike structures, containing up to 96 carbon atoms, is theoretically investigated through semiemipirical pseudopotential techniques. The evolution of conformation and electronic structure is obtained as a function of nitrogen content. Results from semiempirical geometry optimizations reveal that the clusters are planar for nitrogen concentrations up to ͓N͔/͓C͔ϳ20%. Above this concentration, buckling develops in the clusters. One of the characteristics of these corrugated clusters is the presence of carbon dangling bonds. Chemical stabilization imposes that these structures evolve to either a three-dimensional, fully covalent carbon nitride network, or to molecular forms. Among the welldefined molecular structures that could develop in amorphous carbon nitride, we found nanotubules and a molecular cage of elemental compositions CN and C 3 N 4 , respectively.

We study a class of one-dimensional chains whose topology leads to flatbands in the electronic spectrum. Using the Hubbard model, we find that these materials should exhibit femmagnetic ordering for a half-filled band, in agreement with a theorem by Lieb. Away from half filling the system displays a very rich magnetic phase diagram. Possible experimental realizations are suggested.

Large-area Si-doped graphene (SiG) is controllably synthesized for the first time. A much-enhanced molecular-sensing performance is achieved when SiG is used as a probing surface. This will open up opportunities for developing high-performance sensors that are able to detect trace amounts of organic and fluorescent molecules. Furthermore, many fascinating properties predicted by theoretical calculations can be tested based on the as-synthesized SiG.

Typical 2-Cys Peroxiredoxins (2-Cys Prxs) reduce hydroperoxides with extraordinary rates due to an active site composed of a catalytic triad, containing a peroxidatic cysteine (CP), an Arg, and a Thr (or Ser). 2-Cys Prx are involved in processes such as cancer; neurodegeneration and host-pathogen interactions. During catalysis, 2-Cys Prxs switch between decamers and dimers. Analysis of 2-Cys Prx structures in the fully folded (but not locally unfolded) form revealed a highly conserved, non-conventional hydrogen bond (CH-π) between the catalytic triad Thr of a dimer with an aromatic residue of an adjacent dimer. In contrast, structures of 2-Cys Prxs with a Ser in place of the Thr do not display this CH-π bond. Chromatographic and structural data indicate that the Thr (but not Ser) destabilizes the decamer structure in the oxidized state probably through steric hindrance. As a general trend, mutations in a yeast 2-Cys Prx (Tsa1) favoring the dimeric state also displayed a decreased catalytic activity. Remarkably, yeast naturally contains Thr-Ser variants (Tsa1 and Tsa2, respectively) with distinct oligomeric stabilities in their disulfide states.