Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 361-380).

<p>Immobilization of different bio- and organic molecules on solid supports is fundamental within many areas of science. Sometimes, it is desirable to obtain a directed orientation of the molecule in the immobilized state. In this thesis, the copper (I) catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, referred to as a “click chemistry” reaction, was explored as a means to perform directed immobilization of small molecule ligands on gold surfaces. The aim was to synthesize alkyne- and azide-terminated alkanethiols that would form well-organized self assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold from the commercially available substances orthoethylene glycol and bromo alkanoic acid. N-(23-azido-3,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxatricosyl)-n-mercaptododekanamide/hexadecaneamide (n = 12, 16) were successfully synthesized and allowed to form SAMs of different compositions to study how the differences in density of the functional groups on the surface would influence the structure of the monolayer and the click chemistry reaction. The surfaces were characterized by different optical methods: ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). The click reaction was found to proceed at very high yields on all investigated surfaces. Finally, the biomolecular interaction between a ligand immobilized by click chemistry on the gold surfaces and a model protein (bovine carbonic anhydrase) was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance using a Biacore system.</p>

<p>Coordination compounds of europium and titanium with oxide, ethoxide (OCH₂CH₃), <em>iso</em>-propoxide (OCH(CH₃)₂) and <em>tert</em>-butoxide (OC(CH₃)₃) ligands have been studied. These belong to the general class of oxo-alkoxides, M<em>_x</em>O<em>_y</em>(OR)<em>_z</em>, with alkoxide ligands (OR) containing an organic, aliphatic part R. The R group can be systematically varied, permitting the investigation of the influence of electronic and steric effects on the coordination of metal and oxygen atoms. Their tendency towards hydrolysis and formation of metal-oxygen-metal bridges also makes (oxo)alkoxides interesting as precursors in liquid solution-based or gas phase-based synthesis of many technologically important materials.</p><p>The structure of a termetallic oxo-alkoxide of formula Eu₃K₃TiO₂(OH/OCH₃)(OR)₁₁(HOR) (R = C(CH₃)₃) was revealed by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Its unusual structure features a facial oxygen-centered Eu₃K₃O octahedron sharing one face with an oxygen-centered K₃TiO tetrahedron. Six-coordination of oxygen by a combination of alkali metal and lanthanoid atoms is not uncommon for alkoxides, but the attachment of a tetrahedron to one of its faces provides a new dimension to the library of oxo-alkoxide structures. The structure was the result of incomplete metathesis in the synthesis attempt of europium-titanium oxo-<em>tert</em>-butoxides.</p><p>Eu₄TiO(OR)₁₄ and (Eu_0.5La_0.5)₄TiO(OR)₁₄ (R = CH(CH₃)₂) were found to be isostructural with previously published Ln₄TiO(OR)₁₄ structures (Ln=Sm, Tb_0.9Er_0.1). X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis absorption results show no site preference for La in either the solid state or hexane solution. The Ln₄TiO(OR)₁₄ structure forms part of an interesting group of Ln₄MO(OR)_{10+<em>z</em>}<em>­</em>(HOR)<em>_q</em> structures where M is another lanthanoid (Ln) or a di-, tri- or tetravalent heteroatom, giving either a square pyramidal or a trigonal bipyramid-like coordination of the central oxygen atom, depending on the chemistry and size of M.</p><p>Eu₂Ti₄O₂(OR)₁₈(HOR)₂ (R = CH₂CH₃) was deduced from IR data to have the same molecular structure as Er₂Ti₄O₂(OR)₁₈(HOR)₂. UV-Vis measurements are also in agreement with the presence of one symmetry-unique europium site in the molecular structure. Structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has yet to be performed.</p><p> </p><p>Coordination compounds of europium and titanium with oxide, ethoxide (OCH2CH3), isopropoxide(OCH(CH3)2) and tert-butoxide (OC(CH3)3) ligands have been studied. Thesebelong to the general class of oxo-alkoxides, MxOy(OR)z, with alkoxide ligands (OR)containing an organic, aliphatic part R. The R group can be systematically varied, permittingthe investigation of the influence of electronic and steric effects on the coordination of metaland oxygen atoms. Their tendency towards hydrolysis and formation of metal-oxygen-metalbridges also makes (oxo)alkoxides interesting as precursors in liquid solution-based or gasphase-based synthesis of many technologically important materials.The structure of a termetallic oxo-alkoxide of formula Eu3K3TiO2(OH/OCH3)(OR)11(HOR)(R = C(CH3)3) was revealed by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IRspectroscopy. Its unusual structure features a facial oxygen-centered Eu3K3O octahedronsharing one face with an oxygen-centered K3TiO tetrahedron. Six-coordination of oxygen bya combination of alkali metal and lanthanoid atoms is not uncommon for alkoxides, but theattachment of a tetrahedron to one of its faces provides a new dimension to the library of oxoalkoxidestructures. The structure was the result of incomplete metathesis in the synthesisattempt of europium-titanium oxo-tert-butoxides.Eu4TiO(OR)14 and (Eu0.5La0.5)4TiO(OR)14 (R = CH(CH3)2) were found to be isostructuralwith previously published Ln4TiO(OR)14 structures (Ln=Sm, Tb0.9Er0.1). X-ray diffraction andUV-Vis absorption results show no site preference for La in either the solid state or hexanesolution. The Ln4TiO(OR)14 structure forms part of an interesting group of Ln4MO(OR)10+z-(HOR)q structures where M is another lanthanoid (Ln) or a di-, tri- or tetravalent heteroatom,giving either a square pyramidal or a trigonal bipyramid-like coordination of the centraloxygen atom, depending on the chemistry and size of M.Eu2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2 (R = CH2CH3) was deduced from IR data to have the samemolecular structure as Er2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2. UV-Vis measurements are also in agreementwith the presence of one symmetry-unique europium site in the molecular structure. Structuredetermination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has yet to be performed.</p>

Electronic noses combine an array of cross-selective gas sensors with a pattern recognition engine to identify odors. Pattern recognition of multivariate gas sensor response is usually performed using existing statistical and chemometric techniques. An alternative solution involves developing novel algorithms inspired by information processing in the biological olfactory system. The objective of this dissertation is to develop a neuromorphic architecture for pattern recognition for a chemosensor array inspired by key signal processing mechanisms in the olfactory system. Our approach can be summarized as follows. First, a high-dimensional odor signal is generated from a chemical sensor array. Three approaches have been proposed to generate this combinatorial and high dimensional odor signal: temperature-modulation of a metal-oxide chemoresistor, a large population of optical microbead sensors, and infrared spectroscopy. The resulting high-dimensional odor signals are subject to dimensionality reduction using a self-organizing model of chemotopic convergence. This convergence transforms the initial combinatorial high-dimensional code into an organized spatial pattern (i.e., an odor image), which decouples odor identity from intensity. Two lateral inhibitory circuits subsequently process the highly overlapping odor images obtained after convergence. The first shunting lateral inhibition circuits perform gain control enabling identification of the odorant across a wide range of concentration. This shunting lateral inhibition is followed by an additive lateral inhibition circuit with center-surround connections. These circuits improve contrast between odor images leading to more sparse and orthogonal patterns than the one available at the input. The sharpened odor image is stored in a neurodynamic model of a cortex. Finally, anti-Hebbian/ Hebbian inhibitory feedback from the cortical circuits to the contrast enhancement circuits performs mixture segmentation and weaker odor/background suppression, respectively. We validate the models using experimental datasets and show our results are consistent with recent neurobiological findings.

Coordination compounds of europium and titanium with oxide, ethoxide (OCH2CH3), iso-propoxide (OCH(CH3)2) and tert-butoxide (OC(CH3)3) ligands have been studied. These belong to the general class of oxo-alkoxides, MxOy(OR)z, with alkoxide ligands (OR) containing an organic, aliphatic part R. The R group can be systematically varied, permitting the investigation of the influence of electronic and steric effects on the coordination of metal and oxygen atoms. Their tendency towards hydrolysis and formation of metal-oxygen-metal bridges also makes (oxo)alkoxides interesting as precursors in liquid solution-based or gas phase-based synthesis of many technologically important materials. The structure of a termetallic oxo-alkoxide of formula Eu3K3TiO2(OH/OCH3)(OR)11(HOR) (R = C(CH3)3) was revealed by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Its unusual structure features a facial oxygen-centered Eu3K3O octahedron sharing one face with an oxygen-centered K3TiO tetrahedron. Six-coordination of oxygen by a combination of alkali metal and lanthanoid atoms is not uncommon for alkoxides, but the attachment of a tetrahedron to one of its faces provides a new dimension to the library of oxo-alkoxide structures. The structure was the result of incomplete metathesis in the synthesis attempt of europium-titanium oxo-tert-butoxides. Eu4TiO(OR)14 and (Eu0.5La0.5)4TiO(OR)14 (R = CH(CH3)2) were found to be isostructural with previously published Ln4TiO(OR)14 structures (Ln=Sm, Tb0.9Er0.1). X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis absorption results show no site preference for La in either the solid state or hexane solution. The Ln4TiO(OR)14 structure forms part of an interesting group of Ln4MO(OR)10+z­(HOR)q structures where M is another lanthanoid (Ln) or a di-, tri- or tetravalent heteroatom, giving either a square pyramidal or a trigonal bipyramid-like coordination of the central oxygen atom, depending on the chemistry and size of M. Eu2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2 (R = CH2CH3) was deduced from IR data to have the same molecular structure as Er2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2. UV-Vis measurements are also in agreement with the presence of one symmetry-unique europium site in the molecular structure. Structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has yet to be performed.   Coordination compounds of europium and titanium with oxide, ethoxide (OCH2CH3), isopropoxide(OCH(CH3)2) and tert-butoxide (OC(CH3)3) ligands have been studied. Thesebelong to the general class of oxo-alkoxides, MxOy(OR)z, with alkoxide ligands (OR)containing an organic, aliphatic part R. The R group can be systematically varied, permittingthe investigation of the influence of electronic and steric effects on the coordination of metaland oxygen atoms. Their tendency towards hydrolysis and formation of metal-oxygen-metalbridges also makes (oxo)alkoxides interesting as precursors in liquid solution-based or gasphase-based synthesis of many technologically important materials.The structure of a termetallic oxo-alkoxide of formula Eu3K3TiO2(OH/OCH3)(OR)11(HOR)(R = C(CH3)3) was revealed by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IRspectroscopy. Its unusual structure features a facial oxygen-centered Eu3K3O octahedronsharing one face with an oxygen-centered K3TiO tetrahedron. Six-coordination of oxygen bya combination of alkali metal and lanthanoid atoms is not uncommon for alkoxides, but theattachment of a tetrahedron to one of its faces provides a new dimension to the library of oxoalkoxidestructures. The structure was the result of incomplete metathesis in the synthesisattempt of europium-titanium oxo-tert-butoxides.Eu4TiO(OR)14 and (Eu0.5La0.5)4TiO(OR)14 (R = CH(CH3)2) were found to be isostructuralwith previously published Ln4TiO(OR)14 structures (Ln=Sm, Tb0.9Er0.1). X-ray diffraction andUV-Vis absorption results show no site preference for La in either the solid state or hexanesolution. The Ln4TiO(OR)14 structure forms part of an interesting group of Ln4MO(OR)10+z-(HOR)q structures where M is another lanthanoid (Ln) or a di-, tri- or tetravalent heteroatom,giving either a square pyramidal or a trigonal bipyramid-like coordination of the centraloxygen atom, depending on the chemistry and size of M.Eu2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2 (R = CH2CH3) was deduced from IR data to have the samemolecular structure as Er2Ti4O2(OR)18(HOR)2. UV-Vis measurements are also in agreementwith the presence of one symmetry-unique europium site in the molecular structure. Structuredetermination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has yet to be performed.

Immobilization of different bio- and organic molecules on solid supports is fundamental within many areas of science. Sometimes, it is desirable to obtain a directed orientation of the molecule in the immobilized state. In this thesis, the copper (I) catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, referred to as a “click chemistry” reaction, was explored as a means to perform directed immobilization of small molecule ligands on gold surfaces. The aim was to synthesize alkyne- and azide-terminated alkanethiols that would form well-organized self assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold from the commercially available substances orthoethylene glycol and bromo alkanoic acid. N-(23-azido-3,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxatricosyl)-n-mercaptododekanamide/hexadecaneamide (n = 12, 16) were successfully synthesized and allowed to form SAMs of different compositions to study how the differences in density of the functional groups on the surface would influence the structure of the monolayer and the click chemistry reaction. The surfaces were characterized by different optical methods: ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). The click reaction was found to proceed at very high yields on all investigated surfaces. Finally, the biomolecular interaction between a ligand immobilized by click chemistry on the gold surfaces and a model protein (bovine carbonic anhydrase) was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance using a Biacore system.

The electronic structure of some transition metal compounds, specifically, Ca-doped LaMnO3, fundamental Mn oxides (MnO, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, and MnO2), and Fe-doped ZnO is studied using a combination of soft X-ray spectroscopy and atomic multiplet calculations. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) are used as experimental tools to probe the unoccupied and occupied partial density of electronic states,respectively.<p> Ca-doped LaMnO3 perovskites have attracted great attention due to their colossal magnetoresistance and a wide range of magnetic and structural transitions. The magnetic and charge transport properties of these perovskites are directly related with Mn 3d-occupancy or Mn-valency and therefore, an investigation of the Mn-valence at Ca-doped LaMnO3 system is important. In this system, the Mn-valency is generally considered as a mixture of Mn3+ and Mn4+. But my research suggests the presence of Mn2+ at the surface of Ca-doped LaMnO3 samples. It is observed that increasing Ca-doping decreases Mn2+ concentration, and conversely, increases Mn3+ concentration. High temperature annealing at 1000 °C in air leads to the full reduction of surface Mn2+. Mechanisms for these observations are proposed in this study.<p> Mn oxides (MnO, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, and MnO2) are often used as reference standards for determining the Mn-valency in Mn-related complex systems and therefore a detailed understanding of their electronic structure is necessary. The Mn L2,3 XAS and O K XAS are measured for the four Mn oxides consisting of three common Mn oxidation states (Mn2+ in MnO, Mn3+ in Mn2O3, mixture of Mn2+ and Mn3+ in Mn3O4, and Mn4+ in MnO2). A significant energy shift with a systematic trend is observed in measured Mn L2,3 and O K absorption edges. These energy shifts are identified as a characteristic shift for different Mn oxidation states. Mn L2,3 Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy is demonstrated as a powerful tool in describing low energy excitations, e.g. d-d excitations and charge-transfer excited states in Mn oxides. For the first time, a RIXS study of Mn2O3,Mn3O4, and MnO2 is accomplished. Atomic multiplet calculations are used to successfully reproduce the energy positions and intensity variations of d-d excitation peaks observed in the experiment, and thus to describe the experimental RIXS spectra.<p> Finally, the local electronic structure of Fe implanted ZnO samples, a useful diluted magnetic semiconductor for spintronics, is investigated to shed light on the existing debate about the origin of ferromagnetism in these materials. Fe L2,3 XAS reveals that doped Fe ions are present in both Fe2+ and Fe3+ valence states. A combined theoretical and experimental study shows that doped ions are incorporated into Zn-sites of ZnO in tetrahedral symmetry. Fe L3- RIXS measurements demonstrate that a high Fe-ion dose of 8 × 107 cm-2 causes formation of FeO clusters, while low dose samples exhibit more free carriers.

The objective of this research project was to establish a better understanding of the mechanism(s) and route(s) by which selenium (Se) may enter an aquatic ecosystem that has been receiving treated metal mine effluent from an upstream uranium milling operation. Synchrotron based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging, which require little sample pre-treatment, were employed to study the speciation and distribution of Se in complex sediment and benthic invertebrates samples collected from the field. Laboratory based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) provided quantitative Se concentrations. Samples were taken from Fox Lake and Unknown Lakes, downstream of the mill, and Yeoung Lake as a control. The variation in Se speciation as a function of depth in intact sediment cores may provide insight into the species of Se available to the sediment dwelling benthic invertebrate communities. Therefore, a custom sample holder was designed to facilitate analysis of intact sediment cores at cryogenic temperatures. Additionally, laboratory reared chironomids were water-exposed to various Se species, to compare their Se speciation and localization to chironomids collected in the field. The successful demonstration of the custom sample holder and viable use of synchrotron XAS and XRF in studying sediment and chironomid samples have revealed that biologically relevant Se forms were present in sediment at depths accessible by the benthic invertebrate community. These Se forms included selenomethionine-like and selenite species, and to a lesser degree elemental Se; an increased proportion of reduced Se species was observed as depth increased. Other elements measured concurrently with Se included As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, and Mn, providing an estimation of the redox boundary found both in Fox and Unknown Lake, as well as suggesting the presence of iron species that could aid in the reduction of Se. Field and laboratory reared chironomids showed similar Se species, and XRF imaging revealed the localization of Se in 4 distinct regions: head capsule, brain, salivary glands, and gut lining. Overall, the project has provided important insights into the interactions of Se with this aquatic ecosystem, which may have future applications in cold water systems with elevated Se concentrations.

A novel method by which to calculate the near edge X-rayabsorption fine structure region of the X-ray absorption spectrum has been derived and implemented. By means of damped coupled cluster theory at coupled cluster levels CCS, CC2, CCSD and CCSDR(3), the spectra of neon and methane have been investigated. Using methods incorprating double excitations, the important relaxation effects maybe taken into account by simultaneous excitation of the core electron and relaxation of other electrons. An asymmetric Lanczos-chain driven approach has been utilized as a means to partially resolve the excitation space given by the coupled cluster Jacobian. The K-edge of the systems have been considered, and relativistic effects are estimated with use of the Douglas--Kroll scalar relativistic Hamiltonian. Comparisons have been made to results obtained with the four-component static-exchange approach and ionization potentials obtained by the {Delta}SCF-method. The appropriate basis sets by which to describe the core and excited states have been been determined.  The addition of core-polarizing functions and diffuse or Rydberg functions is important for this description. Scalar relativistic effects accounts for an increase in excitation energies due to the contraction of the 1s-orbital, and this increase is seen to be 0.88 eV for neon. The coupled cluster hierachy shows a trend of convergence towards the experimental spectrum, with an 1s -&gt; 3p excitation energy for neon of an accuracy of 0.40 eV at a relativistic CCSDR(3) level of theory. Results obtained at the damped coupled cluster and STEX levels of theory, respectively, are seen to be in agreement, with a mere relative energy shift.

The electronic structure of some transition metal compounds, specifically, Ca-doped LaMnO3, fundamental Mn oxides (MnO, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, and MnO2), and Fe-doped ZnO is studied using a combination of soft X-ray spectroscopy and atomic multiplet calculations. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) are used as experimental tools to probe the unoccupied and occupied partial density of electronic states,respectively.<p> Ca-doped LaMnO3 perovskites have attracted great attention due to their colossal magnetoresistance and a wide range of magnetic and structural transitions. The magnetic and charge transport properties of these perovskites are directly related with Mn 3d-occupancy or Mn-valency and therefore, an investigation of the Mn-valence at Ca-doped LaMnO3 system is important. In this system, the Mn-valency is generally considered as a mixture of Mn3+ and Mn4+. But my research suggests the presence of Mn2+ at the surface of Ca-doped LaMnO3 samples. It is observed that increasing Ca-doping decreases Mn2+ concentration, and conversely, increases Mn3+ concentration. High temperature annealing at 1000 °C in air leads to the full reduction of surface Mn2+. Mechanisms for these observations are proposed in this study.<p> Mn oxides (MnO, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, and MnO2) are often used as reference standards for determining the Mn-valency in Mn-related complex systems and therefore a detailed understanding of their electronic structure is necessary. The Mn L2,3 XAS and O K XAS are measured for the four Mn oxides consisting of three common Mn oxidation states (Mn2+ in MnO, Mn3+ in Mn2O3, mixture of Mn2+ and Mn3+ in Mn3O4, and Mn4+ in MnO2). A significant energy shift with a systematic trend is observed in measured Mn L2,3 and O K absorption edges. These energy shifts are identified as a characteristic shift for different Mn oxidation states. Mn L2,3 Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy is demonstrated as a powerful tool in describing low energy excitations, e.g. d-d excitations and charge-transfer excited states in Mn oxides. For the first time, a RIXS study of Mn2O3,Mn3O4, and MnO2 is accomplished. Atomic multiplet calculations are used to successfully reproduce the energy positions and intensity variations of d-d excitation peaks observed in the experiment, and thus to describe the experimental RIXS spectra.<p> Finally, the local electronic structure of Fe implanted ZnO samples, a useful diluted magnetic semiconductor for spintronics, is investigated to shed light on the existing debate about the origin of ferromagnetism in these materials. Fe L2,3 XAS reveals that doped Fe ions are present in both Fe2+ and Fe3+ valence states. A combined theoretical and experimental study shows that doped ions are incorporated into Zn-sites of ZnO in tetrahedral symmetry. Fe L3- RIXS measurements demonstrate that a high Fe-ion dose of 8 × 107 cm-2 causes formation of FeO clusters, while low dose samples exhibit more free carriers.