engleski

Marine gel phase: network formation and interaction with nanoparticles

The gel formation in aqueous solutions such as seawater is a complex process that depends on biopolymer chemical structure, nature of co- and counter ions, polymer concentration and temperature. Microscopic (TEM, AFM) and NMR studies revealed that fibrillar acyl heteropolysaccharides are major constituents of naturally occurring marine high molecular weight dissolved organic matter [1, 2]. These polysaccharides stand out by their supramolecular organization and gelling capacity due to hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions [2] and are directly related to their function in marine ecosystem [3]. Here, we used force spectroscopy to quantify the intra- and intermolecular forces within the marine gel network. Even though marine biopolymers are complex naturally occurring materials, careful experimentation using high-resolution AFM imaging and force spectroscopy revealed reproducible and distinct mechanical responses. These mechanical signatures depend on the level of association between the fibrils and the topology of the gel network itself. To reveal the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) in complex matrices like marine gel phase is a challenging task [4]. By high-resolution AFM imaging, the incorporation of NPs into the marine gel matrix was identified [5]. This nanospecific interaction could have significant environmental implications. References [1] L. I. Aluwihare, and D. J. Repeta, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 186 (1999) 105-117. [2] T. Mišić Radić, V. Svetličić, V. Žutić and B. Boulgaropoulos, J. Mol. Recognit. 24 (2011) 397– 405. [3] P. Verdugo, Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. 4 (2012) 375– 400. [4] A. Quigg, W. C. Chin, C.S. Chen, S. Zhang, Y. Jiang, A.J. Miao, K.A. Schwehr, X. Chen, and P.H. Santschi, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 1 (2013) 686– 702.

marine gel; polysaccharides; nanoparticles; AFM

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