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RM Leblanc

Publications and source records attributed to RM Leblanc.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A Comparative Study of Enzymatically and Photochemically Polymerized Artificial Lignin Supramolecular Structures Using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Environmental scanning electron microscopy images of the self-assembled structures of enzymatically (DHP) and photochemically polymerized (PCP) artificial lignin are herein presented. Differences in the structural organization between DHP and PCP polymer at the supramolecular level were reported. Based on topological information, we proposed a hypothesis about possible new physiological roles of lignin in live plant cells and the ecological significance of possible in-vivo photochemical lignin polymerization. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

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PubMed2000

Visualization of artificial lignin supramolecular structures

In this paper we are presenting the results of our environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) investigation of the lignin model compound--enzymatically polymerized coniferyl alcohol, also known as dehydrogenate polymer (DHP). The goals of this study were to visualize the supramolecular organization of DHP polymer on various substrates, namely graphite, mica, and glass, and to explore the influence of substrate surface properties and associated collective phenomena on the lignin self-assembled supramolecular structure. Based on results obtained with ESEM, combined with previously published results based on scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, we looked at lignin structure ranging from a monomer on a fraction of nanometer scale to a large aggregate on a fraction of millimeter scale, therefore using six orders of magnitude range of size. Herein, we are presenting evidence that there are at least four different levels of the supramolecular structure of lignin, and that its supramolecular organization is well dependent on the substrate surface characteristics, such as hydrophobicity, delocalized orbitals, and surface-free energy.

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PubMed1999

Visualization of Surface Gelation Processes in a Doped Sol-Gel Glass.

Pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy has enabled depth-resolved, in situ measurements of the chemical changes that occur in a sol-gel process to be examined. By use of beta-carotene as a probe to determine the efficiency of heat transfer to the immediate molecular environment in thin and thick samples, separate surface and bulk gelation processes in a sol-gel material have been observed.

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PubMed1999

Surface Chemistry Studies of Photosystem II.

The monolayer systems of PS II membranes, PS II core complex particles, and the mixture of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) with PS II core complex particles were constructed by means of the Langmuir technique. The surface pressure and surface potential properties of these systems were analyzed. The apparent particle sizes were determined from surface pressure-area isotherms, which were 200 nm2 for PS II membranes and 320 nm2 for PS II core complex particles. The surface pressure isotherm analysis of the mixed monolayer of MGDG and PSII core complex particles shows that the mixed monolayer has good miscibility at all surface pressures. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

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PubMed1999

Study of the Conformational Changes of Chlorophyll a (Chl a) Colloids with the Atomic Force Microscope.

Atomic force microscopic (AFM) images of chlorophyll a (Chl a) colloids deposited onto mica and Au(111) present two different shapes. The colloids appear as clouds on mica and as large chains on Au(111). This difference in topography is attributed to different interactions between the colloids and the substrate. The real-time changes occurring during the electrodeposition of the colloids are also monitored. For an applied electric field intensity varying between 5 x 10(3) and 25 x 10(4) V/m, the colloids are opened and flattened relative to a deposition in the absence of an electric field and the drop method. However, when these films are exposed to ethanol vapors, disaggregation occurrs. These changes indicate that the association of Chl a dimers can form nanocrystals with large size distribution: 45-100 nm. Arrangement of nanocrystals in colloids is a characteristic feature of microcrystalline Chl a. The interaction between the colloids and H2O can also provoke aggregate dissociation. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

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PubMed1998

Chemical and Photochemical Dual Polymerization in a Mixed Langmuir Monolayer of Diacetylene Derivatives and Octadecyltrimethoxysilane.

A chemical-and-photochemical-induced dual polymerization at the air-water interface was performed for the first time, by using a ternary mixture of a octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS), 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PDA), and N-(11-O-alpha-d-mannopyranosyl-3,6,9-trioxa) undecyl 10,12-pentacosa-diynamide (PDTM). Different dual polymerization behaviors of the mixed monolayers of PDA/PDTM/C18TMS (7:1:8 molar ratio) at different subphase pH were monitored by surface pressure-area isotherms and UV-vis spectra. At pH 1, the C18TMS formed a long linear polymer network by strong intermolecular condensation. The PDA/PDTM was isolated to small domains by this network and can only be polymerized weakly upon UV irradiation. At pH 2.6, the weak condensation of C18TMS formed short linear polymers, which caused phase separation between C18TMS and PDA/PDTM. The strong photochemical polymerization of the PDA/PDTM rich domain was similar to the PDA/PDTM binary mixed monolayer. At pH 4.0, the partially hydrolyzed C18TMS was miscible with PDA/PDTM and slowed the polymerization process of PDA/PDTM upon UV irradiation. These results show geometry and kinetic controls of the PDA/PDTM polymer in 2D by using the C18TMS polymer network. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

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PubMed1997

Surface and Spectroscopic Properties of Acetylcholinesterase Monolayer at the Air/Water Interface

The behavior of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase was studied at the air/water interface. Surface pressure-area (pi-A) isotherms and UV-vis spectra recorded at different surface pressures were determined for different salt concentrations in the subphase. The ionic strength of the subphase does not influence the physical properties in consideration; however, the pH of the subphase has a great effect on its surface and optical properties. A subphase at pH 6.5 has shown that the enzyme is highly stable, based on the pi-A compression/decompression isotherms. No changes in the area per molecule were observed when the surface pressure was maintained constant at 16 mN/m for a period of 120 min. The long-term stability of acetylcholinesterase at the air/water interface was demonstrated for pH 6.5 and a salt concentration of 10(-2) M (KCl). The absorption spectra of the monolayer, measured directly at the air/water interface, are considered good evidence of the organization of the enzyme molecules. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

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