ANSTO :: Browsing by Author "Darwish, TA"

Browsing by Author "Darwish, TA"

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Advancements in the provision of deuterated lipids for neutron applications from the National Deuteration Facility
(Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Yepure, NR; Moir, M; Krause-Heuer, AM; Klenner, MA; Darwish, TA
Molecular deuteration significantly increases the options for structure-function investigations using neutron scattering and diffraction techniques. Chemical deuteration activities, where catalysed 1H/2H exchange is followed by custom chemical synthesis, have led to diverse neutron scattering and reflectometry studies previously hampered by the lack of appropriate scattering contrast in multi-component samples. Deuteration of phospholipids is a common practice to elucidate membrane structure, dynamics and function, by providing selective visualisation in neutron scattering. Although analogous deuterium? (2H) and hydrogen? containing (1H) molecules have similar physicochemical properties, these isotopes of hydrogen result in vastly different for neutron scattering signals. Over the past few years the National Deuteration Facility (ANSTO) has increased its synthetic capability to produce complex deuterated molecules including lipids and phospholipids. Such synthetically challenging molecules are perdeuterated phytantriol1, tail deuterated POPC, and perdeuterated POPC.2 Phytantriol is an interfacially-active lipid that is chemically robust, non-digestible and forms particles with internal bicontinuous cubic phase structures (cubosomes) when dispersed with non-ionic surfactants at physiological temperatures. The tail-deuterated POPC, perdeuterated POPC and tail-deuterated GMO isotopologues would also provide suitable contrast for many neutron experiments and so these have been also our synthetic targets. Recently neutron reflection was employed to investigate the impact of phospholipid saturation (POPC-d64) and presence of cholesterol in cell model membranes on LDL and HDL lipid exchange and removal processes.3 Neutron reflection data that distinguish the effect of phospholipid acyl chain saturation and the presence of cholesterol on the ability of lipoproteins to exchange lipids to/from model membrane will be presented.
ANSTO’s National Deuteration Facility: recent advancements and an overview on molecular deuteration capabilities for neutron applications
(Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Wilde, KL; Cagnes, MP; Duff, AP; Klenner, MA; Krause-Heuer, AM; Moir, M; Rekas, A; Russell, RA; Yepuri, NR; Darwish, TA
The National Deuteration Facility (NDF) at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) provides deuteration through both biological and chemical techniques for a diversity of molecules and applications and is the only facility of its type in the Southern Hemisphere with the specialised expertise and infrastructure for both biological and chemical molecular deuteration. Molecular deuteration of organic compounds and biomolecules significantly increases the options in complex structure function investigations using neutron scattering and reflectometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and other techniques. Deuteration (substitution of the naturally occurring hydrogen stable isotope deuterium (2H or D) for 1H (or H)) can provide contrast and improved resolution to assist investigations into the relationship between molecular structure and function of molecules of both biological and synthetic origin. By developing a suite of capabilities in both in vivo deuteration of biomolecules and chemical deuteration of small organic molecules, the NDF provides access to a broad range of deuterated molecules for research and industry. Variably deuterated proteins can be produced via recombinant expression in Escherichia coli and other microbial systems utilised to produce deuterated cellulose and cholesterol. By tailoring deuteration approaches with the ongoing development of chemical deuteration protocols for a broader range of molecular classes than available commercially, the NDF has increased the range of systems that can be investigated using deuterated molecules. Lipids, phospholipids (including head or tail or head/tail deuterated mono-unsaturated lipids such as POPC and DOPC), heterocyclics, aromatics, surfactants, ionic liquids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, sugars and match-out detergents have been deuterated. Common neutron applications include partially deuterated proteins for SANS experiments investigating multiprotein systems, neutron crystallography of perdeuterated proteins, neutron reflectometry of lipid bilayers systems and SANS using saturated lipid vesicles, or detergents amongst others. An overview and update on the NDF will be provided which will include details on the NDF User Program (e.g. information on the available modes of access), recent advancements in custom deuterated molecules available and brief highlights of deuterated molecule utilisation for neutron experiments at ANSTO’s Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS). © 2020 The Authors.
The Australian National Deuteration Facility for structure function applications using neutrons
(International Conference on Neutron Scattering, 2017-07-12) Darwish, TA; Yepuri, NR; Heuer, AK; Duff, AP; Wilde, KL; Holden, PJ
There have been limited global initiatives in the field of molecular deuteration where the majority of these programs focus on biological deuteration of proteins and lipids, while more complex deuterated small molecules haven’t been widely available to the neutron community. This has limited the experiments that can be performed, and formed a bottle-neck for advancing the applications of neutron scattering. In this paper we will discuss the recent advancements and the impact of deuteration on the research outcomes achieved by using deuterated molecules produced by the National Deuteration Facility of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Recent high-impact case studies in the fields of molecular electronics, structural biology, and biotechnology will be presented which reveal the exciting and diverse characterisation studies which are now available for the neutron community.
Behaviour of single transmembrane peptides during in meso crystallization from the contrast-matched lipidic cubic phase of monoolein
(Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2018-11-19) van't Hag, L; de Campo, L; Tran, N; Sokolova, AV; Trenker, R; Call, M; Garvey, CJ; Leung., A; Darwish, TA; Krause-Heuer, AM; Knott, RB; Meikle, T; Gras, S; Drummond, CJ; Mezzenga, R; Conn, C
In meso membrane protein crystallization within a lipidic mesophase has revolutionized the structural biology of integral membrane proteins (IMPs). High-resolution structures of these proteins are crucial to understanding fundamental cellular processes at a molecular level, and can lead to new and improved treatments for a wide range of diseases via rational drug design. However, overall success rates of the promising in meso crystallization technique remain low because of a fundamental lack of understanding about factors that promote crystal growth. In particular, to date, two decades from invention of the method, the protein-eye-view of the in meso crystallization mechanism had not been solved. We have investigated this for the first time using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Contrast-matching between the scattering of the lipid membrane formed by MO and the aqueous solution was used to isolate and track the scattering of single-transmembrane peptides during the growth of protein crystals in meso. No peptide enrichment was observed at the flat points of the diamond cubic QIID phase of MO in contrast to suggestions in several modeling studies. During in meso crystallization of the DAP12 peptide a decrease in form factor and a transient fluid lamellar Lα phase could be observed providing direct evidence for the proposed crystallization mechanism. Synthesis of fully deuterated MO was required for this purpose and scattering of this new material in various solvents and under a range of conditions will be described, specifically regarding the effect of the relative scattering length densities (SLD) of the headgroup, acyl chain and solvent, which can advance the use of neutron scattering with other self-assembly materials. © The Authors.
Cellulose dissolution in ionic liquid: ion binding revealed by neutron scattering
(ACS Publications, 2018-09-20) Raghuwanshi, VS; Cohen, Y; Garnier, GFG; Garvey, CJ; Russell, RA; Darwish, TA; Garnier, G
Dissolution of cellulose in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) ionic liquid (IL) was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with contrast variation. Cellulose and EMIMAc of different deuteration levels provide sufficient contrast in revealing the cellulose dissolution processes. Two experiments were performed: hydrogenated microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was dissolved in deuterated IL (IL-D14), and deuterated bacterial cellulose (DBC) was dissolved in hydrogenated IL (IL-H14). Contrary to the expectation of high contrast between MCC and IL-D14, a dramatic reduction of the measured intensity (scattering cross section) was observed, about 1/3 of the value predicted based on the scattering length density (SLD) difference. This is attributed to the tight binding of acetate ions to the cellulose chains, which reduces the SLD difference. Measurements using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) corroborate this effect by indicating increased contrast due to ion adsorption resulting in enhanced SLD difference. The experiments performed with DBC dissolution in IL-H14 suggest the presence of fractal aggregates of the dissolved cellulose, indicating lower solubility compared to the MCC. Contrast variation SANS measurements highlight tight ion binding of at least one acetate ion per anhydroglucose unit (AGU). EMIMAc is a successful cellulose solvent, as in addition to disrupting intermolecular hydrogen bonding, it imparts effective charge to the cellulose chains hindering their agglomeration in solution. © 2018 American Chemical Society
Characterizing the photoinduced switching process of a nitrospiropyran self-assembled monolayer using in situ sum frequency generation spectroscopy
(American Chemical Society, 2012-10-02) Darwish, TA; Tong, YJ; James, M; Hanley, TL; Peng, QL; Ye, S
Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy is employed to investigate the reversible, photoinduced spiro -> merocyanine isomerization of a self-assembled monolayer, the result of attachment of nitrospiropyran to a gold surface using a dithiolane anchoring group. The attachment of these molecular "alligator clips" to spiropyran molecules provide an easily accessible method to self-assemble a robust monolayer of spiropyran on a gold surface, which allows photoswitching of the spiropyran units. Probing the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes of the nitro group allows the determination of the structural orientation of the charged moiety with respect to the surface normal as well as the isomerization rates under photoinduced switching conditions. The photoisomerization of the spiropyran SAM on the gold surface is much faster than the rates of switching spiropyrans in a solid crystalline form, and the rate of thermal relaxation of the opened to closed form in this study is found to be on the same time scale as the relaxation of spiropyran when present in solutions with polar solvents. © 2012, American Chemical Society.
Chemical deuteration and neutrons for structure function applications
(Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2016-11-29) Darwish, TA; Yepuri, NR; Heuer, AK; Cagnes, MP; Holden, PJ
In small angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectometry studies, the use of mixtures of deuterated and hydrogenated solvents to manipulate scattering length density and achieve contrast variation is widespread. This approach, while useful is less effective for multicomponent organic systems containing molecules of similar scattering length densities. In such systems molecular deuteration is necessary to achieve contrast between the different components and it significantly increases the options in structure function investigations. There have been limited global initiatives in the field of molecular deuteration where the majority of these programs focus on biological deuteration of proteins and lipids, while more complex deuterated small molecules haven’t been widely available to the neutron community. This has limited the experiments that can be performed, and formed a bottle neck for advancing the applications of neutron scattering. In this paper we will discuss the recent advancements and the impact of deuteration on the research outcomes achieved by using deuterated molecules produced by the chemical deuteration laboratories at ANSTO’s National Deuteration Facility. Recent high-impact case studies will be presented which reveal the exciting and diverse characterisation studies which are now available for the neutron community. The chemical deuteration of surfactants, sugars, heterocyclic and aromatic compounds has made possible a wide range of investigations systems in the fields of molecular electronics, structural biology, and biotechnology.
Chemical deuteration of ionic liquids and their application in neutron reflectivity
(International Conference on Neutron Scattering, 2017-07-12) Akutsu, K; Darwish, TA; Cagnes, MP; Tamura, K; Kanaya, T
Low melting imidazolium salts are one of the most popular and widely used ionic liquids (ILs). Due to their low vapor pressures and thermal stability, ILs have been widely studied and employed in many applications such as synthesis and catalysis solvents, extraction solvents, electrolyte, and biopolymer solvents. However, in many case, structural analysis of IL samples is difficult because the X-ray and neutron scattering contrast between the ILs and the organic solute is not enough to allow different elements to be clearly discerned. Partial or complete deuteration of organic compounds for contrast variation in the scattering length densities of materials is one of the most effective techniques in the application of neutron scattering analysis. Therefore, this technique is ideally suited for the structural analysis of IL samples using neutron scattering techniques. In this study, we synthesized several kinds of deuterated 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids (alkyl = ethyl, butyl, and octyl) for studying the electric double layer structure in ILs using neutron reflectivity technique. For this purpose, we have developed a simple and effective method for the deuteration of imidazolium salts ILs on gram scale, starting from their protonated versions. In this presentation, we will show the summary of deuteration experiments and the results of neutron reflectivity analysis of the electric double layer structure in ILs.
Chemical disorder in a frustrated J1/J2 quantum spin chain material
(Australian Institute of Physics, 2018-01-30) Rule, KC; Mole, RA; Zanardo, J; Krause-Heuer, AM; Darwish, TA; Lerch, MLF
Recently a new one-dimensional (1D) quantum spin chain system has been synthesised: catena-dichloro(2-Cl-3Mpy)copper(II), [where 2-Cl-3Mpy=2-chloro-3-methylpyridine]. We shall refer to this compound as cd-Cu. Preliminary calculations and bulk magnetic property measurements indicate that this system does not undergo magnetic ordering down to 1.8K and is a prime candidate for investigating frustration in a J1/J2 system (where the nearest neighbour interactions, J1, are ferromagnetic and the next nearest neighbour interactions, J2, are antiferromagnetic) [1]. Calculations predicted 3 possible magnetic interaction strengths for J1 below 6meV depending on the orientation of the ligand [2]. For one of the predicted J1values, the existence of a quantum critical point is implied. A deuterated sample of cd-Cu was produced at the National Deuteration Facility and the excitations measured using the PELICAN TOF spectrometer. Scattering was weak from this sample, but indicated the most likely scenario involves an average of the 3 possible magnetic excitations in this material, rather than the random array of exchange interactions as predicted by Herringer et al., [2]. This may indicate the possibility of tuning the chemical structure to favour a system which may exhibit a quantum critical point.
CO2 triggering and controlling orthogonally multiresponsive photochromic systems
(American Chemical Society, 2010-08-11) Darwish, TA; Evans, RA; James, M; Malic, N; Triani, G; Hanley, TL
We report a new generic method of reversibly controlling the photochromism of spiropyrans. It was found that the photochromic effect of spiropyrans can be reversibly switched on and off by addition and removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) to spiropyran in alcohol solutions containing an amidine (i.e., DBU) that acts as a CO2 sensitizer. Spiropyrans are not photochromic in the presence of DBU but photochromic when CO2 is subsequently added to the solution. The CO2 is readily removed by inert gas bubbling, thus allowing facile activation and deactivation of the photochromic effect. Carbon dioxide, without the presence of the sensitizing amidine, had no effect on photochromism of the spiropyrans. Other photochromic dyes classes such as spirooxazines and chromenes are not affected by this CO2/DBU stimulus. As a result, orthogonal activation of mixtures of spirooxazines and spiropyrans was achieved to provide four color states (clear, yellow, green, and blue) by varying the combinations of the stimuli of UV, visible light, CO2, and CO2 depleted. This finding now permits the many applications using spiropyrans to be CO2 responsive. © 2010, American Chemical Society
Comprehensive study of carbon dioxide adsorption in the metal–organic frameworks M2(dobdc) (M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn)
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014-08-28) Queen, WL; Hudson, MR; Bloch, ED; Mason, JA; Gonzalez, MI; Lee, JS; Gygi, D; Howe, JD; Lee, K; Darwish, TA; James, M; Peterson, VK; Teat, SJ; Smit, B; Neaton, JB; Long, JR; Brown, CM
Analysis of the CO2 adsorption properties of a well-known series of metal–organic frameworks M2(dobdc) (dobdc4− = 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) is carried out in tandem with in situ structural studies to identify the host–guest interactions that lead to significant differences in isosteric heats of CO2 adsorption. Neutron and X-ray powder diffraction and single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments are used to unveil the site-specific binding properties of CO2 within many of these materials while systematically varying both the amount of CO2 and the temperature. Unlike previous studies, we show that CO2 adsorbed at the metal cations exhibits intramolecular angles with minimal deviations from 180°, a finding that indicates a strongly electrostatic and physisorptive interaction with the framework surface and sheds more light on the ongoing discussion regarding whether CO2 adsorbs in a linear or nonlinear geometry. This has important implications for proposals that have been made to utilize these materials for the activation and chemical conversion of CO2. For the weaker CO2 adsorbents, significant elongation of the metal–O(CO2) distances are observed and diffraction experiments additionally reveal that secondary CO2 adsorption sites, while likely stabilized by the population of the primary adsorption sites, significantly contribute to adsorption behavior at ambient temperature. Density functional theory calculations including van der Waals dispersion quantitatively corroborate and rationalize observations regarding intramolecular CO2 angles and trends in relative geometric properties and heats of adsorption in the M2(dobdc)–CO2 adducts. © 2014, The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Deuterated phospholipids to study the structure, function and dynamics of membrane proteins using neutron scattering
(Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2021-11-26) Yepuri, NR; Moir, M; Krause-Heuer, AM; Darwish, TA
Contrast matching and contrast variation in neutron scattering provide unparalleled power for understanding the structure, function, and dynamics of a selected component in a multicomponent system. A sophisticated contrast study often requires the availability of deuterated molecules in which deuterium atoms are introduced in a predictable and controlled fashion to replace protons. This can be achieved by direct deuteration of precursors followed by custom chemical synthesis, for which expertise and capabilities have been developed at facility (NDF), ANSTO. It this paper we will discuss recent high impact research output using deuterated phospholipids produced by NDF/ANSTO. We will describe the synthesis and applications of selectively or perdeuterated unsaturated phospholipids to contrast match out the whole lipid bilayer or nano disks within a multicomponent system. Further, we also describe their role in investigations related to membrane lipoproteins (ApoE) exchange in relation to lipid unsaturation,[1] effect of membrane composition,[2] and conformational analysis Mg+2 channel by neutron scattering techniques.[2, 3]
Deuterated polymers for probing phase separation using infrared microspectroscopy
(ACS Publications, 2013-12-23) Russell, RA; Darwish, TA; Puskar, L; Martin, DE; Holden, PJ; Foster, LJR
Infrared (IR) microspectroscopy has the capacity to determine the extent of phase separation in polymer blends. However, a major limitation in the use of this technique has been its reliance on overlapping peaks in the IR spectra to differentiate between polymers of similar chemical compositions in blends. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of deuteration of one mixture component to separate infrared (IR) absorption bands and provide image contrast in phase separated materials. Deuteration of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) (PHO) was achieved via microbial biosynthesis using deuterated substrates, and the characteristic C–D stretching vibrations provided distinct signals completely separated from the C–H signals of protonated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Phase separation was observed in 50:50 (% w/w) blends as domains up to 100 μm through the film cross sections, consistent with earlier reports of phase separation observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of freeze-fractured protonated polymer blends. The presence of deuterated phases throughout the film suggests there is some miscibility at smaller length scales, which increased with increasing PHB content. These investigations indicate that biodeuteration combined with IR microspectroscopy represents a useful tool for mapping the phase behavior of polymer blends.
Fluorine-18 radiolabelling and in vitro / in vivo metabolism of [18F]D4-PBR111
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2019-05-26) Wyatt, NA; Safavi-Naeini, M; Wotherspoon, ATL; Arthur, A; Nguyen, AP; Parmar, A; Hamze, H; Day, CM; Zahra, D; Matesic, L; Davis, E; Rahardjo, GL; Yepuri, NR; Shepherd, R; Murphy, RB; Pham, TQ; Nguyen, VH; Callaghan, PD; Holden, PJ; Grégoire, MC; Darwish, TA; Fraser, BH
Objectives The purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel type 7 (P2X7R) is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated ion-channel, and P2X7R is a key player in inflammation. P2X7R is an emerging therapeutic target in central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), because P2X7R also plays a pivotal role in neuroinflammation. P2X7R represents a potential molecular imaging target for neuroinflammation via biomedical imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET), and several radioligands targeting P2X7R have been developed and evaluated in animals. In our previous work, we have developed and characterized [11C]GSK1482160 as a P2X7R radioligand for neuroinflammation,2 clinical evaluation of [11C]GSK1482160 in healthy controls and patients is currently underway, and the estimation of radiation dosimetry for [11C]GSK1482160 in normal human subjects has been reported.3 Since the half-life (t1/2) of radionuclide carbon-11 is only 20.4 min, it is attractive for us to develop derivatives of [11C]GSK1482160, which can be labeled with the radionuclide fluorine-18 (t1/2, 109.7 min), and a fluorine-18 ligand would be ideal for widespread use.4 To this end, a series of [18F]fluoroalkyl including [18F]fluoromethyl (FM), [18F]fluoroethyl (FE), and [18F]fluoropropyl (FP) derivatives of GSK1482160 have been prepared and examined as new potential P2X7R radioligands. © 2019 The Authors
High-density lipoprotein function is modulated by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a lipid-type dependent manner
(Elsevier B. V., 2023-09) Correa, YB; Del Giuduce, R; Waldie, S; Thépaut, M; Gerelli, Y; Moulin, M; Delauney, C; Fieschi, F; Haertlein, M; Le Brun, AP; Forsyth, VT; Moir, M; Russell, RA; Darwish, TA; Brinck, J; Wodaje, T; Jansen, M; Martín, C; Roosen-Runge, F; Cárdenas, M; Micciulla, S; Pichler, H
There is a close relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and lipoproteins, in particular high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is inversely correlated with HDL plasma levels. It is known that the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein binds the HDL particle, probably depleting it of lipids and altering HDL function. Based on neutron reflectometry (NR) and the ability of HDL to efflux cholesterol from macrophages, we confirm these observations and further identify the preference of the S protein for specific lipids and the consequent effects on HDL function on lipid exchange ability. Moreover, the effect of the S protein on HDL function differs depending on the individuals lipid serum profile. Contrasting trends were observed for individuals presenting low triglycerides/high cholesterol serum levels (LTHC) compared to high triglycerides/high cholesterol (HTHC) or low triglycerides/low cholesterol serum levels (LTLC). Collectively, these results suggest that the S protein interacts with the HDL particle and, depending on the lipid profile of the infected individual, it impairs its function during COVID-19 infection, causing an imbalance in lipid metabolism. © Crown Copyright 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. Open Access - CC BY licence 4.0.
Human myelin proteolipid protein structure and lipid bilayer stacking
(Springer Nature, 2022-07-12) Ruskamo, S; Raasakka, A; Pedersen, JS; Martel, A; Škubník, K; Darwish, TA; Porcar, L; Kursula, P
The myelin sheath is an essential, multilayered membrane structure that insulates axons, enabling the rapid transmission of nerve impulses. The tetraspan myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) is the most abundant protein of compact myelin in the central nervous system (CNS). The integral membrane protein PLP adheres myelin membranes together and enhances the compaction of myelin, having a fundamental role in myelin stability and axonal support. PLP is linked to severe CNS neuropathies, including inherited Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and spastic paraplegia type 2, as well as multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, the structure, lipid interaction properties, and membrane organization mechanisms of PLP have remained unidentified. We expressed, purified, and structurally characterized human PLP and its shorter isoform DM20. Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering revealed a dimeric, α-helical conformation for both PLP and DM20 in detergent complexes, and pinpoint structural variations between the isoforms and their influence on protein function. In phosphatidylcholine membranes, reconstituted PLP and DM20 spontaneously induced formation of multilamellar myelin-like membrane assemblies. Cholesterol and sphingomyelin enhanced the membrane organization but were not crucial for membrane stacking. Electron cryomicroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction experiments for membrane-embedded PLP/DM20 illustrated effective membrane stacking and ordered organization of membrane assemblies with a repeat distance in line with CNS myelin. Our results shed light on the 3D structure of myelin PLP and DM20, their structure–function differences, as well as fundamental protein–lipid interplay in CNS compact myelin. © 2022 The Authors - Open Access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
The influence of glass transitions on diffusion in OLED stacks
(Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2016-11-29) McEwan, JA; Clulow, AJ; Shaw, PE; Nelson, A; Yepuri, NR; Darwish, TA; Burn, PL; Gentle, IR
Of all of the organic electronic devices thus far conceived, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been the most successfully applied in a commercial setting. With OLED displays now available in the television and portable device markets, the appetite for their continued development continues to garner considerable research interest. Optimised OLED device architectures typically comprise a number of organic layers with thicknesses between 10 nm and 100 nm sandwiched between inorganic electrodes. Each of the organic layers used in the device is sequentially deposited in an order that optimises charge transport and capture, and light emission from the devices. The fidelity and stability of these multilayer organic stacks is therefore of paramount importance in determining the efficiencies and operational lifetimes of OLED devices. Neutron reflectometry is a powerful technique for probing the layered structures found within OLEDs by utilising selective deuteration to provide contrast between or within the layers.1–3 Modelling the changes in the neutron reflectivity profiles of the OLED stacks deposited onto smooth substrates allows for the visualisation of changes in the layered structure in a non destructive manner. In this talk we will outline our recent efforts to relate the thermal properties of the organic materials used in OLED devices with their diffusion behaviour under thermal stress. Our collaboration with the National Deuteration Facility has led to the synthesis of a number of previously unobtainable deuterated analogues of semiconducting molecules typically used in OLEDs and that have a range of thermal characteristics.3–5 These molecules were used in time-resolved reflectometry experiments that have allowed us to systematically build up an understanding of the importance of glass transitions for the stability of OLED stacks.
Interpenetration as a mechanism for negative thermal expansion in the metal–organic framework Cu3(btb)2 (MOF-14)
(Wiley, 2014-04-01) Wu, Y; Peterson, VK; Luks, E; Darwish, TA; Kepert, CJ
Metal–organic framework materials (MOFs) have recently been shown in some cases to exhibit strong negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior, while framework interpenetration has been found to reduce NTE in many materials. Using powder and single-crystal diffraction methods we investigate the thermal expansion behavior of interpenetrated Cu3(btb)2 (MOF-14) and find that it exhibits an anomalously large NTE effect. Temperature-dependent structural analysis shows that, contrary to other interpenetrated materials, in MOF-14 the large positive thermal expansion of weak interactions that hold the interpenetrating networks together results in a low-energy contractive distortion of the overall framework structure, demonstrating a new mechanism for NTE. © 2014, WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.
Intrinsically disordered stress protein COR15A resides at the membrane surface during dehydration
(Biophysical Society, 2017-08-08) Bremer, A; Kent, B; Hauß, T; Thalhammer, A; Yepuri, NR; Darwish, TA; Garvey, CJ; Bryant, G; Hincha, DK
Plants from temperate climate zones are able to increase their freezing tolerance during exposure to low, above-zero temperatures in a process termed cold acclimation. During this process, several cold-regulated (COR) proteins are accumulated in the cells. One of them is COR15A, a small, intrinsically disordered protein that contributes to leaf freezing tolerance by stabilizing cellular membranes. The isolated protein folds into amphipathic α-helices in response to increased crowding conditions, such as high concentrations of glycerol. Although there is evidence for direct COR15A-membrane interactions, the orientation and depth of protein insertion were unknown. In addition, although folding due to high osmolyte concentrations had been established, the folding response of the protein under conditions of gradual dehydration had not been investigated. Here we show, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, that COR15A starts to fold into α-helices already under mild dehydration conditions (97% relative humidity (RH), corresponding to freezing at −3°C) and that folding gradually increases with decreasing RH. Neutron diffraction experiments at 97 and 75% RH established that the presence of COR15A had no significant influence on the structure of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) membranes. However, using deuterated POPC we could clearly establish that COR15A interacts with the membranes and penetrates below the headgroup region into the upper part of the fatty acyl chain region. This localization is in agreement with our hypothesis that COR15A-membrane interaction is at least, in part, driven by a hydrophobic interaction between the lipids and the hydrophobic face of the amphipathic protein α-helix. © 2017 Biophysical Society - Open access
Investigating morphology and stability of Fac-tris (2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(III) films for OLEDs
(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2011-06-21) Smith, ARG; Ruggles, JL; Cavaye, H; Shaw, PE; Darwish, TA; James, M; Gentle, IR; Burn, PL
Stable film morphology is critical for long-term high performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Neutron reflectometry (NR) is used to study the out-of-plane structure of blended thin films and multilayer structures comprising evaporated small molecules. It is found that as-prepared blended films of fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(III) [Ir(ppy)(3)] in 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl) biphenyl (CBP) are uniformly mixed, but the occurrence of phase separation upon thermal annealing is dependent on the blend ratio. Films comprised of the ratio of 6 wt% of Ir(ppy)(3) in CBP typically used in OLEDs are found to phase separate with moderate heating while a higher weight percent mixture (12 wt%) is found to be stable. Furthermore, it is found that thermal annealing of a multilayer film comprised of typical layers found in efficient devices ([tris(4-carbazoyl-9-ylphenyl)amine (TCTA)/Ir(ppy)(3):CBP/bathocuproine (BCP)]) causes the BCP layer to become mixed with the emissive blend layer, whereas the TCTA interface remains unchanged. This significant structural change causes no appreciable difference in the photo luminescence of the stack although such a change would have a dramatic effect on the charge transport through the device, leading to changes in performance. These results demonstrate the effect of thermal stress on the delicate interplay between the chemical composition and morphology of OLED films. © 2011, Wiley-Blackwell.

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