Maximizing NMR signal per unit time by facilitating the e–e–n cross effect DNP rate. Issue 43 (30th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leavesley, Alisa; Jain, Sheetal; Kamniker, Ilia; Zhang, Hui; Rajca, Suchada; Rajca, Andrzej; Han, Songi
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 20:Issue 43(2018)
• Page Start: 27646
• Page End: 27657
• Publication Date: 2018-10-30
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cp04909b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) efficiency is critically dependent on the properties of the radical, solvent, and solute, where electron spin clusters will shorten nuclear spin relaxation and enhance CE-DNP. Abstract : The dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) efficiency is critically dependent on the properties of the radical, solvent, and solute constituting the sample system. In this study, we focused on the three spin e–e–n cross effect (CE)'s influence on the nuclear longitudinal relaxation time constant T 1n, the build-up time constants of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal, T DNP and DNP-enhancement of NMR signal. The dipolar interaction strength between the electron spins driving the e–e–n process was systematically modulated using mono-, di-, tri-, and dendritic-nitroxide radicals, while maintaining a constant global electron spin concentration of 10 mM. Experimental results showed that an increase in electron spin clustering led to an increased electron spin depolarization, as mapped by electron double resonance (ELDOR), and a dramatically shortened T 1n and T DNP time constants under static and magic angle spinning (MAS) conditions. A theoretical analysis reveals that strong e–e interactions, caused by electron spin clustering, increase the CE rate. The three spin e–e–n CE is a hitherto little recognized mechanism for shortening T 1n and T DNP in solid-state NMR experiments at cryogenic temperatures, and offers a design principle to enhance the effective CE DNP enhancement per unit time. Fast CE rates will benefit DNP at liquid helium temperatures, or at higher magnetic fields and pulsed DNP, where slow e–e–n polarization transfer rate is a key bottleneck to achieving maximal DNP performance.