Through innovative nanosynthesis techniques and advanced surface‐passivation methods, diversified luminescent nanocrystals, like quantum dots, metal nanoclusters, carbon dots, and upconversion ...nanoparticles, are produced successfully to exhibit greatly improved performance in various applications, due to their color tunability and resistance to photobleaching. Their further hybridization with stimuli‐responsive polymers endows the resultant nanohybrids with unique smart functions, which can reversibly respond to external stimuli or environmental changes via alternation in luminescence. Due to their multifunctional properties, these responsive luminescent nanohybrids are attracting more and more interest in foundation research and promising applications recently. Here, important developments and achievements made in this emerging field are summarized to highlight the integration concepts and fabrication methods for luminescent nanohybrids, and their special responsive functions to temperature, pH, fields, and analytes. At the same time, their smart applications are also overviewed for demonstrating novel actions of responsive nanohybrids via various intelligent operations. The aim is to understand and accelerate more advanced developments in creating varied and intelligent nanosystems, and provide perspectives to promote a further revolution of smart materials and technology.
The synergistic hybridization of diversified luminescent nanocrystals with different stimuli‐responsive polymers is summarized systematically to highlight the reversible alternation in luminescence in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, fields, and analytes. An overview of their smart applications is also presented to demonstrate the novel actions of responsive nanohybrids in many intelligent operation systems.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The dynamics of DNA and RNA structures in live cells are important for understanding cell behaviors, such as transcription activity, protein expression, cell apoptosis, and hereditary disease, but ...are challenging to monitor in live organisms in real time. The difficulty is largely due to the lack of photostable imaging probes that can distinguish between DNA and RNA, and more importantly, are capable of crossing multiple membrane barriers ranging from the cell/organelle to the tissue/organ level. We report the discovery of a cationic carbon quantum dot (cQD) probe that emits spectrally distinguishable fluorescence upon binding with double‐stranded DNA and single‐stranded RNA in live cells, thereby enabling real‐time monitoring of DNA and RNA localization and motion. A surprising finding is that the probe can penetrate through various types of biological barriers in vitro and in vivo. Combined with standard and super‐resolution microscopy, photostable cQDs allow time‐lapse imaging of chromatin and nucleoli during cell division and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) growth.
Connect the dots: A cationic carbon quantum dot (cQD) probe emits spectrally distinguishable fluorescence signals upon binding to DNA (green) and RNA (red) in live cells, thereby enabling real‐time imaging of DNA and RNA localization and motion. The probe can penetrate through various types of biological barriers in cells and in vivo for super‐resolution microscopy and time‐lapse imaging of chromatin and nucleoli during cell division and C. elegans growth.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The discovery of graphene and subsequent verification of its unique properties have aroused great research interest to exploit diversified graphene‐analogous 2D nanomaterials with fascinating ...physicochemical properties. Through either physical or chemical doping, linkage, adsorption, and hybridization with other functional species into or onto them, more novel/improved properties are readily created to extend/expand their functionalities and further achieve great performance. Here, various functionalized hybridizations by using different types of 2D nanomaterials are overviewed systematically with emphasis on their interaction formats (e.g., in‐plane or inter plane), synergistic properties, and enhanced applications. As the most intensely investigated 2D materials in the post‐graphene era, transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets are comprehensively investigated through their element doping, physical/chemical functionalization, and nanohybridization. Meanwhile, representative hybrids with more types of nanosheets are also presented to understand their unique surface structures and address the special requirements for better applications. More excitingly, the van der Waals heterostructures of diverse 2D materials are specifically summarized to add more functionality or flexibility into 2D material systems. Finally, the current research status and faced challenges are discussed properly and several perspectives are elaborately given to accelerate the rational fabrication of varied and talented 2D hybrids.
Through physical or chemical hybridization with other functional species into or onto 2D nanomaterials, more novel/improved properties are readily created to extend/expand their functionalities and further achieve great performances. Here, various functionalized hybridizations using different types of 2D nanomaterials are overviewed systematically with emphasis on their interaction formats (e.g., in‐plane or inter‐plane), synergistic properties, and enhanced applications.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Flexible electronic devices are necessary for applications involving unconventional interfaces, such as soft and curved biological systems, in which traditional silicon‐based electronics would ...confront a mechanical mismatch. Biological polymers offer new opportunities for flexible electronic devices by virtue of their biocompatibility, environmental benignity, and sustainability, as well as low cost. As an intriguing and abundant biomaterial, silk offers exquisite mechanical, optical, and electrical properties that are advantageous toward the development of next‐generation biocompatible electronic devices. The utilization of silk fibroin is emphasized as both passive and active components in flexible electronic devices. The employment of biocompatible and biosustainable silk materials revolutionizes state‐of‐the‐art electronic devices and systems that currently rely on conventional semiconductor technologies. Advances in silk‐based electronic devices would open new avenues for employing biomaterials in the design and integration of high‐performance biointegrated electronics for future applications in consumer electronics, computing technologies, and biomedical diagnosis, as well as human–machine interfaces.
Silk fibroin is an ancient biomaterial with exquisite mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. Its intriguing properties and environmental benignity render silk fibroin compelling for the advancement of next‐generation biocompatible and biodegradable flexible electronic devices.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The collective oscillation of free electrons at the nanoscale surface of gold nanostructures is closely modulated by tuning the size, shape/morphology, phase, composition, hybridization, assembly, ...and nanopatterning, along with the surroundings of the plasmonic surface located at a dielectric interface with air, liquid, and solid. This review first introduces the physical origin of the intrinsic optical properties of gold nanostructures and further summarizes stimuli‐responsive changes in optical properties, metal‐field‐enhanced optical signals, luminescence spectral shaping, chiroptical response, and photogenerated hot carriers. The current success in the landscape of nanoscience and nanotechnology mainly originates from the abundant optical properties of gold nanostructures in the thermodynamically stable face‐centered cubic (fcc) phase. It has been further extended by crystal phase engineering to prepare thermodynamically unfavorable phases (e.g., kinetically stable) and heterophases to modulate their intriguing phase‐dependent optical properties. A broad range of promising applications, including but not limited to full‐color displays, solar energy harvesting, photochemical reactions, optical sensing, and microscopic/biomedical imaging, have fostered parallel research on the multitude of physical effects occurring in gold nanostructures.
State‐of‐the‐art advances in nanoscience and technology have been promoted to reveal the physical origin of the intrinsic optical properties of gold nanostructures with consideration of size, shape, phase, composition, hybridization, assembly, and nanopatterning. The perspectives on the future developments, challenges, and opportunities of gold nanostructures are discussed to provide insights for improving their optical properties and performance in various applications.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Biomaterials is an exciting and dynamic field, which uses a collection of diverse materials to achieve desired biological responses. While there is constant evolution and innovation in materials with ...time, biomaterials research has been hampered by the relatively long development period required. In recent years, driven by the need to accelerate materials development, the applications of machine learning in materials science has progressed in leaps and bounds. The combination of machine learning with high‐throughput theoretical predictions and high‐throughput experiments (HTE) has shifted the traditional Edisonian (trial and error) paradigm to a data‐driven paradigm. In this review, each type of biomaterial and their key properties and use cases are systematically discussed, followed by how machine learning can be applied in the development and design process. The discussions are classified according to various types of materials used including polymers, metals, ceramics, and nanomaterials, and implants using additive manufacturing. Last, the current gaps and potential of machine learning to further aid biomaterials discovery and application are also discussed.
The advancement of machine learning (ML) in materials science has progressed in leaps and bounds and has made a big impact into biomaterials research, ranging from discovery of bioactive chemical moieties, screening and optimization of material properties, to developing materials that interface better with biological systems. There is still untapped potential to integrate with ML for the next frontier in biomaterials.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Here, direct and effective electrostatic‐driven exfoliation of tungsten trioxide (WO3) powder into atomically thin WO3 nanosheets is demonstrated for the first time. Experimental evidence together ...with theoretical simulations clearly reveal that the strong binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the surface of WO3 via the protonation of NH2 groups in acidic conditions leads to the effective exfoliation of WO3 nanosheets under sonication. The exfoliated WO3 nanosheets have a greatly improved dispersity and stability due to surface‐protective function of BSA, and exhibit a better performance and unique advantages in applications such as visible‐light‐driven photocatalysis, high‐capacity adsorption, and fast electrochromics. Further, simultaneous exfoliation and hybridization of WO3 and MoS2 nanosheets are demonstrated to form hybrid WO3/MoS2 nanosheets through respective electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction processes. In addition, this electrostatic‐driven exfoliation strategy is applied to exfoliate ultrathin black‐phosphorus nanosheets from its bulk to exhibit a greatly improved stability due to the surface protection by BSA. Overall, the work presented not only presents a facile and effective route to fabricate 2D materials but also brings more opportunities to exploit unusual exotic and synergistic properties in resulting hybrid 2D materials for novel applications.
An electrostatic‐driven exfoliation strategy is demonstrated for the first time to directly and conveniently cleave WO3 powder into atomically thin WO3 nanosheets with improved dispersity and stability for enhanced properties (the effective exfoliation is also extended to prepare stable black‐phosphorus nanosheets). Furthermore, simultaneous exfoliation and hybridization of WO3 and MoS2 nanosheets are readily achieved to create hybrid WO3/MoS2 nanosheets.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
8.
Silica-coated metal nanoparticles Liu, Shuhua; Han, Ming-Yong
Chemistry - an Asian journal,
January 4, 2010, Volume:
5, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The advanced high-quality synthesis of dense and porous silica-coated nanostructures is enjoying ever-increasing research interests for their important properties and diverse applications, especially ...for catalytic, controlled release, colorimetric diagnostics, photothermal therapy, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection, and so forth. In this timely Focus Review, we summarize the up-to-date synthesis strategies, improved properties, and emerging applications of silica-coated metal nanoparticles. In particular, the large scale synthesis of silica-coated metal nanoparticles and the recent development of hollowed-out silica-coated metal nanoparticles by silica dissolution are emphasized for new and practical applications.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The white backlight in displays is generated by optimizing the proportions of individual emitters with different wavelengths by variations in materials composition, phase, and structure. Color pixels ...usually result from the separation of white light or the excitation with multiwavelength or multipulse sources. However, it is a challenge to develop a material that comprises a single structure and emits over the full visible spectrum, but where the emission wavelengths can be controlled by a simple excitation source. Herein, we report an upconversion nanostructure that incorporates several lanthanide ions in the same core@shell@shell structure. The combination of multiple narrow spectral bands results in the emission of white light. The emission colors can be tuned by changing the excitation power density, which manipulates the photon transfer pathways. Applications such as flat‐panel displays and imaging have been demonstrated.
Seeing the light: An upconversion nanostructure comprises several lanthanide ions integrated in a single system. The balance of numerous narrow emission bands covering the full visible spectrum results in white‐light emission. The emission colors can be determined by changing the excitation power density (see picture), which manipulates the photon transfer pathways to bring potential applications such as multicolor displays or imaging.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Hydrogen is readily obtained from renewable and non‐renewable resources via water splitting by using thermal, electrical, photonic and biochemical energy. The major hydrogen production is generated ...from thermal energy through steam reforming/gasification of fossil fuel. As the commonly used non‐renewable resources will be depleted in the long run, there is great demand to utilize renewable energy resources for hydrogen production. Most of the renewable resources may be used to produce electricity for driving water splitting while challenges remain to improve cost‐effectiveness. As the most abundant energy resource, the direct conversion of solar energy to hydrogen is considered the most sustainable energy production method without causing pollutions to the environment. In overall, this review briefly summarizes thermolytic, electrolytic, photolytic and biolytic water splitting. It highlights photonic and electrical driven water splitting together with photovoltaic‐integrated solar‐driven water electrolysis.
Energy‐driven hydrogen production via water splitting with thermal, electrical, photonic and biochemical energy and their combined forms such as thermoelectrolysis, biophotolysis, and photoelectrolysis are summarized in this review. There are focuses on recent advances in water splitting with the use of renewable energy for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic hydrogen production such as photovoltaic‐integrated solar driven water electrolysis.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
