Core-Satellite Nanocomposite Catalysts Protected by a Porous Silica Shell: Controllable Reactivity, High Stability, and Magnetic Recyclability

Design and synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical diagnostics

Sensitive and quantitative characterization of clinically relevant biomarkers can facilitate disease diagnosis and treatment evaluation. Magnetic nanomaterials and their biosensing strategies have recently received considerable attention. Magnetic signals experience little interference from native biological background as most biological molecules have negligible magnetic susceptibilities and thus appear transparent to external magnetic fields. Because of this unique property, magnetic sensing can be applied to both in vivo deep tissue imaging as well as ex vivo point-of-care diagnostics. To exploit this mode of magnetic detection, new advancements in both magnetic material syntheses and sensing technologies have been made. This review focuses on recent developments of magnetic nanomaterials as image contrast agents and diagnostic sensors. These developments have not only enabled precise control of magnetic nanomaterial properties but also expanded the reach of magnetic detection for biomedical diagnostics.

Controllable Synthesis of SERS-Active Magnetic Metal-Organic Framework-Based Nanocatalysts and Their Application in Photoinduced Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation

Fabrication of multifunctional nanocatalysts with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity is of vital importance for monitoring catalytic courses in situ and studying the reaction mechanisms. Herein, SERS-active magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanocatalysts were successfully prepared via a three-step method, including a solvothermal reaction, an Au seed-induced growth process, and a low-temperature cycling self-assembly technique. The as-synthesized magnetic MOF-based nanocatalysts not only exhibit outstanding peroxidase-like activity, but can also be applied as a SERS substrate. Owing to these features, they can be used for monitoring in situ catalytic oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H₂O₂ via a SERS technique, and the concentration of H₂O₂ was determined. Owing to the intrinsic character of the Fe-based MOF material (MIL-100(Fe)), a novel photoinduced enhanced catalytic oxidation effect was demonstrated, in which the catalytic oxidation of TMB and o-phenylenediamine was accelerated. This study provides a versatile approach for the fabrication of functional MOF-based nanocomposites as a promising SERS substrate with a unique photoinduced enhanced peroxidase-like activity for potential applications in ultrasensitive monitoring, biomedical treatment, and environmental evaluation.

Advances in Multicompartment Mesoporous Silica Micro/Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising functional nanomaterials for a variety of biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, drug/gene delivery, and cancer therapy. This is due to their low density, low toxicity, high biocompatibility, large specific surface areas, and excellent thermal and mechanical stability. The past decade has seen rapid advances in the development of MSNs with multiple compartments. These include hierarchical porous structures and core-shell, yolk-shell, and Janus structured particles for efficient diagnosis and therapeutic applications. We review advances in this area, covering the categories of multicompartment MSNs and their synthesis methods, with an emphasis on hierarchical structures and the incorporation of multiple functions. We classify multicompartment mesoporous silica micro/nanostructures, ranging from core-shell and yolk-shell structures to Janus and raspberry-like nanoparticles, and discuss their synthesis methods. We review applications of these multicompartment MSNs, including bioimaging, targeted drug/gene delivery, chemotherapy, phototherapy, and in vitro diagnostics. We also highlight the latest trends and new opportunities.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection of molecular chemo- and plasmo-catalysis on noble metal nanoparticles

The in situ detection of reactions catalyzed by metal NPs is challenging because the underlying chemical transformations occur at interfaces. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a surface-selective, sensitive and label-free vibrational spectroscopic technique, is ideally suited for monitoring of heterogeneous catalysis with high chemical specificity. A major limitation in the past, however, was that small, catalytically active metal NPs do not exhibit the high plasmonic activity required for SERS. This feature article focuses on the design, synthesis and use of bifunctional NPs with both catalytic and plasmonic activity for in situ SERS detection of reactions catalyzed by metal NPs. We focus on model reactions induced by chemical reducing agents such as hydride or molecular hydrogen as well as on plasmon-induced photo-catalysis including both photo-oxidation and photo-reduction. Finally, we highlight the concept of photo-recycling on halide-containing silver surfaces for unprecedented multi-electron reduction chemistry.

Combination of hollow fluorescent carbon and gold nanoparticles: A super-catalyst

Hollow fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (HFCNs) have been combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to produce a special catalyst. The catalytic properties of HFCNs and AuNPs were exploited to conceptualize the new catalytic functionality. The AuNP-embedded-HFCNs produced in situ were found to massively enhance the rate of reduction of 4-nitrophenol (a model reaction) in presence of sodium borohydride. Comparison with functioning of other nanoparticulate catalysts on the same reaction proved our product to be an extremely efficient catalyst.

A mechanistic study of silica-etching by hot water

The mechanism of silica etching by hot water is elucidated which allows the controlled synthesis of mesoporous silica nanostructures.

Platinum Nanoparticle-embedded Porous Diamond Spherical Particles as an Active and Stable Heterogeneous Catalyst

Platinum nanoparticle-embedded porous diamond spherical particles (PtNP@PDSPs), as an active and stable catalyst, were fabricated by spray-drying of an aqueous slurry containing nanodiamond (ND) particles, platinum nanoparticles (PtNP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form ND/PtNP/PEG composite spherical particles, followed by removal of PEG and a short-time diamond growth on the surface. The average diameter of the PtNP@PDSPs can be controlled in the range of 1–5 μm according to the spray-drying conditions. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and average pore diameter of the PtNP@PDSPs were estimated to be ca. 170–300 m² g⁻¹ and ca. 4–13 nm, respectively. When ND with the size of 20–30 nm was used, the size of PtNP in the PtNP@PDSP was almost unchanged at 5–6 nm even after high temperature processes and reuse test for catalytic reaction, showing stable supporting. The catalytic activity of the PtNP@PDSPs for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane was higher than that for a Pt/C catalyst, which is attributed to the stable PtNP support by the three-dimensional packing of ND and efficient mass transfer via the interconnected through-hole pores in the PDSPs.

Synthesis and Optimization of MoS2@Fe3O4-ICG/Pt(IV) Nanoflowers for MR/IR/PA Bioimaging and Combined PTT/PDT/Chemotherapy Triggered by 808 nm Laser

Elaborately designed biocompatible nanoplatforms simultaneously achieving multimodal bioimaging and therapeutic functions are highly desirable for modern biomedical applications. Herein, uniform MoS2 nanoflowers with a broad size range of 80-180 nm have been synthesized through a facile, controllable, and scalable hydrothermal method. The strong absorbance of MoS2 nanoflowers at 808 nm imparts them with high efficiency and stability of photothermal conversion. Then a novel multifunctional composite of MoS2@Fe3O4-ICG/Pt(IV) (labeled as Mo@Fe-ICG/Pt) is designed by covalently grafting Fe3O4 nanoparticles with polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized MoS2, and then loading indocyanine green molecules (ICG, photosensitizers) and platinum (IV) prodrugs (labeled as Pt(IV) prodrugs) on the surface of MoS2@Fe3O4. The resulting Mo@Fe-ICG/Pt nanocomposites can achieve excellent magnetic resonance/infrared thermal/photoacoustic trimodal biomaging as well as remarkably enhanced antitumor efficacy of combined photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and chemotherapy triggered by a single 808 nm NIR laser, thus leading to an ideal nanoplatform for cancer diagnosis and treatment in future.

Implantation of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles in Shells of Au@m-SiO2 Yolk@Shell Nanocatalysts with Both Improved Recyclability and Catalytic Activity

Multifunctional nanocatalysts of Au@Fe₃O₄/m-SiO₂ yolk@shell hybrids had been developed through a template-assisted synthesis, where Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (∼12 nm) and m-SiO₂ shells were sequentially assembled on surfaces of Au/SiO₂ core/shell templates, followed by selective etching of the inner SiO₂ cores, leading to the formation of Au@Fe₃O₄/m-SiO₂ yolk@shell hybrids. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were implanted in the inner surfaces of m-SiO₂ shells with partially exposed surfaces to the inner cavity. The novel design not only ensures a high surface area (540.0 m²/g) and saturation magnetization (48.6 emu/g) of the hybrids but also enables interaction between Au and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Catalytic tests toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄ indicated that Au@Fe₃O₄/m-SiO₂ yolk@shell nanocatalysts not only showed high stability and recyclability but also maintained improved catalytic activity as a result of the synergetic effect resulting from Au and Fe₃O₄ interactions.

Preparation of Magnetically Recyclable Yolk/Shell Fex Oy /PdPt@CeO2 Nanoreactors with Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) have recently received considerable attention from researchers working in the field of catalysis. However, the development of new methods allowing these materials to reach their maximum catalytic properties remains challenging. Nanoreactors could lead to dramatic improvements in activity with the help of the intrinsic confinement effect. In this study, we designed a series of yolk/shell Fe_x O_y /PdPt@CeO₂ composites, where the Fe_x O_y NPs acted as a movable core, allowing for the uniform distribution of the PdPt alloys on the inner surface of the CeO₂ shell. The high porosity and existence of hollow voids in the CeO₂ shell allowed these Fe_x O_y /PdPt@CeO₂ composites to be used as nanoreactors in catalytic reactions. As well this confinement effect, we identified two structural features that led to enhanced catalytic activity, including (i) the replacement of monometallic NPs with a bimetallic PdPt alloy and (ii) the replacement of a chemically inert support with a reactive CeO₂ shell. The resulting nanoassembled catalysts displayed higher activities toward the catalytic reduction of dyes than the reference samples. Moreover, these catalysts were readily recovered and reused because of the magnetic Fe_x O_y core.

Fe3O4@PANI Hybrid Shell as a Multifunctional Support for Au Nanocatalysts with a Remarkably Improved Catalytic Performance

Au@Fe₃O₄@PANI hybrid shells with controllable polyaniline (PANI) coatings as advanced supported catalysts have been fabricated. Specifically, Fe₃O₄ and Au nanoparticles were assembled on SiO₂ templates, followed by conducting polymer PANI coating, leading to the formation of Au@Fe₃O₄@PANI hybrid shells after the template removal. The resultant supported Au nanocatalysts not only maintain hollow structures but also possess high saturation magnetization (65.46 emu/g). Catalytic tests toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄ indicate that PANI and Fe₃O₄ not only endow high stability and recyclability but also can largely improve the catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles because of their synergetic effects. It is believed that Fe₃O₄@PANI hybrid shells can be regarded as multifunctional supports for noble metal nanocatalysts with a remarkably improved catalytic performance.

Optomagnetic Detection of MicroRNA Based on Duplex-Specific Nuclease-Assisted Target Recycling and Multilayer Core-Satellite Magnetic Superstructures

Superstructural assembly of magnetic nanoparticles enables approaches to biosensing by combining specially tailored properties of superstructures and the particular advantages associated with a magnetic or optomagnetic read-out such as low background signal, easy manipulation, cost-efficiency, and potential for bioresponsive multiplexing. Herein, we demonstrate a sensitive and rapid miRNA detection method based on optomagnetic read-out, duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-assisted target recycling, and the use of multilayer core-satellite magnetic superstructures. Triggered by the presence of target miRNA and DSN-assisted target recycling, the core-satellite magnetic superstructures release their "satellites" to the suspension, which subsequently can be quantified accurately in a low-cost and user-friendly optomagnetic setup. Target miRNAs are preserved in the cleaving reaction and can thereby trigger more cleavage and release of "satellites". For singleplex detection of let-7b, a linear detection range between 10 fM and 10 nM was observed, and a detection limit of 4.8 fM was obtained within a total assay time of 70 min. Multiplexing was achieved by releasing nanoparticles of different sizes in the presence of different miRNAs. The proposed method also has the advantages of single-nucleotide mismatch discrimination and the ability of quantification in a clinical sample matrix, thus holding great promise for miRNA routine multiplex diagnostics.

In situ doping of Pt active sites via Sn in double-shelled TiO2 hollow nanospheres with enhanced photocatalytic H2 production efficiency

A Sn⁴⁺-doped double-shelled Pt/TiO₂ hollow nanocatalyst (DHS-SnPt) with excellent photocatalytic H₂ production efficiency was prepared successfully via a facile hydrothermal method.

Multifunctional triple-porous Fe3O4@SiO2 superparamagnetic microspheres for potential hyperthermia and controlled drug release

Magnetic porous particles with high magnetization and large surface area hold great potential for multimodal therapies.

Silver coated magnetic microflowers as efficient and recyclable catalysts for catalytic reduction

Synthesis of highly-branched Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Ag microflowers and their use as efficient and recyclable catalysts for catalytic reduction.

A novel strategy to fabricate a hierarchical Ni–Al LDH platinum nanocatalyst with enhanced thermal stability

A novel strategy has been proposed to fabricate a hierarchical Ni–Al LDH platinum nanocatalyst (LDH-Pt).

Gram-scale synthesis of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanocrystal clusters with long-term charge stability for highly stable magnetically responsive photonic crystals

We report the gram-scale hydrothermal synthesis of superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ CNCs with superior long-term charge stability, which are suitable building blocks for magnetically responsive photonic crystals (MRPCs) with widely, rapidly and reversibly tunable diffractions across the visible and near IR range, as well as long-term stability of photonic performances. The scalable synthesis of Fe₃O₄ CNCs with excellent long-term colloidal stability will facilitate their wide application in photonics, biomedicine, catalysis and other areas.

Two-step synthesis of Ag@GQD hybrid with enhanced photothermal effect and catalytic performance

A novel Ag@GQD (graphene quantum dot) hybrid fabricated by a facile two-step strategy is presented: the GQDs are prepared by citrate acid and AgNO₃ is reduced. Catalytic studies showed that the Ag@GQD hybrid exhibited excellent photothermal effect and catalytic performance for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction, suggesting that the GQDs enhanced the catalytic activity via a synergistic effect and the Ag NPs boosted the catalytic efficiency through SPR-mediated photothermal local heating.

Synthesis of Self-Assembled Multifunctional Nanocomposite Catalysts with Highly Stabilized Reactivity and Magnetic Recyclability

In this paper, a multifunctional Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI-Au/Ag@PDA nanocomposite catalyst with highly stabilized reactivity and magnetic recyclability was synthesized by a self-assembled method. The magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with a thin layer of the SiO2 to obtain a negatively charged surface. Then positively charged poly(ethyleneimine) polymer (PEI) was self-assembled onto the Fe3O4@SiO2 by electrostatic interaction. Next, negatively charged glutathione capped gold nanoparticles (GSH-AuNPs) were electrostatically self-assembled onto the Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI. After that, silver was grown on the surface of the nanocomposite due to the reduction of the dopamine in the alkaline solution. An about 5 nm thick layer of polydopamine (PDA) was observed to form the Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI-Au/Ag@PDA nanocomposite. The Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI-Au/Ag@PDA nanocomposite was carefully characterized by the SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD and so on. The Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI-Au/Ag@PDA nanocomposite shows a high saturation magnetization (Ms) of 48.9 emu/g, which allows it to be attracted rapidly to a magnet. The Fe3O4@SiO2@PEI-Au/Ag@PDA nanocomposite was used to catalyze the reduction of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) to p-aminophenol (4-AP) as a model system. The reaction kinetic constant k was measured to be about 0.56 min(-1) (R(2) = 0.974). Furthermore, the as-prepared catalyst can be easily recovered and reused for 8 times, which didn't show much decrease of the catalytic capability.

Chemistry of Mesoporous Organosilica in Nanotechnology: Molecularly Organic-Inorganic Hybridization into Frameworks

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials aiming to combine the individual advantages of organic and inorganic components while overcoming their intrinsic drawbacks have shown great potential for future applications in broad fields. In particular, the integration of functional organic fragments into the framework of mesoporous silica to fabricate mesoporous organosilica materials has attracted great attention in the scientific community for decades. The development of such mesoporous organosilica materials has shifted from bulk materials to nanosized mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (designated as MONs, in comparison with traditional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)) and corresponding applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this comprehensive review, the state-of-art progress of this important hybrid nanomaterial family is summarized, focusing on the structure/composition-performance relationship of MONs of well-defined morphology, nanostructure, and nanoparticulate dimension. The synthetic strategies and the corresponding mechanisms for the design and construction of MONs with varied morphologies, compositions, nanostructures, and functionalities are overviewed initially. Then, the following part specifically concentrates on their broad spectrum of applications in nanotechnology, mainly in nanomedicine, nanocatalysis, and nanofabrication. Finally, some critical issues, presenting challenges and the future development of MONs regarding the rational synthesis and applications in nanotechnology are summarized and discussed. It is highly expected that such a unique molecularly organic-inorganic nanohybrid family will find practical applications in nanotechnology, and promote the advances of this discipline regarding hybrid chemistry and materials.

Reusable nanosilver-coated magnetic particles for ultrasensitive SERS-based detection of malachite green in water samples

A novel nanosilver-deposited silica-coated Fe3O4 magnetic particle (Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag) with uniform size, good SERS activity and magnetic responsiveness was synthesized using amination polymer. The Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag magnetic particles have been successfully applied for ultrasensitive SERS detection of malachite green (MG) in water samples. The mechanism is that MG can be adsorbed on the silver surface of nanosilver-coated magnetic particles via one nitrogen atom, and the Raman signal intensity of MG is significantly enhanced by the nanosilver layer formed on the magnetic particles. The developed sensing system exhibited a sensitive response to MG in the range of 10 fM to 100 μM with a low limit of detection (LOD) 2 fM under optimal conditions. The LOD was several orders of magnitude lower than those of other methods. This SERS-based sensor showed good reproducibility and stability for MG detection. The silver-coated magnetic particles could easily be regenerated as SERS substrates only using low pH solution for multiple sensing events. The recovery of MG added to several water samples at different concentrations ranged from 90% to 110%. The proposed method facilitates the ultrasensitive analysis of dyes to satisfy the high demand for ensuring the safety of water sources.

Design, synthesis and applications of core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle multifunctional nanostructures

With the evolution of nanoscience and nanotechnology, studies have been focused on manipulating nanoparticle properties through the control of their size, composition, and morphology. As nanomaterial research has progressed, the foremost focus has gradually shifted from synthesis, morphology control, and characterization of properties to the investigation of function and the utility of integrating these materials and chemical sciences with the physical, biological, and medical fields, which therefore necessitates the development of novel materials that are capable of performing multiple tasks and functions. The construction of multifunctional nanomaterials that integrate two or more functions into a single geometry has been achieved through the surface-coating technique, which created a new class of substances designated as core-shell nanoparticles. Core-shell materials have growing and expanding applications due to the multifunctionality that is achieved through the formation of multiple shells as well as the manipulation of core/shell materials. Moreover, core removal from core-shell-based structures offers excellent opportunities to construct multifunctional hollow core architectures that possess huge storage capacities, low densities, and tunable optical properties. Furthermore, the fabrication of nanomaterials that have the combined properties of a core-shell structure with that of a hollow one has resulted in the creation of a new and important class of substances, known as the rattle core-shell nanoparticles, or nanorattles. The design strategies of these new multifunctional nanostructures (core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle) are discussed in the first part of this review. In the second part, different synthesis and fabrication approaches for multifunctional core-shell, hollow core-shell and rattle core-shell architectures are highlighted. Finally, in the last part of the article, the versatile and diverse applications of these nanoarchitectures in catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine are presented.

Synthesis of magnetic microporous organic nanotube networks for adsorption application

Magnetic microporous organic nanotube networks (Fe₃O₄-MONNs) are successfully synthesized by an in situ hyper-cross-linking reaction between magnetic nanoparticles and core–shell bottlebrush copolymers.

Yolk–shell-structured mesoporous silica: a bifunctional catalyst for nitroaldol–Michael one-pot cascade reaction

A site-isolated yolk–shell-structured mesoporous silica for the nitroaldol–Michael one-pot enantio-relay reaction to convert aldehydes, nitromethane and acetylacetone to chiral diones is developed.

Hollow mesoporous SiO2 sphere nanoarchitectures with encapsulated silver nanoparticles for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Ag@hm-SiO₂ nanoreactors with the multi-cores/shell configuration have been successfully synthesized via an effective pre-shell/post-core strategy combined with the laser ablation treatment.

Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on polydopamine coated Fe3O4 as magnetically isolable, highly active and reusable catalysts for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on polydopamine coated magnetic ferrite nanopowders are highly active and reusable catalyst in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane with a turnover frequency of 14.5 min⁻¹ at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C.

Preparation of light core/shell magnetic composite microspheres and their application for lipase immobilization

Fe₃O₄@P(GMA-DVB-MAA) magnetic composite microspheres were prepared by facile one-pot distillation–precipitation polymerization and were modified with amino groups for the immobilization of lipase.

One-pot synthesis of porous Au-nanoparticles@polymer/reduced graphene oxide composite microspheres by γ-ray radiation and their application as a recyclable high-performance catalyst

Au-nanoparticles-embedded porous polymer/reduced graphene oxide composite microspheres, with ultra-high catalytic efficiency and recyclability, were fabricated through γ-ray in one pot.