Encapsulation of Strongly Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots in Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhancing Chemical Sensing

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Functionalized Carbon Dots for Cell Imaging

In the present study, octa-aminopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hydrochloride salt (OA-POSS) functionalized carbon dots (CDs/POSS) are prepared by a one-pot approach with glycerol as carbon source and solvent medium. OA-POSS serves as a passivation agent, and it is obtained via hydrolytic condensation of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). During the functionalization process, the amino groups on OA-POSS combine with carboxylic groups on the bare CDs via formation of amide bond to construct organic-inorganic hybrid carbon dots. The obtained CDs/POSS are well dispersed in aqueous medium with a diameter of ca. 3.6 nm. It is demonstrated that CDs/POSS provide favorable photoluminescent property with a quantum yield of 24.0%. They also exhibit resistance to photobleaching and excellent photoluminescence stability in the presence of biological sample matrix (characterized by heavy metals and organic molecules), which facilitate cell imaging in biological systems. Both the photoluminescent emission wavelength and the fluorescence intensity depend closely on the excitation wavelength, and thus, it provides a potential for multicolor imaging as demonstrated with HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells.

Glowing graphene quantum dots and carbon dots: properties, syntheses, and biological applications

The emerging graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon dots (C-dots) have gained tremendous attention for their enormous potentials for biomedical applications, owing to their unique and tunable photoluminescence properties, exceptional physicochemical properties, high photostability, biocompatibility, and small size. This article aims to update the latest results in this rapidly evolving field and to provide critical insights to inspire more exciting developments. We comparatively review the properties and synthesis methods of these carbon nanodots and place emphasis on their biological (both fundamental and theranostic) applications.

Solvent-controlled structural diversity observed in three Cu(ii) MOFs with a 2,2′-dinitro-biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate ligand: synthesis, structures and magnetism

Three solvent-dependent 3D Cu^II-based MOFs with diverse topology net have been successfully separated under controllable solvothermal conditions and magnetic studies suggest homo-spin topological ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions.

Recent applications of carbon nanomaterials in fluorescence biosensing and bioimaging

A review of recent applications of carbon nanomaterials in fluorescence biosensing and bioimaging.

Carbon quantum dots and their applications

This review covers the progress in the research and development of carbon quantum dots and their applications in chemical sensing, biosensing, bioimaging, nanomedicine, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

Facile formation of ZIF-8 thin films on ZnO nanorods

Thin films of ZIF-8 on ZnO nanorods were synthesized by casting a thin linker film followed by heating for less than an hour.

Fluorescent metal–organic framework based on pyrene chromophore for sensing of nitrobenzene

A novel 3D MOF constructed by a dendritic ligand with pyrene chromophore and Mg was synthesized. The MOF shows specific fluorescence response to DMF and can sense nitrobenzene at a low detection level, making this a promising material for detecting explosive substances.

Novel efficient fluorophores synthesized from citric acid

Citric acid was reacted with α,β-diamines, β-amino thiols and β-amino alcohols to produce fluorescent derivatives of 2-pyridone (QY up to ∼79%). The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by analyses of 1D, 2D NMR and ESI-MS data.

Study on the room temperature synthesis of highly photoluminescent and temperature-sensitive CDs/PNIPAM hybrid hydrogels and their properties

Highly photoluminescent and temperature-sensitive CDs/PNIPAM hybrid hydrogel was synthesized at room temperature by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).

Sensing applications of luminescent carbon based dots

Carbon based dots (CDs) including carbon quantum dots and graphene quantum dots exhibit unique luminescence properties, such as photoluminescence (PL), chemiluminescence (CL) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL).

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles for the fluorescent detection of metal ions

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (F-CNPs) as a new kind of fluorescent nanoparticles, have recently attracted considerable research interest in a wide range of applications due to their low-cost and good biocompatibility. The fluorescent detection of metal ions is one of the most important applications. In this review, we first present the general detection mechanism of F-CNPs for the fluorescent detection of metal ions, including fluorescence turn-off, fluorescence turn-on, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and ratiometric response. We then focus on the recent advances of F-CNPs in the fluorescent detection of metal ions, including Hg(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and other metal ions. Further, we discuss the research trends and future prospects of F-CNPs. We envision that more novel F-CNPs-based nanosensors with more accuracy and robustness will be widely used to assay and remove various metal ions, and there will be more practical applications in coming years.

Functionalized lanthanide coordination polymer nanoparticles for selective sensing of hydrogen peroxide in biological fluids

The fluorescence of Phe/Tb CPNPs functionalized with CPBA (Phe/Tb-CPBA CPNPs) was selectively quenched upon the addition of H₂O₂.

MOF positioning technology and device fabrication

Methods for permanent localisation, dynamic localisation and spatial control of functional materials within MOF crystals are critical for the development of miniaturised MOF-based devices for a number of technological applications.