Microcontainers with Fluorescent Anisotropic Zeolite L Cores and Isotropic Silica Shells

A Ratiometric Fluorescent Nano-Probe for Rapid and Specific Detection of Tetracycline Residues Based on a Dye-Doped Functionalized Nanoscaled Metal-Organic Framework

Tetracycline (TC) residues are harmful to the environment and human body, so it is necessary to develop a highly sensitive probe for rapid detection of tetracycline residues. In the present paper, a novel dye-doped porous metal–organic framework (UiO-66)-based multi-color fluorescent nano-probe was designed for sensitive ratiometric detection of tetracycline (TC). In this probe, dye-molecules doped UiO-66 was used as a fluorescent internal standard, and the externally grafted lanthanide Eu³⁺ complex was used as response signals. The fluorescence of the Eu³⁺ complex was selectively enhanced with increasing concentrations of TC, which was accompanied by a visual blue-to-red color switch. The nano-probe had a linear response between 0.1 and 6 μM with a lowest detection limit of 17.9 nM, which was much lower than the maximum residue limits set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (676 nM) and the European Union (225 nM). The applicability of this method in the analysis of actual samples was evaluated by the determination of TC in honey and milk samples, indicating satisfactory recovery and good reproducibility. In addition, a cost-effective paper-based probe for rapid and visual detection of TC was developed by fixing the nano-probe on filter papers. With the help of a smartphone camera to capture the fluorescence color, and chromaticity analysis software, the calculation and analysis of red (R) and blue (B) values can be realized, which has the potential for real-time visual detection of TC.

Ion-Exchangeable Microporous Polyoxometalate Compounds with Off-Center Dopants Exhibiting Unconventional Luminescence

The synthesis of luminescent polyoxometalates (POMs) typically relies on the assembly of POM ligands with rare earth or transition metals, placing significant constraints on the composition, structure, and hence the luminescence properties of the resultant systems. Herein, we show that the ion-exchange strategy can be used for the synthesis of novel POM-based luminescent materials. We demonstrate that introducing bismuth ions into an ion-exchangeable, microporous POM compound yields an unconventional system luminescing in the near-infrared region. Experimental characterization, coupled with quantum chemical calculations, confirms that bismuth ions site-specifically occupy an off-center site in the lattice, and have an asymmetric coordination geometry unattainable by other means, thus giving rise to peculiar emission. Our findings offer an effective strategy for the synthesis of POM-based luminescent materials, and the design concept may potentially be adapted to the creation of POM-based systems with other functionalities.

Preparation and Characterization of WS₂@SiO₂ and WS₂@PANI Core-Shell Nanocomposites

Two tungsten disulfide (WS₂)-based core-shell nanocomposites were fabricated using readily available reagents and simple procedures. The surface was pre-treated with a surfactant couple in a layer-by-layer approach, enabling good dispersion of the WS₂ nanostructures in aqueous media and providing a template for the polymerization of a silica (SiO₂) shell. After a Stöber-like reaction, a conformal silica coating was achieved. Inspired by the resulting nanocomposite, a second one was prepared by reacting the surfactant-modified WS₂ nanostructures with aniline and an oxidizing agent in an aqueous medium. Here too, a conformal coating of polyaniline (PANI) was obtained, giving a WS₂@PANI nanocomposite. Both nanocomposites were analyzed by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and FTIR, verifying the core-shell structure and the character of shells. The silica shell was amorphous and mesoporous and the surface area of the composite increases with shell thickness. Polyaniline shells slightly differ in their morphologies dependent on the acid used in the polymerization process and are amorphous like the silica shell. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the WS₂@PANI nanocomposite showed variation between bulk PANI and the PANI shell. These two nanocomposites have great potential to expand the use of transition metals dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for new applications in different fields.

A novel visual ratiometric fluorescent sensing platform for highly-sensitive visual detection of tetracyclines by a lanthanide- functionalized palygorskite nanomaterial

A palygorskite (Pal)-based ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe is designed in order to establish a real time, on-site visual, and highly sensitive detection method for tetracyclines (TCs). The nanoprobe comprises the green emissive dye molecules embedded in the natural Pal, which serve as the internal reference signal. The potential red-emissive seed-europium (Eu³⁺) ions are covalently bound on the surface of modified Pal, and they can act as the specific recognition element. The emission intensity of Eu³⁺ ions significantly increases upon TC addition. The nanoprobe fluorescence changes from green to yellow, orange, or red, thereby accomplishing the visual ratiometric fluorescent detection. This nanoprobe exhibits a high sensitivity with a detection limit of 7.1nM and an excellent selectivity in monitoring the levels of TCs in milk samples. In addition, this nanoprobe is useful for quantitative determination of TCs, and it is not affected with intensity fluctuations due to instrumental or environmental factors. The nanoprobe-immobilized test paper realizes real-time TCs analysis by using a smartphone with an easy-to-access color-scanning APP as the detection platform. Moreover, the reported construction of visual ratiometric detection system follows the sustainable development idea, that is, from nature, for nature, and into the nature.

Luminescent materials of zeolite functionalized with lanthanides

Luminescent materials based on the functionalization of zeolite with lanthanide constitute an intense research topic since they combine the attractive properties of zeolite and unique optical properties of Ln³⁺ ions. This review highlights the utilization of zeolite as luminescent materials showing tunable luminescence performance, well-organized structures and useful host–guest interactions.

Recent progress on silica coating of nanoparticles and related nanomaterials

In recent years, new strategies for silica coating of inorganic nanoparticles and organic nanomaterials, which differ from the classical methodologies, have emerged at the forefront of materials science. Silica as a coating material promises an unparalleled opportunity for enhancement of colloidal properties and functions by using core-shell rational designs and profiting from its synthetic versatility. This contribution provides a brief overview of recent progress in the synthesis of silica-coated nanomaterials and their significant impact in different areas such as spectroscopy, magnetism, catalysis, and biology.