Thermoresponsive and Photoluminescent Hybrid Silicon Nanoparticles by Surface-Initiated Group Transfer Polymerization of Diethyl Vinylphosphonate

Precise Synthesis and Thermoresponsive Property of Poly(ethyl glycidyl ether) and Its Block and Statistic Copolymers with Poly(glycidol)

In this paper, we describe a comprehensive study of the thermoresponsive properties of statistic copolymers and multiblock copolymers synthesized by poly(glycidol)s (PG) and poly(ethyl glycidyl ether) (PEGE) with different copolymerization methods. These copolymers were first synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP), which was initiated by tert-butylbenzyl alcohol (tBBA) and 1-tert-butyl-4,4,4-tris(dimethylamino)-2,2-bis[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidenamino]-2Λ⁵,4Λ⁵-catenadi(phosphazene) (t-Bu-P₄) as the catalyst, and then the inherent protective groups were removed to obtain the copolymers without any specific chain end groups. The thermoresponsive property of the statistic copolymer PG_x-stat-PEGE_y was compared with the diblock copolymer PG_x-b-PEGE_y, and the triblock copolymers were compared with the pentablock copolymers. Among them, PG-stat-PEGE, PG-b-PEGE-b-PG-b-PEGE-b-PG, and PEGE-b-PG-b-PEGE-b-PG-b-PEGE, and even the specific ratio of PEGE-b-PG-b-PEGE, exhibited LCST-type phase transitions in water, which were characterized by cloud point (T_cp). Although the ratio of x to y affected the value of the T_cp of PG_x-stat-PEGE_y, we found that the disorder of the copolymer has a decisive effect on the phase-transition behavior. The phase-transition behaviors of PG-b-PEGE, part of PEGE-b-PG-b-PEGE, and PG-b-PEGE-b-PG copolymers in water present a two-stage phase transition, that is, firstly LCST-type and then the upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-like phase transition. In addition, we have extended the research on the thermoresponsive properties of EGE homopolymers without specific α-chain ends.

Superhydrophobic Silicon Nanocrystal-Silica Aerogel Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties, and Sensing Application

Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) are abundant and exhibit exquisitely tailorable optoelectronic properties. The incorporation of SiNCs into highly porous and lightweight substrates such as aerogels leads to hybrid materials possessing the attractive features of both materials. This study describes the covalent deposition of SiNCs on and intercalation into silica aerogels, explores the properties, and demonstrates a prototype sensing application of the composite material. SiNCs of different sizes were functionalized with triethoxyvinylsilane (TEVS) via a radical grafting approach and subsequently used for the synthesis of photoluminescent silica hybrids. The resulting SiNC-containing aerogels possess high porosities, SiNC-based size-dependent photoluminescence, transparency, and a superhydrophobic macroscopic surface. The materials were used to examine the photoluminescence response toward low concentrations of 3-nitrotoluene (270 μM), demonstrating their potential as a sensing platform for high-energy materials.

In situ IR-spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring the radical hydrosilylation process on silicon nanocrystal surfaces

Among a variety of SiNC functionalization methods, radical initiated grafting is very promising due to its straightforward nature and low propensity to form surface oligomers. In the present study, we employed in situ IR spectroscopy in combination with visible light transmittance measurements to investigate the radical induced grafting process on the well-defined SiNCs. Our findings support the proposed model: unfunctionalized hydride-terminated SiNCs form agglomerates in organic solvents, which break up during the grafting process. However, clearing of the dispersion is not a valid indicator for complete surface functionalization. Furthermore, radical-initiated grafting reactions in which azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) is the initiator are strongly influenced by external factors including initiator concentration, grafting temperature, as well as substrate steric demand. The monomer concentration was proven to have a low impact on the grafting process. Based on these new insights an underlying mechanism could be discussed, offering an unprecedented view on the functionalization of SiNC surfaces via radical initiated hydrosilylation.

Recent Advances in Silicon Nanomaterial-Based Fluorescent Sensors

During the past decades, owing to silicon nanomaterials' unique optical properties, benign biocompatibility, and abundant surface chemistry, different dimensional silicon nanostructures have been widely employed for rationally designing and fabricating high-performance fluorescent sensors for the detection of various chemical and biological species. Among of these, zero-dimensional silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) and one-dimensional silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are of particular interest. Herein, we focus on reviewing recent advances in silicon nanomaterials-based fluorescent sensors from a broad perspective and discuss possible future directions. Firstly, we introduce the latest achievement of zero-dimensional SiNP-based fluorescent sensors. Next, we present recent advances of one-dimensional SiNW-based fluorescent sensors. Finally, we discuss the major challenges and prospects for the development of silicon-based fluorescent sensors.

pH- and Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel Nanoparticles with Dual Photoluminescence for Bioprobes

This study demonstrates high contrast and sensitivity by designing a dual-emissive hydrogel particle system, whose two emissions respond to pH and temperature strongly and independently. It describes the photoluminescence (PL) response of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based core/shell hydrogel nanoparticles with dual emission, which is obtained by emulsion polymerization with potassium persulfate, consisting of the thermo- and pH-responsive copolymers of PNIPAM and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). A red-emission rare-earth complex and a blue-emission quaternary ammonium tetraphenylethylene derivative (d-TPE) with similar excitation wavelengths are inserted into the core and shell of the hydrogel nanoparticles, respectively. The PL intensities of the nanoparticles exhibit a linear temperature response in the range from 10 to 80 °C with a change as large as a factor of 5. In addition, the blue emission from the shell exhibits a linear pH response between pH 6.5 and 7.6 with a resolution of 0.1 unit, while the red emission from the core is pH-independent. These stimuli-responsive PL nanoparticles have potential applications in biology and chemistry, including bio- and chemosensors, biological imaging, cancer diagnosis, and externally activated release of anticancer drugs.