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Ma C, Peng S, Chen L, Cao X, Sun Y, Chen L, Yang L, Ma C, Liu Q, Liu Z, Jiang S. Anisotropic Bi-Layer Hydrogel Actuator with pH-Responsive Color-Changing and Photothermal-Responsive Shape-Changing Bi-Functional Synergy. Gels 2023; 9:438. [PMID: 37367109 DOI: 10.3390/gels9060438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive color-changing and shape-changing hydrogels are promising intelligent materials for visual detections and bio-inspired actuations, respectively. However, it is still an early stage to integrate the color-changing performance and shape-changing performance together to provide bi-functional synergistic biomimetic devices, which are difficult to design but will greatly expand further applications of intelligent hydrogels. Herein, we present an anisotropic bi-layer hydrogel by combining a pH-responsive rhodamine-B (RhB)-functionalized fluorescent hydrogel layer and a photothermal-responsive shape-changing melanin-added poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel layer with fluorescent color-changing and shape-changing bi-functional synergy. This bi-layer hydrogel can obtain fast and complex actuations under irradiation with 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light due to both the melanin-composited PNIPAM hydrogel with high efficiency of photothermal conversion and the anisotropic structure of this bi-hydrogel. Furthermore, the RhB-functionalized fluorescent hydrogel layer can provide rapid pH-responsive fluorescent color change, which can be integrated with NIR-responsive shape change to achieve bi-functional synergy. As a result, this bi-layer hydrogel can be designed using various biomimetic devices, which can show the actuating process in the dark for real-time tracking and even mimetic starfish to synchronously change both the color and shape. This work provides a new bi-layer hydrogel biomimetic actuator with color-changing and shape-changing bi-functional synergy, which will inspire new strategies for other intelligent composite materials and high-level biomimetic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Shuyi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Lian Chen
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xingyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ye Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Lang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chunming Ma
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qijie Liu
- Taizhou Key Laboratory of Medical Devices and Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Zhenzhong Liu
- Taizhou Key Laboratory of Medical Devices and Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Shaohua Jiang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Wang Y, Lv T, Yin K, Feng N, Sun X, Zhou J, Li H. Carbon Dot-Based Hydrogels: Preparations, Properties, and Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207048. [PMID: 36709483 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels have extremely high moisture content, which makes it very soft and excellently biocompatible. They have become an important soft material and have a wide range of applications in various fields such as biomedicine, bionic smart material, and electrochemistry. Carbon dot (CD)-based hydrogels are based on carbon dots (CDs) and auxiliary substances, forming a gel material with comprehensive properties of individual components. CDs embedding in hydrogels could not only solve their aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect, but also manipulate the properties of hydrogels and even bring some novel properties, achieving a win-win situation. In this review, the preparation methods, formation mechanism, and properties of CD-based hydrogels, and their applications in biomedicine, sensing, adsorption, energy storage, and catalysis -are summarized. Finally, a brief discussion on future research directions of CD-based hydrogels will be given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, P. R. China
| | - Tingjie Lv
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, P. R. China
| | - Keyang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Ning Feng
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, P. R. China
| | - Jin Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, P. R. China
| | - Hongguang Li
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
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Rimmer S, Spencer P, Nocita D, Sweeney J, Harrison M, Swift T. Chain-Extendable Crosslinked Hydrogels Using Branching RAFT Modification. Gels 2023; 9:gels9030235. [PMID: 36975685 PMCID: PMC10048396 DOI: 10.3390/gels9030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional crosslinked hydrogels were prepared from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA). The acid monomer was incorporated both via copolymerization and chain extension of a branching, reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer agent incorporated into the crosslinked polymer gel. The hydrogels were intolerant to high levels of acidic copolymerization as the acrylic acid weakened the ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) crosslinked network. Hydrogels made from HEMA, EGDMA and a branching RAFT agent provide the network with loose-chain end functionality that can be retained for subsequent chain extension. Traditional methods of surface functionalization have the downside of potentially creating a high volume of homopolymerization in the solution. Branching RAFT comonomers act as versatile anchor sites by which additional polymerization chain extension reactions can be carried out. Acrylic acid grafted onto HEMA–EGDMA hydrogels showed higher mechanical strength than the equivalent statistical copolymer networks and was shown to have functionality as an electrostatic binder of cationic flocculants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Rimmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JA, UK
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (T.S.); Tel.: +44-0127-423-2323 (S.R. & T.S.)
| | - Paul Spencer
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Davide Nocita
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - John Sweeney
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Marcus Harrison
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JA, UK
| | - Thomas Swift
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JA, UK
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (T.S.); Tel.: +44-0127-423-2323 (S.R. & T.S.)
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N-isopropylacrylamide and spiropyran copolymer-grafted fluorescent carbon nanoparticles with dual responses to light and temperature stimuli. Polym J 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-020-0383-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Fan Q, Li J, Zhu Y, Yang Z, Shen T, Guo Y, Wang L, Mei T, Wang J, Wang X. Functional Carbon Quantum Dots for Highly Sensitive Graphene Transistors for Cu 2+ Ion Detection. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:4797-4803. [PMID: 31909585 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b20785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cu2+ ions play essential roles in various biological events that occur in the human body. It is important to establish an efficient and reliable detection of Cu2+ ions for people's health. The solution-gated graphene transistors (SGGTs) have been extensively investigated as a promising platform for chemical and biological sensing applications. Herein, highly sensitive and highly selective sensor for Cu2+ ion detection is successfully constructed based on SGGTs with gate electrodes modified by functional carbon quantum dots (CQDs). The sensing mechanism of the sensor is that the coordination of CQDs and Cu2+ ions induces the capacitance change of the electrical double layer (EDL) near the gate electrode and then results in the change of channel current. Compared to other metal ions, Cu2+ ions have an excellent binding nature with CQDs that make it an ultrahigh selective sensor. The CQD-modified sensor achieves excellent Cu2+ ion detection with a minimal level of concentration (1 × 10-14 M), which is several orders of magnitude lower than the values obtained from other conventional detection methods. Interestingly, the device also displays a quick response time on the order of seconds. Due to the functionalized nature of CQDs, SGGTs with CQD-modified gate show good prospects to achieve multifunctional sensing platform in biochemical detections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Fan
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Jinhua Li
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Yuhua Zhu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Zilu Yang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Tao Shen
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Yizhong Guo
- Institute of Microstructure and Properties of Advanced Materials , Beijing University of Technology , Beijing 100124 , China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Institute of Microstructure and Properties of Advanced Materials , Beijing University of Technology , Beijing 100124 , China
| | - Tao Mei
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Jianying Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
| | - Xianbao Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Hubei University , Wuhan 430062 , China
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Stan CS, Coroaba A, Popa M, Ursu LE. Highly photoemissive polymer–transition metal complexes based on poly(2‐hydroxyethyl) methacrylate. POLYM INT 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.5926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu S Stan
- Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers ‘Gheorghe Asachi’ Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection Cristofor Simionescu Iasi Romania
| | - Adina Coroaba
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers ‘Petru Poni’ Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy Grigore Ghica Iasi Romania
| | - Marcel Popa
- Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers ‘Gheorghe Asachi’ Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection Cristofor Simionescu Iasi Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists Bucharest Romania
| | - Laura E Ursu
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers ‘Petru Poni’ Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy Grigore Ghica Iasi Romania
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Zhu Y, Wang J, Zhu X, Wang J, Zhou L, Li J, Mei T, Qian J, Wei L, Wang X. Carbon dot-based inverse opal hydrogels with photoluminescence: dual-mode sensing of solvents and metal ions. Analyst 2019; 144:5802-5809. [PMID: 31465037 DOI: 10.1039/c9an01287g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A dual-mode sensing platform, involving fluorescence and reflectance modes, has been demonstrated for highly sensitive and selective detection of solvents and metal ions based on carbon dot-based inverse opal hydrogels (CD-IOHs). In this work, CD-IOHs have been first synthesized via the typical templating technique. Two kinds of CDs, including solvent and Cu(ii) ion sensitive CDs, have been incorporated into the matrix of IOHs during the co-polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The CD-IOHs not only appear green under daylight but also exhibit stable photoluminescence (PL) under UV light owing to the stop-band effect of photonic crystals and the quantum effect of CDs, respectively. By using these two optical phenomena, for solvent sensing, the CD-IOHs change their colors from green, yellow, and red to a semitransparent state and show good linear sensing with the ethanol content varying from 0 to 45% in reflectance mode, while their PL intensities exhibit a nonlinear detection trend: first an increase and then a decrease with the ethanol content in fluorescence mode. Remarkably, as for metal ion sensing, the CD-IOHs have high selectivity for Cu(ii) ions via the specific PL quenching effect of Cu(ii) ion sensitive CDs. Furthermore, the CD-IOHs show good linear detection in both modes and a wide linear detection range from 0.1 μM to 7 mM. Thus, high selectivity, colorimetric detection, a broad linear detection range, and dual-mode sensing can be realized using the CD-IOHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Zhu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Jianying Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Lijie Zhou
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Jinhua Li
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Tao Mei
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Jingwen Qian
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
| | - Lai Wei
- Wuhan Drug Solubilization and Delivery Technology Research Center, School of Environment and Biochemical Engineering, Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering, Wuhan 430205, P. R. China
| | - Xianbao Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
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Martín C, Martín-Pacheco A, Naranjo A, Criado A, Merino S, Díez-Barra E, Herrero MA, Vázquez E. Graphene hybrid materials? The role of graphene materials in the final structure of hydrogels. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:4822-4830. [PMID: 30816371 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr09728c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been introduced into a three-dimensional polymeric network based on polyacrylamide in order to ascertain the role of each nanomaterial in hydrogels. The hydrogel structure is not affected by the introduction of GQDs, since these nanoparticles do not form part of the polymeric network. G and GO modify the structure of the hydrogels but in a different way. GO seems to interact by hydrogen bonding to form non-homogeneous gels in which the mechanical properties are not markedly improved. However, G takes an active part in the formation of the polymeric network, which leads to improved mechanical properties and stability of the final material to give rise to truly hybrid hydrogels and not mere two-phase composite materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martín
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
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Wang J, Zhu Y, Wang L. Synthesis and Applications of Red-Emissive Carbon Dots. CHEM REC 2019; 19:2083-2094. [DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201800172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jianying Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering; Hubei University; Wuhan 430062 China
| | - Yuhua Zhu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering; Hubei University; Wuhan 430062 China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; Harbin Institute of Technology; Harbin 150001 China
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Martín-Pacheco A, Del Río Castillo AE, Martín C, Herrero MA, Merino S, García Fierro JL, Díez-Barra E, Vázquez E. Graphene Quantum Dot-Aerogel: From Nanoscopic to Macroscopic Fluorescent Materials. Sensing Polyaromatic Compounds in Water. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:18192-18201. [PMID: 29733189 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b02162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence based on quantum confinement is a property restricted to the nanoscopic range. The incorporation of nanoparticles in a three-dimensional polymeric network could afford macroscopic scaffolds that show nanoscopic properties. Moreover, if these scaffolds are based on strong bonds, the stability of the resulting materials can be preserved, thus enhancing their final applications. We report for the first time the preparation of a graphene quantum dot (GQD) composite based on a cationic covalent network. This new material has unusual features: (i) the final composite remains stable after several swelling-deswelling cycles, thus demonstrating strong interactions between GQDs and the polymeric material, and therefore it could be used as a portable system. (ii) Fluorescence emission in the composite and in solution is quasi-independent to the excitation wavelength. (iii) However, and in contrast to the behavior observed in GQD solutions, the fluorescence of the composite remains unaltered over a wide pH range and in the presence of different ions commonly found in tap water. (iv) Fluorescence quenching is only observed as a consequence of molecules that bear aromatic systems, and this could be applied to the preparation of in situ water sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martín-Pacheco
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
| | | | - Cristina Martín
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - María Antonia Herrero
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas , Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - Sonia Merino
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas , Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
| | | | - Enrique Díez-Barra
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas , Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - Ester Vázquez
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas , Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) , 13071 Ciudad Real , Spain
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