Quantum dots assisted photocatalysis for the chemiluminometric determination of chemical oxygen demand using a single interface flow system

Clean photoinduced generation of free reactive oxygen species by silica films embedded with CdTe–MTA quantum dots

QDs immobilized into silica films were obtained by sol–gel technique using TMOS. These nanomaterials kept their native PL and the ability to generate ROS opening perspectives for the development of more environment friendly analytical application.

A new five-coordinated copper compound for efficient degradation of methyl orange and Congo red in the absence of UV–visible radiation

A five-coordinated compound, Cu₂(2,2-bipy)₂(pfbz)₄, displays excellent properties of degrading methyl orange and Congo red in the absence of UV–visible radiation.

Silica nanostructures synthesis and CdTe quantum dots immobilization for photocatalytical applications

A new strategy for the immobilization of semiconductor nanocrystals by carrying out in simultaneous the biomimetic synthesis of silica nanostructures and the encapsulation of MPA-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs).

Spatial autocorrelation analysis of Chinese inter-provincial industrial chemical oxygen demand discharge

A spatial autocorrelation analysis method is adopted to process the spatial dynamic change of industrial Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) discharge in China over the past 15 years. Studies show that amount and intensity of industrial COD discharges are on a decrease, and the tendency is more remarkable for discharge intensity. There are large differences between inter-provincial discharge amount and intensity, and with different spatial differentiation features. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals that Global Moran’s I of discharge amount and intensity is on the decrease. In space, there is an evolution from an agglomeration pattern to a discretization pattern. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis shows that the agglomeration area of industrial COD discharge amount and intensity varies greatly in space with time. Stringent environmental regulations and increased funding for environmental protections are the crucial factors to cut down industrial COD discharge amount and intensity.

Application of quantum dots as analytical tools in automated chemical analysis: a review

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs) are one of the most relevant developments in the fast-growing world of nanotechnology. Initially proposed as luminescent biological labels, they are finding new important fields of application in analytical chemistry, where their photoluminescent properties have been exploited in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical and clinical analysis and food quality control. Despite the enormous variety of applications that have been developed, the automation of QDs-based analytical methodologies by resorting to automation tools such as continuous flow analysis and related techniques, which would allow to take advantage of particular features of the nanocrystals such as the versatile surface chemistry and ligand binding ability, the aptitude to generate reactive species, the possibility of encapsulation in different materials while retaining native luminescence providing the means for the implementation of renewable chemosensors or even the utilisation of more drastic and even stability impairing reaction conditions, is hitherto very limited. In this review, we provide insights into the analytical potential of quantum dots focusing on prospects of their utilisation in automated flow-based and flow-related approaches and the future outlook of QDs applications in chemical analysis.