19F-Grafted Fluorescent Carbonized Polymer Dots for Dual-Mode Imaging

A Portable Array Visualization Device Integrating Sample Preparation and Detection All-in-One for the On-Site Analysis of Complex Samples

A gas membrane separation/array fluorescence visualization (GMS/AFV) device is developed by integrating hydrazine-based carbonized copolymer dots (PD-N2H4) for visual on-site analysis. The novel PD-N2H4 was synthesized using a "polymer template" approach, exhibiting strong blue fluorescence capable of visual sensing. The GMS/AFV device integrates sample preparation and detection all-in-one, consisting of a smartphone, a sample pretreatment system, and an optical system. In the detection procedure, the samples will be treated in the sample pretreatment system to create volatile gases. Therefore, any gas samples as well as solid and liquid samples that potentially produce volatile gases can be visually detected on-site by the device. H2S was utilized as a model analyte to test the practicality of the GMS/AFV device. The entire analysis can be finished in 3 min, and the limit of detection of H2S is as low as 3.4 μg/L. Surprisingly, the device is also capable of high-throughput sample detection, which can process 48 samples simultaneously in about 20 min. The device offers a quick, easy, cheap, and environmentally friendly way to analyze volatile gases, and it creates new opportunities for on-site detection of complex samples.

Single Doping for Triple Functions: Integrated Theranostic Nanoplatforms for Multimodal Image-Guided Tumor Therapy

Accurate location and efficient treatment of diseases by multifunctional nanoplatforms are appealing but face great challenges. Theranostic agents through the physical combination of different functional nanoparticles are demonstrated to be effective. Yet, the complicated biological environment often leads to ambiguous fates of each agent, which fails to keep the behaviors of imaging and therapeutic components in a simultaneous manner. Herein, "integrated" theranostic NPs, Gd-doped CuWO4 (CWG) with strong near-infrared (808 nm) absorption, the longest absorption peak of reported CuWO4 , located in the biological transparent window, are constructed. The single doping of trace amount of Gd not only endows them with a distinguished magnetic resonance imaging capability (r1 = 12.01 mM-1 s-1 ), but also concurrently imposes great effect on the valence states of matrix ion (Cu), as evidenced by theoretical calculation results. The charge distribution shift of Cu would facilitate ·OH generation, beneficial for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, CWG NPs display remarkable photoacoustic (PA) and computed tomography (CT) imaging capabilities (S = 10.33 HU mM-1 ). Such integrated theranostics afford a paradigm for multimodal imaging-guided synergistic therapy with all-in-one single nanoparticle.

Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials for Fluorescent Sensing and Imaging

Advances in nanotechnology and nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest and play key roles in scientific innovations in diverse fields. In particular, increased attention has been focused on carbon-based nanomaterials exhibiting diverse extended structures and unique properties. Among these materials, zero-dimensional structures, including fullerenes, carbon nano-onions, carbon nanodiamonds, and carbon dots, possess excellent bioaffinities and superior fluorescence properties that make these structures suitable for application to environmental and biological sensing, imaging, and therapeutics. This review provides a systematic overview of the classification and structural properties, design principles and preparation methods, and optical properties and sensing applications of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials. Recent interesting breakthroughs in the sensitive and selective sensing and imaging of heavy metal pollutants, hazardous substances, and bioactive molecules as well as applications in information encryption, super-resolution and photoacoustic imaging, and phototherapy and nanomedicine delivery are the main focus of this review. Finally, future challenges and prospects of these materials are highlighted and envisaged. This review presents a comprehensive basis and directions for designing, developing, and applying fascinating fluorescent sensors fabricated based on zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials for specific requirements in numerous research fields.

Recent Research Progress of 19 F Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probes: Principle, Design, and Their Application

Visualization of biomolecules, cells, and tissues, as well as metabolic processes in vivo is significant for studying the associated biological activities. Fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (19 F MRI) holds potential among various imaging technologies thanks to its negligible background signal and deep tissue penetration in vivo. To achieve detection on the targets with high resolution and accuracy, requirements of high-performance 19 F MRI probes are demanding. An ideal 19 F MRI probe is thought to have, first, fluorine tags with magnetically equivalent 19 F nuclei, second, high fluorine content, third, adequate fluorine nuclei mobility, as well as excellent water solubility or dispersity, but not limited to. This review summarizes the research progresses of 19 F MRI probes and mainly discusses the impacts of structures on in vitro and in vivo imaging performances. Additionally, the applications of 19 F MRI probes in ions sensing, molecular structures analysis, cells tracking, and in vivo diagnosis of disease lesions are also covered in this article. From authors' perspectives, this review is able to provide inspirations for relevant researchers on designing and synthesizing advanced 19 F MRI probes.