Ligand Decomposition during Nanoparticle Synthesis: Influence of Ligand Structure and Precursor Selection

Platinum nanoparticles in cancer therapy: chemotherapeutic enhancement and ROS generation

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) offer significant promise in cancer therapy by enhancing the therapeutic effects of platinum-based chemotherapies like cisplatin. These nanoparticles improve tumor targeting, reduce off-target effects, and help overcome drug resistance. PtNPs exert their anti-cancer effects primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, PtNPs interact with cellular signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK, sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy. Advances in PtNP synthesis focus on optimizing size, shape, and surface modifications to enhance biocompatibility and targeting. Functionalization with biomolecules allows selective tumor delivery, while smart release systems enable controlled drug release. In vivo studies have shown that PtNPs significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating their safety and efficacy. This review explores PtNPs' mechanisms of action, nanotechnology advancements, and challenges in biocompatibility, with a focus on their potential integration into cancer treatments.

Lead-Free Semiconductors: Phase-Evolution and Superior Stability of Multinary Tin Chalcohalides

Tin-based semiconductors are highly desirable materials for energy applications due to their low toxicity and biocompatibility relative to analogous lead-based semiconductors. In particular, tin-based chalcohalides possess optoelectronic properties that are ideal for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications. In addition, they are believed to benefit from increased stability compared with halide perovskites. However, to fully realize their potential, it is first necessary to better understand and predict the synthesis and phase evolution of these complex materials. Here, we describe a versatile solution-phase method for the preparation of the multinary tin chalcohalide semiconductors Sn2SbS2I3, Sn2BiS2I3, Sn2BiSI5, and Sn2SI2. We demonstrate how certain thiocyanate precursors are selective toward the synthesis of chalcohalides, thus preventing the formation of binary and other lower order impurities rather than the preferred multinary compositions. Critically, we utilized 119Sn ssNMR spectroscopy to further assess the phase purity of these materials. Further, we validate that the tin chalcohalides exhibit excellent water stability under ambient conditions, as well as remarkable resistance to heat over time compared to halide perovskites. Together, this work enables the isolation of lead-free, stable, direct band gap chalcohalide compositions that will help engineer more stable and biocompatible semiconductors and devices.

Ligand Decomposition Differences during Thermal Sintering of Oleylamine-Capped Gold Nanoparticles in Ambient and Inert Environments: Implications for Conductive Inks

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are essential in creating conductive inks vital for advancing printable electronics, sensing technologies, catalysis, and plasmonics. A crucial step in fabricating useful GNP-based devices is understanding the thermal sintering process and particularly the decomposition pathways of ligands in different environments. This study addresses a gap in the existing research by examining the sintering of oleylamine (OA)-capped GNPs in both ambient (air) and inert (N2) environments. Through a series of analyses including TGA/MS, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS, distinctive OA decomposition behaviors were identified in air and nitrogen environments. The research delineates two OA decomposition pathways resulting in different porosity, microstructure, and electrical conductivity of GNP films sintered in air and nitrogen environments. The study offers some insights that can steer the sintering and utilization of the GNP sintering process and promises to aid the future development of nanoparticle-based printable electronics.