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Qiao L, Fu Z, Li B, Liu Z, Cai L, Pan Y, Ran X, He Y, Wu W, Chi Z, Liu R, Guo L. Heteroatom Doping Promoted Ultrabright and Ultrastable Photoluminescence of Water-Soluble Au/Ag Nanoclusters for Visual and Efficient Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:34510-34523. [PMID: 38946393 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Photoluminescence (PL) metal nanoclusters (NCs) have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility, and broad application prospects. However, developing water-soluble PL metal NCs with a high quantum yield (QY) and high stability for visual drug delivery remains a great challenge. Herein, we have synthesized ultrabright l-Arg-ATT-Au/Ag NCs (Au/Ag NCs) with a PL QY as high as 73% and excellent photostability by heteroatom doping and surface rigidization in aqueous solution. The as-prepared Au/Ag NCs can maintain a high QY of over 61% in a wide pH range and various ionic environments as well as a respectable resistance to photobleaching. The results from structure characterization and steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic analysis reveal that Ag doping into Au NCs not only effectively modifies the electronic structure and photostability but also significantly regulates the interfacial dynamics of the excited states and enhances the PL QY of Au/Ag NCs. Studies in vitro indicate Au/Ag NCs have a high loading capacity and pH-triggered release ability of doxorubicin (DOX) that can be visualized from the quenching and recovery of PL intensity and lifetime. Imaging-guided experiments in cancer cells show that DOX of Au/Ag NCs-DOX agents can be efficiently delivered and released in the nucleus with preferential accumulation in the nucleolus, facilitating deep insight into the drug action sites and pharmacological mechanisms. Moreover, the evaluation of anticancer activity in vivo reveals an outstanding suppression rate of 90.2% for mice tumors. These findings demonstrate Au/Ag NCs to be a superior platform for bioimaging and visual drug delivery in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Qiao
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zhijie Fu
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zhanpeng Liu
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Lin Cai
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yatao Pan
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Xia Ran
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yulu He
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Wenqiang Wu
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zhen Chi
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Renming Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Lijun Guo
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- School of Physics and Electronics, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
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Nonappa. Precision nanoengineering for functional self-assemblies across length scales. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13800-13819. [PMID: 37902292 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02205f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
As nanotechnology continues to push the boundaries across disciplines, there is an increasing need for engineering nanomaterials with atomic-level precision for self-assembly across length scales, i.e., from the nanoscale to the macroscale. Although molecular self-assembly allows atomic precision, extending it beyond certain length scales presents a challenge. Therefore, the attention has turned to size and shape-controlled metal nanoparticles as building blocks for multifunctional colloidal self-assemblies. However, traditionally, metal nanoparticles suffer from polydispersity, uncontrolled aggregation, and inhomogeneous ligand distribution, resulting in heterogeneous end products. In this feature article, I will discuss how virus capsids provide clues for designing subunit-based, precise, efficient, and error-free self-assembly of colloidal molecules. The atomically precise nanoscale proteinic subunits of capsids display rigidity (conformational and structural) and patchy distribution of interacting sites. Recent experimental evidence suggests that atomically precise noble metal nanoclusters display an anisotropic distribution of ligands and patchy ligand bundles. This enables symmetry breaking, consequently offering a facile route for two-dimensional colloidal crystals, bilayers, and elastic monolayer membranes. Furthermore, inter-nanocluster interactions mediated via the ligand functional groups are versatile, offering routes for discrete supracolloidal capsids, composite cages, toroids, and macroscopic hierarchically porous frameworks. Therefore, engineered nanoparticles with atomically precise structures have the potential to overcome the limitations of molecular self-assembly and large colloidal particles. Self-assembly allows the emergence of new optical properties, mechanical strength, photothermal stability, catalytic efficiency, quantum yield, and biological properties. The self-assembled structures allow reproducible optoelectronic properties, mechanical performance, and accurate sensing. More importantly, the intrinsic properties of individual nanoclusters are retained across length scales. The atomically precise nanoparticles offer enormous potential for next-generation functional materials, optoelectronics, precision sensors, and photonic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonappa
- Facutly of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33720, Tampere, Finland.
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Bera D, Mukhopadhyay A, Nonappa, Goswami N. In Situ Depletion-Guided Engineering of Nanoshell-like Gold Nanocluster Assemblies with Enhanced Peroxidase-like Nanozyme Activity. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:7299-7305. [PMID: 37561008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Functional superstructures constructed from metal nanoclusters (MNCs) hold great promise in providing highly tunable photoluminescence (PL), catalytic activity, photothermal stability, and biological functionality. However, their controlled synthesis with well-defined size, structure, and properties remains a significant challenge. Herein, we introduce a novel approach that combines depletion attraction and thermal activation to induce the in situ formation of spherical superclusters (AuSCs) from Au(I)-thiolate complexes within the assembly. Extensive characterization and electron tomographic reconstruction reveal that Au(I)-thiolate complexes can be sequentially transitioned into metallic Au0, resulting in hollow nanoshell-like structures with consistent size (∼110 nm) and diverse shell configurations. Our results demonstrate that AuSCs with thinner shells, containing a high concentration of Au(I)-thiolate complexes, exhibit the highest PL, while AuSCs with thicker shells, containing high concentrations of metallic gold atoms and low ligand density, show remarkable peroxidase-like nanozyme activity in the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debkumar Bera
- Materials Chemistry Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar 751013, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201 002, India
| | - Arun Mukhopadhyay
- Materials Chemistry Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar 751013, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201 002, India
| | - Nonappa
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu-3, FI-33720 Tampere, Finland
| | - Nirmal Goswami
- Materials Chemistry Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar 751013, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201 002, India
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Zuo Z, Pan X, Yang G, Zhang Y, Liu X, Zha J, Yuan X. Cu(I) complexes with aggregation-induced emission for enhanced photodynamic antibacterial application. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:2942-2947. [PMID: 36847279 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt00333g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This communication reports the design of aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-featured PEG-condensed Cu(I)-p-MBA aggregates (PCuA). Benefiting from the AIE trait and intrinsic antibacterial property of Cu species, the as-developed PCuA exhibits enhanced photodynamic antibacterial activities against broad-spectrum bacteria, providing a paradigm in the design of novel antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxiang Zuo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Xinxin Pan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Ge Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Yuemin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Xingwen Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Jinrun Zha
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Xun Yuan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST), 53 Zhengzhou Rd., Shibei District, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
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Cheng Z, Fan Y, Zhang L, Wang C. Preparation of co-enhanced gold nanoclusters and its application in the detections of 4-hexylresorcinol and Cr6++. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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