One-pot large-scale synthesis of robust ultrafine silica-hybridized CdTe quantum dots

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Coated Inorganic Nanoparticles: Fabrication and Biomedical Applications

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) continue to gain increasing attention as functional materials due to their unique characteristics such as higher stability, simple preparation, robustness, better binding capacity, and low cost. In particular, MIP-coated inorganic nanoparticles have emerged as a promising platform for various biomedical applications ranging from drug delivery to bioimaging. The integration of MIPs with inorganic nanomaterials such as silica (SiO₂), iron oxide (Fe₃O₄), gold (Au), silver (Ag), and quantum dots (QDs) combines several attributes from both components to yield highly multifunctional materials. These materials with a multicomponent hierarchical structure composed of an inorganic core and an imprinted polymer shell exhibit enhanced properties and new functionalities. This review aims to provide a general overview of key recent advances in the fabrication of MIPs-coated inorganic nanoparticles and highlight their biomedical applications, including drug delivery, biosensor, bioimaging, and bioseparation.

Microwave-Assisted Heating Method toward Multicolor Quantum Dot-Based Phosphors with Much Improved Luminescence

Solid-state highly photoluminescent quantum dot (QD)-based phosphors attract great scientific interests as color converters because of an increasing demand for white-light-emitting devices. Herein, a microwave-assisted heating method is presented to fabricate multicolor QD-based phosphors within 30 s through microwave-assisted heating of the mixture of QDs and sodium silicate aqueous solution. In the composites, the formed cross-linked networks not only play as a matrix to prevent QD aggregation in solid state but also cause the variation of the refractive index around QDs and the QD surface optimization, which contributes to good stabilities and twice enhancement in photoluminescence quantum yields (69%) compared with the initial QD aqueous solution (33%). Using the QD-based phosphors as color conversion layers, white-light-emitting diodes were realized with controllable color temperature, high color purity, and high color-rendering index (90.3), which show a great potential in display and illumination. Furthermore, the luminescence lifetime of the QD-based phosphors is less than 25 ns. The potential application of the QD-based phosphors in visible light communication was also demonstrated, with the modulation bandwidth achieving 42 MHz.

Hyperbranched Macromolecules: From Synthesis to Applications

Hyperbranched macromolecules (HMs, also called hyperbranched polymers) are highly branched three-dimensional (3D) structures in which all bonds converge to a focal point or core, and which have a multiplicity of reactive chain-ends. This review summarizes major types of synthetic strategies exploited to produce HMs, including the step-growth polycondensation, the self-condensing vinyl polymerization and ring opening polymerization. Compared to linear analogues, the globular and dendritic architectures of HMs endow new characteristics, such as abundant functional groups, intramolecular cavities, low viscosity, and high solubility. After discussing the general concepts, synthesis, and properties, various applications of HMs are also covered. HMs continue being materials for topical interest, and thus this review offers both concise summary for those new to the topic and for those with more experience in the field of HMs.

Composition-Tunable Optical Properties of Zn x Cd(1 - x)S Quantum Dot-Carboxymethylcellulose Conjugates: Towards One-Pot Green Synthesis of Multifunctional Nanoplatforms for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) are colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals with unique properties that can be engineered by controlling the nanoparticle size and chemical composition by doping and alloying strategies. However, due to their potential toxicity, augmenting their biocompatibility is yet a challenge for expanding to several biomedical and environmentally friendly applications. Thus, the main goal of this study was to develop composition-tunable and biocompatible Zn x Cd1 - x S QDs using carboxymethylcellulose polysaccharide as direct capping ligand via green colloidal aqueous route at neutral pH and at room temperature for potential biomedical and environmental applications. The ternary alloyed QDs were extensively characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that Zn x Cd(1 - x)S QDs were surface stabilized by carboxymethylcellulose biopolymer with spherical morphology for all composition of alloys and narrow sizes distributions ranging from 4 to 5 nm. The XRD results indicated that monophasic ternary alloyed Zn x Cd1 - x S nanocrystals were produced with homogenous composition of the core as evidenced by EELS and XPS analyses. In addition, the absorption and emission optical properties of Zn x Cd1 - x S QDs were red shifted with increasing the amount of Cd2+ in the alloyed nanocrystals, which have also increased the quantum yield compared to pure CdS and ZnS nanoparticles. These properties of alloyed nanomaterials were interpreted based on empirical model of Vegard's law and chemical bond model (CBM). As a proof of concept, these alloyed-QD conjugates were tested for biomedical and environmental applications. The results demonstrated that they were non-toxic and effective fluorophores for bioimaging live HEK293T cells (human embryonic kidney cells) using confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, these conjugates presented photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of methylene blue used as model organic industrial pollutant in water. Hence, composition-tunable optical properties of ternary Zn x Cd1 - x S (x = 0-1) fluorescent alloyed QDs was achieved using a facile eco-friendly aqueous processing route, which can offer promising alternatives for developing innovative nanomaterials for applications in nanomedicine and environmental science and technology.

Semiconductor Nanocrystal Quantum Dot Synthesis Approaches Towards Large-Scale Industrial Production for Energy Applications

This paper reviews the experimental synthesis and engineering developments that focused on various green approaches and large-scale process production routes for quantum dots. Fundamental process engineering principles were illustrated. In relation to the small-scale hot injection method, our discussions focus on the non-injection route that could be scaled up with engineering stir-tank reactors. In addition, applications that demand to utilize quantum dots as "commodity" chemicals are discussed, including solar cells and solid-state lightings.

Decorating CdTe QD-Embedded Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres with Ag NPs to Prevent Bacteria Invasion for Enhanced Anticounterfeit Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) as potent candidates possess advantageous superiority in fluorescence imaging applications, but they are susceptible to the biological circumstances (e.g., bacterial environment), leading to fluorescence quenching or lose of fluorescent properties. In this work, CdTe QDs were embedded into mesoporous silica nanospheres (m-SiO2 NSs) for preventing QD agglomeration, and then CdTe QD-embedded m-SiO2 NSs (m-SiO2/CdTe NSs) were modified with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to prevent bacteria invasion for enhanced anticounterfeit applications. The m-SiO2 NSs, which serve as intermediate layers to combine CdTe QDs with Ag NPs, help us establish a highly fluorescent and long-term antibacterial system (i.e., m-SiO2/CdTe/Ag NSs). More importantly, CdTe QD-embedded m-SiO2 NSs showed fluorescence quenching when they encounter bacteria, which was avoided by attaching Ag NPs outside. Ag NPs are superior to CdTe QDs for preventing bacteria invasion because of the structure (well-dispersed Ag NPs), size (small diameter), and surface charge (positive zeta potentials) of Ag NPs. The plausible antibacterial mechanisms of m-SiO2/CdTe/Ag NSs toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were established. As for potential applications, m-SiO2/CdTe/Ag NSs were developed as fluorescent anticounterfeiting ink for enhanced imaging applications.

A core–shell CdTe quantum dots molecularly imprinted polymer for recognizing and detecting p-nitrophenol based on computer simulation

A novel molecular imprinting technology, combined with computer simulation and QDs, was used to detect 4-NP.

Hyperbranched polymers: advances from synthesis to applications

This review summarizes the advances in hyperbranched polymers from the viewpoint of structure, click synthesis and functionalization towards their applications in the last decade.

Molecularly imprinted polymer based on CdTe@SiO2 quantum dots as a fluorescent sensor for the recognition of norepinephrine

A fluorescent sensor with recognition ability for norepinephrine was simply prepared and actually used to determine norepinephrine in rat plasma.

Low-cost and gram-scale synthesis of water-soluble Cu-In-S/ZnS core/shell quantum dots in an electric pressure cooker

We report an electric pressure cooker for large-scale synthesis of water-soluble Cu-In-S/ZnS core/shell quantum dots. Low-cost thioglycolic acid and sodium citrate were used as the dual stabilizers. ∼3 grams of quantum dots with a tunable emission from 545 to 610 nm and quantum yield up to 40% were obtained in a batch.

Facile synthesis of ultrasmall monodisperse "raisin-bun"-type MoO3/SiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced catalytic properties

We report the preparation of ultrasmall monodisperse MoO3/SiO2 nanocomposites in reverse microemulsions formed by Brij-58/cyclohexane/water. The nanocomposites are of "raisin-bun"-type with 1.0 ± 0.2 nm MoO3 homogeneously dispersed in 23 ± 2 nm silica spheres. Characterization is carried out based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), N2 sorption measurement, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). The as-prepared MoO3/SiO2 nanocomposites are microporous and exhibit enhanced catalytic activities for acetalization of benzaldehyde with ethylene glycol and can be repeatedly used 5 times without obvious deactivation. The catalytic performance improvement is attributed to the unique structure and ultrasmall size of the nanocomposites.

Development of molecular imaging and nanomedicine in China

The rapid progress of molecular imaging (MI) and the application of nanotechnology in medicine have the potential to advance the foundations of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Although MI and biomedical nanotechnology are still in a formative phase in China, much has been achieved over the last decade. This article provides a commentary on the development and current status of nanomedicine in China, with a selective focus on Chinese nanoparticle synthesis technology, the development of imaging equipment, and the preclinical application of novel MI probes.

Development of a novel deltamethrin sensor based on molecularly imprinted silica nanospheres embedded CdTe quantum dots

A novel procedure for the determination of deltmethrin (DM) is reported. The water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and highly fluorescent silica molecularly imprinted nanospheres embedded CdTe QDs (CdTe-SiO2-MIPs) were prepared and characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, TEM and IR. The fluorescence nanosensor based CdTe-SiO2-MIPs is developed. The possible quenching mechanism is discussed by DM. Under optimal conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of CdTe-SiO2-MIPs decreased with increasing DM by a Stern-Volmer type equation in the concentration range of 0.5-35.0 μg mL(-1), the corresponding detection limit is 0.16 μg mL(-1). The developed sensor based on CdTe-SiO2-MIPs was applied to determine DM in fruit and vegetable samples.

Silica-coated quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles for bioimaging applications (Mini-Review)

Fluorescent quantum dots (e.g., CdSe-ZnS) and magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., Fe(2)O(3) or Fe(3)O(4)) are two important candidate systems that have been emerging as potential probes for bioimaging applications. This review focuses on the development of silica-coated inorganic probes (optical and magnetic) that are originated mainly from the author's laboratory for bioimaging applications. The recent developments in the synthesis of rare earth nanoparticles for multimodality imaging are also delineated.

Making silica nanoparticle-covered graphene oxide nanohybrids as general building blocks for large-area superhydrophilic coatings

We report a facile strategy to synthesize silica nanoparticles-coated graphene oxide (GO-SiO2) nanohybrids in a water-alcohol mixture at room temperature. AFM observations revealed that silica nanoparticles with ca. 50 nm in size were densely and evenly covered on graphene oxide sheets. Due to the space layer of silica nanoparticles, micro-scale GO-SiO2 hybrid plates could be individually dispersed in water and polar organic solvents, promising good solution-based processibility. The growth process of GO-supported silica is traced by TGA and XRD measurements, showing that 24 hours is enough to achieve a fine cover effect for the disappearance of (002) diffraction peak of GO. Based on the high dense overlaying of silica nanoparticles, up to micro-scale silica sheets with thickness of ca. 8 nm were readily fabricated by burning GO-SiO2 at 650 °C in air. Likewise, a centimeter-scale semitransparent film of silica nanosheets was prepared by calcining a GO-SiO2 film. Interestingly, the GO-SiO2 nanohybrids exhibit excellent hydrophilic nature and can be directly applied as a general kind of building blocks to construct large-area superhydrophilic surfaces on arbitrary substrates (e.g., lotus leaf, ceramic tile and polypropylene) through the simple drop-coating method. Such a coating methodology paves the way for making large-area superhydrophilic surface without extra process treatments and damaging the intrinsic structure of substrates.

Nanoparticles in liquid crystals and liquid crystalline nanoparticles

Combinations of liquid crystals and materials with unique features as well as properties at the nanoscale are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to recent developments, i.e., since 2007, in areas ranging from liquid crystal-nanoparticle dispersions to nanomaterials forming liquid crystalline phases after surface modification with mesogenic or promesogenic moieties. Experimental and synthetic approaches are summarized, design strategies compared, and potential as well as existing applications discussed. Finally, a critical outlook into the future of this fascinating field of liquid crystal research is provided.

Magnetic dendritic materials for highly efficient adsorption of dyes and drugs

A versatile and robust adsorbent with both magnetic property and very high adsorption capacity is presented on the basis of functionalization of iron oxide-silica magnetic particles with carboxylic hyperbranched polyglycerol (Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/HPG-COOH). The structure of the resulting product was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta-potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the TGA results, the density of the carboxylic groups on the surface of Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/HPG-COOH is calculated to be as high as 3.0 mmol/g, posing a powerful base for adsorbing dyes and drugs. Five kinds of dyes and one representative anticancer drug were chosen to investigate the adsorption capacity of the as-prepared magnetic adsorbent. The adsorbent shows highly efficient adsorption performance for all of the adsorbates especially for the cationic dyes and drug. For example, the saturated adsorption capacity of the Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/HPG-COOH for methyl violet (MV) can reach 0.60 mmol/g, which is much higher than the previous magnetic adsorbents (usually lower than 0.30 mmol/g). 95% of MV and 90% of R6G could be adsorbed within 5 min, and both of the adsorptions reached equilibrium in about 15 min. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm of the adsorbents were investigated in detail and found that the kinetic and equilibrium adsorptions are well-modeled using pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. In addition, the influences of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption capacity were also examined and found that pH has much greater effect on the adsorption capacity compared with the ionic strength. Regeneration experiments showed that the Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2)/HPG-COOH can be well-regenerated in ethanol and partially regenerated in 1 M HCl aqueous solution. After regeneration, the magnetic adsorbents can still show high adsorption capacity even for 10 cycles of desorption-adsorption. No obvious decreases of magnetic intensity and aggregation of adsorbents can be observed even after 10 cycles of adsorption-desorption.