Construction of CdSe-AuPd quantum dot 0D/0D hybrid photocatalysts: charge transfer dynamic study with electrochemical analysis for improved photocatalytic activity

CuInS2/Red Phosphorus Nanosheet Interleaved Heterostructures with Improved Interfacial Charge Transfer for Photoelectrochemical Aptasensing

Accelerating the migration of interfacial carriers in heterojunctions is crucial for achieving highly sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing. In this study, we developed three-dimensional (3D)/two-dimensional (2D) CuInS2/red phosphorus nanosheet (CuInS2/RP NS) n-n heterojunction functional materials with enhanced interfacial charge transfer capabilities for PEC sensing. The 3D CuInS2 serves as a conductive layer, providing excellent electronic conductivity and superior electron absorption and transport properties. In contrast, the ultrathin RP NS acts as a transport layer that enhances carrier mobility. The 3D/2D heterojunction ensures a large interface contact surface, shortening the carrier transport distance. A well-aligned band position generates a substantial built-in electric field, providing a significant driving force for efficient carrier separation and migration, thereby improving response sensitivity. A PEC aptamer sensor was constructed based on the synthesized heterostructure for ciprofloxacin detection. The detection limit of the CuInS2/RP NS aptamer sensor for ciprofloxacin is 2.03 × 10-15 mg·mL-1, with a linear range from 1.0 × 10-14 to 1.0 × 10-5 mg·mL-1. This work presents a strategy for enhancing the photoelectric response by modulating the interface structure of heterojunctions, thereby opening new prospects for the application of highly sensitive PEC sensors in antibiotic detection.

Multifunctional Dy2NiMnO6/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites and Their Catalytic, Electromagnetic Shielding, and Electrochemical Properties

Multifunctional nanocomposites have shown great interest in clean energy systems and environmental applications in recent years. Herein, we first reported the synthesis of Dy2NiMnO6 (DNMO)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites utilizing a hybrid approach involving sol-gel and solvothermal processes. Subsequently, we investigated these nanocomposites for their applications in catalysis, electromagnetic interference shielding, and supercapacitors. A morphological study suggests spherical-shaped DNMO nanoparticles of an average size of 382 nm that are uniformly distributed throughout the surface without any agglomeration. The as-prepared nanocomposites were used as catalysts to investigate the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH4. DNMO/rGO nanocomposites demonstrate superior catalytic activity when compared with bare DNMO, with the rate of reduction being influenced by the composition of the DNMO/rGO nanocomposites. In addition, novel multifunctional DNMO/rGO was incorporated into polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) to develop a flexible nanocomposite for electromagnetic shielding applications and exhibited a shielding effectiveness of 6 dB with 75% attenuation at a frequency of 8.5 GHz compared to bare PVDF and PVDF-DNMO nanocomposite. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of DNMO/rGO nanocomposites was investigated as an electrode material for supercapacitors, exhibiting the highest specific capacitance of 260 F/g at 1 A/g. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of DNMO/rGO nanocomposites with remarkable performance in sustainable energy and environmental applications.

Rich Landscape of Colloidal Semiconductor-Metal Hybrid Nanostructures: Synthesis, Synergetic Characteristics, and Emerging Applications

Nanochemistry provides powerful synthetic tools allowing one to combine different materials on a single nanostructure, thus unfolding numerous possibilities to tailor their properties toward diverse functionalities. Herein, we review the progress in the field of semiconductor-metal hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) focusing on metal-chalcogenides-metal combined systems. The fundamental principles of their synthesis are discussed, leading to a myriad of possible hybrid architectures including Janus zero-dimensional quantum dot-based systems and anisotropic quasi 1D nanorods and quasi-2D platelets. The properties of HNPs are described with particular focus on emergent synergetic characteristics. Of these, the light-induced charge-separation effect across the semiconductor-metal nanojunction is of particular interest as a basis for the utilization of HNPs in photocatalytic applications. The extensive studies on the charge-separation behavior and its dependence on the HNPs structural characteristics, environmental and chemical conditions, and light excitation regime are surveyed. Combining the advanced synthetic control with the charge-separation effect has led to demonstration of various applications of HNPs in different fields. A particular promise lies in their functionality as photocatalysts for a variety of uses, including solar-to-fuel conversion, as a new type of photoinitiator for photopolymerization and 3D printing, and in novel chemical and biomedical uses.