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Minervini G, Panniello A, Dibenedetto CN, Madonia A, Fanizza E, Curri ML, Striccoli M. Exploring Carbon Dots: Green Nanomaterials for Unconventional Lasing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403653. [PMID: 39165080 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the progress toward lighting miniaturization is focused on luminescent nanomaterials. Among them, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are receiving increasing attention thanks to their astonishing optical properties complemented by their intrinsic biocompatibility and low toxicity. The CDs can be easily dispersed in water, organic solvents or incorporated in polymeric matrices, preserving their emission properties. However, the relationship between their structural and optical properties is still not fully elucidated, motivating a consistent research effort for the comprehension of their features. Nevertheless, CDs demonstrate to be efficient gain materials for lasing, thanks to their high quantum yield (QY), emission tunability in the visible and near infrared (NIR) range, short lifetimes, and high absorption cross section, even if the synthetic reproducibility, the low reaction yield and the spectral width of the emission may limit their effective exploitation. This review summarizes the latest advancements in the investigation of the characteristic properties of CDs that make laser action possible, illustrating optical geometries for lasing and random lasing, both in solution and solid state, and the few currently demonstrated breakthroughs. While the journey toward their effective application is still long, the potential of CD-based laser sources is promising in various technological fields and futuristic perspectives will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Minervini
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF), CNR, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | - Annamaria Panniello
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF), CNR, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Madonia
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "E. Segré", University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fanizza
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF), CNR, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Bari Research Unit, Via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Curri
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF), CNR, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Bari Research Unit, Via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | - Marinella Striccoli
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF), CNR, via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Bari Research Unit, Via Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
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Zhang Y, Wang L, Hu Y, Sui L, Cheng L, Lu S. Centralized Excited States and Fast Radiation Transitions Reduce Laser Threshold in Carbon Dots. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207983. [PMID: 36843250 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a new type of solution-processed nano-laser material, carbon dots (CDs) have shown considerable potential in optical communication, laser displays, micro/nano processing, and biomedicine. Reducing the laser threshold of the gain material is of considerable significance for further development of CDs' applications in the field of micro/nano lasers. A series of blue-emissive CDs (B-CDs) are synthesized by changing the molar ratios of the precursors (citric acid (CA): L-Cysteine (L-Cys)). B-CDs have a structure of carbon nanoparticles with their surface being modified with 5-oxo-3,5-dihydro-2Hthiazolo [3,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (TPCA). The laser can only be generated when the molar ratio of the precursors is between 1:1 and 2:1. With an increase in this ratio, the laser threshold decreases from 341.6 to 165.5 mJ cm-2 . The decrease in the laser threshold is attributed to the increase in the radiation transition rate and centralized sp3 -related excited state levels, which are favorable for light amplification and population inversion. These results will be instructional for the reasonably design of CDs-based laser materials and prompt their potential use in practical photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Yongsheng Hu
- School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Laizhi Sui
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dalian Coherent Light Source, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 457 zhongshan road, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Liwen Cheng
- College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, No. 88 South Daxue Road, Yangzhou, 225002, P. R. China
| | - Siyu Lu
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
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Wang J, Zhang S, Li Y, Wu C, Zhang W, Zhang H, Xie Z, Zhou S. Ultra-Broadband Random Laser and White-Light Emissive Carbon Dots/Crystal In-Situ Hybrids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203152. [PMID: 36026553 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The continuous white-light emission of carbon dots (CDs) can be applied to producing multicolor laser emissions by one single medium. Meanwhile, the solid-state emission greatly contributes to its practical application. In this work, a strategy to realize the in-situ hybridization of silane-functionalized CDs (SiCDs) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid trimethyl ester (Et3BTC) by a one-pot solvothermal method is reported. Significantly, the SiCDs/Et3BTC hybrid crystals exhibit ultra-broadband random laser emission over the near ultraviolet-visible region under 265 nm nanosecond pulsed laser excitation. The wavelength region of laser emission is achieved from 315 to 600 nm within an emission band of CDs-based materials. It is worth noting that the wavelength range of the laser is wider than the previously reported works. It is proposed that the continuous white-light emission of SiCDs caused by multiple fluorescence centers mainly gives rise to the broadband random laser emission. Moreover, the crystals are conducive to forming resonance and realizing solid-state laser emission. This in-situ method is expected to enable a more convenient, cheaper, and greener approach to prepare luminescent hybrids for application in multicolor laser displays, multi-level laser anti-counterfeiting, supercontinuum light sources, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shaofeng Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yunfei Li
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Cuiyu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Wenfei Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shuyun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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Zeng J, Liao L, Lin X, Liu G, Luo X, Luo M, Wu F. Red-Emissive Sulfur-Doped Carbon Dots for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Mercury (II) Ion and Glutathione. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9213. [PMID: 36012486 PMCID: PMC9409242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs) show great potential in bioimaging and biosensing because of their good biocompatibility and excellent optical properties. However, CDs with intense red emissions for sensitive and selective detection are rarely reported. Herein, we prepared the red-emissive carbon dots (RCDs) through a facile hydrothermal method using tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and thiourea as starting materials. The obtained RCDs were characterized by TEM, XRD, and XPS. RCDs exhibited high water solubility and strong red emission (λem = 650 nm), with the fluorescence quantum yield as high as 26.7%, which was greatly higher than that of TCPP. Moreover, the as-prepared RCDs could be acted as a highly selective and sensitive probe for the detection of Hg2+ and glutathione (GSH) through the fluorometric titration method. The detection limits of Hg2+ and GSH were calculated to be 1.73 and 1.6 nM, respectively. The cellular experiments demonstrated the good biocompatibility of RCDs and their feasibility in bioimaging. Thus, this work provided a simple strategy to design and synthesize the highly red-emissive carbon dots, which showed promising application in biological and environmental assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zeng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Linhong Liao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Genyan Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiaogang Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ming Luo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Fengshou Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Biomass-Based Environmental and Energy Materials in Petroleum and Chemical Industry, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
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Zhang Y, Song H, Wang L, Yu J, Wang B, Hu Y, Zang SQ, Yang B, Lu S. Solid-State Red Laser with a Single Longitudinal Mode from Carbon Dots. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:25514-25521. [PMID: 34549866 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202111285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Miniaturized solid-state lasers with a single longitudinal mode are vital for various photonic applications. Here we prepare red-emissive carbon dots (CDs) with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 65.5 % by combining graphitic nitrogen doping and surface modification. High-concentration doping alters the CDs' emission from blue to red, while the electron-donating groups and polymer coating on their surfaces improve the PLQY and photostability. The CDs exhibit excellent stimulated emission characteristics, with a low threshold of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and long gain lifetime. A planar microcavity with only one resonant mode, which fitted with the CDs' ASE peak, was constructed. Combining the CDs and microcavity produced a solid-state laser with a single longitudinal mode, a linewidth of 0.14 nm and a signal-to-noise ratio of 14.8 dB (Q∼4600). Our results will aid the development of colorful solid-state micro/nano lasers with potential use in practical photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Haoqiang Song
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jingkun Yu
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Boyang Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yongsheng Hu
- School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Bai Yang
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Siyu Lu
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Zhang Y, Song H, Wang L, Yu J, Wang B, Hu Y, Zang S, Yang B, Lu S. Solid‐State Red Laser with a Single Longitudinal Mode from Carbon Dots. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202111285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhang
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Haoqiang Song
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Lu Wang
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Jingkun Yu
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Boyang Wang
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Yongsheng Hu
- School of Physics and Microelectronics Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Shuang‐Quan Zang
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Bai Yang
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University Changchun 130012 China
| | - Siyu Lu
- Green Catalysis Center College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
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Su D, Zhai T, Ge K, Zhang S, Xu Z, Tong J, Li H, Sun S, Zhang Y, Wang X. WGM lasing in irregular cavities with arbitrary boundaries. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:18349-18355. [PMID: 34729576 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03938e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Because of its limited light field mode and high Q value, the whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) cavity has been widely studied. In this study, we propose a simple, rapid, low-cost and no-manufacturing technology method that we call the drip-coating method to obtain an irregular cavity with arbitrary boundaries. By using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution doped with rhodamine 6G, the irregular cavity with arbitrary boundaries was drip-coated on a high-reflection mirror, forming a WGM laser. The sample was pumped with a 532 nm pulsed laser, and the single-mode WGM and multi-WGM lasing were obtained. All WGMs are the vertical oscillation modes, which originate from both the total internal reflection of the PVA/air interface and vertical reflection of the PVA/mirror interface. The other boundaries of the cavity were not involved in the reflection and could have any shape. The mechanism of producing single-mode lasing is due to the action of the loss-gain cavity. Multi-WGM lasing is attributed to at least two groups of different WGMs existing in an irregular cavity. This can be confirmed by using a microsphere model and intensity correlation method. These results may provide an alternative for the design of WGM lasers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Su
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Tianrui Zhai
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Kun Ge
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Zhiyang Xu
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Junhua Tong
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Hongzhao Li
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Shiju Sun
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
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Ni Y, Wan H, Liang W, Zhang S, Xu X, Li L, Shao Y, Ruan S, Zhang W. Random lasing carbon dot fibers for multilevel anti-counterfeiting. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:16872-16878. [PMID: 34610058 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04707h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Random lasers, which achieve light amplification through random light scattering in disordered laser gain medium, have found widespread applications in varieties of areas due to the convenient design of laser cavities. In this work, carbon dot fibers with superior fluorescence stability under a high temperature or high humidity environment are fabricated by using a single-step partial thermal decomposition method. Random lasers, which are used for multilevel anti-counterfeiting, are achieved from different types of carbon dot fibers by 370 nm excitation at room temperature. Multilevel anti-counterfeiting is realized by tuning the lasing spectra (between ∼428 and 560 nm) and threshold (between ∼2 and 25 mJ cm-2) at designated decomposition times and fiber diameters. It is extremely difficult to counterfeit lasing spectra and the specific laser threshold simultaneously. As a result, this will comprehensively improve system safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Ni
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Honghao Wan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Wenqing Liang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Shaofeng Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Xuesong Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Ling Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Yonghong Shao
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shuangchen Ruan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Wenfei Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
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