Photophysical properties and singlet oxygen generation efficiencies of water-soluble fullerene nanoparticles

Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Water-Soluble Fullerene Derivatives into Supramolecular Hydrogels

Controlling the self-assembly of nanoparticle building blocks into macroscale soft matter structures is an open question and of fundamental importance to fields as diverse as nanomedicine and next-generation energy storage. Within the vast library of nanoparticles, the fullerenes-a family of quasi-spherical carbon allotropes-are not explored beyond the most common, C60. Herein, a facile one-pot method is demonstrated for functionalizing fullerenes of different sizes (C60, C70, C84, and C90-92), yielding derivatives that self-assemble in aqueous solution into supramolecular hydrogels with distinct hierarchical structures. It is shown that the mechanical properties of these resultant structures vary drastically depending on the starting material. This work opens new avenues in the search for control of macroscale soft matter structures through tuning of nanoscale building blocks.

Advances in Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Removal of Chemical Warfare Agents: Insights into Hydrolysis and Oxidation Reaction Mechanisms

The destruction of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is a crucial area of research due to the ongoing evolution of toxic chemicals. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous crystalline solids, have emerged as promising materials for this purpose. Their remarkable porosity and large surface areas enable superior adsorption, reactivity, and catalytic abilities, making them ideal for capturing and decomposing target species. Moreover, the tunable networks of MOFs allow customization of their chemical functionalities, making them practicable in personal protective equipment and adjustable to dynamic environments. This review paper focuses on experimental and computational studies investigating the removal of CWAs by MOFs, specifically emphasizing the removal of nerve agents (GB, GD, and VX) via hydrolysis and sulfur mustard (HD) via selective photooxidation. Among the different MOFs, zirconium-based MOFs exhibit extraordinary structural stability and reusability, rendering them the most promising materials for the hydrolytic and photooxidative degradation of CWAs. Accordingly, this work primarily concentrates on exploring the intrinsic catalytic reaction mechanisms in Zr-MOFs through first-principles approximations, as well as the design of efficient degradation strategies in the aqueous and solid phases through the establishment of Zr-MOF structure-property relationships. Recent progress in the tuning and functionalization of MOFs is also examined, aiming to enhance practical CWA removal under realistic battlefield conditions. By providing a comprehensive overview of experimental findings and computational insights, this review paper contributes to the advancement of MOF-based strategies for the destruction of CWAs and highlights the potential of these materials to address the challenges associated with chemical warfare.

Donor-Acceptor Complexes of (5,10,15,20-Tetra(4-methylphenyl)porphyrinato)cobalt(II) with Fullerenes C60: Self-Assembly, Spectral, Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties

The noncovalent interactions of (5,10,15,20-tetra(4-methylphenyl)porphinato)cobalt(II) (CoTTP) with C₆₀ and 1-N-methyl-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-3,4-fullero[60]pyrrolidine (PyC₆₀) were studied in toluene using absorption and fluorescence titration methods. The self-assembly in the 2:1 complexes (the triads) (C₆₀)₂CoTTP and (PyC₆₀)₂CoTTP was established. The bonding constants for (C₆₀)₂CoTTP and (PyC₆₀)₂CoTTP are defined to be (3.47 ± 0.69) × 10⁹ and (1.47 ± 0.28) × 10¹⁰ M^-2, respectively. ¹H NMR, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry data have provided very good support in favor of efficient complex formation in the ground state between fullerenes and CoTTP. PyC₆₀/C₆₀ fluorescence quenching in the PyC₆₀/C₆₀-CoTTP systems was studied and the fluorescence lifetime with various CoTTP additions was determined. The singlet oxygen quantum yield was determined for PyC₆₀ and the intensity decrease in the ¹O₂ phosphorescence for C₆₀ and PyC₆₀ with the CoTTP addition leading to the low efficiency of intercombination conversion for the formation of the ³C₆₀* triplet excited state was found. Using femtosecond transient absorption measurements in toluene, the photoinduced electron transfer from the CoTTP in the excited singlet state to fullerene moiety was established. Quantum chemical calculations were used for the determination of molecular structure, stability and the HOMO/LUMO energy levels of the triads as well as to predict the localization of frontier orbitals in the triads.

New Approach in the Application of Conjugated Polymers: The Light-Activated Source of Versatile Singlet Oxygen Molecule

For many years, the research on conjugated polymers (CPs) has been mainly focused on their application in organic electronics. Recent works, however, show that due to the unique optical and photophysical properties of CPs, such as high absorption in UV–Vis or even near-infrared (NIR) region and efficient intra-/intermolecular energy transfer, which can be relatively easily optimized, CPs can be considered as an effective light-activated source of versatile and highly reactive singlet oxygen for medical or catalytic use. The aim of this short review is to present the novel possibilities that lie dormant in those exceptional polymers with the extended system of π-conjugated bonds.

Understanding phase-transfer catalytic synthesis of fullerenol and its interference from carbon dioxide and ozone

Phase-transfer catalytic reaction involving the use of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) as catalyst and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution as the source of hydroxide ions is among the popular choices for synthesis of fullerenol, the polyhydroxylated fullerene. To further understand the process, two experiments were conducted to preliminarily explore the influences of the amount of TBAH and NaOH, respectively, in terms of the achieved level of hydroxylation (i.e. number of hydroxyl groups per fullerenol molecule). The process responded to the variation of the amount of TBAH (over a twofold series of 3–192 drops, average volume 0.0223 ± 0.0004 ml per drop) in a nonlinear manner with a local maximum achieved from 24 drops TBAH (giving 13 OH groups) and a local minimum from 48 drops (giving 8 groups). To the variation of the amount of NaOH (over the range of 0.5–8.0 ml NaOH), the fitted function of the process response resembled Freundlich adsorption isotherm, with an initially increasing trend before levelling off at 4.0 ml NaOH (giving 15 OH groups). It is therefore suggested that fullerene hydroxylation could be explained by liquid–solid adsorption. In addition, it was found that ambient carbon dioxide led to the existence of sodium carbonate in the bulk of the collected product (although not chemically bound). It was also discovered that ambient ozone adversely affected fullerenol synthesis by converting C60 fullerene into fullerene epoxide (C60O). The affected syntheses thus produced epoxide-containing fullerenol instead.

Water-Soluble Fullerenol with Hydroxyl Group Dependence for Efficient Two-Photon Excited Photodynamic Inactivation of Infectious Microbes

We successfully prepared water-soluble fullerenol [C₆₀(OH)₄₆] that exhibited a high singlet oxygen quantum yield and efficiently generated reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ with a higher composition of exposed hydroxyl groups had superior two-photon stability and characteristics compared with that with a lower composition of such groups. Therefore, the prepared fullerenol can be an effective two-photon photosensitizer. The water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ had favorable two-photon properties. During two-photon photodynamic therapy, the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ had substantial antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli at an ultralow-energy level of 211.2 nJ pixel^-1 with 800 scans and a photoexcited wavelength of 760 nm.

Fluorescent fullerene nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for rapid quantitative detection of C-reactive protein

A fluorescent fullerene nanoparticle (NP)-based lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) was developed for the rapid and quantitative detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum. The polyclonal CRP-antibody-conjugated fullerene NPs were simply prepared by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyllaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride coupling after carboxylation of fluorescent fullerene NPs. By applying the CRP-antibody-conjugated fullerene NPs to a lateral flow test strip, quantitative analysis of CRP in serum was possible at a concentration range of 0.1-10 ng/ml within 15 min. We anticipate that this novel fluorescent fullerene NP-based LFIA can be useful for the rapid and accurate sensing of biological and chemical species, contributing to the disease diagnosis and prognosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety.

Near-Infrared-Light-Activatable Nanomaterial-Mediated Phototheranostic Nanomedicines: An Emerging Paradigm for Cancer Treatment

Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases threatening the lives of humans. Although many treatment methods have been developed to tackle cancer, each modality of cancer treatment has its own limitations and drawbacks. The development of minimally invasive treatment modalities for cancers remains a great challenge. Near-infrared (NIR) light-activated nanomaterial-mediated phototherapies, including photothermal and photodynamic therapies, provide an alternative means for spatially and temporally controlled minimally invasive treatments of cancers. Nanomaterials can serve as nanocargoes for the delivery of chemo-drugs, diagnostic contrast reagents, and organic photosensitizers, and can be used to directly generate heat or reactive oxygen species for the treatment of tumors without the need for organic photosensitizers with NIR-light irradiation. Here, current progress in NIR-light-activated nanomaterial-mediated photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy is summarized. Furthermore, the effects of size, shape, and surface functionalities of nanomaterials on intracellular uptake, macrophage clearance, biodistribution, cytotoxicities, and biomedical efficacies are discussed. The use of various types of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and many other inorganic nanostructures, in combination with diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for solid tumors, is briefly reviewed.

Photodynamic therapy in 3D cancer models and the utilisation of nanodelivery systems

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the subject of considerable research in experimental cancer models mainly for the treatment of solid cancerous tumours. Recent studies on the use of nanoparticles as photosensitiser carriers have demonstrated improved PDT efficacy in experimental cancer therapy. Experiments typically employ conventional monolayer cell culture but there is increasing interest in testing PDT using three dimensional (3D) cancer models. 3D cancer models can better mimic in vivo models than 2D cultures by for example enabling cancer cell interactions with a surrounding extracellular matrix which should enable the treatment to be optimised prior to in vivo studies. The aim of this review is to discuss recent research using PDT in different types of 3D cancer models, from spheroids to nano-fibrous scaffolds, using a range of photosensitisers on their own or incorporated in nanoparticles and nanodelivery systems.

C60@lysozyme: a new photosensitizing agent for photodynamic therapy

C₆₀@lysozyme showed significant visible light-induced singlet oxygen generation in a physiological environment, indicating the potential of this hybrid as an agent for photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic killing of cancer cells by a Platinum(II) complex with cyclometallating ligand

Photodynamic therapy that uses photosensitizers which only become toxic upon light-irradiation provides a strong alternative to conventional cancer treatment due to its ability to selectively target tumour material without affecting healthy tissue. Transition metal complexes are highly promising PDT agents due to intense visible light absorption, yet the majority are toxic even without light. This study introduces a small, photostable, charge-neutral platinum-based compound, Pt(II) 2,6-dipyrido-4-methyl-benzenechloride, complex 1, as a photosensitizer, which works under visible light. Activation of the new photosensitizer at low concentrations (0.1–1 μM) by comparatively low dose of 405 nm light (3.6 J cm⁻²) causes significant cell death of cervical, colorectal and bladder cancer cell lines, and, importantly, a cisplatin resistant cell line EJ-R. The photo-index of the complex is 8. We demonstrate that complex 1 induces irreversible DNA single strand breaks following irradiation, and that oxygen is essential for the photoinduced action. Neither light, nor compound alone led to cell death. The key advantages of the new drug include a remarkably fast accumulation time (diffusion-controlled, minutes), and photostability. This study demonstrates a highly promising new agent for photodynamic therapy, and attracts attention to photostable metal complexes as viable alternatives to conventional chemotherapeutics, such as cisplatin.