Determination of the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Alteration of AgNPs via Multiwavelength Evanescent Scattering Microscopy for Pb(II) Detection

We developed multiwavelength evanescent scattering microscopy (MWESM), which can acquire plasmonic nanoparticle images at the particle level using the evanescent field as the incident source and distinguish different LSPR (localized surface plasmon resonance) spectral peaks among four wavelengths. Our microscope could be easily and simply built by modifying a commercial total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM) with the substitution of a beamsplitter and the addition of a semicircular stop. The ultrathin depth of illumination and rejection of the reflected incident source together contribute to the high sensitivity and contrast of single nanoparticle imaging. We first validated the capability of our imaging system in distinguishing plasmonic nanoparticles bearing different LSPR spectral peaks, and the results were consistent with the scattering spectra results of hyperspectral imaging. Moreover, we demonstrated high imaging quality from the aspects of the signal/noise ratio and point spread function of the single-particle images. Meaningfully, the system can be utilized in rapidly determining the concentration of toxic lead ions in environmental and biological samples with good linearity and sensitivity, based on single-particle evanescent scattering imaging through the detection of the alteration of the LSPR of silver nanoparticles. This system holds the potential to advance the field of nanoparticle imaging and foster the application of nanomaterials as sensors.

A Synergistic View on Osmolyte's Role against Salt and Cold Stress in Biointerfaces

We present our perspective on the role of osmolytes in mitigating abiotic stresses such as hypersalinity and sudden temperature changes. While the stabilizing effect of osmolytes on protein tertiary structures has been extensively studied, their direct impact on abiotic stress factors has eluded mainstream attention. Via highlighting a set of recent success stories of a joint venture of computer simulations and experimental measurements, we summarize the mechanistic insights into osmolytic action, particularly in the context of salt stress and combined cold-salt stress at the interface of biomolecular surfaces and saline environments. We stress the importance of chemical specificity in osmolytic activity, the interplay of differential osmolytic behaviors against heterogeneous salt stress, and the capability of osmolytes to adopt combined actions. Additionally, we discuss the potential of incorporating nanomaterial-based systems to enrich our understanding of osmolyte bioactions and facilitate their practical applications. We anticipate that this discourse will inspire interdisciplinary collaborations and motivate further investigations on osmolytes, ultimately broadening their applications in the fields of health and disease.

Tethered Bilayer Lipid Membrane Platform for Screening Triton X-100 Detergent Replacements by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

In light of regulatory considerations, there are ongoing efforts to identify Triton X-100 (TX-100) detergent alternatives for use in the biological manufacturing industry to mitigate membrane-enveloped pathogen contamination. Until now, the efficacy of antimicrobial detergent candidates to replace TX-100 has been tested regarding pathogen inhibition in endpoint biological assays or probing lipid membrane disruption in real-time biophysical testing platforms. The latter approach has proven especially useful to test compound potency and mechanism of action, however, existing analytical approaches have been limited to studying indirect effects of lipid membrane disruption such as membrane morphological changes. A direct readout of lipid membrane disruption by TX-100 detergent alternatives would be more practical to obtain biologically relevant information to guide compound discovery and optimization. Herein, we report the use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate how TX-100 and selected replacement candidates-Simulsol SL 11W (Simulsol) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-affect the ionic permeability of tethered bilayer lipid membrane (tBLM) platforms. The EIS results revealed that all three detergents exhibited dose-dependent effects mainly above their respective critical micelle concentration (CMC) values while displaying distinct membrane-disruptive behaviors. TX-100 caused irreversible membrane disruption leading to complete solubilization, whereas Simulsol caused reversible membrane disruption and CTAB induced irreversible, partial membrane defect formation. These findings establish that the EIS technique is useful for screening the membrane-disruptive behaviors of TX-100 detergent alternatives with multiplex formatting possibilities, rapid response, and quantitative readouts relevant to antimicrobial functions.

Rapid and sensitive detection of Rhodamine B in food using the plasmonic silver nanocube-based sensor as SERS active substrate

The use of dye in food is harmful to human health and is prohibited nowadays. However, it is still used because of the benefits, such as cheap prices and abundant resources. Rhodamine B is usually used as the colorant in food such as chili powder, chili oil, etc. It is colorless at very low concentration 10^-7 M. The sensitive detection of RhB at ultra-low concentration help to prevent some risk for human. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a great technique to detect the analytes at ultra-low concentration and provide the molecule's information as a fingerprint. In this study, silver nano-cube was facilely synthesized by reducing Ag⁺ in ethylene glycol and upgraded to thin-film as a SERS active substrate. RhB was detected at 10^-10 M by a silver nano-cube sensor. The dynamic linear regression between the Raman intensity and RhB concentration over seven orders of magnitude (from 10^-4 to 10^-10 M) was excellent with high reliability (R² = 0.99). Moreover, the substrate can be used after storing in a dark area for 60 days. This proposed nano-cube silver could serve as a potential substrate for detecting RhB in food at very low concentration.

Nanoarchitectonics for Analytical Science at Interfaces and with Supramolecular Nanostructures

For materials development with high-level structural regulations, the emerging concept of nanoarchitectonics has been proposed. Analytical sciences, including sensing/detection, sensors, and related device construction, are active targets of the nanoarchitectonics approach. This review article focuses on the two features of interface and nanostructures are especially focused to discuss nanoarchitectonics for analytical science. Especially, two selected topics, (i) analyses on molecular sensing at interfaces and (ii) sensors using self-assembled supramolecular nanostructures, are exemplified in this review article. In addition to recent general examples, specific molecular recognition at the air-water interface and fabrication of sensing materials upon self-assembly of fullerene units are discussed. Descriptions of these examples indicate that nanoarchitectonics and analytical science share common benefits, and therefore, developments in both research fields should lead to synergies.

The exploitation of rice husk biomass for the bio-inspired synthesis of gold nanoparticles as a multifunctional material for various biological and photocatalytic applications

We report an efficient and facile approach to biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using the extract of an agro-waste rice husk generated from rice production. The biosynthesized NPs produced were characterized by UV-Visible absorption, TEM, XRD, EDX, and FTIR methods. The impact of temperature and pH on the stability of the synthesized AuNPs was also studied. The TEM imaging revealed the formation of monodispersed spherical NPs with an average size of ~ 15 nm. The absorption spectrum of AuNPs demonstrated the formation of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak at 530 nm. The XRD pattern suggested the formation of face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice structure of AuNPs. The FTIR analysis displayed characteristic peaks related to various phytochemicals in the plant extract responsible for reducing and stabilizing NPs. In addition, AuNPs showed thermal stability when subjected to various temperature scales. The AuNPs exhibited an efficiency against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and pathogenic fungi Candida albicans. The AuNPs 18.5% DPPH free scavenging activity, indicating the antioxidant potential for AuNPs. In addition, the AuNPs showed anticancer activity against the colorectal adenocarcinoma carcinoma cell line. Furthermore, AuNPs displayed significant enhancement in photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue and 4-Nitrophenol dyes. The results obtained reveal the possible usage of AuNPs produced using rice husk in several biomedical applications.

Chemical design principles of next-generation antiviral surface coatings

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated efforts to develop high-performance antiviral surface coatings while highlighting the need to build a strong mechanistic understanding of the chemical design principles that underpin antiviral surface coatings. Herein, we critically summarize the latest efforts to develop antiviral surface coatings that exhibit virus-inactivating functions through disrupting lipid envelopes or protein capsids. Particular attention is focused on how cutting-edge advances in material science are being applied to engineer antiviral surface coatings with tailored molecular-level properties to inhibit membrane-enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Key topics covered include surfaces functionalized with organic and inorganic compounds and nanoparticles to inhibit viruses, and self-cleaning surfaces that incorporate photocatalysts and triplet photosensitizers. Application examples to stop COVID-19 are also introduced and demonstrate how the integration of chemical design principles and advanced material fabrication strategies are leading to next-generation surface coatings that can help thwart viral pandemics and other infectious disease threats.

Pore-Spanning Plasma Membranes Derived from Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles

Giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) are a highly promising model system for the eukaryotic plasma membrane. The unresolved challenge, however, is a path to surface-based structures that allows accessibility to both sides of the plasma membrane through high-resolution techniques. Such an approach would pave the way to advanced chip-based technologies for the analysis of complex cell surfaces to study the roles of membrane proteins, host-pathogen interactions, and many other bioanalytical and sensing applications. This study reports the generation of planar supported plasma membranes and for the first-time pore-spanning plasma membranes (PSPMs) derived from pure GPMVs that are spread on activated solid and highly ordered porous silicon substrates. GPMVs were produced by two different vesiculation agents and were first investigated with respect to their growth behavior and phase separation. Second, these GPMVs were spread onto silicon substrates to form planar supported plasma membrane patches. PSPMs were obtained by spreading of pure GPMVs on oxygen-plasma activated porous substrates with pore diameters of 3.5 μm. Fluorescence micrographs unambiguously showed that the PSPMs partially phase separate in a mobile ordered phase surrounded by a disordered phase, which was supported by cholesterol extraction using methyl-β-cyclodextrin.

Mechanistic Aspects of the Evolution of 3D Cholesterol Crystallites in a Supported Lipid Membrane via a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring

The irreversible formation of cholesterol monohydrate crystals within biological membranes is the leading cause of various diseases, including atherosclerosis. Understanding the process of cholesterol crystallization is fundamentally important and could also lead to the development of improved therapeutic strategies. This has driven several studies investigating the effect of the environmental parameters on the induction of cholesterol crystallite growth and the structure of the cholesterol crystallites, while the kinetics and mechanistic aspects of the crystallite formation process within lipid membranes remain poorly understood. Herein, we fabricated cholesterol crystallites within a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) by adsorbing a cholesterol-rich bicellar mixture onto a glass and silica surface and investigated the real-time kinetics of cholesterol crystallite nucleation and growth using epifluorescence microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) monitoring. Microscopic imaging showed the evolution of the morphology of cholesterol crystallites from nanorod- and plate-shaped habits during the initial stage to mostly large, micron-sized three-dimensional (3D) plate-shaped crystallites in the end, which was likened to Ostwald ripening. QCM-D kinetics revealed unique signal responses during the later stage of the growth process, characterized by simultaneous positive frequency shifts, nonmonotonous energy dissipation shifts, and significant overtone dependence. Based on the optically observed changes in crystallite morphology, we discussed the physical background of these unique QCM-D signal responses and the mechanistic aspects of Ostwald ripening in this system. Together, our findings revealed mechanistic details of the cholesterol crystallite growth kinetics, which may be useful in biointerfacial sensing and bioanalytical applications.

Progress in Molecular Nanoarchitectonics and Materials Nanoarchitectonics

Although various synthetic methodologies including organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and materials science are the main contributors to the production of functional materials, the importance of regulation of nanoscale structures for better performance has become clear with recent science and technology developments. Therefore, a new research paradigm to produce functional material systems from nanoscale units has to be created as an advancement of nanoscale science. This task is assigned to an emerging concept, nanoarchitectonics, which aims to produce functional materials and functional structures from nanoscale unit components. This can be done through combining nanotechnology with the other research fields such as organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and bio-related science. In this review article, the basic-level of nanoarchitectonics is first presented with atom/molecular-level structure formations and conversions from molecular units to functional materials. Then, two typical application-oriented nanoarchitectonics efforts in energy-oriented applications and bio-related applications are discussed. Finally, future directions of the molecular and materials nanoarchitectonics concepts for advancement of functional nanomaterials are briefly discussed.

Influence of Sensor Coating and Topography on Protein and Nanoparticle Interaction with Supported Lipid Bilayers

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) have proven to be valuable model systems for studying the interactions of proteins, peptides, and nanoparticles with biological membranes. The physicochemical properties (e.g., topography, coating) of the solid substrate may affect the formation and properties of supported phospholipid bilayers, and thus, subsequent interactions with biomolecules or nanoparticles. Here, we examine the influence of support coating (SiO₂ vs Si₃N₄) and topography [sensors with embedded vs protruding gold nanodisks for nanoplasmonic sensing (NPS)] on the formation and subsequent interactions of supported phospholipid bilayers with the model protein cytochrome c and with cationic polymer-wrapped quantum dots using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and NPS techniques. The specific protein and nanoparticle were chosen because they differ in the degree to which they penetrate the bilayer. We find that bilayer formation and subsequent non-penetrative association with cytochrome c were not significantly influenced by substrate composition or topography. In contrast, the interactions of nanoparticles with SLBs depended on the substrate composition. The substrate-dependence of nanoparticle adsorption is attributed to the more negative zeta-potential of the bilayers supported by the silica vs the silicon nitride substrate and to the penetration of the cationic polymer wrapping the nanoparticles into the bilayer. Our results indicate that the degree to which nanoscale analytes interact with SLBs may be influenced by the underlying substrate material.

Comparing Protein Adsorption onto Alumina and Silica Nanomaterial Surfaces: Clues for Vaccine Adjuvant Development

Protein adsorption onto nanomaterial surfaces is important for various nanobiotechnology applications such as biosensors and drug delivery. Within this scope, there is growing interest to develop alumina- and silica-based nanomaterial vaccine adjuvants and an outstanding need to compare protein adsorption onto alumina- and silica-based nanomaterial surfaces. Herein, using alumina- and silica-coated arrays of silver nanodisks with plasmonic properties, we conducted localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) experiments to evaluate real-time adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein onto alumina and silica surfaces. BSA monomers and oligomers were prepared in different water-ethanol mixtures and both adsorbing species consistently showed quicker adsorption kinetics and more extensive adsorption-related spreading on alumina surfaces as compared to on silica surfaces. We rationalized these experimental observations in terms of the electrostatic forces governing protein-surface interactions on the two nanomaterial surfaces and the results support that more rigidly attached BSA protein-based coatings can be formed on alumina-based nanomaterial surfaces. Collectively, the findings in this study provide fundamental insight into protein-surface interactions at nanomaterial interfaces and can help to guide the development of protein-based coatings for medical and biotechnology applications such as vaccines.

Molecular recognition at the air-water interface: nanoarchitectonic design and physicochemical understanding

Although molecular recognition at the air-water interface has been researched for over 30 years, investigations on its fundamental aspects are still active research targets in current science. In this perspective article, developments and future possibilities of molecular recognition at the air-water interface from pioneering research efforts to current examples are overviewed especially from the physico-chemical viewpoints. Significant enhancements of binding constants for molecular recognition are actually observed at the air-water interface although molecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding are usually suppressed in aqueous media. Recent advanced analytical strategies for direct characterization of interfacial molecules also confirmed the promoted formation of hydrogen bonding at the air-water interfaces. Traditional quantum chemical approaches indicate that modulation of electronic distributions through effects from low-dielectric phases would be the origin of enhanced molecular interactions at the air-water interface. Further theoretical considerations suggest that unusual potential changes for enhanced molecular interactions are available only within a limited range from the interface. These results would be related with molecular recognition in biomolecular systems that is similarly supported by promoted molecular interactions in interfacial environments such as cell membranes, surfaces of protein interiors, and macromolecular interfaces.

Interfacial nanoarchitectonics for responsive cellular biosystems

The living cell can be regarded as an ideal functional material system in which many functional systems are working together with high efficiency and specificity mostly under mild ambient conditions. Fabrication of living cell-like functional materials is regarded as one of the final goals of the nanoarchitectonics approach. In this short review article, material-based approaches for regulation of living cell behaviors by external stimuli are discussed. Nanoarchitectonics strategies on cell regulation by various external inputs are first exemplified. Recent approaches on cell regulation with interfacial nanoarchitectonics are also discussed in two extreme cases using a very hard interface with nanoarchitected carbon arrays and a fluidic interface of the liquid-liquid interface. Importance of interfacial nanoarchitectonics in controlling living cells by mechanical and supramolecular stimuli from the interfaces is demonstrated.

Recent Progress in Plasmonic Biosensing Schemes for Virus Detection

The global burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to public health and global economy has stressed the need for rapid and simple diagnostic methods. From this perspective, plasmonic-based biosensing can manage the threat of infectious diseases by providing timely virus monitoring. In recent years, many plasmonics’ platforms have embraced the challenge of offering on-site strategies to complement traditional diagnostic methods relying on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). This review compiled recent progress on the development of novel plasmonic sensing schemes for the effective control of virus-related diseases. A special focus was set on the utilization of plasmonic nanostructures in combination with other detection formats involving colorimetric, fluorescence, luminescence, or Raman scattering enhancement. The quantification of different viruses (e.g., hepatitis virus, influenza virus, norovirus, dengue virus, Ebola virus, Zika virus) with particular attention to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reviewed from the perspective of the biomarker and the biological receptor immobilized on the sensor chip. Technological limitations including selectivity, stability, and monitoring in biological matrices were also reviewed for different plasmonic-sensing approaches.

Versatile formation of supported lipid bilayers from bicellar mixtures of phospholipids and capric acid

Originally developed for the structural biology field, lipid bicelle nanostructures composed of long- and short-chain phospholipid molecules have emerged as a useful interfacial science tool to fabricate two-dimensional supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on hydrophilic surfaces due to ease of sample preparation, scalability, and versatility. To improve SLB fabrication prospects, there has been recent interest in replacing the synthetic, short-chain phospholipid component of bicellar mixtures with naturally abundant fatty acids and monoglycerides, i.e., lauric acid and monocaprin. Such options have proven successful under specific conditions, however, there is room for devising more versatile fabrication options, especially in terms of overcoming lipid concentration-dependent SLB formation limitations. Herein, we investigated SLB fabrication by using bicellar mixtures consisting of long-chain phospholipid and capric acid, the latter of which has similar headgroup and chain length properties to lauric acid and monocaprin, respectively. Quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation, epifluorescence microscopy, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments were conducted to characterize lipid concentration-dependent bicelle adsorption onto silicon dioxide surfaces. We identified that uniform-phase SLB formation occurred independently of total lipid concentration when the ratio of long-chain phospholipid to capric acid molecules ("q-ratio") was 0.25 or 2.5, which is superior to past results with lauric acid- and monocaprin-containing bicelles in which cases lipid concentration-dependent behavior was observed. Together, these findings demonstrate that capric acid-containing bicelles are versatile tools for SLB fabrication and highlight how the molecular structure of bicelle components can be rationally finetuned to modulate self-assembly processes at solid-liquid interfaces.

Biologically interfaced nanoplasmonic sensors

Understanding biointerfacial processes is crucial in various fields across fundamental and applied biology, but performing quantitative studies via conventional characterization techniques remains challenging due to instrumentation as well as analytical complexities and limitations. In order to accelerate translational research and address current challenges in healthcare and medicine, there is an outstanding need to develop surface-sensitive technologies with advanced measurement capabilities. Along this line, nanoplasmonic sensing has emerged as a powerful tool to quantitatively study biointerfacial processes owing to its high spatial resolution at the nanoscale. Consequently, the development of robust biological interfacing strategies becomes imperative to maximize its characterization potential. This review will highlight and discuss the critical role of biological interfacing within the context of constructing nanoplasmonic sensing platforms for biointerfacial science applications. Apart from paving the way for the development of highly surface-sensitive characterization tools that will spur fundamental biological interaction studies and improve the overall understanding of biological processes, the basic principles behind biointerfacing strategies presented in this review are also applicable to other fields that involve an interface between an inorganic material and a biological system.

Fabrication of bacteriochlorin shell/gold core nanoparticles for the sensitive determination of trichlosan using differential pulse voltammetry

The triclosan contamination in daily life has attracted great attention, and there is rare electroanalytical assay based on π-system dyes. In this work, a facile preparation and electroanalytical application of an organic dispersion containing bacteriochlorin dyes (LS11) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was proposed. The organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) showing a core-shell structure with a uniform layer of dye molecules. The as-prepared nanocomposites were successfully coated onto glassy carbon electrodes, and the surface characteristics of the top most layer of the modified electrodes were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and water contact angle experiments. The nanocomposite film-modified electrodes exhibited good electrochemical activity towards oxidation of triclosan. The oxidation of adsorbed triclosan occurred at a reduced overpotential, and the anodic current responses under a pre-concentration step prior to the potential scan were used for quantitative analysis. A good linear relationship from 0.01 μM to 0.5 μM was obtained using differential pulse voltammetry. The sensitivity and detection limit (S/N = 3) were 23.69 μA μM^-1 and 0.03 μM, respectively. The proposed assay was applied to detect triclosan in two personal hygiene products using standard addition method, and the results showed good recoveries that ranged from 96.6% to 101.5% and from 99.3% to 103.8% for a toothpaste sample and a hand wash sample, respectively. A reference HPLC-UV method was used to evaluate the proposed electroanalytical method, and a good agreement was achieved.

Don't Forget Langmuir-Blodgett Films 2020: Interfacial Nanoarchitectonics with Molecules, Materials, and Living Objects

Designing interfacial structures with nanoscale (or molecular) components is one of the important tasks in the nanoarchitectonics concept. In particular, the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method can become a promising and powerful strategy in interfacial nanoarchitectonics. From this viewpoint, the status of LB films in 2020 will be discussed in this feature article. After one section on the basics of interfacial nanoarchitectonics with the LB technique, various recent research examples of LB films are introduced according to classifications of (i) growing research, (ii) emerging research, and (iii) future research. In recent LB research, various materials other than traditional lipids and typical amphiphiles can be used as film components of the LB techniques. Two-dimensional materials, supramolecular structures such as metal organic frameworks, and biomaterials such as DNA origami pieces are capable of working as functional components in the LB assemblies. Possible working areas of the LB methods would cover emerging demands, including energy, environmental, and biomedical applications with a wide range of functional materials. In addition, forefront research such as molecular manipulation and cell fate control is conducted in LB-related interfacial science. The LB technique is a traditional and well-develop methodology for molecular films with a ca. 100 year history. However, there is plenty of room at the interfaces, as shown in LB research examples described in this feature article. It is hoped that the continuous development of the science and technology of the LB method make this technique an unforgettable methodology.

Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation from Phospholipid-Fatty Acid Bicellar Mixtures

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are versatile cell membrane-mimicking biointerfaces for various applications such as biosensors and drug delivery systems, and there is broad interest in developing simple, cost-effective methods to achieve SLB fabrication. One promising approach involves the deposition of quasi-two-dimensional bicelle nanostructures that are composed of long-chain phospholipids and either short-chain phospholipids or detergent molecules. While a variety of long-chain phospholipids have been used to prepare bicelles for SLB fabrication applications, only two short-chain phospholipids, 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (collectively referred to as DHPC), have been investigated. There remains an outstanding need to identify natural alternatives to DHPC, especially ones that are more affordable, to improve fabrication prospects and application opportunities. Herein, we explored the potential to fabricate SLBs from bicellar mixtures composed of long-chain phospholipids and lauric acid (LA), which is a low-cost, naturally abundant fatty acid that is widely used in soapmaking and various industrial applications. Quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) experiments were conducted to track bicelle adsorption onto silica surfaces as a function of bicelle composition and lipid concentration, along with time-lapse fluorescence microscopy imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments to further characterize lipid adlayer properties. The results identified optimal conditions where it is possible to efficiently form SLBs from LA-containing bicelles at low lipid concentrations while also unraveling mechanistic insights into the bicelle-mediated SLB formation process and verifying that LA-containing bicelles are biocompatible with human cells for surface coating applications.

Nanoarchitectonics of Nanoporous Carbon Materials in Supercapacitors Applications

High surface area and large pore volume carbon materials having hierarchical nanoporous structure are required in high performance supercapacitors. Such nanoporous carbon materials can be fabricated from organic precursors with high carbon content, such as synthetic biomass or agricultural wastes containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Using recently developed unique concept of materials nanoarchitectonics, high performance porous carbons with controllable surface area, pore size distribution, and hierarchy in nanoporous structure can be fabricated. In this review, we will overview the recent trends and advancements on the synthetic methods for the production of hierarchical porous carbons with one- to three-dimensional network structure with superior performance in supercapacitors applications. We highlight the promising scope of accessing nanoporous graphitic carbon materials from: (i) direct conversion of single crystalline self-assembled fullerene nanomaterials and metal organic frameworks, (ii) hard- and soft-templating routes, and (iii) the direct carbonization and/or activation of biomass or agricultural wastes as non-templating routes. We discuss the appealing points of the different synthetic carbon sources and natural precursor raw-materials derived nanoporous carbon materials in supercapacitors applications.