Nanoarchitectonics for Analytical Science at Interfaces and with Supramolecular Nanostructures

Recent Advancements in Novel Sensing Systems through Nanoarchitectonics

The fabrication of various sensing devices and the ability to harmonize materials for a higher degree of organization is essential for effective sensing systems. Materials with hierarchically micro- and mesopore structures can enhance the sensitivity of sensors. Nanoarchitectonics allows for atomic/molecular level manipulations that create a higher area-to-volume ratio in nanoscale hierarchical structures for use in ideal sensing applications. Nanoarchitectonics also provides ample opportunities to fabricate materials by tuning pore size, increasing surface area, trapping molecules via host-guest interactions, and other mechanisms. Material characteristics and shape significantly enhance sensing capabilities via intramolecular interactions, molecular recognition, and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This review highlights the latest advancements in nanoarchitectonics approaches to tailor materials for various sensing applications, including biological micro/macro molecules, volatile organic compounds (VOC), microscopic recognition, and the selective discrimination of microparticles. Furthermore, different sensing devices that utilize the nanoarchitectonics concept to achieve atomic-molecular level discrimination are also discussed.

Molecular Machines and Microrobots: Nanoarchitectonics Developments and On-Water Performances

This review will focus on micromachines and microrobots, which are objects at the micro-level with similar machine functions, as well as nano-level objects such as molecular machines and nanomachines. The paper will initially review recent examples of molecular machines and microrobots that are not limited to interfaces, noting the diversity of their functions. Next, examples of molecular machines and micromachines/micro-robots functioning at the air-water interface will be discussed. The behaviors of molecular machines are influenced significantly by the specific characteristics of the air-water interface. By placing molecular machines at the air-water interface, the scientific horizon and depth of molecular machine research will increase dramatically. On the other hand, for microrobotics, more practical and advanced systems have been reported, such as the development of microrobots and microswimmers for environmental remediations and biomedical applications. The research currently being conducted on the surface of water may provide significant basic knowledge for future practical uses of molecular machines and microrobots.

Detection of Axitinib Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube-Fe2O3/Chitosan Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensor and Modeling with Density Functional Theory

In this study, axitinib (AXI), a potent and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase and used as a second-generation targeted drug, was investigated electrochemically under optimized conditions using multiwalled carbon nanotubes/iron(III) oxide nanoparticle-chitosan nanocomposite (MWCNT/Fe₂O₃@chitosan NC) modified on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Characterization of the modified electrode was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetric (AdSDPV) technique was used for the sensitive, rapid, and precise detection of AXI. The current peak obtained with the MWCNT/Fe₂O₃@chitosan NC modified electrode was 23 times higher compared to the bare electrode. The developed modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity in AXI oxidation. Under optimized conditions, the effect of supporting electrolyte and pH was investigated, and 0.1 M H₂SO₄ was chosen as the electrolyte with the highest peak current for the target analyte. In the concentration range of MWCNT/Fe₂O₃@chitosan NC/GCE, 6 × 10^-9 and 1 × 10^-6 M, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were calculated to be 0.904 and 0.0301 pM, respectively. Tablet and serum samples were used for the applicability of the developed sensor, relative standard deviation (RSD) values for all samples were below 2%, and the recovery results were 99.23 and 101.84%, respectively. The MWCNT/Fe₂O₃@chitosan NC/GCE designed to determine AXI demonstrated the applicability, selectivity, precision, and accuracy of the sensor. The mechanism of electron transfer from the modified GCE surface to the analyte solution is studied via modeling the modified GCE surface by the density functional theory (DFT) method at B3LYP/6-311+g(d,p) and M062X/6-31g(d,p) levels. We observed that the iron oxide nanoparticles play an important role in channeling electron flow from the analyte solution to the MWCNT-coated GCE electrode surface. Adsorption of the nanocomposite material onto the GCE surface occurs via strong electrostatic interactions, including ionic and hydrogen bond formations. During the adsorption-controlled oxidation process of the axitinib, the electrons are transferred via the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) localized on the iron oxide moiety to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the MWCNT/GCE surface.

Porous carbon nanoarchitectonics for the environment: detection and adsorption

As a post-nanotechnology concept, nanoarchitectonics has emerged from the 20th century to the 21st century. This review summarizes the recent progress in the field of metal-free porous carbon nanoarchitectonics.