Reduced Self-Aggregation and Improved Stability of Silica-Coated FeO/Ag SERS-Active Nanotags Functionalized With 2-Mercaptoethanesulfonate.

Nanocomposites combining magnetic and plasmonic properties are very attractive within the field of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Applications presented so far take advantage of not only the cooperation of both components but also synergy (enhanced properties), leading to multi-approach analysis. While many methods were proposed to synthesize such plasmonic-magnetic nanoparticles, the issue of their collective magnetic behavior, inducing irreversible self-aggregation, has not been addressed yet.

Toward the synthesis, fluorination and application of N-graphyne.

The discovery of properties and applications of unknown materials is one of the hottest research areas in materials science. In this work, we navigate a route towards these goals by the development of a new type of graphyne nanostructure. It is synthesised by a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene with cyanuric chloride resulting in an extended carbon-based material called TCC.

New cubic cluster phases in the Mg-Ni-Ga system.

The crystal structure of new MgNiGa and MgNiGa compounds were investigated by single-crystal diffraction. Both structures can be described as three-core-shell cluster compounds. In the MgNiGa structure, the [NiGa] icosahedron is encapsulated within the [Mg] dodecahedron, which is again encapsulated within a [NiGa] fullerene-like truncated icosahedron, thus the three core-shell cluster [NiGa@Mg@NiGa] results.

Complexation of 5-aminovaleric acid zwitterions in aqueous/methanol solution by heterotopic tri-cationic receptors.

Heterotopic tri-cationic receptors based on 4,10,16-triaza-18-crown-6 are capable of efficient and selective binding of the zwitterionic form of 5-aminovaleric acid (5-AVA) in aqueous/methanol solution. The cooperative participation of both cation and anion binding domains of this receptor in 5-AVA complexation was established by H NMR experiments and DFT calculations. Heterotopic receptors and fluorescein were used for the preparation of indicator displacement assay and this assembly was applied to selective optical sensing of 5-aminovaleric acid.

Covalently Linked Bis(Amido-Corroles): Inter- and Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bond-Driven Supramolecular Assembly.

Four bis-corroles linked by diamide bridges were synthesized through peptide-type coupling of a trans-A B-corrole acid with aliphatic and aromatic diamines. In the solid state, the hydrogen-bond pattern in these bis-corroles is strongly affected by the type of solvent used in the crystallization process. Although intramolecular hydrogen bonds play a decisive role, they are supported by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and weak N-H⋅⋅⋅π interactions between molecules of toluene and the corrole cores.

Easy Synthesis and Characterization of Holmium-Doped SPIONs.

The exceptional magnetic properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) make them promising materials for biomedical applications like hyperthermia, drug targeting and imaging. Easy preparation of SPIONs with the controllable, well-defined properties is a key factor of their practical application. In this work, we report a simple synthesis of Ho-doped SPIONs by the co-precipitation route, with controlled size, shape and magnetic properties.

Towards potent but less toxic nanopharmaceuticals - lipoic acid bioconjugates of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles with an anticancer drug and addressing unit.

Modification of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the lipoic acid derivative of folic acid was found to enhance their accumulation in the cancer cell, as compared to AuNPs without addressing units. The application of lipoic acid enabled the control of the gold nanoparticle functionalities leading to enhanced solubility and allowing for attachment of both the folic acid and the cytotoxic drug, doxorubicin. More robust attachment of doxorubicin to the nanoparticle through the amide bond resulted in toxicity comparable with that of the drug alone, opening a new perspective for designing more potent, but less toxic nanopharmaceuticals.