Integrating CdInS semiconductors with S-vacancy MoS nanosheets to fabricate a multi-channel aptasensing chip for photoelectrochemical detection of multiple mycotoxins.

Background: The importance of multi-target simultaneous detection lies in its ability to significantly boost detection efficiency, making it invaluable for rapid and cost-effective testing. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors have emerged as promising candidates for detecting harmful substances and biomarkers, attributable to their unparalleled sensitivity, minimal background signal, cost-effectiveness, equipment simplicity, and outstanding repeatability. However, designing an effective multi-target detection strategy remains a challenging task in the PEC sensing field.

Development of a 10-litre pilot scale micro-nano bubble (MNB)-enhanced photocatalytic system for wastewater treatment.

A 10-litre pilot scale micro-nano bubble (MNB)-enhanced photocatalytic degradation system was developed using ZnO as the photocatalyst and salicylic acid (SA) as the model pollutant. The effectiveness of the MNB/ZnO/UV system was systematically compared with those of MNB, UV, MNB/UV, MNB/ZnO and ZnO/UV degradation systems. The effects of process parameters, including catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration, air-intake rate, pH and salt content on the degradation of SA, were comprehensively investigated.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide: An Ideal Electrochemical Probe for Hydroxyl Radical Detection.

In situ and real-time determination of hydroxyl radicals (OH) in physiological and pathological processes is a great challenge due to their ultrashort lifetime. Herein, an electrochemical method was developed by using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a trapping probe for rapid determination of OH in aqueous solution. When DMSO reacted with OH, an intermediate product methane sulfinic acid (MSIA) was formed, which can be electrochemically oxidized to methanesulfonic acid (MSA) on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), resulting in a distinct voltammetric signal that is directly proportional to the concentration of OH.

Fabrication of a disposable aptasensing chip for simultaneous label-free detection of four common coexisting mycotoxins.

Background: Coexisting multiple mycotoxins in food poses severe health risks on humans due to the augmented toxicity. Current multiplex detection methods for mycotoxins have evolved from instrumental analyses to rapid methods based on the specific recognition of antibody/aptamer using different signal transducers. However, nearly all of the reported aptasensors for multiple mycotoxins detection require external labels and can only simultaneous detection of two mycotoxins due to the limitation of distinguishable labels.

An upgraded 2D nanosheet-based FRET biosensor: insights into avoiding background and eliminating effects of background fluctuations.

We demonstrated a new class of 2D nanosheet-based FRET biosensor utilizing vertically oriented MoS nanosheets on a magnetic nanocarrier. Compared with the non-separated biosensor under identical conditions, this upgraded one can avoid the background signal of the system and eliminate the effects of background fluctuations, which produces more excellent detection methods

Controlling the ligands of CdZnTe quantum dots to design a super simple ratiometric fluorescence nanosensor for silver ion detection.

A super simple ratiometric fluorescence nanosensor has been fabricated by controlling the ligands of CdZnTe quantum dots (QDs), allowing the sensitive and visual detection of silver ions (Ag). The green-emitting L-cysteine-protected CdZnTe QDs (Lcys-CdZnTe QDs) had a specific response to Ag and were used as the reporting probe, while the red-emitting -acetyl-L-cysteine-protected CdZnTe QDs (NAC-CdZnTe QDs) showed no obvious response to all tested metal ions and were selected as the reference probe. Simply mixing them without any encapsulated synthesis ultimately produced a time-saving, low-cost detection method, allowing the sensitive and visual detection of Ag in samples.

Gold nanoparticles mediated designing of versatile aptasensor for colorimetric/electrochemical dual-channel detection of aflatoxin B1.

This work is aimed to develop of a new class of versatile aptasensor to specifically detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using dual-channel detection method. To achieve this objective, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) having peroxidase-like activity and capability of promoting silver deposition were used as the versatile label for both colorimetric and electrochemical techniques. First of all, aptamer (apt) modified FeO@Au magnetic beads (MBs-apt) and cDNA modified AuNPs (cDNA-AuNPs) were prepared to use as capture probes and signal probes, respectively.

Identification of an Individualized Prognostic Signature Based on the RWSR Model in Early-Stage Bladder Carcinoma.

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the fourth common cancer among males in the United States, which is also the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in old males. BLCA has a high recurrence rate, with over 50% of patients which has at least one recurrence within five years. Due to the complexity of the molecular mechanisms and heterogeneous cancer feature, BLCA clinicians find it hard to make an efficient management decision as they lack reliable assessment of mortality risk.

Quantitative Estimation of Oxidative Stress in Cancer Tissue Cells Through Gene Expression Data Analyses.

Quantitative assessment of the intracellular oxidative stress level is a very important problem since it is the basis for elucidation of the fundamental causes of metabolic changes in diseased human cells, particularly cancer. However, the problem proves to be very challenging to solve because of the complex nature of the problem. Here a computational method is presented for predicting the quantitative level of the intracellular oxidative stress in cancer tissue cells.

High brightness blue light-emitting diodes based on CsPb(Cl/Br) perovskite QDs with phenethylammonium chloride passivation.

All inorganic perovskite quantum dots (QDs) (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I) have been applied on light-emitting devices (LEDs) in recent years due to their excellent optical and optoelectronic properties. However, blue-light emitting perovskite QD LEDs (PQD-LEDs) exhibit poor performances compared with their green- and red-light emitting counterparts. Herein, we fabricated high performing blue-light emitting PQD-LEDs based on phenethylammonium chloride (PEACl) modified CsPb(Cl/Br)3 QDs.

Pressure-dependent distinct luminescent evolutions of pyrene and TPA-Py single crystals.

The effects of the high pressure on two single crystals, pyrene and N,N-diphenyl-4-(pyren-1-yl)aniline (TPA-Py), were studied by in situ fluorescent and Raman spectroscopies. During the compression, the pyrene with one structureless excimer emission band showed a continuous bathochromic-shift. In contrast, with the pressure increasing to 10.

White light-emitting devices based on ZnCdS/ZnS and perovskite nanocrystal heterojunction.

Perovskite white light-emitting devices (WLEDs) without intercalation layers have not been achieved due to the ion exchange. Although the intercalation layers prevent ion exchange between perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), it also creates a new problem of charge imbalance and the structure becomes more complex. In this study, blue emitting ZnCdS/ZnS NCs with high quantum yield and stability are introduced to work with the yellow emission from CsPb(Br/I) perovskite NCs for WLEDs.

Remarkable pressure-induced emission enhancement based on intermolecular charge transfer in halogen bond-driven dual-component co-crystals.

A series of two-component co-crystals driven by IN interactions based on the bipyridine (BIPY) chromophore with one among three different co-former building blocks, iodopentafluorobenzene (IPFB), 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (DITFB) and 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene (IFB), were prepared and analysed via infared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. By comparing the IN distances in the co-crystal structures, we found that the higher the -F ratio in the building blocks the closer the contact of the IN bond, enhancing the intermolecular interactions in these co-crystals as well. That is, the positive electrostatic potential on the iodine atom(s) in the co-formers was enhanced by the presence of strong electron-withdrawing groups.

Considerably enhanced exciton emission of CsPbCl perovskite quantum dots by the introduction of potassium and lanthanide ions.

The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of blue-violet emission of CsPbCl quantum dots (QDs) is still low, which has limited their application in multi-colour displays. It is important to search for efficient perovskite phosphors within this wavelength range. In this work, we first considerably enhanced the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the CsPbCl QDs from 3.

Investigation of supramolecular interaction in 4, 4'-bipyridine crystal by hydrostatic pressure spectroscopies.

The luminescence and structural changes of 4, 4'-bipyridine in the crystal and powder forms under the effect of high pressure applied by a diamond anvil cell has been investigated through the fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies. In its single crystal structure, the 4, 4'-bipyridine molecules are paralleled arranged with the identifiable CH⋯N and π⋯π interactions among molecules. However, in the powder form, these intermolecular interactions nearly diminish.

Highly efficient and stable blue-emitting CsPbBr@SiO nanospheres through low temperature synthesis for nanoprinting and WLED.

Inorganic perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have attracted wide attention in display and solid-state lighting because of their easily tunable band-gaps and high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) of green light emission. However, some drawbacks limit their practical applications, including the low PLQY of blue light emission and the instability in the moisture environment. In this work, efficient blue-light emitting CsPbBr perovskite QDs with PLQY of 72% were developed through a bandgap engineering approach.

White light emission in Bi/Mn ion co-doped CsPbCl perovskite nanocrystals.

Colloidal perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), especially the fully inorganic cesium lead halide (CsPbX, X = Cl, Br, I) NCs, have been considered as promising candidates for lighting and display applications due to their narrow band emission, tunable band gap and high photoluminescence quantum yields (QYs). However, owing to the anion exchange in the CsPbX NCs, stable multi-color and white light emissions are difficult to achieve, thus limiting their practical optoelectronic applications. In this work, dual ion Bi/Mn codoped CsPbCl perovskite NCs were prepared through the hot injection method for the first time to the best of our knowledge.

A facile and universal strategy for preparation of long wavelength emission carbon dots.

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a promising new type of fluorescent nanomaterial, although one of their main problems is the tuning of the emission wavelength toward the long wavelength region. In this work, the influence of reaction solvents to emission of CDs was systematically studied using four groups of classical precursors (citric acid individually mixed with four nitrogenous organic compounds). Water and toluene were selected to represent the hydrophobic and hydrophilic reaction medium, respectively.

Carbon dot/polyvinylpyrrolidone hybrid nanofibers with efficient solid-state photoluminescence constructed using an electrospinning technique.

Carbon dots (CDs) are the promising candidates for application in optoelectronic and biological areas due to their excellent photostability, unique photoluminescence, good biocompatibility, low toxicity and chemical inertness. However, the self-quenching of photoluminescence as they are dried into the solid state dramatically limits their further application. Therefore, realizing efficient photoluminescence and large-scale production of CDs in the solid state is an urgent challenge.

Remarkable Enhancement of Upconversion Luminescence on Cap-Ag/PMMA Ordered Platform and Trademark Anticounterfeiting.

High brightness of upconversion luminescence (UCL) for a thinner layer of UC nanoparticles is significant for routine applications of effective trademark anticounterfeiting technology. In this work, efficient UCL of NaYF:Yb,Er/Tm was realized by combining a TaO dielectric layer on the cyclical island silver films supported by poly(methyl methacrylate) opal photonic crystals (PCs). The synergistic modulation of localized surface plasmon resonance and PC effect results in a significant improvement of the local electromagnetic field and an optimum UC enhancement of 145 folds.

Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Water Soluble α-NaGdF/β-NaYF:Yb,Er Core-Shell Nanoparticles.

Hexagonal phase (β) sodium rare earth tetrafluorides (NaREF, RE = Y, Gd, Lu, et al.) are considered the ideal matrices for lanthanide (Ln) ions doped upconversion (UC) luminescence materials, because they can provide favorable crystal lattice structures for the doped luminescent Ln ions to make intensive emissions. However, the cubic phase (α) NaREF always preferentially forms at low reaction temperature in short time as it is dynamically stable.

ZnO/Cu₂S/ZnO Multilayer Films: Structure Optimization and Its Detail Data for Applications on Photoelectric and Photocatalytic Properties.

Monolayer Cu₂S and ZnO, and three kinds of complex films, Cu₂S/ZnO, ZnO/Cu₂S, and ZnO/Cu₂S/ZnO, were deposited on glass substrates by means of radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering device. The impact of the thickness of ZnO and Cu₂S on the whole transmittance, conductivity, and photocatalysis was investigated. The optical and electrical properties of the multilayer were studied by optical spectrometry and four point probes.

Subtle vertical structures of porous anodic alumina films for use as waveguides.

Since porous anodic alumina (PAA) is a frequently-used optical waveguide material, accurate characterization of its structure parameters and optical properties is in urgent need. To characterize PAA, spectroscopic ellipsometry is preferred due to its undamaged detection, no sample pretreatment, and having a coverage area relatively larger than that of scanning electron microscopy. For spectroscopic ellipsometric data fitting, previous studies usually adopted a four-layer model, which displays a large bias from the raw data.

Growth and Characteristics of ZnO Needles in the Surface of “Platanus Occidentalis” Made of Al2O3, Au and ZnO.

Complex ZnO compound material has great potential applications for optoelectronic devices. In this article, we give report to a simulation growth of a kind of special“fruiting ball”——natural “Platanus Occidentalis” made of Al2O3, Au and ZnO. The surface of “Platanus Occidentalis ” has numerous tiny Au seeds on the surface of Al2O3 ball.

Remarkable enhancement of upconversion luminescence on 2-D anodic aluminum oxide photonic crystals.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are attracting extensive attention due to their unique physical properties and great application potential. However, the lower luminescence quantum yield/strength is still an obstacle for real application. Local field modulation is a promising method to highly enhance the upconversion luminescence (UCL) of the UCNPs.