Development of Au Nanoparticle Two-Dimensional Assemblies Dispersed with Au Nanoparticle-Nanostar Complexes and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity.

We recently found that polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-protected metal nanoparticles dispersed in water/butanol mixture spontaneously float to the air/water interface and form two-dimensional assemblies due to classical surface excess theory and Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni convection induced by butanol evaporation. In this study, we found that by leveraging this principle, a unique structure is formed where hetero gold nanospheres (AuNPs)/gold nanostars (AuNSs) complexes are dispersed within AuNP two-dimensional assemblies, obtained from a mixture of polyvinylpyrrolidone-protected AuNPs and AuNSs that interact electrostatically with the AuNPs. These structures were believed to form as a result of AuNPs/AuNSs complexes formed in the water/butanol mixture floating to the air/water interface and being incorporated into the growth of AuNP two-dimensional assemblies.

A plasmonic metasurface reveals differential motility of breast cancer cell lines at initial phase of adhesion.

A plasmonic metasurface composed of a self-assembled monolayer of gold nanoparticles allows for fluorescence imaging with high spatial resolution, owing to the collective excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance. Taking advantage of fluorescence imaging confined to the nano-interface, we examined actin organization in breast cancer cell lines with different metastatic potentials during cell adhesion. Live-cell fluorescence imaging confined within tens of nanometers from the substrate shows a high actin density spanning < 1 μm from the cell edge.

Two-dimensional assembled PVP-modified silver nanoprisms guided by butanol for surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based invisible printing platforms.

This study proposes a methodology for the fabrication of two-dimensional assembled colloidal nanocrystals based on the classical theory for the surface excess of a short-chain alcohol (butanol) in an aqueous mixture and Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni convection caused by temperature and/or surface tension gradients due to the volatilization of butanol at the air-water interface. When polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-modified anisotropic silver nanoprisms dispersed in butanol were added into the water phase, the nanoprisms were guided to the air-water interface adsorbed butanol together with free butanol and formed dense two-dimensional assemblies through the lateral attraction between nanoprisms as the adsorbed butanol was volatilized. The obtained dense film composed of silver nanoprisms exhibited surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and in particular, the activity was largely enhanced by low-pressure plasma treatment.

Tuning the Emission Wavelength of Lead Halide Perovskite NCs via Size and Shape Control.

The advent of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), which are easily synthesized, ultralow-cost materials and have an impeccable luminous efficiency, has drastically changed the future perspective of semiconductor quantum dot devices. Although the band gap energy of lead perovskite NCs can be tuned by the halide composition, the instability problem prevails for mixed-halide perovskite NCs, caused by phase segregation due to ion migration when an external electric field or light is applied. To avoid this problem and obtain the stable emission of RGB primary colors, in this study, two synthesis pathways of pure-halide perovskite NCs are proposed.

All-inorganic perovskite quantum dot light-emitting memories.

Field-induced ionic motions in all-inorganic CsPbBr perovskite quantum dots (QDs) strongly dictate not only their electro-optical characteristics but also the ultimate optoelectronic device performance. Here, we show that the functionality of a single Ag/CsPbBr/ITO device can be actively switched on a sub-millisecond scale from a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) to a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC), or vice versa, by simply modulating its bias polarity. We then realize for the first time a fast, all-perovskite light-emitting memory (LEM) operating at 5 kHz by pairing such two identical devices in series, in which one functions as an RRAM to electrically read the encoded data while the other simultaneously as an LEC for a parallel, non-contact optical reading.

Rapid Discrimination of Extracellular Vesicles by Shape Distribution Analysis.

A rapid and simple cancer detection method independent of cancer type is an important technology for cancer diagnosis. Although the expression profiles of biological molecules contained in cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered candidates for discrimination indexes to identify any cancerous cells in the body, it takes a certain amount of time to examine these expression profiles. Here, we report the shape distributions of EVs suspended in a solution and the potential of these distributions as a discrimination index to discriminate cancer cells.

Thermodynamic Control in the Synthesis of Quantum-Confined Blue-Emitting CsPbBr Perovskite Nanostrips.

Size control is critical in the synthesis of quantum-confined semiconductor nanocrystals, otherwise known as quantum dots. The achievement of size-uniformity and narrow spectral line-width in quantum dots conventionally relies on a very precise kinetic control of the reactions, where reaction time plays a significant role in defining the final crystal sizes and distribution. Here, we show that synthesis of quantum-confined perovskite nanostrips could be achieved through a thermodynamically controlled reaction, using a low-temperature and ligand-rich approach.

Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Highly Ordered, Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Metal Nanoparticles Confined at the Air/Water Interface.

In this study, we investigated the viscoelastic properties of metal nanoparticle monolayers at the air/water interface by dilational rheology under periodic oscillation of surface area. Au nanoparticles capped with oleylamine form a stable, dense monolayer on a Langmuir film balance. The stress response function of a nanoparticle monolayer was first analyzed using the classical Kelvin-Voigt model, yielding the spring constant and viscosity.

The Role of Citric Acid in the Stabilization of Nanoparticles and Colloidal Particles in the Environment: Measurement of Surface Forces between Hafnium Oxide Surfaces in the Presence of Citric Acid.

The interactions between colloidal particles and nanoparticles determine solution stability and the structures formed when the particles are unstable to flocculation. Therefore, knowledge of the interparticle interactions is important for understanding the transport, dissolution, and fate of particles in the environment. The interactions between particles are governed by the surface properties of the particles, which are altered when species adsorb to the surface.

LSPR-mediated high axial-resolution fluorescence imaging on a silver nanoparticle sheet.

This paper reports our original technique for visualizing cell-attached nanointerfaces with extremely high axial resolution using homogeneously excited localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on self-assembled silver nanoparticle sheets. The LSPR sheet can confine and enhance the fluorescence at the nanointerface, which provides high signal-to-noise ratio images of focal adhesion at the cell-attached interface. The advantage of this LSPR-assisted technique is its usability, which provides comparable or higher-quality nanointerfacial images than TIRF microscopy, even under epifluorescence microscopy.

Large patternable metal nanoparticle sheets by photo/e-beam lithography.

Techniques for micro/nano-scale patterning of large metal nanoparticle sheets can potentially be used to realize high-performance photoelectronic devices because the sheets provide greatly enhanced electrical fields around the nanoparticles due to localized surface plasmon resonances. However, no single metal nanoparticle sheet currently exists with sufficient durability for conventional lithographical processes. Here, we report large photo and/or e-beam lithographic patternable metal nanoparticle sheets with improved durability by incorporating molecular cross-linked structures between nanoparticles.

High-resolution imaging of a cell-attached nanointerface using a gold-nanoparticle two-dimensional sheet.

This paper proposes a simple, effective, non-scanning method for the visualization of a cell-attached nanointerface. The method uses localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excited homogeneously on a two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled gold-nanoparticle sheet. The LSPR of the gold-nanoparticle sheet provides high-contrast interfacial images due to the confined light within a region a few tens of nanometers from the particles and the enhancement of fluorescence.

Electromagnetically induced transparency of a plasmonic metamaterial light absorber based on multilayered metallic nanoparticle sheets.

In this study, we observed the peak splitting of absorption spectra for two-dimensional sheets of silver nanoparticles due to the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect. This unique optical phenomenon was observed for the multilayered nanosheets up to 20 layers on a metal substrate, while this phenomenon was not observed on a transparent substrate. The wavelength and intensities of the split peaks depend on the number of layers, and the experimental results were well reproduced by the calculation of the Transfer-Matrix method by employing the effective medium approximation.

Colorimetric Detection of an Airborne Remote Photocatalytic Reaction Using a Stratified Ag Nanoparticle Sheet.

Photocatalysts are practically used for decomposition of harmful and fouling organic compounds. Among the photocatalytic reactions, remote oxidation via airborne species is a relatively slow process, so that a sensitive technique for its detection has been awaiting. Here, we investigated an airborne remote photocatalytic reaction of a TiO2 photocatalyst modified with Pt nanoparticles as co-catalysts via the color change caused by a decomposition of a multilayered silver nanoparticle sheet.

Feature issue introduction: biophotonic materials and applications.

Biophotonics can be defined as the interplay of light and biological matter. The percolation of new optical technology into the realm of biology has literally shed new light into the inner workings of biological systems. This has revealed new applications for optics in biology.

Characteristics of localized surface plasmons excited on mixed monolayers composed of self-assembled Ag and Au nanoparticles.

The fundamental characteristics of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excited on mixed monolayers composed of self-assembled Ag and Au nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively) were investigated. Mixed monolayered films were fabricated at the air-water interface at different mixing ratios. The films retained their phase-segregated morphologies in which AuNPs formed several 10 to 100 nm island domains in a homogeneous AgNP matrix phase.

Colorimetric plasmon sensors with multilayered metallic nanoparticle sheets.

Colorimetric plasmon sensors for naked-eye detection of molecular recognition events have been proposed. Here, 3-layered Ag nanoparticle (NP) sheets on a Au substrate fabricated using the Langmuir-Schaefer method were utilized as the detection substrates. A drastic color change was observed following the binding of Au NPs via avidin-biotin interactions at less than 30% surface coverage.

Characterization of citrates on gold and silver nanoparticles.

In this paper, we report different coordinations of citrates on gold (AuNP) and silver (AgNP) nanoparticles, as determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular orbital (MO) calculations. AuNPs and AgNPs are found to have completely different interactions with the carboxylate anchoring groups, as indicated by their unique asymmetric stretching vibrations in the FTIR spectra. The ν(as) (COO(-)) of citrate exhibits a high-frequency shift resulting from the formation of a unidentate coordination on AuNPs, whereas this vibration exhibits a low-frequency shift as a result of ionic bond formation on AgNPs, as predicted from the MO calculations of the corresponding metal complex salts.

Surface plasmon resonance properties of silver nanoparticle 2D sheets on metal gratings.

Grating-coupled propagating surface plasmons associated with silver-nanoparticle 2D crystalline sheets exhibit sensitive plasmonic resonance tuning. Multilayered silver-nanoparticle 2D crystalline sheets are fabricated on gold or silver grating surfaces by the Langmuir- Blodgett method. We show that the deposition of Ag crystalline nanosheets on Au or Ag grating surfaces causes a drastic change in propagating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) both in angle measurements at fixed wavelengths and in fixed incident-angle mode by irradiation of white light.

Grain size dependence of surface plasmon enhanced photoluminescence.

Photoluminescence (PL) in the InGaN quantum well based light-emitting diodes (LED) is greatly mediated through the coupling with the Surface Plasmons (SPs) at the interface of the sputtered Ag film. SPs coupled PL is independently tuned through controlling the grain size of the sputtered Ag films. The grain size of ~50 nm exhibits the maximum light extraction efficiency (LEE) at the wavelength of 460 nm.

Spectroscopic properties of multilayered gold nanoparticle 2D sheets.

We report the fabrication technique and optical properties of multilayered two-dimensional (2D) gold nanoparticle sheets ("Au nanosheet"). The 2D crystalline monolayer sheet composed of Au nanoparticles shows an absorption peak originating from a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). It was found that the absorption spectra dramatically change when the monolayers are assembled into the multilayers on different substrates (quartz or Au).

Temperature-modulated adsorption of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted ferritin on solid substrate.

Ferritin grafted with temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm-ferritin) was synthesized by a coupling reaction using PIPAAm and ferritin for obtaining stimuli-responsive biomaterials. The hydrodynamic diameter of PIPAAm-ferritins in aqueous solution increased at 37 °C at a higher protein concentration (>0.2mg/mL) because of the intermolecular aggregation through the hydrophobic interaction of PIPAAm chains.

Analysis of adsorption and binding behaviors of silver nanoparticles onto a pyridyl-terminated surface using XPS and AFM.

In this study, we analyzed adsorption and binding behaviors of citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on a pyridyl-terminated surface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Adsorption of the AgNPs onto the pyridyl-terminated silicon wafer surface was completed through pH-controlled sol immersion. The adsorption occurred predominantly at a pH less than the pK(b) value of the pyridyl group and more than the pK(a1) of citric acid, indicating that the driving force behind adsorption was electrostatic interaction.

Protein coverage on polymer nanolayers leading to mesenchymal stem cell patterning.

Interactions of gelatin and albumin with a photo-reactive diphenylamino-s-triazine bridged p-phenylene vinylene polymer (DTOPV) were examined by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy to explore the effect of the polymer structure on protein coverage of DTOPV nanofilms. The SPR data revealed a significant increase of gelatin adsorption on UV-DTOPV nanofilms, while the adsorption of albumin was decreased by UV exposure in the time frame of the experiment. We also found that the selective adsorption of these proteins was highly dependent on the protein concentration; the highest selectivity of protein adsorption was obtained at the lowest concentration (3.

One-dimensional molecular zippers.

We synthesized an azobenzene derivative to demonstrate a one-dimensional molecular zipper. The formation and underlying mechanism of the molecular zipper formed by combined hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals interactions between adjacent molecules were investigated on a Au(111) surface using scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations.