Visible light nonlinear absorption and optical limiting of ultrathin ZrSe nanoflakes.

The nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refractive properties of ZrSe nanoflakes were studied with a 6.5 ns pulse laser at 532 nm. Open-aperture Z-scan curves reveal that ZrSe nanoflakes have a strong reverse saturable absorption property, and close-aperture Z-scan curves show that ZrSe dispersions possess a positive nonlinear refractive index caused by self-focusing.

Reverse saturable absorption and nonlinear refraction of ultrathin ZrS3 nanobelts.

The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a ZrS3 nanobelt were measured with a 6.5 ns pulse laser at 532 nm. Its optical response to the incident light exhibits good optical absorptive and refractive effects, with the nonlinear absorption coefficient β = 4.

An upconversion fluorescent resonant energy transfer biosensor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA hybridization detection.

A novel fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) biosensor was fabricated for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) modified upconversion nanoparticles (NH2-UCNPs) as energy donor and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as acceptor. The PEI modified upconversion nanoparticles were prepared directly with a simple one-pot hydrothermal method, which provides high quality amino-group functionalized UCNPs with uniform morphology and strong upconversion luminescence. Two single-stranded DNA strands, which were partially complementary to each other, were then conjugated with NH2-UCNPs and Au NPs.

Enhanced ultraviolet-visible light responses of phototransistors based on single and a few ZrS₃ nanobelts.

Phototransistors based on single and three ZrS3 nanobelts were fabricated on SiO2/Si wafers by photolithography and the lift-off technique, respectively, and their light-induced electric properties were investigated in detail. Both the devices demonstrate a remarkable photoresponse from ultraviolet to near infrared light. The photoswitch current ratio (PCR) of the single-nanobelt phototransistor is 13 under the illumination of 405 nm light with an optical power of 10.

A simple strategy based on upconversion nanoparticles for a fluorescent resonant energy transfer biosensor.

A novel aptasensor was fabricated for the detection of lysozyme and DNA based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique between upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and a dye labeled aptamer. UCNPs can act as excellent emitters due to their low autofluorescence and high penetration depth of biosamples. NaYF:Yb, Er nanoparticles as UCNPs were synthesized and attached with a dye labeled aptamer through a cationic polymer as an electrostatic linker to quench the upconversion fluorescence intensity.

Flexible visible-light photodetectors with broad photoresponse based on ZrS3 nanobelt films.

Two new flexible visible-light photodetectors based on ZrS3 nanobelts films are fabricated on a polypropylene (PP) film and printing paper, respectively, by an adhesive-tape transfer method, and their light-induced electric properties are investigated in detail. The devices demonstrate a remarkable response to 405 to 780 nm light, a photocurrent that depends on the optical power and light wavelength, and an excellent photoswitching effect and stability. This implies that ZrS3 nanobelts are prospective candidates for high-performance nanoscale optoelectronic devices that may be practically applied in photodetection of visible to near infrared light.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly luminescent AgInS/ZnS nanocrystals for dynamic intracellular Cu(ii) detection.

Low-toxicity, highly luminescent, and water-soluble AgInS/ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized via a microwave-assisted approach. The structure and optical features of the AgInS/ZnS NCs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The as-synthesized AgInS/ZnS NCs exhibited high PL quantum yields (40%) and long PL lifetimes (424.

Aqueous synthesis of color-tunable CuInS2/ZnS nanocrystals for the detection of human interleukin 6.

In this Article, we present a facile microwave-assisted synthesis route for the preparation of water-soluble and high-quality CuInS2/ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) with glutathione as the stabilizer. The as-prepared CuInS2/ZnS NCs exhibited small particle sizes (~3.3 nm), long photoluminescence lifetimes, and color-tunable properties ranging from the visible to the near-infrared by varying the initial ratio of Cu/In in the precursors.

Controlled growth and field-emission properties of NbSe2 micro/nanostructured films.

Single-crystalline NbSe2 nanobelt, nanorod (containing nanotube), and microplate films were grown on Nb substrates by a surface-assisted chemical-vapor-transport (CVT), respectively. The nanobelts have a rectangular section of 50 x 250 to 300 x 4500 nm2, and a length up to 330 microm. The nanorods have a hexagonal section with a diameter of about 0.

Shape-controlled synthesis of PbCrO4 micro/nanostructures and their luminescent properties.

PbCrO4 with different morphologies have been synthesized via a facile sonochemical route from an aqueous solution of lead acetate and potassium dichromate in the presence of nitrilotriacetate acid (H3NTA). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The pH and the concentration of complexing reagent were found to have close relation with morphology of the final product.

Fabrication of TaS2 nanobelt arrays and their enhanced field-emission.

Crystal TaS2 nanobelt arrays were fabricated on Ta wafers by a two-step method. Field-emission measurements show that the nanobelt arrays are decent field emitters with a turn-on field of approximately 0.7 V microm(-1), a threshold field of approximately 2.

Superconducting TaS2-xIy hierarchical nanostructures.

Iodine-doped TaS2 hierarchical nanostructures, for which nanorod arrays are vertically grown on the edge of nanosheets, were prepared and showed superconductivity below 5 K.

Green preparation and catalytic application of Pd nanoparticles.

A green strategy for the facile preparation and effective stabilization of Pd nanoparticles has been developed by using D-glucose as the reducing and stabilizing agents. The UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and zeta potential measurements were used to characterize the as-prepared Pd nanoparticles. It was found that the D-glucose concentration and pH value had an important effect on the size distribution and stability of the nanoparticles.

Fabrication and field-emission performance of zirconium disulfide nanobelt arrays.

Crystal ZrS2 nanobelt quasi-arrays were fabricated by pyrolysis of the ZrS3 nanobelt quasi-arrays in vacuum; field-emission measurements show that the ZrS2 nanobelt arrays are decent field emitters with a turn-on field of approximately 0.95 V microm(-1) and a threshold field of 3.6 V microm(-1).

Sonochemical route for self-assembled V2O5 bundles with spindle-like morphology and their novel application in serum albumin sensing.

Novel self-assembled V2O5 bundles with highly ordered superstructures and spindle-like morphology were synthesized by a rapid high-yielding sonochemical method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, a field-emission scanning electron microscope, and a transmission electron microscope. The spindle-like V2O5 bundles are composed of several tens of homogeneous nanowires with diameters of 30-50 nm and lengths of 3-7 microm.