Ion exchange in semiconductor magic-size clusters.

As a crucial post-synthesis method, ion exchange allows for precise control over the composition, interface, and morphology of nanocrystals at the atomic scale, achieving material properties that are difficult to obtain with traditional synthesis techniques. In nanomaterial science, semiconductor magic-size clusters (MSCs), with their atomic-level precision and unique quantum confinement effects, serve as a bridge between molecules and nanocrystals. Despite this, research on ion exchange in MSCs is still in its infancy.

Anisotropic Growth of Covalent Inorganic Complexes to Nanoplatelets.

Colloidal II-VI semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) provide a new platform in material science due to their unique growth mode and advanced optical properties. However, in contrast to the rapid development of zinc blend structured NPLs, studies on the formation of wurtzite (WZ) NPLs have been limited to the lamellar assembly of specific magic-sized nanoclusters (MSCs). Therefore, the study of new precursors is important for enriching the synthesis strategy, improving the study of two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystal growth mechanisms, and constructing complex nanostructures.

Anion Exchange in Semiconductor Magic-Size Clusters.

Ion exchange is an effective postsynthesis strategy for the design of colloidal nanomaterials with unique structures and properties. In contrast to the rapid development of cation exchange (CE), the study of anion exchange is still in its infancy and requires an in-depth understanding. Magic-size clusters (MSCs) are important reaction intermediates in quantum dot (QD) synthesis, and studying the ion exchange processes can provide valuable insights into the transformations of QDs.

Covalent inorganic complexes enabled zinc blende to wurtzite phase changes in CdSe nanoplatelets.

Phase changes in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are essential in material design and device applications. However, the transition pathways have yet to be sufficiently studied, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is needed. In this work, a complete ligand-assisted phase transition from zinc blende (ZB) to wurtzite (WZ) is observed in CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs).

Biohybrid Cells for Photoelectrochemical Conversion Based on the HCOO-CO Circulation Approach.

Biohybrid photoelectrochemical systems could combine the light-harvesting ability of semiconductor photocatalysts and the CO-processing capability of biocatalysts to realize CO reduction. How to develop the energy-utilized model can be of importance for the mechanism exploration of photosynthesis. Here, a biohybrid photoelectrochemical system based on HCOO-CO circulation was developed to realize the conversion both of solar-to-electric energy and chemical-to-electric energy.

Photo-driven self-powered biosensor for ultrasensitive microRNA detection via DNA conformation-controlled co-sensitization behavior.

We successfully developed a photoelectrochemical enzymatic fuel cell (PEFC)-based self-powered biosensing platform for microRNA detection via DNA conformation change-controlled co-sensitization behavior, which could offer ultrasensitive detection of microRNA down to 0.05 fM and realize microRNA determination in human serum.

Anode-Driven Controlled Release of Cathodic Fuel via pH Response for Smart Enzymatic Biofuel Cell.

Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) with or without a membrane to separate the anodic and cathodic compartments generally suffered from high internal resistance or interactive interference, both of which restricted the improvement of their performance. Herein, a smart membrane-less EBFC was engineered based on anode-driven controlled release of cathodic acceptor via pH-responsive metal-organic framework ([Fe(CN)]@ZIF-8) nanocarriers. The glucose anodic oxidation would produce gluconic acid accompanied by the change in pH value from neutral to the acidic case, which could drive the degradation of [Fe(CN)]@ZIF-8 nanocarriers and further realize the controlled release of cathodic acceptor [Fe(CN)].

Self-Powered Biosensing Platform Based on "Signal-On" Enzymatic Biofuel Cell for DNA Methyltransferase Activity Analysis and Inhibitor Screening.

Aberrant DNA methylation catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (MTase) has proved to be associated with human diseases such as cancers. Thus, the development of an efficient strategy to accurately detect DNA MTase is highly desirable in medical diagnostics. Herein, we proposed a robust "signal-on" enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC)-based self-powered biosensing platform with excellent anti-interference ability for DNA MTase activity analysis and inhibitor screening.

Enzymatic Biofuel-Cell-Based Self-Powered Biosensor Integrated with DNA Amplification Strategy for Ultrasensitive Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism.

Enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC)-based self-powered biosensors could offer significant advantages: no requirement for an external power source, simple instruments, and easy miniaturization. However, they also suffered from the limitations of lower sensitivity or specific targets. In this study, a self-powered biosensor for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) produced by combining the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (SDR) and DNA hybridization chain reaction (HCR) was proposed.