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4 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications

by Wei Chen and Derong Cao

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(6), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061047 - 14 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2581

Abstract

We are pleased to introduce to you this Special Issue of Nanomaterials on ‘Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications’ [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

Research

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22 pages, 11765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Ag-Doped ZnO Thin Films and Thermoluminescence (TLD) Characteristics for Radiation Technology

by Hammam Abdurabu Thabit, Norlaili A. Kabir, Abd Khamim Ismail, Shoroog Alraddadi, Abdullah Bafaqeer and Muneer Aziz Saleh

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 3068; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12173068 - 3 Sep 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3050

Abstract

This work examined the thermoluminescence dosimetry characteristics of Ag-doped ZnO thin films. The hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize Ag-doped ZnO thin films with variant molarity of Ag (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mol%). The structure, morphology, and optical characteristics were investigated [...] Read more.

This work examined the thermoluminescence dosimetry characteristics of Ag-doped ZnO thin films. The hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize Ag-doped ZnO thin films with variant molarity of Ag (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mol%). The structure, morphology, and optical characteristics were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), photoluminescence (PL), and UV–vis spectrophotometers. The thermoluminescence characteristics were examined by exposing the samples to X-ray radiation. It was obtained that the highest TL intensity for Ag-doped ZnO thin films appeared to correspond to 0.5 mol% of Ag, when the films were exposed to X-ray radiation. The results further showed that the glow curve has a single peak at 240–325 °C, with its maximum at 270 °C, which corresponded to the heating rate of 5 °C/s. The results of the annealing procedures showed the best TL response was found at 400 °C and 30 min. The dose–response revealed a good linear up to 4 Gy. The proposed sensitivity was 1.8 times higher than the TLD 100 chips. The thermal fading was recorded at 8% for 1 Gy and 20% for 4 Gy in the first hour. After 45 days of irradiation, the signal loss was recorded at 32% and 40% for the cases of 1 Gy and 4 Gy, respectively. The obtained optical fading results confirmed that all samples’ stored signals were affected by the exposure to sunlight, which decreased up to 70% after 6 h. This new dosimeter exhibits good properties for radiation measurement, given its overgrowth (in terms of the glow curve) within 30 s (similar to the TLD 100 case), simple annealing procedure, and high sensitivity (two times that of the TLD 100). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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10 pages, 2052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Sulfur Quantum Dots for Detection of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

by Fanghui Ma, Qing Zhou, Minghui Yang, Jianglin Zhang and Xiang Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2787; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162787 - 14 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) are a kind of pure elemental quantum dots, which are considered as potential green nanomaterials because they do not contain heavy metal elements and are friendly to biology and environment. In this paper, SQDs with size around 2 nm [...] Read more.

Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) are a kind of pure elemental quantum dots, which are considered as potential green nanomaterials because they do not contain heavy metal elements and are friendly to biology and environment. In this paper, SQDs with size around 2 nm were synthesized by a microwave-assisted method using sulfur powder as precursor. The SQDs had the highest emission under the excitation of 380 nm and emit blue fluorescence at 470 nm. In addition, the SQDs had good water solubility and stability. Based on the synthesized SQDs, a fluorescence assay for detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was reported. The fluorescence of the SQDs was initially quenched by Cr (VI). In the presence of ALP, ALP-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid to generate ascorbic acid. The generated ascorbic acid can reduce Cr (VI) to Cr (III), thus the fluorescence intensity of SQDs was restored. The assay has good sensitivity and selectivity and was applied to the detection of ALP in serum samples. The interesting properties of SQDs can find a wide range of applications in different sensing and imaging areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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20 pages, 2362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermoresponsive Zinc TetraPhenylPorphyrin Photosensitizer/Dextran Graft Poly(N-IsoPropylAcrylAmide) Copolymer/Au Nanoparticles Hybrid Nanosystem: Potential for Photodynamic Therapy Applications

by Oleg A. Yeshchenko, Nataliya V. Kutsevol, Anastasiya V. Tomchuk, Pavlo S. Khort, Pavlo A. Virych, Vasyl A. Chumachenko, Yulia I. Kuziv, Andrey I. Marinin, Lili Cheng and Guochao Nie

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2655; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152655 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2087

Abstract

The thermoresponsive Zinc TetraPhenylPorphyrin photosensitizer/Dextran poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) graft copolymer/Au Nanoparticles (ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs) triple hybrid nanosystem was synthesized in aqueous solution as a nanodrug for potential use in thermally driven and controlled photodynamic therapy applications. The aqueous solution of the nanosystem has demonstrated excellent stability [...] Read more.

The thermoresponsive Zinc TetraPhenylPorphyrin photosensitizer/Dextran poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) graft copolymer/Au Nanoparticles (ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs) triple hybrid nanosystem was synthesized in aqueous solution as a nanodrug for potential use in thermally driven and controlled photodynamic therapy applications. The aqueous solution of the nanosystem has demonstrated excellent stability in terms of aggregation and sedimentation several days after preparation. Optimal concentrations of the components of hybrid nanosystem providing the lowest level of aggregation and the highest plasmonic enhancement of electronic processes in the photosensitizer molecules have been determined. It has been revealed that the shrinking of D-g-PNIPAM macromolecule during a thermally induced phase transition leads to the release of both ZnTPP molecules and Au NPs from the ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs macromolecule and the strengthening of plasmonic enhancement of the electronic processes in ZnTPP molecules bound with the polymer macromolecule. The 2.7-fold enhancement of singlet oxygen photogeneration under resonant with surface plasmon resonance has been observed for ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs proving the plasmon nature of such effect. The data obtained in vitro on wild strains of Staphylococcus aureus have proved the high potential of such nanosystem for rapid photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms particular in wounds or ulcers on the body surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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13 pages, 3353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Matrix N-Doped Room Temperature Phosphorescent Carbon Dots Triggered by Visible and Ultraviolet Light Dual Modes

by Huiyong Wang, Hongmei Yu, Ayman AL-Zubi, Xiuhui Zhu, Guochao Nie, Shaoyan Wang and Wei Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(13), 2210; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132210 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2625

Abstract

The synthesis of room temperature phosphorescent carbon dots (RTP-CDs) without any matrix is important in various applications. In particular, RTP-CDs with dual modes of excitation are more interesting. Here, we successfully synthesized matrix-free carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) that can generate green RTP under [...] Read more.

The synthesis of room temperature phosphorescent carbon dots (RTP-CDs) without any matrix is important in various applications. In particular, RTP-CDs with dual modes of excitation are more interesting. Here, we successfully synthesized matrix-free carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) that can generate green RTP under visible and ultraviolet light dual-mode excitation. Using acrylic acid (AA) and ammonium oxalate as precursors, a simple one-pot hydrothermal method was selected to prepare AA-CPDs. Here, acrylic acid is easy to polymerize under high temperature and high pressure, which makes AA-CPDs form a dense cross-linked internal structure. Ammonium oxalate as a nitrogen source can form amino groups during the reaction, which reacts with a large number of pendant carboxyl groups on the polymer chains to further form a cross-linked structure. The carboxyl and amino groups on the surface of AA-CPDs are connected by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds can provide space protection (isolation of oxygen) around the AA-CPDs phosphor, which can stably excite the triplet state. This self-matrix structure effectively inhibits the non-radiative transition by blocking the intramolecular motion of CPDs. Under the excitation of WLED and 365 nm ultraviolet light, AA-CPDs exhibit the phosphorescence emission at 464 nm and 476 nm, respectively. The naked-eye observation exceeds 5 s and 10 s, respectively, and the average lifetime at 365 nm excitation wavelength is as long as 412.03 ms. In addition, it successfully proved the potential application of AA-CPDs in image anti-counterfeiting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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13 pages, 5964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning Multicolor Emission of Manganese-Activated Gallogermanate Nanophosphors by Regulating Mn Ions Occupying Sites for Multiple Anti-Counterfeiting Application

by Dangli Gao, Peng Wang, Feng Gao, William Nguyen and Wei Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(12), 2029; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122029 - 13 Jun 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2047

Abstract

The ability to manipulate the luminescent color, intensity and long lifetime of nanophosphors is important for anti-counterfeiting applications. Unfortunately, persistent luminescence materials with multimode luminescent features have rarely been reported, even though they are expected to be highly desirable in sophisticated anti-counterfeiting. Here, [...] Read more.

The ability to manipulate the luminescent color, intensity and long lifetime of nanophosphors is important for anti-counterfeiting applications. Unfortunately, persistent luminescence materials with multimode luminescent features have rarely been reported, even though they are expected to be highly desirable in sophisticated anti-counterfeiting. Here, the luminescence properties of Zn₃Ga₂GeO₈:Mn phosphors were tuned by using different preparation approaches, including a hydrothermal method and solid-state reaction approach combining with non-equivalent ion doping strategy. As a result, Mn-activated Zn₃Ga₂GeO₈ phosphors synthesized by a hydrothermal method demonstrate an enhanced red photoluminescence at 701 nm and a strong green luminescence with persistent luminescence and photostimulated luminescence at 540 nm. While Mn-activated Zn₃Ga₂GeO₈ phosphors synthesized by solid-state reactions combined with a hetero-valent doping approach only exhibit an enhanced single-band red emission. Keeping the synthetic method unchanged, the substitution of hetero-valent dopant ion Li⁺ into different sites is valid for spectral fine-tuning. A spectral tuning mechanism is also proposed. Mn-activated Zn₃Ga₂GeO₈ phosphors synthesized by a hydrothermal approach with multimodal luminescence is especially suitable for multiple anti-counterfeiting, multicolor display and other potential applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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17 pages, 9061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of a Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheet and Ultrasensitive Trapping of Staphylococcus Aureus for Enhanced Photothermal and Antibacterial Wound-Healing Therapy

by Weiwei Zhang, Zhao Kuang, Ping Song, Wanzhen Li, Lin Gui, Chuchu Tang, Yugui Tao, Fei Ge and Longbao Zhu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(11), 1865; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12111865 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2749

Abstract

Photothermal therapy has been widely used in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the short photothermal effective radius of conventional nano-photothermal agents makes it difficult to achieve effective photothermal antibacterial activity. Therefore, improving composite targeting can significantly inhibit bacterial growth. We inhibited the [...] Read more.

Photothermal therapy has been widely used in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the short photothermal effective radius of conventional nano-photothermal agents makes it difficult to achieve effective photothermal antibacterial activity. Therefore, improving composite targeting can significantly inhibit bacterial growth. We inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by using an extremely low concentration of vancomycin (Van) and applied photothermal therapy with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). This simple method used chitosan (CS) to synthesize fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled and Van-loaded MoS₂-nanosheet hydrogels (MoS₂-Van-FITC@CS). After modifying the surface, an extremely low concentration of Van could inhibit bacterial growth by trapping bacteria synergistically with the photothermal effects of MoS₂, while FITC labeled bacteria and chitosan hydrogels promoted wound healing. The results showed that MoS₂-Van-FITC@CS nanosheets had a thickness of approximately 30 nm, indicating the successful synthesis of the nanosheets. The vitro antibacterial results showed that MoS₂-Van-FITC with near-infrared irradiation significantly inhibited S. aureus growth, reaching an inhibition rate of 94.5% at nanoparticle concentrations of up to 100 µg/mL. Furthermore, MoS₂-Van-FITC@CS could exert a healing effect on wounds in mice. Our results demonstrate that MoS₂-Van-FITC@CS is biocompatible and can be used as a wound-healing agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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17 pages, 4238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Fluorescent Probe Based on Rare-Earth Doped Upconversion Nanomaterials and Its Applications in Early Cancer Detection

by Zhou Ding, Yue He, Hongtao Rao, Le Zhang, William Nguyen, Jingjing Wang, Ying Wu, Caiqin Han, Christina Xing, Changchun Yan, Wei Chen and Ying Liu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(11), 1787; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12111787 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2534

Abstract

In this paper, a novel rare-earth-doped upconverted nanomaterial NaYF₄:Yb,Tm fluorescent probe is reported, which can detect cancer-related specific miRNAs in low abundance. The detection is based on an upconversion of nanomaterials NaYF₄:Yb,Tm, with emissions at 345, 362, 450, 477, [...] Read more.

In this paper, a novel rare-earth-doped upconverted nanomaterial NaYF₄:Yb,Tm fluorescent probe is reported, which can detect cancer-related specific miRNAs in low abundance. The detection is based on an upconversion of nanomaterials NaYF₄:Yb,Tm, with emissions at 345, 362, 450, 477, 646, and 802 nm, upon excitation at 980 nm. The optimal Yb³⁺:Tm³⁺ doping ratio is 40:1, in which the NaYF₄:Yb,Tm nanomaterials have the strongest fluorescence. The NaYF₄:Yb, Tm nanoparticles were coated with carboxylation or carboxylated protein, in order to improve their water solubility and biocompatibility. The two commonly expressed proteins, miRNA-155 and miRNA-150, were detected by the designed fluorescent probe. The results showed that the probes can distinguish miRNA-155 well from partial and complete base mismatch miRNA-155, and can effectively distinguish miRNA-155 and miRNA-150. The preliminary results indicate that these upconverted nanomaterials have good potential for protein detection in disease diagnosis, including early cancer detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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15 pages, 7854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spray-Assisted Interfacial Polymerization to Form Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI Film: An Efficient Dip Catalyst for A³ Reaction

by Zhian Xu, Liang Xiao, Xuetao Fan, Dongtao Lin, Liting Ma, Guochao Nie and Yiqun Li

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12101641 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2016

Abstract

A novel and interesting method for the preparation of carboxymethylcellulose–polyaniline film-supported copper catalyst (Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI) has been developed via spray-assisted interfacial polymerization. Using copper sulfate as an initiator, spraying technology was introduced to form a unique interface that is perfectly beneficial to [...] Read more.

A novel and interesting method for the preparation of carboxymethylcellulose–polyaniline film-supported copper catalyst (Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI) has been developed via spray-assisted interfacial polymerization. Using copper sulfate as an initiator, spraying technology was introduced to form a unique interface that is perfectly beneficial to the polymerization of aniline monomers onto carboxymethylcellulose macromolecule chains. To further confirm the composition and structure of the as-prepared hybrid film, it was systematically characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The Cu content in the fresh Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI film was determined to be 1.805 mmol/g, and spherical nanoparticles with an average size of ca. 10.04 nm could be observed in the hybrid film. The Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI hybrid film was exerted as a dip catalyst to catalyze the aldehyde–alkyne–amine (A³) coupling reactions. High yields of the products (up to 97%) were obtained in this catalytic system, and the catalyst could be easily picked up from the reaction mixture by tweezers and reused for at least six consecutive runs, without any discernible losses in its activity in the model reaction. The dip catalyst of Cu^II/I@CMC-PANI, with easy fabrication, convenient deployment, superior catalytic activity, and great reusability, is expected to be very useful in organic synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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15 pages, 6532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Luminescence Reduced Graphene Oxide Based Photothermal Purification of Seawater for Drinkable Purpose

by Jin Huang, Zhen Chu, Christina Xing, Wenting Li, Zhongxin Liu and Wei Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1622; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12101622 - 10 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1818

Abstract

Getting drinking water from seawater is a hope and long-term goal that has long been explored. Here, we report graphene-loaded nonwoven fabric membranes for seawater purification based on photothermal heating. The photothermal membrane of non-woven fabric loaded with graphene oxide has high light [...] Read more.

Getting drinking water from seawater is a hope and long-term goal that has long been explored. Here, we report graphene-loaded nonwoven fabric membranes for seawater purification based on photothermal heating. The photothermal membrane of non-woven fabric loaded with graphene oxide has high light absorption and strong heating effect, and its evaporation rate about 5 times higher than that of non-woven fabric. Under the condition of light intensity of 1 kW m⁻², the evaporation rate can reach 1.33 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. The results of cell activity test showed that the concentration of bacteria after photothermal membrane treatment decreased significantly. The photothermal membrane can be used for many times without greatly reducing the evaporation efficiency, which means that it is suitable for regional water purification and seawater desalination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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15 pages, 4447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasmonic Ag Nanoparticle-Loaded n-p Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ Heterojunction Microtubes with Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

by Haibin Li, Xiang Luo, Ziwen Long, Guoyou Huang and Ligang Zhu

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1608; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091608 - 9 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2554

Abstract

In this study, n-p Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ heterojunction microtubes were prepared via a one-step solvothermal route in an H₂O-ethylenediamine mixed solvent for the first time. Then, Ag nanoparticles were loaded onto the microtubes using [...] Read more.

In this study, n-p Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ heterojunction microtubes were prepared via a one-step solvothermal route in an H₂O-ethylenediamine mixed solvent for the first time. Then, Ag nanoparticles were loaded onto the microtubes using a photo-deposition process. It was found that a Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ heterostructure was formed as a result of the in situ carbonatization of α-Bi₂O₃microtubes on the surface. The photocatalytic activities of α-Bi₂O₃ microtubes, Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ microtubes, and Ag nanoparticle-loaded Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ microtubes were evaluated based on their degradation of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The results indicated that Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃ with a Bi₂O₂CO₃ mass fraction of 6.1% exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than α-Bi₂O₃. Loading the microtubes with Ag nanoparticles significantly improved the photocatalytic activity of Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃. This should be ascribed to the internal static electric field built at the heterojunction interface of Bi₂O₂CO₃ and α-Bi₂O₃ resulting in superior electron conductivity due to the Ag nanoparticles; additionally, the heterojunction at the interfaces between two semiconductors and Ag nanoparticles and the local electromagnetic field induced by the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles effectively facilitate the photoinduced charge carrier transfer and separation of α-Bi₂O₃. Furthermore, loading of Ag nanoparticles leads to the formation of new reactive sites, and a new reactive species ·O²⁻ for photocatalysis, compared with Bi₂O₂CO₃/α-Bi₂O₃. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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18 pages, 2168 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence of Au(II) and Au(0) States in Bovine Serum Albumin-Au Nanoclusters Revealed by CW-EPR/LEPR and Peculiarities in HR-TEM/STEM Imaging

by Radek Ostruszka, Giorgio Zoppellaro, Ondřej Tomanec, Dominik Pinkas, Vlada Filimonenko and Karolína Šišková

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1425; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091425 - 22 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2855

Abstract

Bovine serum albumin-embedded Au nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) are thoroughly probed by continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW-EPR), light-induced EPR (LEPR), and sequences of microscopic investigations performed via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). To [...] Read more.

Bovine serum albumin-embedded Au nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) are thoroughly probed by continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW-EPR), light-induced EPR (LEPR), and sequences of microscopic investigations performed via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report analyzing the BSA-AuNCs by CW-EPR/LEPR technique. Besides the presence of Au(0) and Au(I) oxidation states in BSA-AuNCs, the authors observe a significant amount of Au(II), which may result from a disproportionation event occurring within NCs: 2Au(I) → Au(II) + Au(0). Based on the LEPR experiments, and by comparing the behavior of BSA versus BSA-AuNCs under UV light irradiation (at 325 nm) during light off-on-off cycles, any energy and/or charge transfer event occurring between BSA and AuNCs during photoexcitation can be excluded. According to CW-EPR results, the Au nano assemblies within BSA-AuNCs are estimated to contain 6–8 Au units per fluorescent cluster. Direct observation of BSA-AuNCs by STEM and HR-TEM techniques confirms the presence of such diameters of gold nanoclusters in BSA-AuNCs. Moreover, in situ formation and migration of Au nanostructures are observed and evidenced after application of either a focused electron beam from HR-TEM, or an X-ray from EDS experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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12 pages, 5224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dye Sensitization for Ultraviolet Upconversion Enhancement

by Mingkai Wang, Hanlin Wei, Shuai Wang, Chuanyu Hu and Qianqian Su

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3114; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113114 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2707

Abstract

Upconversion nanocrystals that converted near-infrared radiation into emission in the ultraviolet spectral region offer many exciting opportunities for drug release, photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, and solid-state lasing. However, a key challenge is the development of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with efficient ultraviolet emission, due to low [...] Read more.

Upconversion nanocrystals that converted near-infrared radiation into emission in the ultraviolet spectral region offer many exciting opportunities for drug release, photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, and solid-state lasing. However, a key challenge is the development of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with efficient ultraviolet emission, due to low conversion efficiency. Here, we develop a dye-sensitized, heterogeneous core–multishelled lanthanide nanoparticle for ultraviolet upconversion enhancement. We systematically study the main influencing factors on ultraviolet upconversion emission, including dye concentration, excitation wavelength, and dye-sensitizer distance. Interestingly, our experimental results demonstrate a largely promoted multiphoton upconversion. The underlying mechanism and detailed energy transfer pathway are illustrated. These findings offer insights into future developments of highly ultraviolet-emissive nanohybrids and provide more opportunities for applications in photo-catalysis, biomedicine, and environmental science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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12 pages, 3130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of Novel Nanocomposites (Cu-MOF/GOD@HA) for Chemodynamic Therapy

by Ya-Nan Hao, Cong-Cong Qu, Yang Shu, Jian-Hua Wang and Wei Chen

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(7), 1843; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071843 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5459

Abstract

The emerging chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has received an extensive attention in recent years. However, the efficiency of CDT is influenced due to the limitation of H₂O₂ in tumor. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel core-shell nanostructure, Cu-metal [...] Read more.

The emerging chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has received an extensive attention in recent years. However, the efficiency of CDT is influenced due to the limitation of H₂O₂ in tumor. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel core-shell nanostructure, Cu-metal organic framework (Cu-MOF)/glucose oxidase (GOD)@hyaluronic acid (HA) (Cu-MOF/GOD@HA) for the purpose of improving CDT efficacy by increasing H₂O₂ concentration and cancer cell targeting. In this design, Cu-MOF act as a CDT agent and GOD carrier. Cu(II) in Cu-MOF are reduced to Cu(I) by GSH to obtain Cu(I)-MOF while GSH is depleted. The depletion of GSH reinforces the concentration of H₂O₂ in tumor to improve the efficiency of CDT. The resultant Cu(I)-MOF catalyze H₂O₂ to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH) for CDT. GOD can catalyze glucose (Glu) to supply H₂O₂ for CDT enhancement. HA act as a targeting molecule to improve the targeting ability of Cu-MOF/GOD@HA to the tumor cells. In addition, after loading with GOD and coating with HA, the proportion of Cu(I) in Cu-MOF/GOD@HA is increased compared with the proportion of Cu(I) in Cu-MOF. This phenomenon may shorten the reactive time from Cu-MOF to Cu(I)-MOF. The CDT enhancement as a result of GOD and HA effects in Cu-MOF/GOD@HA was evidenced by in vitro cell and in vivo animal studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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Review

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16 pages, 5632 KiB

Open AccessReview

Encapsulation of Dyes in Luminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks for White Light Emitting Diodes

by Zhihong Sun, Aaqib Khurshid, Muhammad Sohail, Weidong Qiu, Derong Cao and Shi-Jian Su

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102761 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4285

Abstract

The development of white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) holds great promise for replacing traditional lighting devices due to high efficiency, low energy consumption and long lifetime. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a wide range of luminescent behaviors are ideal candidates to produce white light [...] Read more.

The development of white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) holds great promise for replacing traditional lighting devices due to high efficiency, low energy consumption and long lifetime. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a wide range of luminescent behaviors are ideal candidates to produce white light emission in the phosphor-converted WLEDs. Encapsulation of emissive organic dyes is a simple way to obtain luminescent MOFs. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on the design and constructions of dye encapsulated luminescent MOFs phosphors. Different strategies are highlighted where white light emitting phosphors were obtained by combining fluorescent dyes with metal ions and linkers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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20 pages, 3603 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances of Upconversion Nanomaterials in the Biological Field

by Cunjin Gao, Pengrui Zheng, Quanxiao Liu, Shuang Han, Dongli Li, Shiyong Luo, Hunter Temple, Christina Xing, Jigang Wang, Yanling Wei, Tao Jiang and Wei Chen

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2474; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102474 - 22 Sep 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5878

Abstract

Rare Earth Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are a type of material that emits high-energy photons by absorbing two or more low-energy photons caused by the anti-stokes process. It can emit ultraviolet (UV) visible light or near-infrared (NIR) luminescence upon NIR light excitation. Due to [...] Read more.

Rare Earth Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are a type of material that emits high-energy photons by absorbing two or more low-energy photons caused by the anti-stokes process. It can emit ultraviolet (UV) visible light or near-infrared (NIR) luminescence upon NIR light excitation. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, including exceptional optical stability, narrow emission band, enormous Anti-Stokes spectral shift, high light penetration in biological tissues, long luminescent lifetime, and a high signal-to-noise ratio, it shows a prodigious application potential for bio-imaging and photodynamic therapy. This paper will briefly introduce the physical mechanism of upconversion luminescence (UCL) and focus on their research progress and achievements in bio-imaging, bio-detection, and photodynamic therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescence Nanomaterials and Applications)

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