Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Longfei Liu, Dake Mao, Zhe Li, Mengxi Zheng, Kai He, Chengde Mao
Summary: Surface-assisted, tile-based DNA self-assembly is a powerful method for constructing large, two-dimensional nanoarrays. Incorporating different types of tiles into one assembly system is challenging due to the differential adsorptions on the solid surface. Our solution to this problem is to engineer the tiles with comparable molecular weights while maintaining their architectures. We have successfully demonstrated this strategy by assembling binary DNA 2D arrays using very different tiles, and we expect it to facilitate the assembly of other complex nanostructures as well.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xinyu Zhao, Mingzhen Wang, Yingxue Wang, Jinqi Li, Dongqing He, Yongjin Zou, Ying Zhang
Summary: In this study, an effective method for fabricating bimetallic Au-Ag composite films was reported. The morphology and properties of the composite films can be controlled by adjusting the reaction conditions and composite structure. The fabricated material exhibits localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties and shows potential applications in sensing and catalysis.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zilun Tang, Jianyu Wu, Xiaofeng Yu, Rui Hong, Xihong Zu, Xiaofeng Lin, Hongsheng Luo, Wenjing Lin, Guobin Yi
Summary: AuNP arrays on SMPU substrates were used for tunable LSPR, with LSPR increasing with negative bending and decreasing with positive bending. Mechanical uniaxial tension led to an initial increase followed by a decrease in LSPR. The resulting films showed excellent performance in SERS applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuyin Xi, Ronald S. Lankone, Li-Piin Sung, Yun Liu
Summary: The researchers proposed a novel solvent segregation driven gel method, which can produce bicontinuous porous structures with excellent thermal structural reversibility and reproducibility, tunable domain size, and optical properties.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shilin Mu, Hongxu Chen, Chenyu Shi, Junhu Zhang, Bai Yang
Summary: Gold nanoring arrays with tunable plasmonic resonances can be prepared using colloidal lithography, allowing for flexible control over the dimensions of the nanorings. The plasmonic resonance spectra of the nanoring arrays can be obtained using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) absorption spectroscopy. The prepared gold nanoring arrays exhibit a strong MR or IR plasmonic resonance which can be tuned by varying the nanoring dimensions, with potential applications in surface-enhanced spectroscopy or plasmonic sensing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siavash Rajabpour, Alexander Vera, Wen He, Benjamin N. Katz, Roland J. Koch, Margaux Lassauniere, Xuegang Chen, Cequn Li, Katharina Nisi, Hesham El-Sherif, Maxwell T. Wetherington, Chengye Dong, Aaron Bostwick, Chris Jozwiak, Adri C. T. van Duin, Nabil Bassim, Jun Zhu, Gwo-Ching Wang, Ursula Wurstbauer, Eli Rotenberg, Vincent Crespi, Su Ying Quek, Joshua A. Robinson
Summary: Controllably tuning the electronic, superconducting, and optical properties of 2D metals can be achieved through the formation of alloys. Environmentally robust large-area 2D-InxGa1-x alloys with adjustable composition show a direct correlation between optical and electronic properties.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
An Cao, Tao Zhang, Dilong Liu, Changchang Xing, Shichuan Zhong, Xuejiao Li, Pan Zeng, Yue Li
Summary: A simple electrostatic self-assembly strategy was utilized to fabricate a 2D Janus PS@Au nanoraspberry photonic-crystal array with strong near-infrared (NIR) SERS performance. The opposite charges allowed small positively-charged Au nanoparticles to effectively self-assemble on larger negatively-charged PS latex photonic crystal, allowing for highly controllable deposition of Au nanoparticles. The Janus PS@Au nanoraspberry arrays exhibited strong NIR-SERS activity with high enhancement factor and ultra-low molecular detection limit.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yilong Zhou, Tsung-Yeh Tang, Brian Hyun-jong Lee, Gaurav Arya
Summary: Trapping surface-functionalized faceted nanoparticles at fluid-fluid interfaces can control particle orientation and facilitate their assembly into unique one- and two-dimensional superstructures. By tuning the graft density and differences in miscibility, nanocubes can be induced into different orientations. These orientationally constrained nanocubes can assemble into various unusual structures, which have potential applications in plasmonics, optics, catalysis, and membranes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ariel J. Ben-Sasson, Joseph L. Watson, William Sheffler, Matthew Camp Johnson, Alice Bittleston, Logeshwaran Somasundaram, Justin Decarreau, Fang Jiao, Jiajun Chen, Ioanna Mela, Andrew A. Drabek, Sanchez M. Jarrett, Stephen C. Blacklow, Clemens F. Kaminski, Greg L. Hura, James J. De Yoreo, Justin M. Kollman, Hannele Ruohola-Baker, Emmanuel Derivery, David Baker
Summary: By designing rigid interfaces, we have successfully generated binary layers co-assembled by two protein components, and experiments have shown that this material can rapidly form ordered structures in vitro and in cells. This design approach allows for customization and symmetry reconfiguration, enabling the formation of ligand arrays that can drive receptor clustering, downstream protein recruitment, and signaling.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Luciana Paula Martinez, Julian Gargiulo, Mariano Barella, Ianina Lucila Violi, Fernando Daniel Stefani
Summary: This study investigates the control of plasmon-driven growth of Au NPs by live monitoring their photoluminescence emission. The results show that the emission maximum of single NPs can be finely tuned between 550 and 580 nm with a precision of 2-3 nm, and this tuning is reflected in their scattering maximum as well. Comparatively, the closed-loop control delivers superior reproducibility and precision in the final properties of the NPs compared to controlling the growth by irradiation time and/or reaction conditions.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiang-Dong Tian, Yun Zhang
Summary: In this study, we developed an air-water interface mediated co-assembly strategy to prepare flexible 2D superlattices of Au octahedra with tunable orientations. The self-assembly of Au octahedra into different orientations (face-up, edge-up, and vertex-up) was controlled by the surface wettability of the nanoparticles. The SERS performance of the 2D superlattices was studied, and the vertex-up orientation showed the highest enhancement performance and uniformity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zahra Sheykhifar, Seyed Majid Mohseni
Summary: Memristors, competitive microelectronic elements that combine electronic sensing and memory effects, can respond to physical and chemical effects but are still under debate. Researchers have developed scalable and printable memristors using a composite of two-dimensional graphene or MoS2 doped with meso-structures of metal/metal-oxides. These memristors show high dependency on light illumination, while remaining stable without illumination, providing a new approach for developing neuromorphic computing circuits. The sensing and memristive mechanisms are explained based on the electronic properties of the materials, offering potential for high sensing capability and improved memristance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Dadong Liu, Binjie Gao, Fujin Wang, Jisen Wen, Li-Gang Wang
Summary: This study proposes an arbitrary order alternated OV lattices and experimentally demonstrates their propagation properties. The study finds a general law regarding the number of bright spots in finite optical arrays as the value of topological charge increases. These results may have potential applications in particle trapping and experimental realizations of novel optical arrays for interaction with atoms or molecules.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Arezou Rashidi, Megan Pulford, Ali Hatef
Summary: Gold nanoparticles enhance light on a nano-scale, improving optical resolution. Introducing phase change materials allows for dynamic tunability of the optical response. The study investigates the photothermal response of vesicle nanoparticles and their potential applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERMAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Optics
Tianan Yi, Wei Su, Qiang Yu, Hua Wu, Kun Guo, Haiqing Deng, Cheng Yin, Juntao Yan, Jian Wu, Bingyan Chen
Summary: This study presents a flexible SERS substrate with high sensitivity, low cost, simple processing, high yield, and good activity by modifying the flexible substrate using corona discharge technique. The modified substrate showed high sensitivity to Rhodamine 6G and exhibited a significant enhancement effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fan Yang, Ji Feng, Jinxing Chen, Zuyang Ye, Jihua Chen, Dale K. Hensley, Yadong Yin
Summary: Controlled growth of islands on plasmonic metal nanoparticles is achieved through an effective surface-engineering strategy, allowing for the creation of unique morphologies that are difficult to achieve by conventional synthesis methods. This work demonstrates the selective control of island growth on Au nanostructures and the fine-tuning of nanoparticles' optical properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Liu, Xuchun Wang, Qingye Li, Tianran Yan, Xiangxi Lou, Congyang Zhang, Muhan Cao, Liang Zhang, Tsun-Kong Sham, Qiao Zhang, Le He, Jinxing Chen
Summary: Photothermal catalytic conversion of waste plastics into fuels and feedstocks using renewable solar energy can achieve solar-to-chemical conversion, resource sustainability, and environmental remediation. The use of integrated cobalt single-site catalysts with strong light absorption and high catalytic activity enables efficient glycolysis of polyesters. The space-time yield of the cobalt single-site catalysts is significantly higher than that of general catalysts, and the photothermal catalysis yields much higher PET conversion and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate yield compared to thermal catalysis.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuchun Wang, Yu Liu, Xing-Yu Ma, Lo-Yueh Chang, Qixuan Zhong, Qi Pan, Zhiqiang Wang, Xiaolei Yuan, Muhan Cao, Fenglei Lyu, Yaoyue Yang, Jinxing Chen, Tsun-Kong Sham, Qiao Zhang
Summary: While tuning the electronic structure of Pt can thermodynamically alleviate CO poisoning in direct methanol fuel cells, the impact of interactions between intermediates on the reaction pathway is seldom studied. In this study, a PtBi model catalyst is contrived and found to inhibit the CO pathway and enhance the formate pathway in alkaline methanol electrooxidation. Bi enriches OH adsorbates (OHad) on the catalyst surface, which competitively adsorbs with CO adsorbates (COad) at Pt sites and switches the intermediate from COad to formate, effectively avoiding CO poisoning.
Article
Optics
Junpeng Huang, Fei Zhou, Chengbin Cai, Rang Chu, Zhun Zhang, Ye Liu
Summary: In this article, a CNN-based deep learning algorithm was developed to effectively remove the Raman background of silica fiber itself, greatly improving the remote detection capability of silica fiber SERS probes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Fu, Jun Liu, Lin Yuan, Qi Pan, Shuhua Chen, Yiqi Hu, Jinxing Chen, Wanli Ma, Qiao Zhang, Zeke Liu, Muhan Cao
Summary: This work presents a 3D/2D core/shell perovskite heterojunction based on CsPbI3 nanocrystals and investigates its performance in solar cells. The 2D nanoshells rich in guanidinium (GA(+)) can effectively passivate surface trap states and reduce ligand density, leading to improved photoelectric properties and carrier transport. The hydrogen bonds from amino groups in GA(+) ions also help to reduce nonradiative recombination centers. As a result, an outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 15.53% is achieved, significantly higher than the control device (13.77%). This work emphasizes the importance of surface chemistry and provides a feasible approach to achieving high-performance perovskite nanocrystals-based optoelectronic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qi Pan, Jie Fu, Sijin Liu, Jungui Zhou, Bo Ma, Shuhua Chen, Yinghua Qiu, Yi Lin, Yiqi Hu, Di Yang, Jinxing Chen, Man-Keung Fung, Yunjun Wang, Qiao Zhang, Lu Wang, Muhan Cao
Summary: Encapsulated CsPbX3@cyanuric acid super-particles are generated to overcome the limitations of all-inorganic perovskite nano-crystals in displays, including low-yield colloidal synthesis, poor stability, and unsatisfactory green emission wavelength. These super-particles exhibit excellent optical properties and can achieve a wide color gamut.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Zhang, Yipu Liu, Li Tong, Jie Yu, Shiwei Lin, Yue Li, Hong Jin Fan
Summary: An in situ approach is developed to modify the valence state of octahedral Ni cations in NiFe2O4 spinel oxides, using surface sulfates. This modification enhances the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance by promoting the electron occupancy of active sites to near-unity and optimizing the energy barrier of the potential-determining step. The co-modification strategy significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingyu Chu, Hu Yang, Xiongfeng Ye, Yinghua Qiu, Muhan Cao, Jinxing Chen, Xiaolei Yuan, Qiao Zhang
Summary: Studying the relationship between geometric structure and electrochemical stability of Pt-based nanostructures is crucial for catalyst development in the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) under acidic conditions. This study proposes a method to controllably construct PtxBiy nanostructures with a continuous structural evolution using a simple colloidal synthesis. By decreasing the Bi feeding, the inhibitory effect of Bi3+ on the epitaxial growth of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) is reduced, leading to the transformation of PtxBiy nanostructures from nanoparticle aggregates to nanodendrites. This transformation induces the formation of PtBi-Bi2O3 heterogeneous nanostructures through electrochemical reactivation. The optimized Pt2Bi1 catalysts exhibit superior structural stability and catalytic durability, with a high mass activity of 482.6 mA mgPt-1, which is 2.2 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C. This work not only prepares a series of Pt-based heterogeneous nanostructures, but also provides an effective approach for high-performance EOR based on the structure-performance relationship.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Wei Lü, Yihang Wang, Xiaojiao Kang, Zhennan Zhu, Fei Zhou, Qun Zeng
Summary: A novel phosphor, red emitting Sr2CaTeO6:Sm3+, has been developed for white LEDs. The crystal structure and luminescence properties of this phosphor were systematically investigated. The Sr2CaTeO6:Sm3+ showed red emission peak at about 658 nm upon 407 nm near-UV excitation. It exhibited optimal performance with 2 mol% of Sm3+ doping and good thermal stability. Moreover, a near-UV pumped warm w-LED with Sr2CaTeO6:Sm3+, blue-emitting BAM:Eu2+, and green-emitting Lu-AG:Ce3+ phosphors was fabricated, indicating the promising application of Sr2CaTeO6:Sm3+ as a red-emitting material for pc-LEDs.
SOLID STATE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zuyang Ye, Zhiwei Li, Ji Feng, Chaolumen Wu, Qingsong Fan, Chen Chen, Jinxing Chen, Yadong Yin
Summary: Incorporating stimuli-responsive mechanisms into chiral assemblies of nanostructures allows for dynamic modulation of their optical properties. In this study, chiral superstructures were formed by assembling Fe3O4@polyaniline hybrid nanorods using a gradient magnetic field. These superstructures exhibited dual responses to changes in magnetic field and solution pH, allowing for dynamic regulation of their circular dichroism peaks. This responsiveness enabled convenient control over the optical rotatory dispersion properties and was utilized in the design of a chiroptical switch that displayed various colors and patterns when illuminated with different wavelengths and polarization states of light. Furthermore, an optical information encryption system was constructed, demonstrating the practical applications made possible by these responsive chiral superstructures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaojiao Kang, Wei Lue, Baichao An, Zhennan Zhu, Qiwen Pan, Fei Zhou
Summary: Ce3+-Tb3+-Eu3+ triply doped Ba3KPO4(SO4)(2) phosphors were synthesized and extensively studied. The luminescence properties, concentration effect, and energy transfer mechanism were investigated using photoluminescence spectra and decay curves. The luminescent color of the phosphors can be tuned by adjusting the energy transfer between different dopants. The newly synthesized phosphors can be used as a potential color converter with a large color gamut.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Wang, Zhiming Chen, Pan Zeng, An Cao, Tao Zhang, Yue Li
Summary: The inappropriate usage of biochemical molecules has resulted in serious environmental problems. To address this, there is a need for low-cost biochemical sensors. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has shown potential, but has limitations of low utilization and high cost. In this study, researchers developed a high-throughput and highly sensitive NIR-SERS biochemical sensor by combining inkjet printing technology with plasmonic metallic nanoparticles. This new sensor showed the ability to detect multiple biochemical molecules with high sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shichuan Zhong, Lifeng Hang, Lulu Wen, Tao Zhang, An Cao, Pan Zeng, Hanlin Zhang, Dilong Liu, Weiping Cai, Yue Li
Summary: We developed a tunable, ultrafast (5 seconds), and mass-producible seed-mediated synthesis method to prepare branched Au superparticles consisting of multiple small Au island-like nanoparticles by a wet chemical route. We revealed and confirmed the toggling formation mechanism of Au superparticles between the Frank-van der Merwe (FM) growth mode and the Volmer-Weber (VW) growth mode. These Au superparticles demonstrate broadband absorption from visible to near-infrared regions due to their multiple plasmonic coupling, making them suitable for applications in sensors, photothermal conversion, and therapy.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinxing Chen, Michael Lee, Yinghua Qiu, Chaolumen Wu, Bo Li, Yadong Yin
Summary: This study proposes the synthesis of 3D hierarchically porous evaporators using high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating. It enables convenient fabrication, excellent shape control, and potential scalability, with the potential to increase the evaporation efficiency.
