Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiqiang Li, Xiao Liu, Guannan Wang, Bin Li, Hongzhong Chen, Huanrong Li, Yanli Zhao
Summary: In this work, the authors demonstrate coordination dependent photochromic luminescence in a supramolecular coordination polyelectrolyte for multiple information authentication.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Junda Zhang, Daniel Ruiz-Molina, Fernando Novio, Claudio Roscini
Summary: This study introduces a method of photon upconversion (UC) using UC coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) with alkyl spacers to promote amorphous character. The CPNs exhibit high dye density and flexible ratio tunability, leading to highly photostable UC in two different visible spectral regions. The CPNs also show good chemical/colloidal stability in water and have potential applications in anticounterfeiting patterns and luminescent solar concentrators.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zihan Liu, Zihao Chen, Shuangye Yang, Hong Jia, Jie Wei
Summary: In this study, a photoresponsive CdS/PDMS photonic crystal composite was developed by combining CdS photonic crystals with PDMS. By controlling the size of the CdS colloidal microsphere and adding photochromic substances, photonic crystals with two different structural colors and photoresponsive characteristics were achieved. This research expands the application of information anticounterfeiting, particularly in the design of UV anticounterfeiting labels.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zihan Liu, Zihao Chen, Shuangye Yang, Hong Jia, Jie Wei
Summary: In this study, CdS photonic crystals were combined with PDMS to create a photoresponsive composite material. By controlling the size of the CdS colloidal microsphere and adding photochromic substances, two different structural colors were achieved. The effects of the photosensitive material on the optical properties and surface features of the photonic crystals were also studied.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher Liczner, Gabrielle A. Mandl, Steven L. Maurizio, Kieran Duke, John A. Capobianco, Christopher J. Wilds
Summary: Photo-mediated systems offer an attractive route for intracellular delivery; the synthesis of photocleavable phosphoramidite and study of energy transfer dynamics between oligonucleotide and UCNP pave the way for future in vitro applications.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diego Mendez-Gonzalez, Vivian Torres Vera, Irene Zabala Gutierrez, Christoph Gerke, Concepcion Cascales, Jorge Rubio-Retama, Oscar G. Calderon, Sonia Melle, Marco Laurenti
Summary: This study developed a strategy to grow a hydrophobic polymer shell on the surface of UCNPs, effectively protecting them against dissolution by water and degradation by molecules like phosphates, enhancing their stability. This approach opens up a new pathway to overcome the current limitations of UCNPs.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohammad Malekzadeh, Vishvajeet V. Mane, Zhengxi Xuan, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Mark T. Swihart
Summary: Laser pyrolysis is used to rapidly heat precursors and induce decomposition and particle nucleation. By utilizing SF6, NaYF4 nanocrystals can be synthesized in a safe and efficient manner. This process shows potential for creating lanthanide-doped fluoride nanomaterials for various applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaohe Wei, Guodong Zhao, Pengfei Feng, Yao Kou, Yu Tang
Summary: This study demonstrates a simplified growth strategy of europium/1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,3-BDC) MOF on NaYF4:Ce/Tb@NaYF4 nanoparticles through a one-step reaction. By grafting carboxylic acid groups on the surface of nanoparticles, the growth of Eu-MOF is facilitated, resulting in NaYF4:Ce/Tb@NaYF4@Eu-MOF@HPBA nanocomposites. The luminescence lifetime of Tb3+ and Eu3+ can be effectively tuned, providing insights into nanoparticle@MOF hybrid structures for time-resolved anticounterfeiting applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maryam Talebi, Kheibar Dashtian, Rouholah Zare-Dorabei, Fereshteh Amourizi, Hossein Ghafuri, Mohammad Mahdavi
Summary: A ruthenium ion-encapsulated porphyrinic organic polymer (POP/Ru) with photo-oxidase properties was synthesized, which showed outstanding activity due to the integration of Ru and pi-electrons. It was used for the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine, producing a colorimetric signal. The presence of L-arginine inhibited the photo-nanozymatic colorimetry of POP/Ru.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Xiao, Bin Liu, Lei Qiu, Guogang Li, Guodong Zhang, Dayu Huang, Yajie Zhao, Chunzheng Yang, Fan Jiang, Peipei Dang, Hongzhou Lian, Ziyong Cheng, Jun Lin
Summary: This study demonstrates an efficient anticounterfeiting strategy based on dual optical encryption by combining up- and downconversion luminescence in a nanocomposite material. The emission color of the nanocomposite can be changed by varying the excitation source, allowing for different luminescent patterns to improve the anticounterfeiting index and fabricate professional anticounterfeiting materials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mannu Kaur, Steven L. L. Maurizio, Gabrielle A. A. Mandl, John A. A. Capobianco
Summary: Dye sensitization is a promising approach to enhance the luminescence of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles. However, the poor photostability of near-infrared dyes hampers their use in practical applications. To address this, commercial IR820 was modified for improved photostability and covalently bonded to amine-functionalized silica-coated LnUCNPs. Two methods of covalent linking were investigated: linking the dye to the surface of the silica shell, and embedding the dye within the silica shell. The photostability of the dyes when embedded in the silica shell exhibited upconversion emissions from NaGdF4:Er3+,Yb3+/NaGdF4:Yb3+ nanoparticles for over four hours of continuous excitation with no change in intensity. To highlight this improvement, the photostable dye-embedded system was successfully utilized for Fenton-type photocatalysis, emphasizing its potential for practical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Manuel Nunez-Martinez, Sandra Arias, Julian Bergueiro, Emilio Quinoa, Ricardo Riguera, Felix Freire
Summary: A novel method was used to prepare PPA-Au nanocomposites by avoiding interactions between the polymer and gold ions, and using strong thiol-Au connections to restrict conformational changes in the polymer. This approach successfully achieved the ordered alignment and stability of nanoparticles along the polymer chain.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alejandro A. Krauskopf, Andrew M. Jimenez, Abdullah S. Altorbaq, Alejandro J. Muller, Sanat K. Kumar
Summary: It has been found that polymer crystallization can selectively place nanoparticles in the amorphous domains. By analyzing small-angle X-ray scattering data using correlation functions, it was observed that an increase in crystallization temperature leads to more nanoparticles in the amorphous domains and a linear scaling of contrast between nanoparticle-rich and polymer-rich domains with the repeating crystal-amorphous polymer structure.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Noufal Kandoth, Subhadip Barman, Atin Chatterjee, Sandip Sarkar, Anik Kumar Dey, Sumit Kumar Pramanik, Amitava Das
Summary: This review focuses on the development of upconverting nanoparticles based on core-shell lanthanide-doped nanoclusters for photoactive nanosystems against microbial infection and its therapeutic application. Utilizing NIR photoirradiation generated by lanthanum doped UCNPs, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and multimodal therapy are achieved. The study highlights the efficacy of UCNPs against antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonies, drug-resistant fungi, and viruses, along with presenting their biosafety and biocompatibility at both in vitro and in vivo levels.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Wang, Michael P. O'Hagan, Ziyuan Li, Junji Zhang, Xiang Ma, He Tian, Itamar Willner
Summary: Photoresponsive nucleic acids have significant implications in materials science, allowing for the development of light-sensitive devices and materials with applications in catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery. The integration of photoisomerizable units into DNA strands enables reversible reconfiguration of nucleic acid architectures, providing control over the composition and properties of nanostructures.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jia Tang, Yong Tian, Zhong Lin, Chonghua Zhang, Peisheng Zhang, Rongjin Zeng, Si Wu, Xudong Chen, Jian Chen
Summary: In this study, novel photoswitchable multistate fluorescent supramolecular polymers (PMFSPs) were prepared via host-guest interactions under a facile ultrasonication strategy. By adjusting the stimulation wavelength and utilizing photoinduced fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the supramolecular polymers can undergo reversible tristate fluorescence switching among none, red, and green. Due to the high contrast, rapid photoresponsiveness and prominent photoreversibility of the prepared PMFSPs, they have great potential in advanced anti-counterfeiting and multilevel information encryption.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Diana M. Garcia-Gonzalez, Michiel Hack, Michael Kappl, Hans-Juergen Butt, Jacco H. Snoeijer
CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuofeng Liang, Shuxiu Li, Chenrui Yuan, Dachuan Zhang, Jiahui Chen, Si Wu
Summary: Researchers have developed a polymer with azobenzene that exhibits more efficient photoinduced reversible solid-to-liquid transitions compared to its analogue. The polymer undergoes reversible cis-trans photoisomerization, and the more flexible backbone allows for faster transition from solid to liquid state. This study provides a new strategy for designing rapidly healable polymers with efficient solid-to-liquid transitions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dimosthenis Ioannou, Youmin Hou, Prexa Shah, Kosmas Ellinas, Michael Kappl, Andreas Sapalidis, Vassilios Constantoudis, Hans-Jurgen Butt, Evangelos Gogolides
Summary: Superhydrophobic membranes fabricated using plasma micro-and nanotexturing followed by plasma deposition showed enhanced performance and stability in membrane distillation operations. Both hydrophobic PTFE and hydrophilic CA membranes were transformed into superhydrophobic with water static contact angles greater than 150 degrees and contact angle hysteresis lower than 10 degrees. The superhydrophobic PTFE membranes exhibited improved water flux and stable performance with salt rejection >99.99% even when exposed to low surface tension solutions. Additionally, the proposed method was effective in transforming hydrophilic CA membranes into superhydrophobic membranes with excellent performance and stability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tobias A. A. Bauer, Jonas Schramm, Federico Fenaroli, Svenja Siemer, Christine I. I. Seidl, Christine Rosenauer, Regina Bleul, Roland H. H. Stauber, Kaloian Koynov, Michael Maskos, Matthias Barz
Summary: The efficient manufacturing techniques are necessary for translating innovative nanomaterials into medical products, requiring large-scale high-throughput synthesis with high reproducibility. A continuous flow process is reported for synthesizing pro-drug-loaded core cross-linked polymeric micelles, combining the commonly separated steps into a single process. The microfluidic process allows the production of spherical micelles with low polydispersity values, avoiding toxic solvents and additives. The formed paclitaxel-loaded CCPMs possess pH-responsive release and show improved toxicity profile and therapeutic efficiency.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuai Li, Hans-Juergen Butt
Summary: Fast removal of water drops from solid surfaces is important in many applications. The reduction in lateral adhesion of water drops on PDMS brush surfaces after exposure to various organic vapors was reported and attributed to the physisorption of vapor and swelling of the PDMS brushes. Contact angles of water drops on three hydrophobic surfaces in different vapors are measured to determine the contribution of vapor adsorption and change in interfacial tensions on drop adhesion. The findings show that vapor-induced change in interfacial tensions can explain the decrease in contact angles, while vapor adsorption into PDMS surfaces forms a lubricating layer, reducing contact angle hysteresis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaomei Li, Krisada Auepattana-Aumrung, Hans-Juergen Butt, Daniel Crespy, Ruediger Berger
Summary: Polymers conjugated with active agents have broad applications, such as biomedicine, anticorrosion, and smart agriculture. The release kinetics of the active agents, such as drugs, corrosion inhibitors, or pesticides, play a crucial role in determining their efficiency and sustainability. This study focuses on the fast-release kinetics of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) from a pH-responsive polymer film and investigates the impact of hydrolysis rate and polymer conformation on the release. The findings suggest that the release of 8HQ is influenced by the collapse or stretching of polymer chains, leading to a higher cumulative release rate in basic conditions compared to acidic conditions.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katharina I. Hegner, Chirag Hinduja, Hans-Ju''rgen Butt, Doris Vollmer
Summary: Methods for fabricating super-liquid-repellent surfaces have traditionally relied on perfluoroalkyl substances, but concerns over their environmental and health effects have sparked interest in fluorine-free alternatives. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a promising candidate, although it only exhibits superhydrophobicity instead of liquid repellency. In this study, we demonstrate that a well-designed two-tier structure of silicon dioxide nanoparticles and surface-tethered PDMS chains can achieve super-liquid-repellency towards low surface tension liquids. Our work highlights the feasibility of scalable fabrication methods and environmentally friendly surface functionalization for fluorine-free super-liquid-repellent surfaces.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minghao Wang, Chen Nie, Junbang Liu, Si Wu
Summary: In this study, we designed composite gels with orthogonally responsive properties to light and magnetic fields. The composite gels were prepared by co-assembly of a photoswitchable organogelator and superparamagnetic inorganic nanoparticles. The unique structure of the composite gels allowed them to respond independently to light and magnetic fields, enabling the fabrication of smart windows, anti-counterfeiting labels, and reconfigurable materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao Zhu, Till Fuchs, Stefan A. L. Weber, Felix. H. Richter, Gunnar Glasser, Franjo Weber, Hans-Juergen Butt, Juergen Janek, Ruediger Berger
Summary: The growth of lithium dendrites in inorganic solid electrolytes is a major obstacle to the development of reliable all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. The role of grain boundaries in the nucleation and dendritic growth of metallic lithium is not fully understood, but they have been found to be present in post mortem measurements of battery components.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tobias A. A. Bauer, Irina Alberg, Lydia A. A. Zengerling, Pol Besenius, Kaloian Koynov, Bram Slutter, Rudolf Zentel, Ivo Que, Heyang Zhang, Matthias Barz
Summary: Core cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) are designed to improve the therapeutic profile of hydrophobic drugs, reduce or completely avoid protein corona formation, and offer prolonged circulation times. CCPM stability was tuned by using bifunctional or trifunctional cross-linkers and varying the cross-linkable polymer block length. The circulation time and biodistribution of CCPMs can be enhanced by using trivalent peptide cross-linkers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yun Dong, Martin Steinhart, Hans-Juergen Butt, George Floudas
Summary: The conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs) in nanopores is crucial for their application in energy materials. However, the impact of confinement on ion mobility is still not well understood. A study on ILs with the same cation and different anions revealed differences in self-assembly, thermodynamics, and ionic conductivity between bulk and confined states, suggesting the influence of confinement on IL behavior.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pranav Sudersan, Maren Mueller, Mohammad Hormozi, Shuai Li, Hans-Juergen Butt, Michael Kappl
Summary: Surface tension is a key physical property for understanding wetting phenomena. We employed atomic force microscopy to measure microscopic droplets and calculated surface tension based on the measured forces. Our method simplifies the experiment and reduces the complexity and cost compared to traditional methods.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Zhou, Jingning Cao, Dachuan Zhang, Si Wu
Summary: Self-assembly is a common phenomenon in nature, and light is an attractive stimulus for manipulating self-assembled structures due to its precise and noninvasive nature. Photoresponsive ruthenium (Ru) complexes have unique coordination chemistry and reversible light-triggered behavior, making them promising candidates for controlling self-assembly. By photodissociation of their ligands, Ru complexes can control the disassembly and reassembly of structures upon illumination and cessation of the light stimulus.
PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yun-Shuai Huang, Guofeng Xu, Si Wu
Summary: In this study, a photoresponsive liquid crystal polymer (LCP) was designed and synthesized by copolymerizing a styrylpyrene-containing monomer and a monomer containing mesogen 4-cyanophenyl benzoate. The successful synthesis of LCP was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography and H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance. The LCP showed high thermal stability and thermal annealing promoted its orientation. The dimerization of the styrylpyrene units in LCP could control the crosslinking densities, regulating the network structures and properties. These properties make LCP a promising photoresponsive material.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)