Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingke Yao, Jose Lifante, Paloma Rodriguez-Sevilla, Maria de la Fuente-fernandez, Francisco Sanz-Rodriguez, Dirk H. Ortgies, Oscar Gomez Calderon, Sonia Melle, Erving Ximendes, Daniel Jaque, Riccardo Marin
Summary: The study introduces a novel AgInSe2 nanoparticle-based nanocapsule contrast agent for fluorescence imaging, showing great potential for high-resolution, whole-body in vivo imaging with deeper tissue penetration in the second biological window.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Celine Rivaux, Tugce Akdas, Ranjana Yadav, Omar El-Dahshan, Davina Moodelly, Wai Li Ling, Dmitry Aldakov, Peter Reiss
Summary: Continuous flow synthesis of highly luminescent AIS/ZnS QDs was achieved with high PLQY values in short reaction times, by optimizing reaction parameters and favoring the formation of defect complexes through the addition of excess indium and low reaction temperatures. Structural disorder and the formation of ZnIn- antisite defects during ZnS shell growth contribute to the high efficiency of the QDs. The presented method allows for excellent reproducibility and scalability for large-scale production.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Zhang, Bin Zeng, Haihang Ye, Aiwei Tang
Summary: This study reported the seeded-mediated growth of AgInS2 nanowires and their intriguing self-assembly nanostructures with fingerprint-like shape, with the key factors being the presence of In-S species and the regulation of reaction conditions for success.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Caiping Ding, Youju Huang, Zheyu Shen, Xiaoyuan Chen
Summary: NIR Ag2S QDs, known for their excellent NIR fluorescence properties and biocompatibility, have emerged as a promising tool for biosensing, bioimaging, and theranostics applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Patrycja Kowalik, Sebastian G. Mucha, Katarzyna Matczyszyn, Piotr Bujak, Leszek M. Mazur, Andrzej Ostrowski, Angelika Kmita, Marta Gajewska, Adam Pron
Summary: By introducing two consecutive injections of sulfur and silver precursors, ternary and alloyed quaternary nanocrystals were successfully prepared, showing clearly separated photoluminescence peaks in both types of nanocrystals to confirm their heterogenic nature. The photoluminescence mechanism in the nanocrystals exhibited a simple exciton radiative recombination mechanism for the emission at shorter wavelengths with a nanosecond lifetime, while a more complex exciton trap state mechanism was observed for the emission at longer wavelengths with a microsecond lifetime depending on the composition of the ternary (or quaternary) phase.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxiu Jia, Hui Liu, Peng Cai, Xinran Liu, Luolisha Wang, Ling Ding, Guiyun Xu, Wei Wang, Mingxia Jiao, Xiliang Luo
Summary: This study presents an aqueous synthesis approach for Cu-In-Se/ZnS quantum dots emitting in the near-infrared spectral range. The photoluminescence of the dots can be effectively controlled by adjusting the sulfur source, resulting in increased quantum yields by four times and red-shifted emission peaks from 809 nm to 830 nm.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kazutaka Iida, Yota Uehigashi, DaeGwi Kim
Summary: This study investigated the origin of photoluminescence properties of hydrothermally-synthesized water-soluble CuInS2 quantum dots, revealing that the emission mechanism is donor-acceptor pair emission. Experimental results showed that characteristics of photoluminescence were influenced by detection energy, time, and excitation light intensity.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wei Zeng, Ling-Yun Zhu, Yong Chen, Mei-Jin Lin
Summary: A novel water-soluble conjugated macrocyclic tetramaleimide with FR/NIR fluorescence emission was designed and synthesized. The molecule possesses AIE and TICT characteristics, and fluorescence recovery in aqueous solution was achieved by introducing SLS. Bioimaging experiments on HeLa and HepG2 cells showed good performance.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Li, Xin Wang, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Guanying Chen
Summary: Light in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region is increasingly used in bioapplications due to its deeper penetration in biological tissues. Lanthanide-doped luminescent nanoparticles with excitation and/or emission in the NIR range are gaining attention for noninvasive biological applications, offering unique optical properties such as large Stokes shift, sharp luminescence emissions, long lifetimes, and photostability. Advanced strategies for enhancing the luminescence brightness of these nanoparticles have been introduced, along with a review of their superior biophotonic applications in high-resolution imaging, single-nanoparticle-level detection, and tissue-penetrating diagnostics and therapeutics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kai Wang, Haotian Qin, Jun Li, Qiang Cheng, Yanfang Zhu, Haiyan Hu, Jian Peng, Shuangqiang Chen, Guohong Wang, Shulei Chou, Shixue Dou, Yao Xiao
Summary: This study investigates the influence of vacancy engineering on intrinsic CO2 photoreduction with low photon energy directly from air. The authors designed a metallic photocatalyst, V-S-AgInS2 nanocrystals, which exhibited superior atmospheric CO2 reduction performance under near-infrared light. The presence of sulfur vacancies and metallic characteristics in the nanocrystals resulted in extended spectrum absorption and efficient charge carrier separation. The experimental and theoretical results showed that charge delocalization around the vacancy-induced dual sites promoted CO production while inhibiting the formation of CHO intermediates. Consequently, the metallic VS-AgInS2 nanocrystals achieved nearly 100% selective CO production under NIR irradiation.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tao Zhang, Fangjun Huo, Weijie Zhang, Fangqin Cheng, Caixia Yin
Summary: Mitophagy is a process that removes excess or damaged mitochondria and affects cell polarity. A polarity-sensitive fluorescent probe, NIR-BT-P, can monitor mitophagy and distinguish normal cells from cancer cells. The probe was also able to visualize mitophagy in cardiomyocytes during starvation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adedoyin N. Adeyemi, Rae Ann Earnest, Tori Cox, Oleg Lebedev, Julia Zaikina
Summary: The intergrowth of stable and metastable AgInS2 polymorphs was successfully synthesized using a microwave-assisted synthesis method. Increasing the metal precursor concentration improved the crystallinity and particle size of the samples. The solution synthesis allowed for the intergrowth of thermodynamically stable and high-temperature metastable polymorphs in AgInS2, providing better control over its structural properties.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tao Jia, Guanying Chen
Summary: Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared biological window offers unique advantages and lanthanide-based nanoparticles as NIR-II probes have attracted extensive attention. Recent advances have enabled lanthanide-based nanoparticles to exhibit well-defined luminescence profiles in the NIR-II region.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jianlong Ma, Xiaofeng Lu, Yong Guo, Zhijun Wang
Summary: This study synthesized a near-infrared (NIR) Cys-special probe (MCyA) that could precisely and quickly detect Cys activity. The observations showed that the endogenous Cys activity was depressed under oxidative stress, but dramatically increased with omeprazole stimulation in HepG2 cells. MCyA was also successfully used to image the upregulation of Cys level in HepG2 cells in the presence of methionine (Met). Overall, MCyA is a novel and practical tool to study Cys-related physiological and pathological processes.
Article
Spectroscopy
Wanle Sheng, Xing Guo, Bing Tang, Weibin Bu, Fan Zhang, Erhong Hao, Lijuan Jiao
Summary: The optical properties and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) activities of BODIPYs with TPA groups were studied systematically, and the dynamic behaviors of lipid droplets and lysosomes in living cells were successfully tracked through organelle-specific imaging.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chengbin Yang, Haoqiang Huang, Nishtha Manish Singh, Cheng Zhou, Guang Yang, Zhourui Xu, Haoming Lin, Gaixia Xu, Ken-Tye Yong, Guillermo C. Bazan
Summary: The conjugated oligoelectrolyte COE-S6 forms spherical nanoplexes with siRNA, which show protective effects, endosome escape, and transfection efficiencies comparable to commercial products. It can effectively silence the K-ras gene in pancreatic cancer cells, inhibit tumor growth, and has low toxicity. COE-S6-based nanoplexes have potential as nonviral vectors for gene delivery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhourui Xu, Yihang Jiang, Yuanyuan Shen, Lele Tang, Zulu Hu, Guimiao Lin, Wing-Cheung Law, Mingze Ma, Biqin Dong, Ken-Tye Yong, Gaixia Xu, Ye Tao, Runfeng Chen, Chengbin Yang
Summary: This study combines phosphorescent materials with two-photon excitation to improve the generation of reactive oxygen species and precision of photodynamic therapy. A novel phosphorescent-based photosensitizer is successfully prepared, which exhibits high photoluminescence quantum yield and remarkable intersystem crossing efficiency. Encapsulated into a BSA matrix, the photosensitizer shows excellent biocompatibility, low dark toxicity, and high photostability, enabling efficient ROS generation and precise cell damage at the desired location.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Luyu Zhang, Caichao Wan, Jiahui Su, Chonghao Zhang, Song Wei, Wenyan Tian, Xinyi Liu, Wenjie Cheng, Xingong Li, Xianjun Li, Xin Guo, Ken-Tye Yong, Yiqiang Wu
Summary: This study presents a dual-crosslinked hydrogel obtained by infiltrating a flexible polyvinyl alcohol network into the rigid network of bamboo cellulose. The hydrogel exhibits superior flexibility, shape controllability, self-healing ability, high ionic conductivity, and sensing capabilities. It also demonstrates potential for use in wearable products and as a green platform for creating eco-friendly and powerful functional composites.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arman Ahnood, Andre Chambers, Amy Gelmi, Ken-Tye Yong, Omid Kavehei
Summary: The advent of electronic technology for neural interfacing in the past 50 years has transformed medicine and biology. Devices like deep brain stimulators and cochlear implants have revolutionized the treatment of previously untreatable conditions. Semiconducting electrodes have advanced neural interfacing technologies, enabling high precision sensing and stimulation in electrical, biochemical, and optical domains. This emerging class of electrodes offers new opportunities for research and treatment.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yue Zhang, Jiahui Zhou, Heli Deng, Ying Fang, Na Qiao, Meng Ren, Yufan Zhang, Desuo Zhang, Hong Lin, Yuyue Chen, Ken Tye Yong, Jiaqing Xiong
Summary: Researchers have developed a fiber-based membrane with Janus wettability using alternating electrospinning-electrospraying technology, which can resist air pollution and inhibit bacteria proliferation. The membrane consists of silk fibroin nanofibers-substrate, polyurethane nanospheres-top layer, and in-situ grown silver nanoparticles middle layer, providing a self-cleaning physical barrier and a bio-barrier for sterilization. The membrane also has a high PM2.5 filtration efficiency of approximately 98.1%.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuo Li, Weiyao Han, Quan-Fu An, Ken-Tye Yong, Ming-Jie Yin
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for membrane-based gas separation applications due to their unique properties. Defect engineering of MOFs has opened up new possibilities for enhancing membrane separation but more research is needed to fully understand its effects. This summary discusses recent developments in defect engineering of MOF-based membranes and outlines the challenges and future prospects in this field.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaotao Wang, Yebin Yang, Gaowen Zhang, Chak-Yin Tang, Wing-Cheung Law, Cong Yu, Xuanqi Wu, Shuai Li, Yonggui Liao
Summary: Responsive drug release and low toxicity of drug carriers are crucial for controlled release systems. In this study, poly o-nitrobenzyl@UCNP nanocapsules were synthesized using a double functional diffractive o-nitrobenzyl as a crosslinker and methacrylic acid (MAA) as a monomer. These nanocapsules exhibited near-infrared (NIR) light-/pH-responsive properties, allowing efficient drug release upon NIR irradiation. The research also included the study of photodegradation kinetics and the loading of the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the release of DOX could be triggered by NIR to effectively kill cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan Guo, Xianglong Su, Kaihua Wu, Ken-Tye Yong
Summary: In this study, a biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique and nanodisk array was developed to enhance the sensitivity of virus detection. Through systematic optimization of all parameters, four optimal sensing configurations were achieved, leading to improved sensor performance and a smaller detection limit compared to bare gold-based sensors. The optimized sensors can clearly distinguish multi-jump resonance angle curves at tiny refractive index, which is important for accurate detection of trace substances.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tian-Run Lv, Wen-Hai Zhang, Ya-Qiong Yang, Jia-Chen Zhang, Ming-Jie Yin, Zhigang Yin, Ken-Tye Yong, Quan-Fu An
Summary: With increasing demands for flexible organic electronic devices, conductive polymers have shown significant breakthroughs in the past decade due to their outstanding conductivity, solution-processing ability, and tailorability. However, commercialization of these devices still lags behind due to performance limitations and limited manufacturing techniques. This review comprehensively summarizes the state-of-the-art technologies for developing organic devices using conductive polymers, including synthesis methods, film fabrication techniques, nanostructure and microstructure tailoring, device applications, and future directions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miaozhuang Fan, Gang Feng, Lu Xia, Yibin Zhang, Maixian Liu, Zhengzheng Li, Yihang Jiang, Chengbin Yang, Wing-Cheung Law, Ken-Tye Yong, Yuanyuan Shen, Zhourui Xu, Gaixia Xu
Summary: Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have gained significant attention in the research community as a new class of optical probes for two-photon imaging (2PI). However, their non-radiative energy dissipation affects their performance in 2PI. To address this, an organic doping method using TPE-Br and MeOTTMN is proposed, resulting in enhanced brightness but increased production of reactive oxygen species. The heavily organic-doped AIEgen (ODA) nanoparticles (NPs) enable ultradeep imaging depth of 1000 μm in a mouse brain, surpassing MeOTTMN NPs' imaging depth of 156 μm. The safety of ODA NPs is evaluated through toxicity assessment, providing a promising approach to control energy relaxation of AIEgen NPs in 2PI.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yibin Zhang, Miaozhuang Fan, Zhourui Xu, Yihang Jiang, Huijun Ding, Zhengzheng Li, Kaixin Shu, Mingyan Zhao, Gang Feng, Ken-Tye Yong, Biqin Dong, Wei Zhu, Gaixia Xu
Summary: In this study, machine learning techniques were used to screen AIEgens with desired excitation and emission wavelength for biomedical fluorescence imaging. A database of various AIEgens was established and ML models were trained to predict molecular absorption and emission wavelength peaks. Three newly predicted AIEgens were successfully synthesized and applied for cellular fluorescence imaging and deep penetration imaging, demonstrating the great potential of ML in screening AIEgens with suitable wavelengths for novel organic fluorescent materials.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chi Ho Wong, Yan Ming Yeung, Xin Zhao, Wing Cheung Law, Chak Yin Tang, Chee Leung Mak, Chi Wah Leung, Lei Shi, Rolf Lortz
Summary: Transistors made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have better current-voltage characteristics than some high-grade silicon-based transistors. To improve the robustness of CNT-based transistors, it is desired to have a continuously tunable energy barrier across the semiconductor interfaces. However, the size of the carbyne inside CNTs cannot be easily controlled. To address this issue, a Monte Carlo model was developed to predict the optimal chain length of carbyne in different molecular environments, encapsulated by a CNT at finite temperatures. The simulation results provide valuable insights for optimizing the carbyne length and synthesizing strained carbyne@(6,5)CNT for CNT-based transistors.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuqing Dong, Ka-Wai Yeung, Chak-Yin Tang, Chi Ho Wong, Wing-Cheung Law, Chi-Pong Tsui Gary, Xiaolin Xie
Summary: Transparent polymer electrolytes are crucial for making transparent ionic electroactive polymers. Ionic liquids, particularly those with long alkyl chains, have been commonly used as the ionic source for polymer electrolytes due to their wide electrochemical window and non-volatility. However, the strong ionic interaction in long-chain ILs can impede ion migration and affect the electromechanical deformation of polymer/IL electrolytes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hossein Moeinzadeh, Poogitha Jegakumaran, Ken-Tye Yong, Anusha Withana
Summary: Water quality is primarily assessed based on its visual acceptability, and this study proposes a deep learning-based approach to reconstruct seven heavy metal parameters from four parameters in order to estimate the water quality index. The proposed model effectively reconstructs these parameters with high accuracy and reliability, offering a cost-effective solution for understanding water quality.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shilin Chen, Yihang Jiang, Miaozhaung Fan, Xinmeng Zhang, Ying Zhang, Ting Chen, Chengbin Yang, Wing-Cheung Law, Zhourui Xu, Gaixia Xu
Summary: Phototherapy is a promising and less invasive therapeutic method for cancer treatment. However, most photo-therapeutic agents currently reported have toxicity risks. In this study, researchers successfully designed and constructed biocompatible photothermal/photodynamic dual-mode therapeutic nanoparticles using FDA-approved ingredients. These nanoparticles induce hyperthermia and generate reactive oxygen species upon light irradiation, showing great potential for enhanced phototherapy of tumors.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)