Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hari Krishna Sadhanala, Saurav Aryal, Kusha Sharma, Ziv Orpaz, Shulamit Michaeli, Aharon Gedanken
Summary: In this study, photoluminescent N-doped carbon dots were synthesized and used for the selective detection and imaging of intracellular magnesium ions. This is the first report of using carbon dots for sensing and imaging of magnesium ions in cells.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anumol Mathew, Arun Varghese, K. R. Sunaja Devi, Dephan Pinheiro
Summary: Carbon dots have gained significant attention in the biomedical realm due to their exceptional characteristics. The introduction of heteroatoms via doping further enhances their unique attributes. Researchers have developed various techniques for doping carbon dots with metallic and non-metallic elements. This review compiles the methodologies and elements employed in recent times and discusses the biomedical applications of doped carbon dots.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhirou Zhai, Jiali Xu, Tianyu Gong, Bingqiang Cao, Kai Cui, Linrui Hou, Changzhou Yuan
Summary: In this study, highly fluorescent N-doped carbon quantum dots were synthesized using garlic skins as a carbon source. These quantum dots demonstrated remarkable fluorescence stability and potential use in the field of anticounterfeit. Additionally, they were applied as a functional sensor for detecting Fe3+ and incorporated into a PVA matrix to create a composite film with unique optical properties.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Haoyun Chen, Xingzhong Yuan, Longbo Jiang, Hou Wang, Guanjun Zeng
Summary: This study presents the use of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) modified oil vine-like structural MIL-53(Fe) for highly efficient removal of aqueous arsenites [As(III)]. The photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) and simultaneous adsorption of the generated arsenate [As(V)] were achieved, with N-CQDs3/MIL-53(Fe) exhibiting over 6 times higher As(III) oxidation ability and removal efficiency compared to pure MIL-53(Fe). The enhanced performance of N-CQDs3/MIL-53(Fe) is attributed to accelerated separation of photogenerated electron-hole by in situ embedded N-CQDs. Experimental analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the edge structure of C/O site significantly improves As(III) removal ability through the formation of bidentate C-O-As bonds and occupying coordinatively unsaturated atoms. Therefore, N-CQDs3/MIL-53(Fe) offers a new potential strategy for the development of high efficient MOF-based materials for As(III) removal.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fazeleh Feghhi, Ava Minagar, H. R. Madaah Hosseini
Summary: Cysteine was used to produce N, S-doped carbon dots with tunable luminescence emission. The study focused on controlling aromatization and graphitization processes during hydrothermal synthesis using Citric Acid and Ammonium persulfate. Characterization results showed that the red-shift of luminescence emission was due to graphitization and increasing content of graphitic nitrogen in the core, as well as the presence of Pyridinic and Amine groups on the surface.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenli Li, Ju Tang, Yuzhao Li, Han Bai, Weizuo Zhang, Jin Zhang, Yiming Xiao, Wen Xu
Summary: This study synthesized multi-color fluorescent materials with nitrogen-doped CNDs using a fast and effective microwave method, and investigated the influence of different raw material ratios on the structure and optical properties of N-CNDs. Results showed that the PL emission wavelength of N-CNDs can be tuned by controlling the N concentration, and the PL intensity is positively correlated with the content of C-O groups on the surface/edges of N-CNDs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huaijun Tang, Qiuhong Chen, Guoyun Meng, Shiyou Lu, Jing Qin, Kaixin Yang, Long Gao, Zhengliang Wang, Yonghui He
Summary: Developing rare-earth-free (even metal-free) luminescent materials as phosphors for LEDs is of great significance due to the scarcity, cost, and unsustainability of rare-earth elements. A graphitic-C3N4 derivative containing heptazines merged with phenyls was synthesized via thermal polymerization of melamine and quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione. The resulting product showed improved photoluminescent properties, with a change in emission color from blue to green, an increase in maximum emission wavelength, and an increase in PL quantum yield. Purification through vacuum sublimation resulted in a yellowish green emission product with high thermal stability and low thermal quenching. This product was used as a phosphor in white LEDs, which exhibited good performance with high-efficiency and quasi-green emission.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hui Liu, Zi-hui Liu, Jin-qiang Zhang, Lin-jie Zhi, Ming-bo Wu
Summary: This study synthesized carbon dots doped with both boron and nitrogen from low-cost petroleum coke, which showed better oxygen reduction reaction activity, stability, and methanol tolerance compared to carbon dots doped with only boron or nitrogen. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the co-doping of nitrogen and boron promoted the adsorption of O-2 molecules in the ORR process. This work provides new insights into the rational design of carbon nanomaterials for energy conversion applications.
NEW CARBON MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yongrong Sun, Zhikai Liu, Hailu Liu, Fayong Li, Lingfeng Li, Chunyu Du, Jia Li, Dong Xie, Guokang Han
Summary: The effect of Fe element on Fe-CoNC catalyst was investigated, revealing that it can increase the exposure of active sites and greatly enhance the activity for the reduction and evolution of oxygen in alkaline media. Zinc air batteries with Fe-CoNC catalysts exhibit higher maximum power density at high current densities.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qichen Liu, Kangkang Ge, Xiaoyan Wu, Zhiwei Zhu, Yu Zhu, Hong Bi
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional carbon dots@reduced graphene oxide hydrogel electrode was successfully prepared using a one-pot method. The carbon dots serve as both a reduction agent and electrochemical active sites. By prolonging the reaction time, the oxygen content of the nanocomposite material was effectively reduced to improve electric conductivity, while the nitrogen content, which provides pseudocapacitance, was increased.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ainhoa Madrid, Gema Martinez, Felipe Hornos, Javier Bonet-Aleta, Esteban Calvo, Antonio Lozano, Jose L. Hueso
Summary: Carbon nanodots (CNDs) are used as fluorescent nanosensitizers to enhance the photocatalytic response of semiconductors beyond the ultraviolet range. The addition of nitrogen heteroatoms to the carbogenic network of CNDs improves their photostability and optical properties. Laser pyrolysis is a versatile technique for synthesizing N-doped CNDs by using a liquid solvent containing nitrogen as the carbon precursor. These N-doped CNDs exhibit enhanced photoactivity when combined with P25 nanoparticles for the conversion of methyl orange under white LED illumination, generating various reactive oxygen species.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chiara Olla, Stefania Porcu, Francesco Secci, Pier Carlo Ricci, Carlo Maria Carbonaro
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of introducing N-N bonding in the carbon network of Carbon Dots through hydrothermal synthesis, and validated it through experiments and computational simulations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yafeng Deng, Jun Qian, Yihua Zhou, Yifan Niu
Summary: The blue-green fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized in this study showed high sensitivity and selectivity for detecting nitrites, with a low detection limit of 0.03 mM in water. The sulfuric acid group and aromatic primary ammonia groups on the surfaces of CDs interacted with nitrites to cause fluorescence quenching, providing a new way of monitoring nitrites in target samples.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hui Zeng, Lulu Liu, Dantong Zhang, Ying Wang, Zhenhua Li, Chang Liu, Lei Zhang, Xiaoqiang Cui
Summary: The modification of Fe(III) onto carbon nitride has been shown to enhance the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, making it a promising strategy for high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis ammonia. This new approach involves narrowing down the carbon nitride intrinsic bandgap and suppressing radiative electron-hole recombination.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fariba Sabaghian, Mohammad Mazloum-Ardakani, Mozhgan Yavari, Fereshteh Vajhadin
Summary: Nitrogen and carbon-codoped titanium dioxide nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning and demonstrated improved performance in supercapacitors without the need for additional carbon dopants. The specific capacitance of N,C-TiNF was four times higher than that of C-TiNF, with nitrogen doping improving pseudocapacitance properties. These findings suggest that N, C-TiNFs are excellent candidates for supercapacitor applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quan Xu, Fan Fan, Zhaohui Lu, Mao Sheng, Shouceng Tian, Ye Zhang, Linhua Pan, Yang Zhou
Summary: Coated proppants (CPs) fabricated by coating resin on normal ceramic proppants show significantly improved supporting properties in shale fractures, with better self-suspension ability and adhesive force.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yao Liu, Jianfei Wei, Xiang Yan, Ming Zhao, Chaozhong Guo, Quan Xu
Summary: This study successfully developed a facile method for preparing barium-doped carbon dots and investigated the surface chemistry and chemical structure of these Ba-CDs. Additionally, the study also revealed the application potential of Ba-CDs as fluorescent probes for detecting trace water in organic solvents.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shouzhen Li, Junfei Ma, Xuelin Zhao, Peide Zhu, Meng Xu, Yingchun Niu, Dixian Luo, Quan Xu
Summary: In this study, N-doped Ta4C3 quantum dots with high fluorescence quantum yield were synthesized for the first time. These quantum dots showed promising applications in liquid ion sensing and solid mechanics sensing.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yang Zhou, Hao Liu, Jiajia Gao, Fan Fan, Yingchun Niu, Shouzhen Li, Yuanyuan Mi, Siyuan Chen, Quan Xu
Summary: Proppants play a vital role in increasing oil and gas output in shale oil and gas development. Tracers are utilized to assess reservoir heterogeneity and dynamic equivalence. Development of functional coated proppants with tracer slow-release function is challenging but significant. The study introduced carbon quantum dots into polyvinyl alcohol coated proppants to fabricate self-suspension proppants with tracer slow-release function, showing promising results for improving oil and gas production.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yiqiang Li, Yuanyuan Mi, Zheyu Liu, Yinping Liu, Weiye Zhang, Shangxing Qiu, Melvin A. Ramos, Travis Shihao Hu, Quan Xu
Summary: This study presents a novel composite hydrogel with concurrent photothermal and photoluminescent properties. The addition of photothermal MoO3-x QDs enhances the mechanical properties and self-healing efficiency of the hydrogel, and enables monitoring of external forces.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quan Xu, Siyang Wang, Chunming Xu, Xinyi Chen, Senwei Zeng, Chuanyuan Li, Yang Zhou, Tianhang Zhou, Yingchun Niu
Summary: Improved carbon cloth electrodes with bismuth catalyst and defect engineering method were used for iron-chromium redox flow batteries (ICRFBs). The modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic ability, enhancing the reaction rate of Cr3 +/Cr2 + and improving capacity retention and cycling performance. The capacity degradation rate of the modified electrode single cell was only 0.23% per cycle at a current density of 140 mA/cm2. This study provides a simple method to obtain high-performance electrode materials for ICRFBs and promotes the large-scale commercialization of ICRFBs.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Quan Xu, Xinyi Chen, Siyang Wang, Chao Guo, Yingchun Niu, Runguo Zuo, Ziji Yang, Yang Zhou, Chunming Xu
Summary: In this paper, we developed a remanufactured membrane (RM) strategy from waste PFSA resins and tested its performance in batteries. The results showed that RM has higher electrical conductivity and better proton transport ability compared to the commonly used commercial membrane N212. Furthermore, RM exhibited improved coulombic efficiency, voltage efficiency, and energy efficiency compared to N212. After multiple cycles, the capacity decay rate of RM was only reduced by 16.66%, leading to a longer battery life.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chen Tian, Yajie Yan, Shanglei Feng, Jiaou Wang, Yingchun Niu, Xiaoxi Li, Huanxin Ju, Quan Xu, Yang Huang, Hua Dong, Ziqi Liang, Bitao Dong, Lina Li, Yingguo Yang
Summary: Modulation of crystallization and defect passivation using a vanadium carbide MXene in an anti-solvent results in improved performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. The modified perovskite film demonstrates enhanced crystallization, better energy level alignment, and higher hole injection, leading to a significant increase in power conversion efficiency from 20.1% to 23.47% for planar PSCs. The devices also exhibit excellent stability, retaining over 90% of the initial efficiency after 1000 hours of exposure under 40-60% relative humidity at 25 degrees Celsius.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peide Zhu, Xuelin Zhao, Qingyan Zhu, Xinli Han, Yaoyao Tang, Song Liao, Zixuan Guo, Ziying Wang, Wenzhi Bi, Quan Xu, Lunan Zhang, Meng Xu
Summary: In this study, multi-element charge-transfer co-doped carbon dots (CDs) were developed as dual-mode contrast agents for osteosarcoma (OS) models. The hydrothermal carbonization method was used to obtain P, W co-doped CDs, P, W, Hf co-doped CDs-1, and P, W, Hf co-doped CDs-2, which exhibited high long-wavelength quantum yields in N, N-dimethylformamide solution. P, W, Hf co-doped CDs-1 showed superior biocompatibility, cell imaging, and fluorescence/CT high contrast imaging performance compared to the other CDs. Biodistribution and pharmacokinetic results also indicated that P, W, Hf co-doped CDs-1 has potential as a dual-mode imaging contrast agent for OS.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yaoyao Tang, Quan Xu, Peide Zhu, Rongye Zhu, Juncheng Wang
Summary: This review introduces the application of carbon dots (CDs) in biology and the role of machine learning. CDs, as a novel nanomaterial, are widely used due to their optical properties and biocompatibility, serving as fluorescence probes, anti-cancer drugs, etc. Machine learning has made significant progress in the biological field, and this article introduces the workflow and leading models in ML, as well as the application of CDs in bioimaging, biosensing, and cancer treatment. The combination of ML and CDs is discussed, and challenges and expectations for the future are briefly summarized.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoxiao Dong, Xiaohang Luo, Hong Zhao, Chenyu Qiao, Jiapeng Li, Jianhong Yi, Li Yang, Francisco J. Oropeza, Travis Shihao Hu, Quan Xu, Hongbo Zeng
Summary: Compared to traditional rigid-bodied robots, soft robots have flexibility and adaptability, enabling complex interactions with humans, other organisms, and non-ideal environments. This article summarizes the fabrication methods, driving strategies, applications, and future trends of soft robots, as well as discusses challenges and perspectives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quan Xu, Yaoyao Tang, Peide Zhu, Weiye Zhang, Yuqi Zhang, Oliver Sanchez Solis, Travis Shihao Hu, Juncheng Wang
Summary: This study utilizes machine learning methods to guide the synthesis of blue CDs, resulting in improved quantum yield (QY). The obtained CDs are used as fluorescent probes for monitoring hydrogen peroxide in human teeth.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shouzhen Li, Huayu Zheng, Lan Ding, Xie Xiao, Yingchun Niu, Yaoyao Tang, Zeyang Liu, Weiye Zhang, Yang Zhou, Quan Xu
Summary: Recently, machine learning has shown great potential in advanced materials for avoiding lengthy construction and testing cycles. In this study, the researchers successfully prepared full-color MXene quantum dots and used machine learning to drive the construction of white light emitting diodes. The experimental results demonstrated excellent fluorescence properties of the prepared quantum dots and achieved tunable white light emission. This study is of significant importance for guiding the development of materials science.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yinping Liu, Lulu Wang, Yuanyuan Mi, Sisi Zhao, Simeng Qi, Meng Sun, Bo Peng, Quan Xu, Yingchun Niu, Yang Zhou
Summary: Transparent stretchable hydrogel sensors have great potential for various applications such as human motion sensing, medical monitoring, electronic skin, and display devices. However, there is a lack of systematic review on their working principle, characteristics, and application prospects. In this review, recent advances in wearable strain sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and gas sensors based on transparent stretchable hydrogels are summarized, and the combinations and applications of these sensors with emerging technologies are discussed.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peide Zhu, Xuelin Zhao, Xinyi Chen, Shouzhen Li, Junfei Ma, Jianxiong Li, Meng Xu, Lu Gan, Quan Xu
Summary: In this study, a fluorescent sensing platform using yellow emission carbon dots was synthesized to detect L-threonine with high selectivity and sensitivity in the range of 0.1-0.5 mM, and a detection limit of 6.15 mu M. The carbon dots exhibited good photostability and photoluminescence properties under different conditions, and were successfully applied for detecting L-threonine in real samples.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
