Small Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Carriers for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Small mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs; ca. 37 nm in diameter) have a high loading capacity for a hydrophobic photosensitizer, SiPcCl₂ (82.6 % in weight), and excellent endocytosis properties. As a result, the amount of SiPcCl₂ being delivered to cancer cells is increased by approximately two orders of magnitude compared to pure SiPcCl₂ at the same dosage, and the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency is enhanced by over fourfold. Our method can be widely used to increase the dosage of hydrophobic anti‐cancer drugs in cancer cells and therefore increase the cytotoxicity of the drugs.     

SiO2纳米粒子对溶胶凝胶涂层性能的影响

在高强钢表面制备了防护性溶胶凝胶涂层,并研究了不同浓度二氧化硅纳米粒子的加入对于涂层形貌、耐蚀性和硬度的影响。采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和电子能谱(EDS)观察了涂层的微观结构和成分;采用显微硬度计测试了涂层的硬度;采用电化学方法研究了二氧化硅纳米粒子的浓度对于涂层耐蚀性能的影响;采用傅里叶红外光谱研究涂层的化学结构,进而探讨了二氧化硅纳米粒子对于涂层的强化机理。结果显示涂层加入二氧化硅纳米粒子的最佳浓度为500 mg.L-1,此条件下的涂层表面均匀致密,有较高的硬度并且在3.5%NaCl溶液中体现出较好的耐蚀作用。纳米粒子在溶胶中反应形成活性羟基基团并与硅烷发生反应生成空间网状结构,从而强化涂层。     

核酸适配体封盖的介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒用于肌红蛋白的检测

利用核酸适配体封盖的介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒构建了一种新型、 简便及免标记的肌红蛋白定量检测方法. 首先, 用肌红蛋白核酸适配体将荧光小分子罗丹明6G封盖在介孔颗粒内, 当存在目标物肌红蛋白时, 由于介孔颗粒上的核酸适配体可特异性结合肌红蛋白而脱离介孔颗粒表面, 进而释放介孔颗粒内的罗丹明6G, 使溶液荧光强度增强. 实验结果表明, 荧光强度与肌红蛋白的浓度呈正相关, 通过荧光强度的变化可实现对肌红蛋白的定量检测. 该方法的检出限低至1.1 nmol/L, 且选择性好, 可满足临床医学的检测要求.     

Enhanced Inhibition of Drug-Resistant Escherichia coli by Tetracycline Hydrochloride-Loaded Multipore Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Drug-resistant bacterial infections exhibit a major threat to public health. Thus, exploring a novel antibacterial with efficient inhibition is urgently needed. Herein, this paper describes three types of MSNs (MSNs-FC2-R1, MSNs-FC2-R0.75, MSNs-FC2-R0.5) with controllable pore size (4–6 nm) and particle size (30–90 nm) that were successfully prepared. The MSNs were loaded with tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) for effective inhibition of Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and TCH-resistant Escherichia coli (MQ776). Results showed that the loading capacity of TCH in three types of MSNs was as high as over 500 mg/g, and the cumulative release was less than 33% in 60 h. The inhibitory rate of MSNs-FC2-R0.5 loaded with TCH against E. coli and drug-resistant E. coli reached 99.9% and 92.9% at the concentration of MIC, respectively, compared with the other two types of MSNs or free TCH. Modified MSNs in our study showed a great application for long-term bacterial growth inhibition.     

Preparation of Silica Microspheres Containing Ag Nanoparticles

Two sol-gel fabrication processes were investigated to make silica spheres containing Ag nanoparticles: (1) a modified Stöber method for silica spheres below 1 m size, and (2) a SiO₂-film formation method on spheres of 3–;7 m size. The spheres were designed to incorporate silver nanoparticles of high ⁽³⁾ in a spherical optical cavity structure for the resonance effect. For the incorporation, interaction between [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ ion and Si-OH was important. In the Stöber method, the size of the silica spheres was determined by a charge balance of plus and minus ions on the silica surface. In the film formation method, the capture of Ag complex ion on the silica surface depended on whether the surface was covered with OH groups or not. After doping [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ into silica particles or SiO₂ films on the spheres, these ions w ere reduced by NaBH₄ to form silver nanoparticles. From plasma absorption at around 420 nm wavelength and TEM photographs of nanometer-sized silver particles, their formation inside the spherical cavity structures was confirmed.     

Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles by Silylation

Shining nanosil : Fluorescent trimethoxysilanes were prepared by the hydrosilylation of N‐allyl perylene tetracarboxylic diimides and used for the covalent grafting of silica and silica nanoparticles (see picture). The fluorescent chromophores operate independently at the surface of these particles.

     

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Functionalized with Amino Groups for Biomedical Applications

The synthesis and characterization of amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles are presented following two different synthetic methods: co-condensation and post-synthesis grafting of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The amino groups’ distribution on the mesoporous silica nanoparticles was evaluated considering the aggregation state of a grafted photosensitizer (Verteporfin) by using spectroscopic techniques. The homogeneous distribution of amino groups within the silica network is a key factor to avoid aggregation during further organic functionalization and to optimize the performance of functionalized silica nanoparticles in biomedical applications. In addition, the formation of a protein corona on the external surface of both bare and amino-functionalized mesoporous silica was also investigated by adsorbing Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a model protein. The adsorption of BSA was found to be favorable, reducing the aggregation phenomena for both bare and amino-modified nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the dispersant effect of BSA was much more evident in the case of amino-modified nanoparticles, which reached monodispersion after adsorption of the protein, thus suggesting that amino-modified nanoparticles can benefit from protein corona formation for preventing severe aggregation in biological media.     

Space-Selective Precipitation of Au Nanoparticles Inside Silica Gel

Au colloids were prepared by irradiation with a Nd:YAG laser. Au nanoparticles were characterized by absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It is found that the wavelength of the laser has no effect on the size but the number of the Au nanoparticles. By irradiating a transparent silica gel doped with gold ions with the focused laser in the gel and subsequent exposing in air, a space-selective pattern of letter “P” consisting of Au nanoparticles was observed inside the silica gel.     

基于二氧化硅纳米颗粒的三重态-三重态湮灭上转换研究

以氟化的四苯基卟啉铂为光敏剂，硅氧烷衍生化的9，10-二苯基蒽为发光体构筑了基于三重态-三重态湮灭机制的上转换体系.采用紫外可见分光光度计和荧光光谱仪研究了其在二氯甲烷溶液中的上转换性能，确定了光敏剂和发光体的最佳比例为1：40.在此比例下，以胶束模板法构筑了尺寸均一，能在水中稳定的上转换二氧化硅纳米颗粒，通过透射电子显微镜（TEM）和动态光散射仪（DLS）表征了其形貌和尺寸（TEM统计平均直径为15.5 nm，平均水合直径为22.5 nm）；当以532 nm的激光作为激发光源时，实现了水中的上转换发射，上转换发光寿命为12 μs，上转换量子效率为0.8%.     

Label-Free Electrochemiluminescent Determination of DNA Using Luminol and Hemin Functionalized Nanoparticles

Luminol and hemin dual-functionalized silica nanoparticles were synthesized using a typical reverse water-in-oil microemulsion protocol. The obtained nanoparticles were further characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence. The results indicated that the luminol and hemin dual-functionalized silica nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence intensities than those of luminol functionalized silica nanoparticles due to the catalytic effect of hemin on the chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence of luminol. Furthermore, a simple and sensitive label-free electrochemiluminescence DNA biosensor was developed based on the chitosan modified luminol and hemin dual-functionalized silica nanoparticles and a single-stranded DNA probe. The chitosan modified luminol and hemin dual-functionalized silica nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of an indium-doped tin oxide electrode and the single-stranded DNA probe was immobilized on the surface of the nanoparticles through electrostatic interactions between single-stranded DNA and chitosan, which allowed hybridization with the target DNA sequences. The hybridization events were evaluated by electrochemiluminescence, and only the complementary sequence formed double-stranded DNA with the DNA probe to give strong electrochemiluminescence signals. Finally, the electrochemiluminescence intensity was found to be linearly related to the concentration of the complementary sequence at concentrations from 1.0?×?10^?12 to 1.0?×?10^?6?mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 5.0?×?10^?13?mol·L^?1.     

From Nanoparticle Ensembles to Single Nanoparticles: Techniques for the Investigation of Plasmon Enhanced Electrochemistry

Plasmon enhanced electrochemistry (PEEC), where specific electrochemical reactions are promoted due to the reduced energy barrier of the reaction processes by the light excited “hot carriers” of the plasmonic nanoparticles, has aroused tremendous interest in recent years. A deep understanding of the PEEC process becomes a key issue for facilitating PEEC catalyst design and improving PEEC performance. This concept article begins with a brief discussion of the macroscopic electrochemical method of PEEC study of the plasmonic nanoparticle ensembles. Following that, we highlight two electrochemical techniques that may possess single nanoparticle sensitivity, i. e., scanning electrochemical microscope and nano-impact electrochemistry. The pros and cons of each technique are discussed and an outlook is given. We hope to provide the readers with the current status of PEEC to evoke reflections regarding the reaction mechanisms, performance improvement, and the utilizations to important systems.     

丙烯酸酯单体修饰二氧化硅纳米粒子的制备

采用两步法将可聚合的乙烯基单体键接到S iO2纳米粒子表面合成了大分子单体.首先利用过量的甲苯-2,4-二异氰酸酯(TD I)对S iO2粒子表面进行化学修饰合成出表面带有高反应活性-NCO基团的功能化S iO2粒子(S iO2-TD I),再利用S iO2-TD I与丙烯酸羟丙酯(HPA)反应将碳-碳双键引入到S iO2粒子表面.系统考察了反应条件对TD I与S iO2反应的影响.此外,利用红外光谱和透射电镜对大分子单体进行表征,结果表明S iO2大分子单体能均匀地分散在甲苯中,没有发生明显团聚.     

纳米粒子在食源性致病菌检测中的应用进展

食品安全事关人民群众的身体健康和生命安全,而食源性致病菌是食品安全的主要影响因素。由食源性致病菌引起的疾病和死亡持续威胁着全球的公共卫生安全。因此,开发快速、准确且灵敏的食源性致病菌检测方法是预防食源性疾病暴发和确保食品安全的关键。常规检测方法费时费力,需要昂贵的设备和专业的人员,应用受限。近年来,随着纳米技术的快速发展,纳米粒子凭借其小尺寸、高比表面积和高反应活性等理化特性成为食源性致病菌检测领域的研究热点。此外,将识别元件修饰于纳米粒子表面并结合新颖的分析技术,能提高检测的特异性和灵敏度。该综述主要总结和比较了磁性纳米粒子、贵金属纳米粒子、荧光纳米粒子和二氧化硅纳米粒子在食源性致病菌检测中的应用,以期为食源性致病菌的快速分析提供思路。     

介孔SiO2负载的纳米金及其催化应用

金（Au）的催化作用已成为催化领域的前沿研究课题。本文综述了近年来采用不同方法制备介孔二氧化硅(MCM-41, MCM-48, SBA-15)负载的纳米Au催化剂以及在CO低温氧化、环己烯加氢和环己烷氧化等反应中的催化作用。讨论了影响纳米Au催化剂活性的相关因素, 包括载体的种类、表面性质、Au纳米颗粒的尺寸、分散度以及稳定性等。最后对各种制备纳米Au的方法进行了总结。     

Micro Raman Spectroscopy of Silica Nanoparticles Treated with Aminopropylsilanetriol

Summary: Micro Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the structures formed at the surface of amorphous pirogenic silica Aerosil 200. Nanoparticles were treated with 25% water solution of aminopropylsilanetriol and dried in laboratory atmosphere and under vacuum of about 5 mbar. Spectra of pure silica nanoparticles and treated nanoparticles were recorded in the frequency range 20–1700 cm⁻¹ and 2500–3800 cm⁻¹. Comparative analysis reveals the existance of different structures formed at the surface of silica nanoparticles depending on drying conditions.     

Hybrid EuIII Coordination Luminophore Standing on Two Legs on Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Luminescence

In this study, we have demonstrated a two-legged, upright molecular design method for monochromatic and bright red luminescent Ln^III-silica nanomaterials. A novel Eu^III-silica hybrid nanoparticle was developed by using a doubly binding TPPO−Si(OEt)₃ (TPPO: triphenyl phosphine oxide) linker. The TPPO−Si(OEt)₃ was confirmed by ¹H, ³¹P, ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Luminescent Eu(hfa)₃ and Eu(tfc)₃ moieties (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonate, tfc: 3-(trifluoromethylhydroxymethylene)camphorate) were fixed onto TPPO−Si(OEt)₃-modified silica nanoparticles, producing Eu(hfa)₃(TPPO−Si)₂-SiO₂ and Eu(tfc)₃(TPPO−Si)₂-SiO₂, respectively. Eu(hfa)₃(TPPO−Si)₂−SiO₂ exhibited the higher intrinsic luminescence quantum yield (93 %) and longer emission lifetime (0.98 ms), which is much larger than those of previously reported Eu^III-based hybrid materials. Eu(tfc)₃(TPPO−Si)₂−SiO₂ showed an extra-large intrinsic emission quantum yield (54 %), although the emission quantum yield for the precursor Eu(tfc)₃(TPPO−Si(OEt)₃)₂ was found to be 39 %. These results confirmed that the TPPO−Si(OEt)₃ linker is a promising candidate for development of Eu^III-based luminescent materials.     

Openwork@Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Lactate Depletion and Tumor Microenvironment Regulation

The direct depletion of lactate accumulated in the tumor microenvironment holds promise for cancer therapy but remains challenging. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis of openwork@ dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (ODMSNs) to address this problem. ODMSNs self-assembled through a time-resolved lamellar growth mechanism feature an openworked core and a dendritic shell, both constructed by silica nanosheets of ≈3 nm. With a large pore size, high surface area and pore volume, ODMSNs exhibited a high loading capacity (>0.7 g g⁻¹) of lactate oxidase (LOX) and enabled intratumoral lactate depletion by >99.9 %, leading to anti-angiogenesis, down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, and increased tumor hypoxia. The latter event facilitates the activation of a co-delivered prodrug for enhancing anti-tumor and anti-metastasis efficacy. This study provides an innovative nano-delivery system and demonstrates the first example of direct lactate-depletion-enabled chemotherapy.     

单分散介孔氧化硅纳米颗粒的制备及其在生物材料方面的应用

单分散介孔氧化硅纳米颗粒由于其自身的优点,在当前许多领域有着广泛的应用前景。本文综述了近十几年来单分散介孔氧化硅纳米颗粒的制备方法以及在生物材料方面的应用。在制备方法方面,根据其制备机理分为稀溶液法、微乳法、模板剂法以及向反应体系中加入不同的添加剂等方法,制备出分散性好、不同形态、孔径尺寸可调的介孔氧化硅纳米颗粒。在生物材料的应用方面,主要介绍了其在药物与生物活性分子的负载与控制释放、生物大分子的固载与分离、生物标记与临床诊断等方面的应用。