Layer‐by‐Layer Assemblies of Catechol‐Functionalized TiO2 Nanoparticles and Porphyrins through Electrostatic Interactions

In the current work, we present the successful functionalization and stabilization of P‐25 TiO₂ nanoparticles by means of N1,N7‐bis(3‐(4‐tert‐butyl‐pyridium‐methyl)phenyl)‐4‐(3‐(3‐(4‐tert‐butyl‐pyridinium‐methyl)phenylamino)‐3‐oxopropyl)‐4‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzamido)heptanediamide tribromide ( 1 ). The design of the latter is aimed at nanoparticle functionalization and stabilization with organic building blocks. On one hand, 1 features a catechol anchor to enable its covalent grafting onto the TiO₂ surface, and on the other hand, positively charged pyridine groups at its periphery to prevent TiO₂ agglomeration through electrostatic repulsion. The success of functionalization and stabilization was corroborated by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light‐scattering, and zeta potential measurements. As a complement to this, the formation of layer‐by‐layer assemblies, which are governed by electrostatic interactions, by alternate deposition of functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles and two negatively charged porphyrin derivatives, that is, 5,10,15,20‐(phenoxyacetic acid)‐porphyrin ( 2 ) and 5,10,15,20‐(4‐(2‐ethoxycarbonyl)‐4‐(2‐phenoxyacetamido)heptanedioic acid)‐porphyrin ( 3 ), is documented. To this end, the layer‐by‐layer deposition is monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ellipsometry, and profilometry techniques. The resulting assemblies are utilized for the construction and testing of novel solar cells. From stable and repeatable photocurrents generated during several “on‐off” cycles of illumination, we derive monochromatic incident photo‐to‐current conversion efficiencies of around 3 %.     

Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Films Fabricated by Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐assembly of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Lignosulfonates

Photocatalytic multilayer nanocomposite films composed of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles and lignosulfonates (LS) were fabricated on quartz slides by the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly technique. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films. Moreover, the photocatalytic properties (decomposition of methyl orange and bacteria) of multilayer nanocomposite films were investigated. XPS results indicated that the intensities of titanium and sulfur peaks increased with the LBL deposition process. A linear increase in absorbance at 280 nm was found by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, suggesting that stepwise multilayer growth occurs on the substrate and this deposition process is highly reproducible. AFM images showed that quartz slide was completely covered by TiO₂ nanoparticles when a 10‐bilayer multilayer film was formed. The decomposition efficiency of methyl orange by TiO₂/LS multilayer films under the same UV irradiation time increased linearly with the number of TiO₂ layers, and the results of decomposition of bacteria under UV irradiation showed that TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films exhibited excellent decomposition activity of bacteria (Escherichia coil).     

Eliminated Phototoxicity of TiO2 Particles by an Atomic‐Layer‐Deposited Al2O3 Coating Layer for UV‐Protection Applications

We demonstrate the conformal coating of an ultrathin Al₂O₃ layer on TiO₂ nanoparticles through atomic layer deposition by using a specifically designed rotary reactor to eliminate the phototoxicity of the particles for cosmetic use. The ALD reactor is modified to improve the coating efficiency as well as the agitation of the particles for conformal coating. Elemental and microstructural analyses show that ultrathin Al₂O₃ layers are conformally deposited on the TiO₂ nanoparticles with a controlled thickness. Rhodamine B dye molecules on Al₂O₃‐coated TiO₂ exhibited a long life time under UV irradiation, that is, more than 2 h, compared to that on bare TiO₂, that is, 8 min, indicating mitigation of photocatalytic activity by the coated layer. The effect of carbon impurities in the film resulting from various deposition temperatures and thicknesses of the Al₂O₃ layer on the photocatalytic activity are also thoroughly investigated with controlled experimental condition by using dye molecules on the surface. Our results reveal that an increased carbon impurity resulting from a low processing temperature provides a charge conduction path and generates reactive oxygen species causing the degradation of dye molecule. A thin coated layer, that is, less than 3 nm, also induced the tunneling of electrons and holes to the surface, hence oxidizing dye molecules. Furthermore, the introduction of an Al₂O₃ layer on TiO₂ improves the light trapping thus, enhances the UV absorption.     

Silver Coated Platinum Core–Shell Nanostructures on Etched Si Nanowires: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Processing and Application in SERS

A new method to prepare plasmonically active noble metal nanostructures on large surface area silicon nanowires (SiNWs) mediated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology has successfully been demonstrated for applications of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)‐based sensing. As host material for the plasmonically active nanostructures we use dense single‐crystalline SiNWs with diameters of less than 100 nm as obtained by a wet chemical etching method based on silver nitrate and hydrofluoric acid solutions. The SERS active metal nanoparticles/islands are made from silver (Ag) shells as deposited by autometallography on the core nanoislands made from platinum (Pt) that can easily be deposited by ALD in the form of nanoislands covering the SiNW surfaces in a controlled way. The density of the plasmonically inactive Pt islands as well as the thickness of noble metal Ag shell are two key factors determining the magnitude of the SERS signal enhancement and sensitivity of detection. The optimized Ag coated Pt islands on SiNWs exhibit great potential for ultrasensitive molecular sensing in terms of high SERS signal enhancement ability, good stability and reproducibility. The plasmonic activity of the core‐shell Pt//Ag system that will be experimentally realized in this paper as an example was demonstrated in numerical finite element simulations as well as experimentally in Raman measurements of SERS activity of a highly diluted model dye molecule. The morphology and structure of the core‐shell Pt//Ag nanoparticles on SiNW surfaces were investigated by scanning‐ and transmission electron microscopy. Optimized core–shell nanoparticle geometries for maximum Raman signal enhancement is discussed essentially based on the finite element modeling.     

Atomic‐Level Alloying and De‐alloying in Doped Gold Nanoparticles

Atomically precise alloying and de‐alloying processes for the formation of Ag–Au and Cu–Au nanoparticles of 25‐metal‐atom composition (referred to as Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈, in which R=CH₂CH₂Ph) are reported. The identities of the particles were determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐MS). Their structures were probed by fragmentation analysis in MALDI‐MS and comparison with the icosahedral structure of the homogold Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles (an icosahedral Au₁₃ core protected by a shell of Au₁₂(SR)₁₈). The Cu and Ag atoms were found to preferentially occupy the 13‐atom icosahedral sites, instead of the exterior shell. The number of Ag atoms in Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–8) was dependent on the molar ratio of Ag^I/Au^III precursors in the synthesis, whereas the number of Cu atoms in Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–4) was independent of the molar ratio of Cu^II/Au^III precursors applied. Interestingly, the Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles show a spontaneous de‐alloying process over time, and the initially formed Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles were converted to pure Au₂₅(SR)₁₈. This de‐alloying process was not observed in the case of alloyed Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. This contrast can be attributed to the stability difference between Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. These alloyed nanoparticles are promising candidates for applications such as catalysis.     

Controlled Synthesis of Hollow PbS‐TiO2 Hybrid Structures through an Ion Adsorption–Heating Process and their Photocatalytic Activity

Hollow hybrid nanostructures have received significant attention because of their unique structural features. This study reports a facile ion adsorption–heating method to fabricate hollow PbS‐TiO₂ hybrid particles. In this method, the TiO₂ spheres used as a substrate material to grow PbS are aggregates of many small amorphous TiO₂ particles, and each small particle is covered with thioglycolic acid ligands through Ti⁴⁺–carboxyl coordination. When Pb²⁺ ions are added to a colloidal solution of these TiO₂ spheres, these ions are adsorbed by sulfhydryl (‐SH) groups to form metal thiolates, and the C−S bond is dissociated by heating to release S²⁻. The S²⁻ ions react with Pb²⁺ ions to form PbS without additive sulfur sources. Additionally, the amorphous TiO₂ spheres are transformed into the anatase phase during the heating process. As a result, the crystallization of TiO₂ spheres along with the formation of PbS is simultaneously carried out by heating. During the heating process, owing to the Kirkendall effect of S²⁻ diffusion and the Ostwald ripening effect of the crystallization of amorphous TiO₂ spheres, PbS‐TiO₂ hollow hybrid structures can be obtained. The XRD and XPS characterizations proved the formation of anatase TiO₂ and PbS. The TEM characterization confirmed the formation of hollow structures in the PbS‐TiO₂ hybrid sample. The photocatalytic activity of the hollow PbS‐TiO₂ hybrid spheres have been investigated for the degradation of Cr⁶⁺ under visible light. The results show that hollow PbS‐TiO₂ hybrid spheres exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, in which almost all the Cr⁶⁺ was degraded after 140 min.     

Molecularly Imprinted Multi‐Layer Core‐Shell Nanoparticles – A Surface Grafting Approach

Surface initiated living‐radical polymerization (SIP) based on dithiocarbamate iniferters has been used to create molecularly imprinted core‐shell (CS) nanoparticles. Using this approach, propranolol, morphine and naproxen have been successfully imprinted in particle shells (the latter could not be imprinted using conventional aqueous‐based CS methods). Rebinding properties of the imprinted particles appear to be similar to those made by alternative methods. The living radical initiation mechanism makes it possible to build complex multi‐layer particles sequentially. As a demonstration, multi‐layer propranolol‐imprinted particles were generated. Two additional functional shells were grown over the imprinted shell, while the propranolol binding was retained, albeit at a reduced level.

     

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of MIL‐125 by Post‐Synthetic Modification with CrIII and Ag Nanoparticles

NH₂‐MIL‐125, [Ti₈O₈(OH)₄(bdc‐NH₂)₆] (bdc^2?=1,4‐benzene dicarboxylate) is a highly porous metal–organic framework (MOF) that has a band gap lying within the ultraviolet region at about 2.6 eV. The band gap may be reduced by a suitable post‐synthetic modification of the nanochannels using conventional organic chemistry methods. Here, it is shown that the photocatalytic activity of NH₂‐MIL‐125 in the degradation of methylene blue under visible light is remarkably augmented by post‐synthetic modification with acetylacetone followed by Cr^III complexation. The latter metal ion extends the absorption from the ultraviolet to the visible light region (band gap 2.21 eV). The photogenerated holes migrate from the MOF’s valence band to the Cr^III valence band, promoting the separation of holes and electrons and increasing the recombination time. Moreover, it is shown that the MOF’s photocatalytic activity is also much improved by doping with Ag nanoparticles, formed in situ by the reduction of Ag⁺ with the acetylacetonate pendant groups (the resulting MOF band gap is 2.09 eV). Presumably, the Ag nanoparticles are able to accept the MOF’s photogenerated electrons, thus avoiding electron–hole recombination. Both, the Cr‐ and Ag‐bearing materials are stable under photocatalytic conditions. These findings open new avenues for improving the photocatalytic activity of MOFs.     

Solid Phase Extraction of Neutral Analytes through Silica Gel Coated with Layers of Au Nanoparticles Self‐Assembled with Alkanethiols

In this study, we used Au nanoparticle (NP)‐coated silica gel as a solid phase extraction sorbent for the preconcentration of neutral analytes (steroid drugs). The sorbent was fabricated using two alkanethiol self‐assembly processes: one to deposit the Au NPs onto a 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane‐modified silica gel and the other to functionalize the surfaces of the Au NPs. A large volume of the steroid solution was passed through the silica gel to facilitate adsorption mediated by hydrophobic interactions between the steroids and the hydrophobic moieties on the silica gel surface. Extraction of the steroids was accomplished by flushing the silica gel with a low‐polarity solvent. In this preliminary study, we found that the particle size of the silica gel and the number of layers of Au NPs coated on the silica gel both affected the preconcentration performance for the steroids. When using six layers of Au NPs coated on 5–20‐μm silica gel, the detection limits for steroids were below 80 ng L^?1; the preconcentration efficiency was over 170‐fold higher than that of the original steroid solution. Our findings provide further evidence that nanotechnology has much to benefit analytical science.     

Size‐Dependent Surface Activity of Rutile and Anatase TiO2 Nanocrystals: Facile Surface Modification and Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

The size‐dependent surface activity of titania was illustrated through the formation of ultrafine nanocrystals with clean surfaces. It was demonstrated that, when the size of the nanocrystals was small enough, their surface activity could be significantly enhanced, as evidenced by the formation of transparent macroassemblies, their increased dispersity in various solvents, the facile modification of their surface by organic molecules at room temperature, their strong visible‐light absorption through coordination with peroxide, and highly enhanced photocatalytic performance.     

Low‐Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition of Copper Metal Thin Films: Self‐Limiting Surface Reaction of Copper Dimethylamino‐2‐propoxide with Diethylzinc

A uniform, conformal, pure copper metal thin film was grown at very low substrate temperatures (100–120 °C) on Si(100) substrates by atomic layer deposition involving the ligand exchange of [Cu(OCHMeCH₂NMe₂)₂] with Et₂Zn (see scheme). Patterned copper thin films of Cu nanotubes (diameter 150 nm, length 12 μm) were fabricated.

     

pH‐Disintegrable Polyelectrolyte Multilayer‐Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Exhibiting Triggered Co‐Release of Cisplatin and Model Drug Molecules

We report on the fabrication of pH‐disintegrable polyelectrolyte multilayer‐coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) capable of triggered co‐release of cisplatin and model drug molecules. The outer polyelectrolyte multilayer was assembled from permanently cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(allyl amine hydrochloride) (PAH), and negatively charged polyelectrolyte, P(DMA‐co‐TPAMA), consisting of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and 3,4,5,6‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride‐functionalized N‐(3‐aminopropyl)methacrylamide (TPAMA) monomer units, which exhibits pH‐induced charge conversion characteristics. Thus, the subtle alteration of solution pH from 7.4 to ≈5–6 can lead to the disintegration of outer polyelectrolyte multilayers, accompanied with the co‐release of cisplatin and RhB.

     

Constructing Ordered Three‐Dimensional TiO2 Channels for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Performance in CO2 Conversion Induced by Au Nanoparticles

As a typical photocatalyst for CO₂ reduction, practical applications of TiO₂ still suffer from low photocatalytic efficiency and limited visible‐light absorption. Herein, a novel Au‐nanoparticle (NP)‐decorated ordered mesoporous TiO₂ (OMT) composite (OMT‐Au) was successfully fabricated, in which Au NPs were uniformly dispersed on the OMT. Due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect derived from the excited Au NPs, the TiO₂ shows high photocatalytic performance for CO₂ reduction under visible light. The ordered mesoporous TiO₂ exhibits superior material and structure, with a high surface area that offers more catalytically active sites. More importantly, the three‐dimensional transport channels ensure the smooth flow of gas molecules, highly efficient CO₂ adsorption, and the fast and steady transmission of hot electrons excited from the Au NPs, which lead to a further improvement in the photocatalytic performance. These results highlight the possibility of improving the photocatalysis for CO₂ reduction under visible light by constructing OMT‐based Au‐SPR‐induced photocatalysts.     

Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of Polyelectrolyte and Nanoparticles,Monitored by Capillary Electrophoresis

Layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly is a versatile nanofabrication technique, and investigation of its kinetics is essential for understanding the assembly mechanism and optimizing the assembly procedure. In this work, the LBL assembly of polyelectrolyte and nanoparticles were monitored in situ by capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the first time. The assembly of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on capillary walls causes surface‐charge neutralization and resaturation, and thus yields synchronous changes in the electroosmotic flow (EOF). The EOF data show that formation of multilayers follows first‐order adsorption kinetics. On the basis of the fit results, influencing factors, including number of layers, concentration of materials, flow rate, and size of AuNPs, were investigated. The stability and robustness of the assembled coatings were also characterized by CE. It was found that degradation of PDDA layers follows first‐order chemical kinetics, while desorption of AuNPs takes place in a disorderly manner. The substrate strongly affects assembly of the underlying layer, while this effect is rapidly screened with increasing number of layers. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the EOF measuring step does not disturb LBL assembly, and the proposed method is reliable and rugged. This work not only studies in detail the LBL adsorption/desorption process of polyelectrolyte and nanoparticles, but also offers an alternative tool for monitoring multilayer buildup. It may also reveal the potential of CE in fields other than analytical separation.     

Two‐Dimensional Hollow TiO2 Nanoplates with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Two‐dimensional anatase TiO₂ hollow nanoplates were firstly synthesized through a facile synthesis route by using α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoplates as removable templates. Two‐dimensional hollow TiO₂ nanoplates with different ratios of anatase and rutile phases were obtained by adjusting the calcining temperature. The average diameters were around 600 nm, and the shell thickness was approximately 30 nm. The photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ was investigated by decomposing rhodamine B under simulated sunlight. Among the TiO₂ samples, the anatase TiO₂ hollow nanoplates manifested a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic performances. The excellent catalytic performance can be attributed to the unique structure of the two‐dimensional anatase TiO₂ hollow nanoplates, including a large surface area and increased dye–photocatalyst contact areas as well as more active sites for photodegradation.     

Facile Synthesis of Carbon‐Supported Ultrasmall Ag@Pd Core‐Shell Nanocrystals with Superior Electrocatalytic Activity for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell Application

To design electrocatalysts with excellent performance, morphology, composition and structure is a decisive influential factor. In this work, ultrasmall Ag@Pd core‐shell nanocrystals supported on Vulcan XC72R carbon with different Ag/Pd atomic ratios are synthesized via a facile successive reduction approach with formaldehyde and ethylene glycol as reducing agents, respectively. The Ag‐core/Pd‐shell nanostructures are revealed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Ag@Pd core‐shell nanocrystals possess a narrow size distribution with an average size of ca. 4.3 nm. In comparison to monometallic Pd/C and commercial Pd black catalysts, such Ag@Pd core‐shell nanocrystals display excellent electrocatalytic activities for formic acid oxidation, which may be due to high Pd utilization derived from the formation of Ag@Pd core‐shell nanostructure and the strong interaction between Ag and Pd.