The Polarization Effect in Surface‐Plasmon‐Induced Photocatalysis on Au/TiO2 Nanoparticles

Controlling the interaction of polarization light with an asymmetric nanostructure such as a metal/semiconductor heterostructure provides opportunities for tuning surface plasmon excitation and near‐field spatial distribution. However, light polarization effects on interfacial charge transport and the photocatalysis of plasmonic metal/semiconductor photocatalysts are unclear. Herein, we reveal the polarization dependence of plasmonic charge separation and spatial distribution in Au/TiO₂ nanoparticles under 45° incident light illumination at the single‐particle level using a combination of photon‐irradiated Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electromagnetic field simulation. We quantitatively uncover the relationship between the local charge density and polarization angle by investigating the polarization‐dependent surface photovoltage (SPV). The plasmon‐induced photocatalytic activity is enhanced when the polarization direction is perpendicular to the Au/TiO₂ interface.     

Hamilton Receptor‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of Orthogonally Functionalized Au and TiO2 Nanoparticles

A new prototype of reversible self‐assembly between functionalized gold and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing hydrogen bonding interactions was developed and established. The gold nanoparticles were functionalized with a Hamilton‐receptor functionality bearing a thiol moiety as anchoring group. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles were modified with cyanurate derivatives which contained phosphonic acids as anchoring groups. The host–guest type interaction between two functionalized nanoparticles yielded a highly integrated nanoparticle system in chloroform. Moreover, by presenting a competing ligand in an exchange reaction, the product of self‐assembly can be segregated into the individual soluble components of functionalized nanoparticles. The self‐assembly and the exchange reaction were followed and monitored in detail by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The structure of the self‐assembly product was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS).     

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 %.     

Highly Water‐Dispersible Surface‐Modified Gd2O3 Nanoparticles for Potential Dual‐Modal Bioimaging

Water‐dispersible and luminescent gadolinium oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) were designed and synthesized for potential dual‐modal biological imaging. They were obtained by capping gadolinium oxide nanoparticles with a fluorescent glycol‐based conjugated carboxylate (H L ). The obtained nanoparticles (GO‐ L ) show long‐term colloidal stability and intense blue fluorescence. In addition, L can sensitize the luminescence of europium(III) through the so‐called antenna effect. Thus, to extend the spectral ranges of emission, europium was introduced into L‐ modified gadolinium oxide nanoparticles. The obtained Eu^III‐doped particles (Eu:GO‐ L ) can provide visible red emission, which is more intensive than that without L capping. The average diameter of the monodisperse modified oxide cores is about 4 nm. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the L ‐modified nanoparticles was estimated to be about 13 nm. The nanoparticles show effective longitudinal water proton relaxivity. The relaxivity values obtained for GO‐ L and Eu:GO‐ L were r₁=6.4 and 6.3 s^?1 mM ^?1 with r₂/r₁ ratios close to unity at 1.4 T. Longitudinal proton relaxivities of these nanoparticles are higher than those of positive contrast agents based on gadolinium complexes such as Gd‐DOTA, which are commonly used for clinical magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, these particles are suitable for cellular imaging and show good biocompatibility.     

Treatment of TiO2 with COOH‐Functionalized Germanium Nanoparticles to Enhance the Photocurrent of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) containing a TiO₂ film treated with COOH‐functionalized germanium nanoparticles (Ge COOH Nps) exhibited a higher short‐circuit photocurrent density (J_sc; 15.4 mA cm⁻²) compared to the corresponding untreated DSSC (13.4 mA cm⁻²) using N719 and a 12 μm thick TiO₂ film at 100 mW cm⁻². The amount of N719 attached to the treated TiO₂ film was 21 % greater than that attached to the untreated TiO₂ film. Enhancement of the J_sc value by 15 % was attributed mostly to an intramolecular charge transfer from N719 attached to the Ge COOH Nps to the TiO₂ conduction band through the Ge COOH Nps.     

Facile Synthesis of Thiol‐Functionalized Long‐Chain Highly Branched ROMP Polymers and Surface‐Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles

The synthesis of thiol‐functionalized long‐chain highly branched polymers (LCHBPs) has been accomplished in combination of ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and thiol‐Michael addition click reaction. A monotelechelic polymer with a terminal acrylate and many pendent thiol groups is first prepared through adding an internal cis‐olefin terminating agent to the reaction mixture immediately after the completion of the living ROMP, and then utilized as an AB_n‐type macromonomer in subsequent thiol‐ene reaction between acrylate and thiol, yielding LCHBPs as the reaction time prolonged. Au nanoparticles are then covalently conjugated onto the surface of thiol‐functionalized LCHBP to fabricate novel hybrid nanostructures, which is shown as one interesting application of such functionalized metathesis polymers. This facile approach can be extended toward the fabrication of novel nanomaterials with sophisticated structures and tunable multifunctionalities.

     

Molecular Dynamics Study of Interface Structure in Composites Comprising Surface‐Modified SiO2 Nanoparticles and a Polyimide Matrix

The method of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations is used to investigate the static properties of the organic–inorganic interface in a polymer nanocomposite consisting of polyimide and silica nanoparticles with modified surface. Alkylsilane chains are used as the surface modifiers. The surface density and chains length of the modifier are the main parameters of the simulations. For simplicity, the model of the composite has been constructed as a polymer layer sandwiched between two solid surfaces. Our results show that one can change the properties of the interface between the polymer matrix and the inorganic filler by choosing the molecular weight and surface density of the modifier.

     

Mechanism and Cellular Kinetic Studies of the Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity by Using Surface‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

The enhanced antioxidant activity of surface‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by self‐assembly has attracted great attention, but little is known about the mechanism behind the enhanced activity. To address this challenge, the antioxidant activity of Au@PEG3SA (i.e., surface‐functionalization of spherical AuNPs with the antioxidant salvianic acid A) was used as an example to illustrate the mechanism of the enhanced activity. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed in a radical‐scavenging reaction between Au@PEG3SA and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. As expected, the rate constant for the reaction of Au@PEG3SA with DPPH was about nine times greater than that for the salvianic acid A monomer. A comparative analysis of the spectral characteristics of Au@PEG3SA and the salvianic acid A monomer further imply that the enhancement of the antioxidative reaction kinetics may be ascribed to the variation in the transition state for the DPPH‐radical scavenging reaction through π–π stacking interactions between and among adjacent groups on the surface of Au@PEG3SA. On the other hand, the kinetic enhancement of Au@PEG3SA on reactive‐oxygen‐species (ROS) scavenging can be observed in living cells and in vivo, which possibly provides new insight for the bioapplication of self‐assembly of surface‐functionalized AuNPs.     

Efficient CO2 Capture and Photoreduction by Amine‐Functionalized TiO2

Amine‐functionalization of TiO₂ nanoparticles, through a solvothermal approach, substantially increases the affinity of CO₂ on TiO₂ surfaces through chemisorption. This chemisorption allows for more effective activation of CO₂ and charge transfer from excited TiO₂, and significantly enhances the photocatalytic rate of CO₂ reduction into methane and CO.     

Surface‐Functionalized Nanoparticles by Olefin Metathesis: A Chemoselective Approach for In Vivo Characterization of Atherosclerosis Plaque

The use of click chemistry reactions for the functionalization of nanoparticles is particularly useful to modify the surface in a well‐defined manner and to enhance the targeting properties, thus facilitating clinical translation. Here it is demonstrated that olefin metathesis can be used for the chemoselective functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles with three different examples. This approach enables, in one step, the synthesis and functionalization of different water‐stable magnetite‐based particles from oleic acid‐coated counterparts. The surface of the nanoparticles was completely characterized showing how the metathesis approach introduces a large number of hydrophilic molecules on their coating layer. As an example of the possible applications of these new nanocomposites, a focus was taken on atherosclerosis plaques. It is also demonstrated how the in vitro properties of one of the probes, particularly its Ca²⁺‐binding properties, mediate their final in vivo use; that is, the selective accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques. This opens promising new applications to detect possible microcalcifications associated with plaque vulnerability. The accumulation of the new imaging tracers is demonstrated by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of carotids and aorta in the ApoE^?/? mouse model and the results were confirmed by histology.     

Biomimetic Sensor for Dobutamine Employing Nano‐ TiO2/Nafion/Carbon Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel voltammetric biosensor based on nano‐TiO₂/nafion/carbon nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE) was developed for the determination of dobutamine (DBA). Characterization of the surface morphology and property of TiO₂/N/CNP layer was carried out by the scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by means of the cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Effective experimental variables, such as the scan rate, pH of the supporting electrolyte, drop size of the casted modifier suspension and accumulation conditions of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a significant electrochemical improvement was observed toward the electro‐oxidation of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE compared to the bare GCE. Under the optimized conditions, a wide linear dynamic range (6 nM–1 µM) with a low detection limit of 2 nM for DBA was resulted. The prepared modified electrode shows high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility in the determination of DBA concentrations. Satisfactory results were obtained for DBA analysis in the pharmaceutical and clinical preparations using TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE.     

Striking Improvement in Peroxidase Activity of Cytochrome c by Modulating Hydrophobicity of Surface‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles within Cationic Reverse Micelles

This work demonstrates a remarkable enhancement in the peroxidase activity of mitochondrial membrane protein cytochrome c (cyt c) by perturbing its tertiary structure in the presence of surface‐functionalised gold nanoparticles (GNPs) within cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) reverse micelles. The loss in the tertiary structure of cyt c exposes its heme moiety (which is buried inside in the native globular form), which provides greater substrate (pyrogallol and H₂O₂) accessibility to the reactive heme residue. The surfactant shell of the CTAB reverse micelle in the presence of co‐surfactant (n‐hexanol) exerted higher crowding effects on the interfacially bound cyt c than similar anionic systems. The congested interface led to protein unfolding, which resulted in a 56‐fold higher peroxidase activity of cyt c than that in water. Further perturbation in the protein’s structure was achieved by doping amphiphile‐capped GNPs with varying hydrophobicities in the water pool of the reverse micelles. The hydrophobic moiety on the surface of the GNPs was directed towards the interfacial region, which induced major steric strain at the interface. Consequently, interaction of the protein with the hydrophobic domain of the amphiphile further disrupted its tertiary structure, which led to better opening up of the heme residue and, thereby, superior activity of the cyt c. The cyt c activity in the reverse micelles proportionately enhanced with an increase in the hydrophobicity of the GNP‐capping amphiphiles. A rigid cholesterol moiety as the hydrophobic end group of the GNP strikingly improved the cyt c activity by up to 200‐fold relative to that found in aqueous buffer. Fluorescence studies with both a tryptophan residue (Trp59) of the native protein and the sodium salt of fluorescein delineated the crucial role of the hydrophobicity of the GNP‐capping amphiphiles in improving the peroxidase activity of cyt c by unfolding its tertiary structure within the reverse micelles.     

Experimental and First‐Principles Characterization of Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by coprecipitation and thermal decomposition yield largely monodisperse size distributions. The diameters of the coprecipitated particles measured by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are between approximately 9 and 15 nm, whereas the diameters of thermally decomposed particles are in the range of 8 to 10 nm. Coprecipitated particles are indexed as magnetite‐rich and thermally decomposed particles as maghemite‐rich; however, both methods produce a mixture of magnetite and maghemite. Fourier transform IR spectra reveal that the nanoparticles are coated with at least two layers of oleic acid (OA) surfactant. The inner layer is postulated to be chemically adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface whereas the rest of the OA is physically adsorbed, as indicated by carboxyl O? H stretching modes above 3400 cm^?1. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) results indicate a double‐stepped weight loss process, the lower‐temperature step of which is assigned to condensation due to physically adsorbed or low‐energy bonded OA moieties. Density functional calculations of Fe–O clusters, the inverse spinel cell, and isolated OA, as well as OA in bidentate linkage with ferrous and ferric atoms, suggest that the higher‐temperature DTA stage could be further broken down into two regions: one in which condensation is due ferrous/ferrous– and/or ferrous/ferric–OA and the other due to condensation from ferrous/ferric– and ferric/ferric–OA complexes. The latter appear to form bonds with the OA carbonyl group of energy up to fivefold that of the bond formed by the ferrous/ferrous pairs. Molecular orbital populations indicate that such increased stability of the ferric/ferric pair is due to the contribution of the low‐lying Fe³⁺ t_2g states into four bonding orbitals between ?0.623 and ?0.410 a.u.     

三氟乙酸修饰TiO_2纳米微粒的制备及磨擦学性能

采用化学法制备一种粒径约50nm的三氟乙酸修饰TiO2纳米微粒,并用高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)、傅立叶红外(FTIR)和热分析(TG、DTA)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)等手段对该纳米微粒进行了表征,用MRS 10A型四球磨擦试验机考察了该纳米微粒在液体石蜡中的磨擦学性能 结果表明:三氟乙酸修饰TiO2纳米微粒能分散于液体石蜡中且具有较好的抗磨性能,能极大地提高液体石腊的抗磨性和承载能力,降低了磨擦系数     

Photocurrent Response of Surface‐Functionalized Metal Oxides with Well‐Matched Energy Levels: From Nothing to Something

In recent years, an enormous amount of research has been devoted to the study of photosensitive materials from both fundamental and practical viewpoints, due to their wide applications in photocatalytic 1 – 3 and optoelectronic devices, 4 , 5 ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors, 6 – 9 photoswitch microdevices, 10 , 11 light‐emitting diodes, 12 , 13 photovoltaic devices, 14 – 16 and photoelectrochemical cells. 17 Metal oxides, such as ZnO, TiO₂, SnO₂, and NiO have been the most investigated photosensitive materials. 3 , 6 – 8 , 18 – 21 To enhance and take full advantage of their photosensitivity, functionalizing their surface with a polymer that has a high light absorption ability has become one of the widely used methods. 1 – 12 , 22 – 24 For example, Z. L. Wang et al. reported that the UV photocurrent of a ZnO nanobelt‐based sensor was enhanced by close to five orders of magnitude after functionalizing its surface with polystyrene sulfate which has a high UV absorption ability. 25 T. Sasaki et al. reported the assembly of a TiO₂ nanoparticle film with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(4‐styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT‐PSS) through layer‐by‐layer fabrication in the nanometer scale. The electric conductivity of the TiO₂ composite films could be tuned by UV and visible (Vis) light. 22 Thus, sunlight or photon energy can be used and transformed to electrical energy by UV‐photosensitive metal oxides after their surfaces have been functionalized with a dye that has a high Vis absorption ability. To date, most of the dye‐sensitized solar cells are based on the surface functionalization of UV‐photosensitive metal oxides by dyes. 26 – 28 However, to the best of our knowledge, all of the reports on surface functionalization enhanced only the UV photosensitivity of the metal oxide. In other words, this method has been used exclusively to enhance the UV photocurrent in metal oxides that already have UV‐photosensitive properties, but not to induce UV photocurrent in metal oxides that have no UV‐photosensitive properties. In fact, to the best of our knowledge, there are no surface‐functionalizing reports on inducing UV or Vis photocurrent in metal oxides that have no UV‐ or Vis‐photosensitive properties.     

β‐Cyclodextrin‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Poly(L‐cysteine) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Metronidazole

A simple electrochemical method was developed to determine metronidazole based on β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/poly(L ‐cysteine) modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐GNPs/poly(L ‐cys)/GCE). The electropolymerized film of poly(L ‐cys) provides a stable matrix for the fabrication of a sensing interface. β‐CD‐GNPs can form inclusion complexes with metronidazole and act as a modifier with catalytic function. The modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards metronidazole. The reaction of metronidazole at the modified electrode was an irreversible process controlled by diffusion. Under optimum experimental conditions, the logarithm of catalytic currents shows a good linear relationship with that of the metronidazole concentration in the range of 0.1–600 µmol/L with a low detection limit of 14 nmol/L. In addition, the modified electrode exhibited satisfactory stability, sensitivity and reproducibility, and could be applied to the determination of metronidazole in an injection solution.     

Electroanalysis of Norepinephrine at Bare Gold Electrode Pure and Modified with Gold Nanoparticles and S‐Functionalized Self‐Assembled Layers in Aqueous Solution

Gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs), cystamine (CA) and 3,3′‐dithiodipropionic acid (DTDPA) modified gold bare electrodes were applied in voltammetric sensors for simultaneous detection of norepinephrine (NEP), ascorbic (AA) and uric (UA) acids. A linear relationship between norepinephrine concentration and current response was obtained in the range of 0.1 μM to 600 μM M with the detection limit ≤0.091 μM for the electrodes modified at 2D template and in the range of 0.1 μM to 700 μM M with the detection limit ≤0.087 μM for the electrodes modified at 3D template The results have shown that using modified electrodes it is possible to perform electrochemical analysis of norepinephrine without interference of ascorbic and uric acids, whose presence is the major limitation in norepinephrine determination at a bare gold electrode. The modified SAMs electrodes show good selectivity, sensitivity, reproducibility and high stability.