Fluorescence and Nonlinear Optical Response of Graphene Quantum Dots Produced by Pulsed Laser Irradiation in Toluene

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), the zero dimensional (0D) single nanostructures, have many exciting technological applications in diversified fields such as sensors, light emitting devices, bio imaging probes, solar cells, etc. They are emerging as a functional tool to modulate light by means of molecular engineering due to its merits, including relatively low extend of loss, large outstretch of spatial confinement and control via doping, size and shape. In this article, we present a one pot, facile and ecofriendly synthesis approach for fabricating GQDs via pulsed laser irradiation of an organic solvent (toluene) without any catalyst. It is a promising synthesis choice to prepare GQDs due to its fast production, lack of byproducts and further purification, as well as the control over the product by accurate tuning of laser parameters. In this work, the second (532 nm) and third harmonic (355 nm) wavelengths of a pulsed nanosecond Nd:YAG laser have been employed for the synthesis. It has been found that the obtained GQDs display fluorescence and is expected to have potential applications in optoelectronics and light-harvesting devices. In addition, nonlinear optical absorption of the prepared GQDs was measured using the open aperture z-scan technique (in the nanosecond regime). These GQDs exhibit excellent optical limiting properties, especially those synthesized at 532 nm wavelength.     

Electroanalytical Determination of Paracetamol Using Pd Nanoparticles Deposited on Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The study presents a novel paracetamol (PA) sensor based on Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) deposited on carboxylated graphene oxide (GO?COOH) and nafion (Nf) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The morphologies of the as prepared composites were characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The experimental results demonstrated that Nf/GO?COOPd displayed excellent electrocatalytic response to the oxidation PA. The linear range was 0.04–800 μM for PA with limit of detection of 0.012 μM and excellent sensitivity of 232.89 μA mM^?1 cm^?2. By considering the excellent performance of Nf/GO?COOPd composite such as wider linear range, lower detection, better selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and storage stability, the prepared composite, especially GO?COOH support, with satisfactory electrocatalytic properties was a promising material for the modification of electrode material in electrochemical sensor and biosensor field.     

Interaction of Inorganic Nanoparticles with Graphene

The changes in the electronic and magnetic properties of graphene induced by interaction with semiconducting oxide nanoparticles such as ZnO and TiO₂ and with magnetic nanoparticles such as Fe₃O₄, CoFe₂O₄, and Ni are investigated by using Raman spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and first‐principles calculations. Significant electronic and magnetic interactions between the nanoparticles and graphene are found. The findings suggest that changes in magnetization as well as the Raman shifts are directly linked to charge transfer between the deposited nanoparticles and graphene. The study thus demonstrates significant effects in tailoring the electronic structure of graphene for applications in futuristic electronic devices.     

脉冲激光沉积法制备FeSe薄膜电极及其电化学性质

采用脉冲激光溅射Fe和Se粉末的混合靶制备FeSe薄膜并用XRD、充放电和循环伏安测试研究了薄膜的结构和电化学性质. XRD结果显示, 当基片温度为200 ℃时, 薄膜主要由晶态的FeSe组成. 在电压1.0～3.0 V范围内, 该薄膜的可逆容量为360.8 mAh•g^－1, 经过100次循环之后的放电容量为396.5 mAh•g^－1, 具有很好的循环性能. ex situ XRD结果显示FeSe能够和Li发生可逆的电化学反应, 颗粒尺寸大于5 nm的纳米铁颗粒能够驱动Li₂Se的分解并在充电过程中重新生成FeSe. FeSe具有较高的可逆容量和较好的循环性能, 可能成为一种优良的锂二次电池正极材料.     

脉冲激光沉积CrP薄膜及其电化学性能

采用脉冲激光溅射Cr和P粉的混合靶成功制备了CrP薄膜,选区电子衍射(SAED)和光电子能谱(XPS)分析显示经过真空原位400℃退火以后,薄膜主要由多晶态的CrP组成。非原位HRTEM和SEM测试结果表明CrP薄膜在充放电前后的形貌有较大的改变。SAED、充放电和循环伏安测试证实了CrP和锂的电化学反应机理如下：CrP在Li⁺的驱动下,生成了Cr和Li₃P。在其后的充放电过程中,发生了Li在LiP中可逆的嵌入和脱出反应。由于CrP首次容量高达1 168 mAh·g^-1以及在0.7 V左右具有平稳的放电平台,显示了它可能成为一种新型的锂离子电池的负极材料。     

Pulsed Deposited Manganese and Vanadium Oxide Film Modified with Carbon Nanotube and Gold Nanoparticle: Chitosan and Ionic Liquid‐based Biosensor

Present study describes the synthesis of mixed oxide films of manganese and vanadium by electrochemical pulsed deposition technique on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The film was further decorated with gold nanoparticles to enhance the reduction signal of dissolved oxygen in pH 5.17 acetate buffer solution. All of the electrochemical synthesized modified electrodes have been characterized with Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The electrode obtained (AuNPs/MnOx?VOx/CNT/GCE) was utilized as a platform for glucose biosensor where the glucose oxidase enzyme was immobilized on the composite film with the aid of chitosan and an ionic liquid. The electrochemical performance of the biosensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the relative parameters have been optimized by amperometric measurements in pH 5.17 acetate buffer solution. The developed biosensor exhibited a linear range for glucose between 0.1–1.0 mM and the limit of detection was calculated as 0.02 mM.     

A General Strategy Towards Encapsulation of Nanoparticles in Sandwiched Graphene Sheets and the Synergic Effect on Energy Storage

A novel and universal approach towards the unique encapsulation of nanoparticles in the sandwiched graphene sheets is presented here. In the method, a low‐cost, sustainable and environmentally friendly carbon source, glucose, is firstly applied to yield the high‐quality, uniform and coupled graphene sheets in a large scale, and the pre‐fabricated hydrated nanosheets act as the sacrificial templates to generate the enveloped metallic nanoparticles. After controllable oxidation or removal of the encapsulated nanoparticles, sandwiched nanocomposite with oxidizes nanoparticles encapsulated in graphene sheets or pure phase of sandwich‐like and coupled graphene sheets would be achieved. Moreover, the synergic effect on energy storage via Li‐ion batteries is solidly verified in the Co₃O₄@graphene nanocomposite. More importantly, the unique structure of the nanoparticles‐encapsulated sandwiched graphene sheets will definitely result in additional applications, such as biosensors, supercapacitors and specific catalyses. These results have enriched the family of graphene‐based materials and recognized some new graphene derivatives, which will be considerably meaningful in chemistry and materials sciences.     

Uniform Functionalization of High-Quality Graphene with Platinum Nanoparticles for Electrocatalytic Water Reduction

Graphene–metal composites have potential as novel catalysts due to their unique electrical properties. Here, we report the synthesis of a composite material comprised of monodispersed platinum nanoparticles on high-quality graphene obtained by using two different exfoliation techniques. The material, prepared via an easy, low-cost and reproducible procedure, was evaluated as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The turnover frequency at zero overpotential (TOF₀ in 0.1 m phosphate buffer, pH 6.8) was determined to be approximately 4600 h⁻¹. This remarkably high value is likely due to the optimal dispersion of the platinum nanoparticles on the graphene substrate, which enables the material to be loaded with only very small amounts of the noble metal (i.e., Pt) despite the very highly active surface. This study provides a new outlook on the design of novel materials for the development of robust and scalable water-splitting devices.     

退火温度对PLD法制备ZnO:Eu3+,Li+薄膜结构和发光性质的影响

采用脉冲激光沉积(PLD)法在Si(111)衬底上制备了Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜,分别在450,500,550和600℃条件下进行退火,退火气氛为真空。利用X射线衍射(XRD)仪和荧光分光光度计研究了退火温度对薄膜结构和光致发光(PL)的影响。研究结果表明,Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜具有c轴择优取向,Eu3+,Li+没有单独形成结晶的氧化物,均以离子形式掺入ZnO晶格中。PL谱中有较宽的ZnO基质缺陷发光,ZnO基质与稀土Eu3+之间存在能量传递,但没有有效的能量传递。随着退火温度的增加,薄膜发光先增强后减弱,退火温度为550℃时发光最强。当用395 nm的激发光激发样品时,仅观察到稀土Eu3+在594 nm附近的特征发光峰,但发光强度随退火温度变化不明显。     

Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Based on Controllable‐Layer Graphene Shells Directly Synthesized on Cu Nanoparticles for Molecular Detection

Graphene shells with a controllable number of layers were directly synthesized on Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to fabricate a graphene‐encapsulated CuNPs (G/CuNPs) hybrid system for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The enhanced Raman spectra of adenosine and rhodamine 6G (R6G) showed that the G/CuNPs hybrid system can strongly suppress background fluorescence and increase signal‐to‐noise ratio. In four different types of SERS systems, the G/CuNPs hybrid system exhibits more efficient SERS than a transferred graphene/CuNPs hybrid system and pure CuNPs and graphene substrates. The minimum detectable concentrations of adenosine and R6G by the G/CuNPs hybrid system can be as low as 10^?8 and 10^?10 M , respectively. The excellent linear relationship between Raman intensity and analyte concentration can be used for molecular detection. The graphene shell can also effectively prevent surface oxidation of Cu nanoparticles after exposure to ambient air and thus endow the hybrid system with a long lifetime. This work provides a basis for the fabrication of novel SERS substrates.     

Deciphering a Nanocarbon‐Based Artificial Peroxidase: Chemical Identification of the Catalytically Active and Substrate‐Binding Sites on Graphene Quantum Dots

The design and construction of efficient artificial enzymes is highly desirable. Recent studies have demonstrated that a series of carbon nanomaterials possess intrinsic peroxidase activity. Among them, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have a high enzymatic activity. However, the catalytic mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in this report, we chose to decipher their peroxidase activity. By selectively deactivating the ketonic carbonyl, carboxylic, or hydroxy groups and investigating the catalytic activities of these GQD derivatives, we obtained evidence that the ? C?O groups were the catalytically active sites, whereas the O?C? O? groups acted as substrate‐binding sites, and ? C? OH groups can inhibit the activity. These results were corroborated by theoretical studies. This work should not only enhance our understanding of nanocarbon‐based artificial enzymes, but also facilitate the design and construction of other types of target‐specific artificial enzymes.     

脉冲激光沉积NiCo2S4薄膜及其电化学特征

采用脉冲激光沉积法制备了NiCo₂S₄薄膜,利用恒流充放电和循环伏安测试研究了NiCo₂S₄薄膜作为锂离子电池负极材料的电化学性能和充放电机理。采用高分辨电子显微镜和选区电子衍射(TEM&SAED)表征了NiCo₂S₄薄膜首次循环过程中的组成与结构变化。恒流充放电测试结果显示NiCo₂S₄薄膜在3 μA·cm^-2的放电电流下,0~3 V(vs Li⁺/Li)范围内,薄膜的首次放电容量为698 mAh·g^-1,经过200次循环之后的放电容量为365 mAh·g^-1;在循环伏安测试中得到了分步反应的可逆氧化还原峰。TEM和SAED分析结果揭示了NiCo₂S₄薄膜与Li的电化学反应机理：首次放电过程中NiCo₂S₄与Li发生转化反应生成了Li₂S、Ni和Co,充电后生成了CoS和NiS复合薄膜。后续循环为CoS和NiS复合薄膜的可逆分解与形成。研究表明NiCo₂S₄是一种有潜在应用价值的锂离子电池负极材料。     

脉冲激光沉积NiCo2S4薄膜及其电化学特征研究

采用脉冲激光沉积法制备了NiCo₂S₄薄膜,利用恒流充放电和循环伏安测试研究了NiCo₂S₄薄膜作为锂离子电池负极材料的电化学性能和充放电机理。采用高分辨电子显微镜和选区电子衍射(TEM&SAED)表征了NiCo₂S₄薄膜首次循环过程中的组成与结构变化。恒流充放电测试结果显示NiCo₂S₄薄膜在3 μA·cm^-2的放电电流下,0~3 V(vs Li⁺/Li)范围内,薄膜的首次放电容量为698 mAh·g^-1,经过200次循环之后的放电容量为365 mAh·g^-1;在循环伏安测试中得到了分步反应的可逆氧化还原峰。TEM和SAED分析结果揭示了NiCo₂S₄薄膜与Li的电化学反应机理：首次放电过程中NiCo₂S₄与Li发生转化反应生成了Li₂S、Ni和Co,充电后生成了CoS和NiS复合薄膜。后续循环为CoS和NiS复合薄膜的可逆分解与形成。研究表明NiCo₂S₄是一种有潜在应用价值的锂离子电池负极材料。     

基于中空多孔金纳米/石墨烯复合纳米材料的葡萄糖氧化酶直接电化学及其生物传感研究

采用溶液相牺牲模板法制备中空多孔金纳米粒子（HPAuNPs）,并将该材料与还原氧化石墨烯（rGO）复合,用于葡萄糖氧化酶（GOx）在玻碳电极（GCE）表面的有效固定,构建GOx/HPAuNPs/rGO/GCE传感界面。利用扫描和透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱、X射线衍射谱、红外光谱及电化学等方法对材料的形貌与结构,GOx的固定化过程,以及传感器的直接电化学和电催化性能进行表征。结果表明,HPAuNPs和rGO的协同作用能有效促进GOx与电极之间的直接电子转移（DET）。基于GOx/HPAuNPs/rGO/GCE对葡萄糖的良好电催化性能,该方法有效实现了对葡萄糖的高灵敏度检测,其电流响应的线性范围为0.05～7.0 mmol/L,检出限（S/N=3）为16μmol/L。该传感器具有良好的选择性、重现性及稳定性,对实际样品血清中血糖的测定结果令人满意,回收率为98.0%～103%,相对标准偏差不大于5.0%。     

脉冲激光沉积非晶态Ni-V2O5 复合薄膜及其电化学性能研究

首次报道了用355 nm脉冲激光沉积非晶态Ni-V2O5复合薄膜电极的电化学性能.采用不同摩尔比的NixV2O5 靶(x=0.1,0.3,0.5),在不同的基片温度(Ts)和O2气压力下制备了Ni-V2O5复合薄膜.XRD 和SEM测定表明, 在不锈钢基片上, Ts=300℃和氧气压力为14 Pa沉积0.5 h得到的是非晶态的Ni-V2O5薄膜.将此非晶态的Ni0.3V2O5薄膜电极用于锂电池的正极,与纯V2O5薄膜相比,不仅具有良好的放电速率性能和高的比容量,而且其充放电循环稳定性优异.该薄膜电极在放电速率为20 C时测得的比容量达200 mAh/g,并经1000次以上的充放电循环无明显的衰减.     

Novel Multifunctional Graphene Sheets with Encased Au/Ag Nanoparticles for Advanced Electrochemical Analysis of Organic Compounds

This work is the first presentation of the synthesis of few‐layer graphene decorated with gold and silver nanoparticles (Gr–Au–Ag) by chemical vapor deposition over a catalytic system formed of bimetallic Au–Ag nanoclusters supported on MgO and with methane used as the source of carbon. The sheetlike morphology of the graphene nanostructures, with mean sizes in the range of hundreds of nanometers, was observed by high‐resolution electron microscopy. The distinctive feature found in all the samples was the regular rectangular or square shapes. This multi‐component organic–inorganic nanomaterial was used to modify a platinum substrate and subsequently employed for the detection of carbamazepine, an anti‐convulsion drug. UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed that a strong hypochromism occurred over time, after mixing solutions of graphene–Au–Ag with carbamazepine. This can be attributed to π–π stacking between the aromatic groups of the two compounds. Linear sweep voltammetry (LCV) provided evidence that the modified platinum substrate presented a significant electrocatalytic reaction toward the oxidation of carbamazepine. The intensity of the current was found to increase by up to 2.5 times, and the oxidation potential shifted from +1.5 to +1.35 V(Ag/AgCl) in comparison with the unmodified electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was further used to thoroughly assess the activity of the platinum electrode that was modified by the deposition of the Gr‐Au‐Ag composites in the presence of various concentrations of carbamazepine. The experimental EIS records were used for the generation of an equivalent electrical circuit, based on the charge‐transfer resistance (R_ct), Warburg impedance (Z_D), solution resistance (R_s), and a constant phase element (CPE) that characterizes the non‐ideal interface capacitive responses.     

Pulsed Laser Deposition as a Tool for the Development of All Solid-State Microbatteries

All-solid-state lithium ion batteries (LIB) are currently the most promising technology for next generation electrochemical energy storage. Many efforts have been devoted in the past years to improve performance and safety of these devices. Nevertheless, issues regarding chemical and mechanical stability of the different components still hinder substantial improvements. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has proved to be an outstanding technique for the deposition of thin films of materials of interest for the fabrication of LIB. Thanks to its versatility and possible fine tuning of the thin film properties, PLD promises to be a very powerful tool for the fabrication of model systems which would allow to study in detail material properties and mechanisms contributing to LIB degradation. Nevertheless, PLD presents difficulties in the deposition of LIB components, mainly due to the presence of elements with large difference of atomic mass in their chemical composition. In this review, we report the main challenges and solution strategies used for the deposition through PLD of complex oxides thin films for LIB.     

Covalent Modification of Graphene Oxide with Carbazole Groups for Laser Protection

In the past decades, significant effort has been invested into the research and development of optical limiting materials and processes in order to develop practical solutions for the protection from laser beams. In this study, a new soluble graphene oxide based material (GO–Cz) has been synthesized through the covalent modification of graphene oxide (GO) with a carbazole derivative (Cz). The formation of an amido bond between the Cz group and GO has been confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. At the same concentration, both the nonlinear extinction coefficient and the imaginary third‐order susceptibility were increased by a factor of ≈6.93 at 532 nm and ≈6.07 at 1064 nm relative to those of GO, as a result of the covalent grafting of the Cz moieties onto the GO surface. The GO–Cz dispersions exhibit a much better optical limiting performance than GO and GO/Cz blends at both 532 and 1064 nm due to the possible intramolecular electron‐transfer between the GO and Cz moieties and the effective combination of the different nonlinear optical mechanisms.