Recent Advances in Analytical Applications of Nanomaterials in Liquid-Phase Chemiluminescence

Abstract

In recent years, many nanomaterials-assisted chemiluminescence (CL) systems have been developed to improve the sensitivity and to expand the scope of their analytical applications. In these new systems, nanomaterials participate in CL reactions as catalysts, labels, reductants, luminophors, or energy acceptors. This review mainly focuses on the recent analytical applications of metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), and carbon-based nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes and graphene) in liquid-phase CL systems. Recent advances in electrochemiluminescence based on nanotechnology and its analytical applications, especially in immunoassay, DNA analysis, and other biological analyses, are also summarized. Finally, we discuss some critical challenges in this field and speculate about their solutions. A total of 177 references mainly in the last 5 years are included in this review.     

Controllable irregular phenomenon induced by Ag atomic segregation on the melting of (AgPd)561 bimetallic clusters

Here focusing on the very new experimental finding on carbon nanomaterials for solid-state electron mediator applications in Z-scheme photocatalysis, we have investigated different graphene-based nanostructures chemisorbed by various types and amounts of species such as oxygen (O), nitrogen (N) and hydroxyl (OH) and their electronic structures using density functional theory. The work functions of different nanostructures have also been investigated by us to evaluate their potential applications in Z-scheme photocatalysis for water splitting. The N-, O?CN-, and N?CN-chemisorbed graphene-based nanostructures (32 carbon atoms supercell, corresponding to lattice parameter of about 1?nm) are found promising to be utilized as electron mediators between reduction level and oxidation level of water splitting. The O- or OH-chemisorbed nanostructures have potential to be used as electron conductors between H₂-evolving photocatalysts and the reduction level (H⁺/H₂). This systematic study is proposed to understand the properties of graphene-based carbon nanostructures in Z-scheme photocatalysis and guide experimentalists to develop better carbon-based nanomaterials for more efficient Z-scheme photocatalysis applications in the future.     

Conductivity of carbon-based molecular junctions from ab-initio methods

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are prompting candidates for next generational electronics. In this review we provide a mini overview of recent results on the conductivity of carbon-based molecular junctions obtained from ab-initio methods. CNMs used as nanoelectrodes and molecular materials in molecular junctions are discussed. The functionalities that include the nanomechanically controlled molecular conductance switches, negative differential resistance devices, and electronic rectifiers realized by using CNMs have been demonstrated.     

Fluorescent Metallic Nanoclusters: Electron Dynamics,Structure, and Applications

Atomically precise Au nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as fascinating fluorescent nanomaterials and attracted considerable research interest in both fundamental research and practical applications. Due to enhanced quantum confinement, they possess extraordinary optical, electronic, and magnetic properties and therefore are very promising for a wide range of applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, catalysis, photonics, and molecular electronics. Remarkable progress has been reported for the fundamental understanding, synthesis techniques, and applications. In this review, the updated advances are summarized in Au NCs, including synthesis techniques, optical properties, and applications. In particular, we focus on the optical properties and electron dynamic processes. In addition, the progress in other noble metallic NCs is included in this Review, such as Ag, Cu, Pt, and alloy, which have attracted much research interest recently. Finally, an outlook is presented for such fascinating nanomaterials in both aspects of future fundamental research and potential applications.     

水热法快速制备荧光氧化石墨烯量子点及其在细胞成像中的应用

作为一种新型荧光纳米材料,氧化石墨烯量子点(GO QDs)凭借其良好的水溶性和生物相容性得到广泛的关注。以氧化石墨烯为原料,过氧化氢为氧化剂,一步水热法在90 min内快速制备氧化石墨烯量子点,实现了快速、高效及绿色制备氧化石墨烯量子点。所制备得到的氧化石墨烯量子点分布均匀,透射电镜(TEM)图片表明氧化石墨烯量子点粒径分布在2.25～5.25 nm,傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线电子能谱(XPS)显示氧化石墨烯量子点表面含有大量的羟基、羧基、羰基等含氧功能团,表明氧化石墨烯量子点具有很好的水溶性。荧光发射光谱(PL)表明氧化石墨烯量子点具有激发波长依赖性。基于其独特的纳米结构,良好的光学性能和生物相容性,氧化石墨烯量子点可替代传统荧光纳米材料应用于细胞成像。     

pH响应型碳点的荧光机制和生物医学应用

碳点(CDs)作为一种新型的零维碳基纳米材料,由于其优异的荧光性质、良好的生物兼容性、低细胞毒性以及丰富的表面官能团等性质,在荧光传感和生物医学领域具有巨大的应用潜力。特别是针对肿瘤弱酸性的微环境特点,设计pH响应型碳点来实现对肿瘤的特异性治疗将尤为重要。本文对近年来基于pH响应型碳点的研究工作进行了系统的调研,综述了pH响应型碳点的荧光机制及其在pH传感、生物成像及癌症治疗等生物医学领域的应用,并对pH响应型碳点目前面临的主要挑战以及未来发展的方向进行了展望。     

纳米La2(MoO4)3∶Eu/Fe3O4磁性荧光粉末的制备及用于指纹显现的研究

采用水热法和共沉淀法分别合成了纳米La₂(MoO₄)₃∶Eu荧光材料和纳米Fe₃O₄磁性材料,并利用透射电子显微镜、X射线衍射仪、荧光光谱仪表征纳米材料的形貌尺寸、晶体结构、荧光性能。经表征,纳米La₂(MoO₄)₃∶Eu荧光材料的微观形貌为片状结构,晶体结构为四方晶型,其发射光谱中出现了Eu3+的特征发射峰;纳米Fe₃O₄磁性材料的微观形貌为球形颗粒,晶体结构为立方晶型,并具有超顺磁性。然后,将以上两种纳米材料以一定比例混合均匀,制备了具有超顺磁性的La₂(MoO₄)₃∶Eu/Fe₃O₄纳米荧光粉末。经表征,该磁性纳米荧光粉末的微观形貌为片状结构与球形颗粒的混合,其发射峰位置未发生变化,而发光强度有所降低,但仍能够满足指纹显现的需要。最后,将制备的纳米磁性荧光粉末用于显现不同类型客体表面的潜在指纹。显现效果表明,对于光滑客体表面的指纹,使用磁性纳米荧光粉末与纳米荧光粉末的显现效果无明显差异;对于粗糙客体表面的指纹,使用磁性纳米荧光粉末能够清晰显现出指纹的细节特征,其显现效果明显优于普通纳米荧光粉末,并能够有效避免粉末扬尘现象。本研究制备的纳米磁性荧光粉末是一种理想的指纹显现材料,其指纹显现具有背景干扰低、显现效果好、适用范围广、无粉末扬尘等优点,在刑事案件现场具有广阔的应用前景。     

Nanomaterials in Cerebrovascular Disease Diagnose and Treatment

Cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the most serious diseases with high mortality and disability rates. The prevalent diagnosis and treatment methods of CVDs include imaging and interventional therapy. With the development of nanotechnology, large numbers of nanomaterials have been applied to the diagnosis and treatment of CVDs, mainly including carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, fullerenes, and dendrimers. In this review, the applications of nanomaterials in the field of diagnosis and treatment of CVDs, mainly including drug target delivery, imaging, therapy, endovascular treatment, and angiogenesis, are summarized. The applications of nanomaterials in the field of CVD are almost in the laboratory, and more effort is needed for clinical translation. The aim of this review is to provide useful information for future research and equipment development.     

Template-based synthesis of nanomaterials

The large interest in nanostructures results from their numerous potential applications in various areas such as materials and biomedical sciences, electronics, optics, magnetism, energy storage, and electrochemistry. Ultrasmall building blocks have been found to exhibit a broad range of enhanced mechanical, optical, magnetic, and electronic properties compared to coarser-grained matter of the same chemical composition. In this paper various template techniques suitable for nanotechnology applications with emphasis on characterization of created arrays of tailored nanomaterials have been reviewed. These methods involve the fabrication of the desired material within the pores or channels of a nanoporous template. Track-etch membranes, porous alumina, and other nanoporous structures have been characterized as templates. They have been used to prepare nanometer-sized fibrils, rods, and tubules of conductive polymers, metals, semiconductors, carbons, and other solid matter. Electrochemical and electroless depositions, chemical polymerization, sol-gel deposition, and chemical vapour deposition have been presented as major template synthetic strategies. In particular, the template-based synthesis of carbon nanotubes has been demonstrated as this is the most promising class of new carbon-based materials for electronic and optic nanodevices as well as reinforcement nanocomposites. Received: 27 May 1999 / Accepted: 27 October 1999 / Published online: 8 March 2000     

Photoswitchable Fluorescent Liquid Crystal Nanoparticles and Their Inkjet‐Printed Patterns for Information Encrypting and Anti‐Counterfeiting

Liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs) with desirable multifunctionality are catching increasing attention due to their promising applications in various fields. However, reversible photoswitchable fluorescent LCNPs are not reported until now. Here, the first example of water‐dispersible, reversibly phototunable fluorescent LCNPs prepared through a miniemulsion polymerization technique is presented. The LCNPs mainly consist of an aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE)‐active dicyanodistyrylbenzene‐based monomer, a LC cross‐linking monomer, and a dithienylethene (DAE) derivative as a photochromic molecular switch. The fluorescence of the resultant LCNPs can be switched reversibly between bright (ON) and dark (OFF) states with a high contrast and excellent repeatability upon alternating irradiation of 365 nm UV light and visible light (λ > 450 nm). This observation could be attributed to ring‐opening/ring‐closing photoisomerization of the DAE structure on the basis of an intraparticle fluorescence resonance energy transfer process between the AIEE‐active monomer and DAE derivative. More importantly, the potential for aqueous dispersion of the photoswitchable fluorescent LCNPs as a security ink for information encryption and anti‐counterfeiting is further demonstrated. The results demonstrate that the reversible photoswitchable fluorescent LCNPs as multifunctional nanomaterials exhibit promising applications in photonic fields.     

Interaction of highly charged ions with carbon-based materials using Kobe EBIS

Interaction of highly charged ions (HCIs) with surfaces produce various specific phenomena as a consequence of the potential energy that HCI possesses. In the present study, we have observed photon emission, structural, magnetic, and electronic modification on various carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotube by the impact of HCIs using an electron beam ion source named Kobe EBIS installed at the Kobe University. In order to study the potential effect, HCIs of Ar^q+ (q = 6–16) with the intensity of 0.1–1 nA are projected on the surface with a constant kinetic energy (16 keV). For photon emission measurements, we observed spatial and spectral distribution of visible light emission from the surface during irradiation with HCIs. On the other hand, the structural modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) irradiated with HCIs has been analyzed using a transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Irradiation effects on the resistivity of single MWCNT supported on micrometer scale bridge pattern were also measured. We have also measured magnetic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite irradiated with HCIs using electron spin resonance at low temperature. At the present paper, we will review our recent experimental results on the interaction of HCI with various carbon-based materials.     

Nanohybridization of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Synthesis,Classification, and Application

Nanomaterials have attracted much attention from academic to industrial research. General methodologies are needed to impose architectural order in low-dimensional nanomaterials composed of nanoobjects of various shapes and sizes, such as spherical particles, rods, wires, combs, horns, and other non specified geometrical architectures. These nanomaterials are the building blocks for nanohybrid materials, whose applications have improved and will continuously enhance the quality of the daily life of mankind. In this article, we present a comprehensive review on the synthesis, dimension, properties, and present and potential future applications of nanomaterials and nanohybrids. Due to the large number of review articles on specific dimension, morphology, or application of nanomaterials, we will focus on different forms of nanomaterials, such as, linear, particulate, and miscellaneous forms. We believe that almost all the nanomaterials and nanohybrids will come under these three categories. Every form or dimension or morphology has its own significant properties and advantages. These low-dimensional nanomaterials can be integrated to create novel nano-composite material applications for next-generation devices needed to address the current energy crisis, environmental sustainability, and better performance requirements. We discuss the synthesis, properties, and morphology of different forms of nanomaterials (building blocks). Moreover, we elaborate on the synthesis, modification, and application of nanohybrids. The applications of these nanomaterials and nanohybrids in sensors, solar cells, lithium batteries, electronic, catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and bio-based applications will be detailed. The time is now ripe to explore new nanohybrids that use individual nanomaterial components as basic building blocks, potentially affording additionally novel behavior and leading to new, useful applications. In this regard, the combination or integration of linear nanorods/nanowires and spherical nanoparticles to produce mixed-dimensionality, higher-level nanocomposites of greater complexity is an interesting theme, which we explore in this review article.     

核壳结构磁性复合纳米材料的可控合成与性能

具有核/壳结构的磁性复合纳米材料是十分重要的功能材料,其综合物性受材料微结构的影响,而这很大程度上又取决于复合体系的可控合成.本文综述了近二十年来有关核/壳磁性复合纳米材料的制备、表征及性能研究方面的进展,讨论的体系主要有：铁氧体基永磁/软磁（反铁磁）复合纳米材料、非磁性体包覆磁性核而成的复合纳米材料、用磁性颗粒催化合成的碳基复合纳米材料、基于交换偏置效应而设计的复合纳米材料、核-壳同轴结构的一维复合纳米材料和核/壳/壳三元结构的磁性复合纳米材料等.构建复合体系的组分包括M型永磁铁氧体、3d过渡金属（及其合金、氧化物、碳化物）、多铁化合物、非磁性体（比如绝缘体、半导体、有机分子）和碳材料等,着重分析了复合纳米材料的热稳定性、光致发光性能、光电催化能力、电化学特性、微波吸收性能、磁电阻效应、永磁体性能、高频软磁特性、交换偏置效应及其相关现象.最后,对核/壳结构磁性复合纳米材料的未来发展趋势进行了展望,并在基础研究和改性应用方面提出了一些建议.     

Uptake of FITC Labeled Silica Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots by Rice Seedlings: Effects on Seed Germination and Their Potential as Biolabels for Plants

The use of fluorescent nanomaterials with good photostability and biocompatibility in live imaging of cells has gained increased attention. Even though several imaging techniques have been reported for mammalian cells, very limited literatures are available for nanomaterial based live imaging in plant system. We studied the uptake ability of two different nanomaterials, the highly photostable CdSe quantum dots and highly biocompatible FITC-labeled silica nanoparticles by rice seedlings which could provide greater opportunities for developing novel in vivo imaging techniques in plants. The effects of these nanomaterials on rice seed germination have also been studied for analyzing their phytotoxic effects on plants. We observed good germination of seeds in the presence of FITC-labeled silica nanoparticles whereas germination was arrested with quantum dots. The uptake of both the nanomaterials has been observed with rice seedlings, which calls for more research for recommending their safe use as biolabels in plants.     

Approaches to enhance UV light emission in ZnO nanomaterials

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been regarded as one of the most promising candidate for efficient UV light emitted devices owing to its unique optical properties, such as direct wide band-gap and a large exciton binding energy. In many optoelectronical applications, reducing the size of the semiconductor down to nanometer scale is necessary. However, in ZnO nanostructures the UV emission can be drastically weakened owing to high surface-to-volume ratio, crystal imperfections, or unintentional defects. These factors induce competitive processes to the near-band-edge (NBE) excitonic recombination in the UV region, including defect-related radiative recombination, resulted in the emission in the visible part of the spectrum, or other quenching processes, resulted in dissipation of excitation energy in the form of non-radiative recombination. Therefore, for future applications a strategy is needed to limit the quenching processes and to optimize the NBE emission of the ZnO nanomaterials. In this review article, the most effective approaches to achieve this goal are summarized and discussed.     

Sonochemical synthesis of carbon dots,mechanism, effect of parameters,and catalytic,energy, biomedical and tissue engineering applications

Carbon-based nanomaterials are gaining more and more interest because of their wide range of applications. Carbon dots (CDs) have shown exclusive interest due to unique and novel physicochemical, optical, electrical, and biological properties. Since their discovery, CDs became a promising material for wide range of research applications from energy to biomedical and tissue engineering applications. At same time several new methods have been developed for the synthesis of CDs. Compared to many of these methods, the sonochemical preparation is a green method with advantages such as facile, mild experimental conditions, green energy sources, and feasibility to formulate CDs and doped CDs with controlled physicochemical properties and lower toxicity. In the last five years, the sonochemically synthesized CDs were extensively studied in a wide range of applications. In this review, we discussed the sonochemical assisted synthesis of CDs, doped CDs and their nanocomposites. In addition to the synthetic route, we will discuss the effect of various experimental parameters on the physicochemical properties of CDs; and their applications in different research areas such as bioimaging, drug delivery, catalysis, antibacterial, polymerization, neural tissue engineering, dye absorption, ointments, electronic devices, lithium ion batteries, and supercapacitors. This review concludes with further research directions to be explored for the applications of sonochemical synthesized CDs.     

Green Sources Derived Carbon Dots for Multifaceted Applications

For the past decade, the Carbon dots (CDs) a tiny sized carbon nanomaterial are typically much attentive due to their outstanding properties. Nature is a fortune of exciting starting materials that provides many inexpensive and renewable resources which have received the topmost attention of researchers because of non-hazardous and eco-friendly nature that can be used to prepare green CDs by top-down and bottom-up synthesis including hydrothermal carbonization, microwave synthesis, and pyrolysis due to its simple synthetic process, speedy reactions and clear-cut end steps. Compared to chemically derived CDs, green CDs are varied by their properties such as less toxicity, high water dispersibility, superior biocompatibility, good photostability, bright fluorescence, and ease of modification. These nanomaterials are a promising material for sensor and biological fields, especially in electrochemical sensing of toxic and trace elements in ecosystems, metal sensing, diagnosis of diseases through bio-sensing, and detection of cancerous cells by in-vitro and in-vivo bio-imaging applications. In this review, the various synthetic routes, fluorescent mechanisms, and applications of CDs from discovery to the present are briefly discussed. Herein, the latest developments on the synthesis of CDs derived from green carbon materials and their promising applications in sensing, catalysis and bio-imaging were summarized. Moreover, some challenging problems, as well as upcoming perspectives of this powerful and tremendous material, are also discussed.

     

Incorporating Copper Nanoclusters into Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Confinement‐Assisted Emission Enhancement and Application for Trinitrotoluene Detection

Herein, a strategy for improving both the stability and the emission intensity of Cu nanoclusters based on their entrapment into metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) is demonstrated. The latter effect reaches 20 times and is ascribed to a confinement‐assisted emission enhancement similar to the aggregation induced emission of fluorescent species in solution, evidenced by the prolonged emission lifetime. Cu nanoclusters are distributed homogeneously over the entire MOFs structure, as confirmed by combination of structural and elemental mapping studies. Toward potential applications of Cu nanocluster/MOF composites as chemical sensors, the authors demonstrate the selective quenching of their emission by 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene attributed to specific electron‐withdrawing interactions with glutathione ligands on Cu clusters.     

The Electronic Properties of Nanomaterials Elucidated by Synchrotron Radiation–Based Spectroscopy

The use of synchrotron radiation–based spectroscopy to investigate electronic and bonding structures of nanostructured materials is reviewed with focuses on the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES), and scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) measurements. This review addresses the current status of synchrotron radiation–based nanoscale characterization of carbon-based and ZnO nanomaterials. Current research works that are relevant to this rapidly evolving experimental area and implications in nanoscience and nanotechnology are emphasized.     

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes/graphene by polyoxometalates and their enhanced photo-electrical catalysis

Carbon nanotubes and graphene are carbon-based materials, which possess not only unique structure but also properties such as high surface area, extraordinary mechanical properties, high electronic conductivity, and chemical stability.Thus, they have been regarded as an important material, especially for exploring a variety of complex catalysts. Considerable efforts have been made to functionalize and fabricate carbon-based composites with metal nanoparticles. In this review,we summarize the recent progress of our research on the decoration of carbon nanotubes/graphene with metal nanoparticles by using polyoxometalates as key agents, and their enhanced photo-electrical catalytic activities in various catalytic reactions. The polyoxometalates play a key role in constructing the nanohybrids and contributing to their photo-electrical catalytic properties.