Fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles as tunable precursors: towards encoding and multifunctional nano-probes

Core-shell silica nanoparticles comprised of a RuBpy doped silica core and a Pas-DTPA doped silica shell were synthesized and post-functionalized with an encoding fluorescence combination and multiplex imaging function.     

Fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles: new tools for bioapplications

The need to decipher various biological events has led to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying a number of disease processes. Consequently, the detection and simultaneous monitoring of chemical interactions between biological targets has become indispensable in medical diagnosis, targeted therapeutics, and molecular biology. Multiplexed applications employing nanomaterials, which represent the integration of nanotechnology and biology, have changed the bioanalytical outlook and provided various promising tools. Among these nanomaterials, fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles have demonstrated excellent potential for use in advanced bioanalysis to facilitate deeper understanding of biology and medicine at the molecular level. In particular, silica nanoparticles have been applied to diagnostics and therapeutic applications in cancer and gene/drug delivery. This feature article summarizes recent developments in the synthesis, biocompatibility, and bioapplications of fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles.     

Investigation of the core-shell interface in gold@silica nanoparticles: a silica imprinting approach

The nature of the self-assembled core-shell interface in gold@silica nanoparticles synthesized via a 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) route is investigated using materials synthesis as a sensitive tool for elucidating interfacial composition and organization. Our approach involves condensation of the gold@silica nanoparticles within a silica framework for synthesis of a composite gold-silica material containing approximately 30 wt % gold. This material contains one of the highest gold loadings reported, but maintains gold core isolation as ascertained via a single surface plasmon resonance absorption band frequency corresponding to that of gold nanoparticles in dilute aqueous solution. The immobilized gold cores are subsequently etched using cyanide anion for the synthesis of templated porosity, which corresponds to the space that was occupied by the gold. Characterization of immobilized amines is performed using probe molecule binding experiments, which demonstrate a lack of accessible amines after gold removal. Solid-state 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy on these materials demonstrates that the amount of amine immobilization must be less than 10% of the expected yield, assuming that all of the APTMS becomes bound to the gold nanoparticle template. These results require a core-shell interface in the gold@silica nanoparticles that is predominantly occupied by inorganic silicate species, such as Si-O-Si and Si-OH, rather than primary amines. Such a result is likely a consequence of the weak interaction between primary amines and gold in aqueous solution. Our method for investigating the core-shell interface of gold@silica nanoparticles is generalizable for other interfacial structures and enables the synthesis of bulk imprinted silica using colloidal templates.     

Lipase-embedded silica nanoparticles with oil-filled core-shell structure: stable and recyclable platforms for biocatalysts

Lipase enzyme was embedded within silica nanoparticles with oil-filled core-shell structure. The enzyme embedded within such architecture retained all of its activity and showed high catalytic performance both in water and in organic media with optimal stability and recyclability.     

PEGylated liposome coated QDs/mesoporous silica core-shell nanoparticles for molecular imaging

This paper describes the synthesis and application of PEGylated liposome-coated quantum dots (QDs)/mesoporous silica core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) for molecular imaging. This system increases biocompatibility and stability of QDs, thus improving the imaging effects in labeling of cancer cells.     

Synthesis of silica/carbon-encapsulated core-shell spheres: templates for other unique core-shell structures and applications in in situ loading of noble-metal nanoparticles

Silica@carbon core-shell spheres have been synthesized via a hydrothermal carbonization procedure with glucose as the carbon precursor and silica spheres as the cores. Such SiO(2)@C core-shell spheres can be further used as templates to produce SiO(2)@C@SiO(2), and SiO(2)@SiO(2) spheres with a vacant region in two SiO(2) shells, noble-metal nanoparticle loaded SiO(2)@C core-shell spheres, and hollow carbon capsules through different follow-up processes. The obtained core-shell materials possess remarkable chemical reactivity in reducing noble-metal ions to nanoparticles, e.g., platinum. These unique core-shell spherical composites could find applications in catalyst supports, adsorbents, encapsulation, nanoreactors, and reaction templates.     

A DNA hybridization detection based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer between dye-doped core-shell silica nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles

A novel and efficient method to evaluate the DNA hybridization based on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system, with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-doped fluorescent silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as donor and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as acceptor, has been reported. The strategy for specific DNA sequence detecting is based on DNA hybridization event, which is detected via excitation of SiNPs-oligonucleotide conjugates and energy transfer to AuNPs-oligonucleotide conjugates. The proximity required for FRET arises when the SiNPs-oligonucleotide conjugates hybridize with partly complementary AuNPs-oligonucleotide conjugates, resulting in the fluorescence quenching of donors, SiNPs-oligonucleotide conjugates, and the formation of a weakly fluorescent complex, SiNPs-dsDNA-AuNPs. Upon the addition of the target DNA sequence to SiNPs-dsDNA-AuNPs complex, the fluorescence restores (turn-on). Based on the restored fluorescence, a homogeneous assay for the target DNA is proposed. Our results have shown that the linear range for target DNA detection is 0-35.0 nM with a detection limit (3σ) of 3.0 picomole. Compared with FITC-dsDNA-AuNPs probe system, the sensitivity of the proposed probe system for target DNA detection is increased by a factor of 3.4-fold.     

Self-organizing core-shell nanostructures: spontaneous accumulation of dye in the core of doped silica nanoparticles

The process of formation of silica nanoparticles doped with a newly synthesized pyrene derivative has been investigated by means of fluorescence steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The changes in the photophysical properties of the fluorophore were correlated to the increase of the nanoparticles hydrodynamic volume measured via dynamic light scattering (DLS) allowing us to determine the radial profile of the concentration of the dye. Experiments performed at a "low" degree of doping show that the fluorophore is almost completely included considerably before the end of the nanoparticles growth, allowing us to identify a self-organizing core-shell substructure. A strong enhancement of the fluorescence of the dye and a corresponding increase of its excited-state lifetime was observed upon its inclusion as a result of the shielding effect from molecular oxygen due to the silica matrix, a situation confirmed by the absence of the oxygen singlet emission in the near-infrared luminescence spectra. In the case of "high" loading, on the other hand, a heavily doped core showing an excimeric-like emission is first formed. Further growth leads to the formation of layers where the concentration of dye gradually decreases and the monomeric emission becomes relevant. The effect of the degree of doping on the kinetics of growth is also reported. At both concentration regimes, ultrafiltration experiments revealed the complete inclusion of the dye molecules. The average number of dye molecule per nanoparticles was also determined.     

Ratiometric sensing of mercury(II) based on a FRET process on silica core-shell nanoparticles acting as vehicles

We report on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ratiometric sensor for the detection of Hg(II) ion. First, silica nanoparticles were labeled with a hydrophobic fluorescent nitrobenzoxadiazolyl dye which acts as a FRET donor. A spirolactam rhodamine was then covalently linked to the surface of the silica particles. Exposure of the nanoparticles to Hg(II) in water induced a ring-opening reaction of the spirolactam rhodamine moieties, leading to the formation of a fluorescent derivative that can serve as the FRET acceptor. Ratiometric sensing of Hg(II) was accomplished by ratioing the fluorescence intensities at 520 nm and 578 nm. The average decay time for the donor decreases from 9.09 ns to 7.37 ns upon addition of Hg(II), which proves the occurrence of a FRET process. The detection limit of the assay is 100 nM (ca. 20 ppb). The sensor also exhibits a large Stokes shift (>150 nm) which can eliminate backscattering effects of excitation light.

Environmentally responsive "hairy" nanoparticles: mixed homopolymer brushes on silica nanoparticles synthesized by living radical polymerization techniques

This article reports on the preparation of environmentally responsive "hairy" nanoparticles by growth of mixed poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes from silica particles using living radical polymerization techniques and subsequent hydrolysis of PtBA to produce amphiphilic mixed poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/PS brushes. Silica particles were synthesized by the Stober process and were functionalized with an asymmetric difunctional initiator-terminated monolayer. Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of tBA was carried out in the presence of a free initiator. Kinetics study showed that the polymerization was well controlled. By cleaving PtBA off the particles, the molecular weights of the grafted and free polymers were found to be essentially identical. Mixed PtBA/PS brushes were obtained by the nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene from PtBA particles. The M(n) of the grafted PS was found to be the same as that of the free PS formed in the solution from the free initiator. Amphiphilic mixed PAA/PS brush-coated nanoparticles were synthesized from mixed PtBA/PS particles by hydrolysis of PtBA with iodotrimethylsilane. Tyndall scattering experiments and (1)H NMR study showed that the mixed PAA/PS particles can be dispersed and form a stable suspension in CHCl(3), a selective solvent for PS, and also in CH(3)OH, a selective solvent for PAA, demonstrating the capability of these hairy nanoparticles to undergo chain reorganization in response to environmental changes.     

Fluorescent AIE dots encapsulated organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles for two-photon cellular imaging

2,3-Bis(4-(phenyl(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)amino)phenyl) fumaronitrile (TPE-TPA-FN or TTF), which possesses aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic, is doped in organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles. By increasing the weight ratio of TTF to the precursor of silica nanoparticles (the quantities of the precursors were kept the same), the fluorescence intensity of nanoparticles increased correspondingly, due to the formation of larger AIE dots in the cores of ORMOSIL nanoparticles. The fluorescent and biocompatible nanoprobes were then utilized for in vitro imaging of HeLa cells. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy clearly illustrated that the nanoparticles have the capacity of nucleus permeability, as well as cytoplasm staining towards tumor cells. Our experimental results may offer a promising method for fast and bright fluorescence imaging, as well as bio-molecule/drug delivery to cell nucleus.     

Fluorescent nanoparticles for intracellular sensing: A review

Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs), including semiconductor NPs (Quantum Dots), metal NPs, silica NPs, polymer NPs, etc., have been a major focus of research and development during the past decade. The fluorescent nanoparticles show unique chemical and optical properties, such as brighter fluorescence, higher photostability and higher biocompatibility, compared to classical fluorescent organic dyes. Moreover, the nanoparticles can also act as multivalent scaffolds for the realization of supramolecular assemblies, since their high surface to volume ratio allow distinct spatial domains to be functionalized, which can provide a versatile synthetic platform for the implementation of different sensing schemes. Their excellent properties make them one of the most useful tools that chemistry has supplied to biomedical research, enabling the intracellular monitoring of many different species for medical and biological purposes. In this review, we focus on the developments and analytical applications of fluorescent nanoparticles in chemical and biological sensing within the intracellular environment. The review also points out the great potential of fluorescent NPs for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Finally, we also give an overview of the current methods for delivering of fluorescent NPs into cells, where critically examine the benefits and liabilities of each strategy.     

A novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensor for pyrogallol with core-shell luminol-doped silica nanoparticles modified electrode by the self-assembled technique

The core-shell luminol-doped SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized on the surface of chitosan film coating graphite electrode by the self-assembled technique. Then, a novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for pyrogallol was developed based on its ECL enhancing effect for the core-shell luminol-doped silica nanoparticles. The ECL analytical performances and the sensing mechanism of this ECL sensor for pyrogallol were investigated in detail. The corresponding results showed that: compared with the conventional ECL reaction procedures by luminol ECL reaction system, the electrochemical (EC) reaction of pyrogallol and its subsequent chemiluminescence (CL) reaction occurred in the different spatial region whilst offering a high efficiency to couple the EC with the CL reaction to form the ECL procedures. In this case, this new sensing scheme offered more potential to improve the analytical performances of the ECL reaction. Under the optimum experimental conditions, this ECL sensor showed less than 5% decrease in continuums over 100 times ECL measurements, the detection limit was 1.0 × 1.0⁻⁹ mol/L for pyrogallol. The linear range extended from 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L for pyrogallol.     

A convergent approach to biocompatible polyglycerol "click" dendrons for the synthesis of modular core-shell architectures and their transport behavior

Dendrimers are an important class of polymeric materials for a broad range of applications in which monodispersity and multivalency are of interest. Here we report on a highly efficient synthetic route towards bifunctional polyglycerol dendrons on a multigram scale. Commercially available triglycerol (1), which is highly biocompatible, was used as starting material. By applying Williamson ether synthesis followed by an ozonolysis/reduction procedure, glycerol-based dendrons up to the fourth generation were prepared. The obtained products have a reactive core, which was further functionalized to the corresponding monoazido derivatives. By applying copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, so-called "click" coupling, a library of core-shell architectures was prepared. After removal of the 1,2-diol protecting groups, water-soluble core-shell architectures 24-27 of different generations were obtained in high yields. In the structure-transport relationship with Nile red we observe a clear dependence on core size and generation of the polyglycerol dendrons.     

Redox-transmetalation process as a generalized synthetic strategy for core-shell magnetic nanoparticles

Although multicomponent core-shell type nanomaterials are one of the highly desired structural motifs due to their simultaneous multifunctionalities, the fabrication strategy for such nanostructures is still in a primitive stage. Here, we present a redox-transmetalation process that is effective as a general protocol for the fabrication of high quality and well-defined core-shell type bimetallic nanoparticles on the sub-10 nm scale. Various core-shell type nanomaterials including Co@Au, Co@Pd, Co@Pt, and Co@Cu nanoparticles are fabricated via transmetalation reactions. Compared to conventional sequential reduction strategies, this transmetalation process has several advantages for the fabrication of core-shell type nanoparticles: (i) no additional reducing agent is needed and (ii) spontaneous shell layer deposition occurs on top of the core nanoparticle surface and thus prevents self-nucleation of secondarily added metals. We also demonstrate the versatility of these core-shell structures by transferring Co@Au nanoparticles from an organic phase to an aqueous phase via a surface modification process. The nanostructures, magnetic properties, and reaction byproducts of these core-shell nanoparticles are spectroscopically characterized and identified, in part, to confirm the chemical process that promotes the core-shell structure formation.     

核壳型二氧化硅色谱填料的研究进展

复杂样品的高效快速分离分析是分离科学家所面临的挑战。近年来,核壳型二氧化硅色谱填料以其高效、快速和低背压的特点被广泛用于小分子、大分子和复杂样品的快速分离分析。该文系统综述了二氧化硅核壳色谱固定相快速分离的机理,制备方法及其在小分子、多肽和生物大分子快速分离分析方面的应用,同时对核壳型色谱固定相的发展进行了展望。     

MIL-101负载Ni@Pd核壳纳米粒子催化芳香硝基类化合物加氢

金属有机骨架(MOFs)材料是一种新型的沸石类多孔材料,是由金属离子和有机配体通过配位键键合而成的拓扑结构.相比其他多孔材料,MOFs拥有更高的比表面积、孔隙率以及结构可调控性.在催化方面,MOFs复合材料在多相催化领域已经引起了广泛的研究兴趣.贵金属纳米颗粒是一种在化学、化工、生物和医学等许多领域有着广泛应用的高性能材料.但是,催化反应往往都是发生在纳米颗粒的表面,而位于颗粒内部的金属没能得到利用;从原子经济性的角度来看,以廉价金属作核、贵金属作壳的双金属纳米粒子能有效解决这个问题,而且还能利用双金属之间的协调作用.目前文献中也已经报道了多种非贵金属和贵金属组成的核壳双金属纳米粒子,都展现出了比单纯贵金属更好的催化活性.芳香胺类化合物是一种在工业上非常重要的有机中间体,广泛应用于农药、药物、染料和色素等等.目前,商业化生产的芳香胺化合物都是通过计量的还原剂,如连二硫酸钠、硼氢化钠、水合肼和氨水中的铁、锡、锌等非催化还原相应的芳硝基化合物得到,这样往往会带来严重的环境污染问题.而通过多相催化加氢还原方法来制备芳香胺化合物,不仅能高效催化芳硝基化合物加氢,而且催化剂可以回收利用,大大降低反应对环境的污染.本文综合贵金属原子经济观点和芳硝基类化合物加氢反应催化剂设计,在油胺和三正辛基膦中通过热还原二价的镍和钯,制备出以Ni为核Pd为壳的双金属纳米粒子.通过透射电镜观察,镍钯核壳纳米粒子的粒径约为8-9 nm.选用具有高比表面积和高稳定性的金属有机骨架材料MIL-101作为载体,通过浸渍法首次将镍钯核壳纳米粒子负载在MIL-101上制备出不同Ni:Pd比的Ni@Pd/MIL-101复合材料.利用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、N2吸附-脱附、红外光谱、透射电子显微镜和X射线能谱对复合材料结构进行了表征.从XRD谱图能看出负载纳米粒子后的MIL-101材料结构依然保持完整,表明催化剂制备过程不会破坏载体结构.红外光谱测试结果表明,负载了镍钯纳米粒子的Ni@Pd/MIL-101复合材料中含有两种C-H键伸缩振动2852和2926 cm-1处两个特征峰,分别对应于-CH2-和-CH3中C-H键的特征吸收峰,可能是残留的油胺,也可能是三正辛基膦在与镍和钯形成配合物时的残留.X射线能谱测试发现,N元素在负载后已不存在,而P元素依旧存在,结合红外光谱可以确认,纳米粒子在负载前后三正辛基膦依然与纳米粒子稳定络合,进而可被MIL-101上未饱和的Cr固定.通过透射电镜可以观察到镍钯核壳纳米粒子高度分散在载体上.将Ni@Pd/MIL-101材料应用于硝基苯催化加氢反应.在30℃,0.1 MPa H2条件下,0.26％ Ni@0.46％Pd/MIL-101催化剂具有最高的加氢活性,其转换频率(TOF)值最高可达375 h-1,是单金属负载钯催化剂的近2倍,展示出非贵金属替代部分贵金属的可行性.在循环使用方面,重复使用5次后的Ni@Pd/MIL-101催化剂依然保持较高的催化活性和选择性.同时考察了底物的兼容性,该催化体系对多种不同基团(包括不饱和基团)取代的硝基苯化合物的催化加氢,大都表现出很高的催化活性和选择性,TOF值最高可达495 h-1.     

Dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles on mesoporous silica for glucose detection

A hybrid system of mesoporous silica (MS) particle incorporated with poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (Pt-DENs) was constructed in a neutral aqueous solution through electrostatic interaction. The MS/Pt-DENs composite particles immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx) were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode for detecting the electrocatalytic response to the reduction of glucose. Pt-DENs can improve the conductivity of MS and enhance the electron transfer between redox centers in enzymes and electrode surfaces. The structure of composite particles and the performance of MS/Pt-DEN-modified electrodes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, N₂ sorption characterization method, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurements. The MS/Pt-DENs/GOx-modified electrodes, which had a fast response of GOx less than 3?s, could be used for the determination of glucose ranging from 0.02 to 10?mM. The detection limits were 4???M at signal-to-noise ratio of 3.     

"Clicking" on/with polymers: a rapidly expanding field for the straightforward preparation of novel macromolecular architectures

The combination of controlled polymerization techniques and "click" reactions form an efficient platform for the preparation of polymers in various architectures. In this critical review, an update of our 2007 review in Chem. Soc. Rev., we focus on the "click" reactions that have been used widely in the last four years to create new polymer architectures. Not only block copolymers and star-shaped polymers but also cyclic and dendritic macromolecules could be synthesized using these robust "click" reactions (205 references).