A Camptothecin‐Grafted DNA Tetrahedron as a Precise Nanomedicine to Inhibit Tumor Growth

Most chemotherapeutics are hydrophobic molecules and need to be converted into hydrophilic form before administration. Based on the excellent hydrophilicity and programmability of DNA, now, a general strategy to construct a precise drug‐containing DNA framework for cancer treatment is reported. In this novel drug delivery system, carbonethyl bromide‐modified camptothecin (CPT) is employed to directly react with phosphorothioate (PS) modified DNAs, resulting in the formation of chemotherapeutics‐grafted DNAs with a responsive disulfide linkage. By tuning the number and site of PS modifications on DNA strands, hydrophilicity of the obtained DNA‐drug conjugates (DDCs) can be regulated to retain their aqueous solubility and capability of molecular recognition. Subsequently, programmable DNA nanotechnology enables the self‐assembly of a precise drug‐containing tetrahedral framework with stimuli‐responsive feature and enhanced antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.     

Full‐Spectrum Persistent Luminescence Tuning Using All‐Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots

Applications of persistent luminescence phosphors as night or dark‐light vision materials in many technological fields have fueled up a growing demand for rational control over the emission profiles of the phosphors. This, however, remains a daunting challenge. Now a unique strategy is reported to fine‐tune the persistent luminescence by using all‐inorganic CsPbX₃ (X=Cl, Br, and I) perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) as efficient light‐conversion materials. Full‐spectrum persistent luminescence with wavelengths covering the entire visible spectral region is achieved through tailoring of the PeQD band gap, in parallel with narrow bandwidth of PeQDs and highly synchronized afterglow decay owing to the single energy storage source. These findings break through the limitations of traditional afterglow phosphors, thereby opening up opportunities for persistent luminescence materials for applications such as a white‐emitting persistent light source and dark‐light multicolor displays.     

Near‐Infrared‐Light‐Triggered Antimicrobial Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots

The emergence of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens represents one of the most urgent global public health crises. Light‐activated quantum dots (QDs) are alternative antimicrobials, with efficient transport, low cost, and therapeutic efficacy, and they can act as antibiotic potentiators, with a mechanism of action orthogonal to small‐molecule drugs. Furthermore, light‐activation enhances control over the spatiotemporal release and dose of the therapeutic superoxide radicals from QDs. However, the limited deep‐tissue penetration of visible light needed for QD activation, and concern over trace heavy metals, have prevented further translation. Herein, we report two indium phosphide (InP) QDs that operate in the near‐infrared and deep‐red light window, enabling deeper tissue penetration. These heavy‐metal‐free QDs eliminate MDR pathogenic bacteria, while remaining non‐toxic to host human cells. This work provides a pathway for advancing QD nanotherapeutics to combat MDR superbugs.     

Controllable Modular Growth of Hierarchical MOF‐on‐MOF Architectures

Fabrication of hybrid MOF‐on‐MOF heteroarchitectures can create novel and multifunctional platforms to achieve desired properties. However, only MOFs with similar crystallographic parameters can be hybridized by the classical epitaxial growth method (EGM), which largely suppressed its applications. A general strategy, called internal extended growth method (IEGM), is demonstrated for the feasible assembly of MOFs with distinct crystallographic parameters in an MOF matrix. Various MOFs with diverse functions could be introduced in a modular MOF matrix to form 3D core–satellite pluralistic hybrid system. The number of different MOF crystals interspersed could be varied on demand. More importantly, the different MOF crystals distributed in individual domains could be used to further incorporate functional units or enhance target functions.     

High‐Performance CsPb1−xSnxBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots for Light‐Emitting Diodes

All inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are potential emitters for electroluminescent displays. We have developed a facile hot‐injection method to partially replace the toxic Pb²⁺ with highly stable Sn⁴⁺. Meanwhile, the absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of CsPb_1−x Sn_x Br₃ increased from 45 % to 83 % with Sn^IV substitution. The transient absorption (TA) exciton dynamics in undoped CsPbBr₃ and CsPb_0.67Sn_0.33Br₃ QDs at various excitation fluences were determined by femtosecond transient absorption, time‐resolved photoluminescence, and single‐dot spectroscopy, providing clear evidence for the suppression of trion generation by Sn doping. These highly luminescent CsPb_0.67Sn_0.33Br₃ QDs emit at 517 nm. A device based on these QDs exhibited a luminance of 12 500 cd m⁻², a current efficiency of 11.63 cd A⁻¹, an external quantum efficiency of 4.13 %, a power efficiency of 6.76 lm w⁻¹, and a low turn‐on voltage of 3.6 V, which are the best values among reported tin‐based perovskite quantum‐dot LEDs.     

Encapsulating Perovskite Quantum Dots in Iron‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Improving the stability of lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) in a system containing water is the key for their practical application in artificial photosynthesis. Herein, we encapsulate low‐cost CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) perovskite QDs in the pores of earth‐abundant Fe‐porphyrin based metal organic framework (MOF) PCN‐221(Fe_x) by a sequential deposition route, to construct a series of composite photocatalysts of MAPbI₃@PCN‐221(Fe_x) (x=0–1). Protected by the MOF the composite photocatalysts exhibit much improved stability in reaction systems containing water. The close contact of QDs to the Fe catalytic site in the MOF, allows the photogenerated electrons in the QDs to transfer rapidly the Fe catalytic sites to enhance the photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction. Using water as an electron source, MAPbI₃@PCN‐221(Fe_0.2) exhibits a record‐high total yield of 1559 μmol g^?1 for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to CO (34 %) and CH₄ (66 %), 38 times higher than that of PCN‐221(Fe_0.2) in the absence of perovskite QDs.     

Lead‐Free,Blue Emitting Bismuth Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots

Lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for future lighting applications, due to their high quantum yield, narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM), and wide color gamut. However, the toxicity of lead represents a potential obstacle to their utilization. Although tin(II) has been used to replace lead in films and QDs, the high intrinsic defect density and oxidation vulnerability typically leads to unsatisfactory material properties. Bismuth, with much lower toxicity than lead, is promising to constitute lead‐free perovskite materials because Bi³⁺ is isoelectronic to Pb²⁺ and more stable than Sn²⁺. Herein we report, for the first time, the synthesis and optical characterization of MA₃Bi₂Br₉ perovskite QDs with photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) up to 12 %, which is much higher than Sn‐based perovskite nanocrystals. Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) peaks of MA₃Bi₂X₉ QDs could be easily tuned from 360 to 540 nm through anion exchange.     

Molecular Scaffolds as Double‐Targeting Agents For the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroblastoma

The selective delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents to tumoral cells has been postulated as one of the most important challenges in the nanomedicine field. Meta‐iodobenzilguanidine (MIBG) is widely used for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma (NB) due to its strong affinity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET), usually overexpressed on the membrane of malignant cells. Herein, a family of novel Y‐shaped scaffolds has been synthesized, which have structural analogues of MIBG covalently attached at each end of the Y‐structure. The cellular uptake capacity of these double‐targeting ligands has been evaluated in vitro and in vivo, yielding one specific Y‐shaped structure that is able to be engulfed by the malignant cells, and accumulates in the tumoral tissue, at significantly higher levels than the structure containing only one single targeting agent. This Y‐shaped ligand can provide a powerful tool for the current treatment and diagnosis of this disease.     

Programmed Release of Dihydroartemisinin for Synergistic Cancer Therapy Using a CaCO3 Mineralized Metal–Organic Framework

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has attracted increasing attention as an anticancer agent. However, using DHA to treat cancer usually depends on the synergistic effects of exogenous components, and the loss of DHA during delivery reduces its effectiveness in cancer therapy. Reported herein is a programmed release nanoplatform of DHA to synergistically treat cancer with a Fe‐TCPP [(4,4,4,4‐(porphine‐5,10,15,20‐tetrayl) tetrakis(benzoic acid)] NMOF (nanoscale MOF) having a CaCO₃ mineralized coating, which prevents DHA leakage during transport in the bloodstream. When the nanoplatform arrives at the tumor site, the weakly acidic microenvironment and high concentration of glutathione (GSH) trigger DHA release and TCPP activation, enabling the synergistic Fe²⁺‐DHA‐mediated chemodynamic therapy, Ca²⁺‐DHA‐mediated oncosis therapy, and TCPP‐mediated photodynamic therapy. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the nanoplatform showed enhanced anticancer efficiency and negligible toxicity.