Ionic liquids for the convenient synthesis of functional nanoparticles and other inorganic nanostructures

Ionic liquids are a new class of organic solvents with high polarity and a preorganized solvent structure. Very polar reactions can be carried out in these liquid in the absence of or with a controlled amount of water, and crystalline nanoparticles can be synthesized conveniently at ambient temperatures. The pronounced self-organization of the solvent is used in the synthesis of self-assembled, highly organized hybrid nanostructures with unparalleled quality. The extraordinary potential of ionic liquids in materials synthesis is described in this minireview and a physicochemical explanation is given.     

Composite block copolymer stabilized nanoparticles: simultaneous encapsulation of organic actives and inorganic nanostructures

We describe the preparation and characterization of hybrid block copolymer nanoparticles (NPs) for use as multimodal carriers for drugs and imaging agents. Stable, water-soluble, biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) NPs simultaneously co-encapsulating hydrophobic organic actives (beta-carotene) and inorganic imaging nanostructures (Au) are prepared using the flash nanoprecipitation process in a multi-inlet vortex mixer. These composite nanoparticles (CNPs) are produced with tunable sizes between 75 nm and 275 nm, narrow particle size distributions, high encapsulation efficiencies, specified component compositions, and long-term stability. The process is tunable and flexible because it relies on the control of mixing and aggregation timescales. It is anticipated that the technique can be applied to a variety of hydrophobic active compounds, fluorescent dyes, and inorganic nanostructures, yielding CNPs for combined therapy and multimodal imaging applications.     

Multifunctional nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and theragnosis

Nanomedicine is the biomedical application of nanoscale materials for diagnosis and therapy of disease. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology have contributed to the development of multifunctional nanoparticles as representative nanomedicine. They were initially developed to enable the target-specific delivery of imaging or therapeutic agents for biomedical applications. Due to their unique features including multifunctionality, large surface area, structural diversity, and long circulation time in blood compared to small molecules, nanoparticles have emerged as attractive preferences for optimized therapy through personalized medicine. Multimodal imaging and theragnosis are the cutting-edge technologies where the advantages of nanoparticles are maximized. Because each imaging modality has its pros and cons, the integration of several imaging agents with different properties into multifunctional nanoparticles allows precise and fast diagnosis of disease through synergetic multimodal imaging. Moreover, nanoparticles are not only used for molecular imaging but also applied to deliver therapeutic agents to the disease site in order to accomplish the simultaneous imaging and therapy called theragnosis. This tutorial review will highlight the recent advances in the development of multifunctional nanoparticles and their biomedical applications to multimodal imaging and theragnosis as nanomedicine.     

Multifunctional aggregates for precise cellular analysis

Science China Chemistry - Precisely analyzing the target materials in living cells can reveal the essence and mystery of life at a deeper level, which will provide reliable theoretical basis for...     

X-ray studies on Langmuir-Blodgett films of novel amphiphilic oligothiophenes

A new type of amphiphilic thiophene, oligo[n-alkyl-3-(3-thienyl) glutaric acid], was synthesised (with n = 8, 12 or 18). These molecules form a stable monolayer at the air/water interface. Successful Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition was achieved by vertical dipping. The LB films of Y-type exhibit well-defined layered structures, as determined by X-ray diffraction measurements, with a regular molecular arrangement within the layers.     

3D-conjugated systems based on oligothiophenes and phosphorus nodes

3D-conjugated systems based on oligothiophene segments grafted on a phosphorus or on a phosphine oxide node have been synthesized. Under Stille coupling conditions, bromide terminated thienyl phosphine derivatives undergo a breaking of the phosphorus-carbon bond attributed to a ligand exchange with the Pd catalyst. The electronic properties of the new compounds have been analyzed by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

Green synthesis of MnO_x nanostructures and studies of their supercapacitor performance

Manganese oxides with different crystalline phases and morphologies were prepared by calcining Mn CO3 precursors. The Mn CO3 precursors with different morphologies were obtained through a green route under hydrothermal conditions with orange pericarp extracting solution as the reducing agent. By calcining the precursor under different temperatures and atmospheres, Mn Ox with different stoichiometric ratios(i.e., Mn O, Mn O2, Mn2O3, and Mn3O4) can be obtained. Electrochemical studies reveal that among these manganese oxides, Mn O or Mn O2 are more suitable as supercapacitor working electrodes than Mn2O3 or Mn3O4. They exhibit high specific capacitance up to 296.6 F/g and also possess good cycling stability, which make them potential electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

Electronegative oligothiophenes based on a hexafluorocyclopentene-annelated thiophene unit

[Structure: see text] The synthesis of hexafluorocyclopenta[c]thiophene and its based oligothiophenes is described. The effectiveness of a hexafluorocyclopentene unit to lower the LUMO level without disturbing the effective conjugation could be unambiguously clarified by spectroscopic measurements and X-ray analysis.     

Multifunctional nanoparticles as simulants for a gravimetric immunoassay

Immunoassays are important tools for the rapid detection and identification of pathogens, both clinically and in the research laboratory. An immunoassay with the potential for the detection of influenza was developed and tested using hemagglutinin (HA), a commonly studied glycoprotein found on the surface of influenza virions. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized, which present multiple peptide epitopes, including the HA epitope, in order to increase the gravimetric response achieved with the use of a QCM immunosensor for influenza. Specifically, epitopes associated with HA and FLAG peptides were affixed to gold nanoparticles by a six-mer PEG spacer between the epitope and the terminal cysteine. The PEG spacer was shown to enhance the probability for interaction with antibodies by increasing the distance the epitope extends from the gold surface. These nanoparticles were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Anti-FLAG and anti-HA antibodies were adhered to the surface of a QCM, and the response of each antibody upon exposure to HA, FLAG, and dual functionalized nanoparticles was compared with binding of Au–tiopronin nanoparticles and H5 HA proteins from influenza virus (H5N1). Results demonstrate that the immunoassay was capable of differentiating between nanoparticles presenting orthogonal epitopes in real-time with minimal nonspecific binding. The detection of H5 HA protein demonstrates the logical extension of using these nanoparticle mimics as a safe positive control in the detection of influenza, making this a vital step in improving influenza detection methodology.     

Fabrication of hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles and studies on their radical scavenging activity

The purpose of this paper is to study the stability, radical scavenging activities, and bio-safety of cysteine-conjugated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (Cys-conj-HA NPs). Additionally, the feasibility of utilizing these NPs as drug delivery systems is discussed. The structures of synthesized Cys-conj-HA polymers were analyzed using ¹H nuclear magnetic spectrum (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. The stability, radical scavenging activity, and bio-safety of fabricated Cys-conj-HA NPs were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photograph illustrated that Cys-conj-HA NPs possessed spherical shapes with an average diameter of approximately 230 nm. Furthermore, these NPs exhibited high stability at temperatures of 4, 25, and 37°C. Notably, Cys-conj-HA NPs demonstrated significant free radical scavenging capabilities. The high cell viability observed indicated the absence of cytotoxicity from Cys-conj-HA NPs. Additionally, bio-safety studies revealed that these NPs did not induce acute toxicity in the blood and viscera of cargo-free NPs treated mice. Elisa assays indicated that there was no significant difference in the concentrations of interferon-γ (INF-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) between Cys-conj-HA NPs and normal saline (NS) treated mice (ns, p > 0.05), suggesting the absence of an inflammatory reaction caused by these NPs. Consequently, it can be concluded that Cys-conj-HA NPs are sufficiently safe to be employed as a vehicle for delivering oxidizing drugs.     

Multifunctional magnetic calcium phosphate nanoparticles for targeted platin delivery

Magnetic mesoporous amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles with a size of 62 nm and abundant -COOH groups on the surface have been prepared by a simple method. The particles show excellent aqueous dispersion stability in physiological pH without any deterioration in hydrodynamic size and zetapotential. By virtue of the carboxylate groups on the surface, the platinum pharmacophore cis-diaquadiamine platinum(ii), folic acid and rhodamine isothiocyanate were conjugated on these magnetic calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity and internalization efficiency of these nanocarriers have been evaluated on folate receptor overexpressed HeLa cells. These drug loaded nanoagents exhibit elevated cytotoxicity and induce apoptosis in HeLa cells.     

Spectral and photophysical studies on cruciform oligothiophenes in solution and the solid state

The photophysical and spectroscopic properties of a new class of oligothiophene derivatives, designated as cruciform oligomers, have been investigated in solution (room and low temperature) and in the solid state (as thin films in Zeonex matrixes). The study comprises absorption, emission, and triplet-triplet absorption spectra, together with quantitative measurements of quantum yields (fluorescence, intersystem crossing, internal conversion, and singlet oxygen formation) and lifetimes. The overall data allow the determination of the rate constants for all decay processes. From these, several conclusions are drawn. First, in solution, the main deactivation channels for the compounds are the radiationless processes: S(1) --> S(0) internal conversion and S(1) --> T(1) intersystem crossing. Second, in general, in the solid state, the fluorescence quantum yields decrease relative to solution. A comparison is made with the analogous linear alpha-oligothiophenes, revealing a lower fluorescence quantum efficiency and, in contrast to the normal oligothiophenes, that internal conversion is an important channel for the deactivation of the singlet excited state. Replacement of thiophene by 1,4-phenylene units in the longer-sized cruciform oligomer increases the fluorescence efficiency. The highly efficient generation of singlet oxygen through energy transfer from the triplet state (S(Delta) approximately 1) provides support for the measured intersystem crossing quantum yields and suggests that reaction with this may be an important pathway to consider for degradation of devices produced with these compounds.     

One-dimensional inorganic nanostructures: synthesis, field-emission and photodetection

One-dimensional inorganic nanostructures have drawn prime attention due to their potential for understanding fundamental physical concepts and constructing nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic devices. This critical review mainly focuses on our recent research progresses in 1D inorganic nanostructures, including their rational synthesis and potential applications, with an emphasis on field-emitter and photodetector applications. Firstly, we will discuss the rational design of synthetic strategies and the synthesis of 1D nanostructures via a vapour phase approach. Secondly, we will present our recent progresses with respect to several kinds of important inorganic nanostructures and their field-emission and photoconductivity characteristics. Finally, we conclude this review with some perspectives/outlook and future research in these fields (212 references).     

Controllable growth of silver nanostructures by a simple replacement reaction and their SERS studies

Hierarchical silver nanostructures, consisting of dendritic (symmetric branched) and fractal patterns (randomly ramified), were synthesized very easily by dropping a droplet of AgNO₃-HF solution on silicon wafers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and open circuit potential-time (Ocp-t) measurement demonstrated that the two nanostructures converted with the reaction composition. The structural evolution was tentatively explained with the theory that oriented growth was determined by the anisotropy of the solid–liquid interfacial energy and the oriented attachment-based aggregation mechanism. Results on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals of the silver films with hierarchical nanostructures demonstrate that SERS is sensitive to silver nanostructures.