Antimonene Quantum Dots: Synthesis and Application as Near‐Infrared Photothermal Agents for Effective Cancer Therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has shown significant potential for cancer therapy. However, developing nanomaterials (NMs)‐based photothermal agents (PTAs) with satisfactory photothermal conversion efficacy (PTCE) and biocompatibility remains a key challenge. Herein, a new generation of PTAs based on two‐dimensional (2D) antimonene quantum dots (AMQDs) was developed by a novel liquid exfoliation method. Surface modification of AMQDs with polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly enhanced both biocompatibility and stability in physiological medium. The PEG‐coated AMQDs showed a PTCE of 45.5 %, which is higher than many other NMs‐based PTAs such as graphene, Au, MoS₂, and black phosphorus (BP). The AMQDs‐based PTAs also exhibited a unique feature of NIR‐induced rapid degradability. Through both in vitro and in vivo studies, the PEG‐coated AMQDs demonstrated notable NIR‐induced tumor ablation ability. This work is expected to expand the utility of 2D antimonene (AM) to biomedical applications through the development of an entirely novel PTA platform.     

Stable Confinement of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots on Black Tin Oxide Nanotubes: A Robust,Double‐Active Electrocatalyst toward Efficient Nitrogen Fixation

A conceptually new, metal‐free electrocatalyst, black phosphorus (BP) is presented, which is further downsized to quantum dots (QDs) for larger surface areas, and thus, more active sites than the bulk form. However, BP QDs are prone to agglomeration, which inevitably results in the loss of active sites. Besides, their poor conductivity is not favorable for charge transport during electrolysis. To solve these problems, an electrochemically active, electrically conductive matrix, black tin oxide (SnO_2?x) nanotubes, is employed for the first time. Through facile self‐assembly, BP QDs are stably confined on the SnO_2?x nanotubes due to Sn‐P coordination, resulting in a robust, double‐active electrocatalyst. Benefiting from their synergistic superiority, the BP@SnO_2?x nanotubes deliver impressively high ammonia yield and Faradaic efficiency, which represent a successful attempt toward advanced hybrid electrocatalysts for ambient nitrogen fixation.     

Quantum Dot Assembly for Light‐Driven Multielectron Redox Reactions,such as Hydrogen Evolution and CO2 Reduction

Light‐driven multielectron redox reactions (e.g., hydrogen (H₂) evolution, CO₂ reduction) have recently appeared at the front of solar‐to‐fuel conversion. In this Minireview, we focus on the recent advances in establishing semiconductor quantum dot (QD) assemblies to enhance the efficiencies of these light‐driven multielectron reduction reactions. Four models of QD assembly are established to promote the sluggish kinetics of multielectron transfer from QDs to cocatalysts, thus leading to an enhanced activity of solar H₂ evolution or CO₂ reduction. We also forecast the potential applications of QD assemblies in other multielectron redox reactions, such as nitrogen (N₂) fixation and oxygen (O₂) evolution from H₂O.     

Biomimetic Synthesis of Ag2Se Quantum Dots with Enhanced Photothermal Properties and as “Gatekeepers” to Cap Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Chemo–Photothermal Therapy

Ag₂Se quantum dots (QDs) with near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence have been widely utilized in NIR fluorescence imaging in vivo because of their narrow bulk band gap and excellent biocompatibility. However, most of synthesis methods for Ag₂Se QDs are expensive and the reactants are toxic. Herein, a new protein‐templated biomimetic synthesis approach is proposed for the preparation of Ag₂Se QDs by employing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template and dispersant. The BSA‐templated Ag₂Se QDs (Ag₂Se@BSA QDs) showed NIR fluorescence with high fluorescence quantum yield (≈21.2 %), excellent biocompatibility and good dispersibility in different media. Moreover, the obtained Ag₂Se@BSA QDs exhibited remarkable photothermal conversion (≈27.8 %), which could be used in photothermal therapy. As a model application in biomedicine, the Ag₂Se@BSA QDs were used as “gatekeepers” to cap mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) by means of electrostatic interaction. By taking the advantages of NIR fluorescence and photothermal property of Ag₂Se@BSA QDs, the obtained MSN‐DOX‐Ag₂Se nanoparticles (MDA NPs) were employed as a nanoplatform for combined chemo‐photothermal therapy. Compared with free DOX and MDA NPs without NIR laser, the laser‐treated MDA NPs exhibited lower cell viability in vitro, implying that Ag₂Se@BSA QDs are highly promising photothermal agents and the MDA NPs are potential carriers for chemo–photothermal therapy.     

Peptide-mediated Aqueous Synthesis of NIR-II Emitting Ag2S Quantum Dots for Rapid Photocatalytic Bacteria Disinfection

Pathogenic microorganisms in the environment are a great threat to global human health. The development of disinfection method with rapid and effective antibacterial properties is urgently needed. In this study, a biomimetic silver binding peptide AgBP2 was introduced to develop a facile synthesis of biocompatible Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs). The AgBP2 capped Ag₂S QDs exhibited excellent fluorescent emission in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window, with physical stability and photostability in the aqueous phase. Under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation, AgBP2-Ag₂S QDs can serve not only as a photothermal agent to realize NIR photothermal conversion but also as a photocatalyst to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The obtained AgBP2-Ag₂S QDs achieved a highly effective disinfection efficacy of 99.06 % against Escherichia coli within 25 min of NIR irradiation, which was ascribed to the synergistic effects of photogenerated ROS during photocatalysis and hyperthermia. Our work demonstrated a promising strategy for efficient bacterial disinfection.     

Ag2S基近红外II区荧光量子点的水相合成优化探究

具有近红外II区荧光的Ag₂S量子点(QDs)因具有带隙窄、Stokes位移大及光稳定性好等优点而在生物成像领域具有广阔应用前景. 然而, 传统有机相合成的Ag₂S量子点水溶性与生物相容性较差, 而水相合成Ag₂S量子点的荧光又很难到近红外II区, 这严重制约了Ag₂S量子点的生物医学应用推广. 因此, 优化探究具有近红外II区荧光发射的Ag₂S基量子点的水相合成方法具有重要意义. 采用核掺杂ZnS、表面阳离子(Zn²⁺)改性以及调控表面配体制备出一系列Ag₂S基量子点, 发现核掺杂和表面阳离子改性均使Ag₂S基量子点的荧光呈现剂量依赖性蓝移; 而将表面配体由树枝状短链(Captopril)更换为长直链(11-巯基十一烷酸, MUA)时, Ag₂S基量子点的发射峰红移至1105 nm(近红外II区)且半峰宽更窄. 本研究发现, 相比核掺杂和表面阳离子改性, 优化表面配体更容易在水相中制备出具有近红外II区荧光的Ag₂S基量子点. 本工作为近红外荧光量子点的水相合成及优化提供了基础研究数据.     

Thiolate‐Mediated Photoinduced Synthesis of Ultrafine Ag2S Quantum Dots from Silver Nanoparticles

Photoinduced syntheses offer significant advantages over conventional thermal strategies, including improved control over reaction kinetics and low synthesis temperatures, affording nanoparticles with nontrivial and thermodynamically unstable structures. However, the photoinduced syntheses of non‐metallic nanocrystalline products (such as metal sulfides) have not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrate the first photoinduced synthesis of ultrafine (sub‐2 nm) Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) from Ag nanoparticles at 10 °C. By thorough investigation of the mechanism for the transformation, a fundamental link was established between the intrinsic structures of the molecular intermediates and the final Ag₂S products. Our results confirm the viability of low‐temperature photochemical approaches in metal sulfide synthesis, and demonstrate a new rule which could be followed in it.     

2D Titania–Carbon Superlattices Vertically Encapsulated in 3D Hollow Carbon Nanospheres Embedded with 0D TiO2 Quantum Dots for Exceptional Sodium‐Ion Storage

Two‐dimensional (2D) superlattices offer promising technological opportunities in tuning the intercalation chemistry of metal ions. Now, well‐ordered 2D superlattices of monolayer titania and carbon with tunable interlayer‐spacing are synthesized by a molecularly mediated thermally induced approach. The 2D superlattices are vertically encapsulated in hollow carbon nanospheres, which are embedded with TiO₂ quantum dots, forming a 0D‐2D‐3D multi‐dimensional architecture. The multi‐dimensional architecture with the 2D superlattices encapsulated inside exhibits a near zero‐strain characteristic and enriched electrochemical reactivity, achieving a highly efficient Na⁺ storage performance with exceptional rate capability and superior long‐term cyclability.     

Application of Luminescent BSA‐Capped CdS Quantum Dots as a Fluorescence Probe for the Detection of Cu2+

CdS Quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized in aqueous solution with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the stabilizing agents using a stepwise procedure at room temperature. They can be used as a new fluorescence probe in the determination of Cu²⁺, which is proved to be a simple, rapid and specific method. Approximate concentrations of other physiologically important cations, such as Zn²⁺, K⁺ etc, have no effect on the fluorescence. Under the optimum condition, the response is linear to the concentration of Cu²⁺ in the range of 0‐80.0 μol/L, and the detection limit is 50.0 nmol/L. This method is used to the determination of Cu²⁺ in human hair, the recovery is 98‐104%. And the possible detection mechanism is also discussed.     

SnO2 Quantum Dots Distributed along V2O5 Nanobelts for Utilization as a High-Capacity Storage Hybrid Material in Li-Ion Batteries

In this study, the facile synthesis of SnO₂ quantum dot (QD)-garnished V₂O₅ nanobelts exhibiting significantly enhanced reversible capacity and outstanding cyclic stability for Li⁺ storage was achieved. Electrochemical impedance analysis revealed strong charge transfer kinetics related to that of V₂O₅ nanobelts. The SnO₂ QD-garnished V₂O₅ nanobelts exhibited the highest discharge capacity of ca. 760 mAhg⁻¹ at a density of 441 mAg⁻¹ between the voltage ranges of 0.0 to 3.0 V, while the pristine V₂O₅ nanobelts samples recorded a discharge capacity of ca. 403 mAhg⁻¹. The high capacity of QD-garnished nanobelts was achieved as an outcome of their huge surface area of 50.49 m²g⁻¹ and improved electronic conductivity. Therefore, the as-presented SnO₂ QD-garnished V₂O₅ nanobelts synthesis strategy could produce an ideal material for application in high-performance Li-ion batteries.     

MoS2/GQDs催化剂的制备及微生物电解池的产氢性能研究

通过水热法合成了一系列MoS₂/GQDs复合材料,并制成碳基复合电极。利用电化学测试手段挑选出最佳电极后用于微生物电解池（MEC）阴极的产氢性能研究。实验结果显示： Na₂MoO₄、半胱氨酸和GQDs的最佳原料配比为375:600:1,制备出的MoS₂/GQDs呈现明显的爆米花样纳米片结构,片层厚度在10 nm左右,当碳纸负载量为1.5 mg·cm^-2时,MoS₂/GQDs碳纸电极的析氢催化能力最佳。在MEC产氢实验中,MoS₂/GQDs阴极MEC的产气量、氢气产率、库仑效率、整体氢气回收率、阴极氢气回收率、电能回收率和整体能量回收率分别为51.15±3.15 mL·cycle^-1、0.401±0.032 m³H₂·m³d^-1、91.16±0.054%、66.64±5.39%、72.44±2.60%、217.26±7.42%和77.37±1.50%,均略高于Pt/C阴极MEC或与之媲美。另外,MoS₂/GQDs具有良好的长期稳定性,且价格便宜,有利于实际应用。     

N1-Benzyl Tryptamine Pan-SHIP1/2 Inhibitors: Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation as Anti-Tumor Agents

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase (SHIP) with small molecule inhibitors leads to apoptosis in tumor cells. Inhibitors that target both SHIP1 and SHIP2 (pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors) may have benefits in these areas since paralog compensation is not possible when both SHIP paralogs are being inhibited. A series of tryptamine-based pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the SHIP paralogs. The most active compounds were also evaluated for their effects on cancer cell lines.     

低温水相合成巯基化聚乙烯醇/CdS量子点纳米复合物及用于测定环境水样中痕量Cu~(2+)

采用水相合成法,在低温N2气保护条件下,以巯基化聚乙烯醇(PVA)为基体材料合成一种环境友好型PVA/CdS量子点纳米复合物,并通过红外光谱(IR)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、热重(TG)、荧光光谱(PL)和紫外可见光谱(UV-Vis)等技术手段对复合物进行结构表征和光学性能研究。测试结果表明,复合物中CdS量子点为立方晶型结构,形状为球形,粒径小于5nm,具有很好的稳定性、分散性及发光性质。此外,Cu~(2+)对PVA/CdS水溶液荧光具有良好的猝灭作用,其荧光猝灭程度与Cu~(2+)浓度在1~1000nmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,线性相关系数为0.9923,方法检出限为0.12nmol/L。该纳米复合物荧光分析方法简便快速、灵敏度高、检出限低,已应用于实际黄河水样中痕量Cu~(2+)的分析与检测。     

Signal Amplification Strategy Based on TiO2-Nanotube Layers and Nanobeads Carrying Quantum Dots for Electrochemiluminescent Immunosensors

Self-organized TiO₂-nanotube layers can be used for immunoassay-type sensing in combination with amplifying CdTe labels in a direct and very sensitive electrochemiluminescent (ECL) configuration. Key properties for this method are the conductivity of the TiO₂ nanotubes, and their transparency for light emitted from the CdTe labels at approximately 2.4 eV. To demonstrate the potential of this platform, we constructed a sandwich-type immunoassay onto the TiO₂-nanotube wall with a layer of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane as the cross-linker for antibody immobilization. For the counter part of the sandwich, we created an amplification system consisting of TiO₂ nanobeads carrying the secondary antibody and multiple CdTe quantum dots (multiQD). For antigen (IgG) detection, we find that this combination of 3D transparent electrode with multiQD labels allows for an ECL detection limit of 0.05 pg mL⁻¹ and a linearity of the signal in the range of 0.1–10⁸ pg mL⁻¹.     

Synthesis of [60]Fullerene Hybrids Endowed with Steroids and Monosaccharides: Theoretical Underpinning as Promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents

Cyclopropanation reactions between C₆₀ and different malonates decorated with monosaccharides and steroids using the Bingel-Hirsch methodology have allowed the obtention of a new family of hybrid compounds in good yields. A complete set of instrumental techniques has allowed us to fully characterize the hybrid derivatives and to determine the chemical structure of monocycloadducts. Besides, the proposed structures were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, which evidenced the exclusive reductive pattern of fullerene Bingel-type monoadducts. Theoretical calculations at the DFT-D3(BJ)/PBE 6-311G(d,p) level of the synthesized conjugates predict the most stable conformation and determine the factors that control the hybrid molecules′ geometry. Some parameters such as polarity, lipophilicity, polar surface area, hydrophilicity index, and solvent-accessible surface area were also estimated, predicting its potential permeability and capability as cell membrane penetrators. Additionally, a molecular docking simulation has been carried out using the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) as the receptor, thus paving the way to study the potential application of these hybrids in biomedicine.