Doping and Surface Modification of Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhanced Functionalities and Related Applications

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a unique class of 0D nanomaterials, featured by a graphitic core and shell layers saturated with hydrogen atoms and functional groups. CQDs are prepared through top-down and bottom-up strategies from natural and synthetic precursors. CQDs can be modified through chemical (e.g., surface functionalization/passivation, doping, etc.) and physical (e.g., core–shell architecture, composite material blending, etc.) strategies to control their properties. This review highlights the effect of such modifications on the photophysical properties of CQDs, such as photoluminescence (PL), absorbance, and relaxivity. The dependence of PL upon the size, orientation at the edges, surface and edge functionalization, doping, excitation wavelength, concentration, pH, aggregate formation, etc., are summarized along with the supporting theoretical evidence available in the literature. Also, this review outlines the recent advancements, and future prospective of optical (e.g., sensing, bioimaging, and fluorescent ink) and catalytic applications (e.g., photocatalysis and electrocatalysis) of CQDs enhanced through physical and chemical modifications of their structure and composition.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two‐Photon Active Chromophores Based on Tetrathienoacene (TTA) and Dithienothiophene (DTT)

Three new donor–π–donor (D‐π‐D) tetrathienoacene (thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐b]thieno[2,3‐d]thiophene (TTA))‐cored chromophores, end‐functionalized with electron‐donating triphenylamine (TPA) groups, were developed and characterized for their two‐photon‐related properties by using both nano‐ and femtosecond laser pulses as the probing tools. TTA‐based chromophores exhibit stronger and more widely dispersed two‐photon absorption (2PA) than those of dithienothiophene (DTT)‐based congeners. As a consequence, the bithiophene‐conjugated TTA chromophore exhibits the highest maximum 2PA cross‐section value (up to 2500 GM) with good thermal stability, and thus, it is the best performing two‐photon chromophore among the studied model compounds. The bithiophene‐conjugated DTT analogue exhibits the second highest maximum two‐photon absorptivity of 1950 GM, which is nearly 7 times larger than that of previously reported DTT‐based chromophores.     

Regioselective cycloaddition of acetylenic esters: a one-pot synthesis of novel dihydrobenzo[a]carbazoles

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of highly substituted dihydrobenzo[a]carbazole derivatives via a regioselective cyclocondensation reaction between 2-(2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-carbazol-1-ylidene)-propanedinitrile and acetylenic esters is described.     

Synthesis and studies of semiconducting piperazine-aniline copolymer

Synthesis of piperazine-aniline copolymer has been studied by using various acids. The copolymer was characterized by spectral and physical techniques such as UV-Visible, FT-IR, fluorescence, viscosity, density and SEM studies. Conductivity of the copolymer was tested with various counter ions. The copolymer was found to have significant conductivity in the region of semiconductors. Morphological study reveals that the neutral copolymer forms into spongy and porous structure. Conductivity, density and viscosity are very much influenced by the nature of counter ions.     

Syntheses of indolo[3,2,1-d,e]phenanthridines and isochromeno[3,4-a] carbazoles: palladium catalyzed intramolecular arylation via C-H functionalization

A new synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of indolo[3,2,1-d,e]phenanthridines and isochromeno[3,4-a]carbazoles via palladium catalyzed intramolecular biaryl coupling reactions. The coupling reactions proceeded smoothly and in high yields under ligand-free conditions with the catalytic system Pd(OAc)₂/Cs₂CO₃/TBAB. Under optimized reaction conditions no halogen-reduced products were observed.     

The RNA2-PNA2 hybrid i-motif-a novel RNA-based building block

We report the formation of a hybrid RNA2-PNA2 i-motif comprised of two RNA and two PNA strands based on the sequence specific self assembly of RNA, with potential as a building block for structural RNA nanotechnology.     

Icosahedral DNA Nanocapsules by Modular Assembly

It's a trap! DNA polyhedra formed through molecular self‐assembly may function as nanocapsules for the targeted delivery of encapsulated entities. This functional aspect was demonstrated for the most complex DNA‐based platonic solid: During the stepwise amalgamation of discrete polyhedra to form icosahedra, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were encapsulated from solution (see illustration and TEM image of icosahedral cages containing GNPs).