Highly Luminescent Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals with Tunable Composition and Thickness by Ultrasonication

We describe the simple, scalable, single‐step, and polar‐solvent‐free synthesis of high‐quality colloidal CsPbX₃ (X=Cl, Br, and I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable halide ion composition and thickness by direct ultrasonication of the corresponding precursor solutions in the presence of organic capping molecules. High angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) revealed the cubic crystal structure and surface termination of the NCs with atomic resolution. The NCs exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields, narrow emission line widths, and considerable air stability. Furthermore, we investigated the quantum size effects in CsPbBr₃ and CsPbI₃ nanoplatelets by tuning their thickness down to only three to six monolayers. The high quality of the prepared NCs (CsPbBr₃) was confirmed by amplified spontaneous emission with low thresholds. The versatility of this synthesis approach was demonstrated by synthesizing different perovskite NCs.     

Incorporating Rare-Earth Terbium(III) Ions into Cs2AgInCl6:Bi Nanocrystals toward Tunable Photoluminescence

The incorporation of impurity ions or doping is a promising method for controlling the electronic and optical properties and the structural stability of halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). Herein, we establish relationships between rare-earth ions doping and intrinsic emission of lead-free double perovskite Cs₂AgInCl₆ NCs to impart and tune the optical performances in the visible light region. Tb³⁺ ions were incorporated into Cs₂AgInCl₆ NCs and occupied In³⁺ sites as verified by both crystallographic analyses and first-principles calculations. Trace amounts of Bi doping endowed the characteristic emission (⁵D₄→⁷F_6-3) of Tb³⁺ ions with a new excitation peak at 368 nm rather than the single characteristic excitation at 290 nm of Tb³⁺. By controlling Tb³⁺ ions concentration, the emission colors of Bi-doped Cs₂Ag(In_1−xTb_x)Cl₆ NCs could be continuously tuned from green to orange, through the efficient energy-transfer channel from self-trapped excitons to Tb³⁺ ions. Our study provides the salient features of the material design of lead-free perovskite NCs and to expand their luminescence applications.     

Quantum-sized gold nanoclusters: bridging the gap between organometallics and nanocrystals

This Concept article provides an elementary discussion of a special class of large‐sized gold compounds, so‐called Au nanoclusters, which lies in between traditional organogold compounds (e.g., few‐atom complexes, <1 nm) and face‐centered cubic (fcc) crystalline Au nanoparticles (typically >2 nm). The discussion is focused on the relationship between them, including the evolution from the Au???Au aurophilic interaction in Au^I complexes to the direct Au? Au bond in clusters, and the structural transformation from the fcc structure in nanocrystals to non‐fcc structures in nanoclusters. Thiolate‐protected Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters are used as a paradigm system. Research on such nanoclusters has achieved considerable advances in recent years and is expected to flourish in the near future, which will bring about exciting progress in both fundamental scientific research and technological applications of nanoclusters of gold and other metals.     

Controlled synthesis and self-assembly of highly monodisperse Ag and Ag(2)S nanocrystals

A facile method to control the synthesis and self‐assembly of monodisperse Ag and Ag₂S nanocrystals with a narrow‐size distribution is described. Uniform Ag nanoparticles of less than 4 nm were obtained by thermolysis of Ag–oleate complexes in the presence of oleic acid and dodecylamine, and monodisperse Ag nanoparticles of less than 10 nm were also prepared in one step by using dodecylamine and oleic acid as capping agents. Moreover, the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties of the Ag substrates have also been investigated. It is worth mentioning that these Ag nanoparticles and assemblies show great differences in the SERS activities of Rhodamine B dye. In addition, the superlattices of Ag₂S nanocrystals were synthesized with Ag–oleate complexes, alkanethiol, and sulfur as the reactants. The resulting highly monodisperse nanocrystals can easily self‐assemble into interesting superstructures in the solution phase without any additional assembly steps. This method may be extended to the size‐controlled preparation and assembly of many other noble‐metal and transition‐metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. These results will aid the study of the physicochemical properties of the superlattice assemblies and construction of functional macroscopic architectures or devices.     

A Novel Solid Nanocrystals Self-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion Prepared by Spray-Drying with Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as Carriers

A drug nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (NSSPE) with a unique composition and microstructure has been proven to significantly increase the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. This study aimed to develop a new solid NSSPE of puerarin preserving the original microstructure of NSSPE by spray-drying. A series of water-soluble solid carriers were compared and then Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the parameters of spray-drying. The drug release and stability of the optimized solid NSSPE in vitro were also investigated. The results showed that hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), rather than solid carriers commonly used in solidification of traditional Pickering emulsions, was suitable for the solid NSSPE to retain the original appearance and size of emulsion droplets after reconstitution. The amount of HP-β-CD had more influences on the solid NSSPE than the feed rate and the inlet air temperature. Fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the reconstituted emulsion of the solid NSSPE prepared with HP-β-CD had the same core-shell structure with a core of oil and a shell of puerarin nanocrystals as the liquid NSSPE. The particle size of puerarin nanocrystal sand interfacial adsorption rate also did not change significantly. The cumulative amount of released puerarin from the solid NSSPE had no significant difference compared with the liquid NSSPE, which were both significantly higher than that of puerarin crude material. The solid NSSPE was stable for 3 months under the accelerated condition of 75% relative humidity and 40 °C. Thus, it is possible todevelop the solid NSSPE preserving the unique microstructure and the superior properties in vitro of the liquid NSSPE for poorly soluble drugs.     

具有18电子结构的Mg2CoH5纳米晶制备及其储氢性能研究

本文研究了Mg2CoH5纳米晶的制备及其储氢性能。在室温和氩气气氛下,以MgH2和纳米Co为原料,采用球磨法制备了Mg2CoH5纳米晶。对所制备Mg2CoH5的组成、结构和形貌进行了表征,并且对Mg2CoH5的储氢性能进行了研究。实验结果表明,通过该种方法制备了纯度较高(产物纯度为79%)的四方结构Mg2CoH5纳米晶,其形貌呈球形且分布较均匀,最频粒径为80 nm。制备的Mg2CoH5纳米晶具有较低的活化能和较好的吸放氢动力学性能,其放氢的脱附焓和脱附熵分别为-115.0 kJ.mol-1H2和-193.6.1 J.mol-1.K-1H2。再氢化时,在543 K时仅7 min内其吸氢量就达到1.5wt%。     

单分散CdS纳米晶/PNIPAM复合水凝胶的制备及其温敏荧光特性

采用液体-固体-溶液法(LSS)制备单分散CdS纳米晶;通过自由基聚合制备单分散CdS纳米晶/聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(CdS/PNIPAM)复合温敏水凝胶.采用HRTEM、XRD、FTIR、DSC、PL等对CdS纳米晶、CdS/PNIPAM温敏复合凝胶的微观结构与性能进行了表征,变温荧光光谱研究了温度对凝胶荧光性能的影响.结果表明,CdS纳米晶粒径约为2.8 nm,单分散性良好;复合凝胶的荧光发射强度与环境温度存在一定的关联性,且呈可逆性.     

Templated Growth of InP Nanocrystals with a Polytwistane Structure

We have synthesized InP nanocrystals of an unprecedented crystal phase at low temperature (35–100 °C) by templated growth of InP magic‐sized clusters. With the addition of stoichiometric equivalents of P(SiMe₃)₃ to the starting cluster, we demonstrate nanocrystal growth mediated through a partial dissolution and recrystallization pathway. This growth process was monitored using a combination of in situ UV/Vis and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, revealing the intermediacy of smaller cluster species of higher symmetry. The nanocrystals that result from this templated growth exhibit a crystal structure that is neither zincblende nor wurtzite, and instead is derived from the original cluster. This structure is best described as a 3D polytwistane phase as deduced from a combination of X‐ray diffraction, Raman, and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy methods.     

Morphological,mechanical, and in vitro cytocompatibility analysis of poly(vinyl alcohol)–silica glass hybrid scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica glass hybrid scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze-drying method. In this study, we develop molecular-level-based hybrid scaffolds with possible bioactivity behavior by adding silica sol–gel. The results showed a highly porous structure and a significant improvement in mechanical performance (stiffness) of hybrid scaffolds with an increased content of cellulose nanocrystals followed by the addition of silica-based bioactive glass. In vitro cell study with MC3T3-E1 cells on hybrid scaffolds for 1 and 3 days revealed good cell adhesion and growth. Thus, the obtained hybrid scaffold may be a competitive candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.     

GdF3∶Eu3+/NaGdF4∶Eu3+纳米晶的水热合成及发光性质

采用水热法,以聚乙二醇(400)为分散剂,以NaOH和HNO3溶液调节初始溶液pH值,合成GdF3∶Eu3+和NaGdF4∶Eu3+纳米晶。XRD和SEM结果表明:在酸性溶液(pH=3,5)、中性溶液(pH=7)和碱性溶液(pH=9)中,分别获得具有正交结构的GdF3∶Eu3+纳米晶,GdF3∶Eu3+和NaGdF4∶Eu3+混合晶,六方结构NaGdF4∶Eu3+棒状微米晶。根据Scherrer公式估算pH=3和pH=5时制备纳米晶的一次性粒径分别为49和28 nm。样品的发射光谱结果表明:特征发射峰来自于5D2、5D1、5D0到7FJ跃迁。在主晶相为GdF3样品中,主发射峰来自于Eu3+的5D0→7F1的磁偶极跃迁;晶相为NaGdF4样品的主发射峰来自于Eu3+的5D0→7F2电偶极跃迁。5D0→7F1和5D0→7F2跃迁发射相对强度比值显示:Eu3+在NaGdF4晶体中的格位对称性下降。激发光谱显示出Gd3+和Eu3+具有较好的能量传递。