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We demonstrate that changing the backbone between peptides, peptoids and the underexplored dual N/Cα-substituted peptoids analogues allows for control over the preferred conformation of the intrinsically disordered biomimetic oligomers. The conformation tunability is directly probed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and is shown to manifest itself in differences in the nanoparticle-oligomer hybridization propensity.

In this study, we report an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst of rhodium telluride (RhTe2) for alkaline water splitting. With the construction of Rh–Te bonds, the catalytic performance as well as stability are boosted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrated how the processing routes of OD-Cu affected the surface structure and electrochemical reduction of CO2. We found that the OD-Cu obtained by H2 annealing is large Cu nanoparticles (>100 nm) while the OD-Cu processed by electrochemical reduction possesses a porous structure of aggregated small Cu + Cu2O nanoparticles (∼5 nm). These structural differences lead to a distinct performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) with a unique Li0.33La0.56TiO3 (LLTO) nanotube filler, which shows a high Li-ion conductivity, is reported. Compared with LLTO nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs), the LLTO nanotube fillers increase the interfacial area between PVDF and the LLTO filler, leading to the simple transportation of Li-ions through these interfacial pathways. In addition, the Li plating and stripping cycling performance of the CPEs is improved to 205 h at 0.1 mA cm−2, and the performance of the Li‖CPEs‖LiFePO4 cells also achieves a discharge capacity of 120 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.5C at room temperature. These results demonstrate an effective interfacial strategy for the design of high Li-ion conduction CPEs for all solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles were synthesized under a mild acidic condition (pH 6.2), featuring a molecularly homogeneous wall structure and an unusual near-neutral charged surface, consequently enabling reduced protein fouling property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a new strategy is reported for the preparation of a new class of nanocomposite anode materials consisting of ppm-level phosphorus-doped Si nanoparticles (P–Si) wrapped in a network of poly-γ-glutamate and graphene. The network produces not only a conductivity-enhanced conduit but also a mechanical stress buffer. The incorporation of poly-γ-glutamate in the nanocomposite enables self-healing capability and maintains the electrode structural integrity. This multifunctionality has significant implications for advancing the design of stable Si-based nanomaterials as high-performance anodes in Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasmall CoSe2 nanoparticles encapsulated by an N-doped carbon matrix were prepared by selenizing a novel Co-metal organic framework precursor. The excellent electrochemical performance may be due to the synergistic effect of the N-doped carbon matrix and the ultrasmall CoSe2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags are usually prepared by immobilizing Raman reporters on plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) via thiol-based self-assembled monolayers. We describe here the first example of SERS tags obtained by combining gold NPs and aryl diazonium salts. This strategy results in robust Au–C covalent bonds between the Raman reporter and the NPs, thus ensuring a high stability of the nanohybrid interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient signaling on–off mechanism was first proposed by integrating exciton–plasmon coupling and exciton energy transfer into cathodic PEC bioassays. This signaling on–off mechanism has endowed the cathodic PEC biosensor with powerful capability for ultrasensitive and specific detection of target DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafine (5 nm) cobalt nitride nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes (CoN/CNT) are reported as air electrodes for rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs). CoN/CNT exhibits 2.4 fold higher battery performance than commercial Pt/C-IrO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

W/W2C heterostructured nanoparticles encapsulated by N,P dual-doped carbon (W/W2C@NPC) fabricated by the carbonization of in situ polymerized polyaniline (PANI) and phosphotungstic acid require low overpotentials of 55 mV and 82 mV vs. RHE to achieve a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm−2 in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a facile method to synthesize ruthenium phosphides with diameter 1 nm and an amorphous structure at room temperature. Only 31 mV vs. RHE overpotential is required to deliver 10 mA cm−2 and no degradation in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance is recorded after 24 h of catalysis at 100 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive understanding of how the molecular structure influences the electronic coupling is crucial in optimizing (supra) molecular assemblies for photoinduced electron transfer. Here, we report that the electronic coupling underlying electron transfer from a phenothiazine donor to a photoexcited Ru(tpy)2 acceptor is modulated by substitution of the second (remote) tpy-ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aluminum anode with pre-constructed two-layer conductive buffers was prepared to restrict the expanding Al–Li alloy inside, and provide continuous electron pathways for promising electrical contact. The full cell demonstrates superior cycling stability (0.0352% capacity decay per cycle for 400 cycles at 0.2C) and outstanding rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a facile, efficient and versatile method for the photo-regulation of pH-dependent activities of artificial enzymes by incorporating flash photolysis reagents. Under light excitation, a persistent pH shift is achieved by proton release from photosensitive 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. Following such change, the controlled activation of oxidase-like activity of nanoceria is successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spatially confined reduction strategy for the fabrication of small nanoparticles in a micro-box is reported, where iron nanoparticles with uniform diameter are highly distributed in a carbon matrix and surrounded by a mesoporous silica layer. Due to their unique confined nanostructure, the Fe/C@mSiO2 capsules could effectively remove and recycle Se(iv) from a low concentration solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate that changing the backbone between peptides, peptoids and the underexplored dual N/Cα-substituted peptoids analogues allows for control over the preferred conformation of the intrinsically disordered biomimetic oligomers. The conformation tunability is directly probed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and is shown to manifest itself in differences in the nanoparticle–oligomer hybridization propensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ru nanodendrites composed of ultrathin fcc/hcp nanoblades were synthesized by a facile solvothermal reduction of Ru3+ together with Cu2+ followed by selective etching of Cu, resulting in a micro/mesoporous electrocatalyst that is highly efficient and stable for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media and outperformed commercial Pt/C at a lower cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A kit-like 18F-fluorination method has been successfully applied to prepare an activatable probe 1 with good radiochemical yield and high specific activity. The probe has good in vitro stability and favorable cell membrane permeability. A controlled condensation reaction was initiated, and self-assembly into nanoparticles occurred when the probe was in a reducing environment. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the biothiol level in living subjects was conveniently and precisely realized using this probe. The present study may provide a new platform for the development of “smart” PET tracers for tumor imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform, thickness-controllable and large-size mesoscopic TiO2 films based on commercial P25 nanoparticles are prepared by a spray method, which have been applied in the perovskite solar cells, achieving a high efficiency of 16%. This spray method shows promising application in the large-scale production of mesoscopic solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synergistic therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. A nanoparticle with chemo-photodynamic properties was fabricated viaπ–π stacking interactions between the drug and photosensitizer. It exhibited efficient anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prepare a hydrogel with robust mechanical properties and programmable remotely-controlled releasing ability, we synthesized an agarose/alginate double network hydrogel incorporating polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles as a near-infrared (NIR) laser responsive releasing system. This hydrogel exhibited pulsatile releasing behaviours according to the laser switching while maintaining its morphology and mechanical strength [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicability of single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to a nonbonding molecular system is demonstrated on a uniformly assembled colloidal Ag nanoparticle substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic polyoxometalates (POMs) are obtained by a simple sonication between functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and polyoxometalates. This material can be used not only as a highly active acid catalyst, but also as a catalyst support for chiral amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A visible light triggered protein delivery system has been assembled through hydroxyl coordinated onto titania nanoparticles. Biomolecules such as hemoglobin (Hb) can be controlled-released from the hybrid material TiO2–DB–Hb by switching visible light on/off. The released Hb not only retains its senior structure but also can fulfil the enzymatic bioactivity. Controlled delivery of Hb stems from the scission of the Ti–O coordination bond with the aid of photo-inducing electron transfer property of titania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) based fluorescent sensor for dopamine was constructed with probes inside particle pores and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) molecules on the particle surface as the selective barricade. The synergistic action of both the hydrophilic rim and hydrophobic cavity of β-CD ensures that the sensor can distinguish dopamine from other biological competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly stable silver nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates were prepared. Based on the mixed DNA-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), multiplex DNA detections were demonstrated successfully by SERS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reusable signal on aptasensor for adenosine based on the quenching of Ru-SNPs electrochemiluminescence by ferrocene was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate magnetic capsules with high uptake capacity by combining single-hole hydroxyl-functionalized PEDOT hollow spheres and Fe3O4nanoparticles; potential applications include pollutant removal and controlled drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MNP-supported chiral primary amine catalysts were developed and evaluated as asymmetric bifunctional enamine catalysts in direct aldol reaction, showing essentially unchanged activity and stereoselectivity after 11 recycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]