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In this study, blue perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) were prepared using didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), which can passivate surface defects caused by the loss of surface ligands and reduce particle size distribution. After the passivation of DDAB, blue CsPbClxBr3−x PQDs dispersed in n-octane produced a more compact and uniform PQD thin film than the non-passivated ones. The resulting device showed a stabile lifetime, and an EL peak of 470 nm and a maximum EQE of 1.63% were obtained at an operating voltage of 2.6 V and a current density of 0.34 mA/cm2. This work aims to provide a simple method to prepare blue-emitting PQDs and high-performance PQD-based light-emitting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economic success of man-made nanoscale materials has led to a higher production rate and diversification of emission sources in the environment. For these reasons, novel nanosafety approaches to assess the environmental impact of engineered nanomaterials are required. While studying the potential toxicity of metal nanoparticles (NPs), we realized that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have a growth-promoting rather than a stress-inducing effect. In this study we established stable short- and long-term exposition systems for testing plant responses to NPs. Exposure of plants to moderate concentrations of AuNPs resulted in enhanced growth of the plants with longer primary roots, more and longer lateral roots and increased rosette diameter, and reduced oxidative stress responses elicited by the immune-stimulatory PAMP flg22. Our data did not reveal any detrimental effects of AuNPs on plants but clearly showed positive effects on growth, presumably by their protective influence on oxidative stress responses. Differential transcriptomics and proteomics analyses revealed that oxidative stress responses are downregulated whereas growth-promoting genes/proteins are upregulated. These omics datasets after AuNP exposure can now be exploited to study the underlying molecular mechanisms of AuNP-induced growth-promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many nano/microparticles (n/µP), to which our body is exposed, have no physiological way of removal. Our immune system sense these "small particulate objects", and tries to decrease their harmfulness. Since oxidation, phagocytosis and other methods of degradation do not work with small, chemically resistant, and hydrophobic nanoparticles (nP). This applies to soot from air pollution, nano-diamonds from cosmic impact, polishing and related machines, synthetic polymers, and dietary n/µP. Our body tries to separate these from the surrounding tissue using aggregates from neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). This effectively works in soft tissues where n/µP are entrapped into granuloma-like structures and isolated. The interactions of hydrophobic nanocrystals with circulating or ductal patrolling neutrophils and the consequent formation of occlusive aggregated NETs (aggNETs) are prone to obstruct capillaries, bile ducts in gallbladder and liver, and many more tubular structures. This may cause serious health problems and often fatality. Here we describe how specific size and surface properties of n/µP can activate neutrophils and lead to aggregation-related pathologies. We discuss "natural" sources of n/µP and those tightly connected to unhealthy diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]