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The key to the practical application of overall water splitting is to develop high‐efficient non‐noble metal electrocatalysts. Herein, carbon cloth supported N‐doped porous carbon wrapped Co nanoparticles (CC@Co‐NPC) are constructed with high bifunctional catalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline medium. Benefiting from the exposure of abundant Co active sites, and the synergistic effect between Co particles and N‐doped carbon species, the CC@Co‐NPC delivers small overpotentials of 286 and 340 mV at 100 mA cm−2 with Tafel values of 59 and 97 mV dec−1 towards OER and HER, respectively. Remarkably, when coupled as CC@Co‐NPC||CC@Co‐NPC cell, only a small voltage of 1.49 V is required to achieve 10 mA cm−2, making CC@Co‐NPC a potential bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siberian ginseng, perennial herb belongs to Araliaceae family used in traditional medicines to treat hypertension, thrombus, inflammation and cancer. In the present study, we biosynthesized goldnanoparticles using Siberian ginseng aqeous extract in a cost effective manner. The synthesized Siberian ginseng gold nanoparticle (SG-GNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spec, HR-TEM, XRD, FTIR, SAED analysis. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis showed a surface Plasmon resonance peak at 538 nm which does not reduce till 30 days of incubation. The results of HR-TEM, XRD and SAED confirm the spherical shape, crystalline nature and the size of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. The FTIR results prove that the biological components present in the Siberian ginseng had reduced the gold ions to synthesis gold nanoparticles. After characterization, the efficacy of SG-GNPS against the melanoma, a deadliest skin carcinoma, was assessed in vitro using B16 murine melanoma cells. The CC50 dose of SG-GNPs against B16 cells were assessed with MTT assay and the anticancer activity was evaluated using Rhodamine 123, H2DCFDA and dual staining techniques. The induction of apoptosis by SG-GNPs against melanoma cells were confirmed with q-PCR analysis. The results of staining techniques prove that SG-GNPs increase the reactive oxygen species and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. It is further confirmed by the results of q-PCR analysis which shows increased apoptotic Bid, Bad, Casp3, Casp 9 genes and decreased antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene expression in SG-GNPs treated cells. Our results authentically prove the biosynthesized SG-GNPs induces apoptosis in melanoma cells and it possesses anticancer property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The initiation of carbon nanofiber (CNF) growth on polycrystalline Ni foam was investigated by using a combination of ex situ and in situ methods, which include SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. Experiments were performed at a low hydrocarbon partial pressure to slow down the initiation process. Very little to no CNFs were observed on reduced samples, which is caused by diffusion of C to the bulk of the Ni foam. This prevents the formation of Ni3C as a precursor of Ni nanoparticles at a low hydrocarbon partial pressure from acting as active particles for CNF formation. CNF growth was significant on oxidized samples and the initiation was slowed down by using an extremely low ethylene pressure. Ni nanoparticles are able to catalyze CNF growth, provided these are isolated from the Ni bulk by unreduced NiO, which results from the incomplete reduction of the NiO layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-derived microparticles (MPs) have been recently recognized as critical intercellular information conveyors. However, further understanding of their biological behavior and potential application has been hampered by the limitations of current labeling techniques. Herein, a universal donor-cell-assisted membrane biotinylation strategy was proposed for labeling MPs by skillfully utilizing the natural membrane phospholipid exchange of their donor cells. This innovative strategy conveniently led to specific, efficient, reproducible, and biocompatible quantum dot (QD) labeling of MPs, thereby reliably conferring valuable traceability on MPs. By further loading with small interference RNA, QD-labeled MPs that had inherent cell-targeting and biomolecule-conveying ability were successfully employed for combined bioimaging and tumor-targeted therapy. This study provides the first reliable and biofriendly strategy for transforming biogenic MPs into functionalized nanovectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanomaterials are of great interest in many fields such as catalytic, electrochemical, and biomedical applications, due to their low cost, suitable stability characteristics, high photosensitivity, etc. In this contribution, SnO2 NPs were facilely fabricated by calcination of tin (II) oxalate in air, followed by a liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) method. Size-selected SnO2 NPs were easily obtained using a liquid cascade centrifugation (LCC) technique. The as-obtained SnO2 NPs displayed strong absorption in the UV region (~300 nm) and exhibited narrower absorption characteristics with a decrease in NP size. The as-fabricated SnO2 NPs were, for the first time, directly deposited onto a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film with a regular Ag lattice to fabricate a flexible working electrode for a photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetector. The results demonstrated that the SnO2-NP-based electrode showed the strongest photoresponse signal in an alkaline electrolyte compared with those in neutral and acidic electrolytes. The maximum photocurrent density reached 14.0 μA cm−2, significantly outperforming black phosphorus nanosheets and black phosphorus analogue nanomaterials such as tin (II) sulfide nanosheets and tellurene. The as-fabricated SnO2 NPs with relatively larger size had better self-powered photoresponse performance. In addition, the as-fabricated SnO2-NP-based PEC photodetector exhibited strong cycling stability for on/off switching behavior under ambient conditions. It is anticipated that SnO2 nanostructures, as building blocks, can offer diverse availabilities for high-performance self-powered optoelectronic devices to realize a carbon-neutral or carbon-free environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we proposed 'switching ultrasonic amplitude' as a new strategy of applying ultrasonic energy to prepare a hybrid of buckminsterfullerene (C 60) and gallium oxide (Ga 2 O 3), C 60 /Ga 2 O 3. In the proposed method, we switched the ultrasonic amplitude from 25% to 50% (by 5% amplitude per 10 min, within 1 h of ultrasonic irradiation) for the sonochemical treatment of a heterogeneous aqueous mixture of C 60 and Ga 2 O 3 by a probe-type ultrasonic horn operating at 20 kHz. We found that compared to the conventional techniques associated with high amplitude oriented ultrasonic preparation of functional materials, switching ultrasonic amplitude can better perform in preparing C 60 /Ga 2 O 3 with respect to avoiding titanium (Ti) as an impurity generating from the tip erosion of a probe-type ultrasonic horn during high amplitude ultrasonic irradiation in an aqueous medium. Based on SEM/EDX analysis, the quantity of Ti (wt.%) in C 60 /Ga 2 O 3 prepared by the proposed technique of switching ultrasonic amplitude was found to be 1.7% less than that prepared at 50% amplitude of ultrasonic irradiation. The particles of C 60 /Ga 2 O 3 prepared by different modes of amplitude formed large (2–12 μm) aggregates in their solid phase.Whereas, in the aqueous medium, they were found to disperse in their nano sizes. The minimum particle size of the as-synthesized C 60 /Ga 2 O 3 in an aqueous medium prepared by the proposed method of switching ultrasonic amplitude reached to approximately 467 nm. Comparatively, the minimum particle sizes were approximately 658 nm and 144 nm, using 25% and 50% amplitude, respectively. Additionally, Ga 2 O 3 went under hydration during ultrasonic irradiation. Moreover, due to the electron cloud interference from C 60 in the hybrid structure of C 60 /Ga 2 O 3 , the vibrational modes of Ga 2 O 3 were Raman inactive in C 60 /Ga 2 O 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Silver nanorods/nanowires were prepared within the range of sub-20 nm diameter. • The diameter can be controlled, as small as 12 nm, using 5-nm spherical Au seeds. • One-dimensional trimetallic (Au@Pd-Ag) hollow products were prepared via GRR. We report a facile synthesis of silver nanorods/nanowires with the diameter in the range of sub-20 nm via seeded growth. The key to the success of this work relies on the use of tiny Au seeds and manipulation over reaction kinetics. In particular, their diameter could be controlled to as small as 12 nm using 5-nm spherical Au seeds. They can be further converted to trimetallic (Au@Ag-Pd) hollow derivatives with tunable hollow degree and elemental compositions by galvanic replacement reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynecological malignancy worldwide whose therapy mainly depends on chemotherapy. In past years, an increasing number of studies indicate that hollow MnO2 could serve as a nanoplatform in the drug delivery system. The Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) has been illustrated to play a vital role in cancers. However, knowledge about the combined effect of H-MnO2-PEG/BJOE in endometrial cancer remains ambiguous up to now. In the present work, we prepared a drug-delivery vector H-MnO2-PEG by chemical synthesis and found that H-MnO2-PEG significantly inhibited cell proliferation in endometrial cancer cells. Moreover, the combination of H-MnO2-PEG/BJOE could repress cell proliferation more efficiently and promote cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that BJOE exerted its role as a promoter of endometrial apoptosis by regulating relative protein expressions. In general, the present study demonstrates that H-MnO2-PEG functions as a critical vector in the tumor microenvironment of endometrial cancer and the significant effect of H-MnO2-PEG/BJOE on cancer cells, suggesting a new paradigm for the treatment of endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein coronas are present extensively at the bio‐nano interface due to the natural adsorption of proteins onto nanomaterials in biological fluids. Aside from the robust property of nanoparticles, the dynamics of the protein corona shell largely define their chemical identity by altering interface properties. However, the soft coronas are normally complex and rapidly changing. To real‐time monitor the entire formation, we report here a self‐regulated electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy based on the interaction of the Ru(bpy)33+ with the nanoparticle surface. Thus, the heterogeneity of the protein corona is in situ observed in single nanoparticle "cores" before and after loading drugs in nanomedicine carriers. The label‐free, optical stable and dynamic ECL microscopy minimize misinterpretations caused by the variation of nanoparticle size and polydispersity. Accordingly, the synergetic actions of proteins and nanoparticles properties are uncovered by chemically engineered protein corona. After comparing the protein corona formation kinetics in different complex systems and different nanomedicine carriers, the universality and accuracy of this technique were well demonstrated via the protein corona formation kinetics curves regulated by competitive adsorption of Ru(bpy)33+ and multiple proteins on surface of various carriers. The work is of great significance for studying bio‐nano interface in drug delivery and targeted cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein coronas are present extensively at the bio‐nano interface due to the natural adsorption of proteins onto nanomaterials in biological fluids. Aside from the robust property of nanoparticles, the dynamics of the protein corona shell largely define their chemical identity by altering interface properties. However, the soft coronas are normally complex and rapidly changing. To real‐time monitor the entire formation, we report here a self‐regulated electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy based on the interaction of the Ru(bpy)33+ with the nanoparticle surface. Thus, the heterogeneity of the protein corona is in situ observed in single nanoparticle "cores" before and after loading drugs in nanomedicine carriers. The label‐free, optical stable and dynamic ECL microscopy minimize misinterpretations caused by the variation of nanoparticle size and polydispersity. Accordingly, the synergetic actions of proteins and nanoparticles properties are uncovered by chemically engineered protein corona. After comparing the protein corona formation kinetics in different complex systems and different nanomedicine carriers, the universality and accuracy of this technique were well demonstrated via the protein corona formation kinetics curves regulated by competitive adsorption of Ru(bpy)33+ and multiple proteins on surface of various carriers. The work is of great significance for studying bio‐nano interface in drug delivery and targeted cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new strategy to prepare a composite catalyst for highly efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The composite catalyst is made by anchoring Au nanoparticles on Cu nanowires via 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy). The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite catalyzes the CO2RR in 0.1 m KHCO3 with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 90.6 % at −0.9 V to provide C‐products, among which CH3CHO (25 % FE) dominates the liquid product (HCOO−, CH3CHO, and CH3COO−) distribution (75 %). The enhanced CO2RR catalysis demonstrated by Au‐bipy‐Cu originates from its synergistic Au (CO2 to CO) and Cu (CO to C‐products) catalysis which is further promoted by bipy. The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite represents a new catalyst system for effective CO2RR conversion to C‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new strategy to prepare a composite catalyst for highly efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The composite catalyst is made by anchoring Au nanoparticles on Cu nanowires via 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy). The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite catalyzes the CO2RR in 0.1 m KHCO3 with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 90.6 % at −0.9 V to provide C‐products, among which CH3CHO (25 % FE) dominates the liquid product (HCOO−, CH3CHO, and CH3COO−) distribution (75 %). The enhanced CO2RR catalysis demonstrated by Au‐bipy‐Cu originates from its synergistic Au (CO2 to CO) and Cu (CO to C‐products) catalysis which is further promoted by bipy. The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite represents a new catalyst system for effective CO2RR conversion to C‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study explores the free vibration and bending of FG-GPLRC spherical shells based on the three-dimensional elasticity theory. • The analytical solutions are obtained. • Further illustrative parametric investigations are performed with respect to the distribution pattern, the weight fraction, and the geometric parameters of GPLs. • For free vibration, the FG-A, FG-O and FG-X increase the natural frequencies of breathing, torsional and fundamental modes more effectively, respectively; While for bending, FG-X possesses the smallest displacement, and FG-V holds the lowest stress. This paper presents analytical investigations on the free vibration and static bending of functionally graded graphene-reinforced nanocomposite (FG-GPLRC) spherical shells. The GPL nanofillers are dispersed into polymer matrix uniformly and un-uniformly in the thickness direction with a piece-wise type, and UD, FG-O, FG-X, FG-V and FG-A types of GPL distribution patterns are taken into account. The effective material properties of graphene-reinforced nanocomposites are estimated by using the modified Halpin-Tsai multi-scaled model and the rule of mixtures. Governing differential equations for free vibration and bending of the FG-GPLRC spherical shells are derived based on the three-dimensional elasticity theory with the aid of the state space method, and the layer-wise model is employed to obtain the analytical solutions. The validity of the present method is first examined, followed by the illustrative parametric studies to further scrutinize the free vibration and static bending behaviors of the FG-GPLRC spherical shells with the various reinforcement schemes, including the distribution pattern, the weight fraction, and geometric parameter of GPLs in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The behavior of clay minerals in different size fractions of soil colloids are very particular, mostly in the nanoparticle (25–100 nm) fractions, where clay minerals are very reactive and have a significant role in the transport of nutrients. In this work, the characterizations of clay minerals in the particle fractions (<2000, 450–2000, 100–450, and 25–100 nm) of an Oxisol and an Alfisol were studied by conventional and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) to better understand the transformations of clay minerals and their crystalline structure within the size particle fractions. Kaolinite dominated in all the particle size fractions and the moderate amount of HIV and illite present in the larger size particles (<2000, 450–2000 and 100–450 nm) reduced gradually in nanoparticles of the Oxisol. Kaolinite dominated in the bulk samples (<2000 nm), vermiculite prevailed in the 450–2000 nm fraction; illite, kaolinite and vermiculite were equally common in the 100–450 nm fractions, and illite dominated in the nanoparticles of the Alfisol. The reduction of kaolinite and the transformation of illite into vermiculite in the Alfisol occurred along the particle size fractions. The increase of the FWHM values, the deformation of the hydroxyl group of kaolinite and illite as well as the highest total of weight loss in their crystals occurred in the nanoparticles of the Alfisol rather than the Oxisol. It revealed that the reduction in crystal ordering in the crystals of clay minerals was greater in the nanoparticle fraction of the Alfisol compared to the Oxisol. The influence of climate, vegetation, parent material has been evidenced in the transformation of clay minerals in this study. Highlights • Illite dominated in the nanoparticles of Alfisol while kaolinite was in the Oxisol. • Illite and HIV have contributed to form kaolinite from nanoparticles in the Oxisol. • In the Alfisol, kaolinite strongly reduced with decreasing particle size fractions. • The disorder was significant in the clay mineral's crystalline structure of Alfisol. • Climate, vegetation, parent material have contributed to transform clay minerals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate therapeutic evaluation for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) drug is of great importance to minimize side effects and enhance efficacy. Herein, a facile and precise surface-enhanced scattering (SERS) approach based on coupled plasmonic field has been introduced to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of antileukemia drug through ultrasensitive assay of caspase-3 activity in apoptotic cells. Caspase-3 as an apoptosis indicator could specifically cleave the N-terminus of biotinylated DEVD-peptide (biotin-Gly-Asp-Gly-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-Gly-Cys) immobilized on the Au nanoparticle-decorated TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TiO 2 /Au NTAs) substrate. After the enzyme cleavage with caspase-3, Raman-labelled Au nanostar (AuNS) probes captured the residual DEVD-peptides via the recognition between streptavidin and biotin, thus resulting in an enhanced Raman response on the SERS platform. The variation of Raman intensity revealed caspase-3 activity that reflected the chemotherapeutic effect. On this platform, AuNS nanoprobes offered a large number of binding sites and intrinsic “hot spots” for Raman reporters, while TiO 2 /Au NTAs rendered a homogenously coupled electromagnetic field between the adjacent repeated units over the large area. In particular, a spatially expanding plasmonic field formed by coupling AuNSs with TiO 2 /Au NTAs would further heighten Raman enhancement. Taking these advantages, the strong and uniform Raman signals were achieved. Furthermore, the practicability investigation witnessed that the proposed SERS strategy was available to evaluate the therapeutic effect of dasatinib on CML K562 cells. The developed method possesses fascinating advantages of cost-effectiveness, excellent reproducibility and high sensitivity, which endows it with promising potential in apoptosis monitoring and anticancer drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three dimensional carbon materials with hirerarchically porous structure could exhibit superior energy storage performance than two dimensional stacked carbon nanosheet materials. In this work, we prepared a novel ZIF-8-derived nitrogen doped carbon nanoparticles/graphitic carbon nitride composite electrode material with high electrochemical energy storage performances, including high specific capacitances (495 F g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 and 188 F g −1 at 20 A g −1 ) and a stable cycling durability with no capacitance declination after 5000 charge-discharge cycles in three-electrode system. When assembled as electrode materials in symmetrical two-electrode system, the as-prepared composite electrode material could exhibit high specific capacitances of 349.7 F g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 and 261.2 F g −1 at 5 A g −1 . Accordingly, a high energy density of 11.89 Wh/kg can be achieved at the power density of 247.40 W kg −1 . The improvement stems from its hierarchically porous structure with dominant pore sizes at 3 nm and among 4–40 nm, as well as high exposed pyridinic nitrogen (8.58 at%) and pyrrolic nitrogen (3.59 at%) active sites caused by the insertion of ZIF-8-derived nitrogen doped carbon nanoparticles between g-CN layers. This study has provided a new idea on the design of graphitic carbon nitride nanostructures with improved doping level and hiearchically porous structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of microbial activity and electrocatalysis through the design of new anode materials is essential to develop microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with longer lifetimes and higher output. In this research, a novel anode material, graphene/Fe3O4 (G/Fe3O4) composite, has been designed for Shewanella-inoculated MFCs. Because the Shewanella species could bind to Fe3O4 with high affinity and their growth could be supported by Fe3O4, the bacterial cells attached quickly onto the anode surface and their long-term activity improved. As a result, MFCs with reduced startup time and improved stability were obtained. Additionally, the introduction of graphene not only provided a large surface area for bacterial attachment, but also offered high electrical conductivity to facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET). The results showed that the current and power densities of a G/Fe3O4 anode were much higher than those of each individual component as an anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO oxidation has been performed on Co 3 O 4 nanocubes and Co(OH) 2 nanosheets as model catalysts. The reaction rate of CO on Co 3 O 4 /Co(OH) 2 nanocomposites obtained by one-pot synthesis is about ~ two orders of magnitude higher than that on Co 3 O 4 nanomaterials. The catalytic behaviors of different nanomaterials revealed that the assembly with nano building blocks cause the catalytic sites much more active for CO oxidation. The kinetic data showed that the activation energy for CO oxidation over Co 3 O 4 /Co(OH) 2 nanocomposites was lower than that of other nanomaterials. Since Co(OH) 2 nanosheets can prevent Co 3 O 4 nanocubes aggregating, nanocomposites kept good catalytic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive and site-specific therapeutic technique for the clinical treatment of various of superficial diseases. In order to tuning the operation wavelength and improve the tissue penetration of PDT, rare-earth doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with strong anti-stokes emission are introduced in PDT recently. However, the conventional Yb3+-sensitized UCNPs are excited at 980 nm which is overlapped with the absorption of water, thus resulting in strong overheating effect. Herein, a convenient but effective design to obtain highly emissive 795 nm excited Nd3+-sensitized UCNPs (NaYF4:Yb,Er@NaYF4:Yb0.1Nd0.4@NaYF4) is reported, which provides about six times enhanced upconversion luminescence, comparing with traditional UCNPs (NaYF4:Yb,Er@NaYF4). A colloidal stable and non-leaking PDT nanoplatform is fabricated later through a highly PEGylated mesoporous silica layer with covalently linked photosensitizer (Rose Bengal derivative). With as-prepared Nd3+-sensitized UCNPs, the nanoplatform can produce singlet oxygen more effective than traditional UCNPs. Significant higher penetration depth and lower overheating are demonstrated as well. All these features make as-prepared nanocomposites excellent platform for PDT treatment. In addition, the nanoplatform with uniform size, high surface area, and excellent colloidal stability can be extended for other biomedical applications, such as imaging probes, biosensors, and drug delivery vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition, structure and transformation characteristics of clay minerals in various size particles (< 2000, 450–2000, 100–450 and 25–100 nm) of two Alfisols (Haplustalf and Hapludalf) in China were investigated by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and 27 Al and 29 Si Magic-angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS NMR). The clay minerals in < 2000, 450–2000 and 100–450 nm size particles of the two soils were illite, vermiculite, smectite, kaolinite and kaolinite interstratified minerals. In Haplustalf, vermiculite was dominant clay mineral in 450–2000 nm particles and illite was dominant clay mineral in 100–450 nm particles. In Hapludalf, kaolinite (and kaolinite interstratified minerals) predominated in all size particles. With decreasing particle sizes, the two clays showed a decrease in K 2 O, Na 2 O, MgO and SiO 2 contents and an increase in Al 2 O 3 content, with the minimum molar ratio of SiO 2 to Al 2 O 3 observed in nanoparticles (25–100 nm). Meanwhile, the smectite and vermiculite contents decreased or disappeared, leaving illite and kaolinite (and kaolinite interstratified minerals) as the main clay minerals in the two soil nanoparticles. Additionally, with decreasing particle sizes, the clay mineral structures were transformed from well crystalline to poor crystalline, with illite being the poor crystalline in nanoparticles of the soils. The hydroxyl groups between the tetrahedral and octahedral structures of the 2:1 clay minerals and the surface of kaolinite gradually broke down, and IV Al of the tetrahedral structure gradually reduced. In nanoparticles, Al mainly appeared in the octahedral structure as VI Al, and Si in the structure of Q 3 (Si linked to three other Si atoms via oxygen). The composition and structure of clay minerals in different size particles showed that the clay minerals weathered from larger particles (> 100 nm) were an important mineral source of nanoparticles, and the 1:1 clay minerals were mainly inherited from the minerals in larger particles and transformed from 2:1 clay minerals into nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous ZnInS/g-CN hybrid composites, as highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts, were designed and fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal route for the first time, wherein the cubic ZnInS nanoparticles were in situ immobilized on the surface of porous g-CN nanosheets (NSs). The resultant composites exhibit efficient photocatalytic activities, excellent photo-stability, and versatile photocatalytic abilities towards organic dye degradation, Cr(VI) reduction, and water splitting for H evolution. The significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the effective separation of photo-generated charge carrier pairs based on the construction of close heterogeneous interface and well-matched band structure, which can obviously lengthen the life span of holes and electrons pairs. Besides, the effective charge transfer from cubic ZnInS to ultrathin g-CN NSs was confirmed by photoluminescence spectra, transient photocurrent-time ( I- t) curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy Nyquist plots. This research provides a new sight in designing the highly efficient visible light responsive photocatalysts for environmental remediation and energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). An immunoelectrode was fabricated by coating a glassy carbon electrode with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), CeO and PSA antibody (in this order) using the layer-by-layer method. The immunosensor is then placed in a sample solution containing PSA and o-phenylenediamine (OPD). It is found that the CeO nanoparticles facilitate the electrochemical oxidation of OPD, and this produces a signal for electrochemical detection of PSA that depends on the concentration of PSA. There is a linear relationship between the decrease in current and the concentration of PSA in the 0.01 to 1,000 pg mL concentration range, and the detection limit is 4 fg mL. The assay was successfully applied to the detection of PSA in serum samples. This new differential pulse voltammetric immunoassay is sensitive and acceptably precise, and the fabrication of the electrode is well reproducible. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of novel nanoparticles as a new generation therapeutic drug platform is an active field of chemistry and cancer research. In recent years, fullerene nanoparticles have received extensive attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Properly modified fullerene nanoparticles have excellent biocompatibility and significant anti-tumor activity, which makes them have broad application prospects in the field of cancer therapy. Therefore, understanding the anti-tumor mechanism of fullerene nanoparticles is of great significance for the design and development of anti-tumor drugs with low toxicity and high targeting. This review has focused on various anti-tumor mechanisms of fullerene derivatives and discusses their toxicity and their distribution in organisms. Finally, the review points out some urgent problems that need solution before fullerene derivatives as a new generation of anti-tumor nano-drug platform enter clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-potential ratiometric electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on Au@CDs nanoflowers, Au@luminol nanoparticles and an enzyme-free DNA nanomachine for ultrasensitive p53 DNA detection. • A dual-potential ratiometric ECL biosensor was fabricated based on Au@CDs and Au@luminol. • An enzyme-free DNA walker was employed. • Sensitive and accurate detection of p53 DNA were obtained. Herein, an amplified electrochemiluminescence (ECL) ratiometric biosensor for p53 DNA sequence assay was described based on gold@carbon dots nanoflowers (Au@CDs), gold@luminol nanoparticles (Au@luminol) as luminophors and an enzyme-free DNA walker for signal amplification. The ratiometric strategy endowed the sensor with a prominent accuracy. Taking advantage of DNA-walker signal amplification feature, a high sensitivity for target detection was achieved. Under the optimal conditions, the designed biosensor exhibited a lower limit of 0.34 fM and wide linear range from 1 fM to 10 pM for p53 DNA sequence detection. In particular, compared with traditional Ru(bpy) 3 3+/Ru(bpy) 3 2+ derivatives and semiconductor nanoparticles, Au@luminol and Au@CDs have the advantages of cost-effective, excellent biocompatibility, and easy labeling, which offered new opportunity for building ratiometric ECL biosensor platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive and flexible hydrogen sensor based on organic nanofibers decorated by Pd nanoparticles (NPs) was designed and fabricated for low-concentration hydrogen detection. Pd NPs were deposited on organic nanofiber materials by DC magnetron sputtering. The temperature dependence of the sensitivity at 25 ppm H2 was characterized and discussed, and the maximum response of the sensor increased linearly with increasing measurement temperature. Performances of the hydrogen sensor were investigated with hydrogen concentration ranging from 5 ppm to 50 ppm. This sensor exhibits high sensitivity, with the response up to 6.55% for H2 as low as 5 ppm, and the output response of the hydrogen sensor increased linearly with the square root of hydrogen concentration. A cycling test between pure nitrogen and 25 ppm hydrogen concentration was performed, and the hydrogen sensor exhibited excellent consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]