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Due to their excellent optical performance, lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) have been widely used in optoelectronic devices. However, the presence of surface defects such as localized trap states severely hampers their practical application in optoelectronic fields. In this work, we have developed a simple method to reduce surface defects by introducing sulfuric acid after the nucleation of CsPbI3 PeNCs is complete. Sulfate ions effectively interact with the exposed metal lead ions on the surface of perovskite NCs, leading to surface passivation. This process represses nonradiative recombination and significantly enhances the luminescence efficiency of PeNCs. Moreover, the passivated CsPbI3 PeNCs with SO42– exhibit a lower overall energy-level structure compared to that of pristine CsPbI3 PeNCs, promoting improved electron injection. Benefiting from this highly effective passivation strategy, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on SO42–-passivated PeNCs exhibit an optimal external quantum yield of 9.94% and luminance of 2182 cd m–2, surpassing the performance of LEDs made from pristine PeNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labels based on physical unclonable functions (PUFs) have been proven to be some of the most effective anticounterfeiting strategies. However, it is still challenging to develop PUF-based anticounterfeiting labels with low prices, simple manufacturing, and easy authentication. Herein, photochromic PUF labels are fabricated by randomly dispersing highly crystalline carbon nitride (HCCN) particles in poly-(vinyl acetate) (PVAc). The color of the PVAc/HCCN films originating from photochromism is used as the first layer of safety, which is verified by the naked eye. The pattern of the randomly distributed HCCN particles within the photochromic area (i.e., the PUF) is used as the second layer of security. The PUF can be read out by any smartphone equipped with a portable objective and then automatically authenticated by computer vision technology. We further prove the accurate and feasible authentication of the prepared PUFs and their application potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical unclonable function (PUF) labels play a key role in anticounterfeiting applications using unique inherent randomness of physical patterns. In this study, we developed a colorful plasmonic anticounterfeiting label with immense encoding capacity using randomly distributed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) bearing three distinct sizes on the surface of the silica film deposited silicon wafer. The colloidal AgNPs can scatter different far-field scattering light in the visible wavelength region, hinging on their nanoscale size. By conversion of the colorful plasmonic PUF labels into RGB codes, a superior encoding capacity (≥87396) can be achieved. We have demonstrated that the users can identify the label authenticity using an artificial intelligence algorithm no matter the different exposure time, brightness, contrast of light source, and even small accidental cracks/scrapes applied on the colorful plasmonic PUF labels. These features provide more feasibility for the practical application of colorful plasmonic PUF anticounterfeiting labels. Overall, the developed low-cost and colorful plasmonic PUF label system with easy encoding, quick decoding process, ultra-high coding capacity, and high tolerance toward defects demonstrates a milestone for PUF labels in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanocrystal catalyst Ag/ZnO was successfully synthesized using a simple solvothermal method in this study. This catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that this catalyst was composed of metallic Ag and ZnO. The photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) was investigated in aqueous suspension containing Ag/ZnO catalyst under UV irradiation. Liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry was applied to the analysis of the samples coming from the photocatalytic degradation of MO. The experimental results showed that there were four intermediates existing in the photocatalytic reaction. MO could be mineralized in the Ag/ZnO suspension after 60 min illumination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Preparation of shape-controlled metastable γ-MnS semiconductor nanocrystals has been achieved on a large scale through a simple solvothermal method in the presence of PVP. The key strategy is the use of sulfur powder as sulfur source in ethylene glycol (EG) solvent that also acted as a weak reducing agent. Reaction parameters such as reaction time and temperature are found to be important in controlling various hierarchical architectures, such as homogeneous semi-hollow core−shell, hollow nanospheres, and nanowires. Transmission electron microscopy observations indicate that these hierarchical architectures are formed mainly via Ostwald ripening. The optical absorption measurements reveal that these novel architectures exhibit remarkable shift of absorption peak during the course of structural compaction and grain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conjugation of gold nanorods (AuNRs) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most effective ways to reduce their cytotoxicity arising from the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and silver ions used in their synthesis. However, typical PEGylation occurs only at the tips of the AuNRs, producing partially modified AuNRs. To address this issue, we have developed a novel, facile, one-step surface functionalization method that involves the use of Tween 20 to stabilize AuNRs, bis(p-sulfonatophenyl)phenylphosphine (BSPP) to activate the AuNR surface for the subsequent PEGylation, and NaCl to etch silver from the AuNRs. This method allows for the complete removal of the surface-bound CTAB and the most active surface silver from the AuNRs. The produced AuNRs showed far lower toxicity than other methods to PEGylate AuNRs, with no apparent toxicity when their concentration is lower than 5 μg/mL. Even at a high concentration of 80 μg/mL, their cell viability is still four times higher than that of the tip-modified AuNRs.

A method for the templated DNA-directed self-assembly of individual gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into discrete nanostructures is described. The templating nanostructures consisted of a linear configuration of six metal dots with a center-to-center dot distance of 55 nm, fabricated by means of electron beam lithography. The 40 nm DNA-capped AuNPs were immobilized onto this templating nanostructure to produce a linear configuration of six adjacent AuNPs. The geometry of the templating nanostructure was found to be critically important for the successful direction of a single nanoparticle onto individual adsorption sites. For optimized template structures the immobilization efficiency of nanoparticles onto the individual adsorption sites was found to be 80%. The nonspecific association of nanoparticles with specifically adsorbed nanoparticles and the between adsorption of nanoparticles, bridging two individual adsorption sites, were the two main defects observed in the immobilized assemblies. Less than 1% of all surface confined AuNPs adsorbed nonspecifically in the areas between the self-assembled regular arrays.

A network-structured SnO(2)/ZnO heterojunction nanocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized through a simple two-step solvothermal method. The as-synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, N(2) physical adsorption, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the SnO(2)/ZnO sample with a molar ratio of Sn/Zn = 1 is a mesoporous composite material composed of SnO(2) and ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of SnO(2)/ZnO heterojunction nanocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange is much higher than those of solvothermally synthesized SnO(2) and ZnO samples, which can be attributed to the SnO(2)-ZnO heterojunction, the pore structure, and higher Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the sample: (1) The SnO(2)-ZnO heterojunction improves the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs due to the potential energy differences between SnO(2) and ZnO, thus enhancing the photocatalytic activity. (2) The SnO(2)/ZnO sample might possess more surface reaction sites and adsorb and transport more dye molecules due to the higher BET surface area and many pore channels, also leading to higher photocatalytic activity.

A high yield of the dimer-type heterostructure of Ag/ZnO nanocrystals with different Ag contents is successfully prepared through a simple solvothermal method in the absence of surfactants. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The results show that all samples are composed of metallic Ag and ZnO; Ag nanoparticles locate on the surface of ZnO nanorods; the binding energy of Ag 3d(5/2) for the Ag/ZnO sample with a Ag content of 5.0 atom % shifts remarkably to the lower binding energy compared with the corresponding value of pure metallic Ag because of the interaction between Ag and ZnO nanocrystals; the concentration of oxygen vacancy for the as-synthesized samples varies with the increasing Ag content, and the Ag/ZnO sample with a Ag content of 5.0 atom % has the largest density of oxygen vacancy. In addition, the relationship between their structure and photocatalytic property is investigated in detail. It is found that the photocatalytic property is closely related to its structure, such as heterostructure, oxygen defect, and crystallinity. The presence of metallic Ag nanoparticles and oxygen vacancy on the surface of ZnO nanorods promotes the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and thus enhances the photocatalytic activity.

Low-dimensional ZnO nanocrystals with controlled size, aspect ratio, and oxygen defects (e.g., type and concentration) are successfully prepared through simple solvothermal and thermal treatment methods. The structure of the as-synthesized samples is characterized by XRD, N2 physical adsorption, TEM, and IR and XPS spectra. The results show that the aspect ratio and size of the as-synthesized ZnO nanocrystals increase with increasing [OH-]/[Zn2+]; the morphology evolves from nanorod to nanoparticle with an increase in the annealing temperature; the BET surface areas of the corresponding samples decrease during these processes, respectively; and different oxygen defects, which are likely to be oxygen vacancy (Vo**) and interstitial oxygen (Oi''), are formed in our experiments accordingly. With evolution of the structure, IR absorption bands and visible photoluminescence emission peaks of the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals shift and split, which is ascribed to the change of oxygen defects. In addition, it is found that the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals is mainly dependent on the type and concentration of oxygen defects. The relationship of structure-property and the possible photocatalytic mechanism are discussed in detail.

Uniform quasicubic alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles enclosed by six identical {110} planes were synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. TEM investigations revealed that they were formed through oriented attachment of primary nanocrystals assisted by Ostwald ripening, and PVP surfactant played an important role in control over the final morphology of the products. These quasicubic nanoparticles could catalyze oxidation of almost 100% CO at a temperature of 230 degrees C, much lower than those of nanophases with flowerlike, hollow, or other forms of irregular external morphologies having various crystal planes exposed to the gas, indicating that the external morphology and especially the exposure crystal planes of alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanocatalyst affect the catalytic activity more significantly than the traditionally accepted factors (such as high BET surface area, hollow structure, etc.) do for CO catalytic oxidation.

Oriented aggregation-based self-assembly of hexagonal LaF3 nanodisks with cavities into plate-built cylinders proceeding in acidic solution in the absence of any organic additive was disclosed. The self-assembly consists of two steps. First, the nanodisks sequentially aggregated together by coalescence mainly through {100} planes to form larger monocrystalline plates, followed by Ostwald ripening to smooth their surfaces. The holes on the primary nanodisks should be responsible for this intriguing growth. Second, the surface-smoothed plates were stacked face-to-face with each other along the [001] direction to construct the cylinders. The acidic condition was found to be a prerequisite for the oriented aggregations in this system.