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β-NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were synthesized by a one-pot solvothermal method. The UCNPs were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to prove that they possessed hexagonal crystal phase with uniform particle size distribution. The cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs) were then obtained by coating the UCNPs with a lipid. Further analysis by FTIR, XRD and TEM indicated the lipid can successfully coat UCNPs, and the coating process had no obvious influences on morphology and crystallization of the UCNPs. Furthermore, the CSLNs were used for bioimaging in cells and delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cellular bioimaging and upconversion luminescence studies clearly demonstrated that the CSLNs could effectively enter into cells with the help of the lipid. Silencing assays and cytotoxicity in A549 cells convincingly showed that the CSLNs could effectively deliver siRNA and possessed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. Thus, the bifunctional CSLNs could be used as a potential candidate in bioimaging and therapeutic applications.

Sea spray aerosol (SSA) represents one of the largest aerosol components in our atmosphere. SSA plays a major role in influencing climate; however the overall impacts remain poorly understood due to the overall chemical complexity. SSA is comprised of a mixture of inorganic and organic components in varying proportions that change as a function of particle size and seawater composition. In this study, nascent SSA particles were produced using breaking waves, resulting in compositions and sizes representative of the open ocean. The composition of individual SSA particles ranging in size from ca. 0.15 to 10 μm is measured using Raman microspectroscopy, while the interfacial composition of collections of size-resolved particles is probed by sum frequency generation (SFG). Raman spectra of single particles have bands in the 980 to 1030 cm(-1) region associated with the symmetric stretch of the sulfate anion, the 2800 to 3000 cm(-1) region associated with carbon-hydrogen stretches, and from 3200-3700 cm(-1) associated with the oxygen-hydrogen stretches of water. The relative intensities of these features showed a strong dependence on particle size. In particular, submicrometer particles exhibited a larger amount of organic matter compared to supermicrometer particles. However, for external surfaces of homogeneous SSA particles (i.e. particles without a solid inclusion), and also the interfaces of mixed-phase particles, there was a strong SFG response in the aliphatic C-H stretching region for both sub- and supermicrometer particles. This finding suggests that organic material present in supermicrometer particles primarily resides at the interface. The presence of methylene contributions in the SFG spectra indicated disordered alkyl chains, in contrast to what one might expect for a surfactant layer on a sea salt particle. Changes in peak frequencies and relative intensities in the C-H stretching region are seen for some particles after the addition of bacteria, phytoplankton, and growth medium to the seawater. This study provides new insights into the bulk and surface composition of SSA particles and represents a step forward in our understanding of this globally abundant aerosol. It also provides insights into the development of model systems for SSA that may more accurately represent the organic layer at the surface.

A wide range of free N-H 2-arylindoles were synthesised via the copper(II)-catalyzed amination of 2-bromo-arylacetylenes with aqueous ammonia and sequential intramolecular cyclization. The convenience and atom economy of aqueous ammonia, and the low cost of the copper catalytic system make this protocol readily superior in practical application.