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Co–FeSe2 nanozymes were designed which exhibited synergistic catalytic-photothermal anti-tumor performance. A ‘ferroptosis–apoptosis’ dual pathway was found for Co–FeSe2 nanozymes to promote cancer cell death.

Biodegradable Ce-doped MoOx nanoparticles were designed for tumor CDT/PDT/PTT synergistic therapy in the NIR-II biowindow.

A two-photon tandem absorption E-BiVO4/BPQDs/OL-OEC photoanode with superior light absorbability and photocurrent density.

Narrow band gap AgBiSe2 nanodots exhibit rapid clean-up features in vivo using the CT/photothermal imaging-guided tumor therapy in the NIR-II biowindow.

Self-assembly performed in ionic liquids (ILs) as a unique solvent promises distinct functions and applications in sensors, therapeutics, and optoelectronic devices due to the rich interactions between nanoparticle building blocks and ILs. However, the general consideration that common nanoparticles are readily destabilized by counterions in an IL has largely prevented researchers from investigating controlled nanoparticle assembly in IL-based systems. This study explores the assembling behaviour of double-stranded (ds) DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (dsDNA-AuNPs) in hydrated ionic liquids. The DNA base pair stacking assembly of dsDNA-AuNPs occurs at a low IL concentration (5%). However, a moderate ionic liquid concentration (5-40%) can de-hybridize dsDNA and leaves single-stranded (ss) DNA stabilizing the AuNPs. In concentrated ionic liquids (40%), interestingly, the higher ionic strength leads to the assembly of DNA-AuNPs. The triphasic assembly trend is also generally observed regardless of the type of IL. By down-regulation of DNA's melting temperature with the IL, the assembly of DNA-AuNPs affords robust response to a lower temperature range, promising applications in plasmonic devices and range-tunable temperature sensors.

Smart thermal switching of plasmonic materials holds important implications for photothermal therapy, optoelectronics, and information storage. Due to the difficulty in translation of interplays of interfacial molecular behaviors to highly controlled interparticle spacing, unfortunately, realization of a plasmon switch with rapid, sensitive, and tunable thermo-response remains challenging. We report the development of a smart plasmon switch based on gold nanorods (AuNRs) through terminal breathing of surface-grafted double-stranded (ds) DNA in alcoholic solvents. By closing dsDNA terminals on the AuNRs, DNA base pair stacking assembly of the AuNRs occurs immediately, whereas dispersed AuNRs can be restored at an elevated temperature owing to the opening of the dsDNA ends. Both electron microscopic characterizations and optical simulations confirmed that the DNA terminal breathing behavior has a significant impact on the interfacial interactions of the AuNRs and brings about repeated plasmon switching that exhibits a thermal sensitivity of 1 °C. Importantly, by altering the composition of water–alcohol mixtures, the plasmon switch can be continuously tuned with respect to temperature response range while preserving excellent switching performance. Given the high sensitivity and wide response range, the bioinspired plasmonic materials suggest expanded application scope.

One of the intrinsic problems relating to electrolysers for the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction is that the water-based liquid electrolyte induces the hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, we report an electrolyser based on a polymer electrolyte membrane and assisted by a high-performance advanced carbon-supported gold nanoparticle catalyst. By adjusting the mass ratio of gold in the catalyst, CO formation with up to 97% current efficiency was achieved at a cell potential of 2.7 V with 105 mA cm−2 partial current efficiency for CO production. The electrolyser has extremely high stability for 130 hours at 50 mA cm−2 with greater than 95% current efficiency and 55% energy efficiency for CO production. This work shows the great potential of using small-sized Au nanocatalysts with low gold content for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in a full-cell. This strategy sheds light on the scale-up and further development of CO2 electrolysers aiming towards commercialization.

Tailored defects on a semiconductor surface can provide active catalytic sites and effectively tune the electronic structure for suitable optical properties. Herein, we report that surface modification of WO3 with a disordered layer enables the photochemical hydrogen production from water. A simple room temperature solution process with lithium-ethylenediamine (Li-EDA) alters the surface of WO3 with localized defects that form a thin disordered layer. Both structural and optical characterization reveal that such a disordered layer induces an upshift in the Fermi level and the elevation of the conduction band of WO3 above the hydrogen reduction potential. Using an alkaline sacrificial agent, Li-EDA treated WO3 shows a co-catalyst-free photochemical hydrogen evolution rate of 94.2 μmol g−1 h−1 under simulated sunlight. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of using WO3 as a direct photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from water via simple surface defect engineering.

Nanophase graphene frameworks (NGFs) assembled by interconnected domains have massive interfaces, where the interfacial interaction and the compact architectures drastically elevate the durability of graphene towards physical and chemical destruction. The excellent electrical conductivity of the NGFs can be perfectly maintained even after 1500 friction cycles or 3 h flame treatment.

Surface engineering of TiO2 is faced with the challenge of high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Recently, surface-disordered TiO2, referred to as black TiO2, which can absorb both visible and near-infrared solar light, has triggered an explosion of interest in many important applications. Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying the improved photocatalytic effect from an amorphous surface layer remains unclear and seems to contradict conventional wisdom. Here, we demonstrate selectively “disorder engineered” Degussa P-25 TiO2 nanoparticles using simple room-temperature solution processing, which maintain the unique three-phase interfaces composed of ordered white-anatase and disordered black-rutile with open structures for easy electrolyte access. The strong reducing agent in a superbase, which consists of lithium in ethylenediamine (Li-EDA), can disorder only the white-rutile phase of P-25, leaving behind blue coloured TiO2 nanoparticles. The order/disorder/water junction created by the blue P-25 can not only efficiently internally separate electrons/holes through type-II bandgap alignment but can also induce a strong hydrogen (H2) evolution surface reaction in the sacrificial agent containing electrolyte. As a result, the blue P-25 exhibited outstanding H2 production rates of 13.89 mmol h−1 g−1 using 0.5 wt% Pt (co-catalyst) and 3.46 mmol h−1 g−1 without using any co-catalyst.

Here, we demonstrate a rapid and simple method for doping a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) field effect transistor (FET) with nanocrystals to produce dual n-type behavior with light and bias voltage. This convenient method promises industrial level doping of graphene transistors.