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Multi-functionalised nano-platforms based on persistent-luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) have attracted considerable attention for biomedical applications owing to their lack of background noise and suitability for in vivo imaging without the need for in situ excitation. However, nano-platforms based on PLNPs for continuous photodynamic therapy (PDT) are currently lacking. Herein, we report a nano-platform (LiGa 4.99 O 8 :Cr 0.01 /IrO 2 , LGO:Cr/IrO 2 ) prepared using PLNPs (LiGa 4.99 O 8 :Cr 0.01 , LGO:Cr) covalently bonded with iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO 2 NPs), producing near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence, "afterglow" PDT and photo-thermal therapy (PTT) effects. The LGO:Cr/IrO 2 not only exhibits NIR-persistent luminescence at 719 nm and a PTT effect under 808 nm irradiation but also a continuous "afterglow" PDT effect without the need for in situ excitation owing to persistent energy transfer from LGO:Cr to the IrO 2 NPs, in turn generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This multi-functional nano-platform is expected to further promote the application of PLNPs in tumour treatment.

Graphene-based nanocarriers show great potential in photo-chemotherapy, however, to prepare desired reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticles in a facile way is still a challenge. Herein, a novel strategy has been presented to prepare rGO nanoparticle using dextran (Dex) as a reducing agent. In this strategy, Dex was directly conjugated on rGO by hydrogen bond and then self-assemble to form rGO/Dex nanoparticles. After decorated by dextran, rGO-based nanoparticles not only show excellent biocompatibility but also can load anticancer drug for photo-chemotherapy. The data of fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, Raman spectrum analysis, thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the transmission electron microscope (TEM) image and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements powerfully proved that the stable rGO-based nanoparticles with desired nanosize have been successfully prepared. To verify the photo-chemotherapy, anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), has been loaded on rGO/Dex nanoparticles (rGO/DOX/Dex). And RGD, a kind of oligopeptide which can improve the intracellular uptake by αvβ3 recognition, also has been introduced (rGO/DOX/RDex). Compared with single chemotherapy, rGO/DOX/Dex and rGO/DOX/RDex combining the local specific chemotherapy and external near-infrared (NIR) photo-thermal therapy show higher therapeutic efficacy, endowing the desired rGO-based nanoparticle with great potential for cancer treatments., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This work reports on an assembling–calcining method for preparing gold–metal oxide core–satellite nanostructures, which enable surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection of chemical reactions on metal oxide nanoparticles. By using the nanostructure, we study the photooxidation of Si−H catalyzed by CuO nanoparticles. As evidenced by the in situ spectroscopic results, oxygen vacancies of CuO are found to be very active sites for oxygen activation, and hydroxide radicals (*OH) adsorbed at the catalytic sites are likely to be the reactive intermediates that trigger the conversion from silanes into the corresponding silanols. According to our finding, oxygen vacancy‐rich CuO catalysts are confirmed to be of both high activity and selectivity in photooxidation of various silanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifunctional Au@Ni core–satellite nanostructures synthesized by a one‐step assembly method were employed for in situ surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) monitoring of Ni‐catalyzed C−C bond‐forming reactions. Surprisingly, the reaction that was thought to be an Ullmann‐type self‐coupling reaction, was found to be a cross‐coupling reaction proceeding by photoinduced aromatic C−H bond arylation. In situ SERS monitoring enabled the discovery, and a series of biphenyl compounds were synthesized photocatalytically, and at room temperature, using cheap Ni nanoparticle catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]