Understanding Interactions between Cellular Matrices and Metal Complexes: Methods To Improve Silver Nanodot‐Specific Staining

Metal complexes are frequently used for biological applications due to their special photophysical and chemical characteristics. Due to strong interactions between metals and biomacromolecules, a random staining of cytoplasm or nucleoplasm by the complexes results in a low signal‐to‐background ratio. In this study, we used luminescent silver nanodots as a model to investigate the major driving force for non‐specific staining in cellular matrices. Even though some silver nanodot emitters exhibited excellent specific staining of nucleoli, labeling with nanodots was problematic owing to severe non‐specific staining. Binding between silver and sulfhydryl group of proteins appeared to be the major factor that enforced the silver staining. The oxidation of thiol groups in cells with hexacyanoferrate(III) dramatically weakened the silver‐cell interaction and consequently significantly improved the efficiency of targeted staining.     

Exploring the Role of Surface States in Emissive Carbon Nanodots: Analysis at Single-Particle Level

Fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs) have been highlighted as promising semiconducting materials due to their outstanding chemical and optical properties. However, the intrinsic heterogeneity of CDs has impeded a clear understanding of the mechanisms behind their photophysical properties. In this study, as-prepared CDs are fractionated via chromatography to reduce their structural and chemical heterogeneity and analyzed through ensemble and single-particle spectroscopies. Many single particles reveal fluorescence intensity fluctuations between two or more discrete levels with bi-exponential decays. While the intrinsic τ₁ components are uniform among single particles, the τ₂ components from molecule-like emissions spans a wider range of lifetimes, reflecting the inhomogeneity of the surface states. Furthermore, it is concluded that the relative population and chemical states of surface functional groups in CDs have a significant impact on emissive states, brightness, blinking, stability, and lifetime distribution of photoluminescence.     

Study on the Ultrahigh Quantum Yield of Fluorescent P,O‐g‐C3N4 Nanodots and its Application in Cell Imaging

Graphitic carbon nitride nanodots (g‐C₃N₄ nanodots), as a new kind of heavy‐metal‐free quantum dots, have attracted considerable attention because of their unique physical and chemical properties. Although various methods to obtain g‐C₃N₄ nanodots have been reported, it is still a challenge to synthesize g‐C₃N₄ nanodots with ultrahigh fluorescence quantum yield (QY). In this study, highly fluorescent phosphorus/oxygen‐doped graphitic carbon nitride (P,O‐g‐C₃N₄) nanodots were prepared by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal etching of bulk P‐g‐C₃N₄ derived from the pyrolysis of phytic acid and melamine. The as‐prepared P,O‐g‐C₃N₄ nanodots showed strong blue fluorescence and a relatively high QY of up to 90.2 %, which can be ascribed to intrinsic phosphorus/oxygen‐containing groups, and surface‐oxidation‐related fluorescence enhancement. In addition, the P,O‐g‐C₃N₄ nanodots were explored for cell imaging with excellent stability and biocompatibility, which suggest that they have great potential in biological applications.     

荧光银簇的制备、性能及应用研究进展

银簇是一类粒径为1-2 nm的银纳米材料,其除具有特殊的光、电、磁及催化等性能,还具有低毒、强荧光、生物相容性等特殊的物理、化学等特性。因此被广泛应用于生物检测、环境监测等领域。以银簇为研究对象,对银簇的制备、银簇的性能和银簇的应用进行综述。总结了荧光银簇的制备、性能和应用方面的最新研究进展。     

Systematic Exploration of Furoindolizine-Based Molecular Frameworks towards a Versatile Fluorescent Platform

The photophysical behaviors of fluorescent molecules largely determine their major utility in biological studies. Despite their well-defined characteristics, classical fluorophores have often been challenged by their limited synthetic methodology and tunability in adjusting intrinsic optical properties. A novel heterocyclic core equipped with modular functional groups could offer the flexibility to control its photophysical properties with a minimum synthetic effort. By conducting a systematic analysis guided by quantum calculations, we proposed the furoindolizine-based molecular framework as a unique fluorescent platform capable of providing versatile photophysical properties with minimal structural modification. A broad tunability of furoindolizine derivatives′ photophysical properties such as emission wavelength, Stokes shift, fluorescent brightness, and charge transfer characteristics was achieved through synergistic interaction between two functional moieties. Furthermore, this modular platform led to live-cell imaging probes with two distinct optical features simply by reorganizing a pair of functional moieties.     

Aggregation induced colour change for phosphorescent iridium(III) complex-based anionic surfactants

We describe a new class of water soluble metallosurfactant molecules based on luminescent neutral iridium(III) complexes. The compounds possess an alkyl chain terminated with a negatively charged group, a sulphate. Due to their amphiphilic nature they assemble in aggregates in water and their photophysical properties, as well as the morphological characterization of the assemblies are presented. In particular, UV-Vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy techniques have been employed towards the analysis of the assemblies in different media. Comparison with the single components shows that the aggregates have very different photophysical properties. Importantly, the change in colour upon self-assembly is a remarkable feature which could be used for the design of probes which can change properties in different environments.     

Applications of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes as biomolecular and cellular probes

The rich photophysical properties of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes, such as their intense, long-lived, and environment-sensitive emission, render them excellent candidates for biological and cellular studies. In this Perspective, we review examples of biological probes derived from luminescent transition metal complexes with a d(6), d(8), or d(10) metal center. The design of luminescent covalent labels and noncovalent probes for protein molecules is discussed. Additionally, the recent applications of these complexes as cellular probes and bioimaging reagents are described. Emphasis is put on the structural features, photophysical behavior, biomolecular interactions, cellular uptake, and intracellular localization properties of luminescent transition metal complexes.     

微波法制备纳米碳点反应机制与发光机理

为探讨微波法制备纳米碳点发光性质的影响规律与本质,采用微波加热法通过控制微波功率、反应时间以及pH值合成了一系列纳米碳点,并利用荧光激发光谱与发射光谱测试对纳米碳点的发光性质进行了表征,结合紫外吸收光谱与傅立叶红外光谱对反应产物官能团变化分析,最终揭示了微波加热过程中葡萄糖向纳米碳点转变的机制与发光机理。结果表明,采用微波法制备纳米碳点,当微波功率为560 W,反应时间为2.5 min时,获得纳米碳点发光性能最佳。当采用波长370 nm紫外光激发时,对应451 nm的蓝光发射强度最高。伴随纳米碳点溶液pH值从酸性变为碱性,纳米碳点最强发光峰的激发光波长由350 nm显著向高波长方向移动,且发光峰强度显著升高。紫外吸收光谱与傅立叶红外光谱显示反应过程中形成了多环芳香族碳氢化合物,表明微波加热过程中是葡萄糖单糖向多糖聚合并最终发生碳化的过程。不同pH值下纳米碳点发光性质的差异,源于对纳米碳点中C=C键与C=O键比例的调整,从而实现对纳米碳点的光学带隙宽度及激子束缚能等的综合调控。     

Modifications of DCDHF single molecule fluorophores to impart water solubility

A series of dicyanomethylenedihydrofuran (DCDHF) fluorophores with different hydrophilic groups were synthesized and their photophysical properties and water solubilities were measured. Significant water solubility was achieved without compromising desirable photophysical properties, permitting applications of these fluorophores in biological systems.     

Effects of silver nanoparticles on seed germination and seedling growth: A review

The advancement in nanotechnology, nanoparticles are reported to have applications in various fields. Their positive role in the environment, especially in plant ecosystem, is extensively studied nowadays. Among the metal nanoparticles, the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are receiving special attention because of their ability to increase the growth and yield in many crops. Although many studies are found that shows the toxic effects of AgNPs, the perspective of the present review is to collect the information about their positive roles in growth and yield enhancement of crops. During this overview, there are many methods of synthesizing silver AgNPs nanoparticles discussed, including chemical, bacterial-induced, fungal-derived and plant-mediated synthesis. There are numerous approaches towards the synthesis of AgNPs, including biological and chemical methods. Because of the use of reducing agents such as sodium borohydride in the synthesis of AgNPs, conventional methods have opened a path that threatens environmental sustainability. The chemical synthesis of silver colloids is the consequence of increased aggregation as storage time increases. AgNPs possess unique properties which has many applications such as antimicrobial and anticancer activities. It was concluded that cautious and sensible use of nanotechnology can warrant food security through boosting agricultural production. This review is aimed at providing an insight into the syntheses of AgNPs, its significant applications in various fields, and characterization techniques involved.     

Synthesis and applications of silver nanoparticles

Over the past few decades, nanoparticles of noble metals such as silver exhibited significantly distinct physical, chemical and biological properties from their bulk counterparts. Nano-size particles of less than 100 nm in diameter are currently attracting increasing attention for the wide range of new applications in various fields of industry. Such powders can exhibit properties that differ substantially from those of bulk materials, as a result of small particle dimension, high surface area, quantum confinement and other effects. Most of the unique properties of nanoparticles require not only the particles to be of nano-sized, but also the particles be dispersed without agglomeration. Discoveries in the past decade have clearly demonstrated that the electromagnetic, optical and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles are strongly influenced by shape, size and size distribution, which are often varied by varying the synthetic methods, reducing agents and stabilizers. Accordingly, this review presents different methods of preparation silver nanoparticles and application of these nanoparticles in different fields.     

Thiocoumarin Caged Nucleotides: Synthetic Access and Their Photophysical Properties

Photocages have been successfully applied in cellular signaling studies for the controlled release of metabolites with high spatio-temporal resolution. Commonly, coumarin photocages are activated by UV light and the quantum yields of uncaging are relatively low, which can limit their applications in vivo. Here, syntheses, the determination of the photophysical properties, and quantum chemical calculations of 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-thiocoumarin (thio-DEACM) and caged adenine nucleotides are reported and compared to the widely used 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-coumarin (DEACM) caging group. In this comparison, thio-DEACM stands out as a phosphate cage with improved photophysical properties, such as red-shifted absorption and significantly faster photolysis kinetics.     

AIE荧光聚合物RAFT可控合成与表征及光物理性质研究

聚集诱导发光(AIE)分子是与传统的聚集态荧光淬灭染料分子具有截然相反的光物理性质的新型有机发光材料,可广泛应用于化学/生物传感、生物探针与成像、诊疗一体化和光电子器件等诸多领域中。本论文通过可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合方法,可控合成了侧链型四苯乙烯TPE聚丙烯酸酯AIE聚合物。通过实验条件的优化与探索,尤其采用半衰期较短、活性更高的偶氮二异庚腈(ABVN)取代常规的偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)引发剂,将原来超过12 h的过夜反应前沿科研实验,改造为较短的3–5 h聚合反应时间内即可达到中等收率和较好的聚合物产品质量,使其成为一个适合本科教学环境的新创实验。本实验融合了无水无氧操作技术、柱层析分离纯化、RAFT可控聚合和GPC分子表征技术、FTIR、NMR、UV-Vis、荧光光谱等多种现代实验技术和表征方法,考查了所合成四苯乙烯TPE侧基的AIE聚合物的光物理性质,测定其溶液中的相对荧光量子产率达17%。     

Synthesis of Ag@carbonized Polymer Dots and their Electrochemical Sensing of miRNA

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer with a lot of amino groups in its molecular structure that is secure, sterile, and biocompatible. However, it is difficult for PEI molecules to be directly applied in electroanalysis due to their poor electroactivity. Herein, the PEI-based carbonized polymer nanodots (CPDs) with core-shell structure were prepared by hydrothermal method using PEI as the precursors. The results showed that the as-prepared PEI-based CPDs can not only exhibit the unique properties of carbon nanodots but also inherit the properties of PEI. Subsequently, based on the strong coordination interaction between the abundant amino groups on the surface of PEI and silver ions, the electroactive Ag@carbonized polymer dots (Ag@CPDs) were prepared. Furthermore, to investigate the electrochemical behaviors and application of Ag@CPDs, the DNA molecule (double-stranded and single-stranded DNA) was taken as an example. It was found that the interaction of DNA with Ag@CPDs had a significant influence on the current intensity of Ag@CPDs. Based on this phenomenon, a sensitive electrochemical technique for miRNA detection was established and effectively employed to detect miRNA in human serum samples based on the discriminating effect of Ag@CPDs towards ssDNA probes and ssDNA probe/miRNA complex (dsDNA).     

电化学方法调控荧光碳点的研究

作为零维碳基发光纳米材料,碳点是对现有发光纳米材料的重要补充. 精准控制粒径及表面结构对实现碳点的性质调控及其应用至关重要. 本文介绍了本课题组在利用电化学方法研究荧光碳点方面的进展. 重点展示了利用电化学方法实现对碳点粒径的控制,对表面氧化程度的调节以及对其发光机理的研究. 电化学方法可对只有几纳米厚度的材料表面进行有效的控制,可操作性强且经济环保. 通过对碳点的粒径及表面的调控,作者也进一步揭示了碳点的发光与表面结构的相关性. 这些工作为碳点的合成及其性质调控提供了可循的规律,有利于推动碳点在生物医生成像、传感检测、催化及能源转化等领域的应用.     

MOF-Templated Synthesis of Ultrasmall Photoluminescent Carbon-Nanodot Arrays for Optical Applications

Arrays of ultrasmall and uniform carbon nanodots (CDs) are of pronounced interest for applications in optical devices. Herein, we describe a low-temperature calcination approach with rather inexpensive reactants. After glucose molecules had been loaded into the pores of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), well-defined CD arrays were produced by heating to 200 °C. The size and spacing of the CDs could be controlled by the choice of templating MOF: HKUST-1, ZIF-8, or MIL-101. The sizes of the obtained CDs were approximately 1.5, 2.0, and 3.2 nm, which are close to the corresponding MOF pores sizes. The CD arrays exhibited interesting photophysical properties, including photoluminescence with tunable emission and pronounced nonlinear optical (NLO) effects. The NLO properties of the obtained CD arrays were significantly different from those of a CD suspension, thus indicating the existence of collective phenomena.     

Luminescent Pyrrole-Based Phosphaphenalene Gold Complexes: Versatile Anticancer Tools with Wide Applicability

Brain cancer, one of the most lethal diseases, urgently requires the discovery of novel theranostic agents. In this context, molecules based on six-membered phosphorus heterocycles – phosphaphenalenes – are especially attractive; they possess unique characteristics that allow precise chemical engineering. Herein, we demonstrate that subtle structural modifications of the phosphaphenalene-based gold(I) complexes lead to modify their electronic distribution, endow them with marked photophysical properties and enhance their efficacy against cancer. In particular, phosphaphenalene-based gold(I) complexes containing a pyrrole ring show antiproliferative properties in 14 cell lines including glioblastomas, brain metastases, meningiomas, IDH-mutant gliomas and head and neck cancers, reaching IC₅₀ values as low as 0.73 μM. The bioactivity of this new family of drugs in combination with their photophysical properties thus offer new research possibilities for both the fundamental investigation and treatment of brain cancer.     

Thiazole orange-peptide conjugates: sensitivity of DNA binding to chemical structure

[structure: see text] Derivatives of the highly fluorescent and DNA-binding dye thiazole orange (TO) are described that feature appended peptides. Functionalization of TO can be achieved at either of the endocyclic nitrogens, and the photophysical properties and DNA-binding modes are sensitive to the position of the tethered peptide. A series of TO-peptide conjugates are described, demonstrating the utility of a solid-phase synthesis approach to their preparation and illustrating how the photophysical and DNA-binding properties of the compounds are influenced by chemical structure.     

Of Twists and Curves: Electronics,Photophysics, and Upcoming Applications of Non-Planar Conjugated Organic Molecules

Non-planar conjugated organic molecules (NPCOMs) contain π-conjugation across their length and also exhibit asymmetry in their conformation. In other words, certain molecular fragments in NPCOMs are either twisted or curved out of planarity. This conformational asymmetry in NPCOMs leads to non-uniform charge-distribution across the molecule, with important photophysical and electronic consequences such as altered thermodynamic stability, chemical reactivity, as well as materials properties. Majorly, NPCOMs can be classified as having either Fused or Rotatable architectures. NPCOMs have been the focus of significant scientific attention in the recent past due to their exciting photophysical behavior that includes intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT), thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and long-lived charge-separated states. In addition, they also have many useful materials characteristics such as biradical character, semi-conductivity, dynamic conformations, and mechanochromism. As a result, rational design of NPCOMs and mapping their structure-property correlations has become imperative. Researchers have executed conformational changes in NPCOMs through a variety of external stimuli such as pH, temperature, anions-cations, solvent, electric potential, and mechanical force in order to tailor their photophysical, optoelectronic and magnetic properties. Converging to these points, this review highlights the lucrative electronic features, photophysical traits and upcoming applications of NPCOMs by a selective survey of the recent scientific literature.     

The role of molecular size in the excited state behavior of aminocoumarin dyes in restricted media--2: study of BC I in AOT-formamide reversed micelles

Ground and excited state properties of a pre-twisted 7-diethylaminocoumarin dye (BC I) belonging to the family of coumarinyl benzopyrano pyridines are reported in isooctane-AOT-formamide reversed micelles. In reversed micelles, BC I, albeit soluble in formamide, is found to remain out of the polar solvent pool. But the photophysical properties of the probe dye are sensitive to the changes in the polarity of the interfacial region caused by increase in F0 = [formamide]/[AOT]. The spectroscopic properties and dynamics are indicative of dual emission due to the solubilization of the dye in two different environments (the nonpolar solvent and the interfacial region). Results of the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy experiments also support the presence of two different environments. The present study once again proves that molecular size is an important parameter in the study of the photophysical properties of the flexible aminocoumarin dyes in reversed micelles.