Multifunctional Silver‐Embedded Magnetic Nanoparticles as SERS Nanoprobes and Their Applications

In this study, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)‐encoded magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared and utilized as a multifunctional tagging material for cancer‐cell targeting and separation. First, silver‐embedded magnetic NPs are prepared, composed of an 18‐nm magnetic core and a 16‐nm‐thick silica shell with silver NPs formed on the surface. After simple aromatic compounds are adsorbed on the silver‐embedded magnetic NPs, they are coated with silica to provide them with chemical and physical stability. The resulting silica‐encapsulated magnetic NPs (M‐SERS dots) produce strong SERS signals and have magnetic properties. In a model application as a tagging material, the M‐SERS dots are successfully utilized for targeting breast‐cancer cells (SKBR3) and floating leukemia cells (SP2/O). The targeted cancer cells can be easily separated from the untargeted cells using an external magnetic field. The separated targeted cancer cells exhibit a Raman signal originating from the M‐SERS dots. This system proves to be an efficient tool for separating targeted cells. Additionally, the magnetic‐field‐induced hot spots, which can provide a 1000‐times‐stronger SERS intensity due to aggregation of the NPs, are studied.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Titania Particles and Thin Films

Well-organized mesoporous titania particles and thin films were successfully synthesized by using tetrabutyl titanate as the inorganic precursor and triblock copolymer （Pluronic P123） as the template via evaporationinduced self-assembly process. The resulting materials were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）,Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Macro shape of mesoporous titania would greatly influence the mesostructure of materials, and the probable reasons were also discussed.     

Photocatalytic Evidence of the Rutile‐to‐Anatase Electron Transfer in Titania

Layered anatase‐rutile titania thin‐films were synthesized via atmospheric‐pressure chemical vapor deposition and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The interposition of an amorphous TiO₂‐based interlayer allowed direct vapor deposition of anatase on a rutile substrate, which is otherwise hindered by templating. This resourceful approach and the subsequent crystallization of the amorphous layer after annealing of the films allowed investigation on the impact of an efficient interface of the two anatase‐rutile phases in the photodegradation of a model organic pollutant. Clear evidence is presented on the synergy between the two polymorphs and more importantly, on the charge flow across the interface, which, against much conventional understanding, it involves electron transfer from rutile to anatase and is in agreement with a recent theoretical model and electron paramagnetic resonance data. Here, an increasing density of trapped electrons on the anatase surface of the A/R film is confirmed by photoreduction of silver. This observation is attributed to a defect‐free efficient contact between the two phases and the presence of small rutile particles that promote rapid electron transfer at the A‐R interface of the films.     

New Triblock Copolymer Templates,PEO‐PB‐PEO,for the Synthesis of Titania Films with Controlled Mesopore Size,Wall Thickness,and Bimodal Porosity

The synthesis and properties of a series of new structure‐directing triblock copolymers with PEO‐PB‐PEO structure (PEO = poly(ethylene oxide) and PB = polybutadiene) and their application as superior pore‐templates for the preparation of mesoporous titania coatings are reported. Starting from either TiCl₄ or from preformed TiO₂ nanocrystalline building blocks, mesoporous crystalline titanium oxide films with a significant degree of mesoscopic ordered pores are derived, and the pore size can be controlled by the molecular mass of the template polymer. Moreover, the triblock copolymers form stable micelles already at very low concentration, i.e., prior to solvent evaporation during the evaporation‐induced self‐assembly process (EISA). Consequently, the thickness of pore walls can be controlled independently of pore size by changing the polymer‐to‐precursor ratio. Thus, unprecedented control of wall thickness in the structure of mesoporous oxide coatings is achieved. In addition, the micelle formation of the new template polymers is sufficiently distinct from that of typical commercial PPO‐PEO‐PPO polymers (Pluronics; PPO = poly(propylene oxide)), so that a combination of both polymers facilitates bimodal porosity via dual micelle templating.     

纯钛表面立方介孔SiO2薄膜诱导沉积碳磷灰石层

采用浸渍-提拉法在预处理纯钛表面制备立方介孔SiO₂薄膜, 通过评价体外诱导类骨碳磷灰石层形成能力研究其生物活性。利用小角X射线衍射、傅立叶变换红外光谱、N₂吸附、电镜和能谱等测试技术对模板剂去除前后、模拟体液浸泡前后介孔薄膜结构、组成与形貌进行了研究; 利用固体表面Zeta电位仪研究薄膜表面荷电性质。结果表明, 介孔薄膜具有三维立方介孔结构, 在模拟体液(1.5SBF)中浸泡14 d即能诱导碳磷灰石层在其表面沉积, 显示出良好的生物活性。介孔薄膜独特的孔道结构以及孔表面Si-OH在体液中呈负电性对其生物活性起关键作用。     

Magnetron Sputtering Deposition of Ag/TiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Films for Repeatable and Multicolor Photochromic Applications on Flexible Substrates

It is reported on a reactive magnetron sputtering‐based deposition method to synthesize, at room temperature, photochromic nanocomposite thin films consisting of Ag nanoparticles sandwiched between nanoporous TiO₂ layers. The fabrication process is compatible with large‐scale production and functional flexible substrates. It is shown that when TiO₂ is deposited in the metallic mode, the formation of Ag metal nanoparticles induces localized surface plasmon resonances in the visible range and therefore the as‐deposited samples are colored. In contrast, when TiO₂ is deposited in the compound mode, the trilayer samples are colorless because silver oxidizes during TiO₂ deposition. It is demonstrated that the colorless samples can be colored under ultraviolet (UV) laser exposure at 244 nm due to the reduction of oxidized silver and the formation of metallic Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, irradiation at 647 nm wavelength of colored samples (as‐prepared or after UV exposure) gives rise to changes in the particle morphology that strongly modifies the film absorbance and results in a color transition from blue to orange. The choice of the irradiation wavelength allows controlling the color saturation of the sample up to the complete discoloration by using a visible laser at 488 nm. All these photochromic mechanisms are repeatable during cyclic processes.     

介孔Au/ZrO2复合薄膜的制备及其三阶非线性光学性能（英文）

以尿素为沉淀剂,通过沉积沉淀的方法,制备了高分散的金纳米颗粒负载的介孔氧化锆薄膜;以1064 nm激光为入射光束,通过Z扫描实验测试了复合薄膜的非线性光学折射和吸收,并计算了复合薄膜的非共振三阶非线性光学极化率(~10-10esu),金纳米颗粒的高分散性和氧化锆薄膜衬底的高线性折射率使复合薄膜显示了增强的三阶非线性极化率.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Disruption of Diselenide‐Containing Layer‐by‐Layer Films: Toward Combination of Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy

A photoresponsive polyelectrolyte multilayer film containing a diselenide functional group is fabricated using an unconventional layer‐by‐layer method. The polycation backbone is constructed through copolymerization of di‐(1‐hydroxylundecyl) diselenide and 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperazine with 2,4‐diisocyanatotoluene. A common polyanion poly(styrene sulfonate) is selected as the polyanion. The obtained film can be gradually disrupted under the irradiation of mild visible light, and this process can be monitored with UV–vis spectroscopy. The residue of the film is estimated to be 17% after 5 h of irradiation. The intensity of the visible light can be as low as 50 mW cm^?2, which is even weaker than the sunlight. The cytotoxicity of the building blocks is evaluated in MTT assays using human hepatic cell line (L‐02), and the results are satisfactory. Further tests show that cells can grow in a regular manner on this film, indicating good biocompatibility. In addition, the film can be used to achieve cargo loading and controlled release. Considering that light can not only trigger controlled release but also act as part of the therapy itself (photodynamic therapy), this system shows hope for further development into a platform for the combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy, especially for applications concerning skin.