Integrin αvß3-Targeted C-Dot Nanocomposites as Multifunctional Agents for Cell Targeting and Photoacoustic Imaging of Superficial Malignant Tumors.

With a cocktail formulation of soybean milk as a green carbon source and TTDDA as a capping agent, integrin αvß3-targeted C-dot nanocomposites (MB-CDs@NH-RGD) have been successfully fabricated via a facile microwaving protocol. Modification of the surface coating and RGD-conjugation endow their superior biocompatibility as well as highly specific targeting profile to αvß3-overexpressed cell lines of MDA-MB231 and B16 as representative superficial malignant tumors. Meanwhile, the significant photothermal effect has been generated on irradiation of these targeted C-dot nanocomposites by a pulsed laser, which proved their eligibility for potential thermal ablation therapy. In vivo photoacoustic imaging using these C-dot nanocomposites as novel imaging probes verified their excellent targeting sensitivity and contrast enhancement. This exciting evidence implies a promising strategy to utilize them for multifunctional nanotheranostic purposes in combination with precision diagnosis and photothermal treatment against superficial malignant tumors.

Improving the photovoltaic performance for PbS QD thin film solar cells through interface engineering.

Interfaces exist between functional layers inside thin film optoelectronic devices, and it is very important to minimize the energy loss when electrons move across the interfaces to improve the photovoltaic performance. For PbS quantum dots (QDs) solar cells with the classical n-i-p device architecture, it is particularly challenging to tune the electron transfer process due to limited material choices for each functional layer. Here, we introduce materials to tune the electron transfer across the three interfaces inside the PbS-QD solar cell: (1) the interface between the ZnO electron transport layer and the n-type iodide capped PbS QD layer (PbS-I QD layer), (2) the interface between the n-type PbS-I layer and the p-type 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) treated PbS QD layer (PbS-EDT QD layer), (3) the interface between the PbS-EDT layer and the Au electrode. After passivating the ZnO layer through APTES treating; tuning the band alignment through varying the QD size of PbS -EDT QD layer and a carbazole layer to tune the hole transport process, a power conversion efficiency of 9.23% (Voc of 0.62 V) under simulated AM1.5 sunlight is demonstrated for PbS QD solar cells. Our results highlights the profound influence of interface engineering on the electron transfer inside the PbS QD solar cells, exemplified by its impact on the photovoltaic performance of PbS QD devices.

Spray deposited polycrystalline MAPbBr3 thick films for hole-transport-material free solar cells.

A spray deposition procedure for the fabrication of polycrystalline MAPbBr3 thick films (20-100 µm) is developed and highly efficient (>5.5% under AM1.5 sunlight) hole-transport-material free perovskite solar cells are successfully made with 40 µm thick MAPbBr3 films.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for stimuli-responsive controlled drug delivery: advances, challenges, and outlook.

With the development of nanotechnology, the application of nanomaterials in the field of drug delivery has attracted much attention in the past decades. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as promising drug nanocarriers have become a new area of interest in recent years due to their unique properties and capabilities to efficiently entrap cargo molecules. This review describes the latest advances on the application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles in drug delivery. In particular, we focus on the stimuli-responsive controlled release systems that are able to respond to intracellular environmental changes, such as pH, ATP, GSH, enzyme, glucose, and H2O2. Moreover, drug delivery induced by exogenous stimuli including temperature, light, magnetic field, ultrasound, and electricity is also summarized. These advanced technologies demonstrate current challenges, and provide a bright future for precision diagnosis and treatment.