Unraveling the Dynamic Properties of New-Age Energy Materials Chemistry Using Advanced In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy.

The field of energy storage and conversion materials has witnessed transformative advancements owing to the integration of advanced in situ characterization techniques. Among them, numerous real-time characterization techniques, especially in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/scanning TEM (STEM) have tremendously increased the atomic-level understanding of the minute transition states in energy materials during electrochemical processes. Advanced forms of in situ/operando TEM and STEM microscopic techniques also provide incredible insights into material phenomena at the finest scale and aid to monitor phase transformations and degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries. Notably, the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) is one the most significant factors that associated with the performance of rechargeable batteries. The SEI critically controls the electrochemical reactions occur at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Intricate chemical reactions in energy materials interfaces can be effectively monitored using temperature-sensitive in situ STEM techniques, deciphering the reaction mechanisms prevailing in the degradation pathways of energy materials with nano- to micrometer-scale spatial resolution. Further, the advent of cryogenic (Cryo)-TEM has enhanced these studies by preserving the native state of sensitive materials. Cryo-TEM also allows the observation of metastable phases and reaction intermediates that are otherwise challenging to capture. Along with these sophisticated techniques, Focused ion beam (FIB) induction has also been instrumental in preparing site-specific cross-sectional samples, facilitating the high-resolution analysis of interfaces and layers within energy devices. The holistic integration of these advanced characterization techniques provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic changes in energy materials. This review highlights the recent progress in employing state-of-the-art characterization techniques such as in situ TEM, STEM, Cryo-TEM, and FIB for detailed investigation into the structural and chemical dynamics of energy storage and conversion materials.

Ratiometric Probe for Rapid Naked Eye Detection of Toxic Hydrazine: Real Time Application in Strip Test, Spray Test and Soil Analysis.

Striking colorimetric probe (CynH) for abrupt detection of hydrazine under complete aqueous solution was achieved. The water soluble probe was designed with electron "push-pull" strategy by coupling of 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde and 2, 3, 3-trimethylindolinine. The positively charged N-propylated indolinine make the probe completely soluble in water. The probe yields eye catching selective detection of hydrazine over other competing analytes with high sensitivity. Obvious colour change was observed from colourless to appearance of bright pink colour with hydrazine. It reacts quickly with hydrazine within 2 min and makes the probe an effective candidate for practical application. The real time application was demonstrated using paper strip to detect hydrazine vapour. This probe is superior to earlier reported probes because of its effective sensing of hydrazine displayed with various applications including real-time strip based sensing, spray test and soil analysis. In all the examinations, the probe yields distinct response with rapid naked eye colour change which overcomes the drawbacks of previous reports.

A triple action chemosensor for Cu2+ by chromogenic, Cr3+ by fluorogenic and CN- by relay recognition methods with bio-imaging of HeLa cells.

A triple action chemosensor (R1) bearing a rhodamine and thiophene moiety was synthesized by a simple condensation reaction. The sensing behaviour and selectivity of the synthesized chemosensor toward metal ions were studied by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The chemosensor recognized Cu2+ and Cr3+ ions with significant changes in UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence intensity. The results showed that Cr3+ induced greater fluorescence enhancement whereas Cu2+ ions bound strongly with the receptor by showing a strong absorption band at 554 nm but with weak fluorescence. A visible colour change was observed by the addition of Cu2+ and that colour change is due to the opening of the spirolactam ring triggered by the addition of Cu2+ ions. Job's plot analysis indicated a 1 : 2 and 1 : 1 binding stoichiometry between the chemosensor and Cr3+/Cu2+. Subsequently, the R1 - Cu2+ complex chemosensor was employed to detect CN- in the presence of different anions, such as F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, AcO-, H2PO4-, HSO4-, NO3- and -OH. In addition, the live cell imaging of HeLa cells using R1 and Cr3+ was demonstrated successfully.

Dual-Responsive Benzo-Hemicyanine-Based Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Cyanide and Hydrogen Sulfide: Real-Time Application in Identification of Food Spoilage.

Colorimetric and fluorescent probes have received a lot of attention for detecting lethal analytes in realistic systems and in living things. Herein, a dual-approachable Benzo-hemicyaninebased red-emitting fluorescent probe PBiSMe, for distinct and instantaneous detection of CN- and HS- was synthesized. The PBiSMe emitted red fluorescence (570 nm) can switch to turn-off (570 nm) and blue fluorescence (465 nm) in response to CN- and HS-, respectively. Other nucleophilic reagents, such as reactive sulfur species (RSS) and anions, have no contact or interference with the probe; instead, a unique approach is undertaken to exclusively interact with CN- and HS- over a wide pH range. The measured detection limits for CN- (0.43 µM) and HS- (0.22 µM) ions are lower than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels in drinking water. We confirmed 1:1 stoichiometry ratio using Job's plot and observed good quantum yield for both analytes. The probe-coated paper strips were used to detect the H2S gas produced by food spoilage (such as eggs, raw meat, and fish) via an eye-catching visual response. Moreover, fluorescence bioimaging studies of living cells was done to confirm the probe's potential by monitoring the presence of CN- and HS- in a living system.

Recent Advancements in the Design and Development of Near Infrared (NIR) Emitting Fluorescent Probes for Sensing and their Bio-Imaging Applications.

Fluorescent bio-imaging will be the future in the medical diagnostic for visualising inner cellular and tissues. Near-infrared (NIR) emitting fluorescent probes serve dynamically for targeted fluorescent imaging of live cells and tissues. NIR imaging is advantageous because of its merits like deep tissue penetration, minimum damage to the tissue, reduced auto fluorescence from the background, and improved resolution in imaging. The Development of the NIR emitting probe was well explored recently and growing drastically. In this review, we summarise recent achievements in NIR probes in between 2018-2021. The merits and future applications have also been discussed in this review.

Specific two-photon fluorescent probe for cysteine detection in vivo.

Cysteine (Cys), an essential amino acid, plays several crucial functions in numerous biological processes. Notably, the detection of Cys is critical to disease diagnosis. Fluorescent probes that can quickly detect Cys will help to study the mechanism of certain diseases. Herein, a new fluorescent probe, ANP, which is based on 6-acetyl-N-methyl-2-naphthyl amine, has been developed for Cys detection over Hcy and GSH in vivo. The addition of thiol on α,ß-unsaturated ketone promotes 87-fold fluorescence turn-on response with a 65 nM limit of detection. The high two-photon efficiency of the probe ANP (cross-section = 22.3) makes it a suitable probe for evaluating Cys in living cells without background fluorescence interference. Its application was extended to monitor the Cys distribution in live cells and tissues.

"Covalent-Assembly"-Triggered Striking Far-Red to near-Infrared Emitting Fluorescent Probe for Abrupt Detection of Nerve-Agent Mimic (DCP): Real Time Application in Monitoring the Presence of Trace Amounts in Soil and Live Cells.

Detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA) by simple and rapid methods with real-sample applications are quite inevitable in order to ease the threats to living systems caused by uncertain terror attacks and wars. Herein we have developed the first far-red to near infra-red (NIR) probe based on a covalent assembly approach for the detection of trace amounts of nerve agent mimic diethyl chloro phosphate (DCP) in soil and their fluorescent bio imaging in live cells. The probe features abrupt fluorescence turn on sensing of DCP with fluorescence quantum yield Φ = 0.622. It senses DCP selectively over other analytes in excellent sensitivity with a detection limit of 6.9 nM. In real time, the probe treated strips were employed to detect the DCP vapor effectively with eye catching fluorescence response. The presence of trace amounts of these acute warfare agents in the environment were monitored by soil analysis. Further fluorescent bio imaging was carried out to monitor trace level DCP in living cells using the HeLa cell line.

Coumarin-based Hg2+ fluorescent probe: Fluorescence turn-on detection for Hg2+ bioimaging in living cells and zebrafish.

The need in developing fluorescent probes for trace metal ion detection in biological samples has been an important issue. Herein, a reaction-based fluorescent probe PIC containing a perimidine moiety was designed and synthesized for Hg2+ detection. The probe can selectively distinguish Hg2+ with 42-fold fluorescent enhancement from the other metal ions at physiological pH. This probe can detect Hg2+ with the detection limit of 1.08 µM. The sensor PIC can be applied to real-time detection of Hg2+ in cells with blue emission.