Molecular architectures of iron complexes for oxygen reduction catalysis-Activity enhancement by hydroxide ions coupling.

Developing cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for clean energy generation. Here, we propose an approach to the synthesis of iron phthalocyanine nanotubes (FePc NTs) as a highly active and selective electrocatalyst for ORR. The performance is significantly superior to FePc in randomly aggregated and molecularly dispersed states, as well as the commercial Pt/C catalyst. When FePc NTs are anchored on graphene, the resulting architecture shifts the ORR potentials above the redox potentials of Fe2+/3+ sites. This does not obey the redox-mediated mechanism operative on conventional FePc with a Fe2+-N moiety serving as the active sites. Pourbaix analysis shows that the redox of Fe2+/3+ sites couples with HO- ions transfer, forming a HO-Fe3+-N moiety serving as the ORR active sites under the turnover condition. The chemisorption of ORR intermediates is appropriately weakened on the HO-Fe3+-N moiety compared to the Fe2+-N state and thus is intrinsically more ORR active.

Single-Molecule Discrimination of Saccharides Using Carbon Nitride Nanopores.

Structural complexity brings a huge challenge to the analysis of sugar chains. As a single-molecule sensor, nanopores have the potential to provide fingerprint information on saccharides. Traditionally, direct single-molecule saccharide detection with nanopores is hampered by their small size and weak affinity. Here, a carbon nitride nanopore device is developed to discern two types of trisaccharide molecules (LeApN and SLeCpN) with minor structural differences. The resolution of LeApN and SLeCpN in the mixture reaches 0.98, which has never been achieved in solid-state nanopores so far. Monosaccharide (GlcNAcpN) and disaccharide (LacNAcpN) can also be discriminated using this system, indicating that the versatile carbon nitride nanopores possess a monosaccharide-level resolution. This study demonstrates that the carbon nitride nanopores have the potential for conducting structure analysis on single-molecule saccharides.

Single Molecule Protein Segments Sequencing by a Plasmonic Nanopore.

Obtaining sequential and conformational information on proteins is vital to understand their functions. Although the nanopore-based electrical detection can sense single molecule (SM) protein and distinguish among different amino acids, this approach still faces difficulties in slowing down protein translocation and improving ionic current signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we observe the unfolding and multistep sequential translocation of SM cytochrome c (cyt c) through a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active conical gold nanopore. High bias voltage unfolds SM protein causing more exposure of amino acid residues to the nanopore, which slows down the protein translocation. Specific SERS traces of different SM cyt c segments are then recorded sequentially when they pass through the hotspot inside the gold nanopore. This study shows that the combination of SM SERS with a nanopore can provide a direct insight into protein segments and expedite the development of nanopore toward SM protein sequencing.

Unveiling the Solvent Effect in Plasmon Enhanced Electrochemistry via the Nanoparticle-Impact Technique.

Plasmon-enhanced electrochemistry (PEEC) has been observed to facilitate energy conversion systems by converting light energy to chemical energy. However, comprehensively understanding the PEEC mechanism remains challenging due to the predominant use of ensemble-based methodologies on macroscopic electrodes, which fails to measure electron-transfer kinetics due to constraints from mass transport and the averaging effect. In this study, we have employed nanoparticle impact electrochemistry (NIE), a newly developed electroanalytical technique capable of measuring electrochemical dynamics at a single-nanoparticle level under optimal mass transport conditions, along with microscopic electron-transfer theory for data interpretation. By investigating the plasmon enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at individual silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), we have clearly revealed the previously unknown influence of solvent effects within the PEEC mechanism. This finding suggests an additional approach to optimize plasmon-assisted electrocatalysis and electrosynthesis systems.

Single-Molecule Electrical and Spectroscopic Profiling Protein Allostery Using a Gold Plasmonic Nanopore.

Direct structural and dynamic characterization of protein conformers in solution is highly desirable but currently impractical. Herein, we developed a single molecule gold plasmonic nanopore system for observation of protein allostery, enabling us to monitor translocation dynamics and conformation transition of proteins by ion current detection and SERS spectrum measurement, respectively. Allosteric transition of calmodulin (CaM) was elaborately probed by the nanopore system. Two conformers of CaM were well-resolved at a single-molecule level using both the ion current blockage signal and the SERS spectra. The collected SERS spectra provided structural evidence to confirm the interaction between CaM and the gold plasmonic nanopore, which was responsible for the different translocation behaviors of the two conformers. SERS spectra revealed the amino acid residues involved in the conformational change of CaM upon calcium binding. The results demonstrated that the excellent spectral characterization furnishes a single-molecule nanopore technique with an advanced capability of direct structure analysis.

Ultrasensitive Plasmon-Enhanced Infrared Spectroelectrochemistry.

IR spectroelectrochemistry (EC-IR) is a cutting-edge operando method for exploring electrochemical reaction mechanisms. However, detection of interfacial molecules is challenged by the limited sensitivity of existing EC-IR platforms due to the lack of high-enhancement substrates. Here, we propose an innovative plasmon-enhanced infrared spectroelectrochemistry (EC-PEIRS) platform to overcome this sensitivity limitation. Plasmonic antennae with ultrahigh IR signal enhancement are electrically connected via monolayer graphene while preserving optical path integrity, serving as both the electrode and IR substrate. The [Fe(CN)6 ]3- /[Fe(CN)6 ]4- redox reaction and electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) are investigated on the EC-PEIRS platform with a remarkable signal enhancement. Notably, the enhanced IR signals enable a reconstruction of the electrochemical curve of the redox reactions and unveil the CO2 RR mechanism. This study presents a promising technique for boosting the in-depth understanding of interfacial events across diverse applications.

Synergistic Al-Al Dual-Atomic Site for Efficient Artificial Nitrogen Fixation.

Synthesis of ammonia by electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, it is commonly obstructed by the high activation energy. Here, we report the design and synthesis of an Al-Al bonded dual atomic catalyst stabilized within an amorphous nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (Al2NC) with high NRR performance. The dual atomic Al2-sites act synergistically to catalyze the complex multiple steps of NRR through adsorption and activation, enhancing the proton-coupled electron transfer. This Al2NC catalyst exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency of 16.56±0.3 % with a yield rate of 29.22±1.2 µg h-1 mgcat -1. The dual atomic Al2NC catalyst shows long-term repeatable, and stable NRR performance. This work presents an insight into the identification of synergistic dual atomic catalytic site and mechanistic pathway for the electrochemical conversion of N2 to NH3.

Design of Near-Infrared-Triggered Metallo-Photosensitizers via a Self-Assembly-Induced Vibronic Decoupling Strategy.

Development of highly efficient near-infrared (NIR)-excited photosensitizers is hampered by the fast nonradiative vibrational relaxation process regulated by the energy gap law. Here, from the fundamental perspective we propose that the intermolecular coupling of well-designed photosensitizers has the potential to facilitate exciton delocalization and hence reduce the exciton-vibration coupling, thereby boosting their phototherapeutic efficacy via inhibition of the vibrational relaxation pathway. Such conceived NIR-excited metallo-photosensitizers (IrHA1 and IrHA2) were prepared and studied for experimental validation. The resulting iridium complexes exhibited a little singlet oxygen (1O2) production in the monomeric state, but produced substantially enhanced 1O2 generation efficiency via benefiting from the exciton-vibration decoupling in the self-assembly state. Particularly, IrHA2 exhibits an unprecedented high 1O2 quantum yield of 54.9% (FDA-approved NIR dye indocyanine green: ΦΔ = 0.2%) under 808 nm laser irradiation with negligible heat generation, probably attributed to the suppression of vibronic couplings from the stretching mode of the acceptor ligand. In phototherapy, IrHA2-NPs with high biocompatibility and low dark toxicity can induce substantial tumor regression with 92.9% tumor volume reduction in vivo. This self-assembly-induced vibronic decoupling strategy would offer an effective approach to the design of high-performance NIR-excited photosensitizers.

Homochiral Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework with Defined Chiral Microenvironment for Electrochemical Enantioselective Recognition.

The recognition and separation of chiral molecules with similar structure are of great industrial and biological importance. Development of highly efficient chiral recognition systems is crucial for the precise application of these chiral molecules. Herein, a homochiral zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (c-ZIF) functionalized nanochannel device that exhibits an ideal platform for electrochemical enantioselective recognition is reported. Its distinct chiral binding cavity enables more sensitive discrimination of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomer pairs than other smaller chiral amino acids owing to its size matching to the target molecule. It is found that introducing neighboring aldehyde groups into the chiral cavity will result in an inferior chiral Trp recognition due to the decreased adsorption-energy difference of D- and L-Trp on the chiral sites. This study may provide an alternative strategy for designing efficient chiral recognition devices by utilizing the homochiral reticular materials and tailoring their chiral environments.

Closed Bipolar Electrode Array for Optical Reporting Reaction-Coupled Electrochemical Sensing and Imaging.

This review centers on a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) array using an electro-fluorochromism (EFC) or electro-chemiluminescence (ECL) reaction as the reporting reaction. Electrochemical signals at one pole of the closed BPE array can be transduced into the EFC or ECL signals at the opposite pole. Therefore, the current signal of a redox reaction can be easily detected and imaged by monitoring the luminescence signal. Recent developments in closed BPE array-based EFC and ECL sensing and imaging are summarized and discussed in detail. Finally, we consider the challenges and opportunities for improving the spatial resolution of closed BPE array-based electrochemical imaging, and emphasize the important application of this technique to the imaging of cellular activities at the single-cell level.

PNP Nanofluidic Transistor with Actively Tunable Current Response and Ionic Signal Amplification.

Inspired by electronic transistors, electric field gating has been adopted to manipulate ionic currents of smart nanofluidic devices. Here, we report a PNP nanofluidic bipolar junction transistor (nBJT) consisting of one polyaniline (PANI) layer sandwiched between two polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoporous membranes. The PNP nBJT exhibits three different responses of currents (quasi-linear, rectification, and sigmoid) due to the counterbalance between surface charge distribution and base voltage applied in the nanofluidic channels; thus, they can be switched by base voltage. Four operating modes (cutoff, active, saturation, and breakdown mode) occur in the collector response currents. Under optimal conditions, the PNP nBJT exhibits an average current gain of up to 95 in 100 mM KCl solution at a low base voltage of 0.2 V. The present nBJT is promising for fabrication of nanofluidic devices with logical-control functions for analysis of single molecules.

Single Molecule DNA Analysis Based on Atomic-Controllable Nanopores in Covalent Organic Frameworks.

We explored the application of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) in single molecule DNA analysis. Two ultrathin COF nanosheets were exfoliated with pore sizes of 1.1 nm (COF-1.1) and 1.3 nm (COF-1.3) and covered closely on a quartz nanopipette with an orifice of 20 ± 5 nm. COF nanopores exhibited high size selectivity for fluorescent dyes and DNA molecules. The transport of long (calf thymus DNA) and short (DNA-80) DNA molecules through the COF nanopores was studied. Because of the strong interaction between DNA bases and the organic backbones of COFs, the DNA-80 was transported through the COF-1.1 nanopore at a speed of 270 µs/base, which is the slowest speed ever observed compared with 2D inorganic nanomaterials. This study shows that the COF nanosheet can work individually as a nanopore monomer with controllable pore size like its biological counterparts.

A Novel Indole Derivative with Superior Photophysical Performance for Fluorescent Probe, pH-Sensing, and Logic Gates.

An indole-related molecules have been considered as the potential fluorescent probes for biological and electrochemical sensing. However, most of the indole probes have been usually used in a single detection mode. Indolium probes that enable accurate detection in complex environments are rarely reported. Here, four novel indole derivatives including the phenyl group substituted with different functional moieties were designed on the basis of the donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) concept. These derivatives exhibit positive solvatochromism owing to their varied molecular conformations upon contacting to various solvents and the different HOMO-LUMO gaps caused by the difference in electronic push-pull capability of the substituents. Their solid-state fluorescence emissions and multiple chromisms are observed due to the inherent twisted geometries and aggregation modes. In addition, these derivatives show dramatic color and fluorescence responses due to the protonation of the nitrogen and oxygen containing groups, and thus novel colorimetric pH sensors, fluorescent papers and logic gates have been designed.

Core-Shell Reactor Partitioning Enzyme and Prodrug by ZIF-8 for NADPH-Sensitive In Situ Prodrug Activation.

Enzyme-prodrug therapies have shown unique advantages in efficiency, selectivity, and specificity of in vivo prodrug activation. However, precise spatiotemporal control of both the enzyme and its substrate at the target site, preservation of enzyme activity, and in situ substrate depletion due to low prodrug delivery efficiency continue to be great challenges. Here, we propose a novel core-shell reactor partitioning enzyme and prodrug by ZIF-8, which integrates an enzyme with its substrate and increases the drug loading capacity (DLC) using a prodrug as the building ligand to form a Zn-prodrug shell. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is immobilized in ZIF-8, and the antitumor drug dacarbazine (DTIC) is coordinated and deposited in its outer layer with a high DLC of 43.6±0.8 %. With this configuration, a much higher prodrug conversion efficiency of CYP450 (36.5±1.5 %) and lower IC50 value (26.3±2.6 µg/mL) are measured for B16-F10 cells with a higher NADPH concentration than those of L02 cells and HUVECs. With the tumor targeting ability of hyaluronic acid, this core-shell enzyme reactor shows a high tumor suppression rate of 96.6±1.9 % and provides a simple and versatile strategy for enabling in vivo biocatalysis to be more efficient, selective, and safer.

Morphologically Flex Sm-MOF Based Electrochemical Immunosensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of a Colon Cancer Biomarker.

Despite having the potential to synthesize stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), rare earth metal-based MOFs have not been exploited extensively. Owing to the high coordination numbers, the MOFs can generate a suitable coordination environment for various applications. Herein, samarium (Sm)-based MOFs were synthesized with three different organic linkers, namely, trimesic acid (TMA), meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP), and 1,3,6,8-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl) pyrene(TBPy) by the solvothermal approach. The morphologies of Sm-TMA MOF, Sm-TCPP MOF, Sm-TBPy MOF were rod-shaped, cubic consisting of stacked 2D layers, and spherical made of small cubic structures, respectively. After the electrochemical properties of the synthesized MOFs were investigated, the MOFs were used to fabricate immunosensors for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen using a label-free signaling strategy. The immunosensors exhibited a wide linear detection range and a lower detection limit. The exhibited reproducibility and selectivity of the immunosensors were within the tolerable limits. The established label-free immunosensor has been successfully applied for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen in human serum samples, demonstrating that the rare earth metal-based MOFs are promising for construction of biosensors for medical diagnosis.

Study on Ammonia Content and Distribution in the Microenvironment Based on Covalent Organic Framework Nanochannels.

A crack-free micrometer-sized compact structure of 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene-terephthaldehyde-covalent organic frameworks (TAPB-PDA-COFs) was constructed in situ at the tip of a theta micropipette (TMP). The COF-covered theta micropipette (CTP) then created a stable liquid-gas interface inside COF nanochannels, which was utilized to electrochemically analyze the content and distribution of ammonia gas in the microenvironments. The TMP-based electrochemical ammonia sensor (TEAS) shows a high sensing response, with current increasing linearly from 0 to 50,000 ppm ammonia, owing to the absorption of ammonia gas in the solvent meniscus that connects both barrels of the TEAS. The TEAS also exhibits a short response and recovery time of 5 ± 2 s and 6 ± 2 s, respectively. This response of the ammonia sensor is remarkably stable and repeatable, with a relative standard deviation of 6% for 500 ppm ammonia gas dispensing with humidity control. Due to its fast, reproducible, and stable response to ammonia gas, the TEAS was also utilized as a scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) probe for imaging the distribution of ammonia gas in a microspace. This study unlocks new possibilities for using a TMP in designing microscale probes for gas sensing and imaging.

High Spatial Resolution of Ultrathin Covalent Organic Framework Nanopores for Single-Molecule DNA Sensing.

Ultrathin nanosheets of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks covered a quartz nanopipette and then acted as a nanopore device for single-molecule DNA sensing. Our results showed that a single DNA homopolymer as short as 6 bases could be detected. The dwell times of 30-mer DNA homopolymers were obviously longer than the times of 10- or 6-mer ones. For different bases, poly(dA)6 showed the slowest transport speed (∼595 µs/base) compared with cytosine (∼355 µs/base) in poly(dC)6 and thymine (∼220 µs/base) in poly(dT)6. Such translocation speeds are the slowest ever reported in two-dimensional material-based nanopores. Poly(dA)6 also showed the biggest current blockade (94.74 pA) compared with poly(dC)6 (79.54 pA) and poly(dT)6 (71.41 pA). However, the present difference in blockade current was not big enough to distinguish the four DNA bases. Our study exhibits the shortest single DNA molecules that can be detected by COF nanopores at the present stage and lights the way for DNA sequencing based on solid-state nanopores.

Label-Free Electrochemiluminescence Imaging of Single-Cell Adhesions by Using Bipolar Nanoelectrode Array.

A label-free and fast approach for positive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) imaging of single cells by bipolar nanoelectrode array is proposed. The reduction of oxygen at a platinized gold nanoelectrode array in a closed bipolar electrochemical system is coupled with an oxidative ECL process at the anodic side. For elevating the ECL imaging contrast of single cells, a driving voltage of -2.0 V is applied to in situ generate oxygen confined beneath cells that is subsequently used for ECL imaging at 1.1 V. High oxygen concentration in the confined space resulting from steric hindrance generates prominent oxygen reduction current at the cathodic side and higher ECL intensity at the anodic side, allowing positive ECL imaging of the cells adhesion region with excellent contrast. Cell morphology and adhesion strength can be successfully imaged with high image acquisition rate. This approach opens a new avenue for label-free imaging of single cells.

Enhanced Electrochemistry of Single Plasmonic Nanoparticles.

The structure-function relationship of plasmon-enhanced electrochemistry (PEEC) is of great importance for the design of efficient PEEC catalysts, but is rarely investigated at single nanoparticle level for the lack of an efficient nanoscale methodology. Herein, we report the utilization of nanoparticle impact electrochemistry to allow single nanoparticle PEEC, where the effect of incident light on the plasmonic Ag/Au nanoparticles for accelerating cobalt metal-organic framework nanosheets (Co-MOFNs) catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is systematically explored. It is found that the plasmon-excited hot carrier injection can lower the reaction activation energy, resulting in a much promoted reaction probability and the integral charge generated from individual collisions. Besides, a plasmonic nanoparticle filtering method is established to effectively distinguish different plasmonic nanoparticles. This work provides a unique view in understanding the intrinsic physicochemical properties for PEEC at the nano-confined domains.

Suppressing Non-Radiative Relaxation through Single-Atom Metal Modification for Enhanced Fluorescence Efficiency in Molybdenum Disulfide Quantum Dots.

To enhance the fluorescence efficiency of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), strategies via enhancing photo-absorption and eliminating non-radiative relaxation have been proposed. In this study, we demonstrate that fluorescence efficiency of molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2 QDs) can be enhanced by single-atom metal (Au, Ag, Pt, Cu) modification. Four-fold enhancement of the fluorescence emission of MoS2 QDs is observed with single-atom Au modification. The underlying mechanism is ascribed to the passivation of non-radiative surface states owing to the new defect energy level of Au in the forbidden band that can trap excess electrons in n-type MoS2 , increasing the recombination probability of conduction band electrons with valence band holes of MoS2 . Our results open an avenue for enhancing the fluorescence efficiency of QDs via the modification of atomically dispersed metals, and extend their scopes and potentials in a fundamental way for economic efficiency and stability of single-atom metals.