Recent Advances in Luminescent Nanocomposites for Sensing Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 17574

Special Issue Editors

Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia
Interests: production of smart nanoparticles through the so-called bottom-up approach for sensing, imaging and therapy
Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia
Interests: multifunctional silica nanoparticles for biochemistry application; luminescent silica nanoparticles as markers and sensors; covalent and non-covalent modification of silica surface; metal-containing silica nanoparticles as effective nano-heterogeneous catalysts
Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia
Interests: thin films and nanotechnology; polymers; nanomaterials; nanoparticle synthesis; analytical chemistry; fluorescence; luminescence; absorption; UV-visible spectroscopy; colloid chemistry; dynamic light scattering; energy transfer; sensorics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The avalanche-like growth in interest in the world of nano has triggered extensive progress in the development of smart multicomponent low-dimensional materials called nanocomposites. Combinations of two or more functional components within one nanoarchitecture result in new content, which benefits from both size and multimodality. Bringing together several functionalities opens the door to a wide range of applications. Luminescent nanomaterials are exceptionally interesting due to their large number of surface atoms or molecules. Being on the frontier of two phases, luminescent species are extremely sensitive to the presence of complementary analytes. Nanocomposite-analyte interaction results in photophysical response characterized by exceedingly low limits of detection, which gives rise to luminescent sensing.

This Special Issue is open for contributions on luminescent nanospecies that are utilized for sensing applications. Works on the composite “nano-” with dual modality (e.g., dual-luminescent, magneto-luminescent, etc.) are particularly welcomed for submission. Studies on structural and morphological regulations and energy transfer affecting synergy or antagonism of nanocomposite building blocks will be focused on as well in this issue.

Prof. Dr. Asiya R. Mustafina
Dr. Svetlana V. Fedorenko
Dr. Rustem R. Zairov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanocomposites
  • luminescence
  • energy transfer
  • sensorics
  • biosensors
  • chemosensors
  • selectivity
  • analyte
  • “turn-on”/“turn-off” sensors

Published Papers (9 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 3969 KiB  
Article
Preparation, Chemical Composition, and Optical Properties of (β–Ga2O3 Composite Thin Films)/(GaSxSe1−x Lamellar Solid Solutions) Nanostructures
by Veaceslav Sprincean, Liviu Leontie, Iuliana Caraman, Oleg Lupan, Rainer Adeling, Silviu Gurlui, Aurelian Carlescu, Corneliu Doroftei and Mihail Caraman
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(14), 2052; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13142052 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1466
Abstract
GaSxSe1−x solid solutions are layered semiconductors with a band gap between 2.0 and 2.6 eV. Their single crystals are formed by planar packings of S/Se-Ga-Ga-S/Se type, with weak polarization bonds between them, which allows obtaining, by splitting, plan-parallel lamellae with [...] Read more.
GaSxSe1−x solid solutions are layered semiconductors with a band gap between 2.0 and 2.6 eV. Their single crystals are formed by planar packings of S/Se-Ga-Ga-S/Se type, with weak polarization bonds between them, which allows obtaining, by splitting, plan-parallel lamellae with atomically smooth surfaces. By heat treatment in a normal or water vapor-enriched atmosphere, their plates are covered with a layer consisting of β–Ga2O3 nanowires/nanoribbons. In this work, the elemental and chemical composition, surface morphology, as well as optical, photoluminescent, and photoelectric properties of β–Ga2O3 layer formed on GaSxSe1−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions (as substrate) are studied. The correlation is made between the composition (x) of the primary material, technological preparation conditions of the oxide-semiconducting layer, and the optical, photoelectric, and photoluminescent properties of β–Ga2O3 (nanosized layers)/GaSxSe1−x structures. From the analysis of the fundamental absorption edge, photoluminescence, and photoconductivity, the character of the optical transitions and the optical band gap in the range of 4.5–4.8 eV were determined, as well as the mechanisms behind blue-green photoluminescence and photoconductivity in the fundamental absorption band region. The photoluminescence bands in the blue-green region are characteristic of β–Ga2O3 nanowires/nanolamellae structures. The photoconductivity of β–Ga2O3 structures on GaSxSe1−x solid solution substrate is determined by their strong fundamental absorption. As synthesized structures hold promise for potential applications in UV receivers, UV-C sources, gas sensors, as well as photocatalytic decomposition of water and organic pollutants. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3014 KiB  
Article
Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Photosensitizer-Conjugated Hexagonal Upconverting Nanoparticles
by Mykhailo Nahorniak, Viktoriia Oleksa, Taras Vasylyshyn, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Eliška Rydvalová, Marcela Filipová and Daniel Horák
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(9), 1535; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13091535 - 03 May 2023
Viewed by 1504
Abstract
In this report, we synthesized hexagonal NaYF4:Yb,Er upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) of 171 nm in size with a narrow particle size distribution. To address their colloidal stabi-lity in aqueous media and to incorporate a photosensitizer that can produce reactive singlet oxygen ( [...] Read more.
In this report, we synthesized hexagonal NaYF4:Yb,Er upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) of 171 nm in size with a narrow particle size distribution. To address their colloidal stabi-lity in aqueous media and to incorporate a photosensitizer that can produce reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) to kill tumor cells, UCNPs were conjugated with 6-bromohexanoic acid-functionalized Rose Bengal (RB) and coated with PEG-alendronate (PEG-Ale). The particles were thoroughly characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ATR FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and spectrofluorometry, and 1O2 formation was detected using a 9,10-diphenylanthracene spectrophotometric probe. Cytotoxicity determination on rat mesenchymal stem cells by using the MTT assay showed that neutralization of the large positive surface charge of neat UCNPs with PEG-Ale and the bound RB sensitizer significantly reduced the concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. The presented strategy shows great potential for the use of these particles as a novel agent for the photodynamic therapy of tumors. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2950 KiB  
Article
Nanocomposites of Silicon Oxides and Carbon: Its Study as Luminescent Nanomaterials
by Gabriel Omar Mendoza Conde, José Alberto Luna López, Zaira Jocelyn Hernández Simón, José Álvaro David Hernández de la Luz, Karim Monfil Leyva, Jesús Carrillo López, Haydee Patricia Martínez Hernández, Erick Gastellóu Hernández, Dainet Berman Mendoza and Javier Flores Méndez
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13071271 - 04 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1345
Abstract
In this work, hybrid structures formed by nanostructured layers, which contain materials, such as porous silicon (PSi), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and silicon-rich oxide (SRO), were studied. The PSi layers were obtained by electrochemical etching over which CNTs and GO were [...] Read more.
In this work, hybrid structures formed by nanostructured layers, which contain materials, such as porous silicon (PSi), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and silicon-rich oxide (SRO), were studied. The PSi layers were obtained by electrochemical etching over which CNTs and GO were deposited by spin coating. In addition, SRO layers, in which silicon nanocrystals are embedded, were obtained by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained from the hybrid structures with which a comparative analysis was completed among different PL ones. The SRO layers were used to confine the CNTs and GO. The main purpose of making these hybrid structures is to modulate their PL response and obtain different emission energy regions in the PL response. It was found that the PL spectra of the CNTs/SRO and GO/SRO structures exhibit a shift towards high energies compared to those obtained from the PSi layers; likewise, the PSi/CNTs/SRO and PSi/GO/SRO structures show a similar behavior. To identify the different emission mechanisms originated by PSi, GO, CNTs, and SRO, the PL spectra were deconvolved. It was found that the Psi/CNTs/SRO and Psi/GO/SRO structures exhibit a PL shift in respect to the PSi layers, for this reason, the modulation of the PL emission of the structures makes these hybrid structures promising candidates to be applied in the field of photonic and electroluminescent devices. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 18690 KiB  
Article
Doping of Transparent Electrode Based on Oriented Networks of Nickel in Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Polystyrene Sulfonate Matrix with P-Toluenesulfonic Acid
by Irek R. Nizameev, Guliya R. Nizameeva and Marsil K. Kadirov
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(5), 831; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13050831 - 23 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1384
Abstract
This work aimed to obtain an optically transparent electrode based on the oriented nanonetworks of nickel in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate matrix. Optically transparent electrodes are used in many modern devices. Therefore, the search for new inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials for them remains [...] Read more.
This work aimed to obtain an optically transparent electrode based on the oriented nanonetworks of nickel in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate matrix. Optically transparent electrodes are used in many modern devices. Therefore, the search for new inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials for them remains an urgent task. We have previously developed a material for optically transparent electrodes based on oriented platinum nanonetworks. This technique was upgraded to obtain a cheaper option from oriented nickel networks. The study was carried out to find the optimal electrical conductivity and optical transparency values of the developed coating, and the dependence of these values on the amount of nickel used was investigated. The figure of merit (FoM) was used as a criterion for the quality of the material in terms of finding the optimal characteristics. It was shown that doping PEDOT: PSS with p-toluenesulfonic acid in the design of an optically transparent electroconductive composite coating based on oriented nickel networks in a polymer matrix is expedient. It was found that the addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid to an aqueous dispersion of PEDOT: PSS with a concentration of 0.5% led to an eight-fold decrease in the surface resistance of the resulting coating. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2398 KiB  
Article
Phosphineoxide-Chelated Europium(III) Nanoparticles for Ceftriaxone Detection
by Rustem Zairov, Alexey Dovzhenko, Natalia Terekhova, Timur Kornev, Ying Zhou, Zeai Huang, Dmitry Tatarinov, Guliya Nizameeva, Robert R. Fayzullin, Aidar T. Gubaidullin, Taliya Salikhova, Francesco Enrichi, Vladimir F. Mironov and Asiya Mustafina
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 438; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13030438 - 21 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1628
Abstract
The present work demonstrates the optimization of the ligand structure in the series of bis(phosphine oxide) and β-ketophosphine oxide representatives for efficient coordination of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions with the formation of the complexes exhibiting high Tb3+- and Eu [...] Read more.
The present work demonstrates the optimization of the ligand structure in the series of bis(phosphine oxide) and β-ketophosphine oxide representatives for efficient coordination of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions with the formation of the complexes exhibiting high Tb3+- and Eu3+-centered luminescence. The analysis of the stoichiometry and structure of the lanthanide complexes obtained using the XRD method reveals the great impact of the bridging group nature between two phosphine oxide moieties on the coordination mode of the ligands with Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions. The bridging imido-group facilitates the deprotonation of the imido- bis(phosphine oxide) ligand followed by the formation of tris-complexes. The spectral and PXRD analysis of the separated colloids indicates that the high stability of the tris-complexes provides their safe conversion into polystyrenesulfonate-stabilized colloids using the solvent exchange method. The red Eu3+-centered luminescence of the tris-complex exhibits the same specificity in the solutions and the colloids. The pronounced luminescent response on the antibiotic ceftriaxone allows for sensing the latter in aqueous solutions with an LOD value equal to 0.974 μM. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3697 KiB  
Article
A Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Functionalized Mn-Doped ZnS Quantum Dots for Detection of Roxarsone in Feeds
by Fei Li, Jie Gao, Haocheng Wu, Yijun Li, Xiwen He and Langxing Chen
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 2997; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12172997 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1506
Abstract
Roxarsone (ROX) as an organoarsenic feed additive has been widely used in livestock breeding and poultry industry, but ROX can degrade into highly toxic inorganic arsenic species in natural environments to threaten to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a considerable [...] Read more.
Roxarsone (ROX) as an organoarsenic feed additive has been widely used in livestock breeding and poultry industry, but ROX can degrade into highly toxic inorganic arsenic species in natural environments to threaten to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a considerable interest in developing convenient, selective and sensitive methods for the detection of ROX in livestock breeding and poultry industry. In this work, a fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer (MIPs) probe based on amino-modified Mn-ZnS quantum dots (QDs) has been developed by sol–gel polymerization for specific recognition of ROX. The synthesized MIPs-coated Mn-ZnS QDs (MIPs@Mn-ZnS QDs) have highly selective recognition sites to ROX because there are multi-interactions among the template ROX, functional monomer phenyltrimethoxysilane and the amino-functionalized QDs such as the π–π conjugating effect, hydrogen bonds. Under the optimal conditions, an obvious fluorescence quenching was observed when ROX was added to the solution, and the quenching mechanism could be explained as the photo-induced electron transfer. The MIPs@Mn-ZnS QDs sensor exhibited sensitive response to ROX in the linear range from 3.75 × 10−8 M to 6.25 × 10−7 M (R2 = 0.9985) and the limit of detection down to 4.34 nM. Moreover, the fluorescence probe has been applied to the quantitative detection of ROX in feed samples, and the recovery was in the range of 91.9% to 108.0%. The work demonstrated that the prepared MIPs@Mn-ZnS QDs probe has a good potential for rapid and sensitive determination of ROX in complicated samples. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 9829 KiB  
Article
Multimodal Contrast Agent Enabling pH Sensing Based on Organically Functionalized Gold Nanoshells with Mn-Zn Ferrite Cores
by Duong Thuy Bui, Radim Havelek, Karel Královec, Lenka Kubíčková, Jarmila Kuličková, Petr Matouš, Vít Herynek, Jaroslav Kupčík, Darina Muthná, Pavel Řezanka and Ondřej Kaman
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 428; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12030428 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2731
Abstract
Highly complex nanoparticles combining multimodal imaging with the sensing of physical properties in biological systems can considerably enhance biomedical research, but reports demonstrating the performance of a single nanosized probe in several imaging modalities and its sensing potential at the same time are [...] Read more.
Highly complex nanoparticles combining multimodal imaging with the sensing of physical properties in biological systems can considerably enhance biomedical research, but reports demonstrating the performance of a single nanosized probe in several imaging modalities and its sensing potential at the same time are rather scarce. Gold nanoshells with magnetic cores and complex organic functionalization may offer an efficient multimodal platform for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and fluorescence techniques combined with pH sensing by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In the present study, the synthesis of gold nanoshells with Mn-Zn ferrite cores is described, and their structure, composition, and fundamental properties are analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, magnetic measurements, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The gold surface is functionalized with four different model molecules, namely thioglycerol, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate, 11-mercaptoundecanoate, and (11-mercaptoundecyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide, to analyze the effect of varying charge and surface chemistry on cells in vitro. After characterization by dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering measurements, it is found that the particles do not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects, irrespective of the surface functionalization. Finally, the gold nanoshells are functionalized with a combination of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and 7-mercapto-4-methylcoumarin, which introduces a SERS active pH sensor and a covalently attached fluorescent tag at the same time. 1H NMR relaxometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and PAI demonstrate the multimodal potential of the suggested probe, including extraordinarily high transverse relaxivity, while the SERS study evidences a pH-dependent spectral response. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4986 KiB  
Article
Effects of an External Magnetic Field on the Interband and Intraband Optical Properties of an Asymmetric Biconvex Lens-Shaped Quantum Dot
by Mher A. Mkrtchyan, David B. Hayrapetyan, Eduard M. Kazaryan, Hayk A. Sarkisyan, Maxim Ya. Vinnichenko, Vadim A. Shalygin, Dmitry A. Firsov and Lyudvig S. Petrosyan
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 60; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12010060 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
The theoretical investigation of interband and intraband transitions in an asymmetric biconvex lens-shaped quantum dot are considered in the presence of an external magnetic field. The selection rules for intraband transitions are obtained. The behaviors of linear and nonlinear absorption and photoluminescence spectra [...] Read more.
The theoretical investigation of interband and intraband transitions in an asymmetric biconvex lens-shaped quantum dot are considered in the presence of an external magnetic field. The selection rules for intraband transitions are obtained. The behaviors of linear and nonlinear absorption and photoluminescence spectra are observed for different temperatures and magnetic field strengths. The second and third harmonic generation coefficients as a function of the photon energy are examined both in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 56487 KiB  
Article
Single Excited Dual Band Luminescent Hybrid Carbon Dots-Terbium Chelate Nanothermometer
by Rustem R. Zairov, Alexey P. Dovzhenko, Kirill A. Sarkanich, Irek R. Nizameev, Andrey V. Luzhetskiy, Svetlana N. Sudakova, Sergey N. Podyachev, Vladimir A. Burilov, Ivan M. Vatsouro, Alberto Vomiero and Asiya R. Mustafina
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3080; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11113080 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
The report introduces hybrid polyelectrolyte-stabilized colloids combining blue and green-emitting building blocks, which are citrate carbon dots (CDs) and [TbL]+ chelate complexes with 1,3-diketonate derivatives of calix[4]arene. The joint incorporation of green and blue-emitting blocks into the polysodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) aggregates is [...] Read more.
The report introduces hybrid polyelectrolyte-stabilized colloids combining blue and green-emitting building blocks, which are citrate carbon dots (CDs) and [TbL]+ chelate complexes with 1,3-diketonate derivatives of calix[4]arene. The joint incorporation of green and blue-emitting blocks into the polysodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) aggregates is carried out through the solvent-exchange synthetic technique. The coordinative binding between Tb3+ centers and CD surface groups in initial DMF solutions both facilitates joint incorporation of [TbL]+ complexes and the CDs into the PSS-based nanobeads and affects fluorescence properties of [TbL]+ complexes and CDs, as well as their ability for temperature sensing. The variation of the synthetic conditions is represented herein as a tool for tuning the fluorescent response of the blue and green-emitting blocks upon heating and cooling. The revealed regularities enable developing either dual-band luminescent colloids for monitoring temperature changes within 25–50 °C through double color emission or transforming the colloids into ratiometric temperature sensors via simple concentration variation of [TbL]+ and CDs in the initial DMF solution. Novel hybrid carbon dots-terbium chelate PSS-based nanoplatform opens an avenue for a new generation of sensitive and customizable single excited dual-band nanothermometers. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop