Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) have attracted a lot of interests in numerous biological and medical applications due to their potent fluorescent properties. However, the possible toxic effec...Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) have attracted a lot of interests in numerous biological and medical applications due to their potent fluorescent properties. However, the possible toxic effects of quantum dots remain an issue of debate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytocompatibility of bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated zinc oxide QDs for C2C12 cells. In the experiment, ZnO QDs were synthesized by using BSA as the structure directing agent, and the morphology and crystal phase of ZnO QDs were determined by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractograms and Fourier transform infrared spectrograph techniques. The inverted fluorescence microscope results showed that ZnO QDs were distributed inside the cells. The toxicity of ZnO QDs was assessed by MTT methods, which revealed that ZnO QDs were highly cytocompatible in the concentration less than 200 μM. However, when the concentration of QDs was higher than 1 000 μM ZnO QDs showed significantly toxicity, which was ascribed to generation of free zinc and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the morphological observations exhibited that cells treated with ZnO QDs showed altered morphology, depolymerized cytoskeleton and irregular-shaped nuclei. This study provides helpful guidances on the future safe use and manipulation of QDs to make them suitable tools in nanomedicine.展开更多
ZnO nanoparticles are widely used for the electron transport layers(ETLs)of quantum dots light emitting devices(QLEDs).In this work we show that incorporating fluorine(F)into the ZnO ETL results in significant enhance...ZnO nanoparticles are widely used for the electron transport layers(ETLs)of quantum dots light emitting devices(QLEDs).In this work we show that incorporating fluorine(F)into the ZnO ETL results in significant enhancement in device electroluminescence stability,leading to LT50 at 100 cd m^(−2) of 2,370,000 h in red QLED,47X longer than the control devices.X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy,time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy,photoluminescence and electrical measurements show that the F passivates oxygen vacancies and reduces electron traps in ZnO.Transient photoluminescence versus bias measurements and capacitance-voltage-luminance measurements reveal that the CF4 plasma-treated ETLs lead to increased electron concentration in the QD and the QD/hole transport layer interface,subsequently decreasing hole accumulation,and hence the higher stability.The findings provide new insights into the critical roles that optimizing charge distribution across the layers play in influencing stability and present a novel and simple approach for extending QLED lifetimes.展开更多
The ZnO/MgO solid samples containing the ZnO nanoparticles of controllable size were prepared using colloidal technique. The catalytic performance of the ZnO/MgO samples for the CO oxidation was measured. It was revea...The ZnO/MgO solid samples containing the ZnO nanoparticles of controllable size were prepared using colloidal technique. The catalytic performance of the ZnO/MgO samples for the CO oxidation was measured. It was revealed that the rate of the CO oxidation reaction on the ZnO nanoparticles with variable average radius (2.01-2.29 nm) shows nonmonotonic dependence caused by the quantum-confinement effect.展开更多
基金Funded by the Chinese Medicine Science&Technology Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.20151257)Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.A2016355)+3 种基金Excellent Young Scientist Training Foundation of Guangdong Province in 2014(No.4CX16054G)Innovation Team Construction Foundationin Ordinary University of Guangdong Province(No.2015KCXTD022)Unique Innovation Foundation in Ordinary University of Guangdong Province(No.2015KTSCX049)Undergraduate Science&Technology Innovation Foundation of Guangdong Province(Nos.201610571041and 201610571015)
文摘Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) have attracted a lot of interests in numerous biological and medical applications due to their potent fluorescent properties. However, the possible toxic effects of quantum dots remain an issue of debate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytocompatibility of bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated zinc oxide QDs for C2C12 cells. In the experiment, ZnO QDs were synthesized by using BSA as the structure directing agent, and the morphology and crystal phase of ZnO QDs were determined by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractograms and Fourier transform infrared spectrograph techniques. The inverted fluorescence microscope results showed that ZnO QDs were distributed inside the cells. The toxicity of ZnO QDs was assessed by MTT methods, which revealed that ZnO QDs were highly cytocompatible in the concentration less than 200 μM. However, when the concentration of QDs was higher than 1 000 μM ZnO QDs showed significantly toxicity, which was ascribed to generation of free zinc and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the morphological observations exhibited that cells treated with ZnO QDs showed altered morphology, depolymerized cytoskeleton and irregular-shaped nuclei. This study provides helpful guidances on the future safe use and manipulation of QDs to make them suitable tools in nanomedicine.
基金Partial support to this work by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is gratefully acknowledged
文摘ZnO nanoparticles are widely used for the electron transport layers(ETLs)of quantum dots light emitting devices(QLEDs).In this work we show that incorporating fluorine(F)into the ZnO ETL results in significant enhancement in device electroluminescence stability,leading to LT50 at 100 cd m^(−2) of 2,370,000 h in red QLED,47X longer than the control devices.X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy,time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy,photoluminescence and electrical measurements show that the F passivates oxygen vacancies and reduces electron traps in ZnO.Transient photoluminescence versus bias measurements and capacitance-voltage-luminance measurements reveal that the CF4 plasma-treated ETLs lead to increased electron concentration in the QD and the QD/hole transport layer interface,subsequently decreasing hole accumulation,and hence the higher stability.The findings provide new insights into the critical roles that optimizing charge distribution across the layers play in influencing stability and present a novel and simple approach for extending QLED lifetimes.
基金Supported by Programs of Scientific Researches of Ukraine NAS"Nanosystems, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies" and "Fundamental Problems of Hydrogen Energy"
文摘The ZnO/MgO solid samples containing the ZnO nanoparticles of controllable size were prepared using colloidal technique. The catalytic performance of the ZnO/MgO samples for the CO oxidation was measured. It was revealed that the rate of the CO oxidation reaction on the ZnO nanoparticles with variable average radius (2.01-2.29 nm) shows nonmonotonic dependence caused by the quantum-confinement effect.
