Synthesis of (B-C-N) Nanomaterials by Arc Discharge Using Heterogeneous Anodes

In spite of the current prevalence of the CVD-based processes, the electric arc remains an interesting process for the synthesis of carbon nanoforms, thanks to its versatility, robustness and easiness. It also allows performing in-situ substitution of carbon atoms by hetero-elements in the graphene lattice. Our work aims to establish a correlation between the plasma properties, type and chemical composition （and the substitution rate） of the obtained single-wall carbon nan- otubes. The plasma was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy and the products were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and core level Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy （EELS）. Results show that a high boron content leads to a plasma temperature decrease and hinders the formation of nanotubes. This effect can be compensated by increasing the arc current and/or yttrium content. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of boron- and/or nitrogen-substituted nanotubes correspond to a high axial plasma temperature associated to a strong radial gradient. EELS analysis confirmed that the boron incorporates into the graphenic lattice.

Dual-targeted lung cancer therapy via inhalation delivery of UCNP-siRNA-AS1411 nanocages

Objective:Although great progress has been made in the field of siRNA gene therapy,safe,efficient,and targeted delivery of siRNA are still major challenges in siRNA therapeutics.Methods:We developed an up-conversion nanoparticle-based nanocage system.This system protected the siRNA from being degraded by nucleases in organisms and selectively delivered the siRNAs to the tumor sites,due to modifications of targeted molecules on the surfaces of nanocages and local inhalation.Results:The siRNAs delivered by the up-conversion nanoparticle nanocages were protected from degradation in transit to the tumor sites,where they accumulated.Compared with the passive target and control groups,the up-conversion nanoparticles based on the nanocage system showed a tumor suppressive effect after approximately 3 weeks of treatment.Conclusions:The up-conversion nanoparticle nanocages efficiently delivered vascular endothelial growth factor siRNAs to tumor sites.Mice with lung tumors treated with tumors targeting up-conversion nanoparticle nanocages showed steady body weight changes,high tumor inhibition ratios,and longer survival times.

Tailoring thermoelectric properties of Zr(0.43)Hf(0.57)NiSn half-Heusler compound by defect engineering

The thermoelectric transport properties of Zr0.43Hf0.57 NiSn half-Heusler compounds were investigated for samples sintered with different spark plasma sintering(SPS)periods:8,32 and 72 min.By means of scanning transmission electron microscopy with a highangular annular dark-field detector(STEM-HAADF),it was found that sintering time affected the defect concentration,namely the amount of Ni interstitial atoms,and created locally ordered inclusions of full-Heusler phase.The structural information,phase composition and electrical transport properties could be consistently explained by the assumption that Ni interstitials give rise to an impurity band situated about 100 meV below the bottom of the conduction band via a self-doping behavior.The impurity band was found to merge with the conduction band for the sample with intermediate SPS time.The effect was ascribed to the gradual dissolution of full-Heusler phase inclusions and production of interstitial Ni defects,which eventually vanished for the sample with the longest sintering time.It was demonstrated that the modification of the density of states near the edge of the conduction band and enhanced overall charge carrier concentration provided by defect engineering led to overall 26%increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit(ZT)with respect to the other samples.

Te-seeded growth of few-quintuple layer Bi2Te3 nanoplates

We report on a Te-seeded epitaxial growth of ultrathin Bi2Te3 nanoplates （down to three quintuple layers （QL）） with large planar sizes （up to tens of micrometers） through vapor transport. Optical contrast has been systematically investigated for the as-grown Bi2Te3 nanoplates on the SiO2/Si substrates, experimentally and computationally. The high and distinct optical contrast provides a fast and convenient method for the thickness determination of few-QL Bi2Te3 nanoplates. By aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, a hexagonal crystalline structure has been identified for the Te seeds, which form naturally during the growth process and initiate an epitaxial growth of the rhombohedral- structured Bi2Te3 nanoplates. The epitaxial relationship between Te and Bi2T% is identified to be perfect along both in-plane and out-of-plane directions of the layered nanoplate. Similar growth mechanism might be expected for other bismuth chalcogenide layered materials.

Strain-induced spatially indirect exciton recombination in zinc-blende/wurtzite CdS heterostructures

Strain engineering provides an effective mean of tuning the fundamental properties of semiconductors for electric and optoelectronic applications. Here we report on how the applied strain changes the emission properties of hetero- structures consisting of different crystalline phases in the same CdS nanobelts. The strained portion was found to produce an additional emission peak on the low-energy side that was blueshifted with increasing strain. Furthermore, the additional emission peak obeyed the Varshni equation with temperature and exhibited the band-filling effect at high excitation power. This new emission peak may be attributed to spatially indirect exciton recombination between different crystalline phases of CdS. First-principles calculations were performed based on the spatially indirect exciton recombination, and the calculated and experimental results agreed with one another. Strain proved to be capable of enhancing the anti-Stokes emission, suggesting that the efficiency of laser cooling may be improved by strain engineering.

Gold nanoprisms as a hybrid in vivo cancer theranostic platform for in situ photoacoustic imaging, angiography, and localized hyperthermia

The development of high-resolution nanosized photoacoustic contrast agents is an exciting yet challenging technological advance. Herein, antibody （breast cancer-associated antigen I （Brcaal） monoclonal antibody）- and peptide （RGD）- functionalized gold nanoprisms （AuNprs） were used as a combinatorial methodology for in situ photoacoustic imaging, angiography, and localized hyperthermia using orthotopic and subcutaneous murine gastric carcinoma models. RGD-conjugated PEGylated AuNprs are available for tumor angiography, and Brcaal monodonal antibody-conjugated PEGylated AuNprs are used for targeting and for in situ imaging of gastric carcinoma in orthotopic tumor models. In situ photoacoustic imaging allowed for anatomical and functional imaging at the tumor site. In vivo tumor angiography imaging showed enhancement of the photoacoustic signal in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, photoacoustic imaging demonstrated that tumor vessels were clearly damaged after localized hyperthermia. This is the first proof-of-concept using two AuNprs probes as highly sensitive contrasts and therapeutic agents for in situ tumor detection and inhibition. These smart antibody/peptide AuNprs can be used as an efficient nanotheranostic platform for in vivo tumor detection with high sensitivity, as well as for tumor targeting therapy which, with a single-dose injection, results in tumor size reduction and increases mice survival after localized hyperthermia treatment.