This work reports a ZIF-8 (ZIF: Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework)-assisted NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO upconverter for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation on a homemade 3D-printed device with DNA walker-based amplification strategy. The composite photosensitive material NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO, as converter to transfer NIR import to photocurrent output, was driven from annealed NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZIF-8. Yb3+ and Tm3+-codoped NaYF4 (NaYF4:Yb,Tm) converted NIR excitation into UV emission, matching with the absorption of ZnO for in situ excitation to generate the photocurrent. Upon target CEA introduction, the swing arm of DNA walker including the sequence of CEA aptamer carried out the sandwiched bioassembly with CEA capture aptamer on the G-rich anchorage DNA tracks-functionalized magnetic beads. Thereafter, DNA walker was triggered, and the swing arm DNA was captured by the G-rich anchorage DNA according to partly complementary pairing and Exonuclease III (Exo III) consumed anchorage DNA by a burnt-bridge mechanism to go into the next cycle. The released guanine (G) bases from DNA walker enhanced the photocurrent response on a miniature homemade 3D-printed device consisting of the detection cell, dark box, and light platform. Under optimal conditions, NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO-based NIR light-driven PEC biosensor presented high sensitivity and selectivity for CEA sensing with a detection limit of 0.032 ng mL-1. Importantly, our strategy provides a new horizon for the development of NIR-based PEC biosensors in the aspect of developing MOF-derived photoelectric materials, flexible design of a 3D-printed device, and effective signal amplification mode.

ZIF-8-Assisted NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO Converter with Exonuclease III-Powered DNA Walker for Near-Infrared Light Responsive Biosensor

Following astonishing growth in the last decade, the field of luminescence thermometry has reached the stage of becoming a mature technology. To achieve that goal, further developments should resolve inherent problems and methodological faults to facilitate its widespread use. This perspective presents recent findings in luminescence thermometry, with the aim of providing a guide for the reader to the paths in which this field is currently directed. Besides the well-known temperature read-out techniques, which are outlined and compared in terms of performance, some recently introduced read-out methods have been discussed in more detail. These include intensity ratio measurements that exploit emissions from excited lanthanide levels with large energy differences, dual-excited and time-resolved single-band ratiometric methods, and phase-angle temperature readouts. The necessity for the extension of theoretical models and a careful re-examination of those currently in use are emphasized. Regarding materials, the focus of this perspective is on dual-activated probes for the luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) and transition-metal-ion-activated phosphors for both lifetime and LIR thermometry. Several particularly important applications of luminescence thermometry are presented. These include temperature measurement in catalysis, in situ temperature mapping for microfluidics, thermal history measurement, thermometry at extremely high temperatures, fast temperature transient measurement, low-pressure measurement via upconversion nanoparticle emission intensity ratios, evaluation of the photothermal chirality of noble metal clusters, and luminescence thermometry using mobile devices. Routes for the development of primary luminescence thermometry are discussed in view of the recent redefinition of the kelvin.

Trends in luminescence thermometry

Impurity doping is a promising method to impart new properties to various materials. Due to their unique optical, magnetic, and electrical properties, rare-earth ions have been extensively explored as active dopants in inorganic crystal lattices since the 18th century. Rare-earth doping can alter the crystallographic phase, morphology, and size, leading to tunable optical responses of doped nanomaterials. Moreover, rare-earth doping can control the ultimate electronic and catalytic performance of doped nanomaterials in a tunable and scalable manner, enabling significant improvements in energy harvesting and conversion. A better understanding of the critical role of rare-earth doping is a prerequisite for the development of an extensive repertoire of functional nanomaterials for practical applications. In this review, we highlight recent advances in rare-earth doping in inorganic nanomaterials and the associated applications in many fields. This review covers the key criteria for rare-earth doping, including basic electronic structures, lattice environments, and doping strategies, as well as fundamental design principles that enhance the electrical, optical, catalytic, and magnetic properties of the material. We also discuss future research directions and challenges in controlling rare-earth doping for new applications.

Rare-Earth Doping in Nanostructured Inorganic Materials.

A review on fluorescence intensity ratio thermometer based on rare-earth and transition metal ions doped inorganic luminescent materials

A three-mode self-referenced optical thermometry based on up-conversion luminescence of Ca2MgWO6:Er3+,Yb3+ phosphors

Luminescent nanothermometers have shown competitive superiority for contactless and noninvasive temperature probing especially at the nanoscale. Herein, we report the inherently Eu2+ /Eu3+ codoped Sc2 O3 nanoparticles synthesized via a one-step and controllable thermolysis reaction where Eu3+ is in-situ reduced to Eu2+ by oleylamine. The stable luminescence emission of Eu3+ as internal standard and the sensitive response of Eu2+ emission to temperature as probe comprise a perfect ratiometric nanothermometer with wide-range temperature probing (77-267 K), high repeatability (>99.94%), and high relative sensitivity (3.06% K-1 at 267 K). The in situ reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ ensures both uniform distribution in the crystal lattice and simultaneous response upon light excitation of Eu2+ /Eu3+ . To widen this concept, Tb3+ is codoped as additional internal reference for tunable temperature probing range.

Inherently Eu2+/Eu3+ Codoped Sc2O3 Nanoparticles as High-Performance Nanothermometers

On account of their wide range of applications in self-cleaning, anti-icing, frost suppression, etc., superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted considerate attention. However, most of the superhydrophobic surfaces can only be prepared on the surfaces of specific materials and are easily damaged in the case of friction. In this work, we propose a facile method to achieve superhydrophobicity on various substrate surfaces. By femtosecond laser direct processing, micron-level grooves and protrusions are constructed on substrates to form a protective layer. Then, the substrates covered by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were scanned to make the surfaces of the substrates superhydrophobic. Since the PTFE micro-nano-particles are evenly distributed on the grooves and protrusions, the surfaces exhibit robust superhydrophobicity with excellent anti-friction performance that is independent of the substrate properties. This work provides an efficient and environmentally friendly path for achieving robust superhydrophobic surfaces on various substrates.

Facile fabrication of hierarchical textures for substrate-independent and durable superhydrophobic surfaces.

Versatile liquid manipulating surfaces combining patternable and controllable wettability have recently motivated considerable attention owing to their significant advantages in droplet-solid impacting behaviors, microdroplet self-removal, and liquid-liquid interface reaction applications. However, developing a facile and efficient method to fabricate these versatile surfaces remains an enormous challenge. In this paper, a strategy for the fabrication of liquid manipulating surfaces with patternable and controllable wettability on Polyimide (PI) film based on femtosecond laser thermal accumulation engineering is proposed. Because of its controllable micro-/nanostructures and chemical composition through adjusting the local thermal accumulation, the wettability of PI film can be tuned from superhydrophilicity (~ 3.6°) to superhydrophobicity (~ 151.6°). Furthermore, three diverse surfaces with patternable and heterogeneous wettability were constructed and various applications were successfully realized, including water transport, droplet arrays, and liquid wells. This work may provide a facile strategy for achieving patternable and controllable wettability efficiently and developing multifunctional liquid steering surfaces. 

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40820-022-00840-6.pdf

Femtosecond Laser Thermal Accumulation-Triggered Micro-/Nanostructures with Patternable and Controllable Wettability Towards Liquid Manipulating

Directional water self‐transport plays a crucial role in diverse applications such as biosensing and water harvesting. Despite extensive progress, current strategies for directional water self‐transport are restricted to a short self‐driving distance, single function, and complicated fabrication methods. Here, a lubricant‐infused heterogeneous superwettability surface (LIHSS) for directional water self‐transport is proposed on polyimide (PI) film through femtosecond laser direct writing and lubricant infusion. By tuning the parameters of the femtosecond laser, the wettability of PI film can be transformed into superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic. After trapping water droplets on the superhydrophilic surface and depositing excess lubricant, the asymmetrical wetting ridge drives water droplets by an attractive capillary force on the LIHSS. Notably, the maximum droplet self‐driving distance can approach ≈3 mm, which is nearly twice as long as the previously reported strategies for direction water self‐transport. Significantly, it is demonstrated that this strategy makes it possible to achieve water self‐transport, anti‐gravity pumping, and chemical microreaction on a tilted LIHSS. This work provides an efficient method to fabricate a promising platform for realizing directional water self‐transport.

Wetting Ridge‐Guided Directional Water Self‐Transport

Tingni Wu (吴婷妮), Zhipeng Wu (吴志鹏), Yuchun He (何玉春), Zhuo Zhu (朱 卓), Lingxiao Wang (王凌霄), and Kai Yin (银 恺) 1 Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China 2 State Key Laboratory of High Performance and Complex Manufacturing, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

/pdf/femtosecond-laser-textured-porous-nanowire-structured-glass-1pzskn34.pdf

Lingxiao Wang

Papers

Inherently Eu2+/Eu3+ Codoped Sc2O3 Nanoparticles as High-Performance Nanothermometers

Facile fabrication of hierarchical textures for substrate-independent and durable superhydrophobic surfaces.

Femtosecond Laser Thermal Accumulation-Triggered Micro-/Nanostructures with Patternable and Controllable Wettability Towards Liquid Manipulating

Wetting Ridge‐Guided Directional Water Self‐Transport

Femtosecond laser textured porous nanowire structured glass for enhanced thermal imaging