Showing papers in "Chemical Society Reviews in 2010"
TL;DR: This review will be of value to synthetic chemists interested in this emerging field of materials science, as well as those investigating applications of graphene who would find a more thorough treatment of the chemistry of graphene oxide useful in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches which utilize this material.
Abstract: The chemistry of graphene oxide is discussed in this critical review Particular emphasis is directed toward the synthesis of graphene oxide, as well as its structure Graphene oxide as a substrate for a variety of chemical transformations, including its reduction to graphene-like materials, is also discussed This review will be of value to synthetic chemists interested in this emerging field of materials science, as well as those investigating applications of graphene who would find a more thorough treatment of the chemistry of graphene oxide useful in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches which utilize this material (91 references)
10,126 citations
TL;DR: The concepts of design and the scientific philosophy of Green Chemistry are covered with a set of illustrative examples and the challenge of using the Principles as a cohesive design system is discussed.
Abstract: Green Chemistry is a relatively new emerging field that strives to work at the molecular level to achieve sustainability. The field has received widespread interest in the past decade due to its ability to harness chemical innovation to meet environmental and economic goals simultaneously. Green Chemistry has a framework of a cohesive set of Twelve Principles, which have been systematically surveyed in this critical review. This article covers the concepts of design and the scientific philosophy of Green Chemistry with a set of illustrative examples. Future trends in Green Chemistry are discussed with the challenge of using the Principles as a cohesive design system (93 references).
2,942 citations
TL;DR: This critical review describes the latest developments in the sensitization of near-infrared luminescence, "soft" luminescent materials (liquid crystals, ionic liquids, ionogels), electroluminescentmaterials for organic light emitting diodes, with emphasis on white light generation, and applications in luminecent bio-sensing and bio-imaging based on time-resolved detection and multiphoton excitation.
Abstract: Recent startling interest for lanthanide luminescence is stimulated by the continuously expanding need for luminescent materials meeting the stringent requirements of telecommunication, lighting, electroluminescent devices, (bio-)analytical sensors and bio-imaging set-ups. This critical review describes the latest developments in (i) the sensitization of near-infrared luminescence, (ii) “soft” luminescent materials (liquid crystals, ionic liquids, ionogels), (iii) electroluminescent materials for organic light emitting diodes, with emphasis on white light generation, and (iv) applications in luminescent bio-sensing and bio-imaging based on time-resolved detection and multiphoton excitation (500 references).
2,895 citations
TL;DR: In this tutorial review, the unique mechanistic characteristics, the constitution of photodegradation systems and their performance are described and the involved radical reactions during the degradation are discussed.
Abstract: The semiconductor and the surface-adsorbed antenna molecule (dyes or other color species) can constitute efficient photochemical systems for environmental remediation. The major advantage of these systems is that they are able to achieve the degradation of organic pollutants by using visible light from the sun as energy and O2 in the air as the oxidant under ambient conditions. In this tutorial review, the unique mechanistic characteristics, the constitution of photodegradation systems and their performance are described. The involved radical reactions during the degradation are also discussed.
1,974 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial review examines the history of the development of the CuAAC reaction, its key mechanistic aspects, and highlights the features that make it useful to practitioners in different fields of chemical science.
Abstract: Copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) is a widely utilized, reliable, and straightforward way for making covalent connections between building blocks containing various functional groups. It has been used in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, surface and polymer chemistry, and bioconjugation applications. Despite the apparent simplicity of the reaction, its mechanism involves multiple reversible steps involving coordination complexes of copper(I) acetylides of varying nuclearity. Understanding and controlling these equilibria is of paramount importance for channeling the reaction into the productive catalytic cycle. This tutorial review examines the history of the development of the CuAAC reaction, its key mechanistic aspects, and highlights the features that make it useful to practitioners in different fields of chemical science.
1,704 citations
TL;DR: This critical review summarizes developments in microfluidic platforms that enable the miniaturization, integration, automation and parallelization of (bio-)chemical assays and attempts to provide a selection scheme based on key requirements of different applications and market segments.
Abstract: This critical review summarizes developments in microfluidic platforms that enable the miniaturization, integration, automation and parallelization of (bio-)chemical assays (see S. Haeberle and R. Zengerle, Lab Chip, 2007, 7, 1094–1110, for an earlier review). In contrast to isolated application-specific solutions, a microfluidic platform provides a set of fluidic unit operations, which are designed for easy combination within a well-defined fabrication technology. This allows the easy, fast, and cost-efficient implementation of different application-specific (bio-)chemical processes. In our review we focus on recent developments from the last decade (2000s). We start with a brief introduction into technical advances, major market segments and promising applications. We continue with a detailed characterization of different microfluidic platforms, comprising a short definition, the functional principle, microfluidic unit operations, application examples as well as strengths and limitations of every platform. The microfluidic platforms in focus are lateral flow tests, linear actuated devices, pressure driven laminar flow, microfluidic large scale integration, segmented flow microfluidics, centrifugal microfluidics, electrokinetics, electrowetting, surface acoustic waves, and dedicated systems for massively parallel analysis. This review concludes with the attempt to provide a selection scheme for microfluidic platforms which is based on their characteristics according to key requirements of different applications and market segments. Applied selection criteria comprise portability, costs of instrument and disposability, sample throughput, number of parameters per sample, reagent consumption, precision, diversity of microfluidic unit operations and the flexibility in programming different liquid handling protocols (295 references).
1,536 citations
TL;DR: This critical review focuses on anode materials composed of Group IV and V elements with their composites including Ag and Mg metals as well as transition metal oxides which have been intensively investigated.
Abstract: Research to develop alternative electrode materials with high energy densities in Li-ion batteries has been actively pursued to satisfy the power demands for electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. This critical review focuses on anode materials composed of Group IV and V elements with their composites including Ag and Mg metals as well as transition metal oxides which have been intensively investigated. This critical review is devoted mainly to their electrochemical performances and reaction mechanisms (313 references).
1,497 citations
TL;DR: This critical review provides insight into emerging venues for application as well as new mechanistic understanding of this exceptional chemistry in its many forms.
Abstract: The merits of thiol-click chemistry and its potential for making new forays into chemical synthesis and materials applications are described Since thiols react to high yields under benign conditions with a vast range of chemical species, their utility extends to a large number of applications in the chemical, biological, physical, materials and engineering fields This critical review provides insight into emerging venues for application as well as new mechanistic understanding of this exceptional chemistry in its many forms (81 references)
1,412 citations
TL;DR: This critical review focuses on the fluorescent or colorimetric sensors for thiols according to their unique mechanisms between sensors andThiols, including Michael addition, cyclization with aldehyde, cleavage of sulfonamide and sulfonate ester by thiol s, and metal complexes-oxidation-reduction,Metal complexes-displace coordination, nano-particles and others.
Abstract: Due to the biological importances of thiols, such as cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione, the development of optical probes for thiols has been an active research area in recent few years. This critical review focuses on the fluorescent or colorimetric sensors for thiols according to their unique mechanisms between sensors and thiols, including Michael addition, cyclization with aldehyde, cleavage of sulfonamide and sulfonate ester by thiols, cleavage of selenium–nitrogen bond by thiols, cleavage of disulfide by thiols, metal complexes-oxidation–reduction, metal complexes-displace coordination, nano-particles and others (110 references).
1,395 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial review will summarize the history of this emerging field, as well as recent progress in the development and application of bioorthogonal copper-free click cycloaddition reactions.
Abstract: Bioorthogonal chemical reactions are paving the way for new innovations in biology. These reactions possess extreme selectivity and biocompatibility, such that their participating reagents can form covalent bonds within richly functionalized biological systems—in some cases, living organisms. This tutorial review will summarize the history of this emerging field, as well as recent progress in the development and application of bioorthogonal copper-free click cycloaddition reactions.
1,365 citations
TL;DR: This critical review will describe recent advances in the development of graphene-based materials from the standpoint of electrochemistry, involving its unusual electronic structure, extraordinary electronic properties and fascinating electron transport.
Abstract: Graphene, as the fundamental 2D carbon structure with exceptionally high crystal and electronic quality, has emerged as a rapidly rising star in the field of material science. Its sudden discovery in 2004 led to an explosion of interest in the study of graphene with respect to its unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, opening up a new research area for materials science and condensed-matter physics, and aiming for wide-ranging and diversified technological applications. In this critical review, we will describe recent advances in the development of graphene-based materials from the standpoint of electrochemistry. To begin with, electron transfer properties of graphene will be discussed, involving its unusual electronic structure, extraordinary electronic properties and fascinating electron transport. The next major section deals with the exciting progress related to graphene-based materials in electrochemistry since 2004, including electrochemical sensing, electrochemiluminescence, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy conversion and FET devices. Finally, prospects and further developments in this exciting field of graphene-based materials are also suggested (224 references).
TL;DR: Various types of cyclometalating chelates for which the favorable metal-chelate bonding interaction, on the one hand, makes the resulting phosphorescent complexes highly emissive in both fluid and solid states at room temperature, are reviewed.
Abstract: One goal of this critical review is to provide advanced methodologies for systematic preparation of transition-metal based phosphors that show latent applications in the field of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). We are therefore reviewing various types of cyclometalating chelates for which the favorable metal–chelate bonding interaction, on the one hand, makes the resulting phosphorescent complexes highly emissive in both fluid and solid states at room temperature. On the other hand, fine adjustment of ligand-centered π–π* electronic transitions allows tuning of emission wavelength across the whole visible spectrum. The cyclometalating chelates are then classified according to types of cyclometalating groups, i.e. either aromatic C–H or azolic N–H fragment, and the adjacent donor fragment involved in the formation of metallacycles; the latter is an N-containing heterocycle, N-heterocyclic (NHC) carbene fragment or even diphenylphosphino group. These cyclometalating ligands are capable to react with heavy transition-metal elements, namely: Ru(II), Os(II), Ir(III) and Pt(II), to afford a variety of highly emissive phosphors, for which the photophysical properties as a function of chelate or metal characteristics are systematically discussed. Using Ir(III) complexes as examples, the C^N chelates possessing both C–H site and N-heterocyclic donor group are essential for obtaining phosphors with emission ranging from sky-blue to saturated red, while the N^N chelates such as 2-pyridyl-C-linked azolates are found useful for serving as true-blue chromophores due to their increased ligand-centered π–π* energy gap. Lastly, the remaining NHC carbene and benzyl phosphine chelates are highly desirable to serve as ancillary chelates in localizing the electronic transition between the metal and remaining lower energy chromophoric chelates. As for the potential opto-electronic applications, many of them exhibit remarkable performance data, which are convincing to pave a broad avenue for further development of all types of phosphorescent displays and illumination devices (94 references).
TL;DR: The nature of the molecule-gold interface, whose chemistry and structure remain elusive, the self-assembly process on planar and irregular surfaces, and on nanometre-sized objects, and the chemical reactivity and thermal stability of these systems in ambient and aqueous solutions are reviewed.
Abstract: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols and dialkanethiols on gold are key elements for building many systems and devices with applications in the wide field of nanotechnology. Despite the progress made in the knowledge of these fascinating two-dimensional molecular systems, there are still several “hot topics” that deserve special attention in order to understand and to control their physical and chemistry properties at the molecular level. This critical review focuses on some of these topics, including the nature of the molecule–gold interface, whose chemistry and structure remain elusive, the self-assembly process on planar and irregular surfaces, and on nanometre-sized objects, and the chemical reactivity and thermal stability of these systems in ambient and aqueous solutions, an issue which seriously limits their technological applications (375 references).
TL;DR: A critical review provides a short summary of several important aspects of organic transistors, including materials, microstructure, carrier transport, manufacturing, electrical properties, and performance limitations.
Abstract: Over the past 20 years, organic transistors have developed from a laboratory curiosity to a commercially viable technology. This critical review provides a short summary of several important aspects of organic transistors, including materials, microstructure, carrier transport, manufacturing, electrical properties, and performance limitations (200 references).
TL;DR: This critical review will explore the vast manifold of length scales emerging for fluid behavior at the nanoscale, as well as the associated mechanisms and corresponding applications, and in particular explore the interplay between bulk and interface phenomena.
Abstract: Nanofluidics has emerged recently in the footsteps of microfluidics, following the quest for scale reduction inherent to nanotechnologies. By definition, nanofluidics explores transport phenomena of fluids at nanometer scales. Why is the nanometer scale specific? What fluid properties are probed at nanometric scales? In other words, why does ‘nanofluidics’ deserve its own brand name? In this critical review, we will explore the vast manifold of length scales emerging for fluid behavior at the nanoscale, as well as the associated mechanisms and corresponding applications. We will in particular explore the interplay between bulk and interface phenomena. The limit of validity of the continuum approaches will be discussed, as well as the numerous surface induced effects occurring at these scales, from hydrodynamic slippage to the various electro-kinetic phenomena originating from the couplings between hydrodynamics and electrostatics. An enlightening analogy between ion transport in nanochannels and transport in doped semi-conductors will be discussed (156 references).
TL;DR: This critical review focuses on the design principles and the recent development of phosphorescent chemosensors for metal cations, anions, pH, oxygen, volatile organic compounds and biomolecules based on some heavy-metal complexes.
Abstract: Recently, the use of phosphorescent heavy-metal complexes as chemosensors has attracted increasing interest due to their advantageous photophysical properties. This critical review focuses on the design principles and the recent development of phosphorescent chemosensors for metal cations, anions, pH, oxygen, volatile organic compounds and biomolecules based on some heavy-metal complexes (such as Pt(II)-, Ru(II)-, Re(I)-, Ir(III)-, Cu(I)-, Au(I)- and Os(II)-based complexes), in which the variation in phosphorescence signals induced by the interaction between heavy-metal complexes and analytes is utilized (217 references).
TL;DR: This critical review focuses on the development of anion sensors, being either fluorescent and/or colorimetric, based on the use of the 1,8-naphthalimide structure; a highly versatile building unit that absorbs and emits at long wavelengths.
Abstract: This critical review focuses on the development of anion sensors, being either fluorescent and/or colorimetric, based on the use of the 1,8-naphthalimide structure; a highly versatile building unit that absorbs and emits at long wavelengths. The review commences with a short description of the most commonly used design principles employed in chemosensors, followed by a discussion on the photophysical properties of the 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide structure which has been most commonly employed in both cation and anion sensing to date. This is followed by a review of the current state of the art in naphthalimide-based anion sensing, where systems using ureas, thioureas and amides as hydrogen-bonding receptors, as well as charged receptors have been used for anion sensing in both organic and aqueous solutions, or within various polymeric networks, such as hydrogels. The review concludes with some current and future perspectives including the use of the naphthalimides for sensing small biomolecules, such as amino acids, as well as probes for incorporation and binding to proteins; and for the recognition/sensing of polyanions such as DNA, and their potential use as novel therapeutic and diagnostic agents (95 references).
TL;DR: This critical review presents the current technological advances in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalysis, with a focus on strategies for developing nanostructured Pt-alloys as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Abstract: In this critical review, we present the current technological advances in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalysis, with a focus on strategies for developing nanostructured Pt-alloys as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The achievements are reviewed and the major challenges, including high cost, insufficient activity and low stability, are addressed and discussed. The nanostructured Pt-alloy catalysts can be grouped into different clusters: (i) Pt-alloy nanoparticles, (ii) Pt-alloy nanotextures such as Pt-skins/monolayers on top of base metals, and (iii) branched or anisotropic elongated Pt or Pt-alloy nanostructures. Although some Pt-alloy catalysts with advanced nanostructures have shown remarkable activity levels, the dissolution of metals, including Pt and alloyed base metals, in a fuel cell operating environment could cause catalyst degradation, and still remains an issue. Another concern may be low retention of the nanostructure of the active catalyst during fuel cell operation. To facilitate further efforts in new catalyst development, several research directions are also proposed in this paper (130 references).
TL;DR: This tutorial review focuses on recent developments arising from studies of optical sensors for cyanide ions, which are categorized by approaches involving cyanide selective receptors, the utilization of metal coordinated complexes, and chemodosimeters.
Abstract: This tutorial review focuses on recent developments arising from studies of optical sensors for cyanide ions, which are categorized by approaches involving cyanide selective receptors, the utilization of metal coordinated complexes, and chemodosimeters.
TL;DR: A practical introduction to the field of hydrogen storage materials research is provided, with an emphasis on the properties necessary for a viable storage material, the computational and experimental techniques commonly employed in determining these attributes, and the classes of materials being pursued as candidate storage compounds.
Abstract: Widespread adoption of hydrogen as a vehicular fuel depends critically upon the ability to store hydrogen on-board at high volumetric and gravimetric densities, as well as on the ability to extract/insert it at sufficiently rapid rates As current storage methods based on physical means—high-pressure gas or (cryogenic) liquefaction—are unlikely to satisfy targets for performance and cost, a global research effort focusing on the development of chemical means for storing hydrogen in condensed phases has recently emerged At present, no known material exhibits a combination of properties that would enable high-volume automotive applications Thus new materials with improved performance, or new approaches to the synthesis and/or processing of existing materials, are highly desirable In this critical review we provide a practical introduction to the field of hydrogen storage materials research, with an emphasis on (i) the properties necessary for a viable storage material, (ii) the computational and experimental techniques commonly employed in determining these attributes, and (iii) the classes of materials being pursued as candidate storage compounds Starting from the general requirements of a fuel cell vehicle, we summarize how these requirements translate into desired characteristics for the hydrogen storage material Key amongst these are: (a) high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density, (b) thermodynamics that allow for reversible hydrogen uptake/release under near-ambient conditions, and (c) fast reaction kinetics To further illustrate these attributes, the four major classes of candidate storage materials—conventional metal hydrides, chemical hydrides, complex hydrides, and sorbent systems—are introduced and their respective performance and prospects for improvement in each of these areas is discussed Finally, we review the most valuable experimental and computational techniques for determining these attributes, highlighting how an approach that couples computational modeling with experiments can significantly accelerate the discovery of novel storage materials (155 references)
TL;DR: It will be shown that HTC does not only access carbonaceous materials under comparatively mild hydrothermal conditions, but also replaces the more technical and structurally well-defined charring by a controlled chemical process, leading to very different morphologies with miscellaneous applications, including modern carbon nanocomposites and hybrids.
Abstract: The production of functional nanostructured materials starting from cheap natural precursors using environmentally friendly processes is a highly attractive subject in material chemistry today. Recently, much attention has been focused on the use of plant biomass to produce functional carbonaceous materials, encompassing economic, environmental and social issues. Besides the classical route to produce activated carbons from agricultural side products, the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process shows clear advantages in that it can generate a variety of cheap and sustainable carbonaceous materials with attractive nanostructure and functionalization patterns for a wide range of applications. In this tutorial review we present the latest developments in this traditional but recently invigorated technique. It will be shown that HTC does not only access carbonaceous materials under comparatively mild hydrothermal conditions, but also replaces the more technical and structurally well-defined charring by a controlled chemical process. It will be shown that this makes it possible to tailor the final structure with the tools of colloid and polymer science, leading to very different morphologies with miscellaneous applications, including modern carbon nanocomposites and hybrids.
TL;DR: This tutorial review provides an introduction to graphene-based nanomaterials electrochemistry, its fundamentals and applications, and Selected examples of applications in energy storage and sensing are presented.
Abstract: Graphene-based nanomaterials are in the forefront of chemical research. This tutorial review provides an introduction to their electrochemistry, its fundamentals and applications. Selected examples of applications in energy storage and sensing are presented. The synthetic methods for preparing graphenes as well as their materials chemistry are thoroughly discussed, as they have a profound influence on the electronic and electrochemical behavior of graphene-related nanomaterials. Inherent electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of graphene nanomaterials is discussed thoroughly. Important application in sensing and energy storage areas are highlighted.
TL;DR: This tutorial review will summarize progress in the basic physics, the materials science, the device science and the device performance with emphasis on the following recent studies of Third Generation semiconductor polymers: stable semiconducting polymers; self-assembly of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) materials by spontaneous phase separation; bulkheterojunction solar cells with internal quantum efficiency approaching 100%; high detectivity photodetectors fabricated from BHJ materials.
Abstract: There has been remarkable progress in the science and technology of semiconducting polymers during the past decade. The field has evolved from the early work on polyacetylene (the First Generation material) to a proper focus on soluble and processible polymers and co-polymers. The soluble poly(alkylthiophenes) and the soluble PPVs are perhaps the most important examples of the Second Generation of semiconducting polymers. Third Generation semiconducting polymers have more complex molecular structures with more atoms in the repeat unit. Important examples include the highly ordered and crystalline PDTTT and the ever-growing class of donor–acceptor co-polymers that has emerged in the past few years. Examples of the latter include the bithiophene–acceptor co-polymers pioneered by Konarka and the polycarbazole–acceptor co-polymers pioneered by Leclerc and colleagues. In this tutorial review, I will summarize progress in the basic physics, the materials science, the device science and the device performance with emphasis on the following recent studies of Third Generation semiconducting polymers: stable semiconducting polymers; self-assembly of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) materials by spontaneous phase separation; bulk heterojunction solar cells with internal quantum efficiency approaching 100%; high detectivity photodetectors fabricated from BHJ materials.
TL;DR: In this critical review, recent work on singlet oxygen is summarized, focusing primarily on systems that involve light.
Abstract: Singlet oxygen, O2(a1Δg), the lowest excited electronic state of molecular oxygen, has been known to the scientific community for ∼80 years. It has a characteristic chemistry that sets it apart from the triplet ground state of molecular oxygen, O2(X3Σ−g), and is important in fields that range from atmospheric chemistry and materials science to biology and medicine. For such a “mature citizen”, singlet oxygen nevertheless remains at the cutting-edge of modern science. In this critical review, recent work on singlet oxygen is summarized, focusing primarily on systems that involve light. It is clear that there is indeed still something new under the sun (243 references).
TL;DR: This Critical Review summarizes the recent work in bio-inspired special wettability, with a focus on lotus leaf inspired self-cleaning surfaces, plants and insects inspired anisotropic superhydrophobic surfaces, and superlyophobic surfaces, with particular focus on the last two years.
Abstract: Nature is a school for scientists and engineers. After four and a half billion years of stringent evolution, some creatures in nature exhibit fascinating surface wettability. Biomimetics, mimicking nature for engineering solutions, provides a model for the development of functional surfaces with special wettability. Recently, bio-inspired special wetting surfaces have attracted wide scientific attention for both fundamental research and practical applications, which has become an increasingly hot research topic. This Critical Review summarizes the recent work in bio-inspired special wettability, with a focus on lotus leaf inspired self-cleaning surfaces, plants and insects inspired anisotropic superhydrophobic surfaces, mosquito eyes inspired superhydrophobic antifogging coatings, insects inspired superhydrophobic antireflection coatings, rose petals and gecko feet inspired high adhesive superhydrophobic surfaces, bio-inspired water collecting surfaces, and superlyophobic surfaces, with particular focus on the last two years. The research prospects and directions of this rapidly developing field are also briefly addressed (159 references).
TL;DR: This critical review presents the active and/or emerging areas of ECL research as well as new applications and phenomena of ECR, such as light-emitting electrochemical cell, wireless electrochemical microarray, and single molecule detection.
Abstract: Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is chemiluminescence triggered by electrochemical techniques. More than 150 ECL assays with remarkably high sensitivity and extremely wide dynamic range are currently available, and accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars in sales per year. The recent development of ECL is particularly rapid. After a brief introduction to ECL, this critical review presents the active and/or emerging areas of ECL research as well as new applications and phenomena of ECL, such as light-emitting electrochemical cell, wireless electrochemical microarray using ECL as photonic reporter, high throughput analysis, aptasensors, immunoassays and DNA analysis, ECL of nanoclusters and carbon nanomaterials, ECL imaging techniques, scanning ECL microscopy, colorimetric ECL sensor, surface plasmon-coupled ECL, electrostatic chemiluminescence, soliton-like ECL waves, ECL investigation of molecular interaction, and single molecule detection. Finally, some perspectives on this rapidly developing field are discussed (322 references).
TL;DR: This tutorial review will classify zinc chemosensors based on receptor types based on the biological significance of zinc combined with the simplicity and high sensitivity of fluorescence assays.
Abstract: In the past decade, fluorescent chemosensors for zinc ion (Zn2+) have attracted great attention because of the biological significance of zinc combined with the simplicity and high sensitivity of fluorescence assays. Chemosensors can be divided into a fluorophore, a spacer and a receptor unit; the receptor is the central processing unit (CPU) of a chemosensor. This tutorial review will classify zinc chemosensors based on receptor types.
TL;DR: The major design principles and criteria, from general ones to application-specific, governing the engineering of novel QD probes satisfying the increasing demands and requirements of nanomedicine are outlined.
Abstract: The emerging field of bionanotechnology aims at revolutionizing biomedical research and clinical practice via introduction of nanoparticle-based tools, expanding capabilities of existing investigative, diagnostic, and therapeutic techniques as well as creating novel instruments and approaches for addressing challenges faced by medicine. Quantum dots (QDs), semiconductor nanoparticles with unique photo-physical properties, have become one of the dominant classes of imaging probes as well as universal platforms for engineering of multifunctional nanodevices. Possessing versatile surface chemistry and superior optical features, QDs have found initial use in a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications. However, careful engineering of QD probes guided by application-specific design criteria is becoming increasingly important for successful transition of this technology from proof-of-concept studies towards real-life clinical applications. This review outlines the major design principles and criteria, from general ones to application-specific, governing the engineering of novel QD probes satisfying the increasing demands and requirements of nanomedicine and discusses the future directions of QD-focused bionanotechnology research (critical review, 201 references).
TL;DR: This tutorial review aims to introduce a new kind of peptide building block, the diphenylalanine motif, extracted with inspiration of a pathogenic process towards molecular self-assembly.
Abstract: Micro- and nanostructures fabricated from biological building blocks have attracted tremendous attention owing to their potential for application in biology and in nanotechnology. Many biomolecules, including peptides and proteins, can interact and self-assemble into highly ordered supramolecular architectures with functionality. By imitating the processes where biological peptides or proteins are assembled in nature, one can delicately design and synthesize various peptide building blocks composed of several to dozens of amino acids for the creation of biomimetic or bioinspired nanostructured materials. This tutorial review aims to introduce a new kind of peptide building block, the diphenylalanine motif, extracted with inspiration of a pathogenic process towards molecular self-assembly. We highlight recent and current advances in fabrication and application of diphenylalanine-based peptide nanomaterials. We also highlight the preparation of such peptide-based nanostructures as nanotubes, spherical vesicles, nanofibrils, nanowires and hybrids through self-assembly, the improvement of their properties and the extension of their applications.
TL;DR: This tutorial review focuses on the use of metal-based complexes for the stereoselective ROP of rac-LA and rac-BBL.
Abstract: Synthesis of aliphatic polyesters has been studied intensively due to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties and their potential applications in medical and agricultural fields. There has been particular emphasis over the past decade on the synthesis of discrete, well-characterized complexes that are active polymerization initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA) and β-butyrolactone (BBL) to give, respectively, poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). These recent advances in catalyst design have led to a variety of polyester microstructures. This tutorial review focuses on the use of metal-based complexes for the stereoselective ROP of rac-LA and rac-BBL.