Nanoparticle Substrates Research Articles

Preparation and Application of Two-Dimensional Ta4C3 MXene/Gold Nanostar Composite SERS Substrates for Thiram Detection.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a novel spectroscopic technique that enables the identification of analytes through analysis of their unique chemical signatures. Its high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid response make it a valuable tool in a range of fields, including biological detection, food safety, and environmental monitoring. However, traditional SERS nanoparticle substrates are susceptible to instability and agglomeration. In this study, Ta4C3 MXene/gold nanostar (AuNSs) hybrids were prepared as SERS substrates. By optimizing the experimental conditions of AuNSs, the optimal preparation method for the Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs composite structure was identified. The addition of MXene to the Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs hybrid substrates was found to enhance the sensitivity of the composite for Raman detection, as evaluated using 4-aminothiophenol (PATP) as a Raman molecule. This improvement in sensitivity is attributed to the enhanced electromagnetic properties of the hybrid substrates, which facilitate more efficient charge transfer and enhance the Raman scattering process. The limit of detection (LOD) of Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs is 10-9 M for PATP and 10-7 M for thiram solutions. In addition, good reproducibility and spatial uniformity were obtained for the Raman signals of Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs. Furthermore, Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs were combined with filter paper to create paper-based SERS substrates that could be used for detection. By directly wiping the apple peel and subsequently detecting the thiram residues using Ta4C3 MXene/AuNSs, the level of detection of thiram residues on the peel surface was down to 7.8 ng/cm2.

Label-Free Exosome Analysis by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy with Laser-Ablated Silver Nanoparticle Substrate.

Early diagnostics of breast cancer is crucial to reduce the risk of cancer metastasis and late relapse. Exosome, which contains distinct information of its origin, can be the target object as a liquid biopsy. However, its low sensitivity and inadequate diagnostic tools interfere with the point-of-care testing (POCT) of the exosome. Recently, Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, which amplifies the Raman scattering, has been proved as a promising tool for exosome detection. However, the fabrication process of SERS probe or substrate is still inefficient and far from large-scale production. This study proposes rapid and label-free detection of breast cancer-derived exosomes by statistical analysis of SERS spectra using silver-nanoparticle-based SERS substrate fabricated by selective laser ablation and melting (SLAM). Employing silver nanowires and optimizing laser process parameters enable rapid and low-energy fabrication of SERS substrate. The functionalities including sensitivity, reproducibility, stability, and renewability are evaluated using rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule. Then, the feasibility of POCT is examined by the statistical analysis of SERS spectra of exosomes from malignant breast cancer cells and non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cells. The presented framework is anticipated to be utilized in other biomedical applications, facilitating cost-effective and large-scale production performance.

Engineering the Hot-Spots in Au-Ag Alloy Nanoparticles through Meniscus-Confined 3D Printing for Microplastic Detection.

The escalating concern surrounding microplastic (MP) pollution necessitates urgent attention and the development of rapid techniques for quantifying extremely low concentrations. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising method due to its simplicity, high sensitivity, and rapid quantification capabilities. Herein, the efficacy of gold-silver alloy nanoparticles (3DPAu-Ag) substrates for detecting poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) MPs is investigated. The 3DPAu-Ag SERS substrates are fabricated using the meniscus-confined electrochemical 3D printing (MC-E3DP) process, employing a nozzle of 0.8 mm size with 2.5 V potential at a printing speed of 0.4 mm s-1. The proposed SERS substrates exhibit exceptional sensitivity and are capable of detecting PMMA concentrations as low as 0.2 μg mL-1 and PS concentrations of 1.2 μg mL-1 within the ranges of 1-103 μg mL-1 and 10-104 μg mL-1, respectively. Remarkable enhancement factors (EFs) of up to 3.2 × 104 for PMMA and 9.3 × 103 for PS are achieved, underscoring the substrates' effectiveness. Furthermore, the investigation demonstrates outstanding uniformity and reproducibility of the 3DPAu-Ag substrates, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values of only 4.1 and 6.4%, respectively, across 31 and 5 measurements. Additionally, a minimal 17% decrease in the initial SERS signal value after 5 weeks highlights the substrates' high stability. This not only highlights the superior quality of the substrates but also positions them ahead of previously reported works in the literature. Moreover, this study also comes up with a plausible mechanism for MPs SERS detection facilitated by the 3DPAu-Ag substrates, offering insights into the underlying processes. Overall, 3DPAu-Ag substrates show promise for sensitive, stable MP detection, which is crucial for environmental monitoring.

Influence of Surface Chemistry on Metal Deposition Outcomes in Copper Selenide-Based Nanoheterostructure Synthesis.

The use of nanoparticle surface chemistry to direct metal deposition has been well-studied in the modification of metal nanoparticle substrates but is not yet well-established for metal chalcogenide particle substrates, although integration of these particles into nanoheterostructures is of high interest. In this report, we investigate the effect of Cu2-xSe surface chemistry on the morphology of metal deposition on these plasmonic semiconductor nanoparticles. Specifically, we functionalize Cu2-xSe nanoparticles with a suite of 12 different ligands and investigate how different aspects of the ligand structure do or do not impact the morphology and extent of subsequent metal deposition on the Cu2-xSe surface. Surprisingly, our results indicate that the morphology of the resulting metal deposits and the extent of metal deposition onto the existing Cu2-xSe particle substrate are indistinguishable for the majority of ligands tested. An exception to these findings is observed for particles functionalized by quaternary alkylammonium bromides, which exhibit statistically distinct metal deposition patterns compared to all other ligands tested. We hypothesize that this unique behavior is due to a cooperative binding mechanism of the quaternary alkylammonium bromides to the surface of copper selenide. Taken together, these results yield both new strategies for controlling postsynthetic modification of copper selenide nanoparticles and also reveal limitations of surface chemistry-based approaches for this system.

Three-dimensional nanoporous gold/gold nanoparticles substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of illegal additives in food

Owing to their nanoscale size and porous structure, both colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and nanoporous gold (NPG) have demonstrated good and stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and are therefore widely used as SERS substrates for the rapid detection of various components in food, environmental, biological, and other samples. In this study, we fabricated a novel, sensitive, and reproducible composite three-dimensional (3D) substrate for rapid SERS-based detection of illegal additives in food products. AuNPs and NPGs were prepared by chemical reduction and chemical dealloying methods, with the particle size of AuNPs about 60 nm and the pore size of NPG in the range of 5–36 nm. The AuNPs were then assembled on the surface of NPG to form the composite substrate 3D-NPG/AuNPs, which was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and other methods. Finally, the new SERS substrate combined with a portable Raman spectrometer was used to detect the illegal food additives 6-benzylaminopurine and melamine, with detection limits of 1 × 10−9 M and 5 × 10−7 M respectively. We further analyzed the relationship between the dealloying time-controlled morphology and the SERS properties of NPG, demonstrating that 3D-NPG/AuNPs as a novel SERS substrate have strong practical application potential in the rapid detection of food additives and other substances.

EFFECT OF NIOBIUM DOPANT CONCENTRATION ON ZNO NANOSTRUCTURES ON SI POROUS SUBSTRATE

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have gained popularity in sensor technology due to their unique properties and facile device integration. However, the intrinsic optical and electrical properties of ZnO are suboptimal for direct industrial applications, necessitating enhancements through doping. This study investigates the impact of niobium (Nb) doping concentrations on the physical, optical, and electrical characteristics of ZnO nanostructures. FESEM analyses indicate successful deposition of ZnO on silicon nanoparticles substrates, with nanostructure sizes peaking at 88 nm and 115 nm for 6% and 8% Nb dopant concentrations, respectively. XRD results suggest that the structural integrity of the nanostructures is maintained up to a 10% doping level, with an optimal concentration at 6%. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows a shift in the absorption peak into the visible range and a decrease in maximum reflectivity from 47.5990% at 2% doping to 40.9205% at 6% doping, indicating enhanced light absorption suitable for optoelectronic applications. Electrical measurements reveal that a 6% Nb dopant concentration yields the lowest resistivity and highest conductivity among the tested samples. These findings underscore the potential of Nb-doped ZnO nanostructures in improving the performance of optoelectronic devices through tailored doping strategies.

Super-Resolution by Localized Plasmonic Structured Illumination Microscopy Using Self-Assembled Nanoparticle Substrates

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM), an advanced super-resolution methodology, transcends the traditional diffraction limit inherent in optical imaging. This technique utilizes standing-wave illumination generated through the interplay of two obliquely incident light waves. The intrinsic resolution constraint of SIM, traditionally pegged at half the wavelength because of the standing wave’s periodicity, has the potential for enhancement by integrating high spatial frequency illumination patterns, particularly when sourced in the near-field of plasmonic nanostructures. The present study introduces and computationally validates a novel, easily fabricated substrate composed of self-assembled gold nanoparticles designed explicitly for generating these high spatial frequency patterns. Addressing the necessity for diverse patterns in reconstructing super-resolution imagery within plasmonic SIM, this research conducted extensive numerical simulations of nanoparticle arrays under varying illumination scenarios. This undertaking affirmed the feasibility of manipulating high-frequency patterns. Super-resolution reconstruction was actualized by applying Blind-SIM techniques, which verified its effectiveness. This innovative approach notably achieved a resolution threshold of 60 nm, markedly exceeding the conventional 150 nm diffraction barrier and surpassing the 75 nm resolution typically observed in standard SIM applications.

Combustion-Induced Endothermic Process in Carbon Dots Synthesized on Magnetite Nanoparticle Substrate

Combustion-Induced Endothermic Process in Carbon Dots Synthesized on Magnetite Nanoparticle Substrate

A label-free colorimetric biosensor utilizing natural material for highly sensitive exosome detection

Exosomes, extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, play a crucial role in intercellular communication by transferring information from source cells to recipient cells. These vesicles carry important biomarkers, including nucleic acids and proteins, which provide valuable insights into the parent cells' status. As a result, exosomes have emerged as noninvasive indicators for the early diagnosis of cancer. Colorimetric biosensors have garnered significant attention due to their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, rapid response, and reproducibility. In this study, we employ sporopollenin microcapsules (SP), a natural biopolymer material derived from pollen, as a substrate for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). By modifying the SP-Au complex with CD63 aptamers, we develop a label-free colorimetric biosensor for exosome detection. In the absence of exosomes, the SP-Au complex catalyzes the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), resulting in a color change from colorless to blue. However, the addition of exosomes inhibits the catalytic activity of the SP-Au complex due to coverage of exosomes on AuNPs. This colorimetric biosensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for exosome detection, with a detection limit of 10 particles/μL and a wide linear range of 10 - 108 particles/μL. Additionally, the SP-Au biosensor demonstrates remarkable resistance to serum protein adsorption and excellent catalytic stability even in harsh environments, making it highly suitable for clinical diagnostics.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate based on gold nanostars–silver nanostars for imidacloprid detection

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful molecular spectroscopy technique that combines Raman spectroscopy with nanostructured metallic surfaces to amplify the Raman signals of target molecules by more than 103. The high sensitivity of SERS poses a significant opportunity for pesticide detection in complex matrices at ultralow concentrations. In this study, we improved the SERS sensitivity for imidacloprid (IMD) by employing silver nanostars (AgNs) coated with gold nanostars (AuNs) as the SERS-active substrate. The SERS response towards IMD detection increased based on the combination of AuNs and AgNs on the substrate surface. The intensity of the SERS signal of IMD using the AuNs/AgNs substrate increased compared to using individual metal nanoparticle substrates. The excellent reproducibility of SERS intensity using the AuNs/AgNs substrate was achieved with a low relative standard derivative (RSD) of 4.87% for 20 different spots on the same sample and 5.19% for 20 different samples. This detection system can be used for multiple tests, which is crucial for the advancement of handheld sensors designed for field use, where minimal or no high-level technical support is accessible.

Large-scale SU-8 Micro-Pole-Arrays decorated with Hierarchical Metal-Dielectric-Metal nanostructures as sensitive 3D SERS substrates

Dielectric layer-mediated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are currently explored for ultrasensitive detection and expected to provide uniform SERS response by the virtue of three-dimensional micro-nanostructures, dielectric layer, and plasmonic metal nanostructures. For this purpose, the present work reports on the development of the metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) three-dimensional (3D) micro-pole-arrays structure based on SU-8 colloid lithography. By utilizing the large-scale periodic arrangement characteristics of SU-8 colloidal lithography, along with the hot spot effect created by the nano-gap between MDM, we successfully prepared an array of SERS substrates that exhibit both periodicity and multi-dimensional plasmonic coupling effect. Compared to a single metal nanoparticle substrate, the SERS activity of the substrate is significantly enhanced, and the substrate has trace detection ability (LOD of detection of 10−12 mol/L for R6G). The enhancement factor (EF) is 5.72 × 107. Periodicity ensures that the prepared substrate has good reproducibility (RSD < 8 %) and stability. Furthermore, the substrate modified with HS-β-CD demonstrated potential for rapid trace SERS detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-77) (LOD of 10−8 mol/L for PCB-77). The results indicate that the proposed substrate has the potential for application in the preparation of SERS sensors with high sensitivity and uniformity.

Comparing silver and gold nanoislands’ surface plasmon resonance for bisacodyl and its metabolite quantification in human plasma

Gold and silver nanoparticles have witnessed increased scientific interest due to their colourful colloidal solutions and exceptional applications. Comparing the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold and silver nanoparticles is crucial for understanding and optimizing their optical properties. This comparison informs the design of highly sensitive plasmonic sensors, aids in selecting the most suitable nanoparticles for applications like surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRA) and biomedical imaging, and guides the choice between gold and silver nanoparticles based on their catalytic and photothermal properties. Ultimately, the study of LSPR facilitates the tailored use of these nanoparticles in diverse scientific and technological applications. Two SEIRA methods combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) chemometric tools were developed. This development is based on the synthesis of homogeneous, high-dense deposited metal nanoparticle islands over the surface of glass substrates to be used as lab-on-chip SEIRA sensors for the determination of bisacodyl (BIS) and its active metabolite in plasma. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of metallic islands of colloidal citrate-capped gold and silver nanoparticles of average sizes of 29.7 and 15 nm, respectively. BIS and its active metabolite were placed on the nanoparticles’ coated substrates to be directly measured, then PLSR chemometric modelling was used for the quantitative determinations. Plasmonic citrate-capped gold nanoparticle substrates showed better performance than those prepared using citrate-capped silver nanoparticles in terms of preparation time, enhancement factor, PLSR model prediction, and quantitative results. This study offers a way to determine BIS and its active metabolite in the concentration range 15–240 ng/mL in human plasma using inexpensive disposable glass-coated substrates that can be prepared in 1 h to get results in seconds with good recovery between 98.77 and 100.64%. The sensors provided fast, simple, selective, molecular-specific and inexpensive procedures to determine molecules in their pure form and biological fluid.

Rocephin-graphene oxide-silver nanocomposites: A versatile platform for biomedical applications.

For many years, the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) had involved exfoliating graphite flakes, and the methods applied were expensive and time-consuming. Thus, an attempt had been made to create an inventive, less expensive method for the synthesis of GO using unrefined, raw carbon-containing material. Modified Hummer's method was used to prepare GO from banana peel. In addition, the metallic silver nanocomposite was also synthesized along with laoding of drug Rocephin where they interact with each other through electrostatic hydrogen bond interaction. The degree of crystallinity and the crystallite size were through x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and the crystallite size of AgNPs was found to be 40.40 nm. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows that the morphology of the GO gradually changes with the addition of AgNPs and Rocephin. A blue shift was seen in the absorbance maxima of the raw carbon upon the conjugation of Rocephin in UV analysis. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used to determine the chemical composition of the samples. Furthermore, a broad biological screening of the synthesized samples had been carried out following the total reducing power (TRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antibacterial, antifungal, MTT (Cytotoxicity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells) cell viability, brine shrimp lethality, and hemolytic protocols. Significant results were obtained, and the Rocephin-GO-AgNPs had depicted promising activity as compared with their counterparts. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The GO was prepared from the raw carbon extracted from banana peels and was used as a substrate for the synthesis Graphene oxide silver nanoparticles (GO-AgNPs) and Rocephin-loaded graphene oxide silver nanoparticles (Rocephin-GO-AgNPs) The structural and compositional analysis of the nanomaterial was carried out, and they were screened for several biomedical applications. The Rocephin-GO-AgNPs exhibit the highest activity as compared with their counterparts.

Nanoformulated meloxicam and rifampin: inhibiting quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: We aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of meloxicam and rifampin nanoformulations with solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) substrates on inhibiting the quorum-sensing system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and preventing biofilm formation by this bacterium. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of rifampin and meloxicam encapsulated with SLNs and NLCs against P. aeruginosa PAO1 was assessed by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The SLN formulation was associated with lower doses for the MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration in comparison to NLC. Moreover, our results demonstrated that both nanoformulations were able to produce 100% inhibition of the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Conclusion: All these findings suggest that meloxicam and rifampin encapsulated with SLNs could be the most effective formulation against P. aeruginosa.

Advancing Brain Research through Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS): Current Applications and Future Prospects.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has recently emerged as a potent analytical technique with significant potential in the field of brain research. This review explores the applications and innovations of SERS in understanding the pathophysiological basis and diagnosis of brain disorders. SERS holds significant advantages over conventional Raman spectroscopy, particularly in terms of sensitivity and stability. The integration of label-free SERS presents promising opportunities for the rapid, reliable, and non-invasive diagnosis of brain-associated diseases, particularly when combined with advanced computational methods such as machine learning. SERS has potential to deepen our understanding of brain diseases, enhancing diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic interventions. Such advancements could significantly enhance the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and further our understanding of brain-related processes and diseases. This review assesses the utility of SERS in diagnosing and understanding the pathophysiological basis of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, stroke, and brain cancer. Recent technological advances in SERS instrumentation and techniques are discussed, including innovations in nanoparticle design, substrate materials, and imaging technologies. We also explore prospects and emerging trends, offering insights into new technologies, while also addressing various challenges and limitations associated with SERS in brain research.

Study on the creation of boronate affinity-based oriented imprinted silica nanoparticles and their selective recognition toward glycopeptide antibiotics in food and water.

Taking into account the drug resistance of antibiotics, teicoplanin has been banned in the veterinary field. Also, it brings threat to people's health when they eat foods containing teicoplanin residue. In addition, the abuse of teicoplanin in humans and food animals also poses a potential risk to water. Therefore, it is crucial to purify teicoplanin from food before quantifying its amount. In this study, researchers employed boronate affinity-based controlled oriented surface imprinting technique to produce molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the isolation of teicoplanin. The 3-fluoro-4-formylphenylboronic acid-functionalized silica nanoparticle substrate was first used as the supporting material for immobilizing teicoplanin. Next, the substrate surface was coated with an imprinting coating whose thickness could be controlled, produced through the self-copolymerization of dopamine and m-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) in water. After the template was removed, 3D cavities that matched the template were created in the imprinting layer. The prepared teicoplanin-imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited several significant satisfactory results such as good specificity, high binding capacity (46.9 ± 2.3 mg g-1), moderate binding constant ((5.46 ± 0.18) × 10-5 M-1), fast kinetics (8 min) and low binding pH (pH 5.0) toward teicoplanin. The teicoplanin-imprinted silica nanoparticles could still be reused after seven cycles of adsorption-desorption, which indicated a high chemical stability. In addition, recoveries of the proposed method for teicoplanin at three spiked levels in milk and water ranged from 91.8 to 105.6% and 92.3 to 97.4%, respectively. The teicoplanin-imprinted silica nanoparticles are capable of identifying the target teicoplanin in real samples in a simple, fast, selective and efficient manner.

Integrating the amino-functionalized MOF-5 film with the silver nanoparticle substrate for a high SERS enhancement effect and long-term stability

SERS effective region of the plasmonic electric field is strongly enhanced by the self-assembled layer of MOF-5-NH2.

Sensitive Determination of Carbendazim in Tobacco Leaves by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Using a Silica – Silver Nanoparticle Substrate and QuEChERs Pretreatment

A sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate based on SiO2@Ag core-shell with a QuEChERs pretreatment method were constructed for the determination of carbendazim residue in tobacco leaves. The SERS substrate was formed by self-assembly of monolayer homogeneous SiO2 nanospheres onto silicon wafer following by vacuum thermal evaporation of silver film. The QuEChERs pretreatment method was used to eliminate the interfering effects of pigments and organic acids in tobacco leaves. The results for carbendazim in tobacco leaves show the limit of detection (LOD) of the SERS substrate was 0.1 mg/kg and the recovery rate was from 82.56% to 95.93%. The proposed low-cost sensitive SERS substrates provide potential application for tobacco safety monitoring.

Numerical Optimization Technique of Multilayer SERS Substrates

A numerical optimization technique of a three-dimensional (3D) SERS substrate with finite element analysis is proposed. Using the optical reciprocity theorem, we have shown that instead of the well-known local field enhancement criterion, it is more correct to use the Purcell factor as an objective function that determines the quality of the SERS substrate. This allows us to take into account the detail inhomogeneity of local fields in an arbitrary three-dimensional structure containing multiple emitters. We have theoretically shown that employment of a 3D CNT structure as a nanoparticle substrate instead of a nanoparticle monolayer allows one to achieve the enhancement of the SERS signal.

A Stable Fe3O4-Based Hybrid Anodes for High Performance Li-Ion Batteries

There is an increasing demand for high-performance Li-ion batteries especially due to environmental concerns. To meet the high-performance requirements of the Li-ion batteries, conversion-type anodes stand out with their capacities. The crystal structure of magnetite (Fe3O4) benefits from its empty interstitial sites which hinders volume changes during the insertion and extraction of lithium ions. Combined with its high theoretical lithium storage capacity and abundance, Fe3O4 has great potential as an alternative anode. Yet in its practical use, the material suffers from severe capacity degradation, mainly due to the formation of a passive metallic iron layer on the electrode [1]. Another suggested mechanism responsible for the deterioration of the performance is the formation of electrochemically inactive FeO-based side products upon delithiation process [2].In this study, we utilize reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a substrate for the ultrafine Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form a two-dimensional hybrid material with improved characteristics. Under a mild hydrothermal condition, nanoparticles were deposited by a simple redox process in an interconnected porous network of graphene. Graphene aids in improving the Fe3O4 performance not only by reducing the charge transfer resistance, buffering the volume change induced stresses and facilitating the ion transport but also by forming an effective interface with the delocalized electrons of Fe3O4 to further result in the increase of battery capacitance by the interfacial conjugation mechanism, as confirmed by in-situ EIS measurements. The Fe3O4 particles have been effectively stabilized on the rGO surface, becoming less prone to agglomeration during cycling. Consequently, the deliverable specific capacity of the hybrid material was gradually improved upon extended cycling, reaching from 1500 mAh/g up to 2200 mAh/g at 0.5 A/g at the end of 100 cycles of operation. The increase of the specific capacity during the extended cycling was attributed to the chemical and structural changes of the electrode material evaluated by TEM and ex-situ EELS measurements. It was confirmed that the particle size is greatly reduced to 1-2 nm scale, improving the lithium-ion diffusion kinetics by the increased surface area and reversibility of the redox reaction upon graphene contribution. Moreover, the aged cells were observed to still deliver around 1100 mAh/g capacity upon more than 250 times cycling at 1 A/g, indicating the great potential of the ultrafine Fe3O4 decorated reduced graphene hybrids as superior performance Li-ion battery anode materials.