Surface Chemistry Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Overcoming Hepatic Biotransformation Barrier of Gold Nanoparticles via Au-Se Bond for Enhanced In Vivo Active Targeting.

As a key metabolic function of the liver, the hepatic biotransformation process can alter the predesigned surface chemistry of nanoparticles in vivo, leading to hampered functionality and targeting ability. However, strategies to modulate the hepatic biotransformation of nanoparticles have been rarely explored. Herein, using indocyanine green (ICG)-conjugated gold nanoparticles that target liver hepatocytes as a model, we showed that merely changing the metal-ligand bond from gold-sulfur (Au-S) to gold-selenium (Au-Se) completely reshaped the hepatic biotransformation profiles of the nanoparticle as well as its targeting and transport behaviors in vivo. Compared with those of Au-S bond, Au-Se bond markedly slowed down nanoparticle biotransformation in liver sinusoids, enhanced ICG-mediated nanoparticle targeting to hepatocytes by 15-fold, and also altered nanoparticle intrahepatic transport, distribution, and clearance pathways. Moreover, we demonstrated that Au-Se bond could improve the active targeting of gold nanoparticles to hepatic tumors by reducing liver biotransformation-induced dissociation of targeting ligands. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of nanoparticle biotransformation in the liver but also offer a strategy to overcome the biochemical barrier of hepatic biotransformation, providing guidance for the design and engineering of related nanomedicines by tuning their in vivo biotransformation profiles.

Synthesis, characterization, and surface modification of degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutics to vascular tissue

Degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethanes (D-PHI) are an emerging class of biomaterials with particular significance for blood-contacting applications due to their immunomodulatory effects and highly customizable block chemistry. In this manuscript, D-PHI polymer was formulated as a nanoparticle excipient for the first time by inverse emulsion polymerization. The nanoparticles were optimized with consideration of diameter, surface charge, size variability, and yield as a delivery vehicle for a custom vascular therapeutic peptide. A layer-by-layer (LBL) surface modification technique using poly-L-lysine was integrated within the nanoparticle design to optimize therapeutic loading efficiency. Solvent pH played a pivotal role in emulsion micelle formation, LBL polymer secondary structure, and the polymer functional group interactions critical for high therapeutic loading. The resulting nanoparticle platform met target size (200 ± 20 nm), polydispersity (<0.07), and storage stability standards, was nontoxic, and did not affect therapeutic peptide bioactivity in vitro. Surface-modified D-PHI nanoparticles can be reproducibly manufactured at low cost, generating a highly customizable excipient platform suitable for delivery of biomolecular therapeutics. These nanoparticles have potential applications in vascular drug delivery via localized infusion, drug eluting stents, and drug-coated angioplasty balloons. Statement of significanceNanoscale excipients have become critical in the delivery of many therapeutics to enhance drug stability and targeted biodistribution through careful design of nanoparticle composition, surface chemistry, and size. This manuscript describes the development of a nanoparticle excipient derived from an immunomodulatory degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane, in combination with a layer-by-layer surface modification approach utilizing poly-L-lysine, to transport a mimetic peptide targeting smooth muscle cell migration in vascular disease. The nanoparticle platform draws on the effect of pH to maximize drug loading and tailor particle properties. The low cost and easily reproducible system presents a highly customizable platform that can be adapted for therapeutic delivery across a wide range of clinical indications.

Bionano Interactions of Organosilica Nanoparticles with Myeloid Derived Immune Cells.

Investigating the interactions between nanomaterials and the cells they are likely to encounter in vivo is a critical aspect of designing nanomedicines for imaging and therapeutic applications. Immune cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and myeloid derived suppressor cells have a frontline role in the identification and removal of foreign materials from the body, with interactions shown to be heavily dependent on variables such as nanoparticle size, charge, and surface chemistry. Interactions such as cellular association or uptake of nanoparticles can lead to diminished functionality or rapid clearance from the body, making it critical to consider these interactions when designing and synthesizing nanomaterials for biomedical applications ranging from drug delivery to imaging and biosensing. We investigated the interactions between PEGylated organosilica nanoparticles and naturally endocytic immune cells grown from stem cells in murine bone marrow. Specifically, we varied the particle size from 60 nm up to 1000 nm and investigated the effects of size on immune cell association, activation, and maturation with these critical gatekeeper cells. These results will help inform future design parameters for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications utilizing organosilica nanoparticles.

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.

Ultrathin Flexible Silica Nanosheets with Surface Chemistry-Modulated Affinity to Mammalian Cells.

Flexibility of nanomaterials is challenging but worthy to tune for biomedical applications. Biocompatible silica nanomaterials are under extensive exploration but are rarely observed to exhibit flexibility despite the polymeric nature. Herein, a facile one-step route is reported to ultrathin flexible silica nanosheets (NSs), whose low thickness and high diameter-to-thickness ratio enables folding. Thickness and diameter can be readily tuned to enable controlled flexibility. Mechanism study reveals that beyond the commonly used surfactant, the "uncommon" one bearing two hydrophobic tails play a guiding role in producing sheeted/layered/shelled structures, while addition of ethanol appropriately relieved the strong interfacial tension of the assembled surfactants, which will otherwise produce large curled sheeted structures. With these ultrathin NSs, it is further shown that the cellular preference for particle shape and rigidity is highly dependent on surface chemistry of nanoparticles: under high particle-cell affinity, NSs, and especially the flexible ones will be preferred by mammalian cells for internalization or attachment, while this preference is basically invalid when the affinity is low. Therefore, properties of the ultrathin silica NSs can be effectively expanded and empowered by surface chemistry to realize improved bio-sensing or drug delivery.

Surface chemistry engineered selenium nanoparticles as bactericidal and immuno-modulating dual-functional agents for combating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Because of the extremely complexed microenvironment of drug-resistant bacterial infection, nanomaterials with both bactericidal and immuno-modulating activities are undoubtedly the ideal modality for overcoming drug resistance. Herein, we precisely engineered the surface chemistry of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using neutral (polyvinylpyrrolidone-PVP), anionic (letinan-LET) and cationic (chitosan-CS) surfactants. It was found that surface chemistry greatly influenced the bioactivities of functionalized SeNPs, their interactions with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), immune cells and metabolisms. LET-functionalized SeNPs with distinct metabolisms exhibited the best inhibitory efficacy compared to other kinds of SeNPs against MRSA through inducing robust ROS generation and damaging bacterial cell wall. Meanwhile, only LET-SeNPs could effectively activate natural kill (NK) cells, and enhance the phagocytic capability of macrophages and its killing activity against bacteria. Furthermore, in vivo studies suggested that LET-SeNPs treatment highly effectively combated MRSA infection and promoted wound healing by triggering much more mouse NK cells, CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes infiltrating into the infected area at the early stage to efficiently eliminate MRSA in the mouse model. This study demonstrates that the novel functionalized SeNP with dual functions could serve as an effective antibacterial agent and could guide the development of next generation antibacterial agents.

Flash precipitation of random copolymers in a micro-mixer for controlling the size and surface charge of nanoparticles.

Precisely controlling the size and surface chemistry of polymeric nanoparticles (P-NPs) is critical for their versatile engineering and biomedical applications. In this work, various NPs of amphipathic random copolymers were comparatively produced by the flash nanoprecipitation (FNP) method using a tube-in-tube type of micro-mixer up to 330 mg min-1 in production scale in a kinetically controlled manner. The NPs obtained from poly(styrene-co-maleic acid), poly(styrene-co-allyl alcohol), and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) were concurrently controlled in the range 51-819 nm in size with narrow polydispersity index (<0.1) and -44 to -16 mV in zeta potential, by depending not only on the polymeric chemistry and the concentration but also the mixing behavior of good solvents (THF, alcohols) and anti-solvent (water) under three flow regimes (laminar, vortex and turbulence, turbulent jet). Moreover, the P(St-MA) derived NPs under turbulent jet flow conditions were post-treated in the initial solution mixture for up to 16 h, resulting in lowering of the zeta potential to -52 mV from the initial -27 mV and decreasing size to 46 nm from 50 nm by further migration of hydrophilic segments with -COOH groups on the outer surface, and the removal of THF trapped in the hydrophobic core.

Lignin nanoparticles as a highly efficient adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous media

This work demonstrated enhanced adsorption capabilities of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) synthesized via a straightforward hydrotropic method compared to pristine lignin (PL) powder for removing methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. Kraft lignin was used as a precursor and p-toluenesulfonic acid as the hydrotrope to produce spherical LNPs with ~ 200 nm diameter. Extensive characterization by SEM, AFM, DLS, zeta potential, and BET verified successful fabrication of microporous LNPs with fourfold higher specific surface area (14.9 m2/g) compared to PL (3.4 m2/g). Significantly reduced particle agglomeration and rearranged surface chemistry (zeta potential of −13.3 mV) arising from the self-assembly of lignin fractions under hydrotropic conditions enabled the application of LNPs and superior adsorbents compared to PL. Batch adsorption experiments exhibited up to 14 times higher methylene blue removal capacity, from 20.74 for PL to 127.91 mg/g for LNPs, and ultrafast equilibrium uptake within 3 min for LNPs compared to 10 min for PL. Kinetic modeling based on pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations revealed chemisorption as the predominant mechanism, with a rate constant of 0.032825 g/mg·h for LNPs—over an order of magnitude higher than PL (0.07125 g/mg·h). Isotherm modeling indicated Langmuir monolayer adsorption behavior on relatively uniform lignin surface functional groups. The substantially augmented adsorption performance of LNPs arose from the increased surface area and abundance of surface functional groups, providing greater accessibility of chemically active binding sites for rapid dye uptake. Overall, this work demonstrates that tailoring lignin nanoparticle structure and surface chemistry via scalable hydrotropic synthesis is a simple and sustainable approach for producing highly efficient lignin-based nano-adsorbents for organic dye removal from industrial wastewater.

Magnetic Nanocomposites for Removal of Arsenic from Water

Arsenic significantly impacts human health and the environment and its removal from wastewater is still difficult. Magnetic nanoparticles have come to light as a viable arsenic remediation technique, providing a fresh and long-lasting water purification method. This study investigates the use of magnetic nanoparticles to remove arsenic by concentrating on their adsorption mechanism, kinetics, potential for adsorption, recovery, and promising use of this method in the future. Due to the extensive surface area and variable surface chemistry of magnetic nanoparticles, they can effectively adsorb arsenic from water sources. Because their magnetic properties simplify separation and regeneration, they may be used again with little to no efficiency loss. As a result, they reduce trash output by providing an ecologically acceptable alternative to traditional adsorbents. The present study also examines the kinetics and adsorption process of magnetic nanoparticles, emphasising their improved selectivity and capacity for adsorption. Due to these characteristics, the authors were able to successfully remove arsenic from wastewater, resulting in better water quality and decreased health hazards after exposure to arsenic. Additionally, the potential applications of magnetic nanoparticles in removing arsenic have been highlighted. It is envisaged that advances in material science and nanotechnology will create unique magnetic nanoparticles with even better performance. Combining hybrid materials and surface alterations can increase their effectiveness in wastewater treatment settings.

The relationship between cellular microstructure and the mechanical properties of styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer‐silica nanocomposite foams prepared by a supercritical CO2 blowing agent

AbstractStyrene/methyl methacrylate (St/MMA) copolymer‐silica nanocomposite foams were prepared using supercritical CO2 as blowing agent, and the relationships between their cellular microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The effects of nanosilica content, size, and surface chemistry on the foam's microstructure and properties were examined. Dispersion and distribution of silica nanoparticles with different surface chemistry in St/MMA copolymer nanocomposites were discussed. To determine the most suitable copolymer composition for incorporating silica nanoparticles, some operating conditions such as temperature and pressure were primarily examined to study their effects on the microstructure of resulting foams. In compressive mechanical properties of final foams, a considerably high value was obtained for the compressive strength of the foams of up to 9.5 MPa. The prepared low‐density (below 0.2 g/cm3) St/MMA copolymer microcellular foams can be used in green lost foam iron casting processes.Highlights Styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer‐silica nanocomposite foams were prepared via supercritical CO2. Foams' cell size was changed by changing silica nanoparticle surface chemistry and size. The uniform cellular microstructure was achieved by nanosilica size increment. Increasing nanoparticle size improved the foam's mechanical properties. Low‐density foams were achieved for potential application in lost foam casting.

Surface Chemistry of Gold Nanoparticles Modulates Cytokines and Nanomechanical Properties in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines: A Correlative Study.

Surface chemistry of nanoparticles play significant role in their cellular interaction. Along with other group, we previously demonstrated that dynamic alteration of cell membrane during uptake of gold nanoparticles can be thoroughly probed by nanomechanical properties of cell membrane. Additionally, endocytosis influences intracellular cytokines expression that also impact membrane stiffness. Hence, we have hypothesized that surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles influences intracellular cytokines which in turn imparts dynamic alteration of nanomechanical properties of cellular membrane of pancreatic cancer cells. Various gold nanoparticles decorated with targeting peptide, polyethylene glycol or their combinations have been used to treat two pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and AsPC1, for 1 and 24 hours. Atomic force microscope is used to measure linear and nonlinear nanomechanical properties of cell membrane. Intracellular cytokine has been measured using real time polymeric chain reaction. We evaluated several criteria such as receptor dependent vs independent, PEGylated vs non-PEGylated and different timepoints, to deduce correlations between cytokines and nanomechanical attributes. We have identified unique relationship pro-tumorigenic cytokines with both linear and non-linear nanomechanical properties of Panc-1 and AsPC1 cell membrane during uptake of pristine gold nanoparticles or for PEGylation and for targeting peptide conjugation at the nanoparticle surface.

Enhancing Ocular Drug Delivery: The Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Nanoparticles on the Mechanism of Their Uptake by Human Cornea Epithelial Cells.

This study investigates the effect of nanoparticle size and surface chemistry on interactions of the nanoparticles with human cornea epithelial cells (HCECs). Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were synthesized using the emulsion-solvent evaporation method and surface modified with mucoadhesive (alginate [ALG] and chitosan [CHS]) and mucopenetrative (polyethylene glycol [PEG]) polymers. Particles were found to be monodisperse (polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.2), spherical, and with size and zeta potential ranging from 100 to 250 nm and from -25 to +15 mV, respectively. Evaluation of cytotoxicity with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay indicated that incubating cells with nanoparticles for 24 h at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL caused only mild toxicity (70-100% cell viability). Cellular uptake studies were conducted using an in vitro model developed with a monolayer of HCECs integrated with simulated mucosal solution. Evaluation of nanoparticle uptake revealed that energy-dependent endocytosis is the primary uptake mechanism. Among the different nanoparticles studied, 100 nm PLGA NPs and PEG-PLGA-150 NPs showed the highest levels of uptake by HCECs. Additionally, uptake studies in the presence of various inhibitors suggested that macropinocytosis and caveolae-mediated endocytosis are the dominant pathways. While clathrin-mediated endocytosis was found to also be partially responsible for nanoparticle uptake, phagocytosis did not play a role within the studied ranges of size and surface chemistries. These important findings could lead to improved nanoparticle-based formulations that could improve therapies for ocular diseases.

Multiparametric cytotoxicity profiling reveals cell-line and ligand-dependent toxicity for pegylated gold nanoparticles (AuNP-PEG)

The highly tunable surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) makes them ideal candidates for cancer treatments. Modification of AuNP surface chemistry creates linkage points for different surface coatings whose chemical structure regulates AuNP interactions with cells and thus plays a key role in AuNP cytotoxicity. This study looked at AuNPs functionalized with three polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings, differing in end group functionality: PEG methyl terminated thiol (PEGCH3), PEG amine terminated thiol (PEGNH2), and PEG carboxylic acid terminated thiol (PEGCOOH). Cytotoxic effects were compared across three cell lines: human embryonic kidney (HEK293T/17), prostate cancer (PC-3), and ovarian cancer (SKOV3). Biochemical assays measured the effect AuNPs elicit on the ability of single cells to form colonies, metabolize thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT), or produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein. Overall, AuNP-PEG particles were minimally toxic. HEK293T/17 colony formation was significantly decreased with all but PEGCOOH particle types, and PEGNH2 treatments significantly decreased colony formation for all three tested cell lines. ROS production was significantly increased when treated with 100 µg mL−1 AuNP PEGNH2 in all three cell lines, with PEGCH3 also showing increased ROS in PC-3 cells. PEGCH3 reduced metabolic function (MTT metabolism) in only SKOV3 cells, while PEGCOOH was toxic to HEK293T/17 cells at 100 µg mL−1. These results suggest that differing end group chemistry leads to modest cytotoxic profiles for each AuNP that are cell line and coating dependent. Elucidation of AuNP mechanisms of toxicity is a critical step in the evaluation of the future therapeutic potential for these particles.

A comparative study on the surface chemistry and electronic transport properties of Bi2Te3 synthesized through hydrothermal and thermolysis routes

Bismuth telluride-Bi2Te3 is the most promising material for harvesting thermal energy near room temperature. There are numerous works on Bi2Te3 reporting significantly different transport properties, with no clear connection to the synthetic routes used and the resultant surface chemistry of the synthesized materials. It is of utmost importance to characterize the constituent particles’ surface and interfaces to get a better understanding of their influence on the transport properties, that will significantly improve the material design starting from the synthesis step. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a promising technique, enabling the formation of thick films using colloidally stabilized suspensions of pre-made nanoparticles, which can enable the study of the effect of surface chemistry, in connection to the synthetic route, on the material’s transport properties. In order to explore the differences in surface chemistry and the resultant transport properties in relation to the synthetic scheme used, here we report on Bi2Te3 synthesised through two wet-chemical routes in water (Hydro-) and oil (Thermo-) as the solvents. XRD analysis showed a high phase purity of the synthesized materials. SEM analysis revealed hexagonal platelet morphology of the synthesized materials, which were then used to fabricate EPD films. Characterization of the EPD films reveal significant differences between the Hydro- and Thermo-Bi2Te3 samples, leading to about 8 times better electrical conductivity values in the Thermo-Bi2Te3. XPS analysis revealed a higher metal oxides content in the Hydro-Bi2Te3 sample, contributing to the formation of a resistive layer, thus lowering the electrical conductivity. Arrhenius plots of electrical conductivity vs inverse temperature was used for the estimation of the activation energy for conduction, revealing a higher activation energy need for the Hydro-Bi2Te3 film, in agreement with the resistive barrier oxide content. Both the samples exhibited negative Seebeck coefficient (S) in the order of 160–170 mV/K. The small difference in S of Hydro- and Themo-Bi2Te3 films was explained by the effective medium theory, revealing that the magnitude of S is linearly correlated with the surface oxide content. Based on the findings, TE materials synthesized through thermolysis route is recommended for further studies using soft treatment/processing of pre-made TE materials. EPD platform presented here is shown to clearly expose the differences in the electronic transport in connection to nanoparticle surface chemistry, proving a promising methodology for the evaluation of morphology, size and surface chemistry dependence of electronic transport for a wide range of materials.

Surface chemistry of phytochemical enriched MgO nanoparticles for antibacterial, antioxidant, and textile dye degradation applications

In this study, magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were produced using Strychnous potatorum (SP), Moringa oleifera (MO) seed extracts, and its SP-MO mixed extract to effectively remove the malachite green and congo red dyes in textile water bodies. The structural clarity, particle size, morphology, surface area, porosity features, band gap, and surface potential charge of the MgO NPs were determined. The phytochemical components in the seed extract acted as a reducing agent and a surfactant during green synthesis and considerably improved the surface characteristics of MgO NPs. At various concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg ml−1), the antibacterial properties of all the MgO NPs were tested against the pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The nanoparticles prepared from SP-MO mixed extract (named MgO-M NPs) have the central zone of inhibition with 17 and 22 mm and efficiency of 96 and 91 %, respectively, for E. coli and S. aureus. Further, its DPPH scavenging activity observed that MgO-M NPs have more antioxidant properties with an efficiency of 91 %. The malachite green and congo red were examined for photocatalytic degradation under sunlight irradiation in the presence of various MgO NPs for 120 mins. The results observed that MgO-M NPs with high surface charge (- 43 mv) possessed high photocatalytic activity towards anionic-malachite green dyes (98.5 %) compared to cationic-congo red dyes (95.8 %). After dye degradation, MgO NPs retained their structural phase stability and functional characteristics, analyzed through XRD and FTIR studies.

Exploring and Analyzing the Systemic Delivery Barriers for Nanoparticles.

Most nanomedicines require efficient in vivo delivery to elicit diagnostic and therapeutic effects. However, en route to their intended tissues, systemically administered nanoparticles often encounter delivery barriers. To describe these barriers, we propose the term "nanoparticle blood removal pathways" (NBRP), which summarizes the interactions between nanoparticles and the body's various cell-dependent and cell-independent blood clearance mechanisms. We reviewed nanoparticle design and biological modulation strategies to mitigate nanoparticle-NBRP interactions. As these interactions affect nanoparticle delivery, we studied the preclinical literature from 2011-2021 and analyzed nanoparticle blood circulation and organ biodistribution data. Our findings revealed that nanoparticle surface chemistry affected the in vivo behavior more than other nanoparticle design parameters. Combinatory biological-PEG surface modification improved the blood area under the curve by ~418%, with a decrease in liver accumulation of up to 47%. A greater understanding of nanoparticle-NBRP interactions and associated delivery trends will provide new nanoparticle design and biological modulation strategies for safer, more effective, and more efficient nanomedicines.

A Concise Review of Nanoparticles Utilized Energy Storage and Conservation

Nanoparticles have revolutionized the landscape of energy storage and conservation technologies, exhibiting remarkable potential in enhancing the performance and efficiency of various energy systems. This review explores the versatile applications of nanoparticles in three key domains: battery technologies, supercapacitors, and solar energy conversion. In the realm of battery technologies, nanostructured particles have emerged as crucial catalysts and electrode materials, significantly elevating the energy density, cycling stability, and charge/discharge rates of batteries. By manipulating the surface chemistry and structure of nanoparticles, researchers have achieved breakthroughs in overcoming traditional limitations, paving the way for next-generation high-capacity and long-lasting batteries. The integration of tiny particles in supercapacitors has led to remarkable advancements in energy storage and rapid energy delivery. Nanoparticle-based electrodes have exhibited exceptional surface area, porosity, and conductivity, contributing to enhanced energy and power densities. The synergy of nanomaterials with novel electrolytes has also extended the operational lifespan of supercapacitors, addressing concerns regarding energy loss over cycles. Furthermore, nanoparticles have played a pivotal role in the field of solar energy conversion. In photovoltaics, nanoparticles with tailored optoelectronic properties have enabled improved light absorption, charge separation, and electron transport, ultimately boosting the efficiency of solar cells. Moreover, nanoparticles have been employed as catalysts in photocatalytic systems for solar fuel generation, driving the sustainable production of clean energy carriers. In this concise review, we highlight the recent advancements, challenges, and future prospects of nanoparticles in these critical energy domains. While the transformative impact of nanoparticles is evident, several challenges such as large-scale synthesis, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability must be systematically addressed to ensure their seamless integration into practical energy applications. As researchers continue to explore novel synthesis techniques and innovative nanoarchitectures, nanoparticles are poised to reshape the energy landscape, accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

Fine-Tuning the Surface and Interfacial Chemistry of Silica Nanoparticles to Control Stability in High Ionic Strength Electrolytes and Modulate Assembly at Oil–Water Interfaces

Fine-Tuning the Surface and Interfacial Chemistry of Silica Nanoparticles to Control Stability in High Ionic Strength Electrolytes and Modulate Assembly at Oil–Water Interfaces

Photo‐Induced Self‐assembly of Copolymer‐Capped Nanoparticles into Colloidal Molecules

AbstractColloidal molecules (CMs) are precisely defined assemblies of nanoparticles (NPs) that mimic the structure of real molecules, but externally programming the precise self‐assembly of CMs is still challenging. In this work, we show that the photo‐induced self‐assembly of complementary copolymer‐capped binary NPs can be precisely controlled to form clustered ABx or linear (AB)y CMs at high yield (x is the coordination number of NP‐Bs, and y is the repeating unit number of AB clusters). Under UV light irradiation, photolabile p‐methoxyphenacyl groups of copolymers on NP‐A*s are converted to carboxyl groups (NP‐A), which react with tertiary amines of copolymers on NP‐B to trigger the directional NP bonding. The x value of ABx can be precisely controlled between 1 and 3 by varying the irradiation duration and hence the amount of carboxyl groups generated on NP‐As. Moreover, when NP‐A* and NP‐B are irradiated after mixing, the assembly process generates AB clusters or linear (AB)y structures with alternating sequence of the binary NPs. This assembly approach offers a simple yet non‐invasive way to externally regulate the formation of various CMs on demand without the need of redesigning the surface chemistry of NPs for use in drug delivery, diagnostics, optoelectronics, and plasmonic devices.

Photo-Induced Self-assembly of Copolymer-Capped Nanoparticles into Colloidal Molecules.

Colloidal molecules (CMs) are precisely defined assemblies of nanoparticles (NPs) that mimic the structure of real molecules, but externally programming the precise self-assembly of CMs is still challenging. In this work, we show that the photo-induced self-assembly of complementary copolymer-capped binary NPs can be precisely controlled to form clustered ABx or linear (AB)y CMs at high yield (x is the coordination number of NP-Bs, and y is the repeating unit number of AB clusters). Under UV light irradiation, photolabile p-methoxyphenacyl groups of copolymers on NP-A*s are converted to carboxyl groups (NP-A), which react with tertiary amines of copolymers on NP-B to trigger the directional NP bonding. The x value of ABx can be precisely controlled between 1 and 3 by varying the irradiation duration and hence the amount of carboxyl groups generated on NP-As. Moreover, when NP-A* and NP-B are irradiated after mixing, the assembly process generates AB clusters or linear (AB)y structures with alternating sequence of the binary NPs. This assembly approach offers a simple yet non-invasive way to externally regulate the formation of various CMs on demand without the need of redesigning the surface chemistry of NPs for use in drug delivery, diagnostics, optoelectronics, and plasmonic devices.