Near-infrared Light Research Articles

Sequential super-assembled nanomotor adsorbents for NIR light-Powered blood lead removal

Hemoperfusion is a common treatment for lead poisoning, where hemoperfusion adsorbents are used to remove lead ions from blood. However, traditional hemoperfusion adsorbents often suffer from limited efficiency and poor biocompatibility, reducing their effectiveness for human use. To address these limitations, we developed a novel photothermal nanomotor adsorbent through a controllable sequential super-assembly strategy. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were incorporated into the nanochannels of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), followed by modification of the outer HNT surface with polydopamine (PDA) and 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), forming Au@HNTs@PDA-DMSA. This nanomotor adsorbent leverages the photothermal properties of Au NPs to achieve self-propulsion via thermophoresis under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. The performance of this nanomotor was evaluated for Pb(II) removal in both aqueous solutions and human blood samples, reaching adsorption equilibrium within 20 min and a maximum capacity of 45.980 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model with a high fitting coefficient (R2 = 0.999), and the Langmuir model fit better than the Freundlich model, indicating monolayer adsorption. Notably, when driven by 808 nm NIR light at 1.0 W cm−2, the Au@HNTs@PDA-DMSA nanomotors showed a significantly enhanced adsorption capacity of 151.769 mg/g, improving blood lead removal efficiency by 1.80 times compared to non-irradiated conditions. Furthermore, the addition of sulfhydryl and carboxyl groups from DMSA provided more active sites, leading to a 9.76-fold increase in lead removal compared to passive adsorbents using HNTs. In vitro tests confirmed the excellent biocompatibility and biosafety of the nanomotor adsorbent, achieving a blood lead removal rate of 91.25 %. This advancement overcomes the limitations of traditional lead adsorbents, offering a promising solution for more effective lead detoxification in clinical and environmental settings.

Dual motion principal Au-Ni-PDA-CuS micromotors with NIR light and magnetic effect for detection of organic dye

Copper sulfide (CuS), despite some disadvantages such as rapid recombination, easy aggregation, photodegradation of oxidized CuS, and a limited ability to absorb light energy, is still a good photocatalyst. This semiconductor material with a narrow bandgap plays a significant role in the degradation of organic dyes. However, due to these mentioned drawbacks, it requires a linker. The polymer used as this intermediate binder is polydopamine (PDA). PDA not only eliminates the disadvantages of CuS but also facilitates its attachment to the carrier system, which is a micromotor. However, the purpose of using PDA here is not only to eliminate the disadvantages of CuS but also to enable light-triggered motion due to its sensitivity to near-infrared (NIR) radiation. Similarly, CuS, which is a good catalyst, has been used in the polymerization reaction to catalyze dopamine’s conversion to PDA. The micromotor used in the study, based on the dual-motion principle, exhibits high stability and good reusability. The synthesized Au-Ni-PDA-CuS composite micromotor demonstrates a good photocatalytic degradation performance under NIR irradiation. The degradation efficiency is 54.48% at the lowest concentration, while it is 17.72% at the highest concentration, indicating the effectiveness of the synthesized micromotors in achieving good photocatalytic degradation at low concentrations. As a result of the photocatalytic degradation reaction, cyclic voltammetry was performed for 100 cycles to demonstrate the stability of the micromotors.This study is based on the electrochemical method for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red (MR), an azo dye, using micromotors with a dual-motion principle. Following the development on an azo dye, this study applied the same procedure on real samples, and through in vitro investigation, the photocatalytic degradation of the composite motor on real samples was observed electrochemically.

Alginate-based bio-nanocomposite reinforced with poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) and magnetite graphene oxide for delivery of etoposide and photothermal therapy

Recently, bio-nanocomposite nanogels/hydrogels composed of natural polymers and carbon-based nanomaterials are attracting increasing attention in the fields of nanomedicine and bioengineering due to their unique properties. In this study, we propose the creation of an innovative multifunctional bio-nanocomposite based on alginate graft copolymer with poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) (SA-g-PHPM) and magnetite graphene oxide (mGO) loaded with etoposide (EPS) for drug delivery and photothermal therapy (PTT). The SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite was synthesized using an emulsion method and exhibited favorable physicochemical properties. The structural functionalities and surface morphology of the SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite were comprehensively characterized using spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, UV, DLS, TEM/FE-SEM, and AFM analyses. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation (808 nm, 1 Wcm−2, 10 min), the SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite demonstrated the ability to effectively induce a temperature increase exceeding 29 °C. Additionally, exposure to NIR light and magnetic field led to an increased release of EPS whereas an increment in percentage of mGO caused a decreased EPS release. Notably, the synergistic effects of chemotherapy, light-triggered drug release, and PTT collectively contributed to a significant enhancement in lung cancer (H1299) cell death. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the developed SA-g-PHPM/mGO/EPS bio-nanocomposite serves as an efficient vehicle for multimodal therapy in lung cancer.

Principle of vanadium doping-induced MoS2 homojunction effect and mechanism analysis of antibacterial process under near-infrared light

MoS2 exhibits unique physical and chemical properties in its 1 T and 2H phases. Each phase has its inherent advantages and limitations. Although several biochemical properties of MoS2 have been extensively reported, the specific impacts of these phases on photothermal and antibacterial performance, the feasibility of integrating the unique advantages of both phases and the underlying dominant bactericidal mechanisms are still largely unexplored. In this work, the electronic-structural relationships of 1 T- and 2H-MoS2 were first simulated using density functional theory (DFT), which provided unique insights into how these phases affect performance. Based on these insights, a solid-state coupling interface and built-in electric field were designed between the two phases, and a 1 T/2H MoS2 homojunction was synthesized using the hydrothermal method, achieving a higher carrier separation efficiency and exhibiting excellent photothermal and antibacterial properties. Subsequently, further attempts were made to adjust the electronic structure by doping vanadium atoms. This doping not only introduces additional electrons to facilitate electron transfer but also further enhances the antibacterial capability by creating surface defects that increase the number of active sites. Finally, the synergistic antibacterial mechanism of this system was thoroughly investigated through detailed experiments and DFT theoretical analysis. The design of the homojunction, the introduction of defects, and the incorporation of heteroatoms were discussed in this paper, which pave the way for the rational design strategy of advanced two-dimensional materials and can be extended to other polycrystalline materials.

Application of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging During Laparoscopic Reoperations of the Biliary Tract Enhances Surgical Precision and Efficiency.

A history of abdominal surgery is considered a contraindication for laparoscopic procedures. However, the advancements in laparoscopic instruments and techniques have facilitated the performance of increasingly intricate operations, even in patients with prior abdominal surgeries. ICG fluorescence imaging technology offers advantages in terms of convenient operation and clearer intraoperative bile duct imaging, as confirmed by numerous international clinical studies on its feasibility and safety. The application of ICG fluorescence imaging technology in repeat laparoscopic biliary surgery, however, lacks sufficient reports. The clinical data of patients who underwent elective reoperation of the biliary tract in our department between January 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. ICG was injected peripherally before the operation, and near-infrared light was used for 3-dimensional imaging of the bile duct during the operation. Altogether, 143 patients were included in this study and divided into the fluorescence and nonfluorescence groups according to the inclusion criteria. Among the 26 patients in the fluorescence group, cholangiography was successfully performed in 24 cases, and the success rate of intraoperative biliary ICG fluorescence imaging was 92.31%. The intraoperative biliary tract identification time was significantly different between the fluorescence and nonfluorescence groups, but no statistical difference was observed in the final operation method, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss between the 2 groups. Although there was no significant difference in the postoperative ventilation rate, incidence of bile leakage, and stone recurrence rate at 6 months postoperatively between the 2 groups (P>0.05), a significant difference in postoperative hospitalization days was observed (P=0.032). The application of ICG fluorescence imaging technology in laparoscopic reoperation of the biliary tract is useful for the early identification of the biliary tract during operation, thereby shortening the operative time and reducing the risk of damage to nonoperative areas. This approach also enhances the visualization of the biliary system and avoids secondary injury intraoperatively due to poor identification of the biliary system. This technique is safe for repeat biliary tract surgery and has a good application prospect.

Harnessing Near-Infrared Light for Highly Efficient Photocatalysis.

Near-infrared (NIR) light, accounting for approximately 50% of solar light, cannot directly excite photocatalytic reactions due to its lower energy, which severely restricts the photocatalytic solar energy conversion efficiency and hinders the application of photocatalysis. To overcome this dilemma, some viable strategies have been proposed to harness NIR light for enhancing photocatalytic performance based on material structure, composition, and function designs, and obvious progresses have been witnessed. In this review, the basic principles and representative advances in photocatalyst heterojunction designs (including p-n junctions, S-scheme, Z-scheme, and type-ІІ heterojunctions), photocatalyst composition and function designs (such as preparing rare earth element doped upconversion photocatalysts, rare earth upconversion photocatalytic hybrids and triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion photocatalytic composites), and photothermal-photocatalytic bifunction designs for NIR light utilization are exclusively scrutinized. Meanwhile, the applications of the above-mentioned NIR responsive photocatalyst composites in energy and environmental fields are summarized. Importantly, the challenges and outlooks in the field of NIR light harnessing for efficient photocatalysis are proposed, which may provide theoretical and experimental guidance to those working in solar energy conversion and utilization and other related fields.

Optimization of optical properties of nanocomposite films incorporating CWO and ITO nanoparticles for energy-saving window applications

Cesium tungsten oxide (CWO) and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles are potential candidates for application in energy-saving windows. However, most optical studies on these nanocomposite films lack systematic evaluation and design methods. In this work, the optical properties of spherical and cylindrical CWO and ITO nanoparticles under different geometric parameters based on the Lorenz–Mie and T-matrix theories are investigated, and spectral responses of CWO-PDMS and ITO-PDMS windows are calculated by solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) using the Monte Carlo method. By evaluating and optimizing the geometric parameters of the nanocomposite films, energy-saving windows exhibit excellent optical performance, with a visible light transmittance that meets the indoor needs of the human eye (Tlum is about 0.6), and can shield most near-infrared light, especially CWO-PDMS windows (TNIR=0.04). Finally, a building energy consumption simulation analysis based on Energy Plus is conducted in three different cities: Jinan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The results indicate that by adjusting the geometric parameters of nanoparticles, energy-saving windows can effectively reduce energy consumption in tropical and subtropical regions. This work provides guidance for the subsequent commercialization and experimental analysis of spectral selective composite films.

Next-generation solar technologies: Unlocking the potential of Ag-ZnO hybrid nanofluids for enhanced spectral-splitting photovoltaic-thermal systems

In traditional hybrid concentrating photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) collectors, suboptimal utilisation of the solar spectrum results in elevated temperatures that adversely affect PV cell efficiency. In this context, solar spectral beam splitting (SBS) designs have emerged as they promise improved solar spectrum utilisation with reduced optical losses. In particular, fluid-based SBS filters, such as novel Ag-ZnO/water hybrid nanofluids, have attracted attention as they present a significant advantage over conventional filters (e.g., anti-reflective coatings, selective coatings, bandpass filters, long-pass/short-pass filters, dielectric filters). These nanofluid filters serve as both heat transfer and thermal storage mediums, enhancing the overall efficiency of PV-T systems. Full-spectrum solar utilisation via SBS enables down conversion in the UV region, transmission of visible and near-infrared light (crucial for Si PV cell optoelectronic efficiency), and absorption of the infrared region. A Ag-ZnO/water nanofluid filter-based PV-T system is investigated and is shown to achieve a thermal efficiency > 65 % with good electrical performance. Optimal conditions include an Ag-ZnO concentration of 50 ppm, solar irradiance of 800–1000 W/m2, and optical thickness of 20 mm. The integration of this type of nanofluid filter enhances spectral selectivity, reduces PV cell temperatures, improves heat extraction, and offers dual functionality: cooling and filtration, making it a promising and economically viable candidate for commercial PV-T applications.

Dynamic tailoring large-area surface plasmon polariton excitation

Abstract We propose and demonstrate a method for dynamically changing the patterning of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation over a large area under spatially inhomogeneous polarized illumination. By illuminating a 1D gold grating with shallow rectangular grooves with a spatially structured polarization beam of near-infrared light (780 nm), we selectively excited SPPs on an extended area. The parameters used to fabricate the grating coupler, matched the wave vector of the incident light with that of the SPP to achieve an efficient coupling. The incident wave illuminating the grating is a spatially inhomogeneous polarized beam. We designed local polarization states to control the local excitation of the SPP in order to pattern large areas. For real-time local control of the polarization state of the extended incident beam, we used a setup with a spatial light modulator and quarter-wave plate.

Excellent lubricating hydrogels with rapid photothermal sterilization for medical catheters coating

Bacterial infection and tissue damage caused by friction are two major threats to patients’ health in medical catheter implantation. Hydrogels with antibacterial and lubrication effects are competitive candidates for catheter coating materials. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a highly efficient bactericidal method. Here, a composite hydrogel containing MXene nanosheets and hydrophilic 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMK) is reported, which is synthesized through the one-pot method and heat-initiated polymerization. The hydrogel shows excellent antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in 3 min in the air or 20 min in the water environment under near-infrared light (NIR; 808 nm) irradiation. The friction coefficient of the hydrogel is about 0.11, which is 48% lower than that without SPMK. The rapid photothermal sterilization is attributed to the outstanding antibacterial ability and thermal effect of photoactivated MXene. The ultra-low friction is the result of the hydration lubrication mechanism. This study provides a potential strategy for the surface coatings of biomedical catheters, which enables rapid sterilization and extremely low interface resistance between catheters and biological tissues.

Stabilizing Dye-Sensitized Upconversion Hybrids by Cyclooctatetraene.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) can convert low-energy near-infrared (NIR) light into high-energy visible light, making them valuable for broad applications. UCNPs often suffer from poor light-harvesting capabilities, which can be significantly improved by incorporating organic dye antennas. However, the dye-sensitized upconversion systems are prone to severe photobleaching in an ambient atmosphere. Here, we present a synergistic approach to mitigate photobleaching by introducing triplet state quencher cyclooctatetraene (COT). COT effectively suppresses the generation of singlet oxygen by quenching the triplet states of the dye and consumes the existing singlet oxygen through oxidant reactions. The inclusion of COT extends the half-life of IR806 by 4.7-times by preventing the oxidation of its poly(methylene) chains. Without significantly affecting emission intensity and dynamics, COT effectively stabilized dye-UCNPs, demonstrating a notable 3.9-fold increase in half-life under continuous laser irradiation. Our findings suggest a new strategy to enhance the photostability of near-infrared dyes and dye-sensitized upconversion nanohybrids.

Boosting the Efficiency of Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells via Enhanced Near-Infrared Absorption and Minimized Energy Losses.

The compatibility of perovskite and organic photovoltaic materials in solution processing provides a significant advantage in the fabrication of high-efficiency perovskite/organic tandem solar cells. However, additional recombination losses can occur during exciton dissociation in organic materials, leading to energy losses in the near-infrared region of tandem devices. Consequently, a ternary organic rear subcell is designed containing two narrow-bandgap non-fullerene acceptors to enhance the absorption of near-infrared light. Simultaneously, a unique diffusion-controlled growth technique is adopted to optimize the morphology of the ternary active layer, thereby improving exciton dissociation efficiency. This innovation not only broadens the absorption range of near-infrared light but also facilitates the generation and effective dissociation of excitons. Owing to these technological improvements, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells increased to 19.2%. Furthermore, a wide-bandgap perovskite front subcell is integrated with a narrow-bandgap organic rear subcell to develop a perovskite/organic tandem solar cell. Owing to the reduction in near-infrared energy loss, the PCE of this tandem device significantly improved, reaching 24.5%.

Gambogic acid and IR780 self-assembled nanoparticles for combined chemo-phototherapy

Combined chemo-phototherapy has shown considerable advantages and potential in cancer treatment. For this purpose, self-assembled nanoparticles by gambogic acid (GA) and IR780 (referred to as GA-IR780 NPs) were prepared. Herein, GA, an active compound derived from Garcinia hanburyi Hook.f, was selected as a chemo-agent. IR780 was used as a photothermal agent as well as a photosensitizer, which could kill tumor cells via photothermal effect and photodynamic effect. The obtained GA-IR780 NPs were uniform spheres with particle size of ca. 50 nm. The drug loading efficiency of GA and IR780 was 38.42 % and 56.64 %, respectively. The GA-IR780 NPs exhibited excellent photothermal properties as well as photodynamic effect when irradiated by near infrared (NIR) light (808 nm, 2.0 W/cm2). Moreover, the GA-IR780 NPs showed enhanced cytotoxicity with NIR light activation. Results of animal experiments showed that GA-IR780 NPs had the most significant tumor inhibition when irradiated by laser, and the results of H&E, Ki-67 and TUNEL staining confirmed that the GA-IR780 NPs+Laser group caused the most severe tumor tissue damage. The above results indicated that GA-mediated chemotherapy combining with IR780-based phototherapy could significantly improve the anti-tumor efficacy.

Precise In Situ Delivery of a Photo-Enhanceable Inflammasome-Activating Nanovaccine Activates Anticancer Immunity.

A variety of state-of-the-art nanovaccines (NV) combined with immunotherapies have recently been developed to treat malignant tumors, showing promising results. However, immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) restrains cytotoxic T-cell infiltration and limits the efficacy of immunotherapies in solid tumors. Therefore, tactics for enhancing antigen cross-presentation and reshaping the TME need to be explored to enhance the activity of NVs. Here, we developed photo-enhanceable inflammasome-activating NVs (PIN) to achieve precise in situ delivery of a tumor antigen and a hydrophobic small molecule activating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 inflammasome (NLRP3) pathway. Near-infrared light irradiation promoted PIN accumulation in tumor sites through photo-triggered charge reversal of the nanocarrier. Systematic PIN administration facilitated intratumoral NLRP3 inflammasome activation and antigen cross-presentation in antigen-presenting cells upon light irradiation at tumor sites. Furthermore, PIN treatment triggered immune responses by promoting the production of proinflammatory cytokines and activating antitumor immunity without significant systematic toxicity. Importantly, the PIN enhanced the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade and supported the establishment of long-term immune memory in mouse models of melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Collectively, this study reports a safe and efficient photoresponsive system for codelivery of antigens and immune modulators into tumor tissues, with promising therapeutic potential. Significance: The development of a photoresponsive nanovaccine with spatiotemporal controllability enables robust tumor microenvironment modulation and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade, providing an effective immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. See related commentary by Zhen and Chen, p. 3709.

Engineering Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide for Synchronously Enhancing Photocatalytic Activity and Photothermal Effect.

The structural composition of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be modified and controlled by appropriate reduction methods to modulate its electronic structure, rendering it a versatile platform for tailoring optoelectronic and catalytic properties. Nevertheless, it is uncommon to concurrently amplify the photocatalytic and photothermal effects when regulating and utilizing pure rGO. Here, we investigate the impact of structural variations in thermally reduced graphene oxide (TGO) on its photocatalytic and photothermal properties. Various characterization results demonstrate that appropriate thermal reduction facilitates the preservation and transformation of oxygenated groups and structure defects, which in turn encourages the formation of reactive carbon radicals and discrete graphitic domains, thereby strengthening the activation of molecular oxygen and the plasmonic photothermal effect under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Moreover, the optimized TGOs exhibit efficient sterilization with NIR irradiation due to enhanced photocatalytic activities and photothermal effects. This work highlights the potential for developing photocatalytic and photothermal rGO-based materials through structural engineering.

Is the diel cycle of routine metabolic rate in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) affected by near-infrared lighting used for visualizing behavior of fishes at night?

The metabolic rate of a freely moving fish (routine metabolic rate) is tightly coupled with volitional movement (spontaneous activity), both of which commonly show strong daily cycles linked to the species-specific diel activity pattern. Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), an important estuarine fish in the north western Atlantic Ocean, are historically reported as diurnal (i.e., more active during daylight). Our recent laboratory studies on a Bay of Fundy population, however, showed a free-running (i.e., similarly active daytime and night-time) or even nocturnal (i.e., more active at night-time) diel activity pattern. In the laboratory, near-infrared (NIR) illumination is commonly used with a NIR-sensitive camera to visualize fish activity across the light-dark periods of the day. Because NIR light is close to the visible light spectrum and certain fishes show sensitivity to NIR, the use of NIR with mummichog possibly could disturb the animals and obscure the identification of their true diel activity pattern. We aimed to determine if NIR illumination (940 nm wavelength) influences the diel activity pattern of mummichog. We used measurements of routine metabolic rate (oxygen consumption rate, MO2) as a proxy for activity, as evaluating the effect of NIR requires treatments where NIR lights are off, which precludes visualization and direct assessment of fish activity at night-time. We measured routine MO2 of mummichogs over 6 days, exposed to either NIR off-on-off (2 days for each off or on period) or the opposite sequence of NIR on-off-on (to control for time-dependent effects). NIR lights did not influence the diel cycle of routine MO2, and activity by proxy, in mummichog. Thus, NIR illumination is a suitable method to visualize mummichog during light-dark diel cycles. Routine MO2, and presumably activity, was similar or higher during night-time periods compared to daytime periods, confirming a free-running or nocturnal activity pattern for at least certain populations of mummichog.

Cr3+ and Ni2+ Co-doped near-infrared dual-emission garnet phosphor for spectroscopic applications

Near infrared spectroscopy is a simple, fast, and non-invasive technique for detecting the composition of substances. However, most NIR phosphors cannot cover the near-infrared I and II regions, which limits the types of substances that can be detected. Herein, Cr3+, Ni2+ co-activated NIR Y3Al2Ga3O12(YAGG) garnet phosphors were synthesized via high-temperature solid-phase method. Due to the energy transfer from Cr3+ to Ni2+, the emission spectra of YAGG: Cr3+, Ni2+ are composed of NIR I emission of Cr3+ at 710 nm and NIR II emission of Ni2+ at 1420 nm. The measured internal and external quantum efficiencies of YAGG: 0.08Cr3+, 0.005Ni2+ under 450 nm excitation are 54.4 %, and 26.7 %, respectively. This sample was selected to fabricate pc-LEDs, and fill the emission spectrum gap with Mg2GeO4: 0.01Cr3+. The pc-LED fabricated with PiG film do not exhibit strong characteristic absorption in NIR II region, significantly reduce the re-absorption and thermal quenching of the phosphors. The electro-optical conversion efficiency of PiG pc-LED reaches 6.49 % at 10 mA; The results indicate that YAGG: Cr3+, Ni2+ and the fabricated NIR pc-LED are good near-infrared substance detection light source scheme.

Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-Infrared Broadband Photodetector Enabled by Cs2AgBiBr6: Sn/Conjugated Polymer Heterojunction.

Broadband photodetectors covering ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths play an essential role in communications, imaging, and biosensing. Developing a single photodetector with a broadband optical response operating at room temperature can significantly reduce the complexity and cost of receiver systems for multispectral applications. In this work, utilizing the porous structure characteristics of Cs2AgBiBr6:Sn thin films, a self-powered detector with broad spectral response (UV-vis-NIR) was achieved by constructing an effective Cs2AgBiBr6:Sn/PDPP3T heterojunction. This photodetector possesses a broad response spectrum from 350 to 950 nm with an average detection rate exceeding 1011 Jones and maintains excellent photoelectric performance over two months. Sn2+ doping effectively reduces the bandgap of Cs2AgBiBr6, enhancing its near-infrared absorption and optimizing energy level alignment with conjugated polymer (diketopyrrolopyrrole-terthiophene, PDPP3T). More importantly, the porous structure derived from Sn doping significantly improves carrier extraction and transport under a near-infrared light response at the heterojunction interface. Utilizing its broad spectral response characteristics in the UV-vis-NIR range, a novel information transfer and encryption system employing full optical modulation has been realized within a single perovskite photodetector. This work provides a new approach to fabricating lead-free double perovskite broadband photodetectors with potential applications in photonic devices.

Multifunctional SERS Substrate for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Contaminants and Photothermal Removal of Pathogenic Bacteria.

In this work, a boric-acid-modified Fe3O4@Au@BA-MOF composite material as a multifunctional SERS substrate was ingeniously constructed for detecting both pathogens and antibiotics as well as photothermally inactivating the pathogens. Through improving the dispersity and stability of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), leveraging the specificity of boric acid (BA) groups in recognizing cis-diol structures, and the ability of SERS technology to provide unique fingerprint spectra of targets, the sensitive and stable detection of pathogens and antibiotics was achieved. Compared with Au NPs and Fe3O4@Au, the SERS enhancement factor of Fe3O4@Au@BA-MOF was 4.31 × 106, which was about 400 times and 16 times higher than the former two, respectively. Among the existing work, the limit of detection for pathogens was lower or comparable, and it exhibited good stability, maintaining consistent performance for 23 days. Additionally, this substrate achieved efficient photothermal inactivation of pathogens under both near-infrared light and natural light excitation. Within 8 min of near-infrared light irradiation, the bactericidal rates for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli reach 100% and 99.3%, respectively.

Synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy of lung cancer using MoS2 nanosheets co-loaded with silybin and doxorubicin

The active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, silybin (SBN), is known to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and synergistically enhance the anticancer effects of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX). However, the combination of SBN and DOX faces challenges such as a lack of targeting, short half-lives, different administration routes, and pharmacokinetic processes, which prevent the drug combination from effectively targeting tumors and diminish their synergistic potential, thereby limiting their in vivo antitumor effects. In response, this study proposes the development of a novel nanocarrier system based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sialic acid (SA) to co-deliver SBN and DOX. This system is designed to trigger the release of the drugs in response to dual stimuli of pH and near-infrared light, increasing the intracellular concentration of the drugs and enhancing their synergistic interaction. The MoS₂-LPN-SBN/DOX nanosystem circulates within the body and specifically accumulates at tumor sites due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and SA-mediated active targeting. Upon exposure to near-infrared light, the system provides combined chemo- and photothermal therapy, leading to significant tumor suppression. This research offers a new approach and strategy for the clinical treatment of lung cancer, suggesting a promising pathway for enhancing the efficacy of traditional therapies.