Near-infrared Absorption Band Research Articles

The Near-infrared CO Absorption Band as a Probe to the Innermost Part of an AGN-obscuring Material

Abstract We performed a systematic analysis of the 4.67 μm CO ro-vibrational absorption band toward nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and analyzed the absorption profiles of 10 nearby galaxies collected from the AKARI and Spitzer spectroscopic observations that show the CO absorption feature by fitting a plane-parallel local thermal equilibrium gas model. We found that CO gas is warm (200–500 K) and has a large column density ( ). The heating of the gas is not explicable by either UV heating or shock heating because these processes cannot represent the large column densities of the warm gas. Instead, X-ray photons from the nuclei, which can produce large columns of warm gas with up to , are the most convincing power source. The hydrogen column density estimated from the CO band is smaller than that inferred from X-ray observations. These results indicate that the region probed by the near-infrared CO absorption is in the vicinity of the nuclei and is located outside the X-ray emitting region. Furthermore, the covering factors of nearly unity required by the observed deep absorption profiles suggest that the probed region is close to the continuum source, which can be designated as the inner rim of the obscuring material around the AGN.

Discriminant Analysis of Liquor Brands Based on Moving-Window Waveband Screening Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) with integrated moving-window (MW) waveband screening was applied to the discriminant analysis of liquor brands with near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Luzhou Laojiao, a popular liquor with strong fragrant flavor, was used as the identified liquor brand (160 samples, negative, 52 vol alcoholicity). Liquors of 10 other brands with strong fragrant flavor were used as the interferential brands (200 samples, positive, 52 vol alcoholicity). The Kennard-Stone algorithm was used for the division of modeling samples to achieve uniformity and representativeness. Based on the MW-PLS-DA, a simplified optimal model set with 157 wavebands was further proposed. This set contained five types of wavebands corresponding to the NIR absorption bands of water, ethanol, and other micronutrients (i.e., acids, aldehydes, phenols, and aromatic compounds) in liquor for practical choice. Using five selected simple models with 4775 - 4239, 7804 - 6569, 6264 - 5844, 9435 - 7896, and 12066 - 10373 cm-1, the validation recognition rates were obtained as 99.3% or higher. Results show good prediction performance and low model complexity, and also provided a valuable reference for designing small dedicated instruments. The proposed method is a promising tool for large-scale inspection of liquor food safety.

New Triplet Sensitization Routes for Photon Upconversion: Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Molecules, Inorganic Nanocrystals, and Singlet-to-Triplet Absorption.

Photon upconversion based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) has attracted much interest because of its possible applications to renewable energy production and biological fields. In particular, the UC of near-infrared (NIR) light to visible (vis) light is imperative to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction photovoltaic cells, and the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production from water can also be improved with the aid of vis-to-ultraviolet (UV) UC. However, both processes have met limitations in the wavelength range, efficiency, and sensitivity for weak incident light. This Account describes recent breakthroughs that solve these major problems, new triplet sensitization routes to significantly enlarge the range of conversion wavelength by minimizing the energy loss during intersystem crossing (ISC) of triplet sensitizers or bypassing the ISC process. The photochemical processes of TTA-UC in general start with the absorption of longer wavelength incident light by triplet sensitizers, which generate the triplet states via ISC. This ISC inevitably accompanies the energy loss of hundreds of millielectronvolts, which significantly limits the TTA-UC with large anti-Stokes shifts. The small S1-T1 gap of molecules showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) allows the sensitization of emitters with the highest T1 and S1 energy levels ever employed in TTA-UC, which results in efficient vis-to-UV UC. As alternatives to molecular sensitizers in the NIR region, inorganic nanocrystals with broad NIR absorption bands have recently been shown to work as effective sensitizers for NIR-to-vis TTA-UC. Their small exchange splitting minimizes the energy loss during triplet sensitization. The modification of nanocrystal surfaces with organic acceptors via coordination bonds allows efficient energy transfer between the components and succeeding TTA processes. To remove restrictions on the energy loss during ISC, molecules with direct singlet-to-triplet (S-T) excitation are employed as triplet sensitizers. Although the S-T absorption is spin forbidden, large spin-orbital coupling occurs for appropriately designed metal complexes, which allow S-T absorption in the NIR region with large absorption coefficients. While the triplet lifetime of such S-T absorption sensitizers is often short (less than microsecond), the integration of the molecular sensitizers with emitter assemblies allows facile Dexter energy transfer to the surrounding emitter molecules, leading to efficient NIR-to-vis UC emission through triplet energy migration (TEM) in the condensed state. By judicious modification of the chromophore structures, the first example of NIR-to-blue UC has also been achieved. It is essential to combine these new triplet sensitization routes with an upconverted energy collection (UPCON) approach in molecular assemblies to effectively populate emitter triplets and to overcome remaining issues including back energy transfer. We propose two overall materials designs for the TEM-UPCON strategy, core-shell-shell structures and trilayer structures composed of triplet donor, acceptor, and energy collector. The fusion between triplet science and chemistry of self-assembly would overcome previous difficulties of NIR-to-vis and vis-to-UV TTA-UC toward real-world applications ranging from energy to biology.

Half-Sandwich Metal Carbonyl Complexes as Precursors to Functional Materials: From a Near-Infrared-Absorbing Dye to a Single-Molecule Magnet.

Chemical oxidations of piano-stool chromium/cobalt carbonyl complexes Cr(CO)3(η6,η5-C6H5C5H4)Co(CO)2 (1) and Cr(CO)3(η6,η6-C6H5C6H5) Cr(CO)3 (2) were investigated. Upon one-electron oxidation, 1 was transformed to a heterometalloradical species, 1•+. However, either one- or two-electron oxidation of 2 afforded a decomposition product, 3. Dipping 3 into pentane led to the formation of 4 via a crystal-to-crystyal transformation with the removal of solvent molecules. Complexes 1•+ and 4 were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Cation 1•+ features a weak Cr-Co bond with a Wiberg bond order of 0.278. A near-infrared absorption band around 1031 nm was observed for 1•+, which is far red-shifted in comparison to previously reported dinuclear metalloradical species. Complex 4 contains a chromium(II) with a distorted pyramidal geometry and displays single-molecule magnetic properties.

Photoinduced small polarons bound to hydrogen defects in rutile TiO2

Photoinduced absorption in rutile ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ has been studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It is shown that near-band-gap illumination results in a charge-state transition of a hydrogen defect with an O--H stretch mode at 3500 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, as evidenced by the appearance of an anticorrelated vibrational mode with a blueshift of $\ensuremath{\sim}1.3\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The charge-state transition is accompanied by a broad near-infrared absorption band with maximum intensity at $\ensuremath{\sim}7000\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Our data on both the photoinduced vibrational mode and the near-infrared absorption can be conclusively explained in the framework of a model of small electron polarons bound to a Ti atom adjacent to the O--H group of the hydrogen defect.

Factors influencing the tunability of the near-IR absorption band of CuS nanoparticles

Owing to the importance of the correct selection of the synthesis parameters when fabricating nanoparticles, a general full factorial design with three factors: pH, thioacetamide/CuCl $$_2{\cdot}$$ H $$_2$$ O ratio, and stirring time was performed to find the factors affecting the spectral position of the near-infrared (NIR) absorption band of CuS nanoparticles. Based on the results, there is evidence that the peak position depends on one significant interaction, as well as on two main factors. Additionally, taking into account $$R^2$$ , we argue that the variability of the wavelength corresponding to peak position of the NIR absorption band can be explained by a linear model with an accuracy above 93%.

Visible to near-infrared MSL/Mastcam multispectral imaging: Initial results from select high-interest science targets within Gale Crater, Mars

The Mastcam CCD cameras on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover each use an 8-position filter wheel in acquiring up to 1600 × 1200 pixel images. The filter set includes a broadband near-infrared cutoff filter for RGB Bayer imaging on each camera and 12 narrow-band geology filters distributed between the two cameras, spanning the wavelength range 445–1013 nm. This wavelength region includes the relatively broad charge-transfer and crystal-field absorption bands that are most commonly due to the presence of iron-bearing minerals. To identify such spectral features, sequences of images taken with identical pointings through different filters have been calibrated to relative reflectance using pre-flight calibration coefficients and in-flight measurements of an onboard calibration target. Within the first 1000 sols of the mission, Mastcam observed a spectrally diverse set of materials displaying absorption features consistent with the presence of iron-bearing silicate, iron oxide, and iron sulfate minerals. Dust-coated surfaces as well as soils possess a strong positive reflectance slope in the visible, consistent with the presence of nanophase iron oxides, which have long been considered the dominant visible-wavelength pigmenting agent in weathered martian surface materials. Fresh surfaces, such as tailings produced by the drill tool and the interiors of rocks broken by the rover wheels, are grayer in visible wavelengths than their reddish, dust-coated surfaces but possess reflectance spectra that vary considerably between sites. To understand the mineralogical basis of observed Mastcam reflectance spectra, we focus on a subset of the multispectral data set for which additional constraints on the composition of surface materials are available from other rover instruments, with an emphasis on sample sites for which detailed mineralogy is provided by the results of CheMin X-ray diffraction analyses. We also discuss the results of coordinated observations with the ChemCam instrument, whose passive mode of operation is capable of acquiring reflectance spectra over wavelengths that considerably overlap the range spanned by the Mastcam filter set (Johnson et al. 2016). Materials that show a distinct 430 nm band in ChemCam data also are observed to have a strong near-infrared absorption band in Mastcam spectral data, consistent with the presence of a ferric sulfate mineral. Long-distance Mastcam observations targeted toward the flanks of the Gale crater central mound are in agreement with both ChemCam spectra and orbital results, and in particular exhibit the spectral features of a crystalline hematite layer identified in MRO/CRISM data. Variations observed in Mastcam multi-filter images acquired to date have shown that multispectral observations can discriminate between compositionally different materials within Gale Crater and are in qualitative agreement with mineralogies from measured samples and orbital data.

A Near-Infrared Dye That Undergoes Multiple Interconversions through Acid-Base Equilibrium and Reversible Redox Processes.

A near-infrared (NIR) polymethine dye (1), consisting of a cyclohepta[1,2-b;4,3-b']dithiophene and two phenol moieties, was synthesized. This dye exhibited pH-responsive changes in its photophysical properties due to a two-step acid-base equilibrium that produced a protonated cation (1H+ ) and an anion (1- ). While 1H+ showed an intense fluorescence in the red region of the visible spectrum, 1- exhibited a strong absorption in the NIR region. The tropylium ion character in 1H+ induces high pKa1 and pKa2 values for 1. Moreover, a stable radical (1. ) was prepared, which showed a NIR absorption band with a maximum at circa 1600 nm. The cyclic voltammogram of 1. revealed a two-step reversible redox process that produced 1- and the cation 1+ , which is different from 1H+ . These redox processes accompany drastic electrochromic changes in the vis-NIR region. Overall, 1 is susceptible to multiple interconversions between five forms, due to the multifaceted character of the cycloheptadithiophene skeleton.

A Near‐Infrared Dye That Undergoes Multiple Interconversions through Acid–Base Equilibrium and Reversible Redox Processes

AbstractA near‐infrared (NIR) polymethine dye (1), consisting of a cyclohepta[1,2‐b;4,3‐b′]dithiophene and two phenol moieties, was synthesized. This dye exhibited pH‐responsive changes in its photophysical properties due to a two‐step acid–base equilibrium that produced a protonated cation (1H+) and an anion (1−). While 1H+ showed an intense fluorescence in the red region of the visible spectrum, 1− exhibited a strong absorption in the NIR region. The tropylium ion character in 1H+ induces high pKa1 and pKa2 values for 1. Moreover, a stable radical (1.) was prepared, which showed a NIR absorption band with a maximum at circa 1600 nm. The cyclic voltammogram of 1. revealed a two‐step reversible redox process that produced 1− and the cation 1+, which is different from 1H+. These redox processes accompany drastic electrochromic changes in the vis–NIR region. Overall, 1 is susceptible to multiple interconversions between five forms, due to the multifaceted character of the cycloheptadithiophene skeleton.

Construction of the Bacteriochlorin Macrocycle with Concomitant Nazarov Cyclization To Form the Annulated Isocyclic Ring: Analogues of Bacteriochlorophyll a.

Bacteriochlorophylls contain a bacteriochlorin macrocycle bearing an annulated fifth ring. The fifth ring, termed the isocyclic ring or ring E, is equipped with 131-oxo and 132-carbomethoxy substituents. Herein, a general route to stable, synthetic bacteriochlorophyll analogues is described. Knoevenagel condensation (∼40 mM, rt, CH2Cl2, piperidine/AcOH/molecular sieves) of a dihydrodipyrrin-carboxaldehyde (AD half) and a dihydrodipyrrin substituted with a β-ketoester (BC half) forms a propenone bearing the two halves (a hydrobilin analogue). Subsequent treatment (0.2 mM) with acid (Yb(OTf)3, CH3CN, 80 °C) promotes a double ring-closure process: (i) condensation between the α-position of pyrrole ring A and the α-acetal unit attached to pyrroline ring B forms the bacteriochlorin macrocycle, and (ii) Nazarov cyclization of the β-(propenoyl)-substituted ring C forms the isocyclic ring (E). Five new bacteriochlorins bearing various substituents (alkyl/alkyl, aryl, and alkyl/ester) at positions 2 and 3 (β-pyrrole sites, ring A) and 132 carboalkoxy groups (R = Me or Et) were constructed in 37-61% yield from the hydrobilin analogues. The BC half and AD half are available in five and eight steps, respectively, from the corresponding pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and unsaturated ketone. The bacteriochlorins exhibit absorption spectra typical of bacteriopheophytins (free base bacteriochlorophylls), with a strong near-infrared absorption band (707-751 nm).

Dynamically tuning near-infrared-induced photothermal performances of TiO2 nanocrystals by Nb doping for imaging-guided photothermal therapy of tumors.

Conventional wide bandgap semiconductors can absorb UV/visible light but have no photoabsorption band in the near-infrared (NIR) region, leading to difficulty in their use as NIR-responsive agents. With TiO2 as an example, we report the tuning from UV-responsive TiO2 nanocrystals to blue TiO2 nanocrystals with newly appeared NIR absorption band through the Nb-doping strategy. A strong NIR band should result from the localized surface plasmon resonances due to the considerable free electrons originating from the efficient incorporation of Nb5+ ions (<15.5%). Interestingly, under the irradiation of a 1064 nm laser, Nb-doped TiO2 nanocrystals can convert laser energy into heat, and higher Nb-doping content can lead to higher NIR-induced temperature elevation, highlighting that the photothermal performances of TiO2 nanocrystals can be dynamically modulated by adjusting the Nb-doping levels. After coating with PEGylated phospholipid, the resulting nanocrystals display water dispersibility, high photothermal conversion efficiency and cytocompatibility. Therefore, these Nb-doped TiO2 nanocrystals can be used as efficient and heavy-metal-free nanoagents for the simultaneous NIR/photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy of tumors using a 1064 nm laser in the second biological window.

Design of near-infrared single-domain fluorescent protein GAF-FP based on bacterial phytochrome

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are widely used as genetically encoded markers for quantitative and noninvasive study of biological processes. Development of biomarkers that are fluorescent in the near-infrared spectral range allows the tissues of animals to be studied at a deeper level because they are more permeable to the light of this wavelength range than that of visible range. Such properties as low molecular weight and monomeric state are important for widespread use of FPs. In this paper, we managed to obtain FP based on the chromophore-binding domain of bacterial phytochrome (BphP) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris (RpB-phP1), named GAF-FP, with a molecular weight of ~19 kDa, which is half that of other FP based on BphP and 1.4 times lower than that of commonly used GFP-like proteins, which are fluorescent in the near-infrared range. In contrast to most other near-infrared FPs, GAF-FP is a monomer, which has a high photostability, and its structure is stable to the incorporation of small peptide inserts. Moreover, GAF-FP is capable of covalent attachment of two different tetrapyrrole chromophores: phycocyanobilin (PCB) and biliverdin (BV), which is contained in mammalian tissues. GAF-FP with attached BV as a chromophore (GAF-FP–BV) has the main absorption band with a maximum at 635 nm. The fluorescence maximum falls at 670 nm, whereby GAF-FP has a high ratio of the fluorescence signal to the background signal even if FP is localized at a depth of several mm below the tissue surface. Together with the near-infrared absorption band, GAF-FP–BV also has an absorption band in the violet region of the spectrum with a maximum at 378 nm. We used this property to design a chimeric protein consisting of modified luciferase from Renilla reniformis (RLuc8) and GAF-FP. We showed resonance energy transfer from the substrate, the excited state of which occurs when oxidized by luciferase, to the chromophore GAF-FP–BV in the designed fusion protein. In the absence of an energy acceptor, RLuc8 catalyzes the cleavage of the substrate with the emission of the light with a maximum at 400 nm. At the same time, the energy from the substrate is transferred to the FP chromophore and then emitted in the near-infrared range corresponding to the spectrum of GAF-FP fluorescence in the GAF-FP–RLuc8 chimeric protein. These results open the way for the development of new small near-infrared FPs based on various natural BphPs with a view to their widespread use in cell and molecular biology.

Ultralow-Power Near Infrared Lamp Light Operable Targeted Organic Nanoparticle Photodynamic Therapy.

Tissue penetration depth is a major challenge in practical photodynamic therapy (PDT). A biocompatible and highly effective near infrared (NIR)-light-absorbing carbazole-substituted BODIPY (Car-BDP) molecule is reported as a class of imaging-guidable deep-tissue activatable photosensitizers for PDT. Car-BDP possesses an intense, broad NIR absorption band (600-800 nm) with a remarkably high singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ = 67%). After being encapsulated with biodegradable PLA-PEG-FA polymers, Car-BDP can form uniform and small organic nanoparticles that are water-soluble and tumor-targetable. Rather than using laser light, such nanoparticles offer an unprecedented deep-tissue, tumor targeting photodynamic therapeutic effect by using an exceptionally low-power-density and cost-effective lamp light (12 mW cm-2). In addition, these nanoparticles can be simultaneously traced in vivo due to their excellent NIR fluorescence. This study signals a major step forward in photodynamic therapy by developing a new class of NIR-absorbing biocompatible organic nanoparticles for effective targeting and treatment of deep-tissue tumors. This work also provides a potential new platform for precise tumor-targeting theranostics and novel opportunities for future affordable clinical cancer treatment.

Rational Control of Conformational Distributions and Mixed‐Valence Characteristics in Diruthenium Complexes

The electronic characteristics of mixed-valence complexes are often inferred from the shape of the inter-valence charge transfer (IVCT) band, which usually falls in the near infrared (NIR) region, and relationships derived from Marcus-Hush theory. These analyses typically assume one single, dominant molecular conformation. The NIR spectra of the prototypical delocalised (Class III Robin-Day mixed-valence) complexes [{Ru(pp)Cp'}2 (μ-C≡C-C≡C)]+ ([1]+ : Cp'=Cp, pp=(PPh3 )2 ; [2]+ : Cp'=Cp, pp=dppe; [3]+ : Cp'=Cp*, pp=dppe) feature a 'two-band' pattern, which complicates band-shape analysis using these traditional methods. In the past, the appearance of sub-bands within or near the IVCT transition has been attributed to vibronic effects or localised d-d transitions. Quantum-chemical modelling of a series of rotational conformers of [1]+ -[3]+ reveals the two components that contribute to the NIR absorption band envelope to be a π-π* transition and an MLCT transition. The MLCT components only gain appreciable intensity when the orientation of the half-sandwich ruthenium ligand spheres deviates from idealised cis (Ω P-Ru-Ru-P=0°) or trans (Ω P-Ru-Ru-P=180°) conformations. The increased steric demand of the supporting ligands, together with some underlying inter-phosphine ligand T-shaped CH⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions across the series [1]+ to [2]+ to [3]+ results in local minima biased towards such non-idealised conformations of the metal-ligand fragments (Ω P-Ru-Ru-P=33-153°). Experimentally, this is indicated by appearance of multiple bands within the IR ν˜ (C≡C) band envelopes and increasing intensity of the higher-energy MLCT transition(s) relative to the π-π* transition across the series, and the appearance of a pronounced 'two-band' pattern in the experimental NIR absorption envelopes. These conformational effects and the methods of analysis presented here, which combine analysis of IR and NIR spectra with quantum-chemical calculations on a range of energetically similar conformational minima, are expected to be quite general for mixed-valence systems.

Identification of Cr valence states in Cr and Nd co-doped Lu3Al5O12 laser ceramics

Cr and Nd co-doped laser ceramics, as the potential gain materials in inertial confinement fusion (ICF), have been widely investigated. And the study on valence states of chromium ions is important. The effects of sintering additives and annealing atmosphere on the valence state of chromium were studied in detail, and the results shown that the Cr valence states were demonstrated to be Cr2+ and Cr3+ ions in HIP-sintered Cr(0.2 at.%), Nd(0.8 at.%): LuAG laser ceramics. And the intensity of the near-infrared absorption band caused by Cr2+ ions was attenuated with the decreasing SiO2 concentration and increasing MgO amount. The near-infrared absorption could be eliminated by annealing in air. And the transformation of valence states of Cr ions in the Cr,Nd:LuAG ceramics were also confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Solvent Effects for Spectroscopic Properties of Near-Infrared Absorbing Nickel–Dithiolene Complex [Ni(iPr2timdt)2] (iPr2timdt: Monoanion of 1,3-Diisopropylimidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione)

Abstract The near-infrared (NIR) absorption properties of a square-planar nickel–dithiolene complex [Ni(iPr2timdt)2] in various organic solvents have been investigated (iPr2timdt denotes a monoanion of 1,3-diisopropylimidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione). In non-coordinating aprotic organic solvents of smaller relative permittivity (εr &amp;lt; 10) such as dichloromethane (εr = 8.9), the neutral complex [Ni(iPr2timdt)2]0 shows a huge and sharp NIR absorption band at ca. 1000 nm having the molar absorptivity of ε = 6–8 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1. In contrast, in strongly coordinating solvents such as pyridine (Gutmann’s donor number, DN = 33.1), the NIR absorption of [Ni(iPr2timdt)2]0 disappears most probably, owing to the coordination of pyridine molecules onto the axial sites of this square-planar complex. In high relative permittivity solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF, εr = 36.71), [Ni(iPr2timdt)2]0 (λmax: ca. 1000 nm) undergoes spontaneous reduction reactions yielding the ionic complexes of [Ni(iPr2timdt)2]− (λmax: ca. 1400 nm) and [Ni(iPr2timdt)2]2− (no NIR peaks), which is indeed reconciled with the results of the spectroelectrochemical measurements. It is stressed that the absorption properties of [Ni(iPr2timdt)2] in the NIR region are sensitive to the solvent properties, and these complex systems serve as NIR probes to report solvent properties.

Supra-(carbon nanodots) with a strong visible to near-infrared absorption band and efficient photothermal conversion.

A novel concept and approach to engineering carbon nanodots (CNDs) were explored to overcome the limited light absorption of CNDs in low-energy spectral regions. In this work, we constructed a novel type of supra-CND by the assembly of surface charge-confined CNDs through possible electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. The resulting supra-CNDs are the first to feature a strong, well-defined absorption band in the visible to near-infrared (NIR) range and to exhibit effective NIR photothermal conversion performance with high photothermal conversion efficiency in excess of 50%.

Cu-Au alloy nanostructures coated with aptamers: a simple, stable and highly effective platform for in vivo cancer theranostics.

As a star material in cancer theranostics, photoresponsive gold (Au) nanostructures may still have drawbacks, such as low thermal conductivity, irradiation-induced melting effect and high cost. To solve the problem, copper (Cu) with a much higher thermal conductivity and lower cost was introduced to generate a novel Cu-Au alloy nanostructure produced by a simple, gentle and one-pot synthetic method. Having the good qualities of both Cu and Au, the irregularly-shaped Cu-Au alloy nanostructures showed several advantages over traditional Au nanorods, including a broad and intense near-infrared (NIR) absorption band from 400 to 1100 nm, an excellent heating performance under laser irradiation at different wavelengths and even a notable photostability against melting. Then, via a simple conjugation of fluorophore-labeled aptamers on the Cu-Au alloy nanostructures, active targeting and signal output were simultaneously introduced, thus constructing a theranostic platform based on fluorophore-labeled, aptamer-coated Cu-Au alloy nanostructures. By using human leukemia CCRF-CEM cancer and Cy5-labeled aptamer Sgc8c (Cy5-Sgc8c) as the model, a selective fluorescence imaging and NIR photothermal therapy was successfully realized for both in vitro cancer cells and in vivo tumor tissues. It was revealed that Cy5-Sgc8c-coated Cu-Au alloy nanostructures were not only capable of robust target recognition and stable signal output for molecular imaging in complex biological systems, but also killed target cancer cells in mice with only five minutes of 980 nm irradiation. The platform was found to be simple, stable, biocompatible and highly effective, and shows great potential as a versatile tool for cancer theranostics.

Post-Synthesis Incorporation of ⁶⁴Cu in CuS Nanocrystals to Radiolabel Photothermal Probes: A Feasible Approach for Clinics.

We report a simple method for the incorporation of Cu(I) or (64)Cu(I) radionuclides in covellite nanocrystals (CuS NCs). After the in situ reduction of Cu(II) or (64)Cu(II) ions by ascorbic acid, their incorporation in PEG-coated CuS NCs takes place at room temperature. In all the reaction steps, the stability of the NCs under physiological conditions was ensured. The copper incorporation reaction could also take place on CuS NCs bearing biotin molecules at their surface, with no detrimental effects on the specific binding affinity of the NCs toward streptavidin after incorporation. At low loading of Cu ions, the strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption band of the starting CuS NCs was essentially preserved, which allowed for efficient plasmonic photothermal therapy. The combined presence in the NCs of (64)Cu ions, well suitable for positron emission tomography, and of free carriers responsible for the NIR absorption, should enable their theranostic use as radiotracers and as photothermal probes in tumor ablation treatments. Moreover, the simplicity of the preparation scheme, which involves the use of radioactive species only as a last step, makes the protocol easily transferable to the clinical practice.

Effects of annealing on Cr-sensitized Nd:LuAG laser ceramics

This paper demonstrates that annealing can greatly improve the quality of Cr-sensitized Nd:LuAG (Cr,Nd:LuAG) ceramics. Additionally, the pumping efficiency of Nd:LuAG ceramics can be improved by co-doping with Cr3+ ions. The two broad and strong absorption bands around 600 nm (4A2- 4T2) and 440 nm (4A2- 4T1) caused by Cr3+ ions act as effective sensitizers to absorb and convert UV and visible light from a flash lamp. Furthermore, a near-infrared absorption band appears in the in-line transmittance spectra of Cr,Nd:LuAG ceramics. The XPS spectra show that this band is caused by Cr2+ ions. The effect of annealing is studied, and it is found that the near-infrared absorption could be eliminated by annealing in air at 1450 °C for 25 h. Furthermore, the effective fluorescence lifetime of Nd3+ ions in Cr co-doped LuAG ceramics increases from 211.28 μs to 553.80 μs when pumped at 440 nm.