ACS Applied Nano Materials最新文献

Structural color filters often face trade-offs among color purity, gamut, and dynamic functionality. This study demonstrates a reflective color filter based on nanoscale bilayer ITO-based grating that overcomes these limitations by leveraging the synergistic interplay between guided-mode resonance and index-matching-enhanced field confinement. The optimized device delivers exceptional optical performance, including high color purity, enhanced brightness, and an extended color gamut. Specifically, for a red filter, the nanoscale-tailored bilayer structure achieves 81% reflectivity at 625 nm─representing a 9-fold enhancement compared to single-layer designs─along with ultranarrowband resonance (8 nm fwhm) and a color gamut covering 132% of the standard sRGB space. Furthermore, the platform supports multimodal dynamic modulation via electrochromism, polarization, and angle control, enabling dual-information encoding within a subwavelength single pixel. These attributes, combined with CMOS compatibility, make this architecture a versatile candidate for applications in high-density optical storage, advanced displays, and anticounterfeiting.

Neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) is a devastating genetic tumor-disposition syndrome characterized by multiple nervous system neoplasms. A hallmark of NF2-SWN is bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs) that cause hearing loss, vertigo, and life-threatening brainstem compression. Current imaging methods detect NF2-associated VS often late in their development and could lead to delayed therapeutic interventions. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a key protease involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and tumor progression in NF2-associated VS, making it an attractive molecular target for activity-based sensing. Here, we develop MMP-9 activatable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) incorporating a protease-cleavable peptide to enable sensitive reporting of protease activity in VS tissue. Through systematic tuning of polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker length and peptide valency, we establish an AuNP configuration that exhibits both efficient enzymatic cleavage and selectivity for MMP-9 over other VS-associated proteases. In schwannoma tissue, nanoparticles distinguish tumor from healthy nerve with >95% accuracy and detect 2 mm tumors─corresponding, based on published VS growth rates, to detection approximately 23 months earlier than conventional MRI─enabling substantially earlier intervention. Longitudinal measurement of nanoparticle activation further resolves changes in MMP-9 activity within the tumor in response to therapeutic intervention, illustrating the platform’s capacity in monitoring treatment response. Together, these findings establish MMP-9 activatable AuNP as a sensitive, spatially resolved diagnostic tool for NF2-SWN that complements imaging by directly quantifying protease activity in tumors that are inaccessible to biopsy.

A trimetallic nanocomposite MnCuSn decorated with bovine serum albumin and folic acid (MnCuSn@FA@BSA, denoted as MCSFB) was fabricated for synergistic cancer treatment. The MCSFB harboring multivalent elements exhibited outstanding peroxidase-like activity and glutathione depletion capacity, resulting in the accumulation of ^•OH and effective immunogenic cell death. Furthermore, the Mn²⁺ isolated from MCSFB could facilitate the activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway and promote dendritic cell maturation and macrophage M1 repolarization. Additionally, excessive Cu could cause the decline of iron–sulfur cluster proteins and ultimately trigger cuproptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that MCSFB-mediated tumor cell death was involved with the synergistic effect of ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes activation. The in vivo results demonstrated that the proliferation of primary and metastatic tumors could be suppressed efficiently. The fabricated MCSFB could serve as a simple nanoplatform for multifunctional synergistic cancer therapy.

The combustion of metallic nanoparticles can be improved by carefully engineering their surface. This approach provides a broad range of opportunities to overcome the limitations introduced by native oxide layers. Here, we discuss the case of nanoparticles composed of a magnesium core with a fluorine-rich carbon shell. The core–shell structures are realized by leveraging the advantageous properties of low-temperature plasmas. These systems enable the deposition of a conformal coating on the metallic core. The process parameters can be controlled to prevent alloy formation during the synthesis step and to achieve an abrupt interface between the metal and the fluorocarbon layer. Upon heating, the highly exothermic reaction between the magnesium core and the fluorine-rich shell accelerates the combustion process, resulting in a decrease in the ignition temperature. This mechanism is conclusively confirmed by in situ XRD measurements, which show excellent correlation with calorimetry measurements. This study highlights the potential of advanced synthesis techniques for creating energetic structures with precisely controlled properties.

Achieving high-performance flexible electronics requires material systems capable of unifying mechanical resilience with multifunctional properties such as electrical conductivity and thermal management. In this study, a monolithic, self-supporting composite membrane with an interpenetrating network of MXene, aramid nanofiber (ANF), and Ag nanoparticles was successfully fabricated via a one-step process that integrates vacuum-assisted filtration with in situ redox assembly. In this integrated architecture, ANFs form a robust mechanical scaffold. MXene nanosheets establish a foundational conductive network. Critically, the in situ formed AgNPs act as conductive bridges, electrically interconnecting the MXene sheets to significantly enhance the overall electrical conductivity. The sequential addition protocol, finalized with extra MXene, optimizes this ternary network by enhancing dispersion and interfacial compatibility, yielding a stable, synergistic structure. Benefiting from multilevel interfacial synergy, the resulting 40 μm-thick monolithic membrane integrates multiple high-performance functions, an EMI shielding effectiveness of 48 dB, rapid Joule heating up to 210 °C within 20 s at a low voltage of 1.5 V, and notable electrochemical activity. When used as a freestanding electrode for zinc-ion storage, it delivers an areal capacity of 1.7 mAh cm^–2 with remarkable rate capability. This work establishes a scalable, integrated fabrication strategy, offering a robust platform for next-generation applications in wearable electronics, thermal management, and microenergy systems.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for grid-scale energy storage due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental benignity. However, their development is hampered by the strong electrostatic interactions of Zn²⁺ ions with cathode hosts, leading to sluggish kinetics and structural degradation. To address these challenges, we design and synthesize hollow-structured, Mn²⁺-doped V₂O₅ multilayered nanosheets (H-MVO) as an advanced cathode. Experimental characterizations combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the preintercalated Mn²⁺ ions not only serve as pillars to stabilize the layered structure but also tailor the electronic structure, thereby enhancing electronic conductivity. Simultaneously, the intercalated water molecules function as a structural lubricant, significantly shielding the Coulombic interactions and reducing the Zn²⁺ diffusion energy barrier. DFT calculations quantitatively confirm that the Zn²⁺ migration energy barrier in the comodified H-MVO is the lowest among the studied models. As a result, the H-MVO cathode delivers a remarkable electrochemical performance, including a high specific capacity of 389 mAh g^–1 at 0.6 A g^–1, an outstanding rate capability of 306 mAh g^–1 at 5 A g^–1, and excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 254 mAh g^–1 after 2000 cycles. This work elucidates a synergistic comodification strategy for developing high-performance AZIB cathodes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in a variety of industrial fields, and their impacts on the environment have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. The potential toxic effects of CNTs on fish intestines remain to be elucidated. In this study, common carps were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.25, and 2.5 mg/L) of multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) for 4 weeks. The results showed that 2.5 mg/L MWCNTs induced more obvious histopathological changes and apoptosis as well as more significant expression changes of intestinal barrier tight junction genes than 0.25 mg/L MWCNTs. Further, the intestinal content samples were collected from fish exposed to 2.5 mg/L MWCNTs for microbiome analysis and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Analysis of gut microbiota composition using the 16S rRNA sequencing approach revealed that the abundance of Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, as well as Firmicutes was increased after MWCNTs exposure; in contrast, the abundance of Fusobacteria was decreased. Analysis of metabolites using the LC-MS/MS approach revealed 24 upregulated metabolites and 27 downregulated metabolites. A joint analysis of the microbiome and metabolism suggested that significantly altered metabolites among the lipids and lipid-like molecules such as 15-Deoxy-d-12,14-PGJ2, 2-Methoxyestradiol, 5alpha-Cholestanone, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, and Cholesterol sulfate had a significant correlation with microbial genera. This study highlights a microbiome-metabolism axis that revealed the interactions between microbiota imbalance and metabolite disturbance, indicating more therapeutic strategies for MWCNTs-induced injury in fish.

To enhance the upconversion luminescence (UCL) of small-sized nanoparticles, core–shell nanostructures are employed to effectively isolate emitting ions from surface quenchers. However, the synthesis of such structures is frequently compromised by cation intermixing, a result of core dissolution during shell growth. This unintended ion diffusion undermines the passivation function of the inert shell, as emitting ions relocated near surface defects contribute to nonradiative energy loss, thus diminishing luminescence enhancement. This detrimental effect is especially severe for sub-10 nm UCNPs. To address this challenge, we developed a “dissolution-suppressed shell growth” (DSSG) strategy that enables the fabrication of well-defined core–shell nanostructures. By systematically investigating the nanoparticle dissolution process, we established that a Y³⁺-enriched ionic environment effectively stabilizes the core during shell deposition. Coupled with the use of small-sized α-NaYF₄ nanoparticles as shell precursors, the DSSG approach promotes the epitaxial growth of high-quality inert shells with minimal cation intermixing. The resulting core–shell UCNPs exhibit remarkable optical enhancement over those prepared by the conventional hot-injection method, showing over a 100-fold increase in emission intensity and an approximately 6-fold extension in luminescence lifetime. Notably, even for sub-10 nm nanostructures, a 4.4-fold lifetime enhancement is achieved with an ultrathin shell of only 1.6 nm. Consequently, the performance-optimized sub-10 nm core–shell UCNPs are expected to facilitate their widespread adoption, particularly in bioimaging.

Despite advances in radiodynamic therapy (RDT), its efficacy remains limited by tumor hypoxia and glutathione (GSH)-mediated radioresistance. Herein, we developed a poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-modified Bi₂Fe₄O₉-black phosphorus (BFO-BP) nanocomposite heterojunction via hydrothermal synthesis to enable synergistic radiotherapy/radiodynamic therapy/enhanced chemodynamic therapy/photothermal therapy (RT/RDT/ECDT/PTT). The BFO-BP nanoplatform exhibited dual functionality: (1) catalytic decomposition of tumor-overexpressed H₂O₂ into O₂ to alleviate hypoxia, and (2) X-ray-triggered Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ cycling that enhanced ^•OH generation while depleting GSH. Spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations confirmed the formation of a type-II heterojunction, which facilitated charge separation and amplified reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under irradiation (EPR signal intensity increased 4.3-fold vs BP). The nanoplatform demonstrated exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency (ΔT = 61 °C at 100 ppm) and radiation-boosted Fenton activity. In 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, combined RT/RDT/ECDT/PTT treatment suppressed tumor growth by 93.3% compared to controls, with no observed systemic toxicity. This work presents a paradigm for overcoming tumor microenvironment constraints through multifunctional nanoplatform design.

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory were conducted to explore the adsorption of CO, CO₂, and NH₃ molecules on B–O and B–N codoped MoS₂ monolayer surfaces at atomic scale. The B–O and B–N codoping creates active sites and improves the adsorption capacity and interaction with gas molecules of the MoS₂ monolayer, thereby improving its gas selectivity. The codoping reveals good selectivity toward CO and outstanding selectivity toward NH₃, however, manifesting limited response to CO₂. Most prominently, NH₃ exhibits outstanding electronic sensitivity, gas selectivity, and recovery behavior on the B–O and B–N codoped MoS₂ monolayer surfaces. The electronic sensitivity of NH₃ increases by approximately 400% for B–O–MoS₂ and 900% for B–N–MoS₂ compared with the nonadsorbed state, while the work function change reaches −1.347 and −1.269 eV, respectively. Furthermore, the recovery time for NH₃ decreases monotonically with increasing temperature and converges to about 31 s (B–O–MoS₂) and 25 s (B–N–MoS₂). These results indicate that heterocodoping with B–N/B–O significantly enhances the electronic properties and key sensing metrics of the MoS₂ monolayer toward CO and NH₃ molecules; importantly, it shows strong potential for practical gas-sensing applications under high-temperature operating conditions in the case of NH₃ adsorption.