Accounts of materials research最新文献

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurological disorder with a progressive nature, posing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. It is characterized by the formation of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which have been the focus of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Despite decades of research, the elusive nature of AD has made it difficult to develop widely recognized diagnostic and treatment methods. However, recent advances have led to new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques targeting Aβ and tau. These technologies aim to address gaps in our understanding by targeting biomarkers using multifunctional fluorescent organic-molecule-based theranostics. There is a leading hypothesis that Aβ and its oligomers are crucial pathogenic features in AD-afflicted brains. Metals found in Aβ plaques have been linked to AD, contributing to oxidative stress and stabilizing toxic Aβ oligomers. Drug research is addressing AD’s diverse toxicity, including protein aggregation, metal toxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and neuroinflammation. Drug development is adopting multifaceted approaches, focusing on the intricate interaction of AD contributors. Diverse diagnostic techniques and innovative drug development tactics are crucial for AD diagnosis and therapy advances.

This Account is focused on analyzing the interaction between fluorescent molecular probes in the context of AD theranostics. It explores their design methods, imaging techniques, and therapeutic applications to develop innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating AD, thereby contributing to the advancement of precision medicine in neurodegenerative disorders. The first section explains the pathological factors associated with AD, while the second part discusses recently identified multifunctional fluorescent compounds as therapeutic and diagnostic targets. We also delve into the multifunctional probes developed in our laboratory over the past decade for the purpose of AD theranostics. The subsequent section covers small molecule and conjugated polymer (CP) chemistry, design, and functions. Our research aims to shed light on AD development by studying the link between Aβ, metal ions, and particularly metal-Aβ interactions. We utilize multifunctional fluorescent molecular probes to target metal-Aβ species, modulate interaction, and guide aggregation into nontoxic, off-pathway aggregates. These multipotent ligands reduce oxidative stress by preventing the production of reactive intermediate species (RIS) from redox-active metal-Aβ. Ongoing research aims to enhance fluorescent compounds for early and accurate detection of AD and to prevent its associated causes. We also explore current challenges and potential methods for developing multifunctional probes for AD theranostics. This Account aims to aid readers in understanding the multifaceted nature of AD and the development of novel multifunctional molecules that target its multifaceted toxicity.

Layered materials bound by weak van der Waals (vdW) interactions offer a rich platform for exploring intriguing fundamental science in the two-dimensional (2D) limit and advancing technological innovations. Transition from bulk to 2D geometry results in profound alterations in electronic structures and crystallographic symmetries, giving rise to a plethora of novel physical effects and functionalities. Due to their atomic-scale thinness, 2D materials with a high specific surface area enable post-processing chemical modification of their basal planes to further regulate their intrinsic physical properties. Moreover, the interfacial effects induced by surface modifications can modulate properties without altering the original lattice, facilitating the emergence of novel electronic phases and exotic quantum phenomena. Consequently, extensive research is delving into surface modifications of 2D materials, paving the way to further expand the research fields of 2D materials.

Notably, layered materials also feature a subnanometer-sized vdW gap between adjacent layers, enabling the incorporation of guest species and evoking a new type of surface modification called vdW gap engineering, without the need for pre-exfoliation into 2D structures. Unlike postprocessing surface modifications, direct vdW gap engineering protects guest species within the layers from environmental degradation, fostering stable guest–host structures with enhanced environmental stability. Additionally, the confined vdW gap engineering prompts electronic interactions between guest species and host materials, resulting in new physics and functionalities that cannot be achieved through traditional surface modifications. Furthermore, vdW gap engineering also enables the creation of a new class of hybrid vdW superlattices with highly adaptable structural motifs, harnessing the synergistic effects of guest species and host materials.

This Account highlights recent advancements in vdW gap engineering of 2D materials from our group and other researchers. We focus on three key aspects of vdW gap engineering including the design and synthesis of low-dimensional materials, modulation of phase transitions, and fabrication of hybrid superlattices. Specifically, we provide a comprehensive overview of current vdW gap engineering methodologies such as intercalation, interlayer growth, and direct chemical growth. Various forms of host–guest interactions and their underlying mechanisms are introduced along with the exciting physical properties and functional applications. Finally, we outline the present challenges and future prospects for vdW gap engineering of 2D materials. We emphasize the crucial role of in situ characterization techniques and machine learning in advancing vdW gap engineering studies as well as potential new research directions that could open new frontiers in creating artificial vdW materials for technological innovations.