Direct photocatalysis making use of plasmonic metals has attracted significant attention due to the light-harnessing capabilities of these materials associated with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features. Thus far, most reported work has been limited to plasmon-induced chemical transformations. Herein, we demonstrate that electrochemical reactions can also be accelerated by plasmonic nanoparticles upon LSPR excitation. Using glucose electrocatalysis as a model reaction system, the direct plasmon-accelerated electrochemical reaction (PAER) on gold nanoparticles is observed. The wavelength- and solution-pH-dependent electrochemical oxidation rate and the dark-field scattering spectroscopy results confirm that the hot charge carriers generated during plasmon decay are responsible for the enhanced electrocatalysis performance. Based on the proposed PAER mechanism, a plasmon-improved glucose electrochemical sensor is constructed, demonstrating the enhanced performance of the non-enzyme sensor upon LSPR excitation. This plasmon-accelerated electrochemistry promises potential applications in (bio)electrochemical energy conversion, electroanalysis, and electrochemical devices.

As one of the common reactive oxygen species, H2O2 has been widely used for combating pathogenic bacterial infections. However, the high dosage of H2O2 can induce undesired damages to normal tissues and delay wound healing. In this regard, peroxidase‐like nanomaterials serve as promising nanozymes, thanks to their positive promotion toward the antibacterial performance of H2O2, while avoiding the toxicity caused by the high concentrations of H2O2. In this work, ultrasmall Au nanoparticles (UsAuNPs) are grown on ultrathin 2D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) via in situ reduction. The formed UsAuNPs/MOFs hybrid features both the advantages of UsAuNPs and ultrathin 2D MOFs, displaying a remarkable peroxidase‐like activity toward H2O2 decomposition into toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Results show that the as‐prepared UsAuNPs/MOFs nanozyme exhibits excellent antibacterial properties against both Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria with the assistance of a low dosage of H2O2. Animal experiments indicate that this hybrid material can effectively facilitate wound healing with good biocompatibility. This study reveals the promising potential of a hybrid nanozyme for antibacterial therapy and holds great promise for future clinical applications.

With the growing demands of the early, accurate, and sensitive diagnosis for cancers, the development of new diagnostic technologies becomes increasingly important. In this study, we proposed a strategy for efficient capture and sensitive detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using an array nanochannel-ion channel hybrid coupled with an electrochemical detection technique. The aptamer probe was immobilized on the ion channel surface to couple with the protein overexpressed on the CTCs membrane. Through this special molecular recognition, CTCs can be selectively captured. The trapped CTCs cover the ion channel entrance efficiently, which will dramatically block the ionic flow through channels, resulting in a varied mass-transfer property of the nanochannel-ion channel hybrid. On the basis of the changed mass-transfer properties, the captured CTCs can be sensitively detected using the electrochemical linear sweep voltammetry technique. Furthermore, due to the amplified response of array channels compared to that of a single channel, the detection sensitivity can be enhanced greatly. The results showed that acute leukemia CCRF-CEM (a type of CTC) concentration as low as 100 cells mL can be successfully captured and detected. The present method provides a simple, sensitive, and label-free technique for CTCs capture, detection, and release, which would hold great potential in the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Biological ion channels are known as membrane proteins which can turn on and off under environmental stimulus to regulate ion transport and energy conversion. Rapid progress made in biological ion channels provides inspiration for developing artificial nanochannels to mimic the structures and functions of ion transport systems and energy conversion in biological ion channels. Due to the advantages of abundant pore channels, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have become competitive materials to control the nanofluidic transport. Herein, a facile in situ synthesis method is developed to prepare hybrid nanochannels constructed by 2D MOFs and porous anodic aluminum (PAA). The introduction of asymmetries in the chemical composition and surface charge properties gives the hybrid outstanding ion current rectification properties and excellent ion selectivity. A power density of 1.6 W m−2 is achieved by integrating it into a salinity‐gradient‐driven device. With advantages of facile fabrication method and high ion selectivity, the prepared 2D MOFs/PAA hybrid membrane offers a promising candidate for power conversion and water desalination.