The morphology-controlled synthesis and near-infrared (NIR) absorption properties of W(18)O(49) were systematically investigated for the application of innovative energy-saving windows. Various morphologies of W(18)O(49), such as nanorods, nanofibers, nanograins, nanoassembles, nanoplates, and nanoparticles, with various sizes were successfully synthesized by solvothermal reactions using organic alcohols as reaction media and WCl(6), W(EtO)(6), and WO(3) solids as the tungsten source. W(18)O(49) nanorods of less than 50 nm in length showed the best optical performance as an effective solar filter, which realized high transmittance in the visible region as well as excellent shielding properties of NIR light. Meanwhile, the W(18)O(49) nanorods also exhibited strong absorption of NIR light and instantaneous conversion of the absorbed photoenergy to the local heat.

Cs WO nanorods coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers are developed as "four-in-one" multifunctional nanomaterials with significant potential for computed tomography/photoacoustic tomography bimodal imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic cancer treatment.

Over the past years the performance of electrochromic smart windows with the promising potential for significant energy savings has been progressively improved; however, the electrochromic windows have not yet to come into use at scale mainly because the electrochromic materials suffer from some significant drawbacks such as low coloration efficiency, slow switching time, bad durability and poor functionality. Herein, we fabricate the optically modulated electrochromic smart devices through sequential deposition of the crown-type polyoxometalates, KLiHPWO·92HO (PW), and WO nanowires. Unlike most reported electrochromic smart devices, the resulting PW and WO nanocomposites allow active and selective manipulation of the transmittance of near-infrared (750-1360 nm) and visible light (400-750 nm) by varying the applied potential. Furthermore, thanks to the stable nature of both PW and WO and precise structural control over the nanocomposites, the prepared electrochromic smart devices exhibit high efficiency, quick response and excellent stability.

A theranostic system of image-guided phototherapy is considered as a potential technique for cancer treatment because of the ability to integrate diagnostics and therapies together, thus enhancing accuracy and visualization during the treatment. In this work, we realized photoacoustic (PA) imaging-guided photothermal (PT)/photodynamic (PD) combined cancer treatment just via a single material, MoO quantum dots (QDs). Due to their strong NIR harvesting ability, MoO QDs can convert incident light into hyperthermia and sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen synchronously as evidenced by in vitro assay, hence, they can behave as both PT and PD agents effectively and act as a "dual-punch" to cancer cells. In a further study, elimination of solid tumors from HeLa-tumor bearing mice could be achieved in a MoO QD mediated phototherapeutic group without obvious lesions to the major organs. In addition, the desired PT effect also makes MoO QDs an exogenous PA contrast agent for in vivo live-imaging to depict tumors. Compared with previously reported theranostic systems that put several components into one system, our multifunctional agent of MoO QDs is exempt from unpredictable mutual interference between components and ease of leakage of virtual components from the composited system.

This work provides a roll-to-roll processed flexible multi-responsive smart film containing tungsten bronze nanorods and a liquid crystal–polymer composite.

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Integration of cancer diagnosis and treatment, namely theranostics, is an important issue in the biomedical field. Benefiting from an excellent photothermal effect, ROS generation ability, and the desired mesoporous structure of the TiO2–x matrix, we strategically designed and fabricated a TiO2–x based theranostic system for realizing fluorescence/photoacoustic tomography (PAT) bimodal imaging guided triple therapy for photothemal/photodynamic/chemotherapy in this work. Nonstoichiometric TiO2–x nanospheres are excellent near-infrared absorptive material, which takes on both photosensitizer and photothermal agent roles in implementing PDT/PTT combination therapy and PAT imaging. Moreover, the mesoporous structure of TiO2–x also allowed drug loading, and the polydopamine sealing layer enabled it to induce NIR/pH-triggered drug controlled release. Resultantly, both the in vitro and in vivo experiment manifested the remarkable tumor inhibition and tumor imaging effects by the TiO2–x based theranostic system. The antitumor mechanism was attributable to a synergistic therapeutic effect (combination index = 0.318) of DOX-induced DNA damage, and PDT/PTT caused mitochondrial dysfunction and a change in the cell membrane permeability. Innovatively, the B-mode ultrasonography was adopted to monitor the rehabilitation process at the solid tumor site after treatment, which observed a liquefaction necrosis process.