After uptake by U87 MG and A375 cancer cells, cobaltabisdicarbollide [COSAN] distributes between membrane and nucleus and presents no relevant cytotoxicity against both cell lines even for long incubation times. The cytotoxicity of Na[COSAN] was also tested towards one normal cell line, the V79 fibroblasts, in order to ascertain the noncytotoxic profile of the compound. As the cell's nucleus contains DNA, the interaction between [COSAN] and double-stranded calf thymus DNA (CT-dsDNA) has been investigated. There is a strong interaction between both molecules forming a nanohybrid CT-dsDNA-[COSAN] biomaterial, which was fully characterized. Moreover, Na[COSAN] shows characteristic redox peaks ascribed to the oxidation/reduction of Co at a formal potential of -1.444 V and it can be accumulated at a surface-immobilized DNA layer of glassy carbon electrodes. The equilibrium surface-binding constants (K /K ), which confirm that [COSAN] interacts with DNA by an intercalative or electrostatic mode, depending on the ionic strength of the solution, were estimated. In addition, high binding affinity of Na[COSAN] to proteins was observed by B{ H} NMR and confirmed in vivo. Finally, biodistribution studies of [COSAN] in normal mice were run. After administration, Na[COSAN] was distributed into many organs but mainly accumulated in the reticuloendothelial system (RES), including liver and spleen. After 1 h, the formation of aggregates by plasma protein interaction plays a role in the biodistribution profile; the aggregates accumulate mostly in the lungs. Na[COSAN], which displays low toxicity and high uptake by relevant cancer cells accumulating boron within the nucleus, could act as a suitable compound for further developments as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents.

Studies of the electrocatalytic oxidation of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at glassy carbon rotated disk electrodes modified with electrodeposited films derived from 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (3,4-DHB) indicate that the mechanism of such electrooxidation proceeds via the formation of an intermediate complex. The reaction also appears to be strongly influenced by the presence of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) ions as well as by pH. Ascorbate can also be electrocatalytically oxidized at these modified electrodes, giving rise to an electrochemical response very similar to that obtained for NADH. Due to this similarity, the presence of ascorbate in NADH determinations presents a severe interference that cannot be mitigated on the basis of electrochemical responses alone. However, this interference effect can be virtually suppressed by the presence of ascorbate oxidase in solution or immobilized on a nylon mesh which, in turn, is in contact with the electrode modified with the film of 3,4-DHB. Using this approach, we describe the construction of an alcohol biosensor based on alcohol dehydrogenase and which is, furthermore, free from interference effects due to ascorbate.

In pursuing higher energy density, without compromising the power density of supercapacitor platforms, the application of an advanced 2D nanomaterial is utilised to maximise performance. Antimonene, for the first time, is characterised as a material for applications in energy storage, being applied as an electrode material as the basis of a supercapacitor. Antimonene is shown to significantly improve the energy storage capabilities of a carbon electrode in both cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charging. Antimonene demonstrates remarkable performance with a capacitance of 1578 F g-1 , with a high charging current density of 14 A g-1. Hence, antimonene is shown to be a highly promising material for energy storage applications. The system also demonstrates a highly competitive energy and power densities of 20 mW h kg-1 and 4.8 kW kg-1 respectively. In addition to the excellent charge storing abilities, antimonene shows good cycling capabilities.