An explosive situation: By using gold nanoparticles and taking advantage of the donor–acceptor interaction between trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cysteamine, the visualization of TNT can be achieved at picomolar levels (see picture). The color change from red to blue can be seen with the naked eye, which allows sensitive on‐the‐spot detection.
A gold‐based assay: By taking advantage of the unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and the cascade reactions of glucose, a simple but effective method has been successfully developed for the direct colorimetric visualization of glucose in the rat brain. GOD=glucose oxidase.
A novel, sensitive electrochemical DNA hybridization detection assay, using silver nanoparticles as the oligonucleotide labeling tag, is described. The assay relies on the hybridization of the target DNA with the silver nanoparticle-oligonucleotide DNA probe, followed by the release of the silver metal atoms anchored on the hybrids by oxidative metal dissolution and the indirect determination of the solubilized Ag(I) ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode. The influence of the relevant experimental variables, including the surface coverage of the target oligonucleotide, the duration of the silver dissolution steps and the parameters of the electrochemical stripping measurement of the silver(I) ions, is examined and optimized. The combination of the remarkable sensitivity of the stripping metal analysis at the microelectrode with the large number of silver(I) ions released from each DNA hybrid allows detection at levels as low as 0.5 pmol L(-1) of the target oligonucleotides.
Compared with silicon-based solar cells, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) possess a distinct advantage, i.e., its application in the flexible field. However, the efficiency of the flexible device is still lower than that of the rigid one. First, it is found that the dense formamidinium (FA)-based perovskite film can be obtained with the help of N-methyl-2pyrrolidone (NMP) via low pressure-assisted method. In addition, CH 3 NH 3 Cl (MACl) as the additive can preferentially form MAPbCl 3−x I x perovskite seeds to induce perovskite phase transition and crystal growth. Finally, by using FAI·PbI 2 ·NMP+x%MACl as the precursor, i.e., ligand and additive synergetic process, a FA-based perovskite film with a large grain size, high crystallinity, and low trap density is obtained on a flexible substrate under ambient conditions due to the synergetic effect, e.g., MACl can enhance the crystallization of the intermediate phase of FAI·PbI 2 ·NMP. As a result, a record efficiency of 19.38% in flexible planar PSCs is achieved, and it can retain about 89% of its initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) after 230 days without encapsulation under ambient conditions. The PCE retains 92% of the initial value after 500 bending cycles with a bending radii of 10 mm. The results show a robust way to fabricate highly efficient flexible PSCs.
All‐inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite has attracted increasing attention, owing to its outstanding thermal stability and suitable bandgap for optoelectronic devices. However, the substandard power conversion efficiency (PCE) and large energy loss (Eloss) of CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) caused by the low quality and high trap density of perovskite films still limit the application of devices. Herein, the post‐treatment of evaporating cesium bromide (CsBr) is utilized on top of the perovskite surface to passivate the CsPbI2Br–hole‐transporting layer interface and reduce Eloss. The results of microzone photoluminescence indicate that the evaporated CsBr gathered at the grain boundaries of CsPbI2Br layers and Br‐enriched perovskites (CsPbIxBr3−x, x < 2) are formed, which can provide protection for CsPbI2Br. Therefore, the gaps between crystal grains are filled up, and the recombination loss of the all‐inorganic CsPbI2Br PSCs is reduced accordingly. The champion device exhibits high open‐circuit voltage and a PCE of 1.271 V and 16.37%, respectively. This is the highest reported PCE among all‐inorganic CsPbI2Br PSCs reported so far. In addition, the stability of CsPbI2Br PSCs is effectively improved by CsBr passivation, and the device without encapsulation can retain 86% of its initial PCE after 1368 h of storage, which is beneficial for practical applications.
This study demonstrates a new electroanalytical method with a high physiological relevance for simultaneous online monitoring of glucose and lactate in the striatum of the rat brain following global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The online analytical method is based on the efficient integration of in vivo microdialysis sampling with an online selective electrochemical detection with the electrochemical biosensors with dehydrogenases, i.e., glucose and lactate dehydrogenases, as recognition elements. The dehydrogenase-based electrochemical biosensors are developed onto the dual split-disk plastic carbon film (SPCF) electrodes with methylene green (MG) adsorbed onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the electrocatalyst for the oxidation of dihydronicotiamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at a low potential of 0.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) containing NAD(+) is externally perfused from a second pump and online mixed with the brain microdialysates to minimize the variation of pH that occurred following the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and to supply NAD(+) cofactor and O(2) for the enzymatic reactions of dehydrogenases and ascorbate oxidase, respectively. As a result, the developed online electroanalytical method exhibits a high selectivity against the electrochemically active species endogenously existing in the cerebral systems and a high tolerance against the variation of pH and O(2) following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. This property, along with the good linearity and a high stability toward glucose and lactate as well as little cross-talk between two biosensors, substantially makes this method possible for the continuous, simultaneous, and online monitoring of glucose and lactate in the rat brain following global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. This study establishes a new and effective platform for the investigation of the energy metabolism in physiological and pathological processes.
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