Ultrasmall fluorescent silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and core−shell SNPs surface functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG), specific surface ligands, and overall SNP size in the regime below 10 nm are of rapidly increasing interest for clinical applications, because of their favorable biodistribution and safety profiles. Here, we present an aqueous synthesis methodology for the preparation of narrowly size-dispersed SNPs and core−shell SNPs with size control below 1 nm, i.e., at the level of a single atomic layer. Different types of fluorophores, including near-infrared (NIR) emitters, can be covalently encapsulated. Brightness can be enhanced via addition of extra silica shells. This methodology further enables synthesis of <10 nm sized fluorescent core and core−shell SNPs with previously unknown compositions. In particular, the addition of an aluminum sol gel precursor leads to fluorescent aluminosilicate nanoparticles (ASNPs) and core−shell ASNPs. Encapsulation efficiency and brightness of highly negatively charged NIR fluorophores is enhanced, relative to the corresponding SNPs without aluminum. Resulting particles show quantum yields of ∼0.8, i.e., starting to approach the theoretical brightness limit. All particles can be PEGylated providing steric stability. Finally, heterobifunctional PEGs can be employed to introduce ligands onto the PEGylated particle surface of fluorescent SNPs, core−shell SNPS, and their aluminum-containing analogues, producing ligand-functionalized <10 nm NIR fluorescent nanoprobes. In order to distinguish these water-based-synthesis-derived materials from the earlier alcohol-based modified Stober process derived fluorescent core−shell SNPs referred to as Cornell dots or C dots, the SNPs and ASNPs described here and synthesized in water will be referred to as Cornell prime dots or C′ dots and AlC′ dots. These organic−inorganic hybrid nanomaterials may find applications in nanomedicine, including cancer diagnostics and therapy (theranostics).

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ABSTRACT:The coefficient of thermal expansion of ZrMgMo 3 O 12 has been measured and was found to be extremely close to zero over a wide temperature range including room temperature (α = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10 −7 K −1 from 25 to 450°C by X-ray diffraction (XRD)). ZrMgMo 3 O 12 belongs to the family of AMgM 3 O 12 materials, for which coefficients of thermal expansion have previously been reported to range from low-positive to low-negative. However, the low thermal expansion property had not previously been explained because atomic position information was not available for any members of this family of materials. We determined the structure of ZrMgMo 3 O 12 by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) crystallography, using 91 Zr, 25 Mg, 95 Mo, and 17 O magic angle spinning (MAS) and 17 O multiple quantum MAS (MQMAS) NMR in conjunction with XRD and density functional theory calculations. The resulting structure was of sufficient detail that the observed zero thermal expansion could be explained using quantitative measures of the properties of the coordination polyhedra. We also found that ZrMgMo 3 O 12 shows significant ionic conductivity, a property that is also related to its structure.

Reaction of at ethered triamine ligand with Bi-(NMe 2 ) 3 gives aBitriamide,for which aBi I electronic structure is shown to be most appropriate.T he T-shaped geometry at bismuth provides the first structural model for edge inversion in bismuthines and the only example of aplanar geometry for pnictogen triamides.A nalogous phosphorus compounds exhibit ad istorted pyramidal geometry because of different BiÀNa nd PÀNb ond polarities.A lthough considerable Bi I character is indicated for the title Bi triamide,i te xhibits reactivity similar to Bi III electrophiles,a nd expresses either avacant or afilled porbital at Bi, as evidenced by coordination of either pyridine N-oxideo rW (CO) 5 .T he product of the former shows evidence of coordination-induced oxidation state change at bismuth. Scheme 1. Synthesis of low-oxidation-state p-block complexes by either external reductants or redox-active ligands.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have recently attracted a lot of interest for future nanotheranostic applications because of their large surface-area and high biocompatibility. However, studies to date of MSNs are confined to >10 nm particle sizes which may result in unfavorable biodistribution characteristics for in vivo experiments and hence limit their clinical applications. Here we provide a full account of a synthesis approach to ultrasmall sub-10 nm mesoporous silica nanoparticles with narrow size distributions and homogeneous porous particle morphology. Key features enabling this structure control are (i) fast hydrolysis, (ii) slow condensation, and (iii) capping of particle growth by addition of a PEG-silane at different time-points of the synthesis. Variation of synthesis conditions including monomer/catalyst concentrations, temperature, and time-point of PEGsilane addition leads to synthesis condition-particle structure correlations as mapped out by a combination of results from data analysis of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. Results establish precise control over average particle diameter from 6 to 15 nm with increments below 1 nm. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, zeta-potential measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to reveal details of the particle surface structure. Long-term particle stability tests in deionized (DI) water and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) 1X buffer solution were performed using DLS demonstrating that the PEGylated particles are stable in physiological environments for months. Fluorescent single pore silica nanoparticles (mC dots) encapsulating blue (DEAC) and green (TMR) dyes were synthesized and characterized by a combination of DLS, TEM, static optical spectroscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) establishing probes for multicolor fluorescence imaging applications. The ultraprecise particle size control demonstrated here in particular for sizes around and below 10 nm may render these particles an interesting subject for further fundamental studies of porous silica particle formation mechanisms as well as for sensing, drug delivery, and theranostic applications.

Batteries, fuel cells and solar cells, among many other high-current-density devices, could benefit from the precise meso- to macroscopic structure control afforded by the silica sol-gel process. The porous materials made by silica sol-gel chemistry are typically insulators, however, which has restricted their application. Here we present a simple, yet highly versatile silica sol-gel process built around a multifunctional sol-gel precursor that is derived from the following: amino acids, hydroxy acids or peptides; a silicon alkoxide; and a metal acetate. This approach allows a wide range of biological functionalities and metals--including noble metals--to be combined into a library of sol-gel materials with a high degree of control over composition and structure. We demonstrate that the sol-gel process based on these precursors is compatible with block-copolymer self-assembly, colloidal crystal templating and the Stöber process. As a result of the exceptionally high metal content, these materials can be thermally processed to make porous nanocomposites with metallic percolation networks that have an electrical conductivity of over 1,000 S cm(-1). This improves the electrical conductivity of porous silica sol-gel nanocomposites by three orders of magnitude over existing approaches, opening applications to high-current-density devices.

Why does cyanide not react destructively with the proximal iron center at the active site of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase, an enzyme central to the biosynthesis of ethylene in plants? It has long been postulated that the cyanoformate anion, [NCCO2]–, forms and then decomposes to carbon dioxide and cyanide during this process. We have now isolated and crystallographically characterized this elusive anion as its tetraphenylphosphonium salt. Theoretical calculations show that cyanoformate has a very weak C–C bond and that it is thermodynamically stable only in low dielectric media. Solution stability studies have substantiated the latter result. We propose that cyanoformate shuttles the potentially toxic cyanide away from the low dielectric active site of ACC oxidase before breaking down in the higher dielectric medium of the cell.

We report enhanced protonic and ionic dynamics in an imidazole/protic ionic liquid mixture confined within the nanopores of silica particles. The ionic liquid is 1-octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([HC8Im][TFSI]), while the silica particles are microsized and characterized by internal well connected nanopores. We demonstrate that the addition of imidazole is crucial to promote a proton motion decoupled from molecular diffusion, which occurs due to the establishment of new N-HN hydrogen bonds and fast proton exchange events in the ionic domains, as evidenced by both infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy. An additional reason for the decoupled motion of protons is the nanosegregated structure adopted by the liquid imidazole/[HC8Im][TFSI] mixture, with segregated polar and non-polar nano-domains, as clearly shown by WAXS data. This arrangement, promoted by the length of the octyl group and thus by significant chain-chain interactions, reduces the mobility of molecules (Dmol) more than that of protons (DH), which is manifested by DH/Dmol ratios greater than three. Once included into the nanopores of hydrophobic silica microparticles, the nanostructure of the liquid mixture is preserved with slightly larger ionic domains, but effects on the non-polar ones are unclear. This results in a further enhancement of proton motion with localised paths of conduction. These findings demonstrate significant progress in the design of proton conducting materials via tailor-made molecular structures as well as by smart exploitation of confinement effects. Compared to other imidazole-based proton conducting materials that are crystalline up to 90 °C or above, the gel materials that we propose are useful for applications at room temperature, and can thus find applications in e.g. intermediate temperature proton exchange fuel cells.