Silica-Supported Assemblage of CuII Ions with Carbon Dots for Self-Boosting and Glutathione-Induced ROS Generation

The present work introduces coordinative binding of CuII ions with both amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNs) and green-emitting carbon dots (CDs) as the pregrequisite for the CuII-assisted self-assembly of the CDs at the surface of the SNs. The produced composite SNs exhibit stable in time stimuli-responsive green fluorescence derived from the CuII-assisted assemblage of CDs. The fluorescence response of the composite SNs is sensitive to the complex formation with glutathione (GSH), enabling them to detect it with the lower limit of detection of 0.15 μM. The spin-trap-facilitated electron spin resonance technique indicated that the composite SNs are capable of self-boosting generation of ROS due to CuII→CuI reduction by carbon in low oxidation states as a part of the CDs. The intensity of the ESR signals is enhanced under the heating to 38 °C. The intensity is suppressed at the GSH concentration of 0.35 mM but is enhanced at 1.0 mM of glutathione, while it is suppressed once more at the highest intracellular concentration level of GSH (10 mM). These tendencies reveal the concentrations optimal for the scavenger or reductive potential of GSH. Flow cytometry and fluorescence and confocal microscopy methods revealed efficient cell internalization of SNs-NH2-CuII-CDs comparable with that of “free” CDs.

A facile and economical method to synthesize a novel wide gamut fluorescent copolyester with outstanding properties

A series of high molecular weight copolyesters PExBTyAm were synthesized by a simple and economical two-step polycondensation method, and for the first time we found that the copolyesters exhibited an green fluorescence under 365 nm UV light.

Metal ion modulation triggers dielectric double switching and green fluorescence in A2MX4-type compounds

Multifunctional switching materials show great potential for applications in sensors, smart switches, and other fields due to the ability of integrating different physical channels in one single device. However, multifunctional...

New naphtho[1,8-ef]perimidines: synthesis, fluorescence studies and application for detection of nitroanalytes

A rational approach to the synthesis of substituted naphtho[1,8-ef]perimidines based on SNH methodology and cyclization reaction in the series of condensed azines with naphthalene substituents was presented. Photophysical properties of the obtained fluorophores were studied, in particular, green fluorescence in the 485–536 nm range with quantum yield up to 32.4% was detected. HOMO-LUMO energy values and distributions for the new compounds were calculated by the DFT method in comparison with nitroanalytes and perylene. Based on the data obtained, as well as on the results of fluorescence titration, the possibility of using the new diazaperylenes as potential chemosensors for the visual detection of nitro-containing explosives was shown.