Research on Functional Nanomaterials, Interfaces, and Applications at

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Research on Functional Nanomaterials, Interfaces, and Applications at Soochow University

ACS Nano 2019.13:2667-2671. Downloaded from pubs.acs.org by 94.158.23.243 on 03/27/19. For personal use only.

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oochow University was established in 1900 in the historic and picturesque city of Suzhou and was the first university in China to adopt a modern university governance system. Next year, Soochow University will celebrate its 120th anniversary. In 2018, two disciplines at Soochow University, materials science and chemistry, ranked in the top 1% of the global Essential Science Indicators (ESI).1 To promote research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, Soochow University founded the Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) in 2008. FUNSOM currently has 38 principal investigators, all of whom obtained their final degrees from or had extensive work experience at leading universities abroad. FUNSOM takes the helm as the Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology (NANO-CIC), which is one of the first 14 Collaborative Innovation Centers in China (called the 2011 Program for short), awarded by the State Ministry of Education in 2013. FUNSOM scientists actively pursue research in optoelectronics, new energy, nanocatalysis, green environment, and nanomedicine. Thanks to the significant contributions of FUNSOM and its sister colleges, nanoscience and nanotechnology at Soochow University is ranked 19th in the world by Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 2018.2 On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of FUNSOM and the forthcoming 120th anniversary of Soochow University, we are delighted to have the opportunity to organize this virtual issue to describe the nano research undertaken at Soochow University. This issue collects representative work published in ACS Nano by FUNSOM and colleagues at Soochow University, with emphases on functional nanomaterials, interfaces, and applications.

Tiancizhuang Campus, Soochow University. Image credit: Jinguang Liu.

This issue collects representative work published in ACS Nano by FUNSOM and colleagues at Soochow University, with emphases on functional nanomaterials, interfaces, and applications.

Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University. Image credit: Xinjiao Zhang. Xiaoqing Huang and co-workers demonstrated Ni(OH)2CeO2 supported on carbon paper with an intimate hydroxide interface for modulating the binding strength of reaction intermediates and thereby achieved excellent activity for the oxygen evolution reaction.4 For photocatalysis, Prof. Mingwang Shao, Prof. Shuit-Tong Lee, and co-workers developed a facile ultrasonic method to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with upconverted emission properties. They designed TiO2/GQD hybrids for harnessing visible sunlight and

Nanomaterials for Catalysis. The nanomaterials teams at Soochow University develop rational designs and then prepare functional nanomaterials with extraordinary properties for catalysis. For electrocatalysis, Prof. Yanguang Li and coworkers developed ultrasmall Mo2C nanoparticles dispersed on three-dimensional carbon microflowers via self-polymerization of dopamine together with MoO42−, followed by hightemperature pyrolysis.3 This nanostructured material exhibits remarkable activity and stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline solutions (Figure 1). Prof. © 2019 American Chemical Society

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DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b01960 ACS Nano 2019, 13, 2667−2671

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Au(111) surfaces under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, probed by scanning tunneling microscopy.8 They found that the reaction products can be rationally tailored by tuning the stoichiometric proportions of the reactants, providing new insight into the methodology of controllable syntheses of surface-supported materials. Moreover, they unraveled the importance of the kinetic effect in the selection of reaction products on surfaces by Monte Carlo simulations. Prof. Youyong Li, Prof. Shuit-Tong Lee, and co-workers applied first-principles calculations to probe the chemical identity of the defects of CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite surfaces.9 They demonstrated that the structural decomposition of CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite was much easier to initiate from vacancy sites than from pristine surfaces (Figure 2). Their calculations explained high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy observations. Nanomaterials and Optoelectronics. Research on nanostructured silicon for optoelectronic devices is being actively pursued by Soochow University scientists. Prof. Baoquan Sun and co-workers developed a general method to stabilize nanostructured silicon in ionic liquids, leading to highefficiency solar cells.10 They demonstrated that upgraded metallurgical grade silicon could achieve excellent solar cell efficiency in an organic/silicon heterojunction structure by silicon self-purification via a simple chemical etching process, which has great potential for reducing silicon solar cell costs.11 Further, this organic/silicon heterojunction solar cell can be readily integrated with other energy harvesters to achieve allweather electric generators.12 Profs. Jiansheng Jie, Xiujuan Zhang, and co-workers demonstrated that nanostructured silicon photodetectors could achieve high responsivity, high detectivity, and ultrafast photoresponse via integrating topological insulator materials.13 Organic and perovskite solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are major research directions at FUNSOM (Figure 3). Profs. Yanqing Li, Jianxin Tang, and co-workers developed nanostructured transparent electrodes with excellent optical, electrical, and mechanical

Figure 1. Ultrasmall Mo2C nanoparticles dispersed on threedimensional carbon microflowers for hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline solutions. Reprinted from ref 3. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society.

catalyzing degradation of methylene blue.5 Using porous indium oxide nanorods as a model, Prof. Le He and co-workers reported that assembling semiconductor nanocrystals into superstructures could increase photoexcited charge carrier lifetimes, thereby significantly promoting the reverse water− gas shift reaction.6 For photoelectrocatalysis, Prof. Xuhui Sun, Prof. Jun Zhong, and co-workers designed a Fe2TiO5-hematite heterostructure, which enabled substantial enhancement in photocurrent for efficient solar water oxidation. The reaction could be further improved by coupling a Co-phosphate cocatalyst.7 Surface and Interface Engineering. The surface and interface teams at Soochow University focus on the electronic and structural properties of functional molecules and nanomaterials influenced by surfaces. Their studies include the selfassembly of molecules and nanoparticles as well as surfaceassisted reactions to achieve novel properties and new applications. Prof. Qing Li, Prof. Lifeng Chi, and co-workers reported the systematic studies of aldehyde-amine coupling on

Figure 2. Importance of stoichiometric ratio of reactants to the reaction products on metal surfaces is demonstrated by experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. Reprinted from ref 8. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society. 2668

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at Soochow University, focusing on bioimaging and cancer therapy. In this area, Prof. Zhuang Liu and co-workers have published many papers in ACS Nano since joining Soochow University in 2009. Initially, Liu’s group focused on developing nanomaterials such as graphene for cancer theranostics.19−23 They reported the long-term in vivo distribution and toxicology of polymer-modified nanographene in animals.20 Recently, Liu’s group has undertaken an exciting research direction using nanobiomaterials to boost cancer immunotherapy (Figure 4).24−26 The team led by Profs. Yao He and Shuit-Tong Lee is developing different types of silicon nanostructures for biomedical sensing applications.27,28 They showed that silicon quantum dots possess advantages for bioimaging, such as water dispersibility, strong and multicolor fluorescence, long-term photo and pH stability, and excellent biocompatibility. In addition, Prof. Lichen Yin and co-workers29 and Prof. Rui Peng and co-workers30 are pursuing interesting nanomedicine research involving the development of innovative nanoscale drug-delivery systems and theranostic nanoplatforms. The above synopsis presents a snapshot of some of the research activities in functional nanomaterials, interfaces, and applications at Soochow University, intended as an introduction by which we hope to promote global collaborations on all fronts.

Figure 3. Illustration of an organic/silicon heterojunction solar cell integrated with a transparent triboelectric generator to harvest both sunlight and rain energy. Reprinted from ref 12. Copyright 2018 American Chemical Society.

properties for applications in flexible optoelectronics.14,15 Integrating a novel light outcoupling structure in the transparent electrode, they successfully fabricated flexible, white organic LEDs with record efficiencies.16 In pursuit of practical perovskite devices, Profs. Zhaokui Wang, Liangsheng Liao, and co-workers obtained remarkable improvements in power conversion efficiency and device stability of perovskite solar cells by inserting a branch-shaped perylene film between layers of PEDOT:PSS and perovskite.17 Moreover, they fabricated high-performance green-emitting LEDs with external quantum efficiencies over 15% by incorporating CsPbBr3 quantum dot films as the emitting layer.18 Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine. Nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine is another important research thrust

Lifeng Chi, Editorial Advisory Board

Shuit-Tong Lee,* Associate Editor

Figure 4. Mechanism of combining near-infrared-mediated photodynamic therapy with CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade for cancer immunotherapy. Reprinted from ref 25. Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society. 2669

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Bi2Se3/Silicon Heterostructure Broadband Photodetectors. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 5113−5122. (14) Xiang, H.-Y.; Li, Y.-Q.; Zhou, L.; Xie, H.-J.; Li, C.; Ou, Q.-D.; Chen, L.-S.; Lee, C.-S.; Lee, S.-T.; Tang, J.-X. Outcoupling-Enhanced Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes on Ameliorated Plastic Substrate with Built-in Indium−Tin-Oxide-Free Transparent Electrode. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 7553−7562. (15) Xu, L.-H; Ou, Q.-D.; Li, Y.-Q.; Zhang, Y.-B.; Zhao, X.-D.; Xiang, H.-Y.; Chen, J.-D.; Zhou, L.; Lee, S.-T.; Tang, J.-X. Microcavity-Free Broadband Light Outcoupling Enhancement in Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Nanostructured Transparent Metal−Dielectric Composite Electrodes. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 1625−1632. (16) Zhou, L.; Xiang, H.-Y.; Shen, S.; Li, Y.-Q.; Chen, J.-D.; Xie, H.J.; Goldthorpe, I. A.; Chen, L.-S.; Lee, S.-T.; Tang, J.-X. HighPerformance Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Using Embedded Silver Network Transparent Electrodes. ACS Nano 2014, 8, 12796−12805. (17) Wang, Z.-K.; Gong, X.; Li, M.; Hu, Y.; Wang, J.-M.; Ma, H.; Liao, L.-S. Induced Crystallization of Perovskites by a Perylene Underlayer for High-Performance Solar Cells. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 5479−5489. (18) Yuan, S.; Wang, Z.-K.; Zhuo, M.-P.; Tian, Q.-S.; Jin, Y.; Liao, L.-S. Self-Assembled High Quality CsPbBr3 Quantum Dot Films toward Highly Efficient Light-Emitting Diodes. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 9541−9548. (19) Tian, B.; Wang, C.; Zhang, S.; Feng, L.; Liu, Z. Photothermally Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy Delivered by Nano-Graphene Oxide. ACS Nano 2011, 5, 7000−7009. (20) Yang, K.; Wan, J.; Zhang, S.; Zhang, Y.; Lee, S.-T.; Liu, Z. In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Long-Term Biodistribution, and Toxicology of PEGylated Graphene in Mice. ACS Nano 2011, 5, 516−522. (21) Jin, L.; Yang, K.; Yao, K.; Zhang, S.; Tao, H.; Lee, S.-T.; Liu, Z.; Peng, R. Functionalized Graphene Oxide in Enzyme Engineering: A Selective Modulator for Enzyme Activity and Thermostability. ACS Nano 2012, 6, 4864−4875. (22) Wang, C.; Xu, H.; Liang, C.; Liu, Y.; Li, Z.; Yang, G.; Cheng, L.; Li, Y.; Liu, Z. Iron Oxide @ Polypyrrole Nanoparticles as a Multifunctional Drug Carrier for Remotely Controlled Cancer Therapy with Synergistic Antitumor Effect. ACS Nano 2013, 7, 6782−6795. (23) Liu, T.; Shi, S.; Liang, C.; Shen, S.; Cheng, L.; Wang, C.; Song, X.; Goel, S.; Barnhart, T. E.; Cai, W.; Liu, Z. Iron Oxide Decorated MoS2 Nanosheets with Double PEGylation for Chelator-Free Radiolabeling and Multimodal Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 950−960. (24) Xiang, J.; Xu, L.; Gong, H.; Zhu, W.; Wang, C.; Xu, J.; Feng, L.; Cheng, L.; Peng, R.; Liu, Z. Antigen-Loaded Upconversion Nanoparticles for Dendritic Cell Stimulation, Tracking, and Vaccination in Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 6401− 6411. (25) Xu, J.; Xu, L.; Wang, C.; Yang, R.; Zhuang, Q.; Han, X.; Dong, Z.; Zhu, W.; Peng, R.; Liu, Z. Near-Infrared-Triggered Photodynamic Therapy with Multitasking Upconversion Nanoparticles in Combination with Checkpoint Blockade for Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer. ACS Nano 2017, 11, 4463−4474. (26) Yang, R.; Xu, J.; Xu, L.; Sun, X.; Chen, Q.; Zhao, Y.; Peng, R.; Liu, Z. Cancer Cell Membrane-Coated Adjuvant Nanoparticles with Mannose Modification for Effective Anticancer Vaccination. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 5121−5129. (27) Su, S.; Wei, X.; Zhong, Y.; Guo, Y.; Su, Y.; Huang, Q.; Lee, S.T.; Fan, C.; He, Y. Silicon Nanowire-Based Molecular Beacons for High-Sensitivity and Sequence-Specific DNA Multiplexed Analysis. ACS Nano 2012, 6, 2582−2590. (28) Zhong, Y.; Sun, X.; Wang, S.; Peng, F.; Bao, F.; Su, Y.; Li, Y.; Lee, S.-T.; He, Y. Facile, Large-Quantity Synthesis of Stable, TunableColor Silicon Nanoparticles and Their Application for Long-Term Cellular Imaging. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 5958−5967.

Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Corresponding Author

*E-mail: [email protected] ORCID

Lifeng Chi: 0000-0003-3835-2776 Shuit-Tong Lee: 0000-0003-1238-9802 Notes

Views expressed in this editorial are those of the authors and not necessarily the views of the ACS.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We express our sincere gratitude to the editorial team of ACS Nano for their professional work and help and thank our colleagues at Soochow University for their contributions to this virtual issue.

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REFERENCES

(1) InCites Essential Science Indicators. https://esi.clarivate.com (accessed March 1, 2019). (2) ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology. http://www.shanghairanking.com/ Shanghairanking-Subject-Rankings/nanoscience-nanotechnology.html (accessed March 1, 2019). (3) Huang, Y.; Gong, Q.; Song, X.; Feng, K.; Nie, K.; Zhao, F.; Wang, Y.; Zeng, M.; Zhong, J.; Li, Y. Mo2C Nanoparticles Dispersed on Hierarchical Carbon Microflowers for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 11337−11343. (4) Zhao, D.; Pi, Y.; Shao, Q.; Feng, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, X. Enhancing Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis via the Intimate Hydroxide−Oxide Interface. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 6245−6251. (5) Zhuo, S.; Shao, M.; Lee, S.-T. Upconversion and Downconversion Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots: Ultrasonic Preparation and Photocatalysis. ACS Nano 2012, 6, 1059−1064. (6) He, L.; Wood, T. E.; Wu, B.; Dong, Y.; Hoch, L. B.; Reyes, L. M.; Wang, D.; Kübel, C.; Qian, C.; Jia, J.; Liao, K.; O’Brien, P. G.; Sandhel, A.; Loh, J. Y. Y.; Szymanski, P.; Kherani, N. P.; Sum, T. C.; Mims, C. A.; Ozin, G. A. Spatial Separation of Charge Carriers in In2O3‑x(OH)y Nanocrystal Superstructures for Enhanced Gas-Phase Photocatalytic Activity. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 5578−5586. (7) Deng, J.; Lv, X.; Liu, J.; Zhang, H.; Nie, K.; Hong, C.; Wang, J.; Sun, X.; Zhong, J.; Lee, S.-T. Thin-Layer Fe2TiO5 on Hematite for Efficient Solar Water Oxidation. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 5348−5356. (8) Gong, Z.; Yang, B.; Lin, H.; Tang, Y.; Tang, Z.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, Y.; Xie, Y.; Li, Q.; Chi, L. Structural Variation in SurfaceSupported Synthesis by Adjusting the Stoichiometric Ratio of the Reactants. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 4228−4235. (9) Liu, Y.; Palotas, K.; Yuan, X.; Hou, T.; Lin, H.; Li, Y.; Lee, S.-T. Atomistic Origins of Surface Defects in CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite and Their Electronic Structures. ACS Nano 2017, 11, 2060−2065. (10) Shen, X.; Sun, B.; Yan, F.; Zhao, F.; Zhang, F.; Wang, S.; Zhu, X.; Lee, S. High-Performance Photoelectrochemical Cells from Ionic Liquid Electrolyte in Methyl-Terminated Silicon Nanowire Arrays. ACS Nano 2010, 4, 5869−5876. (11) Zhang, J.; Song, T.; Shen, X.; Yu, X.; Lee, S.-T.; Sun, B. A 12%Efficient Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon−Organic Heterojunction Solar Cell Achieved by a Self-Purifying Process. ACS Nano 2014, 8, 11369−11376. (12) Liu, Y.; Sun, N.; Liu, J.; Wen, Z.; Sun, X.; Lee, S.-T.; Sun, B. Integrating a Silicon Solar Cell with a Triboelectric Nanogenerator via a Mutual Electrode for Harvesting Energy from Sunlight and Raindrops. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 2893−2899. (13) Zhang, H.; Zhang, X.; Liu, C.; Lee, S.-T.; Jie, J. HighResponsivity, High-Detectivity, Ultrafast Topological Insulator 2670

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(29) He, H.; Zheng, N.; Song, Z.; Kim, K. H.; Yao, C.; Zhang, R.; Zhang, C.; Huang, Y.; Uckun, F. M.; Cheng, J.; Zhang, Y.; Yin, L. Suppression of Hepatic Inflammation via Systemic siRNA Delivery by Membrane-Disruptive and Endosomolytic Helical Polypeptide Hybrid Nanoparticles. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 1859−1870. (30) Mao, F.; Wen, L.; Sun, C.; Zhang, S.; Wang, G.; Zeng, J.; Wang, Y.; Ma, J.; Gao, M.; Li, Z. Ultrasmall Biocompatible Bi2Se3 Nanodots for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Radiophotothermal Therapy against Cancer. ACS Nano 2016, 10, 11145−11155.

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DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b01960 ACS Nano 2019, 13, 2667−2671