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Photocatalytic hydrogen production has garnered considerable attention as a latent solution to various energy challenges. Because of their distinct optical characteristics, persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) can emit light long after illumination ends, making them highly advantageous for round-the-clock photocatalysis. However, photocatalytic activity is currently restricted owing to the low specific surface area and the high number of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In this study, PLNP (ZnGa5Si5O18)/sulfur-doped carbon nitride (SCN) was synthesized via a solvothermal method and calcination. Under irradiation with a xenon lamp, the resulting PLNPs/SCN (1 : 1) composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity, with a hydrogen evolution rate of 3963.80 μmol g−1 h−1, which was 15 times and 1.4 times higher than that of PLNPs (307.1 μmol g−1 h−1) and SCN (2800.80 μmol g−1 h−1), respectively. The formation of a stable type II heterojunction is responsible for the high photocatalytic activity. This heterojunction effectively suppressed the electron–hole complexation generated during photoexcitation and enhanced the carrier flexibility. In addition, the PLNPs/SCN (1 : 1) composite had a larger specific surface area than the PLNPs. The synthesis of this novel composite heterojunction under mild conditions not only provides a new strategy for preparing PLNP-based composite catalysts but also holds significant potential for enabling round-the-clock photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-functionalised nano-platforms based on persistent-luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) have attracted considerable attention for biomedical applications owing to their lack of background noise and suitability for in vivo imaging without the need for in situ excitation. However, nano-platforms based on PLNPs for continuous photodynamic therapy (PDT) are currently lacking. Herein, we report a nano-platform (LiGa4.99O8:Cr0.01/IrO2, LGO:Cr/IrO2) prepared using PLNPs (LiGa4.99O8:Cr0.01, LGO:Cr) covalently bonded with iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO2 NPs), producing near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence, "afterglow" PDT and photo-thermal therapy (PTT) effects. The LGO:Cr/IrO2 not only exhibits NIR-persistent luminescence at 719 nm and a PTT effect under 808 nm irradiation but also a continuous "afterglow" PDT effect without the need for in situ excitation owing to persistent energy transfer from LGO:Cr to the IrO2 NPs, in turn generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This multi-functional nano-platform is expected to further promote the application of PLNPs in tumour treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) can provide long afterglow after excitation and possess advantages for advanced optical anticounterfeiting. Nevertheless, PLNPs with dual-wavelength persistence luminescence for dynamic and multimode anticounterfeiting are just at the initial stages. Herein, we synthesized dual-wavelength (503 and 696 nm) afterglow PLNPs Zn0.2Ga1.1Si0.9O3.65:Cr (ZGSiO:Cr) using a hydrothermal method followed by calcination. The luminescence color and the afterglow time of PLNPs are tunable through the content of Si4+. The colors of the emission, including red, white, cyan, and purple, could be observed under single ultraviolet (UV)-light irradiation; the PLNPs show the visible afterglow emission, after UV-light irradiation. The as-prepared ZGSiO:Cr exhibits high-level, dynamic, and multimodal anticounterfeiting with facile and quick operation and low cost and provides a more convenient and effective method for multimode anticounterfeiting, encryption, and currency information tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microporous organic networks (MONs) are emerging porous functional materials and have been widely explored in diverse domains. However, conventional synthesis of MONs involves high temperature, long reaction time and inert-gas protection, limiting their broad applications. In this study, we demonstrate a novel green ultrasound-assisted method for ultrafast, convenient, and efficient synthesis of MONs for efficient removal of antibiotics. An ultrasonically synthesized MON (US-MON) with a large specific surface area, high yield (>90%), good thermal and hydrophobicity can be prepared within 10 min at an ultrasound power of 500 W, which largely reduce the synthesis time of MONs, making it the fastest method for the synthesis of MONs thus far. The physical and chemical properties of the US-MON were comparable to or better than those of the traditional solvothermal and room-temperature-synthesized MONs, offering a large adsorption capacity of 437.4 mg g−1 for a typical antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride. Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of functionalized US-MON–2OH and US-MON–2NH2 was also achieved. All the ultrasonically synthesized US-MONs offered good removal efficiency for antibiotics including tetracycline and quinolones. This study uncovers the great potential of the ultrasound-assisted method for the ultrafast synthesis of MONs and broadens the application scope of MONs toward the efficient elimination of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Round-the-clock photocatalysts based on persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) have great potential for water treatment and energy conservation, with continuous photocatalytic activity even at night or under dark conditions. However, their round-the-clock photocatalytic efficiency is still not high enough owing to the short persistent luminescence time, the low specific surface area, and the fast recombination rate of the light-generated e–/h+ pairs. Furthermore, no PLNP combinations with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for photocatalytic application have been reported as of yet. Here, we report a round-the-clock composite photocatalyst based on Zn3Ga2Ge2O10:0.5% Mn combined with NH2-MIL-101-(Fe) via covalent bonding for the photo-degradation of RhB and the photo-reduction of Cr-(VI). The PLNPs/MOFs composite photocatalyst exhibits high photocatalytic activity in the dark for more than 12 h due to the long afterglow time of more than 16 days of Zn3Ga2Ge2O10/0.5% Mn, the efficient persistent luminescence resonance energy transfer between PLNPs and MOFs, the large specific surface area of MOFs, the large number of active transition metal sites of MOFs, and the decrease of the photogenerated e–/h+ pair binding rate. The combination of PLNPs/MOFs provides a strategy for developing highly efficient round-the-clock photocatalysts, which offer great potential in environmental protection and utilization of solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of multimodal nanoprobes that combined properties of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a single probe is very important for medical diagnosis. The NIR-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are ideal for optical imaging owing to no need for in situ excitation, the absence of background noise, and deep tissue penetration. However, no PLNP based multimodal nanoprobes have been reported so far. Here, we report a novel multimodal nanoprobe based on the gadolinium complexes functionalized PLNPs (Gd(III)-PLNPs) for in vivo MRI and NIR luminescence imaging. The Gd(III)-PLNPs not only exhibit a relatively higher longitudinal relaxivity over the commercial Gd(III)-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid complexes but also keep the superlong persistent luminescence. The prepared Gd(III)-PLNPs multimodal nanoprobe offers great potential for MRI/optical imaging in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near infrared (NIR)-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) have great potential for in vivo bioimaging with the advantages of no need for in situ excitation, high signal-to-noise ratio, and deep tissue penetration. However, functional NIR-emitting PLNPs with long afterglow for long-term in vivo imaging are lacking. Here, we show the synthesis of NIR-emitting long-persistent luminescent nanoparticles ( LPLNPs ) Zn2.94Ga1.96Ge2O10:Cr3+,Pr3+ by a citrate sol-gel method in combination with a subsequent reducing atmosphere-free calcination. The persistent luminescence of the LPLNPs is significantly improved via codoping Pr3+/Cr3+ and creating suitable Zn deficiency in zinc gallogermanate. The LPLNP powder exhibits bright NIR luminescence in the biological transparency window with a superlong afterglow time of over 15 days. A persistent energy transfer between host and Cr3+ ion in the LPLNPs is observed and its mechanism is discussed. PEGylation greatly improves the biocompatibility and water solubility of the LPLNPs. Further bioconjugation with c(RGDyK) peptide makes the LPLNPs promising for long-term in vivo targeted tumor imaging with low toxicity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Functional boron clusters modified GO to anchor ultrafine and highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles. • Pd/BGO can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to realize value-added. • Pd/BGO-catalyzed hydrogenation reaction of nitroarenes exhibits ultrafast reaction kinetics. • Pd/BGO exhibits durable stability in catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic hydrocarbons. The reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics is essential for fine chemical production and effective sewage treatment. However, the activity of an external catalyst is essential for the reaction. In this study, Pd nanocrystals were anchored in situ on two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO), which acted as a catalyst support with high specific surface area. The oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GO bonded to the functionally rich boron clusters through hydrogen bonding interactions. A mildly reducible closed-dodecahydrododecaboric acid anion cluster (closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2–) was employed as the target site. The mild reducibility of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– resulted in a wide dispersion of ultrafine Pd nanocrystals on GO. Under ambient conditions, Pd/BGO rapidly hydrogenated nitroaromatics, such as 4-nitrophenol, to aminoaromatics with approximately 100% efficiency. Moreover, Pd/BGO retained its high catalytic activity for the hydrogenation/reduction of 4-nitrophenol after five catalytic cycles. Therefore, Pd/BGO could be a promising and economically viable candidate for various practical applications. The proposed innovative preparation strategy and highly efficient catalytic activity suggested the effective performance of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– as nanometal nucleation target sites. In addition to providing an alternate route for preparing supported nanometals, this study presents a stable and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-functionalised nano-platforms based on persistent-luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) have attracted considerable attention for biomedical applications owing to their lack of background noise and suitability for in vivo imaging without the need for in situ excitation. However, nano-platforms based on PLNPs for continuous photodynamic therapy (PDT) are currently lacking. Herein, we report a nano-platform (LiGa 4.99 O 8 :Cr 0.01 /IrO 2 , LGO:Cr/IrO 2 ) prepared using PLNPs (LiGa 4.99 O 8 :Cr 0.01 , LGO:Cr) covalently bonded with iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO 2 NPs), producing near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence, "afterglow" PDT and photo-thermal therapy (PTT) effects. The LGO:Cr/IrO 2 not only exhibits NIR-persistent luminescence at 719 nm and a PTT effect under 808 nm irradiation but also a continuous "afterglow" PDT effect without the need for in situ excitation owing to persistent energy transfer from LGO:Cr to the IrO 2 NPs, in turn generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This multi-functional nano-platform is expected to further promote the application of PLNPs in tumour treatment.

The development of new photocatalysts with high photocatalytic efficiency and catalytic stability, and long persisting luminescence is critical for ensuring environmental protection and clean energy production. In this study, we develop a flower-like In 2 O 3 /ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr heterojunction composite with enhanced ultraviolet (UV) photocatalytic activity using a facile two-step hydrothermal method. The spectral response range of the heterojunction composite is widened to the visible-light range owing to the presence of the ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr persistent luminescence nanoparticles with sizes of less than 10 nm. The heterojunction composite is dispersed on the flower petals of In 2 O 3 . The In 2 O 3 /ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr/1:1 composite exhibits photo-degradation performance for rhodamine B degradation that is superior to those of pure In 2 O 3 , ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr, In 2 O 3 /ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr/1:0.5 and In 2 O 3 /ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr/1:2, achieving complete degradation after 80 min under UV light irradiation. Moreover, it exhibits long afterglow luminescence that lasts for more than 72 h. Thus, the In 2 O 3 /ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr/1:1 composite shows great potential for use in round-the-clock photocatalytic applications., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Near infrared (NIR)-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) have great potential for in vivo bioimaging with the advantages of no need for in situ excitation, high signal-to-noise ratio, and deep tissue penetration. However, functional NIR-emitting PLNPs with long afterglow for long-term in vivo imaging are lacking. Here, we show the synthesis of NIR-emitting long-persistent luminescent nanoparticles (LPLNPs) Zn2.94Ga1.96Ge2O10:Cr(3+),Pr(3+) by a citrate sol-gel method in combination with a subsequent reducing atmosphere-free calcination. The persistent luminescence of the LPLNPs is significantly improved via codoping Pr(3+)/Cr(3+) and creating suitable Zn deficiency in zinc gallogermanate. The LPLNP powder exhibits bright NIR luminescence in the biological transparency window with a superlong afterglow time of over 15 days. A persistent energy transfer between host and Cr(3+) ion in the LPLNPs is observed and its mechanism is discussed. PEGylation greatly improves the biocompatibility and water solubility of the LPLNPs. Further bioconjugation with c(RGDyK) peptide makes the LPLNPs promising for long-term in vivo targeted tumor imaging with low toxicity.