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Compared to nanozymes with single enzyme activity, those with multiple enzyme activities possess broader application potential due to their diversified enzymatic functionalities. However, the multienzyme nanozymes currently face challenges of interference among different enzymatic activities during practical applications. In this study, we report the synthesis of a light-responsive YbGd-carbon quantum dots nano-hybrid, termed YbGd-CDs, which exhibits controllable enzyme-mimicking activities. This light-responsive behavior enables selective control of the enzymatic activities. Under visible light irradiation, YbGd-CDs demonstrate robust oxidase-like activity. Conversely, under dark conditions, they primarily exhibit peroxidase-like activity. Leveraging the dual-enzyme-mimicking capabilities of YbGd-CDs, we developed colorimetric assays for sensitive detection of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in both normal and cancer cells as well as d-amino acids in human saliva. This study not only advances the synthesis of carbon-based nanozymes but also highlights their potential in biosensing applications.

The urgent need for innovative materials that effectively eliminate bacteria while promoting cell growth to accelerate wound healing has led to the exploration of new options, as current antimicrobial nanoparticles often exhibit high cytotoxicity, which hinders wound closure. In this study, a nano-hybrid composite, named gold-silver-carbon quantum dots (AuAg-CDs), was prepared by embedding gold and silver nanoclusters into carbon dots. The AuAg-CDs nano-hybrid composite demonstrates remarkable biocompatibility, displays potent antibacterial activity, and possesses a unique capability to promote cell proliferation. By physically disrupting bacterial membranes and promoting mammalian cell proliferation, this composite emerges as a highly promising material for wound healing applications. The underlying mechanism of the multifunctional AuAg-CDs was investigated through comprehensive analyses encompassing cell morphology, bacterial membrane potential, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in both bacterial and mammalian cells. Additionally, AuAg-CDs were incorporated into alginate to create a hydrogel wound dressing, which underwent evaluation using animal models. The results underscore the remarkable potential of the AuAg-CDs wound dressing in facilitating the proliferation of wound fibroblasts and combating bacterial infections. The significance of designing multifunctional nanomaterials to address the challenges associated with pathogenic bacterial infections and regenerative medicine is highlighted by this study, paving the way for future advancements in these fields.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescent probe, gold carbon dots (GCDs) consisting of carbon skeleton and gold nanoclusters, was used for in situ imaging to monitor redox status in biothiols (glutathione and cysteine) and ferric metabolism of cancer cells in ferroptosis. The as-prepared GCDs can selectively respond to biothiols, interestingly, the fluorescence may be switched to sense ferric ions without interference by biothiols under proper conditions. The robust GCDs-probe exhibits excellent photobleaching resistance and can reversibly respond to intracellular biothiols/ferric ion with high temporal resolution. The 8 h real-time imaging of living cells was employed to track the fluctuation of biothiols, showing the change of redox status in ferroptosis. In addition, release of ferric ions in cells was monitored. The real-time imaging of depletion of biothiols and release of ferric ion in cells indicates the GCDs-probe can monitor how the ferroptosis regulates redox status in biothiols and ferric metabolism.

A sandwich-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor was constructed for sensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). It was based on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide-TiO 2 (ERGO-TiO 2 ) as photoelectrochemical platform to immobilize capture antibody (Ab 1 ). Then, quinone-rich polydopamine nanospheres (PDANS) loaded detection antibody (Ab 2 ) and photocurrent signal label, l-cysteine-coated cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdSQDs). ERGO-TiO 2 displayed greatly improved photocurrent response to white light. CdSQDs conjugated with PDANS further amplified photocurrent signal because of the good conductivity of PDANS and ERGO. The increased photocurrent showed a linear correlation with PSA in the concentration range from 0.02 pg mL -1 to 200 ng mL -1 with the detection limit of 6.8 fg mL -1 . It also revealed high selectivity and good stability., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we synthesized novel gold-carbon dots (GCDs) with unique properties by microwave-assisted method. The characterization of high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), XRD, high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer demonstrates that GCDs are composed of carbon and Au. Tiny Au clusters are dispersed in a 2 nm-size carbon skeleton, which integrates the properties of typical CDs and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), displaying fascinating peroxidase-like activity and single excitation/dual emission. Dual emission of the GCDs exhibits different fluorescent response to the target species and enables the GCDs to be exploited for sensing and bioimaging. The highly photostable and biocompatible GCDs were applied to dual fluorescent imaging for breast cancer cells and normal rat osteoblast cells under a single excitation. Moreover, ratiometric fluorescence imaging was used to monitor Fe(3+) level in normal rat osteoblast cells.

A unique photoluminescence carbon dots (CDs) with larger size were prepared by microwave-assisted method. Complex functional groups on the surface of the CDs facilitate the nanoparticles to form affinity with some metal ions. Taking advantage of the effective fluorescence quenching effect of K(+), a highly sensitive CD-based fluorescence analytical system for label-free detection of K(+) with limit of detection (LOD) 1.0×10(-12) M was established. The concentrations of potassium ion in biological samples such as human serum are usually found at millimolar levels or even higher. The proposed method begins with a substantial dilution of the sample to place the K(+) concentration in the dynamic range for quantification, which covers 3 orders of magnitude. This offers some advantages: the detection of K(+) only needs very small quantities of biological samples, and the dilution of samples such as serum may effectively eliminate the potential interferences that often originate from the background matrix. The determined potassium levels were satisfactory and closely comparable with the results given by the hospital, indicating that this fluorescent probe is applicable to detection of physiological potassium level with high accuracy. Compared with other relative biosensors requiring modified design, bio-molecular modification or/and sophisticated instruments, this CD-based sensor is very simple, cost-effective and easy detection, suggesting great potential applications for successively monitoring physiological potassium level and the change in biological system., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We have developed a simple and an economical one-pot method to synthesize water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) using hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HAH) as reduction and l-cysteine (CYS) as the ligand. The size of the CdTe QDs could easily be controlled by the duration of reflux and monitored by absorption and photoluminescence spectra. The factors influencing the photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QYs) on the QYs of CdTe NCs were investigated and the optimum conditions were determined. Under the optimum conditions (pH=11.0, the concentration of Cd(2+) was 1.0mmolL(-1) and the molar ratio of Cd(2+):Te(2)(-):CYS:HAH was 1:0.05:2.4:5), photoluminescence quantum yields of the CdTe QDs have been improved significantly and the maximum QYs of the QDs can achieve to 47%. The QDs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The XRD patterns indicated that CdS was formed in the preparation process of CdTe QDs. This CdS shell could effectively passivate the surface trap states, and enhance the PL QY and stability of the CdTe QDs., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Highlights: [•] An ultrasensitive and selective method for the determination of melamine was developed at pH 11.0. [•] The selectivity of the method was improved. [•] The sensitivity of the method enhanced obviously as the CdTe QDs have higher QYs at pH 11. [•] The sensitivity and linear range for the analysis are size dependent using QDs PL probes. [•] Melamine takes the place of TGA resulting fluorescence quenched of QDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We develop a controllable approach to prepare ordered–CdTe quantum dots (QDs) polyamidoamine (PAMAM) nanocomposites (NCPs) by self-assembly growth of simple CdTe– PAMAM in aqueous solution. The sphere and network CdTe NCPs were obtained at pH 4.7 for growing 15h and 79h respectively. As the NCPs ceased growing over pH 8 immediately, we can conveniently control their size and morphology by adjusting pH of the solution to tune the growth time. The morphology change of CdTe-PAMAM nanocomposites was characterized by TEM images. The fluorescent intensity and photostability of ordered–CdTe–PAMAM have been improved significantly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]