Multifunctional and robust composite materials comprising gold nanoparticles at a spherical polystyrene particle surface

The preparation of composite particles comprising gold nanoparticles (4.5–26 nm) assembled at a polystyrene (PS) surface with tunable loading is reported with wide ranging potentials from cellular studies to catalysis.</p

Recent developments in carbon nanomaterial sensors

Carbon nanomaterials are among the most broadly discussed, researched and applied of synthetic nanomaterials. The structural diversity of these materials provides an array of unique electronic, magnetic and optical properties, which when combined with their robust chemistry and ease of manipulation, makes them attractive candidates for sensor applications. Furthermore, the biocompatibility exhibited by many carbon nanomaterials has seen them used as in vivo biosensors. Carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon dots have come under intense scrutiny, as either discrete molecular-like sensors, or as components which can be integrated into devices. In this review we consider recent developments in the use of carbon nanoparticles and nanostructures as sensors and consider how they can be used to detect a diverse range of analytes.Irish Research CouncilUniversity College DublinIstituto Italiano di Tecnologi

Template-Assisted Synthesis of Luminescent Carbon Nanofibers from Beverage-Related Precursors by Microwave Heating

Luminescent carbon nanomaterials are important materials for sensing, imaging, and display technologies. This work describes the use of microwave heating for the template-assisted preparation of luminescent carbon nanofibers (CNFs) from the reaction of a range of beverage-related precursors with the nitrogen-rich polyethyleneimine. Highly luminescent robust carbon fibers that were 10 to 30 &#956;m in length and had a diameter of 200 nm were obtained under moderate conditions of temperature (250&#8211;260 &#176;C) and a short reaction time (6 min). The high aspect ratio fibers showed wavelength-dependent emission that can be readily imaged using epifluorescence. The development of these multi-emissive one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanomaterials offers potential for a range of applications