Graphdiyne: A promising 2D all-carbon nanomaterial for sensing and biosensing

Advances of functional graphdiyne in separation and detection

Separation and detection technologies are essential tools for ensuring quality, safety and efficiency across various industries. Graphdiyne (GDY), a carbon material made up of alkyne bonds conjugated with benzene rings to form a planar all-carbon network, is increasingly utilized in the fields of separation and detection. GDY is becoming an ideal separation medium due to its adjustable pore sizes, unique alkyne-rich framework, and easy to be functionalized. On the other hand, GDY shows great potential in detection with the advantages of efficient photoelectric effect, high carrier mobility, and large surface areas to provide active sites. This review summarizes the progress of functional GDY in separation and detection from 2011 to 2024. Various synthesis methods were introduced on improving the properties of GDY in separation and detection. Efforts have increasingly focused on the development of functional GDY in separation functionalities such as magnetic and membranous separations. Moreover, the application of functional GDY in detection technologies are discussed such as electrochemical, spectroanalysis, and dual-mode approaches. Finally, the promising research directions and prospects of functional GDY are discussed to explore further applications in both separation and detection.

Lima KA, da Silva DA, Mendonça FLL, Ribeiro Junior LA, Pereira Junior ML. Computational Design of 2D Nanoporous Graphene via Carbon-Bridged Lateral Heterojunctions in Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons

The interest in two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotropes arises from their ability to alter their properties based on the atomic topology employed, which can significantly affect their electronic properties and benefit advancements in new technologies. This work presents a new nanoporous graphene (NPG) allotrope obtained through lateral heterojunctions via pairs of trivalent sp2 carbon atoms of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs). These pairs were used as linkers between AGNRs to achieve this structure, forming connections that enhance the porous architecture. This novel planar and porous 2D carbon allotrope integrates some structural and electronic advantages of AGNRs into a 2D framework. Composed of 3-, 6-, and 12-membered carbon rings, the NPG was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio (AIMD) and classical molecular dynamics (CMD) simulations to explore its structural, electronic, and mechanical properties. Among the results presented, we show that the material demonstrates high dynamical and thermal stability at 1000 K. Furthermore, the NPG exhibits metallic and nonmagnetic behavior and is achieved by transitioning from the semiconducting nature of some AGNRs to a metallic 2D carbon system. The elastic properties reveal the material's distinct response to applied strain, with fractures occurring in the nanoribbon segment along the x-direction. However, fractures are observed in the C-C bonds involved in the heterojunction region in the y-direction. The calculated Young's modulus ranges from 394 to 690 GPa, which is lower but comparable to graphene. The formation energy of NPG decreases with increasing width of the AGNRs used to compose the 2D material, indicating enhanced stability for wider nanoribbons. These findings highlight the potential of NPG for applications in nanoelectronics and advanced new technologies.

B/N modified GDY as a rare base 2D sensor: a first-principles study

Detecting DNA rare bases is essential for diagnosing genetic disorders and cancers. However, their low abundance and high structural similarity make selective and sensitive detection challenging. The two-dimensional functionalized carbon material graphdiyne (GDY) holds great promise for enhancing sensor performance due to its excellent electronic properties, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the adsorption behavior of rare bases on GDY and R-GDY (R = B/N) surfaces. Essential factors, including adsorption energy, bandgap, charge transfer, and density of states, are systematically analyzed. Additionally, critical sensor performance metrics, such as deposition time, sensitivity, and selectivity are predicted, providing valuable insights into the potential applications of these materials. The results indicate that while pure GDY can specifically recognize 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, its sensitivity is limited. In contrast, R-GDY stably adsorbs rare bases via π-π interactions, exhibiting good reversibility and moderate charge transfer, which significantly enhance its sensitivity. R-GDY effectively distinguishes between rare bases based on translocation time, making it ideal for the development of efficient and reusable electrochemical biosensors, thus providing a reliable approach for clinical diagnostics.

N-doped graphdiyne derivative for highly selective and ultrasensitive NH3 sensing at room temperature

The detection of ammonia (NH3) at room temperature is of paramount importance for human health, production safety, and environmental protection. However, the application of common NH3-sensitive materials is seriously limited by their low sensitivity and poor selectivity. Herein, starting from molecular structure design, an N-doped graphdiyne derivative (N-GDYD) with a definite N-doping site was synthesized via the Glaser coupling of 2,4,6-tris((trimethylsilyl) ethynyl)-1,3,5-triazine. Owing to the rich ethynyl groups and triazine N atoms, the N-GDYD gas sensor showed excellent NH3 sensing performance at room temperature (20 °C). For instance, it possessed a high response value of -67.7%, an extremely short response time of 92 s, and a short recovery time of 280 s for 100 ppm NH3. Although the NH3 concentration decreased to 10 ppb, it still exhibited a response of -12.4%. In particular, the N-GDYD gas sensor exhibited a specific response to NH3 and showed negligible responses to 13 other types of gases and organic reagent vapors. In situ UV-vis spectra and DFT calculation results confirmed that the alkyne bond and N atoms in the triazine ring were the adsorption sites for NH3. These active sites have strong interactions with NH3 and thus promoted electron transportation from the NH3 molecules to N-GDYD. Evidently, this work provides a new strategy for the design of high-performance NH3 sensing materials.

Construction of an electrochemical sensor for the detection of methyl parathion with three-dimensional graphdiyne-carbon nanotubes

To enhance the application performance of graphdiyne (GDY) in electrochemical sensing, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown in situ to construct three-dimensional nanoarchitectures of GDY-CNTs composites. GDY-CNTs showed superior electrochemical properties and detection response to MP when compared with GDY, as the in situ growth of CNTs significantly increased the electrode surface area and enhanced the electron transfer process. GDY-CNTs were successfully used to construct electrochemical sensors for methyl parathion (MP). The proposed sensor exhibited a wide linear relationship for MP ranging from 0.09 to 64.6 µM with a detection limit of 0.05 µM. Moreover, the sensor also showed good stability and acceptable reproducibility, which provided a feasible method for rapid and accurate detection of MP in real samples. This work provides an effective application of graphdiyne in electrochemical sensing with constructed three-dimensional GDY-CNTs.

Innovative fluorescence sensing platform for β-lactams based on acidity/basicity-sensitive graphdiyne quantum dots

Residues of β-lactam antibiotics (β-LA) in the environment have posed a great threat to human health, while lacking a simple, effective, and universal sensing method. Herein, basic fuchsin and graphdiyne (GDY) were used as precursors to prepare the first reported acidity/basicity-sensitive GDY quantum dots (S-GDY QDs). We propose a novel fluorescence-sensing strategy for β-LA detection based on the ability of β-lactamases to catalyze β-LA to form carboxylic acid, which further induces a change in the acidity/basicity of the solution and causes a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of S-GDY QDs. Furthermore, a fluorescence test strip sensing platform integrated with a smartphone was established to achieve rapid, portable, and visual monitoring of β-LA. Using penicillin G as a model, a detection limit as low as 15.7 nM was achieved, showing important implications for β-LA detection.

Computational Investigation on Cr-Doped Sc2CO2 MXene under Strain for Electronic Properties, Quantum Capacitance, and Photocatalytic Activity

Sc2CO2 MXene has potential applications in energy storage and optoelectronics due to its superior structure and excellent properties. The electronic properties, quantum capacitance, and photocatalytic activity of Cr-doped Sc2CO2 under strain are studied by the density functional theory. Cr doping makes the system produce magnetism. The spin-down states of Sc2CO2-Cr under strain are direct semiconductors, while their spin-up states are indirect semiconductors. Sc2CO2-Cr under +5, -5, -3, and -2% strains in an aqueous system are suitable for cathode material. A large voltage drastically modulates the type of electrode materials. Sc2CO2-Cr under strains from 0 to +2% can perform the oxygen evolution reaction at an alkaline environment, while the Sc2CO2-Cr system under strain is a good for CO2 photocatalysis at pH 0 and 7.

Theoretical Investigation on the Initial Reaction Mechanism of Hexaethynylbenzene on Au(111) Surface

Graphyne has attracted considerable interest and attention since its successful synthesis, due to its enormous potential for applications in the fields of electronics, energy, catalysis, information technology, etc. Although various methods for synthesizing graphyne have been explored, single-layer graphynes have not been successfully developed. Hexaethynylbenzene (HEB) is considered an ideal precursor molecule because it can undergo Glaser coupling reactions between molecules to synthesize single layer graphdiyne on single crystal metal surfaces via on-surface reactions. Unfortunately, this method fails to achieve the expected results, and the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this work, we employed a combination of ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and quantum mechanics (QM) methods to investigate the initial reaction mechanism of HEB molecules on a Au(111) surface. We revealed that HEB molecules undergo both intermolecular coupling and intramolecular cyclization on the Au(111) surface. The favorable pathways of these two types of reactions were then distinguished, confirming that the distance between the terminal carbon atoms of the ethynyl groups plays an important role in C-C coupling. The insights revealed from this work could facilitate the rational design of precursor molecules and deepen the understanding of the reaction processes.

A novel functionalized graphdiyne oxide membrane for efficient removal and rapid detection of mercury in water

In practice, efficient, rapid and simple removal of Hg(II) from water using nano adsorbents remains an extreme challenge at present. In this work, a novel Hg(II) adsorbent based on functionalized graphdiyne oxide (GDYO-3M) membrane was designed for the purpose of effective and prompt removal of Hg(II) from environmental water for the first time. Through filtration, the proposed GDYO-3M membrane (4 cm diameter size) fulfilled an exceeding 97% removal efficiency in > 10 L water containing 0.1 mg/L Hg(II) within 1 h. Due to the presence of -SH groups, the GDYO-3M membrane demonstrates an excellent selectivity for Hg(II) vs. 14 co-existing metal ions. In the meantime, the GDYO-3M membrane represents a favorable reproducibility (above 95% Hg(II) removal) after 9 successive adsorption-desorption cycles. For the mechanism, it is believed that the active sites in the adsorption process mainly include -SH groups, oxygen-containing functional groups, and alkyne bonds. Further, the GDYO-3M membrane can be utilized as an enrichment approach for sensitive analysis of Hg(II) in water based on energy dispersion X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF), whose detection limit (LOD) reaches 0.2 μg/L within 15 min. This work not only provides a green and efficient method for removing Hg(II), but also renders an approach for rapid, sensitive and portable Hg(II) detection in water.

A state-of-the-art review on biomass-derived carbon materials for supercapacitor applications: From precursor selection to design optimization

Biomass-derived carbon materials have the characteristics of a wide range of precursor sources, controllable carbon nano-dimension, large specific surface area and abundant heteroatoms doping. At present, biomass-derived carbon materials have been widely used in electrochemical energy storage devices, especially the research and development of biomass-derived carbon materials for supercapacitors has become mature and in-depth. Therefore, it is of importance to summarize the advanced technologies and strategies for optimizing biomass-derived carbon materials for supercapacitors, which will effectively promote the further development of high-performance supercapacitors. In this review, the recent research progress of biomass-derived carbon materials is provided in detail, including the selection of biomass precursors, the design of carbon nano-dimension and the theory of heteroatom doping. Besides, the preparation methods of biomass-derived carbon materials and the related processes of optimizing the electrochemical performance are also summarized. This review ends with the perspectives for future research directions and challenges in the field of biomass-derived carbon materials for electrochemical applications. This review aims to provide helpful reference information for the nano-dimensional design and electrochemical performance optimization of biomass-derived carbon materials for the practical application of supercapacitors.

Passively Q-switched Nd3+ solid-state lasers with hexakis-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene and graphdiyne as saturable absorbers

In this paper, two-dimensional Graphdiyne and Hexakis-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene nanosheets were prepared using the liquid-phase exfoliation method and were then successfully applied to 1.06 µm passively Q-Switched all-solid-state lasers. The Hexakis-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene was applied for the first time in passively Q-Switched all-solid-state lasers, as we know. For Graphdiyne, the Q-Switched pulse achieved a narrowest pulse width of 415 ns, a maximum repetition frequency of 244.2 kHz, a maximum pulse energy of 133.53 nJ, and peak power of 321.77 mW was obtained. While, the narrowest pulse width, maximum repetition frequency, maximum pulse energy, and peak power for Hexakis-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene are approximately 398.4 ns, 297.1 kHz, 89.61 nJ, and 220.39 mW respectively. The findings demonstrate the promising potential of both candidates as saturable absorbers for signal modulation in solid-state lasers.

State, synthesis, perspective applications, and challenges of Graphdiyne and its analogues: A review of recent research

Carbon materials technology provides the possibility of synthesizing low-cost, outstanding performance replacements to noble-metal catalysts for long-term use. Graphdiyne (GDY) is a carbon allotrope with an extremely thin atomic thickness. It consists of carbon elements, that are hybridized with both sp. and sp2, resulting in a multilayered two-dimensional (2D) configuration. Several functional models suggest, that GDY contains spontaneously existing band structure with Dirac poles. This is due to the non-uniform interaction among carbon atoms, which results from various fusions and overlapping of the 2pz subshell. Unlike other carbon allotropes, GDY has Dirac cone arrangements, that in turn give it inimitable physiochemical characteristics. These properties include an adjustable intrinsic energy gap, high speeds charging transport modulation efficiency, and exceptional conductance. Many scientists are interested in such novel, linear, stacked materials, including GDY. As a result, organized synthesis of GDY has been pursued, making it one of the first synthesized GDY materials. There are several methods to manipulate the band structure of GDY, including applying stresses, introducing boron/nitrogen loading, utilizing nanowires, and hydrogenations. The flexibility of GDY can be effectively demonstrated through the formation of nano walls, nanostructures, nanotube patterns, nanorods, or structured striped clusters. GDY, being a carbon material, has a wide range of applications owing to its remarkable structural and electrical characteristics. According to subsequent research, the GDY can be utilized in numerous energy generation processes, such as electrochemical water splitting (ECWS), photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC WS), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), overall water splitting (OWS), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), energy storage materials, lithium-Ion batteries (LiBs) and solar cell applications. These studies suggested that the use of GDY holds significant potential for the development and implementation of efficient, multimodal, and intelligent catalysts with realistic applications. However, the limitation of GDY and GDY-based composites for forthcoming studies are similarly acknowledged. The objective of these studies is to deliver a comprehensive knowledge of GDY and inspire further advancement and utilization of these unique carbon materials.

Graphynes and Graphdiynes for Energy Storage and Catalytic Utilization: Theoretical Insights into Recent Advances

Carbon allotropes have contributed to all aspects of people's lives throughout human history. As emerging carbon-based low-dimensional materials, graphyne family members (GYF), represented by graphdiyne, have a wide range potential applications due to their superior physical and chemical properties. In particular, graphdiyne (GDY), as the leader of the graphyne family, has been practically applied to various research fields since it was first successfully synthesized. GYF have a large surface area, both sp and sp² hybridization, and a certain band gap, which was considered to originate from the overlap of carbon 2p_z orbitals and the inhomogeneous π-bonds of carbon atoms in different hybridization forms. These properties mean GYF-based materials still have many potential applications to be developed, especially in energy storage and catalytic utilization. Since most of the GYF have yet to be synthesized and applications of successfully synthesized GYF have not been developed for a long time, theoretical results in various application fields should be shared to experimentalists to attract more intentions. In this Review, we summarized and discussed the synthesis, structural properties, and applications of GYF-based materials from the theoretical insights, hoping to provide different viewpoints and comments.

Nanotechnology‐based electrochemical biosensors for monitoring breast cancer biomarkers

Breast cancer is categorized as the most widespread cancer type among women globally. On-time diagnosis can decrease the mortality rate by making the right decision in the therapy procedure. These features lead to a reduction in medication time and socioeconomic burden. The current review article provides a comprehensive assessment for breast cancer diagnosis using nanomaterials and related technologies. Growing use of the nano/biotechnology domain in terms of electrochemical nanobiosensor designing was discussed in detail. In this regard, recent advances in nanomaterial applied for amplified biosensing methodologies were assessed for breast cancer diagnosis by focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. We also monitored designing methods, advantages, and the necessity of suitable (nano) materials from a statistical standpoint. The main objective of this review is to classify the applicable biosensors based on breast cancer biomarkers. With numerous nano-sized platforms published for breast cancer diagnosis, this review tried to collect the most suitable methodologies for detecting biomarkers and certain breast cancer cell types.