Aggregation-Induced Emission Molecule Microwire-Based Specific Organic Vapor Detector through Structural Modification

Preparation of Long-Range Ordered 1D Nanowire Arrays on PVP-Modified Hydrophobic Highly Adhesive Templates Using Conical Fiber Arrays

Suspended nanoscale one-dimensional (1D) arrays have attracted substantial interest due to their promising applications in nanodevice fabrication. In this study, we propose a novel strategy for fabricating precisely positioned, long-range ordered nanowire arrays by controlling the directional liquid transport of conical fiber arrays (CFAs) on asymmetrically modified silicon templates patterned with periodic spindle-shaped micropillars. The intrinsic properties of CFAs and the tailored wettability of silicon templates play critical roles in nanowire fabrication. CFAs generates quasi-unidirectional surface tension (Fγ), facilitating precise control over the retraction of liquid films and ensuring strict nanowire alignment in the dewetting direction. Meanwhile, high-adhesion hydrophobic surfaces effectively enhance the pinning behavior of the three-phase contact line during the retraction process, thereby improving the liquid bridge stability. It is noteworthy that the method developed for preparing high-yield arrays of ultralong nanowires exhibits remarkable universality. This approach can be widely applied to the synthesis of suspended nanowires using diverse polymers such as polystyrene sulfonic acid, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, and sodium alginate as solutes, achieving a robust formation rate exceeding 80% for nanowires that surpass 16 μm in length. These findings contribute valuable knowledge for the scalable production of suspended 1D nanostructures, furthering advancements in nanoscale device development.

Capillary-Assisted Confinement Assembly for Advanced Sensor Fabrication: From Superwetting Interfaces to Capillary Bridge Patterning

Precise patterning of sensing materials, particularly the long-range-ordered assembly of micro/nanostructures, is pivotal for improving sensor performance, facilitating miniaturization, and enabling seamless integration. This paper examines the importance of interfacial confined assembly in sensor patterning, including gas-liquid and liquid-liquid confined assembly, wettability-assisted or microstructure-assisted solid-liquid interfacial confined assembly, and tip-induced confined assembly. The application of capillary bridge confined assembly technology in chemical sensors, flexible electronics, and optoelectronics is highlighted. The advantages of capillary bridge confined assembly technology include the ability to achieve high-resolution patterning, scalability, and material arrangement in long-range order. It is, therefore, an ideal processing platform for next-generation sensors. Finally, the broad prospects of this technology in the miniaturization and integration of high-performance multifunctional sensors are discussed.

Osmapentalenofurans Constructed by Reacting Os≡C1 of Osmapentalyne with Phenols

Over the past decade, significant research efforts have focused on osmapentalyne, characterized by the more reactive Os≡C7 (Carbon atoms numbered in a clockwise direction on the osmapentalyne skeleton), across areas encompassing electrophilic, nucleophilic, and addition reactions. Nevertheless, the reactivity of osmapentalyne featuring Os≡C1 remains ripe for further exploration. In this investigation, we effectively synthesized a lineage of osmapentalenofurans through the nucleophilic reaction of osmapentalyne incorporating Os≡C1 with phenols. These resulting complexes demonstrate near-infrared luminescence traits in both solid and liquid states. Particularly noteworthy is the osmapentalenofuran derived from tetraphenylethane (TPE) unit, which showcases remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property in the aggregated state. These osmapentalenofurans are also able to further extend their range of reactions, including reactions with base and isonitrile. This study not only broadens the scope of applications for metal aromatics but also furnishes valuable insights into the realm of specialized functional materials.

H-bond interaction traps vibrating fluorophore in polyurethane matrix for bifunctional environmental monitoring

A simple strategy is presented for the bifunctional detection of environmental organic vapor and temperature by utilizing H-bond interactions to trap a butterfly-vibration-based fluorophore (DPAC-OH) in a polyurethane (PU) matrix. The method opens up a new path for large-scale environmental inspections and the design of dual-response luminescent materials.

Highly Sensitive Immunochromatographic Detection of Zearalenone Based on Ultrabright Red-Emitted Aggregation-Induced Luminescence Nanoprobes

Highly luminescent nanospheres have been demonstrated in enhancing the sensitivity of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) due to their loading numerous luminescent dyes. However, the photoluminescence intensities of existing luminescent nanospheres are limited due to the aggregation-caused quenching effect. Herein, highly luminescent aggregation-induced emission luminogens embedded nanospheres (AIENPs) with red emission were introduced as signal amplification probes of LFIA for quantitative detection of zearalenone (ZEN). Optical properties of red-emitted AIENPs were compared with time-resolved dye-embedded nanoparticles (TRNPs). Results showed that red-emitted AIENPs have stronger photoluminescence intensity on the nitrocellulose membrane and superior environmental tolerance. Additionally, we benchmarked the performance of AIENP-LFIA against TRNP-LFIA using the same set of antibodies, materials, and strip readers. Results showed that AIENP-LFIA exhibits good dynamic linearity with the ZEN concentration from 0.195 to 6.25 ng/mL, with half competitive inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and detection of limit (LOD) at 0.78 and 0.11 ng/mL, respectively. The IC₅₀ and LOD are 2.07- and 2.36-fold lower than those of TRNP-LFIA. Encouragingly, the precision, accuracy, specificity, practicality, and reliability of this AIENP-LFIA for ZEN quantitation were further characterized. The results verified that the AIENP-LFIA has good practicability for the rapid, sensitive, specific, and accurate quantitative detection of ZEN in corn samples.

Pentacyclic and Hexacyclic Osmaarynes and Their Derivatives

Although osmabenzyne, osmanaphthalyne, osmaphenanthryne, and osmaanthracyne have been previously reported, the synthesis of polycyclic osmaarynes is still a challenge. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of the first pentacyclic osmaarynes (pyreno[b]osmabenzynes 1 a and 2 a) and hexacyclic osmaaryne (peryleno[b]osmabenzyne 3 a). Nucleophilic reaction of osmaarynes was used to obtain the corresponding pyreno[b]osmium complexes (1 and 2) and peryleno[b] osmium complex (3), which exhibited near-infrared luminescence and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Complexes 2 and 3 are resistant to photodegradation, and complex 2 has better photothermal conversion properties than 3.

Bio-inspired polymer array vapor sensor with dual signals of fluorescence intensity and wavelength shift

Organic vapor sensors based on polymer owing to their tunable molecular structures and designable functions have attracted considerable research interest. However, detecting multiple organic vapors with high accuracy and a low detection limit is still challenging. Herein, inspired by the mammalian olfactory recognition system, organic vapor sensors based on one-dimensional microfilament array structures with a wide range of sensing gases are demonstrated. By introducing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules, sensors possess dual-optical sensing mechanisms of variation in fluorescence intensity and wavelength. By virtue of the synergistic effects of dual signals, superb accuracy and incredibly low detection limit are achieved for identifying analytes. In particular, the polymer/AIE microfilament array can detect acetone vapor down to 0.03% of saturated vapor pressure. In the saturated vapor of acetone, the fluorescence intensity of the sensor arrays was reduced by 53.7%, while the fluorescence wavelength was red-shifted by 21 nm. Combined with the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm, the polymer/AIE molecular sensor arrays accomplished the classification and identification of acetone, ethanol, methylene chloride, toluene, and benzene. This bioinspired approach with dual sensing signals may broaden practical applications to high-performance gas sensors for precise molecular detection.