The simultaneous encapsulation of both luminescent semiconductor and magnetic oxide nanoparticles in polymer microcapsules is demonstrated for the first time. Highly luminescent CdTe semiconductor nanocrystals serve as luminescent markers, while magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles allow external manipulation of the capsules by magnetic field. The method introduced is general enough to allow the fabric...

Ultrasensitive and accurate detection of tumor markers is of vital importance for the screening or diagnosis of cancers at their early stages and for monitoring cancer relapse after surgical resection. Inorganic lanthanide (Ln3+) nanoparticles (NPs), owing to their superior physicochemical characteristics, are regarded as a new generation of luminescent nano-bioprobes in the field of cancer dia...

Recent startling interest for lanthanide luminescence is stimulated by the continuously expanding need for luminescent materials meeting the stringent requirements of telecommunication, lighting, electroluminescent devices, (bio-)analytical sensors and bio-imaging set-ups. This critical review describes the latest developments in (i) the sensitization of near-infrared luminescence, (ii) "soft" ...

Over the years, different types of smart windows have been tested and developed. In this study, an innovative prototype a photovoltaic window, that integrates luminescent solar concentrators, was analysed. The device independently regulates movement shading system allows energy surplus, through electricity generated by modules. Considering peculiar structure (characterized presence light shelf)...

A novel 3-D cuprous iodide polymer [CuI(μ6-L)]n with a Cu/I ratio as high as 3 (1, H2L = 1,3-bis(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene) has been hydrothermally synthesized. The 3-D framework of 1 is constructed by the linkages of rare 1-D cationic aggregates [CuI2+]n and anionic bi-tetrazolate bridges. 1 shows unusually thermochromic luminescent and photocatalytic properties, and its density functional theo...

Copper ions play a vital role in a variety of fundamental physiological processes not only in human beings and plants, but also for extensive insects and microorganisms. In this paper, a novel water-soluble ruthenium(II) complex as a turn-on copper(II) ions luminescent sensor based on o-(phenylazo)aniline was designed and synthesized. The azo group would undergo a specific oxidative cyclization...

The preparation of luminescent silver hollow spheres using Eu(III) compound based on trifluorothenoylacetone is described. The structure and size of silver hollow spheres were determined by TEM images. The result shows the formation of hollow structure and average size of the silver hollow spheres (0.9 lm). The silver hollow spheres were further characterized by UV absorption spectrum, SNOM and...

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) incorporated with quantum dots (QDs) have been widely regarded as one of the most important development trends of cost-effective solar energy. In this study, for the first time we report a new QDs-LSC integrated with heavy metal free CuInS2/ZnS core/shell QDs with large Stokes shift and high optical efficiency. The as-prepared CuInS2/ZnS QDs possess advantag...

The luminescent characteristics of Ru(bpy)(2)dppz(2+) (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), a DNA light switch, were investigated in the presence of oligonucleotides containing single base mismatches or an abasic site. In water, the ruthenium luminescence is quenched, but, bound to well matched duplex DNA, the Ru complex luminesces. Here we show that with DNAs containing a defect, rac-, De...