Ultrafast Charge Carrier Dynamics in Colloidal ZnInS Nanosheets Using Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.

Recently, 2D colloidal semiconductors have emerged as a promising candidate for solar-harvesting applications. A comprehensive understanding of the light-harvesting characteristics and dynamics of the photogenerated charge carriers is crucial for enhancing their optoelectronic performance. Here, we have successfully synthesized the ultrathin colloidal ZnInS nanosheets using the hot-injection method and subsequently explored the photophysical properties of this ternary 2D material by means of transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy.

Ultrafast electron transfer at the ZnInS/MoS S-scheme interface for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

The performance of any photocatalyst relies on its solar harvesting and charge separation characteristics. Fabricating the S-scheme heterostructure is a proficient approach for designing next-generation photocatalysts with improved redox capabilities. Here, we integrated ZnInS (ZIS) and MoS nanosheets to develop a unique S-scheme heterostructure through an hydrothermal technique.

Ultrafast broadband spectroscopy of widely spread excitonic features in WSe nanosheets.

The performance of an optoelectronic device is largely dependent on the light harvesting properties of the active material as well as the dynamic behaviour of the photoexcited charge carriers upon absorption of light. Recently, atomically thin two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) have garnered attention as highly prospective materials for advanced ultrathin solar cells and other optoelectronic applications, owing to their strong interaction with electromagnetic radiation, substantial optical conductivity, and impressive charge carrier mobility. WSe is one such extremely promising solar energy material.

Charge Carrier Dynamics in Bandgap Modulated Covellite-CuS Nanostructures.

Copper Sulfide (CuS) semiconductors have garnered interest, but the effect of transition metal doping on charge carrier kinetics and bandgap remains unclear. In this study, the interactions between dopant atoms (Nickel, Cobalt, and Manganese) and the CuS lattice using spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis are explored. The findings show that sp-d exchange interactions between band electrons and the dopant ions, which replace Cu, are key to altering the material's properties.

Unraveling the cation dependent carrier cooling and transient mobility in lead-free A3Sb2I9 perovskites.

Lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have gained prominence for their exceptional photophysical properties, holding promise for applications in high-end optoelectronic devices. However, the presence of lead is one of the major obstacles to the commercialization of LHPs in the field of photovoltaics. To address this, researchers have explored environment friendly lead-free perovskite solar cells by investigating non-toxic perovskite materials.

Cell selective BCL-2 inhibition enabled by lipid nanoparticles alleviates lung fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease with a high mortality rate due to limited treatment options. Current therapies cannot effectively reverse the damage caused by IPF. Research suggests that promoting programmed cell death (apoptosis) in myofibroblasts, the key cells driving fibrosis, could be a promising strategy.

Cadherin-11 targeted cell-specific liposomes enabled skin fibrosis treatment by inducing apoptosis.

Continuous and aberrant activation of myofibroblasts is the hallmark of pathological fibrosis (e.g., abnormal wound healing).

Glycol Chitosan-Poly(lactic acid) Conjugate Nanoparticles Encapsulating Ciprofloxacin: A Mucoadhesive, Antiquorum-Sensing, and Biofilm-Disrupting Treatment Modality for Bacterial Keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis (BK) causes visual morbidity/blindness if not treated effectively. Here, ciprofloxacin (CIP)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) using glycol chitosan (GC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) conjugate at three different ratios (CIP@GC(PLA) NPs (1:1,5,15)) were fabricated. CIP@GC(PLA) NPs (1:1) were more effective than other tested ratios, indicating the importance of optimal hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance for corneal penetration and preventing bacterial invasion.

Delineating the core and surface state heterogeneity of carbon dots during electron transfer.

Exploring the heterogeneity of carbon dots (C-Dots) is challenging because of the existence of complex structural diversity, and it is a demanding task for the development and designing of efficient C-Dots for various applications. Herein, we studied the role of the core state and surface state of C-Dots in heterogeneity the successful investigation of the electron transfer (ET) process between different (blue, green, and red) emitting C-Dots and an electron acceptor methyl viologen (MV) using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopic techniques. Selective excitation in the steady-state and time-resolved mode shows that the ET ability of the core state is higher than that of the surface state.

Liver fibrosis pathologies and potentials of RNA based therapeutics modalities.

Liver fibrosis (LF) occurs when the liver tissue responds to injury or inflammation by producing excessive amounts of scar tissue, known as the extracellular matrix. This buildup stiffens the liver tissue, hinders blood flow, and ultimately impairs liver function. Various factors can trigger this process, including bloodborne pathogens, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Thermo-Chemical Cues-Mediated Strategy to Control Peptide Self-Assembly and Charge Transfer Complexation.

Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are known for their remarkable ability to undergo molecular self-assembly, a process that is highly responsive to the local microenvironment. Herein, we design a pyrene tethered peptide amphiphile Py-VFFAKK, that exhibits pathway-driven self-assembly from metastable nanoparticles to kinetically controlled nanofibers and thermodynamically stable twisted bundles upon modulations in pH, temperature, and chemical cues. The presence of the pyrene moiety ensures donation of the electron to an electron acceptor, namely, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (), to form a supramolecular charge transfer complex in aqueous solution that was studied in detail with microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.

Mucoadhesive Carrier-Mediated Oral Co-delivery of Bcl2 Inhibitors Improves Gastric Cancer Treatment.

Gastric cancer treatment is challenging due to the lack of early-stage diagnostic technology and targeted delivery systems. Currently, the available treatments for gastric cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. These strategies are either invasive or require systemic delivery, exerting toxicities within healthy tissues.

Emerging delivery approaches for targeted pulmonary fibrosis treatment.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive, and life-threatening interstitial lung disease which causes scarring in the lung parenchyma and thereby affects architecture and functioning of lung. It is an irreversible damage to lung functioning which is related to epithelial cell injury, immense accumulation of immune cells and inflammatory cytokines, and irregular recruitment of extracellular matrix. The inflammatory cytokines trigger the differentiation of fibroblasts into activated fibroblasts, also known as myofibroblasts, which further increase the production and deposition of collagen at the injury sites in the lung.

Temperature dependent charge carrier dynamics in 2D ternary Cu2MoS4 nanoflakes: An effect of electron-phonon coupling.

Two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenides (2D TMCs) like MoS2, WS2 etc., have established significant dominance in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, owing to their unique properties like strong light-matter interaction, high carrier mobility, large photo-responsivity etc. Despite the widespread utilization of these binary TMCs, their potential in the advancement of the optoelectronic research is limited due to the constraints in band tuning and charge carrier lifetime.

Ultrafast glimpses of the excitation energy-dependent exciton dynamics and charge carrier mobility in CsSnI nanocrystals.

Advancements in photovoltaic research suggest that tin-based perovskites are potential alternatives to traditional lead-based structures. CsSnI, specifically, stands out as a notable candidate, exhibiting impressive performance. However, its complete potential remains untapped primarily owing to the limited understanding of its photophysics.

A photothermal driven chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

Solid tumors are abnormal mass of tissue, which affects the organs based on its malignancy and leads to the dysfunction of the affected organs. The major problem associated with treatment of solid tumors is delivering anticancer therapeutics to the deepest layers/core of the solid tumor. Deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) hinders the therapeutics to travel towards the core of the tumor.

Efficient Charge Transfer in the Perovskite Quantum Dot-Hemin Biocomposite: Is This Effective for Optoelectronic Applications?

Inorganic perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have great potential for optoelectronic applications as a result of their tunable optical properties, significant absorption coefficient, and high mobility. Combining PQDs with molecular adsorbates offers exciting possibilities for future applications, making it important to study interfacial electron transfer in PQD-molecular composites. Here, we present a study of PQD and hemin composites (PQD-hemin) to understand how their interfacial electron transfer dynamics are affected by adsorbate and PQD properties.

β-Glucan and Fatty Acid Based Mucoadhesive Carrier for Gastrointestinal Tract Specific Local and Sustained Drug Delivery.

The oral route is considered the most convenient route of drug administration for both systemic and local delivery. Besides stability and transportation, another unmet but important issue regarding oral medication is retention duration within the specific region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We hypothesize that an oral vehicle that can adhere and maintain retention within the stomach for a longer duration can be more effective to treat stomach-related diseases.

Potential and Progress of 2D Materials in Photomedicine for Cancer Treatment.

Over the last decades, photomedicine has made a significant impact and progress in treating superficial cancer. With tremendous efforts many of the technologies have entered clinical trials. Photothermal agents (PTAs) have been considered as emerging candidates for accelerating the outcome from photomedicine based cancer treatment.

Efficient Hot Electron Transfer and Extended Separation of Charge Carriers at the 1P Hot State in SbSe/CdSe p-n Heterojunction.

Utilization of hot carriers is very crucial in improving the efficiency of solar energy devices. In this work, we have fabricated an SbSe/CdSe p-n heterojunction via a cation exchange method and investigated the possibility of hot electron transfer and relaxation pathways through ultrafast spectroscopy. The enhanced intensity of the CdSe hot excitonic (1P) bleach in the heterostructure system confirmed the hot electron transfer from SbSe to CdSe.

Temperature driven charge transfer process in quantum confined two-dimensional Mn-doped CsPbBr perovskite nanoplatelets.

A temperature dependent transient absorption study has been demonstrated for Mn doped CsPbBr nanoplatelets. At 5 K, charge transfer is suppressed due to the trapping of charge carriers in defect states. By contrast, at 300 K, an efficient charge/energy transfer process is observed as the thermally active carriers become de-trapped from the defect states upon strong exciton-phonon coupling.

Myofibroblast specific targeting approaches to improve fibrosis treatment.

Fibrosis has been shown to develop in individuals with underlying health conditions, especially chronic inflammatory diseases. Fibrosis is often diagnosed in various organs, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, and skin, and has been described as excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix that can affect specific organs in the body or systemically throughout the body. Fibrosis as a chronic condition can result in organ failure and result in death of the individual.

Atomically thin 2D photocatalysts for boosted H production from the perspective of transient absorption spectroscopy.

Excited state photophysical processes play the most important role in deciding the efficiency of any photonic applications like solar light driven H evolution, which is considered to be the next big thing in the global search of renewable energy sources. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are getting enormous attention in the field of photocatalysis owing to their exquisite optical and catalytic properties, like high absorption coefficient, appropriate band positions, large specific surface area, high charge carrier mobility, Considering the huge potential of these, many different approaches are being adapted to fabricate suitable photocatalytic systems for the efficient production of H. Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) could be a great help in this regard, considering its efficacy in understanding any optical application.

Probing the charge transfer mechanisms in type-II CsAgBiBr-CdSe composite system: ultrafast insights.

Lead-free halide-based double perovskites (DPs) have established themselves as the emerging nontoxic alternatives for photovoltaic (PV) applications thus substituting the long-standing lead halide perovskites. Among the prospective lead-free DPs, CsAgBiBrhas gained immense popularity owing to the fascinating properties demonstrated by them including low carrier effective mass and microsecond lifetime for electron-hole recombination. Nevertheless, the large, indirect bandgap remains the prime hurdle that restrains commercialization of the CsAgBiBrDPs based PV devices.

Fun30 and Rtt109 Mediate Epigenetic Regulation of the DNA Damage Response Pathway in .

Fun30, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler from , is known to mediate both regulation of gene expression as well as DNA damage response/repair. The Fun30 from has not yet been elucidated. We show that Fun30 is functionally homologous to both Fun30 and human SMARCAD1.