Nanographene oxide–TiO₂ photonic crystal films are demonstrated as sensitive, recyclable SERS substrates that integrate slow-photon amplification effects with the high adsorption capacity of GO nanosheets.

Aiming to understand and enhance the capacity of carbon dots (CDs) to transport through cell membranes and target subcellular organelles—in particular, mitochondria—a series of nitrogen-doped CDs were prepared by the one-step microwave-assisted pyrolysis of citric acid and ethylenediamine. Following optimization of the reaction conditions for maximum fluorescence, functionalization at various degrees with alkylated triphenylphosphonium functional groups of two different alkyl chain lengths afforded a series of functionalized CDs that exhibited either lysosome or mitochondria subcellular localization. Further functionalization with rhodamine B enabled enhanced fluorescence imaging capabilities in the visible spectrum and allowed the use of low quantities of CDs in relevant experiments. It was thus possible, by the appropriate selection of the alkyl chain length and degree of functionalization, to attain successful mitochondrial targeting, while preserving non-toxicity and biocompatibility. In vitro cell experiments performed on normal as well as cancer cell lines proved their non-cytotoxic character and imaging potential, even at very low concentrations, by fluorescence microscopy. Precise targeting of mitochondria is feasible with carefully designed CDs that, furthermore, are specifically internalized in cells and cell mitochondria of high transmembrane potential and thus exhibit selective uptake in malignant cells compared to normal cells.

In this work, we present a simple and efficient method for the preparation of hemin-modified SnO₂ films on Metglas ribbon substrates for the development of a sensitive magneto-electrochemical sensor for the determination of H₂O₂. The SnO₂ films were prepared at low temperatures, using a simple hydrothermal method, compatible with the Metglas surface. The SnO₂ film layer was fully characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The properties of the films enable a high hemin loading to be achieved in a stable and functional way. The Hemin/SnO₂-Metglas system was simultaneously used as a working electrode (WE) for cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements and as a magnetoelastic sensor excited by external coils, which drive it to resonance and interrogate it. The CV scans reveal direct reduction and oxidation of the immobilized hemin, as well as good electrocatalytic response for the reduction of H₂O₂. In addition, the magnetoelastic resonance (MR) technique allows the detection of any mass change during the electroreduction of H₂O₂ by the immobilized hemin on the Metglas surface. The experimental results revealed a mass increase on the sensor during the redox reaction, which was calculated to be 767 ng/μM. This behavior was not detected during the control experiment, where only the NaH₂PO₄ solution was present. The following results also showed a sensitive electrochemical sensor response linearly proportional to the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range 1 × 10⁻⁶–72 × 10⁻⁶ M, with a correlation coefficient of 0.987 and detection limit of 1.6 × 10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the Hemin/SnO₂-Metglas displayed a rapid response (30 s) to H₂O₂ and exhibits good stability, reproducibility and selectivity.

The effect of carbon dots (CDs) on a model blayer membrane was studied as a means of comprehending their ability to affect cell membranes. Initially, the interaction of N-doped carbon dots with a biophysical liposomal cell membrane model was investigated by dynamic light scattering, z-potential, temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, and membrane permeability. CDs with a slightly positive charge interacted with the surface of the negative-charged liposomes and evidence indicated that the association of CDs with the membrane affects the structural and thermodynamic properties of the bilayer; most importantly, it enhances the bilayer’s permeability against doxorubicin, a well-known anticancer drug. The results, like those of similar studies that surveyed the interaction of proteins with lipid membranes, suggest that carbon dots are partially embedded in the bilayer. In vitro experiments employing breast cancer cell lines and human healthy dermal cells corroborated the findings, as it was shown that the presence of CDs in the culture medium selectively enhanced cell internalization of doxorubicin and, subsequently, increased its cytotoxicity, acting as a drug sensitizer.