Plasmonic Backscattering Effect in High‐Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Devices

A universal strategy for efficient light trapping through the incorporation of gold nanorods on the electron transport layer (rear) of organic photovoltaic devices is demonstrated. Utilizing the photons that are transmitted through the active layer of a bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device and would otherwise be lost, a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of poly[N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole)]:phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT:PC₇₁BM) and poly[[4,8‐bis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl][3‐fluoro‐2‐[(2‐ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4‐b] thiophenediyl]] (PTB7):PC₇₁BM by ≈13% and ≈8%, respectively. PCEs over 8% are reported for devices based on the PTB7:PC₇₁BM blend. A comprehensive optical and electrical characterization of our devices to clarify the influence of gold nanorods on exciton generation, dissociation, charge recombination, and transport inside the thin film devices is performed. By correlating the experimental data with detailed numerical simulations, the near‐field and far‐field scattering effects are separated of gold nanorods (Au NRs), and confidently attribute part of the performance enhancement to the enhanced absorption caused by backscattering. While, a secondary contribution from the Au NRs that partially protrude inside the active layer and exhibit strong near‐fields due to localized surface plasmon resonance effects is also observed but is minor in magnitude. Furthermore, another important contribution to the enhanced performance is electrical in nature and comes from the increased charge collection probability.     

Evolution of gold nanoparticle clusters in living cells studied by sectional dark‐field optical microscopy and chromatic analysis

The evolution of gold nanoparticle (Au NP) clusters in living cells are studied by using sectional dark‐field optical microscopy and chromatic analysis approach. During endocytosis, Au NP clusters undergo fantastic color changes, from green to yellow‐orange due to the plasmonic coupling effect. Analysis of brightness/hue values of the dark‐field images helps estimate the numbers of Au NPs in the clusters. The Au NP clusters were further categorized into four groups within the endocytosis. As the results, the late endosomes had increased number of large Au NP clusters with time, while clustered numbers in secondary and tertiary groups were first increased and then decreased due to the fusion and fission of the endocytic vesicles. The time constants and cluster numbers for different groups are fitted by using an integrated rate equation, and show a positive correlation with the size of the Au NP cluster. The efficiency of Au NP uptake is only about 50% for normal cells, while 75% for cancer cells. Compared to normal cells, cancer cells show a larger number in uptake, while faster rate in removal. The propose method helps the kinetic study of endocytosed nanoparticles in physiological conditions.

     

Tracking mesenchymal stromal cells using an ultra‐bright TAT‐functionalized plasmonic‐active nanoplatform

High‐resolution tracking of stem cells remains a challenging task. An ultra‐bright contrast agent with extended intracellular retention is suitable for in vivo high‐resolution tracking of stem cells following the implantation. Here, a plasmonic‐active nanoplatform was developed for tracking mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in mice. The nanoplatform consisted of TAT peptide‐functionalized gold nanostars (TAT‐GNS) that emit ultra‐bright two‐photon photoluminescence capable of tracking MSCs under high‐resolution optical imaging. In vitro experiment showed TAT‐GNS‐labeled MSCs retained a similar differentiability to that of non‐labeled MSCs controls. Due to their star shape, TAT‐GNS exhibited greater intracellular retention than that of commercial Q‐Tracker. In vivo imaging of TAT‐GNS‐labeled MSCs five days following intra‐arterial injections in mice kidneys showed possible MSCs implantation in juxta‐glomerular (JG) regions, but non‐specifically in glomeruli and afferent arterioles as well. With future design to optimize GNS labeling specificity and clearance, plasmonic‐active nanoplatforms may be a useful intracellular tracking tool for stem cell research.

An ultra‐bright intracellular contrast agent is developed using TAT peptide‐functionalized gold nanostars (TAT‐GNS). It poses minimal influence on the stem cell differentiability. It exhibits stronger two‐photon photoluminescence and superior labeling efficiency than commercial Q‐Tracker. Following renal implantation, some TAT‐GNS‐labeled MSCs permeate blood vessels and migrate to the juxta‐glomerular region.     

Electron microscope immunolocation of gap junctions in Drosophila

Gap junction immunolocation was carried out in thin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded Drosophila imaginal wing discs using an affinity-purified polycolonal anti-18 kD gap junction protein anitbody and a colloidal gold-conjugated secondary antibody. Colloidal gold labelling was predominantly associated with obliquely-sectioned gap junctions, the ends of junctional profiles and other regions in which the adjacent junctional membranes were separated or distorted. The pattern of staining suggests that the determinant recognized by the antibody is relatively inaccessible, probably with a topological location in the transmembrane or extracellular domain of the membrane-spanning connexin protein.     

Colloidal gold as a biocompatible immobilization matrix suitable for the fabrication of enzyme electrodes by electrodeposition

Glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, xanthine oxidase, and carbonic anhydrase have been adsorbed to colloidal gold sols with good retention of enzymatic activity. Adsorption of xanthine oxidase on colloidal gold did not result in a change in enzymatic activity as determined by active site titration with the stoichiometric inhibitor pterin aldehyde and by measurement of the apparent Michaelis constant (K'(M)). Gold sols with adsorbed glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and xanthine oxidase have also been electrodeposited onto conducting matrices (platinum gauze and/or glassy carbon) to make enzyme electrodes. These electrodes retained enzymatic activity and, more importantly, gave an electrochemical response to the enzyme substrate in the presence of an appropriate electron transfer mediator. Our results demonstrate the utility of colloidal gold as a biocompatible enzyme imobilization matrix suitable for the fabrication of enzyme electrodes. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Demonstration of a high density lipoprotein (HDL)-binding protein in Hep G2 cells using colloidal gold-HDL conjugates

Solubilized membrane proteins of Hep G2 cells were electrophoretically separated on polyacrylamide gels and electrotransferred onto nitrocellulose paper. Overlaying the nitrocellulose with human high density lipoproteins conjugated to colloidal gold revealed the presence of a single protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa. Binding of the conjugates to this protein was specific for high density lipoproteins in as much as it was effectively displaced by an excess of unlabelled high density lipoproteins but not by a similar excess of unlabelled low density lipoproteins. Binding was not dependent on Ca²⁺ as 10 mM EDTA had no effect. The binding activity of the solubilized membranes was increased by incubating the cells with non-lipoprotein cholesterol. This was detected on electroblots and quantified with a new dot blot assay using the colloidal gold-high density lipoprotein conjugates.     

Precise localization of antigens on follicular dendritic cells

Summary Horse-spleen ferritin or bovine serum albumin conjugated to colloidal gold (BSA-gold) were injected subcutaneously in preimmunized mice. In draining lymph nodes both antigens were located in macrophages or between the cytoplasmic processes of follicular dendritic cells (FDC). Some of the antigens remained trapped on FDC until day 31 after injection. Simultaneous injection of both antigens showed that they were located between the infoldings of the same FDC. These cells are thus able to retain at least two different antigens on their surface. The peculiar arrangement of ferritin between the cytoplasmic infoldings suggests that this antigen is fixed on both cell membranes by specific antibodies. The trapped immune complexes could thus stabilize the FDC membrane system.The antigen retention requires the presence of specific antibodies since BSA-gold or ferritin injected without preimmunization were not found between FDC processes. Nonantigenic materials, such as colloidal gold or carbon particles, are not trapped by FDC, except when injected in large amounts.The antigens were trapped on the surface of FDC, however unfrequently in close contact with lymphocytes. FDC might protect lymphocytes against an excess of immune complexes and act as regulators of contacts between lymphocytes and immune complexes.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - BSA-gold BSA conjugated to colloidal gold particles - FDC follicular dendritic cells     

鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型抗体胶体金检测试纸条的制备和分析

【背景】由鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(cyprinid herpesvirus-2, CyHV-2)引起的疱疹病毒性造血坏死病在鲫和金鱼中的暴发给水产养殖业造成了巨大的经济损失。【目的】开发一种快速、现场检测鲫是否感染过CyHV-2和监测鲫CyHV-2IgM抗体水平的胶体金检测试纸条。【方法】将CyHV-2与胶体金结合作为金标抗原、Protein A作为检测线、兔源rORF66多克隆抗体进行划线作为质控线，分析胶体金试纸条最佳制备及组装条件，确定胶体金标记最适pH、金标抗原最适浓度，以及检测线(test line, T线)、质控线(control line, C线)最适划线浓度等。【结果】本研究制备的CyHV-2抗体胶体金试纸条可以使用全血测试，与常见的其他鱼类抗体血清无交叉反应，如草鱼呼肠孤病毒抗体阳性血清、鳜虹彩病毒抗体阳性血清等。试纸条最低限度可以检测到1:100稀释的阳性血清抗体，由试纸条检测线的深浅可以初步判断鱼体中抗体水平。试纸条通过对10条鲫鱼血清样品检测并和金鱼造血器官坏死病毒检测方法(GB/T 36194—2018)进行Kappa分析，Kappa值为0.80，表明二者有较高的符合...