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Biomedical subjects

Younan Xia

Publications and source records attributed to Younan Xia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Facile synthesis of gold-silver nanocages with controllable pores on the surface.

Gold-silver alloy nanocages with controllable pores on the surface have been synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between truncated Ag nanocubes and aqueous HAuCl4. Unlike in the previous studies, the initiation of replacement reaction started in a controllable way, simultaneously from eight corners of the truncated Ag nanocubes where {111} facets were exposed. The formation of cubic nanocages with pores at all the corners was determined by the capping agent, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), which preferentially covered the {100} facets of a truncated Ag nanocube.

Gold↗
PubMed2006

Optical properties of Au-Ag nanoboxes studied by single nanoparticle spectroscopy.

The optical properties of two Au-Ag nanobox samples with average edge lengths of 44 and 58 nm and wall thicknesses of 6 and 8 nm, respectively, have been studied by single particle spectroscopy. The measurements gave an average line width of Gamma = 306 +/- 7 meV with a standard deviation of sigma = 30 meV for the 44-nm boxes, and Gamma = 350 +/- 9 meV with sigma = 35 meV for the 58-nm boxes. These line widths are much broader than those of gold nanorods with comparable resonance energies. The increased broadening is attributed to a combination of surface scattering of electrons, as well as increased radiation damping for the nanoboxes. Discrete dipole approximation calculations have been performed with and without surface scattering of electrons to compare with the experimental spectra. The calculations confirm that both electron-surface scattering and radiation damping are important effects in this system.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone): a dual functional reductant and stabilizer for the facile synthesis of noble metal nanoplates in aqueous solutions.

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) has been extensively used in the solution-phase synthesis of many types of colloidal particles, where it is mainly considered as a steric stabilizer or capping agent with a major role to protect the product from agglomeration. In a recent study, we discovered that the hydroxyl end groups of PVP could also serve as a very mild reductant for kinetically controlled synthesis of Ag nanoplates with yields as high as 75%. Here we further demonstrate that hydroxyl-terminated PVP is also a well-suited reductant for the aqueous synthesis of circular, triangular, and hexagonal nanoplates made of other noble metals including Pd, Au, and Pt. The reduction kinetics of a metal salt by the hydroxyl end groups of PVP can be maneuvered in at least two different ways to facilitate the evolution of plate morphology: (i) by adjusting the molar ratio of PVP to the salt precursor and (ii) by altering the molecular weight of PVP. Unlike previously reported studies of Ag and Au thin plates, light was found to have a negligible role in the present synthesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Gold nanostructures: engineering their plasmonic properties for biomedical applications.

The surface plasmon resonance peaks of gold nanostructures can be tuned from the visible to the near infrared region by controlling the shape and structure (solid vs. hollow). In this tutorial review we highlight this concept by comparing four typical examples: nanospheres, nanorods, nanoshells, and nanocages. A combination of this optical tunability with the inertness of gold makes gold nanostructures well suited for various biomedical applications.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed2006

Maneuvering the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanostructures through shape-controlled synthesis.

Silver nanostructures are containers for surface plasmons - the collective oscillation of conduction electrons in phase with incident light. By controlling the shape of the container, one can control the ways in which electrons oscillate, and in turn how the nanostructure scatters light, absorbs light, and enhances local electric fields. With a series of discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations, each of a distinctive morphology, we illustrate how shape control can tune the optical properties of silver nanostructures. Calculated predictions are validated by experimental measurements performed on nanocubes with controllable corner truncation, right bipyramids, and pentagonal nanowires. Control of nanostructure shape allows optimization of plasmon resonance for molecular detection and spectroscopy.

Nanostructures↗
PubMed2006

Highly porous fibers by electrospinning into a cryogenic liquid.

Highly porous fibers of various polymers were created by electrospinning with a modified collector. A bath of liquid nitrogen was used to freeze the fibers, inducing a phase separation between the polymer and the solvent. When the solvent was removed in vacuo, highly porous fibers were obtained. Poly(styrene), poly(acrylonitrile), poly(vinylidene fluoride), and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) were all electrospun into porous fibers using this simple method. These porous fibers have a range of potential applications in encapsulation, controlled release, superhydrophobic coating, and lightweight reinforcement.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Ultrafast laser studies of the photothermal properties of gold nanocages.

Au nanocages were synthesized via a galvanic replacement reaction. The extinction peak of these hollow structured particles is shifted into the near-IR compared with the Ag nanocube templates. Energy transfer from the Au nanocages into the surrounding environment (water) as well as the coherently excited vibrational modes of the nanocages were studied by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The time scale for energy relaxation was found to increase with the size of the particles, with the relaxation time being independent of the laser intensity. The time scales for relaxation are comparable to those for solid spherical gold particles and are consistent with energy relaxation being controlled by heat dissipation in the solvent. The period of the coherently excited vibrational mode is proportional to the dimensions of the nanocages. Intensity-dependent measurements show that in solution the nanocages maintain their integrity up to lattice temperatures of 1100 +/- 100 K.

Gold↗
PubMed2006

Observation of plasmon propagation, redirection, and fan-out in silver nanowires.

We report the coupling of free-space photons (vacuum wavelength of 830 nm) to surface plasmon modes of a silver nanowire. The launch of propagating plasmons, and the subsequent emission of photons, is selective and occurs only at ends and other discontinuities of the nanowire. In addition, we observe that the nanowires redirect the plasmons through turns of radii as small as 4 microm. We exploit the radiating nature of discontinuities to find a plasmon propagation length >3 +/- 1 microm. Finally, we observe that interwire plasmon coupling occurs for overlapping wires, demonstrating plasmon fan-out at subwavelength scales.

Light↗
PubMed2006

Right bipyramids of silver: a new shape derived from single twinned seeds.

Silver nanoparticles with a single (111) twin were selectively nucleated and grown for the first time to produce right bipyramids 75-150 nm in edge length. Key to the production of single twinned seeds was the addition of NaBr to a polyol synthesis in which AgNO3 is reduced by ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). Examination of nanoparticles at different stages of the reaction with electron microscopy revealed that the spherical, single twinned seeds grew to become right bipyramids through enlargement of their (100) facets. The UV-vis-NIR spectrum exhibited by right bipyramids is distinct from that of any other silver nanostructure, and their sharp corners make these new nanoparticles especially promising for enhancement of Raman scattering.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2006

V2O5 nanorods on TiO2 nanofibers: a new class of hierarchical nanostructures enabled by electrospinning and calcination.

Electrospinning provides a simple approach to fabricating nanofibers and assemblies with controllable hierarchical structures. In this communication, we demonstrate that electrospinning can be combined with calcination to further maneuver the morphology and phase structure of nanofibers. More specifically, single-crystal V2O5 nanorods could be grown on rutile nanofibers by carefully calcining composite nanofibers consisting of amorphous V2O5, amorphous TiO2, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone). The size of the resulting V2O5 nanorods could be conveniently controlled by varying the composition of the nanofibers and/or the calcination temperature. In addition to the nanorod-on-nanofiber hierarchical structure, we believe this approach can also be extended to fabricate other more complex architectures.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2006

Synthesis and electrical characterization of silver nanobeams.

By slowing the rate of atomic addition to singly twinned seeds, we have grown silver nanobeams with lengths of 3-30 mum, widths ranging from 17 to 70 nm, and a width to thickness ratio of 1.4. The well-defined dimensions, smooth surface, and crystallinity of nanobeams make them promising candidates for studying the effects of size on electron transport. With a simple method that allows rapid characterization of single nanobeams, we find that even the thinnest nanobeams largely retain the low resistivity of bulk silver. Nanobeams can support remarkably high current densities of up to 2.6 x 10(8) A cm(-2) before the conduction path is broken by the formation of a nanogap.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2006

Melt coaxial electrospinning: a versatile method for the encapsulation of solid materials and fabrication of phase change nanofibers.

We have developed a method based on melt coaxial electrospinning for fabricating phase change nanofibers consisting of long-chain hydrocarbon cores and composite sheaths. This method combines melt electrospinning with a coaxial spinneret and allows for nonpolar solids such as paraffins to be electrospun and encapsulated in one step. Shape-stabilized, phase change nanofibers have many potential applications as they are able to absorb, hold, and release large amounts of thermal energy over a certain temperature range by taking advantage of the large heat of fusion of long-chain hydrocarbons. We have focused on compounds with melting points near room temperature (octadecane) and body temperature (eicosane) as these temperature ranges are most valuable in practice. We have produced thermally stable, phase change materials up to 45 wt % octadecane, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the resultant fibers display novel segmented morphologies for the cores due to the rapid solidification of the hydrocarbons driven by evaporative cooling of the carrier solution. Aside from the fabrication of phase change nanofibers, the melt coaxial method is promising for applications related to microencapsulation and controlled release of drugs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Kinetically controlled synthesis of triangular and hexagonal nanoplates of palladium and their SPR/SERS properties.

The rapid reduction of Na(2)PdCl(4) by ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) has recently been demonstrated as a convenient method of generating Pd cubooctahedra and twinned nanoparticles. Here we describe a new procedure where Pd triangular or hexagonal nanoplates could be selectively synthesized by manipulating the reduction kinetics of the polyol process. More specifically, the reduction rate was substantially reduced through the introduction of Fe(III) species and the O(2)/Cl(-) pair, two wet etchants for Pd(0). The etching power of the O(2)/Cl(-) pair could be further enhanced by adding an acid to lower the pH of the reaction solution. Unlike the previously reported synthesis of Ag and Au nanoplates, light was found to have no indispensable role in the formation of Pd nanoplates. Both triangular and hexagonal nanoplates of Pd exhibited surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks in the visible region, and their positions matched with the results of discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculation. Thanks to their sharp corners and edges, these Pd nanoplates could serve as active substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Gold nanocages as contrast agents for spectroscopic optical coherence tomography.

We describe gold nanocages as a new class of potential contrast agent for spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Monodispersed gold nanocages of an approximately 35 nm edge length exhibit strong optical resonance, with the peak wavelength tunable in the near-infrared range. We characterized the optical properties of the nanocage by using OCT experiments along with numerical calculations, revealing an absorption cross section approximately 5 orders of magnitude larger than conventional dyes. Experiments with tissue phantoms demonstrated that the nanocages provide enhanced contrast for spectroscopic as well as conventional intensity-based OCT imaging.

Contrast Media↗