Nanoscale Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy and Microscopy for Materials and Biomaterials

这项关于材料和生物材料的纳米级电化学、光谱和显微技术的研究将利用我们在西方实验室15年多的研究中积累的研究工具和经验。将在石墨烯和磷烯量子点(GQD和PQD)的电化学发光(ECL)、扫描电化学显微镜(SECM)和太阳能电池器件方面开展世界级的研究。具有巨大应用潜力的三个新研究领域将是： 1.ECL，这是一种过程，在这个过程中，电产生的自由基形成激发的物种发光，而不需要外部光源。有关免疫分析ECL的报道完全基于罗氏产品线中的[Ru(Bpy)3]2+(RuBpy)。我们发现，GQD和PQD在光照下会发出明亮的发光。基于量子点的新型ECL协议与RuBpy协议类似，但成本低，易于制作。 2.单个活细胞的纳米级SECM。SECM将用于测量和成像在单个活细胞附近的溶液中持有或移动的超微电极(UME)(直径在几nm到25m之间)中的活性氧(ROS)、多巴胺和膜通透性。具体地说，我们将以单个人膀胱细胞(T24)和大鼠神经细胞(PC12)为模型细胞，研究重金属离子对T24细胞膜通透性的影响以及神经元递质多巴胺对PC12通透性的影响。虽然我们已经成功地研究了直径为5m的电极，但由于探针与样品的相对关系，渗透率和ROS浓度图只能在较大的表面积上给出平均值。我们打算制造直径50纳米的探头。纳米探头将更接近衬底，从而提高灵敏度和分辨率。几乎所有的细胞系都可以使用这种改进的纳米电极进行研究。预计将有临床应用和实用的设备。 3.在所有替代能源中，太阳能是最清洁和最有前途的。照射到地球上的太阳光有1.5天的照射能力，相当于我们世界石油总储量约3万亿桶。然而，太阳能发电目前仅占全球发电量的0.015%。发现拨款提案的部分旨在提高低成本、轻质薄膜Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS)太阳能电池的效率。我们已经申请了CZTS纳米晶太阳能电池制备方法的专利，并在太阳能电池制造工艺及其原子层沉积等工具方面积累了丰富的经验。预计效率将超过12%。 所有这些研究活动都将为培养包括本科生和研究生在内的高素质人才提供极好的机会。 这项研究将对加拿大的人口健康、日常生活、能源资源和环境做出积极贡献。

This research on nanoscale electrochemistry, spectroscopy and microscopy of materials and biomaterials will utilize our research tools and experiences established over 15 years of research in our laboratory at Western. World class research will be carried out on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of graphene and phosphorene quantum dots (GQDs and PQDs), scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and solar cell devices. Three new research fields with great application potentials will be: 1. ECL, which is the process in which electrogenerated radicals form excited species emitting light without the need for an external light source. Reports on ECL for immunoassays are solely based on [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (RuBpy) as in Roche's product lines. We have discovered that GQDs and PQDs give off bright luminescence upon illumination. The novel ECL protocols with the QDs are similar to the RuBpy one, but are low cost, easy to fabricate. 2. Nanoscale SECM of single live cells. SECM will be used to measure and image reactive oxygen species (ROS), dopamine and membrane permeability through an ultramicroelectrode (UME) (an electrode with a diameter of a few nm to 25 ?m) when it is held or moved in a solution in the vicinity of a single live cell. Specifically, single human bladder cells (T24) and rat neuron cells (PC12) will be used as model cells in our research to investigate heavy metal ion effects on T24 membrane permeability and neuron transmitter dopamine on PC12 permeability. While we have been successful in our research with 5 ?m diameter electrode, permeability and ROS concentration mapping gives only average values over a large surface area due to relative probe to sample. We intend to make 50 nm diameter probes. The nano probe will approach the substrate more closely and therefore enhance the sensitivity and resolution. Almost all cell lines can be investigated using this improved nanoelectrode. Clinic applications and practical devices are anticipated. 3. Among all alternative energy sources, solar energy is clean and the most promising. The sun-light impacting the earth has the capacity to match our total world oil reserve of ~3 trillion barrels with 1.5 days of irradiation. However, the solar approach currently supplies only 0.015% of our electricity globally. The part of the discovery grant proposal aims at enhancing the efficiency of low-cost, light-weight thin film Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells. We have patented a CZTS nanocrystal preparation method for solar cells, and accumulated rich experience on solar cell fabrication procedures along with their tools such as atomic layer deposition. More than 12% efficiency is anticipated. All of these research activities will provide excellent opportunities for high quality personnel training, including undergraduate and graduate students. This research will contribute positively to population health, daily life, energy resources and environment in Canada.