Nanoscale Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy and Microscopy for Materials and Biomaterials

这项对材料和生物材料的纳米电化学，光谱学和显微镜的研究将利用我们在西方实验室15年来的研究工具和经验。世界级的研究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）和太阳能电池设备上进行。三个具有巨大应用潜力的新研究领域将是： 1. ECL，其是电生成的自由基在不需要外部光源的情况下形成发射光的受激物质的过程。免疫测定的ECL报告仅基于Roche产品线中的[Ru（bpy）3]2+（RuBpy）。我们已经发现GQD和PQD在光照下发出明亮的发光。新的ECL协议与RuBpy协议类似，但成本低，易于制造。 2.单个活细胞的纳米级SECM。SECM将被用来测量和图像活性氧（ROS），多巴胺和膜渗透性通过超微电极（UME）（电极直径为几纳米到25？m）当其在单个活细胞附近的溶液中保持或移动时。具体而言，单个人膀胱细胞（T24）和大鼠神经元细胞（PC 12）将被用作模型细胞在我们的研究中，以研究重金属离子对T24膜通透性和神经递质多巴胺对PC 12通透性的影响。虽然我们已经成功地在我们的研究与5？m直径电极，渗透性和ROS浓度映射由于探针与样品的相对性而仅给出大表面积上的平均值。我们打算制造直径为50 nm的探针。纳米探针将更接近基底，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。预期临床应用和实用装置。 3.在所有的替代能源中，太阳能是清洁的，也是最有前途的。太阳光照射地球的能力相当于我们世界石油总储量约3万亿桶，照射1.5天。然而，太阳能方法目前仅占全球电力的0.015%。发现补助金提案的一部分旨在提高低成本，轻质薄膜Cu2ZnSnS4（CZTS）太阳能电池的效率。我们已经获得了太阳能电池CZTS薄膜制备方法的专利，并积累了丰富的太阳能电池制造工艺经验，沿着他们的工具，如原子层沉积。预计效率超过12%。 所有这些研究活动将为高质量的人才培养，包括本科生和研究生提供极好的机会。 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.