Shubo Wang

We developed a stochastic SERS method to detect prolines and hydroxyprolines within 30 minutes by functionalizing gold nanopillars with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and nickel ions (Ni ²⁺ ) to form NTA–Ni structure for reversible binding of Pro/Hyp.

Label-free monitoring of single molecules by single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SM-SERS) in plasmonic nanopores can track the molecular dynamics and gain insight into its internal mechanism for applications including catalysis and sequencing. However, challenges including unstable plasmonic hot spot, fast molecule movement, and citrate interference hinder the SM-SERS data analysis and biomedical applications. In this study, we report a new SM-SERS method by sticking a single gold nanoparticle in a gold nanowell in air to generate a fixed plasmonic gap-mode hot spot on the particle surface for continuous single-molecule readout and long-term monitoring of DNA diffusion. The unlimited resident time of the DNA in the hot spot revealed unidirectional and back-and-forth diffusion patterns of different DNAs at single-base resolution depending on their sequences as well as cooccupation of the hot spot by citrate and DNA. Significantly, the spatial resolution of the hot spot was found to be able to cover 2 neighboring nucleobases, 1 sugar-phosphate backbone in the DNA, and 1 citrate. By using Raman correlation spectroscopy, the diffusion times of nucleobases in the DNAs were calculated as 5-22 s depending on molecular structures, while those of citrate were 0.1-7 s. Our results were so promising for monitoring biomolecular dynamics that they could be used to investigate oligonucleotide hybridization kinetics and may set the basis for developing SM-SERS sequencing technologies.

Amorphous NiFeO _x hollow microspheres via Fe modulation, enabling industrial-scale oxygen evolution at ultralow overpotentials. Scalable synthesis bridges atomic design with electrolyzers, outperforming noble metals through hierarchical porosity.

Platinum nanoparticles were successfully deposited on TiO ₂ via dry ball milling synthesis. The catalyst showed high activity and stability in dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane with a hydrogen production rate of 670 mmol H ₂ g _Pt ⁻¹ min ⁻¹ .

Cellulose-nanomaterial-derived films are promising platforms for engineering advanced substrates for printed electronics. However, they are highly susceptible to water and humidity, which limit their wide application. To overcome these drawbacks, cellulose nanoworms (distinct hydrophobized cellulose nanomaterials) were introduced in this study as sustainable coatings to enhance the water resistance of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films. Alcogels of nanoworms, produced via ethanol-induced swelling and ultrasonication of a cellulose pulp esterified in a deep eutectic solvent, form a dense and transparent coating on the CNF films, significantly inhibiting their water absorption and improving their surface smoothness. Furthermore, the resulting coated CNF films exhibited enhanced hydrophobicity with improved wet mechanical properties and lower water vapor permeability. In addition, the results of the ink-printing tests revealed that the coated films partially or completely inhibited ink removal. Thus, this study demonstrated that cellulose nanoworm coatings provide a promising approach to overcome the moisture sensitivity of CNF films.

This study reveals the sequence of reactions occuring during Ni₃TeO₆ calicination from hydrothermal precursor.