Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been regarded as one of the promising candidates for further applications in nanoelectronic devices,including field-effect transistor, transparent film and chemical sensor. However, as device performance urges many challenging requirements on the material synthesis, researchers have been aggressively seeking the potential strategies for preparing samples of SWNTs with well-defined structures (geometry, location, diameter, length, wall number, metallic/semiconducting and chirality) on surfaces. Herein, this review highlights in situ approaches towards selective growth of mono-disperse SWNT samples——including temperature mediated method, catalyst structure engineering, gas ambient tuning, external field assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, surface atomic arrangement induction method, nonmetal catalyzing and sp² carbon nano-structure templated growth to get SWNTs samples with controlled diameters, chiralities and electronic properties (metallic or semiconducting) and special morphology. The majority of the growth methods covered here are CVD growth carried on the substrates, for its capacity of growing high-purity,well arranged and aligned samples. Based on the understanding of the growth mechanism of those strategies, we try to propose the general guideline on that how can we develop the optimal solution for controlled growth of SWNTs. It is expected that SWNTs samples with controlled structures will see ubiquitous applications in future nano-electronic devices.   Contents
1 Introduction
2 Temperature-mediated growth of carbon nanotubes
3 Metal catalyst structure engineering method
4 Gas ambient tuning method
5 External field assisted CVD method
5.1 Plasmon enhanced CVD method
5.2 Electric field-assisted CVD method
5.3 UV-assisted CVD method
6 Substrate induction method
7 Nonmetal catalyzing method
8 sp² carbon nano-structure templated growth method
9 Conclusions and outlook

With the development of life sciences, a lot of energy has been put into the research on the pathological and physiological functions of intracellular reactive small molecules (RSMs). As an efficient technique suitable for visualization in vivo, confocal fluorescence imaging has been applied to the monitor of RSMs in biological samples. The near-infrared fluorescence imaging based on molecular probes and nano probes has shown attractive and extensive application prospect in virtue of low background, less cell photodamage, deeper penetration of tissue, and relatively high sensitivity. This review summarizes the recent progress on near-infrared fluorescent probes for cellular RSMs, of which reactive oxygen species, metal ions, H⁺, anion ions, and thiols are mainly introduced. Particularly, future study and prospect are envisioned. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Near-infrared fluorescent probes for reactive oxygen species
3 Near-infrared fluorescent probes for metal ions
4 Near-infrared fluorescent probes for pH
5 Near-infrared fluorescent probes for anion ions
6 Near-infrared fluorescent probes for thiols
7 Conclusion and outlook

Dual pressures currently arising from energy shortage and environmental degradation worldwide make it critically important to utilize renewable biomass resources for energy. But due to the requirement for the safety of food and feed, triglyceride feedstocks (currently derived mainly from vegetable oils and animal fats) and lignocellulose among the various kinds of naturally-occurring biomass are practical sources for production of liquid biofuels instead of fossil fuels. In this respect, we review the recent progress in the transformation of triglyceride feedstocks and lignocellulose into liquid biofuels by different catalytic routes. These routes include thermal cracking, hydrogenation and transesterification for oils and fats, and gasification-Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, liquefaction-upgrading and selective synthesis via platform chemicals for lignocellulose. The catalysts and processes involved in these catalytic routes are intensively discussed, and their existing problems and possible solutions are addressed, which may provide insights helpful for further studies on the more efficient utilization of biomass for energy. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Conversion of oils and fats
2.1 Thermal cracking
2.2 Catalytic hydrogenation
2.3 Transesterification
3 Conversion of lignocellulose
3.1 Gasification-Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
3.2 Liquefaction-upgrading
3.3 Selective synthesis via platform chemicals
4 Outlook

Currently, photocatalytic oxidation of organic pollutants under visible light illumination has become one of the most important subjects in the field of photocatalysis. This is owing to its intimate relationship with the environmental issues and energy saving. Generally, due to their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorptions, nanostructured noble metals could display distinct absorptions in the visible light region. This practically opens up new opportunities and avenues for the development of visible-light-driven photocatalysts. It has recently been demonstrated that Ag/AgX (X=Cl, Br, I) based plasmonic photocatalysts could display excellent and stable photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of organic pollutants under sunlight or visible-light irradiations. In the past few years, great progress have been achieved with regard to this kind of new type visible-light-driven plasmonic photocatalysts. In this review, we would like to highlight the recent progress concerning the Ag/AgX based plasmonic photocatalyst. The main content of this review includes: (i) the mechanism of the Ag/AgX based plasmonic photocatalyst; (ii) the fabrication of the Ag/AgX based plasmonic photocatalyst; and (iii) photocatalytic performance of the Ag/AgX based plasmonic photocatalyst. At the end of this review, the prospects and problems of this kind of plasmonic photocatalysts are also addressed briefly. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Mechanism of the Ag/AgX-based plasmonic photocatalysis
3 Methods for synthesis of the Ag/AgX-based nanospecies
3.1 Methods for synthesis of the AgX species
3.2 Methods for synthesis of the Ag/AgX species
4 Photocatalytic performances of the Ag/AgX-based plasmonic photocatalysts
4.1 Hybridized with inorganic semiconductors
4.2 Hybridized with graphene species
4.3 Hybridized with other materials
4.4 Morphology dependent photocatalytic performance of the Ag/AgX-based plasmonic photocatalysts
4.5 Others
5 Others applications
6 Conclusion and outlook

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of organic-inorganic hybrids, have attracted tremendous attention and intriguing potential applications in gas storage, catalysis, sensing, separation and biomedical research because of their large surface area, high adsorption affinity, diverse structures and pore topologies, accessible functionalization of tunnels. However, the low mechanical stability and fine powder of MOFs obtained from traditional MOFs synthesis reactions (e.g. solvothermal methods) are not necessarily the best configuration for the applications outlined above. As a developing research area, metal-organic framework composites (MOF composites) can overcome the drawbacks of MOFs and give improved properties. MOF composites, composed by continuous phase (or matrix) and dispersed phase (or enhancesome), combine the excellent properties of MOFs and balance the shortcomings. In this review, recent advances in MOF composites are highlighted. The continuous phase or dispersed phase combined with MOFs include polymer monoliths, beads, fibers, metal, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), graphite oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), quantum dots (QDs), photonic crystals (PCs) and MOFs. MOF composed polymer monoliths, beads and fibers are hybrid materials with the advantages of high mechanical stability, high second surface area, simple and low-cost preparation. Combination of MNPs with MOFs has a great potential application in preparation and separation due to the high speed and compatibility of magnetic separation. Composites derived from MOFs with GO or CNTs give new properties, such as electrical conductivity. The combination of luminescent QDs and the controlled porosity of MOFs can provide molecular sensors at a molecular level. Hybrids of MOFs and MOFs offer heterogeneous structures containing bimodal pore networks. Besides, an outlook for future development in the filed of MOF composites is given. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Classification of metal-organic framework composites
2.1 Metal-organic framework@polymer
2.2 Metal-organic framework@bead
2.3 Metal-organic framework@fiber
2.4 Metal-organic framework@metal
2.5 Metal-organic framework@magnetic nanopar-ticles
2.6 Metal-organic framework@SiO₂/Al₂O₃
2.7 Metal-organic framework@graphite oxide
2.8 Metal-organic framework@carbon nanotube
2.9 Metal-organic framework@quantum dot
2.10 Metal-organic framework@photonic crystal
2.11 Metal-organic framework@metal-organic fram-ework
3 Conclusion and outlook

Liquid acids as homogeneous catalysts have been playing a major role in chemical-related processes, however simultaneously accompanied by the difficulty of separation and recovery, unfavorable conditions of reactor corrosion and waste acid treatment. In this sense, the exploration of alternative acid catalysts to meet the requirement of current chemical process is of great importance. Comparatively speaking, magnetic solid acids, combined with both properties of acceptable acidity and easy separation from reaction systems, are a new kind of promising heterogeneous catalyst and have being received more and more research interest. Within the context, the recent research advance in the various preparation methods towards magnetic solid acids, effectiveness of different synthesis pathways and the catalytic applications of magnetic solid acids in corresponding reactions are summarized. Meanwhile, the existing problems and the direction of future development of magnetic solid acids have also been outlined in this review. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Preparation and application of magnetic solid acids
2.1 Preparation and catalytic application of magnetic nanoparticles
2.2 Post-synthetic protocol
2.3 Co-condensation method
2.4 Other pathways toward magnetic solid acids
3 Conclusion and outlook

Recent years, silicon nanowire arrays have aroused extensive attention among scientists and engineers due to their unique characteristics such as excellent antireflection in both wide wavelength range and wide incidence angle and their great potentials in the field of optoelectronics. This paper reviews the latest research progress in preparation of silicon nanowire arrays and their optoelectronic applications. The preparation methods that have been verified are classified mainly into two categories, i.e., “bottom-up“and”top-down", including template-assisted chemical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition combined with Langmuir-Blodgett technology and metal-catalyzed chemical etching. The third method is at the present time the most frequently used as well as the simplest one, and is discussed in detail in respect of the etching steps, mechanism and controlling parameters. As for the optoelectronic applications of silicon nanowire arrays, this review mainly describes those in photodetectors, conventional solar cells, photoelectrochemical solar cells, photocatalytic water splitting, and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Finally, an outlook is made about how to improve the photoelectrical conversion efficiency and avoid the corrosion of silicon nanowire arrays, which indicates that surface modification and resulting properties may be a future research direction for silicon nanowire arrays research. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Preparation of silicon nanowire arrays
2.1 Bottom-up methods
2.2 Top-down methods
3 Optoelectronic applications of silicon nanowire arrays
3.1 Application in photodetectors
3.2 Application in solar cells, including conventional solar cells and photoelectrochemical solar cells
3.3 Application in photocatalysis
4 Conclusion and outlook

Electrochemical power sources based on < anode ^metal | electrolyte | cathode ^oxygen > configuration have the highest energy density because the cathode active material(oxygen) is not stored in the battery, but can be accessed from the environment. Rechargeable lithium-air battery has been receiving more attention due to its high theoretical energy density of 5 210 Wh  ·g^-1, and it is considered as the next generation portable energy supply device for electronic vehicle(EV) and hybrid vehicle(HEV). This system has been understood by people in recent years. Although there are many unknown mechanisms in the electrochemical process of charge/discharge of the lithium-air battery, some achievements have been made on the development of oxygen reduction catalyst, air electrode materials and electrolyte materials. This paper reviews the achievements on lithium-air battery in the past few years from the respects of lithium-air battery system,cathode materials,electrolytes and lithium anode. The weaknesses are revealed and the future is prospected. Contents
1 Introduction
2 The main issues of lithium-air battery
3 Protection of lithium anode
4 Research on the electrolytes
4.1 Organic system electrolytes
4.2 Ionic liquid
4.3 Solid electrolyte
4.4 Aqueous electrolyte
5 Research on the air cathode
5.1 Porosity of air cathode
5.2 Efficiency of catalyst
6 Conclusions and perspective

Hydrogen is a clean and versatile energy source but it is hazardous and highly explosive in air atmosphere due to colorless and tasteless. Despite of these safety disadvantages, hydrogen provides the best route to a sustainable ideal fuel for future. Thus hydrogen sensor has important applications in modern industry, including fuel cell, hydrogen storage and separation,etc. Development of hydrogen sensor with high sensitivity, selectivity and stability has been an important topic in the field of sensor research. Carbon-based nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical properties, high surface area and excellent electronic properties, which are often used as sensitive materials for hydrogen sensor. Nanocarbon based materials show extreme sensitivity towards changes that stems from the susceptibility of their electronic structure to interacting hydrogen molecules. This chemical sensitivity has made them ideal candidates for incorporation into the design of hydrogen sensors. The performance of three nanocarbon based composites (nanocarbon-based materials/metal nanoparticles composite, nanocarbon-based materials/metal oxide composite, nanocarbon-based materials/polymer composite) is analyzed systematically in this paper. Characteristic performance parameters of these sensors, including measuring range, sensitivity, selectivity, response time and lifetime are reviewed and the latest technology developments are reported. In addition, the application prospect and future outlook of hydrogen sensor are addressed. The key issues needed to be solved are also discussed. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Nanocarbon-based hydrogen sensor
2.1 Nanocarbon-based materials/metal nanoparticles composite
2.2 Nanocarbon-based materials/metal oxide composite
2.3 Nanocarbon-based materials/polymer composite
3 Conclusion and outlook

Nanoscale mgnetic materials as a kind of novel functional inorganic materials have been widely employed for biosynthesis, bioseparation, biosensors, immunoassays, organocatalysis, drug delivery, data storage and environmental improvement,due to their special properties such as high specific surface area, strong magnetic responsivity, chemical durability,biocompatibility and so on. So far, various synthetic methods have been devised to fabricate magnetic nanomaterials, including chemical coprecipitation, organometallic pyrolysis, sol-gel techniques, hydrothermal & solothermal synthesis, etc. In recent years, hydrothermal & solvothermal synthesis method has received extensive attention and is widely used in industrial production because of its advantages of simple reaction conditions, low cost, high activity, good yields and green-friendly. This review introduced four kinds of nanoscale magnetic material synthetized by hydrothermal or solvothermal,which are ferrite,composite material,magnetic alloy material,and other magnetic material. 1 Introduction
2 Ferrite
2.1 Unitary ferrite
2.2 Binary ferrite
3 Composite material
3.1 Ferrite/inorganics composite material
3.2 Ferrite/organics composite material
4 Magnetic alloy material
5 Other magnetic material
6 Conclusion and prosperct

Among the anions, fluoride ion is the smallest one and has unique chemical properties because of the high electronegativity and strong basicity. Since fluoride ion is important for human health and environment, the detection of fluoride ion has received much attention recently. Up to now, numerous fluorescent and chromogenic sensors have been reported for detection of fluoride ion, based on organic boron compounds and hydrogen-bonding donors. Compared with these sensors, reaction-based sensors exhibit higher selectivity and are more suitable for detection in aqueous environment. In this paper, the recent progress on the study of reactive fluorescent sensors for fluoride ion, including the achievements of our research group, is summarized. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Design principles
3 Reactive fluorescent chemosensors for F^-
3.1 F^- fluorescent sensors based on silyl ether
3.2 F^- fluorescent sensors based on silyl acetylene
3.3 Other reactive F^- sensors
4 Outlook

Organic systems with aggregation induced emission (AIE) have received increasing interest in recent years, resulting in the accumulation of a wealth of information on molecular design of AIE luminogens and mechanistic understanding of the AIE processes. The studies on the AIE systems have opened a new route to develop solid-state highly-emissive organic materials, especially for the high performance organic electroluminescent (EL) materials, which usually suffer from the severe aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect. This review summarizes the recent advances in this research field, including the typical AIE systems, the AIE mechanisms and their various applications. The organic AIE systems mainly include aryl-substituted heterocyclic compounds, aryl-substituted vinyl compounds, intramolecular charge transfer compounds, hydrogen-bonding compounds, polymers and so on. Investigations of their structure-property relationships reveal that these compounds may possess different AIE mechanisms. The AIE phenomenon can be caused by restriction of intramolecular rotation, prohibition of non-radiative deactivation, distortion of molecular configuration to prevent from the excimer formation, or some specific molecular packing modes such as the J-aggregation, the cross dipole stacking and some unique molecular aggregates induced by intermolecular C-H…π interaction or some unusual hydrogen bonding. Finally, the various applications of these AIE compounds in chemical/biological sensing, bioimaging, organic electroluminescent and logic gate devices are described. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Classification and emissive mechanisms of AIE compounds
2.1 Aryl substituted heterocyclic compounds
2.2 Intramolecular charge transfer compounds
2.3 Hydrogen-bonding compounds
2.4 Polymers
3 Applications of AIE materials
3.1 Chemical sensing
3.2 Biological sensing
3.3 Cell imaging
3.4 Thermochromic and pressure photochromic
3.5 Electroluminescent devices
3.6 Logic gate devices
4 Conclusion and outlook

Phosphines are widely used in organic chemistry as nucleophilic catalysts. The employed phosphines are generally homogeneous, which make the separation of products and recovery of catalysts difficult. To overcome these limitations, heterogeneous supported phosphines as organocatalysts have gradually appeared and have been successfully applied in Baylis-Hillman raction, nucleophilic addition reaction, isomerization of ynones, and hydroxyl protection rection. In this article, the progress on synthesis and organocatalysis of supported phosphine with different grafts is reviewed. The outlook of the research area is provided. ontents
1 Introduction
2 Synthesis of supported phosphine
2.1 Polymer supports
2.2 Inorganic supports
3 Organocatalysis of supported phosphine
3.1 Baylis-Hillman reaction
3.2 Nucleophilic addition reaction
3.3 Isomerization of ynones
3.4 Protection of hydroxy groups
4 Conclusion and outlook

Due to the strong electronic donor properties and the versatile structures which can be readily modified, as well as the distinct topography, N-heterocyclic carbene(NHC)is a new class of ligands as an alternative to traditional phosphine ones. The catalytic properties of NHC-metal (NHC-M) complexes in homogeneous and asymmetric catalysis have been a focused research field and many successful results have been reported in recent years. The synthesis strategies, physical and chemical properties, as well as applications of heteromultimetallic complexes based on N-heterocyclic carbene ligand have made great development. It is worth noting that the remarkable catalytic activities have been obtained in multi-step catalytic tandem reaction. In this paper, the synthesis and applications of heteromultimetallic complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene are summarized and reviewed according to the type of N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. The type of N-heterocyclic carbene ligand include:(a) heteromultimetallic complexes based on a triazolyl-di-ylidene ligand; (b) heteromultimetallic complexes based on a bridged bis(imidazol-2-ylidene) ligand; (c) heteromultimetallic complexes based on a functionalized multidentate N-heterocyclic ligand. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Synthesis and applications of heteromultimetallic complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene
2.1 Heteromultimetallic complexes based on a triazolyl-di-ylidene ligand
2.2 Heteromultimetallic complexes based on a bridged bis(imidazol-2-ylidene) ligand
2.3 Heteromultimetallic complexes based on a functionalized multidentate N-heterocyclic ligand
3 Conclusion and Outlook

Superoxide dismutases (SOD) is a kind of typical metalloenzymes. It has been paid much attention for its important role in life activities, such as maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the superoxide anion radicals in vivo. At present, the simulation of SOD has been developed from small molecule compounds as active center to system simulation, in which active center was combined into polymer environment. This paper reviews the progress of SOD mimics in polymers perspective. Based on studying simulation strategies, we can get new ideas for designing and exploiting a new-type biocompatible and high reactive antioxidants. Natural polymer includes proteins and peptides, polysaccharides, molecular aggragates. Recently, steady natural proteins and gene recombined proteins or peptides have been used as SOD mimics. Polysaccharides for mimicing SOD include dextran, carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan. Above macromolecules could conjugate with small molecule compounds with biological activity, such as metalloporphyrins, homonuclear complexes, heteronuclear complexes with new oximes ligands and salen-type metal complexes. After being conjugated, the activity of small molecule compounds had been promoted greatly, while their stability could also be improved. The environment of natural enzymes in vivo can also be simulated by inserting low molecular weight active compounds into molecular aggragates (micelles and liposomes) as the activity and circulation time of SOD mimics could be improved. Some synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly( L -lysine), poly(styrene-maleic anhydride), poly(cyclohexane-1,4-acetone methylene ketal) chloride, polystyrene resins, polylactic acid and block copolymers, were also used for SOD mimics. The antioxidant activity of obtained polymer grafted metal complexes was influenced by ligands. They are typical candidates of anti-cancer drugs. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Structure and simulation strategy of SOD
2.1 Structure and function of SOD
2.2 Simulation strategy of SOD
3 SOD mimics based on natural polymers
3.1 Proteins and peptides
3.2 Polysaccharides
3.3 Molecular aggregates
4 SOD mimics based on synthetic polymers
5 Summary

Polymer solar cells (PSCs) offer great potential for fabrication of large-area, lightweight, and flexible organic solar cells by using low-cost printing and coating technologies. The power-conversion efficiencies have improved from 3% to almost 10% in recent years. Despite the advance on polymer solar cells performance, long-term stability is a primary area of concern for PSCs. However, it is highly challenging to develop PSC that can achieve high PCE while maintaining excellent ambient stability of the device. Recently, crosslinkable materials are widely used in the field of organic optical device, especially in polymer solar cells. Using these materials as donor, acceptor, or for fabrication of ordered bulk heterojunction, the stability and power-conversion efficiencies will be enhanced. And when these materials are applied to electron transport layer and hole transport layer, the power-conversion efficiencies, stability, fill factor, short-circuit current and other parameters will be correspondingly improved simultaneously. In the paper, the influence of crosslinkable materials to photoelectric performance is described in detail according to their diverse functions for polymer solar cells, such as the kind of functional groups, treatment time, temperature, initiator. At the same time, the research progress of crosslinkable materials utilizing as buffer layer or for fabrication of ordered bulk heterojunction polymer solar cell is discussed. Finally, we look forward to its development prospects in this field. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Optimization of the morphology
2.1 Modification of the acceptor material
2.2 Modification of the donor material
2.3 Doping photo-curable crosslinker
3 Employed as an interlayer
3.1 Electron transport layer
3.2 Hole transport layer
4 Fabrication of ordered bulk heterojunction
5 Outlook and conclusion

Branched topological macromolecules, such as star-like, hyperbranched, dendritic and brush-like macromolecules, have many unique properties compared with their linear counterparts. Thus in recent years, when a combination of cyclodextrin (CD) possessing molecule cavities with topological structures is obtained, some important applications in various fields, such as molecular recognition, gene delivery and drug delivery system are endowed. In this article, the investigations and applications on the construction and self-assembly of cyclodextrin-based topological polymers are summarized according to the different topologies. The main content includes four aspects as following: (a) star-like cyclodextrin polymers, (b) hyperbranched cyclodextrin polymers, (c) dendritic cyclodextrin polymers, (d) cyclodextrin polymers with other topologies. In addition, new research trends are also expected based on the progress of this kind of polymer. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Cyclodextrin-based star-like polymers
2.1 Star-like polymers bonding with cyclodextrins
2.2 Star-like polymers from the self-assembly of cyclodextrins
3 Cyclodextrin-based hyperbranched polymers
3.1 Hyperbranched polymers from the self-assembly of cyclodextrins
3.2 Hyperbranched polymers bonding with cyclodextrins
4 Cyclodextrin-based dendritic polymers
4.1 Dendritic polymers bonding with cyclodextrins
4.2 Dendritic polymers from the self-assembly of cyclodextrins
5 Cyclodextrin-based polymers with other topologies
6 Conclusion and outlook

Among the techniques used for single molecule detection, wide-field optical microscopy offers the advantages of high throughput, multiple parameters and dynamic real-time monitoring. In the review, the wide-field optical microscopy apparatus, methods, detectable parameters, imaging probes, identifications criterion of single molecules, and applications in the fields of analytical and biophysics are summarized. Single molecule imaging is trending toward apparatus commercialization, operation simplicity, and process visualization with more accuracy in a wider and more complicated field. In the near future, the topics of single molecule detection will focus on quantitative analysis of biological sample, sub-diffraction-limit resolution, important biological mechanism, and characterization of nano-materials. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Apparatus for wide-field imaging
2.1 Epi-fluorescence microscope
2.2 Total internal reflection fluorescence microscope
2.3 Dark-field microscopy
3 Probes
3.1 Fluorescent probes
3.2 Scattering probes
4 Identification of single molecules and measurable parameters
4.1 Principles to identify single molecule
4.2 Parameters
5 Applications
5.1 Single-molecule quantification
5.2 Molecular behavior related to separation
5.3 Molecular interactions
5.4 Single molecule tracking
5.5 Single-molecule far-field nanoscopy
6 Outlook

Nanotechnology for bio-detection is a new important research field combining nanoscience, biochemistry and diagnostic techniques. Graphene has triple functions of constructing probe molecules, signal transfer and signal amplification due to its remarkable electronic, optical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties, which make it a promise material for ultrasensitive nanomaterial based biosensors. Rapid electron transfer and manipulable multi-functionalized surface chemistry make it realize accurate and selective detection of biomolecules. Graphene and its nanocomposites are used in the preparation of biosensor gradually. This review focuses on recent advances of graphene and its derivatives in applications of biosensing, including various materials for modifying graphene, the direct electron transfer of various bioelectroactive substances on graphene and graphene in enzymatic biosensors, immunobiosensors, gene biosensors and detection of small biomolecules. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Direct electron transfer of bioelectroactive substances on graphene
2.1 Direct electron transfer of redox protein on graphene
2.2 Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase on graphene
2.3 Direct electron transfer of peroxidase on graphene
3 Applications of graphene in the detection of various biomolecules
3.1 Graphene-based enzymatic biosensors
3.2 Graphene-based immunobiosensors
3.3 Graphene-based gene biosensors
3.4 Applications of graphene in the detection of small biomolecules
4 Conclusions and Prospects

Nanomaterials have become a new type of materials with a rapid development of nanotechnology. Nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical properties such as small size effect, large surface area, high reactivity, and quantum effects. These features make the nanoscience as one of the three pillars of the world science. Carbon-based nanomaterials are an important part of nanomaterials, they include carbon nanotubes, fullerene, graphene, nanodiamond and their derivatives. Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, carbon-based nanomaterials have broad applications in the biomedical field. In addition, with the industrialization of nanotechnology, various forms of carbon-based nanomaterials have come into human life in different ways, and the biosafety is increasingly attracting attention of scientists around the world. This article reviews the potential applications of all four types of carbon-based nanomaterials in the biomedical field including tissue engineering, drug/gene carrier, biological imaging, cancer treatment, anti-HIV/anti-bacterial activity, and biological sensing. In addition, the biosafety issue is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the need for future research. Specifically, we identify the most important research topics, which urgently need to be studied. Contents
1 Introduction
2 The application of carbon-based nanomaterials in the biomedical field
2.1 Tissue engineering
2.2 Drug/gene carrier
2.3 Biological imaging
2.4 Cancer treatment
2.5 Anti-HIV/antibacterial activity
2.6 Biosensor
3 Biosafety assessment of carbon-based nanomaterials
4 Outlook

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QD-SSCs) based on quantum confinement effect have the potential to increase the maximum attainable theoretical conversion efficiency of solar photon up to 44% and have been recongnized as the most potential solar cells. However, this kind of solar cells have shown relatively lower efficiencies than initially expected because of many difficulties in finding appropriate sensitizer materials, hole transport materials (HTM) and electrocatalytic materials. This paper mainly gives an overview of the recent developments in QD-SSCs, including the advanced materials and structure designs of wide-bandgap oxide semiconductors, quantum dot materials, electrolyte system and counter electrodes. In addition, recent experimental methods for growing quantum dots on the surface of wide-bandgap oxide semiconductor are briefly reviewed, such as CBD and SILAR method. Furthermore, the current problems existed in solving stability issues are discussed and many methods for further improving cell stability and performance are also overviewed, including the principle and technology of co-sensitization.Meanwhile, the concept of surface passivation is also discussed. Finally, We also analyse the key factors that influence to a great extent the conversion efficiency. Since to further increase the power conversion efficiency still remains a major challenge and a tough task, we propose some suggestions towards the future developments of QD-SSCs. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Structure and principle of the quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QD-SSCs)
3 Materials of QD-SSCs
[JP3]3.1 Wide-bandgap oxide semiconductor nano-materials[JP]
3.2 Quantum dot sensitizer materials
3.3 Electrolytes
3.4 Counter electrodes
4 Preparation and assembly methods of quantum dots
4.1 Pre-synthesization method
4.2 In-situ method
5 Increasing the efficiency of QD-SSCs
6 Outlook

Graphene is the basic building block of all graphitic forms of carbon, consisting of a single atomic layer of sp² hybridized carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure. It has many unique properties, including large specific surface area, high electron mobility, good chemical stability and so on. Its synthesis has been investigated in many different fields with potential applications. Importantly, it could be used in pollutants removal in water treatment, which has been drawing more and more attention in recent years. A series of studies have been conducted on graphene-based materials including graphene-based adsorbents and graphene-based photocatalysts. Different kinds of graphene-based adsorbents such as graphene and graphene-containing materials have been gradually applied in the removal of toxic compounds such as heavy metals, dyes, inorganic anions, etc. In addition, graphene-based photocatalysts, including graphene-complex photocatalyst composites, graphene oxide-complex photocatalyst composites and reduced graphene oxide-complex photocatalyst composites are also discussed in pollutants removal and environmental remediation. In the end, the problems in the application of graphene-based materials in water treatment are poited out, then the roles of graphene-based materials in pollutants removal are summarised and prospects for future research in this field are proposed. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Fabrication and properties of graphene
3 Graphene-based adsorbents in water treatment
3.1 Graphene and graphene-containing materials
3.2 Graphene oxide and graphene oxide-containing materials
3.3 Reduced graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide-containing materials
4 Graphene-based photocatalysts in water treatment
4.1 Graphene-complex photocatalyst composites
4.2 Graphene oxide-complex photocatalyst composites
4.3 Reduced graphene oxide-complex photocatalyst composites
5 Conclusions and outlook