We report the development of a novel plasmon coupling enhanced Raman scattering (PCERS) method, PCERS nanobeacon, for ultrasensitive, single-step, homogeneous detection of cholera toxin (CT). This method relies on our design of the plasmonic nanoparticles, which have a bilayer phospholipid coating with embedded Raman indicators and CT-binding ligands of monosialoganglioside (GM1). This design allows a facile synthesis of the plasmonic nanoparticle via two-step self-assembly without any specific modification or chemical immobilization. The realization of tethering GM1 on the surface imparts the plasmonic nanoparticles with high affinity, excellent specificity, and multivalence for interaction with CT. The unique lipid-based bilayer coated structure also affords excellent biocompatibility and stability for the plasmonic nanoparticles. The plasmonic nanoparticles are able to show substantial enhancement of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals in a single-step interaction with CT, because of their assembly into aggregates in response to the CT-sandwiched interactions. The results reveal that the developed nanobeacon provides a simple but ultrasensitive sensor for rapid detection of CT with a large signal-to-background ratio and excellent reproducibility in a wide dynamic range, implying its potential for point-of-care applications in preventive and diagnostic monitoring of cholera.

Nanoparticles were introduced to strengthen and toughen sodium alginate fibers through a dynamically cross-linked network by hydrogen bonding.

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This study presents a composite phase change material (CPCM) that uses emulsion polymerization to prepare crosslinked poly(N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide) (PN-MA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) eutectic microspheres. X-ray diffractogram shows that even after adding PN-MA for cross-linking, the PEG eutectic still exhibited crystallization ability. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that the CPCM melted at 31.58 °C with 94.61 J/g and solidified at 38.02 °C with 88.63 J/g. Thermogravimetric analysis suggested that the CPCM can be applied to thermal energy storage. After 25 thermal cycles, there was a change in the macrostructure of the CPCM and the latent heat of phase change. Scanning electron microscopy results shows that the CPCM is a kind of microsphere with uniform particle size distribution. The CPCM is expected to be used in fields such as smart textiles, thermal insulation materials, and industrial waste heat utilization.