In this work we introduce a facile procedure that allows a highly conformal coating of self-organized TiO 2 nanotubes (NTs) with a graphite-like thin carbon layer. This provides a platform to enhance the functionality of TiO 2 nanotubes for a wide range of applications.Here we show that such modified nanotubes can serve as a 3D scaffold for an ideal decoration with RuO 2 nanoparticles. Used as 3D pseudocapacitor electrode, capacitance values of up to 80 times higher than plain TiO 2 NTs, and a very high yield of utilization of RuO 2 (872 F g À1) and excellent long-term cycling stability can be reached.Supercapacitors have attracted wide attention due to the strongly increasing demand in technology for high power density energy storage devices.

As a highly oxygen-dependent process, the effect of photodynamic therapy is often obstructed by the premature leakage of photosensitizers and the lack of oxygen in hypoxic cancer cells. To overcome these limitations, this study designs bovine serum albumin protein (BSA)-encapsulated Pt nanoclusters (PtBSA) as O2-supplied biocoats and further incorporates them with mesoporous silica nanospheres to develop intelligent nanoaggregates for achieving improved therapeutic outcomes against hypoxic tumors. The large number of amino groups on BSA can provide sufficient functional groups to anchor tumor targeting agents and thus enhance the selective cellular uptake efficiency. Owing to the outstanding biocompatibility features of BSA and the state-of-the-art catalytic activity of Pt nanoclusters, the nanocomposites have lower dark cytotoxicity, and O2 continuously evolves via the decomposition of H2O2 in a tumor microenvironment. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that the resulting nanocomposites can effectively relieve hypoxic conditions, specifically induce necrotic cell apoptosis, and remarkably hinder tumor growth. Our results illuminate the great potential of BSA-encapsulated Pt nanoclusters as versatile biocoats in designing intelligent nanocarriers for hypoxic-resistant photodynamic therapy.

A portable dual-mode sensing platform based on self-standing TiO2 nanotubes is developed for the simultaneous performance of qualitative and quantitative analysis.

We report a facile and economical method to form a carbon layer embedded into self-organized titanium dioxide nanotubes (C/TiO2 NTs) with a double-walled morphology using a one-step pyrolysis method.