Template-free fabrication of hexagonal ZnO microprism with an interior space

Well-faceted hexagonal ZnO microprisms with regular interior space have been successfully prepared by a template-free hydrothermal synthetic route. The morphologies of the products depend on the experimental conditions such as the solvent, the concentration of ammonia aqueous solution, and the reaction temperature. Through manipulation of the aging time, the as-prepared ZnO can be controlled as a monodispersed hexagonal twinning solid or as hollow microprisms. Moreover, the evolution process of the hollow ZnO nanoarchitecture after reaction for 2, 6, 12, and 24 h has been investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A possible growth mechanism has also been proposed and discussed. Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) measurement exhibits the unique emitting characteristic of hollow ZnO nanostructures.

Label-free electrochemical detection of DNA in blood serum via target-induced resolution of an electrode-bound DNA pseudoknot

We have demonstrated a fully covalent, signal-on E-DNA architecture based on the target-induced resolution of a DNA pseudokont. In the absence of target, the electrode-bound DNA probe adopts a pseudoknot conformation that segregates an attached methylene blue (MB) from the electrode. Upon target binding, the pseudoknot is resolved, leading to the formation of a single-stranded DNA element that supports electron transfer from the methylene blue to the electrode.