Fabrication of composite transparent conductive electrodes based on silver nanowires.

Composite transparent conductive electrodes (C-TCEs) have recently been produced using low-cost techniques to keep up with the boom in the fabrication and development of optoelectronic devices. In this article, silver nanowires (AgNWs) were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method using different molecular weights MWs of poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared using the modified Hummers' method and a reduction step was held on GO films to produce reduced GO (rGO). C-TCEs were fabricated by over-coating the AgNWs electrodes with rGO, or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate to improve the roughness, surface energy, and sheet resistance. The influence of using lower and higher MWs of PVP on the yield, shape, and size of AgNWs was investigated. The results showed that using lower MW of PVP had a great effect on the yield, morphology, and aspect ratio of AgNWs with diameter of 46 nm and average length 12 µm. The optical, morphological, topographical, and electrical properties of TCEs were studied. AgNWs/rGO composite electrode provided the lowest surface roughness and surface energy of 250 nm and 47.95 mN/m, respectively, with a relatively high transparency of 78.2% at 550 nm light wavelength, and a low sheet resistance of 27 Ω/□.

Capped ZnO quantum dots with a tunable photoluminescence for acetone detection.

Acetone is a dangerous material that poses a major risk to human health. To protect against its harmful impacts, a fluorescent biosensor 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane capped ZnO quantum dots (APTES/ZnO QDs) was investigated to detect low concentrations of acetone. Numerous techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), zeta potential, UV-vis absorption, and photoluminescence (PL), are used to thoroughly verify the successful synthesis of pristine ZnO QDs and APTES/ZnO QDs. The HRTEM micrograph showed that the average size distributions of ZnO QDs and APTES/ZnO QDs were spherical forms of 2.6 and 1.2 nm, respectively. This fluorescent probe dramatically increased its sensitivity toward acetone with a wide linear response range of 0.1-18 mM and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9987. The detection limit of this sensing system for acetone is as low as 42 µM. The superior selectivity of acetone across numerous interfering bioanalytics is confirmed. Reproducibility and repeatability experiments presented relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.2% and 2.4%, respectively. Finally, this developed sensor was applied successfully for detecting acetone in a diabetic patient's urine samples with a recovery percentage ranging from 97 to 102.7%.

Biosynthesis, characterization and optimization of TiO2 nanoparticles by novel marine halophilic Halomonas sp. RAM2: application of natural dye-sensitized solar cells.

BACKGROUND: Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are becoming valuable due to their novel applications. The green synthesis of TiO2 NPs is more popular as a flexible and eco-friendly method compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. TiO2 NPs are the most commonly used semiconductor in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). RESULTS: The biogenic TiO2 NPs were produced extracellularly by the marine halophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. RAM2. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the biosynthesis process, resulting in a starting TiO2 concentration of 0.031 M and a pH of 5 for 92 min (⁓15 nm). TiO2 NPs were well-characterized after the calcination process at different temperatures of 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C. Anatase TiO2 NPs (calcined at 500 °C) with a smaller surface area and a wider bandgap were nominated for use in natural dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs). The natural dye used as a photosensitizer is a mixture of three carotenoids extracted from the marine bacterium Kocuria sp. RAM1. NDSSCs were evaluated under standard illumination. After optimization of the counter electrode, NDSSCBio(10) (10 layers) demonstrated the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 0.44%, which was almost as good as NDSSCP25 (0.55%). CONCLUSION: The obtained results confirmed the successful green synthesis of TiO2 NPs and suggested a novel use in combination with bacterial carotenoids in DSSC fabrication, which represents an initial step for further efficiency enhancement studies.

Engineered Sericin-Tagged Layered Double Hydroxides for Combined Delivery of Pemetrexed and ZnO Quantum Dots as Biocompatible Cancer Nanotheranostics.

AIM: Despite extensive progress in the field of cancer nanotheranostics, clinical development of biocompatible theranostic nanomedicine remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we engineered biocompatible silk-sericin-tagged inorganic nanohybrids for efficient treatment and imaging of cancer cells. The developed nanocarriers are anticipated to overcome the premature release of the chemotherapeutic drug pemetrexed (PMX), enhance the colloidal stability of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and maintain the luminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots (QDs). Materials and Methods: PMX-intercalated LDHs were modified with sericin and coupled to ZnO QDs for therapy and imaging of breast cancer cells. Results: The optimized nanomedicine demonstrated a sustained release profile of PMX, and high cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells compared to free PMX. In addition, high cellular uptake of the engineered nanocarriers into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was accomplished. Conclusions: Conclusively, the LDH-sericin nanohybrids loaded with PMX and conjugated to ZnO QDs offered a promising cancer theranostic nanomedicine.

Cancer bioimaging using dual mode luminescence of graphene/FA-ZnO nanocomposite based on novel green technique.

Graphene based nanomaterials are explored in the field of cancer bioimaging and biomedical science and engineering. The luminescent nanostructures with a low toxicity and high photostability can be used as probes in bioimaging applications. This work is aimed to prepare graphene/folic acid-zinc oxide (GN/FA-ZnO) nanocomposite with dual-mode emissions (down-conversion and up-conversion) to be used in cancer bioimaging. The dual mode emissions offer long luminescence lifetime, multicolor emissions detected by the naked eyes after excitation and narrow band absorption and emission spectra. ZnO nanospheres and nanorods structures were prepared using co-precipitation technique and were conjugated with FA to separate the bulk graphite layers electrostatically into GN. The optical, morphological, surface charge and structural properties of the prepared nanostructures were investigated and discussed using different characterization techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), Zeta potential, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). GN/FA-ZnO nanocomposites were injected into Swiss albino mice implanted with Ehrlich Tumor and the bioimaging was investigated using photon imager and digital camera. The results showed clear fluorescence and confirmed that the green design of GN/FA-ZnO nanocomposite with targeting behavior was capable of selective bioimaging of the tumor. This study presented a novel dual mode emission nanocomposite for tumor targeting and is a promising strategy for the fabrication of a new design of spectral encoding.

Garlic capped silver nanoparticles for rapid detection of cholesterol.

A fluorescent biosensor based on garlic (Allium sativum L.) capped Ag nanoparticles (G-Ag NPs) has been synthesized for cholesterol detection. Pristine Ag NPs and G-Ag NPs were synthesized through the chemical reduction process. The effect of different capping agents such as 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), glutathione, 8-hydroxyquinoline, garlic/APTS, garlic/glutathione, and garlic/8-hydroxyquinoline on Ag NPs was evaluated. These NPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectra, and Zeta potential. The HRTEM micrographs illustrated that Ag NPs with particles size ranging from 2.98 to 14.34 nm were aggregated. G-Ag NPs images showed uniformly distributed spherical particles with particles size from 4.52 to 12.8 nm. The reduction in the plasmonic bands of Ag NPs and G-Ag NPs occurred by 96.4% and 11.7%, respectively after 12 months. The developed sensor for cholesterol based on the fluorescence enhancement had a linear response in a concentration range of 0.4-5.17 mM with a sensitivity of 4.36 Mm-1 and a limit of detection of 0.186 mM. The high selectivity toward cholesterol in presence of different interferes such as glucose, cysteine, glycine, urea, sucrose, nickel, and copper, and their mixture was evaluated. The applicability of this developed sensor for real serum samples was detected with a recovery percentage from 99.1 to 101.3%. Repeatability and reproducibility experiments displayed relative standard deviations (RSD) of 0.88% and 0.62%, respectively.

Fluorescent garlic-capped Ag nanoparticles as dual sensors for the detection of acetone and acrylamide.

In order to protect human health from the adverse impacts of acrylamide and acetone, simple analytical processes are required to detect low concentrations of acrylamide and acetone. Dual functional garlic-capped silver nanoparticles (G-Ag NPs) have been used as fluorescent sensors for acrylamide and acetone. This technique depends on the quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of G-Ag NPs with the interaction of either acrylamide or acetone. This fluorescent probe presented high selectivity toward acrylamide with a wide linear response of 0.01-6 mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.9 µM. Moreover, this probe also acted as a selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor for the detection of acetone in the range of 0.1-17 mM with LOD of 55 µM. The applicability of G-Ag NPs as a proposed sensor for acrylamide was evaluated using a potato chips sample with a recovery percentage of 102.4%. Acetone concentration is also quantified in human urine samples and the recoveries ranged from 98.8 to 101.7%. Repeatability and reproducibility studies for acrylamide and acetone offered relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.9% and 1.5%, and 0.77% and 1.1%, respectively.

Supercapacitor based on polymeric binary composite of polythiophene and single-walled carbon nanotubes.

The aim of this work is to fabricate supercapacitor electrode based on poly (3-hexyl-thiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) nanocomposites with different ratios onto a graphite sheet as a substrate with a wide voltage window in nonaqueous electrolyte. Structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the prepared nanocomposites of P3HT/SWCNTs were studied and discussed. The electrochemical properties included cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charging-discharging (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were investigated. The obtained results indicated that P3HT/SWCNTs nanocomposite possesses higher specific capacitance than that present in its individual component. The high electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite was due to formation of microporous structure which facilitates ions diffusion and electrolyte penetration in these pores. The morphological micrographs of the purified SWCNTs had buckypaper structure while the photomicrographs of P3HT/SWCNTs showed that SWCNTs appear behind and front of the P3HT nanospheres. The specific capacitance of 50% SWCNTs at 0.5 Ag-1 was found to be 245.8 Fg-1 compared with that of pure P3HT of 160.5 Fg-1.

Correction to "Enhancement of Molten Nitrates Thermal Properties by Reduced Graphene Oxide and Graphene Quantum Dots".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01291.].

Synthesis of nanosized nickel zinc ferrite using electric arc furnace dust and ferrous pickle liquor.

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and waste pickle liquor (WPL); two major side products of the steel industry with negative environmental impact were used for the synthesis of nickel zinc ferrite (NZF); the important magnetic ceramic material of versatile industrial applications. The structural and magnetic properties of the prepared material were examined which showed good magnetic properties (high saturation magnetization and low coercivity) compared with those synthesized from pure reagents. In the applied process, nano sized nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) with a composition of Nix(Zn + impurities)1-xFe2O4 (where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and impurities of manganese, magnesium, and calcium were prepared using zinc-containing electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and waste pickle liquor (WPL). The chemical compositions of the prepared samples were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The optimum acetic acid concentration for EAFD treatment was found 2% v/v that decreased Ca content of EAFD by 70.6% without loss of Fe and Zn. The structural and morphological characterization was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to confirm the formation of Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles and estimate the particle sizes. The maximum saturation magnetization (Ms) of 73.89 emu/g was achieved at 0.5 Ni content and the minimum coercivity of 2.55 Oe was obtained at 0.25 Ni content.

Superhydrophobic functionalized cellulosic paper by copper hydroxide nanorods for oils purification.

Oily water contamination has been sighted as one of the most global environmental pollution. Herein, copper hydroxide nanorods layer was constructed onto cellulosic filter paper surface cured with polydopamine, Ag nanoparticles, and Cu NPs through immersion method. This work has been aimed to produce a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic cellulosic filter paper. The structure, crystalline, and morphological properties of these modified cellulosic filter paper were investigated. Scanning electron microscope images confirmed that the modified surface was rougher compared with the pristine surface. The contact angle measurement confirmed the hydrophobic nature of these modified surfaces with a water contact angle of 169.7°. The absorption capacity was 8.2 g/g for diesel oil and the separation efficiency was higher than 99%. It was noted that the flux in the case of low viscosity solvent as n-hexane was 9663.5 Lm-2 h-1, while for the viscous oil as diesel was 1452.7 Lm-2 h-1.

Acute toxicity assessment of polyaniline/Ag nanoparticles/graphene oxide quantum dots on Cypridopsis vidua and Artemia salina.

Nanotoxicology is argued and considered one of the emerging topics. In this study, polyaniline (PANI)/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) capped silver nanoparticles (NPs)/graphene oxide (GO) quantum dots (QDs) nanocomposite (PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC) as a nanoadsorbent has a potential for removal of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ions from water. The acute toxicity of this NC was evaluated on Artemia salina and freshwater Ostracods (Cypridopsis vidua) larvae for 48 h. The measurements were made at 24 and 48 h with 3 repetitions. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of the NC were determined after the exposure of these organisms. According to the results of the optical microscope, it was found that both experimental organisms intake the NC. In the toxicity results of Ostracods, the NC had a highly toxic effect only at 250 mg/L after 48 h and the EC50 value was 157.6 ± 6.4 mg/L. For Artemia salina individuals, it was noted that they were less sensitive than the Ostracods and EC50 value was 476 ± 25.1 mg/L after 48 h. These results indicated that PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC has low toxicity towards both investigated organisms.

Nanocomposite of CuInS/ZnS and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Cholesterol Sensing.

In this paper, nitrogen graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) and copper indium sulfide/zinc sulfide (CIS/ZnS) QDs were synthesized via facile hydrothermal and aqueous solution routes, respectively. Herein, a fluorescent nanocomposite has been synthesized between N-GQDs and CIS/ZnS QDs in an aqueous phase. This nanocomposite was characterized by photoluminescence, Raman, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This fluorescent nanocomposite was developed as a highly sensitive, selective nonenzymatic cholesterol optical biosensor in 0.312-5 mM cholesterol. HRTEM micrographs confirmed the preparation of CIS/ZnS QDs and N-GQDs with average diameters of 3 and 5 nm, respectively. The as-prepared NG/CIS/ZnS QD nanocomposite had a high sensitivity for cholesterol with a wide linear range of concentration of 0.312-5 mM with an excellent correlation coefficient (R 2) of 0.9688 and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.222 mM.

Enhancement of Molten Nitrate Thermal Properties by Reduced Graphene Oxide and Graphene Quantum Dots.

Eutectic molten salts are the most studied medium-high temperature thermal energy storage material due to their potential use in concentrated solar power plants. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on the thermal properties of eutectic molten salts. A binary nitrate eutectic mixture of NaNO3 and KNO3 was selected as a base material (BM) for nitrate/carbon-derivative composites. RGO and GQDs were individually mixed with the BM with different fractions ranged from 0.1 to 1.5 wt %. The results showed that RGO enhanced the thermal conductivity, heat of fusion, and total thermal energy storage capacity by 52.10%, 44.48%, and 10.44%, respectively. GQDs slightly improved the specific heat capacity for both solid and liquid phases by 2.53% and 3.13%, respectively. In addition, GQDs promoted the heat of fusion by 31.72% and raised the total TES capacity by 12.26%.

Polyaniline/Ag nanoparticles/graphene oxide nanocomposite fluorescent sensor for recognition of chromium (VI) ions.

Selective determination of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a stringent important due to its huge negative impact on the health and environment. Recently, the high sensitivity, rapidness, and cost-effectiveness of the fluorescent sensors for Cr(VI) have been developed. A fluorescent nanocomposite (NC) has been synthesized based on doped polyaniline (PANI), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) capped Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and graphene oxide (GO) quantum dots (QDs) via in situ reaction for highly selective sensing of Cr(VI) ions based on the luminescent quenching in the range from 0.01 to 7.5 mg/L. This NC showed an emission peak at 348 nm with a linear range from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/L and the low limit of detection (LOD) was 0.0065 mg/L (~ 6 µg/L). PANI/Ag (AMPSA) GO QDs NC displayed high selectivity for Cr(VI) over other common metal ions. Notably, the PANI/Ag (AMPSA) GO QDs NC can be used for distinguishing Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in solutions. The sensitive determination of Cr(VI) in real surface water samples was also confirmed and demonstrated recoveries in the range 95.3-99.2%. This NC will emerge as a new class of fluorescence materials that could be suitable for practical applications.

Novel Grafted/Crosslinked Cellulose Acetate Membrane with N-isopropylacrylamide/N,N-methylenebisacrylamide for Water Desalination.

This work aims to prepare new types of grafted and crosslinked cellulose acetate (CA) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes by phase inversion technique. The grafting and/or crosslinking processes of the pristine CA-RO membrane were conducted using N-isopropylacrylamide (N-IPAAm) and N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAAm), respectively. The grafting/crosslinking mechanism onto the CA-RO membrane surface was proposed. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images of the pure CA-RO and 0.1 wt% N-IPAAm-grafted CA-RO membranes revealed that the surface roughness was 42.99 nm and 11.6 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the 0.1 wt% grafted/crosslinked membrane indicated the finger-like macrovoids structure. It was observed that the contact angle of the pristine CA-RO membrane was 66.28° and declined to 49.7° for 0.1 wt % N-IPAAm-grafted CA-RO membrane. The salt rejection of the pristine CA-RO membrane was 93.7% and increased to 98.9% for the grafted 0.1 wt % N-IPAAm/CA-RO membrane. The optimum grafted/crosslinked composition was 0.1 wt %/ 0.013 wt % which produced the salt rejection and water flux of 94% and 3.2 L/m2h at low pressure, respectively. It was concluded that both the grafting and crosslinking processes enhanced the performance of the CA-RO membranes.

Highly Luminescent Ternary Nanocomposite of Polyaniline, Silver Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots.

Quantum dots (QDs) with photostability show a potential application in optical sensing and biological imaging. In this work, ternary nanocomposite (NC) of high fluorescent polyaniline (PANI)/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) capped silver nanoparticles (NPs)/graphene oxide quantum dots (PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs) have been synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of Ag (AMPSA) NPs and GO QDs. Ag (AMPSA) NPs and GO QDs were prepared by AgNO3 chemical reduction and glucose carbonization methods, respectively. The prepared materials were characterized using UV-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopies, X-Ray diffractometer (XRD) and high- resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). HRTEM micrographs confirmed the preparation of GO QDs with an average size of 15 nm and Ag (AMPSA) NPs with an average size of 20 nm. PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC showed high and stable emission peak at 348 nm. This PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC can emerge as a new class of fluorescence materials that could be suitable for practical sensing applications.

Combining hydrophilic chemotherapy and hydrophobic phytotherapy via tumor-targeted albumin-QDs nano-hybrids: covalent coupling and phospholipid complexation approaches.

BACKGROUND: The rationale of this study is to combine the merits of both albumin nanoparticles and quantum dots (QDs) in improved drug tumor accumulation and strong fluorescence imaging capability into one carrier. However, premature drug release from protein nanoparticles and high toxicity of QDs due to heavy metal leakage are among challenging hurdles. Following this platform, we developed cancer nano-theranostics by coupling biocompatible albumin backbone to CdTe QDs and mannose moieties to enhance tumor targeting and reduce QDs toxicity. The chemotherapeutic water soluble drug pemetrexed (PMT) was conjugated via tumor-cleavable bond to the albumin backbone for tumor site-specific release. In combination, the herbal hydrophobic drug resveratrol (RSV) was preformulated as phospholipid complex which enabled its physical encapsulation into albumin nanoparticles. RESULTS: Albumin-QDs theranostics showed enhanced cytotoxicity and internalization into breast cancer cells that could be traced by virtue of their high fluorescence quantum yield and excellent imaging capacity. In vivo, the nanocarriers demonstrated superior anti-tumor effects including reduced tumor volume, increased apoptosis, and inhibited angiogenesis in addition to non-immunogenic response. Moreover, in vivo bioimaging test demonstrated excellent tumor-specific accumulation of targeted nanocarriers via QDs-mediated fluorescence. CONCLUSION: Mannose-grafted strategy and QD-fluorescence capability were beneficial to deliver albumin nanocarriers to tumor tissues and then to release the anticancer drugs for killing cancer cells as well as enabling tumor imaging facility. Overall, we believe albumin-QDs nanoplatform could be a potential nano-theranostic for bioimaging and targeted breast cancer therapy.

The development of a ternary nanocomposite for the removal of Cr(vi) ions from aqueous solutions.

The aim of this study is to develop a ternary nanocomposite (NC) of polyaniline (PANI)/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA)-capped silver nanoparticles (NPs)/graphene oxide quantum dots (PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs) as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of the highly toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) from polluted water. PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC was synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, temperature, contact time, ionic strength and co-existing ions on the removal of Cr(vi) by PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs were investigated. The PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC (25.0 mg) removed 99.9% of Cr(vi) from an aqueous solution containing 60 mg L-1 Cr(vi) ions at pH 2. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) studies confirmed the adsorption of Cr(vi) and that some of the adsorbed Cr(vi) was reduced to Cr(iii). Cr(vi) removal by the PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model, and the removal was highly selective for Cr(vi) in the presence of other co-existing ions. In summary, the PANI/Ag (AMPSA)/GO QDs NC has potential as a novel adsorbent for Cr(vi).

Lactoferrin-tagged quantum dots-based theranostic nanocapsules for combined COX-2 inhibitor/herbal therapy of breast cancer.

AIM: Herein, tumor-targeted quantum dots (QDs)-based theranostic nanocapsules (NCs) coloaded with celecoxib and honokiol were developed. Materials & methodology: The anionic CD44-targeting chondroitin sulfate and cationic low density lipoprotein (LDL)-targeting lactoferrin (LF) were sequentially assembled onto the surface of the positively charged oily core. As an imaging probe, highly fluorescent mercaptopropionic acid-capped cadmium telluride QDs were coupled to LF. RESULTS: In vitro, fluorescence of QDs was quenched (OFF state) due to combined electron/energy transfer-mediated processes involving LF. After intracellular uptake of NCs, fluorescence was restored (ON state), thus enabled tracing their internalization. The NCs demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells as well as superior in vivo antitumor efficacy. CONCLUSION: We propose these multifunctional nanotheranostics for imaging and targeted therapy of breast cancer.