Chemodynamic therapy (CDT), an inventive approach to cancer treatment, exploits innate chemical processes to trigger cell death through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While offering advantages over conventional treatments, the optimization of CDT efficacy presents challenges stemming from suboptimal catalytic efficiency and the counteractive ROS scavenging effect of intracellular glutathione (GSH). In this study, we aim to address this dual challenge by delving into the role of copper valence states in CDT. Leveraging the unique attributes of copper-based nanoparticles, especially zero-valent copper nanoparticles (CuPd NPs), we aim to enhance the therapeutic potential of CDT. Our experiments reveal that zero-valent CuPd NPs outperform divalent copper nanoparticles (Ox-CuPd NPs) by displaying superior catalytic performance and sustaining ROS generation through a dual approach integrating peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity and Cu⁺ release. Notably, zero-valent NPs exhibit enhanced GSH depletion compared to their divalent counterparts, thereby intensifying CDT and inducing ferroptosis, ultimately resulting in high-efficiency tumor growth inhibition. These findings reveal the impact of valences on CDT, providing novel insights for the optimization and design of CDT agents.

Construction of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) heterostructures is essential to obtain highly stable photoluminescence and expand their applications. Herein, a novel self-assembly strategy combining with a solvent-free thermal-assisted synthesis and a water-triggered reaction is developed to subsequently grow BaWO₄/CsPbX₃/CsPb₂X₅ (X = Cl, Br, I) heterostructures at low nucleation temperature with high crystallinity. The as-obtained ternary BaWO₄/CsPbX₃/CsPb₂X₅ (X = Cl, Br, I) heterostructures exhibit remarkably enhanced panchromatic emission and ultrastable luminescence ascribing to the low-defect growth based on lattice matching. Stable white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) have been constructed with a high correlated color temperature (CCT) of 7225 K and luminous efficiency of 74.4 lm·W⁻¹. Ln³⁺-doped BaWO₄/CsPbX₃/CsPb₂X₅ (Ln³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Sm³⁺, Yb³⁺/Er³⁺) nanocomposites are further designed with excitation-dependent photoluminescence and thermochromic properties, making them excellent candidates for high-level anti-counterfeiting and encryption. This work offers a green and universal approach in assembling CsPbX₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) on lattice-matched tungstate with adjustable panchromatic emission for versatile optical applications.

Lanthanides (Ln³⁺) doped luminescent materials play critical roles in lighting and display techniques. While increasing experimental and theoretical research have been carried out on aluminate-based phosphors for white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) over the past decades, most investigation was mainly focused on their luminescent properties; therefore, the local structure of the light emission center remains unclear. Especially, doping-induced local composition and structure modification around the luminescent centers have yet to be unveiled. In this study, we use advanced electron microscopy techniques including electron diffraction (ED), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), to reveal atomically resolved crystalline and chemical structure of Ce³⁺ doped CaYAlO₄. The microscopic results prove substantial microstructural and compositional inhomogeneities in Ce³⁺ doped CaYAlO₄, especially the appearance of Ce dopant clustering and Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ valence variation. Our research provides a new understanding the structure of Ln³⁺ doped luminescent materials and will facilitate the materials design for next-generation WLEDs luminescent materials.

A multifunctional, dual-drug carrier platform was successfully constructed. Core-shell structured NaGdF₄: Yb/Er@NaGdF₄: Yb@mSiO₂-polyethylene glycol (abbreviated as UCNPS) nanoparticles loaded with the antitumor drug, doxorubicin (DOX) were incorporated into poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and gelatin loaded with antiphlogistic drug, indomethacin (MC) to form nanofibrous fabrics (labeled as MC/UCNPS/DOX) via electrospinning process. The resultant multifunctional spinning pieces can be surgically implanted directly at the tumor site of mice as an orthotopic chemotherapy by controlled-release DOX from mesoporous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and upconversion fluorescence/magnetic resonance dual-model imaging through NaGdF₄: Yb/Er@NaGdF₄: Yb embedded in MC/UCNPS/DOX in vivo.