Themed collection Celebrating International Women’s day 2025: Women in Materials Science

Versatile water-soluble cyclodextrin polymers can be easily prepared from naturally occurring monomers upon polycondensation in the presence of crosslinking agents. We consider their potential use in combination therapies and the hurdles faced.

We present a comprehensive perspective on the fundamental components of a solid-state battery, starting from all-solid-state electrolytes and extending to quantum power harvesting and storage.

This review highlights the integration of various experimental and computational methods to control amyloid aggregation process. We believe that this article will help researchers develop novel therapeutic methods that influence protein aggregation.

This review paper explores the potential of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and their ionic counterparts (iLCEs) as versatile materials for soft micro electromechanical systems (MEMS), highlighting their growing interest within the field.

From individuals to families: design and application of self-similar chiral nanomaterials.

The objective of this review is to provide an up-to-date and all-encompassing account of the recent advancements in the domain of interactive wound dressings.

This review provides a summary of recent advancements in 1D/2D carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, MXenes, and carbon fibers) for FZIBs. It mainly introduces the functions of 1D/2D carbon materials in enhancing the performance of FZIBs.

Conventional biomaterials suffer from mechanical stresses and biochemical degradation, compromising performance and structural integrity.

Graphical abstract illustrates how ionic liquids protect metal surface from corrosion, highlights the factors affecting efficacy and associated chemical reactions with and without ionic liquids, highlighting their role in preventing rust formation.

The choice of an adequate synthesis method is a fundamental step to obtain complex oxides photoelectrodes for efficient photoelectrochemical production of solar fuels.

This review provides insights into MXene synthesis methods, mechanisms, terminations, modifications strategies and important applications. Additionally, the advantages, drawbacks, suggestions, and precautions have been discussed.

The review paper highlights the latest advancements in employing 2D MXenes for self-powered gas sensing applications, discussing their fundamental sensing mechanisms and evaluating their performance parameters.

Titanium nitride (TiN), a key transition metal nitride (TMN), stands out for its remarkable features, finding diverse applications in modern technologies.

“Clicking” three Gram-negative-targeting polymyxin ligands onto an NBD fluorogenic dye yielded a diagnostic probe with stronger bacterial binding and fluorescence switch-on for enhanced detection.

A novel method for chiral separation employing a thermo-sensitive hydrogel-coated membrane, facilitated by a bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated membrane process.

By mimicking natural lubricin, a tailored polyzwitterionic armor, which exhibited cartilage targeting, anti-degradation and anti-oxidation and chondrogenesis properties, was designed for drug-free osteoarthritis therapy.

An exsolved intimate Cu–ZnO interface allows for the conversion of CO₂ to methanol at atmospheric pressures.

We report a strategy of catalyst design to modulate oxygen vacancies through the control of Au/ceria interface structures, promoting Au activity for carbon monoxide production in carbon dioxide electroreduction.

Oligomerization of atomically-precise clusters leads to enhancements of their nonlinear optical performance (9000 GM for monomers, 66 000 GM for trimers).

We report a simple method to adjust peptide/mRNA co-assemblies into micron-sized particles that can successfully deliver mRNA into the cytosol with ∼90% transfection of cells and doubled protein expression levels compared to LipoMMAX™.

Poly(ethyleneimine) exfoliated g-C₃N₄ nanosheets embedded in calcium alginate beads with an ultimate tensile strength of 3500 kPa for desulfurization of fuel with a high adsorption capacity of 183.03 mg g⁻¹.

The structures of MP and MS can be tuned by both temperature and pressure. The barocaloric effect can be obtained by structure change induced by a certain pressure near their phase transition temperatures.

2D MXenes and silver enhance the piezo sensor sensitivity for sound-induced vibration. These flexible, self-powered sensors enable damage detection in carbon fiber composites for structural health monitoring in automotive and aerospace sectors.

Integration of FePBA with rGO boosts conductivity and suppresses Fe ion dissolution, enabling the FePBA/rGO composite to achieve 435 C g⁻¹ capacity, 91% retention over 10 k cycles, and an excellent energy-power balance: 62.32 Wh kg⁻¹ at 9 kW kg⁻¹.

Tuning of hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes from cool and pure to warm white emission by varying the dopant concentration from 0.5 wt% to 1.0 wt%.

CuO/ZTF-8 nanocomposite with Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase-mimicking activity has been designed, and a nanozyme-modified electrode has been fabricated and employed for electrochemical detection of superoxide anion radicals at a low potential of −0.2 V.

Recombinant reflectin proteins reversibly condense in vitro with pH changes. The kinetics assembly is sequence dependent and is essential for designing reflectin-based biophotonic materials.

The nanolignin sensitizers demonstrated promising potential to be utilized in near-IR image-guided photodynamic therapy.

Traditional thermoelectric generators (TEGs) face scalability challenges due to high-temperature, long-duration curing processes and rare-earth/toxic chalcogenides such as bismuth telluride.

BiN is a promising candidate as thermoelectric material, but many variables need to be optimized. In this work, we maximize its zT based on pressure, temperature, carrier concentration, grain size and polymorphism.

The emergent character of a cross-sectional cell containing two dissimilar HfO₂–metal heterojunctions, where ferroelectricity and topologic transport are observed at room temperature in HfO₂ but are not expected in the monoclinic allotrope.

The computational model predicts the aggregation propensity of intrinsically disordered proteins and their mutants efficiently.

This study investigates the impact of 1D (MWCNT) and 2D (RGO) carbonaceous structures on the microwave absorption performance of NiFe₂O₄@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites decorated with/without PANI.

Background molecules such as DNA affect the formation and properties of recombinant spider silk protein condensates.

This study offers an intriguing avenue to harness metal-free photocatalysts for the production of a bio-fuel additive (2-furyl-1,3-dioxolane) integrated with H₂O₂ production by effectively tapping the potential of both the charge carriers.

Fluorescent covalent organic polymers based on green fluorescent protein chromophores serve as excellent sensory materials for sensing of nitroaromatic compounds containing acidic hydrogens, e.g., nitrophenols, nitrothiophenols and nitroanilines.

CrSe₂ shows a nearly theoretical capacity of 125 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1C, making it a promising K-ion battery cathode material. In operando PXRD and DFT studies reveal its intercalation mechanism.

Tuning the hydrophobicity of di- and tri-block amphiphiles co-assembled into enzyme-responsive micelles controls the rate and timing of their mesophase transitions, essential for designing programmable polymeric systems with tailored functions.

MnMoO₄ is a barely explored material for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and in situ tracking of the reactive intermediates and final active species during the OER in an alkaline pH lacks a sequential study.

The role of aliovalent doping on LBLTO garnet is unveiled by PXRD, XAS, EIS and μSR. Transport is hampered by the lower Li⁺ concentration and vacancy deactivation through the presence of the dopant in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites.

Multiparametric variation of experimental reaction conditions combined with orthogonal technical analysis allowed developing a sound predictive model that provides guidelines for designing Cu nanowires with controlled morphology and reaction yield.

DFT simulations and synchrotron experiments offer new insights on the interplay between surface and bulk properties in spinel ferrites.

Porphyrin-based Porp-Tz porous polymeric framework for the concurrent production of solar-fuel and value-added fine chemicals: an economic approach towards sustainability.

Enhancing surfactant chemistry and surfactant:enzyme ratios improves enzyme lipophilicity, activity and thermal stability. This chemical control enables advanced healthcare and biocatalysis applications.

A mixed ionic–electronic conductor (MIEC) comprising sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (S-CNCs) as nanotemplate is investigated in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with remarkable channel current and high transconductance values.

The present work provides a detailed study on saponification-triggered gelation of ester-based BODIHYs (B1 and B2) and explores their application in artificial light harvesting in solution and gel phase.

Diffusion of therapeutics into solid form UHMWPE enabled a therapeutic material with superior mechanical and tribological properties to phase-separated drug-loaded UHMWPEs, which are prepared by mechanical blending.

A novel material with a dendritic silica substrate and anthraquinone amide ligand enables simultaneous lithium detection and adsorption in water, offering green-emissive sensing, high adsorption capacity, fast kinetics, and biosensing.

Nanofluidic catalytic membranes composed of two-dimensional graphene oxide nanosheets and ZIF-67 crystals swiftly eliminate organic pollutants from wastewater.

Develop stretchable piezoelectric structures using biocompatible materials that convert biomechanical energy into electrical energy, ideal for wearable motion sensors, bio-implanted devices, and intelligent scaffolds for tissue and nerve stimulation.

This work shows the biocatalytic ATP regulation induced self-assembly of one-dimensional nanostructures akin to the self-assembly process of actin. Coupled ATP generation and ATP hydrolysis render the supramolecular aggregates transient.

The new field of conformed metal–organic frameworks made without high pressures or additives is extended to multivariate systems. Hierarchical linker thermolysis is used to vary porosity and excellent water vapour uptake is reported.

We propose 3D branched-like NiO/NiWO₄/WO₃ nano-heterostructures for the selective detection of ozone (O₃) at ppb levels, which is crucial for environmental and public health protection.

A simple route to bio-based cellulose nanofibers (CNF) functionalization is here proposed via noncovalent incorporation of short peptides, enhancing rheology, hydrophobicity, and water vapor barrier properties in CNF-based hydrogels and films.

The surface of a zinc metal anode was mapped using SECM. Slow Zn²⁺ transport can be caused by an insulating SEI (ZHS or ZnO) or horizontally plated zinc. Fast Zn²⁺ transport can be caused by a protruding morphology or a more conducting SEI.

An elastin-like fusion of the difficult-to-synthesise human β-defensin 1 domain was produced retaining the antimicrobial properties of the peptide. The new biopolymer was used to produce coatings and hydrogel-like matrices that promoted cell adhesion.

This work reports the thermal and electron beam stabilities of a series of isostructural metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of type MFM-300(M) (M = Al, Ga, In, Cr).

Design of supramolecular Ag(I)-hydrogels and their application as membrane-targeting materials to counter complicated multi-drug resistant infections.

Mastering the art of suppressing MgO hydration in slip casting production: the key role of solvent strategies and powder management.

A sodium salt monomer-based single-ion polymer electrolyte was designed, and as proof of concept, a quasi-solid-state sodium–metal cell, using Prussian White cathode, was manufactured, which delivers a capacity of 147 mA h g⁻¹.

We demonstrate the post-synthetic conversion of polyethylene into functional polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. To avoid end-of-life polymer electrolytes contributing to polymer waste, we further upcycle them into useful organic acids.

To generate H₂, an ideal alternative to fossil fuels, CuO supported sulphur doped CuFe₂O₄ have been synthesized.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites based on polymer colloids (PC) and MXenes for applications in EMI shielding.

Novel SH-COF and exchangeable bonds enabled recyclable IPN membrane for effective molecular sieving and water remediation via pore size reduction and surface charge enhancement.

Multifunctional textile coatings were developed using biobased nanoparticles from lignin and fatty acids, achieving significant water repellency, breathability, UV-shielding, and antibacterial properties, while remaining eco-friendly and durable.

Flexible thermoelectrics (TEs) offer immense potential for self-powering of wearable/implantable electronics.

Flexible and in-plane micro-supercapacitor with high volumetric capacitance based on ultrathin Co(OH)₂ nanosheets.

The catalyst AgSrFeO₃(imp), used in chemical looping epoxidation of ethylene-to-ethylene oxide (EtO), is usually synthesised via a conventional impregnation method.

The self-assembly of peptides and their analogues may be exploited as platforms for biomedical applications, among which CEST-MRI (chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging), a novel metal-free approach in imaging acquisitions.

A Se@fMWCNT nanocomposite with peroxidase mimicking activity was used for the electrochemical detection of H₂O₂ and glutathione. Both analytes were detected using amperometry at a low potential of −0.2 V, with excellent selectivity and sensitivity.