Themed collection 2025 Lunar New Year Collection

This minireview summarizes the utility of integrating nano-delivery systems with TCM, emphasizing their capacity to enhance treatment efficacy, modernize TCM, and expand global accessibility.

A comprehensive overview of the recent progress in synthesizing novel nanomaterials using Ga-based liquid metals as reaction media, detailing related properties, synthetic methods and future directions.

CQD–polymer composite structure for enhanced self-healing and shape memory characteristics.

Chiral graphene, a “superlattice structure,” effectively engages with target substances. Its superconductivity, tunable electronic structure, and topological states could significantly contribute to advanced materials science technologies.

Preparation methods of superwetting materials in different structural dimensions.

This review presents the interfacial properties and behavior of gallium-based liquid metals (GaLMs) in various environments and application examples based on them.

2D DRAM scaling has reached its limits. Silicon integration encounters cost and performance challenges, thus prompting exploration of alternative materials. This study examines 3D DRAM structures, compares OSs and TMDs, and evaluates their potential.

This review has focused on the up-to-date development of targeted drug delivery systems to GBM, with specific emphasis on the utilization of nanorobotic delivery systems for active targeting.

The conceptual expansion of template polymerization within the realm of size-controlled drug delivery systems is examined, with a particular emphasis on its application in RNA delivery.

Here, we explored the recent development of MOF-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications. MOF-based nanomaterials not only show excellent bio-imaging and biosensing performance but also can be well designed as bio-carriers in drug delivery.

In this review, we categorize degradable silica nanoparticles into inorganic and organic types based on their framework components, highlight recent TME-responsive advancements, and discuss challenges in future research and clinical application.

A high-entropy perovskite fluoride with a well-defined nanocubic structure was successfully prepared via a polyvinylpyrrolidone-confined nucleation strategy, demonstrating excellent electrocatalytic activity for nitrate reduction.

This study reports an application of microscopic thermometry in a living rat using quantum sensing based on the fluorescent nanodiamond (FND) nitrogen-vacancy center, demonstrating the relevance of the technique in biomedical research using a mammal.

This study proposes an ultrathin tellurium (Te) atomic layer deposition process with a TeO_x seed layer to overcome large electrical hysteresis. It also identifies causes of defects, aiding high-performance p-type inorganic transistors.

An ionically cross-linked composite hydrogel electrolyte based on biomacromolecules is developed to enable highly reversible zinc anode, thereby improving the electrochemical performance of sustainable and flexible zinc-ion batteries.

We demonstrate bionic dual-scale structured films for efficient passive radiative cooling accompanied by robust durability.

The increasing demand for natural and safer alternatives to traditional hair dyes has led to the investigation of nanomaterials as potential candidates for hair coloring applications.

Mesoscopic particles are promising materials in various fields owing to the combined or synergistic nature of quantum and bulk effects. We present a new approach for preparing a variety of dispersible mesoscopic particles using bio-enzymes.

An ultraviolet optoelectronic memory based on GaN with dual storage modes, which adopts a new structure of SiO₂ side-gates, is reported.

Surface polymerization was conducted by utilizing a two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled monolayer array of tetrabrominated crown ether precursors on Cu(111) through an intermediate Ullmann reaction, resulting in the formation of a 2D random network with winding stripes.

IR783-based nanoassemblies of pol(amino acids) promote antitumor efficacy through enhanced ROS generation and tumor targeting.

This work demonstrated a high-performance ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET) via the integration of HZO and 2D MoS₂, showing efficacy in processing diverse real-life tasks within a reservoir computing system.

The identified mechanism of the high-k metal oxide by XPS, XRR, and TEM applied to a synaptic device as a diffusion memristor with control and switching layers that could control Ag ion migration, emulating the synaptic plasticity.

Glutathione-responsive proteinaceous microparticles are prepared via a Pickering emulsion template method for effectively loading glucose oxidase for starvation therapy in tumor cells.

1D coordination polymer, termed 1D-DGIST-18, featuring structural flexibility, exhibits hierarchical porosity and turn-on fluorescence upon solvent exchange.

A colloidal quantum dot-based photomultiplication-type photodiode with high external quantum efficiency of 10⁵% was developed via a double photomultiplication strategy using chemical treatment and the long-chain ligand capped QDs.

3D spherical nanoraspberries were transformed into 2D planar nanoclusters via HF etching with the average interparticle distance between the AuNPs dramatically down to sub 2 nm, leading to much higher Raman signals for SERS detection.

The smart light-emitting building block integrated with colored radiative cooling devices effectively dissipates heat generated during the operation of CdZnSeS/ZnS quantum dot light-emitting diodes.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of Ag/Au nanostar alloys. A 75:25 Ag/Au nanostar alloy achieved the highest SERS sensitivity for rhodamine 6G detection, emphasizing its potential for sensing applications.

A self-reconstruction process consisting of cation doping with morphology control and interface engineering is used to prepare highly active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts.

The strain effects on the phase fractions and polarization in Hf_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ and ZrO₂ were investigated. Under tensile strain at low temperatures, the ferroelectric phase was stabilized, while the formation of other phases was kinetically inhibited.

Brookite exists as the metastable phase of titania and often mediates the transformation of anatase to rutile.

A self-polarized rGO/PVDF composite, engineered by water-induced polarization and micro-nano-composite, effectively reduces dye pollutants and yields H₂O₂ under mechanical force.

An Au nanocluster (NC)-based photodynamic antibacterial is designed by conjugating arginine on the surface of Au₂₂ NCs, achieving healing of bacteria-infected wounds via producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS).

Multi-functional properties of GdEu_xTb_1−xO₃@PAA/PDA nanoparticles (x = 0 to 1), i.e., colour tuning, high water proton spin relaxivities, and high X-ray attenuation, suitable for various applications, were investigated.

A computational approach for guiding appropriate selection of polymers and preservatives, and ultimately for accelerating the rational design of high efficacy preservative systems.

Breaking structural symmetry in two-dimensional layered Janus materials can result in enhanced new phenomena and create additional degrees of piezoelectric responses.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures are considered as promising candidates for realizing multifunctional applications, including photodetectors, field effect transistors and solar cells.

Optimized two-dimensional Mo–Co(OH)₂ nanosheets undergoing operando transformation into oxyhydroxide active species demonstrated high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in a near-neutral-pH electrolyte.

The introduction of boron into NiFe hydroxide enhances activity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction as it maintains a uniform distribution of Fe species on the active surface through facilitated dissolution and redeposition cycles.

The intrinsic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are sensitive to substrate. The substrate effect on TMDCs is significantly reduced by expanding the van der Waals distance using PFPE SAM.

In order to improve magnetic hyperthermia and photothermal efficiency, magnetic nanoflowers with ellipsoidal magnetic cores with magnetic vortex configuration were synthesized to enhance hyperthermia efficacy.

In this study, electron-beam irradiation of a MgAl₂O₄ single-crystalline thin-film specimen in a transmission electron microscope reveals an unexpected formation of nanoscale liquid Al droplets.

Crystalline carbon nitride with bi-directional charge transfer channel (TCCN-K) is prepared. Donor–acceptor units and K intercalation set up a bi-directional charge transfer channel, endowing TCCN-K with a superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.

HFZIF-8/GA is prepared via a simple stirring method for loading GA. After HA modification, HFZIF-8/GA@HA is used for the targeted delivery of Fe ions and GA, thereby achieving the in situ synthesis of an Fe-GA complex for thermal catalytic therapy.

We prepared an electrode by in situ growth of CoNi_0.5-MOF on H₂O₂-pretreated carbon cloth without a binder, with high specific capacitance (1337.5 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹) and excellent rate ability. An assembled flexible device has high energy density.

All template-grown CsPbBr₃ nanorods exhibited ambipolar behaviors for up to two months after their synthesis and good nanoscale electronic homogeneity.

An MOC-based cascade nanozyme with relatively definite structures was developed and it scavenged ROS to alleviate renal I/R injury.

N-type SiC crystals with highly ordered porous structures act as advanced electrodes for IL-based SC devices, which show excellent electrochemical performance at 150 °C.

Artificial layers were designed on the surface of Mg anodes using a facile alloy electrodeposition method, which enables high-performance rechargeable magnesium batteries to achieve ultra-stable electrochemical performance even after 5000 cycles.

Improved photoelectrochemical water splitting with ZnO nanorods synthesized on carbon cloth.

A photo-responsive self-healing hydrogel-mediated photothermal therapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade effectively inhibited the recurrence of resected tumors, offering insights against post-resection breast cancer recurrence.

Janus nanoparticles with soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone patches located on the insoluble Eudragit RL100 sides were prepared using a side-by-side electrospraying method and are demonstrated to provide biphasic release of paracetamol and in turn faster action and longer time periods of blood drug concentration for therapy.

Based on the first-principles calculations, when the magnetization is along out-of-plane, the intriguing spontaneous valley polarization exists in the Janus monolayer VCGeN₄, and the tunable abundant valley Hall effect can be found.

We present a successful discrimination of heparin, FGF-1, and heparin–FGF-1 complexes at a single-molecule level through solid-state nanopores.

The photodetector fabricated with CsPbBr₃ QDs that were shielded by TiO₂ shells showed an increase in photocurrent, while the introduction of 2D materials of MXenes boosted the photocurrent further.

Novel photocatalytic carbon dots: efficiently inhibiting amyloid aggregation, quickly disaggregating amyloid aggregates and alleviating Aβ42-induced cytotoxicity.

Intermetallic PdY/NCNTs were designed as a multifunctional catalyst for ORR, EOR, and ZAB, exhibiting remarkable catalytic activity and stability. In addition, the PdY/NCNTs-fabricated ZAB air cathode achieved a higher power density than the benchmark Pt/C.

A practical prediction adhesion model utilizing iterative and realistic contact analysis with experimental verification.

The electrocatalytic NO reduction reaction (NORR) emerges as an intriguing strategy to convert harmful NO into valuable NH₃.

A dual-gated WSe₂/MoS₂ phototransistor is fabricated and investigated. Its conduction and rectification characteristics can be tuned by dual gates showing p–i, p–n, i–n and n–n states, due to the charging and depletion of WSe₂ and MoS₂.

Two-step kernel evolution occurs during the transformation of [RhH(AuAg)₂₄]²⁻ into [Rh(AuAg)₂₄]¹⁻ nanocluster. Hydrogen desorption from the RhH(AuAg)₁₂⁴⁺ kernel is followed by the kernel oxidation to Rh(AuAg)₁₂⁵⁺.

Carbon dots regulate the charge state of Pt nanozymes, enhancing the peroxidase-like activity of Pt@carbon and achieving colorimetric detection assays for hydrogen peroxide, dopamine, and glucose as well as the antibacterial effect.

Metal–semiconductor (M–S) contacts play a vital role in advanced applications, serving as crucial components in ultracompact devices and exerting a significant impact on overall device performance.

The 2D CuO/rGO hybrid broadband photodetector is capable of stable operation in a wide light range from UV to NIR.

Garcinia mangostana extract (GME) has severe pharmacokinetic deficiencies and is made up of a variety of bioactive components.

The emergence of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, which consist of vertically stacked two-dimensional (2D) materials held together by weak vdW interactions, has introduced an innovative avenue for tailoring nanoelectronic devices.

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is widely used to achieve an atomic surface globally, yet its cross-scale polishing mechanisms are elusive.

The first metal–organic-framework (MOF) nanozyme-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for uric acid is constructed.