Themed collection Popular Advances

This review highlights the latest advancements in the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to efficiently separate TcO₄⁻ ions. It explores the mechanisms and receptor chemistry involved in TcO₄⁻ ion capture for selective targeting.

PPCPs in water pose environmental and health risks, with conventional treatments often prove inadequate. Bimetallic nanoparticles offer a green, efficient alternative. This review highlights their synthesis, properties, and role in PPCP degradation.

This article details the synthesis methodologies and research progress of h-BN epitaxial growth on solid transition metal, liquid metal, alloy, sapphire/metal and semiconductor substrates.

Nano-fertilizers enhance crop yield and soil health by improving nutrient absorption and minimizing environmental impact. This review explores their formulation, application methods, and potential for sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia.

Nanozymes with multiple catalytic activities for cancer treatment are summarized, and their performances when combined with various cancer treatments or used alone are compared.

This review aims to systematically investigate the environmental and biomedical applications of MBenes and their composites.

In this review, the mechanisms and applications of radiation technology in the development of inorganic photo-/electrocatalysts are summarized, and its recent research progress, challenges, and future development prospects are further explored.

This review article discusses and summarizes the synthesis and applications of luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for sensing dipicolinic acid in biological and water samples.

The –OH groups in cellulose chains allow controlling perovskite crystallization, thus performance, and stability when cellulose is used as an additive to deposit perovskite films in a single-step, as shown by replacing the –OH with acetate groups.

We report the divergent assembly of polyproline helices into two types of metallo-peptide nanoparticles. In this report we also show that the primary sequence is crucial to ensure a controlled and desired assembly.

Polarisation imaging enhances the information available from satellite remote sensing. We present a metasurface designed for ultra-compact polarisation imaging with error monitoring, suitable for observing the Earth's surface with small satellites.

Gold–thiolate nanoclusters obtained through the organometallic complex [Au(C₆F₅)(tht)] present excellent reducing catalytic performance and promising photothermal and photodynamic properties towards cancer cells.

The fabrication and electrochemical characterization of multifunctional energy storage devices using biomass-derived activated carbon sourced from indigenous European deciduous trees.

Polarity-sensitive fluorescent nanoparticles with intrinsic dual emission are invaluable tools for investigating microenvironmental polarity.

Metal–ligand interface of gold, silver and copper nanoparticles functionalized with L- and D-glutathione is accountable for distinct chiroptical activity.

Fabrication of a three-dimensional SERS-active substrate with uniform gold hemispherical nanostructures for the sensitive detection of cardiovascular disease biomarkers at low concentrations.

This research introduces the design and synthesis of pH-sensitive MIPs, including magnetic, nonmagnetic, and fiber, as targeted nanocarriers for the selective uptake and controlled release of STL molecules in SGF and SIF environments.

Light illumination of aqueous suspensions of supported NiO–TiO₂ heteronanocrystals led to water oxidation to form hydrogen peroxide.

A carboxylated-free cluster, formulated as (BuSn)₆O₄(OH)₁₀ (2), was synthesized from the reaction of (BuSn)₆O₄Cl₂(MeCO₂)₈ (1) with LiOH (aq.) in cold tetrahydrofuran (THF).

Circular dichroism of two dot-in-rods shows the influence of the shell thickness on their chiroptical properties.

Photocatalytic methane oxidation under mild conditions using single-atom catalysts remains an advanced technology.

Isotope-engineered MoS₂ bilayers, composed of ³⁴S and ³²S provided access to the top and bottom layer individually. Raman and PL studies highlight suppressed intralayer excitons and nuanced exciton dynamics due to the isotopic modification.

A microwave-assisted synthesis of water-dispersible core/shell Cu–In–Zn–Se/ZnS QDs and their potential as absorbers for QDSSCs.

The compressibility, viscosity, and temperature of hydrogel tissue phantoms affect the MPI signal of MNP tracers, which may impact accurate in vivo tracer quantification.

We devise simple and readily scaleable photochemical methods to synthesize silver nanostructures of varying size, morphologies, and optical properties using batch and flow strategies.

Bone-derived nanoparticles enhance osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through upregulating Dll4 expression.

Fluorinated ligands with ¹⁹F and ¹¹³Cd solid-state NMR spectroscopy provides a powerful tool for analysis of CdS nanocrystals, evidenced here for aromatic amine capping ligands that influence the resulting morphology.

This study reports nickel-based phosphate nanoparticles as outstanding electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and uncovers main factors determining their activities.

Copper-based nanoparticles (NPs) are highly valued for their wide-ranging applications, with particular significance in CO₂ reduction. This paper explores a multiparametric approach to CuO synthesis using a flow reactor.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grow with a controlled diameter via the ‘seed method’ in which in situ-prepared nanoparticles, using metal clusters as seeds, catalytically decompose syngas and realize CNT growth.

The investigation of the effect of the protein corona on the cellular uptake of nanoliposome formulations in real-time under flow conditions by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation as a biomimetic in vitro technique.