Themed collection International Open Access Week 2020
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Synthesis, characterisation and applications of core–shell carbon–hexagonal boron nitride nanotubes
This review explores the rapidly emerging field of hetero-nanotubes consisting of a carbon core and hexagonal boron nitride shell.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4996-5014
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00583E
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Labelling of DNA and RNA in the cellular environment by means of bioorthogonal cycloaddition chemistry
Labelling of nucleic acids as biologically important cellular components is a crucial prerequisite for the visualization and understanding of biological processes.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 86-97
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00047G
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Chirality control of inorganic materials and metals by peptides or amino acids
In this review, we exploit recent investigations to identify the exceptional roles of amino acids and peptides in chirality, based on local atomic conformation to macroscopic chiral morphology.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 512-524
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00125B
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Neighborhood watch: tools for defining locale-dependent subproteomes and their contextual signaling activities
We discuss chemical-genetic means to mine locale-specific proteins of functional relevance and whose behaviors are pharmacologically malleable.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 42-55
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00041H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A review on graphene-based nanocomposites for electrochemical and fluorescent biosensors
Biosensors with high sensitivity, selectivity and a low limit of detection, reaching nano/picomolar concentrations of biomolecules, are important to the medical sciences and healthcare industry for evaluating physiological and metabolic parameters.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 8778-8881
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09577A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Origin of Sn(II) oxidation in tin halide perovskites
Tin-halide perovskites have great potential as photovoltaic materials, but their performance is hampered by undesirable oxidation of Sn(II) to Sn(IV). NMR proves DMSO to be a main cause of oxidation.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 1066-1070
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00245C
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Synthetic hyperacetylation of nucleosomal histones
A chemical catalyst system enabling high-yielding and comprehensive lysine acetylation of nucleosomal histones was developed as an epigenetics tool.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 56-59
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00029A
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Unravelling the conductance path through single-porphyrin junctions
By studying transport through seven structurally related porphyrin derivatives with a machine learning algorithm we could identify and distinguish three different electronic paths.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 8299-8305
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC02497B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Before Förster. Initial excitation in photosynthetic light harvesting
Fluorescence detected double quantum coherence 2D spectroscopy reveals strong correlation between weakly coupled pigment pools directly after absorption of light before the Förster transfer regime sets in.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 7923-7928
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC01888C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Exploring the dual functionality of an ytterbium complex for luminescence thermometry and slow magnetic relaxation
A combined experimental and theoretical approach reveals the intricacies related to an YbIII complex, which functions dually as a SMM and a luminescent thermometer.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 6799-6808
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC00343F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Pore-tuning to boost the electrocatalytic activity of polymeric micelle-templated mesoporous Pd nanoparticles
Understanding how mesoporous noble metal architectures affect electrocatalytic performance is very important for the rational design and preparation of high-performance electrocatalysts.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 4054-4061
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC03911A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
3D-printed Cu2O photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Cu2O 3D photoelectrode for PEC water splitting are realized by a sequential process including extrusion-based 3D printing and electrodeposition.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 5600-5606
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00512F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A biocompatible ZnNa2-based metal–organic framework with high ibuprofen, nitric oxide and metal uptake capacity
The synthesis and characterization of a mixed metal ZnNa2 MOF (NUIG1) is discussed; NUIG1 displays a new framework topology, and possesses an exceptionally high drug adsorption capacity and metal encapsulation potential.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 2248-2260
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00450B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Surface specificity and mechanistic pathway of de-fluorination of C60F48 on coinage metals
Depending on the metal, C60F48 molecules lose all the fluorine atoms and transform to C60 at room temperature. Molecular dynamics simulations with ReaxFF reactive force field provide a detailed mechanistic picture of the surface-induced de-fluorination.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4529-4538
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00513D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Synthesis of Zn-based 1D and 2D coordination polymer nanoparticles in block copolymer micelles
Synthesis of 2D coordination network nanoparticles using block copolymer micelles as template.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4557-4565
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00334D
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Stabilization of reduced copper on ceria aerogels for CO oxidation
Copper photodeposited on ceria aerogel yields reduced Cu that binds CO; CO conversion is high when combined with O2-activating CeO2.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4547-4556
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00594K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Coaxial double helix structured fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerator for effectively harvesting mechanical energy
A new fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerator with a coaxial double helix structure is developed to effectively and long-timely harvest mechanical energy.
Nanoscale Adv., 2020,2, 4482-4490
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NA00536C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A thorough analysis and categorization of bacterial interrupted adenylation domains, including previously unidentified families
In-depth study of intriguing bacterial interrupted adenylation domains from seven distinct families and six different types.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 233-250
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00092B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Acrylate–gelatin–carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP) composites for dental bone-tissue applications
The favourable properties of acrylate–gelatin–cHAP composites fabricated via copolymerization reaction may make possible porosity and hydrophilicity remodelling and thus promote scaffold-implant integration.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 1675-1684
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00498G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The effect of ZnO particle lattice termination on the DC conductivity of LDPE nanocomposites
Nanocomposite insulation materials for HVDC cables are demonstrated to dominantly rely on the inorganic particle terminations.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 1653-1664
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00390E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Measured and simulated thermoelectric properties of FeAs2−xSex (x = 0.30–1.0): from marcasite to arsenopyrite structure
FeAs2−xSex exhibits structural transition at x = 0.65, and a low lattice thermal conductivity (0.22 W m−1 K−1) at x = 0.5.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 1390-1398
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00371A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors: on-target antifungal activity and an unusual metabolic defense mechanism
Investigation of the downstream effects of NMT inhibition identified novel defense mechanism against chemical toxicity in fungal pathogen Z. tritici.
RSC Chem. Biol., 2020,1, 68-78
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CB00020E
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A molecular electron density theory study of the participation of tetrazines in aza-Diels–Alder reactions
The electron-withdrawing substituents on the tetrazine favour aza-Diels–Alder reactions towards nucleophilic ethylenes, but they do not react with electrophilic ethylenes.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 15394-15405
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA01548B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Organic template-assisted green synthesis of CoMoO4 nanomaterials for the investigation of energy storage properties
Transitional metal oxide nanomaterials are considered to be potential electrode materials for supercapacitors.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 8115-8129
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA09477F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Self-assembly and multifunctionality of peptide organogels: oil spill recovery, dye absorption and synthesis of conducting biomaterials
The self-assembly of a series of low molecular weight gelator dipeptides containing para amino benzoic acid has been studied in mechanistic detail.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 5220-5233
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA10395C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Biorefinery of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) using non-thermal and clean emerging technologies: an update on the curcumin recovery step
In this study, a biorefinery for the processing of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) based on clean and emerging technologies has been proposed.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 112-121
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA08265D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Enhanced luminescence and tunable magnetic properties of lanthanide coordination polymers based on fluorine substitution and phenanthroline ligand
Lanthanide coordination polymers with F-substituted carboxylate tectonics and phenanthroline ligands exhibit emission from the visible to near-infrared region with long lifetime. Dy(III) compounds show temperature dependent and field induced single molecule magnetism.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 16328-16338
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA01574D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Rheological, electrochemical, surface, DFT and molecular dynamics simulation studies on the anticorrosive properties of new epoxy monomer compound for steel in 1 M HCl solution
A new epoxy monomer, namely, tetraglycidyl-1,2-aminobenzamide (ER), was synthesized by condensation of the amines with epichlorohydrin in a basic medium.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 4454-4462
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09446B
About this collection
In celebration of International Open Access Week 2020 we have drawn together some recent papers from all around the world for you to enjoy. The cross-journal collection highlights the diversity of authors, breadth of topics and high quality work that is published in Chemical Science, RSC Advances, RSC Chemical Biology, Materials Advances and Nanoscale Advances and they are of course free to read! We are proud to be fully Open Access journals.