Themed collection Nanoscale Horizons Most Popular 2025 Articles

We review how the motion of π-conjugated organic molecules on surfaces is shaped by physicochemical factors such as friction and molecule–surface interactions, revealing mechanisms that govern diffusion, dissipation, and nanoscale assembly.

This paper reviews graphene nanostructures as promising materials for wearable biosensors, detailing their synthesis, tunability, and biocompatibility, and outlining their role in next-generation wearable diagnostics for real-time health monitoring.

Gas sensors are essential tools for safeguarding public health and safety because they allow the detection of hazardous gases.

Polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials have garnered significant research attention owing to their distinctive architectures and exceptional photophysical properties.

This review discusses commonly used semiconductor photocatalytic antibacterial materials, methods for improving their photocatalysis performance and their application for bone infection treatment.

The supramolecular self-assembly of peptides offers a promising avenue for both materials science and biological applications.

This review covers recent advancements and future directions in 2DM-based devices for in-sensor computing, focusing on unique physical mechanisms for sensory responses, biomimetic synaptic features, and potential applications.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) functionalized with carbohydrates offer promising biocompatible systems for biomedical applications. This review discusses recent progress and challenges in using these innovative “sweet” composites.

A catalytic coacervate is introduced using salt–bridge interactions between a biguanide polymer (PHMB) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Augmented catalysis is exhibited by the G-rich DNAzyme inside the coacervates, with ATP-fueled activity cycling.

Multifunctional robotic e-skin with vertically-integrated optical and pressure sensor arrays enables dual-mode operation for caregiving applications.

This study demonstrates that scaffolded DNA origami can be successfully assembled using significantly elongated staple strands, thereby enabling the effective integration of enzymatic DNA production methods into DNA nanotechnology.

A zero-bias peak (ZBP) emerged on an insulating MgO surface, prepared on the Fe(001) ferromagnetic substrate, by utilizing a copper phthalocyanine single molecule as a magnetic impurity. The ZBP spreads across the insulating MgO surface.

A disaggregation-induced emission-active photosensitizer enables type I-to-type II photochemical conversion and induces site-specific oxidative damage upon G-quadruplex complexation.

The electric field and normalized intensity enhancement of a hybrid MD mode in a metasurface.

Ti₃C₂T_x is a versatile filler for biopolymer foams, introducing complementary functionalities like triboelectricity, thermal insulation and fire retardancy that can be exploited in energy and safety applications.

The NiTe₂–FeTe₂ hollow nanorods encapsulated by the RGO are synthesized for supercapacitors.

Hard carbon materials with high closed pores content and suitable microstructure were prepared by using the template method and acid treatment, which improved sodium-ion storage.

Spillover of active oxygen species from the Ru site to the Nb site in binary RuO₂/Nb₂O₅ electrocatalysts enables highly active and robust performance for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction.

The anisotropic piezoresponse of a ZrSe₃ device under tensile strain along different angles, with gauge factors GF_b-axis = 68 and GF_a-axis = 4. Leading to an exceptionally high anisotropy ratio of AR ≈ 90%.

Oxygen doping on MoS₂ provides a promising method for sulfur vacancy healing, carrier mass controlling, contact resistance reduction, and anchoring of surface electron dopants.

Study on edge-doped M–N₄–C catalysts (MN₄) reveals substituent effects (including electronic effects and structural effects) on ORR, OER, HER activities.