Themed collection 2024 Emerging Investigators

This Highlight review features five classical types of PDA-based plasmonic nanocomposites, and systematically elucidates their fabrication strategies, design principles, plasmonic properties, and representative applications.

This Feature Article systematically elaborates on various emerging technologies for the upcycling of polyesters, while also anticipating future development directions.

This comprehensive review provides various perspectives on porous organic cages, encompassing their synthesis methods, structural attributes, material properties, computational methodologies, and diverse applications.

Beryllium chemistry is on the rise. Examples of the beryllium compounds with formal oxidation state of 0, +1, cationic and neutral radical species, aromatic and antiaromatic heterocycles and a formal Be–Be bonded complex are the proof to it.

This review has examined the advancements and challenges in the development of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for the alkaline water splitting reaction in the last decade.

Investigating the influence of Mg²⁺ ions and hydration atmospheres on structure and functions of RNA employing explicit solvent and advanced coarse-grained simulation techniques.

Covalent organic frameworks with adjustable topology and high-density conjugated fragments reveal unique advantages in fluorescence imaging, and thus may have great potential applications in bioimaging.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) particles can be prepared using templating and self-assembly methods and endowed with stealth and targeting properties for targeted drug delivery.

This feature article summarises the latest advances, potential challenges, and future prospects of CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technologies in conjunction with emerging nanodevices for the refinement of precision liquid biopsy techniques.

Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is employed to directly identify the structure-dependent electrochemical CO₂ reduction activity of molybdenite (MoS₂) electrocatalysts in an aqueous imidazolium-based aprotic ionic liquid electrolyte.

A gold(I)-catalyzed protecting-group-free benzannulation approach to functionalized NH-carbazoles was accomplished via the hydroarylation of alkynes with 2-alkenylindoles.

Heterogeneity develops in LiNiO₂ upon long-term cycling. The structure and composition of partially electrochemically active (fatigued) phases formed in the bulk are determined by combining synchrotron XRD and high resolution ⁷Li solid-state NMR.

A unified strategy is disclosed that builds on successfully engaging the aniline nitrogen of 1,3-amphoteric γ-aminocyclopentenone for a tandem annulation with electron-poor alkynes, solely assisted by the H-bonding network of HFIP.

C(sp³)–H bonds can be directly azidated using simple iron and manganese catalysts and commercial Selectfluor and TMSN₃ as reagents.

A robust binding between secondary amines and Au atomic contacts is achieved through the creation of Au adatoms by the use of a wax-coated tip.

Here, we report Cu-DAT (3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole) for efficient CO₂ reduction. By optimizing the Cu/ligand cooperation, accelerated *CO adsorption and C–C coupling were achieved, demonstrating >80% C₂₊ products selectivity at 400 mA cm⁻².

This work introduces a multiplexed sub-micron vibrational imaging technique to monitor differential effects of oleic acid in adipocytes and hepatocytes.

Adding a polarized membrane to ionic thermoelectric devices induces dipole–ion interaction and enhances the thermal voltage by more than double.