Themed collection 2020 Highlight article collection

Organo–mineral interactions have long been the focus in the fields of biomineralization and geomineralization, since such interactions not only modulate the dynamics of crystal nucleation and growth but may also change crystal phases, morphologies, and structures.

Designing strategies for the syntheses of targeted luminescent MOFs, nanoparticle/MOF composites and COFs described and their application in sensing nitroaromatic compounds and explosives discussed.

MOF and MOF based heterostructures for antibacterial applications.

A tutorial review for mining the ever growing number of metal–organic frameworks data in the Cambridge Structural Database, for MOF scientists of all backgrounds.

This highlight criticises the QTAIM method and discusses algorithms for identifying intermolecular interactions that are both bonding and competitive.

Cocrystallization of pharmaceuticals has been an exciting field of interest to both academia and industries, demonstrated from its increasing growth rate of publications, patents, and marketed formulations.

We summarized the effect of coordinated solvent molecules on the metal coordination environments in single-crystal to single-crystal transformations.

Proton conductivity in MOFs and COFs have been attracted due to their applicability as electrolytes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. A short overview with recent updates on the structural features of MOFs and COFs for proton conduction are presented here.

Highlight of experimental and computational studies about the interaction of CO with transition and coinage metal clusters, particularly discussing the influence of dopant atoms.

Multiple ways in which the synergy of mechanochemistry and MOFs advances the field of materials chemistry are presented here.

This work provides a clearer picture for non-classical nucleation by revealing the presence of various intermediates using advanced characterization techniques.

This article highlights the use of homo- and hetero-anion templates for the ordered assembly of high-nuclearity silver clusters.

This highlight article reports the synthetic methods, the structural topologies and the behaviour of actinide-polyoxometalate species in aqueous solution.

Water exhibits unique and unexpected behavioral and structural changes when confined to the nanoscale, notably within the pores of metal–organic nanotubes.

In this review, the stimuli-responsive phase transitions and photoluminescence switching in inorganic–organic hybrid antimony(III)/bismuth(III) halides were summarized.

This highlight summarizes new developments made in group 5 polyoxometalate science of high nuclearity clusters with focus on synthetic approaches.

Vacancy-engineered electrocatalysts showing various effects on improving performances toward water electrolysis.

Accompanied with drastic changes in photoelectric properties, vanadium dioxide (VO₂) exhibits a first order metal–insulator phase transition (MIT) at the temperature of about 68 °C.

This review highlights the use of biogenic resources (i.e., plant extracts, microorganisms, and biomolecules) as green reagents for the production of technologically promising branched metal nanomaterials.