Themed collection Synthesis, physical properties and applications of advanced nanocrystalline materials

Energy harvesting, the process of capturing ambient energy from various sources and converting it into usable electrical power, has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential to provide long-term and self-sufficient energy solutions.

In recent years, extensive research on noble metal–TiO₂ nanocomposites has demonstrated their crucial role in various applications such as water splitting, self-cleaning, CO₂ reduction, and wastewater treatment.

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.

La-doped HZO superlattices with different numbers of HZO layer repeats show preservation of in-plane tensile stress, leading to similar FE response.

This article presents a reproducible and affordable methodology for fabricating organic nanowires (ONWs) and nanotrees (ONTs) as light-enhanced conductometric O₂ sensors.

Thin films with thicknesses ranging from 16 to 336 nm of [Ni(Hvanox)₂] were prepared via organic molecule evaporation and analyzed using SEM, AFM, TEM, XPS, and XRD, revealing rough surfaces with nanocrystals, including an initial seeding layer.

Piezoelectric and piezophototronic properties are reported from solution-processed LN-type ZnSnS₃ nanocrystals for light-induced self-powered mechanical energy harvesting.

This study aims to use superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), specifically magnetite (Fe₃O₄), to deliver deflazacort (DFZ) and ibuprofen (IBU) to Duchenne muscular dystrophy-affected (DMD).

Compositionally complex doping of spinel oxides toward high-entropy oxides and oxyhalides enhances their electrochemical performance substantially.

A self-powered triboelectric sensor with GaN nanowires using a nanoridge structure inspired by the structure of the human epidermis and dermis.

Spherical and symmetry-broken Au core particles are used to synthesize tetrametallic (Au@mPdPtIr) porous nanocatalysts. Symmetry breaking of the core significantly improves the catalytic activity in various catalytic and electrocatalytic reactions.

Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) is a narrow band gap, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly semiconductor with important properties for photovoltaic and electro-/photo-catalytic applications.

Stretchable photosensors, which operate in the wavelength window of 1.3 μm, were fabricated with InN nanowires (NWs) and graphene to serve as a light-absorbing medium and carrier channel, respectively.

Surface nanoengineering can significantly improve the mechanical properties and performance of metals, such as strength, hardness, fatigue, wear resistance, etc.

In this work, porous CuS@CdS@Au nanoshells were created with outstanding photoconversion ability, which enabled the construction of a dual-mode detection strategy for quantifying the TAC in skincare products without complex pretreatments.