Themed collection Celebrating International Women’s day 2024: Women in Nanoscience

MXene/TMO heterostructures are potential candidates for high-performance supercapacitors, thanks to the reduced stacking of MXene sheets, high electrical conductivity and improved capacity due to the synergistic effects of the conductive MXenes and TMOs.

Iron oxide nanozymes, which are magnetic nanoparticles with enzymatic properties, are explored, including their robust production techniques and diverse applications in the fields of biomedicine and environmental science.

Nanomaterial-based miRNA biosensors have received significant attention owing to their unique properties, especially enhanced sensitivity.

Smart biocomposites with integrated nano-carbons based sensors for structural health monitoring advances the real-world applications.

+ Different categories of artificial enzymes (nanozymes) according to the type of graphene derivative.

In recent years, nanoscience and nanotechnology have emerged as promising fields in materials science.

Nanoparticles utilized in targeting retinoblastoma cells demonstrated improved uptake and intracellular internalization, sustained retention, excellent cytotoxicity, enhanced apoptosis and improved antitumor activity.

Machine learning allows the prediction of nanoparticles properties for various biomedical applications and disease detection using image classification. It has the potential to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical research.

Understanding the energetics of electron transfer at the semiconductor interface is crucial for the development of solar harvesting technologies, including photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and solar fuel systems.

Mixing of immiscible elements in single nanoparticles allows controlling the light scattering via a temperature-induced phase change at 800 °C, paving the way to design high-temperature optical triggers at the nanometer scale.

Here we propose innovative photoacoustic imaging (PAI) contrast agents, based on the loading of Mn(III)-, Fe(III)- or Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX in serum albumin.

Fusogenic liposome-coated nanoparticles rapidly internalize into ex vivo donor corneal endothelium within 3 hours of incubation at physiological temperature possibly via the non-endocytic, membrane fusion mechanism. Scale bar is 10 μm

Stabilization of substrate-free silicene on a months timescale is proven by all-around encapsulation in three steps, epitaxial growth of a silicene–stanene heterostructure on a silver substrate, capping with an alumina layer, and substrate removal.

Hybrid cellulose nanocrystal-gold nanoparticles engineered with sugar headgroups is a functional glyconanomaterial that permits a direct visualization of the sugar headgroups-lectins interactions by cryo-transmission electron microscopy.

We suggest surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor based on chiral shurikens coupled with an array of Ag clusters, which can generate near-chiral plasmonic field using linearly polarized light to enantioselective enhance organic molecules.

A nanoparticle GO-tagged PEI sizing agent imparts self-healing and excellent mechanical properties to carbon fiber reinforced epoxy laminates with exceptional EMI shielding and deicing properties.

Microplastic (MP) pollution threatens ecosystems globally, necessitating urgent environmental intervention. This article proposes a solution for combating MP pollution in water by an innovative hydrogel synthesis and circular economy-based upcycling.

Our all-atom molecular dynamics simulations characterize the interactions of a short chain lipid and its digestion products with disordered & ordered lipid membranes, and provide a mechanistic understanding of the resulting permeability enhancement.

Carbon nitrides represent an emerging class of two-dimensional materials exploited for energy storage, for catalysis, in composites, and in biomedicine. Their biodegradability has been studied under the conditions of the photo-Fenton reaction.

Molecular aggregates exhibit collective sharing of electronic excitation energy known as exciton delocalization, that can be leveraged in applications such as quantum computing, optical information processing, and light harvesting.

Privileged to be Encaged: Encaging Cytochrome c into  nanoscopic Cu₆Pd₁₂Fe₁₂ heterometallic molecular boxes significantly enhances its electrochemical stability and electrocatalytic performance toward nitrite ion sensing and Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Graphical abstract showing the whole photothermal process assisted with gold nanoparticles in female rats.

Progressive development of diffraction rings through the ‘Wind-Chime’ model and thermal distortion of diffraction rings.

The study focuses on the significance of thermophoretic particle deposition on a ZnO–SAE50 nanolubricant flow in a stretchable/shrinkable convergent/divergent channel in the presence of an applied magnetic field and nonlinear heat radiation.

Glyconanoparticles selectively bind to cellular targets via glycan–lectin interactions and are excellent drug-delivery systems for targeted photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Solution processable Si/Ge heterostructure nanowires enabling anode mass reduction for Li-ion batteries.

In this work, we have developed a sensing platform using phosphorene-based fluorescent material Ph–Cys–Au for the detection and cytotoxicity screening of the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX) in both aqueous media and real samples.

Strong polarization-dependent effects on the optical response in the low-symmetry orthorhombic crystal structure of GeS and the emergence of mixed exciton states due to anisotropy-induced symmetry breaking.

Engineered artificial metalloenzymes based on protein-templated Pt nanoclusters yield highly efficient nanozymes serving as redox catalysts.

Here, we introduce self-propelled biocatalytic micromotors for simultaneous organic pollutant removal and green energy generation. The study demonstrates remarkable results, showcasing the potential to generate ammonia from wastewater in short time.

We report a robust single-source white light emitting Mn, Cu dual-doped ZnSe quantum dots without employing any nontoxic reagents and tuned the nature of white light by modifying bulk and surface electronic structure.

Our molecular dynamics simulations provide molecular-scale understanding of how polymer topology effects the self-assembly and stability of nanoparticles, and the polymer molecule’s ability to take a conformation in response to its local environment.

The approach of comparing in situ liquid-phase electron microscopy study of ceria formation to results from gamma radiolysis covers the influence of orders of magnitude different dose rates and adjustable irradiation on non-classical crystallization.

3D cell culture can mimic tumor pathophysiology, which reflects cellular morphology and heterogeneity, strongly influencing gene expression, cell behavior, and intracellular signaling.

By using first-principles calculations, we have studied the electronic and optical characteristics of group III-nitrides, such as BN, AlN, GaN, and InN monolayers.

Comparison between two edge cases of EVs modified with Cetuximab by chemisorption and physisorption methods: a first exploration of the protein corona “variable”.

GraPhage13 aerogels (GPAs) are micro-porous structures generated through the self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) and M13 bacteriophage.

Surface-protecting ligands can regulate the structure of a cluster's core either through electronic or steric effects.

The migration of Au atoms to fill the S vacancies in MoS₂ memristors increases the electron injection rate and reduces the contact resistance at the metal–semiconductor interface, thus causing the resistive switch.

Synthesis of RΔF nanosphere-capped SeNPs with anti-amyloidogenic potency towards peptide aggregates. NPs can cross the BBB, exhibit protective effects against STZ-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, and improve cognitive performance in STZ-induced rat AD models.

Using nanopipette electrophysiology, we reveal in neuronal dendrites a diversity of voltage dynamics comprising firing activity, bursting events and spontaneous voltage transients, including a novel class of events consisting of transient and sustained hyperpolarisations.

An ionic liquid synthesis method is used to create mixed Na₂Ti₃O₇ (237) and Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ rods with high fraction of 237 phase, leading to improved specific capacity.

High-performance flexible nanogenerators using lead-free halide perovskite-polymer composites are fabricated for portable biomechanical energy harvesting. Theoretical calculations reveal the mechanism behind such enhanced piezoresponse.

The formation of a protein corona (PC) strongly influences the cellular internalization mechanisms of fluorinated NPs. In particular, the PC facilitates the NP cellular uptake in microglia cells enhancing ¹⁹F-MRI sensitivity.

We report on the construction of Cu–histidine (His)–DNA hybrids as laccase-mimetic DNAzymes. Cu–His–DNAzymes provide new insights for the systematic construction of tailor-made active sites for biomimetics.

Rules governing the conductance of molecular circuits assembled from components assembled in series are assessed.

SEIRA sensor and SEIRA-AR index analysis for biomarker detection in a clinical setting with benchmarking to industry standards.

For future energy perspectives, an effective way to produce H₂ from water splitting is suggested using Zn₃V₂O₈ photocatalyst as a semiconductor support.

In this work, we report a synergism of Co/Na in Co@Na–BiVO₄ microstructures to boost the photocatalytic performance of bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) catalysts.

Novel, vertically oriented self-assembly of core/shell CdSe/CdZnS colloidal quantum wells stacked in film via the control of hydrophilicity/lipophilicity is shown for optical gain media, allowing amplified spontaneous emission and random lasing.

Biocompatible cationic graphene flakes efficiently complex and deliver the enzyme to the lysosomes of the fibroblasts derived from the patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis VI, leading to enhanced degradation of the accumulated lysosomal substrate.

Spacer cations with extended conjugation can induce an energy transfer from the excitonic level of the perovskite to the excited states of the organic unit, resulting ultimately in a colourful light emission.

Three-dimensional DNA nanocages have attracted significant attention for various biomedical applications including targeted bioimaging in vivo.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles, with a hexagonal flake structure, are of significant interest across a range of applications including photocatalysis and biomedicine.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting combined with renewable energy is an appealing approach for solar energy conversion and storage.

Aluminum-doped self-rectifying memristors in vertical arrays enable in-memory computing that can synthesize multi-layered Boolean logic functions in parallel, suppressing the sneak current.

Chemiluminescence (CL) of NS-GQDs in the presence of CPPO and H₂O₂ was discovered to be a concerted process of intrinsic structure, AIE and surface state emissions by means of spooling CL spectroscopy and absolute CL efficiency measurements.

We show the synthesis method of red emissive gold nanocluster conjugated crumpled MXene nanosheets. This material was applied as bio-imaging and PTT agent. The in vivo toxicity was performed in rats via both the oral and I.V. modes of administration.

By mimicking the active copper center of a natural enzyme and combining with the distinct channel of MOFs, a copper mimetic enzyme (Cu-MOFs) with oxidase-like activity and excellent antibacterial ability was synthesized and validated.

An electrochemical sensor for nitrated α-syn was developed and it has been applied to clinical serum samples.