Themed collection Nanoscale 2021 Emerging Investigators
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
Nanoscale profiles: contributors to the Emerging Investigators 2021 issue
Our inaugural Emerging Investigators collection gathers some of the best research being conducted by nanoscientists in the early stages of their independent career. Congratulations to all of the researchers featured.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8680-8692
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR90087K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Photodoping of metal oxide nanocrystals for multi-charge accumulation and light-driven energy storage
Light-driven multi-charge accumulation (i.e., photodoping) of doped metal oxide nanocrystals opens the way to innovative solutions for the direct conversion and storage of the solar energy.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8773-8783
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09163D
Genetically encoded RNA nanodevices for cellular imaging and regulation
Recent design and applications of emerging genetically encoded RNA nanodevices in regulating cellular gene expression, imaging, logic operation, structural biology, and optogenetics.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 7988-8003
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08301A
Control of light–valley interactions in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides with nanophotonic structures
Valley pseudospin of 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides is promising for information technologies, but its robust manipulation is challenging. This minireview highlights recent progress on using nanophotonic strategies to address this challenge.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6357-6372
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08000D
Emergent electrochemical functions and future opportunities of hierarchically constructed metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks
Hierarchically constructed metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks toward emergent electrochemical applications.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6341-6356
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09167G
Boosting the performance of printed thermoelectric materials by inducing morphological anisotropy
Printing holds potential for low-cost and large-area patterning of thermoelectric materials. The process can be also engineered to induce morphological anisotropy in (in)organic materials, which boost the performance along a preferential direction.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 5202-5215
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08144B
Recent advances in biofluid detection with micro/nanostructured bioelectronic devices
Micro/nanostructured bioelectronic devices for various biofluid detection applications are systematically summarized and discussed with new insights for future health monitoring.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 3436-3453
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07478K
Recent advances in colour-tunable soft actuators
This review summarizes the recent advances of colour-tunable soft actuators, with emphasis on their colour-change mechanisms and highlighting their applications.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2780-2791
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07907C
Electrocatalysis in confined spaces: interplay between well-defined materials and the microenvironment
In this minireview, we summarize recent advances in electrocatalysis in confined spaces. Emerging electrochemical reactions are covered and discussed.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1515-1528
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08237F
Operando spectroscopy of nanoscopic metal/covalent organic framework electrocatalysts
Metal and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs) are increasingly finding exceptional utility in electrocatalytic systems.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1507-1514
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07508F
Conjugated nanomaterials for solar fuel production
Photocatalytic hydrogen production from water has the potential to fulfil future energy needs by producing a clean and storable fuel. Here the discuss the recent advances in using nanosized materials as photocatalysts.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 634-646
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07533G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Hot carriers in graphene – fundamentals and applications
Hot charge carriers in graphene exhibit fascinating physical phenomena and have great promise for exciting optoelectronic applications. The current understanding of the relevant fundamental physics and the most promising applications are reviewed.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8376-8411
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09166A
Fabrication and application of macroscopic nanowire aerogels
We provide a comprehensive review on the latest advances in three-dimensional macroscopic aerogels assembled from one-dimensional inorganic nanowires.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 7430-7446
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09236C
Self-limiting self-assembly of supraparticles for potential biological applications
Self-limiting self-assembly supraparticles produce new nanostructures and display great priorities to create biomimicking nanostructures with desired functionalities.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2302-2311
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08001B
Information processing based on DNA toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) reaction
We reviewed the recent research on information processing with the DNA toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction, including the basic principles and applications in logic circuit, analog circuit, combinational circuit, and information relay.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2100-2112
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07865D
Liquid metal-based nanocomposite materials: fabrication technology and applications
Research on liquid metals has been steadily garnering more interest in recent times, especially in flexible electronics applications because of their properties like possesing high conductivity and being liquid state at room temperature.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2113-2135
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07479A
Advances in self-powered chemical sensing via a triboelectric nanogenerator
Self-powered chemical sensing via triboelectric nanogenerators is an emerging approach to continuous detection and analysis of chemical molecules on the human body and the surroundings.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2065-2081
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07770D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Ordered polymer composite materials: challenges and opportunities
Polymer nanocomposites are an important class of materials whose properties are generally tuned as a function of their composition. New opportunities for controlling these properties lie in manipulating the 3D organization of their nanofillers.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 426-443
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07547G
Advanced nitric oxide donors: chemical structure of NO drugs, NO nanomedicines and biomedical applications
Nitric oxide (NO), as an endogenous diatomic molecule, plays a key regulatory role in many physiological and pathological processes.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 444-459
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07484E
Covalent functionalization of carbon materials with redox-active organic molecules for energy storage
Carbon-based materials (CBMs) have shown great versatility because they can be chemically combined with other materials for various applications.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 36-50
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07500K
The microbial adhesive arsenal deciphered by atomic force microscopy
Microbes employ a variety of strategies to adhere to abiotic and biotic surfaces, as well as host cells.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 23885-23896
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07492F
Advanced nanomaterials for hypoxia tumor therapy: challenges and solutions
This article provides brief summary about advances of nanotechnology and nanostructures in hypoxia tumor therapy including hypoxia overcoming strategies and developments. The potential challenges and solutions for future research are also discussed.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 21497-21518
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06271E
An excimer to exciplex transition through realization of donor–acceptor interactions in luminescent solvent-free liquids
An exclusive dual-mode sensing of TNT achieved using donor–acceptor emissive “exciplex liquids” is otherwise not possible using individual molecules or their corresponding solid counterparts.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 10780-10784
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR02190G
Hydrocarbon contamination in angström-scale channels
Air-borne hydrocarbon contamination is investigated for slit-like angstrom-channels made from 2D-materials, using gas flow measurements. Our results constitute a new way to monitor, assess and alleviate the hydrocarbon contamination in nanochannels.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 9553-9560
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR00001B
Thermally activated processes in an organic long-persistent luminescence system
Organic long-persistent luminescence (OLPL) was achieved through photo-induced charge separation, charge accumulation, and emission from charge recombination. The presence of thermal activation processes in the OLPL system was confirmed.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8412-8417
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09227D
Incorporating a redox active entity to attain electrical bistability in a polymer semiconductor
Incorporating a redox active anthraquinone acceptor group to a polymer semiconductor is found to induce electrical bistability. Resistive memory devices based on the redox switch mechanism is thus materialized in a sandwich device.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6759-6763
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR00960E
Graphene oxide fibers by microfluidics assembly: a strategy for structural and dimensional control
Graphene oxide (GO) microfibers with controlled and homogeneous shapes and tunable diameters were fabricated using the 3 dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing concept on a microfluidic device.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6752-6758
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08380A
Two dimensional CrGa2Se4: a spin-gapless ferromagnetic semiconductor with inclined uniaxial anisotropy
The CrGa2Se4 monolayer is predicated as a 2D spin-gapless ferromagnetic semiconductor, in which the type of spin conductivity with 100% polarization is sensitive to the gate voltage.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6024-6029
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08296A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Mechanical switching of orientation-related photoluminescence in deep-blue 2D layered perovskite ensembles
The optical anisotropy of layered perovskites is exploited in flexible free-standing polymer films through multiple stretch/release cycles at low tensile stress, to enhance the emission intensity of the resulting composites.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 3948-3956
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08043H
Boosting the cycling stability of Ni-rich layered oxide cathode by dry coating of ultrastable Li3V2(PO4)3 nanoparticles
Dry coating of ultrastable Li3V2(PO4)3-carbon (LVP-C) nanoparticles on LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) leads to a robust composite cathode with improved rate capability and cycling life without sacrificing the specific energy density compared with pristine NCM622.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2811-2819
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08305D
Electrocatalytic reduction of furfural with high selectivity to furfuryl alcohol using AgPd alloy nanoparticles
The study of composition-dependent electrocatalysis reveals that Ag60Pd40 alloy nanoparticles allow the selective reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2312-2316
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07676G
Colloidal BaZrS3 chalcogenide perovskite nanocrystals for thin film device fabrication
Surface modification of BaZrS3 nanocrystals for colloidal dispersions and field effect transistors. A rare example of solution processed chalcogenide perovskite thin films.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1616-1623
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08078K
Customizing oil-wettability in air—without affecting extreme water repellency
A common, catalyst-free and facile synthetic approach is introduced for developing three distinct and extremely water repellent coatings that are embedded with different oil wettabilities in air.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 24349-24356
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR05964A
Hybrid DNA/RNA nanostructures with 2′-5′ linkages
We report here the first instance of nucleic acid nanostructures that contain 2′-5′ linkages and characterize structures of different complexities: a simple duplex to a 4-arm junction, a double crossover (DX) motif and a tensegrity triangle motif.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 21583-21590
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR05846G
Flexible low-power source-gated transistors with solution-processed metal–oxide semiconductors
Flexible light weight In2O3-based source-gated transistors are achieved with high gain, fast saturation and low power consumption.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 21610-21616
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06177H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Inorganic nanohybrids combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria hiding within human macrophages
Ceria/bioglass nanohybrids significantly reduce bacterial survival inside human cells without harming the latter and overcome major shortcomings of conventional antibiotics.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8224-8234
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08285F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Formation and growth mechanism for niobium oxide nanoparticles: atomistic insight from in situ X-ray total scattering
Understanding the mechanisms for nanoparticle nucleation and growth is crucial for the development of tailormade nanomaterials.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 8087-8097
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08299F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The effects of overhang placement and multivalency on cell labeling by DNA origami
Through targeted binding to the cell membrane, structural DNA nanotechnology has the potential to guide and affix biomolecules such as drugs, growth factors and nanobiosensors to the surfaces of cells.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6819-6828
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09212F
Physicochemical implications of surface alkylation of high-valent, Lindqvist-type polyoxovanadate-alkoxide clusters
Modeling physicochemical consequences of surface functionalization of metal oxide nanocrystals using polyoxovanadate clusters.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 6162-6173
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09201K
Supersensitive CeOx-based nanocomposite sensor for the electrochemical detection of hydroxyl free radicals
An electrochemical sensor comprised of cerium oxide nanoclusters grafted to a highly conductive carbon provided a limit of detection of 0.6 μM ˙OH and successfully detected in vitro the presence of ˙OH in preosteoblast cells from mouse bone tissue.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 5136-5144
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR00015B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Stabilization effects in binary colloidal Cu and Ag nanoparticle electrodes under electrochemical CO2 reduction conditions
Colloidal Cu and Ag nanoparticles retain their shape during the CO2 reduction reaction (−0.8 V vs. RHE) due to immiscibility of the lattices and synergy at the nanoscale results in enhanced methane and C2 product formation.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 4835-4844
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR09040A
Large-scale investigation of the effects of nucleobase sequence on fluorescence excitation and Stokes shifts of DNA-stabilized silver clusters
We present a high-throughput study of the steady state Stokes shifts of >300 fluorescent DNA-stabilized silver clusters and the correlations of DNA sequence with the optical properties of these fluorophores.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 4602-4613
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08300C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Shape retaining self-healing metal-coordinated hydrogels
We introduce pyrogallol end-functionalized telechelic PEGs that are crosslinked with di- or trivalent ions to result in self-healing, adhesive hydrogels whose mechanical properties can be varied over an unprecedented range.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 4073-4084
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08351H
Promoting CO2 electroreduction on CuO nanowires with a hydrophobic Nafion overlayer
A hydrophobic electrode surface was constructed by modifying the CuO nanowire electrode with a thick Nafion overlayer, which exhibited enhanced selectivity toward the CO2 electroreduction reaction and suppressed hydrogen evolution activity.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 3588-3593
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08369K
Tailored growth of graphene oxide liquid crystals with controlled polymer crystallization in GO-polymer composites
Kinetics of polymer crystallization determines the liquid crystallinity of graphene oxide and its long range alignment.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2720-2727
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07858A
Photocatalytic hydrogen generation using mesoporous silicon nanoparticles: influence of magnesiothermic reduction conditions and nanoparticle aging on the catalytic activity
High crystallinity, low oxide content, and low sintering lead to optimally performing mesoporous Si photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2685-2692
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07463B
Effects of the thickness and laser irradiation on the electrical properties of e-beam evaporated 2D bismuth
E-beam evaporated uniform 2D bismuth exhibits (thermo)electrical response tunable by either laser irradiation or the layer thickness.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2648-2657
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06062C
Green and far-red-light induced electron injection from perylene bisimide to wide bandgap semiconductor nanocrystals with stepwise two-photon absorption process
Green and far-red-light induced electron injection from a higher excited state, which is quite short-lived, of perylene bisimide to wide bandgap semiconductor nanocrystals was achieved with a stepwise two-photon absorption process.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1823-1831
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR08493J
Towards the identification of the gold binding region within trypsin stabilized nanoclusters using microwave synthesis routes
Elucidating the location of stabilized nanoclusters within their protein hosts is an existing challenge towards the optimized development of functional protein-nanoclusters.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1061-1068
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07068H
Transporting mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizers into cancer cells by low-density lipoproteins for fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) reconstituted with a multifunctional mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizer are able to achieve fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy of LDL receptor-overexpressing cancer cells.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1195-1205
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07342C
Triplet energy migration pathways from PbS quantum dots to surface-anchored polyacenes controlled by charge transfer
Kinetic pathways of triplet energy transfer from photoexcited PbS QDs to surface-anchored tetracene and pentacene derivatives are dictated by charge-transfer energetics at the QD/molecule interface.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1303-1310
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07837A
Size-controlled nanocrystals reveal spatial dependence and severity of nanoparticle coalescence and Ostwald ripening in sintering phenomena
Colloidal nanocrystals allow investigating sintering phenomena in supported catalysts.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 930-938
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07960J
Core–shell gold nanorod@mesoporous-MOF heterostructures for combinational phototherapy
A core–shell heterostructure consisting of plasmonic gold nanorods and porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks is synthesized as a promising platform to combine photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy for enhanced tumor treatment.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 131-137
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07681C
Exciting clusters, what does off-resonance actually mean?
Noble metal clusters have unique photophysical properties, especially as a new class of materials for multiphoton biomedical imaging.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 242-252
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06493A
Extended gate-type organic transistor functionalized by molecularly imprinted polymer for taurine detection
An extended-gate organic field-effect transistor functionalized by a molecularly imprinted polymer was fabricated for selective and sensitive detection of taurine.
Nanoscale, 2021,13, 100-107
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06920E
Synthesis of lead-free Cs4(Cd1−xMnx)Bi2Cl12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) layered double perovskite nanocrystals with controlled Mn–Mn coupling interaction
Lead-free perovskites and their analogues have been extensively studied as a class of next-generation luminescent and optoelectronic materials.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 23191-23199
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06771G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Drawing WS2 thermal sensors on paper substrates
Paper based thermoresistive sensors are fabricated by rubbing WS2 powder against a piece of standard copier paper, like the way a pencil is used to write on paper.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 22091-22096
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06036D
Two-dimensional growth mode of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters Au28+4n(SR)20+2n (n = 0–8): compared with their one-dimensional growth mode
In this paper, six new atomic structures of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, i.e. Au32(SR)20, Au40(SR)26, Au48(SR)30, two Au56(SR)34, and Au60(SR)36, are predicted.
Nanoscale, 2020,12, 20677-20683
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR05439A
About this collection
Nanoscale is proud to present this themed issue highlighting 2021’s rising stars of nanoscience and nanotechnology research. This issue gathers the very best work from researchers in the early stages of their independent career.
Each contributor was recommended by experts in their fields for carrying out work with the potential to influence future directions in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Congratulations to all the featured researchers on their important work so far in the field.