Themed collection Editor’s Choice: Controlling anisotropy in nanomaterials

We review the synthesis, characterization, and applications of one-dimensional palladium-based nanostructures and provide perspectives on future directions in this field.

BP and BP-analogue materials: their structure and main applications.

Two-dimensional ferromagnet, chromium tellurium (CrTe) was successfully synthesized. The thickness-Curie temperature phase diagram has been obtained and the results demonstrate that CrTe flakes are good hard magnets with the thickness down to 11 nm.

Rapid exfoliation of pillared-layer metal–organic frameworks into single-layer metal–organic nanosheets for a high turnover frequency of water oxidation.

Incorporating anisotropic surface charges on atomically precise gold nanoclusters led to a intense shortwave infrared photoluminescence exceeding 1100 nm with QY up to 6.1%.

Flexible PMA spin-valve thin film stacks with a high magneto-electric robustness aginst bending were obtained on large-area substrates by using an effective and versatile Au-mediated transfer and bonding strategy.

Janus membrane with novel directional water transport capacity is fabricated by integrating in situ surface oxidation and electrospinning. It possesses excellent atmospheric water capture capacity and be successfully applied in plant cultivation.

Tetrahexagonal boron nitride as a suitable substrate for tetrahexcarbon possesses robust stability, exotic mechanical behaviors such as sign-tunable Poisson's ratio, and remarkable electronic properties such as indirect-to-direct band gap transition.

Conversion reaction synthesis methods yield a nanoporous ZnO-supported Co catalyst with an anisotropic crystal structure and an anisotropic, hierarchical, columnar wall morphology that is highly efficient for steam reforming of ethanol to produce H₂.

High throughput and accurate screening of 2D ferromagnetic semiconductors was conducted, predicting superior candidates and unveiling the crucial roles of quantum effects in 2D magnetism.

Intrinsic magnetic two-dimensional transition-metal borides possess high critical temperature above 300 K. They are antiferromagnetic Ising metals with out-of-plane magnetic easy axis.

The stacking fault structure of Ag nanoplates is systematically investigated on the atomic level, providing an insight into the origin of anisotropic growth.

Here, an efficient intracellular delivery of molecules with high cell viability is reported using plasmonic photoporation mediated by nano-corrugated mushroom-shaped gold-coated polystyrene nanoparticles at near-infrared wavelength.

MXenes have intrinsic and robust ferromagnetism well above room temperature as well as high and anisotropic carrier mobility.

Bulk and nanosized MAX and MXene phases are comparatively evaluated for microwave absorption and Li-ion battery anode applications.

A carbon nanotube/boron nitride/rubber composite with anisotropic electrical conductivity exhibits an EMI shielding effectiveness of 22.41 dB mm⁻¹ and a thermal conductivity equal to 0.25 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹.

2D ferromagnetic (FM) materials with high temperature, large magnetocrystalline anisotropic energy (MAE), and controllable magnetization are highly desirable for novel nanoscale spintronic applications.

Pd-Based nanoparticles are excellent alternatives to the typically used Pt-based materials that catalyze fuel cell reactions.

The highly [001]-oriented Sb₂Se₃ film exhibits an outstanding charge carrier transport efficiency and minimized recombination losses. It delivers a record high saturation hydrogen reduction photocurrent density of −25.4 mA cm⁻².

Topographical cues of magnetically responsive tendon mimetic 3D scaffolds in combination with magneto-mechanical stimulation of human adipose stem cells synergistically boost their tenogenesis.

SERS and plasmonic heating efficiency are combined by adjusting the ratio of radiative and non-radiative properties of self-assembled anisotropic superstructures.

Broadband metamaterial absorbers are of critical importance in practical applications, but their obtainment approaches are quite complex at present.

In situ bidirectional freeze-drying process for the development of anisotropic aerogel–foam composites.

A series of 1D PtNi NWs with modulated morphology, anisotropy and superior flexibility could serve as promising electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation reactions, showing improved catalytic activity and stability.

Colorful and anisotropic multi-functional metal surfaces fabricated by focused laser interference lithography.

A tailorable Au–TiN hybrid plasmonic nanocomposite with tunable optical functionality has been demonstrated.

The dominant magnetic relaxation mechanism can be controlled by changing the effective magnetic anisotropy in core/shell nanoparticles, preserving its magnetic saturation, size and morphology for hyperthermia experiments.