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Hydrogel is one of the most prominent biomaterials in therapeutic and biomedical engineering, benefiting from its biocompatibility, chemical/physical tunability, and wide versatility to various fabrication techniques. One remarkable advance in the latest hydrogel research is the micro/nanofabrication technologies, which utilize unique mechanical and chemical properties of hydrogel, various chemical reaction mechanisms, and multidisciplinary approaches to realize innovative systems at these size scales. This review reports a comprehensive overview on the latest advances in fabrication of hydrogel-based micro- and nano-systems with an emphasis on their biomedical and therapeutic applications. Challenges and prospects are discussed from the material, fabrication, and system design perspectives to develop effective, personalized, and versatile hydrogel-based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform octahedral Ag2O nanoparticles were in situ synthesized within natural bacterial cellulose (BC) films without any inorganic alkali. The morphological transformation of Ag2O from nanoparticles and small nanoplates to an octahedral structure was well controlled by varying the UV exposure time. To reduce and anchor Ag2O nanoparticles, abundant hydroxyl groups on the surface of natural BC fibers ensured an ideal environment for the mild redox reaction between Ag+ and –OH groups. The structural features and structure–activity relationship of Ag2O/BC films were confirmed through TEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy assisted SEM analysis, Fourier transform IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TGA and XRD. The structure–antibacterial activity relationship of the Ag2O/BC films was proved against both Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. They also showed excellent performance in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. Ag2O/BC films have potential bactericidal applications in the field of pharmacy, specifically for wound dressing and flexible wearable materials. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the outstanding physical properties and the integrated characteristics, such as the gapless band structure, high state density, high conductivity, dangling‐bond‐free surface, and tunable Fermi level, two‐dimensional layered topological semimetals (2D LTSMs) exhibit a promising application prospect for including electrode contact and terahertz detection. Despite the surging in attention, a comprehensive strategy is still crucial to meet the necessary conditions for the practical application of 2D LTSMs. According to the fermion types and the band structures, 2D LTSMs can be divided into Dirac semimetals, Weyl semimetals, and nodal‐line semimetals. This review comprehensively encapsulates the intrinsic properties, typical synthesis methods, and applications in electronics and optoelectronics about these 2D LTSMs. To establish the fundamental theory, typical crystal structures, and physical properties of different 2D LTSMs are summarized at first. The effective synthesis strategies including exfoliation, molecular beam epitaxy, and vapor deposition are analyzed systematically. Finally, the article emphasizes the exploration of applications, significant challenges, and promising development directions of 2D LTSMs, which will drive 2D LTSMs to become the promisingly leading technology for next‐generation electronic and optoelectronic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a review of the applications of ionic liquids (ILs) in inorganic synthesis. The main functions of ILs used in inorganic synthesis are discussed briefly, such as the template agents, solvents, and precursors. Moreover, the interaction type between ILs and the surface of targets, and the adsorption selectivity of ILs guided by “geometric matching principle” are both briefly described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-area oriented ZnO nanoarrays (including nanowire, nanorod, and nanotube) on ITO glass substrates are synthesized via the simple hydrothermal, electrodeposition, and electrochemical etching approach. The morphology of ZnO nanoarrays is controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature, reaction time, and current density. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) results indicate the successful preparation of large-area oriented ZnO nanoarrays with different types, and the energy-dispersive X-microanalysis spectrum (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that the composition of the obtained nanoarrays is ZnO. More importantly, the as-prepared ZnO nanotube arrays are observed with about a 40% increase in ultraviolet absorption intensity compared to the ZnO nanowire/nanorod arrays, due to having larger specific surface areas. The as-prepared different types of ZnO nanoarrays have great potential for applications in low-cost and high-performance optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring inorganic flower-like nanosheets is of increasing interest not only for fundamental research, but also for development of devices due to their good chemical stability, versatility, and high surface-to-volume ratio. In this work, flower-like TiO2 nanosheets (FTN) are successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Notably, a series of single-factor experiments are carried out to drive multiple functional components in order to integrate into a single flower-like nanostructure perfectly. In addition, these experimental results further reveal that alcohol/glycerol molar ratio acts in a vital role for preparing optimal flower-like morphology and structure of TiO2. Furthermore, the photodegradation pathways and mechanism of Levofloxacin (LVOF) by FTN are shown according to photodegradation intermediates of LVOF, trapping experiments, and ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) sensitizing effect. Therefore, the present work not only demonstrates the controlled synthesis of flower-like TiO2 nanosheets, but also provides a guide for constructing other inorganic flower-like nanosheets or TiO2-based photocatalysts with optimal morphology, structure and photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel nanoparticles have wide-ranging applications in diverse fields, including electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. The unique properties of these nanoparticles depend on their physical and chemical attributes. Consequently, there is a growing interest in understanding the performance relationships through a nuanced comprehension of their controlled synthesis. This review explores the advancements related to precisely defined nickel nanoparticles, with a specific focus on unraveling the connections between performance and their physical/chemical characteristics. The emphasis is on elucidating how manipulating synthetic parameters, such as precursor concentration, reductant agent properties, temperature, time, and the presence of stabilizing agents, can provide additional avenues for refining the performance in terms of size and morphology. Through the analysis of each variable, we illustrate the methodology for synthesizing well-controlled nickel nanoparticles, showcasing the ability to exert precision over their composition, size, and surface morphology.

Hydrogel is one of the most prominent biomaterials in therapeutic and biomedical engineering, benefiting from its biocompatibility, chemical/physical tunability, and wide versatility to various fabrication techniques. One remarkable advance in the latest hydrogel research is the micro/nanofabrication technologies, which utilize unique mechanical and chemical properties of hydrogel, various chemical reaction mechanisms, and multidisciplinary approaches to realize innovative systems at these size scales. This review reports a comprehensive overview on the latest advances in fabrication of hydrogel-based micro- and nano-systems with an emphasis on their biomedical and therapeutic applications. Challenges and prospects are discussed from the material, fabrication, and system design perspectives to develop effective, personalized, and versatile hydrogel-based therapies.

Chiral materials with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) have garnered significant attention owing to their distinctive luminescent properties and wide array of applications. CPL enables the selective emission of left and right circularly polarized light. The fluorescence quantum yield and dissymmetry factor play pivotal roles in the generation of CPL. Helical polymers exhibit immense promise as CPL materials due to their inherent chirality, structural versatility, modifiability, and capacity to incorporate diverse chromophores. This Review provides a brief review of the synthesis of CPL materials based on helical polymers. The CPL can be realized by aggregation‐induced CPL of non‐emissive helical polymers, and helices bearing chromophores on the pendants and on the chain end. Furthermore, future challenges and potential applications of CPL materials are summarized and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled synthesis of lead‐halide perovskite crystals is challenging yet attractive because of the pivotal role played by the crystal structure and growth conditions in regulating their properties. This study introduces data‐driven strategies for the controlled synthesis of oriented quasi‐spherical CsPbBr3, alongside an investigation into the synthesis mechanism. High‐throughput rapid characterization of absorption spectra and color under ultraviolet illumination was conducted using 23 possible ligands for the synthesis of CsPbBr3 crystals. The links between the absorption spectra slope (difference in the absorbance at 400 nm and 450 nm divided by a wavelength interval of 50 nm) and crystal size were determined through statistical analysis of more than 100 related publications. Big data analysis and machine learning were employed to investigate a total of 688 absorption spectra and 652 color values, revealing correlations between synthesis parameters and properties. Ex situ characterization confirmed successful synthesis of oriented quasi‐spherical CsPbBr3 perovskites using polyvinylpyrrolidone and Acacia. Density functional theory calculations highlighted strong adsorption of Acacia on the (110) facet of CsPbBr3. Optical properties of the oriented quasi‐spherical perovskites prepared with these data‐driven strategies were significantly improved. This study demonstrates that data‐driven controlled synthesis facilitates morphology‐controlled perovskites with excellent optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit promising application prospects in the domains of electronic devices, optoelectronic devices and spintronic devices due to their distinctive energy band structures and spin-orbit coupling properties. Cr-based chalcogenides with narrow or even zero bandgap, covering from semiconductors to metallic materials, have considerable potential for wide-band photodetection and two-dimensional magnetism. Currently, the preparation of 2D CrXn (X = S, Se, Te) nanosheets primarily relies on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and molecule beam epitaxy (MBE), which enable the production of high-quality large-area materials. This review article focuses on recent progress of 2D Cr-based chalcogenides, including unique crystal structure of the CrXn system, phase-controlled synthesis, and heterojunction construction. Furthermore, a detailed introduction of room-temperature ferromagnetism and electrical/optoelectronic properties of 2D CrXn is presented. Ultimately, this paper summarizes the challenges associated with utilizing 2D Cr-based chalcogenides in preparation strategies, optoelectronics devices, and spintronic devices while providing further insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel nanoparticles have wide-ranging applications in diverse fields, including electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. The unique properties of these nanoparticles depend on their physical and chemical attributes. Consequently, there is a growing interest in understanding the performance relationships through a nuanced comprehension of their controlled synthesis. This review explores the advancements related to precisely defined nickel nanoparticles, with a specific focus on unraveling the connections between performance and their physical/chemical characteristics. The emphasis is on elucidating how manipulating synthetic parameters, such as precursor concentration, reductant agent properties, temperature, time, and the presence of stabilizing agents, can provide additional avenues for refining the performance in terms of size and morphology. Through the analysis of each variable, we illustrate the methodology for synthesizing well-controlled nickel nanoparticles, showcasing the ability to exert precision over their composition, size, and surface morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent precursors for electrode materials preparations. Synergistic effects may exist between different metal centers in multivariate MOFs, making them often more effective than single‐metal MOFs. Herein, we propose an atom economic mechanochemical method to realize the efficient component regulation of target multivariate MOFs. Moreover, by combining the synthesis of multivariate MOFs and exfoliating MXene, multivariate MOF/MXene composites can be obtained via a one‐step strategy. A further selenization process can derive them into selenides@C/MXene composites. These derived composites contain multiple nanostructured metal selenides embedded in multi‐heteroatom doped carbon matrix. For these composites, abundant heterojunction structures are formed, which can build internal self‐built electric field and enhance the reaction kinetics effectively for sodium‐ion storage. More importantly, the electrochemical performance of NCMS@C/MX composites can be optimized due to the intrinsic characteristics of the containing metal selenides. Overall, experimental results demonstrate the universality of this solvent‐free synthesis route for controllable preparation of high‐performance selenides@C/MXene electrode materials. It provides a feasible and environmentally friendly method to adjust metal ratios for optimal energy storage performance. We hope this research inspires optimization strategies for high‐performance electrode materials and leads to the development of energy storage materials with more rational structures and better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt carbides are emerging as promising materials for various magnetic and catalytic applications. However, exploring dedicated cobalt carbides with optimal catalytic properties via adjusting phase compositions remains a significant challenge. Herein, three different cobalt carbides, Co x C (Co2C-Co3C), Co2C-Co, and Co3C, were successfully prepared using a facile one-pot green method. The phase compositions of cobalt carbides could be easily controlled by varying the cobalt-based precursors and carbon sources. More remarkably, three different cobalt carbides could serve as reduction cocatalysts decorated CdS for improved hydrogen production under visible light. Intriguingly, the obtained Co3C/CdS nanocomposite displayed the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity among the three composites and superior photocatalytic stability. This work provides a fundamental approach to tuning the photocatalytic properties of cobalt carbides for energy conversion fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is the demanded material for large-scale graphene applications due to the relative ease of preparing sufficient quantities with the desired properties. Herein, optimized preparation conditions for water-dispersible rGO using the one-step chemical exfoliation method are reported. The rGO samples were obtained from graphite under different controlled reaction conditions, i.e., temperature (120, 140, and 160 °C) and time (16, 20, and 24 hrs). The microstructural, chemical, wetting, and electrical properties of samples were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, current-voltage (I–V) characteristic, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The Raman parameter (i.e., the ID/IG values) was used to assess the quality of rGO materials. Accordingly, rGO160@20 showed the smallest ID/IG value (0.57) compared to the rest of the samples, followed by rGO160@16 and rGO120@24 with 0.75 and 0.77 values, respectively. The observed broad and diffused peaks centered at 2θ = 25° from XRD are the finger-print characteristics of rGO samples. FT-IR (mainly due to -OH) and lower contact angle values (≤ 33 °C) analysis confirmed the hydrophilic nature of these samples. The samples' non-linear I-V characteristics were attributed to disordered dielectric barriers. The charge transfer resistances (Rct) at the electrode/electrolyte interface were 21.65 for rGO160@20 and 25.65 for rGO160@16 and rGO120@24. EIS analysis also confirmed the rGO samples have supercapacitor behavior. Experimental parameters' synergistic effects influenced sample microstructure. Optimal processing conditions of rGO samples were also achieved for energy storage and applications that need graphene water dispersion.

As a direct wide bandgap semiconductor, CsPbCl3 has great potential applications in the field of near-ultraviolet photodetectors, lasers and higher-order multiphoton fluorescent detectors. In this work, we synthesized CsPbCl3 micro/nanocrystals by vapor deposition method with CsCl and PbCl2 powders as the source materials. It was confirmed that the formation of CsPbCl3 perovskite through the chemical reaction of CsCl with PbCl2 occurred in the quartz boat before the source evaporation, not in vapor or on substrate surface. The evaporated CsPbCl3 can form micro/nanocrystals on substrate surfaces under appropriate conditions. Various morphologies including irregular polyhedrons, rods and pyramids could be observed at lower temperature, while stable and uniform CsPbCl3 single crystal microplatelets were controllably synthesized at 450 °C. Prolonging the growth time could modulate the size and density of the microcrystals, but could not change the morphology. Substrate types made little difference to the morphology of CsPbCl3 crystals. The photoluminescence spectra indicated that the crystallinity and morphology of CsPbCl3 micro/nanocrystals have significant effects on their optical properties. The work is expected to be helpful to the development of optoelectronic devices based on individual CsPbCl3 microcrystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cyclic polymers have attracted increasing interest due to their unique topologies, properties, and functions compared to the linear analogues. This mini‐review focuses on the recent advances in the synthesis and applications of cyclic polymers. First, the main synthetic methods for cyclic polymers, namely ring closure and ring expansion methods, are presented and discussed, followed by a review on the exploration of the properties and applications of synthetic cyclic polymers. Finally, a critical assessment of the preliminary studies exploring the efficient synthesis and potential applications of cyclic polymers are presented, and the remaining challenges in the field as well as ideas for solving these challenges will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Flexible catalysts have gained significant attention in environmental functional materials due to their high surface area, tunable structure, and mechanical flexibility. However, current research lacks a comprehensive evaluation of their flexible characteristics from both macro- and microscopic perspectives compared to rigid materials. This review summarizes the synthesis methods of two types of flexible catalysts: flexible carrier catalysts and those with special morphologies, offering guidance for selecting materials tailored to specific applications. These catalysts are applicable in redox, adsorption, and cracking catalysis for the removal of pollutants such as CO 2 , NO x , volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. Flexible catalysts enhance catalytic performance by acting as oxidizing/reducing agents, providing active sites for reactant adsorption, and facilitating electron transfer in redox reactions. By modulating their structure and morphology, researchers can improve the effective adsorption area and catalytic efficiency. Evaluating the chemical and mechanical properties of flexible catalysts is essential to optimize their environmental applications. Overall, flexible catalysts show great potential for advancing environmental remediation and resource conversion processes. Flexible catalysts offer distinct advantages in environmental remediation and resource conversion. This review summarizes the key characteristics and applications of flexible materials in catalysis, covering primary synthesis methods, performance across catalytic modes, and critical evaluation criteria for these catalysts. [Display omitted] • Technological progress in the efficient synthesis of flexible catalysts. • Advances in the application of flexible catalysts in the environmental catalysis. • Flexible catalysts are used to remove contaminants from gases and waters. • The flexible catalysts are evaluated by mechanical and physicochemical properties. • The future development prospects of new flexible catalysts are envisioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a sustainable energy carrier capable of replacing/complementing the global carbon-based energy matrix. Although studies in this area have often focused on the fundamental understanding of catalytic processes and the demonstration of their activities towards different strategies, much effort is still needed to develop high-performance technologies and advanced materials to accomplish widespread utilization. The main goal of this review is to discuss the recent contributions in the H2 production field by employing nanomaterials with well-defined and controllable physicochemical features. Nanoengineering approaches at the sub-nano or atomic scale are especially interesting, as they allow us to unravel how activity varies as a function of these parameters (shape, size, composition, structure, electronic, and support interaction) and obtain insights into structure–performance relationships in the field of H2 production, allowing not only the optimization of performances but also enabling the rational design of nanocatalysts with desired activities and selectivity for H2 production. Herein, we start with a brief description of preparing such materials, emphasizing the importance of accomplishing the physicochemical control of nanostructures. The review finally culminates in the leading technologies for H2 production, identifying the promising applications of controlled nanomaterials.

We implemented a simple and inexpensive aqueous sol-gel process to synthesize ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles to study its potential application as a gas sensor. Compared to traditional ceramic methods, the synthesis was conducted at lower temperatures and reaction times (5 h from 200 °C). The crystalline evolution of the oxide was investigated. The effect of the calcination temperature (200–1000 °C) on the crystallites' size (16–29 nm) and the ZnAl2O4 powder's surface morphology was also analyzed. Measurements confirmed the formation of bar-shaped granules (~0.35 μm) made up of nanoparticles (~23 nm). The surface area of the powders was 60 m2/g. Pellets were made from the powders and tested in sensing carbon monoxide and propane gases, showing a high sensitivity to such gases. The sensor's response increased with increasing temperature (25–300 °C) and gas concentration (0–300 ppm). The oxide showed a higher response in propane than in carbon monoxide. We concluded that the ZnAl2O4 is a good candidate for gas sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Computer-Aided Design & Computer Graphics / Jisuanji Fuzhu Sheji Yu Tuxingxue Xuebao is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Carbon dots (CDs) have received extensive attention and applications in recent years due to their remarkable characteristics of tunable emission wavelength, high stability, and a variety of synthetic raw materials. Since the formation process and photoluminescence properties of CDs are affected by multiple factors, the luminescence regulation of CDs has always been a troublesome problem. Furthermore, it is still a lack of appropriate approaches to reveal the hidden rules between the synthesis conditions and the luminescence properties of CDs. Inspired by machine learning (ML) applications in molecular and materials science, herein, a data‐driven ML strategy is proposed to multi‐dimensionally investigate the correlation between reaction parameters and the photoluminescence properties of CDs. Meanwhile, it is demonstrated that reaction parameters and solvent properties have different influences on the fluorescence properties of CDs, and the intelligently optimizing synthesis route of CDs is achieved using ML algorithms. CDs with excellent luminescent properties screened by ML are further applied to high‐capacity colorful information encryption. This study provides an efficient ML‐assisted strategy to guide the synthesis of multicolor CDs, helping researchers to quickly and easily obtain CDs according to experimental requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted much attention for its potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, ultraviolet photodetectors, and resistive sensors. However, little attention has been focused on the growth mechanism, which is highly desired for practical applications. In this paper, the growth mechanism of 2D ZnO by surfactant-assisted ion-layer epitaxy (SA-ILE) is explored by controlling the amounts of surfactant, temperature, precursor concentration, and growth time. It is found that the location and the number of nucleation sites at the initial stages are restricted by the surfactant, which absorbs Zn 2 + ions via electrostatic attraction at the water-air interface. Then, the growth of 2D ZnO is administered by the temperature, precursors, and growth time. In other words, the temperature is connected with the diffusion of solute ions and the number of nucleation sites. The concentration of precursors determines the solute ions in solution, which plays a dominant role in the growth rate of 2D ZnO, while growth time affects the nucleation, growth, and dissolution processes of ZnO. However, if the above criteria are exceeded, the nucleation sites significantly increase, resulting in multiple 2D ZnO with tiny size and multilayers. By optimizing the above parameters, 2D ZnO nanosheets with a size as large as 20 μm are achieved with 10 × 10−5 of the ratio of sodium oleyl sulfate to Zn 2 + , 70 °C, 50 mM of precursor concentration, and 50 min of growth time. 2D ZnO sheets, are confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectrum. Our work might guide the development of SA-ILE and pave the platform for practical applications of 2D ZnO on photodetectors, sensors, and resistive switching devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, peroxidase mimics made of platinum-group metal nanoparticles (PGM NPs) have been actively developed and applied to various biosensing platforms. Nevertheless, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that compares the peroxidase-like activities of PGM NPs and their performance in biosensing. Here, we report a systematic study of PGM NPs as peroxidase mimics, including Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ir NPs. NPs of these elements were uniformly synthesized and their nanoscale features were probed to ensure a consistent size, shape, and chemical ligand on the surface. Our measurements indicate that the Ir NP is the most active one with a catalytic constant as high as 6.27 × 105 s–1, followed by Pt, Rh, and Pd NPs. The binding affinities of NPs to peroxidase substrates during catalysis were also quantitively analyzed and compared. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a model biosensing platform, the performance of PGM NPs in detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (a cancer biomarker) was evaluated. The results showed that the detection sensitivity was correlated to the catalytic activity of PGM NPs, where Ir NPs achieved the highest sensitivity with a limit of detection at the level of low picogram per milliliter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branched copolymers are a special class of polymeric materials in which are reflected the combined effects of polymer segments and architectural constraints of the branched architecture. In this work, three‐armed graft copolymers, poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐graft‐poly(caprolactone), [P(HEMA‐g‐PCL)]3, are synthesized by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) and ring opening polymerization (ROP) mechanisms in a one‐pot/one‐step protocol. The resulting macromolecules are characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The preliminary results indicate the success of the methodology and are in agreement with literature reports. In addition, DSC isothermal crystallization are performed, and Avrami's theory is employed in order to obtain kinetics parameters of interest, such as the half‐life for the crystallization process (t1/2), the bulk crystallization constant (k), and the Avrami's exponent (n). Thermal analysis evidences a noticeable reduction in the melting temperature compared with linear PCL homopolymer. However, the presence of branches does not modify the values of the maximum degradation temperatures significantly. Finally, the synthesized copolymers adopt a two‐dimensional crystallization type (disk and cylindrical). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, α-Al2O3 supported Ag particles with controllable size distribution are prepared successfully by tuning of the calcination conditions through an impregnation method. The size of Ag particles could be adjusted by changing the calcination time and temperature. The catalyst samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other characterization methods under different calcination conditions, and the performance differences of their catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results show that the Ag particles with increased particle size can be obtained on the surface of α-Al2O3 support by increasing the calcination time or calcination temperature. The catalytic performance of the samples obtained by increasing the calcination time decreased, while the catalytic performance of the samples obtained by increasing the calcination temperature increased. This may be due to the interaction between Ag particles and the support, which changes the valence state of Ag species. Also the particle size effect acts on the catalyst and affects its catalytic performance together with the change of valence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of multilayer van der Waals (vdW) film materials has attracted considerable interest in both fundamental and applied research. Recently, methods for synthesizing multilayer graphene films or graphite on single-crystal nickel foils are developed. However, the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis of thick-layer graphene films or graphite (TLG) on copper substrates remains a significant challenge due to the self-limiting growth phenomenon. In this study, a novel method to grow TLG on copper substrates by controlling the silicon additive is presented. The as-grown TLG exhibits high quality, with controllable thickness from a few layers to tens of nanometers. The growth of TLG films is achieved by the synchronous growth of multilayer graphene islands on a silicide copper surface, which is likely to be in a liquid state according to the Cu-Si phase diagram. On the Cu-Si surface, all graphene layers grow synchronously, circumventing the self-limiting mechanism and the antiwedding cake growth or wedding cake mode of van der Waals material growth. Based on this synchronous growth mode, the thickness of TLG can be precisely controlled, ranging from a few to tens of nanometers. The study provides a facile and scalable way to synthesize high-quality thick vdW films for various applications., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Considering the strong electron-donating ability and the superior biocompatibility, the integration of zero-valent iron nanostructure Fe 0 (electron-reservoir) and zero-valent boron nanostructure B 0 offers great promise for fabricating novel ferroptosis nanoagents. Nevertheless, the controlled and facile synthesis of alloyed Fe 0 and B 0 nanostructure-FeB nanometallic glasses (NMGs) has remained a long-standing challenge. Herein, a complexion-reduction strategy is proposed for the controlled synthesis of FeB NMGs with greater electron donating capacity to activate the molecular oxygen for improved ferroptosis therapy. In-depth mechanism reveales that the complexion-reduction strategy effectively prevent the long-range diffusion of Fe 0 , resulting in the amorphous alloyed Fe 0 and B 0 nanostructure-FeB nanoparticles (FeB NPs). The FeB NPs display stronger electron donating capability and electron transfer rate 9.4 times higher than that of the Fe 0 NPs, which effectively activate the molecular oxygen to produce ∙O 2 - , H 2 O 2 and ∙OH. The in vitro cellular experiments confirm the FeB-ss-SiO₂ NPs (encapsulation with SiO 2 outlayer containing -S-S- bonds) demonstrates the enhanced ferroptosis. The tumor-bearing mice models shows that FeB-ss-SiO₂ NPs exhibited superior biocompatibility and tumor inhibition effect (inhibition rate of 73%), which improve the overall survival rate for 30 days post-treatment. This study will provide an innovative way to design therapeutic nanoagents for cancer treatments., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Immobilized enzymes are a significant technological approach to retain enzyme activity and reduce enzyme catalytic cost. In this work, trypsin-incorporated Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid nanoflowers were prepared via mild precipitation and coordination reactions. The controllable preparation of hybrid nanoflowers was achieved by systematically investigating the effects of the raw-material ratio, material concentration and reaction temperature on product morphology and physicochemical properties. The enzyme content of hybrid nanoflowers was about 6.5%, and the maximum specific surface area reached 68.35 m2/g. The hybrid nanoflowers exhibit excellent catalytic activity and environmental tolerance compared to free trypsin, which was attributed to the orderly accumulation of nanosheets and proper anchoring formation. Further, the enzyme activity retention rate was still higher than 80% after 12 repeated uses. Therefore, trypsin/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid nanoflowers—which combine functionalities of excellent heat resistance, storage stability and reusability—exhibit potential industrial application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the control over the growth of uncapped silver nanoparticles on the surface of poly methacrylic acid nanospheres is presented. The pH of the growth medium and the size of the polymer nanospheres were studied as parameters in relation to the antimicrobial activity of the resulting structures against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Adjustment of the growth medium pH has a direct effect on the number of silver nanoparticles grown on the surface of the nanospheres, while the size of the nanospheres affects the resulting silver nanoparticle size distribution. The minimum bactericidal concentration was determined to 8 and 32 μg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus respectively, whereas the antimicrobial efficiency of the resulting nanospheres was enhanced in structures with increased free surface. Hence, the contribution of the as synthesized structures to the antimicrobial activity is attributed to the polymer's ability to form stable suspensions in the aqueous bacterial growth medium, thus promoting the dissolution of silver nanoparticles to Ag cations with antimicrobial activity. [Display omitted] • Controlled growth of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on poly methacrylic(pmaa) acid nanospheres. • The pH adjustment regulates the number of AgNPs grown. • The pmaa nanospheres in the nanoscale affect the AgNPs size distribution. • Enhanced antimicrobial action, correlated with pmaa nanosphere's free surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controlled synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) has been a key scientific problem in the field of catalysis. In this study, chiral CDs from different carbon sources were prepared using the hydrothermal method with d -proline as the chiral source. The effects of the carbon source skeleton (conjugated and unconjugated) and functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino) on its structure, reproducibility, and asymmetric catalytic performance in Aldol condensation were investigated. It was observed that hydroxyl groups in the carbon source are more favorable for enhancing the asymmetric catalytic activity and reproducibility of CDs compared to amino and carboxyl groups. The mechanism for the difference in reproducibility and asymmetric catalytic properties is investigated, which is ascribed to the effect of bonding (Directional factor or Random factor) between active sites and carbon cores, as well as the effect of carbonization (Random factor). The directional factor contributes to high reproducibility and asymmetric catalytic activity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The α-Al 2 O 3 /C mixtures were prepared by ball milling, and then AlON powders were synthesized by carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN). The effects of α-Al 2 O 3 particle size, carbon powders morphology and particle size on the morphology and particle size of the synthesized AlON powders were studied. The results showed that as the particle size of α-Al 2 O 3 increases, the particle size of the synthesized AlON powders will also increase, but the surface morphology will not be affected. The increase of the carbon particle size will increase the particle size of the synthesized AlON powders. The pore size and number of pores of the synthetic AlON powders were very similar to the morphological characteristics of the carbon powders. In addition, the mechanism of controlling the synthesis of AlON powder with α-Al 2 O 3 and carbon as raw materials was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a sustainable energy carrier capable of replacing/complementing the global carbon-based energy matrix. Although studies in this area have often focused on the fundamental understanding of catalytic processes and the demonstration of their activities towards different strategies, much effort is still needed to develop high-performance technologies and advanced materials to accomplish widespread utilization. The main goal of this review is to discuss the recent contributions in the H2 production field by employing nanomaterials with well-defined and controllable physicochemical features. Nanoengineering approaches at the sub-nano or atomic scale are especially interesting, as they allow us to unravel how activity varies as a function of these parameters (shape, size, composition, structure, electronic, and support interaction) and obtain insights into structure–performance relationships in the field of H2 production, allowing not only the optimization of performances but also enabling the rational design of nanocatalysts with desired activities and selectivity for H2 production. Herein, we start with a brief description of preparing such materials, emphasizing the importance of accomplishing the physicochemical control of nanostructures. The review finally culminates in the leading technologies for H2 production, identifying the promising applications of controlled nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of an economical, green, and stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is the key to water splitting. Herein, perovskite fluoride KMF3 (M = Co/Fe) was synthesized in a nonaqueous system composed of oleic acid, n-hexanol, and KOH, which improved the OER performance. The synthesized sample possesses a controllable morphology, small particles, high efficiency, and synergy of multiple active sites. By successfully incorporating iron into the M site, a strong interaction between cobalt and iron was formed. The interaction of cobalt and a small amount of iron at the M-site makes this catalyst highly active for the OER reaction. Electrochemical tests show that KCo0.80Fe0.20F3 catalyst has a low overpotential of 254 mV and a Tafel slope value of 37.5 mV dec-1, which make it superior to many catalysts. The results of this paper provide a new concept of perovskite fluoride as an OER catalyst.

Plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is an efficient and safe alternative to the conventional synthetic route. In this study, silver and gold NPs (AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively) were synthesized via a green route using Ficus sycomorus extract. Tuning the experimental parameters (namely, extract quantity, metal ion concentration, and pH value) allowed control over the size, shape, and size distribution of the NPs. UV-visible spectroscopy has been utilized to monitor the spectral profile changes of the surface plasmon resonance of the NPs under various conditions. The successful preparation of monodispersed spherical AgNPs (4 nm) and AuNPs (11 nm) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data indicated that flavonoid glycosides played a major role in the reduction and stabilization of metal ions. The as-prepared AgNPs and AuNPs were then used as green catalysts for efficient degradation of methylene blue in the presence of sodium borohydride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, four kinds of covalent organic framework (COF) materials (TpPa-1, TpBD, TpDT, and TFBBD) with different pore sizes or functional groups were synthesized by an ultrasonic method for the adsorption of five sulfonamides. Optimization experiments regarding the adsorption time, vortex speed, and pH were carried out to improve adsorption efficiency. In addition, kinetic and thermodynamic experiments were conducted to explore the adsorption mechanism of the sulfonamides on the different COFs. The adsorption processes of the five sulfonamides on the four COFs fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Additionally, pore filling, hydrogen bond interactions, and electrostatic attraction were found to be the main adsorption mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess a unique tubular structure composed of highly graphitized atoms. Since their sp2 hybridized skeleton is discovered under the microscope, extensive attention is paid to their peculiar physics and extraordinary performances in mechanics, optics, and electricity. However, due to the challenges in controlled synthesis and mass production, there is a long bottleneck period in both the science and engineering of CNTs. In the recent decade, significant advances have emerged in ton‐scale production, 3D microprocessors, ultrastrong fibers, etc., which have pushed the renaissance of CNTs toward a new peak. This important progress benefits from the critical but commonly ignored breakthroughs in the precise structure control and assembly of CNTs. Herein, the morphological manipulation and technical routes toward the CNT industry will be focused on. First, the growth mechanism of defect‐free aligned CNTs will be discussed. Subsequently, nondestructive flow‐guided fabrication methods and their application paradigms are summarized. Then, attention will be turned to assembly‐based industrial production and applications of CNTs. Some research prospects toward the precise synthesis and CNT industry are proposed at last, in the hope of building a comprehensive understanding on the catalytic assembly toward defect‐free nanostructures and their high‐end applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer brushes consist of a linear backbone or the surface of a planar or spherical solid densely grafted with polymeric side chains. The result of steric repulsion leads to chain stretching and less chain entanglement/overlapping. As a result of special macromolecular structures, polymer brushes are imparted with a series of distinctive physical performances such as low viscosity, high rheology, outstanding solvability, etc., together with unique chemical characteristics such as a substantial amount of thermal functional groups. Therefore, polymer brushes exhibit extensive application prospects in the fields of biomedicine and advanced material design. Among the different controlled/"living" polymerization techniques, the atom transfer radial polymetization technique (ATRP) is chemically versatile and robust in the preparation of various well-defined and novel polymers especially for the exploration of new functional materials. Moreover, ATRP has been most extensively used to produce polymer brushes with different properties and structures. This article concentrates exclusively on the most recent advancements of polymer brushes prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization and various applications in the preparation of advanced materials with precise size and structure control. This perspective focuses on the preparation, properties, and applications of polymer brushes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral inorganic materials possess unique asymmetric properties that could significantly impact various fields. However, their practical application has been hindered by challenges in creating structurally robust chiral materials. We report the synthesis of well-defined chiral-shaped hollow cobalt oxide nanostructures, extendable to a family of chalcogenides including sulfide, selenide, and telluride through topological transformations. Taking chiral cobalt oxide nanostructures as a representative material, we demonstrate precise control over their chiral architectures, enabling fine-tuning of parameters, such as twist degrees, handedness, and compositions. These chiral nanostructures exhibit high spin selectivity effects that influence the electron transfer processes in catalytic reactions. Leveraging this spin-selective behavior, the chiral cobalt oxide nanoarchitectures demonstrate enhanced electrocatalytic performance in the oxygen evolution reaction compared to their achiral counterparts. Our findings not only expand the library of chiral inorganic materials but also advance the application of chiral effects in fields such as catalysis, spintronics, and beyond.

Although nitrite (NO2–) is listed as a poisonous inorganic pollutant that is dangerous to humans and other creatures, it is widely used in food preservatives and agricultural products. It is frequently detected in many foods, water, environmental systems, and biological samples. In recent times, many techniques for detecting and monitoring NO2– have been proposed. Among them, the electrochemical method has been receiving particular attention due to its ease of operation. At the same time, nanocrystals of metal sulfide materials have gained the attention of researchers due to a wide range of materials with efficiently tunable properties. This article presents a rational hydrothermal approach to the synthesis of size- and morphology-controlled hierarchically grown bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanorods. Changes are made to the prime parameter; temperature yields the g-C3N4 nanosheets covered on the sea-urchin-like structure of Bi2S3 nanorods. The textural characteristics, surface morphology, and chemical compositions of g-C3N4/Bi2S3 have been studied using a selection of spectroscopic methods. Accordingly, the produced catalysts were examined to detect the electrochemically active NO2–. The g-C3N4/Bi2S3-modified electrode attained a broad linear range (0.001–385.4 μM) and a higher sensitivity with a lower detection limit (0.4 nM). Therefore, g-C3N4/Bi2S3 hierarchically grown through the hydrothermal route could be a promising sensing platform to determine NO2– in real-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]