Cu-In Dual Sites with Sulfur Defects toward Superior Ethanol Electrosynthesis from CO Electrolysis.

The electrosynthesis of multi-carbon chemicals from excess carbon dioxide (CO) is an area of great interest for research and commercial applications. However, improving both the yield of CO-to-ethanol conversion and the stability of the catalyst at the same time is proving to be a challenging issue. Here it is proposed to stabilize active Cu(I) and In dual sites with sulfur defects through an electro-driven intercalation strategy, which leads to the delocalization of electron density that enhances orbital hybridizations between the Cu-C and In-H bonds.

Highly Flexible and Acid-Alkali Resistant TiN Nanomesh Transparent Electrodes for Next-Generation Optoelectronic Devices.

Transparent electrodes are vital for optoelectronic devices, but their development has been constrained by the limitations of existing materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and newer alternatives. All face issues of robustness, flexibility, conductivity, and stability in harsh environments. Addressing this challenge, we developed a flexible, low-cost titanium nitride (TiN) nanomesh transparent electrode showcasing exceptional acid-alkali resistance.

Spreading Solution Additives Governs the Quality of Polystyrene Particle-Based Two-Dimensional Opals.

Two-dimensional polystyrene sphere opals are important materials for nanotechnology applications and fundamental nanoscience research. They are a facile and inexpensive nanofabrication tool, but the quality factor of these opals has drastic differences between reports. Additives like ethanol, ions, and organic molecules in the aqueous particle spreading solution are known to affect the quality factor and growth efficiency of the produced opals.

Origin of the spectral red-shift and polarization patterns of self-assembled InGaN nanostructures on GaN nanowires.

The luminescence of InGaN nanowires (NWs) is frequently reported with large red-shifts as compared to the theoretical value expected from the average In content. Both compositional fluctuations and radial built-in fields were considered accountable for this effect, depending on the size, structure, composition, and surrounding medium of the NWs. In the present work, the emission properties of InGaN/GaN NWs grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy are investigated in a comprehensive study combining ultraviolet-Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) on vertical arrays, polarization-dependent PL on bundles of a few NWs, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and calculations of the band profiles.

Electro-Microfluidic Assembly Platform for Manipulating Colloidal Structures inside Water-in-Oil Emulsion Droplets.

Colloidal assembly is a key strategy in nature and artificial device. Hereby, an electromicrofluidic assembly platform (eMAP) is proposed and validated to achieve 3D colloidal assembly and manipulation within water droplets. The water-in-oil emulsion droplets autoposition in the eMAP driven by dielectrophoresis, where the (di)electrowetting effect induces droplet deformation, facilitating quadratic growth of the electric field in water droplet to achieve "far-field" dielectrophoretic colloidal assembly.

Materials design of vertically coupled plasmonic arrays.

Plasmonic metasurfaces have important applications in life science, optics, and catalysis. However, their industrial usage is limited by the challenges of high throughput nanofabrication. A promising solution is the transfer of a pattern into a substrate using block copolymers, nanostructured stamps or molds to create binary, three dimensional templates, which can then be decorated with plasmonically active metals.

3D hierarchically porous magnetic molybdenum trioxide@gold nanospheres as a nanogap-enhanced Raman scattering biosensor for SARS-CoV-2.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 is an example of how quickly a disease-causing virus can take root and threaten our civilization. Nowadays, ultrasensitive and rapid detection of contagious pathogens is in high demand. Here, we present a novel hierarchically porous 3-dimensional magnetic molybdenum trioxide-polydopamine-gold functionalized nanosphere (3D mag-MoO-PDA@Au NS) composed of plasmonic, semiconductor, and magnetic nanoparticles as a multifunctional nanosculptured hybrid.

Oxidation States Regulation of Cobalt Active Sites through Crystal Surface Engineering for Enhanced Polysulfide Conversion in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

In this work, unique Co O /N-doped reduced graphene oxide (Co O /N-rGO) composites as favorable sulfur immobilizers and promoters for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are developed. The prepared Co O  nanopolyhedrons (Co O -NP) and Co O  nanocubes mainly expose (112) and (001) surfaces, respectively, with different atomic configurations of Co /Co sites. Experiments and theoretical calculations confirm that the octahedral coordination Co (Co ) sites with different oxidation states from tetrahedral coordination Co sites optimize the adsorption and catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides.

Nanosphere Lithography: A Versatile Approach to Develop Transparent Conductive Films for Optoelectronic Applications.

Transparent conductive films (TCFs) are irreplaceable components in most optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, sensors, smart windows, and bioelectronics. The shortcomings of existing traditional transparent conductors demand the development of new material systems that are both transparent and electrically conductive, with variable functionality to meet the requirements of new generation optoelectronic devices. In this respect, TCFs with periodic or irregular nanomesh structures have recently emerged as promising candidates, which possess superior mechanical properties in comparison with conventional metal oxide TCFs.

One-Pot Synthesis of One-Dimensional Multijunction Semiconductor Nanochains from CuS, CdS, and ZnS for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation.

Chains of alternating semiconductor nanocrystals are complex nanostructures that can offer control over photogenerated charge carriers dynamics and quantized electronic states. We develop a simple one-pot colloidal synthesis of complex CuS-CdS and CuS-ZnS nanochains exploiting an equilibrium driving ion exchange mechanism. The chain length of the heterostructures can be tuned using a concentration dependent cation exchange mechanism controlled by the precursor concentrations, which enables the synthesis of monodisperse and uniform CuS-CdS-CuS nanochains featuring three epitaxial junctions.

Lithography-free synthesis of periodic, vertically-aligned, multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays.

Until now, the growth of periodic vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (VA-MWCNT) arrays was dependent on at least one lithography step during fabrication. Here, we demonstrate a lithography-free fabrication method to grow hexagonal arrays of self-standing VA-MWCNTs with tunable pitch and MWCNT size. The MWCNTs are synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) from Ni catalyst particles.

Light- and Melanin Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity in Metastatic Cancer Cells.

Melanin nanoparticles are known to be biologically benign to human cells for a wide range of concentrations in a high glucose culture nutrition. Here, we show cytotoxic behavior at high nanoparticle and low glucose concentrations, as well as at low nanoparticle concentration under exposure to (nonionizing) visible radiation. To study these effects in detail, we developed highly monodispersed melanin nanoparticles (both uncoated and glucose-coated).

Prospects of Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Systems Based on Metal Halide Perovskites.

Considering the attractive optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites (MHPs), their introduction to the field of photocatalysis was only a matter of time. Thus far, MHPs have been explored for the photocatalytic generation of hydrogen, carbon dioxide reduction, organic synthesis, and pollutant degradation applications. Of growing research interest and possible applied significance are the currently emerging developments of MHP-based Z-scheme heterostructures, which can potentially enable efficient photocatalysis of highly energy-demanding redox processes.

Bimetallic Hollow Tubular NiCoO as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reaction.

The development of high-efficiency oxygen electrocatalysts with earth-abundant transition metals rather than scarce noble metals has aroused growing interests due to their potential for energy storage and conversion applications. Herein, we developed a facile strategy to synthesize hollow tubular bimetallic Ni-Co oxide rooted with dense nanosheets for enhanced bifunctionality and facilitated redox reaction kinetics. Owing to the rational design of morphology and well-dispersed Ni and Co ions, the bimetallic samples exhibit admirable bifunctional electrocatalytic activities.

Constructing CoS Nanosheets Coating N-Doped Carbon Nanofibers as Freestanding Sulfur Host for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have shown great potential as a rival for next generation batteries, for its relatively high theoretical capacity and eco-friendly properties. Nevertheless, blocked by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LPSs, LiS-LiS) and insulation of sulfur, LSBs show rapid capacity loss and cannot achieve the practical application. Herein, a composite of carbon nanofibers coated by CoS nanosheets (denoted as CNF@CoS) is successfully synthesized as freestanding sulfur host to optimize the interaction with sulfur species.

Extraordinary optical transmission in nano-bridged plasmonic arrays mimicking a stable weakly-connected percolation threshold.

Ultrasensitive sensors of various physical properties can be based on percolation systems, e.g., insulating media filled with nearly touching conducting particles.

A Full Li-S Battery with Ultralow Excessive Li Enabled via Lithiophilic and Sulfilic W C Modulation.

The practical application of Li-S batteries demands low cell balance (Li /S ), which involves uniform Li growth, restrained shuttle effect, and fast redox reaction kinetics of S species simultaneously. Herein, with the aid of W C nanocrystals, a freestanding 3D current collector is applied as both Li and S hosts owing to its lithiophilic and sulfilic property. On the one hand, the highly conductive W C can reduce Li nucleation overpotentials, thus guiding uniform Li nucleation and deposition to suppress Li dendrite growth.

Nitrogen defects-rich porous graphitic carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Graphitic carbon nitride (CN) is considered as a promising photocatalyst for solar energy conversion. However, low specific surface area and fast electrons and holes recombination restrict the photocatalytic applications of CN material. Herein, a nitrogen defect-rich and highly porous CN nanostructure (CN-LT) was prepared by combining two strategies, i.

Nano-bridged nanosphere lithography.

We develop nano-bridged nanosphere lithography (NB-NSL), a modification to the widely used conventional nanosphere lithography (NSL). Nano-bridges between polystyrene (PS) spheres of a pristine NSL template are controllably formed in a two-step process: (i) spin-coating of a dilute styrene solution on top of the template, followed by (ii) oxygen plasma etching of the template. We show that the nanobridge dimensions can be precisely tuned by controlling the pre-processing conditions and the plasma etching time.

CuSe Nanoparticles Encapsulated by Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanofibers for Efficient Sodium Storage.

CuSe with high theoretical capacity and good electronic conductivity have attracted particular attention as anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). However, during electrochemical reactions, the large volume change of CuSe results in poor rate performance and cycling stability. To solve this issue, nanosized-CuSe is encapsulated in 1D nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (CuSe-NC) so that the unique structure of 1D carbon fiber network ensures a high contact area between the electrolyte and CuSe with a short Na diffusion path and provides a protective matrix to accommodate the volume variation.

Large-Area and Patternable Nano-Dot Array from Electrolysis of ITO Film for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Fabrication of large-area devices with patternable nanostructures is important for practical applications in optical or electrical devices. In this work, we describe an easy and environment-friendly method for preparing large-area nano-dot (ND) arrays via the electrolytic reaction of a metal oxide film. NDs with various size and morphology can be obtained by adjusting the applied voltage, electrolysis time, and the film thickness of the indium tin oxide (ITO) layer.

Plasmon resonances in coupled Babinet complementary arrays in the mid-infrared range.

A plasmonic structure with transmission highly tunable in the mid-infrared spectral range is developed. This structure consists of a hexagonal array of metallic discs located on top of silicon pillars protruding through holes in a metallic Babinet complementary film. We reveal with FDTD simulations that changing the hole diameter tunes the main plasmonic resonance frequency of this structure throughout the infrared range.

Nanoid Canyons On-Demand: Electrically Switchable Surface Topography in Liquid Crystal Networks.

Topography is a key factor that governs important properties of surfaces, such as adhesion and wettability, and materials with switchable surface topographies will have switchable surface properties. We demonstrate a principle to generate electrically switchable surface topographies on the surface of a thin nematic liquid crystal elastomer film which is sandwiched between a continuous electrode and a random metal network. Voltage-controlled displacement of the metal network toward the continuous electrode is achieved, resulting in unprecedented topographical modulations in the range of 0-2.

Role of interactions in the magneto-plasmonic response at the geometrical threshold of surface continuity: publisher's note.

This publisher's note amends the author listing of [Opt. Express26, 32792 (2017)].

Long-term release of antibiotics by carbon nanotube-coated titanium alloy surfaces diminish biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Bacterial biofilms cause a considerable amount of prosthetic joint infections every year, resulting in morbidity and expensive revision surgery. To address this problem, surface modifications of implant materials such as carbon nanotube (CNT) coatings have been investigated in the past years. CNTs are biologically compatible and can be utilized as drug delivery systems.