Solution phase growth and analysis of super-thin zigzag tin selenide nanoribbons.

Tin selenide (SnSe), a highly promising layered material, has been garnering particular interest in recent times due to its significant promise for future energy devices. Herein we report a simple solution-phase approach for growing highly crystalline layered SnSe nanoribbons. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as a templating agent to selectively passivates the (100) and (001) facets of the SnSe nanoribbons resulting in the unique growth of nanoribbons along their-axis with a defined zigzag edge state along the sidewalls.

Stabilization of Black Phosphorus by Sonication-Assisted Simultaneous Exfoliation and Functionalization.

Black phosphorus (BP) has extraordinary properties, but its ambient instability remains a critical challenge. Functionalization has been employed to overcome the sensitivity of BP to ambient conditions while preserving its properties. Herein, a simultaneous exfoliation-functionalization process is reported that functionalizes BP flakes during exfoliation and thus provides increased protection, which can be attributed to minimal exposure of the flakes to ambient oxygen and water.

Switching at the contacts in GeSbTe phase-change nanowire devices.

Phase-change random access memory is a promising approach to non-volatile memory. However, the inability to secure consistent, reliable switching on a nanometre scale may limit its practical use for high density applications. Here, we report on the switching behaviour of PCRAM cells comprised of single crystalline GeSbTe (GST) nanowires.

Development of anisamide-targeted PEGylated gold nanorods to deliver epirubicin for chemo-photothermal therapy in tumor-bearing mice.

Background: Gold nanorods (AuNRs), due to the optical and electronic properties namely the surface plasma resonance, have been developed to achieve the light-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer. However, PTT alone may suffer from inefficient tumor killing. Recently, the combination of PTT and chemotherapy has been utilized to achieve synergistic anticancer effects.

Evaluating the Surface Chemistry of Black Phosphorus during Ambient Degradation.

Black phosphorus (BP) is emerging as a promising candidate for electronic, optical, and energy storage applications. However, its poor ambient stability remains a critical challenge. Evaluation of few-layer liquid-exfoliated BP during ambient exposure using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy allows its surface chemistry to be investigated.