Despite the enormous interest in the properties of graphene and the potential of graphene nanostructures in electronic applications, the study of quantum-confined states in atomically well-defined graphene nanostructures remains an experimental challenge. Here, we study graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with well-defined edges in the zigzag direction, grown by chemical vapor deposition on an Ir(111) substrate by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. We measure the atomic structure and local density of states of individual GQDs as a function of their size and shape in the range from a couple of nanometers up to ca. 20 nm. The results can be quantitatively modeled by a relativistic wave equation and atomistic tight-binding calculations. The observed states are analogous to the solutions of the textbook "particle-in-a-box" problem applied to relativistic massless fermions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.236803 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
January 2025
Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, PL 30-348, Krakow, Poland.
Atomically precise synthesis of graphene nanostructures on semiconductors and insulators has been a formidable challenge. In particular, the metallic substrates needed to catalyze cyclodehydrogenative planarization reactions limit subsequent applications that exploit the electronic and/or magnetic structure of graphene derivatives. Here, we introduce a protocol in which an on-surface reaction is initiated and carried out regardless of the substrate type.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, 81531-980, Brazil.
Gold-based (Au) nanostructures are efficient catalysts for CO oxidation, hydrogen evolution (HER), and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions, but stabilizing them on graphene (Gr) is challenging due to weak affinity from delocalized [Formula: see text] carbon orbitals. This study investigates forming metal alloys to enhance stability and catalytic performance of Au-based nanocatalysts. Using ab initio density functional theory, we characterize [Formula: see text] sub-nanoclusters (M = Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, and Ag) with atomicities [Formula: see text], both in gas-phase and supported on Gr.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBioconjug Chem
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, ul. Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland.
l-Asparaginase (l-ASNase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine, leading to its depletion and subsequent effects on the cellular proliferation and survival. In contrast to normal cells, malignant cells that lack asparagine synthase are extremely susceptible to asparagine deficiency. l-ASNase has been successfully employed in treating pediatric leukemias and non-Hodgkin lymphomas; however, its usage in adult patients and other types of cancer is limited due to significant side effects and drug resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Clinical Evaluation Technology for Medical Device of Zhejiang Province, Department of Clinical Engineering and Material Supplies, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
The structural alterations in the constituent materials of nanocomposites such as graphene nanocomposites typically induce changes in their properties including mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Therefore, by altering the preparation conditions of nanocomposites and investigating their responsiveness to basic biomolecules (such as proteins), it is possible to explore the application potentials of the composites and guide development of new nanocomposite preparation. In this study, different composites of graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/GO) were obtained by varying the volumes of reducing agents used in the one-pot hydrothermal method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Food Sci
January 2025
Shandong Peanut Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Peanut Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao, PR China.
Compared to traditional preservatives, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) offers a promising bactericidal approach due to its nontoxic nature and low propensity for microbial resistance. In this paper, we initially investigate the principles and antibacterial mechanisms underlying PDI. We then review factors influencing PDI's germicidal efficacy in food preservation.
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