Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100734
Binay P. Nayak , Wenjie Wang , Honghu Zhang , Benjamin M. Ocko , Alex Travesset , Surya K. Mallapragada , David Vaknin
Programmable assembly of nanoparticles into structures other than two-dimensional hexagonal lattices remains challenging. Assembling an open checkerboard or square lattice is harder to achieve compared to a close-packed hexagonal structure. Here, we introduce a unified, robust approach to assemble nanoparticles into a diverse family of two-dimensional superlattices at the liquid–air interface. Gold nanoparticles are grafted with pH-responsive, water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) chains terminating in COOH or end groups, enabling control over interparticle Coloumbic interactions, while the molecular weight of grafted polymer dictates its conformation. This combined control of charges and conformation enables crystallization into checkerboard, simple-square, and body-centered honeycomb superlattices. Furthermore, tuning the pH induces structural transitions between different lattice types. This approach opens new avenues for the fabrication of colloidal superstructures with tailored architectures.
{"title":"Electrostatically assembled open square and checkerboard superlattices","authors":"Binay P. Nayak , Wenjie Wang , Honghu Zhang , Benjamin M. Ocko , Alex Travesset , Surya K. Mallapragada , David Vaknin","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Programmable assembly of nanoparticles into structures other than two-dimensional hexagonal lattices remains challenging. Assembling an open checkerboard or square lattice is harder to achieve compared to a close-packed hexagonal structure. Here, we introduce a unified, robust approach to assemble nanoparticles into a diverse family of two-dimensional superlattices at the liquid–air interface. Gold nanoparticles are grafted with pH-responsive, water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) chains terminating in <img>COOH or <figure><img></figure> end groups, enabling control over interparticle Coloumbic interactions, while the molecular weight of grafted polymer dictates its conformation. This combined control of charges and conformation enables crystallization into checkerboard, simple-square, and body-centered honeycomb superlattices. Furthermore, tuning the pH induces structural transitions between different lattice types. This approach opens new avenues for the fabrication of colloidal superstructures with tailored architectures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100734"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100754
Fan Liu , Zeyi Zhang , Yang Tang , Qianwei Chen , Yangyang Tan , Tianou He , Shu-Juan Bao
Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) powered by renewable energy sources offer an attractive strategy for green hydrogen production. However, developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts, especially under fluctuating power inputs, remains a key challenge. Herein, a strategy of altering the adsorption energy of intermediates through interface engineering is proposed to enhance alkaline Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. The constructed MoNi-MoO2 heterointerfaces exhibit strong metal-support interactions, leading to significant charge redistribution, and optimization of the d-band center and hydrogen adsorption energy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further revealed that Ni site lower the energy barrier for the hydroxyl transfer process, thereby accelerating the overall HER kinetics. As a result, the MoNi-MoO2-C/NF catalyst achieved superior HER catalytic performance, requiring a low overpotential of 39 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, the assembled AEMWE achieved a high current density of 1 A cm−2 with a low voltage of 1.79 V and maintains exceptional stability for over 220 h under dynamic operating conditions. This work provides valuable guidance for designing effective catalysts for green hydrogen production powered by fluctuating power supply sources.
以可再生能源为动力的阴离子交换膜电解（AEMWE）为绿色制氢提供了一种有吸引力的策略。然而，开发高效和耐用的电催化剂，特别是在波动功率输入下，仍然是一个关键的挑战。本文提出了一种通过界面工程改变中间体吸附能来提高碱性析氢反应（HER）活性的策略。所构建的MoNi-MoO2异质界面表现出强烈的金属-负载相互作用，导致明显的电荷再分配，并优化了d带中心和氢吸附能。密度泛函理论（DFT）计算进一步表明，Ni位点降低了羟基转移过程的能垒，从而加速了整体HER动力学。结果表明，MoNi-MoO2-C/NF催化剂具有优异的HER催化性能，需要39 mV的低过电位才能达到10 mA cm−2。此外，组装的AEMWE在1.79 V的低电压下实现了1 a cm−2的高电流密度，并在动态工作条件下保持了超过220小时的卓越稳定性。该研究为设计波动电源驱动的绿色制氢催化剂提供了有价值的指导。
{"title":"Stable alkaline water electrolysis enabled by carbon-encapsulated MoNi-MoO2 heterointerfaces with accelerated hydrogen evolution kinetics","authors":"Fan Liu , Zeyi Zhang , Yang Tang , Qianwei Chen , Yangyang Tan , Tianou He , Shu-Juan Bao","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) powered by renewable energy sources offer an attractive strategy for green hydrogen production. However, developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts, especially under fluctuating power inputs, remains a key challenge. Herein, a strategy of altering the adsorption energy of intermediates through interface engineering is proposed to enhance alkaline Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. The constructed MoNi-MoO<sub>2</sub> heterointerfaces exhibit strong metal-support interactions, leading to significant charge redistribution, and optimization of the d-band center and hydrogen adsorption energy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further revealed that Ni site lower the energy barrier for the hydroxyl transfer process, thereby accelerating the overall HER kinetics. As a result, the MoNi-MoO<sub>2</sub>-C/NF catalyst achieved superior HER catalytic performance, requiring a low overpotential of 39 mV to reach 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. Moreover, the assembled AEMWE achieved a high current density of 1 A cm<sup>−2</sup> with a low voltage of 1.79 V and maintains exceptional stability for over 220 h under dynamic operating conditions. This work provides valuable guidance for designing effective catalysts for green hydrogen production powered by fluctuating power supply sources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100754"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100757
Panpan Jing , Chaoyue Zhao , Peifeng Wang , Nan Guo
Enhancing the utilization-efficiency of photo-excited carriers via a heterojunction engineering remains a crucial challenge in developing effective and universal photocatalysts for wastewater purification and eco-friendly energy generation. In this work, we demonstrate a new visible-light-responsive Bi4Ti3O12/AgBr heterojunction photocatalyst constructed by in-situ anchoring AgBr particles on molten-salt-synthesized Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets via an electrostatic self-assembly method. Due to the high separation efficiency, low transport resistance and longevity of photo-generated carriers adhered to a Z-scheme migration path under a junction-induced interfacial built-in electric field, the Bi4Ti3O12/AgBr-1:1 heterojunction with an optimized component ratio and microstructure exhibits an exceptional visible-light-driven photocatalytic capability with degrading 95 % of Rhodamine B and 91 % of methyl orange in both only 7 min, and 81 % of tetracycline hydrochloride in solution in only 24 min, which dominated by the contributions of superoxide radical and photo-excited holes. Moreover, it delivers a high hydrogen-production rate of 112.4 μmol g−1h−1. This performance is several-fold improvement over the bare Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets, AgBr particles, and commercial P25 nano powders, ranking among the highest reported for Bi4Ti3O12-based systems. Consequently, this work not only presents a high-efficiency dual-functional photocatalyst for both organic pollutant’s degradation and H2-production, but also yields fundamental discoveries regarding the rational design of Z-scheme heterojunctions for advanced photocatalytic applications.
{"title":"An electrostatic self-assembled Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst achieving breakthrough performance in organic pollutants decomposition and hydrogen production","authors":"Panpan Jing , Chaoyue Zhao , Peifeng Wang , Nan Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enhancing the utilization-efficiency of photo-excited carriers via a heterojunction engineering remains a crucial challenge in developing effective and universal photocatalysts for wastewater purification and eco-friendly energy generation. In this work, we demonstrate a new visible-light-responsive Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>/AgBr heterojunction photocatalyst constructed by in-situ anchoring AgBr particles on molten-salt-synthesized Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub> nanosheets via an electrostatic self-assembly method. Due to the high separation efficiency, low transport resistance and longevity of photo-generated carriers adhered to a Z-scheme migration path under a junction-induced interfacial built-in electric field, the Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>/AgBr-1:1 heterojunction with an optimized component ratio and microstructure exhibits an exceptional visible-light-driven photocatalytic capability with degrading 95 % of Rhodamine B and 91 % of methyl orange in both only 7 min, and 81 % of tetracycline hydrochloride in solution in only 24 min, which dominated by the contributions of superoxide radical and photo-excited holes. Moreover, it delivers a high hydrogen-production rate of 112.4 μmol g<sup>−1</sup>h<sup>−1</sup>. This performance is several-fold improvement over the bare Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub> nanosheets, AgBr particles, and commercial P25 nano powders, ranking among the highest reported for Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>-based systems. Consequently, this work not only presents a high-efficiency dual-functional photocatalyst for both organic pollutant’s degradation and H<sub>2</sub>-production, but also yields fundamental discoveries regarding the rational design of Z-scheme heterojunctions for advanced photocatalytic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100757"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biopolymer-based triboelectric nanogenerators (B-TENGs) are promising power sources for sustainable and flexible electronics, but their performance is often limited by severe charge recombination at the triboelectric interface. To overcome this critical bottleneck, we report an architected multilayer B-TENG featuring a silk fibroin (SF)/MgAl LDH composite as the charge-generating layer and, to our knowledge, for the first time, a lignin-functionalized SF film as a dedicated charge-trapping layer. The strategic incorporation of lignin, an abundant and sustainable biopolymer, introduces deep-level electronic trapping states originating from its abundant aromatic moieties. That effectively suppresses interfacial charge recombination and prolongs charge lifetime. By optimizing the contents of MgAl LDH and lignin, the device achieves a measured open circuit output voltage (VOC) and current density (JSC) of 96 V and 6.56 μA/cm3, with a maximum output power (Pmax) of 205 μW, corresponding to a power density of 22.7 μW/cm2. We also propose a mechanistic linking of deep-level traps to prolonged charge lifetime and increased net transferable charge. The interface-engineering strategy demonstrated here paves the way for developing high-performance and sustainable biopolymer-based TENGs and motion sensors.
{"title":"An architected silk fibroin-lignin multilayer with deep-level trapping states for high-output triboelectric nanogenerators","authors":"Natdanai Suktep , Chanachot Sae-tang , Sirinya Ukasi , Phakkhananan Pakawanit , Supitcha Supansomboon , Jakrapong Kaewkhao , Wanwilai Vittayakorn , Tosapol Maluangnont , Te-Wei Chiu , Thitirat Charoonsuk , Naratip Vittayakorn","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biopolymer-based triboelectric nanogenerators (B-TENGs) are promising power sources for sustainable and flexible electronics, but their performance is often limited by severe charge recombination at the triboelectric interface. To overcome this critical bottleneck, we report an architected multilayer B-TENG featuring a silk fibroin (SF)/MgAl LDH composite as the charge-generating layer and, to our knowledge, for the first time, a lignin-functionalized SF film as a dedicated charge-trapping layer. The strategic incorporation of lignin, an abundant and sustainable biopolymer, introduces deep-level electronic trapping states originating from its abundant aromatic moieties. That effectively suppresses interfacial charge recombination and prolongs charge lifetime. By optimizing the contents of MgAl LDH and lignin, the device achieves a measured open circuit output voltage (<em>V</em><sub><em>OC</em></sub>) and current density (<em>J</em><sub><em>SC</em></sub>) of 96 V and 6.56 μA/cm<sup>3</sup>, with a maximum output power (<em>P</em><sub><em>max</em></sub>) of 205 μW, corresponding to a power density of 22.7 μW/cm<sup>2</sup>. We also propose a mechanistic linking of deep-level traps to prolonged charge lifetime and increased net transferable charge. The interface-engineering strategy demonstrated here paves the way for developing high-performance and sustainable biopolymer-based TENGs and motion sensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100724"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100759
Selcuk Izmirli , Sukru Cavdar
In this study, the structural, morphological, and electrical properties of TiO2 nanorod (TNR)-based heterojunction devices synthesized on p-Si substrates using the hydrothermal method for different durations were comprehensively investigated. During the production process, reaction kinetics and growth dynamics were also evaluated; ion transport and crystal growth activities were discussed in detail, starting from the nucleation stage. SEM images showed that the lengths of TNR structures produced with hydrothermal reaction times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h increased from 355 nm to 1.78 μm, while their diameters increased from 30–40 nm to 280–300 nm. XRD analyses revealed that the dominant phase in all samples was rutile TiO2, and that the growth dynamics occurred in the (101) plane, while growth in the (002) and (110) planes supported the formation of the crystal structure. In the I-V characterization of heterojunction devices produced with TNRs of different thicknesses, devices with thin TNR interfaces stood out with their strong rectification behavior, low ideality factors, and strong photodiode performance. However, with the growth of TNR structures, the diode character was lost. In the photodetector performance metrics of the devices, devices with thin TNR interfaces also exhibited higher photoresponsivity (Rph) and photosensitivity (Sph) behavior. Furthermore, these devices offered high detectivity (D∗) even at low light intensities. The results obtained confirm that the hydrothermal production parameters optimized in this study are crucial for TNR morphology.
{"title":"Hydrothermal growth dynamics of TiO2 nanorods on p-Si: Linking reaction time to structural evolution and optoelectronic device performance","authors":"Selcuk Izmirli , Sukru Cavdar","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, the structural, morphological, and electrical properties of TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorod (TNR)-based heterojunction devices synthesized on p-Si substrates using the hydrothermal method for different durations were comprehensively investigated. During the production process, reaction kinetics and growth dynamics were also evaluated; ion transport and crystal growth activities were discussed in detail, starting from the nucleation stage. SEM images showed that the lengths of TNR structures produced with hydrothermal reaction times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h increased from 355 nm to 1.78 μm, while their diameters increased from 30–40 nm to 280–300 nm. XRD analyses revealed that the dominant phase in all samples was rutile TiO<sub>2</sub>, and that the growth dynamics occurred in the (101) plane, while growth in the (002) and (110) planes supported the formation of the crystal structure. In the I-V characterization of heterojunction devices produced with TNRs of different thicknesses, devices with thin TNR interfaces stood out with their strong rectification behavior, low ideality factors, and strong photodiode performance. However, with the growth of TNR structures, the diode character was lost. In the photodetector performance metrics of the devices, devices with thin TNR interfaces also exhibited higher photoresponsivity (R<sub>ph</sub>) and photosensitivity (S<sub>ph</sub>) behavior. Furthermore, these devices offered high detectivity (D∗) even at low light intensities. The results obtained confirm that the hydrothermal production parameters optimized in this study are crucial for TNR morphology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100759"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100771
Jianyan Feng , Mengyuan Li , Yang Bai , Qingquan Zhang , Qing Wang , Jiafei Sun , Shuaizhe Wang , Peng Zhang
Lightweight, flexible, highly efficient and highly stable multifunctional electromagnetic shielding materials are in high demand in both civilian and military fields. In this paper, a flexible conductive foam SFPU/Fe3+-CNTs was prepared by co-foaming using solvent-free polyurethane (SFPU) as the matrix and ferric chloride (FeCl3) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as fillers, taking advantage of the rapid polymerization and chemical foaming mechanism of SFPU. Then, a lightweight and compressible CNTs@SFPU/Fe3+-CNTs electromagnetic shielding foam was fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted impregnation of CNTs. The composition, microstructure and electromagnetic shielding performance of the flexible conductive foam were analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, SEM and vector network analyzer, and the mechanism of the synergistic enhancement of electromagnetic shielding performance by FeCl3 and CNTs was explored. Thanks to the unique porous structure for dissipating electromagnetic waves and the synergistic shielding effect of FeCl3 and CNTs, the foam exhibited a high electromagnetic interference shielding performance of 52 dB in the X-band and a high specific shielding effectiveness of 595.4 dB/(g/cm3) at a thickness of 3 mm. Moreover, the foam maintained its efficient electromagnetic shielding performance after compression cycles, water washing and tape peeling. Finally, the thermal insulation and flame retardant properties of the conductive foam were investigated, greatly expanding its practical application scenarios. This work presents a simple and scalable method for fabricating lightweight and efficient electromagnetic shielding materials for applications in civil, aerospace, military, and other fields.
{"title":"Construction of solvent-free polyurethane-based multifunctional electromagnetic shielding foam through the synergistic enhancement of in-situ binding of Fe3+ and CNTs","authors":"Jianyan Feng , Mengyuan Li , Yang Bai , Qingquan Zhang , Qing Wang , Jiafei Sun , Shuaizhe Wang , Peng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lightweight, flexible, highly efficient and highly stable multifunctional electromagnetic shielding materials are in high demand in both civilian and military fields. In this paper, a flexible conductive foam SFPU/Fe<sup>3+</sup>-CNTs was prepared by co-foaming using solvent-free polyurethane (SFPU) as the matrix and ferric chloride (FeCl<sub>3</sub>) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as fillers, taking advantage of the rapid polymerization and chemical foaming mechanism of SFPU. Then, a lightweight and compressible CNTs@SFPU/Fe<sup>3+</sup>-CNTs electromagnetic shielding foam was fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted impregnation of CNTs. The composition, microstructure and electromagnetic shielding performance of the flexible conductive foam were analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, SEM and vector network analyzer, and the mechanism of the synergistic enhancement of electromagnetic shielding performance by FeCl<sub>3</sub> and CNTs was explored. Thanks to the unique porous structure for dissipating electromagnetic waves and the synergistic shielding effect of FeCl<sub>3</sub> and CNTs, the foam exhibited a high electromagnetic interference shielding performance of 52 dB in the X-band and a high specific shielding effectiveness of 595.4 dB/(g/cm<sup>3</sup>) at a thickness of 3 mm. Moreover, the foam maintained its efficient electromagnetic shielding performance after compression cycles, water washing and tape peeling. Finally, the thermal insulation and flame retardant properties of the conductive foam were investigated, greatly expanding its practical application scenarios. This work presents a simple and scalable method for fabricating lightweight and efficient electromagnetic shielding materials for applications in civil, aerospace, military, and other fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100771"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100719
Israa Othman , Samar Al Jitan , Fawzi Banat , Giovanni Palmisano , Mohammad Abu Haija
This study reports the synthesis and characterization of Ag-decorated g-C3N4 quantum dots (CNQDs) incorporated into CuFe2O4 (CF) nanocomposites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR) to C2-C3 oxygenated hydrocarbons under visible light irradiation. The Ag-decorated C3N4/CuFe2O4 (Ag/CNCF) nanocomposite was comprehensively characterized using XRD, UV–Vis DRS, TEM, STEM, BET, Raman, FTIR, PL, XPS, XAFS, and electrochemical analyses. TEM and STEM analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion of Ag and CNQDs on CF nanoparticles. The formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction facilitated charge transfer to Ag, which served as both an electron-transfer mediator and a plasmonic component, thus enhancing CO2RR photocatalytic performance. The optimized Ag/CNCF nanocomposite demonstrated effective visible light absorption and efficient charge separation, characterized by a narrow bandgap and suppressed photoluminescence. Consequently, the Ag/CNCF nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic activity compared to its individual and binary components, achieving a high acetaldehyde yield of 7.05 μmol gcat−1 h−1 within 12 h under ambient conditions using water as the hydrogen source. The yield of acetaldehyde obtained with Ag/CNCF was 9-fold greater than that with CNCF. The dual plasmonic and electron-mediating functions of Ag significantly improved the Z-scheme mechanism, offering new insights into the rational design of efficient catalytic materials for visible-light-driven CO2 conversion.
{"title":"Efficient visible light photocatalytic CO2 reduction using Ag-decorated g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites under ambient conditions","authors":"Israa Othman , Samar Al Jitan , Fawzi Banat , Giovanni Palmisano , Mohammad Abu Haija","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100719","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100719","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports the synthesis and characterization of Ag-decorated g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> quantum dots (CNQDs) incorporated into CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (CF) nanocomposites for photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) to C<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>3</sub> oxygenated hydrocarbons under visible light irradiation. The Ag-decorated C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (Ag/CNCF) nanocomposite was comprehensively characterized using XRD, UV–Vis DRS, TEM, STEM, BET, Raman, FTIR, PL, XPS, XAFS, and electrochemical analyses. TEM and STEM analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion of Ag and CNQDs on CF nanoparticles. The formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction facilitated charge transfer to Ag, which served as both an electron-transfer mediator and a plasmonic component, thus enhancing CO<sub>2</sub>RR photocatalytic performance. The optimized Ag/CNCF nanocomposite demonstrated effective visible light absorption and efficient charge separation, characterized by a narrow bandgap and suppressed photoluminescence. Consequently, the Ag/CNCF nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic activity compared to its individual and binary components, achieving a high acetaldehyde yield of 7.05 μmol g<sub>cat</sub><sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> within 12 h under ambient conditions using water as the hydrogen source. The yield of acetaldehyde obtained with Ag/CNCF was 9-fold greater than that with CNCF. The dual plasmonic and electron-mediating functions of Ag significantly improved the Z-scheme mechanism, offering new insights into the rational design of efficient catalytic materials for visible-light-driven CO<sub>2</sub> conversion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100719"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-03-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100791
Jingyi Cui , Fei Xie , Lixin Zhang , Yanqiang Zhao , Dan Wang , Yijia Qiu , Jiayuan Meng , Ningxin Zhu , Man Qin , Zhiqiang Lin , Yuanyuan Wang
Periodontitis is a chronic oral inflammation triggered by bacterial plaque and characterised by dysregulation of the host immune response. Conventional treatments, including mechanical debridement and antibiotic therapy, are hampered by incomplete biofilm eradication and increasing antibiotic resistance, prompting a critical need for the development of innovative treatment strategies. In this study, we designed and synthesised a chromium-based metal–organic framework (Cr-MOF), which integrated multiple therapeutic modes into a single nano-platform. The Cr-MOF significantly attenuated intracellular inflammatory responses by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The Cr-MOF also effectively decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and promoted an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype, which is essential for tissue repair. In terms of antibacterial performance, Cr-MOF strongly inhibited the growth of key pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and effectively inhibited the formation of bacterial biofilms. Furthermore, local injection of a hydrogel containing Cr-MOF in a rat periodontitis model resulted in a marked reduction in local periodontal inflammation and promoted favourable alveolar bone repair. In summary, Cr-MOF exhibits dual therapeutic potential through its ability to mitigate both the host inflammatory response and bacterial burden in periodontitis. Due to its integrated antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions, Cr-MOF represents a promising therapeutic candidate that may address the limitations of current treatments and offer new strategies for periodontitis.
{"title":"Chromium-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activity for Periodontitis Treatment","authors":"Jingyi Cui , Fei Xie , Lixin Zhang , Yanqiang Zhao , Dan Wang , Yijia Qiu , Jiayuan Meng , Ningxin Zhu , Man Qin , Zhiqiang Lin , Yuanyuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Periodontitis is a chronic oral inflammation triggered by bacterial plaque and characterised by dysregulation of the host immune response. Conventional treatments, including mechanical debridement and antibiotic therapy, are hampered by incomplete biofilm eradication and increasing antibiotic resistance, prompting a critical need for the development of innovative treatment strategies. In this study, we designed and synthesised a chromium-based metal–organic framework (Cr-MOF), which integrated multiple therapeutic modes into a single nano-platform. The Cr-MOF significantly attenuated intracellular inflammatory responses by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The Cr-MOF also effectively decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and promoted an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype, which is essential for tissue repair. In terms of antibacterial performance, Cr-MOF strongly inhibited the growth of key pathogens, such as <em>Porphyromonas gingivalis</em>, <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and effectively inhibited the formation of bacterial biofilms. Furthermore, local injection of a hydrogel containing Cr-MOF in a rat periodontitis model resulted in a marked reduction in local periodontal inflammation and promoted favourable alveolar bone repair. In summary, Cr-MOF exhibits dual therapeutic potential through its ability to mitigate both the host inflammatory response and bacterial burden in periodontitis. Due to its integrated antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions, Cr-MOF represents a promising therapeutic candidate that may address the limitations of current treatments and offer new strategies for periodontitis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100791"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100788
Maroof Alade Kareem, Hassan Adebayo Shittu, Abayomi Aremu, Ismaila Taiwo Bello, Murendeni Isaac Nemufulwi, Bala Ismail Adamu, Mokhotjwa Simon Dhlamini
The presence of ammonia (NH3), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen (H2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other hazardous gases impairs workplace safety, public health, and environmental sustainability. The timely detection of these gases is necessary for a safe and sustainable environment. Despite the widespread use of conventional sensing platforms such as electrochemical sensors and metal oxide semiconductors, they suffer from poor selectivity, low sensitivity, and slow response/recovery due to their instability in complex environments. The advancements in two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and MXenes, have opened new possibilities for high-performance gas sensing, stemming from their rich surface chemistries, atomically thin structures, and adjustable band gaps, offering quick charge transfer, improved adsorption, and allowing room-temperature operation. Recent developments in the synthesis routes and device architectures of 2D materials for gas detection are summarized in this review. Additionally, their sensing mechanisms, such as charge transfer, gas adsorption, and Schottky barrier modulation, are highlighted. Density functional theory (DFT) modeling guides experimental interpretation and reveals the atomistic mechanisms underlying adsorption energetics, electronic modulation, and the effects of defects or doping. Smart, selective, and energy-efficient gas sensors are being developed more quickly thanks to the combination of DFT modeling and experimental research. Collectively, these developments position 2D nanomaterials as a revolutionary candidate for next-generation sensing technologies for industrial safety, healthcare diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.
{"title":"Two-dimensional nanomaterials in gas detection: Experimental investigations and first-principles perspectives","authors":"Maroof Alade Kareem, Hassan Adebayo Shittu, Abayomi Aremu, Ismaila Taiwo Bello, Murendeni Isaac Nemufulwi, Bala Ismail Adamu, Mokhotjwa Simon Dhlamini","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>), nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other hazardous gases impairs workplace safety, public health, and environmental sustainability. The timely detection of these gases is necessary for a safe and sustainable environment. Despite the widespread use of conventional sensing platforms such as electrochemical sensors and metal oxide semiconductors, they suffer from poor selectivity, low sensitivity, and slow response/recovery due to their instability in complex environments. The advancements in two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and MXenes, have opened new possibilities for high-performance gas sensing, stemming from their rich surface chemistries, atomically thin structures, and adjustable band gaps, offering quick charge transfer, improved adsorption, and allowing room-temperature operation. Recent developments in the synthesis routes and device architectures of 2D materials for gas detection are summarized in this review. Additionally, their sensing mechanisms, such as charge transfer, gas adsorption, and Schottky barrier modulation, are highlighted. Density functional theory (DFT) modeling guides experimental interpretation and reveals the atomistic mechanisms underlying adsorption energetics, electronic modulation, and the effects of defects or doping. Smart, selective, and energy-efficient gas sensors are being developed more quickly thanks to the combination of DFT modeling and experimental research. Collectively, these developments position 2D nanomaterials as a revolutionary candidate for next-generation sensing technologies for industrial safety, healthcare diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100788"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100784
Yang Shen , Yuhan Wang , Yangfan Li , Mengshu Ge , Xiaozhi Liu , Dong Su
The investigation of hydrogen-driven reduction in 3d transition-metal oxides plays a critical role in bridging fundamental insights and practical industrial applications. Despite extensive studies, atomic-scale insights under operando conditions remain scarce. Here, we employ in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the reaction pathway of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles under hydrogen atmosphere. Our results reveal that the CoFe2O4 reduction proceeds via a two-stage mechanism comprising an initial Co-reduction-dominated phase separation followed by the subsequent reduction of FeOx phases. The first stage begins with cation demixing, resulting in the formation of metallic Co nanoparticles dispersed within a non-stoichiometric FeO matrix. The second stage involves two parallel pathways: a direct route in which FeO is reduced to metallic Fe followed by rapid Fe–Co interdiffusion, and an indirect route in which FeO disproportionates into Fe3O4 and Fe, which subsequently migrate and undergo metal–oxide heterophase coalescence. At elevated temperatures, the composite ultimately evolves into CoFe alloys along with Fe and Co nanoparticles. Our work highlights non-synchronous kinetic interplay between hydrogen reduction and alloy reaction, providing atomic-scale mechanistic insights relevant to the utilization of complex oxides in catalysis and metallurgy applications.
{"title":"Atomic-scale visualization of reaction pathways of CoFe2O4 under hydrogen reduction","authors":"Yang Shen , Yuhan Wang , Yangfan Li , Mengshu Ge , Xiaozhi Liu , Dong Su","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100784","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The investigation of hydrogen-driven reduction in 3d transition-metal oxides plays a critical role in bridging fundamental insights and practical industrial applications. Despite extensive studies, atomic-scale insights under operando conditions remain scarce. Here, we employ in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the reaction pathway of CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles under hydrogen atmosphere. Our results reveal that the CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> reduction proceeds via a two-stage mechanism comprising an initial Co-reduction-dominated phase separation followed by the subsequent reduction of FeO<sub>x</sub> phases. The first stage begins with cation demixing, resulting in the formation of metallic Co nanoparticles dispersed within a non-stoichiometric FeO matrix. The second stage involves two parallel pathways: a direct route in which FeO is reduced to metallic Fe followed by rapid Fe–Co interdiffusion, and an indirect route in which FeO disproportionates into Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and Fe, which subsequently migrate and undergo metal–oxide heterophase coalescence. At elevated temperatures, the composite ultimately evolves into CoFe alloys along with Fe and Co nanoparticles. Our work highlights non-synchronous kinetic interplay between hydrogen reduction and alloy reaction, providing atomic-scale mechanistic insights relevant to the utilization of complex oxides in catalysis and metallurgy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100784"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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