Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100764
Taiding Xu , Ling Chen , Junhui Ding , Linxian Chen , Ke Zhao , Miao Qi , Lei Xu , Jingxia Qiu , Jun Dong , Sheng Li
Flexible pressure sensors (FPSs) can accurately convert mechanical signals into electrical signals, garnering significant attention for their use in mimicking human skin sensation. Flexible capacitive pressure sensors (FCPSs) are favored among various pressure sensors due to their simple device structure, low power consumption, and high stability. These attributes cause FCPSs to be widely used in wearable devices and machine tactile sensing applications. To better satisfy these demands, it is important to improve the performance of FCPSs in terms of sensitivity, linearity, working range, stability, response time, and recovery time. In recent years, significant efforts have been dedicated to improving sensing performance through the integration of distinctive microstructures within the dielectric and electrode layers. This review introduces the working mechanisms and fabrication strategies of various microstructure configurations in FCPSs. These microstructures are classified into two categories: homogeneous microstructures and non-uniform microstructures. Typical examples include micropyramids, micropillars/microcones, microhemispheres, hybrid/hierarchical structures, sandpaper-based structures, natural plant-derived microstructures, porous structures, and fiber-network structures. The influence of microstructural design on sensor performance is systematically analyzed. Furthermore, potential future developments and key challenges in the advancement of FCPSs are discussed.
{"title":"Recent advances in microstructure engineering for flexible capacitive pressure sensors","authors":"Taiding Xu , Ling Chen , Junhui Ding , Linxian Chen , Ke Zhao , Miao Qi , Lei Xu , Jingxia Qiu , Jun Dong , Sheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible pressure sensors (FPSs) can accurately convert mechanical signals into electrical signals, garnering significant attention for their use in mimicking human skin sensation. Flexible capacitive pressure sensors (FCPSs) are favored among various pressure sensors due to their simple device structure, low power consumption, and high stability. These attributes cause FCPSs to be widely used in wearable devices and machine tactile sensing applications. To better satisfy these demands, it is important to improve the performance of FCPSs in terms of sensitivity, linearity, working range, stability, response time, and recovery time. In recent years, significant efforts have been dedicated to improving sensing performance through the integration of distinctive microstructures within the dielectric and electrode layers. This review introduces the working mechanisms and fabrication strategies of various microstructure configurations in FCPSs. These microstructures are classified into two categories: <em>homogeneous microstructures</em> and <em>non-uniform microstructures</em>. Typical examples include micropyramids, micropillars/microcones, microhemispheres, hybrid/hierarchical structures, sandpaper-based structures, natural plant-derived microstructures, porous structures, and fiber-network structures. The influence of microstructural design on sensor performance is systematically analyzed. Furthermore, potential future developments and key challenges in the advancement of FCPSs are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100764"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173024","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}
Potassium tungsten bronzes (KxWO3) are nonstoichiometric oxides in which alkali ions, i.e., K+, occupy one-dimensional tunnels of the hexagonal WO6 framework, enabling coupled ionic–electronic transport. While their bulk and nanostructured forms have been studied extensively, controlled synthesis of single-crystalline mesoscale samples suitable for device fabrication has remained limited. Here, we report a solid–liquid–solid (SLS) growth strategy that yields high-quality KxWO3 nanobelts with thicknesses down to ∼36 nm and lateral sizes exceeding 100 μm. The crystals display sharp optical domains arising from local variations in potassium occupancy, as confirmed by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction. Under applied bias, these domains vanish irreversibly, consistent with lateral redistribution of K+ ions along the tunnels. Two-terminal devices fabricated from individual nanobelts exhibit reproducible bipolar switching with resistance ratios of 10–30, characteristic short-term and long-term plasticity under pulsed excitation, and switching energies of ∼25 nJ. These results establish KxWO3 as a model tunnel-structured oxide for studying electric-field-driven alkali-ion migration, while also highlighting its potential for stable, analog resistive switching and iontronic memory applications.
{"title":"Synthesis of ultra-thin potassium tungsten bronze single crystals with optically contrasting domains and resistive switching","authors":"Abdulsalam Aji Suleiman , Amir Parsi , Hafiz Muhammad Shakir , Hamid Reza Rasouli , Doruk Pehlivanoğlu , Talip Serkan Kasırga","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Potassium tungsten bronzes (K<sub>x</sub>WO<sub>3</sub>) are nonstoichiometric oxides in which alkali ions, i.e., K<sup>+</sup>, occupy one-dimensional tunnels of the hexagonal WO<sub>6</sub> framework, enabling coupled ionic–electronic transport. While their bulk and nanostructured forms have been studied extensively, controlled synthesis of single-crystalline mesoscale samples suitable for device fabrication has remained limited. Here, we report a solid–liquid–solid (SLS) growth strategy that yields high-quality K<sub>x</sub>WO<sub>3</sub> nanobelts with thicknesses down to ∼36 nm and lateral sizes exceeding 100 μm. The crystals display sharp optical domains arising from local variations in potassium occupancy, as confirmed by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction. Under applied bias, these domains vanish irreversibly, consistent with lateral redistribution of K<sup>+</sup> ions along the tunnels. Two-terminal devices fabricated from individual nanobelts exhibit reproducible bipolar switching with resistance ratios of 10–30, characteristic short-term and long-term plasticity under pulsed excitation, and switching energies of ∼25 nJ. These results establish K<sub>x</sub>WO<sub>3</sub> as a model tunnel-structured oxide for studying electric-field-driven alkali-ion migration, while also highlighting its potential for stable, analog resistive switching and iontronic memory applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100735"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737069","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: 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100731
Yunze Xu , Xiongya Li , Xiaochen Feng , Xiaochang Lu , Jiawei Lin , Dingguo Luo , Ranjith Kumar Kankala , Shibin Wang , Aizheng Chen , Chaoping Fu
The rise of antibiotic resistance and the slow pace of new antibiotic discovery highlight the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising candidate, but its efficacy is limited by shallow light penetration and hypoxic microenvironments in deep-seated infections such as abscesses and biofilms. Here, we developed a self-oxygenating nanocomposite (HTCC-MnO2-Ce6, HMC) to overcome these barriers. Quaternized chitosan (HTCC) provided intrinsic antibacterial activity and facilitated electrostatic interactions with bacterial membranes. MnO2 nanoparticles catalyzed endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into O2, thereby alleviating hypoxia and sustaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under light irradiation. Ce6 acted as a photosensitizer to induce oxidative damage, while the HTCC matrix further promoted bacterial membrane disruption. In vitro, HMC displayed excellent cytocompatibility and achieved over 95 % bacterial reduction under hypoxic conditions. In a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) abscess model, treatment markedly decreased bacterial burden, attenuated inflammation, and accelerated wound closure within 14 days. Collectively, this self-oxygenating nanoplatform integrates catalytic oxygen generation, membrane-targeted antibacterial activity, and photodynamic therapy, offering a potent non-antibiotic approach for managing multidrug-resistant infections and promoting abscess healing.
{"title":"Development of self-oxygenated nano-MnO2 composites for enhanced antibacterial photodynamic therapy","authors":"Yunze Xu , Xiongya Li , Xiaochen Feng , Xiaochang Lu , Jiawei Lin , Dingguo Luo , Ranjith Kumar Kankala , Shibin Wang , Aizheng Chen , Chaoping Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rise of antibiotic resistance and the slow pace of new antibiotic discovery highlight the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising candidate, but its efficacy is limited by shallow light penetration and hypoxic microenvironments in deep-seated infections such as abscesses and biofilms. Here, we developed a self-oxygenating nanocomposite (HTCC-MnO<sub>2</sub>-Ce6, HMC) to overcome these barriers. Quaternized chitosan (HTCC) provided intrinsic antibacterial activity and facilitated electrostatic interactions with bacterial membranes. MnO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles catalyzed endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) into O<sub>2</sub>, thereby alleviating hypoxia and sustaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under light irradiation. Ce6 acted as a photosensitizer to induce oxidative damage, while the HTCC matrix further promoted bacterial membrane disruption. <em>In vitro</em>, HMC displayed excellent cytocompatibility and achieved over 95 % bacterial reduction under hypoxic conditions. In a methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (<em>MRSA</em>) abscess model, treatment markedly decreased bacterial burden, attenuated inflammation, and accelerated wound closure within 14 days. Collectively, this self-oxygenating nanoplatform integrates catalytic oxygen generation, membrane-targeted antibacterial activity, and photodynamic therapy, offering a potent non-antibiotic approach for managing multidrug-resistant infections and promoting abscess healing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100731"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789840","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: 2026-01-18DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100762
Zijing Li , Luqi Song , Zheyi Shi , Yi Feng , Ran Zhu , Wei Chen , Jiaming Xie
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the significant threats to human health worldwide, and its conventional treatments have obvious limitations. With the development of nanomedicine, the strategy of integrating multiple therapeutic approaches into a single nanoplatform is expected to lead to more efficient treatment of tumors. This study utilizes the nanomaterial PCN-224 as a carrier, labels it with 177Lu, and modifies its surface with sorafenib (SOR) to construct an integrated diagnostic and therapeutic nanoplatform. The surface modification of SOR not only functions as targeted therapy (TT), but also enhances the active targeting of the nanoparticles and their accumulation at the tumor site. This in vivo distribution could be monitored by dual-modality imaging using fluorescence imaging and SPECT/CT imaging. The long retention allows 177Lu-mediated radioisotope therapy (RIT) to continue working inside the tumor, thereby improving the limitations of photodynamic therapy (PDT), where the depth of light penetration is limited. Additionally, all three therapeutic modalities can act as inducers of immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby further enhancing the therapeutic effects by activating the immune response. In conclusion, this work designs a combined triple therapy of PDT-RIT-TT to treat HCC through the direct killing effect and the indirect effect of ICD, utilizing multiple synergistic effects to improve the shortcomings of single therapy, and shows promising prospects for clinical application.
{"title":"Development strategies for sorafenib-based targeted radiotheranostic biomaterials: From targeted delivery to multimodal monitoring","authors":"Zijing Li , Luqi Song , Zheyi Shi , Yi Feng , Ran Zhu , Wei Chen , Jiaming Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the significant threats to human health worldwide, and its conventional treatments have obvious limitations. With the development of nanomedicine, the strategy of integrating multiple therapeutic approaches into a single nanoplatform is expected to lead to more efficient treatment of tumors. This study utilizes the nanomaterial PCN-224 as a carrier, labels it with <sup>177</sup>Lu, and modifies its surface with sorafenib (SOR) to construct an integrated diagnostic and therapeutic nanoplatform. The surface modification of SOR not only functions as targeted therapy (TT), but also enhances the active targeting of the nanoparticles and their accumulation at the tumor site. This <em>in vivo</em> distribution could be monitored by dual-modality imaging using fluorescence imaging and SPECT/CT imaging. The long retention allows <sup>177</sup>Lu-mediated radioisotope therapy (RIT) to continue working inside the tumor, thereby improving the limitations of photodynamic therapy (PDT), where the depth of light penetration is limited. Additionally, all three therapeutic modalities can act as inducers of immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby further enhancing the therapeutic effects by activating the immune response. In conclusion, this work designs a combined triple therapy of PDT-RIT-TT to treat HCC through the direct killing effect and the indirect effect of ICD, utilizing multiple synergistic effects to improve the shortcomings of single therapy, and shows promising prospects for clinical application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100762"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022587","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: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100721
M.A. Mohajerzadeh , Z. Torkashvand , F. Salehi , M. Esfandiari , S. Mohajerzadeh
Large-area chlorine-doped CaSnO3 perovskite nanosheets were synthesized directly on stainless-steel foils through a synergistic sol–gel, plasma-assisted, and electrochemical process. In this approach, chlorine introduced via the precursor solution becomes incorporated into the perovskite lattice during synthesis, acting as a dopant that promotes anisotropic crystal growth and facilitates the formation of extended, two-dimensional sheets. The resulting nanosheets exhibit well-defined hexagonal morphology, high crystallinity, and lateral dimensions exceeding 10 μm, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses. Moreover, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements verify the orthorhombic CaSnO3 phase and confirm successful chlorine incorporation into the lattice.
To elucidate the role of chlorine, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for both substitutional and interstitial doping configurations. Theoretical results indicate that Cl incorporation induces local lattice distortion, modifies Sn–O bonding, and reduces the electronic bandgap from 2.3 eV to 1.8 eV, leading to semi-metallic characteristics. These findings are consistent with UV–visible spectroscopy measurements, which show a bandgap reduction from 4.45 eV in pristine CaSnO3 to approximately 4.2 eV in the Cl-doped nanosheets. The agreement between experimental and theoretical trends confirms the key role of Cl doping in tailoring the electronic structure. Overall, the combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that chlorine doping not only drives the morphological evolution toward sheet-like structures but also enables precise tuning of the electronic and optical properties of CaSnO3. This work establishes a scalable pathway for the design of halogen-doped perovskite oxides with enhanced optoelectronic functionalities.
{"title":"Large-area chlorine-doped CaSnO3 perovskite sheet formation with a liquid phase deposition technique: bandgap engineering","authors":"M.A. Mohajerzadeh , Z. Torkashvand , F. Salehi , M. Esfandiari , S. Mohajerzadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Large-area chlorine-doped CaSnO<sub>3</sub> perovskite nanosheets were synthesized directly on stainless-steel foils through a synergistic sol–gel, plasma-assisted, and electrochemical process. In this approach, chlorine introduced via the precursor solution becomes incorporated into the perovskite lattice during synthesis, acting as a dopant that promotes anisotropic crystal growth and facilitates the formation of extended, two-dimensional sheets. The resulting nanosheets exhibit well-defined hexagonal morphology, high crystallinity, and lateral dimensions exceeding 10 μm, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses. Moreover, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements verify the orthorhombic CaSnO<sub>3</sub> phase and confirm successful chlorine incorporation into the lattice.</div><div>To elucidate the role of chlorine, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for both substitutional and interstitial doping configurations. Theoretical results indicate that Cl incorporation induces local lattice distortion, modifies Sn–O bonding, and reduces the electronic bandgap from 2.3 eV to 1.8 eV, leading to semi-metallic characteristics. These findings are consistent with UV–visible spectroscopy measurements, which show a bandgap reduction from 4.45 eV in pristine CaSnO<sub>3</sub> to approximately 4.2 eV in the Cl-doped nanosheets. The agreement between experimental and theoretical trends confirms the key role of Cl doping in tailoring the electronic structure. Overall, the combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that chlorine doping not only drives the morphological evolution toward sheet-like structures but also enables precise tuning of the electronic and optical properties of CaSnO<sub>3</sub>. This work establishes a scalable pathway for the design of halogen-doped perovskite oxides with enhanced optoelectronic functionalities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100721"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145537074","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: 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100726
Shadab Dabagh , Hamed Ghorbanpoor , Merve Nur Soykan , Ayla Eker Sarıboyacı , Barbara Adinolfi , Ambra Giannetti , Zesen Li , Ni Lan , Bai-Ou Guan , Hüseyin Avci , Yang Ran , Francesco Chiavaioli
Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, causing nearly 10 million deaths annually. We report a multifunctional magnetite-based dendrimer nanocarrier (MAGSiAG1) and its ibuprofen-loaded form (IBU@MAGSiAG1) for synergistic anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hyperthermia, and diagnostic applications. FTIR, XRD, TGA, DLS, and zeta potential analyses confirm successful sequential functionalization, dendrimer formation, and ibuprofen loading, resulting in spherical nanocarriers with an average hydrodynamic size of 70 nm and near-neutral surface charge (−39 mV) suitable for tumor penetration and systemic stability. VSM measurements reveal superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization decreasing from 75 emu/g to 35–40 emu/g, ensuring strong magnetic responsiveness while maintaining colloidal stability. Under an alternating magnetic field (150 Oe), IBU@MAGSiAG1 achieves therapeutic temperatures (∼45 °C) via Néel and Brownian relaxation. In vitro relaxivity measurements showcase high T2 relaxivity coefficient (r2 = 358.88 ± 5 mM−1 s−1 for MAGSiAG1, 335 ± 49.8 mM−1 s−1 for IBU@MAGSiAG1), empowering effective MRI contrast. Drug loading efficiency exceeds 90%, with pH-responsive release profile that demonstrates accelerated ibuprofen release in acidic conditions (tumor-mimicking pH 5.0–6.5) and slower release at physiological pH (∼7.4). Cytotoxicity studies on MCF-7 human cancer cells reveal good viability (85–90%) at 250–400 μg/mL of drug concentration range, while higher concentrations (∼400 μg/mL) reduce viability to ∼60%, indicating therapeutic potential. Good biocompatibility of the developed nanocarriers is attained using with EA.hy926 endothelial cells, ensuring safe systemic delivery. Overall, IBU@MAGSiAG1 showcases high multifunctionality by integrating hyperthermia, controlled drug release, and MRI contrast into a single platform, paving the way for novel therapeutic targeted treatments in cancers that might advance personalized medicine approaches.
{"title":"Multifunctional dendrimer nanocarrier loaded with ibuprofen for synergistic personalized theranostics and targeted ablation in breast cancer","authors":"Shadab Dabagh , Hamed Ghorbanpoor , Merve Nur Soykan , Ayla Eker Sarıboyacı , Barbara Adinolfi , Ambra Giannetti , Zesen Li , Ni Lan , Bai-Ou Guan , Hüseyin Avci , Yang Ran , Francesco Chiavaioli","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, causing nearly 10 million deaths annually. We report a multifunctional magnetite-based dendrimer nanocarrier (MAGSiAG<sub>1</sub>) and its ibuprofen-loaded form (IBU@MAGSiAG<sub>1</sub>) for synergistic anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hyperthermia, and diagnostic applications. FTIR, XRD, TGA, DLS, and zeta potential analyses confirm successful sequential functionalization, dendrimer formation, and ibuprofen loading, resulting in spherical nanocarriers with an average hydrodynamic size of 70 nm and near-neutral surface charge (−39 mV) suitable for tumor penetration and systemic stability. VSM measurements reveal superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization decreasing from 75 emu/g to 35–40 emu/g, ensuring strong magnetic responsiveness while maintaining colloidal stability. Under an alternating magnetic field (150 Oe), IBU@MAGSiAG1 achieves therapeutic temperatures (∼45 °C) via <em>Néel</em> and <em>Brownian</em> relaxation. <em>In vitro</em> relaxivity measurements showcase high T2 relaxivity coefficient (r<sub>2</sub> = 358.88 ± 5 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> for MAGSiAG1, 335 ± 49.8 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> for IBU@MAGSiAG1), empowering effective MRI contrast. Drug loading efficiency exceeds 90%, with pH-responsive release profile that demonstrates accelerated ibuprofen release in acidic conditions (tumor-mimicking pH 5.0–6.5) and slower release at physiological pH (∼7.4). Cytotoxicity studies on MCF-7 human cancer cells reveal good viability (85–90%) at 250–400 μg/mL of drug concentration range, while higher concentrations (∼400 μg/mL) reduce viability to ∼60%, indicating therapeutic potential. Good biocompatibility of the developed nanocarriers is attained using with EA.hy926 endothelial cells, ensuring safe systemic delivery. Overall, IBU@MAGSiAG1 showcases high multifunctionality by integrating hyperthermia, controlled drug release, and MRI contrast into a single platform, paving the way for novel therapeutic targeted treatments in cancers that might advance personalized medicine approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100726"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684933","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: 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100779
Jifeng Liu , Chao Liu , Yingchen Li , Qinwen Guo , Zhiwen Xu , Yahui Su , Zhihao Hu , Baoyu Han , Hongkun Cai , Jian Ni , Juan Li , Jianjun Zhang
In inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs), nickel oxide (NiOx) thin films as hole-transport layers (HTLs) critically influence device performance, especially for flexible PSCs. This study reports the synthesis of cerium-doped NiOx (Ce:NiOx) nanoparticles via chemical precipitation and their application as HTLs in IPSCs. Doping 1 mol% Ce into NiOx significantly enhances electrical conductivity and carrier mobility, while tailoring the HTL work function to achieve optimal energy-level alignment with the perovskite layer. This modification reduces non-radiative recombination losses at the HTL-perovskite interface, boosting hole extraction and transport efficiency. Consequently, Ce:NiOx-based IPSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.66%, outperforming undoped devices (18.31% PCE) with improved stability. Furthermore, by introducing [4-(3,6-dimethyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)butyl]phosphonic acid (Me-4PACz) as a self-assembled layer on the modified nickel oxide nanoparticles, the device efficiency was further elevated to 24.56%. Notably, the low-temperature processability of chemically precipitated Ce:NiOx enables its use in flexible devices, yielding 21.14% efficiency in flexible IPSCs. This work highlights Ce-doped NiOx as a promising HTL for high-performance rigid and flexible perovskite photovoltaics.
{"title":"Enhanced low-temperature properties of Ce-doped NiOx as hole transport layer for efficient inverted perovskite solar cells","authors":"Jifeng Liu , Chao Liu , Yingchen Li , Qinwen Guo , Zhiwen Xu , Yahui Su , Zhihao Hu , Baoyu Han , Hongkun Cai , Jian Ni , Juan Li , Jianjun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs), nickel oxide (NiOx) thin films as hole-transport layers (HTLs) critically influence device performance, especially for flexible PSCs. This study reports the synthesis of cerium-doped NiOx (Ce:NiOx) nanoparticles via chemical precipitation and their application as HTLs in IPSCs. Doping 1 mol% Ce into NiOx significantly enhances electrical conductivity and carrier mobility, while tailoring the HTL work function to achieve optimal energy-level alignment with the perovskite layer. This modification reduces non-radiative recombination losses at the HTL-perovskite interface, boosting hole extraction and transport efficiency. Consequently, Ce:NiOx-based IPSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.66%, outperforming undoped devices (18.31% PCE) with improved stability. Furthermore, by introducing [4-(3,6-dimethyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)butyl]phosphonic acid (Me-4PACz) as a self-assembled layer on the modified nickel oxide nanoparticles, the device efficiency was further elevated to 24.56%. Notably, the low-temperature processability of chemically precipitated Ce:NiOx enables its use in flexible devices, yielding 21.14% efficiency in flexible IPSCs. This work highlights Ce-doped NiOx as a promising HTL for high-performance rigid and flexible perovskite photovoltaics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100779"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172962","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: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100783
Daniel Nframah Ampong , Emmanuel Agyekum , Perseverance Dzikunu , Emmanuel Acheampong Tsiwah , Martin Luther Yeboah , Patrick Aggrey , Martinson Addo Nartey , Frank Ofori Agyemang , Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa , Ram K. Gupta
The world has faced several challenges in recent times, including increased energy demand, power supply issues, and environmental pollution. In order to address the aforementioned issues, scientists have become increasingly interested in green energy technologies by adopting nanomaterials to create innovative functional systems. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), Nanowires, nanobelts, nanoneedles, and graphene nanorods (GNRs) are examples of one-dimensional (1D) fibrous materials that have drawn a lot of interest for a variety of uses, including energy storage systems. Due to their distinct qualities, such as high surface area and short charge/ion carrier diffusion routes, making use of 1D fibrous materials may be a good way to increase reaction rate and product selectivity. This review examines how 1D fibrous materials are changing the performance landscape of Li-S batteries by combining knowledge from several fields of Li-S battery research. The basic challenges of Li-S electrochemistry are emphasized. Applications and commercial possibilities are evaluated based on the structural and functional advantages of fibrous materials, engineering approaches, and material classes. The synthesis and characterization protocols, which define the areas that are urgently needed for more innovation and offer standards that measure the potential of 1D architectures, have been highlighted. The transport of ions and interface bottlenecks of commercializing Li-S cells are directly addressed by 1D fibrous materials, such as CNTs, CNFs, GNRs, and metal-oxide nanofibers, which provide high aspect ratios, interconnected electron/ion pathways, and controllable porosity. Finally, future trends in achieving high-performance next-generation Li-S batteries are reported.
{"title":"Exploring the potential of 1D materials in enhancing lithium-sulfur battery performance: A comprehensive review","authors":"Daniel Nframah Ampong , Emmanuel Agyekum , Perseverance Dzikunu , Emmanuel Acheampong Tsiwah , Martin Luther Yeboah , Patrick Aggrey , Martinson Addo Nartey , Frank Ofori Agyemang , Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa , Ram K. Gupta","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100783","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100783","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The world has faced several challenges in recent times, including increased energy demand, power supply issues, and environmental pollution. In order to address the aforementioned issues, scientists have become increasingly interested in green energy technologies by adopting nanomaterials to create innovative functional systems. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), Nanowires, nanobelts, nanoneedles, and graphene nanorods (GNRs) are examples of one-dimensional (1D) fibrous materials that have drawn a lot of interest for a variety of uses, including energy storage systems. Due to their distinct qualities, such as high surface area and short charge/ion carrier diffusion routes, making use of 1D fibrous materials may be a good way to increase reaction rate and product selectivity. This review examines how 1D fibrous materials are changing the performance landscape of Li-S batteries by combining knowledge from several fields of Li-S battery research. The basic challenges of Li-S electrochemistry are emphasized. Applications and commercial possibilities are evaluated based on the structural and functional advantages of fibrous materials, engineering approaches, and material classes. The synthesis and characterization protocols, which define the areas that are urgently needed for more innovation and offer standards that measure the potential of 1D architectures, have been highlighted. The transport of ions and interface bottlenecks of commercializing Li-S cells are directly addressed by 1D fibrous materials, such as CNTs, CNFs, GNRs, and metal-oxide nanofibers, which provide high aspect ratios, interconnected electron/ion pathways, and controllable porosity. Finally, future trends in achieving high-performance next-generation Li-S batteries are reported.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100783"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172958","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: 2026-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100774
Mudasser Husain , Younas Ahmed , Xingyue Yang , Zongmeng Yang , Jiahui Li , Jichao Dong , Linqiang Xu , Nasir Rahman , Shibo Fang , Jing Lu
Motivated by the recent experimental realization of monolayer (ML) β-CuI under ambient conditions, we employ density functional theory (DFT) to systematically investigate the structural stability, electronic properties, and perform quantum transport simulations to evaluate the performance limit of the sub-5 nm gate-length (Lg) double-gated (DG) ML and bilayer (BL) β-CuI transistors. The results from ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and phonon dispersion confirm that both the ML and BL β-CuI are dynamically stable at 300 K. The electronic band structure reveals that both the ML and BL β-CuI are direct band gap semiconductors (Γ-Γ) with band gaps of 2.09 eV and 1.87 eV, respectively. The ML and BL β-CuI are the potential nanochannel materials for the sub-5 nm Lg DG n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (n-MOSFETs). Using high-k HfO2 as the gate dielectric, the n-type transistors at an ultralow supply voltage of 0.55 V exhibit superior device performance compared to other 2D transistors that have been most studied. Notably, at the sub-5 nm Lg with underlap length (UL), the ML β-CuI FETs achieve a high on-state current (Ion) of 874 μA μm−1 together with a steep subthreshold swing (SS) of 61 mV dec−1, while BL β-CuI FETs deliver a higher Ion of 1205 μA μm−1 with SS ≈ 73 mV dec−1. The ML and BL β-CuI FETs exceed the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) high-performance (HP) requirements, demonstrating the scalability of 2D β-CuI for the sub-5 nm HP transistor applications. Specifically, the near-ideal SS with high Ion in the ML β-CuI transistors establishes ML β-CuI as a promising nanochannel material for MOSFETs that enables aggressive transistor miniaturization and extends Moore's law into the sub-5 nm Lg regime.
{"title":"Ab initio quantum transport simulations of the sub-5 nm gate-length two-dimensional β-CuI transistors for advanced nanoelectronics","authors":"Mudasser Husain , Younas Ahmed , Xingyue Yang , Zongmeng Yang , Jiahui Li , Jichao Dong , Linqiang Xu , Nasir Rahman , Shibo Fang , Jing Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Motivated by the recent experimental realization of monolayer (ML) β-CuI under ambient conditions, we employ density functional theory (DFT) to systematically investigate the structural stability, electronic properties, and perform quantum transport simulations to evaluate the performance limit of the sub-5 nm gate-length (<em>L</em><sub>g</sub>) double-gated (DG) ML and bilayer (BL) β-CuI transistors. The results from <em>ab initio</em> molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and phonon dispersion confirm that both the ML and BL β-CuI are dynamically stable at 300 K. The electronic band structure reveals that both the ML and BL β-CuI are direct band gap semiconductors (Γ-Γ) with band gaps of 2.09 eV and 1.87 eV, respectively. The ML and BL β-CuI are the potential nanochannel materials for the sub-5 nm <em>L</em><sub>g</sub> DG <em>n</em>-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (<em>n</em>-MOSFETs). Using high-k HfO<sub>2</sub> as the gate dielectric, the n-type transistors at an ultralow supply voltage of 0.55 V exhibit superior device performance compared to other 2D transistors that have been most studied. Notably, at the sub-5 nm <em>L</em><sub>g</sub> with underlap length (UL), the ML β-CuI FETs achieve a high on-state current (<em>I</em><sub>on</sub>) of 874 μA μm<sup>−1</sup> together with a steep subthreshold swing (SS) of 61 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, while BL β-CuI FETs deliver a higher <em>I</em><sub>on</sub> of 1205 μA μm<sup>−1</sup> with SS ≈ 73 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>. The ML and BL β-CuI FETs exceed the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) high-performance (HP) requirements, demonstrating the scalability of 2D β-CuI for the sub-5 nm HP transistor applications. Specifically, the near-ideal SS with high <em>I</em><sub>on</sub> in the ML β-CuI transistors establishes ML β-CuI as a promising nanochannel material for MOSFETs that enables aggressive transistor miniaturization and extends Moore's law into the sub-5 nm <em>L</em><sub>g</sub> regime.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172916","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: 2025-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100728
Logan J. Kirsch , Jason P. Killgore , Gregory J. Rodin , Timothy S. Weeks , Filippo Mangolini
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely used for nanoscale mechanical testing. However, extracting Young’s modulus from the force vs. indentation depth data remains a challenge. In this regard, uncertainties about the AFM tip geometry have been recognized as a major source of errors. Here, we propose a methodology in which the geometric approximation of the AFM tip is informed by the force vs. indentation depth data. The methodology is based on two least-square fits, one involving the force vs. indentation depth data and the other the tip profile. At the core of our methodology is the proposition that the tip geometry must be properly characterized in the interval bounded by the contact radius corresponding to the maximum indentation depth. This proposition has a solid geometric underpinning and does not require any additional assumptions. Further, there are no conceptual obstacles to applying the methodology to multi-parameter geometric models, including those based on raw image data. The methodology is successfully applied to both synthetic and physical data.
{"title":"Enhancing the accuracy of atomic force microscopy measurements of Young’s modulus via force-curve-informed tip geometry fitting","authors":"Logan J. Kirsch , Jason P. Killgore , Gregory J. Rodin , Timothy S. Weeks , Filippo Mangolini","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely used for nanoscale mechanical testing. However, extracting Young’s modulus from the force vs. indentation depth data remains a challenge. In this regard, uncertainties about the AFM tip geometry have been recognized as a major source of errors. Here, we propose a methodology in which the geometric approximation of the AFM tip is informed by the force vs. indentation depth data. The methodology is based on two least-square fits, one involving the force vs. indentation depth data and the other the tip profile. At the core of our methodology is the proposition that the tip geometry must be properly characterized in the interval bounded by the contact radius corresponding to the maximum indentation depth. This proposition has a solid geometric underpinning and does not require any additional assumptions. Further, there are no conceptual obstacles to applying the methodology to multi-parameter geometric models, including those based on raw image data. The methodology is successfully applied to both synthetic and physical data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100728"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789837","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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