Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05871
Rui Zhang, Helen Valencia, Sima Rezvantalab, Sara Mihandoost, Eva Miriam Buhl, Joachim Mayer, Fabian Kiessling, Twan Lammers, Shibabrata Basak, Rüdiger-A. Eichel, Roger M. Pallares
Gold nanostars (AuNS) exhibit morphology-dependent optical properties that make them attractive for photothermal and photoacoustic applications; however, their limited thermal stability remains a critical challenge. In this work, we investigate the thermal behavior of AuNS synthesized using Good’s buffers, specifically 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid (EPPS) and 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS), by combining ex situ and in situ characterization techniques. Ex situ heating revealed collective deformation at elevated temperatures, while in situ heating enabled the real-time observation of individual particle reshaping. AuNS–EPPS displayed reshaping rates more than twice those of AuNS–MOPS, caused by both the thermal treatment and electron beam effects. Direct visualization revealed gold migration from branches to the core, a mechanism previously hypothesized. Despite pronounced morphological changes, the crystal structure remained intact. These results clarify the deformation mechanisms of AuNS and inform the design of more thermally robust nanostructures for (photo)thermal applications.
{"title":"Real-Time Observation of Thermal Reshaping Mechanisms in Gold Nanostars","authors":"Rui Zhang, Helen Valencia, Sima Rezvantalab, Sara Mihandoost, Eva Miriam Buhl, Joachim Mayer, Fabian Kiessling, Twan Lammers, Shibabrata Basak, Rüdiger-A. Eichel, Roger M. Pallares","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05871","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05871","url":null,"abstract":"Gold nanostars (AuNS) exhibit morphology-dependent optical properties that make them attractive for photothermal and photoacoustic applications; however, their limited thermal stability remains a critical challenge. In this work, we investigate the thermal behavior of AuNS synthesized using Good’s buffers, specifically 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid (EPPS) and 3-(<i>N</i>-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS), by combining <i>ex situ</i> and <i>in situ</i> characterization techniques. <i>Ex situ</i> heating revealed collective deformation at elevated temperatures, while <i>in situ</i> heating enabled the real-time observation of individual particle reshaping. AuNS–EPPS displayed reshaping rates more than twice those of AuNS–MOPS, caused by both the thermal treatment and electron beam effects. Direct visualization revealed gold migration from branches to the core, a mechanism previously hypothesized. Despite pronounced morphological changes, the crystal structure remained intact. These results clarify the deformation mechanisms of AuNS and inform the design of more thermally robust nanostructures for (photo)thermal applications.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05342
Xiao-Bin Cheng, Yulong Zhao, Xu-Dong Hao, Ahmed M. Hegazy, Jin-Da Luo, Hao-Yuan Tan, Zi-Wei Wang, Chen-Peng Luo, Chuan Wan, Yi-Chen Yin, Guorui Cai, Hong-Bin Yao
All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with ultrahigh-nickel cathodes offer high energy density and safety yet face challenges from poor interface compatibility under high voltage. This work reports a versatile strategy using perfluoro polyether (PFPE-COOH) to coat chloride solid electrolytes Li0.9NbO0.9Cl4.1 (LNOC). Through simple ball milling, a uniform 1.2 nm coating is formed on LNOC, which maintains high ionic conductivity of 5.82 mS cm–1 while effectively suppressing oxidative decomposition. Furthermore, PFPE-COOH significantly reduces the Young’s modulus of LNOC from 3.78 to 1.53 GPa, enhancing mechanical flexibility to mitigate physical contact loss during cycling. ASSLBs using single-crystal LiNi0.92Co0.05Mn0.03O2 cathodes and the modified LNOC exhibit exceptional stability, retaining 80.6% capacity after 400 cycles at a 4.6 V cutoff voltage. This study provides an effective interfacial engineering route for developing high-energy-density and long-cycling ASSLBs.
{"title":"Perfluoro Polyether Coated Chloride Solid Electrolytes Enable Stable All-Solid-State Batteries with Ultrahigh-Nickel Cathodes","authors":"Xiao-Bin Cheng, Yulong Zhao, Xu-Dong Hao, Ahmed M. Hegazy, Jin-Da Luo, Hao-Yuan Tan, Zi-Wei Wang, Chen-Peng Luo, Chuan Wan, Yi-Chen Yin, Guorui Cai, Hong-Bin Yao","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05342","url":null,"abstract":"All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with ultrahigh-nickel cathodes offer high energy density and safety yet face challenges from poor interface compatibility under high voltage. This work reports a versatile strategy using perfluoro polyether (PFPE-COOH) to coat chloride solid electrolytes Li<sub>0.9</sub>NbO<sub>0.9</sub>Cl<sub>4.1</sub> (LNOC). Through simple ball milling, a uniform 1.2 nm coating is formed on LNOC, which maintains high ionic conductivity of 5.82 mS cm<sup>–1</sup> while effectively suppressing oxidative decomposition. Furthermore, PFPE-COOH significantly reduces the Young’s modulus of LNOC from 3.78 to 1.53 GPa, enhancing mechanical flexibility to mitigate physical contact loss during cycling. ASSLBs using single-crystal LiNi<sub>0.92</sub>Co<sub>0.05</sub>Mn<sub>0.03</sub>O<sub>2</sub> cathodes and the modified LNOC exhibit exceptional stability, retaining 80.6% capacity after 400 cycles at a 4.6 V cutoff voltage. This study provides an effective interfacial engineering route for developing high-energy-density and long-cycling ASSLBs.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"92 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04571
Matthijs Rog, Tycho J. Blom, Daan B. Boltje, Jimi D. de Haan, Remko Fermin, Jiasen Niu, Yasmin C. Doedes, Milan P. Allan, Kaveh Lahabi
Studying nanoscale dynamics is essential for understanding quantum materials and advancing quantum-chip manufacturing. Still, it remains a major challenge to measure nonequilibrium properties such as current and dissipation, and their relationship to structure. Scanning nanoprobes utilizing superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are uniquely suited here due to their unparalleled magnetic and thermal sensitivity. Here, we introduce tapping-mode SQUID-on-tip, which combines atomic force microscopy with nanoSQUID sensing. Our probes minimize the nanoSQUID–sample distance, provide in-plane magnetic sensitivity, and operate on realistic, highly corrugated nanostructures. Frequency multiplexing enables simultaneous imaging of currents, magnetism, dissipation, and topography. The large voltage output of our proximity-junction nanoSQUIDs allows us to resolve nanoscale currents as small as 100 nA using a simple four-probe electronic readout. By capturing local magnetic, thermal, and electronic response without external radiation, our technique offers a powerful noninvasive route to study dynamic phenomena in exotic materials and delicate quantum circuits.
{"title":"Tapping-Mode SQUID-on-Tip Microscopy with Proximity Josephson Junctions","authors":"Matthijs Rog, Tycho J. Blom, Daan B. Boltje, Jimi D. de Haan, Remko Fermin, Jiasen Niu, Yasmin C. Doedes, Milan P. Allan, Kaveh Lahabi","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04571","url":null,"abstract":"Studying nanoscale dynamics is essential for understanding quantum materials and advancing quantum-chip manufacturing. Still, it remains a major challenge to measure nonequilibrium properties such as current and dissipation, and their relationship to structure. Scanning nanoprobes utilizing superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are uniquely suited here due to their unparalleled magnetic and thermal sensitivity. Here, we introduce tapping-mode SQUID-on-tip, which combines atomic force microscopy with nanoSQUID sensing. Our probes minimize the nanoSQUID–sample distance, provide in-plane magnetic sensitivity, and operate on realistic, highly corrugated nanostructures. Frequency multiplexing enables simultaneous imaging of currents, magnetism, dissipation, and topography. The large voltage output of our proximity-junction nanoSQUIDs allows us to resolve nanoscale currents as small as 100 nA using a simple four-probe electronic readout. By capturing local magnetic, thermal, and electronic response without external radiation, our technique offers a powerful noninvasive route to study dynamic phenomena in exotic materials and delicate quantum circuits.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06520
Junhyeok Jung, Sungsu Kang, Seol-Ha Jeong, Dongjun Kim, Dongmin Kim, Jinho Rhee, NaHyeon Hong, Ji Soo Kim, Hayoung Park, Gyeongrok Jang, Jungwon Park
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is widely utilized in various applications, where its properties are strongly regulated by ionic substitution. However, the atomic-scale structural origins of such modulation remain poorly understood. Although high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) enables direct structural characterization, achieving atomic-scale resolution in HAP is challenging due to its beam sensitivity. Low-dose imaging mitigates beam-induced damage but often suffers insufficient contrast for local structural analysis. Herein, we developed an HRTEM imaging approach aided with single-image deep-learning denoising to investigate the structural effects of Na+ substitution in HAP. The denoising effectively removes noise from low-dose TEM images, facilitating both qualitative and quantitative analysis of atomic arrangements in HAP particles. We show that Na+ incorporation induces disordered surface layers, providing direct insight into ion-induced property modulation in HAP. Our low-dose imaging approach combined with single-image denoising offers a framework for atomic-scale structural characterization of beam-sensitive materials that are otherwise obscured by beam damage.
{"title":"Atomic Structure Modulations in Ion-Exchanged Hydroxyapatite Investigated by HRTEM and Single Image Denoising","authors":"Junhyeok Jung, Sungsu Kang, Seol-Ha Jeong, Dongjun Kim, Dongmin Kim, Jinho Rhee, NaHyeon Hong, Ji Soo Kim, Hayoung Park, Gyeongrok Jang, Jungwon Park","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06520","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06520","url":null,"abstract":"Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is widely utilized in various applications, where its properties are strongly regulated by ionic substitution. However, the atomic-scale structural origins of such modulation remain poorly understood. Although high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) enables direct structural characterization, achieving atomic-scale resolution in HAP is challenging due to its beam sensitivity. Low-dose imaging mitigates beam-induced damage but often suffers insufficient contrast for local structural analysis. Herein, we developed an HRTEM imaging approach aided with single-image deep-learning denoising to investigate the structural effects of Na<sup>+</sup> substitution in HAP. The denoising effectively removes noise from low-dose TEM images, facilitating both qualitative and quantitative analysis of atomic arrangements in HAP particles. We show that Na<sup>+</sup> incorporation induces disordered surface layers, providing direct insight into ion-induced property modulation in HAP. Our low-dose imaging approach combined with single-image denoising offers a framework for atomic-scale structural characterization of beam-sensitive materials that are otherwise obscured by beam damage.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The continuous scaling of semiconductor devices necessitates the integration of high-permittivity (high-k) dielectrics to maintain gate control and reduce power consumption. Here, we report an ultrahigh dielectric constant (k) of ∼150 in ultrathin (10 nm) β-gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) metal-insulator-metal capacitors. Photoresponse and microstructural analyses link the giant permittivity to an oxygen vacancy (VO)-ordered phase. The fabricated capacitors exhibit excellent performance for memory applications, including low dielectric loss (<0.02 at 100 kHz), low leakage current (<10-7 A/cm2), high operating speed (>20 MHz), and high endurance (>1010 cycles). To validate practical utility, MoS2 field-effect transistors gated by β-Ga2O3 were fabricated, exhibiting a high on/off ratio (>106), a low subthreshold swing (SS) of 68.1 mV/dec, negligible hysteresis (5.8 mV), and ultralow gate leakage (∼10-13 A). These findings establish ultrathin β-Ga2O3 as a compelling high-k material for next-generation logic and memory devices.
{"title":"Ultrahigh Dielectric Permittivity in Ultrathin 2D β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Advanced Dielectric Applications.","authors":"Xianyu Hu, Zixiong Liu, Xinglong Wang, Qing Guo, Xiyuan Feng, Yunlei Zhong","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05733","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The continuous scaling of semiconductor devices necessitates the integration of high-permittivity (high-<i>k</i>) dielectrics to maintain gate control and reduce power consumption. Here, we report an ultrahigh dielectric constant (<i>k</i>) of ∼150 in ultrathin (10 nm) β-gallium oxide (β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) metal-insulator-metal capacitors. Photoresponse and microstructural analyses link the giant permittivity to an oxygen vacancy (V<sub>O</sub>)-ordered phase. The fabricated capacitors exhibit excellent performance for memory applications, including low dielectric loss (<0.02 at 100 kHz), low leakage current (<10<sup>-7</sup> A/cm<sup>2</sup>), high operating speed (>20 MHz), and high endurance (>10<sup>10</sup> cycles). To validate practical utility, MoS<sub>2</sub> field-effect transistors gated by β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> were fabricated, exhibiting a high on<i>/</i>off ratio (>10<sup>6</sup>), a low subthreshold swing (<i>SS</i>) of 68.1 mV/dec, negligible hysteresis (5.8 mV), and ultralow gate leakage (∼10<sup>-13</sup> A). These findings establish ultrathin β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> as a compelling high-<i>k</i> material for next-generation logic and memory devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03438
Ritika Dagar,Wenbin Zhang,Philipp Rosenberger,Marcel Neuhaus,Boris Bergues,Cesar Costa Vera,Matthias F Kling
The trihydrogen cation (H3+) plays a central role in proton-transfer chemistry, astrochemical pathways, and hydrogen plasma environments, acting as a key indicator of ultrafast proton rearrangement. Although H3+ formation has been studied extensively in the gas phase, its surface-mediated generation and its sensitivity to nanoparticle morphology remain largely unexplored. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which can localize surface charge and sustain strong electric fields, offer an ideal platform to probe such nonequilibrium reaction pathways. Using reaction nanoscopy, we spatially map H3+ production on AuNPs exposed to intense femtosecond laser fields. By comparing spherical and faceted nanoparticles, we demonstrate how morphology modulates the charge density and governs the reaction efficiency. We find that sharp features on faceted particles concentrate charge more effectively, promoting molecular fragmentation and enabling proton rearrangement and migration that enhance H3+ yields. This work opens new directions for exploiting strong-field interactions at metal interfaces to drive nanoscale reactivity and photocatalysis.
{"title":"Trihydrogen Formation on Gold Nanoparticles in Strong Laser Fields.","authors":"Ritika Dagar,Wenbin Zhang,Philipp Rosenberger,Marcel Neuhaus,Boris Bergues,Cesar Costa Vera,Matthias F Kling","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03438","url":null,"abstract":"The trihydrogen cation (H3+) plays a central role in proton-transfer chemistry, astrochemical pathways, and hydrogen plasma environments, acting as a key indicator of ultrafast proton rearrangement. Although H3+ formation has been studied extensively in the gas phase, its surface-mediated generation and its sensitivity to nanoparticle morphology remain largely unexplored. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which can localize surface charge and sustain strong electric fields, offer an ideal platform to probe such nonequilibrium reaction pathways. Using reaction nanoscopy, we spatially map H3+ production on AuNPs exposed to intense femtosecond laser fields. By comparing spherical and faceted nanoparticles, we demonstrate how morphology modulates the charge density and governs the reaction efficiency. We find that sharp features on faceted particles concentrate charge more effectively, promoting molecular fragmentation and enabling proton rearrangement and migration that enhance H3+ yields. This work opens new directions for exploiting strong-field interactions at metal interfaces to drive nanoscale reactivity and photocatalysis.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05549
Kshipra Sharma, Tianyi Hu, Aryan Sankhla, Kimberly A. Dick
Nickel phosphides are promising earth-abundant, low-cost catalysts for hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions and CO2 reduction. However, their formation mechanisms remain poorly understood and difficult to control. This particularly applies to mechanisms determining phase evolution, crystallinity, and morphology under reactive conditions, factors that critically influence catalytic activity and stability. Here, we employ environmental transmission electron microscopy to directly observe the conversion of nickel nanoparticles into nickel phosphide phases under controlled phosphine atmosphere and temperatures. A three-stage Ni-to-Ni2P conversion sequence is observed: (i) surface nucleation, (ii) rapid particle-size expansion, and (iii) crystallographic restructuring and faceting. Phase selectivity depends on the phosphine pressure and temperature: Ni2P forms at both low and high pressures, Ni2P and Ni5P4 coexist at intermediate pressure, and Ni12P5 emerges under no phosphine supply (residual phosphine may have remained) at elevated temperatures. We capture the temperature-driven Ni2P-to-Ni12P5 transition. These insights offer strategies to control the phase and morphology for improved catalytic performance.
{"title":"In Situ Atomic-Scale Observation of Phase Evolution in Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles","authors":"Kshipra Sharma, Tianyi Hu, Aryan Sankhla, Kimberly A. Dick","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05549","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05549","url":null,"abstract":"Nickel phosphides are promising earth-abundant, low-cost catalysts for hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions and CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. However, their formation mechanisms remain poorly understood and difficult to control. This particularly applies to mechanisms determining phase evolution, crystallinity, and morphology under reactive conditions, factors that critically influence catalytic activity and stability. Here, we employ environmental transmission electron microscopy to directly observe the conversion of nickel nanoparticles into nickel phosphide phases under controlled phosphine atmosphere and temperatures. A three-stage Ni-to-Ni<sub>2</sub>P conversion sequence is observed: (i) surface nucleation, (ii) rapid particle-size expansion, and (iii) crystallographic restructuring and faceting. Phase selectivity depends on the phosphine pressure and temperature: Ni<sub>2</sub>P forms at both low and high pressures, Ni<sub>2</sub>P and Ni<sub>5</sub>P<sub>4</sub> coexist at intermediate pressure, and Ni<sub>12</sub>P<sub>5</sub> emerges under no phosphine supply (residual phosphine may have remained) at elevated temperatures. We capture the temperature-driven Ni<sub>2</sub>P-to-Ni<sub>12</sub>P<sub>5</sub> transition. These insights offer strategies to control the phase and morphology for improved catalytic performance.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"102 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Accurate monitoring of estradiol (E2) is crucial for assessing reproductive health, managing fertility, and diagnosing endocrine disorders. We report a noninvasive iontronic biosensor based on a DNA hydrogel-functionalized MXene/Cu-TCPP (MXCT) nanofluidic membrane for ultrasensitive salivary E2 detection. The MXCT laminate, formed by alternating Ti3C2Tx MXene and Cu-TCPP nanosheets, provides a mechanically robust, conductive, and ion-selective 2D framework. Within these confined nanochannels, aptamer-triggered DNA hydrogel assembly produces volumetric steric modulation, enabling three-dimensional spatial control of ion transport beyond conventional surface regulation. This synergistic hydrogel-nanofluidic coupling yields femtomolar sensitivity, a detection range of 50 fM-500 pM, and a detection limit of 28 fM, with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. The platform enables salivary E2 profiling across menstrual cycles, accurately capturing physiological hormonal dynamics. This work establishes a robust strategy for hydrogel-gated nanofluidic iontronics, offering a promising route toward low-cost, portable hormone diagnostics and broader molecular sensing applications.
{"title":"Spatially Controlled DNA Hydrogel-MXCT Nanofluidic Biosensor for Noninvasive Iontronic Detection of Estradiol across the Menstrual Cycle.","authors":"Na Li,Zhoujian Pan,Yan Yan,Yanlei Li,Qun Ma,Cheng Wang,Fanglan Liu,Xi Mai,Chunhua Xia,Qin Wei,Zhongfeng Gao","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c06007","url":null,"abstract":"Accurate monitoring of estradiol (E2) is crucial for assessing reproductive health, managing fertility, and diagnosing endocrine disorders. We report a noninvasive iontronic biosensor based on a DNA hydrogel-functionalized MXene/Cu-TCPP (MXCT) nanofluidic membrane for ultrasensitive salivary E2 detection. The MXCT laminate, formed by alternating Ti3C2Tx MXene and Cu-TCPP nanosheets, provides a mechanically robust, conductive, and ion-selective 2D framework. Within these confined nanochannels, aptamer-triggered DNA hydrogel assembly produces volumetric steric modulation, enabling three-dimensional spatial control of ion transport beyond conventional surface regulation. This synergistic hydrogel-nanofluidic coupling yields femtomolar sensitivity, a detection range of 50 fM-500 pM, and a detection limit of 28 fM, with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. The platform enables salivary E2 profiling across menstrual cycles, accurately capturing physiological hormonal dynamics. This work establishes a robust strategy for hydrogel-gated nanofluidic iontronics, offering a promising route toward low-cost, portable hormone diagnostics and broader molecular sensing applications.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"178 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A bipolar photoresponse is essential for all-optical logic and neuromorphic computing yet remains challenging to achieve with precise tunability, fast response, and broadband operation within a single device. Here, we report a polarization-gated reversible bipolar photoresponse enabled by a twisted black phosphorus (BP)/Bi2O2Se/BP van der Waals heterostructure. The bipolar photoresponse arises from the combined effect of dual oppositely oriented built-in electric fields in back-to-back BP/Bi2O2Se heterojunctions and anisotropic absorption of BP. This twist-configured heterostructure produces a broadband bipolar photovoltaic response spanning 1000–3500 nm with excellent stability. Benefiting from the photovoltaic effect, the device achieves a fast response time of 4.3 μs and low noise equivalent power of 47 pW Hz–1/2. As a proof of concept, the bipolar photodetector enables six all-optical logic operations and a miniaturized spectrometer (1000–1600 nm) via reconstruction algorithms. This work presents an electronic-free architecture for all-optical logic and neuromorphic computing within polarization-gated bipolar devices.
{"title":"Broadband Polarization-Gated Bipolar Photoresponse in a Twisted Anisotropic Heterojunction for a Multifunctional All-Optical Logic Gate and Miniaturized Spectrometer","authors":"Xinlei Zhang, Wentao Liu, Ruizhi Li, Rui Lin, Tao Zhou, Yuwei Zhang, Fang Yang, Wenhui Wang, Jialin Zhang, Zhenhua Ni, Junpeng Lu","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05892","url":null,"abstract":"A bipolar photoresponse is essential for all-optical logic and neuromorphic computing yet remains challenging to achieve with precise tunability, fast response, and broadband operation within a single device. Here, we report a polarization-gated reversible bipolar photoresponse enabled by a twisted black phosphorus (BP)/Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se/BP van der Waals heterostructure. The bipolar photoresponse arises from the combined effect of dual oppositely oriented built-in electric fields in back-to-back BP/Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se heterojunctions and anisotropic absorption of BP. This twist-configured heterostructure produces a broadband bipolar photovoltaic response spanning 1000–3500 nm with excellent stability. Benefiting from the photovoltaic effect, the device achieves a fast response time of 4.3 μs and low noise equivalent power of 47 pW Hz<sup>–1/2</sup>. As a proof of concept, the bipolar photodetector enables six all-optical logic operations and a miniaturized spectrometer (1000–1600 nm) via reconstruction algorithms. This work presents an electronic-free architecture for all-optical logic and neuromorphic computing within polarization-gated bipolar devices.","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":"65 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05861
Liuliu Yang, Xianghong Niu, Shanshan Zhu, Yuxin Hou, Hong Xia, Huijuan Yue, He-Kuan Luo, Shuo-Wang Yang, Xiaoming Liu
Solar-thermal water evaporation is a promising strategy for the clean water production. Developing photothermal conversion materials with high efficiency and stability is both urgent and challenging. Herein, we report two fully conjugated bipyranylidene-based microporous polymers (DP-CMP1 and DP-CMP2) for the first time, that feature broad light absorption, superior photothermal efficiency, and outstanding durability. Under the illumination of 660 nm laser with 100 mW cm–2, the temperature of DP-CMP1 drastically increased from 29.1 to 174.7 °C within 4 s. Furthermore, an interfacial heating evaporation system based on DP-CMP1 achieved high solar thermal water evaporation rates of 3.83 and 3.77 kg m–2 h–1 under 1 sun illumination for pure water and seawater, with excellent energy conversion efficiency of 97.5 and 96.6%, respectively. Multiple spectroscopic and theoretical investigations reveal DP-CMP1 is intrinsically an outstanding photothermal material owing to its small band gap, fast nonradiative combination rate, large nonadiabatic coupling value, and stronger electron–phonon coupling.
太阳能热蒸发是一种很有前途的清洁水生产策略。开发高效稳定的光热转换材料既紧迫又具有挑战性。在此，我们首次报道了两种完全共轭的双吡啶基微孔聚合物（DP-CMP1和DP-CMP2），它们具有广泛的光吸收，优越的光热效率和出色的耐用性。在100 mW cm-2的660 nm激光照射下，DP-CMP1的温度在4 s内从29.1℃急剧上升到174.7℃。此外，基于DP-CMP1的界面加热蒸发系统在1个太阳光照条件下，纯水和海水的太阳热能蒸发率分别达到3.83和3.77 kg m-2 h-1，能量转换效率分别达到97.5%和96.6%。多种光谱和理论研究表明，DP-CMP1具有带隙小、非辐射结合速率快、非绝热耦合值大、电子-声子耦合强等特点，是一种优秀的光热材料。
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