Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anupam Singha Roy, Aby Cheruvathoor Poulose, Aristides Bakandritsos, Rajender S. Varma, Michal Otyepka
Summary: 2D carbon materials like graphene derivatives have been explored as catalysts for biodiesel production due to their exceptional properties, but challenges such as irreversible agglomeration, low bulk density, and poor dispersibility in organic solvents limit their applications as catalysts or heterogeneous catalysts support.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuejiao Yang, Honglei Lu, Yinghua Tao, Laicheng Zhou, Huaimin Wang
Summary: The study presents an efficient and general platform for controlling the formation of assemblies in living cells, using a protective strategy to resist hydrolysis and enable selective unmasking in the lysosomes. Demonstrated in vitro and in living cells, this spatiotemporal control of chemical assembly may have applications in various fields including supramolecular chemistry, materials science, synthetic biology, and chemical biology.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
V. S. Marangoni, M. C. F. Costa, P. R. Ng, H. T. L. Nguyen, M. Trushin, A. Carvalho, X. Zhao, S. J. Pennycook, R. K. Donato, A. H. Castro Neto
Summary: The synthesis of composite nanofibres using functionalised graphene structures in liquid medium as building blocks involves simultaneous scrolling and reacting 2D electrolytes, resulting in a dimensional reduction of 2D materials into one-dimensional nanostructures. The spontaneous self-assembly and cross-linking processes enable the production of nanofibres without the need for fibrillation techniques, such as wet-spinning or external templates.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiang-Zhong Zeng, Hong-Wei An, Hao Wang
Summary: Self-assembly peptide materials have significantly advanced science research in fields such as life science, optics, medicine, and catalysis, with promising potential in tumor treatment. Peptides can self-assemble into diverse structures in vivo driven by physical and chemical triggers, providing specific and intelligent responsiveness to induce biological effects in target regions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zachery A. Enderson, Harshavardhan Murali, Raghunath R. Dasari, Qingqing Dai, Hong Li, Timothy C. Parker, Jean-Luc Bredas, Seth R. Marder, Phillip N. First
Summary: Compared to conventional wet-chemical synthesis techniques, on-surface synthesis of organic networks in ultrahigh vacuum has fewer control parameters. The deposition rate and substrate temperature are the only adjustable synthesis variables. The creation and control of reducing conditions in the vacuum environment without dedicated sources can significantly influence the Ullmann-like on-surface reaction used for synthesizing 2D COFs. The manipulation of monomer and hydrogen fluxes can produce large self-assembled islands of interest, and the on-surface synthesis of oligomers avoids potential challenges with protracted wet-chemical synthesis and multiple deposition sources.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qingye Zhang, Feiyu Diao, Xuyan Xue, Xiaoli Sheng, David Barba, Yiqian Wang
Summary: In this study, 2D CsPbBr3 nanosheets with a thickness of about 3 nm were successfully synthesized, and their lateral dimensions were found to be adjustable by tuning the ratio of short and long ligands. The nanosheets resulted from the self-assembly of CsPbBr3 nanocubes, with a narrow amorphous region between adjacent nanocubes. Insights into the structure and growth mechanism of these nanosheets were obtained through microstructural characterizations and theoretical calculations.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
H. L. Tan, P. R. Ng, M. Trushin, G. K. W. Koon, K. Z. Donato, M. C. F. Costa, R. K. Donato, A. H. Castro Neto
Summary: 2D materials can be functionalised with ionisable functional groups to form 2D electrolytes. In this study, heterostructures were formed by self-assembly of functionalised graphene oxide (GO) with cationic groups and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with anionic groups. The application of sonication allowed the continuous assembly of the 2D materials into heterostructured nanofibers, which resemble naturally occurring polyelectrolytes. This method offers a facile approach for the continuous processing of low-cost heterostructured nanofibers with potential applications in various fields.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jang Hwan Kim, Hyeon U. Jeong, Hye-In Yeom, Kyu Hyo Han, Geon Gug Yang, Hee Jae Choi, Jong Min Kim, Sang-Hee Ko Park, Hyeong Min Jin, Jaeup U. U. Kim, Sang Ouk Kim
Summary: Nanoscale block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is used to finely align sub-10-nm-scale nanopatterns along the atomic edge of 2D flakes. The alignment mechanism is explained based on the wetting layer alternation of the BCP film in the presence of intermediate 2D flakes. The highly aligned nanocylinder templates with low roughness levels result in a sub-10-nm-wide graphene nanoribbon (GNR) array with significant switching characteristics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qingwei Li, Kai Nan, Wei Wang, Hao Zheng, Yan Wang
Summary: Researchers constructed a NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH)/MXene composite with a two-dimensional (2D)/2D sandwich-like heterostructure through electrostatic self-assembly to address the self-stacking and excessively high conductivity issues of MXene. The composite achieved a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value of -58.2 dB at a thickness of 2 mm and filler loading of 20 wt%. The absorption mechanism was analyzed based on multiple reflection, dipole/interfacial polarization, impedance matching, and synergy between dielectric and magnetic losses. The simulation of the radar cross section (RCS) confirmed the efficient absorption properties and application prospects of the material.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiajia Zha, Zhen Yuan, Zhan Zhou, Yang Li, Jiangqi Zhao, Zhiyuan Zeng, Liang Zhen, Huiling Tai, Chaoliang Tan, Hua Zhang
Summary: A simple and fast method for solvent-mediated self-assembly of ultrathin 2D nanosheets into 1D nanofibers and nanorings is reported, enabling the fabrication of channel materials for electronic gas sensors. This assembly strategy shows great potential for assembling other ultrathin 2D nanomaterials into 1D nanostructures for various applications.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Limin Wang, Ulrich S. Schubert, Stephanie Hoeppener
Summary: Surface modification using self-assembled monolayers has seen significant advancement in the past decade, with the introduction of new chemical reactions such as nucleophilic substitution, click chemistry, supramolecular modification, photochemical reaction, and others, enhancing the properties of solid substrates like silicon and glass.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marina Machtakova, Shen Han, Yeliz Yangazoglu, Ingo Lieberwirth, Heloise Therien-Aubin, Katharina Landfester
Summary: This study synthesized self-sustaining nanoreactors that catalyze the conversion of encapsulated payload by carrying required reagents with enzymatic shells. These nanoreactors loaded with sensing molecules for detecting glucose show good cellular uptake and high activity, serving as nanofactories for in situ generation of functional molecules in biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Yang, Shang-Bo Yu, Pan-Qing Zhang, Ze-Kun Wang, Qiao-Yan Qi, Xu-Qing Wang, Xun-Hui Xu, Hai-Bo Yang, Zong-Quan Wu, Yi Liu, Da Ma, Zhan-Ting Li
Summary: Accurately controlling the layer number of orderly stacked 2D polymers remains a challenge in self-assembly. In this study, a bilayer 2D supramolecular organic framework was fabricated from a monolayer framework in water through cooperative coordination, showing structural regularity in both solution and solid state, with the bilayer character selectively realized on the micrometer scale.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ryotaro Hirabayashi, Toshihiro Isobe, Akira Nakajima, Sachiko Matsushita
Summary: In this paper, changes in the optical properties and structure of silver plasmonic color were evaluated, revealing remarkable color changes and the formation of nanorings approximately 100 nm in diameter through vacuum ultraviolet light irradiation and heat annealing.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peidong Du, Siyuan Liu, Hao Sun, Haifeng Wu, Zhen-Gang Wang
Summary: It is an important goal in supramolecular chemistry to develop synthetic enzyme mimics that can rival native enzymes. However, de novo fabrication of such mimics is challenging. In this study, we present a supramolecular catalytic hybrid that is self-assembled from oligohistidine-based peptides and a heme-dependent peroxidase. The results show that the peptides alter the enzyme conformation, promote transitions between heme's resting and intermediate states, and increase the enzyme turnover rate. Our observations suggest that the histidine residues in the peptides collaborate with groups in the natural heme pocket to accelerate enzyme catalytic cycles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Gonzalez Moreno, Abel de Cozar, Pilar Prieto, Eva Dominguez, Antonio Heredia
Summary: This study proposes a mechanism by which phenolic compounds in plant cuticles provide photoprotection. Through transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, it is suggested that these compounds can deactivate excited states and emit fluorescence as a way to shield against UV radiation. The cuticle acts as the primary protective barrier against UV radiation, with different aromatic domains playing a special role in this photostable and photodynamic mechanism observed in land plants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anitha Senthamizhan, Brabu Balusamy, Doriana Debellis, Jose Alejandro Heredia-Guerrero, Giorgio Mancini, Riccardo Carzino, Luca Ceseracciu, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
Summary: Conversion of waste biomass into functional materials contributes to circular economy and reduces feedstock requirements. This study presents a template-free method to directly convert waste into 3D porous carbon traps, which exhibit efficient adsorption and excellent selectivity.
CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Gonzalez Moreno, Eva Dominguez, Konrad Mayer, Nannan Xiao, Peter Bock, Antonio Heredia, Notburga Gierlinger
Summary: Raman mapping and multivariate data analysis were used to investigate the distribution of cutin, carbohydrates, and phenolics in the cuticle of tomato fruit. Three main components, cutin, polysaccharides, and aromatics, were identified, with phenolic acids and flavonoids showing different distribution patterns during development.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
O. V. M. Bueno, M. A. San-Miguel, E. Z. da Silva
Summary: Thin gold nanowires that form linear atomic chains are suitable for catalyzing chemical reactions. The presence of oxygen impurities in the linear atomic chain of the nanowires plays an important role in modifying the structural stability and the kinetic behavior of the reaction pathway during the oxidation of ethanol.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose J. Benitez, Maria C. Ramirez-Pozo, Maria M. Duran-Barrantes, Antonio Heredia, Giacomo Tedeschi, Luca Ceseracciu, Susana Guzman-Puyol, David Marrero-Lopez, Alessandro Becci, Alessia Amato, Jose A. Heredia-Guerrero
Summary: Bio-based lacquers prepared from tomato processing residue were investigated as sustainable alternatives to BPA-based coatings for metal food packaging. The fabrication process involved spray-coating a paste of tomato pomace with ethanol:H2O mixture on metal substrates, followed by self melt-polycondensation. The coatings showed strong dependence on the metal substrate used, with the best results found for aluminum.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alana O. C. Andrade, Luis Henrique da Silveira Lacerdab, M. M. Lage, Surender K. Sharma, M. E. H. Maia da Costa, Odivaldo C. Alves, Evelyn C. S. Santos, C. C. dos Santos, A. S. de Menezes, Miguel Angel San-Miguel, Francisco Moura Filho, Elson Longo, Marcio A. P. Almeidaj
Summary: We successfully fabricated a BiOBr/ZnWO4 heterojunction and found it to have enhanced photocatalytic performance for degrading Rhodamine B dye. Structural and microstructural analysis showed that the heterostructures consist of a mixed tetragonal/monoclinic phase with enhanced surface area. The results indicated that the BiOBr/ZnWO4 heterostructure had a higher degradation rate compared to BiOBr due to higher surface area, pore size, and better electron-hole pair separation efficiency.
Article
Polymer Science
Zormy Nacary Correa-Pacheco, Silvia Bautista-Banos, Jose Jesus Benitez-Jimenez, Pedro Ortega-Gudino, Erick Omar Cisneros-Lopez, Monica Hernandez-Lopez
Summary: In this study, the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of extruded fibers based on polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) added with prickly pear flour (PPF) under composting were evaluated. The results suggest that PPF residues could enhance the biodegradability of PLA/PBAT-based fiber composites, but also induce structural changes and decrease in mechanical properties.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vincenzo Caligiuri, Francesca Leone, Olga Favale, Maria De Santo, Mauro Daniel Luigi Bruno, Olga Mileti, Alfredo Pane, Aniket Patra, Lucia Petti, Susana Guzman-Puyol, Jose Alejandro Heredia-Guerrero, Roman Krahne, Noemi Baldino, Roberto Bartolino, Michele Galluccio, Ferdinanda Annesi, Antonio De Luca
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential for replicating high-end photonic applications using micro- and nano-photonic structuration of a typical bacterial growth medium. The optical quality of the structured media was confirmed through diffraction measurements, and the suitability of the nano-structured medium as a plasmonic platform was evidenced. This research represents the first step towards quantum optical frameworks using biological media.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ken Sakamoto, Takuma Akimoto, Mayu Muramatsu, Mark S. P. Sansom, Ralf Metzler, Eiji Yamamoto
Summary: Cell membranes undergo phase separation into ordered Lo and disordered Ld domains, which regulate the localization of specific proteins related to cell signaling and trafficking. However, it is still unclear how the heterogeneity of the membranes affects the diffusion and localization of proteins in Lo and Ld domains.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jose A. Heredia-Guerrero, Jose J. Benitez, Jose M. Porras-Vazquez, Giacomo Tedeschi, Yandira Morales, Dolores Fernandez-Ortuno, Athanassia Athanassiou, Susana Guzman-Puyol
Summary: In this study, a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride was used to dissolve chitin from shrimp shells, and free-standing films were prepared by blending the chitin solution with glycerol. The films exhibited amorphous molecular structure and improved mechanical response, transparency, and greaseproof behavior. They also showed typical values of other polysaccharides in terms of hydrodynamic and barrier properties. The films complied with European regulations regarding overall migration and demonstrated high antifungal activity and biodegradability.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Maria A. Acquavia, Jos e J. Benitez, Giuliana Bianco, Maria A. Crescenzi, Jesus Hierrezuelo, Montserrat Grife-Ruiz, Diego Romero, Susana Guzman-Puyol, Jose A. Heredia-Guerrero
Summary: Reinforced films were produced by impregnating paper with ethyl cellulose solutions, improving the mechanical and barrier properties. Avocado by-products extract, rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, was incorporated into the reinforced paper, reducing water absorption, increasing biodegradability, and acting as a barrier for bacteria. These films demonstrated potential for food packaging with low migrations and similar food preservation to polyethylene.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Guilhermina Ferreira Teixeira, Heitor Secco Seleghini, Wagner Benicio Bastos, Natalia Jacomaci, Bojan Stojadinovic, Zorana Dohcevic-Mitrovic, Flavio Colmati, Miguel Angel San-Miguel, Elson Longo, Maria Aparecida Zaghete
Summary: Na2Nb2O6•H2O fibers were synthesized using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and used as a precursor for obtaining NaNbO3 fibers with piezoelectric characteristics. The NaNbO3 fibers consist of a mix of antiferroelectric and ferroelectric orthorhombic phases. Piezoresponse force microscopy revealed that the fibers have regions with ferroelectric domains and regions with no ferroelectric characteristics.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Felipe Lipsky, Luis Henrique da Silveira Lacerda, Lourdes Gracia, Beatriz G. Foschiani, Marcelo Assis, Monica Oliva, Elson Longo, Juan Andres, Miguel A. San-Miguel
Summary: In this study, the enhanced degradation process and bactericidal activity of Ag3PO4 microcrystals were investigated. A new mechanism for the multifunctional competence of the Ag3PO4(110) surface was proposed based on experimental results and theoretical analysis. The coadsorption of H2O and O-2 molecules was found to regulate an energetically favorable pathway that activates the dissociation of H2O and stabilizes the reactive oxygen species precursors.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)