Low temperature route towards new materials: solvothermal synthesis of metal chalcogenides in ethylenediamine

Solvothermal Synthesis of [Cr7 S8 (en)8 Cl2 ]Cl3 ⋅ 2H2 O with Magnetically Frustrated [Cr7 S8 ]5+ Double-Cubes

A novel transition metal chalcohalide [Cr7 S8 (en)8 Cl2 ]Cl3  ⋅ 2H2 O, with [Cr7 S8 ]5+ dicubane cationic clusters, has been synthesized by a low temperature solvothermal method, using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylenediamine (en) solvents. Ethylenediamine ligand exhibits bi- and monodentate coordination modes; in the latter case ethylenediamine coordinates to Cr atoms of adjacent clusters, giving rise to a 2D polymeric structure. Although magnetic susceptibility shows no magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K, a highly negative Weiss constant, θ=-224(2) K, obtained from Curie-Weiss fit of inverse susceptibility, suggests strong antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions between S=3/2 Cr(III) centers. Due to the complexity of the system with (2S+1)7 =16384 microstates from seven Cr3+ centers, a simplified model with only two exchange constants was used for simulations. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations yielded the two exchange constants to be J1 =-21.4 cm-1 and J2 =-30.2 cm-1 , confirming competing AFM coupling between the shared Cr3+ center and the peripheral Cr3+ ions of the dicubane cluster. The best simulation of the experimental data was obtained with J1 =-20.0 cm-1 and J2 =-21.0 cm-1 , in agreement with the slightly stronger AFM exchange within the triangles of the peripheral Cr3+ ions as compared to the AFM exchange between the central and peripheral Cr3+ ions. This compound is proposed as a synthon towards magnetically frustrated systems assembled by linking dicubane transition metal-chalcogenide clusters into polymeric networks.

Directed assembly of layered perovskite heterostructures as single crystals

The precise stacking of different two-dimensional (2D) structures such as graphene and MoS₂ has reinvigorated the field of 2D materials, revealing exotic phenomena at their interfaces^1,2. These unique interfaces are typically constructed using mechanical or deposition-based methods to build a heterostructure one monolayer at a time^2,3. By contrast, self-assembly is a scalable technique, where complex materials can selectively form in solution^4-6. Here we show a synthetic strategy for the self-assembly of layered perovskite-non-perovskite heterostructures into large single crystals in aqueous solution. Using bifunctional organic molecules as directing groups, we have isolated six layered heterostructures that form as an interleaving of perovskite slabs with a different inorganic lattice, previously unknown to crystallize with perovskites. In many cases, these intergrown lattices are 2D congeners of canonical inorganic structure types. To our knowledge, these compounds are the first layered perovskite heterostructures formed using organic templates and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Notably, this interleaving of inorganic structures can markedly transform the band structure. Optical data and first principles calculations show that substantive coupling between perovskite and intergrowth layers leads to new electronic transitions distributed across both sublattices. Given the technological promise of halide perovskites⁴, this intuitive synthetic route sets a foundation for the directed synthesis of richly structured complex semiconductors that self-assemble in water.

On the Reaction Pathways and Growth Mechanisms of LiNbO3 Nanocrystals from the Non-Aqueous Solvothermal Alkoxide Route

Phase-pure, highly crystalline sub-50 nm LiNbO3 nanocrystals were prepared from a non-aqueous solvothermal process for 72 h at 230 °C and a commercial precursor solution of mixed lithium niobium ethoxide in its parent alcohol. A systematic variation of the reaction medium composition with the addition of different amounts of co-solvent including butanol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,5-pentanediol resulted in the formation of nanocrystals of adjustable mean size and shape anisotropy, as demonstrated from XRD measurements and TEM imaging. Colloidal stability of ethanol- and water-based suspensions was evaluated from dynamic light scattering (DLS)/zeta potential studies and correlated with FTIR data. Thanks to the evolution in the nanocrystal size and shape distribution we observed, as well as to the available literature on the alkoxide chemistry, the reaction pathways and growth mechanisms were finally discussed with a special attention on the monomer formation rate, leading to the nucleation step. The polar, non-perovskite crystalline structure of LiNbO3 was also evidenced to play a major role in the nanocrystal shape anisotropy.

Tuning Fe-Se Tetrahedral Frameworks by a Combination of [Fe(en)3]2+ Cations and Cl- Anions

A one-dimensional (1D) chain compound [Fe(en)3]3(FeSe2)4Cl2 (en = ethylenediamine), featuring tetrahedral FeSe₂ chains separated by [Fe(en)₃]²⁺ cations and Cl^- anions, has been synthesized by a low temperature solvothermal method using simple starting materials. The degree of distortion in the Fe-Se backbone is similar to previously reported compounds with isolated 1D FeSe₂ chains. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy reveals the mixed-valent nature of [Fe(en)₃]₃(FeSe₂)₄Cl₂ with Fe³⁺ centers in the [FeSe₂]^- chains and Fe²⁺ centers in the [Fe(en)₃]²⁺ complexes. SQUID magnetometry indicates that [Fe(en)3]3(FeSe2)4Cl2 is paramagnetic with a reduced average effective magnetic moment, μ_eff = 9.51 μ_B per formula unit, and a negative Weiss constant, θ = -10.9(4) K, indicating antiferromagnetic (AFM) nearest neighbor interactions within the [FeSe₂]^- chains. Weak antiferromagnetic coupling between chains, combined with rather strong intrachain AFM coupling, leads to spin-glass behavior at low temperatures, as indicated by a frequency shift of the peak observed at 3 K in AC magnetic measurements. A combination of [Fe(en)₃]²⁺ and Cl^- ions is also capable of stabilizing mixed-valent 2D Fe-Se puckered layers in the crystal structure of [Fe(en)₃]₄(Fe₁₄Se₂₁)Cl₂, where Fe₁₄Se₂₁ layers have a unique topology with large open pores. Property measurements of [Fe(en)₃]₄(Fe₁₄Se₂₁)Cl₂ could not be performed due to the inability to either grow large crystals or synthesize this material in single-phase form.

Low-Temperature Solution Crystallization of Nanostructured Oxides and Thin Films

As an introduction to this themed issue, a critically selected overview of recent progress on the topic of solution methods for the low-temperature crystallization of nanoscale oxide materials is presented. It is focused on the low-temperature solution processing of oxide nanostructures and thin films. Benefits derived from these methods span from minimizing the environmental impact to reducing the fabrication costs. In addition, this topic is regarded as a key objective in the area because it offers a unique opportunity for the use of these materials in areas like flexible electronics, energy conversion and storage, environmental sciences, catalysis, or biomedicine.

Analyzing and Tuning the Chalcogen-Amine-Thiol Complexes for Tailoring of Chalcogenide Syntheses

The amine-thiol solvent system has been used extensively to synthesize metal chalcogenide thin films and nanoparticles because of its ability to dissolve various metal and chalcogen precursors. While previous studies of this solvent system have focused on understanding the dissolution of metal precursors, here we provide an in-depth investigation of the dissolution of chalcogens, specifically Se and Te. Analytical techniques, including Raman, X-ray absorption, and NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, were used to identify pathways for Se and Te dissolution in butylamine-ethanethiol and ethylenediamine-ethanethiol solutions. Se in monoamine-monothiol solutions was found to form ionic polyselenides free of thiol ligands, while in diamine-monothiol solutions, thiol coordination with polyselenides was predominately observed. When the relative concentration of thiol is increased to that of Se, the chain length of polyselenide species was observed to shorten. Analysis of Te dissolution in diamine-thiol solutions also suggested the formation of relatively unstable thiol-coordinated Te ions. This instability of Te ions was found to be reduced by codissolving Te with Se in diamine-thiol solutions. Analysis of the codissolved solutions revealed the presence of atomic interaction between Se and Te through the identification of Se-Te bonds. This new understanding then provided a new route to dissolve otherwise insoluble Te in butylamine-ethanethiol solutions by taking advantage of the Se^2- nucleophile. Finally, the knowledge gained for chalcogen dissolutions in this solvent system allowed for controlled alloying of Se and Te in PbSe_nTe_1-n material and also provided a general knob to alter various metal chalcogenide material syntheses.

Mapping the redox chemistry of common solvents in solvothermal synthesis through in situ X-ray diffraction

Solvothermal technology shows great promise in "green" materials synthesis, processing, and recycling. The outcome of a specific solvothermal reaction depends strongly on the solvent properties, and the versatility of solvothermal synthesis hinges on the very large changes in solvent properties as a function of temperature and pressure. Here, six simple 3d transition metal nitrate salts (Cu(ii), Ni(ii), Co(ii), Fe(iii), Mn(ii), Cr(iii)) were dissolved in five common solvents (water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and 10% hydrogen peroxide solution) and heated stepwise up to 450 °C at a pressure of 250 bar using an in situ reactor while X-ray scattering data was recorded. A range of crystalline phases were observed in the form of metallic phases, metal oxides, and other ionic compounds. These data by themselves provide simple recipes for synthesis of many technologically important 3d transition metal nanomaterials. However, more generally the oxidation states of the metals in the synthesized materials can be used to map the solvent redox properties under solvothermal conditions. It is found that glycerol and ethylene glycol are strongly reducing, ethanol is moderately reducing, while water is weakly oxidizing. The behavior of the hydrogen peroxide solution is more complex including both oxidization and reduction. Furthermore, it is observed that the reducing powers of ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol are enhanced with increasing temperature. The mapping of the redox properties of these common solvents provides a method for tailoring a given reaction through choice of solvent and reaction temperature. Solvothermal processes represent an environmentally benign alternative to the use of toxic reducing agents in chemical reactions, and quantification of the redox chemistry is a first step in rational materials design.

Synthesizing Crystalline Chalcogenidoarsenates in Thiol-Amine Solvent Mixtures

Thiol-amine solvent mixtures have been widely applied in the solution processing of binary chalcogenide thin films due to their excellent ability to dissolve various bulk binary chalcogenides. However, application of this solvent system in preparing new crystalline chalcogenidometalates has not been explored. In this work, by using a thiol-amine solvent mixture of n-butylamine (BA) and 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) as the reaction medium and protonated piperazine (pip) cation as the template, we synthesized a series of new chalcogenidoarsenates with structures ranging from discrete clusters to two-dimensional layers, namely, [pipH₂][pipH][AsS₄] (1), [pipH₂][pipH][As(Se_0.4S_0.6)₄] (2), [pipH₂]₂[pipH]₂[In₂As^III₂As^V₂S_13.3(S₂)_0.7] (3), [pipH₂]₂[pipH]₂[In₂As^III₂As^V₂S_10.2Se_3.1(Se₂)_0.7] (4), [pipH₂]_0.5[AsS(S₂)] (5), [pipH₂]_0.5[AsS₂] (6), [pipH]₂[AgAsS₄] (7), [pipH₂]_1.5[GaAs^IIIAs^VS₇] (8), and Cs₂[pipH]₂[InAs₆S₁₂]Cl (9). Particularly, compounds 3, 4, and 8 contain mixed-valent As^III and As^V ions in their discrete clusters and one-dimensional chain. In addition, compound 5 could thermodynamically transform to compound 6 with increasing reaction temperature, which may be attributed to the thermodynamically unstable S-S species in the chains of 5. The BA-EDT solvent mixture was crucial to the synthesis of these compounds, since no title crystals can be prepared by replacing the BA-EDT solvent mixture with other conventional solvents or removing one component of the BA-EDT solvent mixture from the reaction system. Our research demonstrates that thiol-amine solvent systems could be promising reaction media for growing novel crystalline chalcogenidometalates.

Synthesis and magnetic characterization of a dinuclear complex of low-coordinate iron(II)

Low-coordinate ions possess exciting magnetic, optical, and reactive properties that may afford novel material physics. Hence, it is important to test both synthetic methods for realizing extended solids of such ions as well as the properties of smaller molecular fragments of envisioned future materials. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new dinuclear Fe species, [{(Me₃Si₂)₂N}Fe{μ-p-{HN(SiMe₃)}(C₆Me₄){N(SiMe₃)}}₂Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (1), formed through a transamination reaction between [Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂ and the bulky diamine p-{HN(SiMe₃)}₂(C₆Me₄) (L). The Fe centers of this dimer assume a pseudo-trigonal-planar, three-coordinate conformation in 1, bridged by two aromatic diamines. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy enable the assignment of both Fe centers as the 2+ oxidation state. Magnetic studies show that 1 displays a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = -2.33 cm^-1) and moderate zero-field splitting (D = 7.51 cm^-1). Importantly, these studies demonstrate the viability of using transamination to bridge high-spin low-coordinate metal ions and hence the technique may, in the future, produce new extended structures.

A series of new vanadium(iii) chalcogenido-antimonates: an unusual seven-coordinate nitro-selenidovanadium(iii) complex

A series of new vanadium(iii) chalcogenidoantimonates [VIII(dap)2SbQ3] (Q = S (1), Se (2); dap = 1,2-diaminopropane), [H2dien][VIII2(en)2(dien)2(μ2-O)][SbSe4]2 (3, en = ethylenediamine; dien = diethylenetriamine) and [VIII(dien)2SbSe4] (4) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 contain neutral vanadium(iii)-centered complexes [VIII(dap)2SbQ3], where the [SbQ3]3- anion acts as a chelating ligand to complex [VIII(dap)2]3+, but they exhibit different molecular conformations. 3 consists of selenidoantimonate anions [SbSe4]3-, the protonated H2dien2+ cation, and the dinuclear complex [VIII2(en)2(dien)2(μ2-O)]4+ based on two [VIII(en)(dien)]3+ units bridged by one μ2-O group. 4 contains neutral [VIII(dien)2SbSe4] moieties with seven coordinated vanadium centres, which offers a rare example of high coordination of a nitro-selenidovanadium(iii) complex, mainly because the vanadium(iii) ion has a regular octahedral configuration based on the structures in the solid state. The optical, magnetic and photoelectronic properties of all compounds have been investigated, and the density functional theory calculation of 4 has also been studied.

Alcohol-solvothermal syntheses, crystal structures and photocatalytic properties of tin selenides with polyselenide ligands

New polyselenidostannates with Se₂²⁻ or Se₄²⁻ polyselenide ligands, [TM(en)₃]Sn₃Se₆(Se₂) (1–3), [Ni(en)₃]Sn₃Se_7.5 (4) and [TM(en)₃][Sn(Se₄)₃] (5–8), were prepared by alcohol-solvothermal methods.

Hydrazine-solvothermal methods to synthesize polymeric thioarsenates from one-dimensional chains to a three-dimensional framework

A series of polymeric Mn(ii)-thioarsenates [Mn(en)₃]_n[(N₂H₄)₂Mn₆(μ₆-S)(μ-N₂H₄)₂(μ₃-AsS₃)₄]_n (1), [N₂H₅]_n[{Mn(μ-N₂H₄)₂(μ-AsS₄)}·0.5en]_n (2), [Mn(μ-trien){Mn(μ-N₂H₄)(μ-AsS₃)}₂]_n (3), [{Mn(N₂H₄)}₂(μ-N₂H₄)₂{Mn(μ-N₂H₄)₂(μ-AsS₃)₂}]_n (4), [Mn₃(μ-N₂H₄)₆(μ₃-AsS₄)(μ₂-AsS₄)]_n (5), and [Mn(NH₃)₆]_n[{Mn(NH₃)(μ-AsS₄)}₂]_n (6) were synthesized using a hydrazine-solvothermal method. The thioarsenate units AsS₃ and AsS₄ coordinate to Mn(ii) ions with variable coordination modes, forming a Mn–As–S ternary cluster (1), chains (2, 4–6), and layers (3), respectively. The hydrazine molecules act as inter-cluster, intra-chain and intra-layer bridging ligands to join the Mn(ii) ions, resulting in hydrazine hybrid 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D Mn(ii)-thioarsenate moieties in 1–5. Compounds 1–6 exhibit tunable semiconducting band gaps varying in the range of 2.19–2.47 eV. Compound 1 displays stronger antiferromagnetic coupling interactions than that of compound 2.

Mn(ii)-thioarsenates [Mn(en)₃]_n[Mn₆S(N₂H₄)₄(AsS₃)₄]_n (1), [N₂H₅]_n[{Mn(N₂H₄)₂(AsS₄)}·0.5en]_n (2), [Mn(trien){Mn(N₂H₄)(AsS₃)}₂]_n (3), [Mn₃(N₂H₄)₆(AsS₃)₂]_n (4), [Mn₃(N₂H₄)₆(AsS₄)₂]_n (5), and [Mn(NH₃)₆]_n[{Mn(NH₃)(AsS₄)}₂]_n (6) were prepared in N₂H₄ by solvothermal methods.

Seed-Layer Free Zinc Tin Oxide Tailored Nanostructures for Nanoelectronic Applications: Effect of Chemical Parameters

Semiconductor nanowires are mostly processed by complex, expensive, and high temperature methods. In this work, with the intent of developing zinc tin oxide nanowires (ZTO NWs) by low-cost and low-complexity processes, we show a detailed study on the influence of chemical parameters in the hydrothermal synthesis of ZTO nanostructures at temperatures of only 200 °C. Two different zinc precursors, the ratio between zinc and tin precursors, and the concentration of the surfactant agent and of the mineralizer were studied. The type and the crystallinity of the nanostructures were found to be highly dependent on the used precursors and on the concentration of each reagent. Conditions for obtaining different ZTO nanostructures were achieved, namely, Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles and ZnSnO₃ nanowires with length ∼600 nm, with the latter being reported for the first time ever by hydrothermal methods without the use of seed layers. Optical and electrical properties were analyzed, obtaining band gaps of 3.60 and 3.46 eV for ZnSnO₃ and Zn₂SnO₄, respectively, and a resistivity of 1.42 kΩ·cm for single ZnSnO₃ nanowires, measured using nanomanipulators after localized deposition of Pt electrodes by e-beam assisted gas decomposition. The low-temperature hydrothermal methods explored here proved to be a low-cost, reproducible, and highly flexible route to obtain multicomponent oxide nanostructures, particularly ZTO NWs. The diversity of the synthesized ZTO structures has potential application in next-generation nanoscale devices such as field effect nanotransistors, nanogenerators, resistive switching memories, gas sensors, and photocatalysis.

Systematic dimensional reduction of the layered β-FeSe structure by solvothermal synthesis

Dimensional reduction of superconducting anti PbO-type iron selenide has been achieved by terminating the tetragonal square layers of FeSe_4/4 tetrahedra by ethylenediamine (en) ligands. We obtained three new structures in the Fe-Se-en system. Fe₃Se₄(en)₃ contains FeSe₂ single chains bridged via Fe(en)₃ complexes. Fe₁₀Se₁₂(en)₇ has Fe₂Se₃ double strands separated by Fe(en)₃ complexes and free en molecules. Fe_0.85Se(en)_0.3 conserves the tetragonal layers of bulk FeSe which are now widely separated by en molecules. Through systematic dilution of the solvent we were able to introduce an additional parameter in solvothermal synthesis and thus have control over the connectivity of the tetrahedra. Additionally, a phase diagram of the Fe-Se-en system is generated by variation of the reaction temperature. The magnetic properties of the FeSe derivatives range from superconductivity and antiferromagnetism to paramagnetism.

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates with metal complexes prepared in alkylol amines

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates were synthesized in alkylol amines, whose zinc selenidostannate with a photocurrent response represents the first example of the hybrid chalcogenidostannate incorporating rare tetrahedral metal complexes.

Lanthanide(III) complexes with μ-SnSe4 and μ-Sn2Se6 linkers: solvothermal syntheses and properties of new Ln(III) selenidostannates decorated with linear polyamine

New lanthanide-selenidostannate complexes [{La(peha)(Cl)}{La(peha)(NO3)}(μ-1κ2:2κ2-SnSe4)] (1), [H2trien][{La(trien)2}2(μ-1κ:2κ-Sn2Se6)][Sn2Se6]·H2O (2) and [{Ln(tepa)(μ-OH)}2(μ-1κ:2κ-Sn2Se6)] n ·nH2O (Ln=Sm(3), Eu(4)) were prepared by solvothermal methods in pentaethylenehexamine (peha), triethylenetetramine (trien) and tetraethylenepentamine (tepa), respectively. Acting as a tetradentate chelating and bridging ligand, μ-1κ2:2κ2-SnSe4, the tetrahedral SnSe4 unit joins {La(peha)(Cl)}2+ and {La(peha)(NO3)}2+ complex fragments to generate the neutral coordination compound 1. The tetradentate μ-1κ2:2κ2 bridge in 1 represents a new coordination mode for the SnSe4 tetrahedron. In 2, dinuclear [Sn2Se6]4− anions are formed of SnSe4 tetrahedra via edge-sharing. One [Sn2Se6]4− anion acts as a bidentate bridging ligand in a μ-1κ:2κ coordination mode to join two {La(trien)2}3+ units, and the other [Sn2Se6]4− anion exists as a free charge compensating ion. In 3 and 4, the [Sn2Se6]4− anion connects binuclear [{Ln(tepa)(μ-OH)}2]2+ (Ln=Sm, Eu) units with a bidentate μ-1κ:2κ mode, giving neutral coordination polymers [{Ln(tepa)(μ-OH)}2(μ-1κ:2κ-Sn2Se6)] n . The La(2)3+ ion in 1 is in a 10-fold coordination environment of LaN6O2Se2, whereas the La(1)3+ ions in 1 and 2 are in 9-fold coordinated environments forming polyhedra LaN6ClSe2 and LaN8Se, respectively. The Sm3+ and Eu3+ ions in 3 and 4 are both in an 8-fold coordination environment of LnN5O2Se. Compounds 1−4 exhibit optical band gaps between 2.21 and 2.42 eV. Their thermal stabilities were investigated by thermogravimetric analyses.

Hierarchical Structural Evolution of Zn2GeO4 in Binary Solvent and Its Effect on Li-ion Storage Performance

Zinc germinate (Zn₂GeO₄) with a hierarchical structure was successfully synthesized in a binary ethylenediamine/water (En/H₂O) solvent system by wet chemistry methods. The morphological evolution process of the Zn₂GeO₄ was investigated in detail by tuning the ratio of En to H₂O in different solvent systems, and a series of compounds with awl-shaped, fascicular, and cross-linked hierarchical structures was obtained and employed as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. The materials with fascicular structure exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, and a specific reversible capacity of 1034 mA h g^-1 was retained at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1 after 160 cycles. In addition, the as-prepared nanostructured electrode also delivered impressive rate capability of 315 mA h g^-1 at the current density of 10 A g^-1. The remarkable electrochemical performances could be ascribed to the following aspects. First, each unit in the three-dimensional fascicular structure can effectively buffer the volume expansions during the Li⁺ extraction/insertion process, accommodate the strain induced by the volume variation, and stabilize its whole configuration. Meanwhile, the small fascicular units can enlarge the electrode/electrolyte contact area and form an integrated interlaced conductive network which provides continuous electron/ion pathways.

Recent progress in crystalline metal chalcogenides as efficient photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation

Recent progress in crystalline metal chalcogenides as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for aqueous organic pollutant degradation is reviewed.

Biological and environmental interactions of emerging two-dimensional nanomaterials

Two-dimensional materials have become a major focus in materials chemistry research worldwide with substantial efforts centered on synthesis, property characterization, and technological application. These high-aspect ratio sheet-like solids come in a wide array of chemical compositions, crystal phases, and physical forms, and are anticipated to enable a host of future technologies in areas that include electronics, sensors, coatings, barriers, energy storage and conversion, and biomedicine. A parallel effort has begun to understand the biological and environmental interactions of synthetic nanosheets, both to enable the biomedical developments and to ensure human health and safety for all application fields. This review covers the most recent literature on the biological responses to 2D materials and also draws from older literature on natural lamellar minerals to provide additional insight into the essential chemical behaviors. The article proposes a framework for more systematic investigation of biological behavior in the future, rooted in fundamental materials chemistry and physics. That framework considers three fundamental interaction modes: (i) chemical interactions and phase transformations, (ii) electronic and surface redox interactions, and (iii) physical and mechanical interactions that are unique to near-atomically-thin, high-aspect-ratio solids. Two-dimensional materials are shown to exhibit a wide range of behaviors, which reflect the diversity in their chemical compositions, and many are expected to undergo reactive dissolution processes that will be key to understanding their behaviors and interpreting biological response data. The review concludes with a series of recommendations for high-priority research subtopics at the "bio-nanosheet" interface that we hope will enable safe and successful development of technologies related to two-dimensional nanomaterials.

Supramolecular hexagonal nano tubes assembled by vanadium diamine complexes with thiogermanates

A supramolecular hexagonal nano tube is characterized, which is assembled by oxo-vanadium thiogermanate in a sulfur–diamine reduction system.

Precise determination of the nanoparticle concentration and ligand density of engineered water-soluble HgSe fluorescent nanoparticles

Fluorescent HgSe NPs were synthesized and water-stabilized. Full characterization, including ligand density and nanoparticle concentration, makes them ideal candidates as standards to investigate HgSe NPs metabolism and toxicity.

A comparison study of aliphatic and aromatic structure directing agents influencing the crystal and electronic structures, and properties of iodoplumbate hybrids: water induced structure conversion and visible light photocatalytic properties

The introduction of the aliphatic amines en (ethylenediamine), aep (N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine) and tepa (tetraethylenepentamine), and the aromatic species 2,2'-bipy (2,2'-bipyridine) and dpe (1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene) as structure directing agents (SDAs) into inorganic iodoplumbates affords six hybrids, namely [(Hen)4(H2.5O)2I](PbI6) (1), Cs2n[Pb3I8(en)2]n (2), (H3tepa)n(PbI5)n (3), (H2aep)n(PbI4)n (4), (Et22,2'-bipy)n(Pb2I6)n (5) and (Et2dpe)n(Pb2I6)n (6). 1 contains a discrete octahedral (PbI6)(4-) anion generated under the direction of a novel co-template, [(Hen)4(H2.5O)2I](4+). 2 contains inorganic Cs(+) ions and a novel hybrid anionic layer [Pb3I8(en)2]n(2n-) that has never been encountered in iodoplumbate hybrids. 3 features a zigzag (PbI5)(3-) chain with the charge being compensated by a triprotonated tepa cation. 4 is composed of perovskite sheets of lead(ii) octahedra and aep cations that are generated from tepa via an unprecedented in situ ligand reaction. Both 5 and 6 have (Pb2I6)n(2n-) chains and represent the first example of introducing a 2,2'-bipy or dpe derivative cation in iodoplumbate hybrids, respectively. The comparative study reveals that aliphatic amines and aromatic species contribute differently to the crystal and electronic structures, and the properties of the hybrids. Importantly, 1-4 exhibit interesting water induced structure conversions, while 5 and 6 can be used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for dye wastewater treatment under visible light irradiation.

Two types of lanthanide selenidostannates(IV) first prepared under the same solvothermal conditions

Two types of lanthanide selenidostannates(iv) [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Sn2Se6] {Ln = Y(), Pr (), Dy (), Er (), Tm (); tepa = tetraethylenepentamine} and [Ln2(tepa)2(μ2-OH)2Cl2]2[Sn4Se10]·4H2O {Ln = Y (), Dy (), Er (), Tm ()} have been synthesized under identical solvothermal conditions and characterized structurally. Type I (, , , and ) displays 1-D neutral chains [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Sn2Se6]n, while type II (, , and ) contains discrete adamantane-like [Sn4Se10](4-) ions with binuclear lanthanide complex [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Cl2](2+) ions as counterions. Although the solvothermal synthetic methods could result in the formation of various transition-metal chalcogenidometalates, such identical experimental conditions usually result in the only stable phases of lanthanide chalcogenidometalates. Hence, two different lanthanide selenidostannates(iv), obtained under same solvothermal conditions and starting materials, have been first observed in this work. The optical properties of all the compounds have been investigated by UV-vis spectra.

[Mn(dien)2]MnSnS4, [Mn(1,2-dap)]2Sn2S6 and [Mn(en)2]MnGeS4: from 1D anionic and neutral chains to 3D neutral frameworks

Three new organic–inorganic hybrid manganese thiogermanates and thiostannates with 1D anionic or neutral chains and 3D neutral frameworks have been synthesized and feature interesting antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic properties.