Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films

Synthesis and properties of confined carbyne and beyond

Carbyne, a one-dimensional carbon allotrope characterized by sp1 hybridization, has attracted significant attention due to its unique structure and exceptional properties. In principle, carbyne is an infinite linear carbon chain, or a long linear carbon chain that its properties remain independent of its length. Despite being proposed a century ago, the existence of carbyne has been a subject of controversy, primarily because of its extreme instability and strong chemical reactivity. So far the longest end-capped polyyne and the carbon nanotube-confined linear carbon chain comprise up to 68 and 6000 carbon atoms, respectively. In this review, general synthesis methods for confined linear carbon chains, i.e., confined carbyne, are outlined, with a particular focus on the chronological development of routes towards carbyne. In addition, the structure and properties of the carbon chains unraveled by theoretical calculations and various Raman spectroscopy are discussed in detail. Finally, the current challenges in the synthesis and property-engineering of sp1-hybridized carbon but not limited to confined carbyne are addressed, offering insights into potential future directions for both fundamental research and applications.

Recent advances and challenges in graphene-based electrochemical biosensors for food safety

Ensuring food safety is a critical global concern, particularly in light of recent pandemics and rising contamination risks from pesticides, antibiotics, toxins, and allergens. These contaminants pose significant health hazards, including neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, and carcinogenic effects. Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have established strict maximum residue limits (MRLs) to mitigate these risks. However, enforcement remains challenging due to limitations in current detection methods. The increasing global population and limited food resources have exacerbated food security challenges, while contaminants can infiltrate food at various stages, including production, processing, and packaging. Despite consumer awareness, significant amounts of food are discarded due to quality concerns. To address these issues, researchers are actively developing low-cost, reliable sensing technologies for real-time food quality assessment and contamination detection. Among these, graphene-based electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a promising solution due to their high sensitivity, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in graphene-based electrochemical biosensors, focusing on their role in detecting foodborne hazards and improving food quality monitoring. By integrating selective layers, these sensors enhance detection efficiency and provide an innovative solution for safeguarding public health. The findings underscore the transformative potential of graphene-derived biosensors in food safety diagnostics, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable food monitoring systems.

Enhancing organoid technology with carbon-based nanomaterial biosensors: Advancements, challenges, and future directions

Various carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have been utilized to develop nano- and microscale biosensors that enable real-time and continuous monitoring of biochemical and biophysical changes in living biological systems. The integration of CBN-based biosensors into organoids has recently provided valuable insights into organoid development, disease modeling, and drug responses, enhancing their functionality and expanding their applications in diverse biomedical fields. These biosensors have been particularly transformative in studying neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer progression, and liver toxicity, where precise, non-invasive monitoring is crucial for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms and assessing therapeutic efficacy. This review introduces intra- and extracellular biosensors incorporating CBNs such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon dots (CDs), and fullerenes. Additionally, it discusses strategies for improving the biocompatibility of CBN-based biosensors and minimizing their potential toxicity to ensure long-term organoid viability. Key challenges such as biosensor integration, data accuracy, and functional compatibility with specific organoid models are also addressed. Furthermore, this review highlights how CBN-based biosensors enhance the precision and relevance of organoid models in biomedical research, particularly in organ-specific applications such as brain-on-a-chip systems for neurodegenerative disease studies, liver-on-a-chip platforms for hepatotoxicity screening, and cardiac organoids for assessing cardiotoxicity in drug development. Finally, it explores how biosensing technologies could revolutionize personalized medicine by enabling high throughput drug screening, patient-specific disease modeling, and integrated sensing platforms for early diagnostics. By capturing current advancements and future directions, this review underscores the transformative potential of carbon-based nanotechnology in organoid research and its broader impact on medical science.

Tumor microenvironment modulation innovates combinative cancer therapy via a versatile graphene oxide nanosystem

The tumor microenvironment (TME) emerges as a unique challenge to oncotherapy due to its intricate ecosystem containing diverse cell types, extracellular matrix, secreted factors, and neovascularization, which furnish tumor growth, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Graphene oxide (GO)-based materials have garnered increasing attention in cancer therapy owing to their vast specific surface area, flexible lamellar structure, and electronic-photonic properties. Recently, interactions of GO with the TME have been broadly investigated, including trapping biomolecules, catalysis, cancer stem cell targeting, immunoreactions, etc., which inspires combinative therapeutic strategies to overcome TME obstacles. Herein, we summarize TME features, GO modulating various dimensions of the TME, and a TME-triggerable drug delivery system and highlight innovation and merits in combinative cancer therapy based on TME modulation. This review aims to offer researchers deeper insights into the interactions between versatile GO nanomaterials and the TME, facilitating the development of rational and reliable GO-based nanomedicines for advanced oncotherapy.

Efficient Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production via Water Splitting Using CH3- and F-Modified C60 Fullerene-Based Heterostructures

The ability to drive overall water splitting and efficiently utilize carriers is critical for optimizing photocatalytic performance to promote hydrogen production. Modifying photocatalysts with functional groups such as F and CH3 can significantly enhance these capabilities. Our results show that the large electrostatic potential at the surfaces of CH3@C60/ZrS2, F@qHP-C60/GeC, and F@qHP-C60/Bi heterostructures not only improves carrier separation but also increases the overpotentials for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Moreover, the Gibbs free energies (ΔG) for HER and OER are notably reduced, due to a more localized charge density distribution that facilitates the spontaneous occurrence of these reactions. Non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the smaller band gaps in these CH3 and F-modified C60-based heterostructures can result in faster electron-hole (e-h) recombination and enhanced carrier lifetime. These improvements contribute to a more efficient Z-scheme and superior carrier separation. In short, compared to the unmodified structures, the incorporation of radicals enhances the ability to drive HER and OER spontaneously, reduces ΔG, strengthens thermodynamic stability, accelerates e-h recombination, and increases the visible light absorption coefficient; all of the above contribute to the possibility of heterostructures becoming promising photocatalysts. This work introduces novel high-performance photocatalysts and offers valuable insights for developing efficient photocatalysts based on C60 and qHP-C60 monolayers.

Universal Coating Strategy Breaks Stability-Performance Trade-Off in Macroscopic Graphene Films

Macroscopic graphene film (MGF), excelling in superior electric and thermal conductivities, holds great promise in energy storage, thermal management, and flexible electronics. However, the high graphitization of MGF leads to surface fragility because of the weak interlayer interaction, leading to severe performance limitations. Herein, we report an interface engineering strategy for the thinnest coating on MGF to date, significantly enhancing surface stability while preserving ultrahigh electric and thermal conductivities. With a surfactant-enhanced interface self-assembly strategy, we construct a 5 nm thick Triton X-100-enhanced graphene oxide coating on MGF (MGF@TGO). This modification increases the surface adhesion by 206.36% while maintaining over 99% of its electrical and thermal conductivities. MGF@TGO serves as an effective thermal management unit, exhibiting excellent stability without surface detachment under simulated operating conditions. Depth profiling characterizations reveal that hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking costrengthen the MGF@TGO surface. Notably, our strategy is universally applicable to multiple aromatic-polar amphiphilic surfactants. This work successfully balances surface stability with performance retention, offering a scalable solution for MGF applications in industry.

Carbon nanomaterials for co-removal of antibiotics and heavy metals from water systems: An overview

Pollution resulting from the combination of antibiotics and heavy metals (HMs) poses a significant threat to human health and the natural environment. Adsorption is a promising technique for removing antibiotics and HMs owing to its low cost, simple procedures, and high adsorption capacity. In recent years, various novel carbon nanomaterials have been developed, demonstrating outstanding performance in simultaneously removing antibiotics and HMs. This work presents a comprehensive review of carbon nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotubes, graphene, resins, and other nanocomposites) for the co-removal of antibiotics and HMs in water systems. The mechanisms influencing the simultaneous removal of antibiotics and HMs include the bridging effect, electrostatic shielding, competition, and spatial site-blocking effects. These mechanisms can promote, inhibit, or have no impact on the adsorption capacity for antibiotics or HMs. Additionally, environmental factors such as pH, inorganic ions, natural organic matter, and microplastics affect the adsorption efficiency. This review also covers adsorbent regeneration and cost estimation. On the laboratory scale, the cost of the adsorption process primarily depends on the chemical and energy costs of adsorbent production. Our assessment highlights that the carbon-nanomaterial-mediated simultaneous removal of antibiotics and HMs warrants comprehensive consideration from both economic and environmental perspectives.

Terahertz field effect in a two-dimensional semiconductor

Layered two-dimensional (2D) materials offer many promising avenues for advancing modern electronics, thanks to their tunable optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. Applying a strong electric field perpendicular to the layers, typically at the MV/cm level, is a highly effective way to control these properties. However, conventional methods to induce such fields employ electric circuit - based gating techniques, which are restricted to microwave response rates and face challenges in achieving device-compatible ultrafast, sub-picosecond control. Here, we demonstrate an ultrafast field effect in atomically thin MoS2 embedded within a hybrid 3D-2D terahertz nanoantenna. This nanoantenna transforms an incoming terahertz electric field into a vertical ultrafast gating field in MoS2, simultaneously enhancing it to the MV/cm level. The terahertz field effect is observed as a coherent terahertz-induced Stark shift of exciton resonances in MoS2. Our results offer a promising strategy to tune and operate ultrafast optoelectronic devices based on 2D materials.

An updated review and recent advancements in carbon-based bioactive coatings for dental implant applications

BACKGROUND

Surface coating of dental implants with a bioactive biomaterial is one of the distinguished approaches to improve the osseointegration potential, antibacterial properties, durability, and clinical success rate of dental implants. Carbon-based bioactive coatings, a unique class of biomaterial that possesses excellent mechanical properties, high chemical and thermal stability, osteoconductivity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, have been utilized successfully for this purpose.

AIM

This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the structure, properties, coating techniques, and application of the various carbon-based coatings for dental implant applicationswith a particular focuson Carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), which is an advanced class of biomaterials.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Available articles on carbon coatings for dental implants were reviewed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar resources. Carbon-based coatings are non-cytotoxic, highly biocompatible, chemically inert, and osteoconductive, which allows the bone cells to come into close contact with the implant surface and prevents bacterial attachment and growth. Current research and advancements are now more focused on carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), as this emerging class of biomaterial possesses the advantage of both nanotechnology and carbon and aligns closely with ideal coating material characteristics. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and its derivatives have received the most attention for dental implant coating. Various coating techniques are available for carbon-based materials, chosen according to substrate type, application requirements, and desired coating thickness. Vapor deposition technique, plasma spraying, laser deposition, and thermal spraying techniques are most commonly employed to coat the carbon structures on the implant surface. Longer duration trials and monitoring are required to ascertain the role of carbon-based bioactive coating for dental implant applications.

Carbon dots derived from Ligusticum Chuanxiong mitigate cardiac injury by disrupting the harmful oxidative stress-apoptosis cycle

BACKGROUND

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) represents a significant complication following myocardial infarction surgery, for which preventive strategies remain limited. The primary pathological characteristics of MIRI include oxidative stress and apoptosis.

RESULTS

This study presents the synthesis of carbon dots derived from Ligusticum Chuanxiong (LC-CDs) through the application of the hydrothermal method. The LC-CDs show strong scavenging abilities for free radicals, effectively reducing oxidative stress and preventing apoptosis, which helps combat MIRI. The findings demonstrate that LC-CDs can effectively neutralize excessive ROS within cells, thereby alleviating oxidative stress, restoring mitochondrial function, and preventing DNA damage. Concurrently, LC-CDs suppress the polarization of M1-type macrophages and reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Following the in situ administration of LC-CDs into the hearts of MIRI-model rats, a significant reduction in the necrotic area of the myocardium was observed, alongside the restoration of cardiac function, with no adverse reactions reported. Moreover, similar to the pharmacological effects of Ligusticum chuanxiong, LC-CDs can also inhibit apoptosis by protecting mitochondria and suppressing the expression of apoptotic proteins (Caspase3, Caspase9, and Bax).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention strategy employing LC-CDs, which targets oxidative stress and apoptosis in MIRI, holds promise as a potential model for the clinical treatment of MIRI.

Computational Investigation of an All-sp3 Hybridized Superstable Carbon Allotrope with Large Band Gap

Carbon is one of nature's basic elements, hosting a tremendous number of allotropes benefiting from its capacity to generate sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridized carbon-carbon bonds. The exploration of novel carbon architectures has remained a pivotal focus in the fields of condensed matter physics and materials science for an extended period. In this paper, we, by using first-principles calculation, carry on a detailed investigation an an all-sp3 hybridized carbon structure in a 20-atom tetragonal unit cell with P43212 symmetry (D48, space group No. 96), and call it T20 carbon. The equilibrium energy of T20 carbon is -8.881 eV/atom, only 0.137 eV/atom higher than that of diamond, indicating that T20 is a superstable carbon structure. T20 is also a superhard carbon structure with a large Vicker's hardness about 83.5 GPa. The dynamical stability of T20 was verified by means of phonon band spectrum calculations. Meanwhile, its thermal stability up to 1000 K was verified via ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. T20 is an indirect band-gap insulator with approximately 5.80 eV of a band gap. This value is obviously greater than the value in the diamond (5.36 eV). Moreover, the simulated X-ray diffraction pattern of T20 displays a remarkable match with the experimental data found in the milled fullerene soot, evidencing that T20 may be a potential modification discovered in this experimental work. Our work has given a systematical understanding on an all-sp3 hybridized superstable and superhard carbon allotrope with large band gap and provided a very competitive explanation for previous experimental data, which will also provide guidance for upcoming studies in theory and experiment.

Single-Particle Correlated Imaging Reveals Multiple Chromophores in Carbon Dot Fluorescence

Carbon dots are remarkable nanomaterials with many applications, but the sources of their emission are still uncertain. Carbon dots exhibit complex behaviors such as excitation-dependent emission due to their heterogeneous composition and structure. Most studies have been carried out on the ensemble level, where sample heterogeneity remains hidden. Understanding the complex emission of carbon dots requires single-particle measurements. Here, we determined that for red-emitting carbon dots made from two bottom-up precursors, there is a significant population of dots with more than one emitting moiety. Polarization-resolved, single-dot emission microscopy revealed subpopulations of carbon dots based on their emission intensity and polarization. For the multichromophoric carbon dots, we found an average of about four emitters. Single-particle spectroscopy, acquired in parallel to the emission trajectories, and molecular dynamics simulations furthermore established that the countable chromophores in the carbon dots are chemically similar, considering the rather narrow room-temperature emission line width and the absence of significant spectral diffusion.

Landauer Resistivity Dipole at One-Dimensional Defect Revealed via near-Field Photocurrent Nanoscopy

The fundamental question of how to describe ohmic resistance at the nanoscale was answered by Landauer in his seminal picture of the Landauer resistivity dipole (LRD). While this picture is theoretically well understood, experimental studies remain scarce due to the need for noninvasive local probes. Here, we use the nanometer lateral resolution of near-field photocurrent imaging to thoroughly characterize a monolayer-bilayer graphene interface. Via systematic tuning of charge carrier density and current flow, we detected charge carrier accumulation around this nearly ideal one-dimensional defect due to the formation of the LRDs. We found that, at low doping levels, the photocurrent exhibits the same polarity as the applied source-drain voltage, reflecting carrier concentration changes induced by the LRDs. This signature disappears at higher charge carrier densities in agreement with the numerical calculations performed. Photocurrent nanoscopy can thus serve as a noninvasive technique to study local dissipation at hidden interfaces.

Anisotropic ultrafast hot carrier dynamics of two-dimensional SnS single crystals

In this paper, we investigated the temperature-dependent and anisotropic ultrafast hot carrier decay dynamics of two-dimensional SnS single crystals using femtosecond transient optical spectroscopy. The photo-excited hot carriers in SnS are relaxed via a fast decay (τ1) and a slow decay (τ2), which are contributed by the electron-phonon interactions coupling with high frequency and low frequency optical phonons of SnS, respectively. Both the τ1 and τ2 decay times show anisotropy. In the ab-plane, both τ1 and τ2 decays have a faster relaxion time in the b-axis direction than in the a-axis direction, which is due to the crystal anisotropy of SnS. The crystal anisotropy of SnS gives rise to more phonon vibrations in the b-axis direction than in the a-axis direction, which leads to stronger electron-phonon coupling along the b-axis direction and manifests as a shorter decay time along the b-axis direction. For the τ2 decay process, the femtosecond laser pump induces different dielectric responses in the ab-plane. In the b-axis direction, the pump laser induces a reduction in the dielectric coefficient (Δε < 0), while it induces an increase in the dielectric coefficient (Δε > 0) in the a-axis.

Triggering Reversible Optical Transformation of Monolayer WSe2 via Photoswitchable and Cleavable Solid Azobenzene Material

Stimuli engineering physical properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted intense interest due to the intriguing potential in future optoelectronics, valleytronics, and quantum information science. Azobenzene molecules provide an ideal platform to manipulate the optical properties of monolayer TMDCs. Here, we employed reversibly photoswitchable and mechanically cleavable solid azobenzene derivative polycrystal to fabricate van der Waals heterostructure and elucidated the interface interaction between the azobenzene molecule and monolayer WSe2 via visible laser-driven isomerization. The stronger coupling effect and dipole reorientation induced by the solid-liquid phase transition and the trans-to-cis conversion led to significant variation in electron doping to monolayer WSe2. It is evidenced by the distinct photoluminescence (PL) quenching at room temperature and the pronounced shift from neutral exciton to negative trion through temperature- and gate-dependent PL and the variation of surface potentials of monolayer WSe2 and the heterostructure. Our work thus provides a feasible approach to selectively and reversibly engineer 2D materials, which could lay a versatile path to the development of information processing, functional photoresponsive devices, and molecular probes.

Vertical DNA Nanostructure Arrays: Facilitating Functionalization on Macro-Scale Surfaces

The capability for varied functionalization and precise control at the nanoscale are significant advantages of DNA nanostructures. In the assembly of DNA nanostructure, the surface-assisted growth method utilizing double-crossover (DX) tile structures facilitates nucleation at relatively low concentrations on the surface based on electrostatic interactions, thereby enabling crystal growth over large areas. However, in surface-assisted growth, the geometrical hindrance of vertical structures on the DX tile structure surface makes it challenging to conjugate DNA nanostructures into fabricated surfaces. Here, the surface-assisted growth method was employed to extend the DX tile growth for forming vertical structure arrays on the substrate, providing attachment sites for functionalization on uniformly covered substrates at the macroscopic scale. Additionally, the spacing of the vertical structure arrays was demonstrated to be controllable through the strategic design of the repeating unit tiles that construct the DX crystals.

Theoretical prediction of stress-tunable optoelectronic properties of GaSeI: a novel 1D helical van der Waals crystal

One-dimensional (1D) van der Waals materials demonstrate exceptional application potential due to their unique electronic and mechanical properties. Among them, the recently synthesized 1D GaSeI nanochain features a non-centrosymmetric helical structure with individual helical chains interconnected by weak van der Waals interactions. Remarkably, these nanochains can be readily isolated from the bulk crystal using a straightforward micromechanical exfoliation method. Using first-principles calculations, we predicted the dynamic stability as well as the mechanical, electronic and optical properties of 1D GaSeI nanochains. 1D GaSeI exhibits an indirect band gap of 2.44 eV, with hole carrier mobility (20.23 cm2 V-1 s-1) approximately five times higher than the electron mobility (4.06 cm2 V-1 s-1). Furthermore, 1D GaSeI can withstand a tensile strain of 22.5% along the chain direction, with a Young's modulus of ∼25.6 GPa. Such mechanical flexibility endows the nanochains with exceptional stress tunability, motivating further investigation into the effects of strain on their electronic structures. Notably, under a compressive strain of 7.5%, the 1D GaSeI nanochain undergoes a band gap transition from indirect to direct. The electronic localization function and optical properties of 1D GaSeI under various deformations are further analyzed. The nanochain exhibits a high absorption coefficient of ∼105 cm-1 in the ultraviolet range along the chain direction. These remarkable properties of the 1D GaSeI nanochain highlight the application potential of helical nanostructures in nonlinear optics and electronic devices.

Exploration of Sp-Sp2 Carbon Networks: Advances in Graphyne Research and Its Role in Next-Generation Technologies

Graphyne, a hypothetical carbon allotrope comprising sp and sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, has garnered significant attention for its potential applications in next-generation technologies. Unlike graphene, graphyne's distinctive acetylenic linkages endow it with a tunable electronic structure, directional charge transport, and superior mechanical flexibility. This review delves into the structural variety, theoretical underpinnings, and burgeoning experimental endeavors associated with various graphyne allotropes, including α-, β-, γ-, and 6,6,12-graphyne. It examines synthesis methods, structural and electronic characteristics, and the material's prospective roles in diverse fields, such as nanoelectronics, transistors, hydrogen storage, and desalination. Additionally, it highlights the use of computational modeling techniques-density functional theory (DFT), GW approximation, and nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF)-to anticipate and validate properties without fully scalable experimental data. Despite substantial theoretical progress, the practical implementation of graphyne-based devices faces several challenges. By critically assessing current research and identifying strategic directions, this review underscores graphyne's potential to revolutionize advanced materials science.

Optimizing the Surface Functionalization of Peptide-MXene Nanoplatforms to Amplify Tumor-Targeting Efficiency and Photothermal Therapy

Energy storage and conversion extensively use MXenes, a class of 2-dimensional transition metals. Research is currently exploring MXenes in areas such as biomedical imaging, positioning them as a substantial contender in biomedical applications. Even though these biocompatible MXenes have many uses, it is challenging to make nanoparticles that are all the same size. This has made it harder to use them in the biomedical field. Herein, we meticulously crafted nano-sized MXene particles, achieving exceptional uniformity and amplified photothermal conversion efficiency compared to those of their bulkier micro-sized counterparts. To make these nanoparticles better at finding tumors, we added ARGD peptides to their surfaces. These are biomolecules that are known to bind to integrin αvβ3, a protein that is highly expressed in cancerous cells. Our research showed that these RGD-MXene nanoconjugates have excellent targeting accuracy and can eradicate tumors very effectively. This targeted photothermal therapy platform promises to redefine cancer treatment by selectively eradicating malignant cells while safeguarding healthy tissue. Also, MXene's natural ability to change surfaces opens up a world of possibilities for a wide range of uses in nanomedicine, bringing about a new era of sophisticated therapeutic interventions.

Electrical Energy Storage by Poly(ionic Liquids)

Manipulating van der Waals (vdW) and ionic interactions in polymers enable energy storage and formations of active or passive components of electrical circuits. The energy storage is achieved by electrically activating ion pairs containing polymers, which create ergotropically favorable non-equilibrium gradient states. Molecular-level events responsible for this behavior involve concurrent ion pairs' polarization-depolarization gradients and conformational changes of aliphatic tails that collectively contribute to lowering local disorder states. Manipulating ionic and vdW interactions stabilizes polarized anion-cation pairs, thus maintaining electrical energy storage for extended periods. These transparent and easily moldable materials require no multilayered assemblies, and their functional features depend upon polarization conditions and ionic-vdW interactions, making them applicable in energy storage and other devices transcending classical time intricacy limits.

Toward Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Array with Uniform Sensing Characteristics via a Clean Graphene Transfer Process

The synthesis of uniform, low-defect graphene on copper foil is approaching an industrial scale. However, its practical application remains challenging due to the lack of an appropriate method for its clean transfer to a device substrate. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a lift-off resist (LOR) photoresist as a transfer-supporting layer, resulting in a truly clean transfer of graphene. The surface cleanliness of graphene was assessed through optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The uniform sensing characteristics of the cleanly transferred graphene were further evidenced by the first-ever implementation of high-throughput graphene field-effect transistors, distinct from those covered with a thin layer of amorphous carbon, such as residual poly(methyl methacrylate). This transfer method provides a novel alternative route for graphene transfer.

Molecular spectroscopies with semiconductor metasurfaces: towards dual optical/chemical SERS

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a powerful technique for the ultra-sensitive detection of molecules and has been widely applied in many fields, ranging from biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring to trace-level detection of chemical and biological analytes. While traditional metallic SERS substrates rely predominantly on electromagnetic field enhancement, emerging semiconductor SERS materials have attracted growing interest because they offer the additional advantage of simultaneous chemical and electromagnetic enhancements. Here, we review some of the recent advancements in the design and optimization of semiconductor SERS substrates, with a focus on their dual enhancement mechanisms. We also discuss the transition from nanoparticle-based platforms to more advanced nanoresonator-based SERS metasurfaces, highlighting their superior sensing performance.

Magnon-magnon interactions corrected curie temperature in monolayer magnets

Understanding the temperature-dependent properties of intrinsic two-dimensional (2D) magnets is crucial for both fundamental research and technological applications. In this work, we employ nonlinear spin-wave theory, which incorporates magnon-magnon interactions, to evaluate the Curie temperature and spin-wave dispersions of several Cr- and Cu-based 2D magnets. We find that the resulting Curie temperatures are generally lower than those predicted by mean-field and linear-response approaches, yet they more closely match results obtained from accurate quantum Monte Carlo and random phase approximation methods, as well as experimental data. Our approach provides a robust and efficient computational framework for evaluating the corrected Curie temperature of 2D magnets.

Emerging Trends in Silane-Modified Nanomaterial-Polymer Nanocomposites for Energy Harvesting Applications

Nanomaterials (NMs) have gained tremendous attention in various applications in the modern era. The most significant challenge associated with NMs is their strong propensity to aggregate. The chemical surface modification of NMs has garnered notable attention in managing NM dispersion and aggregation. Among the modification approaches, the silane modification of NMs has generated great interest among researchers as a versatile approach to tailoring the surface characteristics of NMs. This review comprehensively examined the recent advancements in silane modification techniques with a focus on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) applications. It provides an overview of silane chemistry and its interaction with diverse NMs, elucidating the underlying mechanisms governing the successful surface functionalization process. This review emphasized the silane modification, such as improved mechanical properties of composites, enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, functional coatings, water treatment, textile industries, catalysis, membrane applications, and biomedical applications, of various NMs. In particular, the role of silane-modified NMs in advancing energy harvesting technologies was highlighted, showcasing their potential to enhance the performance and stability of next-generation devices.

A novel hexagonal PtPS monolayer for high anisotropic carrier mobility and potential for photocatalytic water splitting with pronounced optical absorption

Low symmetry two-dimensional noble-metal phosphochalcogenides MPX (M = Pd, Pt; X = S, Se, Te) with an unusual orthorhombic structure and pentagons attracted tremendous attention in recent years for their potential applications in optoelectronic, photocatalysts, thermoelectric devices. Motivated by the attractive properties and potential applications of MPX materials, we identified a novel stable hexagonal structure of PtPS monolayer with the space group[Formula: see text]using particle swarm optimization algorithms in conjunction with first-principles calculations. We not only evaluate its stability by calculations of the phonon dispersion, molecular dynamic simulation and elastic constants, but also investigate its structural, electronic, carrier mobility, optical and photocatalyst properties. The PtPS monolayer is a semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 1.23 eV (using the PBE functional) and 1.84 eV (using the HSE06 functional). More importantly, the PtPS monolayer demonstrates high electron mobility along the y direction and pronounced anisotropy, which can effectively enhance the separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes, thereby reducing recombination and improve photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic calculations reveal that the band-edge alignments of the PtPS monolayer perfectly span the redox potential of water, providing a robust driving force for the convention of H2O into H2 and O2, making it effective in both acidic and neutral environments. Furthermore, Optical calculations demonstrate that PtPS monolayer exhibit outstanding light absorption in both visible and ultraviolet spectrum ranges, with the absorption coefficient reaching up to the order of 105 cm-1 and a high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency (16.0%). Our research suggests that the excellent properties of hexagonal PtPS monolayer can provide a guidance for experimental studies and the development of new functional layered materials based on PtPS.

Metal-Free Graphene-Based Derivatives as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts in Energy Conversion and Storage Systems: An Overview

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important reactions in electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. To overcome the slow kinetics, minimize the overpotential, and make this reaction feasible, efficient, and stable, electrocatalysts are needed. Metal-free graphene-based systems are considered promising and cost-effective ORR catalysts with adjustable structures. This review is meant to give a rational overview of the graphene-based metal-free ORR electrocatalysts, illustrating the huge amount of related research developed particularly in the field of fuel cells and metal-air batteries, with particular attention to the synthesis procedures. The novelty of this review is that, beyond general aspects regarding the synthesis and characterization of graphene, above 90% of the various graphene (doped and undoped species, composites)-based ORR electrocatalysts have been reported, which represents an unprecedented thorough collection of both experimental and theoretical studies. Hundreds of references are included in the review; therefore, it can be considered as a vademecum in the field.

Band alignment and optoelectronic characteristics of blue phosphorene/SbN van der Waals heterostructures

van der Waals heterostructures are promising for electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we theoretically construct the blue phosphorene/SbN van der Waals heterostructure to investigate the band alignment, carrier mobility and optical properties, considering the influence of interlayer distance, biaxial strain and external electric field. The results show that the structure possesses the characteristics of a staggered type-II band alignment, which promotes electron and hole distribution inside different monolayers. Especially, the band alignment can be maintained upon changes in the interlayer distance, the application of biaxial strain, and the influence of electric fields. Relative to the effects of external electric fields and biaxial strain, the interlayer distance was found to have a more substantial influence on the electronic characteristics of the heterostructure, inducing a transition from a conductor to a semiconductor. Furthermore, compared to its individual components, the heterostructure demonstrates a significant enhancement in optical absorptivity across the infrared and visible regions. Our study further confirmed that tensile strain can cause the absorption spectrum to blueshift, which enhances ultraviolet absorption and broadens the optical absorption spectrum. These findings provide significant guidance for the design and optimization of blue phosphorene-based van der Waals heterostructures for optoelectronic applications.

A theoretical study on synergistic tuning of graphene phonons via heteroatom modifications

This study systematically investigates the effects of nitrogen doping, gold atom cluster loading, and their synergistic influence on the phonon dispersion relations and electronic structure of graphene, based on density-functional theory calculations. Gold atom loading induces significant changes in the low-frequency phonon modes of graphene, and affects the electronic density of states near the Fermi level, indicating strong interactions between gold d-orbitals and graphene's π-orbitals. Nitrogen doping increases the complexity of the phonon spectrum by introducing high-frequency phonon modes and modifying the electronic structure. The synergistic effect of nitrogen doping and gold atom loading results in even more intricate modifications, characterized by the emergence of low-energy phonon modes, reflecting a profound impact on both the electronic and vibrational properties of graphene. Additionally, we compare the experimental electron energy loss spectrum of single Au atom loading on graphene with the simulated spectrum, revealing a good match between them. These findings provide a theoretical basis for designing graphene-based materials with tailored properties for applications in electronic devices and catalysis, suggesting that precise regulation of these properties can be achieved through controlled doping and metal atom loading.

Inverse designed aperiodic multilayer perfect absorbers for mid infrared enable tunability switchability and angular robustness

We present a class of inverse-designed, aperiodic multilayer graphene-based perfect absorbers operating in the mid-infrared spectrum (3-5 μm), a range vital for atmospheric transparency and advanced sensing. Our design leverages a fixed material sequence-graphene, PPSU dielectric spacers, and PbSe layers on a gold substrate-while achieving precise spectral tunability solely through layer thickness variation, enabling absorption peak control in 0.25 μm steps without any change in material composition. This physical tunability allows scalable fabrication of wavelength-specific devices using a single manufacturing process. We further demonstrate electrical switchability by dynamically modulating graphene's chemical potential (µc from 0 eV to 1 eV), enabling absorption amplitude control and wavelength redshifting without structural alteration. The proposed absorber achieves > 99.9% efficiency using only five graphene layers in a compact ~ 2 μm stack, offering significant advantages in size, weight, power, and cost. Our hybrid micro-genetic inverse design algorithm enables this performance while preserving > 90% absorption at incidence angles up to 52°, supporting broad angular robustness. Extensive simulation and field distribution analyses confirm the role of plasmonic confinement and impedance matching. Additionally, we validate the design's fabrication tolerance and benchmark its performance against recent state-of-the-art absorbers. By combining advanced inverse design with nanophotonic structures, our work advances the field of mid-infrared absorbers, providing a scalable and efficient platform for next-generation optical devices.

Effect of pressure on the thermoelectric performance of monolayer Janus MoSSe materials with different native vacancy defects

The presence of vacancy defects in two-dimensional (2D) materials can substantially influence their thermoelectric performance. In this study, we employed first-principles methods combined with the non-equilibrium Green's functional formalisms (NEGF-DFT) to reveal the impact of pressure on the thermoelectric performance of monolayer Janus MoSSe without and with vacancy defects (VS and VSe). The application of pressure can enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of a material without vacancy defects by significantly increasing the power factor (PF), and the ZT can increase by nearly twice at room temperature (300 K). Then, varying pressures exert different influences on the ZT of materials with the two types of vacancy defects. The ZT of the material with VS vacancy defects at room temperature gradually decreases with increasing pressure. This is because pressure not only reduces the PF but also enhances the total thermal conductivity of the material. Lower pressure (0-5 GPa) will lead to a certain increase in the ZT of the material with VSe vacancy defects, while higher pressure (7.5 GPa) will reduce the ZT. The primary factor contributing to the enhancement of the ZT value is the enhancement of PF, whereas the reduction stems from an increase in total thermal conductivity. Our results reveal the relationship between the thermoelectric performance and pressure of monolayer Janus MoSSe without and with vacancy defects.

Exploring the nonlinear conductive properties of polymer/graphene composites at the molecular level: a machine learning approach

Polymer/graphene (Py/GN) composites under the influence of external electric fields often exhibit unique nonlinear conducting behaviors. However, the underlying mechanism of this field effect at the molecular level is still obscure until now. Herein, the evolution of electrical properties of Py/GN composites induced by electric fields has been explored by combining high-throughput first-principles calculations with machine learning models. The results show that the polymer valence band maximum (PVBM) and polymer conduction band minimum (PCBM) of Py/GN composites under different electric fields can be accurately predicted by the XGBoost regression algorithm. The band arrangement of polymers in Py/GN composites can be easily altered with applied electric fields, where charges accumulate around the graphene layer and depleted around the polymer layer. Moreover, the electrons at the pyrrole/GN interface may overcome the Schottky barrier height, leading to a transition from a Schottky contact to an ohmic contact under a critical field (E b), which can be effectively predicted with an R 2 value of 0.854. Then, two types of novel Py/GN composites with lower or higher E b values were screened by reverse engineering the ML model, offering valuable guidance for the application of Py/GN composites in different electric field conditions. This work can provide new insights into the nonlinear electrical response of Py/GN composites under electric fields, which has significant implications for practical applications.

Progress of MXene-Based Materials in the Field of Rechargeable Batteries

With the rapid development of electrical energy storage technologies, traditional battery systems are limited in practical applications by insufficient energy density and short cycle life. This review provides a comprehensive and critical summary of MXene or MXene-based composites as electrode materials for high-performance energy storage devices. By integrating the synthesis techniques of MXenes that have been studied, this paper systematically illustrates the physicochemical properties, synthesis strategies, and mechanisms of MXenes, and analyzes the bottlenecks in their large-scale preparation. Meanwhile, it collates the latest research achievements of MXenes in the field of metal-ion batteries in recent years, focusing on integrating their latest progress in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and multivalent ion (Zn2+, Mg2+, Al3+) batteries, and reveals their action mechanisms in different electrode material cases. Combining DFT analysis of the effects of surface functional groups on adsorption energy with experimental studies clarifies the structure-activity relationships of MXene-based composites. However, the development of energy storage electrode materials using MXenes and their hybrid compounds remains in its infancy. Future development directions for MXene-based batteries should focus on understanding and regulating surface chemistry, investigating specific energy storage mechanisms in electrodes, and exploring and developing electrode materials related to bimetallic MXenes.

The Biomodification and Biomimetic Synthesis of 2D Nanomaterial-Based Nanohybrids for Biosensor Applications: A Review

Two-dimensional nanomaterials (2DNMs) exhibit significant potential for the development of functional and specifically targeted biosensors, owing to their unique planar nanosheet structures and distinct physical and chemical properties. Biomodification and biomimetic synthesis offer green and mild approaches for the fabrication of multifunctional nanohybrids with enhanced catalytic, fluorescent, electronic, and optical properties, thereby expanding their utility in constructing high-performance biosensors. In this review, we present recent advances in the synthesis of 2DNM-based nanohybrids via both biomodification and biomimetic strategies for biosensor applications. We discuss covalent and non-covalent biomodification methods involving various biomolecules, including peptides, proteins, DNA/RNA, enzymes, biopolymers, and bioactive polysaccharides. The engineering of biomolecule-nanomaterial interfaces for the creation of biomodified 2DNM-based nanohybrids is also explored. Furthermore, we summarize the biomimetic synthesis of 2DNM-based bio-nanohybrids through pathways such as bio-templating, biomolecule-directed self-assembly, biomineralization, and biomimetic functional integration. The potential applications of these nanohybrids in diverse biosensing platforms-including colorimetric, surface plasmon resonance, electrochemical, fluorescence, photoelectrochemical, and integrated multimodal biosensors-are introduced and discussed. Finally, we analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with this rapidly developing field. We believe this comprehensive review will provide valuable insights into the biofunctionalization of 2DNMs and guide the rational design of advanced biosensors for diagnostic applications.

Simplifying the Incorporation of Laser-Induced Graphene into Microfluidic Devices

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes have many attractive properties that make them promising platforms for many electrochemical applications. However, their fabrication is currently limited to a small number of substrates, with the most widely used being polyimide. Incorporating LIG electrodes into microfluidic devices is challenging because it requires transfer onto other substrates compatible with microfluidics. Transferring LIG electrodes to other substrates has been demonstrated, but it requires complicated mechanical procedures that impact electrode performance. Here, a simple transfer process has been developed that maintains the structural and electrochemical integrity of the LIG electrodes. The transferred LIG electrodes were characterized using morphological and electrochemical techniques, revealing comparable performance to nontransferred LIG in both surface-sensitive and surface-insensitive redox processes. The transferred electrodes were then incorporated into a microfluidic device, and their performance as a sensing platform was verified using the detection of dopamine in the presence of uric acid and ascorbic acid. This simple and versatile method of integrating LIG electrodes into microfluidic systems offers many opportunities for future applications.

Suppression Strategies for Si Anode Volume Expansion in Li-Ion Batteries Based on Structure Design and Modification: A Review

Silicon anodes have received increasing attention due to their exceptionally high theoretical capacity in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the defect of anode volume expansion caused by solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) crushing limits the cycle life seriously. To overcome the obstacle, one must understand the mechanism behind anode volume expansion prior to exploring the suppression strategies. In this review, the recent advances in Si-based anode modification and structural design are categorized comprehensively, the scaled-up framework structures are deeply discussed, and the impacts of various composite structures on cycling performance and Coulombic efficiency are emphasized, particularly the synergistic effects of carbon/MXene assembled with silicon. Some reliable strategies for anode volume expansion restriction have been proposed. The porous structure of monocrystalline silicon spheres reconstructed by alloy sintering can restrain volume expansion effectively due to the reshaped uniform internal stress field. The inner-stress offset induced by Si anode expansion and two-dimensional material layer collapse can provide a perfect inhibition effect on SEI fragmentation when monocrystalline silicon spheres are assembled with graphene or MXene. Moreover, how special nanoshape structures provide anode stability after long cycles are summarized. This current review will be beneficial to facilitate the exploration of strategies for suppression of Si-based anode volume expansion and to pave an avenue for extensive application of Si-based LIBs in the future.

Charge Polarization-Enhanced Graphene Biosensors for the Attomole Detection of miRNA

Due to graphene's structural and electrical properties, electrical biosensors made of this 2D material have drawn tremendous attention in the field of biosensing, enabling label-free, amplification-free, highly sensitive, and selective detection of diverse biological targets. However, the detection of biomolecules with minimal size and charge remains challenging due to the Debye electrostatic screening effect. This study introduces a surface chemistry treatment that employs fullerene derivatives to enhance charge transfer to the graphene biosensor interface, overcoming this limitation. Specifically, (1,2-methanofullerene C60)-61-carboxylic acid (MFCA) is used as a linker molecule, replacing the traditional 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PBASE). This modification facilitates the movement of electrons from biomarkers, such as microRNA (miRNA), across the Debye screening layer through a charge attraction effect. This approach achieves a detection limit (LoD) as low as 1 aM for hsa-mir-125b miRNA, a critical biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, and this is an improvement of 2-3 orders of magnitude over previous methods. The enhanced sensitivity is attributed to the efficient electron transfer from miRNA to the graphene surface, demonstrated by density functional theory (DFT) calculation and control experiment with the PBASE linker. Further, this method is also applied in the detection of another miR-34a with an ultralow LoD of 1 aM, showing its generalizability. This work enables the application of charge polarization-enhanced electrical biosensors in the early-stage diagnosis of various diseases with ultrahigh sensitivity.

Chiral nanographenes exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence

Chiral nanographenes constitute an unconventional material class that deviates from planar graphene cutouts. They have gained considerable attention for their ability to exhibit circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), which offers new opportunities in chiral optoelectronics. Their unique π-conjugated architectures, coupled with the ability to introduce chirality at the molecular level, have made them powerful contenders in developing next-generation optoelectronic devices. This review thoroughly explores recent advances in the synthesis, structural design, and CPL performance of chiral nanographenes. We delve into diverse strategies for inducing chirality, including covalent functionalization, helically twisted frameworks, and heteroatom doping, each of which unlocks distinct CPL behaviors. In addition, we discuss the mechanistic principles governing CPL and future directions in chiral nanographenes to achieve high dissymmetry factors (glum) and tunable emission properties. We also discuss the key challenges in this evolving field, including designing robust chiral frameworks, optimizing CPL efficiency, and scaling up real-world applications. Through this review, we aim to shed light on recent developments in the bottom-up synthesis of structurally precise chiral nanographenes and evaluate their impact on the growing domain of circularly polarized luminescent materials.

Material characterization methods for investigating charge storage processes in 2D and layered materials-based batteries and supercapacitors

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer distinct advantages for electrochemical energy storage (EES) compared to bulk materials, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable interlayer spacing, and excellent in-plane conductivity, making them highly attractive for applications in batteries and supercapacitors. Gaining a fundamental understanding of the energy storage processes in 2D material-based EES devices is essential for optimizing their chemical composition, surface chemistry, morphology, and interlayer structure to enhance ion transport, promote redox reactions, suppress side reactions, and ultimately improve overall performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characterization techniques employed to probe charge storage mechanisms in 2D and thin-layered material-based EES systems, covering optical spectroscopy, imaging techniques, X-ray and neutron-based methods, mechanical probing, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We specifically highlight the application of these techniques in elucidating ion transport dynamics, tracking redox processes, identifying degradation pathways, and detecting interphase formation. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations, challenges, and potential pitfalls associated with each method, as well as future directions for advancing characterization techniques to better understand and optimize 2D material-based electrodes.

Unconventional Spin-Orbit Torques by 2D Multilayered MXenes for Future Nonvolatile Magnetic Memories

MXenes have attracted attention in recent years owing to their 2D layered structures with various functionalities. To open a new application field for MXenes in the realm of electronic devices, such as ultrahigh-integrated magnetic memory, a spin-orbit torque (SOT) bilayer structure with MXene of Cr2N is developed: substrate//Cr2N/[Co/Pt]3/MgO using the magnetron sputtering technique. Field-free current-induced magnetization switching in the bilayer structure is demonstrated, regardless of the charge current directions with respect to the mirror symmetry lines of Cr2N crystal. This is a specific characteristic for the 2D MXene-based SOT-devices. As the SOT efficiency increases with increasing the Cr2N thickness, the first-principles calculations predict an intrinsic orbital-Hall conductivity with the dominant out-of-plane component, comparing to the spin-Hall conductivity in the Cr2N. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveals the out-of-plane uncompensated magnetic moment of Cr (m Cr UC . $m_{{\mathrm{Cr}}}^{{\mathrm{UC}}.}$ ) in the Cr2N layer at the interface, induced by contact with the Co in the [Co/Pt]3 ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the intrinsic bulk orbital-Hall effect in MXene and the interfacial contribution such as spin-filtering-like effect owing tom Cr UC . $m_{{\mathrm{Cr}}}^{{\mathrm{UC}}.}$ are considered as possible major mechanisms for the unconventional out-of-plane SOT in the device, rather than a crystal symmetry and/or an interlayer exchange coupling.

Fundamental Factors Governing Stabilization of Janus 2D-Bulk Heterostructures with Machine Learning

The more than 6000 2D materials predicted thus far provide a huge combinatorial space for forming functional heterostructures with bulk materials, with potential applications in nanoelectronics, sensing, and energy conversion. In this work, we investigate nearly 1000 heterostructures, the largest number of heterostructures thus far, of 2D Janus and bulk materials' surfaces using ab initio simulations and machine learning (ML) to deduce the structure-property relationships of the complex interfaces in such heterostructures. We first perform van der Waals-corrected density functional theory simulations using a high-throughput computational framework on 51 Janus 2D materials and 19 metallic, cubic phase, elemental bulk materials that exhibit low lattice mismatches and low coincident site lattices. The formation energies of the resultant 1147 Janus 2D-bulk heterostructures were analyzed, and 828 were found to be thermodynamically stable. ML models were trained on the computed data, and we found that they could predict the binding energy and z-separation of 2D-bulk heterostructures with root mean squared errors (RMSEs) of 0.05 eV/atom and 0.14 Å, respectively. The feature importance of the models reveals that the properties of the bulk materials dominate the heterostructures' energies and interfacial structures heavily. These findings are in line with experimentally observed behavior of several well-known 2D materials-bulk systems. The data used within this paper are freely available in the Ab Initio 2D-Bulk Heterostructure Database (aiHD). The fundamental insights into 2D-bulk heterostructures and the predictive ML models developed in this work could accelerate the application of thousands of 2D-bulk heterostructures, thus stimulating research within a wide range of electronic, quantum computing, sensing, and energy applications.

Polyglutamic acid in cancer nanomedicine: Advances in multifunctional delivery platforms

Polyglutamic acid (PGA)-coated nanoparticles have emerged as a significant advancement in cancer nanomedicine due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. PGA enhances the stability and bioavailability of therapeutic agents, enabling controlled and sustained drug release with reduced systemic toxicity. Stimuli-responsive modifications to PGA allow for precise drug delivery tailored to the tumor microenvironment, improving specificity and therapeutic outcomes. PGA's potential extends to gene delivery, where it facilitates safe and efficient transfection, addressing critical challenges such as multidrug resistance. Additionally, PGA-coated nanoparticles play a pivotal role in theranostic, integrating diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single platform for real-time monitoring and treatment optimization. These nanoparticles have demonstrated enhanced efficacy in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and combination regimens, tackling persistent issues like poor tumor penetration and non-specific drug distribution. Advancements in stimuli-responsive designs, ligand functionalization, and payload customization highlight the adaptability of PGA-based platforms for precision oncology. However, challenges such as scalability, stability under physiological conditions, and regulatory compliance remain key obstacles to clinical translation. This review explores the design, development, and applications of PGA-coated nanoparticles, emphasizing their potential to transform cancer treatment through safer, more effective, and personalized therapeutic approaches.

Strain-Induced Ferromagnetism and Valley Polarization Enhancement in WSe2/WSe2/NiPS3 Moiré Superlattices

Moiré superlattices, formed by stacking layered materials with slight lattice mismatches or rotational misalignment, provide a powerful platform for engineering quantum states at the nanoscale. These systems enable precise control over exciton dynamics and correlated electronic phases through the moiré potential. While significant progress has been made in understanding moiré excitons in twisted bilayer systems, their integration with magnetic materials for tunable excitonic control remains challenging. Here, a heterostructure comprising twisted bilayer WSe2 and the antiferromagnet NiPS3 is investigated, placed on an optical microcavity with silicon holes. Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements reveal that the microcavity edge enhances both the PL intensity and optical anisotropy of moiré excitons. Additionally, strain modulation at the microcavity edge alters the magnetic ordering of NiPS3 and significantly enhances the valley polarization under an external magnetic field. These findings demonstrate a robust approach for integrating magnetic order with moiré superlattices, offering new avenues for controlling exciton properties in quantum information and photonic applications.

Nanopsychiatry: Advancing psychiatric diagnosis and monitoring through nanotechnology-based detection

Nanopsychiatry, operating at the nanoscale, leverages engineered nanomaterials and nanodevices to revolutionize psychiatric diagnostics and therapeutics. This review systematically analyzes the implementation of advanced nanomaterials, including quantum dots, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and metal nanoparticles, in neural interface systems for neurotransmitter detection and drug monitoring. We evaluate the integration of nanoscale architectures in developing high-specificity biosensors for key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate. The review critically examines recent advances in nanomaterial-based electrochemical and optical sensing platforms, incorporating modified electrodes with conducting polymers, metallic nanocomposites, and functionalized graphene derivatives. These systems demonstrate enhanced sensitivity and selective multi-analyte detection capabilities in complex biological matrices. We analyze how these nanosensors complement conventional neuroimaging techniques, enabling monitoring of neurochemical dynamics in psychiatric conditions with improved spatial and temporal resolution. Furthermore, we assess the development of flexible, nanomaterial-enhanced wearable biosensors incorporating screen-printed electrodes and microfluidic systems. These devices achieve continuous monitoring of neurological biomarkers, facilitating quantitative assessment of psychiatric symptoms and treatment responses. The integration of machine learning algorithms with these nanoscale sensing platforms enables data processing and pattern recognition for personalized psychiatric interventions.

Cost-Efficient Deterministic Engineering of Single Photon Emitters in Two-Dimensional Materials

Two-dimensional materials have recently emerged as promising candidates for quantum light emission. Their tunable bandgaps, layer-dependent excitonic properties, and strong confinement of charge carriers provide a versatile platform for manipulating and controlling quantum states. Several approaches─such as strain engineering, defect engineering and surface functionalization─have been explored to induce single-photon emitters in these materials. In this work, we present a practical and cost-efficient methodology for deterministic strain engineering of single-photon emitters within thin flakes of GaSe. Our approach utilizes optically active microparticles with a distinctive bipyramidal shape, whose emission does not interfere optically with that of GaSe. The results show strong agreement with previous studies on strain-induced single-photon sources in multilayer GaSe, demonstrating that the proposed technique is a promising platform for generating nonclassical light emission in layered materials. Compared to other local strain engineering techniques for single-photon sources in two-dimensional materials, our method offers greater accessibility and lower cost, making it feasible for implementation in most laboratories performing the experimental research in the field. This increased accessibility can help advance the understanding of two-dimensional semiconductor systems and their potential applications in nanophotonics and quantum light technologies.

Electrical Transport Interplay with Charge Density Waves, Magnetization, and Disorder Tuned by 2D van der Waals Interface Modification via Elemental Intercalation and Substitution in ZrTe3, 2H-TaS2, and Cr2Si2Te6 Crystals

Electrical transport in 2D materials exhibits unique behaviors due to reduced dimensionality, broken symmetries, and quantum confinement. It serves as both a sensitive probe for the emergence of coherent electronic phases and a tool to actively manipulate many-body correlated states. Exploring their interplay and interdependence is crucial but remains underexplored. This review integratively cross-examines the atomic and electronic structures and transport properties of van der Waals-layered crystals ZrTe3, 2H-TaS2, and Cr2Si2Te6, providing a comprehensive understanding and uncovering new discoveries and insights. A common observation from these crystals is that modifying the atomic and electronic interface structures of 2D van der Waals interfaces using heteroatoms significantly influences the emergence and stability of coherent phases, as well as phase-sensitive transport responses. In ZrTe3, substitution and intercalation with Se, Hf, Cu, or Ni at the 2D vdW interface alter phonon-electron coupling, valence states, and the quasi-1D interface Fermi band, affecting the onset of CDW and SC, manifested as resistance upturns and zero-resistance states. We conclude here that these phenomena originate from dopant-induced variations in the lattice spacing of the quasi-1D Te chains of the 2D vdW interface, and propose an unconventional superconducting mechanism driven by valence fluctuations at the van Hove singularity, arising from quasi-1D lattice vibrations. Short-range in-plane electronic heterostructures at the vdW interface of Cr2Si2Te6 result in a narrowed band gap. The sharp increase in in-plane resistance is found to be linked to the emergence and development of out-of-plane ferromagnetism. The insertion of 2D magnetic layers such as Mn, Fe, and Co into the vdW gap of 2H-TaS2 induces anisotropic magnetism and associated transport responses to magnetic transitions. Overall, 2D vdW interface modification offers control over collective electronic behavior, transport properties, and their interplays, advancing fundamental science and nanoelectronic devices.

Recent Advances in Xenes Based FET for Biosensing Applications

In recent years, monoelemental 2D materials (Xenes) such as graphene, graphdiyne, silicene, phosphorene, and tellurene, have gained significant traction in biosensing applications. Owing to their ultra-thin layered structure, exceptionally high specific surface area, unique surface electronic properties, excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, and other distinctive features, Xenes are recognized for their potential as materials with low detection limits, high speed, and exceptional flexibility in biosensing applications. In this review, the unique properties of Xenes, their synthesis, and recent theoretical and experimental advances in applications related to biosensing, including DNA/RNA biosensors, protein biosensors, small molecule biosensors, cell, and ion biosensors are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the challenges and prospects of this emerging field are discussed.

First-Principles Study on the High Spin-Polarized Ferromagnetic Semiconductor of Vanadium-Nitride Monolayer and Its Heterostructures

The newly discovered 2D spin-gapless magnetic materials, which provide new opportunities for combining spin polarization and the quantum anomalous Hall effect, provide a new method for the design and application of memory and nanoscale devices. However, a low Curie temperature (TC) is a common limitation in most 2D ferromagnetic materials, and research on the topological properties of nontrivial 2D spin-gapless materials is still limited. We predict a novel spin-gapless semiconductor of monolayer h-VN, which has a high Curie temperature (~543 K), 100% spin polarization, and nontrivial topological properties. A nontrivial band gap is opened in the spin-gapless state when considering the spin-orbit coupling (SOC); it can increase with the intensity of spin-orbit coupling and the band gap increases linearly with SOC. By calculating the Chern number and edge states, we find that when the SOC strength is less than 250%, the monolayer h-VN is a quantum anomalous Hall insulator with a Chern number C = 1. In addition, the monolayer h-VN still belongs to the quantum anomalous Hall insulators with its tensile strain. Interestingly, the quantum anomalous Hall effect with a non-zero Chern number can be maintained when using h-BN as the substrate, making the designed structure more suitable for experimental implementation. Our results provide an ideal candidate material for achieving the QAHE at a high Curie temperature.

A non-metal doped VTe2 monolayer: theoretical insights into the enhanced mechanism for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as vanadium ditelluride (VTe2), have emerged as promising catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their unique layered structures and remarkable electronic properties. However, the catalytic performance of pristine VTe2 remains inferior to that of noble metals. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to systematically investigate the influence of fourteen different non-metal dopants on the HER activity of VTe2. Our results disclose that N-VTe2, P-VTe2 and As-VTe2 possess exceptional catalytic properties for the HER with the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption (ΔGH*) values of 0.031, -0.032 and 0.024 eV, respectively. Furthermore, analyses of the geometric and electronic structures reveal that non-metal doping induces localized geometric distortions and charge redistribution, thereby altering the electronic environment of active sites and enhancing catalytic performance. More importantly, a composite descriptor φ, integrating the bond length between doped non-metal atoms and neighboring V atoms (LNM-M) and the pz band center (εpz) of the doped atoms, demonstrates a strong correlation with ΔGH* and may serve as an effective predictor of HER activity. These findings shed light on non-metal doping as an effective strategy for developing efficient, non-noble metal HER catalysts based on TMDCs.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects of hydrogen boride nanosheets

Hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets are novel 2D materials that have found application in various fields such as electronics, energy storage, and catalysis. The present study describes the novel antimicrobial effects of HB nanosheets. Transparent thin films of HB coated on a glass substrate inactivate pathogens, such as the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, feline calicivirus, and bacteriophages. The infectious titer of these microbes decreases to the detection limit within 10 min in the dark at room temperature. The antiviral function of the HB nanosheets is retained in the absence of moisture, mimicking the environment of dry surfaces. The HB nanosheets also inactivate bacteria and fungi such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium pinophilum. We discussed the mechanism of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial function of HB nanosheets based on the physicochemical properties of HB nanosheets. Denaturation of microbial agents is derived from strong physicochemical interactions between the protein molecules in the pathogens and the surface of the HB films. The present study reports important new properties of HB nanosheets and demonstrates their utility in protecting against the spread of disease on a pandemic scale.

Engineering space dimension and surface chemistry of MXene-based nanocomposite photocatalysts for sustainable environmental applications

It is very urgent to solve the environmental pollution problem. MXene-based composite photocatalysts show great promise, and utilize solar energy for purification. MXenes have excellent electrical conductivity, a large surface area due to their 2D structure, and surface functional groups beneficial for photocatalysis. In this review, various synthesis methods to prepare MXenes with different properties for specific applications have been reviewed, such as hydrofluoric acid etching, substitute etching and molten fluoride etching. The influence of different groups on the performance of MXenes has been investigated. Modification strategies including heterojunction construction, doping, precious metal deposition and single atom anchoring have been explored to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MXene-based composites in photocatalytic reactions. It is found that MXenes can act as supports that limit photocatalyst size, enhance reactant adsorption, and function as cocatalysts loaded onto semiconductors to improve charge separation. Our perspectives on the key challenges and future directions of developing high-performance MXene-based composite photocatalysts for environmental applications are elaborated.