Browse Articles

Nature is the master in precision synthesis of macromolecules. In synthetic materials, achieving a high degree of structural precision is challenging and the influence of molecular defects on the properties of materials remains uncertain.

Colloidal crystals composed of isotropic spheres are powerful model systems for the studies of crystallization, melting and solid–solid transitions at the single-particle level. Tunable, anisotropic or active particles provide greater opportunities to study crystal assembly and phase transitions.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices offer the promise of efficient artificial photosynthesis. In this Review, recently developed light-harvesting materials for PEC application are scrutinized with respect to their atomic constitution, electronic structure and potential for practical performance in PEC cells.

Ionic liquids and their solid-state analogues, organic ionic plastic crystals, have recently emerged as important materials for renewable energy applications. This Review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of these materials and their application as electrolytes for batteries, capacitors, photovoltaics, fuel cells and CO₂ reduction.

Biomaterials have the potential to solve problems in immunology; from the targeted delivery of immunomodulatory cancer drugs to monitoring the immune system.

As we launch the first physical sciences journal in the Nature Reviews family, we reflect on the relationship between human progress and advances in materials science.

Materials scientists need to enter the public debate on the energy system to ensure advances are made towards a sustainable future.

On the brink of the next revolution in electronic systems, nanomaterials and, in particular materials that are a few atoms thick are becoming increasingly apparent. Concurrently, computational scientists remain eager to see how Moore's Law will advance.

Conventional synthesis of nanocarbons, such as graphene, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, yields mixtures of molecules with varying structures. However, harnessing the full potential of these materials demands atomically precise synthesis methods. Recent advances using organic chemistry are discussed in this Review.

Density functional theory has become an indispensable tool in the design of new materials. This Review details the principles of computational materials design, highlighting examples of the successful prediction and subsequent experimental verification of materials for energy harvesting, conversion and storage.

Angiogenesis is mediated by cytokines that function in concert with the extracellular matrix as a biofunctional physiological materials system. By analysing this system, design rules can be identified for biomimetic synthetic materials systems to induce therapeutic angiogenesis.

Ice repellency can be achieved on various hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, although a surface that repels ice under all environmental scenarios remains elusive. Different strategies are reviewed with a focus on the recent development of superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surfaces.

The charge transport properties of hybrid organic—inorganic perovskites, which can explain their excellent photovoltaic performance, are reviewed through an integrated summary of experimental and theoretical findings. The potential origins of these properties are discussed and future research directions are indicated.