Nanoscience and technology articles within Nature Communications

The inclusion of platinum-group metals for CO2 reduction electrocatalyst design may trigger the unwanted hydrogen evolution reaction. However, here the authors show that single-atom Pd and Pt on facet-selective Cu can selectively boost CO2 to CH4 or C2H4 conversion through dual-site pathways.

Designing efficient neuromorphic systems remains a challenge. Here, the authors develop a system based on multi-terminal floating-gate memristor that mimics the temporal and spatial summation of multi-neuron connections based on leaky-integrate-and-fire functionality which is capable of high learning accuracy on unlabeled MNIST handwritten dataset.

A light-driven, chemical looping approach to CH₃COOH synthesis from methane using a Pd/PdO–WO₃ nanocomposite is reported. Methane is converted to methyl and carbonyl intermediates at the Pd and PdO sites, respectively, to produce CH₃COOH.

_L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine plays an important role in living system. Here, the authors investigated the effect of the molecular chirality of _L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine on the improved structural and thermal stability of self-assembled films by tyrosinase-induced oxidative polymerization.

Charge carrier transport in colloidal quantum dot assemblies is slow due to hopping transport nature. Here, the authors report the demonstration of gate-tuned metallic state in epitaxially-connected quantum dot superlattices by minimizing disorders.

Surface Pourbaix diagrams are critical to understanding the stability of nanomaterials. Here, the authors develop a bond-type embedded crystal graph convolutional neural network model and construct reliable Pourbaix diagrams for real-scale nanoparticles.

Designing efficient photonic neuromorphic systems remains a challenge. Here, the authors develop a new class of memristor sensitive to the dual electro-optical history obtained by exploiting electrochemical, photovoltaic and photo-assisted oxygen ion motion effects at a high temperature superconductor / semiconductor interface.

Lattice reconstruction crucially influences the electronic properties of twisted van der Waals structures. Here, the authors report a quantitative characterization of the mechanical deformations occurring in small-angle twisted bilayers and heterobilayers of 2D semiconductors via interferometric 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Gas-based therapy is an emerging therapeutic option for cancer treatment. Here the authors design a virus-mimicking hollow mesoporous tetrasulfide-doped organosilica for co-encapsulation of an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active luminogen and manganese carbonyl to fabricate a STING activating gas nano-adjuvant for photo-immunotherapy, promoting anti-tumor immune response in preclinical models.

Structural superlubricity (SSL) is a state of nearly zero friction and no wear between two contacted solid surfaces. Here, authors show that, by preventing edge contact with the substrate, a microscale graphite flake can achieve robust SSL against nanostructured silicon surfaces under ambient condition.

Protein sequencing is one of the key aims of the nanopore field. Working toward this goal, here the authors report the direct identification of single amino acids in MoS₂ nanopores with sub-1 Dalton resolution, as well as the discrimination of the amino acid isomers and amino acid phosphorylation.

Classical mechanics predicts a bistability in the dynamics of the Duffing oscillator, a key model of nonlinear dynamics. By performing quantum simulations of the model, Chen et al. explain the bistability by quantum metastable states with long lifetimes and reveal a first-order dissipative phase transition.

Disorder and device variability in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor devices pose challenges for their application in quantum technologies. Here, the authors show that Joule heating can provide a detailed fingerprint of such devices, uncovering different sources of inhomogeneities.

Electrically switching perpendicular magnetized ferromagnets using spin-orbit torques without assisting magnetic fields is a major goal for spintronics. Recently, several works have proposed using out-of-plane spin polarized currents to achieve this, but these rely on antiferromagnetic metals with low Neel temperatures. Here, Wang et al show that such out-of-plane spin polarization driven switching can be achieved using the interface of an antiferromagnetic insulator and a heavy metal.

Good impalement resistance, mechanical robustness and weather resistance are essential for applications of superhydrophobic coatings. Here, the authors achieve scalable preparation and practical application of robust superhydrophobic coatings for preventing rain attenuation of 5G/weather radomes.

Graphite consists of individual layers of graphene stacked vertically and held together via van der Waals forces. Here, Markus et al studied the spin relaxation in graphite, and find a giant anisotropy between spin-relaxation time in graphite, with magnetic field aligned perpendicular to the graphene planes exhibiting a factor of 10 longer spin-relaxation time.

Various anti-fibrotic drugs have been applied to urethral stricture by irrigation or submucosal injection, but their clinical feasibility and effectiveness are limited. Here, the authors design a protein-based nanofilm-controlled drug delivery system with anti-biofilm properties that can be assembled on a catheter.

Fullerenes are compelling molecular materials, but the reason for their high robustness to multi-electron reduction is still debated. Here, the authors synthesize flattened 1D fragments of fullerene C₆₀ with high robustness against multi-electron reduction.

Here, the authors observe room-temperature ferroelectricity in van der Waals layered GaSe down to monolayer with mirror symmetric structures and attribute it to the intralayer sliding of the Se atomic sublayers.

Superconductivity has been observed experimentally in twisted trilayer graphene. Here, the authors show theoretically that extended electron-electron Coulomb interaction induces breakdown of spin-selective valley symmetry in twisted trilayer graphene, which leads to Ising superconductivity.

In-plane hyperbolic phonon polaritons in α-MoO₃ crystals hold promise for terahertz (THz) and longwave infrared (LWIR) photonic applications, but their coupling with far-field excitations remains challenging. Here, the authors report the fabrication of α-MoO₃ ribbon arrays that can be applied as tunable THz and LWIR filters and polarizers.

2D materials are promising substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based molecular sensing, but their performance is usually inferior to their plasmonic counterparts. Here, the authors report the synthesis of 1D/2D WO_3-x/WSe₂ heterostructures, showing high molecular sensitivity associated to ultrafast charge transfer timescales of ~1 ps.

Designing a full-memristive circuit for different algorithm remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a recirculated logic operation scheme using memristive hardware and 2D transistors for cellular automata, supporting multiple algorithms with a 79-fold cost reduction compared to FPGA.

Oral dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) administration to replenish neuronal dopamine is a treatment for Parkinson’s disease but induces fluctuations in plasma Dopa levels. Here the authors report a nucleic acid-based responsive artificial enzyme (FNA-Fe₃O₄) for in situ continuous Dopa production.

Authors investigate quasi-2D nanoscale emitters on different substrates with tapping mode tip-enhanced spectroscopy. They visualize in-plane near-field and radiative energy propagation via Surface plasmon polaritons launched by the nanoscale emitters on dielectric/Au or SiO₂/Si substrates.

Addressing mass and electron transfer challenges hinders practical application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Here, authors report a simulation-guided development of hierarchical triphase diffusion photoelectrodes, achieving an improved mass transfer and ensuring electron transfer for PEC gas/liquid flow conversion.

A new polarization structure of light is synthesized in a straightforward and robust way. The light field is probed using a levitated nanoparticle as a sensor. Optical angular momentum is used to control the particle in a novel way, with applications in sensing and quantum optomechanics.

A central goal of spintronics is electric control of magnetism. One particularly promising method makes use of spin-orbit torques which arise due to the combination of electric current, and the intrinsic spin-orbit effect in a material. Here, Grezes et al demonstrate non-volatile electrical control of the spin-orbit torque generated at the interface between an oxide and a metal.

Nanostructured platforms for efficient nonlinear optics are the building block of next generation integrated photonic devices. Here the authors provide a straightforward method to engineer the lattice symmetry of monolayer graphene, boosting the SHG signal at low temperature.

Epitaxial growth of heterostructures composed of materials with large lattice mismatch is challenging. Here, the authors reported the epitaxy of II-VI semiconductor nanorods on plasmonic noble metal, despite a lattice mismatch of more than 40%.

Increasing functional density is desirable for future scaling of electronics. Here, the authors use a nanowire ferroelectric tunnel field-effect transistor to achieve reconfigurable signal modulations for low-power and high-density analogue circuits.

Applications of van der Waals magnetic systems are typically hampered by the low Curie temperature of van der Waals magnets. Here, Wang et al use molecular beam epitaxy to grow large films of Fe₄GeTe₂ with Curie temperatures over 500 K, and the film’s magnetic anisotropy can be tuned arbitrarily by controlling stoichiometry.

Large-scale production of single-chirality carbon nanotubes has long been a major challenge. Here, authors report a simple, yet effective, method to increase the yield of gel chromatography separation of single-chirality carbon nanotubes by enabling significantly higher concentrations of raw nanotubes solution.

Artificial molecular machines have captured the imagination of researchers, given their clear potential to mimic and influence human life. Here, the authors use a DNA cube framework for the design of a dice device at the nanoscale to reproduce probabilistic events in different situations such as equal probability, high probability, and low probability.

Controlled delivery of small molecule therapeutics is challenging. Here the authors report a simple and effective aptamer-based depot system where the formation of aptamer/drug complexes leads to sustained release, and using this approach demonstrate improved in vivo delivery of channel blockers.

The authors unveil the many-particle processes underpinning the formation of bound charge transfer excitons at the interface of hBN-encapsulated lateral MoSe₂-WSe₂ heterostructures. The excitons can be tuned via interface (i.e. high quality lateral junction) and dielectric (i.e. hBN encapsulation) engineering.

The isolation of graphene lead to a surge of interest in van der Waals materials, with more recent isolation of individual layers of transition metal chalcogenides, and various magnetic van der Waals materials. For many of these materials, controlled growth of one-dimensional systems, nanoribbons for example, have been demonstrated. Here, Lu et al add to this CrCl3, a van der Waals magnetic material, growing one-dimensional wires and observing their magnetic ordering via scanning tunneling microscopy.

The synthesis of high-loading Pt single-atom catalysts is important but challenging. Here, the authors use fullerene C₆₀ with electron-deficient C=C bonds to build Pt/C₆₀ catalysts with abundant Pt single atoms which exhibits high catalytic activity for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions

The limited scalability of 1D semiconductors has restricted their large-area optoelectronic applications so far. Here, the authors report the low-temperature synthesis of wafer-scale van der Waals nanomeshes composed of self-welding Te nanowires on various substrates, showing improved transport and photoelectric properties.

Synthesis and modulation of metastable noble metal nanocrystal catalysts is interesting yet challenging. Here the authors report synthesis of metastable hexagonal Pt skins on Ni nanocrystals with modulated electronic structures and enhanced hydrogen evolution activities.

Exciton-polaritons present opportunities for quantum photonics, next generation qubits, and tuning material photophysics. Here Laitz et al. study the temperature dependence of 2D perovskite microcavity polaritons, revealing material-specific relaxation mechanisms towards the control of polariton momentum.

Correlated electronic states in moiré matter are of great fundamental and technological interest. Here, the authors demonstrate a Josephson junction in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene with a correlated insulator weak link, showing magnetism and programmable superconducting diode behaviour.

Chiral metal nanoclusters prepared from achiral ligands generally contain chiral kernel structures. Here, the authors report an alternative type of gold nanoclusters whose intrinsic chirality arises solely from the arrangement of the organic components on their surface.

The integration of high-κ dielectric layers with 2D semiconductors is essential for electronic applications, but remains challenging. Here the authors report a dry transfer method of wafer-scale Al2O3 and HfO2 thin films for the realization of top-gated monolayer MoS2 transistors and logic gates.

Efforts to convert aptamers into molecular switches using rational design are often unsuccessful. Here the authors describe a massively parallel screening-based strategy whereby millions of potential aptamer switches are synthesised, sequenced and screened directly on a flow-cell.

Bioluminescent imaging of bacteria in vivo generally requires the use of engineered bacteria. Here the authors take advantage of bacteria specific ATP-binding cassette sugar transporters to enable selective delivery of bioluminescent nanoprobes into bacteria for visualisation, including in deep tissues.

Carbon nanotubes are promising candidates for transport of ions and charges, but the response of carbon nanotubes under osmotic forcings is not well explored. Here the authors report enhanced ion-specific osmotic transport in individual double-walled carbon nanotubes.

Well-dispersed nanoparticles are critical for catalysis but face challenges of easy agglomeration. Here the authors report synthesis of ultrasmall nanoparticles anchored on two-dimensional porous carbon via coordinated carbothermal shock and the application of resulted nanoparticles as catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis.

Image reconstruction algorithms raise critical challenges in massive data processing for medical diagnosis. Here, the authors propose a solution to significantly accelerate medical image reconstruction on memristor arrays, showing 79× faster speed and 153× higher energy efficiency than state-of-the-art graphics processing unit.