Nanoscale & Nanoscale Advances Blog

HOT Nanoscale Communication

Maboudia and co-workers describe a simple method for decorating graphene with metal nanoparticles. The graphene is grown by a chemical vapour deposition method on a copper substrate, then the copper is used as a reducing agent for the electroless deposition of a noble metal – the authors used gold, platinum, palladium and silver.

The method has the advantages of allowing controlled, reproducible and homogeneous surface coverage.

The authors show that a gas sensor produced using this method is capable of detecting H₂S, and they intend to develop the work to produce electrochemical biosensors.

Read this HOT Nanoscale communication in full:

Graphene decoration with metal nanoparticles: Towards easy integration for sensing applications
Albert Gutés, Ben Hsia, Allen Sussman, Willi Mickelson, Alex Zettl, Carlo Carraro and Roya Maboudia
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR11537E

We would like to share with you some of the exciting research on nanowires which has recently been published in Nanoscale.

We invite you to submit your research to Nanoscale.

Read a selection of our high impact nanowires research today:

Review articles:

Porous silicon nanowires
Yongquan Qu, Hailong Zhou and Xiangfeng Duan
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10668F

ZnO nanowire lasers
Daniël Vanmaekelbergh and Lambert K. van Vugt
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR00013F

Aligned Si nanowire-based solar cells
Junshuai Li, HongYu Yu and Yali Li
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10943J

Oxide nanowire networks and their electronic and optoelectronic characteristics
Nripan Mathews, Binni Varghese, Cheng Sun, Velmurugan Thavasi, Björn P. Andreasson, Chornghaur H. Sow, Seeram Ramakrishna and Subodh G. Mhaisalkar
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00285B

Original research:

Ultra-sensitive detection of adipocytokines with CMOS-compatible silicon nanowire arrays
Tze-Sian Pui, Ajay Agarwal, Feng Ye, Zhi-Qiang Tou, Yinxi Huang and Peng Chen
DOI: 10.1039/B9NR00092E

A silicon nanowire-based electrochemical glucose biosensor with high electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity
Shao Su, Yao He, Shiping Song, Di Li, Lihua Wang, Chunhai Fan and Shuit-Tong Lee
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00314J

Large-scale fabrication of single crystalline tin nanowire arrays
Bin Luo, Dachi Yang, Minghui Liang and Linjie Zhi
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00206B

Controlled synthesis of a large fraction of metallic single-walled carbon nanotube and semiconducting carbon nanowire networks
Z. J. Han, S. Yick, I. Levchenko, E. Tam, M. M. A. Yajadda, S. Kumar, P. J. Martin, S. Furman and K. Ostrikov
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10327J

Conductive indium-tin oxide nanowire and nanotube arrays made by electrochemically assisted deposition in template membranes: switching between wire and tube growth modes by surface chemical modification of the template
Nina I. Kovtyukhova and Thomas E. Mallouk
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00789G

Assorted analytical and spectroscopic techniques for the optimization of the defect-related properties in size-controlled ZnO nanowires
Kin Mun Wong, Yaoguo Fang, André Devaux, Liaoyong Wen, Jian Huang, Luisa De Cola and Yong Lei
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10806A

Nanoparticles (NPs) show potential as carriers of drugs to specific locations in the body. In order to achieve this without being rejected by the body, they may be “disguised” by coating their surface with a layer which is biocompatible.

Gong and Winnik describe the strategies which have been used to produce these coated NPs and their application, as well as suggesting some future prospects for this exciting research area.

Read the full Nanoscale Feature article today:

Strategies in biomimetic surface engineering of nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Yong-kuan Gong and Françoise M. Winnik
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR11297J

We would like to share with you some of the high impact review articles which have been published in Nanoscale in 2011. From authoritative reviews to personal perspectives and Minireviews of exciting emerging areas, Nanoscale publishes review articles of the highest quality and impact.

Read a selection of our high impact Nanoscale review articles today:

Fluorescent silver nanoclusters
Isabel Díez and Robin H. A. Ras
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR00006C

Carbon nanotube wires and cables: Near-term applications and future perspectives
Paul Jarosz, Christopher Schauerman, Jack Alvarenga, Brian Moses, Thomas Mastrangelo, Ryne Raffaelle, Richard Ridgley and Brian Landi
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10814J

Nanoconfined hydrides for energy storage
Thomas K. Nielsen, Flemming Besenbacher and Torben R. Jensen
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00725K

Nanoscale three-dimensional single particle tracking
Aurélie Dupont and Don C. Lamb
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10989H

Liquid-phase exfoliation, functionalization and applications of graphene
Xu Cui, Chenzhen Zhang, Rui Hao and Yanglong Hou
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10127G

Optical properties of metallic nanoparticles: manipulating light, heat and forces at the nanoscale
Eduardo A. Coronado, Ezequiel R. Encina and Fernando D. Stefani
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10788G

Controlled assembly of plasmonic colloidal nanoparticle clusters
José M. Romo-Herrera, Ramón A. Alvarez-Puebla and Luis M. Liz-Marzán
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00804D

Organic-based molecular switches for molecular electronics
Noelia Fuentes, Ana Martín-Lasanta, Luis Álvarez de Cienfuegos, Maria Ribagorda, Andres Parra and Juan M. Cuerva
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10536A

Metallic surfaces with special wettability
Kesong Liu and Lei Jiang
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00642D

Nanostructure-based thermoelectric conversion: an insight into the feasibility and sustainability for large-scale deployment
Gautam G. Yadav, Joseph A. Susoreny, Genqiang Zhang, Haoran Yang and Yue Wu
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10555H

The role of nanomaterials in redox-based supercapacitors for next generation energy storage devices
Xin Zhao, Beatriz Mendoza Sánchez, Peter J. Dobson and Patrick S. Grant
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00594K

Safer energetic materials by a nanotechnological approach
Benny Siegert, Marc Comet and Denis Spitzer
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10292C

2D materials: to graphene and beyond
Rubén Mas-Ballesté, Cristina Gómez-Navarro, Julio Gómez-Herrero and Félix Zamora
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00323A

Cu2ZnSnS₄ nanocrystals and graphene quantum dots for photovoltaics
Jun Wang, Xukai Xin and Zhiqun Lin
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10425J

Building one-dimensional oxide nanostructure arrays on conductive metal substrates for lithium-ion battery anodes
Jian Jiang, Yuanyuan Li, Jinping Liu and Xintang Huang
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00472C

Emerging fabrication techniques for 3D nano-structuring in plasmonics and single molecule studies
F. De Angelis, C. Liberale, M. L. Coluccio, G. Cojoc and E. Di Fabrizio
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10124B

TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers
Akira Isogai, Tsuguyuki Saito and Hayaka Fukuzumi
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00583E

Lithography, metrology and nanomanufacturing
J. Alexander Liddle and Gregg M. Gallatin
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10046G

Graphene edges: a review of their fabrication and characterization [http://xlink.rsc.org/?doi=10.1039/C0NR00600A]
Xiaoting Jia, Jessica Campos-Delgado, Mauricio Terrones, Vincent Meunier and Mildred S. Dresselhaus
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00600A

Supramolecular self-assembly of biopolymers with carbon nanotubes for biomimetic and bio-inspired sensing and actuation
Luhua Lu and Wei Chen
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10113G

Electrostatics at the nanoscale
David A. Walker, Bartlomiej Kowalczyk, Monica Olvera de la Cruz and Bartosz A. Grzybowski
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00698J

Tin and germanium monochalcogenide IV–VI semiconductor nanocrystals for use in solar cells
Priscilla D. Antunez, Jannise J. Buckley and Richard L. Brutchey
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10084J

Molecular strategies to read and write at the nanoscale with far-field optics
Janet Cusido, Stefania Impellizzeri and Françisco M. Raymo
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00546K

Supramolecular assembly/reassembly processes: molecular motors and dynamers operating at surfaces
Artur Ciesielski and Paolo Samorì
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00914H

Nanomechanical architecture of semiconductor nanomembranes
Minghuang Huang, Francesca Cavallo, Feng Liu and Max G. Lagally
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00648C

Multi-scale theoretical investigation of hydrogen storage in covalent organic frameworks
Emmanuel Tylianakis, Emmanouel Klontzas and George E. Froudakis
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00505C

Small-sized silicon nanoparticles: new nanolights and nanocatalysts
Zhenhui Kang, Yang Liu and Shuit-Tong Lee
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00559B

Spider silk as a load bearing biomaterial: tailoring mechanical properties via structural modifications
Cameron P. Brown, Federico Rosei, Enrico Traversa and Silvia Licoccia
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00752H

Structure sensitivity and nanoscale effects in electrocatalysis
Marc T. M. Koper
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00857E

Making silica nanoparticle-covered graphene oxide nanohybrids as general building blocks for large-area superhydrophilic coatings
Liang Kou and Chao Gao
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00609B

Uptake and withdrawal of droplets from carbon nanotubes
D. Schebarchov and S. C. Hendy
DOI: 10.1039/C0NR00477D

We invite you to submit your research to Nanoscale today.

HOT communication

Lou et al. report the synthesis of thin nanosheets of MoS₂ around a polysyrene nanosphere core which is then decomposed, forming MoS₂ microspheres. The authors tested their materials as anodes for Li-ion batteries and concluded that they have great potential as energy storage materials.

Read the full exciting communication today:

Facile synthesis of hierarchical MoS₂ microspheres composed of few-layered nanosheets and their lithium storage properties
Shujiang Ding, Dongyang Zhang, Jun Song Chen and Xiong Wen (David) Lou
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR11552A

Professor Kripa Varanasi and his team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered a method of producing copper oxide nanowires on the surface of copper particles: a simple sintering process produces the structures. The amount of nanowire coverage observed is related to the size of the original copper particle.

The authors predict various applications of the structures including in thermal management – cooling boilers for example – or in catalysis.

The team are currently trying testing other metals to see if they react in the same way.

You can read more about this exciting work in their MIT press release.

Read the full Nanoscale paper today!

Size-dependent thermal oxidation of copper: single-step synthesis of hierarchical nanostructures
Christopher J. Love, J. David Smith, Yuehua Cui and Kripa K. Varanasi
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10993F

Novel Zn-Sn-O nanocactus films, synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, display overall power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 2.21 per cent when used as the photoanode of dye-sensitised solar cells. After treatment with TiCl₄ the PCE rises to 6.62 per cent, comparing favourably with P25 DSSCs (6.97 per cent).

The authors suggest that such materials could have excellent prospects for use as photoanodes in DSSCs.

For full details on this exciting work read this HOT Nanoscale article today:

Novel Zn–Sn–O nanocactus with excellent transport properties as photoanode material for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells
Xincun Dou, Nripan Mathews, Qing Wang, Stevin Snellius Pramana, Yeng Ming Lam and Subodh Mhaisalkar
Nanoscale, 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR11083G

Scientists in Ireland have developed a method to convert perpendicularly aligned  CdS and CdSe nanorods to their silver and copper chalcogenide equivalents. The nanorod dimensions and superlattice order remain unchanged during the process.

Such nanorods have potential applications in solar cells. The authors envisage that this new technique can be extended to other material systems.

Read the full HOT Nanoscale communication to find out more:

A facile spin-cast route for cation exchange of multilayer perpendicularly-aligned nanorod assemblies
Dervla Kelly, Ajay Singh, Christopher A. Barrett, Catriona O’Sullivan, Claudia Coughlan, Fathima R. Laffir, Colm O’Dwyer and Kevin M. Ryan
Nanoscale, 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR11031D

Graphene-based materials have many applications due to their interesting electronic and mechanical properties. Part of the typical process used to prepare graphene is the reduction of graphene oxide (GO), often using toxic and unstable hydrazine derivatives.

Now Boukherroub and co-workers report a method for the production of graphene nanosheets whereby GO is reduced by UV irradiation in aqueous solution. This was most successful in the presence of silicon nanowire arrays decorated with copper nanoparticles which act as photocatalysts.

The graphene nanosheets produced were free of contaminants and the authors believe the scalability of this process will be an advantage.

Read this HOT Nanoscale article in full:

Silicon nanowire arrays-induced graphene oxide reduction under UV irradiation
Ouarda Fellahi, Manash R. Das, Yannick Coffinier, Sabine Szunerits, Toufik Hadjersi, Mustapha Maamache and Rabah Boukherroub
Nanoscale, 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10970G

Scientists from India have made blood compatible “hybrid quantum clusters” (HQCs) by combining fluorescent gold clusters with iron-containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

They found that the HQCs were capable of selective separation of cancer cells in blood or saline using an external magnet. The fact that the clusters are fluorescent means they can be imaged.

The authors hope their system could one day be used for a dialysis-type set up for cancer therapy.

Read this HOT Nanoscale article in full:

Fluorescent and superparamagnetic hybrid quantum clusters for magnetic separation and imaging of cancer cells from blood
C. V. Durgadas, Chandra P. Sharma and K. Sreenivasan
Nanoscale, 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10900F