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From atoms and molecules, to supramolecular and nanoscale assemblies; from the gas phase to liquids and crystals, and matter under extreme conditions: this page highlights some of the most exciting works in physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry, aiming to explain the fundamental properties of matter, its response to non-equilibrium conditions, the dynamics of chemical reactivity and bonding behavior.
Achieving dynamic multimodal luminescence in a single material is promising but challenging. Here, the authors engineer a phosphor with dynamic multicolor luminescence and photo-thermomechanically responsive emissions by adding Mn2+ to a self-activated CaGa4O7 host.
Research into the control of conformational arrangements is of great importance for achieving bespoke nanoarchitectures. Here, the authors achieve topology selectivity of a conformationally flexible precursor by Se doping.
Thin crystals grown on rigid spherical templates of increasing curvature exhibit increased protrusions. Here, the authors demonstrate the opposite curvature effect on the morphology of molecularly thin crystals grown within elastic fluid membranes, like those of biological cells.
Precise and scalable patterning is essential for the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in solid-state electronics and photonics. Here, the authors report on resistance-free, direct photo- and electron-beam lithography of MOF films using crosslinking chemistry.
The molecular symmetry of solute structure in aqueous solutions is a key clue to understand Ostwald’s step rule. Here, the authors show that molecular symmetry and its structural evolution can govern the crystallization pathways in aqueous solutions.
Radicals are expected to be inactive on metal surfaces. Here the authors describe general intermolecular radical transfer reactions on Ag and Cu surfaces and confirm the reaction mechanism by extensive control experiments.
Chemical reduction of alkali cations to their metals is extremely challenging. Here, the authors synthesized a series of redox-active borate anions stabilized by bipyridine ligands which can reduce lithium ions generating elemental lithium metal and borate radicals.
Icosahedral carboranes have long been considered to be aromatic but the extent of conjugation between these clusters and their substituents is still being debated. Here the authors demonstrate carboranes as conjugated bridges in optical functional chromophores.
Surface condensation is predetermined and is typically adjusted by chemical or topographical surface modification. Here, the authors report on a strategy to control the surface condensation behavior by adjusting molecular conformations in self-assembled monolayers.
The properties of lipid membranes are intimately controlled by their complex heterogeneous structure. Here, the authors use phase-resolved sum-frequency generation microscopy to fully determine the hierarchical lipid packing from the molecular to the mesoscopic scale.
The strong ionic bond in salt is broken by electrostatic interactions with water, but direct observation at the level of a single ion is challenging. Here, the authors have visualized the preferential dissolution of an anion by manipulating a single water molecule.
Boundary conditions can give rise to new types of phases during self-assembly. Here the authors show that tetrahedral particles can form a hexagonal phase on a surface, that can transform into a quasi-diamond phase under a gravitational field.
Achieving spatiotemporal control of photochromic upconversion from a single lanthanide emitter remains challenging. Here, the authors present a conceptual model enabling such control of Er3+ photochromic upconversion via interfacial energy transfer in a core-shell nanostructure.
Reactive chiral systems have attracted much attention in biology, optoelectronics, and photonics; however, a comprehensive understanding of these systems remains incomplete. Here the authors show the reversible chirality of AuAgx-cys coordination polymers induced by pH changes.
SERS is a powerful analytical technique, but achieving reproducibility for continuous analysis a challenge. Here, the authors report a SERS substrate recycling method that enables direct analysis of complex samples without substrate contamination.
Surface averaging techniques offer only limited access to the electrostatic potentials of nanostructures, which are determined by shape, material, and environment. Here, the authors quantify these potentials for gold and silver adatom chains, explaining the mechanisms of dipole formation.
Photoactive pure-iodine all-inorganic colloidal perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are attractive for optoelectronic applications, however their synthesis at room temperature is challenging. Here the authors report a room temperature strongly confined strategy to synthesize CsSnxPb1-xI3 QDs.
The reconstruction of rutile TiO2 (110) impacts its surface chemistry and catalytic properties. Here, the authors offer a detailed understanding of the asymmetric surface reconstruction of TiO2 (110)-(1×2) through a combination of STEM and DFT calculations.
InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for advanced light-emitting diodes, but low emission efficiency due to oxidation hampers applications. Here, the authors provide insight into the structural defects that form on individual QDs during UV-facilitated oxidation.
Graphene oxide is in demand for various applications - however, this is complicated by changing physicochemical properties over time. Here, the authors show the intrinsic, metastable, and transient states of graphene oxide colloids upon ripening.
The apparent electronic confinement at nanographene boundaries in scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy is often misinterpreted. Here, the authors explain this phenomenon in terms of the decay of frontier orbitals and confinement at the edges of graphene nanoribbons and pores in nanoporous graphene.
Phosphor-glass composites can serve as efficient and stable photonic converters, but their synthesis generally requires harsh and time-consuming procedures. Here, the authors report an alternative synthesis route that requires only a few seconds and is based on particle self-stabilization.
High-resolution X-ray imaging requires a high radiation dose. Here, the authors achieve low-dose 3D imaging by increasing the XEPL intensity using a double-shell nanostructure with two heterogeneous interfaces.
Inorganic pyrophosphate is a key molecule in many biological processes. Here, the authors develop an optical sensor that enables its ratiometric detection in the near infrared with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes.
The optical properties of nanoalloys are complex and difficult to describe. Here, the authors use density functional and Mie theory to calculate the extinction of Au-Co and other nanoalloys of interest for quantum optics, magnetooptics, catalysis, and metamaterials.
Directional emission of photoluminescence is an emerging technique for light-emitting fields and nanophotonics. Here, the authors demonstrate a hydrogel grating with integrated quantum dots for switchable unidirectional emission tuning.
Microplastics research is often based on commercial model particles. Here, the authors show that nominally identical particles may differ significantly in their properties and thus in their interactions with cells.
A fundamental challenge for molecular electronics is the change in photophysical properties of molecules upon direct electrical contact. Here, the authors observe hot luminescence emitted by single-molecule chromophores that are electrically and mechanically self-decoupled by a tripodal scaffold.
Functionalizing inorganic organogels is a challenge and can have a negative impact on their mechanical properties. Here, the authors present nanowire-based organogels based on highly charged polyoxometalate cluster units that are mechanically tuned and loaded with fluorescent dyes.
Janus particles commonly exhibit a high-symmetry patch, constraining the range of possible assemblies. Here, the authors devise a synthetic approach to fine-tune the patch symmetry in Janus particles and showcase the assembly of these particles into chiral colloidal clusters.
Calculations of relative binding free energy are crucial for lead optimization in structure-based drug design, but classical methods are computationally expensive. Here, the authors describe a more efficient method for calculating the free energy that is as accurate as thermodynamic integration.
The critical nucleus, which considered a key step in the formation of clathrate hydrates, has not yet been empirically confirmed. Here, the authors probe the critical nucleus size in clathrate formation of tetrahydrofuran and thus provide mechanistic insights.
The physical properties of devices made of printed nanosheets and nanowires are determined by their intrinsic nanostructured network morphology. Here, the authors use FIB-SEM nanotomography to quantitatively analyze printed nanostructured networks via 3D reconstructions.
Inter-fullerene conjugates are non-naturally occurring carbon allotropes. Here the authors report on the chemical synthesis and solid-state structure of three inter-[60]fullerene hybrids with inherent chirality.
Here the authors demonstate that counter to expectation provided by the relevant standard reduction potentials, a chloroberyllate, [{SiNDipp}BeClLi]2, reacts with the group 1 elements (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) to provide the respective heavier alkali metal analogues, [{SiNDipp}BeClM]2.
Achieving unit-by-unit isomerization within a molecular array poses a significant challenge in chemistry. Here, the authors demonstrate tip-induced stereoisomerization of dehydroazulene and diradical units in three-dimensional organometallic compounds on Ag(111).
Research into the dynamics of chemical reactions at the single-molecule level is a pivotal undertaking. Here, the authors present a direct investigation of the chemiluminescent reaction dynamics of single molecules in solution, providing spatiotemporally resolved insights into chemical reactions.
Cellulose nanocrystals are very attractive as a matrix material for plasmonic nanoparticles, but controlling particle orientation for patterning is challenging. Here, the authors prepare annular ring patterns with quadrants of aligned gold nanorods for photothermal applications.
Methods for generating macroscopic chiral matter struggle with limited scalability. Here, the authors show two vacuum filtration methods - twist stacking and mechanical rotation - to align carbon nanotubes into chiral structures at wafer scale with tunable circular dichroism.
Investigation of the reaction process at the single-bond interface is key to understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism. Here, the authors develop a STM-BJ method to monitor the catalytic process from the perspective of single-bond energy.
Understanding the activity and selectivity of metal catalysts requires elucidating the dynamics of CO2•− radicals bound to the surface. Here, the authors use pulse radiolysis to directly observe the stabilization process of CO2•− radicals at nanoscale metallic sites from nanoseconds to seconds.
The use of electronic devices to process electrical signals in molecular communications can hardly realize its potential for various applications. Here, the authors report on chemical concentration signal processing in real time and digital signal transmission over distances.
The identification of individual proteins is highly desirable in diagnostics. Here, the authors report on DNA-origami assembled dimers of gold nanorod with accessible hotspots to capture and identify single proteins from solution by SERS.
Dynamic mapping of charge motion across multiple length- and timescales is essential for understanding a variety of phenomena. Here, the authors introduce sparse scanning KPFM, which enables fast nanoscale charge mapping at 3 frames per second to track ion migration.
Solitons are peculiar waves propagating without changing their shape. Here, the authors show that colloidal particles in a rotating optical landscape create rapidly propagating solitons, formed by particle clusters through many-body interactions.
Encapsulated liquids are important for several microreactor applications, including (bio)chemistry in confined spaces. Here, the authors report on oil-infused particle shells that allow control of shell thickness, stability, and permeability for applications in crystal growth and cell cultivation.
Understanding the topological arrangement and transition dynamics of mesoscale assemblies is complicated by their molecular complexity. Here, the authors use DNA origami nanosprings to show that mesoscale helical handedness is dictated by backbone torque rather than achiral orientation.
Dissipative structures are governed by non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, the authors describe a size-dependent transition from active droplets to active spherical shells—a dissipative structure that arises from reaction diffusion gradients.
The assembly of nanoparticles into macroscopic materials forms the basis for various advanced material applications. Here, the authors develop macroscopic materials that are both recastable and mechanically robust, despite being composed purely of carbon dots.
Understanding metal-metal bonding involving f-block elements has been challenging. Here, the authors report a series of mixed-valence di-metallofullerenes which feature single electron actinide-lanthanide metal-metal bonds.
The synthesis and isolation of d-block metallocenes with more than 18-electron is challenging since metal–carbon bonds become weaker with increasing deviation from the 18-electron configuration. Here the authors report a formal 21-electron cobaltocene derivative by coordination of a two-electron donor to a 19-electron cobaltocene derivative while maintaining the cobalt-carbon bonds.
The quest for miniaturisation of electromechanical nanosystems requires the use of single molecules as active components. Here, the authors develop a piezoresistor based on a single bullvalene molecule that changes its shape by a Cope rearrangement.
Crystal dissolution has been predominately viewed as a process of ion-by-ion detachment into a surrounding solvent. Here, the authors report an alternative mechanism of dissolution by particle detachment.
The 2D carbon allotrope graphdiyne possesses a direct band gap, high charge carrier mobility, and uniformly distributed pores. Here, the authors report the surfactant-free growth of graphdiyne hollow microspheres and investigate the origin of their SERS activity.
Homochirality, a key feature of life, has unknown origins. Magnetic mineral surfaces can act as chiral agents, but are only weakly magnetized by nature. Here, the authors report the uniform magnetization of magnetite by an RNA precursor that spreads across the surface like an avalanche.
Photothermal solution heating with nanoscale heat sources is an efficient alternative to conventional heating methods. Here, the authors use silica-encapsulated gold nanoparticles to drive the colloidal synthesis of iron oxide, silver, and palladium nanoparticles at lower temperatures.
Natural biominerals deposit with precise spatial and temporal control, but such control is difficult to replicate artificially. Here, the authors start, steer, and stop the crystallization of biorelevant minerals by user-defined light patterns.
Constructing regular 3D superstructures from 2D nanosheets is a challenge. Here, the authors report the epitaxial growth of MOF nanosheets into single-crystalline orthogonal arrays with enhanced functional properties.
One key challenge in water science is to create a universal model that can predict the arrangement of water/solid interfaces. Here, the authors use STM and noncontact-AFM to discover common water clusters during the initial growth on hydrophilic and hydrophobic close-packed metal surfaces.
Electron-vibration coupling is driving advances in molecular electronics, spintronics, and quantum technology. Here, the authors succeeded in directly controlling vibronic excitations in tetrabromotetraazapyrene (TBTAP) molecules on the surface of Ag(111).
Control of ion diffusion is instrumental in understanding the behavior and structural transformations of transition metal oxides. Here, the authors use in-situ TEM to reveal the atomic-scale evolution of the topotactic phase transition in BM-SFO triggered by the migration of oxygen ions under an external stimulus.
The use and characterization of graphene quantum dots is limited by their pronounced tendency to form aggregates. Here, the authors synthesize rod-shaped motifs of nanographenes with up to 132 sp2 carbon atoms that are fully individualized, which allows the precise description of their intrinsic photophysical properties.
Resonant charge transport to and from molecules and their corresponding charge-state transitions are critical to understanding electrically driven processes. Here, the authors investigate the charge-state lifetimes of single molecules through NaCl films of 3 to 5 monolayers thickness.
In seed-mediated synthesis, small particulate precursors are added to a growth solution to initiate heterogeneous nucleation, allowing access to well-defined colloidal nanostructures. Here, the authors identify that one of the most commonly studied seed solutions is populated by atomically precise gold nanoclusters with 32 atoms.
The control of molecular chirality is of great interest in stereochemistry and biochemistry. Here, the authors show how to alter the chirality dynamics of a single molecule through tip-induced van der Waals interactions.
Nanostructured materials made from multimetal alloys are attractive for catalytic applications. Here, the authors propose a soft-templating approach to prepare mesoporous PtPdRhRuCu nanospheres that feature exposed porous structures rich in highly entropic alloy sites.