Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is sensitive enough for single-molecule biochemical detection, but it is extremely difficult to obtain a large number of SERS hotspots for sensitive and reproducible detection. It is even more challenging to assemble the hotspots at designated positions for location predictable sensing. Here, we report an original strategy for the synthesis, manipulation, and assembling of plasmonic nanocapsule SERS sensors for high-sensitivity biochemical detection at predictable locations.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of crystalline porous materials with reticular architectures. Precisely tuning pore environment of MOFs has drawn tremendous attention but remains a great challenge. In this work, we demonstrate a competitive coordination approach to synthesize a series of zirconium-metalloporphyrinic MOFs through introducing H2O and monocarboxylic acid as modulating reagents, in which well-ordered mesoporous channels could be observed clearly under conventional transmission electron microscopy. Owing to plenty of unsaturated Lewis acid catalytic sites exposed in the visualized mesoporous channels, these structures exhibit outstanding catalytic activity and excellent stability in the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide to cyclic carbonates. The zirconium-based MOFs with ordered channel structures are expected to pave the way to expand the potential applications of MOFs.
Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nano-superstructures (NSSs) have attracted intense research interests due to their large surface areas and unique properties. In this work, we report an original approach to synthesize ZnO NSSs in a one-step manner with a hydrothermal method. The crystalline structures and growth mechanism can be understood by surface energy calculations. The reaction kinetics was investigated for the control of the morphology of ZnO NSSs. The critical role of the morphology of Au catalysts in the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures has been demonstrated. Such ZnO NSSs can be fabricated on various rigid and flexible substrates for applications in electronics, solar cells and piezoelectric devices.
In this work, the first highly controllable assembly and rotation of silicon nanowires and nanomotors in suspension are reported. Si and Si composite nanowires are fabricated with precisely controlled dimensions via colloidal assisted catalytic etching. The nanowires can be rotated with deterministic speed and chirality. The rotation speed and orientation not only depend on the applied AC electric frequency, but also on the electronic type, geometry, surface coating, as well as the electric conductance of suspension mediums. Theoretical analysis is used to understand the rotation of Si nanowires, and also the electric resistivity of Si nanowires is determined from their mechanical rotation. The Si nanowires are precisely assembled into nanomotors that can be rotated with controlled speeds and orientations at prescribed locations. This work provides a new paradigm for designing and actuating various Si‐based nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) devices, which are relevant to man‐made nanomotors, nanorobots, and nanoengines.
An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.
An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.
An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.