We have used a rapid, solvent-free pulse laser ablation in liquids technique to create sulfur-defect rich zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn₂S₄) nanosheets. These engineered defects act as super-active sites, dramatically improving the material's ability to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO) using visible light. The optimized photocatalyst shows a 15-fold increase in performance and high stability, offering a promising new pathway for clean fuel production and carbon capture

Single-molecule spintronics is an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates molecular electronics with spin-based information science, offering novel pathways for encoding, manipulating, and detecting spin at the molecular level. This review explores the fundamental principles, advances, and prospects of single-molecule spin devices, emphasizing the manipulation of spin states in various molecular systems, such as single-molecule magnets, spin crossover complexes, organic radicals, and chiral molecules. Due to their intrinsic quantum characteristics and tunable functionalities, these systems serve as ideal platforms for investigating spin-related phenomena including Kondo effects, spin filtering, and thermoelectric effects. The integration of molecular junctions with advanced measurement techniques, such as spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy and electron spin resonance, has significantly advanced the understanding of spin transport and coherence in single-molecule configurations. Furthermore, potential applications of these molecules in devices like spin valves, spin switches, and quantum bits are discussed, highlighting their promise for realizing low-power, high-efficiency spintronic technologies. Despite significant progress, several challenges remain in terms of stability, reproducibility, and scalability, necessitating further research into molecular design, interfacial engineering, and quantum coherence to enable practical applications in molecular spintronics and quantum information science.

As two-dimensional (2D) materials emerge as leading candidates for next-generation electronics, a critical challenge remains: the quality of electrical contact with metal electrodes. A new review published in Nano Research systematically explores the dual nature of the Schottky barrier at 2D material–metal interfaces, offering a comprehensive roadmap for engineering both Ohmic and Schottky contacts to unlock the full potential of 2D devices.

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) is a promising route for green ammonia synthesis, but its complex reaction pathway makes adsorption selectivity critical. In this study, researchers introduced boron doping into nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) supported Cu₂O-Fe₃O₄ catalysts to enhance nitrate adsorption and increase local concentration near the electrode surface. The team confirmed that the B-doped carbon nanotube substrate effectively boosts NO₃RR performance with higher ammonia yield and a positive-shifted onset potential. This general doping strategy offers a new way to tune complex electrocatalytic reactions, especially those requiring high selectivity and concentration sensitivity.

A joint research team from China has developed a novel microwave-assisted rapid synthesis strategy for fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (FPNs) with physically entrapped fluorophores. Published in Nano Research, this method allows robust and rapid synthesis of FPNs with tunable size and fluorescence emission wavelengths by modulating key reaction parameters, as well as stimuli-responsiveness functionality.