Discover Nano

<p><em>Discover Nano</em> is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes papers from all areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The journal particularly welcomes transdisciplinary research that seeks to uncover the underlying science and behavior of nanostructures and further the goal of unifying nanoscale research in physics, materials science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and their expanding interfaces. </p> <p><em>Discover Nano</em> is an open access journal that supports publication of datasets and the pre-registration of studies. </p> <br/> <strong>Topics</strong> <p>Papers suitable for <em>Discover Nano</em> include, but are not limited to, the following topics:</p> <p>Synthesis, fabrication, and processing of nanostructured materials: Assembly and self-assembly, nanomanipulation, lithography, patterning and printing</p> <p>Characterization of properties affected by nanoscale dimensions: Optical, electrical, magnetic, structural, vibrational, and mechanical properties of nanostructures</p> <p>Nanostructures based on: Semiconductors, metals, dielectrics, superconductors, ceramics, and bio-materials</p> <p>Modeling and simulation of processes and properties on the nanoscale</p> <p>Quantum dots, quantum wires, quantum wells, superlattices and thin films</p> <p>Fullerenes, organic and inorganic nanotubes</p> <p>Semiconducting, insulating, and metallic nanowires</p> <p>Colloidal nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanoclusters</p> <p>Organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials</p> <p>Nanocomposites and nanoporous materials</p> <p>Supramolecular and biochemical assemblies</p> <p>Manipulation and recognition of single biological molecules</p> <p>Nanobioscience and nanobiotechnology: Nanomedicine, nanobiodevices, nanobiosensors, nanobioimaging, and bio-nanoelectromechanical systemts (bio-NEMS)</p> <p>Development of devices and technologies based on the unique electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of nanomaterials.</p> <p><br/> <strong>Content Types</strong><br/> <em>Discover Nano</em> welcomes a variety of article types – please see our submission guidelines for details. The journal also publishes guest-edited Topical Collections of relevance to all aspects of nanoscale research. For more information, please follow up with our journal publishing contact.</p>

List of Papers (Total 6,386)

Multicolor Photodetector of a Single Er3+-Doped CdS Nanoribbon

Er3+-doped CdS nanoribbons (Er-CdS NRs) are synthesized by thermal evaporation and then characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and absorption spectra. The Er-CdS NR photodetector is studied systematically, including spectral response, light intensity response, and...

Light Trapping Enhancement in a Thin Film with 2D Conformal Periodic Hexagonal Arrays

Applying a periodic light trapping array is an effective method to improve the optical properties in thin-film solar cells. In this work, we experimentally and theoretically investigate the light trapping properties of two-dimensional periodic hexagonal arrays in the framework of a conformal amorphous silicon film. Compared with the planar reference, the double-sided conformal...

3D Hierarchical Bi2S3 Nanostructures by Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Chloride Ion-Assisted Synthesis and Their Photodetecting Properties

A solvothermal method has been employed to synthesize bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures. The influences of different types of surfactants and Cl− species on the size and morphology were investigated. A possible formation mechanism was also proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiments. The photoresponse properties show that the...

Electronic Coupling in Nanoscale InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Pairs Separated by a Thin Ga(Al)As Spacer

The electronic coupling in vertically aligned InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) pairs is investigated by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. A thin Al0.5Ga0.5As barrier greatly changes the energy transfer process and the optical performance of the QD pairs. As a result, the QD PL intensity ratio shows different dependence on the intensity and wavelength of the excitation laser. Time...

Graphene-Based Flexible and Transparent Tunable Capacitors

We report a kind of electric field tunable transparent and flexible capacitor with the structure of graphene-Bi1.5MgNb1.5O7 (BMN)-graphene. The graphene films with low sheet resistance were grown by chemical vapor deposition. The BMN thin films were fabricated on graphene by using laser molecular beam epitaxy technology. Compared to BMN films grown on Au, the samples on graphene...

Green Approach for the Effective Reduction of Graphene Oxide Using Salvadora persica L. Root (Miswak) Extract

Recently, green reduction of graphene oxide (GRO) using various natural materials, including plant extracts, has drawn significant attention among the scientific community. These methods are sustainable, low cost, and are more environmentally friendly than other standard methods of reduction. Herein, we report a facile and eco-friendly method for the bioreduction of GRO using...

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite enriched in selenite and manganese ions: physicochemical and antibacterial properties

In this work, we used the co-precipitation method to synthesize hydroxyapatite (Mn-SeO3-HA) containing both selenium IV (approximately 3.60 wt.%) and manganese II (approximately 0.29 wt.%). Pure hydroxyapatite (HA), hydroxyapatite-containing manganese (II) ions (Mn-HA), and hydroxyapatite-containing selenite ions alone (SeO3-HA), prepared with the same method, were used as...

Facile Synthesis of Mn-Doped ZnO Porous Nanosheets as Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries with a Better Cycle Durability

Porous Zn1 − x Mn x O (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.44) nanosheets were prepared by a low-cost, large-scale production and simple approach, and the applications of these nanosheets as an anode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) were explored. Electrochemical measurements showed that the porous Zn0.8Mn0.2O nanosheets still delivered a stable reversible capacity of 210 mA h g−1 at a current...

Enhanced Antifungal Activity by Ab-Modified Amphotericin B-Loaded Nanoparticles Using a pH-Responsive Block Copolymer

Fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Amphotericin B (AMB), with broad-spectrum antifungal activity, has long been recognized as a powerful fungicidal drug, but its clinical toxicities mainly nephrotoxicity and poor solubility limit its wide application in clinical practice. The fungal metabolism along with the host...

Preparation of Graphene Oxide-Based Hydrogels as Efficient Dye Adsorbents for Wastewater Treatment

Graphene oxide (GO) sheets exhibit superior adsorption capacity for removing organic dye pollutants from an aqueous environment. In this paper, the facile preparation of GO/polyethylenimine (PEI) hydrogels as efficient dye adsorbents has been reported. The GO/PEI hydrogels were achieved through both hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between amine-rich PEI and GO...

A New Phase Change Material Based on Potassium Nitrate with Silica and Alumina Nanoparticles for Thermal Energy Storage

In this study different nanofluids with phase change behavior were developed by mixing a molten salt base fluid (KNO3 selected as phase change material) with nanoparticles using the direct synthesis method. The thermal properties of the nanofluids obtained were investigated. Following the improvement in the specific heat achieved, these nanofluids can be used in concentrating...

Simulation Analysis on Photoelectric Conversion Characteristics of Silicon Nanowire Array Photoelectrodes

Semiconductor nanowire photoelectrochemical cells have attracted extensive attention in the light-conversion field owing to the low-cost preparation, excellent optical absorption, and short distance of carrier collection. Although there are numbers of experimental investigations to improve the device performance, the understanding of the detailed process of photoelectric...

Effects of Laser Annealing Parameters on Optical and Electrical Properties of ITO/Metallic Glass Alloy Bi-layer Films

AgAlMg (AAM) films with three different atomic percentage compositions are prepared, namely, Ag12Al62Mg26 (denoted as A1AM), Ag22Al46Mg32 (denoted as A2AM), and Ag36Al25Mg39 (denoted as A3AM). In addition, the AAM films are deposited with four different thicknesses, i.e., 3, 6, 9, and 12 nm. The indium-tin oxide thickness is assigned a constant value of 30 nm in every case. The...

Photocatalytic Property of TiO2-Vermiculite Composite Nanofibers via Electrospinning

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most common photocatalysts. In this study, TiO2-vermiculite composite nanofibers with a mesh structure and a diameter of approximately 300 nm were prepared via sol–gel approach combined with electrospinning technique. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, etc. The...

Carboxylic Acid Fullerene (C60) Derivatives Attenuated Neuroinflammatory Responses by Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics

Fullerene (C60) derivatives, a unique class of compounds with potent antioxidant properties, have been reported to exert a wide variety of biological activities including neuroprotective properties. Mitochondrial dynamics are an important constituent of cellular quality control and function, and an imbalance of the dynamics eventually leads to mitochondria disruption and cell...

Li[Li0.2Ni0.16Mn0.56Co0.08]O2 Nanoparticle/Carbon Composite Using Polydopamine Binding Agent for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

Li[Li0.2Ni0.16Mn0.56Co0.08]O2 nanoparticles were composited with carbon (Super P) in order to achieve an enhanced rate capability. A polydopamine pre-coating layer was introduced to facilitate the adhesion between Super P and pristine nanoparticles. The Super P particles were dispersed on the surface of Li[Li0.2Ni0.16Mn0.56Co0.08]O2 powders. The composite samples that were heat...

Synthesis of Mn3O4-Based Aerogels and Their Lithium-Storage Abilities

Mn3O4 aerogels and their graphene nanosheet (GN) composite aerogels were synthesized by a simple supercritical-ethanol process. In the process, supercritical ethanol acted as a reductant to reduce graphene oxide and MnO2 gels simultaneously. The synthesized aerogels consisted of 10–20 nm Mn3O4 nanocrystallites, with BET-specific surface areas around 60 m2/g. The performance of...

Preparation and Transport Performances of High-Density, Aligned Carbon Nanotube Membranes

We report a simple and effective method for the preparation of high-density and aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes. The CNT arrays were prepared by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and were subsequently pushed over and stacked into dense membranes by mechanical rolling. It was demonstrated that various gases and liquids, including H2, He, N2, O2, Ar, water...

Mediated Electron Transfer at Vertically Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes During Detection of DNA Hybridization

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (VASWCNT) assemblies are generated on cysteamine and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME)-functionalized gold surfaces through amide bond formation between carboxylic groups generated at the end of acid-shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and amine groups present on the gold surfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging...

Controlled growth of Si-based heterostructure nanowires and their structural and electrical properties

Ni-catalyzed Si-based heterostructure nanowires grown on crystal Si substrates by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) were studied. The nanowires which included NiSi nanowires, NiSi/Si core-shell nanowires, and NiSi/SiC core-shell nanowires were grown by varying the filament temperature T f from 1150 to 1850 °C. At a T f of 1450 °C, the heterostructure nanowires were...

Orientation-Controllable ZnO Nanorod Array Using Imprinting Method for Maximum Light Utilization in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We present a holey titanium dioxide (TiO2) film combined with a periodically aligned ZnO nanorod layer (ZNL) for maximum light utilization in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Both the holey TiO2 film and the ZNL were simultaneously fabricated by imprint technique with a mold having vertically aligned ZnO nanorod (NR) array, which was transferred to the TiO2 film after...

Magnetically Separable Fe3O4/AgBr Hybrid Materials: Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Activity and Good Stability

Magnetically separable Fe3O4/AgBr hybrid materials with highly efficient photocatalytic activity were prepared by the precipitation method. All of them exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than the pure AgBr in photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. When the loading amount of Fe3O4 was 0.5 %, the hybrid materials displayed the highest...

CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots-Labeled Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Targeted Fluorescence Imaging of Pancreas Tissues and Therapy of Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used for therapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, the in vivo distribution and therapeutic effects of transplanted MSCs are not clarified well. Herein, we reported that CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-labeled MSCs were prepared for targeted fluorescence imaging and therapy of pancreas tissues in rat models with type 1 diabetes. CdSe/ZnS quantum...

Design of Modern Reactors for Synthesis of Thermally Expanded Graphite

One of the most progressive trends in the development of modern science and technology is the creation of energy-efficient technologies for the synthesis of nanomaterials. Nanolayered graphite (thermally exfoliated graphite) is one of the key important nanomaterials of carbon origin. Due to its unique properties (chemical and thermal stability, ability to form without a binder...

Morphological and SERS Properties of Silver Nanorod Array Films Fabricated by Oblique Thermal Evaporation at Various Substrate Temperatures

Aligned silver nanorod (AgNR) array films were fabricated by oblique thermal evaporation. The substrate temperature during evaporation was varied from 10 to 100 °C using a home-built water cooling system. Deposition angle and substrate temperature were found to be the most important parameters for the morphology of fabricated films. Especially, it was found that there exists a...