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Nanomaterials, Volume 16, Issue 2 (January-2 2026) – 6 articles

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13 pages, 2529 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning Nanoscale Conductance in Cyclic Molecules via Molecular Length and Anchoring Groups

by Abdullah Alshehab, Turki Alotaibi and Ali K. Ismael

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020083 - 7 Jan 2026

Abstract

This theoretical study investigates the electrical conductance of non-conjugated cyclic molecules featuring three terminal anchoring groups at the single-molecule level. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the conductance of the symmetric and asymmetric cyclic structures C₆C₆, C₆C₈, C₆C₁₀, C₈C₈, C₈C₁₀, and C₁₀C₁₀ (where the numbers indicate the lengths of the upper and lower branches) decreases with increasing molecular length, independent of the anchor group chemistry. Distinct trends are observed across molecular series: the 6-unit branch—defined as molecules containing a common six-carbon saturated segment (e.g., C₄C₆, C₆C₆, C₆C₈, C₆C₁₀)—exhibits a non-conventional pattern, whereas the 8-unit and 10-unit branches display parabolic and conventional length-dependent behavior, respectively. A key finding is that cyclic molecules with identical total CH₂ units exhibit nearly identical conductance values, irrespective of structural symmetry. These theoretical predictions are strongly supported by previously reported scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction measurements, establishing a fundamental structure–property relationship for sigma-conjugated molecular systems. These findings provide critical design principles for developing advanced molecular-scale electronic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)

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16 pages, 3351 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intermediate Bandgap (IB) Cu₃VS_xSe_4−x Nanocrystals as a New Class of Light Absorbing Semiconductors

by Jose J. Sanchez Rodriguez, Soubantika Palchoudhury, Jingsong Huang, Daniel Speed, Elizaveta Tiukalova, Godwin Mante, Jordan Hachtel and Arunava Gupta

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020082 - 7 Jan 2026

Abstract

A new family of highly uniform, cubic-shaped Cu₃VS_xSe_4−x (CVSSe; 0 ≤ x ≤ 4) nanocrystals based on earth-abundant materials with intermediate bandgaps (IB) in the visible range is reported, synthesized via a hot-injection method. The IB transitions and optical band gap of the novel CVSSe nanocrystals are investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, revealing tunable band gaps that span the visible and near-infrared regimes. The composition-dependent relationships among the crystal phase, optical band gap, and photoluminescence properties of the novel IB semiconductors with progressive substitution of Se by S are examined in detail. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy characterization confirm the high crystallinity and uniform size (~19.7 nm × 17.2 nm for Cu₃VS₄) of the cubic-shaped nanocrystals. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on virtual crystal approximation support the experimental findings, showing good agreement in lattice parameters and band gaps across the CVSSe series and lending confidence that the targeted phases and compositions have been successfully realized. A current conversion efficiency, i.e., incident photon-to-current efficiency, of 14.7% was achieved with the p-type IB semiconductor Cu₃VS₄. These novel p-type IB semiconductor nanocrystals hold promise for enabling thin film solar cells with efficiencies beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit by allowing sub-band-gap photon absorption through intermediate-band transitions, in addition to the conventional direct-band-gap transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)

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2 pages, 200 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Abderrahmane et al. 2D MHD Mixed Convection in a Zigzag Trapezoidal Thermal Energy Storage System Using NEPCM. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 3270

by Aissa Abderrahmane, Obai Younis, Mohammad Al-Khaleel, Houssem Laidoudi, Nevzat Akkurt, Kamel Guedri and Riadh Marzouki

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020081 - 7 Jan 2026

Abstract

There were errors in the original publication [...] Full article

25 pages, 5203 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biodegradable Antibacterial Nanostructured Coatings on Polypropylene Substrates for Reduction in Hospital Infections from High-Touch Surfaces

by Mariamelia Stanzione, Ilaria Improta, Maria Grazia Raucci, Alessandra Soriente, Marino Lavorgna, Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore, Roberto Spogli, Anna Maria Marcelloni, Anna Rita Proietto, Ilaria Amori and Antonella Mansi

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020080 - 6 Jan 2026

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) remain a significant global challenge, as pathogenic microorganisms can persist on hospital surfaces and medical equipment, contributing to severe infections and epidemic outbreaks. Conventional preventive measures, including disinfection procedures and personal protective equipment, are often insufficient to ensure complete microbial control, prompting interest in innovative antimicrobial surface technologies. This study reports the design, preparation, and comprehensive characterization of chitosan- and poly(ε-caprolactone)-based antibacterial coatings incorporating chlorhexidine-loaded zirconium phosphate (ZrPCHX) nanoparticles. Coatings were deposited by optimized spray and brush techniques to obtain uniform, adherent, and well-defined films. Their morphological, physicochemical, mechanical, and cytocompatibility properties were systematically evaluated, and antibacterial efficacy was assessed against clinically relevant pathogens following ISO 22196:2011 and additional protocols simulating realistic hospital conditions. Both coating systems demonstrated pronounced antibacterial activity, with the PCL-based formulation exhibiting a faster and broader bactericidal effect while maintaining good cytocompatibility. These findings support the potential of the developed nanostructured coatings as sustainable and scalable materials for the active decontamination of high-touch hospital surfaces, offering continuous antimicrobial protection and contributing to a reduction in HCAI incidence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocoating for Antibacterial Applications)

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17 pages, 2654 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Simple Three-Step Method for the Synthesis of Submicron Gold Particles: The Influence of Laser Irradiation Duration, Pulse Energy, Laser Pulse Duration, and Initial Concentration of Nanoparticles in the Colloid

by Ilya V. Baimler, Ivan A. Popov, Alexander V. Simakin and Sergey V. Gudkov

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020079 - 6 Jan 2026

Abstract

This work demonstrates a three-step method for the synthesis and production of submicron spherical gold particles using laser ablation in liquid (LAL), laser-induced fragmentation in liquid (LFL), laser-induced nanochain formation, and laser melting in liquid (LML). The nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV–visible spectroscopy. In the first stage, spherical gold nanoparticles with a size of 20 nm were obtained using LAL and LFL. Subsequent irradiation of gold nanoparticle colloids with radiation at a wavelength of 532 nm leads to the formation of gold nanochains. Irradiation of nanochain colloids with radiation at a wavelength of 1064 nm leads to the formation of large spherical gold particles with a size of 50 to 200 nm. The formation of submicron gold particles upon irradiation of 2 mL of colloid occurs within the first minutes of irradiation and is complete after 480,000 laser pulses. Increasing the laser pulse energy leads to the formation of larger particles; after exceeding the threshold energy (321 mJ/cm²), fragmentation is observed. Increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the initial colloid up to 150 μg/mL leads to a linear increase in the size of submicron nanoparticles. The use of picosecond pulses for irradiating nanochains demonstrates the formation of the largest particles (200 nm) compared to nanosecond pulses, which may be due to the effect of local surface melting. The described technique opens the possibility of synthesizing stable gold nanoparticles over a wide range of sizes, from a few to hundreds of nanometers, without the use of chemical reagents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Research of Laser Manufacturing Technology in Nanomaterials)

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10 pages, 2901 KB

Open AccessArticle

Inverters with Different Load Configurations and a Two-Input Multiplexer Based on IGZO NMOS TFTs

by Isai S. Hernandez-Luna, Jimena Quintero, Arturo Torres-Sanchez, Rodolfo García, Miguel Aleman and Norberto Hernandez-Como

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020078 - 6 Jan 2026

Abstract

Amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation large-area and low-power electronics due to their high mobility, low leakage current, and compatibility with low-temperature fabrication on flexible or transparent substrates. In this work, we report the fabrication of bottom-gate a-IGZO NMOS TFTs using HfO₂ as high-k gate dielectric and Mo top contacts. The devices were electrically characterized through capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) measurements, from which key parameters were extracted. Based on these transistors, we designed, fabricated, and characterized inverters employing four different load configurations: resistive, diode, depletion, and pseudo-CMOS. A comparative analysis was performed in terms of voltage transfer characteristics (VTCs), gain, and noise margins, highlighting that depletion-load inverters offer the highest gain and robust noise margins. Finally, a two-channel multiplexer was designed and fabricated. The multiplexer was characterized under both square and sinusoidal input signals up to 1 kHz, demonstrating correct channel selection and robust switching behavior. These results confirm the potential of a-IGZO TFT-based circuits as building blocks for low-power and high-reliability digital and mixed-signal electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Material, Device and System Integration)

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