Exploring Emergent Phenomena in Molecules or Nanostructures

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, explosive growth has taken place in the fields of molecular sciences, and these areas of research have provided insight into the rich and rewarding topics of molecular interactions, light–molecule interaction, and light–electron interaction in materials. Molecular interactions have led to the development of molecular or nano assemblies, fascinating nanostructures, and even molecular or macromolecular machines. Recent successes in organic light-emitting diodes and super-resolution imaging using photo-activation are evidence of a deeper understanding of light emitters and the wave-like photonic properties of novel photo-controllable molecular systems. The emergence of stimuli-responsive materials, which incorporate smart functions, is a new direction for the creation of specific sensors, working nanosystems, and innovative devices. Additionally, nanoscale or mesoscale pores, such as metal–organic frameworks, are burgeoning new materials due to the fact that they host a wealth of functions, including highly selective catalysis and hydrogen storage.

In this Special Issue, we aim to collect innovative ideas and emergent methodologies utilizing molecular structures, nanostructures, or synergistic interactions to create functional molecular or nano-systems, such as emergent sciences, or enabling new technologies, smart-responsive systems, or molecular probes to illustrate biological functions. We welcome both original research articles and mini or full reviews in these exciting and rapidly evolving fields.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• The novel synthesis of functional molecules or nanostructures for innovative applications such as energy storage, drug delivery, or molecular devices;
• The investigation of emergent phenomena in molecular or nano-systems using advanced characterization techniques such as spectroscopy, microscopy, or X-ray scattering;
• The elucidation of light–molecule interactions, molecular emission, or fluorescence in imaging, single molecules, or photoreactions;
• The study of emergent properties of molecular or nanostructured materials, including their optical, electrical, or thermal properties;
• The development of functional molecules, self-assemblies, or nano-systems for use in sensors, catalysis, or other applications;
• The exploration of emergent catalysts for the conversion of CO₂ or/and H₂O to fuel, using advanced synthesis and photon-assisted conversion;
• The investigation of linear or nonlinear molecular spectroscopy for use in chemical/physical processes or materials’ characterization;
• The design and development of molecular or macromolecular machines with controllable motion or electronic/optical properties;
• The study of nanopore or mesopore assemblies such as metal–organic frameworks for use in gas separation, catalysis, or other applications;
• The development of emergent methods for energy conversion (H₂) or storage such as batteries, using advanced materials design and synthesis;
• The investigation of reaction pathways or catalytic insights into molecular processes using advanced methods;
• The development of molecular photoswitches or nanoparticle-based photoswitches for use in optoelectronics or other applications;
• The design and synthesis of molecular foldable polymers or foldamers with unique sensing, allosteric, or optical properties;
• The study of intermolecular interactions or their emergent phenomena using advanced spectroscopic or computational techniques;
• The exploration of applications of self-assembled, folded, or covalently linked nanostructures in drug delivery, sensing, or other areas;
• The investigation of quantum phenomena, quantum materials, and quantum modeling for use in advanced computing, sensing, or other applications;
• The development of molecular or nanostructured probes for use in biological imaging or sensing applications;
• The exploration of stimuli-responsive molecular, macromolecular, or nanoparticle systems for use in drug delivery, sensing, or other applications;
• The design and development of functional materials or smart systems with unique properties and applications.

Prof. Dr. Alex Li
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• emergent phenomena
• light–molecule interactions
• self-assemblies
• molecular machines
• catalysts
• energy conversion/storage
• fuel
• batteries
• molecular synthesis
• molecular emission
• molecular probes
• supramolecular systems
• nano-photonic properties
• foldamers
• folded nano-systems
• metal–organic framework
• stimuli-responsive systems
• smart or functional materials