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Nanomaterials
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Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces
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Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3216

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chi Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Materials Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
Interests: surface chemistry; on-surface synthesis; molecular assembly; scanning probe microscopy; density functional theory
Prof. Dr. Huihui Kong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Herbert Gleiter Institute of Nanoscience, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Interests: surface chemistry; on-surface synthesis; metal–organic coordination; scanning probe microscopy; density functional theory

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The direct visualization of functionalized nanostructures and the determination of their physicochemical properties is essential for understanding their structure–activity relationship and for the optimization and development of advanced materials in multiple applications. Surface science and techniques enable the precise preparation of various nanostructures on surfaces and at interfaces via non-covalent and covalent intermolecular interactions, providing sophisticated model systems for exploring intermolecular interactions, growth mechanisms, including both self-assemblies and reactions, and a range of physicochemical properties (e.g., electronic and magnetic properties), amongst others. In addition, the underlying substrates not only serve as well-defined platforms and templates for holding and aligning the target nanostructures, but are also applied as catalysts to facilitate the construction of such nanostructures due to their high reactivity. Therefore, the exploration of functionalized nanostructures on surfaces and at interfaces would be significant for cutting-edge fields such as nanomaterials (including the fascinating carbon-based nanostructures, e.g., graphyne, carbyne, and cyclocarbon), energy catalysis (e.g., heterogenous catalysis), molecular devices (e.g., molecular wires, switches, and amplifiers), etc.

The present Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to present current state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical investigations on functionalized nanostructures on surfaces and at interfaces, including, but not limited to, structures and properties of functionalized nanostructures, novel surface and interface physicochemical phenomena, processes and mechanisms involved in the preparation of these nanostructures, relevant advanced surface science techniques, and theoretical predictions. In this present Special Issue, we have invited contributions from leading groups in the field, with the aim of providing a balanced view of the current developments and cutting-edge techniques in this rapidly evolving discipline.

Prof. Dr. Chi Zhang
Prof. Dr. Huihui Kong
Guest Editors

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. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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.

Keywords

  • surface physiochemistry
  • surface science and techniques
  • molecular nanostructures
  • molecular assembly
  • molecular reaction and synthesis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 4851 KiB  
Article
Room-Temperature Synthesis of Carbon Nanochains via the Wurtz Reaction
by Juxiang Pu, Yongqing Gong, Menghao Yang and Mali Zhao
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(5), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15050407 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
In the field of surface synthesis, various reactions driven by the catalytic effect of metal substrates, particularly the Ullmann reaction, have been thoroughly investigated. The Wurtz reaction facilitates the coupling of alkyl halides through the removal of halogen atoms with a low energy [...] Read more.
In the field of surface synthesis, various reactions driven by the catalytic effect of metal substrates, particularly the Ullmann reaction, have been thoroughly investigated. The Wurtz reaction facilitates the coupling of alkyl halides through the removal of halogen atoms with a low energy barrier on the surface; however, the preparation of novel carbon nanostructures via the Wurtz reaction has been scarcely reported. Here, we report the successful synthesis of ethyl-bridged binaphthyl molecular chains on Ag(111) at room temperature via the Wurtz reaction. However, this structure was not obtained through low-temperature deposition followed by annealing even above room temperature. High-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy combined with density functional theory calculations reveal that the rate-limiting step of C–C homocoupling exhibits a low-energy barrier, facilitating the room-temperature synthesis of carbon nanochain structures. Moreover, the stereochemical configuration of adsorbed molecules hinders the activation of the C–X (X = Br) bond away from the metal surface and, therefore, critically influences the reaction pathways and final products. This work advances the understanding of surface-mediated reactions involving precursor molecules with stereochemical structures. Moreover, it provides an optimized approach for synthesizing novel carbon nanostructures under mild conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces)
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14 pages, 5882 KiB  
Article
Formation of Wrinkled Nanostructures via Surface–Bulk Curing Disparity in Ethyl Cyanoacrylate: Toward Superhydrophobic Surface Applications
by Changwoo Lee, Heon-Ju Choi, Kyungeun Jeong, Kyungjun Lee and Handong Cho
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15010012 - 25 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 826
Abstract
Superhydrophobic surfaces, known for their exceptional water-repellent properties with contact angles exceeding 150°, are highly regarded for their effectiveness in applications including self-cleaning, antifouling, and ice prevention. However, the structural fragility and weak durability of conventional coating limit their long-term use. In this [...] Read more.
Superhydrophobic surfaces, known for their exceptional water-repellent properties with contact angles exceeding 150°, are highly regarded for their effectiveness in applications including self-cleaning, antifouling, and ice prevention. However, the structural fragility and weak durability of conventional coating limit their long-term use. In this research, a new approach is proposed for the fabrication of long-lasting superhydrophobic surfaces using ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) and a primer. The application of the primer creates a curing rate disparity between the surface and bulk of the ECA layer, resulting in the formation of wrinkled microstructures essential for achieving superhydrophobicity. The fabricated surfaces were further functionalized through plasma treatment and hydrophobic silane (OTS) coating, enhancing their water-repellent properties. This straightforward and scalable method produced surfaces with excellent superhydrophobicity and robust adhesion to substrates. Durability tests, including roller abrasion and microscratch evaluations, indicated that the wrinkled structure and strong substrate adhesion contributed to sustained performance even under mechanical stress. Additionally, mechanical properties were assessed through nanoindentation, demonstrating enhanced resistance to physical damage compared to conventional superhydrophobic coatings. This study highlights the potential of ECA-based superhydrophobic surfaces for applications requiring durability and mechanical stability, such as architectural coatings, automotive exteriors, and medical devices. The approach offers a promising solution to the limitations of existing superhydrophobic technologies and opens new avenues for further research into wear-resistant and environmentally resilient coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces)
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Review

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21 pages, 17026 KiB  
Review
On-Surface Ullmann-Type Coupling Reactions of Aryl Halide Precursors with Multiple Substituted Sites
by Qiwei Liu, Yuhong Gao and Chi Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(9), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15090646 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 250
Abstract
The fabrication of low-dimensional nanostructures through on-surface synthesis has emerged as a promising strategy for developing high-precision electronic devices. Among various reactions, Ullmann-type coupling (with carbon–halogen bond activation) stands out in this field as a prevalent methodology due to its straightforward activation process, [...] Read more.
The fabrication of low-dimensional nanostructures through on-surface synthesis has emerged as a promising strategy for developing high-precision electronic devices. Among various reactions, Ullmann-type coupling (with carbon–halogen bond activation) stands out in this field as a prevalent methodology due to its straightforward activation process, highly programmable characteristics, and remarkable synthetic efficiency. To date, on-surface Ullmann-type coupling reactions of aryl halide precursors have been extensively studied with the assistance of in situ characterization techniques. The resulting carbon-based nanostructures exhibit high structural diversity and significant potential for applications in molecular electronics. This review categorizes recent progress in the precise preparation of carbon-based nanostructures based on molecular precursors with distinct halogen substituted sites, including para-, meta-, and ortho-sites, peri- and bay-regions, and their combination. In addition, systematic analysis and comparative discussion of their respective characteristics is also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces)
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14 pages, 1417 KiB  
Review
Amyloid Fibrils and Their Applications: Current Status and Latest Developments
by Bingxu Liu, Hongnan Zhang and Xiaohong Qin
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(4), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15040255 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are one of the important forms of protein aggregates, first discovered in the pathological brain tissues of patients with various neurodegenerative diseases. They are considered the core pathological markers of different neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, research has found that multiple [...] Read more.
Amyloid fibrils are one of the important forms of protein aggregates, first discovered in the pathological brain tissues of patients with various neurodegenerative diseases. They are considered the core pathological markers of different neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, research has found that multiple proteins or peptides dynamically assemble to form functional amyloid-like nanofibrils under physiological conditions, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties, high environmental stability, and self-healing ability. Therefore, they have become a class of functional biological nanomaterials with important development potential. This article systematically reviews the latest progress in the preparation, functionalization, and application of amyloid-like nanofibrils in engineering and provides an outlook on possible future development directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Nanostructures on Surfaces and at Interfaces)
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