Photostability of Perovskite Solar Cells: Challenges and Strategies
Thickness and Wavelength Optimizations of a High-Performance SPR Sensor Employing a Silver Layer and Black Phosphorus in Principal Directions
Rapid and Ultrasensitive Short-Chain PFAS (GenX) Detection in Water via Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with a Hierarchical Nanofibrous Substrate
Ab Initio Study of the Structures, Bonding Interactions, and Thermal Stability of the Li-Decorated 2D Biphenylene Sheet
Stripe-Patterned Al/PDMS Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a High-Sensitive Pressure Sensor and a Novel Two-Digit Switch with Surface-Edge Enhanced Charge Transfer Behavior

Journal Description

Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary scholarly open access journal, published semimonthly online by MDPI. It publishes reviews, regular research papers, communications, and short notes that are relevant to any field of study that involves nanomaterials, with respect to their science and application. The Spanish Carbon Group (GEC) and The Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology (CSMNT) are affiliated with Nanomaterials and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Physics, Applied) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Chemical Engineering )
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 1.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Companion journals for Nanomaterials include: Nanomanufacturing and Applied Nano.

Impact Factor: 4.3 (2024); 5-Year Impact Factor: 4.7 (2024)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2079-4991

Latest Articles

15 pages, 2272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Detection Accuracy of Subsurface Damage in Optical Materials by Exploiting the Fluorescence Polarization Properties of Quantum Dots

by Yana Cui, Xuelian Liu, Bo Xiao, Yajie Wu and Chunyang Wang

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151182 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025

Abstract

Optical materials are widely used in large optical systems such as lithography machines and astronomical telescopes. However, optical materials inevitably produce subsurface damage (SSD) during lapping and polishing processes, degrading the laser damage threshold and impacting the service life of the optical system. The large surface roughness of the lapped optical materials further increases the difficulty of the nondestructive detection of SSD. Quantum dots (QDs) show great development potential in the nondestructive detection of SSD in lapped materials. However, existing QD-based SSD detection methods ignore the polarization sensitivity of QDs to excitation light, which affects the detection accuracy of SSD. To address this problem, this paper explores the fluorescence polarization properties of QDs in the SSD of optical materials. First, the detection principle of SSD based on the fluorescence polarization of QDs is investigated. Subsequently, a fluorescence polarization detection system is developed to analyze the fluorescence polarization properties of QDs in SSD. Finally, the SSD is detected based on the studied polarization properties. The results show that the proposed method effectively improves the detection rate of SSD by 10.8% and thus provides guidance for evaluating the quality of optical material and optimizing optical material processing technologies. The research paradigm is equally applicable to biomedicine, energy, optoelectronics, and the environment, where QDs have a wide range of applications. Full article

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12 pages, 5607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tunable Dual-Mode Resonant Excitation of Dumbbell-Shaped Structures in the Mid-Infrared Band

by Tao Jiang, Yafei Li, Zhuangzhuang Xu, Xike Qian, Rui Shi, Xiufei Li, Meng Wang and Ze Li

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151181 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025

Abstract

Metasurfaces have drawn extensive research attention for their unique optical properties and vast application potential. Among the various resonant modes induced in metasurfaces, BIC and electric anapole modes stand out as particularly interesting due to their distinctive physical characteristics. In this work, we designed and investigated novel dimeric dumbbell-shaped metasurfaces incorporating two independently tunable asymmetric parameters. This structural innovation enables the simultaneous excitation of both electric anapole and QBIC modes under normally incident MIR illumination. More importantly, by adjusting these two asymmetric parameters, one can independently tune the resonance peaks of the two modes, thereby overcoming the performance limits of conventional single-peak modulation. This metasurface design demonstrates outstanding performance for dielectric environment-sensing applications. We conducted a comprehensive investigation of the sensing sensitivity for dumbbell-shaped metasurfaces of various geometries. Our simulation results show that the circular-shaped configuration achieved high sensitivity, reaching 20,930 GHz/RIU. This work offers a novel design paradigm for multi-mode control and functionalization of metasurface structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Theory and Simulation of Nanostructures)

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11 pages, 2025 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Iodide Salt Surface Etching Reduces Energy Loss in CdTe Nanocrystal Solar Cells

by Jielin Huang, Xuyang Wang, Yilin Chen, Zhenyu Chen, Qiaochu Lin, Qichuan Huang and Donghuan Qin

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151180 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025

Abstract

CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as a promising active layer for efficient thin-film solar cells due to their outstanding optical properties and simple processing techniques. However, the low hole concentration and high resistance in the CdTe NC active layer lead to high carrier recombination in the back contact. Herein, we developed a novel 2-iodothiophene as a wet etching solution to treat the surface of CdTe NC. We found that surface treatment using 2-iodothiophene leads to reduced interface defects and improves carrier mobility simultaneously. The surface properties of CdTe NC thin films after iodide salt treatment are revealed through surface element analysis, space charge limited current (SCLC) studies, and energy level investigations. The CdTe NC solar cells with 2-iodothiophene treatment achieved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.31% coupled with a higher voltage than in controlled devices (with NH₄I-treated ones, 3.08% PCE). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Based Advanced Thermoelectric Design: 2nd Edition)

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1 pages, 133 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Oleandro et al. Zein-Based Nanoparticles as Active Platforms for Sustainable Applications: Recent Advances and Perspectives. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 414

by Emilia Oleandro, Mariamelia Stanzione, Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore and Marino Lavorgna

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151179 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025

Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

14 pages, 2802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum-Enabled Wideband Terahertz Molecular Fingerprint Sensing Using Graphene Metasurfaces

by Jing Zhao and Jiaxian Wang

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151178 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

The unique molecular fingerprint spectral characteristics in the terahertz (THz) band provide distinct advantages for non-destructive and rapid biomolecular detection. However, conventional THz metasurface biosensors still face significant challenges in achieving highly sensitive and precise detection. This study proposes a sensing platform based on quasi-bound states in the continuum (Quasi-BIC), which enhances molecular fingerprint recognition through resonance amplification. We designed a symmetric graphene double-split square ring metasurface structure. By modulating the Fermi level of graphene, this system generated continuously tunable Quasi-BIC resonance peaks across a broad THz spectral range, achieving precise spectral overlap with the characteristic absorption lines of lactose (1.19 THz and 1.37 THz) and tyrosine (0.958 THz). The results demonstrated a remarkable 763-fold enhancement in absorption peak intensity through envelope analysis for analytes with 0.1 μm thickness, compared to conventional bare substrate detection. This terahertz BIC metasurface sensor demonstrates high detection sensitivity, holding significant application value in fields such as biomedical diagnosis, food safety, and pharmaceutical testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Low-Dimensional Materials for Sensing Applications)

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20 pages, 4411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the Defect Rate of Graphene on Its Reinforcing Capability Within High-Entropy Alloys

by Xianhe Zhang, Hongyun Wang, Chunpei Zhang, Cun Zhang and Xuyao Zhang

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151177 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Graphene, a remarkable two-dimensional material, enhances the mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys as a reinforcing phase. This study investigated the influence of vacancy defects in graphene on the strengthening effect of FeNiCrCoCu high-entropy alloy through molecular dynamics simulations. The findings reveal that vacancy defects diminish graphene’s strength, resulting in its premature failure. In tensile tests, graphene with defects lowers the yield stress of the composite, yet it retains the ability to impede dislocations. Conversely, graphene exhibits a more pronounced strengthening effect during compression. Specifically, when the deletion of C atoms is less than 1%, the impact is negligible; between 1% and 6%, the strengthening effect diminishes; and when it surpasses 6%, the strengthening effect virtually ceases to exist. This research offers a theoretical foundation for optimizing graphene-reinforced composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical, Physical Properties and Thermal Characteristics of Nanofiller-Reinforced Composites)

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32 pages, 3004 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research and Application of Ga-Based Liquid Metals in Catalysis

by Yu Zhang, Ying Xin and Qingshan Zhao

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151176 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

In recent years, Ga-based liquid metals have emerged as a prominent research focus in catalysis, owing to their unique properties, including fluidity, low melting point, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and tunable surface characteristics. This review summarizes the synthesis strategies for Ga-based liquid metal catalysts, with a focus on recent advances in their applications across electrocatalysis, thermal catalysis, photocatalysis, and related fields. In electrocatalysis, these catalysts exhibit potential for reactions such as electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, electrocatalytic hydrogen production, and the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols. As to thermal catalysis, these catalysts are employed in processes such as alkane dehydrogenation, selective hydrogenation, thermocatalytic CO₂ reduction, thermocatalytic ammonia synthesis, and thermocatalytic plastic degradation. In photocatalysis, they can be used in other photocatalytic reactions such as organic matter degradation and overall water splitting. Furthermore, Ga-based liquid metal catalysts also exhibit distinct advantages in catalytic reactions within battery systems and mechano-driven catalysis, offering innovative concepts and technical pathways for developing novel catalytic systems. Finally, this review discusses the current challenges and future prospects in Ga-based liquid metal catalysis. Full article

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22 pages, 5009 KiB

Open AccessReview

Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: The Role of Supports, Coordination Environments, and Synergistic Effects

by Zhuoying Liang, Yu Zhang, Linli Liu, Miaolun Jiao and Chenliang Ye

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151175 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as highly promising catalytic materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), attributed to their maximal atomic utilization efficiency and unique electronic configurations. Many structure parameters can influence the catalytic performance of SACs for HER, and the intrinsic advantages of SACs for HER still need to be summarized. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in SACs for HER. It discusses various types of SACs (including those based on Pt, Co, Ru, Ni, Cu, and other metals) applied in HER, and elaborates the critical factors influencing catalytic performance—specifically, the supports, coordination environments, and synergistic effects of these SACs. Furthermore, current research challenges and future perspectives in this rapidly developing field are also outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Nanostructured Catalysts in Electrochemistry)

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16 pages, 23912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First-Principles Study on the Modulation of Schottky Barrier in Graphene/Janus MoSSe Heterojunctions by Interface Contact and Electric Field Effects

by Zhe Zhang, Jiahui Li, Xiaopei Xu and Guodong Shi

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151174 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Constructing heterojunctions can combine the superior performance of different two-dimensional (2D) materials and eliminate the drawbacks of a single material, and modulating heterojunctions can enhance the capability and extend the application field. Here, we investigate the physical properties of the heterojunctions formed by the contact of different atom planes of Janus MoSSe (JMoSSe) and graphene (Gr), and regulate the Schottky barrier of the Gr/JMoSSe heterojunction by the number of layers and the electric field. Due to the difference in atomic electronegativity and surface work function (WF), the Gr/JSMoSe heterojunction formed by the contact of S atoms with Gr exhibits an n-type Schottky barrier, whereas the Gr/JSeMoS heterojunction formed by the contact of the Se atoms with Gr reveals a p-type Schottky barrier. Increasing the number of layers of JMoSSe allows the Gr/JMoSSe heterojunction to achieve the transition from Schottky contact to Ohmic contact. Moreover, under the control of an external electric field, the Gr/JMoSSe heterojunction can realize the transition among n-type Schottky barrier, p-type Schottky barrier, and Ohmic contact. The physical mechanism of the layer number and electric field modulation effect is analyzed in detail by the change in the interface electron charge transfer. Our results will contribute to the design and application of nanoelectronics and optoelectronic devices based on Gr/JMoSSe heterojunctions in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section 2D and Carbon Nanomaterials)

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21 pages, 7973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Response of ZnO Nanorod-Based Flexible MEAs for Recording Ischemia-Induced Neural Activity in Acute Brain Slices

by José Ignacio Del Río De Vicente, Valeria Marchetti, Ivano Lucarini, Elena Palmieri, Davide Polese, Luca Montaina, Francesco Maita, Jan Kriska, Jana Tureckova, Miroslava Anderova and Luca Maiolo

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151173 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Brain ischemia is a severe condition caused by reduced cerebral blood flow, leading to the disruption of ion gradients in brain tissue. This imbalance triggers spreading depolarizations, which are waves of neuronal and glial depolarization propagating through the gray matter. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are essential for real-time monitoring of these electrophysiological processes both in vivo and in vitro, but their sensitivity and signal quality are critical for accurate detection of extracellular brain activity. In this study, we evaluate the performance of a flexible microelectrode array based on gold-coated zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs), referred to as nano-fMEA, specifically for high-fidelity electrophysiological recording under pathological conditions. Acute mouse brain slices were tested under two ischemic models: oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and hyperkalemia. The nano-fMEA demonstrated significant improvements in event detection rates and in capturing subtle fluctuations in neural signals compared to flat fMEAs. This enhanced performance is primarily attributed to an optimized electrode–tissue interface that reduces impedance and improves charge transfer. These features enabled the nano-fMEA to detect weak or transient electrophysiological events more effectively, making it a valuable platform for investigating neural dynamics during metabolic stress. Overall, the results underscore the promise of ZnO NRs in advancing electrophysiological tools for neuroscience research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biology and Medicines)

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10 pages, 1798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amperometric Determination of Glucose at Physiological pH by an Electrode Modified with a Composite Ni/Al-Layered Double Hydroxide and Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide

by Domenica Tonelli

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151172 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Films of a Ni/Al-layered double hydroxide intercalated with reduced graphene oxide were deposited, by means of a simple and rapid electrochemical synthesis, on Pt electrodes previously submitted to a special cleaning procedure. The aim of the research was to determine whether the better electrocatalytic properties of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple, due to the presence of the carbon nanomaterial, as compared to the Ni/Al-LDH alone, could allow glucose detection at physiological pHs, as normally LDHs work as redox mediators in basic solutions. Chronoamperometric experiments were carried out by applying a potential of 1.0 V vs. SCE to the electrode soaked in solutions buffered at pHs from 5.0 to 9.0 to which glucose was continuously added. The steady-state currents increased as the pH solution increased, but at pH = 7.0 the modified electrode exhibited a fast and rather sensitive response, which was linear up to 10.0 mM glucose, with a sensitivity of 0.56 A M⁻¹ cm⁻² and a limit of detection of 0.05 mM. Our results suggest the potential application of Ni/Al-LDH(ERGO) composite for the non-enzymatic detection of glucose or other oxidizable analytes under biological conditions. Full article

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Graphical abstract

2 pages, 140 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites

by Jianjun Yang, Bo Weng and Cong Wang

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151171 - 30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Around a decade ago, several reviews on nanocomposite photocatalysts were published [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites)

13 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrasensitive and Multiplexed Target Detection Strategy Based on Photocleavable Mass Tags and Mass Signal Amplification

by Seokhwan Ji, Jin-Gyu Na and Woon-Seok Yeo

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1170; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151170 - 29 Jul 2025

Abstract

Co-infections pose significant challenges not only clinically, but also in terms of simultaneous diagnoses. The development of sensitive, multiplexed analytical platforms is critical for accurately detecting viral co-infections, particularly in complex biological environments. In this study, we present a mass spectrometry (MS)-based detection strategy employing a target-triggered hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to amplify signals and in situ photocleavable mass tags (PMTs) for the simultaneous detection of multiple targets. Hairpin DNAs modified with PMTs and immobilized loop structures on magnetic particles (Loop@MPs) were engineered for each target, and their hybridization and amplification efficiency was validated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and laser desorption/ionization MS (LDI-MS), with silica@gold core–shell hybrid (SiAu) nanoparticles being employed as an internal standard to ensure quantitative reliability. The system exhibited excellent sensitivity, with a detection limit of 415.12 amol for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) target and a dynamic range spanning from 1 fmol to 100 pmol. Quantitative analysis in fetal bovine serum confirmed high accuracy and precision, even under low-abundance conditions. Moreover, the system successfully and simultaneously detected multiple targets, i.e., HBV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), mixed in various ratios, demonstrating clear PMT signals for each. These findings establish our approach as a robust and reliable platform for ultrasensitive multiplexed detection, with strong potential for clinical and biomedical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Optical Nanomaterials: 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 9415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth and Characterization of Ga₂O₃ for Power Nanodevices Using Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts

by Badriyah Alhalaili, Antony Joseph, Latifa Al-Hajji, Naser M. Ali, Sowmya Dean and Ahmad A. Al-Duweesh

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151169 - 29 Jul 2025

Abstract

A simple and inexpensive thermal oxidation process is used to grow β-Ga₂O₃ oxide (β-Ga₂O₃) thin films/nanorods on a c-plane (0001) sapphire substrate using Ag/Au catalysts. The effect of these catalysts on the growth mechanism of Ga₂O₃ was studied by different characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The XRD results of the grown Ga₂O₃ on a sapphire substrate show three sharp diffraction peaks located at 19.31°, 38.70° and 59.38° corresponding to the

(\bar{2} 01), (\bar{4} 02)

and

(\bar{6} 03)

planes of β-Ga₂O₃. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analysis showed the formation of longer and denser Ga₂O₃ nanowires at higher temperatures, especially in the presence of silver nanoparticles as catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Characterization of Nanomaterials)

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22 pages, 5844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scaling, Leakage Current Suppression, and Simulation of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors

by Weixu Gong, Zhengyang Cai, Shengcheng Geng, Zhi Gan, Junqiao Li, Tian Qiang, Yanfeng Jiang and Mengye Cai

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151168 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) are becoming a strong competitor for the next generation of high-performance, energy-efficient integrated circuits due to their near-ballistic carrier transport characteristics and excellent suppression of short-channel effects. However, CNT FETs with large diameters and small band gaps exhibit obvious bipolarity, and gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) contributes significantly to the off-state leakage current. Although the asymmetric gate strategy and feedback gate (FBG) structures proposed so far have shown the potential to suppress CNT FET leakage currents, the devices still lack scalability. Based on the analysis of the conduction mechanism of existing self-aligned gate structures, this study innovatively proposed a design strategy to extend the length of the source–drain epitaxial region (L_ext) under a vertically stacked architecture. While maintaining a high drive current, this structure effectively suppresses the quantum tunneling effect on the drain side, thereby reducing the off-state leakage current (I_off = 10⁻¹⁰ A), and has good scaling characteristics and leakage current suppression characteristics between gate lengths of 200 nm and 25 nm. For the sidewall gate architecture, this work also uses single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as the channel material and uses metal source and drain electrodes with good work function matching to achieve low-resistance ohmic contact. This solution has significant advantages in structural adjustability and contact quality and can significantly reduce the off-state current (I_off = 10⁻¹⁴ A). At the same time, it can solve the problem of off-state current suppression failure when the gate length of the vertical stacking structure is 10 nm (the total channel length is 30 nm) and has good scalability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanoscale Materials and (Flexible) Devices)

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20 pages, 3837 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in the Application of VO₂ for Electrochemical Energy Storage

by Yuxin He, Xinyu Gao, Jiaming Liu, Junxin Zhou, Jiayu Wang, Dan Li, Sha Zhao and Wei Feng

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151167 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

Energy storage technology is crucial for addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources and plays a key role in power systems and electronic devices. In the field of energy storage systems, multivalent vanadium-based oxides have attracted widespread attention. Among these, vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is distinguished by its key advantages, including high theoretical capacity, low cost, and strong structural designability. The diverse crystalline structures and plentiful natural reserves of VO₂ offer a favorable foundation for facilitating charge transfer and regulating storage behavior during energy storage processes. This mini review provides an overview of the latest progress in VO₂-based materials for energy storage applications, specifically highlighting their roles in lithium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, photoassisted batteries, and supercapacitors. Particular attention is given to their electrochemical properties, structural integrity, and prospects for development. Additionally, it explores future development directions to offer theoretical insights and strategic guidance for ongoing research and industrial application of VO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials for Energy Storage)

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17 pages, 3604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Binary-Weighted Neural Networks Using FeRAM Array for Low-Power AI Computing

by Seung-Myeong Cho, Jaesung Lee, Hyejin Jo, Dai Yun, Jihwan Moon and Kyeong-Sik Min

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151166 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous in modern computing systems, from high-performance data centers to resource-constrained edge devices. As AI applications continue to expand into mobile and IoT domains, the need for energy-efficient neural network implementations has become increasingly critical. To meet this requirement of energy-efficient computing, this work presents a BWNN (binary-weighted neural network) architecture implemented using FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM)-based synaptic arrays. By leveraging the non-volatile nature and low-power computing of FeRAM-based CIM (computing in memory), the proposed CIM architecture indicates significant reductions in both dynamic and standby power consumption. Simulation results in this paper demonstrate that scaling the ferroelectric capacitor size can reduce dynamic power by up to 6.5%, while eliminating DRAM-like refresh cycles allows standby power to drop by over 258× under typical conditions. Furthermore, the combination of binary weight quantization and in-memory computing enables energy-efficient inference without significant loss in recognition accuracy, as validated using MNIST datasets. Compared to prior CIM architectures of SRAM-CIM, DRAM-CIM, and STT-MRAM-CIM, the proposed FeRAM-CIM exhibits superior energy efficiency, achieving 230–580 TOPS/W in a 45 nm process. These results highlight the potential of FeRAM-based BWNNs as a compelling solution for edge-AI and IoT applications where energy constraints are critical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromorphic Devices: Materials, Structures and Bionic Applications)

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36 pages, 7310 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes: From Individual to Assemblies

by Yuxin Xiang, Lili Zhang and Chang Liu

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151165 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted intense research interest owing to their unique one-dimensional structure and exceptional properties. However, when individual CNTs are assembled to macrostructures such as films and fibers, their electrical performance often deteriorates significantly. This review offers a comprehensive look at the recent progress in the electrical properties and measurement techniques of CNTs, ranging from individual nanotubes to their assemblies. Firstly, we explore the methods for measuring the electrical properties of individual CNTs, including scanning tunnelling microscopy, electron microscope-based nanoprobes, and measurements using nanodevices. Secondly, we examine how structural characteristics of CNTs (e.g., chirality, diameter, and defects) influence their electrical behaviors. A critical comparison between individual CNTs and their assemblies reveals the difficulties in transferring the electrical properties from nanoscale to bulk materials. Finally, we put forward strategies to boost the electrical conductivity of CNT assemblies and also sketch out future research and development directions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Properties, and Cutting-Edge Applications)

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1 pages, 160 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Song et al. Terahertz Optical Properties and Carrier Behaviors of Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot and Reduced Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot via Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy. Nanomaterials 2023, 13, 1948

by Seunghyun Song, Hyeongmun Kim, Chul Kang and Joonho Bae

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151164 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

26 pages, 5379 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Strategies to Improve the Electrocatalytic Performance of Tungsten Oxide Nanostructures for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

by Meng Ding, Yuan Qin, Weixiao Ji, Yafang Zhang and Gang Zhao

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151163 - 28 Jul 2025

Abstract

Hydrogen, as a renewable and clean energy with a high energy density, is of great significance to the realization of carbon neutrality. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by splitting water, with a focus on developing efficient electrocatalysts that can perform the HER at an overpotential with minimal power consumption. Tungsten oxide (WO₃), a non-noble-metal-based material, has great potential in hydrogen evolution due to its excellent redox capability, low cost, and high stability. However, it cannot meet practical needs because of its poor electrical conductivity and the limited number of active sites; thus, it is necessary to further improve HER performance. In this review, recent advances related to WO3-based electrocatalysts for the HER are introduced. Most importantly, several tactics for optimizing the electrocatalytic HER activity of WO₃ are summarized, such as controlling its morphology, phase transition, defect engineering (anion vacancies, cation doping, and interstitial atoms), constructing a heterostructure, and the microenvironment effect. This review can provide insight into the development of novel catalysts with high activity for the HER and other renewable energy applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanocatalysis in Environmental Applications)

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