Chiral Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, chirality has emerged as a pivotal research theme at the intersection of multiple disciplines, spanning materials science, chemistry, biology, and physics. The field has witnessed remarkable progress, particularly in leveraging the asymmetry-breaking properties of chiral materials. These advancements have enabled the construction of intricate molecular machines and macroscopic devices; the precise manipulation of spins, electrons, and photons with multiple degrees of freedom; and the development of highly efficient, low-toxicity drugs.

Among these achievements, chiral nanomaterials have emerged as a revolutionary force, demonstrating extraordinary potential across diverse applications. In the realm of biomedical science, chiral nanomaterials are revolutionizing drug delivery systems. Their unique structural asymmetry allows for enhanced specificity in targeting diseased cells, leading to improved drug efficacy and reduced side effects. Additionally, they play a crucial role in biosensing, enabling highly sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules, which is instrumental in early disease diagnosis and personalized medicine.

In the field of catalysis, chiral nanomaterials offer superior enantioselectivity, significantly improving the efficiency of chemical reactions and facilitating the synthesis of complex chiral molecules. This has far-reaching implications for the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and agrochemical industries. Moreover, in advanced optical applications, chiral nanomaterials can manipulate light polarization and interaction in novel ways, paving the way for the development of cutting-edge optical devices, such as circularly polarized light-emitting diodes and highly sensitive optical sensors.

Given the rapid evolution and far-reaching impact of chiral nanomaterials, it is both timely and essential to organize a Special Issue. This issue aims to provide a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in chiral materials, with a particular emphasis on the burgeoning applications of chiral nanomaterials. We invite contributions that cover a wide range of topics, including the following: the origin of symmetry breaking, stereoselective synthesis of functional materials, reconfigurable chirality, theory calculation or property prediction of chiral materials, and, most importantly, the diverse applications of chiral nanomaterials.

We believe that this Special Issue will serve as a valuable platform for researchers to share their latest findings, exchange ideas, and explore new directions in the exciting field of chiral materials.

Dr. Changlong Hao
Guest Editor

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