RSC Chemical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Poster abstracts deadline for the RSC Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Annual Symposium is extended to 25 November 2025!

12 - 13 January 2026, London, United Kingdom

Register here:
www.rsc.org/events/detai...

No Paper of the Week announcement this week? 😱

Well, that’s because we at the RSC CNN are getting ready for the big announcement — Paper of the Year! 🎉

So stay tuned — big news are coming!

React if you’re excited to hear the winner and want the Paper of the Week to continue!

#chemsky #nanosky

2 days left!

Poster abstracts deadline is 31 October 2025

www.rsc.org/events/detai...

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting advances in magnetic nanoparticle separation. By combining gradient and alternating magnetic fields, the authors enhance size-selective separation overcoming key limitations in biomedical applications.

Dual field magnetic separation for improved size fractionation of magnetic nanoparticles Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are emerging as key tools in biomedical and technical applications due to their tunable magnetic properties and responsiveness to external magnetic fields. However, the e...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Dual field magnetic separation for improved size fractionation of magnetic nanoparticles

Baumgarten* (Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology)

Wolfschwenger, Nanoscale, 10.1039/D5NR02659H
@nanoscale-journals.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

This is figure 1, which shows the proposed artificial oceanic carbon capture and upcycling system.

A paper in Nature Catalysis reports a system to capture carbon dioxide from seawater and convert it into biodegradable plastic precursors. The findings suggest a potentially sustainable way to produce industrial chemicals. go.nature.com/4o5lcTA #chemsky 🧪

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting polymer fracture modelling. Using a hybrid particle–continuum approach, the authors reveal nanoscale crack behaviour under different loading conditions.

Nanoscale mechanisms of crack-tip evolution in glassy polymers: hybrid particle-continuum simulations Understanding nanoscale crack mechanisms in polymers is important for predicting their macroscopic properties. However, high localized stress near the crack tip introduces nonlinear and time-dependent...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Nanoscale mechanisms of crack-tip evolution in glassy polymers: hybrid particle-continuum simulations

Müller-Plathe* (Technical University of Darmstadt)

Norouzi, Soft Matter, 10.1039/D5SM00853K
@softmatter.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting bioinspired polymer nanostructures. Using complementary nucleobase interactions, the authors achieve precise control over size, surface, and core functionalisation for advanced biomedical materials.

Quantitative and spatially defined functionalization of nanostructures by overcoming the strong steric hindrance through bioinspired nucleobase interactions Polymer nanostructures with controlled and uniform sizes, tunable surface properties, and spatially defined functionalities are highly pursued by scientists. However, precise control of tailored nanos...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Quantitative and spatially defined functionalization of nanostructures by overcoming the strong steric hindrance through bioinspired nucleobase interactions

Hua* (Anhui Normal University)

Chen, Chem Sci, 10.1039/D5SC05777A
@chemicalscience.rsc.org
#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting ultrasensitive hormone detection. By integrating SERS into lateral flow assays using gold nanoparticles, the authors achieve over 500× more sensitive cortisol detection in saliva than conventional strips.

SERS-based lateral flow immunoassay utilising plasmonic nanoparticle clusters for ultra-sensitive detection of salivary cortisol Cortisol plays a central role in maintaining physiological homeostasis, and both cortisol excess and deficiency are associated with life-threatening conditions. Accurate diagnosis, adequate treatment ...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

SERS-based lateral flow immunoassay utilising plasmonic nanoparticle clusters for ultra-sensitive detection of salivary cortisol

Maher* (University of Liverpool)

Hyun-Kyung Oh, Nanoscale, 10.1039/D5NR02062J
@nanoscale-journals.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

🗣️ Last chance to submit your oral abstract for the RSC CNN Annual Symposium 2026!

📅 Deadline: 30 Sept 2025
📍 12–13 Jan, Burlington House, London
🔗 rsc.org/events/detail/81692

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting improved sample prep for high-res AFM imaging. By replacing Ni²⁺ with Co²⁺ for DNA adhesion to mica, the authors reduce salt precipitation and enhance reproducibility in nanoscale imaging of DNA structure.

Happy to share the cover for Nanoscale Horizons @rsc-cnn.bsky.social about the discharge of anionic TBTAP (doi.org/10.1039/D5NH...)!

Stay tuned for more at molq.physik.unibas.ch/en/

@unibas.ch, @unibe.ch, @siemens-ring.bsky.social, @snsf.ch, @nanoscience.ch, @erc.europa.eu, @blender.org

Co2+-mediated adsorption facilitates atomic force microscopy of DNA molecules at double-helix resolution Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has demonstrated the ability to resolve single DNA molecules in liquid at a spatial resolution that is sufficient to visualize the double helix structure and variations t...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Co2+-mediated adsorption facilitates atomic force microscopy of DNA molecules at double-helix resolution

Hoogenboom* (University College London)

Pailing, Nanoscale, 10.1039/D5NR02314A
@nanoscale-journals.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting plasmonic nanoantenna for DUV-SERS. Through theoretical modelling, the authors propose tunable Al nanorods with high UV enhancement factors and oxidation tolerance for future biosensing applications.

Nano-gapped Al/Al2O3 nanorods: a novel paradigm for efficient SERS-based sensing in the deep UV region Deep-UV surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (DUV-SERS) has emerged as a promising method for sensing molecular structure and dynamics in biological systems, projecting potential applications in diseas...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Nano-gapped Al/Al2O3 nanorods: a novel paradigm for efficient SERS-based sensing in the deep UV region

Simón Roa*, Gonzalo Abarzúa (University of Concepción)

J Mater Chem C, 10.1039/D5TC01925G
@jmaterchem.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

🗣️ Only a few weeks left to submit your oral abstract for the RSC CNN Annual Symposium 2026!

Don't miss this event to share cutting-edge research and network with nanoscience community 🔬

📅 Deadline: 30 Sept 2025
📍 12–13 Jan, Burlington House, London
🔗 rsc.org/events/detail/81692

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting nanoscale photoredox mapping. Using single-molecule localisation microscopy, the authors reveal facet-specific kinetics on BiOBr, linking structure, defects, and reactivity with nanometre precision.

Nanoscale quantification and structure–dynamics correlation of photoredox reactions on 2D nanoplates via single-molecule localization microscopy Understanding the site-specific photoredox behavior of anisotropic 2D photocatalysts remains a significant challenge using conventional techniques. Here, we employ single-molecule localization microsc...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Nanoscale quantification and structure–dynamics correlation of photoredox reactions on 2D nanoplates via single-molecule localization microscopy

Zhang* (Nanyang Technological University)

Wu, J Mater Chem A, 10.1039/D5TA05486A
@jmaterchem.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting support effects in catalysis. Comparing colloidal FeNPs on different materials, the authors show how support properties control nanoparticle stability, CNT growth, and CO₂-free H₂ production.

Colloidal Fe nanocrystals for CH4 decomposition: role of the support Metal-supported nanoparticles play a crucial role in heterogeneous catalysis, with their activity governed by size, composition, and metal–support interactions. Conventional preparation methods often ...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Colloidal Fe nanocrystals for CH4 decomposition: role of the support

Damsgaard* (Technical University of Denmark)

Gioria, J Mater Chem A, 10.1039/D5TA03667D
@jmaterchem.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

We are proud to present our annual Nanoscale Emerging Investigators series, highlighting rising stars of nanoscience and nanotechnology ⭐
Explore the collection 👉pubs.rsc.org/en/jour...

Meet the Emerging Investigators 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/cont...

Congratulations to all featured authors!

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting machine learning for protein corona prediction. Using random forest models trained on nanoparticle libraries and proteomics, the authors accurately predicted protein enrichment on nanoparticle surfaces.

Predicting the protein corona on nanoparticles using random forest models with nanoparticle, protein, and experimental features Nanoparticles (NPs) present in any biological environment form a “corona” of proteins on the NP surface. This protein corona, rather than the bare NP, determines the biological response to the protein...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Predicting the protein corona on nanoparticles using random forest models with nanoparticle, protein, and experimental features

Payne* (Duke University)

Vijgen, Nanoscale Adv, 10.1039/D5NA00425J
@nanoscale-journals.rsc.org
#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting atomically precise gold nanoclusters. Ligand–core interactions were shown to modulate excited state dynamics, revealing mechanisms behind delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence.

Surface ligand networking promotes intersystem crossing in the Au18(SR)14 nanocluster Understanding the relationships between the structure and optical properties of ligand-protected, atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) is of paramount importance for exploring their application...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Surface ligand networking promotes intersystem crossing in the Au18(SR)14 nanocluster

Rongchao Jin* (Carnegie Mellon University)

Guiying He, Nanoscale Horiz, 10.1039/D5NH00358J
@nanoscale-journals.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky

Each week the RSC-CNN committee selects a great new nanoscience paper — this week highlighting molecular interactions at the microplastic–water interface. The authors reveal how surface chemistry and interfacial structure govern the thermodynamics of organic molecule adsorption onto microplastics.

Surface functional group dependent enthalpic and entropic contributions to molecular adsorption on colloidal microplastics Molecular interaction with micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) is an important chemical process that dictates the fate and transport of organic contaminants, and that of MNPs, within the aquatic environme...

💥RSC CNN Paper of the Week💥

Surface functional group dependent enthalpic and entropic contributions to molecular adsorption on colloidal microplastics

Subir* (Ball State University)

Kanu, Soft Matter, 10.1039/D5SM00488H
@softmatter.rsc.org

#chemsky #nanosky