Materials Engineering Nanotechnology

Artificial Enzymes: Where Chemistry Meets Ingenuity ⚗️✨ Nature has always been our best chemist. Enzymes, the biological catalysts that power life, are astonishing in their precision and speed. But what if we could engineer similar catalysts - ones that can thrive in harsh environments, last longer, and be tailored for tasks nature never imagined? Enter artificial enzymes, also known as nanozymes. These synthetic catalysts mimic the functions of natural enzymes but with added perks: 🔹 Enhanced stability under extreme pH and temperature 🔹 Cost-effective large-scale production 🔹 Tunable catalytic properties 🔹 Potential applications in healthcare, environmental cleanup, and energy Recent advances in materials science and nanotechnology have brought artificial enzymes closer to real-world impact: ✅ Smart cancer therapies using nanozymes for targeted oxidative stress ✅ Water purification systems that break down organic pollutants ✅ Biosensors with higher shelf life and sensitivity What excites me most? The interdisciplinary collaboration driving this field - chemists, material scientists, biomedical engineers, and AI researchers joining forces to rethink catalysis. #artificialenzymes #nanozymes #catalysis Image credit: Nature Catalysis volume 4, pages407–417 (2021)

On Friday our recent work on supported molecular catalysts for ethanol production via CO2 electrolysis was published in Nature Catalysis. This work heavily challenged us to make sense of an originally unexpected result and led to my group's most extensive set of collaborations to date. Here is a short behind the scenes, and I of course encourage you to give the paper a read as well! Led by Maryam Abdinejad we began exploring the deposition of traditional molecular electrocatalysts (iron tetraphenylporphyrin - FeTPP) on non-carbon substrates. The PI next to my office Fokko Mulder had been using nickel electrodes for quite some time, and the PhD researcher at the time Robin Möller-Gulland was able to make various 3D nickel supports of high surface area. Robin and Maryam spent a few months designing a working system and depositing FeTPP onto Ni supports. Suddenly ethanol was seen as a product. An unexpected result as FeTPP typically makes CO from CO2, while Ni by itself mostly makes H2 (with important notable exceptions). Stumped, we then turned to an old colleague and PhD student at McGill (Ali Seifitokaldani and Amirhossein Farzi) for some hypothesizing with DFT, as well as a long-term expert in homogeneous CO2 organometallic catalysts Marc Robert. Marc and I discussed our preliminary results, with Marc confused by the large electron transfers and carbon-carbon coupling, and me realizing I was severely lacking in knowledge in the field. These discussions led to collaboration with the nearby Paris group, many more control experiments, and more importantly, our paper's key hypothesis that supported molecular catalysts may forego their traditional redox-mediated reaction mechanisms. I tested this hypothesis out with a couple experts in the field at a NanoGe conference in Barcelona while I was writing my European Research Council (ERC). No one spit their drink out in laughter at me, so we pushed forward. Fast forward lots of literature, many more meetings, PhD's and postdocs moving to new positions, endless editing hours, and about two years. And we're happy to share this work now. I will admit there are many places this paper could have and should have fallen apart due to the number of parties involved and the length of time it took. In the end though we finished, and this work made me learn more new science and about managing projects than any paper before it. Here is a link to the article: https://lnkd.in/egrwnRU9

I am delighted to share our latest collaborative publication in "Small" (Wiley-VCH, IF: 12.1, Q1 in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology): 👉 “Versatility of Surfactant‐Mediated NiTe₂ Nanoparticles: Unlocking Potential for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Supercapacitor, and Sustainable Green Catalysis” 📄 Read here : https://lnkd.in/g6t95myQ 🔑 Key Highlights of this Work Novel synthesis strategy: Surfactant-mediated NiTe₂ nanoparticles synthesized via a dual-function ligand, eliminating external capping agents. Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER): Low overpotential (309 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²) and fast kinetics (Tafel slope ~50 mV dec⁻¹). Supercapacitor performance: 620 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, with 78% retention after 5000 cycles. Sustainable Green Catalysis: Enabled quinoline and 2-aminoquinoline synthesis with up to 97% yield under mild, eco-friendly conditions. Multifunctionality: One material bridging clean energy conversion, energy storage, and green chemistry. 👩🔬 Co-Authors & Collaborators Neha Mathur¹, Monu Choudhary¹, Abhinav Kashyap Dwivedi¹, Jatin Nama², Shwetha K.P³, Manjunatha C³, Sudhanshu Shama², Pankaj Gupta¹, Hemant Joshi¹, Partha Roy¹ 🏫 Affiliations ¹ Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, India ² Discipline of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, India ³ Department of Chemistry & Physics, Center of Excellence in Nanomaterials and Devices, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India 🙏 Acknowledgements Heartfelt thanks to all collaborators and institutions for their support. This work underscores how cross-institutional collaboration leads to impactful advances in next-generation energy and sustainable catalysis. #SmallJournal #Nanomaterials #CleanEnergy #HydrogenEvolution #Supercapacitors #GreenChemistry #SustainableEnergy #MaterialsScience #Innovation #Collaboration R V College of Engineering, BANGALORE RV University Central University of Rajasthan, Jaipur Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

We're excited to share a new study by Zeyan Liu and Bosi Peng on cathode catalyst design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) for heavy-duty applications, published in Nature Nanotechnology recently. Heavy-duty transportation is seen as a key market entry point for hydrogen fuel cells due to fewer infrastructure demands. However, these vehicles require fuel cells with higher durability and higher efficiency, given their longer driving ranges and higher fuel consumption than light-duty vehicles. Our latest advancement introduces a pure platinum nanoparticle catalyst encapsulated by graphene within a mesoporous support, enhancing kinetic stability. After 90,000 accelerated stress test cycles, it showed only a 1.1% power loss at high current densities, projecting a lifetime exceeding 200,000 hours. This advancement paves the way to realizing the immense potential of hydrogen fuel cells to meet the rigorous demands of heavy-duty energy applications, and their implications for the future of clean energy transportation. https://lnkd.in/gsjUuWwp

The electrical activation of ferromagnetism at room temperature has been an outstanding problem in condensed matter physics. We demonstrated such capabilities with Co-doped black phosphorus, where dilute Co intercalation was achieved via diffusion through a thin hBN layer. Electrostatic electron doping was found to activate ferromagnetic response via Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction mediated by cobalt states forming around the conduction band edge of black phosphorus. The emergence of magnetism was confirmed via tunnelling magnetoresistance, magnetic force microscopy, and magnetic circular dichroism. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/gUTNmb3u Further information about our research is available at the laboratory website: https://lnkd.in/gsHxfaA4

A Review on Sustainable Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Syntheses and Applications in Organic Catalysis and Environmental Remediation. Green Chem., 26, 7579-7655 (2024). Iron oxide nanoparticles have been intensively investigated owing to their huge potential as diagnostic, therapeutic, and drug-carrier agents in biomedicine, sorbents in environmental technologies, sensors of various inorganic and organic/biological substances, energy-generating and storing materials, and in assorted biotechnological and industrial processes involving microbiology, pigment industry, recording and magnetic media or (bio)catalysis. An eminent interest in exploring the realm of iron oxides is driven by their chemical and structural diversity, high abundance, low cost, non-toxicity, and broad portfolio of chemical procedures enabling their syntheses with desirable physicochemical features. The current review article centers its attention on the contemporary advancements in the field of catalysis and environmental technologies employing iron oxides in various chemical forms (e.g., hematite, magnetite, maghemite), sizes (∼10–100 nm), morphology characteristics (e.g., globular, needle-like), and nano architecture (e.g., nanoparticles, nanocomposites, core–shell structures). In particular, the catalytic applications of iron oxides and their hybrids are emphasized regarding their efficiency and selectivity in the coupling, oxidation, reduction, alkylation reactions, and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The deployment of iron oxides and their nanocomposites in environmental and water treatment technologies is also deliberated with their roles as nanosorbents for heavy metals and organic pollutants, photocatalysts, and heterogeneous catalysts (e.g., hydrogen peroxide decomposition) for oxidative treatment of various contaminants. This tutorial review highlights the usefulness of nano iron oxides in assorted investigations and in developing sustainable methodologies. Read the tutorial review here: https://lnkd.in/gpP2_mGc

Scientists have developed a new class of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, known as MXenes, by incorporating up to nine different metals into a single atomic layer. These ultrathin materials, just a few atoms thick, exhibit enhanced stability and performance under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and radiation. The research team, led by experts at Purdue University, utilized a process that combines entropy and enthalpy to design these high-entropy MXenes. By carefully selecting and arranging various metal atoms, they created nearly 40 distinct layered materials, each with unique properties tailored for specific applications. This approach allows for the fine-tuning of material characteristics at the atomic level. These advanced MXenes are particularly promising for use in environments where traditional materials fail. Potential applications include aerospace technologies, clean energy systems, and deep-sea exploration, where materials must withstand harsh conditions without degrading. The ability to design materials with such precision opens new avenues for innovation in various technological fields. This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in materials science, demonstrating how the strategic combination of metals at the nanoscale can lead to the development of materials with exceptional capabilities. Research Paper 📄 DOI:10.1126/science.adv4415

One of the often-overlooked strengths of nuclear energy is its waste. It is a clear manageable output, not a runaway pollutant: solid, tiny in volume and tightly controlled from cradle to tomb. A new study involved the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in India adds another breakthrough in making that manageable waste even less burdensome. They created carboxyl-coated iron-oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, essentially tiny magnets roughly ~200 nm in diameter, that act like reusable, magnetic “sponges” for the trickiest waste elements: the f-block lanthanides (Eu³⁺) and actinides (Am³⁺). Here’s why this is strikingly clever: 👉 Fast and efficient uptake: With just 2.5 mg of nanoparticles per mL, they captured roughly 77 % of Eu³⁺ and 61 % of Am³⁺ in remarkably short times 👉 Simple recovery: After binding, the particles are pulled out magnetically, eliminating filtration or centrifugation, and stripped clean, ready for reuse. 👉 Spontaneous and robust: The process occurs naturally and holds up under radiation exposure. It would actually appear that radiation even made it better, likely by exposing more active iron surfaces. Congratulations to the researchers involved for delivering an elegant, practical advance in the art of nuclear waste stewardship. Sharma, D.B., Gumathannavar, R., Sengupta, A. et al. f-Block element separation mediated by carboxylated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as robust adsorbents in acidic systems. Sci Rep 15, 24597 (2025). https://lnkd.in/eakQudrc

🌟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲! 🌟 Alhamdulillah, our comprehensive review paper titled "𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐂𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬" has been published in the prestigious journal 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙍: 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 (𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧: 31.6)!🎉 🌍 The paper is open access, so anyone can read and download it for free! Check it out now at this link: https://lnkd.in/ejcfFFFS As global energy demand increases and the world transitions to renewable energy, there is an urgent need for advanced energy storage technologies. Supercapacitors have emerged as one of the most promising solutions, offering high power density, rapid charge/discharge rates, and long cycle life. Among the many materials being explored for supercapacitors, NiCoLDHs stand out due to their exceptional properties, including: Tunable composition, Large surface area, High electrical conductivity, Multiple redox states, and Superior redox activity. In this paper, we explore the state-of-the-art developments in NiCoLDHs, outlining their structural and electrochemical properties. We delve into various strategies to enhance their performance, such as doping with metals/non-metals, hybridization with carbon materials, and integration with other advanced materials like metal oxides, MXenes, and conducting polymers. We go beyond just the basics! The review: Provides an in-depth analysis of synthetic methodologies and their impact on electrochemical performance. Discusses the challenges related to scalable synthesis, structural stability, and increasing energy/power densities. Offers valuable insights from computational modeling and density functional theory for optimizing performance at commercial scales. By reading this review, researchers can gain a clear understanding of the current advancements, the critical challenges faced in the field, and the future prospects of NiCoLDHs for next-generation, cost-effective, and sustainable energy storage devices. This review is highly important and comprehensive in its scope, offering a holistic overview of advancements in NiCoLDHs for the development of cost-effective, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage devices. It is a must-read for anyone interested in advanced materials, energy storage, and sustainable technologies! A huge thank you to all the authors for their incredible work and dedication in making this impactful review a reality! (Md. Abdul Aziz, Dr. Muhammad Usman, Ibrahim Khan (Dr. Khan), Laiq Zada, Zafar Said, ABDUL JABBAR KHAN, Mohsin Ali Marwat)