Nature Materials Nature Materials is multi-disciplinary journal aimed at bringing together cutting-edge research across the entire spectrum of materials science and engineering. Every month Nature Materials publishes original top-quality materials research, reviews and a compelling mix of commentaries and news and views articles, in print and online. http://www.nature.com/nmat/current_issue/ Nature Publishing Group en © Nature Publishing Group Nature Materials 1476-1122 1476-4660 © Nature Publishing Group permissions@nature.com Nature Materials http://www.nature.com/includes/rj_globnavimages/nmat_logo.gif http://www.nature.com/nmat/ Highly conductive ∼40-nm-long molecular wires assembled by stepwise incorporation of metal centres http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2332 A long-standing problem with molecular wires is their poor transport properties. Highly conductive and very long wires have now been synthesized by incorporating metal centres into rigid molecular backbones, which shows promise for their use in electronic devices. Highly conductive ∼40-nm-long molecular wires assembled by stepwise incorporation of metal centres

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2332

Authors: Nunzio Tuccitto, Violetta Ferri, Marco Cavazzini, Silvio Quici, Genady Zhavnerko, Antonino Licciardello & Maria Anita Rampi

One of the main goals of molecular electronics is to achieve electronic functions from devices consisting of tailored organic molecules connecting two metal electrodes. The fabrication of nanometre-scale spaced electrodes still results in expensive, and often scarcely reproducible, devices. On the other hand, the ‘conductance’ of long organic molecules—generally dominated by the tunnelling mechanism—is very poor. Here, we show that by incorporating a large number of metal centres into rigid molecular backbones we can obtain very long (up to 40 nm) and highly ‘conductive’ molecular wires. The metal-centre molecular wires are assembled in situ on metal surfaces via a sequential stepwise coordination of metal ions by terpyridine-based ligands. They form highly ordered molecular films of elevated mechanical robustness. The electrical properties, characterized by a junction based on Hg electrodes, indicate that the ‘conductance’ of these metal-centre molecular wires does not decrease significantly even for very long molecular wires, and depends on the nature of the incorporated redox centre. The outstanding electrical and mechanical characteristics of these easy-to-assemble molecular systems open the door to a new generation of molecular wires, able to bridge large-gap electrodes, and to form robust films for organic electronics.

]]> Highly conductive ∼40-nm-long molecular wires assembled by stepwise incorporation of metal centres Nunzio Tuccitto Violetta Ferri Marco Cavazzini Silvio Quici Genady Zhavnerko Antonino Licciardello Maria Anita Rampi doi:10.1038/nmat2332 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Letter A map for phase-change materials http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2330 Phase-change materials are widely used as non-volatile memories, for example in optical data storage, but the search for improved phase-change materials has proved difficult. Based on a fundamental understanding of their bonding characteristics, a systematic prediction of phase-change properties has now become possible. A map for phase-change materials

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2330

Authors: Dominic Lencer, Martin Salinga, Blazej Grabowski, Tilmann Hickel, Jörg Neugebauer & Matthias Wuttig

]]> A map for phase-change materials Dominic Lencer Martin Salinga Blazej Grabowski Tilmann Hickel Jörg Neugebauer Matthias Wuttig doi:10.1038/nmat2330 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Article Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2331 Carbon-based structures are being intensively investigated for their use in electronic devices. A pronounced non-volatile switching is now observed in two-terminal devices made from graphitic sheets. The highly reliable switching mechanism is explained by the local breaking and rejoining of atomic bonds in the sheets. Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2331

Authors: Yubao Li, Alexander Sinitskii & James M. Tour

]]> Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories Yubao Li Alexander Sinitskii James M. Tour doi:10.1038/nmat2331 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 Article From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2318 Superconductivity is a complex and fascinating phenomenon, made more so by its coexistence with other collective electronic states. A study of the layered compound 1T-TaS2 under pressure enables the various states of the material to be investigated and compared with other commonly studied layered superconductors. From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2318

Authors: B. Sipos, A. F. Kusmartseva, A. Akrap, H. Berger, L. Forró & E. Tutiš

]]> From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2 B. Sipos A. F. Kusmartseva A. Akrap H. Berger L. Forró E. Tutiš doi:10.1038/nmat2318 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Article A metal-free polymeric photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water under visible light http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2317 Hydrogen generated from splitting water using a catalyst and solar energy is an ideal energy source. A polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst that is thermally and chemically stable is now shown to produce hydrogen from water even in the absence of noble metal catalysts. A metal-free polymeric photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water under visible light

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2317

Authors: Xinchen Wang, Kazuhiko Maeda, Arne Thomas, Kazuhiro Takanabe, Gang Xin, Johan M. Carlsson, Kazunari Domen & Markus Antonietti

]]> A metal-free polymeric photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water under visible light Xinchen Wang Kazuhiko Maeda Arne Thomas Kazuhiro Takanabe Gang Xin Johan M. Carlsson Kazunari Domen Markus Antonietti doi:10.1038/nmat2317 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Article Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2319 Nanomaterials are effective catalysts for many chemical reactions, however, their catalytic properties are most often determined by ensembles of nanoparticles, and so far only averaged results have been measured. Now, the heterogeneous reactivity and the surface structure dynamics of individual gold nanoparticles are revealed by monitoring single fluorogenic reactions. Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2319

Authors: Weilin Xu, Jason S. Kong, Yun-Ting E. Yeh & Peng Chen

]]> Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics Weilin Xu Jason S. Kong Yun-Ting E. Yeh Peng Chen doi:10.1038/nmat2319 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 Article Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2316 Construction of tissue-engineering scaffolds that mimic cardiac anisotropy is a challenge. Now, accordion-like honeycomb scaffolds have been created that can form tissue grafts with preferentially aligned heart cells, and with mechanical properties that closely resemble the anisotropy of native myocardium. Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2316

Authors: George C. Engelmayr, Mingyu Cheng, Christopher J. Bettinger, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Robert Langer & Lisa E. Freed

]]> Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy George C. Engelmayr Mingyu Cheng Christopher J. Bettinger Jeffrey T. Borenstein Robert Langer Lisa E. Freed doi:10.1038/nmat2316 Nature Materials 2008-11-02 Nature Materials 2008-11-02 Article Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2301 Understanding the corrosion mechanism of aqueous silicate glass is crucial for the long-term durability of nuclear waste glasses. This mechanism is generally thought to be associated with chemical affinity, but it is now demonstrated that morphological transformations also have an important role in the leaching kinetics of these glasses. Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2301

Authors: Céline Cailleteau, Frédéric Angeli, François Devreux, Stéphane Gin, Jacques Jestin, Patrick Jollivet & Olivier Spalla

]]> Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms Céline Cailleteau Frédéric Angeli François Devreux Stéphane Gin Jacques Jestin Patrick Jollivet Olivier Spalla doi:10.1038/nmat2301 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Article Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2302 Zeolite nanocrystals with three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous structures are important for designing molecularly accessible and selective catalysts. With a single zeolite synthesis procedure, uniform nanocrystals and crystal zeolites with ordered imprinted mesoporosity can now be obtained. Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2302

Authors: Wei Fan, Mark A. Snyder, Sandeep Kumar, Pyung-Soo Lee, Won Cheol Yoo, Alon V. McCormick, R. Lee Penn, Andreas Stein & Michael Tsapatsis

]]> Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity Wei Fan Mark A. Snyder Sandeep Kumar Pyung-Soo Lee Won Cheol Yoo Alon V. McCormick R. Lee Penn Andreas Stein Michael Tsapatsis doi:10.1038/nmat2302 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Article Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2292 How do entangled polymer rings relax? Linear polymers can ease their stress because their chains have ends, but cyclic polymers do not. Even trace amounts of linear chains dominate the mechanical properties if present as impurities. Investigation of carefully purified ring polymers reveals they exhibit self-similar dynamics and a power-law stress relaxation. Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2292

Authors: M. Kapnistos, M. Lang, D. Vlassopoulos, W. Pyckhout-Hintzen, D. Richter, D. Cho, T. Chang & M. Rubinstein

]]> Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers M. Kapnistos M. Lang D. Vlassopoulos W. Pyckhout-Hintzen D. Richter D. Cho T. Chang M. Rubinstein doi:10.1038/nmat2292 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Article Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2315 According to a neutron-scattering study of the structural and magnetic properties of the pnictide CeFeAsO1−xFx, the phase diagram of this material shows considerable similarities with the high-Tc cuprate superconductors. These results are an important addition to the effort to find out where superconductivity in these iron–arsenic alloys arises. Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2315

Authors: Jun Zhao, Q. Huang, Clarina de la Cruz, Shiliang Li, J. W. Lynn, Y. Chen, M. A. Green, G. F. Chen, G. Li, Z. Li, J. L. Luo, N. L. Wang & Pengcheng Dai

]]> Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity Jun Zhao Q. Huang Clarina de la Cruz Shiliang Li J. W. Lynn Y. Chen M. A. Green G. F. Chen G. Li Z. Li J. L. Luo N. L. Wang Pengcheng Dai doi:10.1038/nmat2315 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 Article Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2295 Nanocrystalline materials usually exhibit high strength and their deformation caused by stress is limited. Nanocrystalline CdS with spherical and hierarchical shell geometry is shown not only to withstand extreme stresses, but also to deform considerably before failure. Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2295

Authors: Z. W. Shan, G. Adesso, A. Cabot, M. P. Sherburne, S. A. Syed Asif, O. L. Warren, D. C. Chrzan, A. M. Minor & A. P. Alivisatos

]]> Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles Z. W. Shan G. Adesso A. Cabot M. P. Sherburne S. A. Syed Asif O. L. Warren D. C. Chrzan A. M. Minor A. P. Alivisatos doi:10.1038/nmat2295 Nature Materials 2008-10-19 Nature Materials 2008-10-19 Article Let the Sun shine http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2337 Let the Sun shine

Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat2337

]]> Let the Sun shine doi:10.1038/nmat2337 Nature Materials 2008-11-04 Nature Materials 2008-11-04 Erratum