{"title":"Synergistic Nanotrap Polymeric Adsorbents for Environmental Remediation.","authors":"Qimeng Sun, Jiajia Li, Dongyun Chen, Najun Li, Hua Li, Qingfeng Xu, Jianmei Lu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502381","DOIUrl":"10.1002/smtd.202502381","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Synergistic nanotrap polymeric adsorbents, by integrating multiple cooperative interaction modes within a single polymer network, can effectively overcome the limitations of conventional single-site sorbents in complex environments. This review examines and summarizes the latest research advances in such systems, covering both non-porous and porous polymers, and systematically correlates polymer molecular design with adsorption performance toward organic pollutants, aqueous ionic pollutants, and radioactive contaminants. We place particular emphasis on how hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, π-π stacking, coordination, hydrophobic effects, and halogen bonding are introduced and integrated within polymer backbones to construct multisite nanotraps, thereby enhancing adsorption capacity, kinetics, selectivity, and resistance to interference. Finally, we discuss the key challenges and future opportunities associated with achieving deeper mechanistic understanding, operando characterization under realistic conditions, and the scalable processing and engineering application of synergistic nanotrap polymeric adsorbents, with the aim of advancing their practical implementation in sustainable environmental remediation.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02381"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147493258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-31DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202502001
Lijia Jia, Yue Shi, Jing Yang, Shangzhe Li, Wenjing Yang, Wei Li, Mancang Zhang, Quanshun Li, Yifei Zhang, Xiaolin Wang, Lin Li, Bo Duan, Dongbo Bu, Fei Chen, Haizhou Liu, Huaiyi Yang, Yongyong Shi, Di Liu
{"title":"DNA Data Storage Architecture via Ligation of Dynamic DNA Bytes.","authors":"Lijia Jia, Yue Shi, Jing Yang, Shangzhe Li, Wenjing Yang, Wei Li, Mancang Zhang, Quanshun Li, Yifei Zhang, Xiaolin Wang, Lin Li, Bo Duan, Dongbo Bu, Fei Chen, Haizhou Liu, Huaiyi Yang, Yongyong Shi, Di Liu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The explosive growth of digital data is overwhelming conventional storage media, creating an urgent need for more efficient solutions. DNA, with its ultra-high density and long-term stability, emerges as a promising medium; however, most current implementations remain static and archival, limiting practical utility. To address this limitation, a modular DNA data storage system built upon dynamic DNA bytes (DynaBytes)-pre-fabricated DNA segments that can be ligated into reconfigurable information units-is presented. Within this DynaByte system, core, functional, and control DynaBytes are organized to implement a molecular file system, enabling the storage of 210,776 bits (26,347 bytes) of digital information with demonstrated CRUD (Create-Read-Update-Delete)-like operations, hierarchical access, and nanopore-based real-time retrieval. Robust data recovery is achieved under ∼100x error-prone sequencing through streamlined error correction and fuzzy decoding. By relying on in vitro ligation of standardized components, the DynaByte system reduces cost, scales efficiently, and supports interactive, rewritable data storage. These features advance DNA storage beyond passive archiving toward a reconfigurable framework, opening new possibilities for dynamic, practical, and large-scale DNA-based data systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02001"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-31DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202502209
Doan Vu, Martyn Jevric, Alireza Samadani, Mats R Andersson, Christopher R McNeill, Brendan T O'Connor, Harald Ade
{"title":"Automated Identification of Thermal Transitions in Conjugated Material Thin Films Using In Situ Optical Spectroscopy.","authors":"Doan Vu, Martyn Jevric, Alireza Samadani, Mats R Andersson, Christopher R McNeill, Brendan T O'Connor, Harald Ade","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The thermal transitions of organic semiconductors have important implications for morphological and thermomechanical properties of electronic devices. Here we show that in situ UV-vis spectroscopy coupled with automated data analysis is a facile tool to determine the numerous thermal transitions that can exist in organic semiconductor thin films. Thermal transitions are automatically identified through employing linear segment detection of the semilogarithmic normalized deviation metric (NDM) as well as the spectral changes using piecewise linear regression. Furthermore, by comparing the in situ UV-vis with other thermal measurement methods we observe the temperature dependent absorbance can be used to discern the type of thermal transitions including liquid crystal transitions, glass transitions, and melting temperatures. This approach is used to characterize five well-known conjugated polymers and a small molecule semiconductor, each with distinct thermal phase behavior, where we show good agreement with other thermal characterization methods. Thus, the method we introduce, which we refer to as Automated Thermal transition identification using Linear regression analysis of the Absorbance Spectra (ATLAS), is shown to be an effective and simple screening tool to identify multiple thermal transitions in thin films. This is a high-throughput thermal analysis approach that will assist in advancing structure-morphology-function relations in organic electronics.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02209"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-30DOI: 10.1002/smtd.70641
Yu Xia, Weiyuan Chen, You Wu, Wenbo Ju
{"title":"Quantifying Spin-Dependent OER Enhancement Through Butterfly-Shaped Hysteresis.","authors":"Yu Xia, Weiyuan Chen, You Wu, Wenbo Ju","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70641","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the mechanism of magnetic field-enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains challenging due to coexisting spin-dependent and spin-independent effects. Here, we conduct OER experiments on catalyst layers exhibiting in-plane magnetic anisotropy from collectively oriented ferromagnetic microchains, reporting the first observation of butterfly-shaped hysteresis in overpotential shifts (ΔE) during complete magnetization cycles. Spin-dependent magnetoresistance is identified as the mechanism determining ΔE responses. We introduce a composition-specific metric κ (overpotential reduction per unit field) that serves as an intrinsic descriptor of surface magnetic sensitivity, independent of bulk magnetic properties and anisotropy, enabling reliable quantitative comparison across diverse catalysts where conventional electrochemical parameters fail. These findings provide both a mechanistic foundation and quantitative methodology for rationally designing magnetic field-enhanced electrocatalysts based on interfacial spin engineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70641"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147571352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-30DOI: 10.1002/smtd.70634
Bo Sun, Zhao Yang, Jinyao Yin, Hui-Ya Wang, Tian Mai, Innocent Toendepi, Qian Chen, Juan Matmin, Yaofeng Zhu
{"title":"Temperature-Mediated Defect Engineering in Cu<sub>2-x</sub>S for Tailoring Dielectric Response Properties.","authors":"Bo Sun, Zhao Yang, Jinyao Yin, Hui-Ya Wang, Tian Mai, Innocent Toendepi, Qian Chen, Juan Matmin, Yaofeng Zhu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70634","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70634","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Defect engineering is an effective strategy for tuning the electromagnetic properties of materials to enhance microwave absorption performance. However, the mechanism of the materials by which variations in intrinsic defect type and concentration govern the dielectric behavior has not been fully elucidated. Herein, single-phase Cu<sub>2-x</sub>S with controllable defect states is successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. A te-mperature-driven defect evolution strategy is employed to systematically investigate the influence of intrinsic defect concentration and distribution on the dielectric properties. It is shown that the concentration of copper vacancies exhibits an increasing and then decreasing trend, while the density of dislocations show a consistent rise with temperatur, which significantly affect the ε values of Cu<sub>2-x</sub>S. The sample synthesized at 170°C exhibits an optimal synergistic distribution of high-concentration copper vacancies and dislocations, which effectively improves impedance matching and significantly enhances dielectric loss. Consequently, it demonstrates outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss (RL<sub>min</sub>) of -51.85 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.95 GHz (13.05-18 GHz) at a thickness of 1.7 mm, covering 82.5% in the entire Ku-band. The proposed temperature-driven defect engineering strategy establishes a definitive defect structure and dielectric performance relationship in Cu<sub>2-x</sub>S.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70634"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147571328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-30DOI: 10.1002/smtd.70639
Eva Bittrich, Susanne Boye, Zanelle Van Niekerk, Zahn Stanvliet, Arthur Porfetye, Fátima Herranz-Trillo, Hans Bolinsson, Stefaniya Gaydarova, Christo Tzachev, Anne Martel, Lars Nilsson, Ralf Schweins, Albena Lederer
{"title":"Structural Profiling of Lipid Nanoparticles at Sub-10 nm Resolution via AF4 Coupled Online to SAXS and SANS.","authors":"Eva Bittrich, Susanne Boye, Zanelle Van Niekerk, Zahn Stanvliet, Arthur Porfetye, Fátima Herranz-Trillo, Hans Bolinsson, Stefaniya Gaydarova, Christo Tzachev, Anne Martel, Lars Nilsson, Ralf Schweins, Albena Lederer","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70639","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70639","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise mapping of structural heterogeneity at the sub-10 nm scale is pivotal for rational nanoparticle design, yet conventional analytical workflows remain inadequate. Here we integrate dilution-controlled asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to interrogate ellipsoidal solid-liquid lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The dilution-controlled AF4 mode amplifies scattering contrast, enabling robust, shape-resolved analysis across entire elution profiles. Coupling AF4 to SANS in D<sub>2</sub>O further sharpens resolution for the smallest fractions by reducing particle diffusion through increased solvent viscosity. Comparative sizing shows that SAXS/SANS accurately capture primary particles down to ∼5 nm, whereas multi-angle light scattering chiefly detects loosely associated aggregates. Morphology profiling reveals that surfactant identity governs particle shape, polydispersity, and overall architecture. Joint SAXS/SANS modeling uncovers a 2-3 nm polar shell enveloping an internal core-shell morphology. Together, these insights refine our understanding of LNP size, morphology and drug localization and establish dilution-controlled AF4-SAXS/SANS as a high-resolution platform for dissecting complex nanoparticle systems relevant to biomedical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70639"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147571353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Solvent-Programmable ZnS Colloidal Coatings for Large-Area and Durable Structural Colors.","authors":"Yanyan Li, Gaoji Hu, Jie Xu, Liangfa Chen, Yaying Tan, Qianqian Zhang, Qiyuan Liu, Hui Zhao, Ruiting Li, Shiming Zhang","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70644","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70644","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fade-resistant coloration based on the structural color of colloidal nanoparticles offers a promising alternative to conventional colorants. However, such ordered nanostructures suffer from two critical limitations inherent mechanical fragility and the difficulty of achieving precise patterning without complex surface modifications. To address these issues, we develop a robust strategy based on zinc sulfide (ZnS)/epoxy resin (EP) composites and rod-coating process. By spatially modulating the coating composition using customized filter-paper templates and localized solvent evaporation driven by capillary forces, we successfully program the refractive-index contrast, which strongly influences color expression according to the Bragg principle and enables on-demand patterning of structural colors. This localized solvent evaporation programming (LSEP) approach allows for the high-precision fabrication of complex dual-color patterns with excellent stability against abrasion, pH changes, and temperature variations. The proposed method is straightforward, environmentally friendly, and overcomes the limitations of traditional techniques, thereby opening new avenues for the scalable production of customized patterned structural color materials in displays, anti-counterfeiting, packaging, and decorative applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70644"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-30DOI: 10.1002/smtd.70643
Tianshun Ding, Shi Feng, Hao Li, Zelong Zhang, Shengyang Tao
{"title":"Interfacial Chirality Transfer Induced by Vortices inside Microdroplets.","authors":"Tianshun Ding, Shi Feng, Hao Li, Zelong Zhang, Shengyang Tao","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70643","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chiral materials have broad applications in optics. Precise regulation of the chiral signal, however, remains highly challenging. Herein, a microfluidic strategy is proposed in which the cooperative action of dual driving forces regulates vortical flow inside droplets. The flow rate and interfacial tension are adjusted to induce ordered Marangoni convection and shear flow within microdroplets. Under these conditions, chiral signals are transmitted both within droplets and across the liquid-liquid interface. Tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin and phenethylamine are employed as a supramolecular co-assembly pair to probe the relation between vortex strength/distribution and chiral-signal transfer. Assemblies obtained under microdroplet vortex fields exhibit markedly enhanced and nearly mirror-image circular dichroism (CD) responses in comparison with those prepared under conventional magnetic stirring. These observations confirm that vortical flow efficiently promotes chiral amplification and enantioselective supramolecular assembly. Flow-field visualization by micro-particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV), combined with hydrodynamic analysis, reveals the formation mechanism and evolution of microvortices under the dual driving forces. Overall, this study demonstrates a practical approach to modulating supramolecular chiroptical signals via vortexes in confined environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70643"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2026-03-30DOI: 10.1002/smtd.70630
Anitesh Anand, Dipanjan Maity, Debasis De, Gobinda Gopal Khan
{"title":"Interface Engineering of Ultrathin Bimetallic Metal-Organic Layers on α-SnWO<sub>4</sub> Nanoplate Photoanode for Remarkable Visible-Light-Driven Photocurrent in Water Splitting.","authors":"Anitesh Anand, Dipanjan Maity, Debasis De, Gobinda Gopal Khan","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70630","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, a facile bottom-up interface-directed strategy was developed to graft ultrathin 2D CoFe bimetallic organic layers (MOLs) onto SnWO<sub>4</sub> nanoplates to enhance visible-light-driven water splitting. Several studies reveal that CoFe-MOLs play a multifunctional role in improving the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the hybrid photoanode by enhancing light-harvesting capability, internal quantum efficiency, and charge-separation dynamics. Electronic reconstruction at the CoFe-MOLs/SnWO<sub>4</sub> interface suppresses the formation of SnO<sub>2</sub> surface defects that act as photocarrier recombination centers. The CoFe-MOLs also induce a substantial built-in photovoltage and type-II-like interfacial band alignment, facilitating efficient charge separation and transport. Interface engineering enables the hybrid photoanode to achieve a surface charge-separation efficiency exceeding 94% at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), along with a remarkable photocurrent density of 1.21 mA.cm<sup>-2</sup> and an applied-bias photon-to-current efficiency of 0.22%. The presence of bimetallic Co-Fe sites acts as dual catalytic centers, serving as hole traps and active OER sites, thereby reducing the water oxidation overpotential and accelerating reaction kinetics. This work presents an innovative interface-engineering strategy for facial grafting ultrathin bimetallic organic layers onto semiconductor photoanodes to enable visible-light-driven water splitting.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70630"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Versatile Eutectogel Sensor With Tunable Mechanical Properties for Monitoring of Human Bioelectromechanical Signals.","authors":"Yixi Duan, Zhen Zhang, Jing Wang, Chunlin Huang, Jianlin Huang, Jun Wu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502362","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Further development of wearable and implantable devices is constrained by the adaptive limitations of flexible gels sensors, which require robust mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, strain sensitivity, and biocompatibility. Compared to traditional conductive gels, eutectogels based on deep eutectic solvents (DES) offer a safe, economical, environmentally friendly, and easily scalable alternative. Here, we report a green economic strategy to fabricate two multifunctional conductive gels with tunable mechanical and electrical properties and multifunction from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and DES (PD). By varying the component ratio and preparation methods, we precisely regulate the PD's mechanical and conductive properties while introducing antibacterial and biocompatibility functions, significantly broadening its application scope. The obtained PD gel exhibits excellent biosafety and antibacterial properties, alongside an exceptionally broad mechanical range, with Young's modulus ranging from 0.84 to 10.22 MPa and a maximum elongation of 718%. It demonstrated sensitive strain sensing (GF = 2.05) and a favorable anti-freezing ability (-10°C). The Young's modulus of PD Hydrogel ranges from 4.26 to 1.98 kPa. It illustrated outstanding efficacy in replacing commercially available electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode gels, joint deformation, and temperature and humidity monitoring sensors. This simple, additive-free, and environmentally friendly PD eutectogel offers significant application potential in next-generation health monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02362"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147525080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}