The Top Ten lists in Chemistry feature papers published during the last
two years (excluding review articles) that were most cited in current
journal articles indexed by
Clarivate
during a recent two-month period. Papers are ranked according to the
latest bimonthly citation count. The articles below are accompanied by
expert discussion and analysis (including comments from the
papers’ authors) written by one of four veteran
scientist-journalists and longtime ScienceWatch.com
contributors.
Researchers continue to develop
metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs,
which are nanostructures whose
extensive cavities are well suited to
storing large volumes of gases such as
hydrogen and methane. In one instance
of recent research, MOFs based on an
anthracene derivative have shown
effectiveness in storing methane,
raising the possibility that the gas
may find wide usage as a practical
vehicle fuel.
View Article
Chemistry involving the C-H bond, and specifically
arenes, which are molecules containing aromatic
rings, recently got a boost from the development of
a palladium-based catalyst that increases the
efficiency and yield of cross-coupling reactions
between aromatic compounds. Such work could find
important commercial applications, given that
linked arene groups figure into the chemistry of
light-emitting diodes, liquid crystals, and
pharmaceutical compounds.
View Article
The latest batch of Top Ten papers in nanochemistry includes a
report on the creation of graphene sheets via the reduction of
graphite oxide, and another on using nanowires on zinc oxide in the
creation of fabric in which microfibers rub against one another,
creating an electric current. These fabrics may one day find
application in garments that will harness the movements of the
wearer in providing a power source. The authors are also pursuing
nanogenerators that create energy from the action of muscles.
View Article
Recent research in chemistry has demonstrated the utility of
nanomaterials—specifically, silicon and titanium dioxide—in
improving the performance of miniature solar cells. Arrangements
employing nanowires or nanotubes have the potential to power
microelectronic systems, and chemists and materials scientists are
experimenting with various structures, such as silicon nanowires, to
improve efficiency and to fully understand the electronic dynamics in
these systems.
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Among chemistry's recent Hot Papers, gold has played a prominent role.
One study employed X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of
a gold nanoparticle. In other investigations, gold-based catalysts
served to provide high yields of desired products such as ventircosene,
azepines, and other compounds. Gold is now finding wider application in
chemical synthesis and nanotechnology.
View Article
Materials scientists have succeeded in increasing the efficiency of
solar cells based on polymers. The timely addition of alkane diothols
to the photovoltaic-film solution was found to nearly double the
power-conversion efficiency. Much remains to be learned about the
arrangements of the molecular components of these systems, but such
knowledge will be critical for a future based on renewable energy and
free of power based on fossil fuels.
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