Nanotechnology has the potential to circumvent several drawbacks of conventional therapeutic formulations. In fact, significant strides have been made towards the application of engineered nanomaterials for the treatment of cancer with high specificity, sensitivity and efficacy. Tailor-made nanomaterials functionalized with specific ligands can target cancer cells in a predictable manner and deliver encapsulated payloads effectively. Moreover, nanomaterials can also be designed for increased drug loading, improved half-life in the body, controlled release, and selective distribution by modifying their composition, size, morphology, and surface chemistry. To date, polymeric nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, liposomes, and dendrimers have been developed as smart drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, demonstrating enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles over conventional formulations due to their nanoscale size and unique physicochemical characteristics. The data present in the literature suggest that nanotechnology will provide next-generation platforms for cancer management and anticancer therapy. Therefore, in this critical review, we summarize a range of nanomaterials which are currently being employed for anticancer therapies and discuss the fundamental role of their physicochemical properties in cancer management. We further elaborate on the topical progress made to date toward nanomaterial engineering for cancer therapy, including current strategies for drug targeting and release for efficient cancer administration. We also discuss issues of nanotoxicity, which is an often-neglected feature of nanotechnology. Finally, we attempt to summarize the current challenges in nanotherapeutics and provide an outlook on the future of this important field.

This feature article summarizes recent developments in porous materials obtained through electrodeposition in the presence of H₂evolution. We discuss recent applications and present a case for further development of surfaces exhibiting new and improved activity.

Ethene is a commodity chemical of great importance for manufacturing diverse consumer products, whose synthesis via crude oil steam cracking is one of the most energy-intensive processes in the petrochemical industry. Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane is an attractive, low energy, alternative route to ethene which could reduce the carbon footprint for its production, however, the commercial implementation of ODH requires catalysts with improved selectivity. This review critically assesses recent developments in catalytic technologies for ethane ODH, and discusses how insight into proposed mechanisms from computational studies, and CO₂ assisted ethane dehydrogenation (CO₂-DHE), provide opportunities for economically viable processes to meet growing demands for ethene while reducing carbon emissions. Future trends and emerging technologies for ethane ODH are also discussed.

Two dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has recently become of interest to semiconductor and optic industries. However, the current methods for its synthesis require harsh environments that are not compatible with standard fabrication processes. We report on a facile synthesis method of layered MoS₂ using a thermal evaporation technique, which requires modest conditions. In this process, a mixture of MoS₂ and molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) is produced by evaporating sulfur powder and molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) nano-particles simultaneously. Further annealing in a sulfur-rich environment transforms majority of the excess MoO₂ into layered MoS₂. The deposited MoS₂ is then mechanically exfoliated into minimum resolvable atomically thin layers, which are characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore Raman spectroscopy is employed to determine the effect of electrochemical lithium ion exposure on atomically thin layers of MoS₂.