Spotlights on Recent JACS Publications

■ HETERONANOSTRUCTURE POLYMORPHS WITH ENHANCED PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES Heteronanostructuresmaterials known for their ability to exist in several different formsgain tremendous attention because they can be tailored to have desirable photoelectrochemical properties, making them good candidates for applications in optoelectronic devices and photocatalysis. Copper sulfides (Cu2−xS) are a well-known example of heteronanostructures that exhibit varying band gaps and crystal structures based on the stoichiometry of the structure. Scientists explore the possibility of combining different copper sulfide polymorphs to create heterojunctions for more robust functions. Shu-Hong Yu, Zhenyu Li, and co-workers report a simple route for the formation of self-coupled copper sulfide polymorphs mediated by metal ion precursors (DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06609). The team combines 1D Cu194S nanocrystals and 2D CuS nanoplates to form a dumbbell-like architecture that exhibits significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical properties originating from the interfacial charge separation. The manganous precursor plays a crucial role in inducing and directing the chemical transformation and shape evolution process. This method is a powerful supplement to controllable fabrication of heteronanostructures using foreign ions as regulators and may offer new insights into rational tuning of nanostructures with unique properties. Christine Herman, Ph.D.