Tokyo University of Science Scientists Pioneer Scalable ‘Ink’ for Next-Gen Electronics and Catalysts
Science News / Colleges Ranking Index by Rebellion Research
In a breakthrough that could help transform manufacturing for electronics and energy technologies, researchers from the Tokyo University of Science have unveiled a new method for producing advanced nanosheets in a scalable, ink-like form.
The work, led by Professor Hiroshi Nishihara, tackles longstanding challenges in synthesizing coordination nanosheets — ultra-thin materials prized for their electronic and catalytic properties. These materials, made by linking metal ions with organic molecules in precise two-dimensional structures, have attracted growing interest for their potential in batteries, sensors, flexible electronics, and hydrogen production.
Until now, fabrication methods relied on complex two-phase chemical reactions, which limited control and scalability. The new approach streamlines this process by enabling the production of well-organized heterometallic nanosheets through a single-phase reaction. By adjusting the ratios of nickel ions and benzenehexathiol, the team successfully created nanosheets suspended in solution — effectively transforming them into a functional ink.
This innovation allows these nanosheets to be applied directly as coatings on various substrates. When tested on glassy carbon electrodes, one variant of the material demonstrated promising catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, suggesting potential use in clean energy technologies.
The team also extended their method to incorporate copper and zinc into the nanosheets, producing complex heterometallic structures with enhanced conductivity and crystallinity. Notably, they demonstrated that transmetallation reactions — where metal centers in the structure are swapped with other metals — could be used to customize the properties of these sheets further.
According to Prof. Nishihara, this advance represents more than just a laboratory achievement: it opens the door to mass production of coordination nanosheets using printing technology. He envisions applications ranging from flexible electronics and sensors to next-generation electrocatalysts for hydrogen fuel production.
The study’s findings, published in Small on May 5, 2025, were featured on the journal’s front cover — underscoring the impact and novelty of the research.
In short, this innovation not only simplifies the creation of these versatile nanomaterials but also paves the way for industrial-scale deployment in a wide array of emerging technologies.
