Recent advancements in materials science have shed light on the potential of exploring hierarchical assemblies of molecules on surfaces, driven by both fundamental and applicative challenges. This field encompasses diverse areas including molecular storage, drug delivery, catalysis, and nanoscale chemical reactions. In this context, the utilization of nanotube templates (NTs) has emerged as promising platforms for achieving advanced one-dimensional (1D) molecular assemblies. NTs offer cylindrical, crystalline structures with high aspect ratios, capable of hosting molecules both externally and internally (Mol@NT). Furthermore, NTs possess a wide array of available diameters, providing tunability for tailored assembly. This review underscores recent breakthroughs in the field of Mol@NT. The first part focuses on the diverse panorama of structural properties in Mol@NT synthesized in the last decade. The advances in understanding encapsulation, adsorption, and ordering mechanisms are detailed. In a second part, the review highlights the physical interactions and photophysics properties of Mol@NT obtained by the confinement of molecules and nanotubes in the van der Waals distance regime. The last part of the review describes potential applicative fields of these 1D heterostructures, providing specific examples in photovoltaics, luminescent materials, and bio-imaging. A conclusion gathers current challenges and perspectives of the field to foster discussion in related communities.

Summary In this study, a 4% (w/w) dispersion of a commercial patatin‐rich potato protein isolate (Po‐PI) was pressurised at 400 MPa up to 48 h at 20 °C. Protein aggregation induced by high‐pressure processing (HHP) was followed by dynamic light scattering, intrinsic fluorescence ( in‐situ or ex‐situ ) or SAXS analysis. Surface properties (surface hydrophobicity and interfacial properties) of the HHP‐induced aggregates were also investigated. A gradual dimer dissociation/protein unfolding was observed under pressure. Po‐PI exhibited a slow relaxation time under pressure. Long‐time HHP (>4 h) induced significant modification of the Po‐PI protein structure with partial non‐reversible unfolding. After 48 h of pressurisation at 400 MPa, large aggregates (160 nm) were obtained and a monomodal distribution in intensity and in number frequency was observed indicating a controlled aggregation. Up to 24 h of pressurisation at 400 MPa, intermediate states were obtained after high‐pressure release. SDS‐PAGE profiles showed that HHP‐induced aggregation of Po‐PI was driven by non‐covalent interactions. All high‐pressure processed dispersions displayed a higher surface hydrophobicity as compared to non‐treated Po‐PI. Po‐PI dispersion treated for 8 h at 400 MPa presented the lowest adsorption rate, the highest final surface tension and formed the most rigid interfacial film. Po‐PI showed resistance to moderate pressure levels (400 MPa) and long pressure application times were required to induce significant protein denaturation/aggregation (≥24 h) and to optimally modify its interfacial properties (8 h).

Carbon-based dots (CDs) are a novel class of luminescent carbon nanomaterials that have attracted much attention as promising alternatives for cadmium-based quantum dots and fluorescent organic dyes. Although different strategies have been proposed to produce CDs with intense and tuneable one-photon excited fluorescence (OPEF), the case of analogous two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) has not been fully explored yet. By varying the synthesis conditions, we produced three types of phloroglucinol-based carbon nanodots (PG CNDs). Their remarkable OPEF and TPEF properties can be tuned by (Ia) the conjugated aromatic domains and (Ib) the content of oxygenous moieties. In addition, the emission colour of the PG CNDs is strongly responsive to (II) the hydrogen-bonding network, enabling colour-switching while maintaining excellent fluorescence yields (both OPEF and TPEF). These three factors were evaluated for their suitability for the tuning of the emission colour. Our studies point out the advantages of the tuneable PG CNDs to be used in optoelectronics and biological application domains.