Raman spectra of carbon nanowalls (CNWs) grown using dc plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition were analyzed. The Raman spectra of CNWs exhibited G and D bands at ∼1580 and ∼1350cm−1, respectively. It is found that the bandwidth of the G band is relatively narrow, even when the peak intensity ratio of D band to G band is significantly high. This spectral feature of CNWs is distinguished from those of typical graphitelike carbons reported so far. From the comparison of these spectral features, it is shown that CNWs are composed of small crystallites with a high degree of graphitization.

With the aim of understanding the nature of the S-Au(111) bonding in organosulfur/Au(111) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) systems, orbital interactions in the adsorption of methanethiolate ( -SCH 3 ) in various binding sites of a three-layer slab model and an Au 42 cluster model of Au(111) surface are investigated. The methods of choice are crystal orbital overlap population (COOP) and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analyses for a periodic slab model and fragment molecular orbital (FMO) analyses for the cluster model. The origin of the S-Au(111) bond and the binding site preference are discussed from the viewpoint of orbital interaction. The site preference is in the order of three-fold hollow (fcc and hcp) > bridge > on-top. The second layer Au atoms have little influence on the S-Au(111) bonding, and adsorptions to the fcc and hcp sites are almost identical with respect to energy and S-Au bonding nature. Although σ-type S-Au orbital interactions dominate the S-Au(111) bonding in the on-top model, π-type S-Au orbital interactions play an important role in the bridge, fcc, and hcp models. FMO results explain the vertical S-C bonds in the hollow models and the tilted S-C bonds in the on-top and bridge models.

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The nanostructure of carbon nanowalls ͑CNWs͒, composed of a stack of several graphite sheets, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Our detailed analysis revealed that numerous graphite regions with an average size of about 20 nm were formed in the CNWs. The formation of these regions originates from the introduction of lattice defects such as dislocations and the slight rotation of the graphite sheets. On this basis, it is concluded that the graphite regions, so-called "nanographite domains," are the constitutional units of the CNWs.

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X-ray diffraction rocking-curve measurements were performed on tetragonal hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) crystals grown with and without application of an external alternating current (AC) electric field, and then the crystal quality was assessed by the FWHMs of each rocking-curve profile. The FWHMs for HEWL crystals grown with an external electric field were smaller than those for crystals grown without. In particular, the average FWHM for the 12 12 0 reflection with an external electric field (0.0034 ) was significantly smaller than that without (0.0061 ). This indicates that the crystal quality of HEWL crystals was improved by application of the external AC electric field. This crystallization technique can be expected to enhance the resolution of protein molecule structure analysis by X-ray diffraction.

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Herein, we present the rapid synthesis of mono-dispersed carbon quantum dots (c-QDs) via a singlestep microwave plasma-enhanced decomposition (MpeD) process. Highly-crystalline c-QDs were synthesized in a matter of 5 min using the fenugreek seeds as a sustainable carbon source. It is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, where c-QDs were synthesized using MpeD via natural carbon precursor. Synthesis of c-QDs requires no external temperature other than hydrogen (H 2) plasma. plasma containing the high-energy electrons and activated hydrogen ions predominantly provide the required energy directly into the reaction volume, thus maximizing the atom economy. c-QDs shows excellent photoluminescence (pL) activity along with the dual-mode of excitation-dependent pL emission (blue and redshift). We investigate the reason behind the dual-mode of excitation-dependent PL. To prove the efficacy of the MPED process, C-QDs were also derived from fenugreek seeds using the traditional synthesis process, highlighting their respective size-distribution, crystallinity, quantum yield, and PL. Notably, C-QDs synthesis via MPED was 97.2% faster than the traditional thermal decomposition process. to the best of our knowledge, the present methodology to synthesize c-QDs via natural source employing MPED is three times faster and far more energy-efficient than reported so far. Additionally, the application of C-QDs to produce the florescent lysozyme protein crystals "hybrid bio-nano crystals" is also discussed. Such a guest-host strategy can be exploited to develop diverse and complex "bio-nano systems". The florescent lysozyme protein crystals could provide a platform for the development of novel next-generation polychrome luminescent crystals. Recently, carbon quantum dots (C-QDs) have gained much attention due to the unique characteristics, notably, alluring fluorescence, chemical-stability, water-solubility, and magnificent photostability properties. C-QDs, owning such properties, have found numerous applications in optoelectronics, bio-imaging, energy-harvesting, and ingenious sensing. Predominantly, C-QDs synthesis is broadly classified into "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches 1,2. In the top-down approach, C-QDs are synthesized via employing the arc discharge, laser ablation, and chemical oxidation techniques that essentially disintegrate the large graphitic carbon materials into smaller ones 3-5. Alternatively, in the bottom-up approach, C-QDs are synthesized what is known as chemical synthesis such as; the thermal decomposition 6 , hydrothermal 7 , electrochemical oxidation 8 , and microwave pyrolysis 9-12. The majority of the synthesis processes are usually energy consuming, pretty cumbersome, and demand expensive carbon sources that are often toxic 12-16. Concerning C-QDs synthesis, conventional methods such as thermal