Themed collection Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering
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Upcycling of thermosetting polymers into high-value materials
The strategies implemented for upcycling thermoset waste are first reviewed, followed by their strengths and weaknesses; lastly, future directions are highlighted.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 41-51
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2MH01128J
Navigating nMOF-mediated enzymatic reactions for catalytic tumor-specific therapy
nMOF-mediated enzymatic reactions have spurred intensive research, securing their place as “magic bullets” for catalytic tumor-specific therapy.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 3176-3186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01225D
Photodynamic therapy with NIR-II probes: Review on state-of-the-art tools and strategies
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00819G
Advances and Challenges in MXene-Based Electrocatalysts: Unlocking the Potential for Sustainable Energy Conversion
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00845F
Strategies for utilizing covalent organic frameworks as host materials for the integration and delivery of bioactives
This review introduces three strategies (encapsulation, covalent binding and coordinated bonding) for construction of COF-based nanoplatforms for the integration and delivery of bioactives including small molecule, biomacromolecule and exosome.
Mater. Horiz., 2024,11, 1126-1151
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH01492D
Biomimetic anti-freezing polymeric hydrogels: keeping soft-wet materials active in cold environments
The bio-inspired general synthesis strategies of anti-freezing hydrogels and their potential application fields.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 351-369
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01029D
A high-temperature-triggered crosslinking reaction to achieve excellent intrinsic flame retardancy of organic phase change composites
A latent crosslinking reaction between the polymer aerogel and organic PCMs was designed, enabling the PCC to form a copolymer monolith with improved charring ability and intrinsic fire safety when overheated, without flame-retardant modification.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00831F
Phase stabilization via A-site ion anchoring for ultra-stable perovskite light emitting diodes
To enhance the operational stability of perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs), 1H,1H-perfluorohexylamine was employed to anchor ions and stabilize perovskite phase, yielding ambient stable film and ultra-stable PeLEDs with 37.2-year T50 lifetime.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00701H
Optimizing the energy level alignment for achieving record-breaking efficiency in hot exciton deep red OLEDs
Efficient hot exciton emitters are crucial for having a narrow energy gap between the lowest singlet excited (S1) state and the second triplet excited (T2) state while also ensuring that the T2 state is slightly higher than that of the S1 state.
Mater. Horiz., 2024,11, 3928-3934
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00441H
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van der Waals-bonded graphene clusters enhance thermal conductivity of phase-change materials for advanced thermal energy management
Through highly oriented arrangement of graphene, ultra-low junction thermal resistance structure, and phase-change microcapsule technology, we developed composites with high thermal conductivity (103 W m−1 K−1) and fast phase-change heat absorption.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00792A
Highly oriented BN-based TIMs with high through-plane thermal conductivity and low compression modulus
Large-scale production of highly oriented BN-based TIMs with high through-plane thermal conductivity and low compression modulus.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00626G
Sulfur-regulated CoSe2 nanowires with high-charge active centers for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonium
The structural evolution of CoSe2 from 2D to 1D is achieved through the precise regulation of sulfur. The obtained S-CoSe2 NWs can efficiently mobilize nitrate reduction to ammonia in temperate environments.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00593G
Designing a photocatalytic and self-renewed g-C3N4 nanosheet/poly-Schiff base composite coating towards long-term biofouling resistance
A new long-term anti-biofouling composite coating combining g-C3N4 nanosheets with degradable green poly-Schiff base resins, which integrates the dual functions of enhanced dynamic self-renewal and photocatalytic antibacterial activities.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00550C
A self-organized sandwich structure of chromium nitride for ultra-long lifetime in liquid sodium
A novel interface-engineering strategy consisting of the subtle control of the phase transition direction and interface diffusion reaction was proposed, successfully realizing self-organized surfaces and interfaces for use in harsh environments.
Mater. Horiz., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00698D
Pulsed laser welding of macroscopic 3D graphene materials
A laser welding technique that allows for rapidly joining macroscopic 3D graphene materials together under ambient conditions is theoretically proposed and experimentally realized.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 5597-5606
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH01148H
Dynamic covalent polymer engineering for stable and self-healing perovskite solar cells
Utilizing acylhydrazone-bonded waterborne polyurethane as a dynamic covalent polymer engineering approach, self-repairing perovskite solar cells demonstrate excellent durability with activation occurring at a relatively low temperature of ∼60 oC.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 5223-5234
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH01293J
Pioneering research on blue “hot exciton” polymers and their application in solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes
Molecular orbital management strategy has enabled the first “hot excitons” polymer materials with multiple excitons transfer channels between Tn and Sm states and the large spin–orbit coupling between the energetically close Tn and Sm states.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 3582-3588
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH00676J
Dual-infinite coordination polymer-engineered nanomedicines for dual-ion interference-mediated oxidative stress-dependent tumor suppression
Dual-infinite coordination polymer-engineered nanomedicines Fc@Ca–TA NPs for dual-ion interference-mediated oxidative stress-dependent tumor suppression.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 2109-2119
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH00001J
Dynamic competitive strains enabled self-supporting Janus nanostructured films for high-performance airflow perception
A smart spiderweb composed of graphene/carbon sphere hybrid in a self-supported form was rationally designed, which enabled dynamic strain competition to efficiently perceive both an ultralow airflow of 0.0087 m s−1 and high velocity of 23 m s−1.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 1264-1273
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2MH01482C
A fully hydrophobic ionogel enables highly efficient wearable underwater sensors and communicators
A fully hydrophobic ionogel sensor possesses excellent underwater sensing performance with high sensitivity, rapid responsiveness and superior durability, showing great potential in underwater communication and marine biological research.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 2761-2770
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MH00998B
About this collection
In celebration of the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) 20th anniversary, Materials Horizons has published this collection showcasing some of the recent and impactful research from the institute.
NIMTE, as a research institute affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was officially founded in April 2004. NIMTE aims to strengthen the cross-integration of materials science, as its main discipline, with other disciplines in chemistry, physics, information technology, medical engineering and mechanical engineering. NIMTE primarily pursues research conducting fundamental, forward-looking and world-leading developments in the field of materials science.
This collection features work previously and recently published in Materials Horizons from researchers based at the institute. We hope that the broad range of research showcased in the collection will serve as an indicator of the impactful work being published at the NIMTE.