Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry A Lunar New Year collection 2022
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In-depth understanding of the energy loss and efficiency limit of dye-sensitized solar cells under outdoor and indoor conditions
This perspective thoroughly explores the energy loss factors in DSSCs and estimates the feasible efficiency of DSSCs under outdoor and indoor conditions, and compares it with the SQ limit of an ideal solar cell.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 24830-24848
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA03309C
Nonfullerene acceptors for P3HT-based organic solar cells
Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a promising donor for the large-scale organic solar cell fabrication in a cost-effective way. A series of nonfullerene acceptors compatible with P3HT are summarized in this review.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 18857-18886
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA03219D
Advances of the top-down synthesis approach for high-performance silicon anodes in Li-ion batteries
A comprehensive review of low-cost top-down approaches to enhance the electrochemical performance of silicon anodes, including future research directions.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 18906-18926
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02711E
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Tin oxide for optoelectronic, photovoltaic and energy storage devices: a review
Tin dioxide (SnO2) used in various applications due to suitable band gap and tunable conductivity. It has excellent thermal, mechanical and chemical stability.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 16621-16684
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA01291F
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Recent progress in self-healing polymers and hydrogels based on reversible dynamic B–O bonds: boronic/boronate esters, borax, and benzoxaborole
Reversible boronic ester-based polymers/hydrogels achieve cutting-edge biomedical applications including drug delivery, adhesion, bioimplants, healthcare monitoring by self-healing, injectability, biocompatibility, multi-responsiveness to stimuli.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 14630-14655
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02308J
Recent progress in aqueous zinc-ion batteries: a deep insight into zinc metal anodes
Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have recently sparked an enormous surge of research attention, due to their environmental benignity, natural abundance, negligible safety issue, and exceptional electrochemical performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 6013-6028
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09111A
Recent advances in transition-metal-sulfide-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
This review summarizes recent advances relating to transition metal sulfide (TMS)-based bifunctional electrocatalysts, providing guidelines for the design and fabrication of TMS-based catalysts for practical application in water electrolysis.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 5320-5363
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA12152E
Recent progress in the development of biomass-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon
Synthesis of biomass-derived N-doped porous carbon for energy storage and catalysis applications is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 3703-3728
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09706C
Interface engineering of transitional metal sulfide–MoS2 heterostructure composites as effective electrocatalysts for water-splitting
Recent progress about transitional metal sulfide–MoS2 heterostructure composites are reviewed based on the view point of interface engineering.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 2070-2092
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10815D
Porous evaporators with special wettability for low-grade heat-driven water desalination
Design of novel special wettable evaporators with robust stability for high-performances porous interface distillation.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 702-726
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09193F
Trimetallic PtNiCo branched nanocages as efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts towards oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions
A trimetallic PtNiCo branched nanocage was fabricated via an etching process. The optimized electronic structure with Co and Ni accelerate the sluggish kinetic process in ORR and MOR with significantly catalytic enhancement and high durability.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 23444-23450
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA07488A
Revealing the asymmetric redox dynamics of a porous bismuth anode in an efficient Ni//Bi battery
A porous Bi electrode prepared by a chemical dealloying method shows asymmetric redox dynamics and contributes to an efficient Ni//Bi battery with high specific capacity, excellent rating performance and cycling stability.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 22269-22276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06587D
Concomitant shape and palladium engineering of hollow conjugated microporous photocatalysts to boost visible light-induced hydrogen evolution
Hollow conjugated microporous polymer photocatalysts bearing Pd nanoparticles were engineered to show visible light-induced HERs up to 7100 μmol h−1 g−1 and AQYs up to 3.72% (@420 nm).
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 22262-22268
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06498C
Direct synthesis of barium titanium oxyhydride for use as a hydrogen permeable electrode
Barium titanium oxyhydride BaTiO3−xHx with H−/e− mixed conductivity was directly synthesized by a mechanochemical method, and its function as a hydrogen permeable electrode was confirmed.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 20371-20374
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA05783A
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Oriented growth of semiconducting TCNQ@Cu3(BTC)2 MOF on Cu(OH)2: crystallographic orientation and pattern formation toward semiconducting thin-film devices
Oriented film and pattern of TCNQ@Cu3(BTC)2(HKUST-1) fabricated via epitaxial growth exhibit anisotropic electrical properties toward MOF-based (flexible) thin-film smart device applications, such as transistors and thermoelectric thin films.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 19613-19618
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02968A
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Why is the O3 to O1 phase transition hindered in LiNiO2 on full delithiation?
The O1 phase transition is suppressed by Ni migration to tetrahedral sites in NiO2.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 15963-15967
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA03066C
A programmable powerful and ultra-fast water-driven soft actuator inspired by the mutable collagenous tissue of the sea cucumber
Composition/dimensional adjustment of a bulk PNIPAAm-based water-driven soft actuator tuned actuation force/speed in wide ranges at maximum of 2 N and 3 s−1, respectively, demonstrating immediate potentials in soft robotics and biomedical appliance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 15937-15947
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02566J
Boosting reverse water-gas shift reaction activity of Pt nanoparticles through light doping of W
We report PtW solid-solution alloy nanoparticles (NPs) as a reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction catalyst for the first time. Atomic-level alloying of Pt and W significantly enhanced the RWGS reaction activity of Pt NPs.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 15613-15617
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA03480D
Environmentally friendly thermoelectric sulphide Cu2ZnSnS4 single crystals achieving a 1.6 dimensionless figure of merit ZT
A record high dimensionless figure of merit ZT = 1.6 has been achieved in totally environmentally benign Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) single crystal.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 15595-15604
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02978A
Alkylthiol surface engineering: an effective strategy toward enhanced electrocatalytic N2-to-NH3 fixation by a CoP nanoarray
Building a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer of octadecanethiol on a CoP nanoarray on a titanium mesh (C18@CoP/TM) greatly enhances the N2 reduction activity with an NH3 yield of 1.44 × 10−10 mol s−1 cm−2 and a FE of 14.03% in 0.1 M Na2SO4.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 13861-13866
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02424H
Triboelectric energy harvesting using conjugated microporous polymer nanoparticles in polyurethane films
Conjugated microporous polymers offer potential as triboelectrification materials for triboelectric nanogenerators.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 12560-12565
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA01732B
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Computational design of a switchable heterostructure electrocatalyst based on a two-dimensional ferroelectric In2Se3 material for the hydrogen evolution reaction
The theoretical design of an ON–OFF switchable HER catalyst based on the two-dimensional ferroelectric material In2Se3 and transition metal cobalt.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 11553-11562
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09738A
Soft template-mediated coupling construction of sandwiched mesoporous PPy/Ag nanoplates for rapid and selective NH3 sensing
We propose a facile soft template-mediated coupling construction strategy for one-step fabrication of sandwiched mesoporous PPy/Ag nanoplates at the liquid interface, and the hybrid showed great chemical sensing performance for NH3 gas.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 8308-8316
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA01110C
Atomic-thin hexagonal CuCo nanocrystals with d-band tuning for CO2 reduction
Hexagonal CuCo nanocrystals are exploited for CO2 reduction at high faradaic efficiency. Density functional theory calculates the structure-oriented binding energy of intermediates for catalyst optimization.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 7496-7502
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA12022G
High-density monolithic pellets of double-sided graphene fragments based on zeolite-templated carbon
High-density and highly porous graphene-based pellets with anomalous gas densification property and glass-like hardness have been fabricated by using zeolite-templated carbon and reduced graphene oxide.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 7503-7507
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA11625D
Semitransparent organic solar cells exhibiting 13.02% efficiency and 20.2% average visible transmittance
The PCEs of OSCs and AVTs of corresponding blend films can be continuously optimized by adjusting D18-Cl:Y6-1O ratios and introducing Y6 as the third component. 13.02% PCE and 20.2% AVT are achieved in the semitransparent ternary OSCs.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 6797-6804
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA01135A
Electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production in acidic media enabled by NiS2 nanosheets
NiS2 acts as an active and selective electrocatalyst for the two-electron O2 reduction reaction in acids, achieving a selectivity of up to 99% and a H2O2 yield rate of 109 ppm h−1. The catalytic mechanism is further investigated by theoretical calculations.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 6117-6122
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA12008A
Order-disorder transition-induced band nestification in AgBiSe2–CuBiSe2 solid solutions for superior thermoelectric performance
The AgBiSe2–CuBiSe2 system shows band nestification at high temperatures, resulting in heavy DOS effective mass while preserving electron mobility.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 4648-4657
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA08484K
Boosting the stability and photoelectrochemical activity of a BiVO4 photoanode through a bifunctional polymer coating
A bifunctional polyimide (PI) film serving as the catalyst and protective layer on a BiVO4 photoanode not only improves the photoelectrochemical performance, but also enhances the stability of the photoanode in strongly alkaline electrolytes.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 3309-3313
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA12181A
A magnetron sputtered Mo3Si thin film: an efficient electrocatalyst for N2 reduction under ambient conditions
Mo3Si is a superior catalyst for electrochemical N2 reduction in 0.1 M Na2SO4, offering a large NH3 yield of 2 × 10−10 mol s−1 cm−2 and a high Faraday efficiency of 6.69% at −0.4 V and −0.3 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode, respectively.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 884-888
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA11231C
Ultrathin MoS2 flakes embedded in nanoporous graphene films for a multi-functional electrode
The ultrathin few-layer MoS2 sheets directly grown on a nanoporous graphene film (MoS2/NGF), which successfully addressed the shortcomings of bulk MoS2 for multi-functional electrodes.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 928-936
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10397G
Carbothermal conversion of boric acid into boron-oxy-carbide nanostructures for high-power supercapacitors
In this study, we report a facile carbothermal method for the preparation of boron-oxy-carbide (BOC) nanostructures and explore their properties towards electrochemical energy storage devices.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 915-921
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09154E
Phase-junction engineering boosts the performance of CoSe2 for efficient sodium/potassium storage
The phase-junction engineering of CoSe2 on SiC NWs boosts its performance for efficient sodium/potassium storage.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 25954-25963
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA08072E
Spin unlocking oxygen evolution reaction on antiperovskite nitrides
The spin state change of Fe3+ ions induced the paramagnetic Fe0.5Ni0.5OOH shell on the ferromagnetic Cu0.5NFe3Ni0.5 core via superexchange interaction, facilitating charge transfer and oxygen species ad(de)sorption for boosted OER performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 25435-25444
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA07561F
Covalent organic framework hydrogels for synergistic seawater desalination and uranium extraction
CPP with capillary microporous channels for rapid diffusion of uranyl ions and adequate water transport, and good photothermal effect can realize synergistic freshwater collection and uranium extraction.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 25611-25620
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06732J
Nitride MXenes as sulfur hosts for thermodynamic and kinetic suppression of polysulfide shuttling: a computational study
The modulation effect of surface terminating groups of nitride MXenes on the thermodynamic and kinetic suppression of polysulfide shuttling is studied by theoretical calculations.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 25391-25398
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06759A
Bio-based, robust, shape memory, self-healing and recyclable elastomers based on a semi-interpenetrating dynamic network
By using sustainable Eucommia ulmoides gum as a raw material, a robust, shape memory, self-healing and recyclable elastomer was fabricated based on a new strategy – a semi-interpenetrating dynamic network.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 25399-25407
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06299A
Well-defined Fe–Cu diatomic sites for efficient catalysis of CO2 electroreduction
A facile and scalable synthesis of N4Fe–CuN3 diatomic sites on N-doped carbon frameworks. The CO Faraday efficiency is >95% at −0.4 to −1.1 V with an overpotential of 50 mV.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 23817-23827
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02833B
A very mechanically strong and stretchable liquid-free double-network ionic conductor
In this paper, we first report very mechanically strong and stretchable liquid-free double-network ionic conductors (LFDNICs), which solve the trade-off between high mechanical strength and stretchability in a liquid-free ionic conductor.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 23714-23721
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA06724A
Tuning the molar mass of P3HT via direct arylation polycondensation yields optimal interaction and high efficiency in nonfullerene organic solar cells
The application and the molar mass dependence of P3HT via direct arylation polycondensation are explored in fullerene-free solar cells. The medium molar mass batch delivered a top efficiency of ∼10%.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 19874-19885
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA02253A
Improved stability and efficiency of perovskite/organic tandem solar cells with an all-inorganic perovskite layer
This work presents high-performance and stable all-inorganic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells with a champion efficiency of 18.06% and excellent stability under light and thermal conditions.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 19778-19787
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA12286F
Highly tough, freezing-tolerant, healable and thermoplastic starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) organohydrogels for flexible electronic devices
Herein, the preparation of a highly tough, freezing-tolerant, healable and thermoplastic starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) organohydrogel for flexible electronic devices is presented.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 18406-18420
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA04336F
Unravelling the origin of bifunctional OER/ORR activity for single-atom catalysts supported on C2N by DFT and machine learning
A group of bifunctional oxygen evolution/reduction reaction single-atom catalysts supported on C2N, is proposed. The origin of their high catalytic activity is elucidated by density functional theory calculations and machine learning modelling.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 16860-16867
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA04256D
NiCo2O4 nanosheets as a novel oxygen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst in situ bonded on the g-C3N4 photocatalyst for excellent overall water splitting
NiCo2O4 is in situ assembled on g-C3N4 and works as a novel oxygen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst to promote photocatalytic O2-evolution reaction, then Pt–NiCo2O4 dual cocatalyst loaded g-C3N4 achieves photocatalytic overall water splitting.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 12299-12306
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA00241D
Rationally designed hierarchical N-doped carbon nanotubes wrapping waxberry-like Ni@C microspheres for efficient microwave absorption
The enhanced microwave absorption performance of composites benefits from simultaneous rational microstructure design and chemical composition modulation.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 5086-5096
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10942H
Inverse desert beetle-like ZIF-8/PAN composite nanofibrous membrane for highly efficient separation of oil-in-water emulsions
An inverse desert beetle-like ZIF-8/PAN membrane with the ability of “oil capture in water” can achieve oil-in-water emulsion separation.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 4167-4175
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA08469G
Synthesis of core–shell Co@S-doped carbon@ mesoporous N-doped carbon nanosheets with a hierarchically porous structure for strong electromagnetic wave absorption
Electromagnetic wave absorbents with hierarchically porous and core–shell structures have significantly positive influence on the electromagnetic wave absorption because of the enhanced interfacial polarization.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 3567-3575
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09393A
Electrostatically self-assembled two-dimensional magnetized MXene/hollow Fe3O4 nanoparticle hybrids with high electromagnetic absorption performance and improved impendence matching
Two-dimensional magnetized MXene-based hybrids, obtained by electrostatic self-assembly of Ti3C2Tx with hollow Fe3O4 nanoparticles, achieved high electromagnetic absorption performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 3500-3510
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10551A
Boron “gluing” nitrogen heteroatoms in a prepolymerized ionic liquid-based carbon scaffold for durable supercapacitive activity
Doped boron atoms are bridged to glue more electroactive nitrogen sites on the carbon surface, and the high binding energy of the consequent B–C bonds further consolidates the porous carbon scaffold for durable ion/electron transfer.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 2714-2724
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA09985F
Mo2B2 MBene-supported single-atom catalysts as bifunctional HER/OER and OER/ORR electrocatalysts
Ni@Mo2B2 can be used as a HER/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst while Cu@Mo2B2 can be used as an OER/ORR bifunctional electrocatalyst.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 433-441
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA08630D
About this collection
To mark the Lunar New Year, this web collection features the top 50 most popular articles published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A in 2021 by corresponding authors based in Asia.
Congratulations to all of the authors whose articles have been featured!