Themed collection 2017 Materials Chemistry Frontiers Review-type Articles
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Understanding and suppressing side reactions in Li–air batteries
Side reactions occurring during cycling largely hinder the practical application of Li–air batteries. This review article describes the issues and solutions to tackle the problems of side reactions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2495-2510
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00353F
Late transition metal catalyzed α-olefin polymerization and copolymerization with polar monomers
Recent developments on late transition metal catalyzed α-olefin polymerization and copolymerization with polar comonomers are reviewed.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2487-2494
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00321H
Recent advances in AIEgen-based luminescent metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks
This review gives a brief introduction to AIEgen-based MOFs and COFs and focuses on their photoluminescence properties and potential applications.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2474-2486
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00254H
Designing hybrid architectures for advanced thermoelectric materials
The recent advances in solution-synthesized thermoelectric materials with hybrid architectures have been briefly summarized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2457-2473
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00306D
Design and effective synthesis methods for high-performance polymer semiconductors in organic field-effect transistors
Design and effective synthesis methods for high-performance polymer semiconductor-based OFETs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2423-2456
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00169J
Recent progress in conversion reaction metal oxide anodes for Li-ion batteries
Single and binary metal oxides based on conversion reactions for Li-ion batteries are discussed in this review.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2213-2242
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00175D
Recent progress in the direct synthesis of hierarchical zeolites: synthetic strategies and characterization methods
Hierarchically structured zeolites combine the merits of microporous zeolites and mesoporous materials to offer enhanced molecular diffusion and mass transfer without compromising the inherent catalytic activities and selectivity of zeolites.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2195-2212
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00168A
Molecular conformation and packing: their critical roles in the emission performance of mechanochromic fluorescence materials
Mechanochromic fluorescence (MCF) materials are a sort of smart material whose photophysical properties are sensitive to mechanical stimulation, such as photoluminescence color, fluorescence quantum yield and emission lifetime.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2174-2194
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00201G
Recent advances in metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts for electrochemical water splitting
The recent developments of metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts for electrochemical water splitting have been comprehensively summarized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2155-2173
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00119C
Engineering the surface charge states of nanostructures for enhanced catalytic performance
This review outlines recent progress in the design of catalytic materials for tailoring surface charge states toward enhanced catalytic performance.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1951-1964
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00020K
Rhenium dichalcogenides (ReX2, X = S or Se): an emerging class of TMDs family
ReX2 can have wide applications in (opto-)electronics due to an unusual distorted octahedral (1T) crystal structure in which each monolayer contains diamond-shaped chains.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1917-1932
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00373G
Approaches to high performance white organic light-emitting diodes for general lighting
A review on small molecule WOLEDs including charge balance, emissive materials, device architectures, and light out-coupling techniques is provided.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1933-1950
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00365F
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Metal organic frameworks as precursors for the manufacture of advanced catalytic materials
Metal organic frameworks are thoroughly reviewed as exemplary precursors for the manufacture of highly catalytically active materials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1709-1745
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00007C
Research progress regarding Si-based anode materials towards practical application in high energy density Li-ion batteries
Key aspects of Si-based anode materials towards practical applications.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1691-1708
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00302H
Clinical application of polymeric micelles for the treatment of cancer
Recent progress of polymeric micelle formulations currently under clinical evaluation for the treatment of cancer.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1485-1501
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00289G
Recent development and understanding of polymer–nanocrystal hybrid solar cells
This review presents a general overview of polymer–nanocrystal hybrid solar cells (HSCs). The device structure and operation mechanism of bulk heterojunction HSCs are introduced, and recent works that have been done to improve the device performance or clarify the operation mechanism are summarized and discussed in detail. Also, the challenges and perspectives of HSCs are presented.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1502-1513
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00022G
CO2 capture under humid conditions in metal–organic frameworks
An emerging technology for CO2 capture is the construction of hybrid adsorbent MOFs via confinement of water inside the pores. This review article describes the recent progress in this field.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1471-1484
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00301J
Multifunctional silica nanoparticles as a promising theranostic platform for biomedical applications
Recent advances in the use of nonporous silica nanoparticles as theranostic platforms for various biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery, bioimaging and bio-adhesives.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1257-1272
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00153C
New developments in non-fullerene small molecule acceptors for polymer solar cells
This review describes developments of non-fullerene small molecular acceptors in solar cells since 2015, including rylene imide, indacenodithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1291-1303
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00247A
Application of ionic liquids for dissolving cellulose and fabricating cellulose-based materials: state of the art and future trends
Herein, this review article aims to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of research progress in the dissolution and processing of cellulose with ionic liquids.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1273-1290
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00348F
Recent progress in interfacial polymerization
Herein, recent progress in interfacial polymerization from the aspects of theory models, fabrication methods, and applications has been summarized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1028-1040
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00325G
Ordered mesoporous carbon and its applications for electrochemical energy storage and conversion
Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) is a versatile material providing interconnected channels for the diffusion of electroactive species in electrochemical systems.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1001-1027
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00298F
Recent progress and advances in redox-responsive polymers as controlled delivery nanoplatforms
Recent advances and progress in redox-responsive polymeric nanosystems for biomedical applications are discussed in this review article.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 807-822
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00135A
Electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage
Innovative salt solutions and liquid salts can advance batteries, supercapacitors, and supercapatteries for stationary, transport, seasonal and regional energy storage.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 584-618
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00169F
Recent developments in III–V semiconducting nanowires for high-performance photodetectors
We present a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in III–V NW-based photodetectors operating in the UV, visible and infrared spectra range.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 630-645
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00279J
Emission enhancement and application of synthetic green fluorescent protein chromophore analogs
Emission enhancement and application of GFPc analogs are achieved via chemical modification or physical encapsulation due to conformational motion inhibition.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 619-629
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00148C
Multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures: promising platforms for lithium-ion batteries
Multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries can improve the capacity, stability and rate capability simultaneously.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 414-430
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00273K
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Increasing the stability of Mg2(dobpdc) metal–organic framework in air through solvent removal
A simple way to increase MOFs stability in air? Solvent removal. Counterintuitive? No, it is not. The condensation of water is delayed by removing all the solvent (polar) molecules from the pores.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 444-448
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00220J
Recent advances in the synthesis of Janus nanomaterials of block copolymers
We present a review of the very recent advances in the synthesis of block copolymer (BCP) Janus nanomaterials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 431-443
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00116E
Conducting polymer composites: material synthesis and applications in electrochemical capacitive energy storage
This review investigates relevant topics in the design and fabrication of conducting polymer composites for electrochemical capacitive energy storage.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 251-268
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00150E
Revisiting one-dimensional TiO2 based hybrid heterostructures for heterogeneous photocatalysis: a critical review
The developments of a large variety of one-dimensional TiO2 based heterostructures for extensive photocatalytic applications have been comprehensively summarized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 231-250
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00141F
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based hybrid materials and their applications
POSS are nano-sized stable 3-dimensional architectures which consist of alternate Si–O bonds to form cage structures with Si atoms as vertices.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 212-230
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00062B
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Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide nanomaterials for biosensing applications
We summarize the recent progress on two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide nanomaterial-based biosensors, including optical sensors, electrochemical sensors, and bioelectronic sensors.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 24-36
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00195E
Graphene papers: smart architecture and specific functionalization for biomimetics, electrocatalytic sensing and energy storage
We present a review of graphene papers regarding their smart assembly, functionalization and applications in biomimetics, sensors and energy devices.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 37-60
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00145A
The ‘folklore’ and reality of reticular chemistry
The field of reticular chemistry is rapidly expanding and, as is true for any emerging field, there exists ‘folklores’ that permeate through the scientific discourse. It is within this context that we seek to address these ‘folklores’ in order to provide the realities of reticular chemistry.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1304-1309
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00144D
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Nanoarchitectonics: a navigator from materials to life
Nanoarchitectonics can work as a navigator to convert conventional materials into life-like high-level functional systems for materials innovation in the future.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 208-211
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00240D
About this collection
Critical reviews and chemistry frontiers articles published in Materials Chemistry Frontiers during 2017 are collated as below for the benefit of readers.