Themed collection Materials Chemistry Frontiers HOT articles for 2018
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Aqueous immiscible layered double hydroxides – AIM-LDHs
Synthesis and characterisation of aqueous immiscible layered double hydroxides (AIM-LDHs).
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2277-2285
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00407B
An excellent cryogenic magnetic cooler: magnetic and magnetocaloric study of an inorganic frame material
We report the crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility and isothermal magnetization of inorganic frame material Gd(OH)SO4 (1). The maximum entropy changes for 1 at high field (7 T) and low fields (smaller than 3 T) were comparable to commercial gadolinium gallium garnet Gd3Ga5O12.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2327-2332
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00439K
Liquid crystal gelators with photo-responsive and AIE properties
trans-Cn-Chol present smectic A phase and photo-responsive SmA–isotropic phase transition, and their organogels exhibit aggregation-induced emission and photo-responsive gel–sol transition.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2245-2253
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00340H
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Lightweight foams of amine-rich organosilica and cellulose nanofibrils by foaming and controlled condensation of aminosilane
Preparation of stable and lightweight hybrid foams from cellulose nanofibrils (TCNFs) and amine-rich organosilane (AS) by controlled sol–gel chemistry of the AS.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2220-2229
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00360B
Side-chain effect of perylene diimide tetramer-based non-fullerene acceptors for improving the performance of organic solar cells
PDIPQ-C5 and PDIPQ-C6 were synthesized to study side-chain effects of PDI tetramer-based non-fullerene acceptors. OSCs based on PDIPQ-C5:P3TEA blend films with 2.5% DIO exhibited the highest PCEs (5.16%).
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2104-2108
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00451J
Total membrane lipid assay (MLA): simple and practical quantification of exosomes based on efficient membrane-specific dyes unaffected by proteins
MLA uses two fluorescent dyes for ratiometric determination of exosomes' membrane lipids.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2130-2139
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00300A
Unexpected room-temperature phosphorescence from a non-aromatic, low molecular weight, pure organic molecule through the intermolecular hydrogen bond
The first example of a pure non-aromatic organic small molecule, cyanoacetic acid (CAA), with unexpected persistent RTP behavior is reported, which possesses the RTP lifetime as long as 862 ms.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2124-2129
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00396C
Hydrogen bonding directed co-assembly of polyoxometalates and polymers to core–shell nanoparticles
A general strategy has been developed to co-assemble polyoxometalates and polymers into core–shell hybrid nanoparticles via hydrogen bonding interaction.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2070-2075
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00291F
High-performance organic field-effect transistors based on organic single crystal microribbons fabricated by an in situ annealing method
High-performance field-effect transistors based on organic single crystal microribbons were fabricated by in situ annealing of organic films.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2026-2031
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00385H
Enhancement of intra- and inter-molecular π-conjugated effects for a non-fullerene acceptor to achieve high-efficiency organic solar cells with an extended photoresponse range and optimized morphology
The extended π-conjugation of DF-PCNC leads to higher PCE and JSC for the resultant OSCs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 2006-2012
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00318A
Ultrafine molybdenum phosphide nanocrystals on a highly porous N,P-codoped carbon matrix as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Ultrafine MoP nanocrystals on N,P-codoped carbon matrix are fabricated by a one-step carbothermal-phosphorization strategy, exhibiting high electrocatalytic activity.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1987-1996
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00226F
Improved efficiency in fullerene and non-fullerene polymer solar cells having an interdigitated interface with the electron transport layer
An interdigitated interface between the electron transport layer and the photoactive layer has been created and found to increase the efficiency of both fullerene and non-fullerene based solar cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1859-1865
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00347E
A novel hierarchical precursor of densely integrated hydroxide nanoflakes on oxide microspheres toward high-performance layered Ni-rich cathode for lithium ion batteries
LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode derived from a novel Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1Ox@Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1(OH)2 hierarchical precursor exhibits improved tap density and initial coulombic efficiency, as well as excellent cycling stability and superior rate capability.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1822-1828
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00326B
A novel lithium-ion hybrid capacitor based on an aerogel-like MXene wrapped Fe2O3 nanosphere anode and a 3D nitrogen sulphur dual-doped porous carbon cathode
A novel lithium-ion hybrid capacitor was assembled based on an aerogel-like Ti3C2Tx@Fe2O3 anode and a 3-D dual-doped porous carbon cathode.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1811-1821
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00232K
Molecular-level anchoring of polymer cathodes on carbon nanotubes towards rapid-rate and long-cycle sodium-ion storage
A non-covalent functionalized radical polymer anchored on CNTs through π–π interactions with remarkable sodium-ion battery performance as a novel cathode.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1805-1810
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00163D
Non-noble-metal bismuth nanoparticle-decorated bismuth vanadate nanoarray photoanode for efficient water splitting
Sunlight-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting using earth-abundant semiconductor-based materials offers one promising strategy to produce attainable and sustainable carbon free energy.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1799-1804
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00239H
Turn-on fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for polyazoles
The detection of polyazoles is important for both the environmental protection and homeland security.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1779-1783
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00235E
Well-aligned metal–organic framework array-derived CoS2 nanosheets toward robust electrochemical water splitting
Highly open three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures composed of two-dimensional (2D) CoS2 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth (CoS2 NS/CC) have been synthesized by vulcanizing well-aligned MOF-array precursors and further used as superior bifunctional electrocatalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water splitting under alkaline media.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1732-1738
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00259B
Sharp-featured Au@Ag core/shell nanocuboid synthesis and the label-free ultrasensitive SERS detection of protein single-point mutations
Sharp-featured Au@Ag core/shell nanocuboids were synthesized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1720-1724
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00185E
A heptacyclic carbon–oxygen-bridged ladder-type building block for A–D–A acceptors
A–D–A acceptors based on a heptacyclic carbon–oxygen-bridged ladder-type unit, COi7, can give a high fill factor in organic solar cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1716-1719
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00285A
A novel bifunctional A–D–A type small molecule for efficient organic solar cells
A novel A–D–A type small molecule named DTFBR was designed and synthesized. DTFBR exhibited bifunctional properties when combined with different photovoltaic materials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1626-1630
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00223A
CO2-switchable response of protein microtubules: behaviour and mechanism
In this study, a new mechanism on CO2-responsiveness of protein microtubules constructed by dual non-covalent interactions has been demonstrated.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1642-1646
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00245B
Thermo-responsive phase-transition polymer grafted magnetic FePt nanoparticles with tunable critical temperature for controlled drug release
A tunable temperature stimuli-responsive drug release system based on phase transition polymer grafted magnetic FePt nanoparticles has been realized.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1609-1617
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00154E
Understanding the side-chain effects on A–D–A acceptors: in-plane and out-of-plane
The in-plane and out-of-plane alkyl chains significantly affect the acceptors’ solubility and photovoltaic performance. NNFA[6, 6] and NNFA[12, 3] with medium solubility present suitable miscibility with the donor material, affording more favorable morphology and higher performance than other NNFAs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1563-1567
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00238J
AIE-based super-resolution imaging probes for β-amyloid plaques in mouse brains
AIE-based super-resolution probes are introduced for the super-resolution imaging of fibrillar amyloids with 30 nm resolution.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1554-1562
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00209F
Folate-conjugated and pH-triggered doxorubicin and paclitaxel co-delivery micellar system for targeted anticancer drug delivery
A folate-conjugated and pH-sensitive micellar system co-encapsulating doxorubicin and paclitaxel was developed for targeted and combination chemotherapy.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1529-1538
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00217G
The unusual aggregation-induced emission of coplanar organoboron isomers and their lipid droplet-specific applications
Organoboron isomers are not only rare coplanar AIEgens stemmed from excited-state double-bond reorganization, but also specifically target lipid droplets.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1498-1507
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00184G
Porous metal–organic frameworks based on 3,6-bis(4-benzoic acid)-N-(4-benzoic acid)carbazole for HPLC separation of small organic molecules
A stable porous MOF with a controllable particle size can be used as an HPLC situational phase for small organic molecule separations.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1508-1514
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00147B
Pillararene-based host–guest recognition facilitated magnetic separation and enrichment of cell membrane proteins
A magnetic solid phase extraction strategy for the separation and enrichment of cell membrane proteins with convenience and reliability was constructed by means of pillararene-based host–guest recognition.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1475-1480
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00141C
Mo-Triggered amorphous Ni3S2 nanosheets as efficient and durable electrocatalysts for water splitting
A Mo-triggered amorphous Ni3S2 electrocatalyst greatly enhances adsorption of HER targeted intermediates without sacrificing its excellent OER activity for water splitting.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1462-1466
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00178B
Directionally assembled MoS2 with significantly expanded interlayer spacing: a superior anode material for high-rate lithium-ion batteries
Interlayer-expanded MoS2 nanosheets directionally assembled on multi-walled carbon nanotubes represent a new class of anode materials for lithium ion batteries with superior high rate capacity.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1441-1448
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00117K
High performance low dielectric polysiloxanes with high thermostability and low water uptake
Two novel low dielectric polysiloxanes with high thermostability and low water uptake were developed.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1397-1402
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00104A
The 4-pyridonyl group as a multifunctional electron donor in 1,8-naphthalimide-based photoluminescent and mechanically interlocked coordination compounds
The 4-pyridonyl group is explored as a substituent for 1,8-naphthalimides, revealing interesting structural chemistry and photoluminescence behaviour in crystalline materials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1366-1373
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00182K
Designed synthesis of organosilica nanoparticles for enzymatic biodiesel production
Benzene-bridged dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles significantly improve the catalytic activity and stability of lipase.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1334-1342
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00078F
Digestive ripening in the formation of monodisperse silver nanospheres
Hydrophilic monodisperse silver nanospheres were synthesized by digestive ripening with decoupled etching and surface stabilization using two independent chemical agents.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1328-1333
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00077H
Exploration of the two-step crystallization of organic micro/nano crystalline materials by fluorescence spectroscopy
A phase transition from amorphous nanospheres to crystalline nanorods was achieved and monitored in situ and in real-time by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1323-1327
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00118A
A single palladium site catalyst as a bridge for converting homogeneous to heterogeneous in dimerization of terminal aryl acetylenes
Herein, we utilize the surface dangling bond of MOFs as anchoring sites to access single Pd sites embedded on a hollow MOF nanobox.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1317-1322
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00095F
Janus quantum dot vesicles generated through membrane fusion
Janus vesicles containing different fluorescent quantum dots in two hemispheres are prepared through a membrane fusion method.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1040-1045
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00059J
Facile one-pot synthesis of MOF supported gold pseudo-single-atom catalysts for hydrogenation reactions
Pseudo single atom Au/MOF catalysts are synthesized using a facile wet-chemistry approach on a large scale and show excellent performance in p-nitrophenol hydrogenation.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1024-1030
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00081F
6,6′-Diaryl-substituted biazulene diimides for solution-processable high-performance n-type organic semiconductors
High electron mobility derived from dense molecular packing induced by the dipolar moment of azulene units.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 975-985
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00047F
The lower rather than higher density charge carrier determines the NH3-sensing nature and sensitivity of ambipolar organic semiconductors
NH3 sensing behavior from ambiplolar bisphthalocyanines manifests the lower density carrier (hole vs. electron) with faster charge transporting speed in semiconducting layer in determining the sensing response nature.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 1009-1016
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00607A
A general strategy to simulate osmotic energy conversion in multi-pore nanofluidic systems
To get precise simulation for ion transport in porous nanofluidic systems, the influence of neighbouring nanopores should be seriously considered.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 935-941
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00031J
Synthesis and properties of spiro-type heterasumanenes containing group 14 elements as bridging atoms
Spiro-type heterasumanenes composed of two triphenylenodithiophene units and group 14 bridging atoms were synthesized by stepwise lithiations of hexaalkoxytriphenylene derivatives and treatment with heteroatom reagents.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 929-934
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00590C
pH-Responsive aggregation-induced emission of Au nanoclusters and crystallization of the Au(I)–thiolate shell
The Au(I)–thiolate complexes inserted their chains into the shell of Au nanoclusters, forming a crystalline shell with enhanced emission.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 923-928
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00609H
Solid-state fluorescent materials based on coumarin derivatives: polymorphism, stimuli-responsive emission, self-assembly and optical waveguides
Coumarin-based fluorophores were studied to serve as multifunctionalized solid-state fluorescent materials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 910-916
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00617A
Integration of aligned polymer nanofibers within a microfluidic chip for efficient capture and rapid release of circulating tumor cells
Zwitterion-functionalized aligned nanofibers integrated with a microfluidic chip can be used for highly efficient capture and rapid release of CTCs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 891-900
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00570A
Electron-transporting foldable alternating copolymers of perylenediimide and flexible macromolecular chains
Folding behaviours in solution, solid-state structure, and electron mobility are clarified for newly-synthesized alternating copolymers of perylenediimide and flexible chains.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 718-729
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00616K
A fast route to obtain modified tin oxide aerogels using hydroxostannate precursors
Routes to obtain pure and modified tin oxide aerogels for different applications starting with hexahydroxostannate via tin oxide sols.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 710-717
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00395A
High-efficiency ultrapure green organic light-emitting diodes
Efficient ultrapure green OLEDs were demonstrated by using a platinum complex (PtN7N) and a top emitting structure.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 704-709
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00588A
A carbon–oxygen-bridged hexacyclic ladder-type building block for low-bandgap nonfullerene acceptors
A ladder-type unit (COi6) and three related acceptors were developed. FTAZ:COi6FIC solar cells gave a power conversion efficiency of 9.12%.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 700-703
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8QM00004B
Kirigami nanofluidics
Kirigami nanofluidics is demonstrated here, where ionic transport through 2D laminar films can be manipulated by tailor-cutting the film shape.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 475-482
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00620A
Calcium ion-assisted lipid tubule formation
Calcium ions at mM concentrations promote the self-assembly of SOPC lipids into inter-connected hollow lipid tubes.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 603-608
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00521K
Cost-effective synthesis and solution processing of porous polymer networks through methanesulfonic acid-mediated aldol triple condensation
A highly efficient aldol triple condensation method was developed for scalable synthesis and solution processing of conjugated porous polymer networks.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 396-401
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00485K
Electrochemically tuned cobalt hydroxide carbonate with abundant grain boundaries for highly efficient electro-oxidation of hydrazine
Electrochemical tuning generated grain boundaries in Co(OH)x(CO3)0.5(2−x) offer numerous unparalleled active sites for highly efficient electro-oxidation of hydrazine.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 369-375
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00511C
Use of silylmethoxy groups as inducers of efficient room temperature phosphorescence from precious-metal-free organic luminophores
Crystals of and PMMA films doped with 2,5-bis(silylmethoxy)-1,4-diaroylbenzenes exhibit efficient green phosphorescence at room temperature.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 347-354
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00524E
Imidazole and triazole head group-containing polydiacetylenes for colorimetric monitoring of pH and detecting HCl gas
The family of conjugated polymers known as polydiacetylenes (PDAs) has been extensively utilized in designing stimuli-responsive colorimetric and fluorometric sensors.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 291-295
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00528H
New application of AIEgens realized in photodetectors: reduced work function of transparent electrodes and much improved performance
Highly sensitive organic photodetectors were achieved by the work function reduction of transparent electrodes with AIE molecules.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 264-269
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00404D
Fluorescence visualization of crystal formation and transformation processes of organic luminogens with crystallization-induced emission characteristics
A real-time, on-site, nondestructive, fluorescence imaging technique has been reported to monitor the crystal formation and transformation processes of organic luminogens.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 180-188
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00435D
Selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube arrays by ‘igniter-assisted gas-phase etching’
Small molecules are used as “igniters” for the selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by a gas phasing etching process.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 157-162
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00469A
Non-covalent molecular tweezer/guest complexation with Pt(II)⋯Pt(II) metal–metal interactions: toward intelligent photocatalytic materials
A novel supramolecular tweezering system has been developed for “on-demand” photocatalysis.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 76-80
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00424A
About this collection
Read some of the best research published from Materials Chemistry Frontiers in 2018. These articles are recommended by reviewers as being of significant novelty and interest.