Themed collection Materials Horizons 10th anniversary regional spotlight collection: China
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Aggregation-induced emission: fundamental understanding and future developments
In-depth discussion on recent progress of fundamental understanding of AIE mechanisms, identifying the existing challenges and opportunities for future developments.
Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 428-433
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH01331D
Magnetic skyrmions for unconventional computing
A rich variety of unconventional computing paradigms has been raised with the rapid development of nanoscale devices. Magnetic skyrmions, spin swirling quasiparticles, have been endowed with great expectations for unconventional computing.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 854-868
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01603A
Iodine capture in porous organic polymers and metal–organic frameworks materials
This review focuses on the research progress of the efficient iodine capture in porous POP and MOF materials.
Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 1571-1595
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH01656A
Recent advances in black phosphorus-based photonics, electronics, sensors and energy devices
Recent progress in black phosphorus-based photonics, electronics, sensors and energy devices has been reviewed.
Mater. Horiz., 2017,4, 997-1019
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7MH00543A
The pursuit of solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries: from comprehensive insight to emerging horizons
This review systematically summarizes the limitations of solid electrolytes including inorganic solid electrolytes, solid polymer electrolytes, and composite solid electrolytes.
Mater. Horiz., 2016,3, 487-516
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6MH00218H
Advances of flexible pressure sensors toward artificial intelligence and health care applications
Incorporating flexible pressure sensors with organic electronic devices allows their promising applications in artificial intelligence and the health care industry.
Mater. Horiz., 2015,2, 140-156
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4MH00147H
Non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics: an emerging horizon
Non-fullerene acceptors are undergoing rapid development, and are emerging as a hot horizon in organic electronics. Solution-processed bulk heterojunction solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors have shown encouraging power conversion efficiencies of over 4%. This article reviews recent developments in several classes of solution-processable non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics.
Mater. Horiz., 2014,1, 470-488
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4MH00042K
Molecular crystalline materials with tunable luminescent properties: from polymorphs to multi-component solids
The formation of polymorphs and multi-component solids (e.g. co-crystals) has played an important role in tuning luminescence of molecular materials.
Mater. Horiz., 2014,1, 46-57
https://doi.org/10.1039/C3MH00023K
Sensing–transducing coupled piezoelectric textiles for self-powered humidity detection and wearable biomonitoring
We proposed a sensing–transducing coupled strategy by embedding the high piezoresponse Sm-PMN-PT ceramic into a moisture-sensitive PEI via electrospinning to conjugate the humidity perception and signal transduction synchronously and sympatrically.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 842-851
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2MH01466A
A bioinspired antibacterial and photothermal membrane for stable and durable clean water remediation
The tobramycin-doped polydopamine nanoparticles were developed to construct solar evaporator, which exhibited synergistic antibacterial behaviors and high water evaporation rate, thus achieving stable reuse even under microbe-rich environment.
Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 268-276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2MH01151D
Polymer dielectric films exhibiting superior high-temperature capacitive performance by utilizing an inorganic insulation interlayer
Utilizing an MgO insulation interlayer reduces electrical conduction and enhances the electric breakdown strength of PEI dielectric films, this facile but effective method significantly improves the high temperature capacitive performance.
Mater. Horiz., 2022,9, 1273-1282
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MH01918J
Design of ultra-stretchable, highly adhesive and self-healable hydrogels via tannic acid-enabled dynamic interactions
By leveraging tannic-acid-enabled dynamic interactions, we designed an ionic hydrogel with boosted bulk and interfacial properties such as ultra-stretchability, remarkable self-healing capability and robust adhesion.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 3409-3416
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MH01324F
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
Stimulus-driven liquid metal and liquid crystal network actuators for programmable soft robotics
Shape-programmable soft actuators are developed through the integration of electrically conductive liquid metals with shape-morphing liquid crystal networks. Their applications in light-fueled oscillator, crawler and programmable robotic Shadow Play are demonstrated.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 2475-2484
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MH00623A
Mussel foot protein inspired tough tissue-selective underwater adhesive hydrogel
Novel underwater tissue-selective adhesive hydrogels with adhesion energy to wet porcine skin of ∼1011 J m−2 were made by bio-mimicking Mfps.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 997-1007
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01231A
Integrating molecular rigidity and chirality into thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters for highly efficient sky-blue and orange circularly polarized electroluminescence
Two pairs of D*–A type blue and orange CP-TADF emitters based on a rigid point chiral donor reveal high molecular rigidity, excellent PLQYs, and intense luminescence dissymmetry factors, which jointly enable highly efficient CP-OLEDs.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 547-555
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01521K
Synergy between dynamic covalent boronic ester and boron–nitrogen coordination: strategy for self-healing polyurethane elastomers at room temperature with unprecedented mechanical properties
Boron–nitrogen coordination in polyurethane elastomers enhances the dynamics of the boronic ester while introduces inter- and intra-molecular interactions, leading to mechanical robustness and excellent self-healing efficiency simultaneously.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 216-223
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01142H
A self-reinforcing and self-healing elastomer with high strength, unprecedented toughness and room-temperature reparability
A mechano-responsive strategy, known as strain-induced crystallization, is proposed to tailor room-temperature self-healing, highly mechanically-strong and unprecedentedly tough polyurethane elastomers.
Mater. Horiz., 2021,8, 267-275
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH01447H
Self-powered integrated system of a strain sensor and flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor by using a high performance ionic organohydrogel
A self-powered integrated strain sensor system which could be attached to the human body to detect human motion was developed.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 2085-2096
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH00100G
Stretchable, self-healing and tissue-adhesive zwitterionic hydrogels as strain sensors for wireless monitoring of organ motions
Stretchable, self-healing, and fatigue resistant polyzwitterionic nanocomposite hydrogels with polydopamine robustly adhere to the heart and lungs for in situ monitoring of dynamic motions through wireless transmission.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 1872-1882
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH00361A
Platinum single atoms on tin oxide ultrathin films for extremely sensitive gas detection
Single atom Pt significantly improves the sensing performances of ultrathin SnO2 films for detection of triethylamine.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 1519-1527
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH00495B
Prediction of a two-dimensional high-TC f-electron ferromagnetic semiconductor
Two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic semiconductors (FMSs) exhibit novel spin-dependent electronic and optical properties, opening up exciting opportunities for nanoscale spintronic devices.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 1623-1630
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MH00183J
Poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel-based anti-freezing ionic skin for a soft robotic gripper
A zwitterionic poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel with super-stretchability, self-healing ability, and high conductivity at −20 °C was fabricated and used for ionic skin for a soft robotic gripper.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 919-927
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9MH01688K
Transparent, mechanically robust, and ultrastable ionogels enabled by hydrogen bonding between elastomers and ionic liquids
A general strategy for the fabrication of mechanically robust ionogels by hydrogen bonding between elastomers and [NTf2]-based ILs is demonstrated.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 912-918
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9MH01699F
All-weather-available, continuous steam generation based on the synergistic photo-thermal and electro-thermal conversion by MXene-based aerogels
An all-weather steam generation system is achieved based on the alternative photo-thermal and electro-thermal conversion of crosslinked MXene aerogels.
Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 855-865
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9MH01443H
Photocatalytic effect of ZnO on the stability of nonfullerene acceptors and its mitigation by SnO2 for nonfullerene organic solar cells
Nonfullerene acceptors tend to decompose in the presence of ZnO due to photocatalytic activity, and SnO2 is an alternative for higher efficiency and better stability.
Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 1438-1443
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9MH00379G
An intrinsically stretchable humidity sensor based on anti-drying, self-healing and transparent organohydrogels
A facile solvent-exchange strategy is devised to fabricate anti-drying, self-healing and transparent organohydrogels for stretchable humidity sensing applications.
Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 595-603
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH01160E
A general salt-resistant hydrophilic/hydrophobic nanoporous double layer design for efficient and stable solar water evaporation distillation
A unique hydrophilic/hydrophobic nanoporous double layer structure was designed for efficient and stable solar water evaporation distillation.
Mater. Horiz., 2018,5, 1143-1150
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MH00386F
Simply realizing “water diode” Janus membranes for multifunctional smart applications
A facile strategy for the preparation of multifunctional Janus membranes was proposed, and excellent controllability of the membrane was demonstrated.
Mater. Horiz., 2017,4, 701-708
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7MH00216E
A multifunctional skin-like sensor based on a 3D printed thermo-responsive hydrogel
A 3D printed thermo-responsive hydrogel is designed as a novel multifunctional skin-like sensor.
Mater. Horiz., 2017,4, 694-700
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7MH00262A
Ultrasensitive and stretchable resistive strain sensors designed for wearable electronics
Strain sensors with both of stretchability and ultrahigh sensitivity have been designed and fabricated for various wearable monitoring applications.
Mater. Horiz., 2017,4, 502-510
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7MH00071E
Diffusion as a function of guest molecule length and functionalization in flexible metal–organic frameworks
Understanding guest diffusion in nanoporous host–guest systems is crucial in the efficient design of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for chemical separation and drug delivery applications.
Mater. Horiz., 2016,3, 355-361
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6MH00047A
Structural engineering of gold thin films with channel cracks for ultrasensitive strain sensing
A strain sensing structure with high gauge factors (GFs) is designed by engineering channel cracks in a gold thin film. The developed strain sensors possess GFs as high as 200 (ε < 0.5%), 1000 (0.5% < ε < 0.7%), and even exceeding 5000 (0.7% < ε < 1%).
Mater. Horiz., 2016,3, 248-255
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6MH00027D
A stable tetraphenylethene derivative: aggregation-induced emission, different crystalline polymorphs, and totally different mechanoluminescence properties
Two crystalline polymorphs of TMPE (Cp-form and Cc-form) exhibit totally different mechanoluminescence properties.
Mater. Horiz., 2016,3, 220-225
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6MH00025H
Sterically shielded blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters with improved efficiency and stability
Devices utilizing sterically shielded blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters achieve high efficiencies and long lifetimes simultaneously.
Mater. Horiz., 2016,3, 145-151
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5MH00258C
About this collection
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Materials Horizons we have curated a collection of our most popular articles with corresponding authors based in China. For Materials Horizons it is of great importance that we represent a truly diverse array of authors and their research, to learn from each other and develop global strategies to conquer the most pressing issues in materials science. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our contributors from China for continuing to provide high quality research to Materials Horizons. We strive to continue our work together to increase visibility of important research happening in these regions, taking steps towards making the world a better place.
This five-part series will be showcasing some of our very best authors from across 5 regions: