Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

Bridging the gap between academia and industry in plastic recycling will accelerate innovation and deployment toward solving the global challenge of plastic waste management and establishing net zero carbon society.

Generalized energy diagrams facilitate the understanding of the ionic and electronic charge carrier equilibrium in the bulk and at interfaces of devices based on mixed conductors, such as hybrid perovskite solar cells.

Hydrogel sensors have received massive attentions for wearable devices, recent advances in the fabrication and network structure of conductive polymer hydrogels are summarized, and their application in the field of wearable sensors is also discussed.

Hydrogen transfer from nitroamino to nitroimino promotes density, energy and safety of energetic materials suggesting excellent application prospects in designing next generation high energy density materials.

This review focuses on recent progress, current challenges and perspectives in interface-related phenomena of complex oxide ferroic thin films for electronics and energy applications.

This work centers the existing 2D superlattices (2DSs), reviewing the component (CSs), strain-induced (SSs) and moiré superlattices (MSs), respectively. We focus on their preparation, properties, and state-of-the-art applications of related devices.

We summarise chemical approaches to modify the properties of conjugated polymers by post-polymerisation functionalisation directly on the backbone.

This review will help readers to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the research field of two-photon absorption of halide perovskites from microscopic mechanisms to applications.

Non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) are an emerging class of therapeutics that show multi-mechanistic antimicrobial activity and hold great promise as next generation antimicrobial agents.

The possibility of creating well-controlled empty space within liquids is conceptually intriguing, and from an application perspective, full of potential.

Comprehension of bone–implant, gingiva–abutment and implant–abutment interfaces is necessary in material development. Mechanical complications of the implant–abutment interface provoke biologic complications of the other two interfaces.

Textile fabric fibers meet functionalized carbon nanostructures and 2D nanomaterials, enabling the fabrication of novel fabrics with advanced qualities against operational limitations and extreme environmental conditions.

This review summarizes eight different strategies to formulate non-flammable liquid electrolytes to improve safety of alkali-metal-ion batteries such as lithium-ion, sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries.

Sulfation of chitosan makes this polymer a closer mimic of heparins and heparan sulfates, giving rise to the so called heparanized chitosan, that exert their biological activities through their capacity to interact with a range of biological targets.

Electrical doping of metal halide perovskites (MPHs) is a key step towards the use of this efficient and cost-effective semiconductor class in modern electronics.

Tuning the chemical and physical crosslinks of poly(dimethyl siloxane)-based elastomers enables significantly enhanced puncture-resistant property with rapid self-healing capability.

Metamaterials present great potential in the applications of solar cells and nanophotonics, such as super lenses and other meta devices, owing to their superior optical properties.

A high performance flexible triboelectric nanogenerator using oxidation resistant pure copper nanowire electrodes.

The ordered magnetic strip domains in Ni films are switched between the y- and x-axes driven by electric-field due to electric-field-modulated in-plane magnetic anisotropies via strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling.

Reduced reaction enthalpy due to particles’ non-reactive volume is balanced by lower heat capacity. Front propagation is hindered by slowed curing kinetics.

Drastically enhanced sound absorption can be achieved in Helmholtz resonators by simply reshaping the cavity and bringing the cavity walls close to the pore.

Anomalously abrupt nucleation and growth kinetics in polarization switching of wurtzite ferroelectrics are demonstrated. The anomaly inspires an extension of the traditional model to a regime that simultaneous non-linear nucleation and growth occur.

Large-scale computer simulations of layered covalent-organic frameworks reveal temporal and spatial fluctuations that can be described as zigzag disorder.

The thermal stability of piezoelectricity in lead-free oxides is enhanced up to 300 °C with little loss of 6%. This record-value is achieved by a synergistic effect of shortening the polar ordering range and pinning the polar state in fine-grained oxides.

A novel approach to magnetoelectricity: the magnetopyroelectric effect enables heat-mediated magnetoelectricity through the combination of magnetic particle heating and pyroelectricity.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) and PEDOT:PSS have been combined to create a superior class of supramolecular and conductive ionic-electronic material that present attractive application in the field of bioelectronics.

A new generation of critical temperature indicators is developed for monitoring temperature decrease and providing irreversible visual signals. This is realized by using a switchable permeable–impermeable gold-liquid crystal elastomer membrane.

Here, we report on the growth of GeTe₂ thin films, a metastable phase. The GeTe₂ film was found to be a semiconductor with a layered structure.

Weak friction forces in the range of 0.006–0.080 N locally applied on mm-to-cm scales are visualized and colorimetrically quantified by the cascading responses using a device combining a stimuli responsive capsule, a conjugated polymer, and a substrate.

PolySMart enables modeling of real-size (linear, branched and network) polymers through mimicking a great variety of chemistry. It unlocks simulation of co-occurring polymerization reactions under non-stoichiometric conditions.

The competition between polar and antipolar states causes the ferroelectric/antiferroelectric hybrid-like dielectric behaviors, whereas all the antipolar degenerate ground states cause distinct situations, which have been overlooked to date.

The volcano plot for oxygen evolution, consisting of a plethora of different reaction mechanisms, reveals mechanistic changes in dependence of the descriptor (ΔG₁) and potential-dependent switching of the preferred pathway at the volcano apex.

Illustration of improved solar absorption capabilities of transparent 3D lattice structured electrodes compared to conventional flatbed electrodes for photoelectrochemical water electrolysis.

Diagram depicting the regeneration phenomenon in a paracetamol crystal post breakage along its cleavage plane.

Estimation of the electrically pumped perovskite lasing threshold carrier density from conventional optical pumping is significantly overestimated due to the slow hot carrier cooling process.

A simple yet powerful strategy of carrying out free radical polymerization of methacrylate monomers using a MOF-based initiator. The obtained composites maintain high catalytic activity towards a chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant.

Here, we showcase millimeter-sized self-oscillating gels featuring cell-like membrane/surface fluctuations. The cell-like fluctuation is only driven by nonthermal contributions; a propagating chemical wave of a Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction.

Design of dual redox-active porous polymers towards high-energy density and performance organic electrode materials for lithium metal battery and symmetric all-organic battery applications.

Fluorescence anisotropy from 6T organic emitters aligned inside boron nitride nanotubes, themselves aligned in a polymeric matrix.

A simple, single stage process is reported for the creation of a recyclable thermoset material from readily available epoxy resins and aliphatic amines, crosslinked with diboronic esters.

The transpiring wood is able to self-regulate indoor climate resulting in improved living comfort and substantial energy savings. The material sources and the fabrication process of transpiring wood also meet sustainability criteria.

A voltage-controllable N ion accumulation effect at the outer surface of CoN films, enabling ‘post-stimulated’ learning or forgetting under deep sleep (once voltage stimuli are off), is demonstrated, triggering the development of synapse emulation.

Supramolecular cationic nanomaterials of diverse nanostructure prepared by templated assembly. Size, shape and cationic group density of the nanomaterials play an important role in antibacterial activity.

We report a new paradigm, via a decoupled approach, in the design of acousto-mechanical multifunctional metamaterials.

A magnetoelectric biorobot enables precise cell transportation and delivery to multiple target areas via magnetically assisted stamping and allows for wireless magnetoelectric electrostimulation and differentiation of cells after their deployment.

Here we introduce for the first time a synthesis method of a core–shell photoanode composed of nanostructured self-standing titania nanotubes filled with Au nanowires. Photoanode shows high photon to current efficiency of 35% and incredible stability.

Controlling crystal growth and reducing the number of grain boundaries are crucial to maximize the charge carrier transport in organic–inorganic perovskite field-effect transistors (FETs).

Here, we show how synthetic polymers, prepared by a combination of controlled radical polymerization and in-situ screening, can be used to address a biological challenge – how to improve biofilm formation – to provide solutions to a field – biocatalysis – of industrial and societal relevance.

Formation of partially covered binary AB and ternary ABC supraparticles.

Control of the final state of polarization switched by illumination is achieved in BaTiO₃ films by the manipulation of the internal electric fields by using suitable bottom electrodes.

In two-dimensional (2D) magnetic systems, significant magnetic anisotropy is required to protect magnetic ordering against thermal fluctuation.

Enforcing balanced electron–hole injection into the emitter layer of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes through a double-type-I heterostructure using polymer semiconductors maximizes the quantum efficiency over a wide current density range.

Misfit Sr_xCoO₂–CoO₂ nanotubes are produced in high yields by hydrothermal conversion of Sr₆Co₅O₁₅ crystals. The nanotubes show high conductivity, high ampacity and high breakdown power, which are highest among regularly used interconnect materials.

We present a photomemristive sensing concept based on light-induced charge storage in the 2D carbon nitride K-PHI. Our design enables memory sensing with tuneable dynamic concentration ranges, combined with diverse operation and readout modes.

New fabrication approaches for mechanically flexible implants hold the key to advancing the applications of neuroengineering in fundamental neuroscience and clinic.

We fabricate supracapsules, i.e. multi-compartment suprastructures formed by nanocapsules via droplet-templated assembly. Supracapsules not only retain the functions of the individual nanocapsules, but also allow programming the release of cargoes.

Illumination with photon energy above the band gap enables super-fast sintering of ceramics on-the-spot. This scalable container- and contactless process opens new design options and boosts flexibility while offering outstanding energy efficiency.

Interplay of radiative and non-radiative recombination processes in tin halide perovskites as a result of doping, oxidation and defects.

An ultrastretchable triboelectric nanogenerator is developed by simultaneous transfer printing. The nanogenerator demonstrates all-in-one, self-powered touch, motion and force sensing that can function as artificial skin for soft robotic components.

Direct ink writing (DIW) of Pickering emulsions offers great potential for constructing on-demand objects.

Conjugated oligomers polymerize in vivo on the root system of intact plants forming an extended network of tissue integrated conductors while the plants continue to grow and develop. The conducting roots are used to store energy in the plant.

The concept of van der Waals solid solutions has been demonstrated to yield photon upconversion (UC) organic crystals with extraordinary performance, opening a domain of versatile dispersion-force-based systems in the quest for superior UC solids.

Modulated self-assembly of Fe-terephthalate metal–organic frameworks allows fine control over phase formation, offers insight into kinetic and thermodynamic landscapes, and the discovery of novel materials in an already well-studied complex system.

By combining a photocurable and a thermogelling hydrogel, it is possible to perform 3D freeform structuring via two-photon-polymerization and to manufacture concatenated parts without additional support structures.

Bilayer spin-crossover nanocomposites show robust and controllable actuation cycles upon an electrical stimulus. The anisotropic shape of the particle and the mechanical coupling with the matrix can intensify the work output of the actuators.

The PDMS@α-Fe₂O₃ NP film and human hair-based high performance TENG harvests mechanical energy while expanding waste hair utilization, initiating a rising approach toward the circular bio economy that will play a key role in avoiding climate crisis.

A light-controlled method for the versatile manipulation of liquid metal droplets is introduced. This approach shows the ability of inducing concurrent motion of multiple liquid metal droplets using infrared light without complex and bulky systems.

The oxygen transmission rate of a PET coated film showed a 37-fold decrease using a dispersion of LDH nanosheets in polyvinyl alcohol that was prior aged for 8 weeks compared to the film coated with the equivalent freshly prepared LDH/PVA dispersion.

Methyl Palmitate Nanoparticles (MPN) boost the tumor accumulation and chemotherapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines by transiently and reversibly inhibiting the phagocytic properties of tissue-resident macrophages.

We reveal spontaneous symmetry breaking in an emerging class of mixed-metal chalcohalides, yielding strong lattice polarisation which could aid electron–hole separation in solar photovoltaics.