Themed collection 2021 Materials Chemistry Frontiers HOT articles

Semiconducting polymers usually with high photostability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability and photothermal conversion efficiency hold tremendous promise for phototherapy.

In this work, an ultrasensitive-BioFET (biosensor field-effect transistor) is developed for chemiresistive, label-free detection of epinephrine hormone in urine samples.

The development of low-cost nanofiber aerogels with good mechanical and thermal properties is essential for practical applications in the fields of heat insulation, air filtration, etc.

FeN₅–C/G with the atomic dispersion of Fe–N₅ sites was synthesized by a simple method and exhibited enhanced ORR activity in Zn–air batteries compared with commercial 20% Pt/C.

The electrocatalytic properties of an alloy can be effectively controlled by adjusting their inherent physical and chemical performance (compositions, lattice strain, facets, etc.) to provide a better surface structure and compositions for efficient electrocatalytic reactions in the cathode and anode of fuel cells.

The sp-hybridized nitrogen atoms (sp-N) have been site-specifically doped into graphdiyne (GDY). The precisely constructed sp-N doped GDY displays superior electrocatalytic activity for Zn–air batteries.

Precise carving of the shell thickness of hollow multi-shelled structures (HoMSs) is achieved with the tuning of shell numbers. The effect of shell thickness on the physico-chemical properties and photocatalytic performance of WO₃ HoMSs is revealed.

Lead-free perovskite quantum dots are introduced into metal–organic framework photocatalysts through an anti-solvent recrystallization method for high photocatalytic performance under visible light.

A porous polyimide framework was prepared via condensation between perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride and triazine and investigated as an electrode material for reversible K⁺-ion storage. It exhibited a large reversible capacity, good rate performance, and long cycling stability up to 1000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹.

Two-dimensional porous Co–CoO nanosheets act as an efficient cocatalyst to reduce the HER overpotential and boost the charge separation of Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S nanocrystals.

Despite demonstrating better photoluminescence quantum yield and ambient/operational stability than organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, all-inorganic perovskites encounter the problem of inferior film quality and interfacial electrical properties.

A new donor–acceptor-type all-conjugated block copolymer, P(NDI-DBDT)-b-P(NDI-2T), is synthesized through the coupling of a naphthalene diimide (NDI)-bithiophene segment-based polymer and an NDI-dithienylbenzodithiophene (DBDT) segment-based polymer.

Controllable synthesis of multidimensional carboxylic acid-based NiFe MOFs is realized by a simple solvent-assisted strategy as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution.

We report a highly sensitive biological nanopore sensor by introducing carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP[5]A) molecule as an aptamer into the lumen of αHL nanopore for the single-molecule detection of paraquat (PQ) via host–guest interactions.

Uniform nitrogen-doped CoSe₂ yolk–shell spheres with improved electrochemical kinetics have been synthesized, which deliver excellent sodium storage performance in terms of ultra-high-rate capability and long cycling durability.

In this work, Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) acts as the platform for directing the growth of 2D In₂S₃ nanoflakes, thereby generating 2D In₂S₃/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructures, which exhibited boosted photocatalytic activities compared to bare In₂S₃.

A hierarchical C/Co₃O₄ nanoarray integrating excellent electromagnetic and thermal shielding performance can be used to assemble wearable devices to protect human beings from electromagnetic and thermal radiation.

An anthracene based conjugated triazine framework (DPA-CTF) has been constructed as a luminescent probe for selective sensing of p-nitroaniline and Fe(III) ions.

CeVO₄/BiVO₄ heterostructures were synthesized and achieved a significantly improved photocatalytic efficiency towards MB under visible-light irradiation.

A novel poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) based composite polymer electrolyte using a cellulose membrane as a separator, adding a NR acting as both a silica filler and ETPTA crosslinker, and eventually constructing a crosslinked structure with a high modulus.

Two 2D COFs containing both electron acceptors and donors were prepared successfully. The charge-transfer process results in distinct near-infrared absorption properties which make them good NIR photothermal materials.

A highly efficient, non-toxic, metal-free, low-cost, acid–base bifunctional sulfonated graphitic carbon nitride (S-g-C₃N₄) nanosheets for Knoevenagel condensation and multicomponent tandem reactions under environmentally benign conditions.

A 2.18 eV bandgap copolymer donor C1 was developed for efficient ternary organic solar cells.

The practical applicability of a high-power graphene supercapacitor as an effective primary and auxiliary energy storage system for storing regenerative energy from the braking and deceleration process in electric vehicles (EVs) is studied.

Targeted multi-responsive drug delivery systems with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capacity were anticipated as a promising tool for tumor therapy and diagnosis.

The study on the doping in perovskites and perovskite variants become a hot issue, which can provide a feasible way for modulating the electronic and photoluminescence properties and structural stability.

The activity and stability toward acidic water oxidation on Ir–W@Ir–WO_3−x can be boosted by regulating the adsorption behavior of oxygen-containing intermediates.

The well-dispersed and biosafe hemin/graphdiyne (GDY) nanocomposite (GDY–hemin) exhibits high peroxidase activity, which can decompose H₂O₂ to generate highly-toxic hydroxyl radicals, leading to bacterial death in both in vitro and in vivo.

The constructed near-infrared photothermal nanoparticles (NDIA@PEG-Ce6/B NPs) can enhance the photothermal performance through the FRET effect and can achieve excellent photothermal and photodynamic antibacterial treatment post a single injection.

We presented the construction of a lead chalcogenide quantum dot-based fluorescent supramolecular polymer network driven by pillar[5]arene-based host–guest complexation.

Two efficient dinuclear Pt(II) complexes SO-DPt and AB-DPt were developed by employing diphenylsulfone and arylboron groups. The resultant emitters exhibited pure yellow electroluminescence in solution-processed OLEDs with EQEs exceeding 21%.

A non-flammable, non-hazardous, eco-friendly polymeric hydrogel material with a floating sandwiched layer was prepared by a green chemistry method for energy storage applications.

A photoactive conjugated polymer/graphdiyne nanocatalyst was developed for the in situ reduction of CO₂ to CO for hypoxia tumor treatment.

Silk fibroin, a naturally abundant and eco-friendly material, is successfully transformed into discrete, well-defined microspherical particles that function as an active optical resonator for precise moisture sensing over a wide humidity range.

High performance phototheranostic agents based on a single-component asymmetric small organic molecule were successfully constructed for NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic therapy.

Ordered large-pore mesoporous ZnGa₂O₄ with ultrathin crystalline frameworks of 3–5 nm for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

A facile post-knitting method was developed to increase the surface area of conjugated microporous polymers for improving the CO₂ adsorption ability.

The chemical structure of CyssTP and its self-assembly into a glutathione-activated carrier-free nanodrug of triptolide (CyssTPN) as a trackable drug delivery system for tumor therapy.

A new GDY@NiO_x(OH)_y heterostructure was synthesized by creatively incorporating GDY with NiO_x(OH)_y for efficient water splitting. The mixed valence states and facilitated charge transfer behavior significantly improve the catalytic activity.

An in situ derived Li⁺-conductive gel polymer interlayer enables intimate solid–solid contact and uniform Li⁺ flux at the Li/Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ heterointerface and effectively inhibits interfacial reactions and Li dendrite growth.

Aqueous conjugated polymer nanoparticles developed by nanoprecipitation from a quinoxaline–thiophene type conjugated polymer with 3 fluorine atoms as potential cancer theranostics for breast cancer.

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ over a metal substrate integrates fixation of CO₂ and surface carbonization of the metal to functional films.

Two-dimensional MXene nanomaterials are promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their excellent conductivity, large surface area, and high Li capability.

A greener route to a photocleavable phosphoramidite was used to synthesize an alkyne-containing oligonucleotide and conjugated to an azide-modified upconverting nanoparticle. The conjugation, energy transfer, and photocleavage were evaluated.

The photocatalytic activity of titania nanotubes and nanoparticles toward methylene blue (MB) can be enhanced through addition of a small amount of Ce. MB acts as a hole scavenger, fastening the photocatalytic process.

Developing highly active, stable and low-cost electrocatalysts capable of an efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgent and challenging.

We present a novel quaternary OSCs by doping SR197 and PC₇₁BM into a host system (PM6:Y6) to achieve a PCE of up to 17.48%. And the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between materials are formed to directionally modulate the film morphology.

Here, we introduce a new strategy using urea for the synthesis of carbon-incorporated 2D Fe₃O₄ (2D-Fe₃O₄/C) nanoflakes which show superior potential for hybrid capacitive deionization and supercapacitors.

A type of photothermal biocompatible organic nanoparticles with a high PCE (40.6%) was developed and investigated, followed by the achievement of a significantly more effective phototheranostic dental hypersensitivity treatment combined with laser.

A novel printing method to realize a solution processed large-area, high-resolution organic single crystal array for OFET applications.

A near-infrared AIE probe was developed for super-resolution imaging and nuclear lipid droplets dynamic study with good biocompatibility and high photostability.

DNA nanolanterns, a pure DNA assembly, are used as biocompatible drug carriers to prepare a nanocomposite photosensitizer for highly efficient photodynamic therapy in the biological transparent window.

A multicomponent metal–organic framework is constructed to incorporate the bis-terpyridyl ruthenium motif, which was considered poorly photoactive, through a stepwise reticular synthesis to arouse its photosensitiveness for producing singlet oxygen.

Zn²⁺ added into electrolyte can effectively suppress H₂ evolution. Therefore, a LiMn₂O₄/NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ full cell exhibits enhanced overcharging performance and excellent cycling stability up to 10 000 cycles.

Glycolide (GL) is proposed as an electrolyte additive to prolong the cycle life of ultrathin Li metal anodes through the enrichment of the organic components in the working solid electrolyte interphase.

This work reports the cooperative photocatalysis of a two-dimensional covalent organic framework with an electron transfer mediator in a selective organic transformation.

Full-type photoluminescence including concomitant fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and room-temperature phosphorescence from a single organic molecule is used for multi-signal temperature sensing.

The application of reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) agents in stereolithographic 3D printing has been seldom reported due to their tendency to reduce polymerization rates.

A facile synthesized AIE bioprobe was developed to detect peroxynitrite sensitively and specifically. This bioprobe can realize both in vitro ONOO⁻ detection and in vivo visualization of inflammation.

An easily available ratiometric fluorescent probe (TCFPB-HNO) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics was developed for the first time for the detection and visualization of nitroxyl (HNO) in vitro and in vivo.

We present a two-photon AIEgen, ABCXF with nonaromatic rotors (–CF₃), a high two-photon absorption cross-section, bright red emission in the solid-state, and remarkably high photostability for fatty liver disease diagnosis.

A photo-triggered Zn²⁺ release system was developed based on HBTH–Zn–TAT NPs, which showed an excellent light-dependent “on–off” performance for Zn²⁺ release and the precise regulation of extra- and intracellular zinc enzyme activities.

This work demonstrates that PLECs made with a low AgOTf salt concentration exhibit record luminance, efficiency, lifetime and response speed.

Two 2D conjugated nonfullerene acceptors featured the conjugation of π-electrons of ethynyl side-chain and backbone, leading to enhanced absorptivity and downshifted energy levels, and showed around 16% efficiencies when employed as acceptor guests.