Themed collection 2022 Materials Chemistry Frontiers HOT articles

28 items
Research Article

Visible light, temperature, and electric field-driven rotation of diffraction gratings enabled by an axially chiral molecular switch

A visible light-driven chiral molecular switch shows reversible transcis photoisomerization, good compatibility, and high helical twisting power in achiral liquid crystals. Multi-stimuli responsive rotatable in-plane beam steering and chromatic dispersion are accomplished.

Graphical abstract: Visible light, temperature, and electric field-driven rotation of diffraction gratings enabled by an axially chiral molecular switch
Research Article

Lipid droplet formation and dynamics: tracking by time-resolved fluorescence imaging

A highly biocompatible long-lived fluorescence micelle nanoprobe AI-Cz-M was constructed for tracking the formation and dynamics of lipid droplets in living tumor cells and adipocytes in real-time and quantitatively.

Graphical abstract: Lipid droplet formation and dynamics: tracking by time-resolved fluorescence imaging
Research Article

Photoactivatable tandem fluorescence imaging of organelles and their interplay monitoring

Most fluorescent probes can only be used for targeted imaging of single organelles, we herein develop a photoactivatable probe for tandem imaging of different organelles and in situ monitoring of their interplay with simple operation.

Graphical abstract: Photoactivatable tandem fluorescence imaging of organelles and their interplay monitoring
Research Article

Molecular mechanism of rigidity- and planarity-promoted, state-dependent doping of conjugated ladder-type molecules

We report the synthesis and analysis of a series of conjugated ladder-type heteroarene model π-donor compounds, followed by computational and experimental mechanistic investigations of their π–π interactions and doping processes with the electron-deficient dopant F4TCNQ.

Graphical abstract: Molecular mechanism of rigidity- and planarity-promoted, state-dependent doping of conjugated ladder-type molecules
Research Article

Delicate fabrication of ZnO/ZnCo2O4 heterojunction HoMSs as anodes for lithium-ion batteries with high rate capability

The high specific capacity of metal oxides cannot cover up their low electron and ion diffusion rate and large volume expansion as anodes of lithium-ion batteries.

Graphical abstract: Delicate fabrication of ZnO/ZnCo2O4 heterojunction HoMSs as anodes for lithium-ion batteries with high rate capability
Research Article

Engineering a selective fluorescent sensor with a high signal-to-background ratio for microalbumin detection and imaging

A selective fluorescent sensor FNE3 with a high signal-to-background ratio was constructed for microalbumin quantitative detection and drug visualization.

Graphical abstract: Engineering a selective fluorescent sensor with a high signal-to-background ratio for microalbumin detection and imaging
Research Article

Phase matching achieved by isomorphous substitution in IR nonlinear optical material Ba2SnSSi2O7 with an undiscovered [SnO4S] functional motif

A new paradigm for designing high-performance PM NLO crystals: a novel PM fresnoite oxychalcogenide, Ba2SnSSi2O7, has been successfully designed and obtained by the isomorphous substitution strategy, on the basis of the NPM parent Ba2TiOSi2O7.

Graphical abstract: Phase matching achieved by isomorphous substitution in IR nonlinear optical material Ba2SnSSi2O7 with an undiscovered [SnO4S] functional motif
Research Article

Iridium complex immobilized on a high-nitrogen containing covalent triazine framework derived from 2,5-pyrazinedicarbonitrile as a recyclable catalyst for the selective N-alkylation of aminobenzenesulfonamides with alcohols

A new-type of covalent triazine framework derived from 2,5-pyrazinedicarbonitrile as a monomer with a high N/C ratio was designed and synthesized by trimerization at 400 °C with ZnCl2 as a catalyst and salt melt via the ionothermal technique.

Graphical abstract: Iridium complex immobilized on a high-nitrogen containing covalent triazine framework derived from 2,5-pyrazinedicarbonitrile as a recyclable catalyst for the selective N-alkylation of aminobenzenesulfonamides with alcohols
Research Article

Efficient shape transformation of palladium nanocrystals by biphasic oxidative etching and regrowth

A rapid transformation of Pd nanocubes into octahedrons has been achieved at high concentrations by a robust liquid–solid biphasic oxidative etching–regrowth strategy, with HNO2 playing a key role in the synthesis.

Graphical abstract: Efficient shape transformation of palladium nanocrystals by biphasic oxidative etching and regrowth
Research Article

A novel supramolecular self-assembling hybrid system for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

A hybrid supramolecular system containing redox compartments has been successfully developed for visible-light-driven overall water splitting in the ambient environment.

Graphical abstract: A novel supramolecular self-assembling hybrid system for visible-light-driven overall water splitting
Research Article

Combined characterization approaches to investigate magnetostructural effects in exchange-spring ferrite nanocomposite magnets

Combining multiple characterization probes (neutrons, X-rays, electrons) illustrated the hierarchical structure of exchange-spring nanocomposites & revealed unreported degradation of parent phase.

Graphical abstract: Combined characterization approaches to investigate magnetostructural effects in exchange-spring ferrite nanocomposite magnets
Research Article

Nanoconfining red phosphorus within MOF-derived hierarchically porous carbon networks for high performance potassium storage

In this work, we combined red phosphorus and hierarchically porous carbon networks by the evaporation–condensation method to obtain a red phosphorus/porous carbon composite with outstanding performance for potassium storage.

Graphical abstract: Nanoconfining red phosphorus within MOF-derived hierarchically porous carbon networks for high performance potassium storage
Research Article

Surface defect-regulated PdCu/TiO2−x promoting efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction

The electrocatalytic performance and mechanism of the PdCu/TiO2−x catalyst has been reported, providing new insight into the rational design of a highly efficient e-NRR system through tuning of the catalyst and reaction environment.

Graphical abstract: Surface defect-regulated PdCu/TiO2−x promoting efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction
Research Article

One-step fabrication of a bulk SnTe thermoelectric material with excellent performance through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis under a high-gravity field

One-step fabrication of bulk SnTe thermoelectric material with excellent performance through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis under high-gravity field.

Graphical abstract: One-step fabrication of a bulk SnTe thermoelectric material with excellent performance through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis under a high-gravity field
Research Article

Richly electron-deficient BCxO3−x anodes with enhanced reaction kinetics for sodium/potassium-ion batteries

In this work, integrating the merits of architectural and electron structure design, hollow BCxO3−x nanocages with rich electron deficiencies are constructed through an in situ doping boron strategy, resulting in fast ion and charge transport.

Graphical abstract: Richly electron-deficient BCxO3−x anodes with enhanced reaction kinetics for sodium/potassium-ion batteries
Research Article

Dielectric response of 1,1-difluorosumanene caused by an in-plane motion

A large dipole moment of 1,1-difluorosumanene realized a 120° in-plane pendulum motion in the stacking columns at above 380 K. This dynamic motion in the solid state enabled anisotropic dielectric relaxation induced by the external electric field.

Graphical abstract: Dielectric response of 1,1-difluorosumanene caused by an in-plane motion
Research Article

Formation of hierarchical platelets with morphological control by self-assembly of an azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline diblock copolymer

The diblock copolymer PEG-b-PAzoMA self-assembled into abundant assemblies through a heating-annealing approach, including leaf-type, macro-flower-type, and rectangular platelets by manipulating the concentration and the cooling rate of the solution.

Graphical abstract: Formation of hierarchical platelets with morphological control by self-assembly of an azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline diblock copolymer
Research Article

Electrolyte additive enabled low temperature lithium metal batteries

A dioxolane (DOL)-based electrolyte with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) additive enabled high performance of lithium metal batteries under extremely cold conditions by constructing a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the lithium anode.

Graphical abstract: Electrolyte additive enabled low temperature lithium metal batteries
Research Article

Enhancement of intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline epoxy through the strategy of interlocked polymer networks

The intrinsic thermal conduction of liquid crystalline epoxy can be significantly improved using the strategy of interlocked polymer networks due to the synergy among the mesogens, interlocked structure and inter-component hydrogen bonds.

Graphical abstract: Enhancement of intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline epoxy through the strategy of interlocked polymer networks
Research Article

Synthesis of a new chlorin photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy against colon cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows tremendous potential for the treatment of cancer due to its advantages of non-invasiveness and low systemic toxicity.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of a new chlorin photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy against colon cancer
Research Article

An environmentally friendly AIE probe for CMC determination

We first report an AIE probe EDS for rapid CMC determination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants in an environmentally friendly system.

Graphical abstract: An environmentally friendly AIE probe for CMC determination
Research Article

Light-induced reversible self-assembly of multi-compartment patchy micelles

The diblock copolymer P4VP-b-PAzoMA self-assembles into a hierarchical structure through a two-step process. Intriguingly, hierarchical structure could reversibly self-assemble under UV and visible light due to the existence of azobenzene moieties.

Graphical abstract: Light-induced reversible self-assembly of multi-compartment patchy micelles
Research Article

A Lewis acidity adjustable organic ammonium cation derived robust protecting shield for stable aqueous zinc-ion batteries by inhibiting the tip effect

We explore the effect of organic ammonium cations with different Lewis acidity on the tip effect. Tetraethylammonium cations with medium Lewis acidity can form the most robust protecting shield, thus inhibiting the growth of dendrites.

Graphical abstract: A Lewis acidity adjustable organic ammonium cation derived robust protecting shield for stable aqueous zinc-ion batteries by inhibiting the tip effect
Research Article

Hierarchically porous MOF-based microneedles for glucose-responsive infected diabetic wound treatment

In this work, hierarchically porous metal–organic framework (MOF)-based microneedles were designed for glucose-responsive infected diabetic wound treatment.

Graphical abstract: Hierarchically porous MOF-based microneedles for glucose-responsive infected diabetic wound treatment
Research Article

Observing hepatic steatosis with a commercially viable two-photon fluorogenic probe

A two-photon fluorogenic probe with the untwisted intramolecular charge process which is comparable to commercial fluorophores has been successfully applied in observing hepatic steatosis.

Graphical abstract: Observing hepatic steatosis with a commercially viable two-photon fluorogenic probe
Research Article

Synthesis of broadband NIR garnet phosphor Ca4ZrGe3O12: Cr3+, Yb3+ for NIR pc-LED applications

The emission mechanism and origin of the host and Cr3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ca4ZrGe3O12.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of broadband NIR garnet phosphor Ca4ZrGe3O12: Cr3+, Yb3+ for NIR pc-LED applications
Research Article

All-weather-available electrothermal and solar–thermal wood-derived porous carbon-based steam generators for highly efficient water purification

A solar–thermal and electrothermal wood-derived water evaporator is designed for all-weather-available steam generation, achieving an exceptional evaporation rate of 11.73 kg m−2 h−1 under 1-sun irradiation with a voltage of 6 V.

Graphical abstract: All-weather-available electrothermal and solar–thermal wood-derived porous carbon-based steam generators for highly efficient water purification
Research Article

Tuning non-radiative decay channels via symmetric/asymmetric substituent effects on phenazine derivatives and their phototherapy switch between dynamic and thermal processes

Two emitters based on substituent effects exhibited different and competitive non-radiative decay processes, that was intersystem crossing and thermal deactivation, and excellent phototherapy achievement was realized by the two corresponding processes.

Graphical abstract: Tuning non-radiative decay channels via symmetric/asymmetric substituent effects on phenazine derivatives and their phototherapy switch between dynamic and thermal processes
28 items

About this collection

Read our on-going collection of the hottest research published  as advanced article  from Materials Chemistry Frontiers in 2022. These articles are recommended by reviewers as being of significant novelty and interest. Congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured!

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