Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

III–V QDs are high performing materials, however, their exacting synthesis is a major hurdle hampering widespread adoption. We have compiled the disparate routes to III–V QDs and concisely present them, along with our perspectives for the field.

The trends in octahedral tilting in Prussian blue analogues are reviewed as a function of various structural factors. The link between tilting and functionality is discussed.

2D materials display unique optical/electronic/mechanical properties and a manipulable bidimensional morphology. High throughput assembly processes can be applied for their large scale manufacturing leading to integration into mass produced products.

The physics of materials with strong spin–orbit coupling is currently highly topical. Here we present an accessible outline of the chemistry of these materials, issues in determining their structure–property relationships, and opportunities afforded.

The origins of the remarkable performance of halide perovskite scintillators are presented, along with solutions to the challenges facing the field, followed by a discussion of applications that will benefit from the unique properties of these materials.

The multifunctional character and stability of PTM radicals makes them appealing in a broad range of fields, from active components in molecular optoelectronics to active agents in bio-applications.

Human know-how is crucial to cross-examine and challenge computations before trusting any result for modelling magnetic properties in molecule-based materials.

This paper compares different photocathodes that are applicable for electron injector systems and summarizes the most important photocathode properties influencing the performance as an electron source.

The structure of the electrical-double layer of the graphene/aqueous–electrolyte interface is challenging to model and characterize experimentally. Here we review the published data and discuss their interpretation in the context of the EDL theory.

Quantum sensing with shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond offer promise for chemical analysis. Preserving favorable NV spin and charge properties while enabling molecular surface functionalization remains a critical challenge.

This review summarizes the current prospect of FAPbBr₃ nanocrystals – from synthesis to applications in light emitting diodes and highlights the challenges and promising strategies to mitigate the concerns.

This review article summarizes the synthesis and the fluorescence mechanism together with the most important applications in thermometry, bio-imaging, LSCs and photocatalysis of red/near-infrared C-dots.

This review presents three main categories of macromatrices explored so far for NP encapsulating, including ionic and organic macrocrystals and polymeric matrices. The preparation methods and the recent progress for each category have been discussed.

Here we provide a framework of standardised apparatus and tests which enable rigorous characterisation of the performance of photodetectors sensitive to circular polarisation, enabling meaningful comparisons between devices reported in literature.

The versatile synthetic side chain toolbox assists in tuning the OECT parameters by controlling material properties of organic mixed conductors. In this review we critically summarise and evaluate various side chains used throughout OECT materials.

This review presents the recent advances in the synthesis of organic semiconductors using C–H functionalization and naturally sourced building blocks to facilitate the large-scale production and commercialization of organic semiconductors.

Monitoring CO₂ levels in the atmosphere as well as in work place environments is strictly regulated.

We review how high throughput virtual screening can been used to navigate the landscape of materials for organic electronics.

Computational approaches accelerate design and discovery of conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).

We present an overview of historical and emerging p-type TCMs. We critically assess the p-type halide perovskites returned from high-throughput screening studies. Earth abundant non-oxides are promising candidates for p-type TCM applications.

Nonlinear optical techniques are emerging as powerful in-situ probes of crystallization processes due to their inherent sensitivity to crystal structure and morphology.

Here, we review the state-of-the-art progress in the construction of smart multifunctional enhancing substrates. These substrates hold the key to achieving sustainability and widespread applications of SERS.

This review presents the multi-faceted applications of oligoynes in molecular electronics and optoelectronics, as well as recent insights for the design and properties of sp-hybridised carbon wires.

A comprehensive review summarising the methods, reagents, properties and applications of electrospun magnetic nanomaterials.

This review summarises high performing n-type polymers for use in organic thin film transistors, organic electrochemical transistors and organic thermoelectric devices with a focus on stability issues arising in these electron transporting materials.

Two Ni₁₂-multicubane topologies {Ni₁₂W₃₀} and {Ni₁₂W₂₇} have been synthesized. Magnetometry and homogeneous catalytic studies probing their properties as hydrogen evolution photocatalysts clearly distinguish {Ni₁₂W₃₀} and {Ni₁₂W₂₇} from Ni₄ cubanes.

When halide perovskite light-emitting diodes are compressed, the electroluminesence weakens, which is explained by an increase in defect populations.

Hybrid small-molecule/quantum dot films have the potential to reduce thermalization losses in photovoltaics. Here grazing incidence X-ray scattering and IR microscopy, provide direct links between morphologies and photon multiplication performance.

The implementation of 3-APA⁺ allows perovskite to assemble in situ to give a quasi-0D structure during film formation. This allows precise spectral tuning in both pure-Br and pure-I perovskite thin films to give high-purity blue and red luminescence.

A systematic analysis of the phonon bands calculated using dispersion-corrected density functional theory for crystalline acenes reveals analogies between the phonons and classical oscillator models. Based on these, the evolution of the materials’ properties can be rationalised.

We present an ALD approach to metastable In_1−xGa_xN with 0.1 < x < 0.5 based on solid In- and Ga-precursors that were co-sublimed into the deposition chamber in one pulse.

Combining structural design (led by FDTD simulations) and innovative hydrogel materials (via ionic liquid cosolvents), we fabricate dynamic responsive photonic arrays.

First colloidal synthesis of pure and mixed bromide–iodide cesium titanium perovskite nanocrystals. By adjusting the halide precursors’ ratio, the bandgap can be tuned from 2.3 eV to 1.2 eV.

Lamellar silver thiolates (Ag-MPA) possess reversible temperature dependent blue-to-near infrared optical transitions resulting from metallophilic interactions in the layers and conformational stabilization of the ligands.

Xe SHI irradiation of InGaN/GaN MQWs leads to surface damage and intermixing at the interfaces. The introduced defects cause a strong quenching of the luminescence as well as a change in the excitation mechanisms.

Donor–donor′–acceptor molecules where the donor′ bridges the donor and acceptor have different possible interaction pathways for charge transfer.

We show that the combination of molecular shape and strain coupling drives the emergence of polarisation in methyldabconium perovskite ferroelectrics.

Anisotropic silica particles were used as model scattering enhancers and directly compared to their spherical counterparts. Furthermore, silica rods were assembled into micron-sized scattering particles. This allows for use in pigment formulations.

A laser-irradiated array of In₂O₃ nanowires presents yellow and blue fluorescence states that can be dynamically altered under UV light for anti-counterfeiting features based upon microscale patterning, color evolution and time-domain encoding.

Polystyrene particle-laden polymer-stabilized liquid crystals demonstrate better electro-optic performance than both polymer-stabilized and particle-laden liquid crystals made of the same materials. An explanation for this behaviour is suggested.

Enhanced electrical conductance of the self-assembled monolayers upon molecular exchange with dithioacetate-terminating molecules.

ALD/MLD enables multi-lanthanide organic thin films in which different lanthanide species are optimally combined through organic linkers to yield warm white light photoluminescence.

A series of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites, based on naphthalene ammonium cations have been investigated. All materials exhibit edge- or face-sharing 1D chain structures and broadband light emission arising from the self-trapped excitons.

Supramolecular helical structures formed by the assembly of biological and bio-inspired building blocks (typically amino acids and peptides) are an exciting class of materials with prospective applications in biomedical technologies and electronics.

The tails of amphiphiles play a dominant role than the heads when interacting with chiral nematic liquid crystal droplets and determining the final textures and distortions.

High optical and electric contrast between the SET (crystalline) and RESET (amorphous) logic states is related to the different short and intermediate range order in orthorhombic and vitreous Sb₂S₃.

In this work, we report a novel double N,S-hetero[5]helicene composed of two benzo[b]phenothiazines (2) that exhibits long-lived circularly polarized room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP).

We set out to assess the electrochemical synthesis of Cu₂O nanomaterials using a range of electrolytes from mono-anionic and mixed anionic solutions and the effect this has on the morphology, size, concentration, and optoelectronic properties.

The aggregation of a TCF-based dye exhibiting AIE is used to enhance the random lasing emission intensity up to 170 times. The transition from small aggregates to crystals forms a second lasing band and is responsible for 2-photon pumped lasing.

UV-Vis light irradiation induces a fast, bidirectional switching of thermal conductivity in doped liquid crystals.

Near infrared (NIR) photodetectors (PDs) have attracted great attention for their applications in the field of optical telecommunication.

Encapsulated and inkjet-printed flexible conductive patterns on a fluoroelastomer in hydrocarbon fluid environments.

Unveiling the impact of different structural isomers of carborane-containing non-fullerene acceptors on optoelectronic properties and organic photovoltaic performance.

We have designed 2D borocarbonitrides with outstanding material properties and potential applications in a variety of important technological fields, including nano-mechanics, electronics, photocatalysis, and photovoltaics.

X-ray photoresponse of κ-Ga₂O₃ is investigated for the first time. Results show that κ-Ga₂O₃ is a versatile material for the development of high-performance direct X-ray detectors.

Push–pull benzophospholes were synthesized and characterized. They could reach the 5% theoretical limit of external quantum efficiency of fluorescent OLEDs.

We report here the preparation and characterization of two families of RP 2D perovskites including linear monoammonium cations, namely (C_nH_2n+1NH₃)₂PbBr₄ and (C_nH_2n+1NH₃)₂PbI₄ with n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16.

Un-aggregated plasmonic nanoparticles with a metal oxide coating display persistent enhanced Raman spectra in solution. Enhancement can be further boosted with UV-irradiation (PIERS) to detect nanomolar concentrations of explosive dinitrotoluene.

Sodalites showing white-to-yellow photochromism have been developed by partial substitution of sodium with calcium. The yellow colour is sensitive to fading under blue light, making these low-cost materials highly suitable for blue light detection.

Te–Ge reactive diffusion has been studied by in situ XRD, in situ TEM, and atom probe tomography in a sample made of a poly-Te layer deposited on an amorphous Ge layer, and compared to the reverse case of an a-Ge layer deposited on a poly-Te layer.

Hematene and magnetene nanoplatelets have been produced by liquid phase exfoliation of natural mineral ores, in a water solution of melamine under mild sonication.

Solution-processable bipolar materials acting as hosts, soluble in common organic solvents, are key materials for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters.

MXenes are 2D materials with many promising applications, but their Raman spectra is still poorly understood. We developed a computational method to simulate Raman spectra of MXenes accounting for temperature, surface composition, and defects.

0.67[Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃]–0.33[PbTiO₃] (PMN–33PT) epitaxial thin films were prepared by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) using ceramic targets, enriched with PbO (and MgO).

Generation of circularly polarized (CP) light with high purity and light intensity was achieved using a single-, parallel, and multi-layered luminescence-based CP convertor composed of a linearly polarized luminescence (LPL) film and a quarter-wave plate.

Simple, stable, and low-toxicity chemical solution for deposition of ferroelectric Ca:HfO₂ films.

CsPbCl₃ crystal is found to be a promising material for the detection of ionising radiation at low temperatures.

Long-term stable gas sensors by tiled networks from LPE-PtSe₂.

Due to its transparency and its thermoelectric performances that imply significant temperature variations, stabilized γ-CuI presents a real interest as a transparent thermoelectric thin film.

PD/CC@SiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles (PD: perylene dye, CC: cholecalciferol/vitamine D₃) show high colloidal stability in water, intense emission from red to yellow with quantum yields near unity, and excellent photostability.