Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

We present an overview of the latest studies on organic neuromorphic and smart sensing devices and highlight the potential of these concepts to enhance the interaction efficiency between electronics and biological substances.

The rise of n-type organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs): from materials to applications.

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.

In view of developing multifunctional OLETs, 2,3-thienoimide-ended oligothiophenes are proposed as ideal candidates to effectively ensure good ambipolar field-effect mobility, self-assembly capability and high luminescence in solid state.

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.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) processing, otherwise known as sequential deposition, is emerging as the most promising strategy for fabrication of active layers in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices on both laboratory and industrial scales.

A review on strategies to improve stability, optical properties and device efficiency of red-perovskite nanocrystal layers.

Phenothiazine (PTZ)-based materials have recently received considerable interest owing to their intriguing optoelectronic properties, low-cost, versatility of functionalization, and commercial availability.

The thermal properties of metal-halide perovskites are reviewed with respect to experimental findings, theoretical insights, dimensionalities, and phase transitions.

We review the nucleation and growth of different Ga₂O₃ polymorphs with several techniques, giving practical guidelines for their synthesis.

Development of conjugated polymers in two dimensions via liquid-interface-assisted synthesis as active layers for use in electronic devices.

Methodologies and experimental achievements for exploration into electronic band structures of organic semiconductor and hybrid perovskite single crystals are reviewed.

Photon-upconversion materials are capable of converting low energy infrared light into higher energy visible or ultraviolet light.

The development of metal particle-free inks is reviewed, with particular attention on their formulation, patterning and post-processing techniques.

We review the cooling of charge carriers in metal halide perovskites for the use in hot carrier solar cells.

Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell components, materials, architectures and interfaces are comprehensively reviewed.

Recent progress in photoresponsive polymers based on three common supramolecular design strategies, namely ionic, hydrogen and halogen bonding, is reviewed.

The merging of the materials science paradigms of liquid crystals and 2D materials promises superb new opportunities for the advancement of the fields of optoelectronics and photonics. In this review, we summarise the development and applications of 2D material liquid crystals for optoelectronics and photonics.

Perspective covering carbazole-containing emitters and hosts for third generation TADF (thermally-activated delayed fluorescence) OLED technology along with computational benchmark studies.

This review addresses recent approaches for atomic layer deposition (ALD) that are closely related to the electrical properties of ultrathin SrTiO₃ and BaTiO₃ films.

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.

Variable bandgap conjugated donor–acceptor small molecule thin films show absorption spectra similar to those of human eye's photoreceptors. Photoactive devices interfaced with a bio-electrolyte reveal capacitive photocurrent response making them suitable for future full-colour retinal prosthesis.

The work provides a previously unknown example of the desymmetrisation of an organic component resulting from the metal-ion induced tautomerisation which led to the generation of a new type of toroidal coordination species at a solid–liquid interface.

We investigated the quasi-binary Bi₂Se₃–Bi₂S₃ system and experimentally demonstrated the compositional range of existence of the topological surface states.

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.

The Pb substitution in quantum dots (PQDs) with lesser toxic metals has been widely searched to be environmentally friendly, and be of comparable or improved performance compared to the lead-perovskite.

Metallophthalocyanines with ∼980 nm emission show sensitization effects on an erbium complex. A long lifetime of 1.05 ms, a PLQY of 13%, Er³⁺ 1.5 μm emission enhancement of 81 times are obtained in the perfluorinated organic erbium co-doped system.

We report on inkjet-printed, wearable electrochromic displays with certified biodegradability according to the international standard 14855 for short-lifecycle applications.

Few-layer 2D germanium nanosheets (GeNS) are obtained via a facile liquid-phase exfoliated method and fabricated as electrode materials to assemble self-powered high performance photo-electrochemical (PEC) type photodetectors.

Experimental evidence and characterization of nonlinear third harmonic generation from hybrid FAPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals embedded in a porous thin film demonstrate a new potential application of these semiconductors.

Ternary telluride nanocrystals have gained increasing interest as materials for thermoelectric, optoelectronic, and phase-change memory applications. This paper presents an amide-promoted synthesis for Ag–Sb–Te colloidal nanocrystals with accurate composition control.

Based on the example of the p-type LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interface, we discuss charge-transfer phenomena that tailor the ionic conductivity along oxide heterointerfaces, by providing a confined space-charge layer as channel for oxygen ion conduction.

We present a colour tunable system obtained by combining a humidity-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal network and hydrogel coatings, in a diligently designed cell-geometry.

A novel approach to sharp and persist NIR luminescence at 1 μm wavelength.

An all-solution-based modular functionalization of a cross-linked polymer semiconductor interface is presented. The thus covalently introduced moieties can be utilised for tailor-made organic–organic interfaces in organic optoelectronic devices.

We characterise the magnetism of self-assembled Fe_nN nanocrystals, combining core level spectroscopy with first-principles theory. Ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases are found, which are magnetically ordered at room temperature.

Self-readsorption of surface ligands completely restores the photoluminescence of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots damaged by excitation light.

[MCl₃(EⁿBu₂)₃] (M = Sb, Bi; E = Se, Te) enable CVD growth of ternary Bi₂(Se_1−xTe_x)₃ and (Bi_1−ySb_y)₂Te₃ thin films with good compositional, structural and morphological control.

Upon doping with sulfonic acids and bistriflimide the polar polythiophene p(g₄2T-T) exhibits a maximum conductivity of 120 S cm⁻¹ and can be hot-pressed into self-standing, flexible films.

A 0D perovskite-related material Cs₃Fe₂Br₉ is shown to have a low bandgap of 1.65 eV and exhibit antiferromagnetic behaviour.

A new heterocoronene-based chromophore was synthesized via a two-step reaction and showed similar photostability to perylenetetracaboxdiimides.

We report the synthesis, photophysics and application of a novel semiconducting polymer as a colour converter for high speed visible light communication.

Electronic structure calculations are used to develop design rules for enhanced electrical conductivity in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks.

Modifications in nanoscale chemical order can tune the magnetic properties of Co₂FeSi_xAl_1−x, indicating disorder as a potential engineering tool.

We report the development of indium oxide (In₂O₃) transistors via a single step laser-induced photochemical conversion process of a sol–gel metal oxide precursor.

Simply “migrating” the aromatic sextet of cata-condensed 2D PAH with the same number of fused benzene rings affords novel organic semiconductors with different properties.

Polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal in-plane switching cell.

Due to the fact that temperature is one of the key physical quantities determining the occurrence of physical phenomena, chemical reactions or biological processes, one of the important issues to be solved is the precise determination of temperature.

The impact of the different chalcogens on the photophysical properties of [Cu(phen)(P^P)]⁺ complexes in which phen has MeO or MeS groups in the 2,9-, 3,8- or 4,7-positions is described.