Themed collection 2026 Journal of Materials Chemistry C Lunar New Year collection

The development of piezoelectric composite (PEC) gas sensors is progressing rapidly, driven by innovations that range from atomic-level material design to system-level integration.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors are versatile techniques detecting minute chemical analytes in real-time. This work presents guidelines for selecting sensing materials for these sensors.

In this article, we summarize the progress of materials, mechanisms and ML-assisted gas sensing data processing for MOS gas sensor arrays, with a view to providing a breakthrough direction for future research.

This review focuses on top-down dry and wet etching of III-nitrides, SiC, Ga₂O₃, and diamond to create micro/nanostructured UV photodetectors, enabling enhanced light trapping and improved device performance.

Reservoir computing (RC) using a Pt/Gd-doped CeO₂/CeO₂/Pt memristor is systematically investigated, where its time-dependent weight updates and nonlinear decay characteristics are critical for extracting spatiotemporal features in RC applications.

This work presents an eco-friendly ECD using a sodium-based starch electrolyte, showing 58.5% transmittance change, 6 s fast coloration switching, 11.5 h self-bleaching, and excellent stability for energy-saving applications of ECDs.

Rare-earth (Tb³⁺, Re³⁺ and Eu³⁺)-doped MoS₂ nanosheets were synthesized and assessed as dilute magnetic semiconductors. Their room temperature ferromagnetic properties were ascribed to bound magnetic polarons with a T_C of >300 K.

Super-wide-range emission spectrum tuning was achieved in the Ni²⁺ doped double perovskite structure by crystal field engineering of cationic substitution.

DOCK5 acts at focal adhesions in breast cells to establish positive feedback loops via CDC42 and RAC. The stabilisation of polarity during migration promotes persistent YAP/TAZ activation which we propose drives cancer phenotypes.

Low-dimensional bismuth-based hybrid organic–inorganic halide perovskites (Bi-HOIPs) are intriguing scintillating materials due to their anisotropic nature.

We have investigated the elastic properties and lattice thermal conductivity of Nb₂CX₂ MXenes using MLFF. MLFF outperforms DFT in efficiency, revealing how surface functionalization tunes thermal transport for next-gen energy applications.

A WSe₂-based lateral homojunction PN diode with IGZO-induced polarity modulation exhibits high rectification, photoresponsivity (40.1 A W⁻¹), and quantum efficiency (13634%), showcasing potential for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

In recent years, hybrid metal halides have gained considerable attention for optoelectronic applications due to their outstanding photophysical properties, despite challenges with stability.

This work illustrates the improvement of thermoelectric performance of BiCuSeO oxyselenides through the composite effect induced by Cr addition.

Optimal-sized alkyl ammonium cations passivate A-site defects in 2D Sn halide perovskites, promoting ideal octahedral formation. FETs with these cation additives, having optimal length and multiple functional groups, show enhanced performance.

The mechanism of structural evolution and ion insertion/extraction for diphasic Prussian blue analogs via the synergistic effect of multiple strategies.

We demonstrate that the photoresponse properties such as the responsivity and response time of diamond PDs can be obtained through ambient H₂ annealing and a surface ozone treatment process.

A water-based, sprayable paint formulation made of inorganic alumina particles and a sodium methylsilicate binder combines strong radiative cooling properties with durable UV resistance without the need for high-temperature calcination treatments.

The freestanding BTO films obtained using a water-soluble CaO sacrificial layer and YSZ (110)-oriented substrate exhibit excellent ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties.

In contrast to conventional flame retardants, this study presents the development of a reactive flame retardant that significantly enhances both flame resistance and mechanical properties.