Themed collection Materials Horizons HOT Papers

This review deeply explores the application of alternating current electroluminescence in functional and visualization sensing, particularly emphasizing its future potential in human–machine visual interaction.

From individuals to families: design and application of self-similar chiral nanomaterials.

This review introduces three strategies (encapsulation, covalent binding and coordinated bonding) for construction of COF-based nanoplatforms for the integration and delivery of bioactives including small molecule, biomacromolecule and exosome.

A fully bio-based and water-resistant wood surface protection system inspired by the natural barrier function of tree bark.

Circular economy and fire-safety of polymers have become the global consensus. A strategy for selectively self-recyclable, highly-transparent and fire-safe polycarbonate is proposed by thermally responsive phosphonium-phosphate.

We propose a systematic strategy to create multistable metamaterials with function-oriented multitransition behaviors to satisfy diverse application scenarios by the replacement of designed contact block (CB) plates.

We developed a physics-informed machine learning platform that predicts stress–strain curves of 3D-printed thermoplastics from ink formulations, enabling virtual experimentation and rapid identification of optimal materials in vast chemical spaces.

We propose an OECT model for steady-state behavior based on thermodynamic and electrochemical principles. It shows that it is possible to establish the origin of the relationship between the choice of channel-electrolyte and device performance.

In this study, we designed and synthesized two NFREAs, 2BTh-3F and 2BTh-CN, incorporating distinct substituents to modulate their electron-withdrawing properties.

The copper-doped lead apatite, known as LK-99, is revealed as an intriguing flat-band material exhibiting correlated states from non-Fermi liquid to charge-transfer Mott insulator, rather than the initially claimed room-temperature superconductivity.

Two-dimensional (2D) in-plane covalent hetero-networks display exceptional optical and electrical properties well beyond those of their pristine components.

Nanofibrous hydrogel composites with exceptional mechanical, electrical, and anti-swelling properties, enabling amphibious motion sensing, underwater communication, and biological monitoring.

A latent crosslinking reaction between the polymer aerogel and organic PCMs was designed, enabling the PCC to form a copolymer monolith with improved charring ability and intrinsic fire safety when overheated, without flame-retardant modification.

The disorder in organic mixed electronic and ionic conductors (OMIECs) is highly dynamic, and, consequently, charge transport is not adversely affected by it. The dynamics of the soft materials drives the charge carriers.

We report the PANDA, a self-driving lab that handles fluids, electrodeposits polymers, and then functionally characterizes the result using optics or electrochemistry. As an example application, we perform a closed-loop study of electrochromic films.

Power dissipation, a fundamental limitation for realizing high-performance electronic devices, may be effectively reduced by an external supply voltage.

The lattice doping of lanthanide ions in Cs₂ZrCl₆ nanocrystals enabling phase transition from a cubic phase to a monoclinic phase and tunable photoluminescence.

Suppressed face-on stacking and crystallinity in ZR1:Y6 reduce charge dissociation, leading to more field-dependent charge generation compared to PM7:Y6, despite similar energy offsets in both blends.

PPP NPs revealed multiple functions with identified molecular mechanisms including ROS clearance and m6A modification regulation in alleviating damages and presenting therapeutic roles in mitochondrial and sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.

Ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials provide exciting opportunities for the rational design of persistent luminescence owing to their long-lived excitons.

The spiroannulation of multiple resonance core skeleton gives rise to pure-green emitters and superior electroluminescence performance with low efficiency roll-off.

Thermal-adaptive implant coating inspired by polar bears enhances NIR therapy efficiency, and minimizes tissue damage in infected bone defects.

The anomalous AHE induced by the skew scattering mechanism can obtain a large AHC but a small AHA in the clean regime. Here, we observed a colossal AHC (≥ 10⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and large AHA (> 10%) at the same time in EuAl₂Si₂.

Solvate ionic liquids’ pressurisation-induced piezoelectric response and linear relationship with force. Similar effect in solid polymer electrolyte consisting of SIL and epoxy resin. Implications in passive charging of energy storage composites.

Novel method of screening large-scale material databases to discover novel heterogeneous core@metal–organic-framework photocatalysts that are synthesizable, utilize visible light, band aligned, and water stable.

Dense ceramics of Al-substituted hexaferrites demonstrate robust, intensive, and highly magnetic field-sensitive ferromagnetic resonance absorption at 5–300 K.

In situ exsolution have been actively performed to deliver oxide nanocomposites with metal nanoparticles. In our work, a new ingredient was unveiled to boost nickel metal exsolution on the oxide surface by increasing the octahedron distortion.

Multiple topological phase transitions with a tunable orbital Hall effect under the irradiation of right-handed or left-handed circularly polarized light in two-dimensional ferromagnets.

The LCST ion gel assembled smart windows are thermotropic and electrochromic with reliable adjustment of light transparency as well as power-generating, which satisfy on-demand light modulation and high energy-efficiency.

Inspired by the adhesive capabilities of snails, this work successfully develops a touch-initiated hydrogel adhesive that exhibits remarkable on-demand adhesion on a diverse range of surfaces.

A micro–nano hollow composite film (MNHF) was endowed with remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency and ice-phobic properties by a double-bionic structure under a low content of photothermal material, featuring efficient anti-icing/deicing.

Predicting protein binding with the material surface still remains a challenge. In this work, a new concept is proposed to mimic the mechanism by which a platypus senses its external environment underwater, and to predict interactions in the system.

A fluorescence aging-resistant SiNCs/PDMS antifake coating is exploited by dispersing De-SiNCs into PDMS matrix. Interestingly, encapsulation of De-SiNCs is beneficial to improving mechanical property and thermal stability of the SiNCs/PDMS coating.

This work first reveals the regulation and mechanism of surface plasmon resonance on ion transport in nanofluidic membranes and explores the potential of solar-osmotic energy conversion based on cellulose nanofiber/molybdenum oxide heterogeneous nanofluidic membranes.

Polycatechols modulate amyloid-associated toxicities, arrest labile iron, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and regulate tau liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) to mitigate the pathological nexus between ferroptosis and AD.

An AIE organic zinc chloride complex scintillator, in which the metal halide serves as X-ray sensitizer for the organic component, is discovered to exhibit a light yield of 13 423 Photon per MeV and a radioluminescence decay lifetime of 5.24 ns.

We show how remote-plasma synthesis far from thermodynamic equilibrium yields unprecedented 2D crystals and demonstrates the first synthesis of 2D tungsten semicarbide, which was known from theoretical predictions to exhibit giant auxetic behavior.

The printable multicolor microgels exhibit excellent discoloration behavior and can act as fluorescent anti-counterfeiting inks, which are ascribed to the water-responsive FRET effect and changes in the aggregation state of fluorescent dyes.

NiMnIn Heusler alloys with second-order ferromagnetic transition show good thermomagnetic generation (TMG) performance with zero hysteresis and a long-term service life, enabling them to be better candidates for practical applications of TMG.

A zwitterionic supramolecular polymer elastomer with one ureido group and one carboxybetaine group on the side chain can be developed as an IoT-based self-powered sensing system for human motion monitoring.

We present a new type of core–shell copper nanocluster, [Cu₂₉(S^tBu)₁₃Cl₅(PPh₃)₄H₁₀]^tBuSO₃, that has multiple active sites on its surface. This nanocluster serves as a versatile heterogeneous catalyst for various C-heteroatom (C–O, C–N and C–S) bond-forming reactions.

By introducing PbI₂ quantum dots as trap centres in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ micro/nanowires, abnormal optical and electrical responses can be achieved, allowing versatile integration of sensing, memory, and operation for optical and thermal data.

A dual strategy of mild C–F scissoring fluorination and local high-concentration electrolyte is proposed to enable highly reversible Li–Fe–F conversion batteries with a high reversible capacity of 335 mA h g⁻¹ after 130 cycles.

A new facile and scalable interfacial locking engineering strategy is exploited to endow reversible microcages with infinite chemical recyclability to starting monomers, exceptional durability, high flame-retardant efficiency, and extensive applicability across diverse polymers.

A highly stable SnF₆²⁻ pillared metal–organic framework offers a rare combination of outstanding SO₂ capture, high selectivity and mild regeneration for future desulphurization processes.

Soft–hard dual nanophases are constructed in PLA, leading to the synchronously improved stiffness, ductility and toughness. This work contributes to constructing nanostructure in polymers and overcoming the trade-off between stiffness and ductility.

Simply put, yes. Band inversion-driven warping makes topological insulators fascinating prospects for thermoelectric applications.

Schematic diagram of NMP-PQ/PMMA for collinear holographic data storage.

We show a highly effective isolation of monochiral single-walled carbon nanotubes using conjugated polymers and small molecular chaperones that facilitate polymer folding.

This work presents a one-step molten salt synthesis approach to achieve a tunable isotype heterojunction in N-rich crystalline C₃N₅. The crystalline C₃N₅ successfully improved solar-driven hydrogen, benzaldehyde and H₂O₂ production.

The all-organic high-temperature polymer dielectrics with promising scale-up potential have witnessed much progress in the energy storage area, etc.

An investigation into the origins of radiation-generated traps utilizing characterization of large area transistor arrays, spectral analysis of the trap density of states, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and GIWAXS.