Themed collection 2017-2018 Top Cited Research from China

In recent years, two-dimensional atomic-level thickness crystal materials have attracted widespread interest such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), silicene, germanium, black phosphorus (BP), transition metal sulfides and so on.

Most recent advances of the synthesis of poly-1,2,3-triazole-based functional materials.

A flexible SiO₂ porous fiber membrane (SF) is prepared by electrospinning followed by calcination in this work.

Carbon nanotube/poly(urethane) films for antistatic application with high transparency, low sheet resistance and strong adhesion were obtained by optimizing the ratio of SWCNT to WPU.

Three Zn(II)–M(II) (M = Ca, Sr and Ba) complexes have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Ion competitive experiments show that the coordinating capability in the central O₆ site is in the order of Ca(II) > Sr(II) > Ba(II).

Tri- and hexanuclear Ni(II)–M(II) (M = Ca, Sr and Ba) complexes have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Fluorescence titration experiments show that the coordinating capabilities in the central O₆ site are in the order of Ca(II) > Sr(II) > Ba(II).

A 2D luminescent MOF serves as an ideal chemosensor for nitroaromatic compounds, especially for TNP, via luminescent quenching.

Two homotrinuclear cobalt(II) complexes with different solvent molecules that coordinate to the central Co(II) ion, show different supramolecular interactions and exhibit catalytic activities in relation to catechol oxidase.

The novel red phosphor K₂LiGaF₆:Mn⁴⁺, which exhibits a broadband excitation extending from 300 to 500 nm and an ideal narrow band emission centered at 630 nm, is a promising red phosphor candidate for application in WLEDs.

Perylene diimide functionalized CuO nanobelts were demonstrated to possess higher intrinsic peroxidase-like activity than that of pure CuO nanobelts.

Using biomass-derived carbon nanodots as a precursor, Co₉S₈@N,P-doped porous carbon was fabricated by a molten-salt calcination and post-phosphorization method, and exhibits HER and OER bifunctional catalytic activity.

Organometal halide perovskite materials are outstanding candidates not only for solar cells but also for photo-detection.

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells are found to be sensitive to moisture, oxygen, UV light, light soaking, heat, electric field, etc.

As a new kind of two-dimensional (2D) material, black phosphorus (BP) has attracted explosive interest in biomedical applications.

A universal but simple procedure for identifying the α, β and γ phases in PVDF using FTIR is proposed and validated. An integrated quantification methodology for individual β and γ phase in mixed systems is also proposed.

A novel blue phosphor CAZO:Bi³⁺ and a color tunable phosphor CAZO:Bi³⁺,Mn⁴⁺ have been synthesized, characterized, and studied. The internal QY of CAZO:Bi³⁺,Mn⁴⁺ is as high as 89.1% due to the energy transfer efficiency from Bi³⁺ to Mn⁴⁺.

Heteroatom doping on the surface of an electrode and catalyst can impact the surface and electronic properties.

Comparative study of the photocatalytic performance for the degradation of different by ZnIn₂S₄ based on the adsorption of dyes, the active species and the degradation pathway.

The flexible and free-standing paper electrode with ultrahigh volumetric performance and outstanding stability was prepared based on the layered 2D Ti₃C₂T_x, which demonstrates the potential applications in small-sized electronic devices.

Inspired by natural rice leaf surfaces, we report a simple method to prepare three-level macrogrooves and micro/nanostructures on PDMS films by using energy-modulation femtosecond laser scanning for potential applications in water collection.

We synthesized luminescent CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals with a high quantum yield and realized patterning and color-purity light-emitting diode applications.

In this paper, a novel polarization splitter has been designed based on the dielectric metasurface consisted of silicon nanobricks array, which can generate two different wavefronts for two orthogonal input polarizations with over 90% transmitted efficiency.

In this study, doxorubicin (DOX) hydrochloride as a model drug, N-doped carbon dots as a drug carrier, and heparin as an auxiliary medicine were selected to design and prepare a multi-functional drug delivery system with pH-triggered drug release.

The Ni/ZnO composites show two wide attractive absorption bands, which could broaden the effective absorption bandwidth.

Novel core–shell structured ellipsoid-like BiVO₄@g-C₃N₄ composites, with different amounts of g-C₃N₄, have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal-chemisorption method.

A one-step electrochemical co-deposition method was used to prepare a graphene/polyaniline composite on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible supercapacitors.

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogel prepared by radical polymerization in a clean and extremely simple way was used to adsorb U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions.

By combine the Ag nanoparticles, pyramidal silicon and molybdenum disulfide, the MoS₂@AgNPs@PSi substrate shows high performance in terms of sensitivity, uniformity, reproducibility and stability.

Mille-feuille shaped hard carbons derived from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibrous via simple electrostatic spinning achieve excellent electrochemical performances as anode materials for sodium ion batteries.

The diameter effect of Au NPs on photothermal conversion was explored for generating solar steam.

BAILs having different structures and their related acidities have been investigated for their role in the esterification of n-butanol with acetic acid, and it was found that IL-5 containing double –SO₃H groups exhibits excellent catalytic activity.

Aerogels are modified by a simple method of hydrophobicity and mechanical properties simultaneously.

Magnetic CoFe₂O₄/rGO nanocomposites were fabricated via a solvothermal process and used as environmentally-friendly adsorbents for the adsorption of organic dyes.

A RuO₂/Co₃O₄ heterojunction catalyst with a perfect OER and HER overpotential in 1 M KOH solution was synthesized. It contains only a small amount of precious metal oxides but demonstrates a better performance than most reported Co₃O₄-based electrocatalysts.

Graphene oxide (GO) was incorporated into polyimide (PI) to fabricate GO/PI mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), which show a high water flux (36.1 kg m⁻² h⁻¹) and a high salt rejection (99.9%) for desalination of 3.5 wt% seawater at 90 °C.

The kernel of photocatalysis research is the development of catalysts with remarkable photocatalytic activity.

A new series of teixobactin analogues were prepared using a convenient synthetic strategy and their antibacterial activities were evaluated.

Porous ZnCo₂O₄ microspheres with excellent electrochemical performance were prepared via a facial self-template solvothermal method for application in supercapacitors.

This study provides a novel approach to design efficient WO₃ photocatalysts decorated by bimetallic Pt–Ag alloy nanoparticles.

A high-performance all-solid-state flexible carbon/TiO₂ micro-supercapacitor with photo-rechargeable capability was prepared by combining a laser direct writing technique with electrophoretic deposition.