Themed collection Most popular 2022 materials and energy articles
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Towards the practical application of Zn metal anodes for mild aqueous rechargeable Zn batteries
This perspective article focuses on discussing several “less-developed” but important topics for Zn anodes and try to present readers a practical angle to look at the development of aqueous Zn batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 8243-8252
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01818G
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Tin-based halide perovskite materials: properties and applications
This perspective presents the current status and prospects of tin-perovskites and the relevant optoelectronic device applications.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6766-6781
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01914K
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Next steps for solvent-based CO2 capture; integration of capture, conversion, and mineralisation
In this perspective, we detail how solvent-based carbon capture integrated with conversion can be an important element in a net-zero emission economy.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6445-6456
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00220E
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On the interface reactions and stability of nonfullerene organic solar cells
Interface instability of emerging nonfullerene organic solar cells has been discussed, with respect to the phenomena, mechanism of interfacial reactions and strategies proposed to improve the interfacial stability of devices.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4714-4739
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC07269B
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Organic radicals with inversion of SOMO and HOMO energies and potential applications in optoelectronics
Recent experimental and theoretical results on SHI organic radicals are reported with electronic and structural insights regarding the key parameters leading to this specific (non-aufbau) electronic configuration.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 9833-9847
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02480B
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Organometallic catalysis in aqueous and biological environments: harnessing the power of metal carbenes
Metal-catalyzed carbene transformations can be implemented in aqueous mixtures, and even under the stringent conditions of living cells, provided substrates and catalysts are properly tuned to present a good balance between stability and reactivity.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6478-6495
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00721E
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Active material and interphase structures governing performance in sodium and potassium ion batteries
The importance of the active material structure and the interface/interphase between the electrode and electrolyte in enhancing the electrochemical performance of sodium and potassium ion batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6121-6158
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00946C
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Mechanical reinforcement of granular hydrogels
The mechanical properties of granular hydrogels are strongly influenced by interparticle interactions. In this review, we compare the storage, compressive and tensile moduli of granular hydrogels cured using various interparticle interactions.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3082-3093
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06231J
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Solar energy conversion using first row d-block metal coordination compound sensitizers and redox mediators
The progress over the last decade in the applications of first row d-block metal, especially iron, cobalt, copper and zinc, coordination compounds in redox shuttles and sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells is reviewed.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 1225-1262
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06828H
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Angularly fused diaza-dinaphthopyrenes: regio-selective synthesis, crystal structures and isomer-dependent mechanochromic fluorescent properties
A one-pot synthesis of the first angularly fused diaza-dinaphthopyrene isomers with central and axial symmetry is reported. They showed isomer-specific crystal structures, tunable optical and redox properties, and turn-on mechanochromic fluorescence.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 668-674
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05608A
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Near-infrared electroluminescence beyond 940 nm in Pt(N^C^N)X complexes: influencing aggregation with the ancillary ligand X
The ancillary ligand X strongly influences the aggregates formed by complexes of the type Pt(N^C^N)X. X = I leads to a 4× increase in film PLQY and OLED EQE vs. X = Cl, while X = SCN yields very long wavelength electroluminescence, λmaxEL = 944 nm.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 13600-13610
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05023D
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Continuous-flow self-supported seATRP using a sonicated microreactor
Continuous-flow self-supported seATRP was realized for the first time using a novel sonicated microreactor. This provides an alternative route to scale up the eATRP process and an opportunity for a more environmentally friendly synthesis.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 12326-12331
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC03608H
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Excimer evolution hampers symmetry-broken charge-separated states
Achieving long-lived symmetry-broken charge-separated states in chromophoric assemblies is quintessential for enhanced performance of artificial photosynthetic mimics.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10824-10835
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC04387D
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Oxidative control over the morphology of Cu3(HHTP)2, a 2D conductive metal–organic framework
The morphology of a copper-based 2D conductive metal–organic framework can be tuned via controlled ligand oxidation. Using quinone oxidants, we show how partial ligand oxidation prior to metal binding alters the nanocrystal aspect ratio by >60-fold.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10472-10478
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC03648G
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TADF-based NIR-II semiconducting polymer dots for in vivo 3D bone imaging
A series of NIR-II fluorescent TADF-incorporated polymer dots were successfully synthesized. The function of the TADF moiety was fully studied and the bio-applications of these polymer dots including bone imaging were also demonstrated.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10074-10081
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC03271F
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Room temperature charge-transfer phosphorescence from organic donor–acceptor Co-crystals
A modular, non-covalent donor–acceptor strategy is proposed to bias the excited-state manifold of organic systems and to realize unprecedented charge-transfer phosphorescence.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 10011-10019
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC03343G
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Controlled, one-pot synthesis of recyclable poly(1,3-diene)-polyester block copolymers, catalyzed by yttrium β-diketiminate complexes
Ligand features that promote one-pot block copolymerization of 1,3-dienes and cyclic esters were realized with yttrium β-diketiminate complexes. Depolymerization and repolymerization of the polyester block introduced a plausible recycling strategy.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 9515-9524
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02265F
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On the electrocatalytical oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability of quaternary RhMo-doped PtNi/C octahedral nanocrystals
PtNi nano-octahedra with Rh and Mo dopants are highly active catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction with excellent stability and shape integrity. We investigate the morphological, structural, and compositional evolution during stability testing.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 9295-9304
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01585D
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Light-driven molecular motors embedded in covalent organic frameworks
The synthesis of a light-driven molecular motor and its incorporation into a series of imine-based polymers and covalent organic frameworks is presented and criteria for the spectroscopic probing of molecular dynamics in porous solids are discussed.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 8253-8264
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02282F
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Water as a monomer: synthesis of an aliphatic polyethersulfone from divinyl sulfone and water
This study describes the first example of the polymerization of water as one of two monomers. The obtained polymer allows for a solvent-free preparation of polymer electrolyte membranes exhibiting a high oxidative stability.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6920-6928
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC02124B
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Accessing the triplet state of perylenediimide by radical-enhanced intersystem crossing
The triplet state of PDI can be sensitized efficiently by radical-enhanced intersystem crossing. A detailed study of several related structures allows us to propose new strategies to optimize triplet formation in materials for optoelectronic devices.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6732-6743
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01899C
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3D vs. turbostratic: controlling metal–organic framework dimensionality via N-heterocyclic carbene chemistry
A new MOF with a saturated N-heterocyclic carbene ligand undergoes a series of structural transformations to produce a turbostratic material, which serves as a better support for an iridium hydrogenation catalyst, when compared to the parent material.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6418-6428
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01041K
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Poly-phenylene jacketed tailor-made dendritic phenylazomethine ligand for nanoparticle synthesis
A new design concept of a dendritic ligand with regulated number coordination sites is proposed, and capability as a template for nanoparticle synthesis is demonstrated.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 5813-5817
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05661A
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Highly efficient and stable deep-blue OLEDs based on narrowband emitters featuring an orthogonal spiro-configured indolo[3,2,1-de]acridine structure
An advanced concept of using ultra-narrowband emitters to improve the stability of deep-blue OLEDs is proposed and two proof-of-concept deep-blue emitters are developed.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 5622-5630
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01543A
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Direct measurement of the genuine efficiency of thermogalvanic heat-to-electricity conversion in thermocells
We report the first genuine quantification of thermogalvanic heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency, for both the electrolyte and for the entire device.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4984-4998
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06340E
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An unprecedented azobenzene-based organic single-component ferroelectric
The first azobenzene-based organic single-component ferroelectric 2-amino-2′,4,4′,6,6′-pentafluoroazobenzene was designed, which shows an exceptionally high Curie temperature (Tc) of 443 K.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4936-4943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00689H
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Stereoregular functionalized polysaccharides via cationic ring-opening polymerization of biomass-derived levoglucosan
We demonstrate the facile synthesis and characterization of stereoregular polysaccharides from the biomass-derived platform molecule levoglucosan via metal-triflate mediated cationic-ring opening polymerization.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 4512-4522
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00146B
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Electrochemically driven C–N bond formation from CO2 and ammonia at the triple-phase boundary
Electrocatalytic formation of C–N bonds was achieved through the electrolysis of CO2 and NH3 over Cu catalysts. A combined analytical and spectroscopic approach gave insights into the reaction mechanism leading to formamide and acetamide products.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3957-3964
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06590D
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Diazido macrocyclic sulfates as a platform for the synthesis of sequence-defined polymers for antibody drug conjugates
We report a new method for the synthesis of functional, sequence-defined polyethers and apply the material to antibody conjugation.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3888-3893
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06242E
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Mesoporous PdBi nanocages for enhanced electrocatalytic performances by all-direction accessibility and steric site activation
An effective yet simple approach was developed to synthesize mesoporous PdBi nanocages for electrochemical applications.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3819-3825
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06314F
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Pillar[3]trianglamines: deeper cavity triangular macrocycles for selective hexene isomer separation
Crystalline allyl-functionalized trianglamine macrocycles (P-TA) that show a pillared-like cavity were successfuly prepared and employed for the robust molecular sieving of 1-He from vapor and liquid (in solution) isomeric mixtures.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 3244-3248
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00207H
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Unprecedented mid-infrared nonlinear optical materials achieved by crystal structure engineering, a case study of (KX)P2S6 (X = Sb, Bi, Ba)
Three superior type-I phase-matching middle infrared nonlinear optical materials (Ea > 4.0 eV, dij > 2× AGS, LDT > 8× AGS) were achieved via crystal structure engineering.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 2640-2648
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC06849K
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Multi-resonant thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters based on tetracoordinate boron-containing PAHs: colour tuning based on the nature of chelates
A new class of tetra-coordinate boron-containing MR-TADF emitters and their corresponding high-performance hyperfluorescent organic light-emitting diodes have been successfully achieved.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 1665-1674
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05692A
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Precise fabrication of porous polymer frameworks using rigid polyisocyanides as building blocks: from structural regulation to efficient iodine capture
Macroporous polymer frameworks with a tunable pore size were readily prepared using 4-arm rod-like polymers as building blocks. They showed excellent iodine capture performance with very high efficiency (1 minute) and high capacity (574%).
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 1111-1118
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05361B
About this collection
This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most read, cited and shared articles from 2022 in the field of materials and energy chemistry. The collection highlights some outstanding contributions ranging from reviews detailing recent advances in energy storage technologies through to new state-of-the-art research on organic ferroelectrics, methods for nanoparticle synthesis, porous materials for isomer separation and many other topics. As with all Chemical Science articles, these highlighted works are completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.
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