Themed collection Materials Horizons Lunar New Year collection 2021

nMOF-mediated enzymatic reactions have spurred intensive research, securing their place as “magic bullets” for catalytic tumor-specific therapy.

We summarize recent developments of Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites as intriguing and high-performing electrocatalysts for key reactions relevant to energy conversion and storage at both low and high temperatures.

In this review, we summarize the anodic interface problems, advanced strategies, in situ characterization technologies and future perspectives of SSLMBs.

A summary of the characteristics and switching mechanisms of memristors based on novel 2D materials.

Functionalized 2D nanoarchitectures work as intelligent “host-conjugator” combined platforms for exogenous and endogenous stimuli-responsive drug delivery.

A smart hairy skin with hiearchical micro/nanoporous shape memory polymer enables dynamically adaptive thermal insulation.

A synthetic strategy utilizing a predesigned organic framework is demonstrated to construct high-density single-atom catalysts for long-lasting zinc–air flow batteries.

A nanosheets/nanofibers assembled membrane with low energy barrier, fast ion transport and superior osmotic energy performances is reported.

We have developed strong and durable hydrogel adhesives for underwater bonding.

A self-powered integrated strain sensor system which could be attached to the human body to detect human motion was developed.

Stretchable, self-healing, and fatigue resistant polyzwitterionic nanocomposite hydrogels with polydopamine robustly adhere to the heart and lungs for in situ monitoring of dynamic motions through wireless transmission.

Single atom Pt significantly improves the sensing performances of ultrathin SnO₂ films for detection of triethylamine.

This work reports the layer-by-layer motif synthesis of 3D interconnected nitrogen–iron-doped carbon tubes (3D-FeNC tubes) by using continuous polymeric fibers as templates with high capacitive deionization performance in oxygenated saline water.

Highly efficient NIR-II photothermal therapy is enabled by molecularly engineered conjugated small molecule nanoparticles.

A zwitterionic poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel with super-stretchability, self-healing ability, and high conductivity at −20 °C was fabricated and used for ionic skin for a soft robotic gripper.

A general strategy for the fabrication of mechanically robust ionogels by hydrogen bonding between elastomers and [NTf₂]-based ILs is demonstrated.

An all-weather steam generation system is achieved based on the alternative photo-thermal and electro-thermal conversion of crosslinked MXene aerogels.

We demonstrated a stable and spectrum-selective self-powered UV photodetector based on lead-free Cs₃Cu₂I₅ films with excellent photodetection performance.

Ultimate device performances of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes, an external quantum efficiency of 27.6%, a device lifetime over 10 000 h at 100 cd m⁻², and CIE (0.12, 0.13), were achieved by employing an electroplex host.

A simple small molecule of BTF is used as a third component in the binary blends of J71:ITIC and PM6:Y6 to achieve efficient ternary polymer solar cells with enhanced PCEs of 12.35% and 16.53%, respectively.