Themed collection Materials Horizons 10th anniversary regional spotlight collection: Europe

This minireview discusses the advantages and challenges in constructing bioinspired double-network hydrogels mimicking the structure and/or properties of biological tissue.

We propose a timeline classifying self-healing polymers in generations based on the healing mechanism, and correlated with historical development.

In this review, types and mechanisms of dual emission, as well as recent new insights for the design and applications of efficient novel dual emissive organic materials are presented.

The recent surge of scientific interest for lead halide perovskite semiconductors and optoelectronic devices has seen a mix of materials science sub-fields converge on the same “magical” crystal structure.

A comprehensive review on designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxides with various nanostructures for room-temperature gas sensor applications.

From its initial use to describe hydrolysis and condensation processes, the term ‘sol–gel’ is now used for a diverse range of chemistries.

Existing analytical models, such as the Hill model, are a powerful tool to understand the process of protein binding to nanoparticles.

Doped quater(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), capped either side of the chain with two pyridine units, is a promising alternative to PEDOT:PSS, as it removes the issue of acid-induced degradation of devices caused by PEDOT:PSS.

Variation of the thin-film preparation conditions identifies application-relevant polymorphs for particular molecular materials, where crystallization at surfaces enables the discovery of additional phases compared with classical polymorph screening.

Defect engineering of CNT veils, by stretching and heat-repairing, is shown to be a method for optimising thermoelectric performances, as thermal conductivity can be reduced without significantly affecting Seebeck voltage and electrical conductivity.

We present a generalisable methodology based on fluorescent non-covalent mechanophores for producing quantitative maps of local strain around defects within three-dimensional polymeric matrices.

Conducting polymer scaffolds enable electrical monitoring of the growth of three-dimensional human adult stem cell cultures and facilitate their differentiation into neuron-like cells.

A high performance flexible triboelectric nanogenerator using oxidation resistant pure copper nanowire electrodes.

A new generation of critical temperature indicators is developed for monitoring temperature decrease and providing irreversible visual signals. This is realized by using a switchable permeable–impermeable gold-liquid crystal elastomer membrane.

The volcano plot for oxygen evolution, consisting of a plethora of different reaction mechanisms, reveals mechanistic changes in dependence of the descriptor (ΔG₁) and potential-dependent switching of the preferred pathway at the volcano apex.

Morphological modification by DIO additive facilitates charge generation in the bulk of Y6, suppresses the bimolecular recombination, which results in an increased J_SC and FF of single component Y6 solar cells.

A comprehensive first-principles database is introduced for prototypical families of inorganic solid-state electrolytes containing sets of zero-temperature DFT and finite-temperature ab initio molecular dynamic results.

A simple yet powerful strategy of carrying out free radical polymerization of methacrylate monomers using a MOF-based initiator. The obtained composites maintain high catalytic activity towards a chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant.

Design of dual redox-active porous polymers towards high-energy density and performance organic electrode materials for lithium metal battery and symmetric all-organic battery applications.

A simple, single stage process is reported for the creation of a recyclable thermoset material from readily available epoxy resins and aliphatic amines, crosslinked with diboronic esters.

The transpiring wood is able to self-regulate indoor climate resulting in improved living comfort and substantial energy savings. The material sources and the fabrication process of transpiring wood also meet sustainability criteria.

Temperature dependent luminescence of multi-molecular excited states like excimers and charge-transfer states is described by a Frank–Condon model based on an inter-molecular vibrational mode and different potentials for the ground and excited state.

A voltage-controllable N ion accumulation effect at the outer surface of CoN films, enabling ‘post-stimulated’ learning or forgetting under deep sleep (once voltage stimuli are off), is demonstrated, triggering the development of synapse emulation.

Control of the final state of polarization switched by illumination is achieved in BaTiO₃ films by the manipulation of the internal electric fields by using suitable bottom electrodes.

Interplay of radiative and non-radiative recombination processes in tin halide perovskites as a result of doping, oxidation and defects.

An ultrastretchable triboelectric nanogenerator is developed by simultaneous transfer printing. The nanogenerator demonstrates all-in-one, self-powered touch, motion and force sensing that can function as artificial skin for soft robotic components.

Direct ink writing (DIW) of Pickering emulsions offers great potential for constructing on-demand objects.

Self-feeding hydrogels were fabricated to obtain structural platforms for 3D cell culture but also achieving an autonomous release of glucose over time to prolong cell’s survival in-vitro and in-vivo.

By combining a photocurable and a thermogelling hydrogel, it is possible to perform 3D freeform structuring via two-photon-polymerization and to manufacture concatenated parts without additional support structures.

The focus of our research was to design a novel inorganic material that would combine enhanced compressibility with high piezoelectric constants.

We highlight that machine-learning interatomic potentials trained over short AIMD trajectories enable first-principles multiscale modeling, bridging DFT level accuracy to the continuum level and empowering the study of complex/novel nanostructures.

Glassy polymers show an impressive surge in triboelectric surface charge when crossing their respective T_g. In a rubbery state they become softer and more adhesive, therefore heterolysis of polymer bonds and material transfer becomes more probable.

This communication describes the bionic preparation of a composite material in which fluorescent magnetite nanoparticles are included within the calcitic skeletal structure of the foraminifer Amphistrigina lessoni.

We quantify activation energy, concentration, and diffusion coefficient of mobile ions in MAPbI₃ perovskite solar cells using transient ion-drift measurements.

The hydrogenation mechanism in a Pd–Si–Cu metallic glass nanofilm, and its post-characterization by chronoamperometry/cyclic voltammetry and HR(S)TEM analyses.

Nanotopography was utilized to coat previously hardest-to-reach surfaces and to bypass issues related to traditional vapor deposition methods.

A self-regulated dynamic nanohybrid that can sensitively respond to hyperglycemic microenvironment is developed. The nanohybrid with a core/shell structure is produced through a single-step microfluidics nanoprecipitation method, where drugs-loaded porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles are encapsulated by H₂O₂ responsive polymeric matrix.

Focused ion beam milling of self-assembled magnetic superstructures is demonstrated as a novel approach to fabricate porous materials with tunable porosity. During exposure to the ion beam, nanoparticles in the superstructure are subjected to combined milling and melting, thus merging together into a porous network.

Thin films of a molecular spin crossover iron(II) complex featuring a photochromic diarylethene-based ligand have been grown by sublimation in ultra-high vacuum on Au(111) and investigated by photoelectron spectroscopies.

Rationally designed meta-implants were found to create compression along both of their contact lines with the surrounding bone, thereby decreasing the chance of bone–implant interface failure (Hoffman's criterion) and wear particle-induced osteolysis, and improving bone ingrowth.

Mille-feuille paper is the first non-woven, wet-laid filter paper, composed of 100% native cellulose, which is capable of removing the “worst-case” model parvoviruses from water with a log₁₀ reduction value (LRV) >5 (>99.999%).

“Compact layer-free” perovskite devices yield negligible stabilised power output, in comparison to those with charge selective contacts, elucidating mechanism for hysteresis.

We report the highly controlled synthesis of conjugated random copolymers in a droplet-based microfluidic reactor.

Bis(4-aminophenyl) disulfide has been used as a dynamic crosslink for the design of self-healing elastomers, showing quantitative healing efficiency at room-temperature, without the need for any catalyst or external intervention.

Azopolymer-based holographic templates create unique large-area arrays of three-dimensional plasmonic structures when combined with ion milling.