Themed collection 2022 Materials Chemistry Frontiers HOT articles

A visible light-driven chiral molecular switch shows reversible trans–cis photoisomerization, good compatibility, and high helical twisting power in achiral liquid crystals. Multi-stimuli responsive rotatable in-plane beam steering and chromatic dispersion are accomplished.

A highly biocompatible long-lived fluorescence micelle nanoprobe AI-Cz-M was constructed for tracking the formation and dynamics of lipid droplets in living tumor cells and adipocytes in real-time and quantitatively.

Most fluorescent probes can only be used for targeted imaging of single organelles, we herein develop a photoactivatable probe for tandem imaging of different organelles and in situ monitoring of their interplay with simple operation.

We report the synthesis and analysis of a series of conjugated ladder-type heteroarene model π-donor compounds, followed by computational and experimental mechanistic investigations of their π–π interactions and doping processes with the electron-deficient dopant F₄TCNQ.

The high specific capacity of metal oxides cannot cover up their low electron and ion diffusion rate and large volume expansion as anodes of lithium-ion batteries.

A selective fluorescent sensor FNE3 with a high signal-to-background ratio was constructed for microalbumin quantitative detection and drug visualization.

A new paradigm for designing high-performance PM NLO crystals: a novel PM fresnoite oxychalcogenide, Ba₂SnSSi₂O₇, has been successfully designed and obtained by the isomorphous substitution strategy, on the basis of the NPM parent Ba₂TiOSi₂O₇.

A new-type of covalent triazine framework derived from 2,5-pyrazinedicarbonitrile as a monomer with a high N/C ratio was designed and synthesized by trimerization at 400 °C with ZnCl₂ as a catalyst and salt melt via the ionothermal technique.

A rapid transformation of Pd nanocubes into octahedrons has been achieved at high concentrations by a robust liquid–solid biphasic oxidative etching–regrowth strategy, with HNO₂ playing a key role in the synthesis.

A hybrid supramolecular system containing redox compartments has been successfully developed for visible-light-driven overall water splitting in the ambient environment.

Combining multiple characterization probes (neutrons, X-rays, electrons) illustrated the hierarchical structure of exchange-spring nanocomposites & revealed unreported degradation of parent phase.

In this work, we combined red phosphorus and hierarchically porous carbon networks by the evaporation–condensation method to obtain a red phosphorus/porous carbon composite with outstanding performance for potassium storage.

The electrocatalytic performance and mechanism of the PdCu/TiO_2−x catalyst has been reported, providing new insight into the rational design of a highly efficient e-NRR system through tuning of the catalyst and reaction environment.

One-step fabrication of bulk SnTe thermoelectric material with excellent performance through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis under high-gravity field.

In this work, integrating the merits of architectural and electron structure design, hollow BC_xO_3−x nanocages with rich electron deficiencies are constructed through an in situ doping boron strategy, resulting in fast ion and charge transport.

A large dipole moment of 1,1-difluorosumanene realized a 120° in-plane pendulum motion in the stacking columns at above 380 K. This dynamic motion in the solid state enabled anisotropic dielectric relaxation induced by the external electric field.

The diblock copolymer PEG-b-PAzoMA self-assembled into abundant assemblies through a heating-annealing approach, including leaf-type, macro-flower-type, and rectangular platelets by manipulating the concentration and the cooling rate of the solution.

A dioxolane (DOL)-based electrolyte with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) additive enabled high performance of lithium metal batteries under extremely cold conditions by constructing a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the lithium anode.

The intrinsic thermal conduction of liquid crystalline epoxy can be significantly improved using the strategy of interlocked polymer networks due to the synergy among the mesogens, interlocked structure and inter-component hydrogen bonds.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows tremendous potential for the treatment of cancer due to its advantages of non-invasiveness and low systemic toxicity.

We first report an AIE probe EDS for rapid CMC determination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants in an environmentally friendly system.

The diblock copolymer P4VP-b-PAzoMA self-assembles into a hierarchical structure through a two-step process. Intriguingly, hierarchical structure could reversibly self-assemble under UV and visible light due to the existence of azobenzene moieties.

We explore the effect of organic ammonium cations with different Lewis acidity on the tip effect. Tetraethylammonium cations with medium Lewis acidity can form the most robust protecting shield, thus inhibiting the growth of dendrites.

In this work, hierarchically porous metal–organic framework (MOF)-based microneedles were designed for glucose-responsive infected diabetic wound treatment.

A two-photon fluorogenic probe with the untwisted intramolecular charge process which is comparable to commercial fluorophores has been successfully applied in observing hepatic steatosis.

The emission mechanism and origin of the host and Cr³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped Ca₄ZrGe₃O₁₂.

A solar–thermal and electrothermal wood-derived water evaporator is designed for all-weather-available steam generation, achieving an exceptional evaporation rate of 11.73 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1-sun irradiation with a voltage of 6 V.

Two emitters based on substituent effects exhibited different and competitive non-radiative decay processes, that was intersystem crossing and thermal deactivation, and excellent phototherapy achievement was realized by the two corresponding processes.