Themed collection 2022 Highlight article collection
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Fused aza-heterocyclic ligands: expanding the MOF chemist's toolbox
Fused azolate ligands are hydrolytically-stable linkers for metal–organic frameworks. Their unique geometries and capacity for functionalisation have opened new pathways at the convergence of simple N-heterocycles and biologically relevant purines.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 8197-8207
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE01475K
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as fluorescence sensors: principles, development and prospects
This review classifies the latest developments of MOF-based fluorescence sensors according to the analytes, and discusses the challenges faced by MOF-based fluorescence sensors and promotes some directions for future research.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7881-7901
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE01159J
An overview of boosting lanthanide upconversion luminescence through chemical methods and physical strategies
Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles have attracted extensive research interest due to their promising applications in various fields.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7698-7717
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE01206E
Recent advances in tellurite molybdate/tungstate crystals
In this work, recent advances in tellurite molybdate/tungstate crystals have been systematically reviewed, including crystal growth, research of physical properties, theoretical analysis, and some electric/optical devices.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7516-7529
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00927G
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MOF/COF hybrids as next generation materials for energy and biomedical applications
MOF/COF hybrids combine the outstanding features of MOF and COF structures, such as high crystallinities, large surface areas, high porosities, and improved chemical and mechanical stabilities.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7360-7371
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE01296K
The synthesis of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals: surface and interface engineering
Metal halide perovskites have emerged as a new class of colloidal semiconductor nanomaterials. This highlight emphasizes an overview of surface and interface engineering for enhancing their chemical stability and optical properties.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7345-7359
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE01180H
Metal oxide charge transporting layers for stable high-performance perovskite solar cells
This review summarizes the recent progress in metal oxide charge transporting layers to achieve stable high-performance perovskite solar cells.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7229-7249
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00825D
Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted formation of crystalline materials for various energetic applications
This highlight gives an overview of recent advances in production of crystalline materials for high energy density applications for rechargeable batteries and solar cells or energetic compounds in supercritical carbon dioxide medium.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 7008-7023
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00794K
Porous carbon nanoarchitectonics for the environment: detection and adsorption
As a post-nanotechnology concept, nanoarchitectonics has emerged from the 20th century to the 21st century. This review summarizes the recent progress in the field of metal-free porous carbon nanoarchitectonics.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 6804-6824
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00872F
Electrospun one-dimensional electrocatalysts for boosting electrocatalysis
Electrospun 1D nanomaterials are highly active towards the electrocatalytic energy conversion reaction.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 6289-6296
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00886F
Recent advances in studying the nonnegligible role of noncovalent interactions in various types of energetic molecular crystals
This highlight summarizes the research progress on the considerable effects of noncovalent interactions on diverse types of energetic materials and enlighten us to explore new factors that affect the key performance of explosives.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 6119-6136
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00984F
Crystal facet and phase engineering for advanced water splitting
This review covers the principles and recent advances in facet and phase engineering of catalysts for photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, and electrochemical water splitting. It suggests the basis of catalyst design for advanced water splitting.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5838-5864
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00585A
The postsynthetic renaissance of luminescent lanthanide ions on crystalline porous organic framework materials
Recent studies about the design and fabrication of Ln@MOF/COF/HOF luminescent materials and devices have been reviewed systematically.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5821-5837
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00880G
Polyoxometalate-based metal–organic complexes and their derivatives as electrocatalysts for energy conversion in aqueous systems
The research progress on polyoxometalate-based metal–organic complexes and their derivatives as electrocatalysts in sustainable and clean energy conversion applications in aqueous systems is summarized.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5675-5682
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00815G
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Solid solutions based on BaZn2Si2O7 with thermal expansions from negative to highly positive – a review
Replacing Ba2+ by Sr2+ stabilizes the high temperature phase and leads to zero or negative thermal expansion. Replacing Zn2+ by Mg2+ or Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ shifts the phase transition to higher temperatures and leads to high thermal expansion.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5663-5674
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00667G
Donor–acceptor systems in metal–organic frameworks: design, construction, and properties
In this highlight, the development of donor acceptor (D–A) MOF was briefly reviewed and summarized in the aspects of design, construction, and properties. Also, an outlook about the research and potential application of D–A MOF has been presented.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5538-5551
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00588C
Perovskite materials: from single crystals to radiation detection
Pb- and Bi-based perovskite materials have high potential for detecting ionizing radiation but an enhanced research effort is needed to achieve large-size, high-performance single crystals at a competitive cost to accelerate this development.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5383-5399
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00637E
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Mesoscale clusters of organic solutes in solution and their role in crystal nucleation
Despite recent advances, fundamental knowledge of the properties, thermodynamics and kinetics of mesoscale clusters, and their role in nucleation, is still limited.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5182-5193
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00718E
Metal–organic framework-based solid-state electrolytes for all solid-state lithium metal batteries: a review
This work systematically reviewed recent progress of MOF-based solid electrolytes in all solid-state metal batteries which has rarely been summarized.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 5014-5030
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00663D
Extensive tailoring of REPO4 and REVO4 crystallites via solution processing and luminescence
This article highlighted the recent achievements in crystal engineering of REPO4 and REVO4via solution processing, with an emphasis on solution chemistry, the role of chelate ion, crystallization mechanism and luminescence properties.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 4841-4852
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00535B
Synthesis of two-dimensional layered double hydroxides: a systematic overview
Typical preparation strategies of layered double hydroxide: top-down approach and bottom-up approach.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 4639-4655
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00511E
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Recent progress of the single crystal growth of homologous (InGaO3)m(ZnO)n
Crystal structure of the homologues series of (InGaZnO3)m(ZnO)n.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 4481-4495
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00439A
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Epitaxy: a methodological approach to the study of an old phenomenon
We describe the use of an integrated methodological approach to study epitaxial phenomena.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 4165-4173
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00340F
Isolation of elusive cyclobutane ligands via a template-assisted photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction and their utility in engineering crystalline solids
Selective examples of isolation of pure cyclobutane compounds via solid-state photochemical reactions of cocrystals, and their utility in engineering crystalline solids are discussed.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3993-4007
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00277A
Intraband transition and localized surface plasmon resonance of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals and their dependence on crystal structure
Intraband transition and localized surface plasmon resonance of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals that are sensitive to the crystal structure.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3828-3840
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00312K
Energetic host–guest inclusion compounds: an effective design paradigm for high-energy materials
Due to the stringent requirements of performance, safety, and cost for the development of new energetic materials (EMs), the synthesis of host–guest inclusion compounds is an attractive way to fully exploit the application potential of existing EMs.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3667-3674
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00171C
Recent advances in polyoxometalate-based metal-alkynyl clusters
This paper focuses on the recent advances in polyoxometalate-based metal-alkynyl clusters.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3317-3331
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00190J
Photomechanical crystalline materials: new developments, property tuning and applications
This highlight gives an overview of the mechanism development, property tuning and application exploration of photomechanical crystalline materials.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3136-3149
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00203E
Recent progress in antisolvent crystallization
Antisolvent crystallization is a significant unit operation in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in drug crystal property optimization.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 3122-3135
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00059H
Metal organic framework-based nanostructure materials: applications for non-lithium ion battery electrodes
Non-lithium ion (e.g., Al3+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, and Zn2+) batteries have emerged as a promising platform for next-generation energy storage systems.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2925-2947
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01737C
Topological transformations in metal–organic frameworks: a prospective design route?
We apply a topological approach based on the underlying net and transformation pattern concepts as well as on the ‘supernet–subnet’ formalism to uncover mechanisms of solid-state transformations in coordination polymers and metal–organic frameworks.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2914-2924
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00264G
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Three-dimensional electron diffraction: a powerful structural characterization technique for crystal engineering
The recent advances in three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) are highlighted with a focus on its applications for investigating nanocrystals.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2719-2728
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00051B
Metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives as electrode materials for Li-ion batteries: a mini review
Research progress on metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives as functional materials for lithium-ion battery applications has been presented.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2729-2743
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00167E
Luminescent organic porous crystals from non-cyclic molecules and their applications
Photoluminescent organic porous crystals can be constructed from organic small molecules based on weak intermolecular interactions.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2575-2590
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01702K
Mechanical twinning in organic crystals
Various kinds of organic crystals can deform beyond their elastic limit, show unique mechanical properties, and switch directions of anisotropic functions by mechanical twinning based on stress-induced molecular movements.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2527-2541
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00089J
Gd(III)-Based inorganic polymers, metal–organic frameworks and coordination polymers for magnetic refrigeration
Gd(III)-based molecular magnetorefrigerants are reviewed and discussed in detail, with an emphasis on the synthetic strategy towards good stability and large magnetocaloric effect.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2370-2382
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01633D
Compositionally graded crystals as a revived approach for new crystal engineering for the exploration of novel functionalities
Nanoscale compositionally graded crystals have huge potential to allow the exploration of new functionalities through crystal lattice modulation.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2359-2369
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00041E
Applications of halide perovskites in X-ray detection and imaging
Some advanced and meaningful work was conducted on halide perovskites for X-ray detectors, and the performance of the corresponding X-ray detectors has reached new heights.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2201-2212
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01575C
Metal–organic frameworks with ftw-type connectivity: design, pore structure engineering, and potential applications
The structure, pore size regulation, and potential applications of MOFs featuring ftw-type connectivity have been reviewed.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2189-2200
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00044J
Along the road to crystal structure prediction (CSP) of pharmaceutical-like molecules
In this Highlight the most important approaches in CSP to tackle molecular flexibility are characterized. Their successful use for drug-like molecules emphasizes the maturity of zeroth order CSP, while limitations indicate places for improvement.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1665-1678
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01564H
Mechanochemistry as an emerging tool for the preparation of sustained release urea cocrystals as a nitrogen source
Poor nitrogen usage efficiency of urea is one of the serious drawbacks that need urgent attention. This highlight focuses on the recent developments in mechanochemical synthesis of urea cocrystals as enhanced efficiency fertilizers.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1679-1689
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01713F
Tremendous boost in the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4: regulation from polymerization kinetics to crystal structure engineering
TOC diagram illustrates that a change in the degree of polymerization affects the intermolecular distance and promotes electron migration in the g-C3N4 framework.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2023-2035
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01547H
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Impurity incorporation in solution crystallization: diagnosis, prevention, and control
This work highlights recent advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and control of impurity incorporation during solution crystallization.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1989-2001
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01721G
Enhancing the stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients by the cocrystal strategy
Cocrystal strategies to achieve excellent physiochemical performance under different environmental stress were highlighted here. The lattice energy and the energy barrier of degradation reactions are two pillars in a stable cocrystal construction.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 2002-2022
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01327K
Recent advances in melt crystallization, towards process intensification and technique development
This study summarizes the process models for the crystallization and sweating process, and several process intensification pathways and novel devices for melt crystallization. Also, the critical concerns for further research are discussed.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1823-1839
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00022A
Ferroic phase transition molecular crystals
Recent developments in ferroic phase transition molecular crystals (ferroelectrics, ferroelastics, and multiferroics) are highlighted.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1507-1517
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00009A
Non-stoichiometry and point native defects in non-oxide non-linear optical large single crystals: advantages and problems
Advances and limitations in the field of growing large, high optical quality single crystals of AgGaS2 (AGS), AgGaGeS4 (AGGS), ZnGeP2 (ZGP), LiInS2 (LIS), LiGaS2 (LGS), LiInSe2 (LISe), LiGaSe2 (LGSe) and LiGaTe2 (LGT) are considered in this article.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1495-1506
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01423D
Molecular solid solutions for advanced materials – homeomorphic or heteromorphic
Crystalline molecular solid solutions are discussed on the basis of homeomorphism and heteromorphism of blended molecules.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1309-1318
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01632F
Synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of ultrathin noble metal nanosheets
The research progress in the synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic performance of ultrathin two-dimensional noble metal sheet nanostructures reported in the past decade is summarized.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1319-1333
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01582F
C–H⋯N
C hydrogen bonding in cyanobenzene-ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalene compounds
The importance of C–H⋯NC interactions, which although generally considered weak, are effective in the self-assembly of crystal structures.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1145-1155
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01551F
Luminescent polymorphic crystals: mechanoresponsive and multicolor-emissive properties
Polymorphic organic crystals that can switch their photophysical properties in response to mechanical stimuli are highlighted.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1112-1126
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01614H
Wet etching in β-Ga2O3 bulk single crystals
Wet etching is a simple and effective method to identify defects, fabricate patterns, and polish wafers of semiconductors. We highlight recent progress in wet etching of β-Ga2O3 substrates with an aim to comprehensively understand the etching behavior and mechanism.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 1127-1144
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01499D
Rational design, synthesis, and applications of carbon-assisted dispersive Ni-based composites
Herein, we review recent developments in the rational design and engineering of various carbon-assisted dispersive nickel-based composites, and boosted properties for protein adsorption and nitroaromatics reduction.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 912-921
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01493E
Molecular dynamics simulation of organic materials: structure, potentials and the MiCMoS computer platform
Molecular dynamics simulation shows atoms in action: liquids, crystals, mesophases, nanoparticles trace their paths in time, temperature and pressure in a computing platform designed for organic small molecules.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 922-930
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01360B
Post-synthetic modification within MOFs: a valuable strategy for modulating their ferroelectric performance
It is a great route designing new MOF ferroelectrics to enrich the scope of ferroelectrics or improving the ferroelectric performance to enhance the opportunity of applications through the strategy of post-synthetic modification (PSM).
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 724-737
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01567B
Thallium-based heavy inorganic scintillators: recent developments and future perspectives
The current development status and future perspectives of Tl-based inorganic scintillators are highlighted in this study.
CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 450-464
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CE01422F
About this collection
This web collection contains the Highlight articles published in CrystEngComm in 2022.