Themed collection Materials Chemistry Frontiers HOT articles for 2017
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New application of AIEgens realized in photodetectors: reduced work function of transparent electrodes and much improved performance
Highly sensitive organic photodetectors were achieved by the work function reduction of transparent electrodes with AIE molecules.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 264-269
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00404D
Fluorescence visualization of crystal formation and transformation processes of organic luminogens with crystallization-induced emission characteristics
A real-time, on-site, nondestructive, fluorescence imaging technique has been reported to monitor the crystal formation and transformation processes of organic luminogens.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 180-188
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00435D
Selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube arrays by ‘igniter-assisted gas-phase etching’
Small molecules are used as “igniters” for the selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by a gas phasing etching process.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 157-162
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00469A
Non-covalent molecular tweezer/guest complexation with Pt(II)⋯Pt(II) metal–metal interactions: toward intelligent photocatalytic materials
A novel supramolecular tweezering system has been developed for “on-demand” photocatalysis.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2018,2, 76-80
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00424A
Synthesis and self-assembly of unconventional C3-symmetrical trisubstituted triphenylenes
Unconventional C3-symmetric triphenylenes bearing three amide groups at the 1-, 5-, and 9-positions were synthesized. Their self-assembly behavior was investigated in detail through adjustment of the length of the alkyl chains.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2599-2605
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00361G
Charge mobility enhancement for diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated polymers by partial replacement of branching alkyl chains with linear ones
Side-chain engineering of three new conjugated D–A terpolymers by varying the number of branching and linear alkyl chains is presented for OFET studies.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2547-2553
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00307B
Recyclable, bifunctional composites of perovskite type N-CaTiO3 and reduced graphene oxide as an efficient adsorptive photocatalyst for environmental remediation
Novel RGO–NCT composites have been synthesized and utilized for the degradation of MB and TBZ, as efficient bifunctional adsorptive photocatalysts.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2391-2404
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00362E
A photoactivatable photochromic system serves as a self-hidden information storage material
A photoactivatable self-hidden information storage material was designed and facilely synthesized, which makes the recorded information safe and covert.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2356-2359
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00324B
An aluminium-based fluorinated counterion for enhanced encapsulation and emission of dyes in biodegradable polymer nanoparticles
An aluminium-based anion allows preparation of ultra-bright fluorescent polymer nanoparticles with nearly quantitative cationic dye encapsulation, minimized self-quenching and no dye leakage in live cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2309-2316
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00248C
Metal–organic frameworks meet polymer brushes: enhanced crystalline film growth induced by macromolecular primers
We introduce tailor-made polymeric 3D primers, which produce a striking enhancement in MOF film growth compared to traditional primers.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2256-2260
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00235A
Topology-guided functional multiplicity of iron(III)-based metal–organic frameworks
Several mesoporous iron(III)-based mixed linker MOFs were synthesized; all exhibiting MIL-143 topology. This structure type is tolerant to variation in the functional groups (e.g. nitro and/or amino) along the linkers.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1965-1974
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00263G
Self-oriented TiO2 nanosheets in films for enhancement of electron transport in nanoporous semiconductor networks
Self-oriented TiO2 nanosheets in nanoporous films were obtained by surface functionalization with amino acid derivatives adsorbed on nanosheets.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2094-2102
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00239D
Thermal-induced surface defective Co/Fe–Co planar hybrid composite nanosheet with enhanced catalytic activity in the Fenton-like reaction
The unexpected Co/Fe–Co planar hybrid nanosheets catalyst with serried surface defects including biphasic junction sites or defective holes were prepared.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2065-2077
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00217C
3-Piperazinyl propenylidene indolone merocyanines: consecutive three-component synthesis and electronic properties of solid-state luminophores with AIE properties
One-pot insertion-coupling-addition synthesis gives piperazinyl indolones showing aggregation induced emission and crystallization-induced emission enhancement.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2013-2026
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00198C
MOFs-Derived Co@CN bi-functional catalysts for selective transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes without use of base additives
A highly efficient non-noble metal catalytic system for selective transfer hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde without use of alkaline additives was developed.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 2005-2012
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00189D
Pt-embedded-CeO2 hollow spheres for enhancing CO oxidation performance
Pt-embedded-CeO2 hollow spheres are successfully synthesized and show enhanced catalytic performance toward CO oxidation reaction.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1754-1763
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00244K
Controlling solid-state optical properties of stimuli responsive dimethylamino-substituted dibenzoylmethane materials
Dimethylamino β-diketones with electron donating and withdrawing substituents displayed solvatochromism and aggregation induced emission. In the solid state, a blue to orange color range and thermal and mechanoresponsive properties were achieved.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1804-1817
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00157F
Direct amination of the antiaromatic NiII norcorrole
The introduction of amino-substituents to an antiaromatic NiII norcorrole complex was accomplished regioselectively upon simple treatment with various amines without any catalysts. The optical and electrochemical properties of the amino norcorroles were substantially modulated by electron-donating amino groups.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1853-1857
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00176B
Supramolecular conjugated polymer materials for organelle imaging in living cells
A novel supramolecular system based on conjugated polymers is developed to realize specific targeting and imaging of organelles in living cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1768-1772
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00105C
Hybrid PEDOT/MnOx nanostructured electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/manganese oxide hybrid films with high surface Mn(III) concentration and strong electronic coupling are effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1668-1675
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00147A
Self-standing Bi2O3 nanoparticles/carbon nanofiber hybrid films as a binder-free anode for flexible sodium-ion batteries
A flexible binder-free film composed of Bi2O3 nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofibers as a sodium ion battery anode shows superior electrochemical properties due to its high active area and conducting framework.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1615-1621
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00128B
Magnetic-field effects in ambipolar transistors based on a bipolar molecular glass
Magnetoresistance effects in ambipolar transistors based on a single amorphous organic thin-film.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1622-1628
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00104E
Control of aggregation-induced emission versus fluorescence aggregation-caused quenching by bond existence at a single site in boron pyridinoiminate complexes
The control of luminescence properties between fluorescence aggregation-caused quenching and aggregation-induced emission with or without a chemical bond at a single site in boron complexes was accomplished.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1573-1579
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00076F
Ternary silver chlorobromide nanocrystals: intrinsic influence of size and morphology on photocatalytic activity
The size and shape of ternary silver chlorobromide nanocrystals influence their optical absorption and photocatalytic activity.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1534-1540
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00046D
High-quality organohalide lead perovskite films fabricated by layer-by-layer alternating vacuum deposition for high efficiency photovoltaics
Fabrication of efficient perovskite solar cells (with a high fill factor) using layer-by-layer alternating (LBLA) vacuum deposition with highly crystalline and uniform perovskite films.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1520-1525
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00379F
Two-dimensional metal–organic frameworks for selective separation of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2
Two 2D porous metal–organic frameworks for selective carbon dioxide separation have been reported.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1514-1519
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00375C
Carbon intercalated porous NaTi2(PO4)3 spheres as high-rate and ultralong-life anodes for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Carbon intercalated porous NaTi2(PO4)3 spheres have been synthesized by a facile route. When evaluated as anodes for SIBs, these spheres delivered superior sodium storage performance in terms of high reversible capacity, stable cycling and good rate performances.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1435-1440
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00048K
Insights into the origin of aggregation enhanced emission of 9,10-distyrylanthracene derivatives
Intramolecular rotation around the vinyl moiety plays an important role in the whole AIE process of DSA derivatives.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1422-1429
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00032D
Halogenated conjugated molecules for ambipolar field-effect transistors and non-fullerene organic solar cells
Halogenated conjugated molecules containing F, Cl, Br and I with high crystallinity were developed to show high electron mobilities of 1.3 cm2 V−1 s−1 in field-effect transistors and power conversion efficiencies above 9% in non-fullerene solar cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1389-1395
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00025A
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Tuning the stacking behaviour of a 2D covalent organic framework through non-covalent interactions
The distinct stacking behaviour of two related 2D covalent organic frameworks is traced back to geometric and electronic features of their building blocks. Self-complementarity and donor–acceptor-type interactions are identified as design principles to access highly crystalline COFs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1354-1361
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00378H
Graphdiyne for multilevel flexible organic resistive random access memory devices
A novel carbon material graphdiyne and thermally deposited Al–Al2O3 core–shell NPs were employed to realize flexible multilevel RRAM.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1338-1341
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QM00009J
The photo-controlled polymerization-induced self-assembly and reorganization process for fabrication of polymeric nanomaterials
A visible light mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) is conducted in ethanol using poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) as a macro-chain transfer agent (macro-CTA), affording polymeric nanomaterials with various morphologies.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1200-1206
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00380J
Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of three different types of terpolymers
A series of terpolymers (Random, Regular and Block) based on dithienylphenylene, difluorobenzothiadiazole and dicyanobenzothiadiazole moieties were synthesized, and their optical, electrochemical, morphological, electrical and photovoltaic properties were studied.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1147-1155
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00267F
High open-circuit voltage ternary organic solar cells based on ICBA as acceptor and absorption-complementary donors
A high open-circuit voltage of 0.98 V in ternary organic solar cells is achieved by using ICBA as an acceptor and two absorption-complementary donors.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1223-1228
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00308G
Tetraphenylfuran: aggregation-induced emission or aggregation-caused quenching?
Tetraphenylfuran, structurally similar to AIE-active siloles, exhibits the traditional aggregation-caused quenching, which is co-caused by the restriction of intramolecular rotation and the conjugation effect.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 1125-1129
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00343E
Metal-deposited bismuth oxyiodide nanonetworks with tunable enzyme-like activity: sensing of mercury and lead ions
The enzyme-like activity of bismuth oxyiodide nanonetworks are tunable by in situ deposition with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles and the doped nanonetworks can selective detect Hg2+ and Pb2+ ions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 893-899
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00149A
Dual-responsive hybrid thermoplastic shape memory polyurethane
A urethane-based dual-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP) comprising poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was prepared.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 767-779
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00243A
Thienobenzene-fused perylene bisimide as a non-fullerene acceptor for organic solar cells with a high open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency
Two new thienobenzene-fused perylene bisimide dimers were designed and synthesized as non-fullerene acceptors with good device performances.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 749-756
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00194G
Striped patterns self-assembled from rod–coil diblock copolymers on spherical substrates
In this work, the structures and topological defects of striped patterns self-assembled from rod–coil diblock copolymers confined on spherical substrates were examined using dissipative particle dynamics simulations.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 697-708
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00137H
A supramolecular hydrogel with identical cross-linking point density but distinctive rheological properties
A supramolecular hydrogel with identical cross-linking point density but distinctive rheological properties is developed by adjusting the DNA cross-linking stability.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 654-659
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00176A
Graphene oxide coupled carbon nitride homo-heterojunction photocatalyst for enhanced hydrogen production
A metal-free ternary homo-heterojunction is developed for the first time and demonstrated for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 562-571
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00241B
Influence of protein adsorption on the cellular uptake of AuNPs conjugated with chiral oligomers
A hydrophilic PHEMA block reduces the adsorption of serum proteins, maintaining the chiral-selective cellular uptake of PAV-b-PHEMA–AuNPs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 542-549
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00163G
Fabrication of convex lens-shaped polymer particles by tuning the interfacial interaction
With the addition of small molecules to emulsion droplets containing block copolymers, anisotropic convex lens-like particles with hexagonally stacked cylindrical domains can be readily achieved by using a single surfactant to create a neutral interface for both blocks.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 507-511
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00072J
Novel donor–acceptor type conjugated polymers based on quinoxalino[6,5-f]quinoxaline for photovoltaic applications
Three novel conjugated polymers based on 2,3,8,9-tetrakis(3-(alkoxy)phenyl)-6,12-di(thiophen-2-yl)-2,3,8,9-tetrahydroquinoxalino[6,5-f]quinoxaline (DTNQx) were designed and synthesized, and were applied in photovoltaic cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 499-506
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00130K
Monolithic hierarchical gold sponges for efficient and stable catalysis in a continuous-flow microreactor
A monolithic hierarchical Au sponge is prepared by the polymer-assisted metal deposition method, showing excellent catalysis in intermittent and continuous-flow fashions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 482-486
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00115G
Whispering-gallery-mode based CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microrod lasers with high quality factors
High-quality-factor whispering gallery mode lasers in CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microrod lasers.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 477-481
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00028B
A robust molecular unit nanogrid servicing as network nodes via molecular installing technology
A nanogrid that consists of four fluorenes and two carbazoles has been synthesized by molecular installing technology from an L-shaped synthon.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 455-459
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00004E
Thermo-sensitive poly(VCL-4VP-NVP) ionic microgels: synthesis, cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, and sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs
Thermosensitive poly(VCL-4VP-NVP) ionic microgels showed good biocompatibility, excellent hemocompatibility and were suitable for the loading and sustained release of diclofenac sodium.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 369-379
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00046K
Supramolecular hybrids of carbon dots with doxorubicin: synthesis, stability and cellular trafficking
Functional nanoparticles were successfully prepared from carbon dots (CDs) and doxorubicin (Dox) via supramolecular interactions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 354-360
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00042H
On-surface synthesis approach to preparing one-dimensional organometallic and poly-p-phenylene chains
Substrates and extrinsic metals on top dictate the reaction intermediates and pathways of on-surface Ullmann couplings.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 119-127
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00142D
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Self-healing alginate–gelatin biohydrogels based on dynamic covalent chemistry: elucidation of key parameters
Key parameters that govern the self-healing character of alginate–gelatin biohydrogels based on dynamic covalent chemistry have been elucidated.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 73-79
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00066E
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Thiophene-derived polymer dots for imaging endocytic compartments in live cells and broad-spectrum bacterial killing
A new multi-functional fluorescent polymer dot was readily synthesized and used for live cell imaging and broad-spectrum bacterial killing.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 152-157
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6QM00065G
About this collection
Read some of the best research published from Materials Chemistry Frontiers in 2017. These articles are recommended by reviewers as being of significant novelty and interest.