Themed collection Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023
Contributors to the Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023
This profile article showcases researchers who have contributed an article to the Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2024,8, 2188-2196
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4QM90022G
3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels
Programmable 3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive hydrogels is of great interest for the fabrication of soft actuators and robots. The corporation of hydrogel matrices and functional additives is discussed in this review.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 5989-6034
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00856H
Polymeric nanomaterials with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
Polymeric nanomaterials with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics have attracted significant attention from the scientific community because of their extensive biomedical applications.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 4768-4781
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00562C
Eco-friendly and ultrathin solar cells featuring nanocrystals: advances and perspectives
A comprehensive and critical review of the emerging eco-friendly solar cells such as AgBiS2 is presented with the goal of further advancing the photovoltaic performance and stability.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 4693-4706
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00334E
Recent advances in separation membranes based on porous organic molecular materials
This mini-review summarises the recent advances in separation membranes based on porous organic molecular materials, an emerging subclass of porous materials.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 3560-3575
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00217A
Visualizing intracellular dynamics with AIE probes
This work summarizes the recent development of AIE probes to unveil intracellular processes, covering from intracellular microenvironment monitoring to tracing intracellular bioprocesses.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2973-2994
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01382G
Magic guanidinium cations in perovskite solar cells: from bulk to interface
This review introduces the elementary properties of the GA-based perovskite and summarizes the development history of utilizing guanidinium materials in PSCs, along with proposing a perspective of future opportunities and challenges.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2507-2527
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01315K
Interactions between fullerene derivatives and biological systems
This review highlights the design of water-soluble fullerene derivatives, their cellular trafficking, and their applications in therapeutics and diagnostics towards various cell pathologies.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2153-2174
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00004D
Mussel-inspired adhesive hydrogels for local immunomodulation
This review highlights the rational molecular structure design of mussel-inspired adhesive hydrogels and their applications in local immunomodulation.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 846-872
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01232D
Recent advances in activatable NIR-II organic fluorophores for biomedical applications
In this review, the molecular design and stimuli-responsive approach of activatable NIR-II organic fluorophores are introduced. Their applications in biomedical fields, ranging from biosensing to bioimaging and theranostics, are also highlighted.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 828-845
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01120D
Activatable organic photoacoustic probes for in vivo anion imaging
This review gives focused attention on in vivo anion imaging based on activatable organic photoacoustic probes, with emphasis on imaging mechanisms at the molecular level, to inspire innovative ideas for future theranostics of diseases.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 775-788
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01207C
Breakthroughs in nanozyme-inspired application diversity
The rapid advancement of nanomaterials has promoted the booming of nanozymes capable of mimicking natural enzymes.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 44-64
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00960A
A high performance AIE-active sonosensitizer for efficient sonodynamic tumor therapy
An organic sonosensitizer bearing a low-energy gap and aggregation-induced emission features was constructed for efficient tumor therapy based on ultrasound irradiation triggered-ROS generation.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 6229-6235
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00842H
Deep-red/NIR AIEgens based on electron-withdrawing dithiafulvalene-fused benzothiadiazole for solution-processed non-doped OLEDs
Deep-red (DR)/near-infrared (NIR) emitters have extensive applications in bioimaging and flexible optoelectronics.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 5431-5438
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00598D
Universal synthesis of rare earth-doped FeP nanorod arrays for the hydrogen evolution reaction
A universal plasma-assisted strategy is proposed for the fabrication of rare earth-doped FeP as a kind of potential electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 4132-4141
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00516J
Dynamic display of cell targeting motifs via natural glycopeptide recognition for cancer cell isolation
Reversible binding of cell-targeting motifs by natural glycopeptide recognition technology to achieve cell-specific capture and isolation is of significant importance in the field of single-cell analysis.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 4050-4062
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00643C
Underlayer engineering of grain strain toward efficient and stable tin perovskite solar cells
An underlayer engineering strategy was developed by introducing octadecanammonium iodide (ODAI) as a crystallization buffer molecule to release residual strain for efficient tin perovskite solar cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 3406-3413
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00236E
Halogen-induced planar defects in Cu catalysts for ammonia electrosynthesis at an ampere-level current density
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3−RR) provides an effective route for removing NO3− from wastewater and converting it to valuable ammonia (NH3).
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 3093-3101
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00114H
Fast and stable charge transfer at the lithium–sulfide (electrolyte) interface via an in situ solidified Li+-conductive interlayer
By applying a LiF-rich in situ solidified Li+-conductive interlayer, the interfacial contact and charge transfer stability between LPS and Li metal are notably improved, which leads to dendrite-free Li plating/stripping at the interface.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2405-2410
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00049D
Reduction reactions at metal/non-aqueous interfaces can be sensed with the turn-on fluorophore resazurin
Interfacial redox reactions are important in corrosion and catalysis, but traditional electrochemical methods cannot be used in non-conducting environments. A turn-on fluorescent dye can sense these reactions in non-aqueous solvents.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2260-2265
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01309F
Ionic polyamide boosting Ru efficiency in reductive amination of carbonyl compounds
Ionic polyamide-stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles for ultra-efficient reductive amination of carbonyl compounds to primary amines with NH3 and H2.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2266-2276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01234K
Raman spectroscopy and carrier scattering in 2D tungsten disulfides with vanadium doping
A characteristic Raman peak is identified as the fingerprint to study the enhanced el–ph coupling in vanadium-doped WS2. Vanadium atoms cause an n- to p-type transition and make ionization scattering dominate the carrier transport process in V-WS2.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 2059-2067
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01108E
Facile synthesis of 2D Al-TCPP MOF nanosheets for efficient sonodynamic cancer therapy
2D Al-TCPP MOF nanosheets were prepared via a simple solvothermal synthesis method without the need for any surfactants and were found to be an effective sonosensitizer for sonodynamic cancer therapy.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1684-1693
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01333A
Exceptionally flexible quinodimethanes with multiple conformations: polymorph-dependent colour tone and emission of crystals
Tetraazaanthraquinodimethanes can exhibit various colours and emissions depending on their multiple conformations, such as not only folded and twisted forms but also intermediate structures, e.g., planar and twisted-folded forms, in pseudopolymorphs.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1591-1598
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01199A
Forming a composite electron blocking layer to enhance the performance of carbon-based CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells
Carbon-based CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have attracted much interest due to their high chemical stability.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1617-1623
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01124G
Efficient and stable hybrid conjugated polymer/perovskite quantum dot solar cells
Emerging lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great research interest relative to conventional metal chalcogenide-based QDs for applications like solar cells.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1423-1430
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3QM00015J
Vapochromic films of π-conjugated polymers based on coordination and desorption at hypervalent tin(IV)-fused azobenzene compounds
Vapochromic π-conjugated polymer thin films showing a reversible color change were prepared. Reversible coordination-number control of hypervalent tin(IV)-fused azobenzene moieties between five and six triggered tuning of the electronic properties.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1345-1353
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01295B
Exciplex-induced TADF, persistent RTP and ML in a host–guest doping system
A universal exciplex platform was reported to construct multifunctional luminescent materials, including thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), persistent room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and mechanoluminescence (ML).
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1093-1099
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01205G
The fluorescence quenching mechanism of tetrazine-functionalized fluorogenic labels with integrated π-conjugations: internal conversion to a dark state
We formalized a unique working mechanism – internal conversion to a dark state (ICDS) to rationalize the fluorogenicity of the tetrazine-fused fluorophores with integrated π-conjugations.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1082-1092
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01264B
High-efficiency and stable red to near-infrared organic light-emitting diodes using dinuclear platinum(II) complexes
High-performance red and NIR organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been achieved using highly robust and phosphorescent diplatinum(II) complexes featuring strong intramolecular Pt–Pt and π–π interactions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 873-880
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01163H
In situ monitoring of protein aggregation via clusteroluminescence
The protein aggregation is successfully monitored using the intrinsic abnormal visible emission at the clustering state, namely clusteroluminescence (CL).
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 713-719
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01032A
The selective blocking of potentially catalytically active sites on surface-supported iron oxide catalysts
Selective growth of Pd and Pt on the edges of Au(111) supported FeO islands was observed. The complicated interfaces formed in selective growth raise a platform for the research of edge involved catalytic reactions.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 476-482
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01025A
High charge carrier storage capacity and wide range X-rays to infrared photon sensing in LiLuGeO4:Bi3+,Ln3+ (Ln = Pr, Tb, or Dy) for anti-counterfeiting and information storage applications
This work not only reports Bi3+ and/or Ln3+ doped LiLuGeO4 storage phosphors with excellent charge carrier storage capacity for information storage, but also deepens our understanding on afterglow and storage phosphors and luminescence mechanisms.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 168-182
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01098D
Cationic AIE-active photosensitizers for highly efficient photodynamic eradication of drug-resistant bacteria
A cationization and cyano introduction molecular engineering strategy is reported to develop AIE-active photosensitizers for high-efficiency PDT eradication of drug-resistant bacteria.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 96-105
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01043G
Hollow CoOX nanoparticle-embedded N-doped porous carbon as an efficient oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries
The porous carbon embedded with hollow cobalt oxide nanoparticles was prepared via a spray-drying method followed by carbonization, which endows rechargeable zinc–air batteries with the improved bifunctional catalytic activity.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3706-3715
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00858K
Highly efficient dual-state emission and two-photon absorption of novel naphthalimide functionalized cyanostilbene derivatives with finely tuned terminal alkoxyl groups
Cyanostilbene and naphthalimide are incorporated to construct novel dual-state emission luminogens (DSEgens), which show highly efficient photoluminescence and two-photon absorption properties in both dilute solution and the aggregated state.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3522-3530
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00937D
Liquid crystal-assisted manufacturing of flexible holographic polymer nanocomposites for high-security level anticounterfeiting
Flexible manufacturing of holographic polymer nanocomposites has been realized by the synergy of hydrogen bonding networks with thiol–ene click reaction, which allows for the reconstruction of polarization-sensitive 3D images for advanced security.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3531-3542
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00744D
FeF3@C nanotube arrays grown on carbon fabric as a free-standing cathode for lithium-ion batteries
Free-standing FeF3@C attained via in situ etching and gas fluoridization. Due to the nanoarrays structure, this cathode effectively moderated volume fluctuation and enhanced diffusion kinetic, thus attaining superior electrochemical properties.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3512-3521
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00908K
Molecular mechanism of rigidity- and planarity-promoted, state-dependent doping of conjugated ladder-type molecules
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.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3329-3337
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00789D
Controllable construction of an ordered three-dimensional supramolecular polymer with selective guest adsorption ability
The self-assembly via the cation–π interaction is a promising method for the synthesis of ordered supramolecular systems. Here, we propose a cation–π-based “sandwich”-like binding pattern to prepare an ordered and stable 3D supramolecular polymer.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 3261-3270
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00646D
A novel supramolecular self-assembling hybrid system for visible-light-driven overall water splitting
A hybrid supramolecular system containing redox compartments has been successfully developed for visible-light-driven overall water splitting in the ambient environment.
Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 2790-2795
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM00629D
About this collection
Materials Chemistry Frontiers is pleased to publish this Emerging Investigator Series to highlight early-career scientists and their excellent research at the forefront of materials chemistry.
Scientists featured in the collection are recognized for the high novelty of their research, their outstanding contributions made during independent career stages, as well as the potential to influence chemistry in future.
More details about the Emerging Investigator Series can be found below, including details on how to apply for considerations. For the latest work in the collection, explore the Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2024–2025.
Check out the call for papers by Materials Chemistry Frontiers, Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers and Organic Chemistry Frontiers.
Read below the author profiles to know more about the emerging investigators.