Themed collection Materials Horizons 10th anniversary regional spotlight collection: The Americas

30 items
Focus

Engineering of flat bands and Dirac bands in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs): relationships among molecular orbital symmetry, lattice symmetry, and electronic-structure characteristics

An effective framework for the band engineering in 2D covalent organic frameworks is revealed by describing the fundamental relationships among the electronic structures, the lattice symmetries, and the frontier molecular orbitals of building units.

Graphical abstract: Engineering of flat bands and Dirac bands in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs): relationships among molecular orbital symmetry, lattice symmetry, and electronic-structure characteristics
From the themed collection: Focus article collection
Focus

Scattering techniques for mixed donor–acceptor characterization in organic photovoltaics

The effects of mixing in organic photovoltaics are unclear partly due to challenges in characterization. X-Ray and neutron scattering techniques have been successful in quantifying mixing but meet new challenges with emerging non-fullerene systems.

Graphical abstract: Scattering techniques for mixed donor–acceptor characterization in organic photovoltaics
From the themed collection: Focus article collection
Focus

Fermi level, work function and vacuum level

Electronic levels and energies of a solid, such as Fermi level, vacuum level, work function, ionization energy or electron affinity, are of paramount importance for the control of device behavior, charge carrier injection and transport.

Graphical abstract: Fermi level, work function and vacuum level
From the themed collection: Focus article collection
Review Article

Toward autonomous design and synthesis of novel inorganic materials

We review recent progress in the development of self-driving laboratories and discuss their application to autonomous inorganic materials synthesis.

Graphical abstract: Toward autonomous design and synthesis of novel inorganic materials
Review Article

Liquid–liquid interfaces: a unique and advantageous environment to prepare and process thin films of complex materials

This review summarizes the recent progress in a novel route to both synthesize and process complex and multi-component materials as thin films, based on interfaces between immiscible liquids, highlighting different materials and applications.

Graphical abstract: Liquid–liquid interfaces: a unique and advantageous environment to prepare and process thin films of complex materials
Review Article

Catalytic methods for chemical recycling or upcycling of commercial polymers

A review covering catalytic method development to enable efficient chemical recycling and upcycling of the most abundant commercial polymers.

Graphical abstract: Catalytic methods for chemical recycling or upcycling of commercial polymers
Open Access Review Article

Artificial intelligence and machine learning in design of mechanical materials

This review revisits the state of the art of research efforts on the design of mechanical materials using machine learning.

Graphical abstract: Artificial intelligence and machine learning in design of mechanical materials
Review Article

Porous flexible frameworks: origins of flexibility and applications

All major classes of porous crystalline frameworks including zeolites, metal–organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks exhibit structural flexibilities.

Graphical abstract: Porous flexible frameworks: origins of flexibility and applications
Review Article

Review on organosulfur materials for rechargeable lithium batteries

Lithium storage properties of organosulfur electrodes including organodisulfide, thioethers, organosulfide polymers and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile have been comprehensively reviewed.

Graphical abstract: Review on organosulfur materials for rechargeable lithium batteries
Review Article

Semiconductor-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion

A concise review on the semiconductor-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion based mainly on the leading-edge reports published within the last three years.

Graphical abstract: Semiconductor-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion
Communication

Erosion-resistant materials demonstrate low interfacial toughness with ice and superior durability

Erosion-resistant materials demonstrate a surprisingly low interfacial toughness (LIT) with ice around 1 J m−2. The LIT property is retained after linear erosion, indicating potential as durable anti-icing coatings.

Graphical abstract: Erosion-resistant materials demonstrate low interfacial toughness with ice and superior durability
Communication

Layered polymer composite foams for broadband ultra-low reflectance EMI shielding: a computationally guided fabrication approach

This study presents a computationally guided approach for producing layered PVDF composite foams with absorption-based EMI shielding capabilities. It systematically analyzes the impact of thickness, nanofiller, and microstructures on EM properties.

Graphical abstract: Layered polymer composite foams for broadband ultra-low reflectance EMI shielding: a computationally guided fabrication approach
Open Access Communication

Frontally polymerized foams: thermodynamic and kinetical aspects of front hindrance by particles

Reduced reaction enthalpy due to particles’ non-reactive volume is balanced by lower heat capacity. Front propagation is hindered by slowed curing kinetics.

Graphical abstract: Frontally polymerized foams: thermodynamic and kinetical aspects of front hindrance by particles
Communication

Supramolecular temperature responsive assembly of polydopamine reduced graphene oxide

Supramolecular temperature responsive self-assembly of graphene colloidal systems is enabled by an amphiphilic structure incorporating polydopamine clusters on reduced graphene oxide flakes, without using temperature responsive polymers.

Graphical abstract: Supramolecular temperature responsive assembly of polydopamine reduced graphene oxide
Communication

An information encrypted heterogeneous hydrogel with programmable mechanical properties enabled by 3D patterning

Heterogeneous architectures with defined patterns enabled by all-cellulose 3D printing ink stimulate the burgeoning development of biomimetic hydrogels for advanced applications.

Graphical abstract: An information encrypted heterogeneous hydrogel with programmable mechanical properties enabled by 3D patterning
Open Access Communication

Direct ink writing of PEDOT eutectogels as substrate-free dry electrodes for electromyography

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) and PEDOT:PSS have been combined to create a superior class of supramolecular and conductive ionic-electronic material that present attractive application in the field of bioelectronics.

Graphical abstract: Direct ink writing of PEDOT eutectogels as substrate-free dry electrodes for electromyography
Communication

Tissue-mimetic hybrid bioadhesives for intervertebral disc repair

Tissue-mimetic hybrid bioadhesives for the repair of intervertebral disc after nucleotomy is proposed, comprising a viscoelastic glue for delivering cells to fill the cavity and a tough adhesive sealant to prevent re-herniation post-nucleotomy.

Graphical abstract: Tissue-mimetic hybrid bioadhesives for intervertebral disc repair
Communication

Selective treatment of intracellular bacterial infections using host cell-targeted bioorthogonal nanozymes

Macrophage-targeted bioorthogonal nanozyme designed to generate antibiotics at the site of infection.  Nanozymes had targeted uptake by macrophages through mannose functionalization, then generated antibiotics to specifically kill infectious bacteria.

Graphical abstract: Selective treatment of intracellular bacterial infections using host cell-targeted bioorthogonal nanozymes
Communication

Intrinsic doping limitations in inorganic lead halide perovskites

Design principles for an effective doping in halide perovskites: DP(i) – shallow transition levels; DP(ii) – pinning of Fermi level in conduction or valence band; DP(iii) – Large doping-induced Fermi level shift towards conduction or valence band.

Graphical abstract: Intrinsic doping limitations in inorganic lead halide perovskites
Communication

Peculiar anharmonicity of Ruddlesden Popper metal halides: temperature-dependent phonon dephasing

The anharmonicity of the Ruddlesden Popper metal-halide lattice, and its consequences for their electronic and optical properties, are paramount in their basic semiconductor physics.

Graphical abstract: Peculiar anharmonicity of Ruddlesden Popper metal halides: temperature-dependent phonon dephasing
Communication

Design and synthesis of chromophores with enhanced electro-optic activities in both bulk and plasmonic–organic hybrid devices

By tuning donor strength, we produce an organic electro-optic chromophore with high hyperpolarizability, low absorption, and excellent electro-optic activity, which is demonstrated in a plasmonic–organic hybrid modulator with near record low VπL.

Graphical abstract: Design and synthesis of chromophores with enhanced electro-optic activities in both bulk and plasmonic–organic hybrid devices
Communication

Balancing the mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in conductive self-healing hydrogel for wearable sensor applications

Dynamic interfacial interactions between the HAPAA and PANI hydrogels are favorable for self-healing; thus, the PANI network can enhance the mechanical and electronic properties of HAPAA hydrogel without compromising its self-healing performance.

Graphical abstract: Balancing the mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in conductive self-healing hydrogel for wearable sensor applications
Communication

The energy landscape governs ductility in disordered materials

We reveal that the brittle or ductile behavior of disordered materials is quantitively encoded in the topography of the static energy landscape before loading.

Graphical abstract: The energy landscape governs ductility in disordered materials
Communication

Experimental validation of high thermoelectric performance in RECuZnP2 predicted by high-throughput DFT calculations

Predictions of high thermoelectric performance in RECuZnP2 were verified by elastic, electrical, and thermal measurements. Low thermal conductivities result from strong anharmonicity, with electron transport limited by polar optical phonons.

Graphical abstract: Experimental validation of high thermoelectric performance in RECuZnP2 predicted by high-throughput DFT calculations
Open Access Communication

Chaotic printing: using chaos to fabricate densely packed micro- and nanostructures at high resolution and speed

Chaotic flows are used to rapidly fabricate densely packed lamellar micro- and nanostructure that is then preserved by curing or photocrosslinking.

Graphical abstract: Chaotic printing: using chaos to fabricate densely packed micro- and nanostructures at high resolution and speed
Communication

Optically reconfigurable chiral microspheres of self-organized helical superstructures with handedness inversion

Light-driven monodisperse chiral microsphere with dynamic chirality was fabricated via a capillary-based microfluidic technique.

Graphical abstract: Optically reconfigurable chiral microspheres of self-organized helical superstructures with handedness inversion
Communication

Recyclable 3D printing of vitrimer epoxy

An epoxy ink and its 3D printing method were developed to allow printed parts to be recycled and reprinted.

Graphical abstract: Recyclable 3D printing of vitrimer epoxy
Communication

Searching for promising new perovskite-based photovoltaic absorbers: the importance of electronic dimensionality

The concept of electronic dimensionality, i.e., the connectivity of the atomic orbitals that comprise the lower conduction band and upper valence band, is introduced to better account for the device performance of the perovskite-based solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Searching for promising new perovskite-based photovoltaic absorbers: the importance of electronic dimensionality
Communication

A graphene-like metallic cathode host for long-life and high-loading lithium–sulfur batteries

Nanostructured sulfur host materials that embrace both high electronic conductivity and strong chemisorption towards polysulfides are central to enable high performance Li–S batteries.

Graphical abstract: A graphene-like metallic cathode host for long-life and high-loading lithium–sulfur batteries
Communication

Nucleobase peptide amphiphiles

A new class of peptide materials is introduced, integrating orthogonal aspects of peptide, nucleoside, and amphiphile chemistry.

Graphical abstract: Nucleobase peptide amphiphiles
30 items

About this collection

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Materials Horizons we have curated a collection of our most popular articles from our American contributors. For Materials Horizons it is of great importance that we represent a truly diverse array of authors and their research, to learn from each other and develop global strategies to conquer the most pressing issues in materials science. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our contributors from America for continuing to provide high quality research to Materials Horizons. We strive to continue our work together to increase visibility of important research happening in these regions, taking steps towards making the world a better place.

This five-part series will be showcasing some of our very best authors from across 5 regions

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