Themed collection Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023

41 items
Profile

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.

Graphical abstract: Contributors to the Materials Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023
Open Access Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: 3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Polymeric nanomaterials with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Eco-friendly and ultrathin solar cells featuring nanocrystals: advances and perspectives
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in separation membranes based on porous organic molecular materials
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Visualizing intracellular dynamics with AIE probes
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Magic guanidinium cations in perovskite solar cells: from bulk to interface
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Perovskite Materials and Devices
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Interactions between fullerene derivatives and biological systems
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Mussel-inspired adhesive hydrogels for local immunomodulation
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in activatable NIR-II organic fluorophores for biomedical applications
Review Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Activatable organic photoacoustic probes for in vivo anion imaging
Review Article

Breakthroughs in nanozyme-inspired application diversity

The rapid advancement of nanomaterials has promoted the booming of nanozymes capable of mimicking natural enzymes.

Graphical abstract: Breakthroughs in nanozyme-inspired application diversity
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: A high performance AIE-active sonosensitizer for efficient sonodynamic tumor therapy
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Deep-red/NIR AIEgens based on electron-withdrawing dithiafulvalene-fused benzothiadiazole for solution-processed non-doped OLEDs
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Light-emitting diodes technology
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Universal synthesis of rare earth-doped FeP nanorod arrays for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Dynamic display of cell targeting motifs via natural glycopeptide recognition for cancer cell isolation
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Underlayer engineering of grain strain toward efficient and stable tin perovskite solar cells
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Perovskite Materials and Devices
Research Article

Halogen-induced planar defects in Cu catalysts for ammonia electrosynthesis at an ampere-level current density

The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) provides an effective route for removing NO3 from wastewater and converting it to valuable ammonia (NH3).

Graphical abstract: Halogen-induced planar defects in Cu catalysts for ammonia electrosynthesis at an ampere-level current density
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Fast and stable charge transfer at the lithium–sulfide (electrolyte) interface via an in situ solidified Li+-conductive interlayer
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Reduction reactions at metal/non-aqueous interfaces can be sensed with the turn-on fluorophore resazurin
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Ionic polyamide boosting Ru efficiency in reductive amination of carbonyl compounds
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Raman spectroscopy and carrier scattering in 2D tungsten disulfides with vanadium doping
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Facile synthesis of 2D Al-TCPP MOF nanosheets for efficient sonodynamic cancer therapy
Open Access Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Exceptionally flexible quinodimethanes with multiple conformations: polymorph-dependent colour tone and emission of crystals
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Forming a composite electron blocking layer to enhance the performance of carbon-based CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Perovskite Materials and Devices
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Efficient and stable hybrid conjugated polymer/perovskite quantum dot solar cells
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Perovskite Materials and Devices
Open Access Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Vapochromic films of π-conjugated polymers based on coordination and desorption at hypervalent tin(iv)-fused azobenzene compounds
Research Article

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).

Graphical abstract: Exciplex-induced TADF, persistent RTP and ML in a host–guest doping system
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: The fluorescence quenching mechanism of tetrazine-functionalized fluorogenic labels with integrated π-conjugations: internal conversion to a dark state
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: High-efficiency and stable red to near-infrared organic light-emitting diodes using dinuclear platinum(ii) complexes
From the themed collection: FOCUS: Light-emitting diodes technology
Research Article

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).

Graphical abstract: In situ monitoring of protein aggregation via clusteroluminescence
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: The selective blocking of potentially catalytically active sites on surface-supported iron oxide catalysts
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: 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
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Cationic AIE-active photosensitizers for highly efficient photodynamic eradication of drug-resistant bacteria
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Hollow CoOX nanoparticle-embedded N-doped porous carbon as an efficient oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Highly efficient dual-state emission and two-photon absorption of novel naphthalimide functionalized cyanostilbene derivatives with finely tuned terminal alkoxyl groups
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Liquid crystal-assisted manufacturing of flexible holographic polymer nanocomposites for high-security level anticounterfeiting
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: FeF3@C nanotube arrays grown on carbon fabric as a free-standing cathode for lithium-ion batteries
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Molecular mechanism of rigidity- and planarity-promoted, state-dependent doping of conjugated ladder-type molecules
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: Controllable construction of an ordered three-dimensional supramolecular polymer with selective guest adsorption ability
Research Article

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.

Graphical abstract: A novel supramolecular self-assembling hybrid system for visible-light-driven overall water splitting
41 items

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 FrontiersInorganic Chemistry Frontiers and Organic Chemistry Frontiers.

Read below the author profiles to know more about the emerging investigators.

Guangxue Feng

Haiyan Peng

Jintao Zhang

Xiao-Yu Hu

Jie Yang

Nan Jiang

Xiaogang Liu

Haoke Zhang

Jianyu Yuan

Yu Zhou

Gengtao Fu

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