Themed collection Materials Horizons HOT Papers

From individuals to families: design and application of self-similar chiral nanomaterials.

This review introduces three strategies (encapsulation, covalent binding and coordinated bonding) for construction of COF-based nanoplatforms for the integration and delivery of bioactives including small molecule, biomacromolecule and exosome.

This review reveals the principles and relationships between the structures and properties of in situ self-assembled nanomaterials, explores the assembly driving forces, and provides guidance for development of in situ targeted drug delivery systems.

The spiroannulation of multiple resonance core skeleton gives rise to pure-green emitters and superior electroluminescence performance with low efficiency roll-off.

Thermal-adaptive implant coating inspired by polar bears enhances NIR therapy efficiency, and minimizes tissue damage in infected bone defects.

The anomalous AHE induced by the skew scattering mechanism can obtain a large AHC but a small AHA in the clean regime. Here, we observed a colossal AHC (≥ 10⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and large AHA (> 10%) at the same time in EuAl₂Si₂.

Solvate ionic liquids’ pressurisation-induced piezoelectric response and linear relationship with force. Similar effect in solid polymer electrolyte consisting of SIL and epoxy resin. Implications in passive charging of energy storage composites.

Novel method of screening large-scale material databases to discover novel heterogeneous core@metal–organic-framework photocatalysts that are synthesizable, utilize visible light, band aligned, and water stable.

In situ exsolution have been actively performed to deliver oxide nanocomposites with metal nanoparticles. In our work, a new ingredient was unveiled to boost nickel metal exsolution on the oxide surface by increasing the octahedron distortion.

Multiple topological phase transitions with a tunable orbital Hall effect under the irradiation of right-handed or left-handed circularly polarized light in two-dimensional ferromagnets.

The LCST ion gel assembled smart windows are thermotropic and electrochromic with reliable adjustment of light transparency as well as power-generating, which satisfy on-demand light modulation and high energy-efficiency.

We present a new type of core–shell copper nanocluster, [Cu₂₉(S^tBu)₁₃Cl₅(PPh₃)₄H₁₀]^tBuSO₃, that has multiple active sites on its surface. This nanocluster serves as a versatile heterogeneous catalyst for various C-heteroatom (C–O, C–N and C–S) bond-forming reactions.

By introducing PbI₂ quantum dots as trap centres in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ micro/nanowires, abnormal optical and electrical responses can be achieved, allowing versatile integration of sensing, memory, and operation for optical and thermal data.

A dual strategy of mild C–F scissoring fluorination and local high-concentration electrolyte is proposed to enable highly reversible Li–Fe–F conversion batteries with a high reversible capacity of 335 mA h g⁻¹ after 130 cycles.

A new facile and scalable interfacial locking engineering strategy is exploited to endow reversible microcages with infinite chemical recyclability to starting monomers, exceptional durability, high flame-retardant efficiency, and extensive applicability across diverse polymers.

A highly stable SnF₆²⁻ pillared metal–organic framework offers a rare combination of outstanding SO₂ capture, high selectivity and mild regeneration for future desulphurization processes.

Soft–hard dual nanophases are constructed in PLA, leading to the synchronously improved stiffness, ductility and toughness. This work contributes to constructing nanostructure in polymers and overcoming the trade-off between stiffness and ductility.

Simply put, yes. Band inversion-driven warping makes topological insulators fascinating prospects for thermoelectric applications.

Schematic diagram of NMP-PQ/PMMA for collinear holographic data storage.

We show a highly effective isolation of monochiral single-walled carbon nanotubes using conjugated polymers and small molecular chaperones that facilitate polymer folding.

This work presents a one-step molten salt synthesis approach to achieve a tunable isotype heterojunction in N-rich crystalline C₃N₅. The crystalline C₃N₅ successfully improved solar-driven hydrogen, benzaldehyde and H₂O₂ production.

The all-organic high-temperature polymer dielectrics with promising scale-up potential have witnessed much progress in the energy storage area, etc.

An investigation into the origins of radiation-generated traps utilizing characterization of large area transistor arrays, spectral analysis of the trap density of states, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and GIWAXS.

A quantification method is proposed to determine the effective contact area and assess the contact efficiency of large-scale tribovoltaic nanogenerators, and the corresponding optimization strategy is also provided to enhance their output performance.

A highly flexible covalent organic framework demonstrating dynamic and largest reversible thermal conductivity switching ratios shown thus far in any material system with immense potential for application in thermal management of microelectronics.

We describe a retinomorphic neuron using neuromorphic photoreceptors for artificial vision and iris accommodation that mimic the hierarchical structures and biological functions of retinal cells for light sensing and signal processing.

The use of confined electric fields reveals an analogous electro-mechanical coupling behavior in endothelial cells, which can integrate electrical and mechanical signals to direct the endothelial fate through intracellular calcium ion deployment.

Annealing MXenes in ammonia enhances electrical conductivity and oxidation resistance by nitriding the surface. The nitridation effect on single and multi-sheet of MXene including the chemical reaction for terminal removal was investigated.

Double-network (DN) gels are unique mechanochemical materials owing to their structures that can be dynamically remodelled during use.

Advanced Li–S batteries made by solid-state single-ion conducting hybrid electrolytes Co-assembling binary core–shell polymer nanoparticles achieved ionic conductivity of 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, electrochemical stability of >6 V, and elastic moduli of 0.12 GPa at 25 °C.

A strong and ductile polyurethane adhesive with mechano-responsive characteristics is synthesized to exceptionally show the different phenomenon of only interfacial failure yet still exhibiting superior adhesive strength and toughness.

The static and dynamic dielectric properties of amorphous matrices of interest for use in OLEDs are addressed via a careful experimental and theoretical analysis of Raman and time-resolved emission spectra of simple dyes dispersed in the matrix of interest.

The developed highly efficient and versatile organocatalyst can deconstruct multiple condensation polymers selectively and sequentially into corresponding monomers, while keeping other polymers such as polyolefins or cotton intact.

Advanced elastomers are highly demanded for the fabrication of medical devices for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A diselenide-containing, shape-memory and self-healing polyurethane for MIS is illustrated in myocardial infarction therapy.

A graph-based machine learning model is built to predict atom dynamics from their static structure, which, in turn, unveils the predictive power of static structure in dynamical evolution of disordered phases.

MoNiCo-Cl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with rich oxygen vacancies are proposed as cathodes toward chloride ion batteries. Mo⁶⁺ can not only modulate the electronic properties at chloride adsorption sites, but improve the redox activity of LDHs.

Gold catalyses Si etching in dry plasmas via Metal-Assisted Plasma Etching (MAPE). Here, MAPE is shown to be uniquely inhibited by both heavily doped n- and p-type Si, in contrast with reactive ion etching and metal assisted chemical etching (MACE).

An orientation-gradient co-optimized graded Gyroid-shellular (GGS) SiOC-based metastructure with conformal MXene coating (MXene@SiOC) is proposed to achieve wide-temperature-range microwave/infrared/1.06 μm-laser/visible-light-compatible camouflage.

Hg₃AsSe₄X (X = Br and I) derived from honeycomb layered topology of GaSe, achieved superior optical properties including strong SHG effects, suitable band gaps, large birefringence and wide IR transparency range.

A global trend towards miniaturization and multiwavelength performance of nanophotonics drives research on novel phenomena as well as surveys for high-refractive index and strongly anisotropic materials and metasurfaces, where hBN has a central role.

Effective tuning of carrier dynamics in two-dimensional (2D) materials is significant for multi-scene device applications.

The In modified layer on Zn powder can effectively suppress corrosion and homogenize the deposition of Zn²⁺. When used as anode, the Zn–S full cells deliver a superior cyclability under high Zn utilization.