Interdisciplinary Materials最新文献

Conducting polymer hydrogel can address the challenges of stricken biocompatibility and durability. Nevertheless, conventional conducting polymer hydrogels are often brittle and weak due to the intrinsic quality of the material, which exhibits viscoelasticity. This property may cause a delay in sensor response time due to hysteresis. To overcome these limitations, we have designed a wrinkle morphology three-dimensional (3D) substrate using digital light processing technology and then followed by in situ polymerization to form interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels. This novel design results in a wrinkle morphology conducting polymer hydrogel elastomer with high precision and geometric freedom, as the size of the wrinkles can be controlled by adjusting the treating time. The wrinkle morphology on the conducting polymer hydrogel effectively reduces its viscoelasticity, leading to samples with quick response time, low hysteresis, stable cyclic performance, and remarkable resistance change. Simultaneously, the 3D gradient structure augmented the sensor's sensitivity under minimal stress while exhibiting consistent sensing performance. These properties indicate the potential of the conducting polymer hydrogel as a flexible sensor.

The moiré superlattice, arising from the interface of mismatched single crystals, intricately regulates the physical and mechanical properties of materials, giving rise to phenomena such as superconductivity and superlubricity. This study delves into the profound impact of moiré superlattices on the interfacial mechanical behavior of van der Waals (vdW) layered materials, with a particular focus on tribological properties. A comprehensive review of continuum modeling approaches for vdW layered materials is presented, accentuating the incorporation of moiré superlattice effects in theoretical models to unravel their distinctive interfacial frictional behavior and thermodynamic properties. The exploration of moiré superlattices has significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of interface phenomena in vdW layered materials. This progress provides crucial theoretical insights that can inform the design of multifunctional devices based on the unique properties of twisted layered materials.

The contamination of nitric oxide presents a significant environmental challenge, necessitating the development of efficient photocatalysts for remediation. Conventional heterojunctions encounter obstacles such as large contact barriers, sluggish charge transport, and compromised redox capacity. Here, we introduce an innovative S-type heterostructure photocatalyst, UiO-66-NH₂/ZnS(en)_0.5, designed specifically to overcome these challenges. The synthesis, employing a unique microwave solvothermal method, strategically aligns the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of UiO-66-NH₂ with the highest occupied molecular orbital of ZnS(en)_0.5, fostering the formation of a stepped heterojunction. The resulting intimate interface contact generates a built-in electric field, facilitating charge separation and migration, as evidenced by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical tests. The abundant active sites in the porous UiO-66-NH₂ counterpart provide adsorption and activation sites for nitrogen monoxide (NO) oxidation. Performance evaluation reveals exceptional photocatalytic NO removal, achieving 70% efficiency and 99% selectivity toward nitrates under simulated solar illumination. Evidence from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and trapping experiments supports the effectiveness of the S-type heterostructure, showcasing refined reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide. Thus, this study introduces a new perspective on advanced NO oxidation and unlocks the potential of S-scheme heterojunctions to refine reactive oxygen species for NO remediation.

Inside Front Cover: In the work of doi:10.1002/idm2.12153, the affinity between Li and hosting substrates is regulated by homogeneously loading indium (In) single atoms on N-doped graphene. It is found that similar to “volcano curves” in heterogeneous catalysis, the affinity of substrates toward Li should be optimized to a moderate value in order to reach balance for Li plating and Li stripping processes.

Inside Back Cover: The transformation of a rock into a snail by the addition of a small crawling insect serves as a compelling metaphor for how the integration of functional materials can endow an organism with new, targeted functionalities. In the cover of doi:10.1002/idm2.12144, the diverse functional materials exemplified by the snail illustrate the profound impact of such enhancements.

Outside Back Cover: The cycling stability of lithium sulfur batteries is severely affected by the uneven deposition of lithium ions and the shuttle of polysulfides. Due to the different diameters of polysulfides and lithium ions, MOFs with appropriate pore sizes can achieve selective transport of different ions. In the work of doi:10.1002/idm2.12143, Zhou et al. report an ultra-thin and crack-free ZIF-8 film modification layer using ALD technology, achieving homogeneous lithium ion deposition and effective inhibition of polysulfides. Just like the net in the picture, it can catch large fish and release small ones.

Outside Front Cover: In the review of doi:10.1002/idm2.12145, progress in the application of self-assembled monolayers in inverted perovskite single-junction and tandem solar cells is summarized. This image indicates SAMs serve as a bridge connecting perovskite top cells and silicon bottom cells for tandem photovoltaics application. This review systematically analyzes the functional roles of self-assembled monolayers and proposes corresponding future development directions.

Poly(heptazine imide) (PHI), a semicrystalline version of carbon nitride photocatalyst based on heptazine units, has gained significant attention for solar H₂ production benefiting from its advantages including molecular synthetic versatility, excellent physicochemical stability and suitable energy band structure to capture visible photons. Typically, PHI is obtained in salt-melt synthesis in the presence of alkali metal chlorides. Herein, we examined the role of binary alkali metal bromides (LiBr/NaBr) with diverse compositions and melting points to rationally modulate the polymerization process, structure, and properties of PHI. Solid characterizations revealed that semicrystalline PHI with a condensed π-conjugated system and rapid charge separation rates were obtained in the presence of LiBr/NaBr. Accordingly, the apparent quantum yield of hydrogen using the optimized PHI reaches up to 62.3% at 420 nm. The density functional theory calculation shows that the dehydrogenation of the ethylene glycol has a lower energy barrier than the dehydrogenation of the other alcohols from the thermodynamic point of view. This study holds great promise for rational modulation of the structure and properties of conjugated polymeric materials.

As the core components of fifth-generation (5G) communication technology, optical modules should be consistently miniaturized in size while improving their level of integration. This inevitably leads to a dramatic spike in power consumption and a consequent increase in heat flow density when operating in a confined space. To ensure a successful start-up and operation of 5G optical modules, active cooling and precise temperature control via the Peltier effect in confined space is essential yet challenging. In this work, p-type Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ and n-type Bi₂Te_2.7Se_0.3 bulk thermoelectric (TE) materials are used, and a micro thermoelectric thermostat (micro-TET) (device size, 2 × 9.3 × 1.1 mm³; leg size, 0.4 × 0.4 × 0.5 mm³; number of legs, 44) is successfully integrated into a 5G optical module with Quad Small Form Pluggable 28 interface. As a result, the internal temperature of this kind of optical module is always maintained at 45.7°C and the optical power is up to 7.4 dBm. Furthermore, a multifactor design roadmap is created based on a 3D numerical model using the ANSYS finite element method, taking into account the number of legs (N), leg width (W), leg length (L), filling atmosphere, electric contact resistance (R_ec), thermal contact resistance (R_tc), ambient temperature (T_a), and the heat generated by the laser source (Q_L). It facilitates the integrated fabrication of micro-TET, and shows the way to enhance packaging and performance under different operating conditions. According to the roadmap, the micro-TET (2 × 9.3 × 1 mm³, W = 0.3 mm, L = 0.4 mm, N = 68 legs) is fabricated and consumes only 0.89 W in cooling mode (Q_L = 0.7 W, T_a = 80°C) and 0.36 W in heating mode (T_a = 0°C) to maintain the laser temperature of 50°C. This research will hopefully be applied to other microprocessors for precise temperature control and integrated manufacturing.

Oxide semimetals exhibiting both nontrivial topological characteristics stand as exemplary parent compounds and multiple degrees of freedom, offering a promise for the realization of novel electronic states. In this work, we report the structural and transport phase transition in an oxide semimetal, SrNbO₃, achieved through effective anion doping. Notably, the resistivity increased by more than three orders of magnitude at room temperature upon nitrogen-doping. The extent of electronic modulation in SrNbO₃ is strongly correlated with misfit strain, underscoring its phase instability to both chemical doping and crystallographic symmetry variations. Using first-principles calculations, we discern that elevating the level of nitrogen doping induces an upward shift in the conductive bands of SrNbO_3−δN_δ. Consequently, a transition from a metallic state to an insulating state becomes apparent as the nitrogen concentration reaches a threshold of 1/3. This investigation shows effective anion engineering in oxide semimetals, offering pathways for manipulating their physical properties.