Advanced Materials Interfaces最新文献

Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) is essential in integrated circuits and microelectromechanical systems. In addition, poly-Si is gaining attention for next-generation display research with high thermal conductivity, stability, and versatile applications. Conventional fabrication methods for doping patterns involve complex lithography and chemical usage, which have raised environmental concerns. The study of novel methods is necessary for environmental friendliness and a significant simplification of the manufacturing processes. This study introduces a novel bipolar work function control technology utilizing deionized water (DI-W) and nanonewton-scale mechanical force using an atomic force microscope. The method is implemented with a mechanically induced SiO_x layer on poly-Si in DI-W. The induced Si─OH and Si─O bonds decreases the work function, whereas a thicker SiO_x layer with a high oxidation state increases the work function. Based on the magnitude of the applied force (26.73–75.24 nN) and additional DI-W immersion, the induced bond and thickness of the SiO_x layer are controlled. Therefore, bipolar work function control is achieved in the range of −0.25–+0.103 eV. In addition, the electrical characteristics of the fabricated p- and n-type poly-Si diodes are investigated. This method is eco-friendly and enables bipolar doping patterns in a single process with high efficiency.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are well-known for their antimicrobial properties, but their widespread use is limited due to suboptimal antimicrobial efficiency and safety concerns. Recent progress in materials science has paved the way for the development of QAC-based composites (QACCs). QACCs with diverse compositions have shown enhanced antimicrobial effectiveness and biosafety for various applications, such as food packaging, capacitive deionization, and household antimicrobials. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the synthesis approaches and different types of QACCs. Moreover, this review examines their antimicrobial applications, taking the underlying structure-activity relationship into consideration. In addition, this perspectives are presented on the remaining challenges and future research directions for the further development of QACCs. It is expected that this review will provide a valuable reference for the design of next generation QACC-based antimicrobial agents.

New generations of vaccines have been developed by encapsulating messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) carriers. In addition to the physicochemical properties of LNPs, the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of mRNA in LNPs is a key factor to screen vaccine assembly assays. Fluorescent dyes with amplified signals upon binding with mRNA are at the core of developing assays to quantify EE. However, disregarding the temporal effects during the assay impacts the accuracy of the assay. Here, the kinetics of temporal decay in fluorescence intensity of dye-RNA complex—in Ribogreen assay—are reported and shown how this dynamic process can be impeded in the presence of a nonionic surfactant. Further, the impact of this dynamic process on the calculated EE is studied. The corrections needed to accurately assay dynamic mRNA loading processes are presented.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a 2D material with excellent electrical and optical properties, and developing a universal technology for the preparation of high-performance MoS₂-based photodetector is extremely desirable. Here, a UV to NIR broadband flexible photodetector based on MoS₂/(PDPP3T) inorganic–organic hybrid heterostructures is reported. In the experiment, high crystalline 2H-phase few-layer MoS₂ nanoflakes are first prepared by optimized electrochemical intercalation of tetraheptylammonium cation (THA⁺) and ultrasound-assisted exfoliation strategy. Thereafter, a narrow bandgap organic semiconductor PDPP3T is introduced to construct the MoS₂/Poly(diketopyrrolopyrrolothiophrn) (PDPP3T) heterojunction. Experimental results reveal that the photodetector can have broadband photo response from 380 to 980 nm. Meanwhile, excellent responsivities and detectivity of 12.4 mA W⁻¹, 2.2 × 10¹⁰ Jones at 380 nm and 0.1 mA W⁻¹ and 5 × 10⁸ Jones at 980 nm are achieved, which are ≈10 (UV band)/100 (NIR band) times high than that obtained on the pure MoS₂-based detector. Moreover, the flexibility of the device is investigated by conformal covering the device on a curved surface (R = 5 and 2.5 mm), it shows that the photo response remains almost the same as that measured on the planar substrate, indicating the possible application in the wearable electronics.

The 3D structure (i.e., microstructure) of porous electrodes governs the performance of emerging electrochemical technologies such as fuel cells, electrolysis, and batteries. Sustaining electrochemical reactions and convective-diffusive mass transport at high efficiency is complex and motivates the search for sophisticated microstructures with multimodal pore size distributions and pore size gradients. Here a new synthesis route for porous, metallic layers is presented that combines the characteristics of carbon structures (i.e., pore size, porosity) with the properties of metals (i.e., recyclability, conductivity). Building on the method of dynamic hydrogen bubble templating, a novel approach is engineered to manufacture thin, free-standing layers using an electrochemical flow cell through the introduction of an intermediate layer and optimization of the synthesis parameters. Mechanically stable layers are created with thicknesses ranging from ≈50 to ≈200 µm comprising porous, dendritic structures, arranged to form a vascular network of larger pores with a gradient in radii from ≈5 µm at the bottom and up to ≈36 µm at the top of the material. Using X-ray tomographic data, the morphology is analyzed, and the diffusive transport through the material as a function of liquid filling is simulated and compared to state-of-the-art carbon fiber-based electrodes, showing significantly higher mass transfer properties.