Advanced Materials Interfaces最新文献

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) possess high surface area and tunable porosity but suffer from poor conductivity, limiting their electrochemical performance. In this study, a zinc azelate Bio-MOF (Zn-Aza) was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and modified through in situ polymerization of pyrrole to form a conductive Zn-Aza/Ppy composite. The 2D platelet-like Zn-Aza/Ppy structure offers enhanced surface area and porosity, facilitating ion diffusion and improving charge storage. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the specific capacitance of Zn-Aza (≈714 mF cm⁻²) increased nearly fourfold after polypyrrole modification, maintaining ≈90% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. Beyond energy storage, Zn-Aza/Ppy composite exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The Bio-MOFs were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria attributed to the synergistic action of zinc ions, azelaic acid, and polypyrrole. These components disrupt bacterial membranes and enzymatic systems, interfere with metabolism and replication, and induce electrostatic damage. Overall, the conductive Zn-Aza/Ppy nanocomposite demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance and potent antibacterial properties, establishing it as a promising multifunctional material for both supercapacitor and antimicrobial applications.

The microstructure and high-temperature cycle oxidation mechanism of a nickel-based superalloy subjected to hafnium (Hf) ion surface implantation and laser shock processing (LSP) at 1100 °C are investigated. The phases, microstructures, and morphologies of the superalloy subjected to LSP and ion implantation before and after high-temperature cycle oxidation are characterized using various technologies, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-temperature cycle oxidation, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. A distinct amorphous HfO₂ layer, with a thickness of ≈30 nm, forms on the alloy's surface. Under the dual action of LSP and ion implantation, a large number of crystal defects, such as dislocation tangles, dislocation pile-ups, twins and subgrains, are induced, and they provide channels for the rapid formation of protective oxide films through the diffusion of metal cations. At the initial stage of high-temperature oxidation, the nucleation of oxides began at the dislocation sites. The higher the dislocation density is, the greater the formation density is. A different oxidation mechanism, in which titanium ions are preferential diffused, occurred in samples after Hf ion implantation. Compared with samples only treated by Hf ion implantation, those undergoing both LSP and ion implantation displayed oxide particles that are significantly smaller, more densely packed, and adhered more strongly to the substrate. This refined oxide layer effectively acts as a barrier, hindering the infiltration of oxygen ions into the underlying substrate.

Germanium (Ge) has been identified as a good candidate among semiconductor-based materials for quantum applications. One of the main reasons lies in the long coherence time of spins of localized holes, its ability to host superconducting pairing correlations, and compatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Recent studies reveal how the growth of strained germanium quantum wells (QWs) embedded in silicon-germanium (SiGe) barriers is crucial to enhance charges' mobility in this system. In this work, a study is presented of the distribution of in-plane and out-of-plane strain in germanium quantum wells embedded in Si_{1 − x}Ge_x barriers in order to engineer strain in the quantum well, thus tuning the charge mobility therein for quantum computing purposes. Therefore, experimental techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and geometric phase analysis (GPA) are combined with Schrödinger–Poisson solver simulations in order to find the optimal quantum well thickness and silicon (Si) content in the Si_{1 − x}Ge_x barriers to enhance and control electrical properties in Ge/SiGe planar heterostructures.

This paper focuses on the implementation of a thin-film heating structure dedicated to a human hand form using the inkjet printing technology, on a textile substrate for the application area of flexible wearable technologies. The involved methods are diversified into preliminary investigations of conductive heating elements with basic meander structures that are varied in their geometric parameters, as well as the manufacturing process and subsequent development and validation of the heating structure dedicated to a hand form. To characterize the heat development, the applied voltage is increased incrementally while recording the current flow. Simultaneously, a thermal imaging camera is used to monitor the temperature development over the heated surface. The printed structures are analyzed using an optical microscope. The heating elements are designed separately using individual finger structures in a meander pattern with a line width of 1 mm and three printed layers. The heating performance of the finger structures on the textile substrate demonstrated comparable stable and homogeneous heating results to those that are already well-established on polymeric substrates. The structures associated with fingers of the hand palm are additionally validated by a long-term test over 72 h at ≈60 °C, revealing a great stability with negligible fluctuations. Furthermore, the heating of a thermal hand model at room temperature is triggered to an elevated average core body temperature of 37 °C, demonstrating the application in e.g., the professional medical sector as well as leisure outdoor activities.

Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes

In article 2500033, Guillermo Carlos Bazan, Wenting Zhao, and co-workers demonstrate a preferential membrane remodelling at curved interface triggered by the intercalation of conjugated oligoelectrolytes, highlighting the indispensable role of membrane shape in determining membrane modulation upon binding small molecules.

Neuromodulation

Image of the tentacle writhing behavior evoked in the small freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris upon treatment with the semiconductor conjugated oligomer ETE-S. Hydra is an attractive animal model for neuromodulation due to its limited behavioral capacity and a nervous system organized in spatially defined neuronal networks, which can promptly response to precise interrogation. In article 2400962, Silvia Santillo, Claudia Tortiglione, and co-workers review recent data on the double function showed by thiophene based trimer in Hydra, showing intriguing possibilities offered by this model organism in the field of organic bioelectronics for both neuromodulation and in situ production of conducting interfaces.

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene on Astrocytes

This image shows Ti₃C₂T_x MXene flakes on the astrocyte membrane. Ti₃C₂T_x MXene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with promising properties for application in bioelectronics. In this first systematic evaluation of astrocyte–MXene interactions, scanning electron microscopy reveals Ti₃C₂T_x adhering to astrocytes without causing any evident alteration of the membrane. Alongside viability, morphology, and calcium imaging assays, these findings establish for the first time the biocompatibility of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene with astrocytes. More details can be found in the Research Article by Flavia Vitale, D. Kacy Cullen, and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/admi.202500261).

Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles

Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) can serve as wireless electric nano-sources, generating high electricity, when stimulated with a human-safe external magnetic field. By combining MENPs with soft, biocompatible matrices and optimizing configuration and electrical behavior, new flexible and functional biointerfaces are obtained. More details can be found in article 2400471 by Giulia Suarato, Alessandra Marrella, and co-workers.

Marine-Derived DNA Bioelectronics

The cover art depicts a DNA-based composite from marine biomass, symbolized by a seashell to reflect natural origin and structural stability. Set underwater highlights sustainability, water-processability, and stable bioelectronic functionality. A robotic submarine with transistor-like circuits represents future bio-integrated devices, illustrating the transformation of marine waste into reliable electronics for aqueous and biosensing applications. More details can be found in article 2500412 by Serpil Tekoglu, Katerina Polakova, and co-workers. Cover art by Martin Pykal.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer high power conversion efficiency and low-cost fabrication, yet their use in wearable and consumer-facing technologies is limited by aesthetic constraints. This study introduces keratin-based coatings as skin-tone camouflage layers that preserve photovoltaic performance. Inspired by the stratum corneum, three formulations are developed: pure keratin (KER), keratin–melanin (KML), and keratin–KerMel (KKM), the latter incorporating synthetic melanin-mimetic particles. These coatings may serve as UV-protective top layers for PSCs. Characterization revealed that KKM exhibited nanoscale uniformity and enhanced durability, contributing to superior light management. KML showed the strongest UV-blocking capacity but reduced transparency, while KER offered high transparency with limited protection. Mechanical testing confirmed the robustness of all coatings, with tensile strengths of ≈3 MPa (KML), ≈2.5 MPa (KKM), and ≈1.7 MPa (KER). The KKM coating achieved a power conversion efficiency of ≈12%, compared to ≈15% in the uncoated reference, and outperformed both KER (≈10%) and KML (≈8%). Stability testing showed KKM retained ≈79% of its initial performance after 14 days, exceeding KER and KML, though slightly below the uncoated device. These results highlight keratin-based coatings as viable materials for merging functionality and aesthetics in renewable energy and biomedical applications.