MRS Communications最新文献

Internet of Things (IoT) devices and small robots would benefit from higher-energy-density and disposable primary Al–air batteries, but corrosion and side reactions on the Al anode limit the widespread application of this chemistry. This paper studies how the physical and chemical characteristics of double-network hydrogel (DNH) electrolytes affect the anode oxidation, discharge morphology, and performance of Al–air batteries. The chemically crosslinked and physical–chemical crosslinked DNHs were made from biodegradable materials and showed enhanced corrosion inhibition compared to aqueous KOH solution, reducing the corrosion rate by 58% to 21 mmpy. An Al–air battery with a PVA-PAAM DNH extracted over 300 mAh cm⁻² from Al at 10 mA cm⁻².

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Quantum emissions, such as single photon emission (SPE) and superradiance (SR), are fundamental ingredients of quantum optical technology. The quest for efficient, controllable, and scalable quantum emitters is crucial for successfully implementing various quantum technologies, such as quantum computing, secure quantum communication and high-precision metrology. Recently, perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have emerged as highly efficient sources of quantum emission due to their excellent optical properties, including near 100% quantum yield, high optical absorbance, and tunable bandgaps covering the entire visible range. This Prospective introduces the principles of quantum emissions, including SPE and SR, and summarizes recent progress in exploring quantum emissions in PQDs. We focus on the prospects, advantages, and challenges associated with the quantum emissions from PQDs. This Prospective concludes with an outlook on PQDs in advancing future quantum technologies.

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Deformation twins in the ferrite matrix of an age-hardened duplex stainless steel have been observed using on-axis transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) in a scanning electron microscope. This provided details of the lattice misorientation and dislocation arrangement, including the dislocation-free zone at the twin tip. These observations provide evidence for the link between microcracking of the irregular twin/parent interface and relaxation of the residual strains that arise from twin growth, offering new insights into fracture mechanics in these materials.

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Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) outperform lithium-ion batteries in the aspect of energy density as they use lithium metal as the anode that has extremely high energy density and low potential. However, the development of LMBs is hampered by uncontrollable Li plating morphology and inferior Coulombic efficiency (CE) during cycling. In the past decade, electrolyte development has been recognized as one of the most effective strategies to tackle these two challenges. Much progress has been made through designing advanced electrolytes, especially ether-based electrolytes, in developing LMBs. Herein, we focus on summarizing the use of additives in ether-based electrolytes to enable high-performance LMBs. The impact of additives in electrolytes on lithium metal anode (LMA) protection, cathode protection, extreme temperature operation, and fast charging for LMBs are systematically discussed. The review reveals the significance of additive engineering in developing advanced electrolytes for high-energy–density LMBs.

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Conducting polymers have attracted significant interest due to their unique properties, including metal-like conductivity, ionic conductivity, optical transparency, and mechanical flexibility. Poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfone) (PEDOT:PSS) is commonly utilized as the hole transport layer (HTL) in optoelectronic devices. However, its high acidity, primarily attributed to the low pH of PSS, poses challenges such as counter electrode etching, detrimental interactions with the photoactive layer, and device instability. To address these issues, researchers are exploring alternative HTL materials and deposition methods. Oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) has emerged as a promising technique to fabricate high-quality PEDOT thin films without PSS, enhancing device stability. The selection of an appropriate oxidant is crucial in oCVD, as it significantly influences film properties and performance. The utilization of liquid oxidants enables direct integration of conductive polymer thin films into devices through a one-step, dry process, eliminating the need for post-deposition rinsing and ensuring compatibility with solvent-sensitive and temperature-sensitive substrates. Moreover, precise control over liquid oxidant flow rates provides advantages over solid oxidants. This prospective article provides an overview of recent advancements in engineering the texture and nanostructure of conducting polymers to boost electrical conductivity and enhance optoelectronic performance. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in oCVD method, focusing on the use of liquid oxidants. Furthermore, the prospective article underscores the significance of oCVD in the efficient fabrication of PEDOT thin films without PSS, thus playing a pivotal role in the development of stable optoelectronic devices.

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In this paper, we investigate the morphology of ionic poly(dimethylsiloxane) silica nanocomposites of randomly grafted or chain-end-functionalized ionic PDMS melts using atomistic MD simulations. The localization of the charge alters the structure and dynamics of ionic PDMS chains near the nanosilica surface. The chain-end ionic PDMS obtains the largest dimensions, whereas the charge fraction of 10% of the random ionic copolymers leads to a contraction of PDMS chains. The charge fraction dramatically alters the dynamics of the ionic PDMS chains, although they reach the diffusive regime. An anisotropy of PDMS chain dynamics perpendicular and parallel to the nanosilica and an heterogeneity of PDMS dynamics from the nanosilica surface are observed for the longer randomly grafted and chain-end ionic PDMS chains. The longer randomly grafted ionic PDMS chains are strongly adsorbed in the vicinity of the nanosilica surface.

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Porous materials are pivotal in emerging fields like tissue engineering, scaffold, and drug delivery due to their distinctive porosity-driven functional properties. This paper describes how to achieve multiscale porosity in food-based composites through a thermally activated gelatinization process of amylopectin molecules coupled with 3D printing. By controlling printing paths, macropores are engineered, while degree of gelatinization governs micro- and nanopores formation. Process-microstructure relationship reveals that longer preheating treatments at higher gelatinization temperatures significantly reduce micro-pore area by over twofold and nanopore surface area by over threefold. These results provide a promising route to fabricate food-based composite with tailorable microstructures.

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Scaffold-guided bone regeneration (SGBR) is a rapidly developing field that aims to address the clinical challenges in reconstructive surgery. Combining ceramics with biodegradable polymers offers a wide range of physico-chemical properties, but their mechanical properties are far from the expectations. Nature offers examples of mineralized materials with excellent mechanical properties. This can be attributed to their unique architecture featuring soft polymeric interfaces that deflect propagating cracks. The present article depicts the role of soft interfaces on bone toughness, the governing equations of cracks propagating at interfaces, and provide guidelines for the design of medical grade composites for SGBR.

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Ni, Pt, and NiPt catalysts supported on SBA-15 were synthesized, characterized, and tested in anisole hydrodeoxygenation to determine the effect of the metal’s nature on the catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring of anisole and hydrogenolysis of the C–O bond in the cyclohexyl methyl ether intermediate. Metal loadings in the catalysts were 5 wt% of Ni and 1 wt% of Pt. The bimetallic NiPt/SBA-15 catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity in both hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis, attributed to the promotional effect of Pt on NiO reduction and the formation of a Ni–Pt alloy with better dispersion of metal nanoparticles.

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