Infomat最新文献

The potential of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in the fabrication of advanced polymer composites is becoming increasingly evident. This review discusses the latest research developments and applications of 3D printing in polymer composites. First, it focuses on the optimization of 3D printing technology, that is, by upgrading the equipment or components or adjusting the printing parameters, to make them more adaptable to the processing characteristics of polymer composites and to improve the comprehensive performance of the products. Second, it focuses on the 3D printable novel consumables for polymer composites, which mainly include the new printing filaments, printing inks, photosensitive resins, and printing powders, introducing the unique properties of the new consumables and different ways to apply them to 3D printing. Finally, the applications of 3D printing technology in the preparation of functional polymer composites (such as thermal conductivity, electromagnetic interference shielding, biomedicine, self-healing, and environmental responsiveness) are explored, with a focus on the distribution of the functional fillers and the influence of the topological shapes on the properties and functional characteristics of the 3D printed products. The aim of this review is to deepen the understanding of the convergence between 3D printing technology and polymer composites and to anticipate future trends and applications.

Soft molecule-based ferroelectrics with unique structural flexibility hold a promise for versatile applications of non-volatile memory, imaging and photovoltaic devices. Except for few polymers (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride, PVDF), it is challenging to exploit soft ferroelectric crystals toward free-standing flexible photoactive devices. We here report a multiaxial soft molecule-based ferroelectric, (n-PA)₂PbCl₄ (1, where n-PA⁺ is n-pentylammonium), of which spontaneous polarization can be reversibly switched in both crystal and powder forms. Strikingly, single crystals of 1 have unusual structural flexibility and bendability, achieving the self-standing bending with a bending radius of ~0.22 mm. Besides, the pyroelectric activities are also preserved for these single crystals after several bending cycles. Further, the bendable crystal-based photodetector of 1 allows broadband photoactivities via the photo-pyroelectric effect, covering a wide range from 405 to 940 nm spectral region, breaking through the limit of optical absorption bandgap. As the first study of bendable free-standing photo-pyroelectric detectors in ferroelectric crystals, our work sheds light on the assembly of flexible smart photoelectric devices.

Photochromic glass shows great promise for 3D optical information encryption and storage applications. The formation of Ag nanoclusters by light irradiation has been a significant development in the field of photochromic glass research. However, extending this approach to other metal nanoclusters remains a challenge. In this study, we present a pioneering method for crafting photochromic glass with reliably adjustable dual-mode luminescence in both the NIR and visible spectra. This was achieved by leveraging bimetallic clusters of bismuth, resulting in a distinct and novel photochromic glass. When rare-earth-doped, bismuth-based glass is irradiated with a 473 nm laser, and it undergoes a color transformation from yellow to red, accompanied by visible and broad NIR luminescence. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of laser-induced (Bi⁺, Bi⁰) nanoclusters. We achieved reversible manipulation of the NIR luminescence of these nanoclusters and visible rare-earth luminescence by alternating exposure to a 473 nm laser and thermal stimulation. Information patterns can be inscribed and erased on a glass surface or in 3D space, and the readout is enabled by modulating visible and NIR luminescence. This study introduces a pioneering strategy for designing photochromic glasses with extensive NIR luminescence and significant potential for applications in high-capacity information encryption, optical data storage, optical communication, and NIR imaging. The exploration of bimetallic cluster formation in Bi represents a vital contribution to the advancement of multifunctional glass systems with augmented optical functionalities and versatile applications.

Silicon belongs to group 14 elements along with carbon, germanium, tin, and lead in the periodic table. Similar to carbon, silicon is capable of forming a wide range of stable compounds, including silicon hydrides, organosilicons, silicic acids, silicon oxides, and silicone polymers. These materials have been used extensively in optoelectronic devices, sensing, catalysis, and biomedical applications. In recent years, silicon compounds have also been shown to be suitable for stabilizing delicate halide perovskite structures. These composite materials are now receiving a lot of interest for their potential use in various real-world applications. Despite exhibiting outstanding performance in various optoelectronic devices, halide perovskites are susceptible to breakdown in the presence of moisture, oxygen, heat, and UV light. Silicon compounds are thought to be excellent materials for improving both halide perovskite stability and the performance of perovskite-based optoelectronic devices. In this work, a wide range of silicon compounds that have been used in halide perovskite research and their applications in various fields are discussed. The interfacial stability, structure–property correlations, and various application aspects of perovskite and silicon compounds are also analyzed at the molecular level. This study also explores the developments, difficulties, and potential future directions associated with the synthesis and application of perovskite-silicon compounds.

During the past few decades, pyroelectric sensors have attracted extensive attention due to their prominent features. However, their effectiveness is hindered by low electric output. In this study, the laser processed lithium niobate (LPLN) wafers are fabricated to improve the temperature–voltage response. These processed wafers are utilized to construct pyroelectric sensors as well as human–machine interfaces. The laser induces escape of oxygen and the formation of oxygen vacancies, which enhance the charge transport capability on the surface of lithium niobate (LN). Therefore, the electrodes gather an increased quantity of charges, increasing the pyroelectric voltage on the LPLN wafers to a 1.3 times higher voltage than that of LN wafers. For the human–machine interfaces, tactile information in various modes can be recognized by a sensor array and the temperature warning system operates well. Therefore, the laser modification approach is promising to enhance the performance of pyroelectric devices for applications in human–machine interfaces.

Low-temperature zinc batteries (LT-ZIBs) based on aqueous electrolytes show great promise for practical applications owing to their natural resource abundance and low cost. However, they suffer from sluggish kinetics with elevated energy barriers due to the dissociation of bulky Zn(H₂O)₆²⁺ solvation structure and free Zn²⁺ diffusion, resulting in unsatisfactory lifespan and performance. Herein, dissimilar to solvation shell tuning or layer spacing enlargement engineering, delocalized electrons in cathode through constructing intrinsic defect engineering is proposed to achieve a rapid electrocatalytic desolvation to obtain free Zn²⁺ for insertion/extraction. As revealed by density functional theory calculations and interfacial spectroscopic characterizations, the intrinsic delocalized electron distribution propels the Zn(H₂O)₆²⁺ dissociation, forming a reversible interphase and facilitating Zn²⁺ diffusion across the electrolyte/cathode interface. The as-fabricated oxygen defect-rich V₂O₅ on hierarchical porous carbon (ODVO@HPC) electrode exhibits high capacity robustness from 25 to −20°C. Operating at −20°C, the ODVO@HPC delivers 191 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 A g⁻¹ and lasts for 50 000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹, significantly enhancing the power density and lifespan under low-temperature environments in comparison to previous reports. Even with areal mass loading of ~13 mg cm⁻², both coin cells and pouch batteries maintain excellent stability and areal capacities, realizing practical high-performance LT-ZIBs.

Based on transmittance contrast of MXene electrodes, a general strategy for constructing self-powered photodetectors with high response is proposed.

Two-dimensional (2D) non-layered materials, along with their unique surface properties, offer intriguing prospects for sensing applications. Introducing mechanical degrees of freedom is expected to enrich the sensing performances of 2D non-layered devices, such as high frequency, high tunability, and large dynamic range, which could lead to new types of high performance nanosensors. Here, we demonstrate 2D non-layered nanomechanical resonant sensors based on β-In₂S₃, where the devices exhibit robust nanomechanical vibrations up to the very high frequency (VHF) band. We show that such device can operate as pressure sensor with broad range (from 10⁻³ Torr to atmospheric pressure), high linearity (with a nonlinearity factor as low as 0.0071), and fast response (with an intrinsic response time less than 1 μs). We further unveil the frequency scaling law in these β-In₂S₃ nanomechanical sensors and successfully extract both the Young's modulus and pretension for the crystal. Our work paves the way towards future wafer-scale design and integrated sensors based on 2D non-layered materials.

Plasmonic hot carrier engineering holds great promise for advanced infrared optoelectronic devices. The process of hot carrier transfer has the potential to surpass the spectral limitations of semiconductors, enabling detection of sub-bandgap infrared photons. By harvesting hot carriers prior to thermalization, energy dissipation is minimized, leading to highly efficient photoelectric conversion. Distinguished from conventional band-edge carriers, the ultrafast interfacial transfer and ballistic transport of hot carriers present unprecedented opportunities for high-speed photoelectric conversion. However, a complete description on the underlying mechanism of hot-carrier infrared optoelectronic device is still lacking, and the utilization of this strategy for tailoring infrared response is in its early stages. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the generation, transfer and transport dynamics of hot carriers. Basic principles of hot-carrier conversion in heterostructures are discussed in detail. In addition, progresses of two-dimensional (2D) infrared hot-carrier optoelectronic devices are summarized, with a specific emphasis on photodetectors, solar cells, light-emitting devices and novel functionalities through hot-carrier engineering. Furthermore, challenges and prospects of hot-carrier device towards infrared applications are highlighted.

Enabling pressure sensors with high resolution and a broad detection range is of paramount importance yet challenging due to the limitations of each known sensing method. Overlying different sensing mechanisms to achieve complementary functions is a promising approach, but it often leads to increased device thickness, crosstalk signals and complex signal channel management. Herein, we present a dual-functional conformable pressure sensor that adopts a Janus thin film layout, enabling simultaneous piezoelectric and triboelectric signal detection capabilities between just one electrode pair, showing a most compact device configuration. Notably, despite its thin thickness (~80 μm for a packaged device), it exhibits a broad-range detection capability with high signal resolution and fast response time, demonstrating a distinct signal-relay characteristic corresponding to piezoelectricity and triboelectricity. Despite the slimness and simple structure, it shows an impressive signal resolution of 0.93 V·kPa⁻¹ in the range of 0.1–140 kPa and 0.05 V·kPa⁻¹ in the range of 140–380 kPa. Moreover, the device fabrication can be combined with the kirigami method to improve fitting to joint surfaces. This work introduces an innovative paradigm for designing advanced pressure sensing mechanisms, enabling a single device that can meet diverse application scenarios through its simplicity, slim layout, conformable, and self-powered characteristics to adapt to multiple scenarios.