Journal of Materials Chemistry C最新文献

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) offer a promising technology for developing applications in the wearable field due to their varied structural configurations, high energy conversion efficiency, and straightforward manufacturing processes. Triboelectric materials serve as essential components that significantly influence the performance of TENGs. Polyurethane (PU)-based self-powered wearable electronics exhibit notable benefits, including flexibility, comfort, and resistance to wear. In particular, the optimization of friction polarity and charge distribution in PU-based triboelectric materials is critical, as these factors directly impact the overall efficacy of the PU-based TENGs. Herein, a comprehensive summary is presented to elucidate the modulation of the electrical output properties of PU-based triboelectric materials and the emerging applications of PU-based TENGs. Firstly, the effects of physical and chemical methods on the triboelectric positive polarity, triboelectric negativity polarity, charge density, and charge transfer efficiency of PU-based triboelectric materials will be systematically discussed in terms of two main aspects: triboelectric polarity and charge distribution. Furthermore, the applications of self-powered wearable electronics made of PU-based TENGs in the fields of medical health and tactile sensing are also introduced. The discussion culminates in a summary and an exploration of potential future directions in this field.

To advance beyond the limitations of Moore's law, the development of novel non-volatile materials is essential for overcoming the scaling challenges of conventional memory technologies. Among them, HfO₂-based ferroelectrics have attracted considerable attention due to their ability to exhibit ferroelectricity even at thicknesses of a few nanometers, as well as their compatibility with standard CMOS processes. However, the cycling effects inherent to HfO₂-based ferroelectrics remain a significant obstacle to their application in non-volatile memory devices. Despite various perspectives on the origin of these effects, strategies to effectively suppress endurance degradation have not yet been fully established. In this study, we investigate the origin of cycling effects in HZO-based ferroelectric devices and optimise the electrical conditions required to maximise ferroelectric performance and endurance reliability. Two representative phenomena—wake-up and fatigue effects—are analysed and modulated from the perspectives of phase transition and domain de-pinning. As a result, we demonstrate a 3.4-fold increase in remanent polarisation (P_r) compared to the pristine state, and achieve ∼98% retention of P_r after 10⁹ endurance cycles. These findings present a viable strategy for enhancing both ferroelectricity and long-term reliability in HfO₂-based memory devices, paving the way for their integration into future neuromorphic and non-volatile memory applications.

Zinc chromite nanoparticles (ZnCr₂O₄ NPs) have emerged as a multifunctional class of spinel oxides exhibiting remarkable physicochemical, magnetic, optical, electrical, and catalytic/photocatalytic properties, which make them promising candidates for a wide range of technological and biomedical applications. The structure–property–application linkages of ZnCr₂O₄ nanomaterials (NMs) have not been thoroughly evaluated or correlated, despite a great deal of research on spinel ferrites. This review provides a comprehensive and comparative overview of recent advancements in synthetic strategies—including sol–gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, microwave-assisted, solvothermal, combustion, and green synthesis methods—and how key reaction parameters—such as pH, precursor concentration, solvent, temperature, and time—influence morphology and performance. The prominent features of ZnCr₂O₄ NPs include outstanding photocatalytic and catalytic activity, tunable morphology, and excellent stability. Special emphasis is placed on linking intrinsic properties such as surface area, bandgap, redox potential, and magnetic behavior to their diverse applications in photocatalysis, energy storage, sensing, and biomedical fields. In this regard, we have reviewed the current literature and discussed the physicochemical characteristics, fabrication methods, and possible uses of newly developed ZnCr₂O₄ NMs. Unlike previous evaluations, this work highlights the excellent stability, adjustable morphology, and multifunctionality of ZnCr₂O₄-based systems by objectively comparing them with other spinel oxides. Additionally, the diverse applications of ZnCr₂O₄ NMs are explored, along with potential directions for future research. The novelty of this review lies in its integrated discussion of property-driven design principles, offering a comprehensive perspective that may guide the future optimization of ZnCr₂O₄ NMs for sustainable technological and biomedical applications.

To solve the toxicity and stability issues of traditional lead halide perovskites, Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂ nanocomposites were synthesized via a thermal injection method. Cs₂AgBiBr₆ quantum dots (QDs) and Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂ nanocomposites were dispersed in methyl methacrylate (MMA) to prepare (Cs₂AgBiBr₆)₆/PMMA and (Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂)₆/PMMA organic glasses (OGs). The nonlinear absorption (NLA) properties of the materials were investigated using the open-aperture Z-scan technique, revealing that after compositing with TiO₂, the reverse saturable absorption (RSA) coefficient of the (Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂)₆/PMMA OG increased from 194 cm GW⁻¹ to 294 cm GW⁻¹ at an energy of 10 µJ. This is attributed to the incorporation of TiO₂, which facilitates interfacial charge separation and accelerates electron transfer, thereby significantly enhancing the RSA of Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂. Under identical testing conditions, the optical limiting thresholds of the (Cs₂AgBiBr₆)₆/PMMA and the (Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂)₆/PMMA OGs were measured to be 5.33 J cm⁻² and 3.87 J cm⁻², respectively. Compared to the (Cs₂AgBiBr₆)₆/PMMA OG, the (Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂)₆/PMMA OG demonstrates superior optical limiting performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements demonstrated that Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂ exhibits lower impedance (R_ct) and favorable photocurrent response (0.61 µA cm⁻²), confirming its efficient charge separation/transport capability, which further promotes the RSA effect of Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂. These results indicate that Cs₂AgBiBr₆@TiO₂ holds promising potential for applications in optical limiting devices.

Two novel heterotrimetallic complexes, [(Ni²⁺)₂Fe³⁺L₂] (designated as VBCMERI-1 and VBCMERI-2), were synthesized and fully characterized as effective chemosensors for poultry feed-additive organoarsenicals (PFAs). These complexes exhibit selective chromo-fluorogenic responses in aqueous media via the ligand displacement mechanism triggered by PFAs. The binding process was substantiated experimentally by means of FT-IR, UV-vis, photoluminescence, and cyclic voltammetry studies and further supported theoretically by reduced density gradient (RDG) analysis. The selective and sensitive detection capabilities were successfully demonstrated in real-world matrices, including poultry blood, flesh, and soil samples. Notably, VBCMERI-2 enabled efficient turn-on fluorogenic detection of As³⁺ in tobacco products. Additionally, the resulting VBCMERI–PFA adducts showed cross-reactive behavior toward Al³⁺, allowing the construction of a 6-input/8-output molecular logic gate system that emulates visual perception. These findings position VBCMERI-1 and VBCMERI-2 as promising multifunctional sensory platforms for environmental and food safety monitoring.

Optical atomic switches have garnered considerable interest due to their fast switching speed, low energy consumption, and compatibility with quantum information technologies. While atomic modulation via optical excitation has been demonstrated using scanning probe techniques, controlling atomic motion in operable devices remains a key challenge for practical applications. In this study, we operated an optical atomic switch and investigated molecular effects on conductance modulation. Single-molecule junctions incorporating C₆₀, bipyridine, and butanediamine were fabricated using a mechanically controllable break junction technique. Photoirradiation induced conductance enhancement in all molecular junctions. Analysis of current–voltage characteristics in ON and OFF states revealed that atomic motion modulates the electronic coupling between the molecule and the electrodes. A systematic comparison across different molecular junctions showed that molecular rigidity significantly influences optical conductance modulation, with flexible molecules like butanediamine exhibiting weaker dependence on initial conductance states.

Correction for ‘Fluorination in core-only calamitic liquid crystals: how many and where should they go?’ by Jacob G. Rothera et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5tc02621k.

Artificial synaptic devices that emulate biological neural systems hold significant potential for neuromorphic computing and brain-inspired intelligence. The development of low-power, cost-effective synaptic devices is crucial for applications in intelligent recognition and real-time monitoring. In this work, WO₃ films were fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering to construct a self-powered WO₃-based photoelectrochemical synapse. While the device exhibits self-powered photodetection capabilities at zero bias voltage, its primary function as a synaptic device is demonstrated through the emulation of essential neuroplastic behaviors. The plasticity conversion between the short-term plasticity and long-term plasticity of the photoelectrochemical synapse was achieved by adjusting the number of optical pulses, light power density and frequency. The learning, memory and forgetting behaviors of photoelectrochemical synapses based on WO₃ were mapped. More importantly, we further fabricated a 5 × 5 matrix synapse array, successfully simulating the application for object distance judgment. This work highlights the potential of low-energy consumption and low-cost photoelectrochemical synapses, providing a feasible solution for the field of intelligent recognition.

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties have attracted great attention recently. Specifically, multiple-resonance TADF (MR-TADF) emitters are of particular interest as next-generation narrowband luminophores for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) due to their intrinsically narrow emission bands, high photoluminescence efficiencies, and facilely tunable emission colors. The incorporation of AIE behavior into TADF or MR-TADF platforms has been a successful approach towards maximizing exciton utilization in the solid state. In contrast to traditional planar luminophores plagued by aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), AIE-active emitters are characterized by emission enhancement upon aggregation, enabling the realization of OLEDs with high external quantum efficiencies and low efficiency roll-off. In this review, we present recent progress in AIE-active traditional TADF emitters that are classified based on their emission color (blue, green, and yellow/red) with a focus on non-doped OLED device structures. Additionally, AIE-active MR-TADF materials are presented and compared with their traditional TADF counterparts. Part of the special emphasis is placed on molecular design tenets, structure–property correlations, photophysical phenomena, and device performance optimization. This review tries to give insights into rational molecular design strategies for the construction of next-generation AIE-active TADF and MR-TADF emitters for high-performance OLED applications.

Mechanochromic luminescent (MCL) materials have attracted growing attention owing to their potential applications in sensing, display, and security technologies. Although crystalline MCL materials have been the most intensively investigated, quantitative evaluation of their mechanical-stimuli-responsiveness remains challenging, particularly in powdered form. Herein, a custom-built apparatus is developed to monitor real-time emission color changes in crystalline powders of MCL materials under quantitatively controlled grinding stimuli. Time-dependent emission spectra obtained using this apparatus are analyzed using two newly defined parameters k_prog and k_conv. These parameters allow for quantitative comparison of the mechanical-stimuli-responsiveness of a series of organic and organometallic MCL materials with diverse structures and provide insights into their underlying mechanisms. Load-dependent measurements further suggest that mechanical force lowers the activation barrier for the collapse of the crystal structure. This methodology offers a general strategy for evaluating powdered MCL materials and contributes to the rational design and development of advanced MCL systems.