Materials Horizons最新文献

Passive daytime radiative cooling offers a promising approach to address energy, environmental, and safety issues caused by global warming. However, the contradiction between high radiative cooling performance and long-lasting ultraviolet (UV) durability is a primary limitation at the current stage. Here, inspired by the ability of epidermal cells and palisade cells on the leaf surface to protect internal leaf structures (such as chloroplasts and nuclei) under drought and high-temperature conditions, a double-layer passive radiative cooling (PRC) porous membrane, which consists of an upper protective layer densely packed with highly ultraviolet-reflective inorganic particles and a bottom cooling layer doped with a variety of optically characterized inorganic particles, was developed to overcome these challenges. This special leaf-like structure and the synergistic effect of the inorganic particles ensure that the PRC membrane has a high solar reflectivity of 99.3% and a high mid-infrared (MIR) emissivity of ∼95%. In addition, the membrane still maintains excellent optical and mechanical performance after ultraviolet radiation treatment with a total radiation dose of 7000 MJ m^-2. Therefore, the unique structural design and excellent comprehensive performance of the membrane can greatly promote the practical applications of the PRC technology.

Enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA) is a promising approach to anti-cancer therapeutics due to its precise targeting and unique cell death mechanism. In this study, we introduce a small molecule, DN6, which undergoes nitroreductase (NTR)-responsive liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) followed by a liquid-to-solid phase transition (LST) through a gel-like intermediate state, resulting in the formation of nanoaggregates with spatiotemporal control. The reduced form of DN6 (DN6R), owing to its aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and mitochondria-targeting capabilities, has been employed for organelle-specific imaging of tumor hypoxia. The red-emissive DN6R nanoaggregates in situ generated by NTR induce mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, culminating in apoptosis in cancer cells and spheroids. The organelle-specific targeting, visualization, and therapeutic outcomes achieved by leveraging LST of NTR-responsive AIEgenic DN6 render it as a promising agent for cancer theranostics.

The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) with a high Chern number hosts multiple dissipationless chiral edge channels, which is of fundamental interest and promising for applications in spintronics. However, QAHE is currently limited in two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnets with Chern number . Using a tight-binding model, we put forward that Floquet engineering offers a strategy to achieve QAHE in 2D nonmagnets, and, in contrast to generally reported QAHE in 2D ferromagnets, a high-Chern-number is obtained accompanied by the emergence of two chiral edge states. Moreover, based on the first-principles calculations, we identify tetragonal bismuth as an experimentally feasible candidate of the proposed light-induced QAHE, where remarkably a topological phase transition from the 2D ₂ topological insulator to QAHE occurs. Our results open new opportunities to realize exotic QAH physics that increases the feasibility of experimental realization and applications in spintronics devices.

To address the demands of rapidly advancing precision instruments requiring higher efficiency and miniaturization, permanent magnets must exhibit exceptional energy density, temperature stability, high magnetic energy product [(BH)_max], and adequate coercivity (H_cj). Herein, we design rare earth Er-based magnets (2 : 17-type Er-magnets) with a composition of (Er, Sm)(Co, Fe, Cu, Zr)_7.6. Erbium-based compounds (Er₂Co₁₇) offer a unique combination of temperature compensation and high saturation magnetization compared to other heavy rare earth elements, resulting in 2 : 17-type Er-magnets with superior temperature stability in B_r and (BH)_max. Partially substituting Sm reduces the energy barrier for the 2 : 17H-to-2 : 17R phase transition, promoting the development of a complete cellular structure and achieving enhanced coercivity. Notably, the optimal performance is obtained with Er constituting 60% of the total rare earth content, delivering a near-zero temperature-coefficient for B_r and (BH)_max within 20-150 °C while maintaining B_r at 8.92 kG, H_cj at 29.83 kOe, and (BH)_max at 18.5 MGOe. These 2 : 17-type Er-magnets provide valuable insights for developing permanent magnets with exceptional comprehensive properties.

This work involves the preparation of dual surrogate-imprinted polymers (D-MIPs) for the capture of SARS-CoV-2. To achieve this goal, an innovative and novel dual imprinting approach using carboxylated-polystyrene (PS-COOH) nanoparticles with a diameter of 100 nm and a SARS-CoV-2 Spike-derived peptide was carried out at the surface of amine-functionalized silica (PS-NH₂) microspheres with a diameter of 500 nm. Firstly, PS-COOH nanoparticles with the same size and spherical shape as the SARS-CoV-2 virus were employed to form hemispherical indentations (HI) at the surface of the PS-NH₂ microspheres (obtaining dummy particle-imprinted polymers, HI-MIPs). Next, a specific peptide sequence representing the Spike protein at the surface of the target virus was also used as the second template to generate specific peptide binding sites at the HI. Finally, the PS-COOH and the peptide were removed by several washing steps providing D-MIPs, comprising both dummy particle indentations (HI) and peptide binding sites. The D-MIPs and HI-MIPs were in-depth characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). 100% rebinding efficiency was achieved for the SARS-CoV-2 peptide with D-MIPs highlighting its specificity vs. non-peptide-imprinted control polymers (HI-MIPs), which only achieved a binding efficiency of <40.5%. D-MIPs also showed higher affinity than HI-MIPs towards real SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, lower rebinding percentages for both HI-MIPs (8.5%) and D-MIPs (6.9%) were obtained when incubated with an alternative peptide (i.e., characteristic for Zika virus) indicating a successful peptide imprinting process for the target SARS-CoV-2 peptide.

Correction for 'Self-generating electricity system driven by aqueous humor flow and trabecular meshwork contraction motion activated BKCa for glaucoma intraocular pressure treatment' by Ruiqi Wang et al., Mater. Horiz., 2025, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH01004C.

Hydrogel electrolytes are crucial for solving the problems of random zinc dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reactions, and uncontrollable passivation. However, their complex fabrication processes pose challenges to achieving large-scale production with excellent mechanical properties required to withstand multiple cycles of mechanical loads while maintaining high electrochemical performance needed for the new-generation flexible zinc-ion batteries. Herein, we present a superspreading-based strategy to produce robust hydrogel electrolytes consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate and sodium acetate. The hydrogel electrolytes have a tensile strength of 54.1 ± 2.5 MPa, a fracture strain of up to 1113 ± 37%, and a fracture toughness of 374.1 ± 6.1 MJ m^-3, showcasing endurance of 2500 cycles at 80% strain without damage. Besides, the hydrogel electrolytes feature a high ionic conductivity of 14 mS cm^-1 and a Zn²⁺ transference number of 0.62, as interfacial regulation enables the symmetric cell to achieve 1300 hours of highly stable and reversible zinc plating/stripping. As a preliminary attempt toward mass production, soft-pack batteries assembled using modified hydrogel electrolytes demonstrate robust machinability, with minimal voltage change after being bent and deformed 100 times. This work is expected to pave the way for developing a convenient hydrogel electrolyte for effective and stable zinc-ion batteries.

A new photopolymerizable organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid sol-gel material, AUP@SiOx-184, has been synthesized and utilized as a gate dielectric in flexible organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). The previously reported three-arm alkoxy-functionalized silane amphiphilic polymer has yielded stable O-I hybrid materials comprising uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in the sol state. In this study, a photosensitizer was introduced, facilitating curing effects under ultraviolet light. Photo-crosslinking enhances the stability of hydroxyl radicals within inorganic nanoparticles, thereby minimizing device hysteresis. This approach also contributes to achieving a low leakage current and a high dielectric constant (high-k) while maintaining reduced thickness. Moreover, AUP@SiOx-184 films are amenable to patterning through UV photopolymerization and can be successfully produced using printing techniques. Compared to other materials, they exhibit outstanding flexibility and improved insulating capabilities. Additionally, OTFTs incorporating AUP@SiOx-184 layers demonstrate extremely stable driving features on flexible substrates. Selective printing and specific patterning play crucial roles in the fabrication of logic circuits. This synthesis strategy has resulted in integrated logic devices that have successfully demonstrated their functionality, highlighting its value for producing functional O-I hybrid materials. Utilizing AUP@SiOx-184 as a gate dielectric in OTFTs showcases its potential to advance electronic technologies that are both flexible and high-performing.

Atrazine is a widely used and heavily contaminating pesticide. In this work, we designed and synthesized a versatile catalyst for the degradation and fluorescent detection of atrazine. This catalyst consists of Cu clusters modified by a Schiff base. The combination of Cu clusters and Schiff base enables it to act as a catalyst with the dual roles of oxidation and reduction. The inclusion of the Schiff base also narrows the band gap of Cu clusters and accelerates the redox electron transfer, leading to the degradation of atrazine up to 98%. Furthermore, the red fluorescence of Cu clusters and the green fluorescence of Schiff base allow this catalyst to sense atrazine like a sensor by a change in fluorescence color. The limit of detection for atrazine is as low as 0.1 nM and visual limit of detection is 10 nM. The mechanisms of catalysis and fluorescence sensing of the catalyst are verified by mass spectrometry and density functional theory. This multi-functional catalyst has great application potential in environmental protection, health and safety and other fields.

Metal halides are widely applied in solid-state lighting (SSL), optoelectronic devices, information encryption, and near-infrared (NIR) detection due to their superior photoelectric properties and tunable emission. However, single-component phosphors that can be efficiently excited by light-emitting diode (LED) chips and cover both the visible (VIS) and NIR emission regions are still very rare. To address this issue, (TPA)₂ZnBr₄:Sn²⁺/Mn²⁺ (TPA = [(CH₃CH₂CH₂)₄N]⁺) phosphors were synthesized by using the solvent evaporation method. The Sn²⁺ doping significantly enhances the luminescence of (TPA)₂ZnBr₄, and shifts the weak emission of blue light to efficient emissions in the red and NIR zones. Spectroscopic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the emissions are attributed to the different levels of ³P₁-¹S₀ in the [SnBr₄]^2- tetrahedron caused by Jahn-Teller distortion. More importantly, energy transfer from Mn²⁺ to Sn²⁺ enables ultra-broadband VIS-NIR emission across the 400-1000 nm range, with excitation-dependent tunable emission characteristics. These properties suggest that (TPA)₂ZnBr₄:Sn²⁺/Mn²⁺ has great potential as a high-performance, single-component luminescent material for applications in general lighting, NIR light source, and anti-counterfeiting labels.