Research articles

A large-scale and ultrafast combustion synthesis using CO₂ as feedstock is demonstrated for the fabrication of nitrogen-enriched graphene frameworks (NGF) with high electrical conductivity, which delivers an upgraded kinetics due to the enhanced ion diffusion and electron transport. Lithium-ion capacitors based on NGF as both cathode and anode exhibit a high gravimetric energy density of 151 Wh kg⁻¹ and power output of 49 kW kg⁻¹. This study reveals an effective pathway to achieve synergistic kinetics in electrode materials for high-performance electrochemical energy storage.

Facile modification of a porous superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene foam produced suitable surface structures to enable fluid slip flow and resist protein fouling. Its monolithic nature offered abrasion durability, while its porosity allowed pressurized air to be supplied to resist fluid impalement and to replenish the air plastron lost to the fluid. Active pore pressure control could resist high fluid pressures and turbulent flow conditions across a wide range of applied pressures. The pneumatically stabilized material yielded large drag reductions even with protein fouling. Coupled with its high hemocompatibility, this easily fabricated material can be viable for incorporation into blood-contacting medical devices.

A novel technique is demonstrated for the fabrication of flexible and highly sensitive 1D piezoelectric pressure sensors containing ZnO nanotube arrays grown on 2D graphene layers. Due to the morphology-controlled tunable sensitivity, ultra-small size, and capability of detecting extremely low pressures, the sensors are able to efficiently detect human breath and pulse.

The significance of our results is related to “the quantum breakdown of superconductivity (QBS) and the role of superconducting islands in disordered superconducting systems”. Study on the QBS uses a reverse, comprehensive approach to the appearance of superconductivity, which is of utmost importance not only to understanding the superconducting phase but also to practical applications of superconductors. However, the mechanism underlying the transition to the nonzero resistive state deep in the superconducting state is still under debate. In this work, we have successfully achieved the field-induced QBS in disordred MgB₂ thin films via a unique technique of low-energy ion irradiation.

Experimental descriptions of Aβ oligomers (oli-Aβs) assembled on surfaces as compared with Aβ monomers (mono-Aβs) are crucial to understanding changes in chemical reactivity. Here, we fabricated Aβ molecular junctions between linker molecular layered electrodes using different Aβ segments and report that electron transport pathways changed from asymmetric hopping across monomeric Aβ junctions to symmetric tunneling across oligomeric Aβ junctions.

The synchronous correspondence relationship between the optical and charge storage performances, and the synergistic intrinsic mechanism between the Al³⁺ ion intercalation and the surface pseudocapacitance reaction affecting the electrochromic-energy storage performance are revealed using in-situ/operando techniques.

With the assistant of heat, the osmotic power generator with nanofluidic sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(ether sulfone) membrane and high soluble lithium bromide shows excellent ion transport behavior and superior output power density for salinity gradient energy harvesting.

We realize the introduction of crystalline chirality into transition metal dichalcogenides by intercalating polyhedra into the lattice and reveal a new type of crystalline chirality interlocked double hourglass Weyl fermion. The best candidate RhV₃S₆ (P6₃22) possesses a record wide hourglass energy window of ~380 meV, as well as strong optical circular dichroism (CD) in the infrared regime, both tunable by external strains. The chirality is originally induced by the configuration of intercalated polyhedra, then reduced by the rotational atomic displacements triggered by the intercalation, as indicated by CD calculations.

A universal, multifunctional, high-practicability superhydrophobic paint was prepared, which showed huge potential for water-proof grass house in real world.

We report a unique low-temperature-processed (≤100 °C) method for the scalable deposition of a tellurium nanowire network (Te-nanonet) to fabricate high-performance field-effect transistors (FETs) with stable electrical and optical properties. A maximum mobility of 4.7 cm²/Vs, an on/off current ratio of 1 × 10⁴, and a maximum transconductance of 2.18 µS are achieved. The electrical performance of a Te-nanonet-based transistor array of 42 devices is also measured, revealing stable and uniform results. Finally, to broaden the applicability of p-type Te-nanonet-based FETs, optical measurements are demonstrated over a wide spectral range, revealing an exceptionally uniform optical performance.

A dual-responsive Co-MnO₂ possessing actuation and an additional response of resistivity change in response to ultra-low visible light is introduced, with the tunable actuation triggered by a simple “activation” and Co-doping treatment. The intrinsic self-sensing, tunable and high-performing actuation in response to vis light signal is utilized to design intelligent robotics devices (e.g., self-adapting load-lifting system and auto-self-sorting finger).

The mechanisms involved in the damage of CVD-grown graphene (Gr) and MoS₂ are investigated during a roll-based transfer process. We identify two different damage mechanisms, i.e., instability-induced damage and tensile strain-induced damage. The two mechanisms compete, depending on the thickness of the transfer medium, and induce dissimilar damage. By optimizing the thickness, we realize and demonstrate the damage-free transfer of 2D materials. The sheet resistance and mobility of transferred Gr are 235 ± 29 Ω sq^–1 and 2250 cm² V^–1 s^–1, respectively, with no microscopic cracks or tear-out damage.

Indium-free un-doped tin dioxide (SnO₂) serves as a transparent conducting electrode for indoor organic photovoltaics (OPVs). SnO₂ OPV systems demonstrate superior indoor performance compared with indium tin oxide (ITO)-based systems. SnO₂-based OPV systems shows 14.6% efficiency under 1000 lx of LED illumination. Low-cost SnO₂ can be a promising substitute for expensive ITOs in indoor OPV systems.

By combining the MoS2 channel with the PEDOT:PSS floating layer, a new concept device is proposed. This work demonstrates optoelectronic memory operation with high mechanical endurance through a 1,000-cycle bending test, which also offers multilevel memory programming operation based on light intensity and color.

We investigated the scintillation performance of centimeter lead-halide Cs₄PbBr₆ single crystal synthesized by a facile solution process. Cs₄PbBr₆ single crystal have been demonstrated with fast scintillation decay time, low detection limit, and without hygroscopic, which makes it ideal for indirection radiation detection applications. The alpha pulse height spectroscopy deconvoluted into two Gaussian functions were obtained. The clear X-ray imaging of a standard pattern plate with 600 μm interval width under a low dose rate below 3.3 μGy_air/s was collected. All these results indicate that this low-cost Cs₄PbBr₆ SCs scintillator is expected to be a promising low-dose X-ray imaging material.

Metallic phase transition metal dichalcogenides quantum dots show different pathways of optical charge excitation and decay according to the size and sort of defects, resulting into the large Stoke shift, two bands for charge excitation, and TRPL peak shift. This result is mainly ascribed to the valance band splitting and the emerging defect states originated from atomic vacancy of basal plane and edge oxidation.

This work demonstrates medium-entropy alloy (MEA) hollow nanolattices with high toughness and resilience, by leveraging size-induced ductility and rationally engineered MEA microstructural defects, suggesting a new pathway for lightweight mechanical metamaterials with simultaneous high strength, toughness, and recoverability for engineering applications.

In this work, Xu et al. established an in vitro model to assess the responses of astrocytes to the changes of matrix stiffness that may be related to pathophysiology. The investigated hydrogel backbones are composed of collagen type I and alginate. The stiffness of these hybrid hydrogels can be dynamically tuned through the association or dissociation of alginate chains, respectively. It was found that astrocytes obtain different phenotypes when cultured in hydrogels of different stiffness. The obtained phenotypes can be switched in situ when changing matrix stiffness in the presence of cells. Specifically, matrix stiffening reverts astrogliosis, whereas matrix softening initiates astrocytic activation in 3D.

Wide- and narrow-bandgap semiconductor nanostructures were monolithically integrated on graphene layers by direct heteroepitaxial growth. The structural, optical, and electrical characteristics of the hybrid nanostructures were investigated. Furthermore, dual-wavelength photodetectors sensitive to both ultraviolet and mid-infrared wavelengths were fabricated using the hybrid nanostructures.

This paper reports a universal strategy for easily preparing hydrogels that are tough and stretchable without any special structures or complicated processes. Tough and stretchable hydrogels are prepared by tuning the polymerization conditions to form networks with many polymer chain entanglements to achieve energy dissipation. The strategy allows us to overcome the limitation of low mechanical performance, which leads to the wide practical use of hydrogels.