Article
|
Open Access
Featured
-
-
Article
| Open Access
Multilevel design and construction in nanomembrane rolling for three-dimensional angle-sensitive photodetection
Zhang et al. report a quasistatic multilevel finite element model to predict the 3D structures assembled by 2D nanomembranes, validated by large-scale, high-yield, and configurable fabrication. 3D Si/Cr photodetectors assisted by neural network are employed to resolve the incident light angle.
- Ziyu Zhang
- , Binmin Wu
- & Yongfeng Mei
-
Article
| Open Access
Essential role of lattice oxygen in hydrogen sensing reaction
Understanding the sensing mechanism of metal oxide semiconductors is imperative for developing high-performance sensors. Here, the participation of lattice oxygen, caused by additional Ge, boosts the hydrogen sensing ability of SnO2.
- Jiayu Li
- , Wenzhe Si
- & Guo-Dong Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Significant enhancement of proton conductivity in solid acid at the monolayer limit
High performance proton conductor is highly desired for energy application. Here authors report an increase in the number of active protons in solid acid at the monolayer limit, enabling membranes with proton conductivity 5 times higher than that of Nafion.
- Zhangcai Zhang
- , Lixin Liang
- & Wencai Ren
-
Article
| Open Access
Deep-potential enabled multiscale simulation of gallium nitride devices on boron arsenide cooling substrates
Efficient heat dissipation is critical to optimize high-power devices. Here, the authors report high interfacial thermal conductance in GaN-BAs heterostructures and investigate the competition between grain size and boundary resistance by multiscale simulations.
- Jing Wu
- , E Zhou
- & Guangzhao Qin
-
Article
| Open Access
Well-defined diatomic catalysis for photosynthesis of C2H4 from CO2
Principal interest lies in diatomic catalysts (DACs) for efficient CO2 to C2H4 photoconversion yet optimizing catalytic performance and exploring reaction mechanisms are impeded by heteronuclear atom random distribution. Here, a novel up-bottom ion-cutting architecture is proposed for fabricating well-defined DACs.
- Zhongkai Xie
- , Shengjie Xu
- & Shuyan Song
-
Article
| Open Access
An artificial protein modulator reprogramming neuronal protein functions
Direct modulation of protein by artificial catalysts as enzyme mimetics remains hindered by the lack of highly efficient catalytic centers. Here, the authors present the development of artificial protein modulators (APROMs) with protein phosphatase-like characteristics, catalytically reprogram the biological function of α-synuclein.
- Peihua Lin
- , Bo Zhang
- & Daishun Ling
-
Article
| Open Access
On-surface cyclization of vinyl groups on poly-para-phenylene involving an unusual pentagon to hexagon transformation
On-surface synthesis relies on carefully designed molecular precursors that are thermally activated to afford desired, covalently coupled architectures. Here, the authors study the intramolecular reactions of vinyl groups in a poly-para-phenylene-based model system and provide a comprehensive description of the reaction steps taking place on the Au(111) surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions.
- Marco Di Giovannantonio
- , Zijie Qiu
- & Roman Fasel
-
Article
| Open Access
Biporous silica nanostructure-induced nanovortex in microfluidics for nucleic acid enrichment, isolation, and PCR-free detection
Efficient enrichment and isolation of pathogens are crucial for accurate and sensitive disease identification. Here, the authors present a chip equipped with biporous nanofilms that induces a nanovetex in a microfluidic channel for nucleic acid enrichment, isolation, and detection.
- Eunyoung Jeon
- , Bonhan Koo
- & Joonseok Lee
-
Article
| Open Access
Unravelling the amorphous structure and crystallization mechanism of GeTe phase change memory materials
The structure of an ideal glass, crystallisation mechanism, nanoscale effects, and even parallels to organic chemistry can be drawn by conceptualizing the amorphous GeTe structure as a superposition of Te and Ge lattices with atom-specific dynamics.
- Simon Wintersteller
- , Olesya Yarema
- & Maksym Yarema
-
Article
| Open Access
Understanding the AIE phenomenon of nonconjugated rhodamine derivatives via aggregation-induced molecular conformation change
“Understanding the structure-property relationship of organic molecules which exhibit different properties upon aggregation is important for the field of material science. Here, the authors prepare nonconjugated rhodamine-based molecules without aggregation-induced emission building blocks yet displaying typical aggregation-induced emission behavior.”
- Lin-Lin Yang
- , Haoran Wang
- & Ben Zhong Tang
-
Article
| Open Access
Mesoporous carbon spheres with programmable interiors as efficient nanoreactors for H2O2 electrosynthesis
Nanoreactors, with biomimetic features and distinct catalytic functions, show promise in catalytic energy conversion. Here the authors propose the utilization of precisely engineered mesoporous carbon spheres with tunable hollow sizes as nanoreactors, leveraging their catalytic functionalities for enhanced diffusion and microenvironment modulation effects to achieve efficient hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis.
- Qiang Tian
- , Lingyan Jing
- & Jinlong Yang
-
Article
| Open Access
Observing growth and interfacial dynamics of nanocrystalline ice in thin amorphous ice films
In-situ cryo-electron microscopy in thin amorphous ice films and ice-dynamics simulations reveal polymorph-dependent growth kinetics of nanoscale ice crystals. Hetero-crystalline ice exhibits anisotropic growth: fast-growing facets are associated with low-density interfaces, driving tetrahedral ordering of interfacial H2O molecules and accelerating ice growth.
- Minyoung Lee
- , Sang Yup Lee
- & Dong June Ahn
-
Article
| Open Access
Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with nia nets for efficient separation of benzene/cyclohexane mixtures
The synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with highly connected building blocks presents a significant challenge. Here, the authors report the synthesis of two 3D COFs with the nia topology, by introducing planar hexagonal and triangular prism nodes.
- Jianhong Chang
- , Fengqian Chen
- & Qianrong Fang
-
Article
| Open Access
Photocatalytic ethylene production by oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane with dioxygen on ZnO-supported PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles
The selective oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane is attracting increasing attention as a method for ethylene production. Here, PdZn supported on ZnO affords record-breaking photocatalytic ethane-to-ethylene conversion rate, emphasizing the pivotal role of the interface between PdZn and ZnO in the process.
- Pu Wang
- , Xingyu Zhang
- & Tierui Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Sub-micro porous thin polymer membranes for discriminating H2 and CO2
The fabrication of polymeric membranes with high permeance and remarkable selectivity for simultaneous H2 purification and CO2 capture is challenging. Here, the authors design a polymer membrane with sub-micro pores via controlled transformation of amine-linked polymer films into benzimidazole- and amine-linked polymer layers.
- Xueru Yan
- , Tianqi Song
- & Xinlei Liu
-
Article
| Open Access
Tunable and parabolic piezoelectricity in hafnia under epitaxial strain
The sign of longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients is typically positive. Here, the authors tune the sign of the linear piezoelectric coefficient of HfO2 from positive to negative via epitaxial strain, finding nonlinear and parabolic piezoelectric behaviors at tensile epitaxial strain.
- Hao Cheng
- , Peijie Jiao
- & Yurong Yang
-
Article
| Open Access
Large electronegativity differences between adjacent atomic sites activate and stabilize ZnIn2S4 for efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting
Solving component homogeneity and sulfur instability of metal sulfides is crucial for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Here, the authors develop a distortion evoked cation site oxygen doping to create electronegativity differences between adjacent atom and enhance photocatalytic activity
- Xu Xin
- , Yuke Li
- & Xuanhua Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Operando formation of highly efficient electrocatalysts induced by heteroatom leaching
Stability of catalyst dopant species under working conditions is often unexplored. Here, the authors reveal that the dopant sites tend to collapse when the applied potential is too negative or too positive and describe a protocol for the in-situ formation of highly efficient active sites via the leaching of dopants.
- Cong Liu
- , Bingbao Mei
- & Weilin Xu
-
Article
| Open Access
Wood-based superblack
Superblack materials could innovate light-centered technologies, however, advances in superblack materials have been constrained by their complex and costly fabrication routes. Here, the authors report a simple top-down strategy, guided by computational methods, to develop robust superblack materials following metal-free wood delignification and carbonization.
- Bin Zhao
- , Xuetong Shi
- & Bruno D. Mattos
-
Article
| Open Access
Self-activated superhydrophilic green ZnIn2S4 realizing solar-driven overall water splitting: close-to-unity stability for a full daytime
A superhydrophilic green hollow ZnIn2S4 was fabricated to realize unassisted photocatalytic overall water splitting. This work could provide an innovative aperture for efficient solar-driven green hydrogen production to achieve carbon neutrality.
- Wei-Kean Chong
- , Boon-Junn Ng
- & Siang-Piao Chai
-
Article
| Open Access
Developing Ni single-atom sites in carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production
Here, the authors explore how Ni single-atom sites on carbon nitride evolve under photocatalytic conditions. They show that this evolution plays a pivotal role in enhancing photocatalytic H2O2 production.
- Xu Zhang
- , Hui Su
- & Kun Zheng
-
Article
| Open Access
Realizing reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics constrained in aluminum
Achieving reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics (SMCs) in a densified composite can have scientific and technological impacts, but is challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate the reversible martensitic transformation of SMCs confined in aluminum without destructive impact.
- Wangshu Zheng
- , Yan Shi
- & Qiang Guo
-
Article
| Open Access
A low-nuclear Ag4 nanocluster as a customized catalyst for the cyclization of propargylamine with CO2
The preparation of 2-Oxazolidinones using carbon dioxide offers a productive yet clean synthesis route. Here, a low-nuclear Ag4 nanocluster catalytic system helps the simultaneous activation and the cyclization of propargylamine with CO2.
- Lin Li
- , Ying Lv
- & Manzhou Zhu
-
Article
| Open Access
Metal to non-metal sites of metallic sulfides switching products from CO to CH4 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction
The product selectivity of photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction from carbon monoxide to methane is determined by the active center from metal to sulfur site in metal sulfides. Non-metal sulfur in CuInSnS4 octahedral nanocrystal acts as carbon dioxide activation center for switching selectivity to methane.
- Yao Chai
- , Yuehua Kong
- & Zizhong Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Synthesis of a covalent organic framework with hetero-environmental pores and its medicine co-delivery application
The characteristics of the pores are vital for controlling the performance of covalent organic frameworks, but obtaining different chemical environments in different pores is challenging. Here, the authors report the development of covalent organic frameworks with differing pore environments.
- Wenyan Ji
- , Pai Zhang
- & Bao-Hang Han
-
Article
| Open Access
Guided anisotropic oxygen transport in vacancy ordered oxides
Control of ion diffusion is instrumental in understanding the behavior and structural transformations of transition metal oxides. Here, the authors use in-situ TEM to reveal the atomic-scale evolution of the topotactic phase transition in BM-SFO triggered by the migration of oxygen ions under an external stimulus.
- Zhenzhong Yang
- , Le Wang
- & Yingge Du
-
Article
| Open Access
3D covalent organic framework membrane with fast and selective ion transport
3D ionic covalent organic frameworks (iCOF) are used in the fabrication of membranes breaking the trade-off between ion conductivity and ion selectivity is challenging. Here, the authors report the fabrication of a 3D sulfonic acid-functionalized iCOF membrane for efficient and selective ion transport, using dual acid-mediated interfacial polymerization
- Tianhao Zhu
- , Yan Kong
- & Zhongyi Jiang
-
Article
| Open Access
Proof of crystal-field-perturbation-enhanced luminescence of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals through interstitial H+ doping
Lanthanide-doped inorganic nanocrystals are promising for optical imaging and biomedical applications. Here authors show that interstitial H+ doping-induced crystal-field perturbation enhances the photoluminescence intensity of lanthanide-doped inorganic nanocrystals.
- Guowei Li
- , Shihui Jiang
- & Maochun Hong
-
Article
| Open Access
Dipole field in nitrogen-enriched carbon nitride with external forces to boost the artificial photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide
The poor directional charge transfer from bulk to active sites restricts the overall photocatalytic efficiency. Here, the authors report a new process of dipole field-driven spontaneous polarization in nitrogen-rich triazole-based carbon nitride to harness photogenerated charge kinetics for hydrogen peroxide production.
- Zhi Li
- , Yuanyi Zhou
- & Mingshan Zhu
-
Article
| Open Access
Chemical inhomogeneity–induced profuse nanotwinning and phase transformation in AuCu nanowires
How the random solid solution (RSS) alloys accommodate plasticity and overcome strength-ductility trade-off remain unresolved. Here, the authors reveal atomic-scale plastic deformation of AuCu alloy, which shed light on the effect of chemical inhomogeneity on plastic deformation of RSS alloys.
- Chengpeng Yang
- , Bozhao Zhang
- & Xiaodong Han
-
Article
| Open Access
Discovery of a three-proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide leading to enhanced charge storage capacity
The proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide remains incompletely elucidated. Herein, the authors uncover a three-proton intercalation mechanism within α-molybdenum trioxide using a specially designed electrolyte, which endows α-molybdenum trioxide with an improved specific discharge capacity.
- Yongjiu Lei
- , Wenli Zhao
- & Husam N. Alshareef
-
Article
| Open Access
Regulating adsorption performance of zeolites by pre-activation in electric fields
The gas adsorption capacity and selectivity in zeolite molecular sieves can be regulated by an external electric field through the electric field-induced cation relocation and framework expansion.
- Kaifei Chen
- , Zhi Yu
- & Gang Kevin Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Metallic W/WO2 solid-acid catalyst boosts hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte
The high cost and low abundance of noble metals largely restrict practical applications for electrochemical hydrogen production. Here, the authors prepare ultrasmall tungsten nanoparticles on metallic tungsten dioxide nanorods and demonstrate excellent activities for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Zhigang Chen
- , Wenbin Gong
- & Yi Cui
-
Article
| Open Access
Aqueous pulsed electrochemistry promotes C−N bond formation via a one-pot cascade approach
Electrocatalytic C − N bond formation from inorganic nitrogen wastes is desirable. Here, a pulsed electrochemical method is reported to promote one-pot cascade C − N bond forming reaction between nitrite and arylboronic acids with water into arylamines.
- Meng He
- , Yongmeng Wu
- & Bin Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Metal 3D nanoprinting with coupled fields
Manufacturing metallized arrays of 3D nanoarchitectures is generally limited by existing lithographic methods. Here, by manipulating applied electric and flow fields, authors demonstrate fast 3D nanoprinting of nanostructured arrays of multiple materials and geometries over millimetre-scale areas.
- Bingyan Liu
- , Shirong Liu
- & Jicheng Feng
-
Article
| Open Access
Non-destructive erosive wear monitoring of multi-layer coatings using AI-enabled differential split ring resonator based system
Real-time monitoring of coatings erosive wear is critical to mitigate safety and financial concerns in many applications. Here, authors show a non-destructive inspection system with AI-enabled microwave resonators and a smart monitoring circuitry to identify and estimate wear depth and rate of eroded layers.
- Vishal Balasubramanian
- , Omid Niksan
- & Mohammad H. Zarifi
-
Article
| Open Access
Transforming sustainable plant proteins into high performance lubricating microgels
Demand for plant proteins is increasing, but these often give an astringent sensation due to poor lubrication performance. Here, the authors report the development of plantprotein microgels with improved lubricity with potential in sustainable foods.
- Ben Kew
- , Melvin Holmes
- & Anwesha Sarkar
-
Article
| Open Access
Prussian blue analog with separated active sites to catalyze water driven enhanced catalytic treatments
Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) uses Fenton chemistry to covert hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells to toxic hydroxyl radicals, but endogenous hydrogen peroxide is insufficient to drive sustainable CDT. Here, the authors report a water oxidation CoFe Prussian blue nanoframe to provide sustained, external energy free self-supply of hydroxyl radicals for CDT.
- Liu-Chun Wang
- , Pei-Yu Chiou
- & Chen-Sheng Yeh
-
Article
| Open Access
Experimental study platform for electrocatalysis of atomic-level controlled high-entropy alloy surfaces
Understanding the surface atomic-level structure–property relationships of complex high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts is a challenge. Here, authors propose an experimental study platform to elucidate the relationship between surface nanostructures and high-entropy alloy electrocatalyst properties.
- Yoshihiro Chida
- , Takeru Tomimori
- & Toshimasa Wadayama
-
Article
| Open Access
Preventing cation intermixing enables 50% quantum yield in sub-15 nm short-wave infrared-emitting rare-earth based core-shell nanocrystals
Controlling cation intermixing in rare-earth based core-shell nanomaterials is a key strategy to improve the emission properties. Here the authors address this challenge by controlling the growth of heterogeneous structures, obtaining 50% short-wavelength infrared quantum yield in sub-15 nm Ce-doped α-NaYF4:Yb:Er@CaF2 nanocrystals.
- Fernando Arteaga Cardona
- , Noopur Jain
- & Damien Hudry
-
Article
| Open Access
Twisting, untwisting, and retwisting of elastic Co-based nanohelices
The reversible transformation of a nanohelix is one of the most exquisite and important phenomenon in nature but nanomaterials usually fail to twist into helical crystals or untwist. Here, the authors report a reciprocal effect between molecular geometry and crystal structure which triggers a twisting-untwisting-retwisting cycle for tri-cobalt salicylate hydroxide hexahydrate.
- Wei Du
- , Feng Gao
- & Qingyi Lu
-
Article
| Open Access
Water nanolayer facilitated solitary-wave-like blisters in MoS2 thin films
‘Solitary waves are unique in nonlinear systems. Here, the authors report on an anomalous, solitary wave-like blister (SWLB) of MoS2 thin films, which propagates forward like solitary waves appearing in fluids. The SWLB results from fluid structure interaction due to an interfacial water nanolayer.’
- Enze Wang
- , Zixin Xiong
- & Kai Liu
-
Article
| Open Access
Light-triggered multi-joint microactuator fabricated by two-in-one femtosecond laser writing
Micrometer scale soft robots integrating multiple microjoints to achieve multideformation modalities are desirable owing to their potential applications. Here the authors develop microactuators possessing multi-deformable microjoints composed of hydrogel and metal nanoparticles printed by a two-in-one femtosecond laser strategy and providing short response times and low actuation power.
- Chen Xin
- , Zhongguo Ren
- & Dong Wu
-
Article
| Open Access
2D CdPS3-based versatile superionic conductors
It is difficult for solid ionic conductor to attain high conductivity for multivalent ions and at low temperature. Here authors report 2D CdPS3 membranes with high ion conductivities for various cations (K+, Na+, Li+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+) from −30 to 90 °C.
- Xin Yu
- & Wencai Ren
-
Article
| Open Access
Water binding and hygroscopicity in π-conjugated polyelectrolytes
Moisture sorption is a common occurrence in polyelectrolyte systems, but not yet fully understood. Here the authors, combining thermogravimetric analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, molecular force field and quantum chemical computations, provide insights into the binding of water in monovalent conjugated polyelectrolytes, establishing a model of the surface hydration of the ion clusters.
- Cindy Guanyu Tang
- , Mazlan Nur Syafiqah
- & Peter K. H. Ho
-
Article
| Open Access
Light-driven self-assembly of spiropyran-functionalized covalent organic framework
Controlling the number of molecular switches and their relative positioning within porous materials is critical to their functionality and properties. Here the authors systematically control the number of spiropyran units in a covalent organic framework using a mixed-linker synthetic strategy which resulted in one photoresponsive unit per pore.
- Gobinda Das
- , Thirumurugan Prakasam
- & Ali Trabolsi
-
Article
| Open Access
Asymmetric transformation of achiral gold nanoclusters with negative nonlinear dependence between chiroptical activity and enantiomeric excess
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters provide an ideal platform for studying chirality at the nanoscale. Here, the authors use a phosphoramidite ligand as a chiral inducer to asymmetrically transform achiral into chiral gold nanoclusters with negative nonlinear CD-ee dependence.
- Chang Liu
- , Yan Zhao
- & Man-Bo Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Ligand effect on switching the rate-determining step of water oxidation in atomically precise metal nanoclusters
Surface modification using organic molecules is crucial for tailoring the physicochemical properties of electrocatalysts. In this study, we employ atomically precise Au25 nanoclusters with different ligands to identify the ligand effect on switching rate-limiting steps of oxygen evolution reaction.
- Zhihe Liu
- , Hua Tan
- & Jianping Xie
-
Article
| Open Access
Revealing CO2 dissociation pathways at vicinal copper (997) interfaces
Catalytic CO2 dissociation pathways are selectively determined by surface geometry in heterogeneous catalysis. The authors find that the stepped Cu surfaces effectively affect CO2 activation in elementary reaction steps at the atomic level
- Jeongjin Kim
- , Youngseok Yu
- & Jeong Young Park
An organic proton cage that is ultra-resistant to hydroxide-promoted degradation