Research articles

2D Ni/ITQ-2-co material prepared by ligand-chelating impregnation approach shows outstanding activity and stability in the conversion of bio-derived triglycerides (TGs) or free fatty acids (FFAs) to diesel range alkanes, beneficially from the highly dispersive Ni nanoclusters and immobilization effect of 2D zeolite.

Owing to both solid- and liquid-like nature, gels are unique smart materials with several potential applications. However, most gels are inherently susceptible to harsh environments. Inspired by the “tun forming mechanism” of tardigrades, we proposed a simple two-step process to fabricate extremotolerant glycerogels with extremoprotected polymer-glycerol networks, which can survive from −50 to 80 °C for prolonged periods. The method is applicable to various types of polymers and crosslinkers and can be integrated with various functional materials to realize glycerogels with wide-ranging functionalities and properties. Therefore, this method dramatically enhances the selection of gels for bio, electrical/electronic, and soft robotics applications.

A core/shell structured hybrid film comprised of N-doped carbon covering on single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized by a rapid electropolymerization method, which not only contains abundant exposed pyridinic N that leads to excellent catalytic activity for both ORR and OER, but also perfectly inherits the high conductivity, excellent flexibility, and porous structure of original SWCNT film, making it a desirable integrated oxygen electrode for Zn-air batteries.

A freestanding three-dimensional graphdiyne-hollowed FeCoNi Prussian blue analog electrode (h-FeCoNi PBA@GDY) with highly selective and active interfaces was synthesized by in situ growth of GDY layer on the surface of h-FeCoNi PBA for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (ECNtRR) at ambient temperatures and pressures. Experimental results demonstrate the presence of the unique incomplete charge transfer between metal atoms and GDY can effectively enhance the intrinsic activity and the ability to increase the active sites of the electrocatalyst, promote fast redox switching, and high-density charge transport at the interface resulting in high reaction selectivity, activity and stability for ammonia production.

In this work, a photodynamic therapy system based on conjugated polymers (CPs) is developed to inhibit the infection of RNA viruses. Three cationic CPs with different backbone structures fluorene-co-phenylene (PFP), thiophene (PMNT), and phenylene vinylene (PPV) exhibit different photoinactivation effects. PPV and PMNT cause effective inactivation of viruses under light irradiation, while SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses keep infectious after treated by PFP, which is determined by the interactions between CPs with the proteins and gene of viruses. This work preliminarily reveals the effect of CP-virus interactions on their photoinactivation activity and would be beneficial to develop high-efficient antiviral PDT agents.

Microstructures in organisms are often in quasiordered distribution, which brings specific functions and performance stability. Here, a numerical model was built to demonstrate the structural whiteness caused by the quasiordered state of the tubular architectures in Morpho theseus wing scales. The method is beneficial to tailored disorder in periodic structures to achieve better properties.

High-order 3D nanotube arrays (NTAs) arranged from mesoporous 2D N, B, P co-doped carbon network (NBP-CNW) were synthesize by a facile, well-controllable, eco-friendly and sustainable strategy using task-specific ionic liquids as precursors. NBP-CNW-NTAs modified flexible microelectrode was embed in microfluidic electrochemical biosensor chip for real-time tracking H₂O₂ secreted from different cancer cells (i.e., breast cancer cells, hepatoma cells and cervical cancer cells) with or without radiotherapy treatment. Furthermore, the functional microelectrode has been integrated into an implantable probe for in situ minimally invasive detection of surgically resected human breast specimens to identify the tumor tissues from the normal one.

In this work, we developed a novel fabrication strategy to construct elastic carbon framework electrocatalysts using nanocellulose fibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by directional freeze casting and interfacial assembly to prepare self-supporting flexible air electrodes. The obtained carbon framework has a directional porous structure, and N and S heteroatoms are uniformly doped in the carbon skeleton, showing excellent mechanical flexibility and excellent ORR performance. Moreover, we assembled an all-solid-state flexible zinc-air battery (FZAB), offering a smaller charge/discharge voltage gap and excellent cycling stability. These results demonstrate the potential of flexible carbon frameworks for the utilization and modification of flexible energy storage devices.

A high-performance bacterial cellulose/carbon nanotubes conductive fiber is developed through the in-situ biosynthesis. Through mimicking the structure of muscle fascicles, the composite fiber integrates high strength, high stiffness, high fatigue resistance, and stable electrical performance into one material. Based on those excellent properties, the muscle-inspired fiber is competitive to play a key role in the fields of intelligent fiber-based composites and devices.

MOFs uniquely combine metal-atom centers and developed organic-based structures. Both features are attractive for catalysis. However, their isolating nature prevents them from effective use in electrocatalysis processes. Modifying the chemical structure to gain electric conductivity often harms its natural advantages. In this study, Borenstein et al. present a new approach to overcoming the non-conductivity of MOF b growing MOF nanoparticles in a conductive carbon host. The host’s porosity controls the MOF nanoparticles’ size and their electric properties while preserving their structure. As a result, the composition efficiently electro-catalyzes carbon dioxide into formic acid at low overpotentials.

Gyroid-structured nanoporous chitosan is successfully fabricated by templated crosslinking reaction using nanoporous polymer as a template. A multiple pore-filling process is developed for templated synthesis to give well-ordered nanoporous chitosan. Bio-mimicking from the structural coloration of butterfly wing structure, the nanoporous chitosan with gyroid texture is highly appealing in the application of high reflective materials for UV optical devices.

Developing a new technique/method and/or mechanism for separating ionic charges is critical to the fabrication of a high-performance nanogenerator. Here, we demonstrate that the magnetic force can be used to drive the movement and separation of charges within metal nanoparticles film when these nanoparticles are functionalize with charged magnetic ligands. Placing the magnetic field induces the gradient distribution of magnetic counterions which subsequently transforms into the electric potential and outputs electrical energy.

Although van der Waals (vdW) antiferromagnets are expected to reveal spin-based functional properties, the feasibility of spintronic applications at room temperature is limited owing to the lack of suitable materials. Here we use torque magnetometry and a uniaxial spin model to understand the room-temperature magnetic anisotropy of the vdW antiferromagnet, Co-doped Fe₅GeTe₂. We visualized detailed spin configurations using the spin model and demonstrated that the spin states are directly related to magnetic phases characterized by progressive reversal of the angle-dependent torque across spin-flop transition. The flexibility of the anisotropic spin Hamiltonian approach has broad applicability to other antiferromagnetic materials.

We developed ultralong nanobelts comprising hydrated Na-intercalated oxygen-deficient potassium manganese oxide (H-Na-D-KMO), in which the Na⁺ ions were preintercalated and synchronously induced generation of oxygen vacancies. Results showed that the introduction of Na⁺ ions provided more paths to facilitate Mg²⁺ migration and induced more strain to create more active sites and the formation of oxygen vacancies improved the electrical properties. Consequently, the Mg-ion supercapacitors assembled with H-Na-D-KMO exhibited an unprecedented ultrahigh energy density of 108.4 Wh kg^–1 at 1100 W kg^–1 and good mechanical flexibility.

A hybrid surface electrode array was developed, which exhibits superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and outstanding conformality with the cortex surface. It was used to detect the brain signals in awake, free-moving rat models with high-throughput spatiotemporal resolution. In addition, the pilocarpine-induced epileptic discharges and behavior were considerably suppressed upon the usage of this electrode-array system. These findings pave the way for the integration of graphene into bio-medical device platforms, and their use in cranial neuropathy treatment.

Superconducting (SC) gap of elemental yttrium under extreme pressure conditions was directly probed via the point-contact spectroscopy (PCS) in a diamond anvil cell. Strong enhancement in the differential conductance near the zero-biased voltage is observed owing to Andreev reflection, a hallmark of superconductivity. Taken together with the large initial slope of the upper critical field, the large SC gap-to-T_c ratio suggests that Y belongs to a family of the strongly coupled BCS superconductors.

In this work, we demonstrated the critical roles of oxygen vacancies and substituted transition-metal atoms in determining the leakage current of epitaxial all-perovskite oxide capacitor, and established a strategy for reducing the leakage current via interface engineering.

Natural/synthetic hybrid double-network (DN) hydrogels with hierarchical anisotropy and high toughness characteristics are prepared by directly using a squid mantle as an anisotropic soft bioproduct for the primary network and polyacrylamide (PAAm) as a synthetic polymer for the secondary network. The obtained squid/PAAm DN gel maintains the complex orientation of the muscle fibers of the squid mantle and exhibits anisotropic, enhanced mechanical properties and excellent fracture resistance due to its unique composite structure. This hybrid strategy provides a general method for preparing hydrogels with elaborated anisotropy and determining functions derived from the anisotropy.

Illustration of cellular fate and responses of macrophages to ferritin NPs. With potential theranostic applications of organic NPs targeting macrophages, in-depth study of internalization and cellular responses of a model organic NP (Archaeoglobus fulgidus derived ferritin) is carried out. Multiple pathways for ferritin NP internalization are observed resulting in endosomal/lysosomal localization and intracellular Fe accumulation. Upregulation of endogenous ferritin and iron export protein are noted in response to lysosomal ferritin degradation and release of free Fe ions. Iron-dependent impacts on physiological immune markers and ROS are measured.

In this work, we prepared a composite hydrogel system of PDA-HA hydrogel-loaded CaO₂-ICG@LA@MnO₂ nanoparticles that showed excellent photothermal performance under NIR irradiation and realized the on-off release of oxygen and ROS. Controllable and sustainable oxygen release can promote the regeneration and repair of damaged tissue, and the generated ROS can effectively inhibit the outbreak of inflammation at the initial stage of wound healing. A full-thickness skin defect repair test was carried out in rats with the prepared hydrogel wound dressings and the results showed that hydrogel + NIR group had the most wound healing effective.