Materials chemistry articles within Nature Communications

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• Article
  25 May 2023 | Open Access

  Photo-triggered full-color circularly polarized luminescence based on photonic capsules for multilevel information encryption

  Phototunable full-color circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) features large storage density which is important for the field of information encryption and decryption. Here, the authors present a device-friendly solid film with color-tunability by employing Förster resonance energy transfer among a chiral donor and achiral molecular switches in a liquid crystal photonic capsules.

  • Siyang Lin
  • , Yuqi Tang
  •  & Quan Li

• Article
  23 May 2023 | Open Access

  Microbial synthesis of Prussian blue for potentiating checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

  Prussian blue has been used as a photothermal agent for cancer therapy. Here the authors describe the production of Prussian blue nanoparticles from S. oneidensis MR-1 bacteria and show that a Prussian blue-based mitochondria-targeting nanoplatform potentiates response to immune checkpoint blockade.

  • Dongdong Wang
  • , Jiawei Liu
  •  & Yanli Zhao

• Article
  22 May 2023 | Open Access

  Anion redox as a means to derive layered manganese oxychalcogenides with exotic intergrowth structures

  Low temperature chemical transformations of solids using high-energy intermediates have enabled the synthesis of a new series of layered oxide chalcogenide containing oxidised chalcogenide dimers promising a new range of solids.

  • Shunsuke Sasaki
  • , Souvik Giri
  •  & Simon J. Clarke

• Article
  22 May 2023 | Open Access

  Intramolecular charge transfer enables highly-efficient X-ray luminescence in cluster scintillators

  X-ray luminescence efficiency of copper halide clusters is limited by nonradiative charge transfer. Here, Zhang et al. report highly emissive radioluminescence of Cu4I4 cubes by functionalizing biphosphine ligands with acridine, unlocking the potential use as low-cost and eco-friendly scintillators.

  • Nan Zhang
  • , Lei Qu
  •  & Hui Xu

• Article
  19 May 2023 | Open Access

  Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with pto and mhq-z topologies based on Tri- and tetratopic linkers

  The development of three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with novel topologies is of both fundamental and practical interest but the construction of highly crystalline 3D COF remains challenging. Here, the authors report highly crystalline 3D COFs with pto and mhq-z topologies by rationally selecting rectangular-planar and trigonal-planar building blocks with appropriate conformational strains.

  • Dongyang Zhu
  • , Yifan Zhu
  •  & Rafael Verduzco

• Article
  19 May 2023 | Open Access

  Insulator-to-metal-like transition in thin films of a biological metal-organic framework

  Temperature-induced insulator-to-metal transitions are usually accompanied by structural phase transitions. Here the authors demonstrate an enhancement of the electrical conductance in a thin film of a biologically relevant metal-organic framework, without noticeable change in the structure, assigned to be of mainly electronic origin.

  • Pooja Sindhu
  • , K. S. Ananthram
  •  & Nirmalya Ballav

• Article
  19 May 2023 | Open Access

  Superior ferroelectricity and nonlinear optical response in a hybrid germanium iodide hexagonal perovskite

  The authors report on a quasi-one-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite, DMAGeI₃ (DMA = Dimethylamine), with notable ferroelectric attributes at room temperature including large spontaneous polarisation, low coercive field, and strong second harmonic generation response.

  • Kun Ding
  • , Haoshen Ye
  •  & Da-Wei Fu

• Article
  19 May 2023 | Open Access

  Long-wave infrared transparent sulfur polymers enabled by symmetric thiol cross-linker

  Infrared (IR) transmissive polymeric materials for optical elements require a balance between their optical and thermal properties but achieving simultaneously a high refractive index and IR transparency in the long wavelength infrared region in polymer materials is challenging. Here the authors demonstrate inverse vulcanization of 1,3,5-benzenetrithiol (BTT) to achieve a long wavelength IR transparent material without sacrificing on the thermal properties.

  • Miyeon Lee
  • , Yuna Oh
  •  & Nam-Ho You

• Article
  16 May 2023 | Open Access

  Efficient selective removal of uremic toxin precursor by olefin-linked covalent organic frameworks for nephropathy treatment

  Indoxyl sulfate is a key risk factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease, but cannot be removed from the blood by hemodialysis. Here, the authors report the use of a covalent organic framework for the removal of indoxyl sulfate precursor from the intestine.

  • Jinxia Wei
  • , Rui Li
  •  & Yao Chen

• Article
  16 May 2023 | Open Access

  Phase-separation facilitated one-step fabrication of multiscale heterogeneous two-aqueous-phase gel

  Preparing heterogeneous hydrogels with distinct phases is desirable for the mimicking of biological tissues, but generally requires complex techniques. Here, the authors report a method that uses phase separation to fabricate two-aqueous phase soft materials with distinct properties at different length scales.

  • Feipeng Chen
  • , Xiufeng Li
  •  & Ho Cheung Shum

• Article
  11 May 2023 | Open Access

  Recovery of homogeneous photocatalysts by covalent organic framework membranes

  Transition metal-based homogenous photocatalysts are important in organic synthesis, but the metals used can be rare and immobilization of the catalysts for recycling is challenging. Here, the authors report the recovery of such catalysts using covalent organic framework membranes with tuneable pore sizes.

  • Hao Yang
  • , Jinhui Xu
  •  & Dan Zhao

• Article
  09 May 2023 | Open Access

  Non-enzymatic oligonucleotide ligation in coacervate protocells sustains compartment-content coupling

  Achieving a form of coupling between molecular content, chemical reactions, and chassis in synthetic compartments represents a key step to the assembly of evolvable protocells but remains challenging. Here, the authors design coacervate droplets that promote non-enzymatic oligonucleotide polymerization and that restructure as a result of the reaction dynamics.

  • Tommaso P. Fraccia
  •  & Nicolas Martin

• Article
  05 May 2023 | Open Access

  Room temperature phosphorescence from natural wood activated by external chloride anion treatment

  Converting natural wood to room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials is a complex process often requiring toxic reagents. Here the authors convert natural wood to a RTP material using external chloride ions from a MgCl2 solution, obtaining a promising luminescent additive material for 3D printing.

  • Yingxiang Zhai
  • , Shujun Li
  •  & Zhijun Chen

• Article
  04 May 2023 | Open Access

  Strong, tough, rapid-recovery, and fatigue-resistant hydrogels made of picot peptide fibres

  Although hydrogels are increasingly used in a number of applications, it is still challenging to design materials with suitable mechanical stability and durability. Here, the authors report hydrogels with hierarchical structures with hidden length, allowing dissipation of mechanical load.

  • Bin Xue
  • , Zoobia Bashir
  •  & Yi Cao

• Article
  29 April 2023 | Open Access

  Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction using La-Ni bimetallic sites within a covalent organic framework

  A bifunctional dual-atom photocatalysts with La and Ni sites is shown to be have efficient generation and transfer of photocarriers from the optically active La center to the catalytically active Ni center for promoting efficient CO₂ reduction to CO.

  • Min Zhou
  • , Zhiqing Wang
  •  & Yueli Liu

• Article
  28 April 2023 | Open Access

  Liquid sculpture and curing of bio-inspired polyelectrolyte aqueous two-phase systems

  Aqueous two-phase systems form interfaces and compartments, but converting the liquid structures to functional solids is challenging. Here, the authors use poly(ionic liquids) to form such systems, which can then be converted to gels and used for desalination.

  • Chongrui Zhang
  • , Xufei Liu
  •  & Qiang Zhao

• Article
  27 April 2023 | Open Access

  Bioinspired artificial spider silk photocatalyst for the high-efficiency capture and inactivation of bacteria aerosols

  Bioaerosol can cause the spread of disease, but current removal systems are easily blocked and often cannot deactivate the bioaerosol. Here, the authors report a method for bioaerosol removal and deactivation using a bioinspired photocatalyst capable of capturing airborne bacteria.

  • Linghui Peng
  • , Haiyu Wang
  •  & Taicheng An

• Article
  27 April 2023 | Open Access

  Exploiting synergistic effect of CO/NO gases for soft tissue transplantation using a hydrogel patch

  Autologous skin flap transplantation is a common method to repair complex soft tissue defects. Here the authors develop a hydrogel patch that releases carbon monoxide and nitric oxide gases on demand, to afford a timely blood supply for skin flap transplantation during surgery, just improving the incidence of distal necrosis of the flap and reducing long-term functional loss.

  • Xiaoduo Tang
  • , Jingyan Ren
  •  & Bai Yang

• Article
  25 April 2023 | Open Access

  3D printing of unsupported multi-scale and large-span ceramic via near-infrared assisted direct ink writing

  In 3D ceramic printing, the need for additional supports can increase processing time and introduce defects during post-processing removal. Here, authors merge direct ink writing and up-conversion particles-assisted photopolymerization under near-infrared irradiation for support-free printing with controlled curing rates reducing material waste, printing time, and post-processing steps.

  • Yongqin Zhao
  • , Junzhe Zhu
  •  & Ren Liu

• Article
  21 April 2023 | Open Access

  Bioinspired soft robots based on organic polymer-crystal hybrid materials with response to temperature and humidity

  Response by mechanical deformation to give actuation is essential in the design of soft robots. Here, the authors demonstrate that combining organic molecular crystals with polymers makes it possible to create materials with susceptible properties to changes in temperature and humidity.

  • Xuesong Yang
  • , Linfeng Lan
  •  & Hongyu Zhang

• Article
  20 April 2023 | Open Access

  Growth dynamics and amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation in natural nacre

  Biominerals contain trace elements that can give important environmental information, but the mechanism by which these are incorporated into the structure is not well understood. Here, the authors explore the crystallization pathways involved in the formation of nacre, and how these affect the incorporation of trace elements.

  • L. M. Otter
  • , K. Eder
  •  & D. E. Jacob

• Article
  18 April 2023 | Open Access

  Adaptable covalently cross-linked fibers

  Covalent cross-linking can be used to improve the mechanical properties of fibers, but can be complicated to prepare and process. Here, the authors report fibers prepared with dynamic covalent bonds, which can reversibly dissociate to enable processing, while maintaining improved mechanical properties in the final material.

  • Hui Tan
  • , Luzhi Zhang
  •  & Zhengwei You

• Article
  18 April 2023 | Open Access

  Chemically routed interpore molecular diffusion in metal-organic framework thin films

  In heterogeneous porous systems diffusion rate is controlled by pore window sizes and concentration gradient. Here authors show that in a porous metal-organic framework system, the diffusion direction can be orthogonal to the concentration gradient.

  • Tanmoy Maity
  • , Pratibha Malik
  •  & Ritesh Haldar

• Article
  15 April 2023 | Open Access

  Long-chain anionic surfactants enabling stable perovskite/silicon tandems with greatly suppressed stress corrosion

  Stress-induced instability of perovskite layers is a critical hurdle for commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors introduce a long-alkyl-chain anionic surfactant additive to chemically ameliorate crystallization kinetics and demonstrate devices with long operational stability.

  • Xinlong Wang
  • , Zhiqin Ying
  •  & Jichun Ye

• Article
  13 April 2023 | Open Access

  Non-solvent post-modifications with volatile reagents for remarkably porous ketone functionalized polymers of intrinsic microporosity

  Chemical modification of porous materials is important for realising advanced applications, but often has a negative impact on other properties. Here, the authors report a method for the modification of polymers of intrinsic porosity to introduce a range of functional groups.

  • Sirinapa Wongwilawan
  • , Thien S. Nguyen
  •  & Cafer T. Yavuz

• Article
  08 April 2023 | Open Access

  A neutrophil mimicking metal-porphyrin-based nanodevice loaded with porcine pancreatic elastase for cancer therapy

  Porcine neutrophil elastase (PPE) has been demonstrated to have a histone H1 isoform dependent anti-tumour effect. Here, the authors develop a biomimetic nanoplatform combining PPE and elevated histone H1 release induced by porphyrin nuclear localisation signal peptide and demonstrate its efficacy in preclinical cancer models.

  • Tingting Cui
  • , Yu Zhang
  •  & Xiaogang Qu

• Article
  08 April 2023 | Open Access

  Staggered circular nanoporous graphene converts electromagnetic waves into electricity

  The electromagnetic (EM) energy released by electronic devices in the environment is largely wasted and contributes to EM pollution. Here, the authors report the synthesis of staggered circular nanoporous graphene enabling the absorption and conversion of EM waves into electricity via the thermoelectric effect.

  • Hualiang Lv
  • , Yuxing Yao
  •  & Xiaoguang Wang

• Article
  08 April 2023 | Open Access

  Order-disorder phase transition driven by interlayer sliding in lead iodides

  2D layered materials attract interest due to their potential for application in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. Here authors report an order-disorder-type phase transition driven by temperature in bulk lead iodides, and interlayer sliding is identified to play a key role in the mechanism of this phase transition.

  • Seyeong Cha
  • , Giyeok Lee
  •  & Keun Su Kim

• Article
  04 April 2023 | Open Access

  Algal cell bionics as a step towards photosynthesis-independent hydrogen production

  Low rate and limited duration are major challenges in photobiological hydrogen production. Here, the authors coat algal cells with a concentrically arranged shell comprising an ultra-thin Fe(III)-doped polypyrrole inner layer and outer exoskeleton of CaCO₃, and achieve sustainable H2 production for over 200 days.

  • Zhijun Xu
  • , Jiarui Qi
  •  & Xin Huang

• Article
  03 April 2023 | Open Access

  Amyloid-polysaccharide interfacial coacervates as therapeutic materials

  Liquid-liquid phase separation offer a strategy for targeting biomaterial scaffolds, but controlling assembly to form functional materials is challenging. Here, the authors transform native proteins into amyloid fibres for assembly, and use the materials as a gastric ulcer protective agent.

  • Mohammad Peydayesh
  • , Sabrina Kistler
  •  & Raffaele Mezzenga

• Article
  31 March 2023 | Open Access

  Oxidation-resistant all-perovskite tandem solar cells in substrate configuration

  The superstate configuration in all-perovskite tandem solar cells is disadvantageous for long-term stability. Here, the authors reverse the processing order and demonstrate substrate configuration to bury oxidizable narrow-bandgap perovskites, and achieve efficiency of 25.3% with long stability.

  • Yurui Wang
  • , Renxing Lin
  •  & Hairen Tan

• Article
  28 March 2023 | Open Access

  Epitaxially grown silicon-based single-atom catalyst for visible-light-driven syngas production

  Despite the natural abundance and promising properties of Si, there are few examples of crystalline Si-based catalysts. Here, the authors report an epitaxial growth method to construct Co single atoms on Si for light driven CO2 reduction to syngas.

  • Huai Chen
  • , Yangyang Xiong
  •  & Zhenyu Yang

• Article
  27 March 2023 | Open Access

  Four distinct network patterns of supramolecular/polymer composite hydrogels controlled by formation kinetics and interfiber interactions

  Synthetic hydrogels composed of covalent polymers and supramolecular fibers have been investigated for controlled delivery of biopharmaceuticals, but characterisation of the structures and properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report an imaging study for the composite network, categorizing into four distinct patterns controlled by network formation kinetics and interactions between

  • Keisuke Nakamura
  • , Ryou Kubota
  •  & Itaru Hamachi

• Article
  25 March 2023 | Open Access

  D-O-A based organic phosphors for both aggregation-induced electrophosphorescence and host-free sensitization

  Pure organic room-temperature phosphorescencent materials draw much attention but realising electroluminescence under electric excitation is challenging. Here the authors propose a donor-oxygen-acceptor molecular design realizing aggregation-induced organic room-temperature electrophosphorescence with high external quantum efficiency.

  • Lulin Xu
  • , Yuhang Mo
  •  & Junqiao Ding

• Article
  21 March 2023 | Open Access

  Unraveling two distinct polymorph transition mechanisms in one n-type single crystal for dynamic electronics

  Cooperative transitions have acquired much attention for low transition barriers, ultrafast kinetics, and structural reversibility but cooperative transitions are rare in molecular crystals and their origin is poorly understood. Here the authors show that reorientation of the alkyl side chains in a 2-dimensional quinoidal terthiophene triggers cooperative behavior, and establish alkyl chain engineering to control the polymorphic behavior.

  • Daniel William Davies
  • , Bumjoon Seo
  •  & Ying Diao

• Article
  18 March 2023 | Open Access

  Observation of Chiral-selective room-temperature phosphorescence enhancement via chirality-dependent energy transfer

  Despite increasing interest in organic room temperature phosphorescence, it can still be challenging to determine mechanism and develop practical applications. Here, the authors report room temperature phosphorescent systems from chiral components, with strong phosphorescence observed only when both host and guest had the same chirality.

  • Biao Chen
  • , Wenhuan Huang
  •  & Guoqing Zhang

• Article
  17 March 2023 | Open Access

  Wavelength engineerable porous organic polymer photosensitizers with protonation triggered ROS generation

  Engineering excitation wavelength of photosensitizers allows to enhanced reactive oxygen species but controlling the wavelength corresponding to operating conditions remains challenging. Here, the authors implement a wavelength-engineerable imidazolium-based porous organic polymer and demonstrate tuning of the optimal wavelength for maximum performance by modifying the linker system.

  • Jinwoo Shin
  • , Dong Won Kang
  •  & Chang Seop Hong

• Article
  17 March 2023 | Open Access

  Polyvinyl chloride-based dielectric elastomer with high permittivity and low viscoelasticity for actuation and sensing

  Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are widely used in soft actuators but existing DE actuators often require high driving electrical fields. Here the authors demonstrate that introducing cyanoethyl cellulose into plasticized PVC gel confers high dielectric permittivity and allows the fabrication of elastomer actuators with high permittivity and low viscoelasticity

  • Jianjian Huang
  • , Xiaodie Zhang
  •  & Dongjie Guo

• Article
  15 March 2023 | Open Access

  Mechano-boosting nanomedicine antitumour efficacy by blocking the reticuloendothelial system with stiff nanogels

  Nanomedicine proofed to be efficient in cancer therapy but rapid clearance from blood circulation by reticuloendothelial system (RES) severely limits the antitumor efficacy. Here, the authors design a series of nanogels with distinctive stiffness and investigate how nanogel mechanical properties could be leveraged to overcome RES.

  • Zheng Li
  • , Yabo Zhu
  •  & Zifu Li

• Article
  14 March 2023 | Open Access

  Two-photon fluorescence imaging and specifically biosensing of norepinephrine on a 100-ms timescale

  Norepinephrine (NE) is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of organisms however specifically tracking the transient NE dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in living systems remains a great challenge. Herein, the authors developed a small molecular fluorescent probe that can precisely anchor on neuronal cytomembranes and specifically respond to NE on a 100-ms timescale.

  • Leiwen Mao
  • , Yujie Han
  •  & Yang Tian

• Article
  14 March 2023 | Open Access

  AlphaFlow: autonomous discovery and optimization of multi-step chemistry using a self-driven fluidic lab guided by reinforcement learning

  Autonomous exploration of materials design space is hindered by its high dimensionality and the scarcity of data. In this work, we present AlphaFlow, a self-driven lab guided by reinforcement learning that enables accelerated discovery and optimization of multi-step chemistries.

  • Amanda A. Volk
  • , Robert W. Epps
  •  & Milad Abolhasani

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  Aqueous spinning of robust, self-healable, and crack-resistant hydrogel microfibers enabled by hydrogen bond nanoconfinement

  Hydrogels with homogenous structure are vulnerable to defects and cracks, and local mechanical failure occurs consequently. Here, the authors develop a spinning process to produce robust hydrogel microfibers with both crack insensitivity and self-healability.

  • Yingkun Shi
  • , Baohu Wu
  •  & Peiyi Wu

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  Photothermally induced natural vibration for versatile and high-speed actuation of crystals

  Soft robotics is a growing field, and requires versatile actuation methodology. Here, the authors report high-speed bending of anisole crystals due to natural vibration, induced and amplified by photothermal effect.

  • Yuki Hagiwara
  • , Shodai Hasebe
  •  & Hideko Koshima

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  In situ acid etching boosts mercury accommodation capacities of transition metal sulfides

  There is an urgent need to develop efficient strategies to remove elemental mercury from industrial flue gases. Here the authors develop a simple, versatile, and scalable strategy to obtain a 100-fold enhancement of the elemental mercury accommodation capacities of a wide range of transition metal sulfides by in situ acid etching.

  • Hailong Li
  • , Jiaoqin Zheng
  •  & Zequn Yang

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  Mixed-valence molybdenum oxide as a recyclable sorbent for silver removal and recovery from wastewater

  Silver ions in wastewater are a major health hazard, and there is an urgent need to develop methods to reliably extract them. Here, the authors show that mixed-valence molybdenum oxide can selectively adsorb and reduce Ag⁺ from wastewater and be easily recycled while maintaining high selectivity towards Ag⁺.

  • Penghui Shao
  • , Ziwen Chang
  •  & Liming Yang

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  Li₃TiCl₆ as ionic conductive and compressible positive electrode active material for all-solid-state lithium-based batteries

  An ideal positive electrode for all-solid-state Li batteries should be ionic conductive and compressible. However, this is not possible with state-of-the-art metal oxides. Here, the authors demonstrate the use of an ionic conductive metal chloride as compressible positive electrode active material.

  • Kai Wang
  • , Zhenqi Gu
  •  & Cheng Ma

• Article
  10 March 2023 | Open Access

  3D printing of dynamic covalent polymer network with on-demand geometric and mechanical reprogrammability

  3D printing allows preparation of versatile polymer materials for device applications, but properties are often fixed following printing. Here, the authors report a photo-printable dynamic covalent network that allows modification of properties following printing.

  • Zizheng Fang
  • , Yunpeng Shi
  •  & Tao Xie

• Article
  06 March 2023 | Open Access

  Single-vat single-cure grayscale digital light processing 3D printing of materials with large property difference and high stretchability

  Despite recent progress in additive

  manufacturing of organic materials, multimaterial additive manufacturing remains

  challenging. Here, the authors design a resin design that can be used for singlevat

  single-cure grayscale digital light processing 3D printing where light intensity

  can locally control the conversion of monomers to form from a highly stretchable

  soft organogel to a stiff thermoset within in a single layer of printing

  • Liang Yue
  • , S. Macrae Montgomery
  •  & H. Jerry Qi

• Article
  03 March 2023 | Open Access

  Site-specific anisotropic assembly of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline metal–organic framework

  Porous anisotropic nanohybrids have attracted attention because of their unique properties including high surface area, tunable pore structures and controllable compositions. Here, authors report a selective occupation strategy to achieve site-specific anisotropic growth of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline MOFs.

  • Minchao Liu
  • , Cheng Shang
  •  & Xiaomin Li

• Article
  02 March 2023 | Open Access

  Turning dead leaves into an active multifunctional material as evaporator, photocatalyst, and bioplastic

  Large numbers of leaves fall off trees each autumn. Here, the authors turn dead leaves into an active material which acts as bioplastic and shows high performance in solar water evaporation, photocatalytic H₂ production and antibiotic degradation.

  • Siyuan Fang
  • , Xingyi Lyu
  •  & Yun Hang Hu