Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessInsight into selectivity of photocatalytic methane oxidation to formaldehyde on tungsten trioxide
Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is considered the most promising photocatalyst for the highly selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde, though the origins of its catalytic activity and reaction mechanism are still debated. Here, the authors use WO3 with {001} and {110} facets as model photocatalysts, demonstrating that the photocatalytic oxidation of methane to formaldehyde in WO3 depends on the surface structure, leading to different formaldehyde selectivity.
- Yingying Fan
- , Yuheng Jiang
- & Zhiyong Tang
-
Article
| Open AccessA dual spin-controlled chiral two-/three-dimensional perovskite artificial leaf for efficient overall photoelectrochemical water splitting
Enhancing the efficiency of solar-driven water splitting is challenging but highly interesting. Here the authors report a dual spin-controlled 2D/3D perovskite photoelectrode that achieves 12.55% efficiency by utilizing the chiral-induced spin selectivity phenomenon.
- Hyungsoo Lee
- , Chan Uk Lee
- & Jooho Moon
-
Article
| Open AccessInward motion of diamond nanoparticles inside an iron crystal
It has long been believed that diffusion as individual atoms is the primary way for carbon to enter Fe crystals from outside. Here, the authors report an unusual mass transport way in solids, through which diamond nanoparticles can enter Fe spontaneously and translate inward for a long distance.
- Yuecun Wang
- , Xudong Wang
- & Zhiwei Shan
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance near-infrared OLEDs maximized at 925 nm and 1022 nm through interfacial energy transfer
The low photoluminescence quantum yield of near-infrared (NIR) emitters has limited their application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, authors realize NIR OLEDs through interfacial energy transfer from platinum(II) complexes to a non-fullerene acceptor based on a sandwiched structure.
- Chieh-Ming Hung
- , Sheng-Fu Wang
- & Pi-Tai Chou
-
Article
| Open AccessMultiple photofluorochromic luminogens via catalyst-free alkene oxidative cleavage photoreaction for dynamic 4D codes encryption
Photochromic systems with high contrast and multiple colours are useful for responsive materials, but it is challenging to achieve multiple colours with one molecule. Here, the authors report a photochromic system controlled by oxidative cleavage on light irradiation.
- Lin Lu
- , Bo Wu
- & Ben Zhong Tang
-
Article
| Open AccessTrue random number generation using the spin crossover in LaCoO3
Probabilistic computing demands low power and high quality random number generation. Woo et al. demonstrate the use of a spin crossover in LaCoO3 to generate random numbers that outperform software-generated random numbers in probabilistic computing.
- Kyung Seok Woo
- , Alan Zhang
- & Suhas Kumar
-
Article
| Open AccessPhotocatalytic toluene oxidation with nickel-mediated cascaded active units over Ni/Bi2WO6 monolayers
By introducing Ni dopants into monolayer Bi2WO6, Bi/O frustrated Lewis pairs, unsaturated W atoms, and Ni active units are formed. The authors show that these units facilitate oxygen species transfer and enhance photocatalytic toluene oxidation.
- Yingzhang Shi
- , Peng Li
- & Xianzhi Fu
-
Article
| Open AccessElastic strain-induced amorphization in high-entropy alloys
Lattice stability related to the structural response is the basis for understanding mechanical and physical behavior of crystalline solids. Here, the authors show a manifestation of elastic instability in high-entropy alloys via elastic strain induced amorphization.
- Yeqiang Bu
- , Yuan Wu
- & Wei Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessCO electrolysis to multicarbon products over grain boundary-rich Cu nanoparticles in membrane electrode assembly electrolyzers
Producing valuable chemicals like ethylene via catalytic CO conversion is an important nonpetroleum route. Here, authors demonstrate high-rate electrosynthesis of multicarbon chemicals via CO electrolysis, with a multicarbon product partial current density of 4.35 A cm−2 at a cell voltage of 2.78 V.
- Hefei Li
- , Pengfei Wei
- & Xinhe Bao
-
Article
| Open AccessPhotoinduced dynamics during electronic transfer from narrow to wide bandgap layers in one-dimensional heterostructured materials
One-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures can realize atomically thin transistor junctions. Here, the authors study electron transfer in such layered structures using ultrafast diffraction and spectroscopy as well as theoretical simulations.
- Yuri Saida
- , Thomas Gauthier
- & Masaki Hada
-
Article
| Open AccessReliable wafer-scale integration of two-dimensional materials and metal electrodes with van der Waals contacts
2D semiconductors may offer a platform for future electronics, but the wafer-scale fabrication of high-performance 2D transistors remains challenging. Here, the authors report a universal all-stacking method to fabricate wafer-scale 2D electronic devices with van der Waals contacts, based on epitaxial metallic electrodes grown on fluorophlogopite mica.
- Xiaodong Zhang
- , Chenxi Huang
- & Hualing Zeng
-
Article
| Open AccessActive ballistic orbital transport in Ni/Pt heterostructure
The authors observe THz emission from Ni/Pt heterostructure due to long-range ballistic orbital transport. The velocity of orbital current can be optically tuned by laser fluence, opening the avenue for future optorbitronic devices.
- Sobhan Subhra Mishra
- , James Lourembam
- & Ranjan Singh
-
Article
| Open AccessLow-frequency conductivity of low wear high-entropy alloys
The transport behavior of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) remains unclear. Here, the authors explore the fundamentals of low-wear and high-conductivity refractory HEAs, examining the cocktail effect in conductivity, and highlight its potential applications in enhancing atomic-scale image resolution.
- Cheng-Hsien Yeh
- , Wen-Dung Hsu
- & Chuan-Feng Shih
-
Article
| Open AccessSupramolecular metallic foams with ultrahigh specific strength and sustainable recyclability
Porous materials with high strength are desirable for many applications. Here, the authors present a supramolecular metallic foam enabled by nanostructured liquid metals connected with high-density metal-ligand coordination to exhibit ultrahigh specific strength and recyclability.
- Xin Yang
- , Xin Huang
- & Xinxing Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessOrganic and inorganic sublattice coupling in two-dimensional lead halide perovskites
By resonant pumping the organic cation in 2D perovskite, Fu et al. report the electronic and mechanical couplings between the organic and inorganic sublattices, evidenced by the reduced bandgap and modified lattice degree of freedom within the inorganic sublattice, and slow heat transfer process.
- Jianhui Fu
- , Tieyuan Bian
- & Tze Chien Sum
-
Article
| Open AccessObservation of phonon Stark effect
The authors report experimental evidence of phonon Stark effect in 2H-MoS2 bilayers. A Stark phonon appears as the interlayer excitons are tuned to resonate with the LA phonon emission line, and shows a linear energy shift upon application of an out-of-plane electric field.
- Zhiheng Huang
- , Yunfei Bai
- & Guangyu Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessLow-temperature strain-free encapsulation for perovskite solar cells and modules passing multifaceted accelerated ageing tests
The instability of perovskite solar cells hinders their commercialization. Here, authors report an industrially compatible strain-free encapsulation process based on lamination of highly viscoelastic semi-solid/highly viscous liquid encapsulant adhesive to reduce thermomechanical interfacial stress.
- Paolo Mariani
- , Miguel Ángel Molina-García
- & Francesco Bonaccorso
-
Article
| Open AccessReversible flexoelectric domain engineering at the nanoscale in van der Waals ferroelectrics
Flexoelectric effect may offer a voltage-free method to control the polarization in 2D ferroelectrics, but its widespread application remains challenging. Here, the authors report an approach to arbitrarily switch the ferroelectricity in 2D CuInP2S6.
- Heng Liu
- , Qinglin Lai
- & Hualing Zeng
-
Article
| Open AccessSemi-classical origin of the extreme magnetoresistance in PtSn4
Extreme magnetoresistance (XMR) is the name assigned to the large and non-saturating magnetoresistance that occurs in some metals and semi-metals. In this work, the authors demonstrate the first material, PtSn4, in which XMR can be switched off by changing the direction of the magnetic field.
- J. Diaz
- , K. Wang
- & P. J. W. Moll
-
Article
| Open AccessUnderstanding how junction resistances impact the conduction mechanism in nano-networks
The electrical properties of nanostructured networks are often dominated by junctions between the particles. Here, Gabett et al. develop transport models and utilise impedance spectroscopy to quantify the factors limiting conduction in these systems.
- Cian Gabbett
- , Adam G. Kelly
- & Jonathan N. Coleman
-
Article
| Open AccessProgrammed multimaterial assembly by synergized 3D printing and freeform laser induction
A freeform multimaterial assembly process (FMAP) is demonstrated, synchronizing laser induction with 3D printing for seamlessly integrating multimaterials into 3D objects, enabling streamlined, flexible, and precise electronic device fabrication.
- Bujingda Zheng
- , Yunchao Xie
- & Jian Lin
-
Article
| Open AccessOn the quality of commercial chemical vapour deposited hexagonal boron nitride
Large-scale 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) grown via chemical vapour deposition (CVD) has strategic importance for various applications of 2D materials. Here, the authors analyse the structural and electrical properties of commercially available CVD hBN from 9 popular suppliers and compare the results with mechanically exfoliated hBN and in-house CVD hBN.
- Yue Yuan
- , Jonas Weber
- & Mario Lanza
-
Article
| Open AccessNarrowband room temperature phosphorescence of closed-loop molecules through the multiple resonance effect
Luminescent materials with narrowband emissions are vital for optoelectronic applications. Here, the authors achieve room temperature phosphorescence with a FWHM of 30 nm through the multiple resonance effect and showcase its practical application in X-ray imaging.
- Xiaokang Yao
- , Yuxin Li
- & Zhongfu An
-
Article
| Open AccessQuantum barriers engineering toward radiative and stable perovskite photovoltaic devices
Efficient radiation is essential to reach thermodynamic limit of photovoltaic efficiency. Here, authors design thick quantum barriers to suppress interfacial quenching and boost photon recycling in perovskite cells, achieving high radiation and photovoltaic efficiencies and long device stability.
- Kyung Mun Yeom
- , Changsoon Cho
- & Jun Hong Noh
-
Article
| Open AccessThe impact of magnesium content on lithium-magnesium alloy electrode performance with argyrodite solid electrolyte
All-solid-state lithium-based batteries require high stack pressure during operation. Here, we investigate the mechanical, transport, and interfacial properties of Li-rich magnesium alloy and show enhanced performance at low pressure and ambient temperature for alloy-based electrodes with less than 5 at% Mg content.
- Jack Aspinall
- , Krishnakanth Sada
- & Mauro Pasta
-
Article
| Open AccessReconfigurable image processing metasurfaces with phase-change materials
Researchers demonstrate that image-processing metasurfaces can be dynamically reconfigured by using phase-change materials. The work might lead to novel tunable devices for compact optical computing for applications in AR/VR and bio-medical imaging.
- Michele Cotrufo
- , Shaban B. Sulejman
- & Andrea Alù
-
Article
| Open AccessElectrostatically controlled spin polarization in Graphene-CrSBr magnetic proximity heterostructures
The electrostatic control of magnetic properties is central for future development of spintronic devices. Here, the authors show that the magnetic proximity effect induces an exchange shift in the band structure of graphene interfaced with CrSBr.
- Boxuan Yang
- , Bibek Bhujel
- & Bart J. van Wees
-
Article
| Open AccessAbove-room-temperature chiral skyrmion lattice and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in a van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3−xGaTe2
There are now several van der Waals magnets that have been shown to host skyrmions, however, these are typically hampered by a low Curie temperature, restricting the temperature at which the skyrmions can exist. Here, Zhang, Jiang, Jiang and coauthors find a skyrmion lattice in the van der Waals magnet Fe3 − xGaTe2 above room temperature and demonstrate the critical role of symmetry breaking in crystal lattice in the origin of these skyrmions.
- Chenhui Zhang
- , Ze Jiang
- & Hyunsoo Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessEnhancement of phase transition temperature through hydrogen bond modification in molecular ferroelectrics
The authors propose a hydrogen bond modification method to achieve introduction of polarization and enhancement of phase transition temperature in molecular ferroelectrics, exploring the piezoelectric prototype devices of the molecular ferroelectric.
- Yu-An Xiong
- , Sheng-Shun Duan
- & Yu-Meng You
-
Article
| Open AccessIntelligent wearable olfactory interface for latency-free mixed reality and fast olfactory enhancement
Liu et al. developed AI-driven, wearable olfactory interfaces with odor generators for realizing latency-free mixed-reality and fast olfaction recovery. This technology enables personalized olfactory feedback and enhanced virtual environments for various applications including education, and clinical treatment.
- Yiming Liu
- , Shengxin Jia
- & Xinge Yu
-
Article
| Open AccessSynergetic regulation of SEI mechanics and crystallographic orientation for stable lithium metal pouch cells
The application of Li-metal batteries (LMBs) is impeded by unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and uncontrollable Li dendrites growth. Here, the authors present an YF3/PMMA composite layer to achieve high-performance LMBs via the synergetic regulation of SEI mechanics and Li crystallography.
- Yanhua Zhang
- , Rui Qiao
- & Jiangxuan Song
-
Article
| Open AccessHumidity-tolerant porous polymer coating for passive daytime radiative cooling
A consistency issue with the production of porous polymer-based radiative coatings can be a significant drop in the cooling performance when dried under humid conditions. This issue is efficiently resolved by adding polymer reinforcement.
- Dongpyo Hong
- , Yong Joon Lee
- & Sang Yoon Park
-
Article
| Open AccessSteering and cloaking of hyperbolic polaritons at deep-subwavelength scales
Polaritons – hybrid light-matter excitations – in van der Waals materials hold promise for photonics applications below the diffraction limit. Here, the authors demonstrate in-plane steering and cloaking of phonon polaritons in assembled micro-structures based on α-MoO3 films with misaligned crystallographic orientations.
- Hanchao Teng
- , Na Chen
- & Qing Dai
-
Article
| Open AccessRevealing the hidden structure of disordered materials by parameterizing their local structural manifold
The structure of crystalline materials plays a central role in materials science, but the disordered structure of metallic glass is difficult to characterize and describe. Here, the authors use diffusion maps on atomistic data to obtain general structural descriptors tied to atomic positions.
- Thomas J. Hardin
- , Michael Chandross
- & Michael D. Shields
-
Article
| Open AccessSpider-silk-inspired strong and tough hydrogel fibers with anti-freezing and water retention properties
Hydrogel fibres have potential in a range of applications such as flexible electronics, but achieving the desired mechanical properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report spider silk-inspired hydrogel fibres with tuneable mechanical properties suitable for flexible electronics.
- Shaoji Wu
- , Zhao Liu
- & Yurong Yan
-
Article
| Open AccessRemarkable flexibility in freestanding single-crystalline antiferroelectric PbZrO3 membranes
Authors find that freestanding single crystalline antiferroelectric PbZrO3 membranes exhibit remarkable flexibility that can endure a maximum bending strain of 3.5%, with the assistance of mechanical-induced antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition.
- Yunting Guo
- , Bin Peng
- & Ming Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessMolecular orbital breaking in photo-mediated organosilicon Schiff base ferroelectric crystals
Switchable structural and physical bistability in ferroelectric materials can be achieved as result of molecular orbital breaking. Here, the authors describe the photo-mediated bistability in organosilicon Schiff base ferroelectric crystals for the modulation of dielectric, second-harmonic generation, and ferroelectric polarization and showing good in vitro biocompatibility.
- Zhu-Xiao Gu
- , Nan Zhang
- & Han-Yue Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessTunnel junctions based on interfacial two dimensional ferroelectrics
The authors study tunneling junctions in rhombohedral MoS2 bilayers and correlate their performance with the local domain layout. They show that the switching behavior in sliding ferroelectrics is strongly dependent on the pre-existing domain structure.
- Yunze Gao
- , Astrid Weston
- & Roman Gorbachev
-
Article
| Open AccessUnusual facet and co-catalyst effects in TiO2-based photocatalytic coupling of methane
Designing photocatalysts to enhance the efficiency of non-oxidative coupling of methane is a challenging task. Here, the authors report that the anatase TiO2 with exposed {101} facets and Pd co-catalyst enables efficient and selective methane coupling to ethane via a heterogeneous-homogeneous hybrid reaction pathway.
- Huizhen Zhang
- , Pengfei Sun
- & Ye Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessHighly porous metal-organic framework liquids and glasses via a solvent-assisted linker exchange strategy of ZIF-8
The canonical metal-organic framework ZIF-8 does not melt and form a glass. Here, authors incorporated two additional organic linkers into ZIF-8 to generate meltable derivatives which can be transformed into highly porous glasses by melt-quenching.
- Wen-Long Xue
- , Pascal Kolodzeiski
- & Sebastian Henke
-
Article
| Open AccessAn inorganic-blended p-type semiconductor with robust electrical and mechanical properties
The authors report an inorganic tellurium-selenium-oxygen (TeSeO) alloyed semiconductor for high-mobility p-channel transistors and broadband photodetectors, through the scalable thermal evaporation method combined with post-oxygen implantation.
- You Meng
- , Weijun Wang
- & Johnny C. Ho
-
Article
| Open AccessTransparent radiative cooling cover window for flexible and foldable electronic displays
In this work, authors synthesize transparent radiative cooling cover windows for flexible and foldable electronic devices. Besides demonstrated enhanced mechanical and moisture-impermeable properties, these mitigate temperature rise of devices under solar irradiation and improve overall thermal management.
- Kang Won Lee
- , Jonghun Yi
- & Dong Rip Kim
-
Article
| Open AccessUrea-formaldehyde resin room temperature phosphorescent material with ultra-long afterglow and adjustable phosphorescence performance
Organic room temperature phosphorescent materials have useful properties, but development can be limited by processing and stability challenges. Here, the authors report a derivatisation strategy for the preparation of room temperature phosphorescent materials responsive to an electrostatic field.
- Wensheng Xu
- , Bowei Wang
- & Ligong Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of electron transfer in solids through X-ray crystallography
Electron transfer in solids is a fundamental process in many functional nanomaterials. Here, the authors directly observe this process via x-ray crystallography for incorporating of electron-donor guest molecules in macrocyclic nanotube crystals.
- Daiji Ogata
- , Shota Koide
- & Junpei Yuasa
-
Article
| Open AccessStable pure-green organic light-emitting diodes toward Rec.2020 standard
It is essential to manipulate the dynamic behaviour of charge carriers and excitons in organic light-emitting diodes. Here, authors report the trapping of injected electrons by a thermally activated delayed fluorescence assistant molecule in a bipolar host matrix and achieve long device stability.
- Xun Tang
- , Tuul Tsagaantsooj
- & Chihaya Adachi
-
Article
| Open AccessOrbital-dependent electron correlation in double-layer nickelate La3Ni2O7
Recently, superconductivity near 80 K was observed in La3Ni2O7 under high pressure, but the mechanism is debated. Here the authors report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements under ambient pressure, revealing flat bands with strong electronic correlations that could be linked to superconductivity.
- Jiangang Yang
- , Hualei Sun
- & X. J. Zhou
-
Article
| Open AccessHighly tunable ground and excited state excitonic dipoles in multilayer 2H-MoSe2
Here, the authors discover the ground and excited state interlayer excitons in bi- and tri-layer 2H-MoSe2 crystals which exhibit electric-field-driven hybridisation with the intralayer A excitons, showing distinct spin, layer and valley characteristics.
- Shun Feng
- , Aidan J. Campbell
- & Brian D. Gerardot
-
Article
| Open AccessReal-time observation of two distinctive non-thermalized hot electron dynamics at MXene/molecule interfaces
Photoexcited MXenes could transfer charge carriers to or heat molecules at their interfaces. Here, the authors show using time-resolved spectroscopy that the non-thermalized carriers can directly transfer to molecules or heat them within 125 fs.
- Qi Zhang
- , Wei Li
- & Xueming Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessNylons with Highly-Bright and Ultralong Organic Room-Temperature Phosphorescence
It may be useful to obtain nylon with room temperature phosphorescence, but identifying a suitable luminophore is challenging. Here, the authors report the doping of nylon with cyano-substituted benzimidazole derivatives for room temperature phosphorescent nylons.
- Dian-Xue Ma
- , Zhong-Qiu Li
- & Yu-Wu Zhong