Tailoring electrochemically exfoliated graphene electroactive pathways in cementitious composites for structural health monitoring of constructions.

Manipulating and exerting a nanoscale control over the structure of multicomponent materials represents a powerful strategy for tailoring multifunctional composites for structural health monitoring applications. The use of self-sensing, electroactive cementitious composites in large-scale applications is severely hindered by the absence of clear directives and a thorough understanding of the electrical conduction mechanisms taking place within the cement matrix. Here we report on a nanoscale approach towards this goal which is accomplished the development of a novel, multifunctional cementitious composite incorporating electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EEG).

Boosting Zinc Hybrid Supercapacitor Performance via Thiol Functionalization of Graphene-Based Cathodes.

Zinc hybrid supercapacitors (Zn-HSCs) hold immense potential toward the next-generation energy storage systems, effectively spanning the divide between conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors. Unfortunately, the energy density of most of Zn-HSCs has not yet rivalled the levels observed in LIBs. The electrochemical performance of aqueous Zn-HSCs can be enhanced through the chemical functionalization of graphene-based cathode materials with thiol moieties as they will be highly suitable for favoring Zn adsorption/desorption.

"Clickable" graphene nanoribbons for biosensor interfaces.

We report on the synthesis of "clickable" graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and their application as a versatile interface for electrochemical biosensors. GNRs are successfully deposited on gold-coated working electrodes and serve as a platform for the covalent anchoring of a bioreceptor (, a DNA aptamer), enabling selective and sensitive detection of Interleukin 6 (IL6). Moreover, when applied as the intermediate linker on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based field-effect transistors (FETs), the GNRs provide improved robustness compared to conventional aromatic bi-functional linker molecules.

MOF (UiO-66-NH)@COF (TFP-TABQ) hybrids on-surface condensation reactions for sustainable energy storage.

Core-shell MOF@COF hybrids were synthesized subsequent modification of MOF UiO-66-NH with 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TFP) and 2,3,5,6-tetraaminobenzoquinone (TABQ). The hybrids exhibited significant surface area (236 m g) and outstanding electrochemical performance (103 F g at 0.5 A g), surpassing both COFs and MOFs, thereby showcasing the potential of on-surface condensation reactions for developing high-performance energy storage devices.

A comparative investigation of the chemical reduction of graphene oxide for electrical engineering applications.

The presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the basal plane and at the edges endows graphene oxide (GO) with an insulating nature, which makes it rather unsuitable for electronic applications. Fortunately, the reduction process makes it possible to restore the sp conjugation. Among various protocols, chemical reduction is appealing because of its compatibility with large-scale production.

Tuning the electrical properties of graphene oxide through low-temperature thermal annealing.

During the last fifteen years, the reduction of electrically insulating graphene oxide (GO) through the elimination of oxygen containing functional groups and the restoration of sp conjugation yielding its conducting form, known as reduced graphene oxide (rGO), has been widely investigated as a scalable and low-cost method to produce materials featuring graphene-like characteristics. Among various protocols, thermal annealing represents an attractive green approach compatible with industrial processes. However, the high temperatures typically required to accomplish this process are energetically demanding and are incompatible with the use of plastic substrates often desired for flexible electronics applications.

Unveiling Charge-Transport Mechanisms in Electronic Devices Based on Defect-Engineered MoS Covalent Networks.

Device performance of solution-processed 2D semiconductors in printed electronics has been limited so far by structural defects and high interflake junction resistance. Covalently interconnected networks of transition metal dichalcogenides potentially represent an efficient strategy to overcome both limitations simultaneously. Yet, the charge-transport properties in such systems have not been systematically researched.

Customising excitation properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by rational positional heteroatom doping: the -xanthenoxanthene (PXX) case.

In this paper we tackle the challenge of gaining control of the photophysical properties of PAHs through a site-specific N-doping within the structural aromatic framework. By developing a simple predictive tool that identifies C(sp)-positions that if substituted with a heteroatom would tailor the changes in the absorption and emission spectral envelopes, we predict optimal substitutional patterns for the model -xanthenoxanthene (PXX) PAH. Specifically, TDDFT calculations of the electron density difference between the S excited state and S ground state of PXX allowed us to identify the subtleties in the role of sites , electron donating or withdrawing character on excitation.

O-Doped Nanographenes: A Pyrano/Pyrylium Route Towards Semiconducting Cationic Mixed-Valence Complexes.

Herein we report an efficient synthesis to prepare O-doped nanographenes derived from the π-extension of pyrene. The derivatives are highly fluorescent and feature low oxidation potentials. Using electrooxidation, crystals of cationic mixed-valence (MV) complexes were grown in which the organic salts organize into face-to-face π-stacks, a favorable solid-state arrangement for organic electronics.