Atomically Thin Kagome-Structured CoTe Achieved through Self-Intercalation and Its Flat Band Visualization.

Kagome materials have recently garnered substantial attention due to the intrinsic flat band feature and the stimulated magnetic and spin-related many-body physics. In contrast to their bulk counterparts, two-dimensional (2D) kagome materials feature more distinct kagome bands, beneficial for exploring novel quantum phenomena. Herein, we report the direct synthesis of an ultrathin kagome-structured Co-telluride (CoTe) via a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) route and clarify its formation mechanism from the Co-intercalation in the 1T-CoTe layers.

Rectangular-Phase Tellurene on Ni(111) from Monolayer Films to Periodic Striped Patterns.

As an emerging member of monoelemental two-dimensional (2D) materials, 2D tellurium (tellurene) has recently attracted intensive attention due to its polymorphism arising from the multivalent nature and fascinating properties such as wide-range band gaps, high carrier mobilities, etc. Herein, we predict the formation of a rectangular-phase tellurene on Ni(111) by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations and realize its direct syntheses and characterizations by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We reveal that the monolayer rectangular tellurene and underlying Ni(111) substrate are strongly coupled, along with good lattice registry along two mutually perpendicular directions, which serves as the key driving force for the tellurene formation.

Composition-Controllable Syntheses and Property Modulations from 2D Ferromagnetic Fe Se to Metallic Fe Se Nanosheets.

Exploring new-type 2D magnetic materials with high magnetic transition temperature and robust air stability has attracted wide attention for developing innovative spintronic devices. Recently, intercalation of native metal atoms into the van der Waals gaps of 2D layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has been developed to form 2D non-layered magnetic TMDs, while only succeeded in limited systems (e.g.

On-Site Synthesis and Characterizations of Atomically-Thin Nickel Tellurides with Versatile Stoichiometric Phases through Self-Intercalation.

Self-intercalation of native metal atoms in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides has received rapidly increasing interest, due to the generation of intriguing structures and exotic physical properties, however, only reported in limited materials systems. An emerging type-II Dirac semimetal, NiTe, has inspired great attention at the 2D thickness region, but has been rarely achieved so far. Herein, we report the direct synthesis of mono- to few-layer Ni-tellurides including 1T-NiTe and Ni-rich stoichiometric phases on graphene/SiC(0001) substrates under ultra-high-vacuum conditions.

Study on the enhancing water collection efficiency of cactus- and beetle-like biomimetic structure using UV-induced controllable diffusion method and 3D printing technology.

Collecting water from fog flow has emerged as a promising strategy for the relief of water shortage problems. Herein, using a UV-induced (ultraviolet light induced) controllable diffusion method combined with technology of three-dimensional (3D) printing, we fabricate biomimetic materials incorporating beetle-like hydrophobic-hydrophilic character and cactus-like cone arrays with various structure parameters, and then systematically study their fog-harvesting performance. The UV-induced controllable diffusion method can break away from the photomask to regulate the hybrid wettability.

Environmentally Responsive Intelligent Dynamic Water Collector.

Collecting water from fog flow is emerging as a promising solution to the water shortage problem. This work demonstrated a novel environmentally responsive water collector made from a self-prepared Janus polyvinyl alcohol sponge in combination with a two-way shape memory alloy spring, which transforms the traditional manner of static water collection into a dynamic one. The unidirectional water transport of the Janus structure together with the dynamic collection approach correspond to a 30.

A High-Power Aqueous Zinc-Organic Radical Battery with Tunable Operating Voltage Triggered by Selected Anions.

In contrast to traditional rechargeable rock-chair metal-ion batteries, dual-ion batteries (DIBs) involve redox reactions with anions rather than cations in p-type cathodes. In principle, regulating the electrochemical performance of the DIB by different anion species is highly feasible. Herein, the anion effect on the electrochemical performance of a DIB, the aqueous Zn- organic radical battery (Zn-ORB), consisting of a poly(2,2,6,6tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-yl vinyl ether) cathode and a Zn anode, was investigated by DFT calculations.

Ising Superconductivity and Quantum Phase Transition in Macro-Size Monolayer NbSe.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have a range of unique physics properties and could be used in the development of electronics, photonics, spintronics, and quantum computing devices. The mechanical exfoliation technique of microsize TMD flakes has attracted particular interest due to its simplicity and cost effectiveness. However, for most applications, large-area and high-quality films are preferred.

On the Quantum Spin Hall Gap of Monolayer 1T'-WTe2.

Positive quantum spin Hall gap in mono-layer 1T'-WTe2 is consistently supported by density-functional theory calculations, ultrafast pump-probe, and electrical transport measurements. It is argued that monolayer 1T'-WTe2 , which was predicted to be a semimetallic quantum spin Hall material, is likely a truly 2D quantum spin Hall insulator with a positive quantum spin Hall gap.

Template synthesis of SnO2/α-Fe2O3 nanotube array for 3D lithium ion battery anode with large areal capacity.

Electrodes with three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure are expected to improve the energy and power densities per footprint area of lithium ion microbatteries. Herein, we report a large-scale synthesis of a SnO(2)/α-Fe(2)O(3) composite nanotube array on a stainless steel substrate via a ZnO nanowire array as an in situ sacrificial template without using any strong acid or alkali. Importantly, both SnO(2) and α-Fe(2)O(3) contribute to the lithium storage, and the hybridization of SnO(2) and α-Fe(2)O(3) into an integrated nanotube structure provides them with an elegant synergistic effect when participating in electrochemical reactions.