Layered BiOI single crystals capable of detecting low dose rates of X-rays.

Detecting low dose rates of X-rays is critical for making safer radiology instruments, but is limited by the absorber materials available. Here, we develop bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) single crystals into effective X-ray detectors. BiOI features complex lattice dynamics, owing to the ionic character of the lattice and weak van der Waals interactions between layers.

Long-term solar water and CO splitting with photoelectrochemical BiOI-BiVO tandems.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices have been developed for direct solar fuel production but the limited stability of submerged light absorbers can hamper their commercial prospects. Here, we demonstrate photocathodes with an operational H evolution activity over weeks, by integrating a BiOI light absorber into a robust, oxide-based architecture with a graphite paste conductive encapsulant. In this case, the activity towards proton and CO reduction is mainly limited by catalyst degradation.

Ultralow Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Resilience of Architected Nanolattices.

Creating materials that simultaneously possess ultralow thermal conductivity, high stiffness, and damage tolerance is challenging because thermal and mechanical properties are coupled in most fully dense and porous solids. Nanolattices can fill this void in the property space because of their hierarchical design and nanoscale features. We report that nanolattices composed of 24- to 182-nm-thick hollow alumina beams in the octet-truss architecture achieved thermal conductivities as low as 2 mW m K at room temperature while maintaining specific stiffnesses of 0.