Tuning the optical properties of gold nanoparticles photoactive liquid crystalline azo ligands.

In the field of modern nanoscience, the ability to tailor the properties of nanoparticles is essential for advancing their applications. A key approach for achieving this control involves manipulating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to modify optical properties. This study introduces a novel method for synthesizing gold nanoparticles capped with photoactive liquid crystalline azo ligands, accomplished without reducing agents.

Solution Processable Se-annulated Swallow Tail Perylene Bisimide Exhibiting Room Temperature Columnar Phase and Efficient Ambipolar Charge Carrier Mobility.

This study presents a selenium-annulated perylene bisimide (PBI-SeST) stabilizing room temperature columnar hexagonal phase with exceptionally low clearing temperature. The synthesis of this Se-annulated PBI (PBI-SeST) was accomplished using the reductive Cadogan cyclization method, with the introduction of swallow tails to reduce the clearing temperature and improve solubility. In addition, the charge carrier mobility of the Se-bay annulated PBI is assessed by space charge limited current (SCLC) technique and juxtaposed with PBI as well as nitrogen and sulphur-bay-annulated PBIs.

Influence of an Imposed Network on One- and Three-Dimensional Photonic Liquid Crystal Structures through the Polymer Template Technique.

We describe the first investigations on the influence of an imposed network on the photonic band gap (PBG) structure of the liquid crystal (LC) phase through the polymer template technique. The technique consists of using a cholesteric (Ch) phase as a base for photopolymerizing a difunctional monomer, which is then removed after polymerization, leaving only the polymer scaffold template. The templated structure obtained is utilized to adjust the PBG structure of the filled LC material, exhibiting both a one-dimensional PBG (Ch phase) and a three-dimensional PBG structure (TGBC* phase with smectic C* blocks).

Peptide-based nanomaterials and their diverse applications.

The supramolecular self-assembly of peptides offers a promising avenue for both materials science and biological applications. Peptides have garnered significant attention in molecular self-assembly, forming diverse nanostructures with α-helix, β-sheet, and random coil conformations. These self-assembly processes are primarily driven by the amphiphilic nature of peptides and stabilized by non-covalent interactions, leading to complex nanoarchitectures responsive to environmental stimuli.

Insights into the Solution Processing of Non-van der Waals Boron Carbide.

Exfoliation of non-layered materials is crucial to unleash their enormous potential in wide range of applications. However, the presence of strong non-van der Waals interactions in all three dimensions makes exfoliation challenging. Boron carbide (BC), known for its high hardness, holds great potential for diverse applications.

Synthesis Framework for Designing PtPdCoNiMn High-Entropy Alloy: A Stable Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of advanced materials characterized by their multifunctionality and potential to replace commercial catalysts in electrocatalytic water splitting. The synergy among the various alloyed elements in HEAs makes them particularly promising for applications in electrocatalysis. However, preparation of HEA via bottom-up approaches by avoiding the formation of mono, di, and tri metallic alloys in the nanoscale is challenging.

Retarding anion exchanges in lead halide perovskite nanocrystals by ligand immobilization.

CsPbX (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) undergo rapid anion exchange, allowing easy bandgap tuning across the entire visible range. However, despite being highly luminescent, the same facile anion exchange process poses significant challenges for their use in tandem optoelectronic devices and white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). This anion exchange occurs primarily due to the dynamic nature of loosely bound oleylamine ligands on the surface of the PNCs.

Affordable Two-Dimensional Layered Cd(II) Coordination Polymer: High-Performance Pseudocapacitor Electrode Behavior.

In recent years, pseudocapacitive materials have been investigated rigorously as they provide a unique pathway for realizing high-energy and high-power densities. However, innovative approaches involving rational design and synthesis of new materials are still vital to address concerns such as degradation, low conductivity, low cycling performance, high resistance, production cost, etc. Working in this direction, we report the cost-effective synthesis, characterization, and excellent pseudocapacitive behavior of a Cd(II)-based coordination polymer (COP) abbreviated as Cd(DAB).

Engineered Amine-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework to Fabricate a Composite for Next-Generation Asymmetric Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Performance: Modulating the Energy Storage Barrier.

The present work summarizes the fabrication of an amine-functionalized cadmium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), {[Cd(AT)(BP)]·4DMF} or , by adopting a simple solvothermal approach using 2-aminoterephthalic acid (AT) as the main linker, while 4,4'-bipyridyl (BP) as an auxiliary linker. The structure of was validated by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique that revealed the formation of an overall three-dimensional network with BP acting as a bridge between the 2D sheets of the MOF. The robust framework of decorated with a free amine functional group was utilized for energy storage application.

Unravelling denaturation, temperature and cosolvent-driven chiroptical switching in peptide self-assembly with switchable piezoelectric responses.

Herein, we explore the intricate pathway complexity, focusing on the dynamic interplay between kinetic and thermodynamic states, during the supramolecular self-assembly of peptides. We uncover a multiresponsive chiroptical switching phenomenon influenced by temperature, denaturation and content of cosolvent in peptide self-assembly through pathway complexity (kinetic thermodynamic state). Particularly noteworthy is the observation of chiroptical switching during the denaturation process, marking an unprecedented phenomenon in the literature.

Ultrabroad Near Infrared Emitting Perovskites.

Phosphor converted light emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) have revolutionized solid-state white lighting by replacing energy-inefficient filament-based incandescent lamps. However, such a pc-LED emitting ultrabroad near-infrared (NIR) radiations still remains a challenge, primarily because of the lack of ultrabroad NIR emitting phosphors. To address this issue, we have prepared 2.

Topochemically synthesized NbVS as a stable anode for sodium-ion batteries.

Ternary metal sulfides having layered morphology are considered as potential active materials for various applications. Herein, NbVS is synthesized topochemically for the first time using a Nb-V-HDA complex having a lamellar structure by employing HS gas as the sulfidation agent. NbVS, as an anode for SIBs, exhibited a specific capacity of 101.

Observation of ferroelectric behaviour in non-symmetrical cholesterol-based bent-shaped dimers.

Non-symmetrical cholesterol-based dimers have emerged as crucial materials in the field of liquid crystal research, owing to their remarkable ability to stabilize various exotic mesophases, including the blue phases (BPIII, BPII, BPI), cholesteric nematic (N*) phase, smectic blue phase (SmBP), twist grain boundary (TGB) phase, smectic A/smectic A* (SmA/SmA*) phase, and smectic C/smectic C* (SmC/SmC*) phase. These mesophases have garnered considerable attention due to their diverse applications in spatial light modulation, chiro-optical devices, optical switching, thermochromic materials, and more. In this study, we present the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a series of non-symmetrical cholesterol-based bent-shaped dimers (1/12, 1/14, 1/16) in which the cholesterol unit is intricately linked to an aromatic mesogenic core through a flexible spacer.

Mechanistic Insights into the Stabilization of In Situ Formed γ-NiOOH Species on NiNb Nanoglass for Effective Urea Electro-Oxidation.

The formation of NiOOH on the catalyst surface is widely considered to be the active species in electrochemical urea oxidation reactions (UOR). Though in situ-formed NiOOH species are reported to be more active than the synthesized ones, the mechanistic study of the actual active species remains a daunting task due to the possibility of different phases and instability of surface-formed NiOOH. Herein, mechanistic UOR aspects of electrochemically activated metallic NiNb Nanoglass showing stability toward the γ-NiOOH phase are reported, probed via in situ Raman spectroscopy, supported by electron microscopy analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in contrast with the β-NiOOH formation favored on Ni foil.

Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles and Ag-Doped ZnO Nanocomposite Utilizing for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of a biofabricated nanomaterial derived from root extract, evaluating its structural, morphological, and optical properties for use in asymmetric supercapacitors. The nanomaterial comprises pristine ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and a 1% Ag-doped ZnO nanocomposite (Ag@ZnO NC), synthesized through a green-assisted sol-gel autocombustion method. Employing techniques such as X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible near-infrared, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-rayspectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, the study confirms a hexagonal wurtzite structure and nanocrystallites with spherical and hexagonal shapes (30 nm).

One-pot, easy and scalable synthesis of large-size short wave length IR emitting PbS quantum dots.

This study presents a versatile and efficient method to synthesize large-size lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) that display emission in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region, using accessible and stable diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate (C)DTCA and octylammonium octyldithiocarbamate (CDTCA) as sulfur sources. As these sulfur sources enable the formation of well-dispersed, large-size PbS QDs in a very convenient way, this method can further be taken up for scale-up studies. Importantly, this approach allows precise control over QD sizes, thereby enhancing their SWIR optical properties.

Redox Potential Based Self-Powered Electrochromic Devices for Smart Windows.

Energy-efficient glass windows are pivotal in modern infrastructure striving toward the "Zero energy" concept. Electrochromic (EC) energy storage devices emerge as a promising alternative to conventional glass, yet their widespread commercialization is impeded by high costs and dependence on external power sources. Addressing this, redox potential-based self-powered electrochromic (RP-SPEC) devices are introduced leveraging established EC materials like tungsten oxide (WO) and vanadium-doped nickel oxide (V-NiO) along with aluminum (Al) as an anode.

Eco-friendly synthesis of an α-FeO/rGO nanocomposite and its application in high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors.

This work presents an innovative and environmentally friendly biological synthesis approach for producing α-FeO nanoparticles (NPs) and the successful synthesis of α-FeO/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites (NCs). This novel synthesis route utilizes freshly extracted albumin, serving as both a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent, rendering it eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable. A combination of characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was employed to predict and confirm the formation of the as-synthesized α-FeO NPs and α-FeO/rGO NCs.

Solution Processing of Spinel Nickel Cobaltite: Exfoliation Mechanism, Dispersion Stability, and Applications.

The exfoliation of nonlayered materials to mono- or few-layers is of growing interest to realize their full potential for various applications. Nickel cobaltite (NiCoO), which has a spinel crystal structure, is one such nonlayered material with unique properties and has been utilized in a wide range of applications. Herein, NiCoO is synthesized from NiCo- Layered double hydroxides using a topochemical conversion technique.

The interplay of chirality and restricted rotation: stabilisation of chiral, frustrated mesophases over a wide thermal range.

Introducing restricted rotation in a molecule, often achieved through the incorporation of double or triple bonds, constitutes a crucial approach to induce a frustrated mesophase. Furthermore, the inclusion of a chiral moiety, such as cholesterol, serves to enhance the stabilization of chiral frustrated mesophases. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of novel optically active dimers incorporating cholesterol and phenyl 3-phenylpropiolate segments interconnected by an ω-oxyalkanoyloxy spacer with varying lengths and parity.

Flower-like Ag-decked non-stoichiometric BiO/rGO hybrid nanocomposite SERS substrates for an effective detection of Rhodamine 6G dye molecules.

In early years, SERS-active substrates were generally noble metals. However, their practical applications were limited due to their poor biocompatibility, low uniformity and high cost. Recently, the utilization of semiconductor SERS-active substrates has greatly expanded the applications of SERS in many fields.

Ionic Covalent Organic Framework as a Dual Functional Sensor for Temperature and Humidity.

Visual sensing of humidity and temperature by solids plays an important role in the everyday life and in industrial processes. Due to their hydrophobic nature, most covalent organic framework (COF) sensors often exhibit poor optical response when exposed to moisture. To overcome this challenge, the optical response is set out to improve, to moisture by incorporating H-bonding ionic functionalities into the COF network.