CsPbBr perovskite has garnered significant attention in the field of optoelectronics due to its exceptional photoelectric properties. In this study, we report the fabrication of a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) composed of a composite of monoclinic phase CsPbBr nanocrystals and polydimethylsiloxane. This is the first instance of a PNG based on the monoclinic phase of CsPbBr. The PNG device has been optimized to operate at a frequency of 30 Hz and exhibits impressive output performance, generating a peak-to-peak output voltage of 50 V, an output current of 5.5 μA and a power density of 2.5 μW cm when subjected to an applied force of only 4.2 N over an effective area of 8 cm. The energy generated by this PNG can be efficiently collected using capacitors with a high energy conversion efficiency of 21.7%. Furthermore, the output voltage of the PNG remains at 98.5% of its initial value after 20 days, demonstrating exceptional stability. This study highlights the great potential of CsPbBr perovskite materials for the simple and cost-effective fabrication of high-performance multifunctional piezoelectric energy harvesting devices.

Zinc-based battery performance is often hindered by side reactions, such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution, which are closely linked to the desolvation of hydrated zinc ions. This study demonstrates that the coordination microenvironment of zinc ions can be effectively regulated using poly-nitrogen heterocyclic compounds as electrolyte additives. With the composite electrolyte, the zinc electrode achieves reversible recycling for approximately 4000 h at a low nucleation overpotential (∼29 mV), demonstrating exceptional cycling stability. The solvation structure of hydrated zinc ions and chemical properties of zinc were regulated, thereby inhibiting side reactions to enhance cycling stability. Important insights into regulating the solvation structure of zinc ions and improving the reversible deposition process at the zinc-solution interface would offer valuable guidance to fabricate advanced zinc ion batteries.

This study addresses the critical need for the effective removal of nanoplastics (1 nm to 1000 nm), which pose a significant environmental challenge due to their ease of entry into biological systems and poorly understood health impacts. We report our investigation of a plasma-assisted methodology with a falling film plasma reactor to destroy and remove 200 nm polystyrene nanoplastic particles from their aqueous solution. Using the nanoparticle tracking analysis, size exclusion chromatography, and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, we examined the degradation kinetics of the nanoplastics upon plasma-assisted treatment. A nanoplastic removal rate of 98.4% by particle count was achieved in one hour of treatment. This rate increased to 99.3% after three hours of treatment, along with a 27.4% reduction in the TOC of the solution. The chromatography results indicate that the observed elimination of nanoplastic contaminants was likely through the production of short polystyrene oligomers with molecular weights roughly equivalent to those of two styrene units. The superior efficacy of the plasma-assisted methodology over traditional ozonation to destroy nanoplastics was also illustrated. Our results not only elucidate a hypothesized polystyrene radical decay mechanism but also demonstrate a potential and complementary approach for mitigating nanoplastic pollution in water purification strategies.

There has been considerable interest in building switching functions into self-assembled monolayers with switching actuated by external stimuli such as light, electrical current, heat, pressure or chemical changes. In this study, dual switching functionality has been built into azobenzene based molecular monolayers. Switching behaviour has been compared for unsubstituted azobenzene monolayer adsorbates and two other monolayers whose position on the terminal phenyl group is substituted by ethyl and isopropyl chains, respectively. The dual molecular switching functionality with light or protonation actuation is compared. EGaIn contacts to the monolayers have been used to record the - curves and characterize the on/off switching. This is complemented with further characterization by transition voltage spectroscopy (TVS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), water contact angle determination, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and theoretical computations. It is concluded that side chains (the ethyl and isopropyl groups) are able to decouple neighbouring azobenzene adsorbates which promotes the photo-efficiency of isomerisation and switching. In addition, acid treatment is also applied to these three molecular layers to try to achieve dual stimuli actuation. The absorption wavelength of the azobenzene moiety red shifts by ∼100 nm for all the three protonated molecules. In the case of the unsubstituted azobenzene, its triggering wavelength is totally reversed once it is protonated. A logic truth table has been constructed for the SAM device, which shows that the simple azobenzene molecular layers exhibit the behaviour of an 'AND' logic gate which uses blue light and acid as two inputs.

Memristive physical reservoir computing is a promising approach for solving data classification and temporal processing tasks. This method exploits the nonlinear dynamics of physical, low-power devices to achieve high-dimensional mapping of input signals. Ion-channel-based memristors, which operate with similar voltages, currents, and timescales as biological synapses, are promising due to their rich dynamics, especially for use in biological edge settings. Accurate modeling of their dynamics is essential for optimizing network hyperparameters to save time and energy. Here, a generalized sigmoidal growth model of ion-channel memristor conductance is presented and shown to be more accurate in predicting dynamics than linear or logistic models. Using the exact solution of the proposed sigmoidal model, the MNIST handwritten digit classification task is optimized and trained , then tested with the same trained weights. This approach achieved an experimental testing accuracy of 90.6%.

We measure the out-of-plane shear modulus of few-layer graphene (FLG) by a blister test. During the test, we employed a monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS) membrane stacked onto FLG wells to facilitate the separation of FLG from the silicon oxide (SiO) substrate. Using the deflection profile of the blister, we determine an average shear modulus of 0.97 ± 0.15 GPa, and a free energy model incorporating the interfacial shear force is developed to calculate the adhesion energy between FLG and SiO substrate. The experimental protocol can be extended to other two-dimensional (2D) materials and layered structures (LS) made from other materials (WS, hBN, .) to characterize their interlayer interactions. These results provide valuable insight into the mechanics of 2D nano devices which is important in designing more complex flexible electronic devices and nanoelectromechanical systems.

Halide perovskites (HPs), particularly at the nanoscale, attract attention due to their unique optical properties compared to other semiconductors. They exhibit bright emission, defect tolerance, and a broad tunable band gap. The ability to directly transport charge carriers along the HPs nanowires (NWs) has led to the development of methods for their synthesis. Most of these methods involve some version of an oriented attachment step with various modifications. In this study, we introduce CsPbBr nanowires produced the solution-solid-solid (SSS) catalyst-assisted growth mechanism for the first time. We explored the kinetics of this process and examined the connection between the catalyst phase and its reactivity. We show how HP NWs grow with different SSS catalysts (, AgS, AgSe, CuS) and discuss the required conditions for successful synthesis utilizing this mechanism. This method opens up a new avenue for producing HP NWs, which can be used to design and form new types of hybrid nanostructures.

The burgeoning field of nano-bone regeneration is yet to establish a definitive optimal particle size for nanocarriers. This study investigated the impacts of nanocarrier's particle size on the bone regeneration efficacy of fingolimod (FTY720)-loaded nanoemulsions. Two distinct particle sizes (60 and 190 nm, designated as NF60 and NF190, respectively) were produced using low-energy and high-energy emulsion techniques, maintaining a consistent surfactant, co-surfactant, and oil. studies using rat mesenchymal stem cells revealed that both NF60 and NF190 exhibited cell viability and reduced lactate dehydrogenase. Interestingly, NF60 demonstrated superior antioxidant properties, significantly reducing nitric oxide and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels compared to NF190. Furthermore, NF60 significantly enhanced ALP activity and calcium deposition during osteogenic differentiation, indicating its potential to promote the early stages of bone formation. studies using a rat calvarial bone defect model demonstrated that both NF60 and NF190 significantly upregulated the expression of key osteogenic genes, including Runx2, Col, ALP, OCN, and BMP2. Notably, NF60 induced significantly higher expression of Runx2 and BMP2. X-ray and histological investigations revealed significantly improved bone regeneration in the NF60 group, highlighting the superior bone healing potential of smaller FTY720 nanoemulsions, without infiltration of inflammatory cells. The smaller particle size demonstrated superior antioxidant properties, enhanced osteogenic differentiation, and improved bone regeneration, suggesting smaller nanoparticles, with their larger surface area, accelerated drug release rate, and lower viscosity, interact more effectively with cells, leading to increased and effective drug delivery and cellular uptake. Findings highlight the importance of nanocarrier size in optimizing drug delivery for bone tissue engineering applications.

In previous laboratory preparation processes, the selection and proportioning of specific experimental parameters often stemmed from the empirical experience of predecessors, necessitating the derivation of the optimal scheme for the target experiment through extensive trial and error. This process typically required the consumption of substantial resources and time. Thanks to the advancement of machine learning technologies, these have gradually become a powerful tool for addressing complex functional problems in material optimization. This study is based on a collected database of thermoelectric materials, aiming to clarify the correspondence between physical characteristics and the thermoelectric figure of merit, . The key features that can directly affect the experimental results are identified, and the features that indirectly affect the experimental results are also analyzed. By employing interpretable machine learning methods, this research analyzes critical molecular features in the characterized data, utilizing feature engineering techniques to construct and optimize machine learning models for the selected key features. Furthermore, in the subsequent model fitting and analysis phase, by comparing the efficiency of different feature combinations, the optimal feature descriptors for the current experimental system were determined. The adoption of the aforementioned improved methods endowed the related models with the potential for high-throughput screening, thereby further enhancing the efficiency of experimental optimization.

In biosensing analysis, the activity of enzyme systems is limited by their fragility, and substrates catalyzed by monoenzymes tend to undergo spontaneous decomposition during ineffective mass transfer processes. In this study, we propose a novel strategy to encapsulate the glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase (GOx&HRP) cascade catalytic system within the hydrophilic zeolite imidazole framework ZIF-90. By leveraging the specific pore structure of ZIF-90, we effectively immobilized GOx and HRP molecules in their three-dimensional conformations, which improved the catalytic activity of the encapsulated enzymes compared with that of free GOx and HRP in various harsh environments. Additionally, our strategy reduced the occurrence of ineffective mass transfer and enhanced the sensitivity of the biosensor through an enzyme cascade system. When this biosensor was applied to serum samples containing complex biological matrices, the degradation of GOx&HRP by various proteases and the surface adsorption of diverse biomolecules were effectively prevented, thereby generating stable and reliable signals of glucose levels. The sensor shows remarkable sensitivity and selectivity for determining glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 2.5 μg ml, with a detection limit as low as 0.034 μg ml. Furthermore, we developed a paper-based colorimetric sensor utilizing GOx&HRP@ZIF-90 integrated with a smartphone platform for the visual detection of blood glucose.

This study expands the JAM notation to systematically explore stacking configurations of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) multilayers, covering both conventional and Janus structures. We extended JAM to represent four TMDC types: 1H, 1T, Janus 1H, and Janus 1T, adding characters to describe these structures. Additionally, we updated the JAM algorithm to generate stacking configurations and produce VASP-compatible POSCAR files. Using bilayer MoSSe as a model system, we analyzed stability, band gap, and interlayer interactions across all stackings. This expanded JAM approach enables detailed exploration of TMDC multilayers and supports further research into 2D materials.

Expression of concern for 'Near-infrared light activatable hydrogels for metformin delivery' by Li Chengnan , , 2019, , 15810-15820, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NR02707F.

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted strong interest for a variety of applications due to their low cost and excellent performance, attributed largely to favorable defect properties. MHPs exhibit complex dynamics of charges and ions that are coupled in unusual ways. Focusing on a combination of two common MHP defects, , a grain boundary (GB) and a Pb interstitial, we developed a machine learning model of the interaction potential, and studied the structural and electronic dynamics on a nanosecond timescale. We demonstrate that point defects at MHP GBs can create new chemical species, such as Pb-Pb-Pb trimers, that are less likely to occur with point defects in bulk. The formed species create structural instabilities in the GB and prevent it from healing towards the pristine structure. Pb-Pb-Pb trimers produce deep trap states that can persist for hundreds of picoseconds, having a strong negative influence on the charge carrier mobility and lifetime. Such stable chemical defects at MHP GBs can only be broken by chemical means, , the introduction of excess halide, highlighting the importance of proper defect passivation strategies. Long-lived GB structures with both deep and shallow trap states are found, rationalizing the contradictory statements in the literature regarding the influence of MHP GBs on performance.

Electrochromism refers to the phenomenon in which certain materials undergo a redox reaction under an applied voltage or current, resulting in reversible changes in their optical properties and color appearance. Electrochromic devices (ECDs) show great potential in smart windows, anti-glare rear-view mirrors and displays due to the advantages of low energy consumption and simple control mechanisms. However, traditional ECDs are unfavorable for wearable and deformable optoelectronics due to the structural rigidity and limited functions. Thus, flexible ECDs integrating visual information with other advanced technologies can realize multifunctionality and further expand their application fields. This review first introduces the structure and recent development of flexible ECDs, followed by comprehensively summarizing the recent development of flexible multifunctional ECDs, including energy harvesting, energy storage, multicolor displays, and smart windows. Finally, the challenges, development trends and future prospects in flexible multifunctional ECDs are proposed and discussed. We hope that this review can guide and accelerate the development of flexible multifunctional ECDs in the new era of smart optoelectronics.

Gels are promising candidates for environmental sensing and implants because of their high stretchability, ionic conductivity, and low toxicity toward the environment and human body. Self-healing gels can recover their mechanical and electrical properties after rupturing under environments with harsh mechanical stress. However, current self-healing gels rely on healing agents, metal ions, or dynamic bonding; these materials exhibit toxicity and nonbiodegradability, hindering their use in environmental sensing and implant applications. Herein, we developed supramolecular ionic gels (SIGs) with self-healing capability and biodegradability through the physical crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and the bioderived ionic liquid (IL) choline lactate. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering revealed that the IL and PVA formed hydrogen bonds, thereby resulting in nanocrystalline structures in the SIGs. After cutting, dynamic bonding helps self-healed SIGs recover fracture stress and strain by 39% and 45%, respectively, compared to pristine SIGs. Furthermore, hydrogen bonding is a reversible reaction that enables ruptured SIGs to reconfigure their shapes after tensile-stress tests. The reconfigured SIGs involve fracture stress and strain comparable with those of the initial SIGs. This study provides insights into bio/ecoresorbable electronics with high mechanical robustness, which can help develop transient devices for wearables, implants, and environmental sensing.

To address the escalating demand for efficient CO separation technologies, we introduce novel membranes utilizing natural polymer guar gum (GG), conjugate polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)) PEDOT:PSS, and bimetallic PdPt nanoparticles. Bimetallic PdPt nanoparticles were synthesized using the wet chemical method and characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The morphologies, chemical bonds, functional groups, and mechanical properties of the fabricated membranes were characterized using various techniques. Through meticulous fabrication and characterization, the binary blended membranes demonstrated enhanced homogeneity and smoothness in their structure, attributed to the interaction between the polymers, and superior CO permeability due to the amphiphilic nature of the PEDOT:PSS polymer. Gas separation experiments performed using H, N, and CO gases confirmed that the 20% PEDOT:PSS/GG blended membranes showed the best performance with sufficient mechanical properties. Moreover, the results demonstrated an increase of 172% in CO permeability and 138% in CO/H selectivity, respectively. Furthermore, integrating bimetallic PdPt nanoparticles provided an additional 197% increase in CO/H selectivity, owing to the unique catalytic activities of noble metal nanoparticles. The study not only underscores the transformative potential of polymer blending and noble metal engineering, but also highlights the significance of using natural polymers for sustainable environmental solutions.

In the process of water electrolysis, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) suffers from a high energy barrier, which has become a key factor restricting the large-scale commercial application of renewable energy technology. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a durable, efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly OER electrocatalyst. In the present work, a photo-responsive fullerene (C) was encapsulated in the cavity of cobalt-containing flake-like zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (C@F-ZIF-67). Benefiting from the light-induced charge/energy transfer from the fullerene carbon cage to the metal Co active sites, the as-synthesized C@F-ZIF-67 exhibited remarkably enhanced OER activity under UV light irradiation. Specifically, the overpotential of 10 mA cm for C@F-ZIF-67 decreased from 465 mV in the dark to 324 mV under light in 1 M KOH, amounting to an activity improvement of approximately 30.32%. This work provides a new route for the design and construction of photo-assisted efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Nanosized chiral octahedral M coordination cages were prepared self-assembly of sulfonylcalix[4]arene tetranuclear M(II) clusters (M = Co or Ni) with enantiomerically enriched linkers based on tris(dipyrrinato)cobalt(III) complexes, appended with peripheral carboxylic groups. Two pairs of enantiomers of cages were obtained and unambiguously characterized from a structural point of view, using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Chiral-HPLC was used to evidence the enantiomers. In the solid state, the compounds present intrinsic and extrinsic porosity: the intrinsic porosity is linked with the size of the cages, which present an inner diameter of 19 Å. The obtained solid-state supramolecular architectures demonstrated good performances as adsorbents for water and 2-butanol guest molecules.

Electrochemical water splitting, with its oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), is undoubtedly the most eco-friendly and sustainable method to produce hydrogen. However, water splitting still requires improvement due to the high energy consumption caused by the slow kinetics and large thermodynamic potential requirements of OER. Urea-water electrolysis has become increasingly appealing compared to water-splitting because of the remarkable decline in the cell potential in the hydrogen production process and less energy consumption; it also offers a favorable opportunity to efficiently treat wastewater containing a significant amount of urea. In this work, Ni-Mn-S/Ni-Cu nano-micro array electrocatalysts were synthesized by a two-step and binder-free electrochemical deposition technique and investigated as an effective electrode for the HER and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). According to the electrochemical results, the optimized electrode (Ni-Mn-S/Ni-Cu/10) showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the HER (64 mV overpotential to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm and Tafel slope of 81 mV dec) in alkaline solution. When Ni-Mn-S/Ni-Cu/10 is employed as a UOR anode in an alkaline solution containing urea, it achieves a current density of 10 mA cm at 1.247 V RHE. In addition, when the optimized sample was utilized as a bi-functional electrode for overall urea-water electrolysis (HER-UOR), the cell voltage reached 1.302 V at 10 mA cm (which is 141 mV less than that for HER-OER). The electrocatalytic stability results unequivocally revealed small changes in voltage during a 24 h test and showed good durability. This non-noble metal electrocatalyst, prepared by the electrodeposition synthesis method, is a promising solution to implement low-cost hydrogen production and wastewater treatment.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, primarily affecting young males. In this study, we investigated arginine-modified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (R-HAp) as a novel non-viral vector for DMD gene therapy, particularly for delivering the large 18.8 kb dystrophin gene. Addressing the limitations of traditional adeno-associated viral vectors, R-HAp demonstrated efficient binding and delivery of the dystrophin plasmid to DMD patient-derived skeletal muscle cells. Using confocal imaging and RT-PCR analysis, our results showed effective gene delivery and expression in both mouse myotubes and patient-derived cells, with sustained expression evident up to 5 days post transfection. The patient-derived myotubes also showed dystrophin protein production 7 days post transfection. These findings suggest R-HAp nanoparticles as a promising and cost-effective alternative for DMD treatment, highlighting their potential for overcoming current gene therapy challenges.

This study explores the fabrication of nickel-oxide-embedded laser-induced graphene and its application in high-performance supercapacitors. Supercapacitors are critical for various applications due to their high power density and long cycle life. Nevertheless, they suffer from lower energy density compared to batteries. By embedding redox-active nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles into graphene electrodes, we enhance the energy density of these supercapacitors while maintaining high power. The NiO nanoparticles were synthesized at the nanoscale and embedded into graphene oxide (GO) using a one-step laser processing technique, resulting in a composite material with improved electrochemical properties. High specific capacitance for a discharge current density of 0.25 A g is 1420 F g in 6 M KOH. Moreover, by tracking the crystallographic X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the composite electrodes upon electrochemical cycling, we identified the phase transition from NiO to Ni(OH). Our results verify the advantages of laser processing to incorporating highly-dispersed NiO nanoparticles into graphene films, which significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors, offering a promising approach for developing high-energy and high-power energy storage devices.