Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Formation of hierarchical silica nanochannels through nanoimprint lithography: Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have fabricate hierarchical silica nanochannels, with device and domain level patterns using nanoimprint lithography and scCO2 infusion process. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 14213-14218)

Seeded silicon nanowire growth catalyzed by commercially available bulk metals: broad selection of metal catalysts, superior field emission performance, and versatile nanowire/metal architectures: In this hot article an alternative metal-seeded synthetic protocol provides a facile route to prepare versatile Si nanowires/metal architectures for advanced applications. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13793-13800)

Electrochemical behavior of graphene nanosheets in alkylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid electrolytes: influences of organic solvents and the alkyl chains. To understand the influence of the structure of ionic liquids on the GNS electrode, researchers at Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics created a simple model of the GNS electrode/ionic liquid interface. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13205-13212)

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Light-trapping nano-structures in organic photovoltaic cells: Iridescent photonic crystal nano-patterns in a bulk heterojunction polymer blend are reminiscent of the metallic sheen reflected from butterfly wings. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM12300A, Advance Article)

Structure–property relationships of iron arsenide superconductors: Unique structure–property relationships of iron-arsenide superconductors prove to be a good recipe for future discoveries in the lively field of superconducting materials. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13726-13736)

Nucleic acid-functionalized nanomaterials for bioimaging applications: This review covers recent advances in nucleic acid-functionalized nanomaterials as sensing platforms for bioimaging applications. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM12588E, Advance Article)

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In this Hot Paper ionic liquids serve as multifunctional agents in the synthesis of epoxy-silica nanocomposites. The ionic liquids make it possible to control the silica structure formed by the sol–gel process and also the interaction between silica and the epoxy matrix. Changing the ionic liquids allows control over the morphology and mechanical properties of the hybrids. Interested to know more? Why not read the full article available for free until 16th September (free registration required):

Ricardo Keitel Donato, Libor Matějka, Henri S. Schrekker, Josef Pleštil, Alexander Jigounov, Jiři Brus and Miroslav Šlouf, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11752A, Advance Article

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Multiwall carbon nanotube@mesoporous carbon with core-shell configuration: a well-designed composite-structure toward electrochemical capacitor application: A multiwall carbon nanotube@mesoporous carbon composite has been prepared for electrochemical capacitor applications by scientists at Fudan University, China. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13025-13031)  

New BODIPY chromophores bound to polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with improved thermo- and photostability: Stable hybrid dyes that are analogs of the BODIPY laser dye PM567 have been prepared by Spanish researchers. The dyes show higher thermostability in solid state, as well as higher photostability in thin films of poly(methyl methacrylate) than the parent unbound dyes. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 12803-12811)

Reversible assembly of metal nanoparticles induced by penicillamine. Dynamic formation of SERS hot spots: A system for pH-driven reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles has been reported by a team of scientists working in Spain and the UK. The surface of the nanoparicles is modified with a submonolayer of penicillamine. Changes to the hydrogen bonding between different nanoparticles caused by changes in pH is thought to be responsible for the reversible assembly of the nanoparticles. The aggregation of the nanoparticles also creates SERS hotspots. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12175H, Advance Article)

In situ cross-linkable gelatin–poly(ethylene glycol)–tyramine hydrogel via enzyme-mediated reaction for tissue regenerative medicine: A hydrogel made from gelatin–poly(ethylene glycol)–tyramine has been developed by South Korean scientists. The hydrogel could act an injectable scaffold for tissue regenerative medicine they claim. An enzyme-mediated reaction allows the hydrogel to be formed in situ.  Controlling the reaction conditions allowed the team to prepare hydrogels with storage moduli that ranged from approximately 200 to over 8000 Pa. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12527C, Advance Article)

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