Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

The fabrication of tubular microstructures has been successfully use in a range of applications including optofluidics, bio-sensing, catalytic microjet engines, magnetic sensors and 3D cell microreactors; however, the diameter scalability, hybrid functionalization, and long-term biocompatibility has not been investigated yet for rolled-up glass microtubes. In this hot paper large arrays of transparent, biocompatible SiO/SiO₂ microtubes are fabricated by rolling up nanomembranes followed by etching to release the deposited layers. The outer tubular diameter is systematically studied and the roll-up parameters have been optimized to achieve a yield of nearly 100%. Samuel Sanchez and colleagues also demonstrate that these microtubes can be used in a range of applications.

Fabrication and applications of large arrays of multifunctional rolled-up SiO/SiO2 microtubes: Stefan M. Harazim, Wang Xi, Christine K. Schmidt, Samuel Sanchez and Oliver G. Schmidt, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 2878-2884

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Oblique-angle deposited Ag nanorod arrays provide good performance for SERS sensing; however, the instability of Ag surfaces can impede their use for real-world sensing applications. Modifying silver nanorod arrays with a Au-coating via a galvanic replacement reaction is one method of mitigating this problem. In this hot paper the morphology optical properties and structure of the Ag nanorod arrays are modified with Au-coating via a galvanic replacement reaction are studied. Read the article for free until 13^th February:

Gold-modified silver nanorod arrays: growth dynamics and improved SERS properties: Chunyuan Song, Justin L. Abell, Yuping He, S. Hunyadi Murph, Yiping Cui and Yiping Zhao, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1150-1159

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In this hot Feature Article Oleg Yaroshchuk and Yuriy Reznikov discuss the basis and recent achievements of photoalignment of liquid crystals. They provide an update on the classification of photoaligned materials and exposure schemes, and they analyze the relationship between the molecular structure of the materials and characteristics of liquid crystal alignment. Read the article for free until 9^th February (free registration required)

Photoalignment of liquid crystals: basics and current trends: Oleg Yaroshchuk and Yuriy Reznikov, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 286-300

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