Archive for January, 2012

Top Ten most-read Journal of Materials Chemistry articles in December

This month sees the following Journal of Materials Chemistry articles in that are in the top ten most accessed for December:

Shape-controlled synthesis of TiO2 hollow structures and their application in lithium batteries 
Yong Wang, Xiaowen Su and Shan Lu 
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1969-1976 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14637H 

Recent progress on growth and device development of ZnO and CuO nanostructures and graphene nanosheets 
Magnus Willander, Kamran ul Hasan, Omer Nur, Ahmed Zainelabdin, Saima Zaman and Gul Amin 
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 2337-2350 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM15152E 

Nanostructured MnO2/graphene composites for supercapacitor electrodes: the effect of morphology, crystallinity and composition 
Lu Mao, Kai Zhang, Hardy Sze On Chan and Jishan Wu
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1845-1851
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14503G

Metal sulfide nanostructures: synthesis, properties and applications in energy conversion and storage
Chen-Ho Lai, Ming-Yen Lu and Lih-Juann Chen
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 19-30
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM13879K 

Carbon-based nanostructured materials and their composites as supercapacitor electrodes 
Saswata Bose, Tapas Kuila, Ananta Kumar Mishra, R. Rajasekar, Nam Hoon Kim and Joong Hee Lee 
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 767-784 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14468E 

Hybrid solar cells: basic principles and the role of ligands
Adam J. Moulé, Lilian Chang, Chandru Thambidurai, Ruxandra Vidu and Pieter Stroeve
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 2351-2368
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14829J

Ordered mesoporous/microporous carbon sphere arrays derived from chlorination of mesoporous TiC/C composite and their application for supercapacitors 
Dan-Dan Zhou, Hai-Jing Liu, Yong-Gang Wang, Cong-Xiao Wang and Yong-Yao Xia 
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1937-1943 
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14334D 

The chemistry of graphene
Kian Ping Loh, Qiaoliang Bao, Priscilla Kailian Ang and Jiaxiang Yang
J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 2277-2289
DOI: 10.1039/B920539J

Hierarchical porous nanostructures assembled from ultrathin MnO2 nanoflakes with enhanced supercapacitive performances
Hao Jiang, Ting Sun, Chunzhong Li and Jan Ma
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 2751-2756
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM14732C

In2O3 nanocubes/carbon nanofibers heterostructures with high visible light photocatalytic activity
Jingbo Mu, Changlu Shao, Zengcai Guo, Mingyi Zhang, Zhenyi Zhang, Peng Zhang, Bin Chen and Yichun Liu
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1786-1793
DOI: 10.1039/C1JM13577E 

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to Journal of Materials Chemistry? Then why not submit to us today!

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Hot Article: Rolling up biocompatible microtubes

Graphical abstract: Fabrication and applications of large arrays of multifunctional rolled-up SiO/SiO2 microtubesThe 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

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

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J. Mater. Chem. paper featured in Science

Graphical abstract: Syntheses of nanostructured Cu- and Ni-based micro-assemblies with selectable 3-D hierarchical biogenic morphologiesA paper by Kenneth Sandhage and colleagues has been highlighted in the Editors’ Choice section of Science (A Layer-by-Layer Amplifier; subscription required). The paper describes a combined layer-by-layer surface amine amplification and electroless deposition process to convert 3-D nanostructured micro-assemblies into freestanding Cu-bearing or Ni-bearing structures.

… And here’s the full research paper:

Syntheses of nanostructured Cu- and Ni-based micro-assemblies with selectable 3-D hierarchical biogenic morphologies
Yunnan Fang, John D. Berrigan, Ye Cai, Seth R. Marder and Kenneth H. Sandhage, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1305-1312

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

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Focus on: Shape memory polymers and nanocomposites

Shape memory materials are used in a range of applications from electrically conductive actuators to materials for biomedical engineering. Here we’ve brought together a selection of papers covering the fundamental properties and applications of shape memory polymers and nanocomposites.

Journal of Materials Chemistry

  1. Thermo-moisture responsive polyurethane shape-memory polymer and composites: a review
  2. Biomedical applications of thermally activated shape memory polymers
  3. A versatile approach to achieve quintuple-shape memory effect by semi-interpenetrating polymer networks containing broadened glass transition and crystalline segments
  4. Soft shape memory in main-chain liquid crystalline elastomers
  5. Shape memory epoxy: Composition, structure, properties and shape memory performances
  6. Analysis of non-covalent interactions between the nanoparticulate fillers and the matrix polymer as applied to shape memory performance
  7. Organic-inorganic chemical hybrids having shape memory effect
  8. Thermo-mechanical properties of polystyrene-based shape memory nanocomposites
  9. Nanotube fibers for electromechanical and shape memory actuators
  10. Modeling the morphology and mechanical behavior of shape memory polyurethanes based on solid-state NMR and synchrotron SAXS/WAXD
  11. Shape memory polymers with silicon-containing segments
  12. Star-shaped POSS-polycaprolactone polyurethanes and their shape memory performance
  13. Shape memory polyurethanes containing azo exhibiting photoisomerization function
  14. Organic-inorganic nanocomposite bilayers with triple shape memory effect
  15. Nanosize Si anode embedded in super-elastic nitinol (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloy matrix for Li rechargeable batteries
  16. High-strain shape memory polymer networks crosslinked by SiO(2)

Soft Matter

  1. Conductive shape memory nanocomposites for high speed electrical actuation
  2. A new approach to shape memory polymer: design and preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) composites in the presence of star poly(ethylene glycol)
  3. Mechanisms of the multi-shape memory effect and temperature memory effect in shape memory polymers
  4. Solvent induced shape recovery of shape memory polymer based on chemically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)
  5. A functionally graded shape memory polymer
  6. Light-activated shape memory of glassy, azobenzene liquid crystalline polymer networks
  7. Study of electroactive shape memory polyurethane-carbon nanotube hybrids
  8. Nanopaper enabled shape-memory nanocomposite with vertically aligned nickel nanostrand: controlled synthesis and electrical actuation

Soft Matter and Journal of Materials Chemistry front covers

If you’d like to read more papers in this area then why now read the Actively Moving Polymers or Emerging themes in soft matter: responsive and active soft materials themed issues.

Don’t forget you can sign up for the journal e-alerts or RSS feeds or catch the latest news from Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter and Soft Matter on Twitter or Facebook.

 

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J. Mater. Chem. communication highlighted by ACS Noteworthy Chemistry

The communication by Guo-Ping Yong and colleagues described how purely organic radical materials can be used to generate stacking-induced white-light or blue-light phosphorescence. This article was selected as a hot article back in December. You can read the write up in ACS Noteworthy Chemistry here: Organic radicals efficiently emit phosphorescence

… And here is the original research article:

Communication: Stacking-induced white-light and blue-light phosphorescence from purely organic radical materials: Guo-Ping Yong, Yi-Man Zhang, Wen-Long She and Ying-Zhou Li, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 18520-18522

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

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Journal of Materials Chemistry Issue 6 out now!

The latest issue of Journal of Materials Chemistry is now online. You can read the full issue here.

 
 
 
The outside front cover features an article on Dielectric behavior of self-assembled monolayers by Oktay Yildirim, Peter J. de Veen, Michiel G. Maas, Minh D. Nguyen, David N. Reinhoudt, Dave H. A. Blank, Guus Rijnders and Jurriaan Huskens.

 

JMC Issue 6 IFC
 

Three-dimensional tubular arrays of MnO2–NiO nanoflakes with high areal pseudocapacitance
 is the article highlighted on the inside front cover by Jinping Liu, Jian Jiang, Michel Bosman and Hong Jin Fan.
 
 

Issue 6 contains the following Feature articles:

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter

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Hot Article: “Clicked” fluoropolymer elastomers as robust materials for potential microfluidic device applications

Graphical abstract: “Clicked” fluoropolymer elastomers as robust materials for potential microfluidic device applicationsPDMS-based microfluidic devices are commonly used for aqueous based applications; however, their limited chemical resistance and high swelling in many common organic solvents make them unfeasible for uses involving organic solvents or harsh conditions. Here the authors report a new perfluoropolyether-based material, which has liquid-like viscosity and can be cured into a tough, highly durable elastomer. The highly fluorinated elastomer possesses remarkable resistance to a variety of organic solvents, water, heat and even harsh acidic and basic conditions.

Ying-Wei Yang, Jens Hentschel, Yi-Chun Chen, Mark Lazari, Hanxiang Zeng, R. Michael van Dam and Zhibin Guan, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1100-1106

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Polymer Chemistry on Twitter or Facebook.

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Materials for Biosurfaces is now 20th March 2012

The submission deadline for the Materials for Biosurfaces themed issue has been extended by 1 month. The final submission deadline for contributions is now 20th March 2012.

The Materials for Biosurfaces themed issue will focus on the synthetic and physical chemistry of biosurfaces with a primary attention to polymer based surfaces and the role of surfaces in biomedical related applications such as biosensors. Materials of interest include polymer brushes, hydrogels, membranes and self-assembled monolayers. The role of surfaces in cell adhesion and cell-surface interactions is also a topic of this special issue. Professor Christopher K. Ober (Cornell University, USA), Dr. Christian Ohm (Cornell University, USA), Ms. Mary E. Welch (Cornell University, USA) are the guest editors of this themed issue.

Please contact the editorial office if you would like to discuss contributing an article.

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Hot Paper: Improved SERS properties with gold-modified silver nanorod arrays

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 13th February:

 Graphical abstract: Gold-modified silver nanorod arrays: growth dynamics and improved SERS properties

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

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

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Hot Feature Article: Photoalignment of liquid crystals

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 9th February (free registration required)

 Graphical abstract: Photoalignment of liquid crystals: basics and current trends

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

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

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