Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Preparation of multifunctional mesoporous silica particles: the use of an amphiphilic silica precursor with latent amine functionality in selective functionalization of the inner surface: Using a sequential functionalisation strategy, scientists at Seoul National University, South Korea, have selectively modified the inner surface of mesoporous silica particles. To demonstrate their approach the team created silica particles that contained FRET donors inside the silica framework and Fret acceptor moieties inside the pore. The outer surface was also functionalised with hydroxypropyl groups. Functionalized mesoporous silica particles have a range of applications including catalysis, separation, sensing, and delivery. The team believe that this approach could help tailor the properties of mesoporous silica particles to suit different applications.

Read the article for free until 21st June. Min Soo Kim and Ji Young Chang, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10440C (Advance Article)

Hierarchical ZnO rod-in-tube nano-architecture arrays produced via a two-step hydrothermal and ultrasonication process: Dye-sensitized solar cells based on hierarchical ZnO rod-in-tube nano-architectures are 75% more efficient than similar solar cells that just use ZnO nanorods. The ZnO rod-in-tube nano-architecture arrays were created via a two-step hydrothermal and ultrasonication procedure developed by scientists at Sun Yat-sen University, China. The team attribute the greater efficiency to the larger surface area of the rod-in-tube array.

Interested to know more? Why not read the full article available for free until 20th June.

Qiu-Ping Luo, Bing-Xin Lei, Xiao-Yun Yu, Dai-Bin Kuang and Cheng-Yong Su, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10871A, (Advance Article)

Thermal annealing activates amplified photoluminescence of germanium metabolically doped in diatom biosilica: Germanium doped in diatom (a single celled algae) biosilica creates highly photoluminescent frustules which are uniquely patterned on the nano- and micro-scale. Using diatoms to make photoluminescent Ge doped silica instead of industrial production methods has several advantages. The structures are made biologically avoiding the extremes of temperature, pressure, power and the need for sophisticated equipment. The team behind the research say that biologically fabricated photoluminescent nanostructured silicon and germanium metal oxide materials have comparable optoelectronic and chemical properties to industrially fabricated Si–Ge metal oxide materials. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10861A, Advance Article)

Vapor-based synthesis of ultrathin hydrogel coatings for thermo-responsive nanovalves: Thermo-responsive nanovalves were fabricated by depositing ultrathin hydrogel coatings inside nanoporous track-etched polycarbonate membranes. The hydrogel coatings swell in response to changes in temperature, controlling the flow through a channel and creating a nanovalve. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10713E, Advance Article)

Efficient quantum cutting in hexagonal NaGdF4:Eu3+ nanorods: single phase, oxygen free, hexagonal NaGdF4:Eu3+ (2 mol%) nanorods with a visible quantum efficiency of 187% were prepared using an ionic liquid assisted solvothermal method. The team behind this research was led by Anja-Verena Mudring from Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10728C Advance Article)

Synthesis of magnetic hollow nanotubes based on the kirkendall effect for MR contrast agent and colorimetric hydrogen peroxide sensor: A simple solvothermal approach to synthesize hollow Mn ferrite nanostructures was developed by scientists in Taiwan. The team say that these high magnetic Mn ferrite nanotubes significantly enhance the magnetic resonance imaging contrast signal. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10429B, Advance Article)

Read all the articles for free until 14^th June

Engineering structured MOF at nano and macroscales for catalysis and separation: In this Hot Article, Sonia Aguado, Jerome Canivet and David Farrusseng from the Université Lyon 1, France, present for the first time the combination of the postfunctionalization of a MOF with its shaping as structured bodies. The team demonstrate that it is possible to achieve multiscale engineering of a MOF for catalytic and separation applications, which they claim could help create MOFs for use in industry. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10787A, Advance Article)

Nanoheterostructures on TiO2 nanobelts achieved by acid hydrothermal method with enhanced photocatalytic and gas sensitive performance: Double heterostructure TiO2 nanobelts exhibit a much higher photocatalytic activity than normal TiO2 nanobelts and single heterostructure TiO2 nanobelts say scientists at Shandong University, China and Bowling Green State University, US. Optimising the nanobelt surface nanoheterostructure provides a broad approach to modify the physical properties and should have wide applications in photocatalysts, solar cells, chemical/bio sensors, and other techniques they claim. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10588D, Advance Article)

Pt nanocrystal evolution in the presence of Au(III)-salts at room temperature: spontaneous formation of AuPt heterodimers: A straightforward synthesis of AuPt heterodimers performed at room temperature using oleylamine as the reducer and Pt seeds has been developed by Spanish scientists. The presence of Pt nanocrystals markedly accelerates the nucleation rate of Au, which suggest it acts as both nucleation platforms and initial catalytic reducers. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10313J, Advance Article)

Read the articles for free until 10^th June

Fabrication and characterization of well-aligned, high density ZnO nanowire arrays and their realizations in Schottky device applications using a two-step approach: A two-step approach for preparing a large area array of high density and horizontally well-aligned of zinc oxide nanowires, has been developed by German and Chinese scientists. The team claim that these arrays are suitable for preparing Schottky diodes on inexpensive and flexible polymer substrates. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 7090-7097)

TAT-conjugated nanodiamond for the enhanced delivery of doxorubicin: The anticancer drug doxorubicin and cell penetrating peptide TAT were conjugated to the surface of nanodiamonds. The conjugate is designed to avoid premature release and enhance the intracellular delivery of the drug. The team says that conjugation of TAT to nanodiamond–doxorubicin increases the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin compared to the free drug. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10653H, Advance Article)

Flower-like hydroxyapatite modified carbon paste electrodes applicable for highly sensitive detection of heavy metal ions: A team of scientists based in China and the UK have created a highly sensitive sensor for the detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The sensor uses flower-like hydroxyapatite crystals fabricated on egg-shell membranes as modifiers for a chemically modified carbon paste electrode. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10949A, Advance Article)

Read all the articles for free until 7^th June

Synthesis of magnetic hollow periodic mesoporous organosilica with enhanced cellulose tissue penetration behaviour: A team of scientists based in Australia have created nanoparticles designed to penetrate plant cell walls. The hybrid particles show excellent cellulose tissue penetrating performance, with relatively high magnetic response and high enzyme loading capacity. The team claim that the enhanced penetration of cellulose tissue could potentially be used for targeted delivery into plant cells. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10615E, Advance Article)

The structural evolution and diffusion during the chemical transformation from cobalt to cobalt phosphide nanoparticles: Knowledge about the structural rearrangements occurring during the chemical transformation of nanoparticles could help tailor the synthesis and composition of the nanoparticles to improve their properties. In this Hot Article a team at Cornell University, USA, report the atomic and morphological structure of Cobalt nanoparticles as they are transformed into cobalt phosphide using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and DFT calculations. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10337G Advance Article)

Polymer-stabilized optically isotropic liquid crystals for next-generation display and photonics applications: In this Hot Feature Article Shin-Tson Wu and the team explain why polymer-stabilized optically isotropic liquid crystals, including blue phases, are emerging as a strong contender for next-generation display technology. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10711A, Advance Article)

Interested to know more? Read all the articles for free until the 3^rd June.

High-temperature redox chemistry of La1.5+xSr0.5−xCo0.5Ni0.5O4+δ (x = 0.0, 0.2) studied in situ by neutron diffraction. A team from France and the UK has found first structural evidence of the coexistence of both anion vacancies and interstitial anions in a type of materials that could be used for solid oxide fuels. The team used neutron powder diffraction to study the redox behaviour of two n = 1 Ruddlesden–Popper oxides in real time as the sample was heated and exposed to H2. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10445D, Advance Article)

What can we learn about battery materials from their magnetic properties? In this Hot Article M. Stanley Whittingham and co-workers discuss how the connection between the magnetic properties and the electronic and atomic structure in Li-ion battery materials can been used to reveal details about the electrochemical performance of the battery materials. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM00024A, Advance Article)

Switchable photoconductivity of quantum dot films using cross-linking ligands with light-sensitive structures. Using a light sensitive ligand to cross-link films of CdSe quantum dots can be used to create electrical junctions with photoswitchable conductivity say a team of US scientists. The team from Northwestern University led by Emily Weiss achieved an enhancement in the current density by an average factor of 6.5 times upon switching from visible excitation to UV excitation, which induces the ligand to switch from an open, non-conductive form to a closed, conductive form. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, Advance Article DOI:10.1039/C0JM04397D)

Interested to know more? Read the full articles for free until 26th May