Article
Physics, Applied
Subhadip Nath
Summary: The study reveals that Be3X2 materials exhibit superior thermoelectric properties and unique optical characteristics compared to graphene, indicating great potential for device fabrication and application.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Hanze Guo, Tingfan Yang, Xiaoyu Xuan, Zhuhua Zhang, Wanlin Guo
Summary: This paper focuses on the flexoelectric effect in thin 2D materials. Through intensive first-principles study, the authors found that hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) monolayer has a higher flexoelectric coefficient and nonlinearity compared to graphene, and explained the underlying mechanism. The flexoelectric effect was also found to induce a staggered band gap in double-walled BN nanotubes, with potential applications in photovoltaics.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gaokai Wang, Yong Cheng, Jingren Chen, Junhua Meng, Libin Zeng, Zhigang Yin, Jinliang Wu, Xingwang Zhang
Summary: As an emerging 2D ultrawide bandgap semiconductor, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is gaining significant attention for its superior properties and wide applications. However, the luminescence properties of h-BN few-layers are rare due to its poor crystallinity. In this work, h-BN epilayers were synthesized on sapphire substrates by the submicron-spacing vapor deposition method. The low temperature cathodoluminescence spectra of h-BN epilayers exhibit strong deep ultraviolet (DUV) luminescence peaks and a defect-related emission band, showing potential for optoelectronic applications.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eli Janzen, Hannah Schutte, Juliette Plo, Adrien Rousseau, Thierry Michel, Wilfried Desrat, Pierre Valvin, Vincent Jacques, Guillaume Cassabois, Bernard Gil, James H. Edgar
Summary: The changes in the properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) induced by isotopic purification are reported. The study extends the purification to N-15 isotopes. Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies show that the monoisotopic hBN crystals exhibit similar vibrational and optical properties to N-14 purified hBN. The growth of high-quality h(10)B(14)N, h(11)B(14)N, h(10)B(15)N, and h(11)B(15)N crystals opens up new possibilities for thermal conductivity control and advanced functionalities in quantum technologies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khadiza Ali, Laura Fernandez, Mohammad A. Kherelden, Anna A. Makarova, Igor Pis, Federica Bondino, James Lawrence, Dimas G. de Oteyza, Dmitry Yu. Usachov, Denis V. Vyalikh, F. Javier Garcia de Abajo, Zakaria M. Abd El-Fattah, J. Enrique Ortega, Frederik Schiller
Summary: This study demonstrates a method for synthesizing nanostriped hBN with periodic texture on Rh surfaces, which is achieved for the first time by imprinting lateral patterns from a one-dimensional template. The electronic structure reveals nanoscale periodic modulation, creating an effective multi-stripe semiconductor structure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiang Li, Mingdi Wang, Yunhe Bai, Qifan Zhang, Haoran Zhang, Zhenhuan Tian, Yanan Guo, Jingping Zhu, Yuhuai Liu, Feng Yun, Tao Wang, Yue Hao
Summary: This study investigates the film stripping process of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films using liquid phase exfoliation and spin coating. The transferred hBN films demonstrate a constant resistance window and show potential for application in resistive switching devices.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soumyabrata Roy, Xiang Zhang, Anand B. Puthirath, Ashokkumar Meiyazhagan, Sohini Bhattacharyya, Muhammad M. Rahman, Ganguli Babu, Sandhya Susarla, Sreehari K. Saju, Mai Kim Tran, Lucas M. Sassi, M. A. S. R. Saadi, Jiawei Lai, Onur Sahin, Seyed Mohammad Sajadi, Bhuvaneswari Dharmarajan, Devashish Salpekar, Nithya Chakingal, Abhijit Baburaj, Xinting Shuai, Aparna Adumbumkulath, Kristen A. Miller, Jessica M. Gayle, Alec Ajnsztajn, Thibeorchews Prasankumar, Vijay Vedhan Jayanthi Harikrishnan, Ved Ojha, Harikishan Kannan, Ali Zein Khater, Zhenwei Zhu, Sathvik Ajay Iyengar, Pedro Alves da Silva Autreto, Eliezer Fernando Oliveira, Guanhui Gao, A. Glen Birdwell, Mahesh R. Neupane, Tony G. Ivanov, Jaime Taha-Tijerina, Ram Manohar Yadav, Sivaram Arepalli, Robert Vajtai, Pulickel M. Ajayan
Summary: Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a strong candidate for two-dimensional (2D) materials due to its exciting optoelectrical properties, combined with mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and chemical inertness. Various synthesis strategies for 2D h-BN, including chemical exfoliation, chemical, and physical vapor deposition, have been developed in recent years. The potential applications of h-BN structures in nanoelectronics, photonics, biomedical, anti-corrosion, and catalysis are described based on their extraordinary properties and stability.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingyang Fan, Ruida Zhao, Yingbo Zhao, Yanxing Song, Sining Yun
Summary: In this study, eight BN polymorphs (2H, 4H, 5H, 6H-I, 6H-II, 7H-I, 7H-II, and 7H-III) were obtained using a random sampling strategy, and their similarities to 3C BN in stacking order were observed. The calculations showed that these polymorphs have high stability and thermal stability. Additionally, they exhibit superhard characteristics and can be considered as promising ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yunjo Jeong, Ossie Douglas, Utkarsh Misra, Md Rubayat-E Tanjil, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Michael Cai Wang
Summary: Electromigration in metal interconnects is a significant challenge in scaling integrated circuits to smaller nodes. This study introduces a facile and effective approach to mitigate electromigration in copper interconnects by passivation with insulating monolayer 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), resulting in significantly improved performance.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Biying Tan, You Wu, Feng Gao, Huihui Yang, Yunxia Hu, Huiming Shang, Xin Zhang, Jia Zhang, Zhonghua Li, YongQing Fu, Dechang Jia, Yu Zhou, Haiying Xiao, PingAn Hu
Summary: In this study, a new method was reported to enhance the optoelectronic properties of hBN monolayers by substitutively doping with sulfur on a molten Au substrate. The S atoms were more favorable to be doped in the N sites of hBN and formed a new conduction band edge, narrowing the band gap. The doping of sulfur improved the conductivity and optoelectronic properties of hBN.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaofang Zhang, Lulu An, Changning Bai, Li Chen, Yuanlie Yu
Summary: Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) show excellent properties and potential applications in disease diagnosis, fluorescence imaging, etc., but face challenges in large-scale fabrication. This article summarizes the properties, fabrication methods, and applications of BNQDs, aiming to inspire new methods for achieving homogeneous BNQDs at scale.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mesikerem Mesele Debebe, Sintayehu Mekonnen Hailemariam
Summary: We investigated the impact of Niobium (Nb) doping on the electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of bilayer hexagonal boron nitride (BL hBN) using spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT). Nb doping increases the bond length and lattice constant, reducing the energy band gap of BL hBN. The magnetic behavior changes from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic with Nb concentrations of 5.55% and 11.11%, and the interaction between Nb dopants is found to be ferromagnetic for nearest neighbors and antiferromagnetic for third nearest neighbors. Enhanced absorption coefficient in visible and mid-to-far-infrared regions indicates the potential applications of Nb-doped BL hBN in nanoelectronics, spintronics, and optoelectronics.
MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Monika Tatarkova, Peter Tatarko, Alexandra Kovalcikova, Ivo Dlouhy, Jan Dusza, Pavol Sajgalik
Summary: The addition of h-BN nanosheets during spark plasma sintering process improved the fracture toughness and strength of Si3N4, while slowing down the alpha -> beta phase transformation. Proper control of the particle size and content of h-BN nanosheets can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of Si3N4.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vidur Raj, Dipankar Chugh, Lachlan E. Black, M. M. Shehata, Li Li, Felipe Kremer, Daniel H. Macdonald, Hark Hoe Tan, Chennupati Jagadish
Summary: Research has shown that wafer-scale, few monolayers thick hBN as a passivation layer can significantly improve solar cell performance, with a relatively low interface defect density and potential for high-quality passivation. hBN-based passivation layers are especially useful in cases where the growth of lattice-matched passivation layers is complicated.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changping Yu, Lili Zhang, Gang Zhou, Feng Zhang, Zichu Zhang, Anping Wu, Pengxiang Hou, Huiming Cheng, Chang Liu
Summary: Carbon nanotube-based derivatives with unique structure and physicochemical properties have been extensively researched. However, the controlled growth mechanism and synthesis efficiency of these derivatives are still unclear. In this study, a defect-induced strategy was proposed for the efficient heteroepitaxial growth of SWCNTs@h-BN films. Air plasma treatment was used to generate defects on the SWCNTs' wall, and atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition was performed to grow h-BN on the SWCNTs' surface. Controlled experiments and first-principles calculations revealed that the induced defects on the SWCNTs' wall serve as nucleation sites for efficient heteroepitaxial growth of h-BN.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Zhao, Zi-Han Yuan, Jiang-Tao Huang, Ming-Yao Wang, Bin He, Yu Ding, Pu-Jun Jin, Yu Chen
Summary: A Rh metallene-supported Pt nanoparticle electrocatalyst with ultra-small Pt nanoparticles uniformly attached to the Rh surface was successfully synthesized. Pt/Rhlene exhibited a 3.60-fold Pt-mass activity enhancement for the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction compared with commercial Pt black, and maintained high stability and excellent poisoning-tolerance during electrocatalysis, thanks to the specific physical/chemical properties of Rhlene. The superior electrocatalytic performance of Pt/Rhlene may pave the way for synthesizing other metallene-supported noble metal nanoparticle hybrids for various electrocatalytic applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qi Xue, Zixin Ge, Zihan Yuan, Jiangtao Huang, Bin He, Yu Chen
Summary: A one-dimensional Au core@AuPt0.20Rh0.08 alloy shell nanowires (Au@AuPt0.20Rh0.08 CS-NWs) with long aspect ratio and cross-linked network architecture were synthesized, showing excellent electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation reaction. The trimetallic synergistic effect between Au, Pt, and Rh atoms was responsible for the higher peak current density, better resistance to CO poisoning, and more lasting stability of Au@AuPt0.20Rh0.08 CS-NWs compared with Au@AuPt0.28CS-NWs and commercial Pt black electrocatalyst.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fangyuan Kang, Yilin Lin, Shiwei Zhang, Zicong Tan, Xiang Wang, Jinglun Yang, Yung-Kang Peng, Wenjun Zhang, Chun-Sing Lee, Weiwei Huang, Qichun Zhang
Summary: Organic radical batteries (ORBs) with radical-branched polymers as cathode materials are considered as a promising solution for energy storage. A chemically stable polynitrosoarene (tris(4-nitrosophenyl)amine) is designed as an efficient cathode for ORBs, which exhibits remarkable reversible charge/discharge capability and high capacity. It can achieve a capacity of up to 300 mA h g(-1) (93% theoretical capacity) after 100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1) within a wide potential window. The material also shows outstanding cycle life with 85% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g(-1), making it the best-reported organic radical cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuai Jiang, Tongyao Xiao, Cui Xu, Suwen Wang, Hui-Qing Peng, Wenjun Zhang, Bin Liu, Yu-Fei Song
Summary: An engineered heterostructure comprising NiFe-LDH and in situ formed NiFe-HAB coordination polymer has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit the OER activity and promote the MOR activity. The heterostructure exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic capability for methanol oxidation, leading to efficient MOR.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Wang, Tairan Wang, Shuyu Bu, Jiaxiong Zhu, Yanbo Wang, Rong Zhang, Hu Hong, Wenjun Zhang, Jun Fan, Chunyi Zhi
Summary: The authors present a reverse micelle electrolyte structure that enhances the reversibility of the zinc metal anode, resulting in an ampere-hour-level pouch cell with a lifespan of five months. Aqueous zinc metal batteries have potential for grid energy storage, but their performance is hindered by the inadequate electrochemical reversibility of the zinc metal negative electrode.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan Wu, Tian Zhang, Lina Chen, Zhaohua Zhu, Lukuan Cheng, Shuai Gu, Zhiqiang Li, Zhongqiu Tong, Hui Li, Yifan Li, Zhouguang Lu, Wenjun Zhang, Chun Sing Lee
Summary: As a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage devices, Zn metal battery excels with their good safety, high specific capacity, and economic attractiveness. However, it still suffers from a narrow electrochemical window, notorious dendrite formation, and sluggish Zn ion transfer. Aqueous electrolyte engineering has been regarded as an effective way to improve these.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xi-Lai Liu, Yu-Chuan Jiang, Jiang-Tao Huang, Wei Zhong, Bin He, Pu-Jun Jin, Yu Chen
Summary: PdPt bimetallenes are obtained through galvanic replacement reaction and demonstrate significantly enhanced electroactivity for formate oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions. Inspired by their excellent electroactivity, a two-electrode system is constructed, which achieves hydrogen production at a significantly lower voltage compared to traditional water electrolysis.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junpeng Xie, Dewu Lin, Hang Lei, Shuilin Wu, Jinliang Li, Wenjie Mai, Pengfei Wang, Guo Hong, Wenjun Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the electrolyte and interphase engineering of aqueous batteries to overcome the drawbacks of the water-in-salt strategy and improve the performance of aqueous batteries. The state-of-the-art developments of electrolytes, electrode-electrolyte interphases, and electrodes are discussed, along with the challenges and prospects for electrolyte and interphase engineering beyond the water-in-salt strategy.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jie Sha, Weimin Liu, Xiuli Zheng, Yimin Guo, Xuewei Li, Haohui Ren, Yuanyuan Qin, Jiasheng Wu, Wenjun Zhang, Chun-Sing Lee, Pengfei Wang
Summary: In this study, a new polarity-sensitive probe TBPCPP was designed and synthesized for visualizing the polarity changes of lipid droplets and lipid-rich regions. Using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, it was found that the polarity of lipid droplets decreased gradually during steatosis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuaishuai Bian, Xiuli Zheng, Weimin Liu, Jihao Li, Zekun Gao, Haohui Ren, Wenjun Zhang, Chun-Sing Lee, Pengfei Wang
Summary: In this study, a highly-stable and bright aggregation induced emission (AIE) fluorophore (PTPE3 NP) was developed for dynamic fluorescence (FL) imaging of vascular dysfunction beyond the 1300 nm window during vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT). The PTPE3 NP showed excellent brightness and high resolution, enabling clear images of vasculature and real-time tracking of blood circulation. Furthermore, the PTPE3 NP allowed visualization of mesenteric and tumor vascular dysfunction and real-time monitoring of blood flow velocity (BFV) during V-PDT, providing a powerful approach to assess vascular responses and evaluate the efficacy of V-PDT.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenjie Liu, Pingping Chang, Murong Xi, Juan Ding, Xingchao Wang, Jiulin Wang, Wenjun Zhang, Yudai Huang
Summary: Designing efficient catalysts is crucial for the development of electrochemical synthesis technologies. In this study, a novel vacuum induction strategy is used to synthesize a nickel boride/nickel (Ni3B/Ni) heterostructure catalyst for the electrochemical oxidation of methanol. The catalyst exhibits high reactivity, ultra-high selectivity, and ultra-long life. Mechanistic studies suggest that the formation of *CH2O occurs most favorably in the Ni3B/Ni heterostructure.
Article
Spectroscopy
Yimin Guo, Weimen Liu, Jie Sha, Xuewei Li, Haohui Ren, Jiasheng Wu, Wenjun Zhang, Chun-Sing Lee, Pengfei Wang
Summary: The development of photosensitizers with subcellular targeting capability has become a focus in photodynamic therapy research. In this study, two coumarin-based photosensitizers (C-S-2 and C-S-3) were designed and synthesized with expanded pi-conjugation, strong electron-donor and acceptor groups, and sulfur substitution strategy. These sulfured-coumarins demonstrated near-infrared emission, lipid droplet-targeting ability, and significant photocytotoxicity under laser irradiation. Specifically, C-S-3 showed better photostability, superior lipid droplet-targeting capability, and stronger photodynamic effect on cancer cells compared to C-S-2.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shao-Zhong Zeng, Shuxiao Wang, Ling Bing Kong, Yuchao Tian, Bin He, Xiao Yu, Shuzhang Niu, Dongju Fu, Peigang Han
Summary: Traditional inorganic cathode materials face technical bottlenecks due to limited resources and low specific capacity. Organic cathode materials have no resource problem and a large theoretical specific capacity. However, they also have issues in practical applications, such as dissolution and low conductivity. A low-cost organic disulfide polymer with a high theoretical specific capacity of 462 mAh g(-1) is reported. When incorporated with graphene, this polymer exhibits excellent high-rate performance and good cycle stability, making it a promising alternative for energy storage applications.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yanping Wang, Xuewei Li, Weimin Liu, Jie Sha, Zhe Yu, Shuai Wang, Haohui Ren, Wenjun Zhang, Chun-Sing Lee, Pengfei Wang
Summary: This work describes the synthesis and application of a curcumin-based photosensitizer, CN, which can simultaneously target lipid droplets and the endoplasmic reticulum, enhancing the efficiency of photodynamic therapy. CN exhibits longer absorption and emission wavelengths and sensitivity to polarity, leading to excellent photodynamic effects. The phototoxicity of CN results in apoptosis by destroying the endoplasmic reticulum and ferroptosis by oxidizing polyunsaturated fatty acids in lipid droplets.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qingcui Liu, Qiaohong Su, Wenhua Cheng, Juan Ding, Wenjun Zhang, Jiulin Wang, Yonggang Wang, Xingchao Wang, Yudai Huang
Summary: In this study, Fe-Mo2C@CN was successfully synthesized by introducing Fe into the Mo-based catalyst, which suppressed the dissolution of Mo and improved the electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Experimental and theoretical results revealed the role of Fe and the importance of lattice oxygen in the OER process, providing a theoretical basis for the application of Mo-based catalysts in water splitting.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2024)
