The diamondoid compounds are a large family of important semiconductors, which possess various unique transport properties and had been widely investigated in the fields of photoelectricity and nonlinear optics. For a significantly long period of time, diamondoid materials were not given much attention in the field of thermoelectricity. However, this changed when a series of diamondoid compounds showed a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) greater than 1.0. This discovery sparked considerable interest in further exploring the thermoelectric properties of diamondoid materials. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of our current understanding of thermal and electronic transport in diamondoid materials and stimulate their development in thermoelectric applications. We present a collection of recent discoveries concerning the lattice dynamics and electronic structure of diamondoid materials. We review the underlying physics responsible for their unique electrical and phonon transport behaviors. Moreover, we provide insights into the advancements made in the field of thermoelectricity for diamondoid materials and the corresponding strategies employed to optimize their performance. Lastly, we emphasize the challenges that lie ahead and outline potential avenues for future research in the domain of diamondoid thermoelectric materials.
As an emerging processing technology, transfer printing enables the assembly of functional material arrays (called inks) on various substrates with micro/ nanoscale resolution and has been widely used in the fabrication of flexible electronics and display systems. The critical steps in transfer printing are the ink pick-up and printing processes governed by the switching of adhesion states at the stamp/ink interface. In this review, we first introduce the history of transfer printing in terms of the transfer methods, transferred materials, and applications. Then, the fundamental characteristics of the transfer printing system and typical strategies for regulating the stamp/ink interfacial adhesion strength are summarized and exemplified. Finally, future challenges and opportunities for developing the novel stamps, inks, and substrates with intelligent adhesion capability are discussed, aiming to inspire the innovation in the design of transfer printing systems.
Reflective displays have the advantages of energy efficiency, high brightness, eye protection, and good readability, making them an attractive display technology. Photonic crystal (PhC) structural color is highly regarded as an ideal choice for reflective displays for its ecofriendliness, colorfastness, and adjustability. In this review, we introduce the fundamental classification and manufacturing methods of PhC reflective displays. We systematically summarize the display principles of PhC-based displays driven by various stimuli. Furthermore, we present the latest research advancements in PhC displays based on smart actuators. Additionally, we offer a detailed overview of the current research status and application prospects of liquid crystal structural color displays and three-dimensional PhC displays. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced by PhC displays and provide insights into their prospects.
Single-atom materials (SAMs) have become one of the most important power sources to push the field of energy conversion forward. Among the main types of energy, including thermal energy, electrical energy, solar energy, and biomass energy, SAMs have realized ultra-high efficiency and show an appealing future in practical application. More than high activity, the uniform active sites also provide a convincible model for chemists to design and comprehend the mechanism behind the phenomenon. Therefore, we presented an insightful review of the application of the single-atom material in the field of energy conversion. The challenges (e.g., accurate synthesis and practical application) and future directions (e.g., machine learning and efficient design) of the applications of SAMs in energy conversion are included, aiming to provide guidance for the research in the next step.
Metallosalen covalent organic frameworks (M(salen)-COFs) have garnered significant attention as promising candidates for advanced heterogeneous catalysis, including organocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis, due to their unique structural advantages (combining molecules catalysts and crystalline porous materials) and tunable topological network. It is essential to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging designs of M(salen)-COFs and corresponding advances in this field. Herein, this review first summarizes the reported metallolinkers and the synthesis methods of M(salen)-COFs. In addition, the review enumerates the excellent M(salen)-COF based heterogeneous catalysts and discusses the fundamental mechanisms behind the outstanding heterogeneous catalytic performance of M(salen)-COFs. These mechanisms include the pore enrichment effect (enhancing local concentration within porous materials to promote catalytic reactions), the three-in-one strategy (integrating enrichment, reduction, and oxidation sites in one system), and the incorporation of a built-in electric field (implanting a built-in electric field in heterometallic phthalocyanine covalent organic frameworks). Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges and prospects related to M(salen)-COFs in heterogeneous catalysis.
Perovskite-organic tandem solar cells (TSCs) have emerged as a groundbreaking technology in the realm of photovoltaics, showcasing remarkable enhancements in efficiency and significant potential for practical applications. Perovskite-organic TSCs also exhibit facile fabrication surpassing that of all-perovskite or all-organic TSCs, attributing to the advantageous utilization of orthogonal solvents enabling sequential solution process for each subcell. The perovskite-organic TSCs capitalize on the complementary light absorption characteristics of perovskite and organic materials. There is a promising prospect of achieving further enhanced power conversion efficiencies by covering a broad range of the solar spectrum with optimized perovskite absorber, organic semiconductors as well as the interconnecting layer’s optical and electrical properties. This review comprehensively analyzes the recent advancements in perovskite-organic TSCs, highlighting the synergistic effects of combining perovskite with a low opencircuit voltage deficit, organic materials with broader light absorption, and interconnecting layers with reduced optical and electrical loss. Meanwhile, the underlying device architecture design, regulation strategies, and key challenges facing the high performance of the perovskite-organic TSCs are also discussed.
Monitoring the position of orthopedic implants in vivo is paramount for enhancing postoperative rehabilitation. Traditional radiographic methods, although effective, pose inconveniences to patients in terms of specialized equipment requirements and delays in rehabilitation adjustment. Here, a nonradiographic design concept for real-time and precisely monitoring the position of in vivo orthopedic implants is presented. The monitoring system encompasses an external magnetic field, a three-dimensional (3D)-printed superparamagnetic intervertebral body fusion cage (SIBFC), and a magnetometer. The SIBFC with a polyetheretherketone framework and a superparamagnetic Fe3O4 component was integrally fabricated by the high-temperature selective laser sintering technology. Owing to the superparamagnetic component, the minor migration of SIBFC within the spine would cause the distribution change of the magnetic induction intensities, which can be monitored in realtime by the magnetometer no matter in the static states or dynamic bending motions. Besides horizontal migration, occurrences of intervertebral subsidence in the vertical plane of the vertebrae can also be effectively distinguished based on the obtained characteristic variations of magnetic induction intensities. This strategy exemplifies the potential of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 particles in equipping 3D-printed orthopedic implants with wireless monitoring capabilities, holding promise for aiding patients’ rehabilitation.
Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have garnered significant attention as a promising alternative to commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to abundant and cost-efficient potassium reserves. However, the large size of potassium ions and the resulting sluggish reaction kinetics present major obstacles to the widespread use of PIBs. Herein, we present a simple method to ingeniously encapsulate SnS2 nanoparticles within sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) fibers (SnS2@SPAN) for serving as a highperformance PIB anode. The large interlayer spacing of SnS2 provides a fast transport channel for potassium ions during charge-discharge cycles, while the one-dimensional SPAN skeleton offers massive binding sites and shortens the diffusion path for potassium ions, facilitating faster reaction kinetics. Additionally, the excellent ductility of SPAN can effectively accommodate the large volume changes that occur in SnS2 upon potassium-ion insertion, thereby enhancing the cyclic stability of SnS2. Benefiting from the above advantages, the SnS2@SPAN composites exhibit impressive cyclability over 500 cycles at 4 A g−1, with a capacity retention rate close to 100%. This study provides an effective approach for stabilizing high-capacity PIB anode materials with large volume variations.