Crystalline framework nanosheets as platforms for functional materials

The integration of organic and inorganic materials has been widely used in various applications to generate novel functional nanomaterials characterized by unique properties.Functional crystalline framework nanosheets and their synergistic effects have been studied recently for possessing the advantages of functional species as well as crystalline framework nanosheets.Hence,we have focused on the preparation methods and applications of functional crystalline framework nanosheets in this review.We introduced crystalline framework nanosheets and discussed the importance of integrating functional species with nanosheets to form functional crystalline framework nanosheets.Then,two aspects of the preparation methods of functional crystalline framework nanosheets were reviewed:in situ synthesis and post-synthesis modification.Subsequently,we discussed the properties of the crystalline framework nanosheets combined with various functional species and summarized their applications in catalysis,sensing,separation,and energy storage.Finally,we have shared our insights on the challenges of functional crystalline framework nanosheets,hoping to contribute to the knowledge base for optimizing the preparation methods,expanding categories,improving stability,and exploring potential applications.

The action mechanisms and structures designs of F-containing functional materials for high performance oxygen electrocatalysis

Non-renewable fossil fuels have led to serious problems such as global warming,environmental pollution,etc.Oxygen electrocatalysis including oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)plays a central role in clean energy conversion,enabling a number of sustainable processes for future air battery technologies.Fluorine,as the most electronegative element(4.0)not only can induce more efficient regulation for the electronic structure,but also can bring more abundant defects and other novel effects in materials selection and preparation for favorable catalysis with respect to the other nonmetal elements.However,an individual and comprehensive overview of fluorine-containing functional materials for oxygen electrocatalysis field is still blank.Therefore,it is very meaningful to review the recent progresses of fluorine-containing oxygen electrocatalysts.In this review,we first systematically summarize the controllable preparation methods and their possible development directions based on fluorine-containing materials from four preparation methods.Due to the strong electron-withdrawing properties of fluorine,its control of the electronic structure can effectively enhance the oxygen electrocatalytic activity of the materials.In addition,the catalytic enhancement effect of fluorine on carbonbased materials also includes the prevent oxidation and the layer peeling,and realizes the precise atomic control.And the catalytic improvement mechanism of fluorine containing metal-based compounds also includes the hydration of metal site,the crystal transformation,and the oxygen vacancy induction.Then,based on their various dimensions(0D–3D),we also have summarized the advantages of different morphologies on oxygen electrocatalytic performances.Finally,the prospects and possible future researching direction of F-containing oxygen electrocatalysts are presented(e.g.,novel pathways,advanced methods for measurement and simulation,field assistance and multi-functions).The review is considered valuable and helpful in exploring the novel designs and mechanism analyses of advanced fluorine-containing electrocatalysts.

Solution-based Chemical Strategies to Purposely Control the Microstructure of Functional Materials

Micro/nanostructured crystals with controlled architectures are desirable for many applications in optics, electronics, biology, medicine, and energy conversions. Low-temperature, aqueous chemical routes have been widely investigated for the synthesis of particles, and arrays of oriented nanorods and nanotubes. In this paper, based on the ideal crystal shapes predicted by the chemical bonding theory, we have developed some potential chemical strategies to tune the microstructure of functional materials, ZnS and Nb205 nanotube arrays, MgO wiskers and nestlike spheres, and cubic phase Cu2O microcrystals were synthesized here to elucidate these strategies. We describe their controlled crystallization processes and illustrate the detailed key factors controlling their growth by examining various reaction parameters. Current results demonstrate that our designed chemical strategies for tuning microstructure of functional materials are applicable to several technologically important materials, and therefore may be used as a versatile and effective route to the controllable synthesis of other inorganic functional materials.

High-throughput design of functional materials using materials genome approach

High-throughput computational materials design provides one efficient solution to accelerate the discovery and development of functional materials. Its core concept is to build a large quantum materials repository and to search for target materials with desired properties via appropriate materials descriptors in a high-throughput fashion, which shares the same idea with the materials genome approach. This article reviews recent progress of discovering and developing new functional materials using high-throughput computational materials design approach. Emphasis is placed on the rational design of high-throughput screening procedure and the development of appropriate materials descriptors, concentrating on the electronic and magnetic properties of functional materials for various types of industrial applications in nanoelectronics.

Modulating properties by light ion irradiation:From novel functional materials to semiconductor power devices

In this review,the application of light ion irradiation is discussed for tailoring novel functional materials and for improving the performance in SiC or Si based electrical power devices.The deep traps and electronic disorder produced by light ion irradiation can modify the electrical,magnetic,and optical properties of films(e.g.,dilute ferromagnetic semiconductors and topological materials).Additionally,benefiting from the high reproducibility,precise manipulation of functional depth and density of defects,as well as the flexible patternability,the helium or proton ion irradiation has been successfully employed in improving the dynamic performance of SiC and Si based PiN diode power devices by reducing their majority carrier lifetime,although the static performance is sacrificed due to deep level traps.Such a trade-off has been regarded as the key point to compromise the static and dynamic performances of power devices.As a result,herein the light ion irradiation is highlighted in both exploring new physics and optimizing the performance in functional materials and electrical devices.

Metal Functional Materials and Their Industrialization on Turn of the Century

A brief introduction of the connotation and characteristics of metal functional materials was presented. The current research and development of several important materials and the difference between home and world advanced level were described. The latest trend of research and development was discussed. The industrialization and market for several new metal functional materials were commented and some opinions also were given.

Intercalation Assembly and Chemical Product Engineering of Layered Intercalated Functional Materials Based on Efficient Utilization of Magnesium Resources in Salt Lakes

1 Introduction Magnesium salts are very important by-product of salt lake industry in West China.Nearly 200 million cubic meters of waste brine are released to the environment

Functional Materials To Drive RE Consumption Market

1. RE Permanent Materials Chinese demand for RE permanent magnets increases at 20% per year. The output of sintered NdFeB magnets will reach 70,000 tons in 2010, 75% of the world total, with sales value of RMB $26 billion. 2. RE Catalyst

The Influence of Mineral Functional Materials on Chloride Ion Penetration of Concrete

The mechanism of chloride ion penetration in high performance concrete was analy zed. The experimental results indicate that there are two important reasons that influence the anti-chloride penetration of high performance concrete. One is the function effect of mineral functional material, so that it increases conc rete's capability to resist chloride ion penetration. The other is combined acti on of mineral functional material's original capability of binding the chloride ion (physical adsorption) and physicochemical adsorption after hydration.

Recent Advances on the Development of Functional Materials in Microbial Fuel Cells:From Fundamentals to Challenges and Outlooks

Microbial fuel cells(MFCs),as a sustainable and promising technology to solve both environmental pollution and energy shortage,have captured tremendous attention.The conversion efficiency of chemical energy contained in organic waste or wastewater to electricity via microbial metabolism strongly depends on the performance of each functional unit,including the anode,cathode and separator/membrane used in MFCs.Therefore,significant attention has been paid toward developing advanced functional materials to enhance the performance of each unit or provide new featured functions.This review paper provides a comprehensive review on recent achievements and advances in the modification and development of functional materials for MFC systems,including 1)the development of functional anode materials for enhanced microbial compatibilities as well as electron transfer capabilities,2)the development of cost-effective separators/membranes such as ion exchange membrane,porous membrane,polymer electrolyte membrane and composite membrane,and 3)the development of functional cathode catalysts to decrease the over-potential and enhance the electrocatalytic efficiency for oxygen reduction reaction in order to substitute the common costly Pt catalyst.The challenges and outlooks of functional materials for MFC applications are also discussed.

Advances and challenges of cellulose functional materials in sensors

As the most abundant natural polymer material on the earth,cellulose is a promising sustainable sensing material due to its high mechanical strength,excellent biocompatibility,good degrada-tion,and regeneration ability.Considering the inherent advantages of cellulose and the success of modern sensors,applying cellulose to sensors has always been the subject of considerable investigation,and significant progress has been made in recent decades.Herein,we reviewed the research progress of cellulose functional materials(CFMs)in recent years.According to the different sources of cellulose,the classification and preparation methods for the design and func-tionalization of cellulose were summarized with the emphasis on the relationship between their structure and properties.Besides,the applications of advanced sensors based on CFMs in recent years were also discussed.Finally,the potential challenges and prospects of the development of sensor based on CFMs were outlined.

Review of functionally graded materials processed by additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing(AM)technology makes parts through layer-by-layer deposition,which can regulate the microstructure and properties of different parts of a single part well.It provides a new idea for the preparation of functionally gradient materials(FGM),and has become a research hotspot at present.By referring to and analyzing the recent research achievements in the additive manufacturing tech-nology of FGM,the latest research progress at domestic and abroad from four aspects were summaried:selective laser melting additive man-ufacturing,electron beam additive manufacturing,arc additive manufacturing,path planning,and material texture.Moreover,the existing problems in the research are pointed out,and the future research direction and focus are prospected.

Carbon-based functional materials for atmospheric water utilization

Atmospheric water,as one of the most abundant natural resources on Earth,has attracted huge research interest in the field of water harvesting and energy harvesting and conversion owing its environmental friendliness and easy access.The developments of new materials have seen advanced technologies that can extract water and energy out of this long-neglected resource,suggesting a promising and sustainable approach to address the water and energy crises over the world.Carbon-based functional materials have been considered to be indispensable materials for atmospheric water utilization due to their large surface area,excellent adsorption performance,and higher surface activity.In this review,first,we analyze the interaction between carbon-based functional materials and atmospheric water molecular.Then,technologies developed in recent years for atmospheric water utilization based on carbon-based functional materials are reviewed,mainly focusing on atmospheric water harvesting,moisture-enabled electricity generation,and moisture-responsive actuation.Finally,the remaining challenges and some tentative suggestions possibly guiding developments are proposed,which may pave a way for a bright future of carbon-based functional material in the utilization of atmospheric water.

Research progress and application prospect of functional adhesive materials in the field of oil and gas drilling and production

By summarizing the composition,classification,and performance characterization of functional adhesive materials,the adhesion mechanisms of functional adhesive materials,such as adsorption/surface reaction,diffusion,mechanical interlocking,and electrostatic adsorption,are expounded.The research status of these materials in oil and gas drilling and production engineering field such as lost circulation prevention/control,wellbore stabilization,hydraulic fracturing,and profile control and water plugging,and their application challenges and prospects in oil and gas drilling and production are introduced comprehensively.According to the applications of functional adhesive materials in the field of oil and gas drilling and production at this stage,the key research directions of functional adhesive materials in the area of oil and gas drilling and production are proposed:(1)blending and modifying thermoplastic resins or designing curable thermoplastic resins to improve the bonding performance and pressure bearing capacity of adhesive lost circulation materials;(2)introducing low-cost adhesive groups and positive charge structures into polymers to reduce the cost of wellbore strengthening agents and improve their adhesion performance on the wellbore;(3)introducing thermally reversible covalent bond into thermosetting resin to prevent backflow of proppant and improve the compressive strength of adhesive proppant;(4)introducing thermally reversible covalent bonds into thermoplastic polymers to improve the temperature resistance,salt-resistance and water shutoff performance of adhesive water shutoff agents.

Dynamic Characteristics of Functionally Graded Timoshenko Beams by Improved Differential Quadrature Method

This study proposes an effective method to enhance the accuracy of the Differential Quadrature Method(DQM)for calculating the dynamic characteristics of functionally graded beams by improving the form of discrete node distribution.Firstly,based on the first-order shear deformation theory,the governing equation of free vibration of a functionally graded beam is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations with respect to beam axial displacement,transverse displacement,and cross-sectional rotation angle by considering the effects of shear deformation and rotational inertia of the beam cross-section.Then,ignoring the shear deformation of the beam section and only considering the effect of the rotational inertia of the section,the governing equation of the beam is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations with respect to beam transverse displacement.Based on the differential quadrature method theory,the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of standard generalized algebraic equations.Finally,the first several natural frequencies of the beam can be calculated.The feasibility and accuracy of the improved DQM are verified using the finite element method(FEM)and combined with the results of relevant literature.

Functional porous carbon-based composite electrode materials for lithium secondary batteries

The synthetic routes of porous carbons and the applications of the functional porous carbon-based composite electrode materials for lithium secondary batteries are reviewed. The synthetic methods have made great breakthroughs to control the pore size and volume, wall thickness, surface area, and connectivity of porous carbons, which result in the development of functional porous carbon-based composite electrode materials. The effects of porous carbons on the electrochemical properties are further discussed. The porous carbons as ideal matrixes to incorporate active materials make a great improvement on the electrochemical properties because of high surface area and pore volume, excellent electronic conductivity, and strong adsorption capacity. Large numbers of the composite electrode materials have been used for the devices of electrochemical energy conversion and storage, such as lithium-ion batteries （LIBs）, Li-S batteries, and Li-O2 batteries. It is believed that functional porous carbon-based composite electrode materials will continuously contribute to the field of lithium secondary batteries.

Macroscopic Regulation of Hierarchical Nanostructures in Liquid-crystalline Block Copolymers towards Functional Materials

The great potential of liquid-crystalline block copolymers(LCBCs)containing photoresponsive mesogens toward novel applications in photonics and nanotechnology has been attracting increasing attention,due to the combination of the inherent property of microphase separation of block copolymers and the hierarchically-assembled structures of liquid-crystalline polymers(LCPs).The periodically ordered nanostructures in bulk film of LCBCs can be acquired by supramolecular cooperative motion,derived from the interaction between liquid-crystalline elastic deformation and microphase separation,which are able to improve physical properties of polymer film toward advanced functional applications.Moreover,various micro/nano-patterned structures have been fabricated via light manipulation of photoresponsive LCBCs with good reproducibility and mass production.Thanks to recent developments in synthesis and polymerization techniques,diverse azobenzene-containing LCBCs have been designed,resulting in the creation of a wide variety of novel functions.This review illustrates recent progresses in macroscopic regulation of hierarchical nanostructures in LCBCs towards functional materials.The existing challenges are also discussed,showing perspectives for future studies.

Bio-inspired short peptide self-assembly:From particles to functional materials

Natural systems are typically featured with tremendous molecular complexity and construct exquisite architectures and functional materials through precise spatial and temporal control.Supramolecular self-assembly from peptides and proteins is believed to be the key player.Thus,knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms driving peptides into vast functional hierarchical structures will certainly help the rational control of self-assembly process,leading to more precise structural organization and functional optimization.In this review,we briefly summarize the recent progress of this burgeoning field mainly from two directions:peptide-based self-assembly and co-assembly with other functional molecules,each part is further divided into two subparts and representative examples are given for each subpart according to their development timeline.At the end of each part,brief summaries of the closely related applications are outlined.For the closing remarks,we conclude with our own understanding of the area and perspectives are given based on recent developments.Overall,this review could be suitable for both new readers to gain a comprehensive overview of the area and experienced readers to get a summary of the development in short peptide self-assembly from particles to functional materials.

Call for Papers:Special Issue—Functional Materials,Nanocarriers,and Formulations for Targeted Therapy

Guest editors:Prof.Zhonggao Gao,Institute of Materia Medica,Beijing,China Prof.Han Chang Kang,The Catholic University of Korea,Bucheon,Republic of Korea Article deadline:15 December 2015Publishing date:25 March 2016In this special issue of Functional Materials,Nanocarriers,and Formulations for Targeted Therapy。