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The aluminium based matrix composites have excellent mechanical properties to use in automobile, aerospace, aviation, and military industries. The aluminium based matrix composite possesses desired characteristics like specific strength, excellent rigidity and wear resistance. The stir casting technique was used to fabricate the nanocomposite of AA6063 alloy reinforced with 5 weight % nano aluminium oxide particulate. To improve the microhardness of as cast and aluminium based nanocomposites, multiaxial forging was performed up to three passes for grain refinement. Wire electrical discharge machining was used to machine both as cast and "AA6063/Al2O3" (zero and three multi axial forging pass). The machining characteristics of samples were statistically examined using the Taguchi technique. The material removal rate in three multiaxial forging pass nanocomposite sample increased as peak current increases. However, increasing the pulse off time resulted in the lowest material removal rate. The surface roughness was found to be higher in the nanocomposite sample in comparison to as cast. The machining on nanocomposite multiaxial forged sample has a greater impact as compared to as cast. After machining, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the surface morphology. The presence of different elements in the castings was validated using energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of metal‐supported hybrid structures with enhanced properties typically requires external energy input, such as pyrolysis, photolysis, and electrodeposition. In this study, silver‐nanoparticle‐decorated transition‐metal hydroxide (TMH) composites were synthesized by an approach based on a spontaneous redox reaction (SRR) at room temperature. The SRR between silver ions and TMH provides a simple and facile route to establish effective and stable heterostructures that can enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Ag@Co(OH)x grown on carbon cloth exhibits outstanding OER activity and durability, even superior to IrO2 and many previously reported OER electrocatalysts. Experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrates that the strong electronic interaction between Ag and Co(OH)2 activates the silver clusters as catalytically OER active sites, effectively optimizing the binding energies with reacted intermediates and facilitating the OER kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have synthesized nanocomposites made up of a metal–organic framework (MOF) and conducting polymers by polymerization of specialty monomers such as pyrrole (Py) and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the voids of a stable and biporous Zr‐based MOF (UiO‐66). FTIR and Raman data confirmed the presence of polypyrrole (PPy) and poly3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) in UiO‐66‐PPy and UiO‐66‐PEDOT nanocomposites, respectively, and PXRD data revealed successful retention of the structure of the MOF. HRTEM images showed successful incorporation of polymer fibers inside the voids of the framework. Owing to the intrinsic biporosity of UiO‐66, polymer chains were observed to selectively occupy only one of the voids. This resulted in a remarkable enhancement (million‐fold) of the electrical conductivity while the nanocomposites retain 60–70 % of the porosity of the original MOF. These semiconducting yet significantly porous MOF nanocomposite systems exhibited ultralow thermal conductivity. Enhanced electrical conductivity with lowered thermal conductivity could qualify such MOF nanocomposites for thermoelectric applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional nanosheets have shown great potential for separation applications because of their exceptional molecular transport properties. Nanosheet materials such as graphene oxides, metal–organic frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks display unique, precise, and fast molecular transport through nanopores and/or nanochannels. However, the dimensional instability of nanosheets in harsh environments diminishes the membrane performance and hinders their long‐term operation in various applications such as gas separation, water desalination, and ion separation. Recent progress in nanosheet membranes has included modification by crosslinking and functionalization that has improved the stability of the membranes, their separation functionality, and the scalability of membrane formation while the membranes' excellent molecular transport properties are retained. These improvements have enhanced the potential of nanosheet membranes in practical applications such as separation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodispersed hairy nanocomposites with typical 2 nm (isophthalic acid)24Cu24 metal–organic polyhedra (MOP) as a core protected by 24 polymer chains with controlled narrow molecular weight distribution has been probed by imaging and scattering studies for the heterogeneity of polymers in the nanocomposites and the confinement effect the MOPs imposing on anchored polymers. Typical confined‐extending surrounded by one entanglement area is proposed to describe the physical states of the polymer chains. This model dictates the counterintuitive thermal and rheological properties and prohibited solvent exchange properties of the nanocomposites, whilst those polymer chain states are tunable and deterministic based on their component inputs. From the relationship between the structure and behavior of the MOP nanocomposites, a MOP‐composited thermoplastic elastomer was obtained, providing practical solutions to improve mechanical/rheological performances and processabilities of inorganic MOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinspired unidirectional porous materials have emerged as a unique class of scaffolds for the fabrication of macroscopic nanomaterial assemblies. However, these scaffolds usually serve simply as mechanical carriers to support various building blocks. Here, we report that the unidirectional silk fibroin scaffold can not only act as a carrier, but also serve as a controllable multiscale reactor to achieve the in situ synthesis of a Ag3PO4 nanowire network anchored to ordered channels. Both the silk fibroin matrix and the interface play important roles in the nucleation and growth of the Ag3PO4 nanowires. This unidirectional composite scaffold can be used for efficient water disinfection. Furthermore, the facile chemical transformation of Ag3PO4 in the composite scaffold into Ag2S provided an analogous unidirectional composite silk scaffold that displays both efficient solar water evaporation effect and antibacterial activity. It is expected that this method can be extended to fabricate a series of silk‐based unidirectional composite scaffolds with varying functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new strategy to prepare a composite catalyst for highly efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The composite catalyst is made by anchoring Au nanoparticles on Cu nanowires via 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy). The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite catalyzes the CO2RR in 0.1 m KHCO3 with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 90.6 % at −0.9 V to provide C‐products, among which CH3CHO (25 % FE) dominates the liquid product (HCOO−, CH3CHO, and CH3COO−) distribution (75 %). The enhanced CO2RR catalysis demonstrated by Au‐bipy‐Cu originates from its synergistic Au (CO2 to CO) and Cu (CO to C‐products) catalysis which is further promoted by bipy. The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite represents a new catalyst system for effective CO2RR conversion to C‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new strategy to prepare a composite catalyst for highly efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The composite catalyst is made by anchoring Au nanoparticles on Cu nanowires via 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy). The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite catalyzes the CO2RR in 0.1 m KHCO3 with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 90.6 % at −0.9 V to provide C‐products, among which CH3CHO (25 % FE) dominates the liquid product (HCOO−, CH3CHO, and CH3COO−) distribution (75 %). The enhanced CO2RR catalysis demonstrated by Au‐bipy‐Cu originates from its synergistic Au (CO2 to CO) and Cu (CO to C‐products) catalysis which is further promoted by bipy. The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite represents a new catalyst system for effective CO2RR conversion to C‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cascade charge transfer was realized by a H‐bond linked zinc phthalocyanine/BiVO4 nanosheet (ZnPc/BVNS) composite, which subsequently works as an efficient wide‐visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst for converting CO2 into CO and CH4, as shown by product analysis and 13C isotopic measurement. The optimized ZnPc/BVNS nanocomposite exhibits a ca. 16‐fold enhancement in the quantum efficiency compared with the reported BiVO4 nanoparticles at the excitation of 520 nm with an assistance of 660 nm photons. Experimental and theoretical results show the exceptional activities are attributed to the rapid charge separation by a cascade Z‐scheme charge transfer mechanism formed by the dimension‐matched ultrathin (ca. 8 nm) heterojunction nanostructure. The central Zn2+ in ZnPc could accept the excited electrons from the ligand and then provide a catalytic function for CO2 reduction. This Z‐scheme is also feasible for other MPc, such as FePc and CoPc, together with BVNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high‐speed darkfield microscope has been developed to monitor the rapid rotation of single gold nanorods (AuNRs) and used to study the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of chemical reactions in free solution. A wide range of viscosities from 237 cP to 0.8 cP could be detected conveniently. We studied H2O2 decomposition reactions that were catalyzed by AuNRs coated with Pt nanodots (AuNR@PtNDs) and observed two different rotational states. The two states and their transitions are related to the production and the amalgamation of O2 nanobubbles on the nanorod surface depending on H2O2 concentration. In addition, the local fluidic environment of pure water was found to be non‐uniform in time and space. This technique could be applied to study other chemical and biochemical reactions in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In principle, incorporating nanoparticles into growing crystals offers an attractive and highly convenient route for the production of a wide range of novel nanocomposites. Herein we describe an efficient aqueous route that enables the spatially controlled occlusion of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within ZnO crystals at up to 20 % by mass. Depending on the precise synthesis protocol, these AuNPs can be (i) solely located within a central region, (ii) uniformly distributed throughout the ZnO host crystal or (iii) confined to a surface layer. Remarkably, such efficient occlusion is mediated by a non‐ionic water‐soluble polymer, poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)70 (G70), which is chemically grafted to the AuNPs; pendent cis‐diol side groups on this steric stabilizer bind Zn2+ cations, which promotes nanoparticle interaction with the growing ZnO crystals. Finally, uniform occlusion of G70‐AuNPs within this inorganic host leads to faster UV‐induced photodegradation of a model dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prototypes of natural biosystems provide opportunities for artificial biomimetic systems to break the limits of natural reactions and achieve output control. However, mimicking unique natural structures and ingenious functions remains a challenge. Now, multiple biochemical reactions were integrated into artificially designed compartments via molecular assembly. First, multicompartmental silica nanoparticles with hierarchical structures that mimic the chloroplasts were obtained by a templated synthesis. Then, photoacid generators and ATPase‐liposomes were assembled inside and outside of silica compartments, respectively. Upon light illumination, protons produced by a photoacid generator in the confined space can drive the liposome‐embedded enzyme ATPase towards ATP synthesis, which mimics the photophosphorylation process in vitro. The method enables fabrication of bioinspired nanoreactors for photobiocatalysis and provides insight for understanding sophisticated biochemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Materialien aus Kunststoffen sind allgegenwärtig im täglichen Leben und haben ein hohes Brandrisiko. Die nachhaltige Entwicklung effizienter Flammschutzmittel ist essenziell, um die Sicherheit unserer Güter und der Bevölkerung vor zufällig auftretenden Bränden zu gewährleisten. Phosphor, ein vielseitiges und wirksames Element für den Einsatz in Flammschutzmitteln, hat das Potenzial, die heute noch weit verbreiteten halogenierten Verbindungen abzulösen: Die verschiedenen Formulierungen phosphorhaltiger Flammschutzmittel beruhen auf einer Vielzahl von Wirkmechanismen und Implementierungen, als Additive oder als reaktive flammhemmende Verbindungen. Phosphorflammschutzmittel können während eines Brandes sowohl in der Gas‐ als auch in der kondensierten Phase aktiv sein. Dieser Aufsatz fasst die aktuelle Phosphorchemie zur Verringerung der Entflammbarkeit von Polymeren zusammen und stellt potenziell nachhaltige, effiziente und sichere phosphorbasierte Flammschutzmittel aus erneuerbaren Quellen für zukünftige Anwendungen vor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Oxygen activation plays a crucial role in many important chemical reactions such as oxidation of organic compounds and oxygen reduction. For developing highly active materials for oxygen activation, herein, we report an atomically dispersed Pt on WO3 nanoplates stabilized by in situ formed amorphous H2WO4 out‐layer and the mechanism for activating molecular oxygen. Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrate that the isolated Pt atoms coordinated with oxygen atoms from [WO6] and water of H2WO4, consequently leading to optimized surface electronic configuration and strong metal–support interaction (SMSI). In exemplified reactions of butanone oxidation sensing and oxygen reduction, the atomic Pt/WO3 hybrid exhibits superior activity than those of Pt nanoclusters/WO3 and bare WO3 as well as enhanced long‐term durability. This work will provide insight into the origin of activity and stability for atomically dispersed materials, thus promoting the development of highly efficient and durable single atom‐based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biomineralisation processes invariably occur in the presence of multiple organic additives, which act in combination to give exceptional control over structures and properties. However, few synthetic studies have investigated the cooperative effects of soluble additives. This work addresses this challenge and focuses on the combined effects of amino acids and coloured dye molecules. The experiments demonstrate that strongly coloured calcite crystals only form in the presence of Brilliant Blue R (BBR) and four of the seventeen soluble amino acids, as compared with almost colourless crystals using the dye alone. The active amino acids are identified as those which themselves effectively occlude in calcite, suggesting a mechanism where they can act as chaperones for individual molecules or even aggregates of dyes molecules. These results provide new insight into crystal–additive interactions and suggest a novel strategy for generating materials with target properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional syntheses of polymer–inorganic composite thermoelectric materials suffer major problems such as inhomogeneity, large particle size, and oxidation that result in ineffective loading. Now a one‐step synthesis can be used to fabricate high‐quality small‐sized anions codoped poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):dodecylbenzenesulfonate/Cl‐tellurium (PEDOT:DBSA/Cl‐Te) composite films using a series of novel TeIV‐based oxidants. The synchronized production of PEDOT and Te results in thick and homogeneous films containing evenly distributed and well‐protected Te quantum dots. Owing to the heavily doped crystalline polymer matrix as well as the <5 nm unoxidized Te quantum dot loading, at low Te concentrations as 2.1–5.8 wt %, the films exhibits high power factors of about 100 μW m−1 K−2, which is 50 % higher compared to a pure PEDOT:DBSA film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The integration of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to form composite materials has attracted great interest due to the broad range of applications. However, to date, it has not been possible to encapsulate metastable NPs with high catalytic activity into MOFs, due to their instability during the preparation process. For the first time, we have successfully developed a template protection–sacrifice (TPS) method to encapsulate metastable NPs such as Cu2O into MOFs. SiO2 was used as both a protective shell for Cu2O nanocubes and a sacrificial template for forming a yolk–shell structure. The obtained Cu2O@ZIF‐8 composite exhibits excellent cycle stability in the catalytic hydrogenation of 4‐nitrophenol with high activity. This is the first report of a Cu2O@MOF‐type composite material. The TPS method provides an efficient strategy for encapsulating unstable active metal/metal oxide NPs into MOFs or maybe other porous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inspiriert durch die katalytischen Eigenschaften von Single‐site‐Katalysatoren und der erhöhten Leistungsfähigkeit von Metallkatalysatoren durch ionische Flüssigkeiten wurde eine Methode zur gezielten und skalierbaren Platzierung von einzelnen Cobaltatomen auf Kohlenstoffnanoröhrenoberflächen mithilfe einer polymerisierten ionischen Flüssigkeit entwickelt. Durch eine ionische Flüssigkeit wurden einzelne, fein verteilte Cobaltionen koordiniert und als heterogener Katalysator für die Sauerstoffententwicklungsreaktion (OER) genutzt. Die erhaltenen Daten zeigen eine hohe Aktivität bei gleichzeitig vorhandener Stabilität. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with >2000 photoactive groups on each can act as highly efficient initiators for radical polymerizations, cross‐linkers, as well as covalently embedded nanofillers for nanocomposite hydrogels. This is achieved by a simple and reliable method for surface modification of CNCs with a photoactive bis(acyl)phosphane oxide derivative. Shape‐persistent and free‐standing 3D structured objects were printed with a mono‐functional methacrylate, showing a superior swelling capacity and improved mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spontaneously solar‐driven water splitting to produce H2 and O2, that is, the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy is a dream of mankind. However, it is difficult to make overall water splitting feasible without using any sacrificial agents and external bias. Drawing inspiration from nature, a new artificial Z‐scheme photocatalytic system has been designed herein based on the two‐dimensional (2D) heterostructure of black phosphorus (BP)/bismuth vanadate (BiVO4). An effective charge separation makes possible the reduction and oxidation of water on BP and BiVO4, respectively. The optimum H2 and O2 production rates on BP/BiVO4 were approximately 160 and 102 μmol g−1 h−1 under irradiation of light with a wavelength longer than 420 nm, without using any sacrificial agents or external bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the assembly of CsPbBr3 QD/AlO x inorganic nanocomposites, by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the growth of the amorphous alumina matrix (AlO x), is described as a novel protection scheme for such QDs. The nucleation and growth of AlO x on the QD surface was thoroughly investigated by miscellaneous techniques, which highlighted the importance of the interaction between the ALD precursors and the QD surface to uniformly coat the QDs while preserving the optoelectronic properties. These nanocomposites show exceptional stability towards exposure to air (for at least 45 days), irradiation under simulated solar spectrum conditions (for at least 8 h), and heat (up to 200 °C in air), and finally upon immersion in water. This method was extended to the assembly of CsPbBr xI3− x QD/AlO x and CsPbI3 QD/AlO x nanocomposites, which were more stable than the pristine QD films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stimuli-responsive lanthanide-based smart nanocomposite has been fabricated by supramolecular assembly and applied as an active material in multidimensional memory materials. Conjugation of the lanthanide complexes with carbon dots provides a stimuli response that is based on the modulation of the energy level of the ligand and affords microsecond-to-nanosecond fluorescence lifetimes, giving rise to intriguing memory performance in the spatial and temporal dimension. The present study points to a new direction for the future development of multidimensional memory materials based on inorganic-organic hybrid nanosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoribbon-shaped nanocomposites composed of conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanoribbons and plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs) were crafted by a co-assembly of thiol-terminated P3HT (P3HT-SH) nanofibers with dodecanethiol-coated AuNRs (AuNRs-DDT). First, P3HT-SH nanofibers were formed due to interchain π-π stacking. Upon the addition of AuNRs-DDT, P3HT-SH nanofibers were transformed into nanoribbons decorated with the aligned AuNRs on the surface (i.e., nanoribbon-like P3HT/AuNRs nanocomposites). Depending on the surface coverage of the P3HT nanoribbons by AuNRs, these hierarchically assembled nanocomposites exhibited broadened and red-shifted absorption bands of AuNRs in nIR region due to the plasmon coupling of adjacent aligned AuNRs and displayed quenched photoluminescence of P3HT. Such conjugated polymer/plasmonic nanorod nanocomposites may find applications in fields, such as building blocks for complex superstructures, optical biosensors, and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced tools for cell imaging are of great interest for the detection, localization, and quantification of molecular biomarkers of cancer or infection. We describe a novel photopolymerization method to coat quantum dots (QDs) with polymer shells, in particular, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), by using the visible light emitted from QDs excited by UV light. Fluorescent core-shell particles specifically recognizing glucuronic acid (GlcA) or N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) were prepared. Simultaneous multiplexed labeling of human keratinocytes with green QDs conjugated with MIPGlcA and red QDs conjugated with MIP-NANAwas demonstrated by fluorescence imaging. The specificity of binding was verified with a non-imprinted control polymer and by enzymatic cleavage of the terminal GlcA and NANA moieties. The coating strategy is potentially a generic method for the functionalization of QDs to address a much wider range of biocompatibility and biorecognition issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, polymer nanocomposites are of growing interest for the production of functional coatings. For this purpose, tailored and surface-modified nanoparticles are incorporated into a polymeric resin. Thereby, the characteristics of the used system can be altered and desired properties can be enhanced. In this work, the whole process chain, from synthesis to characterization of the coating, was examined with special attention to the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles. Hereby, the influence of the surface modification of the particles can be investigated while avoiding side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive and readily available metal foils have been extracted and sculptured into nanocomposites without the expense of applied energy. The unwanted corrosion phenomenon has been contrarily utilized to realize desirable 3D nanostructures through a corrosion-mediated self-assembly (CMSA) method, which is unattainable by conventional 2D patterning routes. By virtue of electrochemical dissolution/re-deposition initiated by brass corrosion, ionic derivatives (Zn2+ and Cu2+) are continuously supplied and seized by etchant ions (PO43-) to self-assemble into well-defined nanocomposites. Beyond 3D geometry patterning, CMSA enables arbitrarily tailoring of structures and chemical compositions with in situ multiphase amalgamation of hybrid materials, which improves homogeneity and thus mitigates phase separation issues. Importantly, the CMSA technique is demonstrated on transition metals for functional photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Saat-Emulsionspolymerisation ist eine effiziente Herstellungsmethode für nanoskalige multifunktionale Hybridmaterialien. In einem zweistufigen Prozess wurden zunächst Eisenoxidnanopartikel mit einer Hülle aus Polystyrol verkapselt. Diese wurden anschließend mit Quantenpunkten in Quantenstäben (QDQRs) belegt, sodass Nanohybride mit Eisenoxidkern und QDQR-Satelliten resultierten. Die Synthese einer nahtlosen Polystyrolhülle ermöglicht sowohl die Fixierung des Konstruktes als auch die Steuerung seiner Zusammensetzung. Dadurch bleiben die Fluoreszenzeigenschaften der QDQRs und die magnetischen Eigenschaften des Eisenoxids unverändert, was mittels Einzelpartikeluntersuchung, Messung der Fluoreszenzabklingzeit und Relaxometrie nachgewiesen werden kann. Die Biofunktionalisierung erfolgte direkt durch Copolymerisation von entsprechenden Affinitätsmolekülen. Die Anwendbarkeit der Methode auf verschiedenartige Nanopartikel wurde demonstriert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular biomimetic models suggest that proteins in the soft matrix of nanocomposites have a multimodular architecture. Engineered proteins were used together with nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) to show how this type of architecture leads to function. The proteins consist of two cellulose-binding modules (CBM) separated by 12-, 24-, or 48-mer linkers. Engineering the linkers has a considerable effects on the interaction between protein and NFC in both wet colloidal state and a dry film. The protein optionally incorporates a multimerizing hydrophobin (HFB) domain connected by another linker. The modular structure explains effects in the hydrated gel state, as well as the deformation of composite materials through stress distribution and crosslinking. Based on this work, strategies can be suggested for tuning the mechanical properties of materials through the coupling of protein modules and their interlinking architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterning deformation within the plane of thin elastic sheets represents a powerful tool for the definition of complex and stimuli-responsive 3D buckled shapes. Previous experimental methods, however, have focused on sheets that access a limited number of shapes pre-programmed into the sheet, restricting the degree of dynamic control. Here, we demonstrate on-demand reconfigurable buckling of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide- co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAM) hydrogel network films containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by patterned photothermal deswelling. Predictable, easily controllable, and reversible transformations from a single flat gel sheet to numerous different three-dimensional forms are shown. Importantly, the response time is limited by poroelastic mass transport, rather than photochemical switching kinetics, enabling reconfiguration of shape on timescales of several seconds, with further increases in speed possible by reducing film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interface microenvironment between nanocarbon and ionic liquids (ILs) is presented. By an entrapping effect, a few layers of ILs can be finely deposited on the surface of nanocarbon, endowing amazingly tailorable surface properties. The entrapped IL layer, which was believed to be unable to be charred under pyrolysis conditions alone, can be further carbonized to a functional carbon layer. C, B, and N were confirmed to share the same hexagonal ring in the resultant layer, which provides more designable electronic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel in situ co-assembled nanocomposite LSMBi1.6Er0.4O3 (ESB) (icn-LSMESB) was obtained by conjugated wet-chemical synthesis. It showed an enhancement of the cathode polarization at 600°C by >140 times relative to conventional LSM-Y0.08Zr0.84O1.92 (YSZ) cathodes and exceptional solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance of >2 Wcm-2 below 750°C. This demonstrates that this novel cost-effective and broadly applicable process provides new opportunities for performance enhancement of energy storage and conversion devices by nanotailoring of composite electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that microenvironments formed around catalytically active sites mitigate catalyst deactivation by biogenic impurities that are present during the production of biorenewable chemicals from biologically derived species. Palladium and ruthenium catalysts are inhibited by the presence of sulfur-containing amino acids; however, these supported metal catalysts are stabilized by overcoating with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which creates a microenvironment unfavorable for biogenic impurities. Moreover, deactivation of Pd catalysts by carbon deposition from the decomposition of highly reactive species is suppressed by the formation of bimetallic PdAu nanoparticles. Thus, a PVA-overcoated PdAu catalyst was an order of magnitude more stable than a simple Pd catalyst in the hydrogenation of triacetic acid lactone, which is the first step in the production of biobased sorbic acid. A PVA-overcoated Ru catalyst showed a similar improvement in stability during lactic acid hydrogenation to propylene glycol in the presence of methionine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though nanocomposites have provided a plethora of routes to increase stiffness and strength, achieving increased toughness with suppressed catastrophic crack growth has remained more challenging. Inspired by the concepts of mechanically excellent natural nanomaterials, one-component nanocomposites were fabricated involving reinforcing colloidal nanorod cores with polymeric grafts containing supramolecular binding units. The concept is based on mechanically strong native cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) grafted with glassy polymethacrylate polymers, with side chains that contain 2-ureido-4[1 H]-pyrimidone (UPy) pendant groups. The interdigitation of the grafts and the ensuing UPy hydrogen bonds bind the nanocomposite network together. Under stress, UPy groups act as sacrificial bonds: simultaneously providing adhesion between the CNCs while allowing them to first orient and then gradually slide past each other, thus dissipating fracture energy. We propose that this architecture involving supramolecular binding units within side chains of polymer grafts attached to colloidal reinforcements opens generic approaches for tough nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strukturierte ILs: Eine neue Familie hyperverzweigter polymerer ionischer Flüssigkeiten („HyperILs“) mit zwiebelartiger Topologie und einfachem Polaritätsdesign (siehe Bild) wurden als Transporter und kompartimentierte Systeme maßgeschneidert. Zu den Anwendungen zählen der Transport wasserlöslicher Farbstoffe und funktionalisierter Graphen ‐ Nanoplättchen aus der wässrigen Phase und die Dispergierung in unpolaren Fluiden einschließlich Kunststoffschmelzen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molekulare Bastelstunde: Stapeln, Schneiden und Falten ist ein geeigneter Weg für die Herstellung robuster Nanokomposite aus großflächigen Graphenfilmen und Polymeren. Die Methode öffnet neue Wege zu starken, langlebigen und multifunktionellen Nanomaterialien mit faszinierenden Eigenschaften. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which was aimed to describe an organic-inorganic nanocomposite catalyst that converts fructose selectively into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a flow reactor, while eliminating separation issues and the need for environmentally unfriendly solvents. The study was able to obtain the highest reported HMF yields to date in a monophasic, readily separable solvent, avoiding the undesirable use of salts.

The doublet at high binding energy 170-165.5 eV is from the sulfonate anions. The doping levels (DL) of DBSA- and Cl- are determined by the integral area ratio of counter-ion and thiophene signals (r2>0.995) (b) Dopant compositions and average . Des weiteren muss in dem Satz "The normalized spectra show that benzoid absorbances at 1434 and 1512 cm SP -1 sp increase with increasing Te/Fe ratios (Figure 4 c), which indicated a decrease in benzoid/quinoid ratio", der Ausdruck "a decrease" durch "an increase" ersetzt werden (Seite 8172, linke Spalte, sechste Zeile von unten). [Extracted from the article]

Rücktitelbild: Bioinspired Unidirectional Silk Fibroin-Silver Compound Nanowire Composite Scaffold via Interface-Mediated In Situ Synthesis (Angew. Die Seidenfibroinmatrix Yu, C. He, Y. Lu et al. berichten in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 14290 ff., dass die Seidenfibroinmatrix wie auch die Grenzfläche geordneter Kanäle wichtige Rollen bei Keimbildung und Wachstum von Ag SB 3 sb PO SB 4 sb -Nanodrähten spielen. [Extracted from the article]

Ein künstlicher Chloroplast wurde durch Molekülaggregation erhalten und zur In‐vitro‐Photophosphorylierung eingesetzt. In ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 806 lassen sich J. Li et al. von der Kompartimentierung natürlicher Chloroplasten leiten, wenn sie hierarchische SiO2‐Nanoschwämme, Photosäurebildner und Liposom‐ATP‐Synthase zu einem organisch‐anorganischen Hybridnanokomposit für die kontrollierte Photophosphorylierung kombinieren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wie Ameisen zum Zucker, …… so zieht es Gold ‐ Nanostäbe (AuNRs) zu Thiol ‐ terminierten Poly(3 ‐ hexylthiophen) ‐ Nanofasern (P3HT) hin. J. Peng, Z. Lin et al. stellen in der Zuschrift auf S. 8828 ff. eine einfache “Bottom ‐ up" ‐ Strategie zum Aufbau hierarchischer P3HT/AuNR ‐ Nanokomposite aus P3HT ‐ SH ‐ Nanobändern und an deren Oberfläche angeordneten AuNRs vor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diagram is presented related to catalysis of microenvironments for metals catalyzed hydrogenation of biologically derived platform chemicals.