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The rational design of Ti–O-based nanocomposites is of great importance for achieving efficient solar energy conversion and storage. Herein, novel one-dimensional (1D) K2Ti6O13/TiO2 core–shell nanobelt composites were fabricated by a controlled hydrothermal method using 1D K2Ti6O13 nanobelts as precursors. The K2Ti6O13 derived TiO2 shells with a thickness of 5 nm were in situ grown on the K2Ti6O13 NBs with closely connected interfaces, which resulted in remarkably enhanced photoactivities for pollutant degradation, hydrogen production and CO2 reduction. Interestingly, the porous carbon paper supported K2Ti6O13/TiO2 nanocomposites could be used for efficient water purification via synergistic adsorption and photothermal catalysis. Moreover, such a 1D conformal core–shell nanobelt photoanode also showed higher photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance than pure K2Ti6O13, and impressively the significantly accelerated and stable H2 production was achieved due to the thermodynamically favorable glycerol oxidation reaction. Importantly, the high value-added formate was produced along with cathodic H2 generation, revealing a sustainable way for concurrent solar hydrogen generation and green biomass upgrading. It was demonstrated that the enhanced photoactivities of K2Ti6O13/TiO2 nanocomposites could be mainly attributed to their higher light absorption, increased surface reactive sites and especially the promoted charge separation over the S-scheme heterojunction. This work paves a new avenue to rationally design versatile and high-performance Ti–O-based nanostructure photocatalysts for environmental remediation and solar fuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing vector PFM (piezoresponse force microscopy) on high-density nanodot arrays, ferroelectric nanodots and domain structure in nanodot arrays were investigated in the current study. Accordingly, we identified four types of topological domain states based on the measurements of spontaneous polarization vectors vs writing results in nanodots. In addition to convergent and divergent domains with upward and downward polarization, double-center domains and triple-center domains were also identified. In addition, center domains could be reversibly switched under the electric field produced by the biased PFM tip, and their stability could be maintained by compensating the polarization charge with the accumulated charge. These stable topological domain states in discrete nanodots present an opportunity to further investigate their new properties in high-density memory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoimprintinghas been well explored to create nanostructures and to induce molecularorientation in conjugated polymer thin films. We demonstrate herethat large area poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanopillar arrays canbe fabricated by a simple, cost-effective nanoimprinting method ina solvent-swollen plasticized state at room temperature. In addition,the solvent-assistant room-temperature nanoimprinting induces face-onchain alignment in the P3HT nanopillars; i.e., the π–πstacking of P3HT is aligned normal to the substrate, favorable fororganic photovoltaic cell applications. The face-on chain alignmentsolely depends on the diameters of nanopores defined in the nanoimprintingmold, rather than on the initial chain orientation in unprocessedthin films. Furthermore, a critical dimension of ca. 85 nm in diameteris found to be essentially needed to induce the face-on chain alignmentwithin the nanopillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]