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Hybrid pigments were obtained by combining zinc oxide with the anionic dye Congo red (CR), a breakthrough with significant environmental implications. By adjusting the ratio of solid mass to dye concentration, it is possible to obtain pigments with pink hues from a white solid (ZnO) through its adsorption of CR. The process involved using ZnO, prepared at 800 °C using cassava starch suspension as a suitable fuel. The oxide was characterized using XRD, SEM, and BET, and the results showed that the textural properties are typical of nanoparticles, with a size of 50.5 nm, a pore size of 3.48 nm, and a surface area of 3.03 nm, making it suitable for molecular dye removal. Controlling the adsorbent mass (in grams) and dye concentration (in mg L−1) makes it possible to consistently produce hybrid pigments in various shades of pink that exhibit good thermal resistance. When dispersed in white waterborne paint, they are chemically stable in different solvents, have excellent painted surface coverage, and resist photochemical degradation. The results demonstrate technical feasibility and compatibility with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 6, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17, offering a promising solution for a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid organic-inorganic metal halides (HOMHs) have attracted tremendous interest in the past decades due to their diverse functional properties, such as ferroelectricity and luminescence. However, although a large number of ferroelectric HOMHs and luminescent HOMHs have been reported, the HOMH ferroelectrics with white-light emission remain very sparse. Here, for the first time, by using the Z/E isomeric organic cation, we designed a cadmium-based HOMH ferroelectric [EE-PMU]CdCl4 (EE-PMU = pyridin-2-ylmethanamide muconate) with broadband white-light emission. In contrast to the [ZZ-PMU]CdCl4 with centrosymmetric crystal structure at room temperature, [EE-PMU]CdCl4 adopts the polar crystal symmetry, which shows piezoelectricity with a piezoelectric coefficient of d33 up to 19 pC/N and ferroelectricity with the saturated polarization of 1.52 µC/cm2. Moreover, [EE-PMU]CdCl4 exhibits a broadband white-light emission with an ultra-high color rendering index of 91 under UV excitation, which is related to the severely distorted [CdCl4]2− tetrahedron in the structure. To our knowledge, [EE-PMU]CdCl4 is the first example of Z/E isomeric cation-designed HOMH ferroelectric and the first cadmium halide white-light emissive ferroelectric. This finding paves a new way for the design of organic-inorganic molecular ferroelectrics with white-light emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid pigments were obtained by combining zinc oxide with the anionic dye Congo red (CR), a breakthrough with significant environmental implications. By adjusting the ratio of solid mass to dye concentration, it is possible to obtain pigments with pink hues from a white solid (ZnO) through its adsorption of CR. The process involved using ZnO, prepared at 800 °C using cassava starch suspension as a suitable fuel. The oxide was characterized using XRD, SEM, and BET, and the results showed that the textural properties are typical of nanoparticles, with a size of 50.5 nm, a pore size of 3.48 nm, and a surface area of 3.03 nm, making it suitable for molecular dye removal. Controlling the adsorbent mass (in grams) and dye concentration (in mg L−1) makes it possible to consistently produce hybrid pigments in various shades of pink that exhibit good thermal resistance. When dispersed in white waterborne paint, they are chemically stable in different solvents, have excellent painted surface coverage, and resist photochemical degradation. The results demonstrate technical feasibility and compatibility with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 6, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17, offering a promising solution for a more sustainable future.

Chiral organic–inorganic hybrid lead halides have recently attracted great attention due to their unique chirality and diverse functional properties. However, they suffer from highly toxic lead, while lead‐free chiral hybrid metal halides especially those with phase transitions remain sparse. Here, we report a new lead‐free chiral metal halide crystal [R‐3‐fluoropiperidinium]2SbCl5 ([R‐3‐FPP]2SbCl5), which crystalizes in chiral P212121 space group at 293 K and consists of chiral [3‐FPP]+ cations and one‐dimensional [SbCl5]n2− zigzag chains of corner‐sharing SbCl6 octahedrons. Notably, [R‐3‐FPP]2SbCl5 undergoes an above room temperature phase transition at 313 K, which can be attributed to the order‐disorder transition of both the organic [R‐3‐FPP]+ cation and inorganic [SbCl5]2− anions. In addition, [R‐3‐FPP]2SbCl5 also shows a broad band gap of 3.21 eV. This work promotes the exploration of chiral lead‐free hybrid lead halides with phase transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sol–gel process is a green method used in the last few decades to synthesize new organic–inorganic phosphorus-containing hybrid materials. The sol–gel synthesis is a green method because it takes place in mild conditions, mostly by using water or alcohol as solvents, at room temperature. Therefore, the sol–gel method is, among others, a promising route for obtaining metal-phosphonate networks. In addition to phosphorus, the obtained hybrid materials could also contain titanium, zirconium, boron, and other elements, which influence their properties. The sol–gel process has two steps: first, the sol formation, and second, the transition to the gel phase. In other words, the sol–gel process converts the precursors into a colloidal solution (sol), followed by obtaining a network (gel). By using the sol–gel method, different organic moieties could be introduced into an inorganic matrix, resulting in organic–inorganic hybrid structures (sometimes they are also referred as organic–inorganic copolymers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface chemistry of MXenes is of great interest as the terminations can define the intrinsic properties of this family of materials. The diverse and tunable terminations also distinguish MXenes from many other 2D materials. Conventional fluoride‐containing reagents etching approaches resulted in MXenes with mixed fluoro‐, oxo‐, and hydroxyl surface groups. The relatively strong chemical bonding of MXenes' surface metal atoms with oxygen and fluorine makes post‐synthetic covalent surface modifications of such MXenes unfavorable. In this minireview, we focus on the recent advances in MXenes with uniform surface terminations. Unconventional methods, including Lewis acidic molten salt etching (LAMS) and bottom‐up direct synthesis, have been proven successful in producing halide‐terminated MXenes. These synthetic strategies have opened new possibilities for MXenes because weaker surface chemical bonds in halide‐terminated MXenes facilitate post‐synthetic covalent surface modifications. Both computational and experimental results on surface termination‐dependent properties are summarized and discussed. Finally, we offer our perspective on the opportunities and challenges in this exciting research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discoveries and technological innovations over the past decade are transforming our understanding of the properties of ceramics, such as ‘hard’, ‘brittle’, and ‘homogeneous’. For example, inorganic crystals containing molecular anions exhibit excellent secondary battery characteristics, and the fusion of inorganic solids and molecules results in innovative catalytic functions and physical properties. Different from the conventional ceramics such as metal oxides that are formed by monatomic cations and anions, unique properties and functions can be expected in molecular-incorporated inorganic solids, due to the asymmetric and dynamic properties brought about by the constituent molecular units. We name the molecular-incorporated inorganic materials that produce innovative properties and functions as supra-ceramics. In this article, we describe various kinds of supra-ceramics from the viewpoint of synthesis, analysis and physical properties/functions for a wide range of applications.

This article reports a novel lead‐free phase‐transition material (C8H10ClN)2SnCl6 (1), which undergoes a high‐temperature phase change at close to 377 K. The multi temperature powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) also confirmed the phase transition occurred in compound 1. Significantly, compound 1 produces light emission at 452 nm. Variable temperature fluorescence studies indicate that the spectral emission maximum of compound 1 remains substantially fixed at 452 nm with increasing temperatures, implying the presence of a certain degree of photoluminescence stability in compound 1. Furthermore, compound 1 is characterized by exceptional semiconductor attributes, possessing a band gap of 3.76 eV. This pioneering study presents an innovative option for optimizing the growth and practical implementation of Sn (IV)‐based organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite phase‐transition materials, and offers a strategic avenue to create novel lead‐free, eco‐friendly materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to improve the expectancy and quality of life of subjects affected by disabling pathologies that require the replacement or regeneration of tissues or parts of the body has fueled the development of innovative, better-performing materials that are capable of integrating into and being tolerated by body tissues. Materials with these characteristics, i.e., bio-functionality, bio-safety, and biocompatibility, are defined as biomaterials. One of the many methods for producing such materials is the sol–gel technique. This process is mainly used for the preparation of ceramic oxides at low temperatures, through hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions of organometallic compounds within a hydroalcoholic solution. This study is based on a specific type of biomaterial: organic–inorganic hybrids. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the sol–gel technique, as well as describe the preparation and chemical and biological characterization, uses, and future prospects of these biomaterials. In particular, the use of plant drugs as organic components of the hybrid material is the innovation of this manuscript. The biological properties of plant extracts are numerous, and for this reason, they deserve great attention from the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sol–gel process is a green method used in the last few decades to synthesize new organic–inorganic phosphorus-containing hybrid materials. The sol–gel synthesis is a green method because it takes place in mild conditions, mostly by using water or alcohol as solvents, at room temperature. Therefore, the sol–gel method is, among others, a promising route for obtaining metal-phosphonate networks. In addition to phosphorus, the obtained hybrid materials could also contain titanium, zirconium, boron, and other elements, which influence their properties. The sol–gel process has two steps: first, the sol formation, and second, the transition to the gel phase. In other words, the sol–gel process converts the precursors into a colloidal solution (sol), followed by obtaining a network (gel). By using the sol–gel method, different organic moieties could be introduced into an inorganic matrix, resulting in organic–inorganic hybrid structures (sometimes they are also referred as organic–inorganic copolymers).

Four organic-polyoxometalate hybrids BR4[SiW12O40] (BR–SiW), BR3[PMo12O40] (BR–PMo), BR4K[EuSiW11O40]·2H2O (BR–EuSiW) and BR6Na3[EuW10O36] (BR–EuW) were fabricated by the polyoxometalates (POMs) anions and berberine cations (BR) noted for the alkaloids in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. These hybrids have been characterized and confirmed. The interaction between hybrids and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated in a buffer solution (pH 7.4) using ultraviolet–visible light absorption and fluorescence techniques. The classical Stern–Volmer equation was used to analyze the fluorescence quenching at three temperatures (296, 303 and 310 K), and the static quenching mechanism for interaction was proposed. The Thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy, entropy change, and Gibbs free energy of hybrids interacting on HSA were calculated by Scatchard equation. The results indicated that therewas one binding site on the protein and BR–POMs all showed stronger binding force than that of raw materials. Synchronous fluorescence results showed that the binding sites of BR–POMs and HSA were not effectively affected the surrounding microenvironment. The following antibacterial experiments implied that inhibitory effect of hybrids were synergistic effect from organic active ingredient and POMs but the simple combination. All these data were prepared for further research on biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrids offer great promise as solution-processable thermoelectric materials. However, they have struggled to surpass the performance of their rigid inorganic counterparts due, in part, to a lack of synthetic control and limited understanding of how inorganic nanostructure dimensions impact overall charge transport. While it has been hypothesized that length, diameter, and aspect ratio (AR) all impact electronic transport in hybrid nanowires, the field lacks clarity on the relative role of each. In this study, the experimental parameter of ligand molecular weight (MW) is investigated as a synthetic knob for modulating nanowire dimensions, as well as the deconvolution of nanowire length versus diameter impacts on electron transport. By increasing ligand MW, larger nanowire AR dispersions occur and an optimal power factor of ≈130 μWm−1 K−2 is achieved for a modest AR of 73. Power factors of this magnitude are thought to only be achievable in ultrahigh AR systems; representing a 183% increase in performance over literature reports with similar AR. Additionally, nanowire diameter is demonstrated to be a far more sensitive parameter for enhancing performance than modulating length. This study provides improved fundamental insight into rational synthetic design avenues for future enhancements in the performance of hybrid materials.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are still the most used energy generation devices for aerospace applications. Although multijunction solar cells represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, spacecraft companies are still using Si-based PV cells to decrease the cost of satellites at the expense of efficiency and energy generation losses. One of the limitations on solar energy conversion is the mismatch between the solar spectrum and the absorption of the PV technology in use. Thus, strategies to overcome this have been proposed, namely the use of luminescent downshifting layers (DSLs) which are very promising to shape the incident sunlight. In this sense, downshifting materials with absorption in the UV/blue spectral region have been privileged considering the solar spectrum in space environments (AM0 solar spectrum), in which the UV component is larger than that on Earth surface (AM1.5 solar spectrum). Here, we propose the use of Eu3+-doped di-ureasil organic-inorganic hybrid materials as DSLs to be used on large area Si-based PV cells (∼0.1 m2) for space applications. Electrical measurements on the PV cell, done before and after the deposition of the DSLs, confirm the positive effect of the coatings on the device performance, with a relative increase on the generated electrical power of ∼2.6 %. Here, we report, for the first time, a DSL specifically designed for space applications and with the largest active area reported so far.

Naturally occurring fossil fuels are the major resource of energy in our everyday life, but with the huge technological development over the years and subsequent energy demand, the reserve of this energy resource is depleting at an alarming rate, which will challenge our net energy resources in the near future. Thus, an alternative sustainable energy resource involving biomass and bio-refinery has become the most emerging and demanding approach, where biofuels can be derived effectively from abundant biomass via valuable chemical intermediates like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). 5-HMF is a valuable platform chemical for the synthesis of fuel and fine chemicals. Herein, we report the synthesis of the organically functionalized porous aluminum phosphonate materials: Ph-ALPO-1 in the absence of any template and Ph-ALPO-2 by using 1,3-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid as a small organic molecule template and phenylphosphonic acid as a phosphate source. These hybrid phosphonates are used as acid catalysts for the synthesis of 5-HMF from carbohydrates derived from biomass resources. These Ph-ALPO-1 and Ph-ALPO-2 materials catalyzed the dehydration of fructose to 5-HMF with total yields of 74.6% and 90.7%, respectively, in the presence of microwave-assisted optimized reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe a simple strategy to detect food-poisoning bacteria using the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of organic–inorganic nanostructures composed of electrically conductive polyaniline-coated copper nanoparticles. Antibody-introduced nanostructures specifically bind to cells via antigens and function as nanometer-sized labels. Attempting the quantification of Staphylococcus aureus using nanostructure labels, we found that the absorbance of the free label in the supernatant decreased as the number of bacterial cells increased, indicating that the labeled cells were obtained as precipitates. Furthermore, the peak current (Ip) based on the number of labels bound to cells on the electrode increased with the number of bacterial cells. Thus, the introduction of antibodies into nanostructures has made it possible to electrochemically and spectroscopically quantify the causative bacteria of food poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of chirality and phase‐transition materials has broad application prospects. Therefore, based on the quasi‐spherical theory and the thought strategy of introducing chirality, we have successfully synthesized a pair of chiral enantiomeric ligands (R/S)‐triethyl‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)ammonium iodide, which can be combined with a tin hexachloride anion to obtain a pair of new organic–inorganic hybrid enantiomeric high‐temperature plastic phase‐transition materials: (R/S)‐[CH3CH(OH)CH2N(CH2CH3)3]2SnCl6 (1‐R/1‐S), which have a high temperature phase transition of Tc=384 K, crystallize in the P21 chiral space group at room temperature, and have obvious CD signals. In addition, compounds 1‐R and 1‐S have a good low‐loss dielectric switch and broadband gap. This work is conducive to the research into chiral high‐temperature reversible plastic phase‐transition materials, and promotes the development of multi‐functional phase‐transition materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we discuss the latest research trends related to poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐based solid‐state polymer electrolytes for application in lithium‐ion batteries. First, the characteristics of PEO‐based polymer electrolytes, highlighted as the next‐generation electrolytes for batteries, are briefly introduced. Next, based on the findings reported in the recent literature, strategies to address their inherent challenges, such as low‐ionic conductivity at room temperature, concentration polarization, and poor mechanical properties, are covered. Finally, their remaining challenges and future prospects are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SEM-EDX method was used to investigate the structure and morphology of organic–inorganic hybrids containing zirconium, boron and phosphorus compounds, synthesized by the sol–gel method. We started by using, for the first time together, zirconyl chloride hexa-hydrate (ZrOCl2·6H2O), phenyl phosphinic acid and triethyl borate as precursors and reagents, at different molar ratios. The obtained hybrids showed a very high thermal stability and are not soluble in water or in organic solvents. As a consequence, such hybrid solid materials are suitable for applications at high temperatures. The obtained hybrids have complex 3D structures and form organic–inorganic networks containing Zr-O-Zr, Zr-O-P and Zr-O-B bridges. Such organic–inorganic networks are also expected to form supramolecular structures and to have many potential applications in different fields of great interest such as catalysis, medicine, agriculture, energy storage, fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical devices and supramolecular chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral three‐dimensional hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (3D HOIPs) would show unique chiroptoelectronic performance due to the combination of chirality and 3D structure. However, the synthesis of 3D chiral HOIPs remains a significant challenge. Herein, we constructed a pair of unprecedented 3D chiral halide perovskitoids (R/S‐BPEA)EA6Pb4Cl15 (1‐R/S) (R/S‐BPEA=(R/S)‐1‐4‐Bromophenylethylammonium, EA=ethylammonium), in which the large chiral cations can be contained in the big "hollow" inorganic frameworks induced by mixing cations. Notably, 3D 1‐R/S shows natural chiroptical activity, as evidenced by its significant mirror circular dichroism spectra and the ability to distinguish circularly polarized light. Moreover, based on the unique 3D structure, 1‐S presents sensitive X‐ray detection performance with a low detection limit of 398 nGyair s−1, which is 14 times lower than the regular medical diagnosis of 5.5 μGyair s−1. In this work, 3D chiral halide perovskitoids provide a new route to develop chiral material in spintronics and optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) is an essential trace element in the human body and it exists in connective tissue as aqueous orthosilicic acid. Porous chitosan–3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) hybrids can regenerate nerve tissue and recover sensor and motor functions. However, the structures and roles of the degradation products with Si extracted from the hybrids in nerve regeneration are not clear. In this study, we prepared porous chitosan–GPTMS hybrids with different amounts of GPTMS to amino groups of chitosan (chitosan:GPTMS = 1:0.5 and 1:1 molar ratios). The structures of the degradation products with Si from the hybrids were examined using time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and biological assessments were conducted in order to evaluate their potential use in the preparation of devices for nerve repair. Glial and motor cell lines and ex vivo explants of dorsal root ganglia were used in this study for evaluating their behavior in the presence of the different degradation products with Si. The structure of the degradation products with Si depended on the starting composition. The results showed that glial cell proliferation was lower in the medium with the higher-molecular-weight degradation products with Si. Moreover, motor cell line differentiation and the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion explants were improved with the lower-molecular-weight degradation products with Si. The results obtained could be useful for designing a new nerve regeneration scaffold including silicon components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal (TM)-modification of silica matrices are found in numerous materials for diverse applications. In other related hybrid materials, one tries to explore properties that result from combining the silica network with organic moieties, such as in the covalent grafting of polysaccharides onto amorphous nanosilicas. However, sol–gel routes for modification with TM have been less explored for hybrid siliceous materials. The present study demonstrates the effective modification of hybrid siliceous materials with TM (TM = Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+) that result from a sol–gel method that uses as a precursor the polysaccharide κ-carrageenan that was modified with a covalently alkoxysilane linked. Structural analysis and characterization studies of the derived carrageenan-silica hybrids were undertaken, and, in particular, the effects of the TM ions on the hybrids' properties have been assessed. This work clearly indicates that the modification with TM imposes changes on the morphological, optical, and thermal properties of the hybrids compared to the unmodified analogs. Hence, the practical applicability of the modification with TM using the sol–gel described here is not limited to the presence of the guest ion but also provides a tool for changing the properties of the host particles. Highlights: Transition metal (TM) doped carrageenan-silica hybrids were prepared using a sol–gel method. The synthetic strategy reported does not require surfactants as templates. Hybrid particles of greater monodispersity and well-defined spheroidal shape have been obtained. TM doping changes the morphological, optical, and thermal properties of the hybrids compared to the non-doped analogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two isostructural organic-inorganic hybrid ruthenium-containing polyoxometalates (POMs), NaH5[(P2M18O62)]·(Ru(dmso)4Cl2)4·nH2O (M = W, n = 12 (1); M = Mo, n = 10 (2)), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analyses, and elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that they are co-crystals and that the two polyoxoanions are structurally similar aside from the identity of the metal ions present. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of the POMs was investigated in aqueous solution to establish the redox properties associated with having W versus Mo in the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clearcoats provide long-term aesthetics and protection for underlying coating systems, increasing product lifetimes. However, organic clearcoats are predominantly produced using fossil-fuel feedstocks. In search of a sustainable alternative, an experimental investigation was conducted on the development of glass-like clearcoats produced using the sol-gel process. The processing of sol-gel clearcoats over a pigmented polyurethane coating was studied by modifying the sol-gel solution pH, ageing, curing, precursor chemistry and deposition techniques. Under optimal formulation and processing conditions, defect-free sol-gel clearcoats were produced that have the potential to be scaled up to a coil-coating line using existing technologies. Mechanical testing demonstrated the coatings had excellent adhesion, hardness, and flexibility. Furthermore, accelerated laboratory weathering tests revealed the sol-gel coatings had superior degradation resistance compared to the organic coatings tested, resulting in negligible colour changes and higher gloss retention after 4000 h of exposure. The durability and environmental benefits of sol-gel clearcoats highlight their potential as a replacement for traditional organic clearcoats in a variety of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the characterization of two series of organic-inorganic silica-based hybrid materials with 15 and 20 wt% of quercetin (Q), respectively, and 6, 12, 24 and 50 wt% of polyethylene glycol (P) (for each of them). After the sol-gel synthesis they have been characterized using different techniques (Fourier-Transform Infrared and Micro-Raman spectroscopies, Thermogravimetry, Differential Thermal Analysis). Two tests were also carried out to evaluate their biomedical properties to estimate their antibacterial activity and their cytotoxicity. FT-IR measurements revealed the interaction between the components of the hybrid materials, while Micro-Raman spectra confirmed the presence of quercetin in an oxidized form. Simultaneous Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis coupled with Mass Spectrometry enabled to investigate the thermal behavior of the hybrids (up to 800 °C) and to analyze the gas mixtures evolved upon heating in severe inert argon atmosphere. Antibacterial tests showed that an increase of PEG contents results in a decrease of the bacterial growth. Finally, cytotoxicity assessment highlighted that entrapping quercetin in hybrids at high PEG content leads to the constitution of materials that enjoy PEG biocompatibility, while cytotoxic effects are depleted. [Display omitted] • Quercetin is present in the hybrids in the oxidized form as confirmed by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies. • Water is released from the SPQ hybrids at higher temperatures in comparison with SP and SQ ones. • Interaction between PEG and quercetin caused bactericidal effect against E. coli and S. aureus. • A reduction of the inhibiting activity of the SPQ hybrids is observed. • A decrease in cell viability is found in the hybrids with increasing the amount of PEG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in bone tissue regeneration can have unpredictable results due to the low survival of cells in the process since the lack of oxygen and nutrients promotes metabolic stress. Therefore, in this work, polymeric membranes formed by organic–inorganic hybrid materials called ureasil-polyether for modified glucose release were developed in order to overcome the problems posed by a of lack of this nutrient. Thus, membranes formed by polymeric blend of polypropylene oxide (PPO4000) and polyethylene oxide (PEO500) with 6% glucose incorporation were developed. Physical–chemical characterization techniques were performed, as well as tests that evaluated thermal properties, bioactivity, swelling, and release in SBF solution. The results of the swelling test showed an increase in membrane mass correlated with an increase in the concentration of ureasil-PEO500 in the polymeric blends. The membranes showed adequate resistance when subjected to the application of a high compression force (15 N). X-ray diffraction (XRD) evidenced peaks corresponding to orthorhombic crystalline organization, but the absence of glucose-related peaks showed characteristics of the amorphous regions of hybrid materials, likely due to solubilization. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that the thermal events attributed to glucose and hybrid materials were similar to that seen in the literature, however when glucose was incorporated into the PEO500, an increase in rigidity occurs. In PPO400, and in the blends of both materials, there was a slight decrease in Tg values. The smaller contact angle for the ureasil-PEO500 membrane revealed the more hydrophilic character of the material compared to other membranes. The membranes showed bioactivity and hemocompatibility in vitro. The in vitro release test revealed that it is possible to control the release rate of glucose and the kinetic analysis revealed a release mechanism characteristic of anomalous transport kinetics. Thus, we can conclude that ureasil-polyether membranes have great potential to be used as a glucose release system, and their future application has the potential to optimize the bone regeneration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One dimensional (1D) organic‐inorganic halide hybrid perovskites have the advantages of excellent organic cation modifiability and diversity of inorganic framework structures, which cannot be ignored in the development of multi‐functional phase‐transition materials in photoelectric and photovoltaic devices. Here, we have successfully modified and synthesized an organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite photoelectric multifunctional phase‐transition material: [C7H13ONCH2F]⋅PbBr3 (1). The synergistic effect of the order double disorder transition of organic cations and the change of the degree of distortion of the inorganic framework leads to its high temperature reversible phase‐transition point of Tc=374 K/346 K and its ultra‐low loss high‐quality dielectric switch response. Through in‐depth research and calculation, compound 1 also has excellent semiconductor characteristics with a band gap of 3.06 eV and the photoluminescence characteristics of self‐trapped exciton (STE) broadband emission. Undoubtedly, this modification strategy provides a new choice for the research field of organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite reversible phase‐transition photoelectric multifunctional materials with rich coupling properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic tin (Sn)‐based halide perovskites have attracted special attention due to their outstanding photophysical properties and eco‐friendly nature. However, the instability of Sn‐based perovskites is still a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Here, a new lead‐free hybrid Sn(IV) bromide hybrid (4‐APEA)2SnBr6 (4‐APEA: 2‐(4‐aminophenyl)ethylammonium) is synthesized with remarkable stability. This compound has strong electron–phonon coupling, resulting in excitons self‐trapping and broadband yellow emission with a photoluminescence peak at 566 nm. The bare (4‐APEA)2SnBr6 shows impressive emission stability in the air; maintains 90% of photoluminescence quantum yield under ultraviolet light irradiation over 2000 h (T90 > 2000 h), representing the most stable halide hybrids. The excellent stability is profit from the stable valence state and few defect state densities. The findings show the promising prospect of environment‐friendly organic–inorganic halide perovskites and their usage in optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Room temperature self-assembly of low-toxicity Tin(IV)–(Pyridin-1-ium-4-yl)methanaminium hybrids has been achieved. • BVS values of 3.97 for (C 6 H 10 N 2) 2 SnCl 6 2Cl and 3.93 for (C 6 H 10 N 2) 2 SnBr 6 2Br confirm the quadrivalent oxidation state of tin. • The effective coordination numbers indicate that both compounds display nearly perfect octahedral geometry. • The energy gap is 2.93 eV for the bromo hybrid and 4.21 eV for the chloro hybrid. • Intermolecular interactions were analyzed using 3D Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D fingerprint plots. Single crystals of the newly synthesized organic-inorganic hybrid salts, namely bis((pyridin-1-ium-4-yl)methanaminium) hexachlorostannate(IV) dichloride (1) and bis((pyridin-1-ium-4-yl)methanaminium) hexabromostannate(IV) dibromide (2), were successfully grown and subsequently subjected to detailed characterization using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The experimental XRD patterns exhibit sharp and high-intensity peaks, attesting to the high crystallinity and structural integrity of the synthesized compounds. The band gaps of the hybrid materials can be effectively tuned by altering the halide ion, as evidenced by the different band gaps of 4.21 eV for compound (1) and 2.93 eV for compound (2). Photoluminescence investigations reveal that both compounds emit fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature. Additionally, bond valence sum calculations have verified that tin possesses a formal oxidation state of +4. Examination of intermolecular interactions and crystal packing through Hirshfeld surface analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel organoammonium-Cd(II) hybrid material synthesized and characterized. • Crystal structure elucidated via X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld analysis. • Crystal morphology predicted using Bravais-Friedel-Donnay-Harker (BFDH) model. • Optical, electronic properties explored experimentally and theoretically. • Chemical reactivity assessed with conceptual-DFT calculations. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of an organoammonium-cadmium(II) hybrid material, (BPH₂)₂[Cd₂Cl₈] (BP = 1-butylpiperazine), using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows a centrosymmetric crystal structure in the P 1 ¯ space group, featuring a zero-dimensional (0D) arrangement where binuclear [Cd₂Cl₈]⁴⁻ anions and (C₈H₂₀N₂⁺) cations are linked by N—H···Cl and C—H···Cl hydrogen bonds. Hirshfeld surface analysis further elucidates these intermolecular noncovalent interactions, highlighting the dominant role of H···Cl contacts in the molecular packing. The crystal morphology is further investigated via the Bravais-Friedel-Donnay-Harker (BFDH) model. Infrared (IR) spectroscopic analysis was conducted to identify vibrational modes, confirm structure, and elucidate bonding features. Additionally, Experimental UV–visible study indicates an optical band gap energy of 4.75 eV, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborate these findings, predicting a direct band gap of 4.45 eV. Moreover, theoretical calculations, including the complex dielectric function, band structure, and total density of states (DOS), were performed to explore the electrical and optical properties. Finally, the chemical reactivity was evaluated using conceptual-DFT descriptors at the B3LYP/SDD/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic-inorganic hybrids highlight the advantages of the presence of organic compounds, due to their stability, flexibility, and adaptability, as well as the structural features of inorganic materials. This review delves into the interaction between conducting polymers (CPs) and metal oxides (MOs), showcasing their combined advantages in various sectors such as sensors, capacitors, catalysts, and fuel cells. This paper explores the synthesis methods of prominent CPs including Polypyrrole (PPy), Polyaniline (PANI), Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and Polyindole (PIn), along with a spectrum of MOs like zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), titanium dioxide (TiO 2), manganese dioxide (MnO 2), iron oxides (Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4), and nickel oxide (NiO). Diverse preparation techniques such as chemical oxidative, emulsion, and interfacial polymerization for CPs have been reported. Hydrothermal, co-precipitation, and sol-gel methods have been studied to synthesize MOs. Advanced characterization techniques such as Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) have been reported to study the structural and morphological aspects of CP-MO hybrids. These hybrids exhibit potential applications in sensors, biosensors, antimicrobial activity, energy storage devices, and photocatalysis. This review provides a comprehensive overview, which aims to explore the prospects and innovations in the area of organic-inorganic hybrids. [Display omitted] • Chemical polymerization method is well discussed to synthesize conducting polymers. • Co-precipitation synthesis of metal oxides exhibited good yields. • In situ polymerization method of organic-inorganic hybrids is reviewed. • p-n heterojunction between organic-inorganic hybrids enhanced the sensing ability. • Diverse applications of organic-inorganic hybrids are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-dimensional luminescent lead-free metal halides have received substantial attention due to their unique optoelectronic properties. Among them, zero-dimensional (0D) manganese (II)-based metal halides with negligible self-absorption have emerged as potential candidates in X-ray scintillators. Herein, we for the first time report a novel lead-free (TBA)2MnBr4 single crystal synthesized via a facile solvent evaporation method. In this crystal, [MnBr4]2− units are isolated by large TBA+ organic cations, resulting in a unique 0D structure. The prepared manganese-based crystals exhibit a bright-green emission centered at 512 ​nm with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 93.76% at room temperature, originating from the 4T1–6A1 transition of Mn2+. Apart from their outstanding optical performance, the crystals also show excellent stability and can maintain 94.4% of the initial PLQY even after being stored in air for 90 days. Flexible (TBA)2MnBr4 films prepared as X-ray imaging scintillators exhibit a low detection limit of 63.3 nGyair/s, a high light yield of 68000 ​ph/MeV, and a high spatial resolution of 15.4 ​lp/mm. Thus, this work not only enriches the family of lead-free metal halides but also expands the application of manganese (II)-based halides in flexible X-ray scintillators.

This paper reports an easy route to immobilize the antiseptic drug miramistin (MR) molecules between the sheets of molybdenum disulfide, known for excellent photothermal properties. Two hybrid layered compounds (LCs) with regularly alternating monolayers of MR and MoS2, differing in thickness of organic layer are prepared and studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), density functional theory (DFT) calculations and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) topological analysis. The obtained structural models elucidate the noncovalent interaction network of MR molecules confined in the two-dimensional spacing surrounded by sulfide sheets. It emerged that the characteristic folded geometry of MR molecule previously evidenced for pure miramistin is preserved in the hybrid structures. Quantification of the energetics of bonding interactions unveils that the most important contribution to structure stabilization of both compounds is provided by the weak but numerous CH...S bonding contacts. They are accompanied by the intra- and inter-molecular interactions within the MR layers, with dominating bonding effect of intermolecular hydrophobic interaction. The results obtained in the models provide a comprehensive understanding of the driving forces controlling the assembly of MR and MoS2 and may lead towards the development of novel promising MoS2-based photothermal therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are one of the natural pigments that humanity has employed the most and can substitute synthetic food dyes, which are considered toxic. They are responsible for most purple, blue, and red pigment nuances in tubers, fruits, and flowers. However, they have some limitations in light, pH, oxygen, and temperature conditions. Combining biomolecules and inorganic materials such as clay minerals can help to reverse these limitations. The present work aims to produce materials obtained using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in bentonite clay for incorporation and photostabilization of anthocyanin dye. Characterizations showed that the organic molecules were intercalated between the clay mineral layers, and the dye was successfully incorporated at a different pH. Visible light-driven photostability tests were performed with 200 h of irradiation, confirming that the organic–inorganic matrices were efficient enough to stabilize the quinoidal base form of anthocyanin. The pigment prepared at pH 10 was three-fold more stable than pH 4, showing that the increase in the synthesis pH promotes more stable colors, probably due to the stronger intermolecular interaction obtained under these conditions. Therefore, organobentonite hybrids allow to stabilize the fragile color coming from the quinoidal base form of anthocyanin dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenol, a pollutant frequently found in chemical industries effluents, is highly toxic even in low concentrations. This study reports a green, simple, and rapid method for qualitative phenol biosensing using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) hybrid nanoflowers made with copper (Cu2+-hNF) or calcium (Ca2+-hNF) ions. The enzyme was immobilized through protein-inorganic self-assembly into hybrid structures and subsequently supported onto a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XRD techniques sustained the effective enzyme encapsulation into hybrid structures. The protein concentration in the structures was 0.25 mg.mL−1 for both ions. The best temperature and pH were 60 °C and 7.4, respectively, for both hybrids and the free enzyme, suggesting that the immobilization did not affect the optimal conditions of the free HRP. Thermal stability from 25 to 70 °C and pH stability from 4.0 to 9.0 of the hybrids were also determined. Finally, using copper and calcium hybrids, both biosensors produced onto a PVDF membrane could detect phenol in concentrations ranging from 0.72 to 24.00 µmol.mL−1 in 1 min. In contrast, control biosensors produced with free enzyme have not presented a visible color change in the same conditions. The findings suggest a promising application of the developed biosensors in functional phenol detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular metal oxides or polyoxometalates (POMs) offer unrivaled properties in areas ranging from catalysis and energy conversion through to molecular electronics, biomimetics, and theranostics. While POMs are ubiquitous metal oxide model systems studied in most areas of chemistry and materials science, their technological deployment is often hampered by their molecular nature, as this leads to increased degradation, leaching, and loss of reactivity, particularly when harsh applications, such as water electrolysis, thermal catalysis or highly basic/acidic reaction solutions are targeted. Therefore, immobilization of POMs on heterogeneous substrates has recently become a central theme in POM research. While early studies focused mainly on metal oxide and semiconductor supports, more recently, POM integration in soft matter matrices including polymers, conductive polymers, hydrogels, and stimuli‐responsive matrices leads to breakthroughs in multifunctional composite design. This Review summarizes pioneering experimental and theoretical progress in this emerging field over the last decade, highlighting current challenges that need to be overcome to allow a more widespread technological deployment and providing the authors' view of some of the most promising future directions of the research field. In addition, the current understanding of correlations between structure (on the molecular, nano‐ and microscale) and reactivity in POM polymer composites is summarized, so that rational materials design can be further developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind erosion (or aeolian corrosion) is one of the most relevant causes of weathering and degradation which has affected building surfaces in Cultural Heritage. The effect depends on the wind strength, the impact of particles transported and their size and the characteristics of surfaces affected. This aspect is very important for historical buildings constructed by using limestone as Lecce stone (LS). LS has an extraordinary ability to be shaped, but is very sensitive to decay. Exfoliation, wind erosion, absorption of water by capillary from the soil, are its main degradation causes. For such a reason, the application of effective products able to act as “sacrifice film” became necessary in order to minimise the degradation rate by preserving the limestone substrate against serious weathering agents. In this work, the effects of aeolian corrosion, simulated by means the accelerated test with sandblasting method, were studied. In particular, the effectiveness of two specific commercial coatings, such as an innovative free-solvent hybrid organic-inorganic coating (HYBRID) and a solvent-based coating (AS), was assessed relating to their capability to preserve Lecce stone from the aeolian corrosion phenomenon. The protective efficacy was guaranteed by both the commercial coatings even after accelerated wind erosion test, by confirming a high hydrophobicity, low capillary water absorption and an adequate depth of penetration inside the stone able to assure durability.

The SEM-EDX method was used to investigate the structure and morphology of organic–inorganic hybrids containing zirconium, boron and phosphorus compounds, synthesized by the sol–gel method. We started by using, for the first time together, zirconyl chloride hexa-hydrate (ZrOCl2·6H2O), phenyl phosphinic acid and triethyl borate as precursors and reagents, at different molar ratios. The obtained hybrids showed a very high thermal stability and are not soluble in water or in organic solvents. As a consequence, such hybrid solid materials are suitable for applications at high temperatures. The obtained hybrids have complex 3D structures and form organic–inorganic networks containing Zr-O-Zr, Zr-O-P and Zr-O-B bridges. Such organic–inorganic networks are also expected to form supramolecular structures and to have many potential applications in different fields of great interest such as catalysis, medicine, agriculture, energy storage, fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical devices and supramolecular chemistry.

Fe3O4@SiO2 functionalized sulfonic acid (FSSA) was prepared by a facile method in three steps and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, TGA, UV-Vis, and VSM techniques. The XRD pattern shows the characteristic peaks of the cubic structure of Fe3O4. The presence of sulfonic acid groups was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. FSSA shows reasonable magnetic parameters with good saturation magnetization (Ms = 22.61 memu/g). FSSA was used as a catalyst for the preparation of chromeno[4,3-d]pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin derivatives via the condensation of 4-hydroxycoumarin, aldehydes, and 2-aminopyridines under reflux in EtOH (50%) as well as US irradiation. The effect of solvent, temperature, and catalyst dosages on the product formation under reaction conditions was investigated. The effect of various Lewis and Bronsted acid catalysts was compared with FSSA and among different catalysts screened, FSSA was found to have the best efficiency. Next, FSSA was used for the effective and high yielding preparation of 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthene derivatives, N-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)(aryl)methyl)acetamide derivatives, 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazole derivatives, and 2-amino-5-oxo-4-aryl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile derivatives. Simple procedure, good yields, and short reaction times, as well as catalyst recovery, are the key advantages of this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron (II) tris(2,2′-bipyridine) complexes, [Fe(bpy)3]2+, have been synthesized and immobilized in organosulfonate-functionalized nanostructured silica thin films taking advantage of the stabilization of [Fe(H2O)6]2+ species by hydrogen bonds to the anionic sulfonate moieties grafted to the silica nanopores. In a first step, thiol-based silica films have been electrochemically generated on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates by co-condensation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Secondly, the thiol function has been modified to sulfonate by chemical oxidation using hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium as an oxidizing agent. The immobilization of [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complexes has been performed in situ in two consecutive steps: (i) impregnation of the sulfonate functionalized silica films in an aqueous solution of iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate; (ii) dipping of the iron-containing mesostructures in a solution of bipyridine ligands in acetonitrile. The in situ formation of the [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complex is evidenced by its characteristic optical absorption spectrum, and elemental composition analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The measured optical and electrochemical properties of immobilized [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complexes are not altered by confinement in the nanostructured silica thin film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two new substituted benzyl pyridinium salts tetrachloromanganates(II) were synthesized and characterized. • The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps and UV-vis spectra explain the charge transfer interactions in the molecules. • The excellent nonlinear optical properties of two hybrids were studied on the basis of DFT calculations. • Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out to visualise the intermolecular interactions. • Two hybrids exhibit green luminescence performance and antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. In this paper, two new organic-inorganic hybrids, 2-chlorobenzylpyridinium tetrachloromanganate(II) [2ClBzPy] 2 [MnCl 4 ](1) and 4-chlorobenzylpyridinium tetrachloromanganate(II) [4ClBzPy] 2 [MnCl 4 ](2) were synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses showed that both quaternary ammonium salts produced belonged to the monoclinic crystal system and crystallized in the C 2/ c and P 2 1 space groups, respectively. Hirshfeld surface analysis, d norm , and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were investigated to validate the contributions of the different intermolecular contacts within the supramolecular structures. The emission wavelengths were 516 nm (1) and 515 nm (2), showing excellent green luminescence performance. The geometric structure is theoretically simulated through DFT calculation, and the theoretical values are then compared with the experimental results. The intermolecular energies, the energy gaps between the HOMO and LUMO orbitals, and the first hyperpolarizabilities were obtained on the basis of DFT calculations. The first hyperpolarizabilities (β tot) of two quaternary ammonium salts are 578.01 × 10−30 and 18.31 × 10−30, which are 843.8 and 26.7 times higher than the reference crystal KDP, respectively. This demonstrated that quaternary ammonium salts 1 and 2 had good nonlinear optical properties and were excellent materials for NLO applications. In addition, the results of bacteriostatic experiments showed that both complexes had good bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Solution-processable low-cost BA based afterglow materials were constructed without thermal treatment. • Hydrogen bond and crystallized matrix were responsible for the strong phosphorescence. • Color-tunable afterglow including white-light was achieved by TS-FRET. • Quick-writable phosphorescence inks for multifunctional applications were facilely prepared. The development of large-scale manufacture for low-cost afterglow materials is critical for their applications and industrializations. Herein, we presented the organic–inorganic afterglow materials with multiple colors based on boric acid (BA) and aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their diesters. These hybrid materials were facilely prepared by a solution-processable method via evaporating the solvent of the BA and organics solution at room temperature. The crystalized BA provided a rigid surrounding for the organics via hydrogen bonds, which effectively inhibited the non-radiative decay of triplet excitons and gave efficient and persistent room temperature afterglow with the phosphorescent quantum yield up to 57.66%. The phosphorescence properties were almost unchanged when deuterated BA was used instead of BA, indicating the deuteration of the hydrogen bond would not suppress the non-radiative decay from the excited state. Furthermore, a phosphorescence resonance energy transfer process was achieved by introducing 4-[4-(Dimethylamino)styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (DASPI) as the energy acceptor. These BA based system could be used as quick-writable phosphorescent inks for multifunctional applications, such as anti-counterfeiting, information storage, encryption, and even for phosphor layer of light emitting diode. These results not only strengthen the understanding of the luminescence mechanism of BA hybrid materials, but also provide a new access to organic–inorganic afterglow materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congratulations on "United Nations International Year of Glass 2022." I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the International Commission on Glass with the Community of Glass Associations and the Glass Art Society to promote the status of glass. I am very much pleased to contribute an article on the birth of the sol–gel method and its growth in early times for a Special Issue of Journal of Sol–Gel Science and Technology, which is published to celebrate the Year of Glass. At present, the sol–gel method is employed not only for manufacturing optical glass fibers for communication, but also for processing a wide range of functional, high technology materials, such as photonic, electronic, micromechanical, chemical, and bionic materials. The sol–gel method typically involves the following steps: (1) starting from a solution containing pure precursors, (2) conversion of the solution to a sol and then to a gel by hydrolysis and polycondensation, (3) forming into desired shapes such as bulk, film, and fiber during gelation of the sol, and (4) thermal treatment of the gel into a solid material at low temperatures. It should be noted, however, that there are many variants. For instance, the method of fabrication of a solid material by heating the shaped compact of gel powders prepared from a solution or sol is also called the "sol–gel method." In this case, "starting from a solution" is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]