DJL

The phase transition from H₂Ti₃O₇ to TiO₂ (B) in a 1D single nanocrystal of H₂Ti₃O₇ was observed by in situ heating in a transmission electron microscope experimentally. The results indicate a typical monoclinic-to-monoclinic crystallographic orientation relationship between the two phases. Moreover, the fundamental building blocks and invariant deformation element model were both adopted to reveal the atomic mechanism and predict the crystallographic orientation relationship quantitatively for the phase transition. The prediction was precisely consistent with TEM results.

Some like it hot: The predictable phase transition from H₂Ti₃O₇ to TiO₂ (B) in a 1D single-crystal nanofiber has been investigated by in situ heating during TEM (see figure). The results show a typical monoclinic-to-monoclinic relationship between the two phases, and the prediction of the crystallographic orientation relationship is precisely consistent with the TEM observations.

A drug-delivery system that targets cancer-associated extracellular cathepsin B is described by B. Turk, O. Vasiljeva, et al. in their Communication on page 10077 ff. The developed system is based on a lipidated cathepsin B-specific inhibitor incorporated into the envelope of the liposomal nanocarrier, which could be used for selective targeting of tumor and stroma cells in the microenvironment of the tumor, while sparing the healthy normal cells.

A facile strategy to prepare MoS₂–MoO₃ hybrid nanomaterials is developed, based on the heat-assisted partial oxidation of lithium-exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets in air followed by thermal-annealing-driven crystallization. The obtained MoS₂–MoO₃ hybrid nanomaterial exhibits p-type conductivity. As a proof-of-concept application, an n-type SiC/p-type MoS₂–MoO₃ heterojunction is used as the active layer for light-emitting diodes. The origins of the electroluminescence from the device are theoretically investigated. This facile synthesis and application of hybrid nanomaterials opens up avenues to develop new advanced materials for various functional applications, such as in electrics, optoelectronics, clean energy, and information storage.

LED’s glow: MoS₂–MoO₃ hybrid nanomaterials are prepared by the heat-assisted partial oxidation of MoS₂ nanosheets in air (1) followed by a thermal-annealing-driven crystallization (2). The obtained hybrid nanomaterial exhibits p-type conductivity and is employed in a heterojunction of n-type SiC/p-type MoS₂–MoO₃ for light-emitting diodes (3), from which multi-wavelength electroluminescent emission is detected.

All-polymer solar cells with 4.8% power conversion efficiency are achieved via solution processing from a co-solvent. The observed short-circuit current density of 10.5 mA cm⁻² and external quantum efficiency of 61.3% are also the best reported in all-polymer solar cells so far. The results demonstrate that processing the active layer from a co-solvent is an important strategy in achieving highly efficient all-polymer solar cells.

In a spare hour, I spare hour? What spare hour? I admire the ability of my research group to take my ideas and make them work.