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Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 9706

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
International Joint Laboratory of Biomimetic and Smart Polymers, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Interests: dendronized polymer; stimuli-responsive polymer; helical polymer; supramolecular chiral assembly; stimuli-responsive biomaterial
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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
Interests: natural polymer; polymer self-assembly; biomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Novel materials have formed the intriguing basis for various areas to have great impact on our society, ranging from electronic, to bio-related, to healthcare applications. These materials are not only supportive for innovation in fundamental research but also, more importantly, for creating new generation of electronic devices or actuators, for biomedical supports and drug supports, and used as intelligent materials. In recent years, China has witnessed a boom in materials research, from materials chemistry to material properties and material functions. This Special Issue is designed to gather scientific papers on materials chemistry in China, focusing on featured progress in biomaterials, hydrogels, supramolecular materials, electronic materials, and polymer composites. New chemical reactions or methodologies for materials chemistry, new concepts for fabricating materials with intriguing properties and functions, and morphology control in materials chemistry can be discussed. Studies on the relationship between molecular structures and material properties are welcome for submission. New concepts for materials chemistry are also highly welcome.

This Special Issue continuously focuses on the new frontiers of materials chemistry in China. It is devoted to reporting on either theoretical or experimental studies on synthesis, properties, characterization, and applications of various materials. We invite researchers to contribute original articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Afang Zhang
Prof. Dr. Bangjing Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • electronic materials
  • hydrogels
  • intelligent materials
  • polymer composites
  • supramolecular materials
  • energy materials

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2796 KiB  
Article
Crowding for Confinement: Reversible Isomerization of First-Generation Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adduct Derivatives in Water Modulated by Thermoresponsive Dendritic Macromolecules
by Jiaxing Zhang, Qinqin Ma, Huan Wang, Peinan Zhang, Xinyan Su, Afang Zhang and Wen Li
Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5055; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215055 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1103
Abstract
Mimicking nature, the reversible isomerization of hydrophobic dyes in aqueous solutions is appealing for bio-applications. Here, we report on the reversible isomerization of first-generation solvatochromic donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) in water within dendritic matrices, realized either through the dendronization of DASAs or the [...] Read more.
Mimicking nature, the reversible isomerization of hydrophobic dyes in aqueous solutions is appealing for bio-applications. Here, we report on the reversible isomerization of first-generation solvatochromic donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) in water within dendritic matrices, realized either through the dendronization of DASAs or the incorporation of DASA pendants into dendronized copolymers. These dendritic macromolecules contain three-fold dendritic oligoethylene glycols (OEGs), which afford the macromolecules water-solubility and unprecedented thermoresponsive behavior. The thermoresponsive behavior of both dendronized DASAs and dendronized copolymers is dominated by the peripherals of dendritic OEGs. However, the hydrophilicity of the acceptor from DASA moieties also play a role in mediating their thermal phase transitions, and more importantly, tailor the hydrophobic interactions between dendritic OEGs and DASA moieties. Intriguingly, dendritic topologies contribute confinement to encapsulate the DASA moieties through crowding effects, and cooperative interactions from the crowded dendritic OEGs modulate the DASA moieties with different isomerization in aqueous media. The thermally induced collapse of dendritic OEGs, accompanied by the aggregation of dendritic macromolecules, leads to the formation of hydrophobic domains, which exert enhanced crowding effects to efficiently encapsulate the DASA moieties. Compared to the low molar mass of dendronized DASAs, thermally collapsed dendronized copolymers can efficiently retard the hydration of DASA pendants through cooperation between neighboring dendritic OEGs and afford the DASA pendants with better confined microenvironments to mediate their isomerization recovery by up to 90% from a cyclic charged (hydrophilic) state into a noncharged (hydrophobic) linear state in water. This dendritic confinement exhibits excellent fatigue resistance after several cycles of alternating photo-irradiation and thermal annealing at elevated temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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14 pages, 7037 KiB  
Article
Janus MoSH/WSi2N4 van der Waals Heterostructure: Two-Dimensional Metal/Semiconductor Contact
by Yongdan Wang, Xiangjiu Zhu, Hengshuo Zhang, Shitong He, Ying Liu, Wenshi Zhao, Huilian Liu and Xin Qu
Molecules 2024, 29(15), 3554; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153554 - 28 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Constructing heterostructures from already synthesized two-dimensional materials is of significant importance. We performed a first-principles study to investigate the electronic properties and interfacial characteristics of Janus MoSH/WSi2N4 van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) contacts. We demonstrate that the p-type Schottky formed [...] Read more.
Constructing heterostructures from already synthesized two-dimensional materials is of significant importance. We performed a first-principles study to investigate the electronic properties and interfacial characteristics of Janus MoSH/WSi2N4 van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) contacts. We demonstrate that the p-type Schottky formed by MoSH/WSi2N4 and MoHS/WSi2N4 has extremely low Schottky barrier heights (SBHs). Due to its excellent charge injection efficiency, Janus MoSH may be regarded as an effective metal contact for WSi2N4 semiconductors. Furthermore, the interfacial characteristics and electronic structure of Janus MoSH/WSi2N4 vdWHs can not only reduce/eliminate SBH, but also forms the transition from p-ShC to n-ShC type and from Schottky contact (ShC) to Ohmic contact (OhC) through the layer spacing and electric field. Our results can offer a fresh method for optoelectronic applications based on metal/semiconductor Janus MoSH/WSi2N4 vdW heterostructures, which have strong potential in optoelectronic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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16 pages, 3681 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effect of Aluminum Nitride and Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Silicon Rubber Nanocomposites
by Jie Gao, Houhua Xiong, Xiaobing Han, Fei An and Tao Chen
Molecules 2024, 29(12), 2864; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29122864 - 16 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1176
Abstract
Constructing a synergistic effect with different structural fillers is an important strategy for improving the comprehensive properties of polymeric composites. To improve the comprehensive properties of two-component additive liquid silicon rubber (SR) materials used in electronics packaging, the synergistic effect of granular aluminum [...] Read more.
Constructing a synergistic effect with different structural fillers is an important strategy for improving the comprehensive properties of polymeric composites. To improve the comprehensive properties of two-component additive liquid silicon rubber (SR) materials used in electronics packaging, the synergistic effect of granular aluminum nitride (AlN) and tubular carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced SR nanocomposites was investigated. AlN/CNT/SR composites with different AlN/CNT ratios were fabricated with two-component additive liquid SR via the thermal curing technique, and the influence of AlN/CNT hybrid fillers on the hardness, strength, elongation at break, surface resistivity, thermal conductivity, and thermal decomposition was investigated in detail. With the incorporation of AlN/CNT hybrid fillers, the comprehensive properties of the obtained AlN/CNT/SR composites are better than those of the AlN/SR and CNT/SR composites. The synergistic thermal conductive mechanism of AlN/CNT hybrid fillers was proposed and demonstrated with the fractural surface morphology of the obtained composites. The obtained AlN/CNT/SR composites show promising applications in electronic packaging, where necessary mechanical strength, electrical insulating, thermal conductivity, and thermal stable materials are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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14 pages, 2830 KiB  
Article
Supramolecular Annihilator with DPA Parallelly Arranged by Multiple Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions for Enhanced Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion
by Qiuhui He, Lingling Wei, Cheng He, Cheng Yang and Wanhua Wu
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2203; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102203 - 8 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1511
Abstract
The triplet annihilator is a critical component for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC); both the photophysical properties of the annihilator and the intermolecular orientation have pivotal effects on the overall efficiency of TTA-UC. Herein, we synthesized two supramolecular annihilators A-1 and A-2 by grafting [...] Read more.
The triplet annihilator is a critical component for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC); both the photophysical properties of the annihilator and the intermolecular orientation have pivotal effects on the overall efficiency of TTA-UC. Herein, we synthesized two supramolecular annihilators A-1 and A-2 by grafting 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) fragments, which have been widely used as triplet annihilators for TTA-UC, on a macrocyclic host—pillar[5]arenes. In A-1, the orientation of the two DPA units was random, while, in A-2, the two DPA units were pushed to a parallel arrangement by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. The two compounds showed very similar photophysical properties and host–guest binding affinities toward electron-deficient guests, but showed totally different TTA-UC emissions. The UC quantum yield of A-2 could be optimized to 13.7% when an alkyl ammonia chain-attaching sensitizer S-2 was used, while, for A-1, only 5.1% was achieved. Destroying the hydrogen-bonding interactions by adding MeOH to A-2 significantly decreased the UC emissions, demonstrating that the parallel orientations of the two DPA units contributed greatly to the TTA-UC emissions. These results should be beneficial for annihilator designs and provide a new promising strategy for enhancing TTA-UC emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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13 pages, 5056 KiB  
Article
Study on the Selectivity of Molecular Imprinting Materials Determined through Hydrogen Bonding on Template Molecular Structures of Flavonoids
by Siyue Guan, Yue Wang, Ting Hu, Lingling Che, Xiaoqiao Wang, Yike Huang and Zhining Xia
Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061292 - 14 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1357
Abstract
Molecular imprinting technology is widely used for the specific identification of compounds, but the selective recognition mechanisms of the same compounds still need to be further studied. Based on differences in hydrogen bond size and orientation, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were designed to [...] Read more.
Molecular imprinting technology is widely used for the specific identification of compounds, but the selective recognition mechanisms of the same compounds still need to be further studied. Based on differences in hydrogen bond size and orientation, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were designed to adsorb flavonols with the same parent core and different hydroxyl groups. A surface-imprinted material was designed with silicon dioxide as the carrier, myricetin as the template molecule, and methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (BET) analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and other characterization experiments were carried out. The intrinsic mechanism of the MIPs was also explored. The MIPs showed good adsorption of myricetin and other flavonoids through hydrogen bonding and steric hindrance. The adsorption capacity was 3.12–9.04 mg/g, and the imprinting factor was 1.78–3.37. Flavonoids with different hydroxyl groups in different numbers and directions had different hydrogen bond strengths with functional monomers. R2, R4, and R1 on 2-phenylchromogenone had stronger electronegativity, and the hydroxyl group was also more likely to form and have stronger hydrogen bonds. The hydroxyl negativity and the degree of steric hindrance of flavonoids played a major role in the recognition of molecularly imprinted materials. This study is of great significance for the synthesis of and selection of templates for analogous molecular imprinting materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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Review

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27 pages, 5833 KiB  
Review
All-Visible-Light-Activated Diarylethene Photoswitches
by Ruiji Li, Tao Ou, Li Wen, Yehao Yan, Wei Li, Xulong Qin and Shouxin Wang
Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5202; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215202 - 3 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2615
Abstract
Photochromic compounds have attracted much attention for their potential applications in photo-actuators, optoelectronic devices and optical recording techniques. This interest is driven by their key photochemical and photophysical properties, which can be reversibly modulated by light irradiation. Among them, diarylethene compounds have garnered [...] Read more.
Photochromic compounds have attracted much attention for their potential applications in photo-actuators, optoelectronic devices and optical recording techniques. This interest is driven by their key photochemical and photophysical properties, which can be reversibly modulated by light irradiation. Among them, diarylethene compounds have garnered extensive investigation due to their excellent thermal stability of both open- and closed-form isomers, robust fatigue resistance, high photocyclization quantum yield and good photochromic performance in both solution and solid phases. However, a notable limitation in expanding the utility of diarylethene compounds is the necessity for ultraviolet light to induce their photochromism. This requirement poses challenges, as ultraviolet light can be detrimental to biological tissues, and its penetration is often restricted in various media. This review provides an overview of design strategies employed in the development of visible-light-responsive diarylethene compounds. These design strategies serve as a guideline for molecular design, with the potential to significantly broaden the applications of all-visible-light-activated diarylethene compounds in the realms of materials science and biomedical science. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Chemistry in China—Second Edition)
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