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Bead-based assays have drawn more and more attention in biomedical fields. Herein, we proposed a novel approach to achieve multiplex analysis on a single porous hydrogel bead (PHB) with Raman dyes (RDs) encoded core–shell surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags. Because of the amplified signal of RDs by core–shell metal structure of the nanotag and the high surface area to volume ratio (SVR) of the PHB, the sensitivity and linear dynamic range (LDR) of the as-proposed multiplex analysis method are significantly improved. We anticipate this approach to be widely used in the multiplex assays and biosensors.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays show great promise in developing anisotropic thermal conductive composites for efficiently dissipating heat from high-power devices along thickness direction. However, CNT arrays are always grown on some substrates and liable to be deformed and broken into pieces during transfer and solution treatment. In the present study, we intentionally synthesized well-crystallized and large-diameter (∼80 nm) multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) arrays by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) method. Such arrays provided high packing density and robust structure from collapse and crack formation during post solution treatment and therefore favored to maintain original thermal and electrical conductive paths. Under optimized condition, the CNT arrays can be transferred into flexible composite films. Furthermore, the composite film also exhibited excellent thermal conductivity at 8.2 W/(m·K) along thickness direction. Such robust, flexible, and highly thermal conductive composite film may enable some prospective applications in advanced thermal management.

MnO2has been widely studied as the pseudo-capactive electrode material of high-performance supercapacitors for its large operating voltage, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, it suffers from low conductivity and being hardly handle as the electrodes of supercapacitors especially with flexibility, which largely limit its electrochemical performance and application. Herein, we report a novel ternary composite paper composed of reduced graphene sheet (GR)-patched carbon nanotube (CNT)/MnO2, which has controllable structures and prominent electrochemical properties for a flexible electrode of the supercapacitor. The composite paper was prepared by electrochemical deposition of MnO2on a flexible CNT paper and further adsorption of GR on its surface to enhance the surface conductivity of the electrode and prohibit MnO2nanospheres from detaching with the electrode. The presence of GR was found remarkably effective in enhancing the initial electrochemical capacitance of the composite paper from 280 F/g to 486.6 F/g. Furthermore, it ensures the stability of the capacitance after a long period of charge/discharge cycles. A flexible CNT/polyaniline/CNT/MnO2/GR asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled with this composite paper as an electrode and aqueous electrolyte gel as the separator. Its operating voltage reached 1.6 V, with an energy density at 24.8 Wh/kg. Such a composite structure derived from a multiscale assembly can offer not only a robust scaffold loading MnO2nanospheres but also a conductive network for efficient ionic and electronic transport; thus, it is potentially promising as a novel electrode architecture for high-performance flexible energy storage devices.