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Conducting polymers can be dynamically switched between being optically metallic (negative real permittivity) and dielectric (positive real permittivity) by varying their redox state. This has enabled nanoantennas with plasmonic resonances that can be reversibly turned on/off, opening for applications in dynamic metaoptics, reflective displays, and smart windows. However, previous reports on conducting polymer plasmonics were limited to p-type polymers. Here, we show that a highly conducting n-type polymer, called poly(benzodifurandione) (PBFDO), can also provide optically metallic properties and be used to make dynamic optical nanoantennas. The doped version of the polymer becomes metallic at wavelengths above around 700 nm, leading to plasmonic extinction peaks for nanodisks made from the material. These peaks can be reversibly switched off and on electrically or chemically by varying the doping level of the polymer. The study extends the field of dynamic polymer plasmonics to n-type materials and broadens the application areas of PBFDO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a type of inorganic–organic hybrid connected by organic ligands and discrete metal ions/metallic secondary building units (SBUs). Recently, more and more MOF examples based on infinite SBUs (ISBUs) including one-dimensional (1D) rods, two-dimensional (2D) sheets, and even three-dimensional (3D) nets have emerged and exhibited unique physical and chemical properties (e.g., excellent stability, strong light absorption, and fast charge carrier mobility). Hence, rapidly increasing endeavors have been devoted to the structure design, synthesis methodology, property exploration and performance evaluation of novel ISBU MOFs. In this timely review, we will first summarize the established synthesis methods and resolved crystallographic structures of various types of ISBU MOFs. At the same time, the distinct physical and chemical properties resulting from corresponding ISBUs deserve to be highlighted and compared with traditional MOFs consisting of discrete metal ions/SBUs. Moreover, recent progress of those ISBU MOFs achieved in fields of gas adsorption and separation, energy conversion, photocatalysis, etc. is also introduced. We hope it is constructive and attractive for further advancement achieved in this new but intriguing research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric hydrogenation based on heterogeneous metal nanoparticles (NPs) has attracted extensive attention for the production of chiral chemicals due to its high conversion efficiency, simple product separation, and convenient catalyst regeneration. Nevertheless, its further practical application is still impeded by the leaching of expensive chiral ligands and by the associated extra purification costs that are caused by the weak absorption of the chiral ligands on the metal NPs. In contrast, chiral metal–organic frameworks (CMOFs) have been proposed to serve as metal NP supports and chirality inducers via biomimicry of the configuration of privileged natural cinchona alkaloids on the single-chiral-site level. Among the presented engineered isoreticular valine (Val)-, serine (Ser)-, and threonine (Thr)-derived CMOFs, the Thr-MOF-supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit impressive enantioselectivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate (EP) in addition to inherently robust catalytic recyclability without the need to add either fresh chiral ligands or Pt NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrile or cyano-based compounds have aroused interest in high performance battery electrolyte fields due to their unique characteristics such as a high dielectric constant, high anodic oxidization potential and favorable interaction with lithium ions. Particularly, owing to the presence of a unique plastic-crystalline phase, succinonitrile/salt-based solid electrolytes possess an ultra high ionic conductivity of more than 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. Herein, recent progress in nitrile-based polymer electrolytes has been reviewed in terms of their potential application in flexible, solid-state or high voltage lithium batteries. Factors affecting the ionic conductivity of nitrile-based electrolytes have also been summarized. We hope that fresh and established researchers can obtain a clear perspective of nitrile based polymer electrolytes and our mini review can spur more extensive interest for the exploration of high performance batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diarylethene derivative with histamines as side chains was synthesized and the morphology of self-assembled supramolecular architecture can be tuned from nanofiber to nanosphere by photo irradiation. The theoretical calculation and model of the self-assembled nanostructure are presented to illuminate the possible self-assembly mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A helical nanostructure can be obtained by self-assembly of a diarylethene derivative that bears two malononitrile substitutes in a tetrahydrofuran/water medium. It is revealed that the helical nanostructure changed from helical nanofiber to helical nanotube when the diarylethene monomer changed from the open-ring isomer to the closed-ring isomer upon irradiation with 365 nm ultraviolet light, meanwhile, the helix angle of the nanostructure changed from 50° ± 5° to 75° ± 5°. There is a great possibility that the helical nanofibers and helical nanotubes are assembled from dimers as base units based on theoretical calculation and experimental results.