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Phase change fibers with abilities to store/release thermal energy and responsiveness to multiple stimuli are of high interest for wearable thermal management textiles. However, it is still a challenge to prepare phase change fibers with superior comprehensive properties, especially proper thermal conductivity. Here, we report a cooperative in situ impregnation strategy to introduce graphene oxide (GO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) together into the carbon nanotube (CNT) network during the expansion process and construct a 1D–2D multilevel skeleton, resulting in a CNT/GO/PEG composite phase change fiber. The presence of GO plays a more important role in increasing the interfacial contact and space volume, resulting in the characteristics of high loading (up to 96.8–98.4%), phase change enthalpy, and relatively lower thermal conductivity. Therefore, the CNT/GO/PEG phase change fiber demonstrates higher thermal efficiency during the exothermic process, showing good thermal management characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported a novel donor–acceptor complex with near-infrared emission of 735 nm. During the hierarchical self-assembly process, the supramolecular system twisted into a micro-helix with red emission, depending on both crystal thickness and used solvent, despite the nonpolar structure. It is revealed that the uniform alignment of cyano groups along the stacking columns and the solvent effect induces the twisting. This research provides an innovative approach for designing helical organic micro/nanostructures and near-infrared emission materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal has been intensively investigated as a promising anode for next generation rechargeable Li metal batteries (LMBs). However, the safety concern on Li anodes caused by uncontrolled Li dendrite growth in liquid electrolytes hinders their application. Herein, a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) based gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with an asymmetric structure has been designed and developed to effectively retard the growth of lithium dendrites. Atomistic simulations confirm the strong interactions between PF6− and dipoles in the polymer matrix, which can anchor PF6− in the GPE and slow down its mobility to prevent space charge formation. In addition, this unique asymmetric membrane with a channel upper layer greatly enhances the mobility of Li+ in the GPE due to its low tortuosity and high porosity. The synergistic effect of the ion-dipole interaction and asymmetric structure increases the Li+ transference number to 0.66 and ionic conductivity to 3.36 mS cm−1 (20 °C). Using this superior asymmetric GPE, Li‖Li symmetric cells show more stable cycle performance than those using a liquid electrolyte. Li‖LiFePO4 batteries with the asymmetric GPE also deliver an impressive electrochemical performance, i.e., coulombic efficiency of 99.5% at 2C after 600 cycles. In consequence, this novel asymmetric GPE possesses potential application in high energy LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly porous bimetallic nanowires manufactured viaa simple galvanic reaction have demonstrated superior activity in surface-enhanced Raman scattering, allowing ultrasensitive chemical detections on isolated porous nanowires in comparison to pristine silver nanowires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excited states of two star-shaped nanometre-sized ruthenium polypyridyl compounds were largely unchanged when anchored to nanocrystalline TiO2thin films due to a highly symmetrical and rigid ligand structure that isolated the chromophoric core from the semiconductor. Interfacial electron transfer occurred on unusually slow time scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrous all-carbon woven memory devices have been formed by using reduced acid graphene oxide as a switching material, and flexible carbon nanotube fibers as electrodes. The as prepared fibrous all-carbon woven memory devices exhibited an ultra-high ON/OFF current ratio of 10(9), a fast switching speed of 3 ms, and a long life time of at least 500 cycles that could pave the way for future e-textiles.

A robust molecule that resists degradation via nucleophilic, electrophilic and radical attacks is described. Coordinated O(2) is reduced catalytically, producing efficiently thyil radicals in spite of the extreme electronic deficiency of the catalyst.