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The metal-organic framework (MOF) HKUST-1 was employed as an interaction matrix for fundamental loading studies of anthraquinone dyes. Chosen dyes were alizarin (A), alizarin S (AS), disperse blue 1 (B1), disperse blue 3 (B3), disperse blue 56 (B56) and purpurin (P). All materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA and SEM. Hence the interaction of dyes with the framework was characterized by theoretical-experimental differential analysis. One-pot loading strategy resulted in more efficient scavenging of dyes, and reached 100 % for B56 using 50 mg L -1 . SEM revealed important microstructural changes, the smaller crystals ranged 0.8-3 μm in size and almost all composite sizes were from this to higher values, reaching 70 μm, with varying shapes. Two composites were larger in size range (about 2500-1000 μm), and were shaped as rods, octahedrons and coffin lids. Indeed, the microstructure could be modulated depending on preparation conditions and type of loaded dye. For the higher loading series, N 2 adsorption and XPS experiments were carried on to further evidence dye-MOF interactions. Ab initio prediction of structural properties for A@HKUST-1 and P@HKUST-1 were obtained by means of solid-state CRYSTAL14 code at the PBE0 level of theory. Computed findings evidenced two O→Cu coordinative bonds, one from O-ketone and the other from O-phenolate moiety as main interactions towards CuNET centers., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

While Cu electrodes are a versatile material in the electrochemical production of desired hydrocarbon fuels, Cu binary alloy electrodes are recently proposed to further tune reaction directionality and, more importantly, overcome the intrinsic limitation of scaling relations. Despite encouraging empirical demonstrations of various Cu-based metal alloy systems, the underlying principles of their outstanding performance are not fully addressed. In particular, possible phase segregation with concurrent composition changes, which is widely observed in the field of metallurgy, is not at all considered. Moreover, surface-exposed metals can easily form oxide species, which is another pivotal factor that determines overall catalytic properties. Here, the understanding of Cu binary alloy catalysts for CO 2 reduction and recent progress in this field are discussed. From the viewpoint of the thermodynamic stability of the alloy system and elemental mixing, possible microstructures and naturally generated surface oxide species are proposed. These basic principles of material science can help to predict and understand metal alloy structure and, moreover, act as an inspiration for the development of new binary alloy catalysts to further improve CO 2 conversion and, ultimately, achieve a carbon-neutral cycle., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

It is demonstrated that the crystal size of small-molecule organic semiconductors can be controlled during solution shearing by tuning the shape and dimensions of the micropillars on the blade. Increasing the size and spacing of the rectangular pillars increases the crystal size, resulting in higher thin-film mobility. This phenomenon is attributed as the microstructure changing the degree and density of the meniscus line curvature, thereby controlling the nucleation process. The use of allylhybridpolycarbosilane (AHPCS), an inorganic polymer, is also demonstrated as the microstructured blade for solution shearing, which has high resistance to organic solvents, can easily be microstructured via molding, and is flexible and durable. Finally, it is shown that solution shearing can be performed on a curved surface using a curved blade. These demonstrations bring solution shearing closer to industrial applications and expand its applicability to various printed flexible electronics., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A set of biocompatible, biodegradable, and biofunctionalizable diffractive optical elements (DOEs) using silk proteins as the building materials is reported. The diffraction pattern of a DOE is highly sensitive to the surrounding environment and the structural integrity, offering numerous opportunities for biosensing applications., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Repeated photolithographic and etching processes allow the production of multileveled polymer microstructures that can be used as templates to produce bacterial cellulose with defined surfaces on demand. By applying this approach, the bacterial cellulose surface obtains new properties and its use for culturing neural stem cells cellulose substrate topography influences the cell growth in a defined manner., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Patterned polypeptoid brushes on gold and oxide substrates are synthesized by surface-initiated polymerization of N-substituted glycine N-carboxyanhydrides. Their biofouling resistance is shown by protein and cell adhesion experiments. The accessibility of the system to common patterning protocols is demonstrated by UV-lithography and a μCP approach. Moreover, the terminal secondary amine group of the polypeptoid brushes is functionalized with different fluorescent dyes to demonstrate their chemical accessibility., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)