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Janus structures have unique properties due to their distinct functionalities on opposing faces, but have yet to be realized with flowing liquids. We demonstrate such Janus liquids with a customizable distribution of nanoparticles (NPs) throughout their structures by joining two aqueous streams of NP dispersions in an apolar liquid. Using this anisotropic integration platform, different magnetic, conductive, or non-responsive NPs can be spatially confined to opposite sides of the original interface using magnetic graphene oxide (mGO)/GO, Ti3C2Tx/GO, or GO suspensions. The resultant Janus liquids can be used as templates for versatile, responsive, and mechanically robust aerogels suitable for piezoresistive sensing, human motion monitoring, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding with a tuned absorption mechanism. The EMI shields outperform their current counterparts in terms of wave absorption, i.e., SET ≈ 51 dB, SER ≈ 0.4 dB, and A = 0.91, due to their high porosity ranging from micro- to macro-scales along with non-interfering magnetic and conductive networks imparted by the Janus architecture.

Modern materials science has witnessed the era of advanced fabrication methods to engineer functionality from the nano- to macroscales. Versatile fabrication and additive manufacturing methods are developed, but the ability to design a material for a given application is still limited. Here, a novel strategy that enables target-oriented manufacturing of ultra-lightweight aerogels with on-demand characteristics is introduced. The process relies on controllable liquid templating through interfacial complexation to generate tunable, stimuli-responsive 3D-structured (multiphase) filamentous liquid templates. The methodology involves nanoscale chemistry and microscale assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) at liquid-liquid interfaces to produce hierarchical macroscopic aerogels featuring multiscale porosity, ultralow density (3.05-3.41 mg cm-3 ), and high compressibility (90%) combined with elastic resilience and instant shape recovery. The challenges are overcome facing ultra-lightweight aerogels, including poor mechanical integrity and the inability to form predefined 3D constructs with on-demand functionality, for a multitude of applications. The controllable nature of the coined methodology enables tunable electromagnetic interference shielding with high specific shielding effectiveness (39 893 dB cm2 g-1 ), and one of the highest-ever reported oil-absorption capacities (487 times the initial weight of aerogel for chloroform), to be obtained. These properties originate from the engineerable nature of liquid templating, pushing the boundaries of lightweight materials to systematic function design and applications.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a class of porous materials with facile uptake and release of water, turning them into excellent substrates for real-world atmospheric water harvesting applications. The performance of different MOF systems was experimentally characterized at the bulk level by assessing the total amount of water taken up and the release kinetics, leaving the question behind of what the upper limit of the pristine materials actually is. Moreover, recent devices rely on fluidized bed reactors that exploit the harvesting capacities of MOFs at the single-crystal (SC) level. In this publication, we present a novel methodology based on Raman spectroscopy, for acquiring water adsorption isotherms and kinetic curves with a sub-micrometer resolution that provides valuable insights into the material behavior probing the pristine MOF at the SC level. We investigated isolated MOF-801 particles in situ and could dissect contributions of intra- and inter-particle effects on the water harvesting performance of MOF-801 via adsorption-desorption isotherms and kinetic curves. Using spontaneous Raman spectroscopy, we found an almost 20-fold faster uptake for the undisturbed crystalline material. Correlative imaging based on four-wave mixing and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering further localized the uptaken water inside MOF-801 and identified inter-particle condensation as the main source for the discrepancies between the performance at the bulk and SC level. Our studies determined an upper limit of around 91.9 L/kgMOF/day for MOF-801.

Reticular chemistry is a growing field of science with a multitude of practitioners with diverse frames of thinking, making the need for standard practices and quality indicators ever more compelling.

Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are gaining significant interest in biomedical research, owing to their high porosity, crystallinity, and structural and compositional diversity. Their versatile hybrid organic/inorganic chemistry endows MOFs with the capacity to retain organic (drug) molecules, metals, and gases, to effectively channel electrons and photons, to survive harsh physiological conditions such as low pH, and even to protect sensitive biomolecules. Extensive preclinical research has been carried out with MOFs to treat several pathologies and, recently, their integration with other biomedical materials such as stents and implants has demonstrated promising performance in regenerative medicine. However, there remains a significant gap between MOF preclinical research and translation into clinically and societally relevant medicinal products. Here, the intrinsic features of MOFs are outlined and their suitability to specific biomedical applications such as detoxification, drug and gas delivery, or as (combination) therapy platforms is discussed. Furthermore, relevant examples of how MOFs have been engineered and evaluated in different medical indications, including cancer, microbial, and inflammatory diseases is described. Finally, the challenges facing their translation into the clinic are critically examined, with the goal of establishing promising research directions and more realistic approaches that can bridge the translational gap of MOFs and MOF‐containing (nano)materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary selection in nature has led to hierarchical structuring as a fundamental optimization strategy for biological structures, maximizing functional performance while minimizing resource usage. Precise hierarchical organization of natural materials over a wide range of length scales gives rise to unique synergistic properties that could not be achieved by single components. Despite the clear advantages offered by hierarchically structuring matter, mastering hierarchical control based on the current synthetic toolbox is still a challenge. In this review, some recent advancements in the fabrication of hierarchical metal organic framework (MOF) materials are highlighted and the advantages that arise due to different kinds of MOF hierarchy are critically analyzed. The special focus of the review lies in highlighting the applications where MOF hierarchical materials can be most impactful and describing characterization techniques currently at the disposal of scientists for the precise characterization of MOF hierarchical structures across all length scales. Finally, the intent is to inspire reticular chemists to master hierarchical control of MOF materials so as to fully utilize the advantages MOFs offer for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in the journal "Advanced Functional Materials" discusses the evolution and impact of reticular materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), in academic and industrial settings. It highlights the exponential growth in research interest and publications on reticular materials, with MOFs being the most explored subclass. The article also emphasizes the increasing industrial relevance of reticular materials, particularly in applications like sensing, water harvesting, gas storage, and separation. The text underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaborations and closer academia-industry partnerships to unlock the full technological potential of reticular materials to address societal challenges and generate societal benefits. [Extracted from the article]

Recent advances in ordered porous materials, including metal‐organic (MOF) and covalent organic frameworks (COF), are set to revolutionize the strategies used for wastewater treatment. This is attributed to the large surface area, high crystallinity, structural tunability, thermal and chemical stability, and well‐defined structures of MOF and COF. Despite the distinctive properties exhibited by the single system (either MOF or COF), the combination of COF and MOF, as a hybrid construct, offers a remarkable opportunity to achieve superior functionality and performance. The favorable features of COF–MOF hybrids in different wastewater treatment sectors have opened new venues for effective environmental remediation. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art design, synthesis, and application of COF–MOF hybrids. The synthesis principles, including MOF‐first, COF‐first, and post‐synthetic linkage of pre‐synthesized COFs and MOFs are summarized. The potential of these novel materials is evaluated by considering contaminant sensing, adsorptive removal, and catalytic photodegradation.The conclusion is drawn by assessing the existing hurdles and potential opportunities in the development of COF‐MOF hybrids as an innovative yet viable approach for addressing wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrialization and ever‐increasing global population culminate in continuous upsurge in freshwater crisis worldwide. The most reliable and promising solution to this crisis is utilizing sea‐water as the freshwater source, and desalination technologies pave the way for efficient production of freshwater from sea‐water. In this regard, membrane‐based desalination method comes forth owing to its' efficient separation, operational ease, and low‐energy consumption. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the most explored crystalline porous materials, show tremendous promise as membrane‐materials for desalination owing to their structural diversity, tunability, and porous voids which provide secondary water channels. Given significant advances are made in MOF‐materials for desalination in the past few years, it is crucial to systematically summarize the recent progress and development of this field. In this review, a brief overview of various saline water systems and prerequisites for desalination are first presented. Then, advanced fabrication strategies MOF‐membranes followed by the recent progress in MOF‐materials for various desalination processes such as reverse osmosis and forward osmosis are systematically summarized. Finally, the authors' perspectives on the unsolved scientific and technical challenges and opportunities for MOF‐integrated membranes toward real‐world implementation are proposed. With further systematic development, MOF‐materials promise to provide an ideal platform for next‐generation desalination technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of electromagnetic (EM) radiation have received increased attention, closely associated with the widespread use of electronics and wireless communication. A significant development in the area is the recent adoption of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) to effectively enable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. MOF tunable molecular scaffold architecture offers numerous pathways to generate customizable magnetic and electrical properties, which are prerequisite materials characteristics for efficient EMI shielding performance. Their flexibility in terms of structural design, accompanied by high porosity and large specific surface area, makes MOFs excellent candidates to shield EM waves at multiple scales. Herein, the crucial role of molecular‐, nano‐, micro‐, and macro‐scale structural design is reviewed in accordance with the shielding performance of MOFs. The current design strategies of MOF‐based EMI shields are systematically outlined, and the shielding mechanisms are also expounded based on their structural features. The factors that hinder the widespread utilization of functional MOF‐derived EMI shields are also examined. Future research directions are unveiled for the rational design of the next‐generation MOF‐based EMI shields to address the pressing EM radiation concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To help ensure a prosperous future on Earth for coming generations, academia and industry need to transform the way they plan and carry out the synthesis of novel materials to make them more environmentally sustainable. In particular, the field of reticular materials, i.e., metal‐organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks, has great potential to outperform other materials and revolutionize various fields of applications. This review highlights several key aspects from the choice of their starting materials, solvents and synthetic methodologies that fall under the umbrella of the Green Chemistry principles, and incorporates a Circular Economy perspective by providing relevant strategies such as reuse, regeneration, or recycling to maximize the value of the Earth's available resources. Moreover, it will shed light on the life cycle assessment results of selected reticular materials and consider how constraints imposed by Green Chemistry principles, life cycle assessment metrics, and circular patterns will shape the future rational sustainable design and discovery of reticular materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence and variation of chemical functionality and defects in crystalline materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have tremendous impact on their properties. Finding a means of identifying and characterizing this chemical diversity is an important ongoing challenge. This task is complicated by the characteristic problem of bulk measurements only giving a statistical average over an entire sample, leaving uncharacterized any diversity that might exist between crystallites or even within individual crystals. Here, we show that by using fluorescence imaging and lifetime analysis, both the spatial arrangement of functionalities and the level of defects within a multivariable MOF crystal can be determined for the bulk as well as for the individual constituent crystals. We apply these methods to UiO-67 to study the incorporation of functional groups and their consequences on the structural features. We believe that the potential of the techniques presented here in uncovering chemical diversity in what is generally assumed to be homogeneous systems can provide a new level of understanding of materials properties.

The growing world population and increasing life expectancy are driving the need to improve the quality of blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and preservation. Here, to improve the ability of red blood cells (RBCs) for normothermic machine perfusion, a biocompatible blood silicification approach termed "shielding-augmenting RBC-in-nanoscale amorphous silica (SARNAS)" has been developed. The key to RBC surface engineering and structure augmentation is the precise control of the hydrolysis form of silicic acid to realize stabilization of RBC within conformal nanoscale silica-based exoskeletons. The formed silicified RBCs (Si-RBCs) maintain membrane/structural integrity, normal cellular functions (e.g., metabolism, oxygen-carrying capability), and enhance resistance to external stressors as well as tunable mechanical properties, resulting in nearly 100% RBC cryoprotection. In vivo experiments confirm their excellent biocompatibility. By shielding RBC surface antigens, the Si-RBCs provide universal blood compatibility, the ability for allogeneic mechanical perfusion, and more importantly, the possibility for cross-species transfusion. Being simple, reliable, and easily scalable, the SARNAS strategy holds great promise to revolutionize the use of engineered blood for future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperuricemia, caused by an imbalance between the rates of production and excretion of uric acid (UA), may greatly increase the mortality rates in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Herein, for fast‐acting and long‐lasting hyperuricemia treatment, armored red blood cell (RBC) biohybrids, integrated RBCs with proximal, cascaded‐enzymes of urate oxidase (UOX) and catalase (CAT) encapsulated within ZIF‐8 framework‐based nanoparticles, have been fabricated based on a super‐assembly approach. Each component is crucial for hyperuricemia treatment: 1) RBCs significantly increase the circulation time of nanoparticles; 2) ZIF‐8 nanoparticles‐based superstructure greatly enhances RBCs resistance against external stressors while preserving native RBC properties (such as oxygen carrying capability); 3) the ZIF‐8 scaffold protects the encapsulated enzymes from enzymatic degradation; 4) no physical barrier exists for urate diffusion, and thus allow fast degradation of UA in blood and neutralizes the toxic by‐product H2O2. In vivo results demonstrate that the biohybrids can effectively normalize the UA level of an acute hyperuricemia mouse model within 2 h and possess a longer elimination half‐life (49.7 ± 4.9 h). They anticipate that their simple and general method that combines functional nanomaterials with living cell carriers will be a starting point for the development of innovative drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this special issue, we highlight recent advances in chemical research by scientists in Ukraine, as well as by their compatriots and collaborators outside the country. Besides spotlighting their contributions, we see our task in fostering global partnerships and multi‐, inter‐, and trans‐disciplinary collaborations, including much‐needed co‐funded projects and initiatives. The three decades of the renewed Ukraine independence have seen rather limited integration of Ukrainian (chemical) science into global research communities.[1] At the same time, the recent surge of collaborative science initiatives between European Union (EU) and Ukraine echoes the unfolding steps towards Ukraine's full research participation to the Horizon Europe Program. This recently implemented step opens enormous possibilities for Ukrainian researchers to apply for diverse EU research grants. Moreover, a number of journal special issues and collections were launched to highlight Ukrainian chemistry (i. e., by Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds[2] and ChemistrySelect[3]). Other scientific initiatives include 'European Chemistry School for Ukrainians'[4] and 'Kharkiv Chemical Seminar'[5] as voluntary projects aimed at engaging Ukrainian scientists into European and international chemical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dean Flow, a physics phenomenon that accounts for the impact of channel curvature on fluid dynamics, has great potential to be used in microfluidic synthesis of nanoparticles. This study explores the impact of the Dean Flow on the synthesis of ZIF‐8 particles. Several variables that influence the Dean Equation (the mathematical expression of Dean Flow) are tested to validate the applicability of this expression in microfluidic synthesis, including the flow rate, radius of curvature, channel cross sectional area, and reagent concentration. It is demonstrated that the current standard of reporting, providing only the flow rate and crucially not the radius of curvature, is an incomplete description that will invariably lead to irreproducible syntheses across different laboratories. An alternative standard of reporting is presented and it is demonstrated how the sleek and simple math of the Dean Equation can be used to precisely tune the final dimensions of high quality, monodisperse ZIF‐8 nanoparticles between 40 and 700 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]