In article number 1907013, Changshui Huang and co-workers directly prepare the methyl substituted graphdiyne nanothorn arrays (MGDY NTAs) on a variety of substrates by a one-step method, which shows superhydrophobic properties, and high durability. The MGDY NTAs can be applied in the fields of metal corrosion protection and oil–water separation.

In article number 2000584, Milan Mrksich, Horacio D. Espinosa, and co-workers report on a method for non-destructively sampling enzymes multiple times from small populations of cells, using localized electroporation in microfluidic live cell analysis devices. The enzymes are captured in extraction chambers, where they modify immobilized substrates on a self-assembled monolayer, and their activity is quantified using self-assembled monolayers for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SAMDI) mass spectrometry.

In article number 2001534, Liang Shen and co-workers demonstrate a sensitive and stable Sn-Pb perovskite photodetector, employing phenethylammonium iodide to complete defects passivation aiming the top and bottom of films. The double-sided surface passivation engineering can promote the grain growth, reduce the density of trap states and improve surface hydrophobicity. Finally, it realizes infrared up-conversion application for visualization.

In article number 2000203, Xiang Yang Liu and co-workers meso-reconstruct silkworm silk fibrous materials based on carbon nanotubes which give rise to conductive silk fibers, for the fabrication of silk flexible electronics. They have humidity dependent conductivity and can be developed into biocompatible electronic humidity sensors. The combination with cloud computation and big data leads to remote monitoring and diagnosis of respiration and other physiological conditions.

The strategy of suppressing Li dendrite growth and accommodating volume expansion is put forward from a new perspective of hierarchical structure designs of the Li anode from the interior (3D porous current collector and host matrix) to exterior (artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), protective layer, separator, and solid-state electrolyte). The Li dendrite growth mechanisms and suppression strategies are also concluded.

Surface engineering could influence the performance of inorganic perovskite nanomaterials and devices. Herein, common synthesis methods of perovskite nanomaterials and the working principles and effects of common ligands are reviewed, and the surface treatment methods used to improve the performance of perovskite quantum dot light emitting diodes are introduced .

Novel methyl-substituted graphdiyne nanothorn arrays (MGDY NTAs) are prepared on various substrates using a one-step method. These are similar to hedgehog thorns, whereas methyls are similar to the flowers on thorns, which have a protective role. In contrast, the MGDY NTA morphology is similar to grass, while porous substrates are similar to soil, which can be used for oil–water separation.

Ultra-thin body-centered-cubic phase molybdenum membranes with a low-symmetry rectangular (110) crystal face are synthesized via an adsorption free reaction. This work provides new insight for the preparation of well-defined two-dimensional transition metals with (110) faces and also is beneficial for the exploration and development of low-symmetry rectangular lattice structured materials with unique properties.

A microfluidic device for the nondestructive sampling of enzymes from cells and measuring their activity is presented. Cytoplasmic enzymes are extracted from small cell populations by localized electroporation. The enzymes modify a substrate immobilized on a self-assembled monolayer and their activity is quantified using mass spectrometry. Activity change in cell populations is monitored by repeating the process at multiple timepoints.

The double-sided surface passivation engineering is the use of phenethylammonium iodide to effectively passivate the top and bottom defects of Sn-based perovskite films. The increase of grain size, the decrease in density of trap states, and the surface hydrophobicity effectively improve the sensitivity and stability of Sn-based perovskite photodetectors. Finally, the photodetectors realize the infrared upconversion application.

A new conceptual silk meso-fibrous material for biocompatible electronic applications is developed by carbon nanotubes meso reconstruction. It can be adopted to fabricate various fibrous sensors, i.e., electronic humidity sensors. In combination with internet of things (IoTs) and artificial intelligence technologies, a remote respiratory condition monitoring and diagnosis can be achieved.

Luminescent silver clusters can be formed in zeolite frameworks by X-ray irradiation, but they have a broader size distribution. Cluster growth dynamics is framework-dependent and is also dependent on degree of silver loading in the framework. Growth from cations to luminescent clusters then non-luminescent metallic nanoparticles is observed.

Under coirradiation of light and ultrasound, BiOX/BTO (X = Cl, Br, Cl_0.166Br_0.834) piezoelectric composites create a depolarization field induced by polarization charges of piezoelectric effect, which can be used as a driving force to promote the separation of photoinduced charge carriers, thus resulting in more excited electrons participating in photocatalytic reactions through reduction products •O₂⁻ and •OH radicals.

Sn²⁺ greatly enhances the H₂-production activity of water-soluble CdS quantum dots (QDs). Sn²⁺ ions are reduced to Sn atoms by the electrons generated from the conduction band of CdS quantum dots under visible light irradiation. Sn atoms not only serve as photocatalytic cocatalyst for hydrogen generation, but also participate in forming CdS/Sn Schottky heterojunction.

SnO₂ quantum dots (≈5 nm) embedded in porous N-doped carbon matrix (SnO₂/NC) are developed via a hydrothermal step combined with a self-polymerization process at room temperature. The ultrasmall size in quantum dots greatly shortens the ion diffusion distance and lowers the internal strain, significantly improving the conversion reaction efficiency and initial coulombic efficiency in lithium and sodium storage.

Tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanosheets are anchored on the surface and inside of hollow beaded carbon nanofibers (HB CNFs) via a confined growth strategy to construct hierarchical structure HB WS₂@CNFs. The conversion mechanism of Li⁺/Na⁺ storage is analyzed by an ex situ method. This special structure can effectively restrain the volume effect and improve the storage performance of lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries.

The addition of chain stoppers significantly improves carbon nanotube (CNT) sorting with an H-bonding supramolecular polymer. In-depth characterization reveals that this supramolecular polymer exhibits ring–chain equilibrium, and that stoppers skew the distribution toward chains, which can wrap CNTs more effectively. Careful selection of the stopper–monomer ratio results in doubling of the sorting yield without compromising the purity or properties of sorted CNTs.

Previous reports have advocated that cancer cells could utilize endogenous GSH to chelate Pt drugs to produce inactive GSH-Pt adduct. Herein, a GSH chelated Pt molecule is precisely synthesized, which exhibits efficient cancer therapy without systemic toxicity in vivo. This work opens a route to explore polynuclear Pt compounds with accurate architectures as promising anti-tumor agents.

Continuous and electroactive MXene-based nanofiber yarns (nanoyarns) are fabricated using a bath electrospinning method, which captures MXene flakes throughout the entire cross-section of a nanoyarn, maximizing interactions between nanofibers and flakes. The high stretchability of polymeric nanofibers and the electrical and electrochemical properties of MXene offer a platform for storing energy and sensing body movements in wearable textiles.

Radiopharmaceuticals (¹⁸F-FDG) with a short decay half-life are used as the internal light source to in vivo excite Cr³⁺-doped zinc gallate (ZGCs) for long-lasting luminescence for multiple times. This strategy can provide tumor luminescence imaging with high sensitivity, high contrast, and long decay time at desired time, greatly benefiting image-guided surgery in the future.

A Fe₃Se₄ anode featuring urchin-like hierarchitectures presents ultrahigh rate capability and outstanding cyclic stability in sodium-ion batteries. As revealed by electrochemical analyses and in situ XRD, the phase transformation from monoclinic to amorphous structure accompanied by the pseudocapacitive Na⁺ storage behavior accounts for the superior electrochemical performance.

A mechanism of aqueous rechargeable zinc ion batteries is demonstrated. Through engineering Zn²⁺ primary solvation sheath in aqueous electrolyte, highly reversible [Zn(H₂O)₂]²⁺ intercalation/extraction into/from birnessite cathode is obtained and cathode–electrolyte interfaces are in-situ formed suppressing the Mn dissolution. In addition, the Zn metal anode also shows high reversibility without formation of “death-zinc” and detrimental dendrite.

2D ultrathin mesoporous TiO₂/rGO heterostructure is fabricated after heat treatment of the coprecipitated single-layered Ti₃O₇²⁻/GO nanosheet. Owing to the ultrathin mesoporous characteristics and the enhanced ionic and electron conductivity, the resulting 2D ultrathin mesoporous heterostructures can deliver an extremely high lithium storage capacity and excellent cycling stability at high current density.

The new kind of microdisk lasers in a hyperboloid-drum (HD) shape is a combination of a dye-doped photoresist and a silica microdisk. Such HD microdisk laser biosensors can achieve specific detection of human immunoglobulin G in phosphate-buffered saline and artificial serum. The results from this study are approximately four orders of magnitude more sensitive than previous reports.