Bioadhesives

In article number 2202729, Seung-Woo Cho and co-workers demonstrate a pH-universal catechol-amine chemistry inspired by mussel adhesion in the natural marine environment. The dual-mode catechol tethering to hyaluronic acid via amide and secondary amine linkages enables robust crosslinking and tissue-adhesion of the hydrogel regardless of pH conditions, thereby allowing versatile biomedical applications.

Semiconductors

In article number 2202529, Tongbo Wei, Zhongfan Liu, Peng Gao, Zhiqiang Liu, and co-workers find that geometry matched WS₂ can provide a proper lattice potential field for nitrides epitaxial growth. By using a transferred WS₂ buffer layer, a single-crystalline GaN epilayer can be obtained on an amorphous quartz glass by heterogenous epitaxy.

Multicolor Lasers

In article number 2203152, Wenfei Zhang, Hailong Zhang, Zheng Xie, and co-workers report a strategy to realize the in-situ hybridization of carbon nanodots and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid trimethyl ester crystals. The hybrid crystals exhibit ultra-broadband multicolor random laser over the near ultraviolet-visible region and continuous white-light fluorescence. The structure of the hybrid crystals is just like the wolf's fangs mace weapon in the hands of oriental mythical figure Kuimu Wolf, who is one of the 28 constellations of Ancient Chinese myths and legends. The colorful triumphant glitter represents the multicolor laser of the hybrid crystals.

Metal-Oxide Semiconductors

In article number 2203346, Zhihe Xia, Man Wong, and co-workers propose a 3-parameter equation based on a kinetic model involving oxidant diffusion and an oxidation-reduction reaction of intrinsic donor defects. It is shown to be applicable to common metal-oxide semiconductors and is deployed to the characterization of donor defects.

This review is on the progress made on the application of bimetallic-based spinels as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The different classes of spinels (AFe₂O₄, ACo₂O₄, and AMn₂O₄; where A = Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn) are discussed with regard to the synthesis methods employed and the different strategies for improving their OER activity.

The cutting-edge advances in engineering tunable structured MXenes as a new powerful platform for electrocatalytic energy conversion are comprehensively summarized in this review, including state-of-the-art synthetic strategies, latest breakthroughs in nanostructure and catalytic center modulation, representative electrocatalytic applications, and the corresponding prospects and challenges for theoretical and experimental guidance toward the promotion of their future application in electrocatalysis.

Large Tumor Therapy

In article number 2203227, Yanyu Huang, Liangping Luo, Zeyu Xiao, and co-workers report a localized radioimmunotherapeutic regimen by using X-ray irradiation and a metal-cyclic dinucleotide-containing nanomodulator for the treatment of large tumors. This combined paradigm amplifies the STING signaling pathway by elevating the production of 2′,3′-cGAMP and activating both localized and systematic anti-tumor immunity.

A localized radioimmunotherapeutic regimen by using X-ray irradiation and a metal-cyclic dinucleotide-containing nanomodulator is applied for the treatment of large tumors. This combined paradigm amplifies the stimulator of theinterferon genes signaling pathway by elevating the production of 2′,3′-cGAMP and effectively inhibits the growth of the primary large tumor and distant tumor by launching both localized and systematic anti-tumor immunity.

pH-universal catechol–amine chemistry mimicking natural pH responses of mussel byssus is realized by hyaluronic acid (HA) ring opening and subsequent catechol conjugation to HA via amide and secondary amine linkages. This chemistry induced by both linkages enables oxidative crosslinking and adhesion of catechol-functionalized HA hydrogel over a wide range of pH conditions with versatile biomedical applications.

A single-crystalline GaN epilayer is successfully grown on the WS₂-glass wafer. This study finds that the first layer of the nitrogen adatoms plays an important role in the interfacial lattice construction process, by forming a weak interaction with S atoms and covalent bonds with Ga atoms, simultaneously. This study may pave a way for heterogeneous integration by epitaxy.

In-situ prepared white-light emissive hybrids of silane-functionalized carbon dots and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid trimethyl ester are obtained by a one-pot method. An ultra-broadband solid-state random laser is realized by these hybrid crystals in the near ultraviolet–visible region under 265 nm nanosecond pulsed laser excitation. A ulticolor laser from 315 to 600 nm is produced through bandpass filters.

A 3-parameter equation based on a kinetic model involving oxidant diffusion and an oxidation-reduction reaction of intrinsic donor defects is derived and proved to be applicable to common metal-oxide semiconductors. This model has been deployed to the characterization of donor defects.

A machine-learning-based strategy is proposed to successfully solve the long-standing challenge of reliably predicting the “lotus effect” on superhydrophobic surfaces with complex topographies, which can't be achieved by traditional theories. A feasible solution is also applied to the puzzle of how to effectively quantify complex surface topographies from the nano-scale to micro-scale, which can be further applied to other surface-related issues.

Biocompatible hybrid nanoparticles specifically target tumor tissues through platelet hitchhiking strategies and release drugs in response to tumor-specific microenvironment with low systematic toxicity and good biosafety. The nanoparticles represent an excellent triple therapeutic strategy. Superior antitumor effects are achieved in triple negative breast cancer models by inhibiting exosome secretion in combination with ferroptosis-based cancer therapy and immunotherapy.

Hydrophilic short peptide probes for ¹⁹F-MRI carrying up to 27 environmentally equivalent ¹⁹F atoms, by repeated incorporation of perfluoro-tert-butyl-derivatized asparagine residues, are synthesized. These peptide probes exhibit low cytotoxicity and high serostability due to d-amino acids, and retain sensitive ¹⁹F signals even after conjugation to albumin or glutathione. Dual-purpose fluorescently labeled peptide probes show long circulation time in zebrafish embryos.

Inspired by the intrinsic properties of the tumor microenvironment to achieve tumor control through the simultaneous induction of ferroptosis and apoptosis. A nanozymatic system with phototheraml property is developed, which is mainly composed of liposomes encapsulating CuCP molecules. Proteomics analysis also further discloses the key involved proteins and pathway. The nanosystem shows great potential for translation into clinical canner therapy.

A 2SeFT-PEG/Ce6 micelle with ¹O₂-triggered ratiometric NIR-II chemiluminescence (CL)/fluorescence (FL) imaging performance to monitor and guide cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) is developed. This study provides a method for detecting ¹O₂ and ratiometric NIR-II CL and FL imaging to guide the tumor PDT process. It opens up prospects for the development of PDT imaging technology and may become an important way for the development of brand-new PDT applications and individualized treatment for patients.

The urchin-like Ti₂CT_x/Na₂Ti₃O₇ (Ti₂C/NTO) heterostructure sphere consisting of Ti₂C/NTO heterostructure nanobelts array is fabricated via a facile one-step situ hydrothermal method. The material serves as an anode for sodium-ion batteries to realize an ultrafast and durable sodiation/desodiation process due to the fast reaction kinetics, the low Na⁺ diffusion barrier, and the decreased unwanted side reactions and irreversible trapping of Na⁺.

High-efficiency hot exciton material with near-ultraviolet emission is presented as a a universal and functional host material for high-performance red, yellow, green, and blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high efficiencies and low roll-offs.

Here, polyP-Mn nanosheets (PMNSs) are synthesized by a hierarchical assembly strategy. Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and oleate ions act as indispensable structure-directing reagent in the formation of PMNSs. Besides, molecular dynamics simulations are performed for a deeper understanding of the assembly process. Subsequent experiments suggested that PMNSs induce inflammatory responses to activate the innate immune response of macrophages and suppress 4T1 cancer cell growth.

An eco-friendly diatomite source is chemically bioengineered by a one-pot-chemistry approach to achieve redox-responsive silica nanoparticles (NPs) for on-demand release of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in the tumor-reducing microenvironment. In vitro experiments demonstrate the advantage of using these safe hybrid nanosystems for controlling and enhancing the PNA intracellular release for cancer immunotherapy.

It is shown that transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1)-engineered endocrine cells release large quantities of intracellularly stored therapeutic protein within minutes upon induction by exposure to sunlight, and can be used to generate a directly injectable saline solution of the released protein. This system would be readily adaptable to deliver various biopharmaceutical proteins at remote locations lacking complex medical infrastructure.

A facile, surfactant-free, and gram-level synthesis method is reported for synthesizing a wide range of nanoalloys. The relationships between the composition of Fe_xNi_(1−x) nanoalloy, its electronic structure, and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity are studied and analyzed. By optimizing the composition and mass loading, FeNi nanoalloy shows an excellent OER activity, which outperforms the state-of-the-art RuO₂.

A ternary Ir_0.7W_0.2Sn_0.1O_x catalyst exhibits a remarkable acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance with an overpotential of 236 mV (10 mA cm^-2_geo) and maintains over 220 h at a commercial current density of 1 A cm^-2_geo. Theoretical calculations and experiments demonstrate that codoping of W and Sn modulates the electronic structure of Ir active sites and reduces the energy barrier toward acidic OER.

MoS₂/Fe₃O₄ is shown to effectively eradicate S. aureus-infected mouse tibia osteomyelitis. The excellent antibacterial effect is attributed to enhance the microwave thermal effect and produce reactive oxygen species (¹O₂ and ·O₂^–) under microwave (MW) radiation. The magnetic composite of MW thermal therapy and MW dynamic therapy developed here takes an important step forward in MW therapy for deep tissue infections.

Here, the atomic resolution electron tomography (AET) is enriched by resolving ultrathin Boerdijk–Coxeter–Bernal nanowire morphology damage under electron beam irradiation via surface coating strategy. Furthermore, for the first time, surface coating in colloidal, in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging, and AET have been combined to reveal the core–shell nanowire stability and composition in atomic resolution.

Single crystal fibers of 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrabromobenzene repeatedly buckle and straighten by thermosalient transitions between two phases upon varying temperature between 35 °C and 38 °C. The buckling fibers generate a force large enough to flick an object 10⁴ times heavier than the fiber itself into the air against gravity, demonstrating potential applications in actuators with superior speed and power.

2D In₄Te₃ single crystals are synthesized via self-modulation-guided growth strategy, which exhibits high crystallinity, excellent second harmonic generation, and ultralow thermal conductivity. This work also provides opportunities to synthesize a family of metal tellurides with ultrathin thickness and high crystallinity, which will greatly boost the potential for thermoelectric applications.

1D organic single-crystalline arrays with high quality, homogeneous size, and precise position are obtained through a confined assembly method. The field-effect transistors based on the organic microribbons exhibit high electron mobility up to 9.82 cm² V^–1 s^–1. Remarkably, flexible near-infrared phototransistors show superior photoresponse in terms of a high photosensitivity of 9.87 × 10⁵, an excellent responsivity of 1.79 × 10⁴ A W⁻¹, and a high specific detectivity of 3.92 × 10¹⁴ Jones.

An unprotonatable and reactive oxygen species-responsive nanocarrier is designed to co-deliver photodynamic reagent chlorin e6 (Ce6) and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Owing to the unprotonatable property and near infrared-activated photochemical internalization effect, the cationic nanocarrier spatially controls siRNA activity “on/off”, turning on siRNA therapy with the synergistic effect of Ce6-based photodynamic therapy in tumor tissue and turning off siRNA activity in normal tissues.

Multiple ex situ characterization reveals that the efficient ion supplementation and chemical interaction between the Co/Ti₂C catalysts and lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) can enhance the liquid-liquid conversion. The reversible electron transformation on the interfaces accelerates the deposition of LiPSs into Li₂S. Therefore, the chemical stability and reversibility of the Co/Ti₂C catalysts can sustainably catalyze sulfur species in a multi-step catalysis process.

The mesoporous carbon hollow spheres as a sulfur host can improve the electrical conductivity of active materials. WB₂ nanoparticles accelerate the sulfur redox through molecular and dissociative adsorption of polysulfide. Metallic WB₂ facilitates the polysulfide conversion kinetics via rapid electron transfer. A freestanding single-ion conducting lithiated-poly (4-styrene sulfonate) membrane protects the anode from polysulfide shuttling and provides a homogeneous Li⁺-ion flux for uniform lithium plating.