The space charge limited current and huge linear magnetoresistance in silicon

Huge magnetoresistance in space charge regime attracts broad interest on non-equilibrium carrier transport under high electric field. However, the accurate fitting for the current-voltage curves from Ohmic to space charge regime under magnetic fields has not been achieved quantitatively. We conjecture that the localized intensive charge dynamic should be taken into consideration. Here, by introducing a field-dependent dielectric constant, for the first time, we successfully simulate the current-voltage curves of covalent crystal silicon wafers under different magnetic fields (0–1 Tesla). The simulation reveals that the optical phonon, instead of the acoustic phonon, plays a major role for the carriers transport under magnetic fields in space charge regime.

Directed Self-Assembly of Liquid-Crystalline Molecular Building Blocks for Sub-5 nm Nanopatterning

The thin-film directed self-assembly of molecular building blocks into oriented nanostructure arrays enables next-generation lithography at the sub-5 nm scale. Currently, the fabrication of inorganic arrays from molecular building blocks is restricted by the limited long-range order and orientation of the materials, as well as suitable methodologies for creating lithographic templates at sub-5 nm dimensions. In recent years, higher-order liquid crystals have emerged as functional thin films for organic electronics, nanoporous membranes, and templated synthesis, which provide opportunities for their use as lithographic templates. By choosing examples from these fields, recent progress toward the design of molecular building blocks is highlighted, with an emphasis on liquid crystals, to access sub-5 nm features, their directed self-assembly into oriented thin films, and, importantly, the fabrication of inorganic arrays. Finally, future challenges regarding sub-5 nm patterning with liquid crystals are discussed.

Key Developments in Ionic Liquid Crystals

Ionic liquid crystals are materials that combine the classes of liquid crystals and ionic liquids. The first one is based on the multi-billion-dollar flat panel display industry, whilst the latter quickly developed in the past decades into a family of highly-tunable non-volatile solvents. The combination yields materials with a unique set of properties, but also with many challenges ahead. In this review, we provide an overview of the key concepts in ionic liquid crystals, particularly from a molecular perspective. What are the important molecular parameters that determine the phase behavior? How should they be introduced into the molecules? Finally, which other tools does one have to realize specific properties in the material?

Fabrication of a photo-catalytic cell using polymer-based composite films and investigation of its performance in the degradation of methyl blue

A photo-catalytic cell was fabricated using CdS/polymer composite films with a CdS particle layer on the surface. The cell exhibited high efficiency in the photo-degradation of methyl blue.

Incorporation of graphene oxide into C12E4/C12mimBr hybrid lyotropic liquid crystal and its thermo-sensitive properties

Schematic illustration of the formation of GO/C₁₂E₄/C₁₂mimBr lamellar and hexagonal LLC composites.