1
|
Mao Z, Ren J, Li H. Constructing Multifunctional Composite Single Crystals via Polymer Gel Incorporation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2379. [PMID: 39204598 PMCID: PMC11358885 DOI: 10.3390/polym16162379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The non-uniformity of a single crystal can sometimes be found in biominerals, where surrounding biomacromolecules are incorporated into the growing crystals. This unique composite structure, combining heterogeneity and long-range ordering, enables the functionalization of single crystals. Polymer gel media are often used to prepare composite single crystals, in which the growing crystals incorporate gel networks and form a bi-continuous interpenetrating structure without any disruption to single crystallinity. Moreover, dyes and many kinds of nanoparticles can be occluded into single crystals under the guidance of gel incorporation. On this basis, the bio-inspired method has been applied in crystal morphology control, crystal dyeing, mechanical reinforcement, and organic bulk heterojunction-based optoelectronics. In this paper, the composite structure, the incorporation mechanisms, and the multiple functions of gel-incorporated single crystals are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jie Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China;
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao Z, Chen W, Li Q, Xiong B, Ning Y, Yang P. Interfacial Supra-Assembly of Copolymer Nanoparticles Enables the Formation of Nanocomposite Crystals with a Tunable Internal Structure. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21546-21553. [PMID: 37748127 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
It is highly desirable but technically challenging to precisely control the spatial composition and internal structure of crystalline nanocomposite materials, especially in a one-pot synthetic route. Herein, we demonstrate a versatile pathway to tune the spatial distribution of guest species within a host inorganic crystal via an incorporation strategy. Specifically, well-defined block copolymer nanoparticles, poly(methacrylic acid)x-block-poly(styrene-alt-N-phenylmaleimide)y [PMAAx-P(St-alt-NMI)y], are synthesized by polymerization-induced self-assembly. Such anionic nanoparticles can supra-assemble onto the surface of larger cationic nanoparticles via an electrostatic interaction, forming colloidal nanocomposite particles (CNPs). Remarkably, such CNPs can be incorporated into calcite single crystals in a spatially controlled manner: the depth of CNPs incorporation into calcite is tunable. Systematic investigation indicates that this interesting phenomenon is governed by the colloidal stability of CNPs, which in turn is dictated by the PMAAx-P(St-alt-NMI)y adsorption density and calcium ion concentration. This study opens up a general and efficient route for the preparation of a wide range of crystalline nanocomposite materials with a controlled internal composition and structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghong Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wenting Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qin Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Biao Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yin Ning
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Peihui Yang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yao Y, Ren J, Li H. Multi-Functionalization of Single crystals Mediated by Gel-Incorporation: A Bioinspired Strategy. Chempluschem 2023; 88:e202300228. [PMID: 37529945 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Biominerals are inherently organic-inorganic crystal composites. Drawing inspiration from this biomineral structure, functionalized single crystals can be synthesized using the gel-grown method, resulting in the incorporation of gel-networks into the host crystals. By incorporating gel-networks, diverse guest materials, such as nanoparticles and dye molecules, can be uniformly and isotropically distributed within the crystals, thereby imparting non-intrinsic optical or magnetic properties to the host crystals. Additionally, gel-incorporation enhances the toughness and stability of the crystals as the incorporated gel-fibers and accompanying guest materials act as bridges to prevent crack propagation. Furthermore, gel-incorporation enables protein crystals to exhibit self-healing properties, which can be attributed to the dynamic bonding interaction between gel-networks and crystals. Notably, recent research has demonstrated that the incorporation of zwitterionic gel-networks enhances the charge effects on crystal morphology evolution as the charged groups become bound to the developing crystal surfaces, and their detachment is impeded by the interconnected gel-networks. Therefore, preparing single crystals with gel-incorporation is a remarkable strategy for synthesizing functionalized crystal materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jie Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu G, Ren J, Yan S, Yuan W, Li H. Long-Range Ordered Organic Bulk-Heterojunction: C 60 and O-IDTBR Single Crystals Penetrated by Crystalline P3HT Fibrous Networks. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2302046. [PMID: 37173813 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The long-range ordering of bulk-heterojunctions (BHJs) significantly facilitates exciton diffusion and dissociation as well as charge transport. A feasible bio-inspired strategy to realize such a heterostructure is crystallization in gel media where the growing host crystals incorporate the surrounding guest materials of gel networks. Until now, the host-guest pairs forming ordered BHJs are still very limited and, more importantly, the used gel-network guests are structurally amorphous, spurring investigation toward crystalline gel-networks. Here, single crystals of fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) organogel are prepared, forming C60 :P3HT and (5Z,5″Z)-5,5″-((7,7″-(4,4,9,9-tetraoctyl-4,9-dihydro-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b″]dithiophene-2,7-diyl)bis(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-7,4-diyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(3-ethyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) (O-IDTBR):P3HT BHJs. The crystalline P3HT network penetrates the crystal matrix without significantly disturbing the single crystallinity, resulting in long-range ordered BHJs. This bi-continuous structure, together with an improved overall ordering, contributes to enhanced charge/energy transfer. As a result, photodetectors based on these ordered BHJs exhibit ameliorated responsivity, detectivity, bandwidth, and stability as compared to the conventional BHJs with short-range ordering. Therefore, this work further extends the scope of long-range ordered BHJs toward crystalline polymer donors and NFAs, providing a generally applicable strategy for the design of organic optoelectronic devices with superior performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanxiong Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Wentao Yuan
- Center of Electron Microscopy and State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang J, Xiong B, Fu Z, Ning Y, Li D. Synergistic Effect of Hydroxyl and Carboxyl Groups on Promoting Nanoparticle Occlusion within Calcite. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207843. [PMID: 36717276 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Direct occlusion of guest nanoparticles into host crystals enables the straightforward preparation for various of nanocomposite materials with emerging properties. Therefore, it is highly desirable to elucidate the 'design rules' that govern efficient nanoparticle occlusion. Herein, a series of sterically-stabilized nanoparticles are rationally prepared, where the surface stabilizer chains of such nanoparticles are composed of either poly(methacrylic acid), or poly(glycerol monomethacrylate), or poly((2-hydroxy-3-(methacryloyloxy)propyl)serine). Systematic investigation reveals that hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups play a synergistic role in driving nanoparticle incorporation into calcite crystals, where the hydroxyl groups enhance colloidal stability of the nanoparticles and the carboxyl groups provide binding sites for efficient occlusion. The generality of these findings is further validated by extending it to polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles. This study demonstrates that precision synthesis of polymer stabilizers comprising of synergistic functional groups can significantly promote nanoparticle occlusion, thus enabling the efficient construction of organic-inorganic hybrid materials via nanoparticle occlusion strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Biao Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ziyu Fu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yin Ning
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shen C, Han P, Zheng Z, Jiang W, Gao S, Hua C, Chen CL, Xia F, Zhai T, Liu K, Fang Y. Spatially Confined Face-Selective Growth of Large-Area 2D Organic Molecular Crystals in a Supramolecular Gel for Highly Efficient Flexible Photodetection. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2203662. [PMID: 36054543 PMCID: PMC9596823 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
2D organic molecular crystals (2DOMCs) are promising materials for the fabrication of high-performance optoelectronic devices. However, the growth of organic molecules into 2DOMCs remains a challenge because of the difficulties in controlling their self-assembly with a preferential orientation in solution-process crystallization. Herein, fullerene is chosen as a model molecule to develop a supramolecular gel crystallization approach to grow large-area 2DOMCs by controlling the perfect arrangement on the {220} crystal plane with the assistance of a gelated solvent. In this case, the gel networks provide tuneable confined spaces to control the crystallization kinetics toward the growth of dominant crystal faces by their inhibiting motions of solvent or solute molecules to enable the growth of perfect crystals at appropriate nucleation rates. As a result, a large-area fullerene 2DOMC is produced successfully and its corresponding device on a flexible substrate exhibits excellent bendable properties and ultra-high weak light detection ability (2.9 × 1011 Jones) at a 10 V bias upon irradiation with 450 nm incident light. Moreover, its photoelectric properties remain unchanged after 200 cycles of bending at angles of 45, 90, and 180°. These results can be extended to the growth of other 2DOMCs for potentially fabricating advanced organic (opto)electronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaowen Shen
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Pan Han
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Zhi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die and Mould TechnologySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430074P. R. China
- Engineering Research Center of Nano‐Geomaterials of Ministry of EducationFaculty of Materials Science and ChemistryChina University of GeosciencesWuhan430074P. R. China
| | - Wenhe Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Sheng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Chunxia Hua
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Cheng Lung Chen
- Department of ChemistryNational Sun Yat‐sen UniversityKaosiungTaiwan80424P. R. China
| | - Fan Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Nano‐Geomaterials of Ministry of EducationFaculty of Materials Science and ChemistryChina University of GeosciencesWuhan430074P. R. China
| | - Tianyou Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die and Mould TechnologySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430074P. R. China
| | - Kaiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| | - Yu Fang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid ChemistryMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringShaanxi Normal UniversityXi′an710119P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu Z, Xiong B, Dong Y, Ning Y, Li D. Metal-Organic Frameworks@Calcite Composite Crystals. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:16203-16210. [PMID: 36150182 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The direct incorporation of guest crystals into another type of host crystals during the formation of the latter is technically challenging due to the large difference in surface energy for different crystalline components. Nevertheless, we herein demonstrate that metal-organic frameworks (MOFs, UiO-66-NH2 as a model guest crystal) after postsynthetic modification with poly(methacrylic acid) can be efficiently incorporated into calcite single crystals, forming a unique composite structure where the MOF crystals are uniformly distributed throughout the whole calcite host crystals. Remarkably, such MOF@calcite composite crystals exhibit superior performance in fluoride removal compared with the MOF or calcite alone. Moreover, this incorporation strategy is general as it can be extended to other guest particles. In principle, this study opens up a versatile avenue for the rational design and preparation of a wide range of hybrid functional materials with controllable compositions and enhanced physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Liu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Biao Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingxiang Dong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yin Ning
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wen Q, Cai Q, Fu P, Chang D, Xu X, Wen TJ, Wu GP, Zhu W, Wan LS, Zhang C, Zhang XH, Jin Q, Wu ZL, Gao C, Zhang H, Huang N, Li CZ, Li H. Key progresses of MOE key laboratory of macromolecular synthesis and functionalization in 2021. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
9
|
Peng B, Wu R, Li H. Crystallization from a Droplet: Single-Crystalline Arrays and Heterojunctions for Organic Electronics. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:4498-4507. [PMID: 34866378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusSingle crystals of organic semiconductors (OSCs) are believed to have both high mobility and intrinsic flexibility, making them promising candidates for flexible electronic/optoelectronic applications and being consistently pursued by researchers. The van der Waals force in OSC enables low-temperature solution processing of single crystals, but the relatively weak binding energy brings challenges in forming large, uniform, and defect-free single crystals. To promote the study on OSC single crystals, a generalized method that grows high-quality crystals in an easy-to-handle, time/resource-saving, and repeatable manner is apparently necessary. In 2012, Li et al. developed a droplet-pinned crystallization (DPC) method that uses a rather simple strategy to create a steadily receding contact line for the growth of OSC single crystals. Instead of setting up expensive equipment, controlling strict deposition parameters, or waiting for days or weeks for countable crystal seeds, the DPC method offers a time- and cost-effective way to obtain OSC single crystals for further study of the tendency of crystallization, single-crystal mobility, and molecular packing information. The DPC method is primarily a powerful tool for studying the charge-transport mechanisms in OSC single crystals. In pioneering work, high-mobility single crystals of both p-type 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-PEN) and n-type C60 materials were obtained. Driven by the demands from practical applications, we then focused on the general lagging of electron mobility in OSC materials. The ambipolar property of TIPS-PEN was studied, and a strong correlation between electron mobility and polar species (polar solvent residuals and surface hydroxyl groups) was observed. The latter further guided the harvest of electron mobility in a series of OSC materials. Undoubtfully, the facile DPC method accelerated these studies by providing a time-efficient, reliable, and repeatable testing platform. Additionally, flexibility on OSC materials and solvents, where not only one-component but also binary systems were allowed, is another critical integrity of the DPC method. The m-xylene/carbon tetrachloride binary solvent was proven to be efficient for growing ribbon-like C60 single crystals rather than needle-like crystals from typical one-component solvents. Afterward, a variety of OSC materials (including p-type, n-type, and ambipolar ones) and a series of solvents (including aromatic, aliphatic, and polar ones) were studied. The crystallization of OSC single crystals was primarily found at either the top liquid-air interface or the bottom solid-liquid interface. The interactions between OSC molecules and substrate surfaces were deduced as the qualitative determining factor. By utilizing the top interface crystallization, the two-step sequential deposition of single-crystalline OSC heterojunctions was enabled. Moreover, by selecting appropriate pairs of OSC materials that crystallize at separate interfaces, the facile one-step formation of single-crystalline OSC heterojunctions was achieved. The OSC single crystals and heterojunctions (including horizontal, vertical, and bulk heterojunctions) thereof exhibit promising potentials in circuits, photovoltaics, and photodiodes and would probably provide new insights for the future development of organic electronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Peng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ruihan Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wen Q, Ma W, Liu Y, Jin X, Ren J, Lin C, Hu C, Yang YM, Li H. PbI 2-TiO 2 Bulk Heterojunctions with Long-Range Ordering for X-ray Detectors. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:11176-11181. [PMID: 34761947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
High-performance X-ray detectors are usually based on single crystals, due to the long-range ordering and hence outstanding electronic properties. On the other hand, bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) that can effectively enhance photogenerated exciton dissociation are widely used for photodetectors. The benefits of both spur investigation into how to combine these two strategies to enhance X-ray detection. Here, TiO2 networks are incorporated into PbI2 crystals to form interpenetrating type II heterojunctions, namely BHJs. These BHJs exhibit long-range ordering in molecular packing similar to that of single crystals. Compared with single crystals, the long-range ordered BHJs facilitate the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes to inhibit recombination, extend the mobility lifetime product by 6.4 times, and consequently improve X-ray sensitivity by 5.8 times. Hence, this work provides a new strategy using gel-grown crystals to fabricate high-performance X-ray detectors as well as a new platform for studying the behavior of X-ray-generated carriers in BHJs with long-range ordering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Wen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Yujing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Chengce Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Chong Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Yang Michael Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Key progresses of MOE key laboratory of macromolecular synthesis and functionalization in 2020. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|
12
|
Ren J, Liu Y, Li H. Incorporating polymers within a single‐crystal: From heterogeneous structure to multiple functions. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Yujing Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou China
| | - Hanying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang W, Li Y, Shi C, Qi R, Hu M. Single-Crystal Lattice Filling in Connected Spaces inside 3D Networks. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:6447-6459. [PMID: 33878868 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Connected vessel effects have been widely utilized from ancient times. It is quite interesting to know whether there are any special effects when single-crystal lattices fill the connected spaces inside 3D networks. In some single-crystal and 3D network pairs, there seems to exist a specific rule: when single-crystal lattices fill the connected spaces inside 3D networks, the front of the lattice in each channel is determined by the symmetrical center of the lattice structure. However, this needs to be validated by using various single-crystal lattice to fill the 3D networks with different compositions. Here we report a method to establish a gradient environment which can favor the formation of a micrometer-sized single crystal lattice across various 3D networks. The fronts of the filled lattices form the shapes which are the equilibrium shapes of the single crystals no matter what the single crystals or the 3D networks are, indicating the specific rule while the single-crystal lattices fill the 3D networks. The single crystals filled in the connected spaces inside 3D networks, which are functional materials, and had alternating properties, such as 4-fold higher electronic conductivity, which improve their performance in applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy (East China Normal University), Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics and Advanced Instrument (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yucen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy (East China Normal University), Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics and Advanced Instrument (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Chunjing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy (East China Normal University), Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics and Advanced Instrument (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ruijuan Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy (East China Normal University), Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics and Advanced Instrument (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ming Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy (East China Normal University), Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics and Advanced Instrument (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Palin D, Style RW, Zlopaša J, Petrozzini JJ, Pfeifer MA, Jonkers HM, Dufresne ER, Estroff LA. Forming Anisotropic Crystal Composites: Assessing the Mechanical Translation of Gel Network Anisotropy to Calcite Crystal Form. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:3439-3447. [PMID: 33647198 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The promise of crystal composites with direction-specific properties is an attractive prospect for diverse applications; however, synthetic strategies for realizing such composites remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that anisotropic agarose gel networks can mechanically "mold" calcite crystal growth, yielding anisotropically structured, single-crystal composites. Drying and rehydration of agarose gel films result in the affine deformation of their fibrous networks to yield fiber alignment parallel to the drying plane. Precipitation of calcium carbonate within these anisotropic networks results in the formation of calcite crystal composite disks oriented parallel to the fibers. The morphology of the disks, revealed by nanocomputed tomography imaging, evolves with time and can be described by linear-elastic fracture mechanics theory, which depends on the ratio between the length of the crystal and the elastoadhesive length of the gel. Precipitation of calcite in uniaxially deformed agarose gel cylinders results in the formation of rice-grain-shaped crystals, suggesting the broad applicability of the approach. These results demonstrate how the anisotropy of compliant networks can translate into the desired crystal composite morphologies. This work highlights the important role organic matrices can play in mechanically "molding" biominerals and provides an exciting platform for fabricating crystal composites with direction-specific and emergent functional properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damian Palin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Materials & Environment section, Department 3MD Faculty of Civil and Engineering and Geosciences Delft University of Technology 2628 CN, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Robert W Style
- Laboratory of Soft and Living Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jure Zlopaša
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan J Petrozzini
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mark A Pfeifer
- Cornell Center for Materials Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Henk M Jonkers
- Materials & Environment section, Department 3MD Faculty of Civil and Engineering and Geosciences Delft University of Technology 2628 CN, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Eric R Dufresne
- Laboratory of Soft and Living Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lara A Estroff
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
In situ imaging of two-dimensional surface growth reveals the prevalence and role of defects in zeolite crystallization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28632-28639. [PMID: 33127756 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011806117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Zeolite crystallization predominantly occurs by nonclassical pathways involving the attachment of complex (alumino)silicate precursors to crystal surfaces, yet recurrent images of fully crystalline materials with layered surfaces are evidence of classical growth by molecule attachment. Here we use in situ atomic force microscopy to monitor three distinct mechanisms of two-dimensional (2D) growth of zeolite A where we show that layer nucleation from surface defects is the most common pathway. Direct observation of defects was made possible by the identification of conditions promoting layered growth, which correlates to the use of sodium as an inorganic structure-directing agent, whereas its replacement with an organic results in a nonclassical mode of growth that obscures 2D layers and markedly slows the rate of crystallization. In situ measurements of layered growth reveal that undissolved silica nanoparticles in the synthesis medium can incorporate into advancing steps on crystal surfaces to generate defects (i.e., amorphous silica occlusions) that largely go undetected in literature. Nanoparticle occlusion in natural and synthetic crystals is a topic of wide-ranging interest owing to its relevance in fields spanning from biomineralization to the rational design of functional nanocomposites. In this study, we provide unprecedented insight into zeolite surface growth by molecule addition through time-resolved microscopy that directly captures the occlusion of silica nanoparticles and highlights the prevalent role of defects in zeolite crystallization.
Collapse
|
16
|
Yan C, Tang H, Ma R, Zhang M, Liu T, Lv J, Huang J, Yang Y, Xu T, Kan Z, Yan H, Liu F, Lu S, Li G. Synergy of Liquid-Crystalline Small-Molecule and Polymeric Donors Delivers Uncommon Morphology Evolution and 16.6% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2000149. [PMID: 32775152 PMCID: PMC7404173 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Achieving an ideal morphology is an imperative avenue for enhancing key parameters toward high-performing organic solar cells (OSCs). Among a myriad of morphological-control methods, the strategy of incorporating a third component with structural similarity and crystallinity difference to construct ternary OSCs has emerged as an effective approach to regulate morphology. A nematic liquid-crystalline benzodithiophene terthiophene rhodamine (BTR) molecule, which possesses the same alkylthio-thienyl-substituted benzo moiety but obviously stronger crystallinity compared to classical medium-bandgap polymeric donor PM6, is employed as a third component to construct ternary OSCs based on a PM6:BTR:Y6 system. The doping of BTR (5 wt%) is found to be enough to improve the OSC morphology-significantly enhancing the crystallinity of the photoactive layer while slightly reducing the donor/acceptor phase separation scale simultaneously. Rarely is such a morphology evolution reported. It positively affects the electronic properties of the device-prolongs the carrier lifetime, shortens the photocurrent decay time, facilitates exciton dissociation, charge transport, and collection, and ultimately boosts the power conversion efficiency from 15.7% to 16.6%. This result demonstrates that the successful synergy of liquid-crystalline small-molecule and polymeric donors delicately adjusts the active-layer morphology and refines device performance, which brings vibrancy to the OSC research field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cenqi Yan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University ShenZhen Research instituteShenzhen518057China
- Department of Electronic and Information EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHung HumKowloonHong Kong999077China
| | - Hua Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University ShenZhen Research instituteShenzhen518057China
- Department of Electronic and Information EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHung HumKowloonHong Kong999077China
- Organic Semiconductor Research CenterChongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent TechnologyChongqing400714China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration & ReconstructionHong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)Clear Water BayKowloonHong Kong999077China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA)Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration & ReconstructionHong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)Clear Water BayKowloonHong Kong999077China
| | - Jie Lv
- Organic Semiconductor Research CenterChongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent TechnologyChongqing400714China
| | - Jiaming Huang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University ShenZhen Research instituteShenzhen518057China
- Department of Electronic and Information EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHung HumKowloonHong Kong999077China
| | - YanKang Yang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA)Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Tongle Xu
- Organic Semiconductor Research CenterChongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent TechnologyChongqing400714China
| | - Zhipeng Kan
- Organic Semiconductor Research CenterChongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent TechnologyChongqing400714China
| | - He Yan
- Department of Chemistry and Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration & ReconstructionHong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)Clear Water BayKowloonHong Kong999077China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA)Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Shirong Lu
- Organic Semiconductor Research CenterChongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent TechnologyChongqing400714China
| | - Gang Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University ShenZhen Research instituteShenzhen518057China
- Department of Electronic and Information EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHung HumKowloonHong Kong999077China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ning Y, Armes SP. Efficient Occlusion of Nanoparticles within Inorganic Single Crystals. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:1176-1186. [PMID: 32421304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In principle, the incorporation of guest nanoparticles within host crystals should provide a straightforward and versatile route to a wide range of nanocomposite materials. However, crystallization normally involves expelling impurities, so nanoparticle occlusion is both counter-intuitive and technically challenging. Clearly, the nanoparticles should have a strong interaction with the growing crystalline lattice, but quantifying such an affinity has been challenging; the basic principles that govern efficient nanoparticle occlusion within inorganic single crystals are rather poorly understood. In the past few years, we have focused on the elucidation of robust design rules for such systems; our progress is summarized in this article.Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is widely recognized as a powerful platform technology for the preparation of a broad range of model organic nanoparticles. Herein, PISA was exploited to prepare sterically stabilized diblock copolymer nano-objects (e.g., spheres, worms, or vesicles) of varying size using steric stabilizers of well-defined chain length, variable anionic charge density, tunable surface density, and adjustable chemical functionality (e.g., carboxylic acid, phosphate, sulfate or sulfonate groups). Thus, we were able to systematically investigate how such structural parameters influence nanoparticle occlusion. Given its commercial importance for many industrial sectors, calcium carbonate was selected as the model host crystal for nanoparticle occlusion studies. Perhaps surprisingly, the extent of nanoparticle occlusion is not particularly sensitive to nanoparticle size or morphology. However, the steric stabilizer chain length can play a key role: relatively short chains lead to surface-confined occlusion, while sufficiently long chains enable uniform nanoparticle occlusion to be achieved throughout the crystal lattice (albeit sometimes inducing a significant change in crystal morphology). Optimizing the anionic charge density and surface density of the stabilizer chains is required to maximize the extent of nanoparticle occlusion, while steric stabilizer chains comprising anionic carboxylate groups led to greater occlusion compared to those composed of phosphate, sulfate, or sulfonate groups when examining a model vesicle system.Subsequently, our occlusion studies were extended to include functional hybrid nanocomposite crystals. For example, the spatially controlled occlusion of poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-stabilized gold nanoparticles was achieved within semiconductive ZnO crystals by either controlling the nanoparticle concentration or by delaying their addition to the reaction mixture. Moreover, oil droplets of up to 500 nm have been incorporated into calcite crystals at up to 11% by mass, despite the large mismatch in surface energy between the hydrophobic oil droplets and the ionic crystal lattice. We have also explored a "Trojan horse" strategy, whereby cargos comprising nanoparticles or soluble dye molecules are first encapsulated within anionic block copolymer vesicles prior to their incorporation within calcite crystals. This approach offers a generic and efficient strategy for the occlusion of many types of guest species into single crystals. In summary, we have established important guidelines for efficient nanoparticle occlusion within crystals, which opens up new avenues for the synthesis of next-generation hybrid materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ning
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| |
Collapse
|