Periodic lattice materials have been studied extensively in numerous science and engineering fields. Despite the vast knowledge that has emerged, the activities have been stove-piped within individual research communities, often in isolation from those in related fields. To bring this work into a holistic framework, the present article considers the elements needed to integrate the study of lattice materials into the processing–structure–properties paradigm that underpins materials science as an academic discipline. The emphasis is on concepts of structure involving topology, morphology, and defects of lattice materials, with illustrations of structure–property relations in the context of lattice strength.

Electric cell–substrate impedance sensing is widely used to study cell behavior such as adhesion, migration, and cell toxicity. However, a simultaneous optical imaging of cells is limited by inefficient transmission of visible light through the gold electrodes. To overcome this limitation, we fabricated carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes with high electrical conductivity as well as optical transmittance. The impedimetric monitoring of cell proliferation and migration by gold and CNT electrodes were compared and analyzed. Taking advantage of the optical transparency of CNTs, we demonstrated a simultaneous electronic and optical monitoring of MCF7 cells, with acquisition of high-resolution images.

Thermal stable chloride melts were used as the reaction medium for modifying the chemical composition of complex oxides ensuring a marked improvement of their working properties. This paper discusses the original results of the direct effect of molten KCl–CoCl2 mixtures on the fine Ni4Nb2O9 powders under argon- and oxygen-containing gaseous atmospheres at 500 °C. The initial Ni4Nb2O9 powder and the reaction products were studied in detail using the differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, x-ray diffractometry, Raman and IR spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, chemical analysis, and conductometry which demonstrated clearly the formation of the thermal stable single-phase Ni–Co niobates.

We herein report the detection of folic acid (FA) via the fluorometric method using water-soluble AgInS2 quantum dots (QDs). The optical analysis showed that the addition of FA to AgInS2 QDs results in significant, blue-shifted photoluminescence emission. A linear plot of the blueshift in the photoluminescence wavelength position against FA concentration was obtained in the range of 0.03–33 µM with the detection limit of 52 nM. Interference study showed the selective detection of FA in the presence of other biomolecules. The as-synthesized AgInS2 QDs can be employed as an optical sensor for the rapid detection of FA in aqueous solutions.

Herein, the authors report our pioneering demonstration of the anisotropic thermal properties of black phosphorus (BP) nanoflakes. The nanoflakes were produced using a scotch tape-based mechanical exfoliation technique. Their thickness was characterized using Atomic Force Microscopy The anisotropic direction of the nanoflakes was determined by the Raman Spectroscopy equipped with a polarized laser. Then, a temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy method was utilized to study the thermal transport properties of the BP nanoflakes. The results indicated that the thermal conductivities of zigzag BP and armchair nanoflakes are 30.6 and 12.6 W/m·K, respectively. This fundamental thermal study gives insight into the future fabrication of nanoscale electronic devices with thermal properties that can be well controlled.

A glucose-reduced, room temperature-synthesized colloidal Cu2O solution (CCS) was used for the first time to detect humic acid (HA), a carcinogen-promoting substance in aqueous solution. The CCS sensor was characterized using standard spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The sensor evolved as a carboxylic acid-capped peach-pink solution after synthesis. The result of the interaction of the sensor with HA in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7) showed a detection limit of 1.5891 × 10−2 mg/L over a concentration range of 0.00–0.41 mg/L. This finding suggests that the sensor may be useful for monitoring low levels of HA in aqueous environments.

Development of biomaterials with primary amine surfaces is very important for the study of some cells of the immune systemuch as macrophages. Currently, the modification can be carried out by physical or chemical methods with several disadvantages due to the presence of additives or subproducts in the system. To overcome this problem, modified polypropylene (PP) films were synthesized by gamma radiation. In this work, radiation grafting of acryloyl chloride onto PP has been employed to form an acyl chloride. Then, the radiation-grafted films were reacted with ethylenediamine in several solvents to obtain the different concentration of the primary amine. The surface amine concentration was determined by derivatization with 4-trifluoromethyl benzaldehyde and characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (N/C ratios), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and elementary analysis. The stability of the amines was measured up to 90 days, without the occurrence of aging as was found by plasma modification.

To examine the influence of ultrasonic irradiation on electrochemical migration (ECM), the morphology of micro/nanodeposits and current change were studied. The morphology of deposits synthesized by ECM varied with the types of ultrasonic irradiation: continuous or pulsed irradiation generates only particles or deposits composed of wires, dendrites, and particles. The measured ECM current change over time concludes that both mechanical and sonochemical effects contributed to the morphological change of deposits. Shock waves by cavitation mechanically formed the fragmented deposits and the sonochemical effect decreases the ionic concentration corresponding to decreasing current, inhibiting the formation of wires and dendritic deposits.

A low-cost synthesis approach was developed for the fabrication of four symmetric meso-substituted water-soluble thiolated polyethylene glycol gold-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles–porphyrin (p-hydroxyphenyl [THPP], 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl [TdMPP], 3-pyridyl[T-3-PyP], and 1-methylpyridinium-3-yl[T3-Py+P4I−]) conjugates to achieve materials with enhanced absorption and therapeutic properties. After evaluation of their antibacterial inhibition characteristics against four nocosomial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis), THPP and TdMPP conjugates showed some remarkable minimum inhibitory concentration values of 0.104 and 0.625 mg/mL against E. coli and E. faecalis, respectively, making these materials to be alternative agents for the inhibition of these pathogens in the environmental and clinical fields.

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide a renewable source of energy through the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gas; however, operation relies on a costly platinum catalyst layer. This study investigates how electrospun catalyst layers may be employed to increase the surface area:volume ratio for catalysis to optimize PEMFC performance. When preparing electrospinning solutions, several base polymers were evaluated in varying concentrations to optimize fiber formation, with poly(acrylic acid) found to be preferable at a 12 wt% concentration. Ultimately, PEMFCs with electrospun catalyst layers achieved a 108% increase in power output compared to those air-sprayed.

The authors report an unexpected anisotropy in tensile properties of a polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy after hot extrusion. The tensile strength of longitudinal specimens (parallel to extrusion direction) is 170–276 MPa higher than that of the transverse counterparts at the temperature ranging from 25 to 750°C. Microstructural investigation excludes possible causes leading to this phenomenon such as variation in the grain size, texture, and γ′ precipitates in two orientations. However, further transmission electron microscopy observation reveals that plenty of twins uniquely exist in longitudinal tensile samples after deformation which are probably responsible for the mechanical gap between the two orientations.

In this work, the authors report a facile method for the preparation of brush-structured nanocomposites of sulfur–polyaniline–graphene oxide (S–PANI–G) that were used for cathode materials of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). The morphology and structure of composite were studied by x-ray photoelectron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. The nanocomposites exhibited good electrochemical performance involving good rate performance, high capacity, and promising cycling stability. The good performance of S–PANI–G results from the synergistic effect of sulfur, polyaniline, and graphene oxide. The composite and method reported here pave the way for the design and synthesis of novel cathode materials for LSBs.

This paper proposes to improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel using the photocathodic protection (PCP) method with CdS/PbS/titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the photoanode material. Cadmium sulfide (CdS)/lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot (QD) heterostructure layered on TiO2 enhanced the photoelectrochemical performance and improved the PCP of 304 stainless steel. The photoanode film can protect 304 stainless steel for a period of upto 3 months against corrosion. This work demonstrates that CdS/PbS/TiO2 tandem heterostructure is a promising durable and stable photoanode, which can protect stainless steel in both dark and illuminated conditions.