Materials chemistry articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Molecular self-assemblies have potential as photon processing materials, yet observation of exciton delocalization dynamics can be challenging. Here, the authors experimentally demonstrate Frenkel exciton dynamics of H-type aggregates, studying delocalisation of excitons directly after photoexcitation.

    • Jooyoung Sung
    • , Pyosang Kim
    •  & Dongho Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Manipulation of single molecules can be achieved using scanning probe microscopy but the influence of molecular conformation on this process has, until now, been unclear. Here, the authors probe two different types of porphyrin conformer on a surface and see strong differences in their mechanochemical response.

    • S. P. Jarvis
    • , S. Taylor
    •  & P. Moriarty

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The fine interface between crystallinity and amorphicity in synthetic hybrid materials has to-date been relatively under-explored. Here, the authors probe the relationship between amorphisation and melting behaviour in zeolitic metal-organic frameworks as a route towards functional glasses.

    • Thomas D. Bennett
    • , Jin-Chong Tan
    •  & G. Neville Greaves

  • Article
    | Open Access

    A linear energy–momentum relation of graphene results in a high direct-current electron mobility, but this is not necessarily true at terahertz frequencies. Here, the authors show that its ultrafast conductivity is dependent on a highly nonlinear interplay between heating and cooling of the electron gas.

    • Zoltán Mics
    • , Klaas-Jan Tielrooij
    •  & Dmitry Turchinovich

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA-coated colloids have failed to achieve their promise of programmable self-assembly because they stick to each other like Velcro. Here Wang et al.overcome this problem by making clickable smooth colloids that are coated with short single-stranded DNA at high density.

    • Yu Wang
    • , Yufeng Wang
    •  & David J. Pine

  • Article
    | Open Access

    In BaFe2As2, the lattice couples strongly to the magnetic and electronic degrees of freedom, providing a way to control them. Here, by means of time-resolved X-ray scattering, the authors measure rapid lattice oscillations, which can induce changes in the material’s electronic and magnetic properties.

    • S. Gerber
    • , K. W. Kim
    •  & W.-S. Lee

  • Article |

    LiTi2O4is the only known spinel oxide superconductor, but systematic investigations of its transport properties have been lacking so far. Here, the authors' analyses detect an unusual magnetoresistance, revealing spin-orbit fluctuations similar to those in high-temperature superconductors.

    • K. Jin
    • , G. He
    •  & I. Takeuchi

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The physical properties of gel materials makes them attractive options in various applications, but supramolecular gels typically lack mechanical strength. Here, the authors present a calix[4]arene-based supramoleculer gel tuned to possess high tensile strength.

    • Ji Ha Lee
    • , Jaehyeon Park
    •  & Jong Hwa Jung

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Proton transfer across graphene is associated with large computed energy barriers and is thought to be generally unfavourable. Here, the authors observe aqueous proton transfer through graphene subjected to pH cycling, suggesting that it is due to transfer through rare, naturally occurring atomic defects.

    • Jennifer L. Achtyl
    • , Raymond R. Unocic
    •  & Franz M. Geiger

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers are of interest in many applications, but their structure–property relations are not well understood. Here, the authors perform a multiple-length-scale deformation analysis on a thermoplastic polyurethane and shed light on morphological changes during the deformation.

    • Tan Sui
    • , Nikolaos Baimpas
    •  & Alexander M. Korsunsky

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Water-soluble supramolecular polymers assemble from individual building blocks, but there is a lack of understanding as to how the properties depend on the components. Here the authors show how the introduction of chiral groups can affect the structural features and dynamic behaviour of the polymer.

    • Matthew B. Baker
    • , Lorenzo Albertazzi
    •  & E.W. Meijer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    There is a trade-off between increasing thickness of active layers in organic photovoltaic cells to be compatible with modern printing techniques and decreasing it to improve the device performance. Sun et al.report a nematic liquid crystalline molecular electron donor material used in thick layers.

    • Kuan Sun
    • , Zeyun Xiao
    •  & David J. Jones

  • Article |

    The regulated passage of ions through a porous membrane is a process applicable to various research disciplines. Here, the authors present a method for the control of porous membrane ion transport, using a deposited layer of ligand-functionalized nanoparticles.

    • Edward Barry
    • , Sean P. McBride
    •  & Xiao-Min Lin

  • Article |

    So-called two-dimensional superconductivity has been reported in several material systems but just how thin a system can be and maintain a superconducting state has been difficult to determine. Da Jiang and colleagues demonstrate that Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+xcontinues to be superconducting even when it is just half a unit cell thick.

    • Da Jiang
    • , Tao Hu
    •  & Mianheng Jiang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Superconductivity in the iron pnictides is believed to be related to quantum critical fluctuations. Putzke et al. observe unexpected anomalies in the critical fields of BaFe2(As1−xPx)2that emerge close to its magnetic critical point, which they argue is a generic feature of quantum critical superconductivity.

    • C. Putzke
    • , P. Walmsley
    •  & A. Carrington

  • Article |

    Scalable routes towards porous graphene are useful for developing materials for mass transfer applications. Here, the authors report the fabrication of porous graphene with controllable pore size and nitrogen content via the carbothermal reaction of graphene and (poly)oxometallates.

    • Ding Zhou
    • , Yi Cui
    •  & Bao-Hang Han

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Chiral determination of vapours is possible in biological systems as an important part of the olfactory system. Here, the authors describe a system that is capable of visually detecting and distinguishing the chirality of vapour-phase molecules by structural changes in a liquid crystal confined in open microchannels.

    • Takuya Ohzono
    • , Takahiro Yamamoto
    •  & Jun-ichi Fukuda

  • Article |

    Understanding spin dynamics in the cuprates is vital to understanding the origin high-temperature superconductivity. X-ray and neutron spectra obtained by Ishii et al.suggest that the spins in electron-doped cuprates are itinerant, in contrast to recent evidence that in hole-doped cuprates they are localized.

    • K. Ishii
    • , M. Fujita
    •  & J. Mizuki

  • Article |

    Controlling colloidal assemblies without the need of a template or electrode is still a challenging goal. Here Kim et al.use photo-induced ion flow in an indium tin oxide-coated substrate to control this process, allowing reversible assembly of colloidal crystals in a three-dimensional manner.

    • Youngri Kim
    • , Aayush A. Shah
    •  & Michael J. Solomon

  • Article |

    The ability to easily modulate a material’s photoluminescent properties in response to stimuli is difficult to achieve in liquid crystals. Here the authors report ionic liquid crystals exhibiting high fluorescent quantum yields with redox-dependent photoluminescence.

    • Amerigo Beneduci
    • , Sante Cospito
    •  & Giuseppe Chidichimo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Two-photon-pumped dye lasers are useful for applications such as biological imaging; however, loss processes reduce their efficiency. Here, metal-organic frameworks, into which the laser dye is incorporated, demonstrate enhanced laser operation because losses such as dye aggregation-caused quenching are reduced.

    • Jiancan Yu
    • , Yuanjing Cui
    •  & Guodong Qian

  • Article |

    Photoreduction is a promising method for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide, but the dynamics of the process are unclear. Here, the authors explore the process via a pump–probe technique, revealing its ultrafast nature and the involvement of solvated electrons produced by irradiation of the solvent.

    • Régis Y. N. Gengler
    • , Daniel S. Badali
    •  & R. J. Dwayne Miller

  • Article |

    Crystalline porous materials are commonly based around negatively charged frameworks, so ion-exchange is limited to cations. Here, the authors report a series of positive metal-organic frameworks, capable of ion exchange of large organic anions, with potential in separation and purification applications.

    • Xiang Zhao
    • , Xianhui Bu
    •  & Pingyun Feng

  • Article |

    Techniques for shape-controlling of hydrogels, that is, crosslinked networks of polymers, could make possible various biomimetic applications. Palleau et al.propose a strategy to pattern three-dimensional hydrogels using electric potential, which allows directed bending and fast controllable actuation.

    • Etienne Palleau
    • , Daniel Morales
    •  & Orlin D. Velev

  • Article |

    Small interfering RNA is degraded by plasma and can’t cross the cell membrane due to its negative charge. Here, the authors present an influenza inspired polymer carrier, capable of local RNA delivery, which degrades to a non-toxic by-product, and is thus suitable for multiple doses.

    • Nghia P Truong
    • , Wenyi Gu
    •  & Michael J Monteiro

  • Article |

    Methane is an important greenhouse gas but its capture presents a challenge due to its weak interactions with most materials. Here the authors perform a systematic screening of liquid solvents and nanoporous zeolites, and identify zeolite structures with good potential for methane uptake and separation.

    • Jihan Kim
    • , Amitesh Maiti
    •  & Roger D. Aines

  • Article |

    Graphene oxide has been proposed as an alternative to precious metals for the catalysis of aerobic oxidative reactions; however, high catalyst loadings are needed. Here a simple base and acid treatment is shown to enhance its catalytic activity for the oxidative coupling of amines under ambient conditions.

    • Chenliang Su
    • , Muge Acik
    •  & Kian Ping Loh

  • Article |

    The exploitation of the properties of graphene, such as mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, in deformable macroscopic materials is desirable. Here, a combination of graphene chemistry and ice physics is used to fabricate biomimetic, ultralight and superelastic graphene cellular monoliths.

    • Ling Qiu
    • , Jeffery Z. Liu
    •  & Dan Li

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