Monodisperse wurtzite CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) nanocrystals have been synthesized over the entire composition range using a facile solution-based method. Depending on the chemical composition and synthesis conditions, the morphology of the nanocrystals can be controlled in the form of bullet-like, rod-like, and tadpole-like shapes. The band gap of the nanocrystals increases linearly with increasing Ga concentration, with band gap values for the end members being close to those observed in the bulk. Colloidal suspensions of the nanocrystals are attractive for use as inks for low-cost fabrication of thin film solar cells by spin or spray coating.

Liquid-crystal elastomer (LCE) materials, which have been developed and investigated for 4 decades, still lack real industrial applications. The fundamental obstacle is the modest force of LCEs generated in the LC-to-isotropic phase transition process, which is the most important actuation moment. Here, we report an interpenetrating liquid-crystal polyurethane/polyacrylate elastomer material, consisting of one main-chain polyurethane LCE and another liquid-crystal polyacrylate thermoset network, which are simultaneously polymerized. This two-way shape memory material can reversibly shrink/expand under thermal stimulus and show ultrastrong actuation−mechanics properties. With a maximum shrinkage ratio of 86% at 140 °C, which is beyond the LC-to-isotropic phase transition, its actuation blocking stress, actuation work capacity, breaking strength, and elastic modulus reach 2.53 MPa, 1267.7 kJ/m 3 , 7.9 MPa, and 10.4 MPa, respectively. Such LCE material can lift up a load 30 000 times heavier than its own weight. We hope the outstanding mechanical properties of this interpenetrating polymer network-LCE material would pave the way for real industrial utilizations of LCE-based soft actuators.

In this Communication, we develop a two-step acyclic diene metathesis in situ polymerization/cross-linking method to synthesize uniaxially aligned main-chain liquid crystal elastomers with chemically bonded near-infrared absorbing four-alkenyl-tailed croconaine-core cross-linkers. Because of the extraordinary photothermal conversion property, such a soft actuator material can raise its local temperature from 18 to 260 °C in 8 s, and lift up burdens 5600 times heavier than its own weight, under 808 nm near-infrared irradiation.

Cu(2)FeSnS(4) (CFTS) nanocrystals with tunable crystal phase have been synthesized using a solution-based method. As-synthesized CFTS nanocrystals in the shape of oblate spheroid and triangular plate with band gaps of 1.54 ± 0.04 and 1.46 ± 0.03 eV, respectively, appear attractive as a low-cost substitute for thin film solar cells.

It is well known that tumors have an acidic pH microenvironment and contain a high content of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). These features of the tumor microenvironment may provide physiochemical conditions that are suitable for selective tumor therapy and recognition. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that a type of graphene oxide nanoparticle (N-GO) can exhibit peroxidase-like activities (i.e., can increase the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)) under acidic conditions and catalyze the conversion of H 2 O 2 to ROShydroxyl radicals (HO • ) in the acidic microenvironment in Hela tumors. The concentrated and highly toxic HO • can then trigger necrosis of tumor cells. In the microenvironment of normal tissues, which has a neutral pH and low levels of H 2 O 2 , N-GOs exhibit catalase-like activity (scavenge ROS) that splits H 2 O 2 into O 2 and water (H 2 O), leaving normal cells unharmed. In the recognition of tumors, an inherent redox characteristic of dopamine is that it oxidizes to form dopamine− quinine under neutral (pH 7.4) conditions, quenching the fluorescence of N-GOs; however, this characteristic has no effect on the fluorescence of N-GOs in an acidic (pH 6.0) medium. This pH-controlled response provides an active targeting strategy for the diagnostic recognition of tumor cells. Our current work demonstrates that nanocatalytic N-GOs in an acidic and high-H 2 O 2 tumor microenvironment can provide novel benefits that can reduce drug resistance, minimize side effects on normal tissues, improve antitumor efficacy, and offer good biocompatibility for tumor selective therapeutics and specific recognition.

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A hybrid material of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Mn-based metal organic frameworks (Mn-MOF) was synthesized and used as a Mn-based supercapacitor electrode material. The incorporation of CNTs into Mn-MOF led to an inherent improvement in conductivity and an intrinsic increase in specific capacitance (from 43.2 F g À1 for pure Mn-MOF to 203.1 F g À1 for CNTs@Mn-MOF). Furthermore, the symmetrical supercapacitor based on the CNTs@Mn-MOF exhibited excellent power density and outstanding stability even after 3000 cycles with 88% retention of the initial capacitance. This research exploited a new direction for developing Mn-based supercapacitor materials and provided an effective method to improve capacitive performance of MOFs materials.

A novel NIR-responsive GNR/LCE composite fiber material was prepared by a three-step sequential thiol-click chemistry approach. Taking advantage of GNRs' significant photo-thermal effect, a GNR/LCE composite material with a very low Au loading-level (0.09 wt%), under 808 nm NIR stimulus achieved the N-to-I transition and shrank dramatically in an ambient environment.