MoS2 thin films are directly synthesized over FTO/glass substrate in a one-step process and used as an efficient electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

The present work unveils the electrochemical properties of a newly emerging multiferroic material, double perovskite Y2NiMnO6, as an active material for the positive electrode of electrochemical supercapacitors.

Surface modification can have a significant influence on the materials behavior at the nanoscale and can lead to nanostructures with novel properties. Here, we demonstrate the surface modification induced multiple photoluminescence and room temperature ferromagnetic activation of Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs). Employing a systematic variation of the ligands, their functional groups and the structural position of the functional groups, we have identified the necessary and sufficient structural requirements of the surface co-ordinating ligands, in order to induce unprecedented optical/magnetic responses from the NPs. Using a multitude of spectroscopic techniques, we have investigated the mechanism behind the emergence of the multiple photoluminescence (PL), and it is revealed that the presence of a a-hydroxy carboxylate moiety in the ligands is necessary to activate the Jahn-Teller (J-T) splitting of Mn 3+ ions on the NP surface and the corresponding d-d transitions along with the ligandto-metal charge transfer transitions (LMCT, associated with Mn 2+/3+ -ligand interactions) is the key factor. However, the presence of a carboxylate group on the surface coordinating ligands is sufficient to activate the room temperature ferromagnetism of the NPs. Moreover, it has been observed that the ligands that induced the smallest crystal field splitting energy (CFSE) resulted in the strongest ferromagnetic activation of the NPs. Finally, the functionalized material has been identified as an efficient catalyst for the photo-degradation of a model cationic organic dye. Apart from the fundamental scientific interest, these results represent a promising route for the rational design of Mn 3 O 4 NPs adaptable to diverse applications.

With the advent of foldable electronics, it is necessary to develop a technology ensuring foldability when the circuit lines are placed on the topmost substrate rather than in the neutral plane used in the present industry. Considering the potential technological impacts, conversion of the conventional printed circuit boards to foldable ones is most desirable to achieve the topmost circuitry. This study realizes this unconventional conversion concept by coating an ultrathin anisotropic conductive film (UACF) on a printed metal circuit board. This study presents rapid large-area synthesis of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) thin films and their use as the UACF. Since the synthesized a-C:H thin film has electrical transparency, the metal/a-C:H hybrid board reflects the complexity of the underlying metal circuit board. The a-C:H thin film electrically connects the cracked area of the metal line; thus, the hybrid circuit board is foldable without resistance change during repeated folding cycles. The metal/UACF hybrid circuit board can be applied to the fabrication of various foldable electronic devices.

With emerging interest in foldable and stretchable displays, the need to develop transparent deformable electrode and interconnection is increasing. Even though metal films have been standard electrodes in conventional electronic devices due to their high conductivity and well-established process, they have never been used for transparent deformable electrodes. We present highly conductive transparent deformable Au film electrodes and use them to fabricate a foldable perovskite light-emitting diode (PeLED) and a biaxially stretchable alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) display. We exhibit the formation of an ultrathin (6 nm) continuous Au film on an anisotropic conductive ultrathin film (ACUF) of amorphous carbon. The ultrathin Au film was first formed on an ACUF-coated Si wafer (4 in. scale) through metal evaporation and transferred to the polymer substrates by a simple and effective water-assisted delamination process. Then, a hybrid electrode (ACUF/ACUF/Au) was produced as the transparent deformable electrode. Complicated interconnections could be created by metal deposition through a mask. The electrical conductance of the hybrid electrode was not affected by the crack formation in the Au film during electrode folding, crumpling, and stretching. We reveal the reason why the hybrid electrode can maintain such excellent electrical stability under deformation.

Although wafer‐scale single‐grain thin films of 2D metal chalcogenides (MCs) have been extensively sought after during the last decade, the grain size of the MC thin films is still limited in the sub‐millimeter scale. A general strategy of synthesizing wafer‐scale single‐grain MC thin films by using commercial wafers (Si, Ge, GaAs) both as metal source and epitaxial collimator is presented. A new mechanism of single‐grain thin‐film formation, surface diffusion, and epitaxial self‐planarization is proposed, where chalcogen elements migrate preferentially along substrate surface and the epitaxial crystal domains flow to form an atomically smooth thin film. Through synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, the formation of single‐grain Si2Te3, GeTe, GeSe, and GaTe thin films on (111) Si, Ge, and (100) GaAs is verified. The Si2Te3 thin film is used to achieve transfer‐free fabrication of a high‐performance bipolar memristive electrical‐switching device.

2D metal chalcogenide thin films have recently attracted considerable attention owing to their unique physicochemical properties and great potential in a variety of applications. Synthesis of large-area 2D metal chalcogenide thin films in controllable ways remains a key challenge in this research field. Recently, the solution-based synthesis of 2D metal chalcogenide thin films has emerged as an alternative approach to vacuum-based synthesis because it is relatively simple and easy to scale up for high-throughput production. In addition, solution-based thin films open new opportunities that cannot be achieved from vacuum-based thin films. Here, a comprehensive summary regarding the basic structures and properties of different types of 2D metal chalcogenides, the mechanistic details of the chemical reactions in the synthesis of the metal chalcogenide thin films, recent successes in the synthesis by different reaction approaches, and the applications and potential uses is provided. In the last perspective section, the technical challenges to be overcome and the future research directions in the solution-based synthesis of 2D metal chalcogenides are discussed.

The MnFe2O4 nanoparticle has been among the most frequently chosen systems due to its diverse applications in the fields ranging from medical diagnostics to magnetic hyperthermia and site-specific drug delivery. Although numerous efforts have been directed in the synthesis of monodisperse MnFe2O4 nanocrystals, unfortunately, however, studies regarding the tuning of surface property of the synthesized nanocrystals through functionalization are sparse in the existing literature. Herein, we demonstrate the emergence of intrinsic multicolor fluorescence in MnFe2O4 nanoparticles from blue, cyan, and green to red, upon functionalization and further surface modification with a small organic ligand, Na-tartrate. Moreover, we have found an unprecedented photocatalytic property of the functionalized MnFe2O4 nanoparticles in the degradation of a model water contaminant. Detailed characterization through XRD, TEM, and FTIR confirms the very small size and functionalization of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with a biocompatible ligand. Proper investigation through UV-visible absorption, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence study reveals that ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition from the tartrate ligand to the lowest unoccupied energy level of Mn(2+/3+)or Fe(3+) of the NPs and Jahn-Teller distorted d-d transitions centered over Mn(3+) ions in the NPs play the key role behind the generation of multiple fluorescence from the ligand-functionalized MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. VSM measurements indicates that the superparamagnetic nature of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles remains unchanged even after surface modification. We believe that the developed superparamagnetic, multicolor fluorescent MnFe2O4 nanopaticles would open up new opportunities as well as enhance their beneficial activities toward diverse applications.