More Like this

1. The luminescent and photophysical properties of covalent organic frameworks

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c9cs00807a  

   Haug, W. Karl; Moscarello, Erica M.; Wolfson, Eric R.; McGrier, Psaras L. (February 2020, Chemical Society Reviews)

   null (Ed.)

   Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of crystalline porous polymers that have attracted significant attention due to their tunable properties and structural robustness. As a result, COFs with luminescent properties are of great interest for fields such as chemical sensing, solid-state light emitters, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics. However, the bottom-up synthesis of luminescent COF systems remains a challenge in the field due to an abundance of competing non-radiative pathways, including phenomena such as aggregate caused quenching (ACQ). To overcome these obstacles, there has been a burgeoning investigation into the luminescent and photophysical properties of COFs. This review will highlight methods used to fabricate luminescent COFs and discuss the factors that are critical for their production. A collection of known luminescent COF systems will be featured. In addition, the ability to utilize the photophysical properties of COFs for applications related to photocatalysis, solid-state light emitters, and chemical sensing will be addressed. An outlook will address the current progress and remaining challenges facing the field to ultimately expand the scope of their applications. 

   more » « less
2. Opportunities of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Advanced Applications

   https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201801410  

   Song, Yanpei; Sun, Qi; Aguila, Briana; Ma, Shengqian (November 2018, Advanced Science)

   Abstract Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of functional nanostructures with intriguing properties, due to their unprecedented combination of high crystallinity, tunable pore size, large surface area, and unique molecular architecture. The range of properties characterized in COFs has rapidly expanded to include those of interest for numerous applications ranging from energy to environment. Here, a background overview is provided, consisting of a brief introduction of porous materials and the design feature of COFs. Then, recent advancements of COFs as a designer platform for a plethora of applications are emphasized together with discussions about the strategies and principles involved. Finally, challenges remaining for this type material for real applications are outlined. 

   more » « less
3. A Review of the Effects of Electrode Fabrication and Assembly Processes on the Structure and Electrochemical Performance of 2D MXenes

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202005305  

   Orangi, Jafar; Beidaghi, Majid (August 2020, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract MXenes are 2D materials with relatively high surface areas, high electrical conductivities, functional transition metal surfaces, tunable surface chemistries, and solution processability. Due to these properties, 2D MXenes have attracted widespread attention as electrode materials for energy storage devices, including electrochemical capacitors, with high power and energy densities. However, many studies have shown that the electrochemical performance of MXene electrodes is considerably affected by their structure and morphology. These properties are, for the most part, controlled by the method used for the assembly of 2D MXene flakes and the electrode fabrication methods. A successful electrode assembly and fabrication method should address several challenges, such as the restacking of 2D flakes, to achieve electrode structures and morphologies that deliver high ionic transport properties, electrical conductivity, and mechanical stability. This review aims to provide insight into the current state‐of‐the‐art assembly and fabrication methods used to design and fabricate high performance electrodes based on MXenes. The major challenges to be addressed and possible future directions in the fabrication of MXene electrodes for practical energy storage applications are highlighted. 

   more » « less
4. Pore surface engineering of covalent organic frameworks: structural diversity and applications

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c9nr07525a  

   Vardhan, Harsh; Nafady, Ayman; Al-Enizi, Abdullah M.; Ma, Shengqian (November 2019, Nanoscale)

   Connecting molecular building blocks by covalent bonds to form extended crystalline structures has caused a sharp upsurge in the field of porous materials, especially covalent organic frameworks (COFs), thereby translating the accuracy, precision, and versatility of covalent chemistry from discrete molecules to two-dimensional and three-dimensional crystalline structures. COFs are crystalline porous frameworks prepared by a bottom-up approach from predesigned symmetric units with well-defined structural properties such as a high surface area, distinct pores, cavities, channels, thermal and chemical stability, structural flexibility and functional design. Due to the tedious and sometimes impossible introduction of certain functionalities into COFs via de novo synthesis, pore surface engineering through judicious functionalization with a range of substituents under ambient or harsh conditions using the principle of coordination chemistry, chemical conversion, and building block exchange is of profound importance. In this review, we aim to summarize dynamic covalent chemistry and framework linkage in the context of design features, different methods and perspectives of pore surface engineering along with their versatile roles in a plethora of applications such as biomedical, gas storage and separation, catalysis, sensing, energy storage and environmental remediation. 

   more » « less
5. Interface Engineering V ₂ O ₅ Nanofibers for High‐Energy and Durable Supercapacitors

   https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201901747  

   Bi, Wenchao; Wang, Jichao; Jahrman, Evan P.; Seidler, Gerald T.; Gao, Guohua; Wu, Guangming; Cao, Guozhong (June 2019, Small)

   Abstract A local electric field is induced to engineer the interface of vanadium pentoxide nanofibers (V₂O₅‐NF) to manipulate the charge transport behavior and obtain high‐energy and durable supercapacitors. The interface of V₂O₅‐NF is modified with oxygen vacancies (Vö) in a one‐step polymerization process of polyaniline (PANI). In the charge storage process, the local electric field deriving from the lopsided charge distribution around Vö will provide Coulombic forces to promote the charge transport in the resultant Vö‐V₂O₅/PANI nanocable electrode. Furthermore, an ≈7 nm porous PANI coating serves as the external percolated charge transport pathway. As the charge transfer kinetics are synergistically enhanced by the dual modifications, Vö‐V₂O₅/PANI‐based supercapacitors exhibit an excellent specific capacitance (523 F g⁻¹) as well as a long cycling lifespan (110% of capacitance remained after 20 000 cycles). This work paves an effective way to promote the charge transfer kinetics of electrode materials for next‐generation energy storage systems. 

   more » « less