MatterPub Date : 2025-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102430
Prem K. Reddy, Prince Verma, Ankit Dhakal, Rajan R. Bhawnani, Meagan Phister, Anish V. Dighe, Kevin H. Stone, Gaurav Giri, Meenesh R. Singh
{"title":"Mechanistic insights into metal-organic framework thin film growth from microkinetic analysis of in situ X-ray scattering data","authors":"Prem K. Reddy, Prince Verma, Ankit Dhakal, Rajan R. Bhawnani, Meagan Phister, Anish V. Dighe, Kevin H. Stone, Gaurav Giri, Meenesh R. Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102430","url":null,"abstract":"Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films offer exceptional properties for diverse applications, yet the mechanisms underlying MOF crystallization are not fully understood. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the nucleation and growth mechanisms of these highly porous, crystalline materials under dynamic evaporative conditions. Here, an <em>in situ</em> grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) combined with a microkinetic model is used to probe the dynamic growth of MOF films. We show that while most high-order oligomers are produced in the solution phase, the key parameters that control thin-film growth are autocatalytic synthesis of secondary building units (SBUs) followed by physisorption on silicon wafer substrate, exponential growth due to evaporation-driven step growth, and transition to the stationary phase due to mass-transfer-limited growth. Importantly, this study demonstrates the applicability of this microkinetic modeling framework to predict film properties across a range of temperatures and reactant concentrations, allowing for rational design of MOF thin films.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102452
Artem Skrypnik, Leon Knüpfer, Pavel Trtik, Tobias Lappan, Muhammad Ziauddin, Sascha Heitkam
{"title":"Generating structured foam via flowing through a wire array","authors":"Artem Skrypnik, Leon Knüpfer, Pavel Trtik, Tobias Lappan, Muhammad Ziauddin, Sascha Heitkam","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102452","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102452","url":null,"abstract":"Efficient manufacturing methods could unlock foams with tailored, anisotropic properties. Conventional foam production methods rely on the self-arrangement of bubbles, typically leading to isotropic materials, or involve intricate additive layering processes. This study presents a simple, passive technique to modify the foam structure. A set of thin parallel wires was introduced into the foam flow. Initially, the bubbles are randomly arranged as they rise vertically within a column. Passing through the wire grid alters the bubble arrangement. Neutron radiography of the flowing foam reveals a distinct change in the structural organization of the bubbles. The resulting structural anisotropy is characterized by alternating layers of high and low liquid fractions. The strength of the pattern is significantly influenced by the relation between bubble size and wire spacing. These findings suggest a potential approach for creating architected materials from liquid foam, offering new possibilities for material design and improved functionality.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Kaleidoscopic stress-colored birefringent metamaterial for digital multiplexed encryption","authors":"Xin Liang, Hanxin Xia, Wenjun Peng, Xianming Zhang, Yaoguang Ma, Qian Zhao, Tao Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102435","url":null,"abstract":"Optical metamaterials that can interact with light in a sophisticated way are in increasing demand for multiplexed optical encryption. Current designs rely on creating delicate micro-structures of specific materials, which require complex device fabrication. Here, we devise a mechanism to fabricate birefringent metamaterials with their optical functions arising from spatially programmable stresses in common photosensitive resins. Typically, volume shrinkage occurs during the photocuring, which leads to random, undesirable, yet inevitable internal stress. In contrast, our approach digitally manipulates the stress magnitude/direction via sequential patterned exposure, converting pixelated shrinkage stress into engineered optical anisotropy. Consequently, multiple distinct birefringent colored patterns can be created on a single material. These color patterns and the associated information are invisible under regular light but can be independently decoded under a rotating polarization field, similar to a kaleidoscope. Our birefringent metamaterials are simple and fast to produce yet exhibit unusual versatility due to the digital light fabrication.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145078492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High-mobility PbSe crystals with trace Sb doping for wide-temperature thermoelectric applications","authors":"Zhan Si, Dezheng Gao, Zhiyao Zhang, Yuxiang Wei, Jiankun Kang, Yu Tian, Yi Wen, Xiang Gao, Hongyao Xie, Li-Dong Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102421","url":null,"abstract":"We challenge the conventional design paradigm by demonstrating that light doping in single crystals can more effectively enhance the average <em>ZT</em>. A large-sized PbSe single crystal lightly doped with Sb was successfully grown via physical vapor deposition. By eliminating grain-boundary and point-defect scattering, the PbSb<sub>0.001</sub>Se crystal achieves a high electron mobility of 1,050 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> and a moderate carrier concentration of 1 × 10<sup>19</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup> at room temperature. This significantly improves thermoelectric performance over a wide temperature range. The optimized sample was fabricated into a 7-pair cooling device, achieving a temperature difference of 49 K at room temperature. Additionally, a single-leg device demonstrated a power generation efficiency of 8%. These results highlight how lightly doped single crystals provide a promising pathway to achieving high average <em>ZT</em>, making PbSe a competitive Te-free candidate for efficient thermoelectric cooling and power generation.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"312 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145071938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-09-12DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102428
Limei Liu, Xuyang Feng, Jiaxuan Du, Haoyang Wang, Enbo Xue, Shisheng Chen, Tomoyuki Yokota, Takao Someya, Binghao Wang
{"title":"Sweat-activated conductive hydrogel nanomesh for breathable, long-term electrophysiological monitoring and human-centric interfaces","authors":"Limei Liu, Xuyang Feng, Jiaxuan Du, Haoyang Wang, Enbo Xue, Shisheng Chen, Tomoyuki Yokota, Takao Someya, Binghao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102428","url":null,"abstract":"Developing breathable and reusable ultrathin bioelectrodes is crucial for continuous electrophysiological monitoring. Thin, dry electrodes suit long-term use but lose hydrogel advantages like near-zero half-cell potential (HCP) and adhesion, critical for detecting weak physiological signals. Polymer nanomesh-reinforced breathable hydrogel electrodes offer interfacial improvement and last ∼10 days, yet performance degrades after extended time. This study introduces a \"spinning-crosslinking-soaking\" (SCS) technique to produce ultrathin (∼6 μm), self-standing conductive hydrogel nanomesh (CHN) electrodes with sweat-activated ionic conductivity and adhesion, enabling dynamic, long-term reuse. The versatility of the SCS technique was demonstrated by fabricating three types of biocompatible CHN electrodes, all exhibiting low skin impedance, negligible HCP, gas/moisture permeability, and skin-like mechanics. Paired with a miniature flexible circuit, the system exhibits high-fidelity electrophysiological monitoring and can be sweat reactivated for over 100 days without skin irritation. This innovation offers a significant advancement in long-term breathable bioelectrodes, facilitating health monitoring and seamless human-centric interactions.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102416
Cong Wang, Jae-Min Myoung
{"title":"Spatially confined synthesis of CsPbBr3 quantum dots for high-performance pure-blue light-emitting diodes","authors":"Cong Wang, Jae-Min Myoung","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102416","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102416","url":null,"abstract":"All-inorganic CsPbX<sub>3</sub> perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) offer exceptional optical properties, yet producing bright, stable, pure-blue CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) remains challenging due to a lack of reliable methods to precisely control the size of PeQDs and induce strong quantum confinement. Here, we report a spatial-confinement approach using metal-organic frameworks to synthesize monodisperse CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> QDs as small as 1.9 nm. Subsequent surface engineering via 3,3-diphenylpropylamine ligand exchange and ionic liquid treated hole transport layers yields pure-blue PeLEDs with a luminance of 2,037 cd m<sup>−2</sup> and an external quantum efficiency of 5.04% at 460 nm. Additionally, we introduce a scalable and solution-processable stamp-mask patterning technique for <em>in situ</em> fabrication of large-scale patterned pure-blue PeLEDs in the emission layer while preserving QD crystallization, nucleation, and film integrity. This simple, rapid, and effective strategy offers valuable reference for the controlled synthesis of ultrasmall PeQDs and the advancement of patterned optoelectronic devices.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102413
Aixiang Ding, David S. Cleveland, Kaelyn L. Gasvoda, Eben Alsberg
{"title":"Cell contractile forces drive spatiotemporal morphogenesis in 4D bioprinted living constructs","authors":"Aixiang Ding, David S. Cleveland, Kaelyn L. Gasvoda, Eben Alsberg","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102413","url":null,"abstract":"Current 4D materials typically rely on external stimuli such as heat or light to accomplish changes in shape, limiting the biocompatibility of these materials. Here, a composite bioink consisting of oxidized and methacrylated alginate (OMA), methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), and gelatin microspheres is developed to accomplish freestanding 4D bioprinting of cell-laden structures driven by an internal stimulus: cell contractile forces (CCFs). 4D changes in shape are directed by forming bilayer constructs consisting of one cell-free and one cell-laden layer. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are encapsulated to demonstrate the ability to simultaneously induce changes in shape and chondrogenic/osteogenic differentiation. Finally, the capability of patterning each layer of the printed constructs to obtain complex geometric changes—including bending around two separate, non-parallel axes—is exhibited. Bioprinting of such 4D constructs mediated by CCFs empowers the formation of more complex constructs, contributing to a greater degree of <em>in vitro</em> biomimicry of biological 4D phenomena.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102418
Hengdi Zhao, Xiuquan Zhou, Hyowon Park, Tianqi Deng, Brandon Wilfong, Alann P. Au, Samuel E. Pate, Craig M. Brown, Hui Wu, Tushar Bhowmick, Tessa McNamee, Ravhi Kumar, Yu-Sheng Chen, Zhi-Li Xiao, Russell Hemley, Weizhao Cai, Shanti Deemyad, Duck-Young Chung, Stephan Rosenkranz, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
{"title":"Evolution from topological Dirac metal to flat-band-induced antiferromagnet in layered KxNi4S2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)","authors":"Hengdi Zhao, Xiuquan Zhou, Hyowon Park, Tianqi Deng, Brandon Wilfong, Alann P. Au, Samuel E. Pate, Craig M. Brown, Hui Wu, Tushar Bhowmick, Tessa McNamee, Ravhi Kumar, Yu-Sheng Chen, Zhi-Li Xiao, Russell Hemley, Weizhao Cai, Shanti Deemyad, Duck-Young Chung, Stephan Rosenkranz, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102418","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102418","url":null,"abstract":"Condensed matter systems with coexisting Dirac cones and flat bands and a switchable control between them within a single system are desirable but remarkably uncommon. Here, we report a layered quantum material system, K<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>4</sub>S<sub>2</sub> (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), that simultaneously hosts both characteristics without involving typical Kagome/honeycomb lattices. Enabled by a topochemical K-deintercalation process, the Fermi surface can be fine-tuned continuously over a wide range of energies. Consequently, a non-magnetic Dirac-metal state with a topological nontrivial Z<sub>2</sub> index of 1;(000), supported by first-principles calculations and high mobility up to 1,471 cm<sup>2</sup>V<sup>−1</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>, is observed on the K-rich x = 1 side, whereas a flat-band-induced antiferromagnetic state with T<sub>N</sub> up to 10.1 K emerges as the K-content approaches 0. The K<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>4</sub>S<sub>2</sub> system offers a versatile platform for exploring emerging phenomena and underscores a viable pathway for <em>in situ</em> control of quantum materials dominated by Dirac cones, flat bands, and their interplay.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"77 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scalable and facile flame-assisted synthesis of electron-rich Pt clusters/Ni(OH)2 electrocatalyst for robust AEM water electrolysis","authors":"Jinze Li, Hao Li, Wenfu Xie, Yining Sun, Jiahao Jin, Qiwei Shi, Mingfei Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102414","url":null,"abstract":"The complex synthesis and limited durability of cost-efficient heterostructure hydrogen catalysts have hindered the large-scale application of anion-exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. Here, a facile flame-assisted method was developed to synthesize electron-rich Pt clusters supported on Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub> (Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub>@Pt<sup><em>δ</em>−</sup>-NC) within 1 min, achieving a minimal Pt loading of 0.05 mg cm<sup>−2</sup>. The synergy between vacancy-rich Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub> and electron-rich Pt clusters modulates intermediate adsorption-desorption processes, achieving ultralow overpotential of 9 mV at 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> and outstanding long-term stability (2,400 h at 200 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>). Moreover, when employed as the cathode in an AEM electrolyzer, the catalyst achieves 1 A cm<sup>−2</sup> at 1.74 V and 5 A cm<sup>−2</sup> at 2.23 V. Furthermore, the flame-assisted strategy enables stable synthesis of the catalyst at a scale of 100 cm<sup>2</sup>. When integrated into an industrial-grade electrolyzer stack, the catalyst maintains a high current of 160 A for 1,000 h, demonstrating enormous potential for future industrial applications.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}