Multifunctional Properties Research Articles

Safety Assessment of Graphene-Based Materials.

Graphene is the first 2D atomic crystal, and its isolation heralded a new era in materials science with the emergence of several other atomically thin materials displaying multifunctional properties. The safety assessment of new materials is often something of an afterthought, but in the case of graphene, the initial isolation and characterization of the material was soon followed by the assessment of its potential impact on living systems. The Graphene Flagship project addressed the health and environmental aspects of graphene and other 2D materials, providing an instructive lesson in interdisciplinarity - from materials science to biology. Here, the outcomes of the toxicological and ecotoxicological studies performed on graphene and its derivatives, and the key lessons learned from this decade-long journey, are highlighted.

Therapeutic Advantages of Nanoparticle-Impregnated Lysozyme Conjugates toward Amyloid-β Fibrillation and Antimicrobial Activity.

The interaction of protein with nanoparticles (NPs) of varying shape and/or size boosts our understanding on their bioreactivity and establishes a comprehensive database for use in medicine, diagnosis, and therapeutic applications. The present study explores the interaction between lysozyme (LYZ) and different NPs like graphene oxide (GO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) having various shapes (spherical, 's', and rod-shaped, 'r') and sizes, focusing on their binding dynamics and subsequent effects on both the protein fibrillation and antimicrobial properties. Typically, GO is considered a promising medium due to its apparent inhibition and prolonged lag phase for LYZ fibrillation. However, the present results showed that spherical ZnO NPs (sZnO) offer superior efficacy in modulating fibrillation with an extended lag time of about 158.70 h, further emphasizing the importance of detailed investigation on the nanomaterial characteristics and fibril formation kinetics beyond initial observations. The experimental findings further confirmed a strong correlation between the binding affinity of NPs to the native protein and their effective inhibition of protein denaturation, ultimately preventing fibril formation. Interestingly, the lysozyme nanoconjugates showed intriguing bactericidal effects, as confirmed through the agar plate assay and SEM imaging, over the native protein. Overall, this study shows that appropriate bionanomaterials can exhibit multifunctional properties, which paves the way for a deeper investigation of NP characteristics, ultimately benefiting a wide array of intriguing research.

Surface and Interfacial Engineering for Multifunctional Nanocarbon Materials.

Multifunctional materials are accelerating the development of soft electronics with integrated capabilities including wearable physical sensing, efficient thermal management, and high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding. With outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, nanocarbon materials offer ample opportunities for designing multifunctional devices with broad applications. Surface and interfacial engineering have emerged as an effective approach to modulate interconnected structures, which may have tunable and synergistic effects for the precise control over mechanical, transport, and electromagnetic properties. This review presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances empowering the development of multifunctional nanocarbon materials via surface and interfacial engineering in the context of surface and interfacial engineering techniques, structural evolution, multifunctional properties, and their wide applications. Special emphasis is placed on identifying the critical correlations between interfacial structures across nanoscales, microscales, and macroscales and multifunctional properties. The challenges currently faced by the multifunctional nanocarbon materials are examined, and potential opportunities for applications are also revealed. We anticipate that this comprehensive review will promote the further development of soft electronics and trigger ideas for the interfacial design of nanocarbon materials in multidisciplinary applications.

Multifunctional Properties and Potential Applications of Prussian Blue Analogue Magnets

Multifunctional Properties and Potential Applications of Prussian Blue Analogue Magnets

Competitive Coordination and Dual Interphase Regulation of MOF-Modified Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Sodium Metal Batteries.

Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have emerged as prominent candidates for solid-state sodium metal batteries (SMBs) due to their enhanced flexibility and reduced interfacial resistance. However, their performance is limited by poor Na+ conductivity at room temperature, disordered ion transport properties and unstable interfaces. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected copper metal organic framework (Cu-MOF) on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers is introduced into polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based SPEs to construct a composite electrolyte (PPNM). The open metal sites (OMS) of the Cu-MOF compete with Na+, effectively coordinating with TFSI- anions and oxygen atoms in PEO, thereby reducing concentration polarization, weakening the Na+-O binding strength and facilitating Na+ migration. By harnessing the multifunctional properties of Cu-MOF and PAN, the PPNM electrolyte exhibits superior ionic conductivity (1.03×10-4 S cm-1) and a high Na+ transference number (0.58) at room temperature. The strong anchoring of TFSI- anions by Cu-MOF promotes the formation of inorganic-rich (NaF and Na3N) cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers, enhancing dual interfacial stability. The Na3V2(PO4)3@C/PPNM/Na full cells realize robust cycling performance for 2000 cycles at 200 mA g-1. This work provides a facile strategy for regulating the Na+ coordination state and interphase engineering in solid-state SMBs.

"Brick-mud" Porous Impregnated-segregated Polymer Composites with Excellent Electrical Insulation, High Thermal Conductivity, and Good Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

The advancement of 5G communication systems and modern electronic devices has driven the demand for advanced polymer composites with multifunctional capabilities, including electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and mechanical robustness. However, achieving an optimal combination of these properties in a single polymeric material remains challenging. Here, a novel "brick-mud" porous impregnated-segregated structure was developed to address these challenges. This structure consists of polylactic acid/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PLA/CNTs) microspheres as the "brick" phase and polybutylene succinate/boron nitride (PBS/BN) as the "mud" phase. The interconnected porous PLA/CNTs microspheres were prepared via an emulsion method, which allowed effective infiltration by the PBS/BN matrix during melt blending, resulting in a robust interface. The ratio of "mud" to "brick" was systematically varied, facilitating regulation of the balance between the different multifunctional properties. The resulting composites demonstrated excellent performance, with EMI shielding effectiveness up to ∼41.1 dB, thermal conductivity up to ∼1.37 W·m⁻1·K⁻1, volume resistivity exceeding 101⁵ Ω·cm, and mechanical strength as high as ∼54.2 MPa, depending on the composition. Such performance characteristics make these composites particularly suitable for use as casings for 5G communication equipment, where efficient thermal management, EMI shielding, and structural durability are critical.

Two-dimensional multifunctional metal-organic frameworks with large in-plane negative Poisson ratios and photocatalytic water splitting properties.

Auxetic materials with multifunctional properties are highly sought after for application in modern nano-devices. However, the majority of reported inorganic auxetic materials exhibit low negative Poisson's ratios (NPR), poor flexibility, and limited functionality. In this study, we employ density-functional-theory (DFT) first-principles simulations to design a series of two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) M2C4X4 (M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = O, S, NCN) that display intriguing auxetic behavior, superior flexibility and appropriate photocatalytic water-splitting properties. These M2C4X4 MOFs are assembled from carbon tetragon motifs and exist in both cis- and trans-isomer forms, with the NPR ranging from -0.17 to -0.90. Notably, trans-Cu2C4(NCN)4 exhibits a high NPR of -0.90, while cis-Cu2C4(NCN)4 achieves an NPR of -0.67. Both isomers demonstrate excellent flexibility, characterized by ultra-low Young's modulus and high fracture strengths. Furthermore, their direct band gaps, strong light-harvesting capabilities, and long excited-state lifetimes make them promising candidates for the photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction in water. These results provide a viable strategy for the design and synthesis of novel optoelectronic multifunctional materials.

Internally diketopyrrolopyrrole-bridged bis-anthracene macrocycle: a multifunctional fluorescent platform.

A covalently bridged macrocycle (5) comprising two anthracene strands connected at the lactam positions of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) chromophore has been constructed. The crystal structure reveals that the central DPP chromophore is wrapped with the externally twisted bis-anthracene macrocycle. The internally bridged macrocycle architecture endows 5 with multifunctional properties. Due to shielding by the double anthracene straps, 5a and a polymer derived from it, DPP-Cycle, display strong fluorescence emission features in both organic media and the solid state. Moreover, the emission colors of these macrocyclic materials can be effectively tuned through external stimuli such as mechanical and thermal treatments, as well as solvent fuming. Compound 5a is stable in the presence of most metal cations but degrades rapidly when it comes in contact with Cu2+ in acetonitrile. This decomposition, which is thought to involve a reaction at the central DPP via a radical-mediated mechanism, was found to be accelerated in 5a compared to the non-cyclic analogue 2a. This leads us to suggest that internally bridged macrocycles, such as those described here, may have a role to play as fluorescent Cu2+ sensors. Finally, the high fluorescence of 5a in the solid state enables its use in the area of latent fingerprint (LFP) imaging.

A flexible protective electronic skin with tunable anti-impact and thermal insulation properties for potential rescue applications

Flexible structural materials with multifunctional protective properties and intelligent sensing characteristics have garnered significant attention in recent research. Here, a sandwich-structured flexible protective electronic skin (FPES) was fabricated to provide...

Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Structural, Chemical, Bioactivity and Biocompatibility Characteristics of Bioactive Glass-Polymer Composite Film.

Gamma irradiation is an effective technique for biocomposite films intended for application in tissue engineering (TE) to ensure sterility and patient safety prior to clinical applications. This study proposed a biocomposite film composed of natural polymer chitosan (CS) and synthetic polymer poly-Ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) reinforced with sol-gel-derived bioactive glass (BG) for potential application in TE. The BG/PCL/CS biocomposite film was sterilized using 25 kGy gamma rays, and subsequent changes in its characteristics were analyzed through mechanical and physical assessment, bioactivity evaluation via immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) and biocompatibility examination using human primary dermal fibroblasts (HPDFs). Results indicated a homogeneous distribution of BG particles within the BG/PCL/CS polymer matrix which enhanced bioactivity, and the polymer blend provide a structurally stable film. Gamma irradiation induced an increase in the film's surface roughness due to photo-oxidative degradation; however, this did not adversely affect the integrity of glass particles and polymer chains. Invitro assessments demonstrated hydroxyapatite formation on the film's surface, suggesting bioactivity. Biocompatibility testing confirmed enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. These multifunctional properties highlight the potential of the fabricated BG/PCL/CS biocomposite film for TE and regenerative medicine applications.

Mathematically inspired structure design in nanoscale thermal transport.

Mathematically inspired structure design has emerged as a powerful approach for tailoring material properties, especially in nanoscale thermal transport, with promising applications both within this field and beyond. By employing mathematical principles, based on number theory, such as periodicity and quasi-periodic organizations, researchers have developed advanced structures with unique thermal behaviours. Although periodic phononic crystals have been extensively explored, various structural design methods based on alternative mathematical sequences have gained attention in recent years. This review provides an in-depth overview of these mathematical frameworks, focusing on nanoscale thermal transport. We examine key mathematical sequences, their foundational principles, and analyze the influence of thermal behavior, highlighting recent advancements in this field. Looking ahead, further exploration of mathematical sequences offers significant potential for the development of next-generation materials with tailored, multi-functional properties suited to diverse technological applications.

Coexistence of altermagnetism and robust ferroelectricity in a bulk MnO wurtzite structure.

Altermagnetism is a new class of material with zero net magnetization, but having a nonrelativistic spin-split band structure. Here, we investigate the multifunctional properties of the hexagonal wurtzite MnO (w-MnO). w-MnO has a direct band gap of 0.39 eV and the altermagnetic behavior is achieved with a spin splitting of up to 188 meV. The bulk w-MnO has an in-plane magnetic anisotropy energy of -0.17 meV per cell along the [100] direction and temperature-dependent magnetization reveals a Néel temperature of around 180 K. Moreover, a maximum spin Hall conductivity of -285(ℏ/e) S cm-1 is obtained at a chemical potential of -0.24 eV. Along with the altermagnetism, we also find a large out-of-plane spontaneous polarization of 76.25 μC cm-2. w-MnO exhibits a low energy barrier of 0.26 eV per formula unit (f.u.) for polarization switching and this is further decreased to 0.15 eV per f.u. under 5% epitaxial tensile strain. The molecular dynamics simulations suggest that w-MnO retains its ferroelectric order below 2100 K indicating excellent thermal stability. These findings suggest that the hexagonal w-MnO can be a promising candidate for multiferroic applications particularly in spintronic and ferroelectric devices with high thermal stability.

Surfactin's impact on gut microbiota and intestinal tumor cells.

Surfactin exhibits multifunctional properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities, positioning it as a promising novel food additive. However, its specific effects on the gut environment remain largely unexplored. To investigate this, we conducted in vitro fermentation simulations to assess the impact of surfactin on gut microbiota. Additionally, we evaluated surfactin's inhibitory effects on HCT-116 cells. The results of the fermentation simulation indicated that surfactin significantly increased butyrate production and enhanced the relative abundance of Megamonas, Alistipes, the Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group, and Methanobrevibacter smithii, while markedly inhibiting Desulfobacterota, potentially facilitating amino acid and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, surfactin significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT-116 cells and promoted their apoptosis, without exhibiting cytotoxicity towards normal human intestinal epithelial crypt (HIEC) cells. In summary, surfactin demonstrates a favorable safety profile in the intestinal environment. This study contributes to our understanding of the interaction between surfactin and the gut environment.

Research on advanced photoresponsive azobenzene hydrogels with push-pull electronic effects: a breakthrough in photoswitchable adhesive technologies.

Smart materials that adapt to various stimuli, such as light, hold immense potential across many fields. Photoresponsive molecules like azobenzenes, which undergo E-Z photoisomerization when exposed to light, are particularly valuable for applications in smart coatings, light-controlled adhesives, and photoresists in semiconductors and integrated circuits. Despite advances in using azobenzene moieties for stimuli-responsive adhesives, the role of push-pull electronic effects in regulating reversible adhesion remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate for the first time photo-controlled hydrogel adhesives of azobenzene with different push-pull electronic groups. We synthesized the monomers 4-methoxyazobenzene acrylate (ABOMe), azobenzene acrylate (ABH), and 4-nitroazobenzene acrylate (ABNO2), and examined their effects on reversible adhesion properties. By incorporating these azobenzene monomers into acrylamide, dialdehyde-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol), and [3-(methacryloylamino)propyl]-trimethylammonium chloride, we prepared ABOMe, ABH, and ABNO2 ionic hydrogels. Our research findings demonstrate that only the ABOMe ionic hydrogel exhibits reversible adhesion. This is due to its distinct transition state mechanism compared to ABH and ABNO2, which enables efficient E-Z photoisomerization and drives its reversible adhesion properties. Notably, the ABOMe ionic hydrogel reveals an outstanding skin adhesion strength of 360.7 ± 10.1 kPa, surpassing values reported in current literature. This exceptional adhesion is attributed to Schiff base reactions, monopole-quadrupole interactions, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding with skin amino acids. Additionally, the ABOMe hydrogel exhibits excellent reversible self-healing capabilities, significantly enhancing its potential for injectable medical applications. This research underscores the importance of integrating multifunctional properties into a single system, opening new possibilities for innovative and durable adhesive materials.

Towards cell-adhesive, 4D printable PCL networks through dynamic covalent chemistry.

In recent years, the development of biodegradable, cell-adhesive polymeric implants and minimally invasive surgery has significantly advanced healthcare. These materials exhibit multifunctional properties like self-healing, shape-memory, and cell adhesion, which can be achieved through novel chemical approaches. Engineering of such materials and their scalability using a classical polymer network without complex chemical synthesis and modification has been a great challenge, which potentially can be resolved using biobased dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC). Here, we report a scalable, self-healable, biodegradable, and cell-adhesive poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based vitrimer scaffold, using imine exchange, free from the limitations of melting transitions and supramolecular interactions in 4D-printed PCL. PCL's typical hydrophobicity hinders cell adhesion; however, our design, based on photopolymerization of PCL-dimethacrylate and methacrylate-terminated vanillin-based imine, achieves a water contact angle of 64°. The polymer network, fabricated in varying proportions, exhibited a co-continuous phase morphology, achieving optimal shape fixity (91 ± 1.7%) and shape recovery (92.5 ± 0.1%) at physiological temperature (37 °C). Additionally, the scaffold promoted cell adhesion and proliferation and reduced oxidative stress at the defect site. This multifunctional material shows the potential of DCC-based research in developing smart biomedical devices with complex geometries, paving the way for novel applications in regenerative medicine and implant design.

Multifunctional transparent conductive films via Langmuir-Blodgett assembly of large MXene flakes.

The rapid development of information technology has put forward new requirements for multifunctional properties of transparent conductive films (TCFs) beyond their excellent optoelectrical performance. Despite the recent progress in the preparation of multifunctional films composed of Ti3C2Tx MXenes, achieving highly uniform single-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene films (SLMFs) with continuous and dense conductive pathways to realize multifunctional TCFs (M-TCFs) remains a significant challenge. Here, the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique is employed to assemble large Ti3C2Tx MXene (LM) flakes (∼52 μm2) into SLMFs with controlled stacking density and morphology, enabling the fabrication of M-TCFs with high conductivity and transparency simultaneously. The SLMFs assembled from LM flakes (L-SLMFs) not only exhibit balanced optical and electrical properties with a figure of merit of 9.67 (sheet resistance Rs = 318 Ω sq-1 at transmittance T = 88%) due to the close-packed morphology with significantly reduced inter-flake junctions, but also demonstrate excellent electrothermal conversion capability (105.5 °C within 40 s at 20 V when T = 75%) and remarkable absolute shielding effectiveness (up to 7.86 × 105 dB cm2 g-1 at T = 89%). The LB assembly approach provides a straightforward way to produce high-performance M-TCFs for next-generation electronic devices.

Human Paraoxonase 1: From Bloodstream Enzyme to Disease Fighter & Therapeutic Intervention.

Human paraoxonase 1 (hPON1) is a Ca2+-dependent metalloenzyme with multifunctional properties. Due to its diverse roles as arylesterase, phosphotriesterase, and lactonase, it plays a significant role in disease conditions. Researchers across the globe have demonstrated different properties of PON1, like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic, and OPneutralization. Due to its pleotropic role in disease conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and OP-poisoning, it can be considered as a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic interventions. Attempts are being made in this direction to identify the exact role of PON1 in these disease conditions. Different approaches like directed evolution, genetic as well as chemical fusion, liposomal delivery of PON1, etc., are being developed and evaluated for their therapeutic effects in different pathological pathways. In this review, we outline the exact role and involvement of different properties of PON1 in the pathophysiology of different diseases and how it can be utilized and developed as a therapeutic intervention in PON1-associated disease conditions.

Construction Innovation - Graphene Oxide as the Differentiating Nanoadditive for Concrete and Coatings

When discussing graphene materials, their mechanical strength, impermeability, flexibility, thermal and electrical conductivity, and lightness are key reference points, earning them the moniker "all-in-one material. “This versatility makes graphene suitable for various applications, including electronics, medicine, plastics, coatings, construction, and renewable energies. However, it's crucial to note that the behavior of these materials at the nanometric scale depends on factors such as the type of graphene, functionalization, concentration, and the specific processes involved in each industry. Since the isolation of graphene in 2004, significant efforts have been made to comprehend its multifunctional properties. Nevertheless, the primary challenge lies in translating this knowledge from the laboratory to industrial applications, hampered by the high cost and low yield of graphene. Fortunately, the construction industry, particularly the concrete and coatings sector, appears to be one of the most promising fields for the integration of this nanotechnology. In this context, we present a diverse array of representative trials conducted on various concrete designs and environmentally friendly, antimicrobial, and anticorrosive coatings enhanced with graphene materials. These trials showcase the multifunctional enhancement of properties thanks to the incorporation of graphene materials in different commercially available products tailored for industrial applications, demonstrating that graphene not only represents a technological innovation but is also a catalyst for more sustainable practices in various industries. Its ability to improve the efficiency of different products and applications, becomes graphene as a key material in the immediate future with which industries operate within ecological limits while meeting human needs.

Intrinsically Healable and Photoresponsive Electrospun Fabrics: Integrating PVDF-HFP, TPU, and Azobenzene Ionic Liquids.

In recent years, the integration of multifunctional properties into electrospun fabrics has garnered significant attention for applications in wearable devices and smart textiles. A major challenge lies in achieving a balance among intermolecular interactions, structural stability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this study, we address this challenge by developing intrinsically healable and photoresponsive electrospun fabrics composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and an azobenzene-based ionic liquid ([AzoC6MIM][TFSI]). The interactions between PVDF-HFP and [AzoC6MIM][TFSI] enable intrinsic self-healing and light-induced responsiveness, while the incorporation of TPU prevents fiber fusion during electrospinning, maintaining structural integrity and porosity. Our results demonstrate that these fabrics can recover up to 97% of their original mechanical properties after self-healing and exhibit reversible changes in electrical conductivity under UV and visible lights. This versatile approach paves the way for the incorporation of high concentrations of functional ionic liquids into electrospun fabrics, enabling the development of multifunctional textiles with potential applications in self-healing wearable devices and advanced sensors.

A Multifunctional Ru-Re Complex for Photodynamic Therapy and CO-Mediated Therapeutics in Alzheimer's Disease.

The development of multifunctional therapeutic agents is crucial for addressing complex diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we report a ruthenium-rhenium (Ru-Re) complex that combines photodynamic therapy (PDT) and carbon monoxide (CO) generation capabilities. The Ru-Re complex shows promising photophysical property and significant therapeutic potential. Our studies reveal the complex's ability to generate singlet oxygen (1O2), CO, inhibit tau aggregation, and enhance mitochondrial respiration. These multifunctional properties position the Ru-Re complex as a versatile tool for therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease.