Low-Temperature Vapor-Phase Growth of 2D Metal Chalcogenides

2D metal chalcogenides (MCs) have garnered significant attention from both scientific and industrial communities due to their potential in developing next-generation functional devices. Vapor-phase deposition methods have proven highly effective in fabricating high-quality 2D MCs. Nevertheless, the conventionally high thermal budgets required for synthesizing 2D MCs pose limitations, particularly in the integration of multiple components and in specialized applications (such as flexible electronics). To overcome these challenges, it is desirable to reduce the thermal energy requirements, thus facilitating the growth of various 2D MCs at lower temperatures. Numerous endeavors have been undertaken to develop low-temperature vapor-phase growth techniques for 2D MCs, and this review aims to provide an overview of the latest advances in low-temperature vapor-phase growth of 2D MCs. Initially, the review highlights the latest progress in achieving high-quality 2D MCs through various low-temperature vapor-phase techniques, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), metal-organic CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD, atomic layer deposition (ALD), etc. The strengths and current limitations of these methods are also evaluated. Subsequently, the review consolidates the diverse applications of 2D MCs grown at low temperatures, covering fields such as electronics, optoelectronics, flexible devices, and catalysis. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are briefly discussed, considering the most recent progress in the field.

High-Density, Nonvolatile, Flexible Multilevel Organic Memristor Using Multilayered Polymer Semiconductors

Nonvolatile organic memristors have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation electronics, emphasizing the need for vertical device fabrication to attain a high density. Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation of high-performance organic memristors, fabricated in crossbar architecture with PTB7/Al-AlOx-nanocluster/PTB7 embedded between Al electrodes. PTB7 films were fabricated using the Unidirectional Floating Film Transfer Method, enabling independent uniform film fabrication in the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) configuration without disturbing underlying films. We examined the charge transport mechanism of our memristors using the Hubbard model highlighting the role of Al-AlOx-nanoclusters in switching-on the devices, due to the accumulation of bipolarons in the semiconducting layer. By varying the number of LbL films in the device architecture, the resistance of resistive states was systematically altered, enabling the fabrication of novel multilevel memristors. These multilevel devices exhibited excellent performance metrics, including enhanced memory density, high on-off ratio (>108), remarkable memory retention (>105 s), high endurance (87 on-off cycles), and rapid switching (∼100 ns). Furthermore, flexible memristors were fabricated, demonstrating consistent performance even under bending conditions, with a radius of 2.78 mm for >104 bending cycles. This study not only demonstrates the fundamental understanding of charge transport in organic memristors but also introduces novel device architectures with significant implications for high-density flexible applications.

Robust, Efficient, and Recoverable Thermocells with Zwitterion-Boosted Hydrogel Electrolytes for Energy-Autonomous and Wearable Sensing

The rapid growth of flexible quasi-solid-state thermocells (TECs) provides a fresh way forward for wearable electronics. However, their insufficient mechanical strength and power output still hinder their further applications. This work demonstrates a one-stone-two-birds strategy to synergistically enhance the mechanical and thermoelectrochemical properties of the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4--based TECs. By introducing multiple non-covalent interactions via betaine zwitterions, the mechanical strength of the conventional brittle gelatin hydrogel electrolytes is substantially improved from 50 to 440 kPa, with a high stretchability approaching 250%. Meanwhile, the betaine zwitterions strongly affect the solvation structure of [Fe(CN)6]3- ions, thus enlarging the entropy difference and raising the thermoelectrochemical Seebeck coefficient from 1.47 to 2.2 mV K-1. The resultant quasi-solid-state TECs exhibit a superior normalized output power density of 0.48 mW m-2 K-2, showing a notable improvement in overall performance compared to their counterparts without zwitterion regulation. In addition, the intrinsic thermo-reversible property allows the TECs to repeatedly self-recover through sol-gel transformations, ensuring reliable energy output and even recycling of TECs in case of extreme mechanical damages. An energy-autonomous smart glove consisting of eighteen individual TECs is further designed, which can simultaneously monitor the temperature of different positions of any touched object, demonstrating high potential in wearable applications.

Insights into Materials, Physics, and Applications in Flexible and Wearable Acoustic Sensing Technology

Sound plays a crucial role in the perception of the world. It allows to communicate, learn, and detect potential dangers, diagnose diseases, and much more. However, traditional acoustic sensors are limited in their form factors, being rigid and cumbersome, which restricts their potential applications. Recently, acoustic sensors have made significant advancements, transitioning from rudimentary forms to wearable devices and smart everyday clothing that can conform to soft, curved, and deformable surfaces or surroundings. In this review, the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs with insightful analysis in materials, physics, design principles, fabrication strategies, functions, and applications of flexible and wearable acoustic sensing technology are comprehensively explored. The new generation of acoustic sensors that can recognize voice, interact with machines, control robots, enable marine positioning and localization, monitor structural health, diagnose human vital signs in deep tissues, and perform organ imaging is highlighted. These innovations offer unique solutions to significant challenges in fields such as healthcare, biomedicine, wearables, robotics, and metaverse. Finally, the existing challenges and future opportunities in the field are addressed, providing strategies to advance acoustic sensing technologies for intriguing real-world applications and inspire new research directions.

Flexible Antireflection Coatings with Enhanced Durability and Antifogging Properties

Antireflection coatings (ARCs) enhance optical clarity and improve light transmission by reducing glare and reflections. The application of conventional ARCs in flexible devices, however, is impeded by their lack of durability, particularly under bending deformation. We develop ARCs that withstand delamination and fracture, remaining intact even after 1000 bending cycles with a 5 cm bending radius. We fabricate integrated ARCs (iARCs) on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate by inducing free polymers to infiltrate the interstices of a disordered assembly of hollow silica nanochains and nanospheres. The polydispersity of PMMA creates a refractive index gradient, yielding a broadband antireflection capability. The nanochain-based iARCs are superior to the nanosphere-based coatings in both antireflection properties and mechanical durability, owing to the lower packing density and mechanical interlocking of the nanochains, respectively. Additionally, these nanochain iARCs display antifogging properties stemming from their superhydrophilicity. While our demonstrations are based on PMMA as a model substrate, this methodology is potentially extendable to other polymers, enhancing the iARC's applicability across various practical applications, including flexible and wearable devices.

Three-dimensional Ordered Macroporous Flexible Electrode Design toward High-Performance Zinc-Ion Batteries

Flexible zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been considered to have huge potential in portable and wearable electronics due to their high safety, cost efficiency, and considerable energy density. Therein, the design and construction of flexible electrodes significantly determine the performance and lifespan of flexible battery devices. In this work, an ultrathin flexible three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) Sn@Zn anode (60 μm in thickness) is presented to relieve dendrite growth and expand the lifespan of flexible ZIBs. The 3DOM structure can ensure uniform electric field distribution, guide oriented zinc plating/stripping, and extend the lifespan of anodes. The rich zincophilic Sn sites on the electrode surface significantly facilitate Zn nucleation. Accordingly, a lowered nucleation overpotential of 8.9 mV and an ultralong cycling performance of 2400 h at 0.1 mA cm-2 and 0.1 mAh cm-2 are achieved in symmetric cells, and the 3DOM Sn@Zn anode can also operate in deep cycling for over 200 h at 10 mA cm-2 and 5 mAh cm-2. A flexible 3DOM MnO2/Ni cathode with a high structural stability and a high mass-specific capacity is fabricated to match with the anode to form a flexible ZIB with a total thickness of 200 μm. The flexible device delivers a high volumetric energy density of 11.76 mWh cm-3 at 100 mA gMnO2-1 and a high average open-circuit voltage of 1.5 V and exhibits high-performance power supply under deformation in practical application scenarios. This work may shed some light on the design and fabrication of flexible energy-storage devices.

Synergistic Dual Doping of Sulfur and Copper for Improved Thermoelectric Properties of Silver Selenide Nanomaterials

Research on flexible thermoelectric (TE) materials has typically focused on conducting polymers and conducting polymer-based composites. However, achieving TE properties comparable in magnitude to those exhibited by their inorganic counterparts remains a formidable challenge. This study focuses on the synthesis of silver selenide (Ag2 Se) nanomaterials using solvothermal methods and demonstrates a significant enhancement in their TE properties through the synergistic dual doping of sulfur and copper. Flexible TE thin films demonstrating excellent flexibility are successfully fabricated using vacuum filtration and hot-pressing techniques. The resulting thin films also exhibited outstanding TE performance, with a high Seebeck coefficient (S = -138.5 µV K-1 ) and electrical conductivity (σ = 1.19 × 105  S m-1 ). The record power factor of 2296.8 µW m-1  K-2 at room temperature is primarily attributed to enhanced carrier transport and interfacial energy filtration effects in the composite material. Capitalizing on these excellent TE properties, the maximum power output of flexible TE devices reached 1.13 µW with a temperature difference of 28.6 K. This study demonstrates the potential of Ag2 Se-based TE materials for flexible and efficient energy-harvesting applications.

Heat-Assisted Magnetization Switching in Flexible Spin-Orbit Torque Devices

Heat-assisted magnetic anisotropy engineering has been successfully used in selective magnetic writing and microwave amplification due to a large interfacial thermal resistance between the MgO barrier and the adjacent ferromagnetic layers. However, in spin-orbit torque devices, the writing current does not flow through the tunnel barrier, resulting in a negligible heating effect due to efficient heat dissipation. Here, we report a dramatically reduced switching current density of ∼2.59 MA/cm2 in flexible spin-orbit torque heterostructures, indicating a 98% decrease in writing energy consumption compared with that on a silicon substrate. The reduced driving current density is enabled by the dramatically decreased magnetic anisotropy due to Joule dissipation and the lower thermal conductivity of the flexible substrate. The large magnetic anisotropy could be fully recovered after the impulse, indicating retained high stability. These results pave the way for flexible spintronics with the otherwise incompatible advantages of low power consumption and high stability.

A Conformable Organic Electronic Device for Monitoring Epithelial Integrity at the Air Liquid Interface

Air liquid interfaced (ALI) epithelial barriers are essential for homeostatic functions such as nutrient transport and immunological protection. Dysfunction of such barriers are implicated in a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and, as such, sensors capable of monitoring barrier health are integral for disease modelling, diagnostics and drug screening applications. To date, gold-standard electrical methods for detecting barrier resistance require rigid electrodes bathed in an electrolyte, which limits compatibility with biological architectures and is non-physiological for ALI. This work presents a flexible all-planar electronic device capable of monitoring barrier formation and perturbations in human respiratory and intestinal cells at ALI. By interrogating patient samples with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and simple equivalent circuit models, disease-specific and patient-specific signatures are uncovered. Device readouts are validated against commercially available chopstick electrodes and show greater conformability, sensitivity and biocompatibility. The effect of electrode size on sensing efficiency is investigated and a cut-off sensing area is established, which is one order of magnitude smaller than previously reported. This work provides the first steps in creating a physiologically relevant sensor capable of mapping local and real-time changes of epithelial barrier function at ALI, which will have broad applications in toxicology and drug screening applications.

Selectively Modulating Componential Morphologies of Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

Achieving precise control over the nanoscale morphology of bulk heterojunction films presents a significant challenge for the conventional post-treatments employed in organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, a near-infrared photon-assisted annealing (NPA) strategy is developed for fabricating high-performance OSCs under mild processing conditions. It is revealed a top NIR light illumination, together with the bottom heating, enables the selective tuning of the molecular arrangement and assembly of narrow bandgap acceptors in polymer networks to achieve optimal morphologies, as well as the acceptor-rich top surface of active layers. The derived OSCs exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.25%, representing one of the highest PCEs for the reported binary OSCs so far. Moreover, via the NPA strategy, it has succeeded in accessing top-illuminated flexible OSCs using thermolabile polyethylene terephthalate from mineral water bottles, displaying excellent mechanical stabilities. Overall, this work will hold the potential to develop organic solar cells under mild processing with various substrates.

Highly Reliable Performance of Flexible Synaptic Devices Based on PVP-GO QD Nanocomposites Due to the Formation of Directional Filaments

The metallic conductive filament (CF) model, which serves as an important conduction mechanism for realizing synaptic functions in electronic devices, has gained recognition and is the subject of extensive research. However, the formation of CFs within the active layer is plagued by issues such as uncontrolled and random growth, which severely impacts the stability of the devices. Therefore, controlling the growth of CFs and improving the performance of the devices have become the focus of that research. Herein, a synaptic device based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/graphene oxide quantum dot (GO QD) nanocomposites is proposed. Doping GO QDs in the PVP provides a large number of active centers for the reduction of silver ions, which allows, to a certain extent, the growth of CFs to be controlled. Because of this, the proposed device can simulate a variety of synaptic functions, including the transition from long-term potentiation to long-term depression, paired-pulse facilitation, post-tetanic potentiation, transition from short-term memory to long-term memory, and the behavior of the "learning experience". Furthermore, after being bent repeatedly, the devices were still able to simulate multiple synaptic functions accurately. Finally, the devices achieved a high recognition accuracy rate of 89.39% in the learning and inference tests, producing clear digit classification results.

An Ultrafast Air Self-Charging Zinc Battery

Air self-charging power systems possess the capability of energy harvesting, conversion, and storage simultaneously. However, in general, their self-charging rate is slow and the batteries cannot be oxidized to the fully charged state due to the weak oxidizability of O2 . Herein, an ultrafast air self-charging aqueous zinc battery is designed by constructing a polyaniline@Pt/C (PANI@Pt/C) composite cathode. The introduction of Pt/C catalyst endows the redox reaction between PANI and O2 with fast reaction kinetics and extended redox potential difference. Therefore, the self-charging rate of the Zn/PANI@Pt/C batteries is effectively accelerated and they can be self-charged to fully charged state. Furthermore, the PANI can be recharged by O2 simultaneously during discharging process to compensate the consumed electrical energy, achieving prolonged energy supply. In addition, the PANI@Pt/C cathodes can be directly used as the cathodes of flexible self-charging zinc batteries due to their excellent mechanical properties. As a proof of concept, flexible soft-packaged Zn/PANI@Pt/C batteries are fabricated and displayed stable electrochemical performance and self-rechargeability even at different bending states. A route is provided here to design ultrafast chemical self-charging energy storage devices and the horizons of flexible energy storage devices are broadened.

Radiation-Hardened and Flexible Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 Piezoelectric Sensor for Structural Health Monitoring

Piezoelectric sensors are excellent damage detectors that can be applied to structural health monitoring (SHM). SHM for complex structures of aerospace vehicles working in harsh conditions is frequently required, posing challenging requirements for a sensor's flexibility, radiation hardness, and high-temperature tolerance. Here, we fabricate a flexible and lightweight Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 piezoelectric film on flexible KMg3(AlSi3O10)F2 substrate via van der Waals (vdW) heteroepitaxy, endowing it with robust ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties under low energy-high flux protons (LE-HFPs) radiation (1015 p/cm2). More importantly, the Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 film sensor maintains highly stable damage monitoring sensitivity on an aluminum plate under harsh conditions of LE-HFPs radiation (1015 p/cm2, flat structure), high temperature (175 °C, flat structure), and mechanical fatigue (bending 105 cycles under a radius of 5 mm, curved structure). All these superior qualities are suggested to result from the outstanding film crystal quality due to vdW epitaxy. The flexible and lightweight Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 film sensor demonstrated in this work provides an ideal candidate for real-time SHM of aerospace vehicles with flat and complex curve-like structures working in harsh aerospace environments.

Flexible Organic Electronic Ion Pump Fabricated Using Inkjet Printing and Microfabrication for Precision In Vitro Delivery of Bupivacaine

The organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) is an on-demand electrophoretic drug delivery device, that via electronic to ionic signal conversion enables drug delivery without additional pressure or volume changes. The fundamental component of OEIPs is their polyelectrolyte membranes which are shaped into ionic channels that conduct and deliver ionic drugs, with high spatiotemporal resolution. The patterning of these membranes is essential in OEIP devices and is typically achieved using laborious microprocessing techniques. Here, the development of an inkjet printable formulation of polyelectrolyte is reported, based on a custom anionically functionalized hyperbranched polyglycerol (i-AHPG). This polyelectrolyte ink greatly simplifies the fabrication process and is used in the production of free-standing OEIPs on flexible polyimide (PI) substrates. Both i-AHPG and the OEIP devices are characterized, exhibiting favorable iontronic characteristics of charge selectivity and the ability to transport aromatic compounds. Further, the applicability of these technologies is demonstrated by the transport and delivery of the pharmaceutical compound bupivacaine to dorsal root ganglion cells with high spatial precision and effective nerve blocking, highlighting the applicability of these technologies for biomedical scenarios.

Miniaturized Flexible Non-Contact Interface Based on Heat Shrinkage Technology

High-performance miniaturized flexible sensors are becoming increasingly important in wearable electronics. However, miniaturization of devices often requires high-precision manufacturing processes and equipment, which limits the commercialization of flexible sensors. Therefore, revolutionary technologies for manufacturing miniaturized flexible sensors are highly desired. In this work, a new method for manufacturing miniaturized flexible humidity sensor by utilizing heat shrinkage technology is presented. This method successfully achieves much smaller sensor and denser interdigital electrode. Utilizing this method, a miniaturized flexible humidity sensor and array are presented, fabricated by anchoring nano-Al2 O3 into carbon nano-tube as the humidity sensitive film. This heat shrinkage technology, forming wrinkle structure on the humidity sensitive film, endows the sensor with a high sensitivity over 200% (ΔR/R0 ) at humidity levels ranging from 0 to 90%RH and a fast recovery time (0.5 s). The sensor allows non-contact monitoring human respiration and alerting in case of an asthma attack and the sensor array can be adaptively attached to the wrist as a non-contact human-machine interface to control the mechanical hand or computer. This work provides a general and effective heat shrinkage technology for the development of smaller and more efficient flexible circuits and sensor devices.

Microstructure characterization, phase transition, and device application of phase-change memory materials

Phase-change memory (PCM), recently developed as the storage-class memory in a computer system, is a new non-volatile memory technology. In addition, the applications of PCM in a non-von Neumann computing, such as neuromorphic computing and in-memory computing, are being investigated. Although PCM-based devices have been extensively studied, several concerns regarding the electrical, thermal, and structural dynamics of phase-change devices remain. In this article, aiming at PCM devices, a comprehensive review of PCM materials is provided, including the primary PCM device mechanics that underpin read and write operations, physics-based modeling initiatives and experimental characterization of the many features examined in nanoscale PCM devices. Finally, this review will propose a prognosis on a few unsolved challenges and highlight research areas of further investigation.

Utilizing Topological Insulator Two-Dimensional Bismuth for Ultrasensitive Acoustic Detection

Topological insulators (TIs) are characterized by a full insulating gap in the bulk and gapless edge or surface states, which have attracted tremendous attention. 2D Bi (110), as a typical TI, is of particular interest due to its low symmetry structure and topologically protected and spin-momentum-locked Dirac surface states. However, the material's potential applications are hindered by difficulties in fabrication, due to its strong semi-metallic bonding and poor stability. In this study, a novel electrochemical intercalation method for the fabrication of ultrathin Bi (110) nanosheets with the highest yield ever reported is presented. These nanosheets are stabilized through cathodic exfoliation in a reductive environment and further modification with polymer ionic liquids. The versatility of these nanosheets is demonstrated by fabricating flexible acoustic sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. These sensors can even detect sounds as quiet as 45 dB. Furthermore, these sensors are utilized for acoustic-to-electric energy conversion and information transfer. This work offers a promising approach for scalable fabrication and preservation of ultrathin 2D TI Bi (110) nanosheets and paves the way for their integration into smart devices.

Electric Double Layer Based Epidermal Electronics for Healthcare and Human-Machine Interface

Epidermal electronics, an emerging interdisciplinary field, is advancing the development of flexible devices that can seamlessly integrate with the skin. These devices, especially Electric Double Layer (EDL)-based sensors, overcome the limitations of conventional electronic devices, offering high sensitivity, rapid response, and excellent stability. Especially, Electric Double Layer (EDL)-based epidermal sensors show great potential in the application of wearable electronics to detect biological signals due to their high sensitivity, fast response, and excellent stability. The advantages can be attributed to the biocompatibility of the materials, the flexibility of the devices, and the large capacitance due to the EDL effect. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of EDL epidermal electronics as wearable sensors for health monitoring and wound healing. These devices can analyze various biofluids, offering real-time feedback on parameters like pH, temperature, glucose, lactate, and oxygen levels, which aids in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Beyond healthcare, we explore the role of EDL epidermal electronics in human-machine interaction, particularly their application in prosthetics and pressure-sensing robots. By mimicking the flexibility and sensitivity of human skin, these devices enhance the functionality and user experience of these systems. This review summarizes the latest advancements in EDL-based epidermal electronic devices, offering a perspective for future research in this rapidly evolving field.

Highest-Efficiency Flexible Perovskite Solar Module by Interface Engineering for Efficient Charge-Transfer

The electron-transport layer (ETL) plays an important role in improving the performance of flexible perovskite solar cells (F-PSCs). Herein, a room-temperature-processed SnO2 :OH ETL is demonstrated, that exhibits reduced defect density, in particular lower oxygen vacancy concentration, with better energy band alignment and more wettable surface for quality perovskite deposition. More importantly, an efficient electron-transfer channel is produced between the ETL and the perovskite layer due to the formation of hydrogen bonds at the interface, resulting in enhanced electron extraction from the perovskite. As a result, the efficiency of a large-area (36.50 cm2 ) flexible perovskite solar module based on MAPbI3 is increased to as high as 18.71%; this is thought to be the highest reported PCE value for flexible perovskite solar modules to date. In addition, it exhibits high durability while maintaining over 83% of its initial PCE after flexing test cycles. Further, F-PSCs with SnO2 :OH show remarkably long-term stability, owing to a high quality of the perovskite film and a strong coupling between the SnO2 :OH and perovskite layer caused by hydrogen bonds, which successfully inhibits moisture permeation.

Interconnection Technologies for Flexible Electronics: Materials, Fabrications, and Applications

Flexible electronic devices require metal interconnects to facilitate the flow of electrical signals among the device components, ensuring its proper functionality. There are multiple factors to consider when designing metal interconnects for flexible electronics, including their conductivity, flexibility, reliability, and cost. This article provides an overview of recent endeavors to create flexible electronic devices through different metal interconnect approaches, with a focus on materials and structural aspects. Additionally, the article discusses emerging flexible applications, such as e-textiles and flexible batteries, as essential considerations.

Bending Stability of Ferroelectric Gated Graphene Field Effect Transistor for Flexible Electronics

In this work, we explored the potential of the ferroelectric gate of (Pb_0.92La_0.08)(Zr_0.30Ti_0.70)O₃ (PLZT(8/30/70)) for flexible graphene field effect transistor (GFET) devices. Based on the deep understanding of the V_Dirac of PLZT(8/30/70) gate GFET, which determines the application of the flexible GFET devices, the polarization mechanisms of PLZT(8/30/70) under bending deformation were analyzed. It was found that both flexoelectric polarization and piezoelectric polarization exist under bending deformation, and their polarization direction is opposite under the same bending deformation. Thus, a relatively stable of V_Dirac is obtained due to the combination of these two effects. In contrast to the relatively good linear movement of V_Dirac under bending deformation of relaxor ferroelectric (Pb_0.92La_0.08)(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PLZT(8/52/48)) gated GFET, these stable properties of the PLZT(8/30/70) gate GFETs make them have great potential for applications in flexible devices.

Laser-Activated Second Harmonic Generation in Flexible Membrane with Si Nanowires

Nonlinear silicon photonics has a high compatibility with CMOS technology and therefore is particularly attractive for various purposes and applications. Second harmonic generation (SHG) in silicon nanowires (NWs) is widely studied for its high sensitivity to structural changes, low-cost fabrication, and efficient tunability of photonic properties. In this study, we report a fabrication and SHG study of Si nanowire/siloxane flexible membranes. The proposed highly transparent flexible membranes revealed a strong nonlinear response, which was enhanced via activation by an infrared laser beam. The vertical arrays of several nanometer-thin Si NWs effectively generate the SH signal after being exposed to femtosecond infrared laser irradiation in the spectral range of 800-1020 nm. The stable enhancement of SHG induced by laser exposure can be attributed to the functional modifications of the Si NW surface, which can be used for the development of efficient nonlinear platforms based on silicon. This study delivers a valuable contribution to the advancement of optical devices based on silicon and presents novel design and fabrication methods for infrared converters.

Manipulating Crystallographic Orientation via Cross-Linkable Ligand for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

The crystallographic orientation of polycrystalline perovskites is found to be strongly correlated with their intrinsic properties; therefore, it can be used to effectively enhance the performance of perovskite-based devices. Here, a facile way of manipulating the facet orientation of polycrystalline perovskite films in a controllable manner is reported. By incorporating a cross-linkable organic ligand into the perovskite precursor solution, the crystal orientation disorder can be reduced in the resultant perovskite films to exhibit the prominent (001) orientation with a preferred stacking mode. Moreover, the as-formed low-dimensional perovskites (LDPs) between the organic ligand and the excess lead iodide can passivate the defects around the grain boundaries. Consequently, highly efficient p-i-n structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be made in both rigid and flexible forms from modified perovskites to show high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 24.12% and 23.23%, respectively. The devices also exhibit superior long-term stability in a humid environment (with T₉₀  > 1000 h) and under thermal stress (retaining 87% of its initial PCE after 1000 h). More importantly, the ligand enables the derived LDPs to be crosslinked (under 254 nm UV illumination) to demonstrate excellent mechanical bending durability in flexible devices.

Study of intermolecular reconfiguration of flexible COF-5 film and its ultra-high chemiresistive humidity sensitivity

Recently, abundant active materials are developed to achieve the wearable detection of human body humidity. However, the limited response signal and sensitivity restrict further application due to their moderate affinity to water. Herein, we propose a flexible COF-5 film synthesized by a brief vapor-assisted method at room temperature. Intermediates are calculated by DTF simulation to investigate the interaction between COF-5 and water. The adsorption and desorption of water molecule result in a reversible deformation of COF layers while creating new conductive path by π-π stacking. The as-prepared COF-5 films are applied to the flexible humidity sensors, exhibiting a resistance change in 4 orders of magnitude with remarkable linear relation between log function of resistance and relative humidity (RH) in 11%-98% RH range. Applications including respiratory monitoring and non-contact switch are tested, providing a promising prospect for the detection of human body humidity.

A Highly Crystalline Single Layer 2D Polymer for Low Variability and Excellent Scalability Molecular Memristors

Large-scale growth of highly crystalline single layer 2D polymers (SL-2DPs) and their subsequent integration into memristors is key to advancing the development of high-density data storage devices. However, leakage problems resulting from the porous structure of 2DPs continue to make such advances extremely challenging. Herein, we overcome this issue by incorporating long alkoxy chains into key molecular building blocks to obtain a highly crystalline 2DP, as visualized by scanning tunneling microscopy, and prevent metal permeation in the subsequent device fabrication process. SL-2DP memristors constructed via direct evaporation of the top electrodes exhibit low variability (σ_Vset  = 0.14) due to the single-monomer-thick feature together with the high regular structure and coordination ability which minimizes the stochastic spatial distribution of conductive filaments (CFs) in both vertical and lateral dimensions. The variability is further decreased to 0.04 by confining the formation and fracture of CFs to the interface through the utilization of bilayer junctions. Using peak force tunneling atomic force microscopy, the nanometer scalability (< 50 nm² ) and low power consumption of these molecular memristor devices are demonstrated.

Droplets Patterning of Structurally Integrated 3D Conductive Networks-Based Flexible Strain Sensors for Healthcare Monitoring

Flexible strain sensors with significant extensibility, stability, and durability are essential for public healthcare due to their ability to monitor vital health signals noninvasively. However, thus far, the conductive networks have been plagued by the inconsistent interface states of the conductive components, which hampered the ultimate sensitivity performance. Here, we demonstrate structurally integrated 3D conductive networks-based flexible strain sensors of hybrid Ag nanorods/nanoparticles(AgNRs/NPs) by combining a droplet-based aerosol jet printing(AJP) process and a feasible transfer process. Structurally integrated 3D conductive networks have been intentionally developed by tweaking droplets deposition behaviors at multi-scale for efficient hybridization and ordered assembly of AgNRs/NPs. The hybrid AgNRs/NPs enhance interfacial conduction and mechanical properties during stretching. In a strain range of 25%, the developed sensor demonstrates an ideal gauge factor of 23.18. When real-time monitoring of finger bending, arm bending, squatting, and vocalization, the fabricated sensors revealed effective responses to human movements. Our findings demonstrate the efficient droplet-based AJP process is particularly capable of developing advanced flexible devices for optoelectronics and wearable electronics applications.

Highly Selective Wearable Alcohol Homologue Sensors Derived from Pt-Coated Truncated Octahedron Au

Unhealthy alcohol inhalation is among the top 10 causes of preventable death. However, the present alcohol sensors show poor selectivity among alcohol homologues. Herein, Pt-coated truncated octahedron Au (Pt_m@Au_to) as the electrocatalyst for a highly selective electrochemical sensor toward alcohol homologues has been designed. The alcohol sensor is realized by distinguishing the electro-oxidation behavior of methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), or isopropanol (2-propanol). Intermediates from alcohols are further oxidized to CO₂ by Pt_m@Au_to, resulting in different oxidation peaks in cyclic voltammograms and successful distinction of alcohols. Pt_m@Au_to is then modified on wearable glove-based sensors for monitoring actual alcohol samples (MeOH fuel, vodka, and 2-propanol hand sanitizer), with good mechanical performance and repeatability. The exploration of the Pt_m@Au_to-based wearable alcohol sensor is expected to be suitable for environmental measurement with high selectivity for alcohol homologues or volatile organic compounds.

Organic Single-Crystalline Microwire Arrays toward High-Performance Flexible Near-Infrared Phototransistors

Flexible organic near-infrared (NIR) phototransistors hold promising prospects for potential applications such as noninvasive bioimaging, health monitoring, and biometric authentication. For integrated circuits of high-performance devices, organic single-crystalline micro-/nanostructures with precise positioning are prominently anticipated. However, the manufacturing of organic single-crystalline arrays remains a conundrum due to difficulties encountered in patterning arrays of dewetting processes at micron-scale confined space and modulating the dewetting dynamics. Herein, we utilize a capillary-bridge lithography strategy to fabricate organic 1D arrays with high quality, homogeneous size, and deterministic location toward high-performance flexible organic NIR phototransistors. Regular micro-liquid stripes and unidirectional dewetting are synchronously achieved by adapting micropillar templates with asymmetric wettability. As a result, high-throughput 1D arrays based organic field-effect transistors exhibit high electron mobility up to 9.82 cm²  V^-1  s^-1 . Impressively, flexible NIR phototransistors also show outstanding photoelectronic performances with a photosensitivity of 9.87 × 10⁵ , a responsivity of 1.79 × 10⁴  A W^-1 , and a specific detectivity of 3.92 × 10¹⁴ Jones. This work paves a novel way to pattern high-throughput organic single-crystalline microarrays toward flexible NIR organic optoelectronics.

Ultraviolet Photodetectors Based on Polymer Microwire Arrays toward Wearable Medical Devices

Polymer micro/nanoarchitectures have attracted intense interest for wearable medical applications due to their excellent mechanical flexibility, solution processability, and tunable optoelectronic properties. Based on polymer micro/nanostructures, high-performance ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors can not only functionalize the accurate image sensing but also sustain the biocomfortable flexible devices for real-time health monitoring. The main challenges are focused on the integration of medical wearable devices, which requires large-scale assembly of polymer micro/nanostructures with controlled morphology and strict alignment. Herein, we utilized a confined assembly system through the cautious regulation for the growth of high-quality polymer 1D arrays. UV photodetectors based on these polymer microwire arrays perform a high on/off ratio of 137 and responsivity of 19.1 mA W^-1. Polymer microarray photodetectors facilitate the scale-up fabrication of 14 × 18 multiplexed image sensors for highly accurate capturing the signals of Arabic numerals "1," "2," and "3." Flexible UV photodetectors based on these arrays present excellent flexibility and bending durability, maintaining 97% of their original on/off ratio after 4000 cycles with a 10 mm bending radius. UV photodetection signals were also collected from the attached flexible devices on the back skin of the mouse, demonstrating the great potential in wearable medical photodetection.

A Flexible Circularly Polarized Luminescence Switching Device Based on Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Flexible circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) switching devices have been long-awaited due to their promising potential application in wearable optoelectronic devices. However, on account of the few materials and complicated design of manufacturing systems, how to fabricate a flexible electric-field-driven CPL-switching device is still a serious challenge. Herein, a flexible device with multiple optical switching properties (CPL, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, color) is designed and prepared efficiently based on proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism by optimizing the chiral structure of switching molecule. More importantly, this device can maintain the switching performance even after 300 bending-unbending cycles. It has a remarkable comprehensive performance containing bistable property, low open voltage, and good cycling stability. Then, prototype devices with designed patterns have been fabricated, which opens a new application pattern of CPL-switching materials.

Van der Waals Epitaxy of Thin Gold Films on 2D Material Surfaces for Transparent Electrodes: All-Solution-Processed Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes on Flexible Substrates

With the assistance of van der Waals (vdW) epitaxy, nanometer-thick and highly conductive gold films are deposited onto MoS₂ surfaces for use as transparent anode electrodes in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates. After transferring wafer-scale and monolayer MoS₂ to PET substrates, 10 nm thick gold (Au) films are deposited onto the two-dimensional (2D) material surfaces as anode electrodes. Bounded only by weak vdW forces on 2D material surfaces, the diffusive Au adatoms tend to facilitate lateral growth and lead to the formation of continuous and highly conductive thin metal films in the nanometer regime. The Au film exhibits excellent tensile bending stability for its sheet resistance, which is superior to that of rigid indium-tin oxide (ITO) films on PET substrates. Thermally stable CdSe@CdZnS/ZnS QLEDs are fabricated on the PET substrate. Compared with devices fabricated on sapphire substrates, the phenomenon of sub-bandgap turn-on is observed for the flexible device. Based on our demonstrations, the high conductivity and robust durability toward substrate bending make the nanometer-thick Au film grown on 2D material surfaces a promising candidate to replace current ITO anode electrodes for flexible device applications.

Sub-1 nm MoC Quantum Dots Decorating N-Doped Graphene as Advanced Electrocatalysts of Flexible Hybrid Alkali-Acid Zn-Quinone Battery

The development of flexible energy devices is envisaged to revolutionize the next generation of the wearable electronics industry, the practical application yet faces critical issues of low power density, poor cycling stability, and low energy density. Herein, the authors report a newly flexible hybrid Zn-quinone battery (h-ZnQB) with acidic gel in the cathode and alkaline gel in the anode, in which proton (H⁺ ) and hydroxide ions (OH^- ) are served as the ion charge carriers for acidic quinone cathode and alkaline Zn anode. To this end, the nanohybrids of sub-1 nm MoC quantum dots decorating nitrogen-doped ultrathin graphene (MoC QDs/NG) are developed as the advanced cathode electrocatalysts toward redox conversion between quinone and hydroquinone (H₂ Q/Q). Comprehensive characterization studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that high valent Mo species originating from the size-effects serve as the active sites for the conversion of H₂ Q/Q, contributing to the impressive catalytic performance. The as-developed flexible h-ZnQB displays a high open-circuit voltage of 1.74 V with a specific capacity of 223.3 mAh g^-1 and an energy density of 350 Wh kg^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1 , thanks to the fast kinetics of charge carriers (H⁺ and OH^- ), the high activity of the catalyst, and the elaborate design of alkali-acid gel electrolytes.

Mixed-Dimensional MXene-Based Composite Electrodes Enable Mechanically Stable and Efficient Flexible Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Significant advancements in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) based on ITO glass substrates have been realized in recent years, yet the overall performance of flexible devices still lags far behind, mainly being ascribed to the high surface roughness and poor optoelectronic properties of flexible electrodes. Here, we report efficient and robust flexible PeLEDs based on a mixed-dimensional (0D-1D-2D-3D) composite electrode consisting of 0D Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs)/1D Ag nanowires (AgNWs)/2D MXene/3D poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Our designed MXene-based electrodes combine the advantages of facile formation of a film of low-dimensional materials and excellent optical and electrical properties of metal, inorganic, and organic semiconductors, which endow the electrodes with high electrical/thermal conductivity, flexibility, a smooth surface, and good transmittance. Consequently, the resulting flexible PeLEDs (without a light-coupling structure) demonstrate a record external quantum efficiency of 16.5%, a high luminance of close to 50000 cd/m², a large emitting area of 8 cm², and significantly enhanced mechanical stability.

All-Nanofiber Network Structure for Ultrasensitive Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors

Sensing materials with fiber structures are excellent candidates for the fabrication of flexible pressure sensors due to their large specific surface area and abundant contact points. Here, an ultrathin, flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor that consists of a multilayer nanofiber network structure prepared via a simple electrospinning technique is reported. The ultrathin sensitive layer is composite nanofiber films composed of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate) and polyamide 6 (PEDOT:PSS/PA6) prepared by simultaneous electrospinning. PEDOT:PSS conductive fibers and PA6 elastic fibers are interwoven to form a multilayer network structure that can achieve ultrahigh sensitivity by forming a wealth of contact points during loading. In particular, gold-deposited PA6 fibers as upper and lower flexible electrodes can effectively increase the initial resistance. Due to this special fiber electrode structure, the sensor is able to generate a large electrical signal variability when subjected to a weak external force. The devices with different sensing properties can be obtained by controlling the electrospinning time. The sensor based on the PEDOT:PSS/PA6 nanofiber network has high sensitivity (6554.6 kPa^-1 at 0-1.4 kPa), fast response time (53 ms), and wide detection range (0-60 kPa). Significantly, the device maintains ultrahigh sensitivity when cyclically loaded over 10,000 cycles at 5 kPa, which makes it have great prospects for applications in human health monitoring and motion monitoring.

Additive Engineering in Antisolvent for Widening the Processing Window and Promoting Perovskite Seed Formation in Perovskite Solar Cells

The chlorobenzene (CB) antisolvent is widely used to fabricate high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the narrow processing window and the strict volume ratio of a binary mixed solvent limit the fabrication of large-area and high-quality perovskite films. In this work, by systematic investigation of additives with the CB antisolvent, a universal guideline is achieved wherein a small amount of additive with a donor number between 9.0 and 27.0 kcal/mol can significantly widen the antisolvent treating time slot from 2 to 40 s while simultaneously enlarging the processor binary mixed solvent (dimethylformamide/dimethyl sulfoxide) from 7:3 to 0:10. Moreover, this process facilitates the formation of perovskite seeds as templates for perovskite crystal growth, effectively reducing the bulk defects in perovskite films. Finally, the obtained PSCs show remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 22.22 and 19.74% for rigid and flexible devices, respectively.

Flexible 2D Materials beyond Graphene: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

2D materials are now at the forefront of state-of-the-art nanotechnologies due to their fascinating properties and unique structures. As expected, low-cost, high-volume, and high-quality 2D materials play an important role in the applications of flexible devices. Although considerable progress has been achieved in the integration of a series of novel 2D materials beyond graphene into flexible devices, a lot remains to be known. At this stage of their development, the key issues concern how to make further improvements to high-performance and scalable-production. Herein, recent progress in the quest to improve the current state of the art for 2D materials beyond graphene is reviewed. Namely, the properties and synthesis techniques of 2D materials are first introduced. Then, both the advantages and challenges of these 2D materials for flexible devices are also highlighted. Finally, important directions for future advancements toward efficient, low-cost, and stable flexible devices are outlined.

12.42% Monolithic 25.42 cm2 Flexible Organic Solar Cells Enabled by an Amorphous ITO-Modified Metal Grid Electrode

Printed metal nanogrid electrode exhibits superior characteristics for use in flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the high surface roughness and inhomogeneity between grid and blank region is adverse for performance improvement. In this work, a thin amorphous indium tin oxide (ITO) film (α-ITO) is introduced to fill the blank and to improve the charge transporting. The introduction of α-ITO significantly improves the comprehensive properties of metal grid electrode, which exhibits excellent bending resistance and long-term stability under double 85 condition (under 85 °C and 85% relative humidity) for 200 h. Both experimental and simulation results reveal α-ITO with a sheet resistance of 20 000 Ω □^-1 is sufficient to improve the charge transporting within the adjacent grids, leading to a remarkable efficiency of 16.54% for 1 cm² flexible devices. With area increased to 4.00, 9.00, and 25.42 cm² , the devices still display a performance of 16.22%, 14.69%, and 12.42%, respectively, showing less efficiency loss during upscaling. And the 25.42 cm² monolithic flexible device exhibits a certificated efficiency of 12.03%. Moreover, the device shows significantly improved air stability relative to conventional high-conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate-modified device. All these make the α-ITO-modified Ag/Cu electrode promise to achieve high-efficient and long-term stable large-area flexible OSCs.

Tough, Transparent, 3D-Printable, and Self-Healing Poly(ethylene glycol)-Gel (PEGgel)

Polymer gels, such as hydrogels, have been widely used in biomedical applications, flexible electronics, and soft machines. Polymer network design and its contribution to the performance of gels has been extensively studied. In this study, the critical influence of the solvent nature on the mechanical properties and performance of soft polymer gels is demonstrated. A polymer gel platform based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as solvent is reported (PEGgel). Compared to the corresponding hydrogel or ethylene glycol gel, the PEGgel with physically cross-linked poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) demonstrates high stretchability and toughness, rapid self-healing, and long-term stability. Depending on the molecular weight and fraction of PEG, the tensile strength of the PEGgels varies from 0.22 to 41.3 MPa, fracture strain from 12% to 4336%, modulus from 0.08 to 352 MPa, and toughness from 2.89 to 56.23 MJ m^-3 . Finally, rapid self-healing of the PEGgel is demonstrated and a self-healing pneumatic actuator is fabricated by 3D-printing. The enhanced mechanical properties of the PEGgel system may be extended to other polymer networks (both chemically and physically cross-linked). Such a simple 3D-printable, self-healing, and tough soft material holds promise for broad applications in wearable electronics, soft actuators and robotics.

Freestanding Graphene Fabric Film for Flexible Infrared Camouflage

Graphene films, fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, have exhibited superiorities in high crystallinity, thickness controllability, and large-scale uniformity. However, most synthesized graphene films are substrate-dependent, and usually fragile for practical application. Herein, a freestanding graphene film is prepared based on the CVD route. By using the etchable fabric substrate, a large-scale papyraceous freestanding graphene fabric film (FS-GFF) is obtained. The electrical conductivity of FS-GFF can be modulated from 50 to 2800 Ω sq^-1 by tailoring the graphene layer thickness. Moreover, the FS-GFF can be further attached to various shaped objects by a simple rewetting manipulation with negligible changes of electric conductivity. Based on the advanced fabric structure, excellent electrical property, and high infrared emissivity, the FS-GFF is thus assembled into a flexible device with tunable infrared emissivity, which can achieve the adaptive camouflage ability in complicated backgrounds. This work provides an infusive insight into the fabrication of large-scale freestanding graphene fabric films, while promoting the exploration on the flexible infrared camouflage textiles.

Review on Graphene-, Graphene Oxide-, Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Flexible Composites: From Fabrication to Applications

In the new era of modern flexible and bendable technology, graphene-based materials have attracted great attention. The excellent electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of graphene as well as the ease of functionalization of its derivates have enabled graphene to become an attractive candidate for the construction of flexible devices. This paper provides a comprehensive review about the most recent progress in the synthesis and applications of graphene-based composites. Composite materials based on graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), as well as conducting polymers, metal matrices, carbon–carbon matrices, and natural fibers have potential application in energy-harvesting systems, clean-energy storage devices, and wearable and portable electronics owing to their superior mechanical strength, conductivity, and extraordinary thermal stability. Additionally, the difficulties and challenges in the current development of graphene are summarized and indicated. This review provides a comprehensive and useful database for further innovation of graphene-based composite materials.

Flexible Memory Device Composed of Metal-Oxide and Two-Dimensional Material (SnO2/WTe2) Exhibiting Stable Resistive Switching

Two-terminal, non-volatile memory devices are the fundamental building blocks of memory-storage devices to store the required information, but their lack of flexibility limits their potential for biological applications. After the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials, flexible memory devices are easy to build, because of their flexible nature. Here, we report on our flexible resistive-switching devices, composed of a bilayer tin-oxide/tungsten-ditelluride (SnO2/WTe2) heterostructure sandwiched between Ag (top) and Au (bottom) metal electrodes over a flexible PET substrate. The Ag/SnO2/WTe2/Au flexible devices exhibited highly stable resistive switching along with an excellent retention time. Triggering the device from a high-resistance state (HRS) to a low-resistance state (LRS) is attributed to Ag filament formation because of its diffusion. The conductive filament begins its development from the anode to the cathode, contrary to the formal electrochemical metallization theory. The bilayer structure of SnO2/WTe2 improved the endurance of the devices and reduced the switching voltage by up to 0.2 V compared to the single SnO2 stacked devices. These flexible and low-power-consumption features may lead to the construction of a wearable memory device for data-storage purposes.

New Silk Road: From Mesoscopic Reconstruction/Functionalization to Flexible Meso-Electronics/Photonics Based on Cocoon Silk Materials

Two of the key questions to be addressed are whether and how one can turn cocoon silk into fascinating materials with different electronic and optical functions so as to fabricate the flexible devices. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the unique strategy of mesoscopic functionalization starting from silk fibroin (SF) materials to the fabrication of various meso flexible SF devices is presented. Notably, SF materials with novel and enhanced properties can be achieved by mesoscopically reconstructing the hierarchical structures of SF materials. This is based on rerouting the refolding process of SF molecules by meso-nucleation templating. As-acquired functionalized SF materials can be applied to fabricate bio-compatible/degradable flexible/implantable meso-optical/electronic devices of various types. Consequently, functionalized SF can be fabricated into optical elements, that is, nonlinear photonic and fluorescent components, and make it possible to construct silk meso-electronics with high-performance. These advances enable the applications of SF-material based devices in the areas of physical and biochemical sensing, meso-memristors, transistors, brain electrodes, and energy generation/storage, applicable to on-skin long-term monitoring of human physiological conditions, and in-body sensing, information processing, and storage.

Boosting the Optoelectronic Properties of Molybdenum Diselenide by Combining Phase Transition Engineering with Organic Cationic Dye Doping

Two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been investigated intensively as next-generation semiconducting materials. However, conventional TMD-based devices exhibit large contact resistance at the interface between the TMD and the metal electrode because of Fermi level pinning and the Schottky barrier, which results in poor charge injection. Here, we present enhanced charge transport characteristics in molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) by means of a sequential engineering process called PESOD-2H/1T (i.e., phase transition engineering combined with surface transfer organic cationic dye doping; 2H and 1T represent the trigonal prismatic and octahedral phases, respectively). Substantial improvements are observed in PESOD-processed MoSe₂ phototransistors, specifically, an approximately 40 000-fold increase in effective carrier mobility and a 100 000-fold increase in photoresponsivity, compared with the mobility and photoresponsivity of intact MoSe₂ phototransistors. Moreover, the PESOD-processed MoSe₂ phototransistor on a flexible substrate maintains its optoelectronic properties under tensile stress, with a bending radius of 5 mm.

Ultrasensitive Detection of COVID-19 Causative Virus (SARS-CoV-2) Spike Protein Using Laser Induced Graphene Field-Effect Transistor

COVID-19 is a highly contagious human infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the war with the virus is still underway. Since no specific drugs have been made available yet and there is an imbalance between supply and demand for vaccines, early diagnosis and isolation are essential to control the outbreak. Current nucleic acid testing methods require high sample quality and laboratory conditions, which cannot meet flexible applications. Here, we report a laser-induced graphene field-effect transistor (LIG-FET) for detecting SARS-CoV-2. The FET was manufactured by different reduction degree LIG, with an oyster reef-like porous graphene channel to enrich the binding point between the virus protein and sensing area. After immobilizing specific antibodies in the channel, the FET can detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in 15 min at a concentration of 1 pg/mL in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 1 ng/mL in human serum. In addition, the sensor shows great specificity to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Our sensors can realize fast production for COVID-19 rapid testing, as each LIG-FET can be fabricated by a laser platform in seconds. It is the first time that LIG has realized a virus sensing FET without any sample pretreatment or labeling, which paves the way for low-cost and rapid detection of COVID-19.

Enhancing Li-Ion Affinity of Molybdenum Dioxide/Carbon Fabric to Achieve High Pseudocapacitance

High-energy electrodes at high mass loadings (usually >8.0 mg cm^-2 ) are desired for aqueous pseudocapacitors. Yet, how to overcome the thickness-dependent resistance increase of ion/electron transport in pseudocapacitive materials is still challenging. Herein, a high-performance electrode (denoted as AMC) adapted to high mass loading is achieved by promoting the Li-ion affinity of 3D MoO₂ /carbon fabric. The experimental results and corresponding computational results reveal that the oxygen-activated surface of AMC, combined with the wettability and conductivity superiority of 3D graphite network, significantly facilitates the Li-ion adsorption and diffusion at the electrode/electrolyte interface, even at large thicknesses. Consequently, even at a high mass loading up to 8.1 mg cm^-2 , the AMC electrode also displays an impressive specific capacity (567.5 C g^-1 at 2.5 A g^-1 ), substantially superior to most advanced pseudocapacitive electrodes. The strategy of boosting energy characteristic by enhancing the affinity of charge carriers is applicable to other pseudocapacitive electrodes.

Engineering d-p Orbital Hybridization in Single-Atom Metal-Embedded Three-Dimensional Electrodes for Li-S Batteries

Single-atom metal catalysts (SACs) are used as sulfur cathode additives to promote battery performance, although the material selection and mechanism that govern the catalytic activity remain unclear. It is shown that d-p orbital hybridization between the single-atom metal and the sulfur species can be used as a descriptor for understanding the catalytic activity of SACs in Li-S batteries. Transition metals with a lower atomic number are found, like Ti, to have fewer filled anti-bonding states, which effectively bind lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and catalyze their electrochemical reaction. A series of single-atom metal catalysts (Me = Mn, Cu, Cr, Ti) embedded in three-dimensional (3D) electrodes are prepared by a controllable nitrogen coordination approach. Among them, the single-atom Ti-embedded electrode has the lowest electrochemical barrier to LiPSs reduction/Li₂ S oxidation and the highest catalytic activity, matching well with the theoretical calculations. By virtue of the highly active catalytic center of single-atom Ti on the conductive transport network, high sulfur utilization is achieved with a low catalyst loading (1 wt.%) and a high area-sulfur loading (8 mg cm^-2 ). With good mechanical stability for bending, these 3D electrodes are suitable for fabricating bendable/foldable Li-S batteries for wearable electronics.

Intercalated water mediated electromechanical response of graphene oxide films on flexible substrates

The confinement of water between sub-nanometer bounding walls of layered two-dimensional materials has generated tremendous interest. Here, we examined the influence of confined water on the mechanical and electromechanical response of graphene oxide films, prepared with variable oxidative states, casted on polydimethylsiloxane substrates. These films were subjected to uniaxial strain under controlled humid environments (5 to 90% RH), while dc transport studies were performed in tandem. Straining resulted in the formation of quasi-periodic linear crack arrays. The extent of water intercalation determined the density of cracks formed in the system thereby, governing the electrical conductance of the films under strain. The crack density at 5% strain, varied from 0 to 3.5 cracks mm^-1for hydrated films and 8 to 22 cracks mm^-1for dry films, across films with different high oxidative states. Correspondingly, the overall change in the electrical conductance at 5% strain was observed to be ∼5 to 20 folds for hydrated films and ∼20 to 35 folds for the dry films. The results were modeled with a decrease in the in-plane elastic modulus of the film upon water intercalation, which was attributed to the variation in the nature of hydrogen bonding network in graphene oxide lamellae.

Asymmetric, Flexible Supercapacitor Based on Fe-Co Alloy@Sulfide with High Energy and Power Density

Electrode materials with high conductivities that are compatible with flexible substrates are important for preparing high-capacitance electrode materials and improving the energy density of flexible supercapacitors. Here, we report the design and fabrication of a new type of flexible electrode based on nanosheet architectures of a Co-Fe alloy (FeCo-A) coated with ternary metal sulfide composites (FeCo-Ss) on silver-sputtered carbon cloth. The high conductivity of the flexible substrate and the iron-cobalt alloy skeleton enables good electron transmission through the material. In particular, the outer FeCo-S layer has an average thickness of ∼30 nm, providing many active sites. This layer also inhibits the oxidation of the alloy. The electrode material is close to 20 nm thick, which limits inaccessible volumes and promotes high utilization of FeCo-alloy@FeCo-sulfide (FeCo-A-S). The additive-free FeCo-A-S electrode has a high specific capacitance of 2932.2 F g^-1 at 1.0 A g^-1 and a superior rate capability. All-solid-state supercapacitors based on these electrodes have a high power density of 8000 W kg^-1 and a high energy density of 46.1 W h kg^-1.

Highly Sensitive, Selective, Flexible and Scalable Room-Temperature NO2 Gas Sensor Based on Hollow SnO2/ZnO Nanofibers

Semiconducting metal oxides can detect low concentrations of NO₂ and other toxic gases, which have been widely investigated in the field of gas sensors. However, most studies on the gas sensing properties of these materials are carried out at high temperatures. In this work, Hollow SnO₂ nanofibers were successfully synthesized by electrospinning and calcination, followed by surface modification using ZnO to improve the sensitivity of the SnO₂ nanofibers sensor to NO₂ gas. The gas sensing behavior of SnO₂/ZnO sensors was then investigated at room temperature (~20 °C). The results showed that SnO₂/ZnO nanocomposites exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity to 0.5 ppm of NO₂ gas with a response value of 336%, which was much higher than that of pure SnO₂ (13%). In addition to the increase in the specific surface area of SnO₂/ZnO-3 compared with pure SnO₂, it also had a positive impact on the detection sensitivity. This increase was attributed to the heterojunction effect and the selective NO₂ physisorption sensing mechanism of SnO₂/ZnO nanocomposites. In addition, patterned electrodes of silver paste were printed on different flexible substrates, such as paper, polyethylene terephthalate and polydimethylsiloxane using a facile screen-printing process. Silver electrodes were integrated with SnO₂/ZnO into a flexible wearable sensor array, which could detect 0.1 ppm NO₂ gas after 10,000 bending cycles. The findings of this study therefore open a general approach for the fabrication of flexible devices for gas detection applications.

Photonic Lift-off Process to Fabricate Ultrathin Flexible Solar Cells

A microsecond time-scale photonic lift-off (PLO) process was used to fabricate mechanically flexible photovoltaic devices (PVs) with a total thickness of less than 20 μm. PLO is a rapid, scalable photothermal technique for processing extremely thin, mechanically flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices. PLO is also compatible with large-area devices, roll-to-roll processing, and substrates with low temperature compatibility. As a proof of concept, PVs were fabricated using CuInSe₂ nanocrystal ink deposited at room temperature under ambient conditions on thin, plastic substrates heated to 100 °C. It was necessary to prevent cracking of the brittle top contact layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) during lift-off, either by using a layer of silver nanowires (AgNW) as the top contact or by infusing the ITO layer with AgNW. This approach could generally be used to improve the mechanical versatility of current collectors in a variety of ultrathin electronic and optoelectronic devices requiring a transparent conductive contact layer.