The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery has been considered as a promising future energy storage device owing to its high theoretical energy density, low cost of the raw active material (sulfur), and its environmental friendliness. On the other hand, there are still challenging issues for the practical applications of Li-S batteries, including low-sulfur utilization, poor cyclability, and rate capability. Although considerable efforts have been made to overcome the current obstacles in Li-S batteries, it is still far from meeting the requirements for the commercialization of Li-S batteries. This review outlines the recent progress in Li-S batteries based on novel configurations, such as incorporating functional interlayers/separators beyond the approach for preparing novel cathodes, and discusses the role of the configuration in Li-S batteries. The functions of the newly introduced functional interlayer/separator are highlighted to address the problems of Li-S batteries. From classification of the functions, the perspectives and outlook are presented to rationally design a novel functional interlayer/separator for high performance Li-S batteries.

There has been remarkable progress with regard to the fabrication of yarns based on high-performance carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, the theoretically predicted tensile strength of CNTs has yet to be realized in practical CNT yarns or CNT-reinforced composites. Having considered that there are few systematic guidelines for preparing high-strength CNT yarns, we attempted to revisit the-state-of-the-art progress in the theories and yarn formation processes of CNT yarns and then draw possible correlations between the intrinsic and extrinsic structural parameters of elementary CNTs, yarn formation processes and the tensile strength of the resulting CNT yarns. On the basis of these considerations and discussions of advanced technologies and theoretical approaches, possible routes to improve the strength of CNT yarns further are suggested.

Information on the possible correlations between the characteristics of graphene itself or the performance of graphene-based devices and the conditions of its preparation or fabrication is scarce. This study examined how the characteristics and performance of graphene in applications, such as batteries and supercapacitors, conductive electrodes, and gas barrier films, change according to the conditions of the adopted process focusing mainly on graphene derived from GO. The overall aim was to determine the possible relationships between the characteristics and the conditions of the oxidation and reduction processes and the performance of devices based on the graphene prepared. Through a deeper understanding of the chemistry involved in the oxidation and reduction processes, possible routes along which the characteristics of graphene from GO can be tuned to a specific application were suggested. These guidelines will provide insights to those wanting to extend their exploration of graphene to new areas, such as catalysts, semiconductors, and biomedical materials.

Displaying information on transparent screens offers new opportunities in next-generation electronics, such as augmented reality devices, smart surgical glasses, and smart windows. Outstanding luminance and transparency are essential for such “see-through” displays to show vivid images over clear background view. Here transparent quantum dot light-emitting diodes (Tr-QLEDs) are reported with high brightness (bottom: ≈43 000 cd m−2, top: ≈30 000 cd m−2, total: ≈73 000 cd m−2 at 9 V), excellent transmittance (90% at 550 nm, 84% over visible range), and an ultrathin form factor (≈2.7 µm thickness). These superb characteristics are accomplished by novel electron transport layers (ETLs) and engineered quantum dots (QDs). The ETLs, ZnO nanoparticle assemblies with ultrathin alumina overlayers, dramatically enhance durability of active layers, and balance electron/hole injection into QDs, which prevents nonradiative recombination processes. In addition, the QD structure is further optimized to fully exploit the device architecture. The ultrathin nature of Tr-QLEDs allows their conformal integration on various shaped objects. Finally, the high resolution patterning of red, green, and blue Tr-QLEDs (513 pixels in.−1) shows the potential of the full-color transparent display.

This study reports on a simple and efficient strategy to prepare macroscopically assembled nanostructured porous carbon (MNPC) based on metal-phenolic interactions. The abundant coordination sites contained in tannic acid enable to form a stable, interconnected hydrogel dough. The porosity evolution mechanism during carbonization process is studied by temperature programmed desorption-mass spectroscopy. Hierarchical pore structure of the MNPC can be developed by modulating the zinc chloride content. The resulting material provides versatile adsorption behaviors for various ranging from small gas molecules to larger molecules such as dye, oil and organic solvents.

A novel dual imprinting method is suggested to synthesize pyridinic N‐enriched, hierarchically porous carbon. Rose‐like melamine cyanurate (MCA) mesocrystal is prepared by simple self‐assembly and utilized as a sacrificial template. The unique morphological and chemical features of the MCA are imprinted into the carbon source during carbonization. Curled graphene‐like layers with a high nitrogen content (19.9 at%, especially 8.9 at% of pyridinic N) are interconnected to form a unique red blood cell‐shaped morphology with a hierarchical pore structure. The resulting material exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance (2019 mAh g‐1 at 100 mA g‐1 and 643 mAh g‐1 at 2000 mA g‐1 after 250 cycles) when evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. Furthermore, this novel imprinting strategy can provide a simple and efficient methodology to produce pyridinic N‐enriched, hierarchically porous carbonaceous materials for extensive applications.

Graphene oxide liquid crystals (GO LC) prove their potential usefulness in a new design of carbon scaffold composites with ordered structures from nano to macro scale. This paper highlights the degree of GO functionalization as a notable influencing factor on GO LC formation. The large amount of oxygen functional groups, which cause secondary interactions between GOs, decrease the critical concentration for the phase transitions from isotropic to biphasic to nematic phases. In the biphasic state where isotropic and anisotropic phases coexist, highly oxidized GO sheets spontaneously develop LC phases among themselves. Furthermore, the strong hydrogen bonding networks between GO sheets govern the stabilization of the GO aqueous dispersion for a long period. This unique behavior can be used to design GO based architecture with controllable density and ordering.

We report a tremendous structural evolution of carbon nanosheets (CNSs) through the graphenization of isotropic pitches prepared by reforming commercially available naphtha cracking bottom oil. CNSs with thicknesses of 2–13 nm were prepared by spin-coating on quartz substrates directly without a catalytic material, followed by two successive thermal treatments consisting of stabilization at 270 °C in air and carbonization at up to 1200 °C in H₂/Ar. The development of well-ordered graphene layers around pebble-like structures with increasing carbonization temperature was observed in only the 13-nm thick CNSs by transmission electron microscopy, whereas thin CNSs did not reveal well-developed fringe growth. In addition, Raman, UV–vis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies along with mass spectrometry unanimously showed clear evidence indicating that unusually well-developed crystalline structure was formed in the thick CNSs. It should be noted that isotropic pitches, which are intrinsically non-graphitizable carbon sources, evolved into highly ordered structures at a relatively low carbonization temperature (1200 °C). We believe that the graphenization of spin-coated films of pitch molecules resulted from the condensation of small pitch molecules and their self-assembled structure during carbonization under the anisotropic pressure induced by significant shrinkage in the vertical axis.

The gas permeability of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films is influenced by controlling the lateral size and void generation. The low gas permeability was achieved by the controlled parent graphene oxide (GO) synthesis. The organic device lifetime using rGO-coated barriers was prolonged by 65.9 times when compared to bare samples.

This paper introduces poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based modification of graphene oxide (GO) layers through the grafting onto the surface of GO as one of the excellent tools to improve the solubility and the processing ability of graphene. Methylene blue (MB)-mediated intercalation of graphite (flake) was first performed at 25 o C in aqueous media, followed by the Hummers’ process for oxidation, leading to an efficient production of GO. Direct oxidation of graphite (powder) also yielded the corresponding GO. The reaction of neutralized GO with “living” PEOs synthesized from alkyllithium- or sodium azide-initiated polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) in polar solvents led to the production of the corresponding graphene oxide-gPEOs soluble in different solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and H2O, etc. The resulting products were characterized by the combination of size exclusion chromatographic, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR), Raman, thermogravimetric anlysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses.

Future electronic applications such as wearable electronics depend on the successful construction of energy storage devices with superior flexibility and high electrochemical performance. However, these prerequisites are challenging to combine: external forces often cause performance degradation while the trade-off between the required nanostructures for strength and electrochemical performance results only in energy storage. In this paper, we present a flexible supercapacitor design based on tannic acid (TA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a unique nanostructure. Here, TA is self-assembled on the surface of the CNTs by metal-phenolic coordination bonds which provides the hybrid film with both, high strength and high pseudocapacitance. Besides a 17 times increased mechanical strength of the final composite, the hybrid film simultaneously exhibits excellent flexibility and volumetric capacitance.

We prepared liquid phase exfoliated edge-selectively oxidized graphene (LPEOG) with a high concentration in water (∼14.7 mg ml⁻¹) and a high ratio of a single layer (70%). The edge of graphite was selectively oxidized by step II oxidation of the modified Hummers method, and we subsequently exfoliated the edge-selectively oxidized graphite (EOG) into LPEOG. The edge selective oxidation of the LPEOG was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta-potentiometry, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The highly concentrated LPEOG ink can be used in solution processing such as simple drawing or spin casting. Reduced LPEOG showed a higher conductivity (120000 S m⁻¹) than that of reduced graphene oxide (68800 S m⁻¹) despite the small lateral size. A transparent conducting film prepared from the LPEOG ink showed a lower surface resistance (∼2.97 kΩ sq⁻¹) at a higher transmittance (>83.0 %T) compared to those of the graphene oxide based film. These results indicate that preservation of π-conjugation of the basal plane of graphene is critical for electrical performance of graphene. Our method facilitates solution processing of graphene for a wide range of applications.

Graphene oxide (GO) has been synthesized by the Hummers method with modification of experimental condition by different research groups, but there is no guideline to prepare tailored GO for targeted applications. In this research, we suggest a guideline for tailor-fittable functionalization of graphene on the basis of the scope of our previous report on the two-step oxidation of GO. We describe a detailed procedure for synthesis of GO, effects of degree of step I oxidation on characteristics of GO and comparing them with effects of degree of step II oxidation. Characteristic changes of GO occurring during step I oxidation and those occurring during step II oxidation are different in species of oxygen functional groups, interlayer spacing, thermal stability, size distribution, and yield of GO. Based on the results, three types of tailor-fitted GO for a fiber, transparent conducting film, and hydrogen storage material are synthesized by controlling the degree of step I and step II oxidation. Compared to the reference GO synthesized by conventional modified Hummers method, the tailor-fitted GO showed 33.5 %, 117 %, and 104 % enhanced performance in strength of the fiber, figure of merits of transparent conducting film, and hydrogen storage, respectively. Our results show that the performance of GO based application is significantly influenced by the synthesis condition of GO, and optimized performance of the applications can be obtained by the tailor-fitted functionalization of GO. We anticipate that this study would be helpful for a variety of researches, both synthesis and application of GO.

The thermal decomposition behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was revisited to prepare partially opened MWCNTs by a simple air oxidation method which allows massproductivity. As a promising matrix for sulfur cathodes, the partially opened MWCNTs can incorporate sulfur in hidden internal areas in the carbon nanotubes, leading to a homogeneous distribution through the MWCNT matrix. The resulting materials enable Li-S batteries to exhibit greatly enhanced electrochemical performance.  

The air plasma spraying method has a problem in the formation of many splat boundaries throughout the plasma sprayed layer, which seriously degrades mechanical properties of the metal layer. In order to improve the mechanical properties of air plasma sprayed tungsten (APS-W) by reducing the splat boundaries, a pulsed electric current is applied on as-sprayed specimens. Through microstructure observations and microhardness measurements, it was confirmed that the reduction of splat boundaries and the increase of hardness were obtained. The results are compared with those of APS-W annealed using induction heating under the same temperature, time and pressure.

Flexible lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are promising energy storage devices that can facilitate the advancement of wearable and flexible electronics. The main drawbacks of flexible LIB development are their low energy densities, poor mechanical strengths, and lack of flexibility. In this paper, we developed a facile method to prepare flexible and freestanding LIBs by modifying the CNT yarn (CNTY) synthesis. Iron catalysts in CNTYs were directly converted to electrochemically-active Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles featuring homogeneous distribution without agglomeration, monodisperse, and tight adhesion to CNT. This unique microstructure in the electrochemically activated CNTY (A-CNTY) electrode contributed to a good electrochemical performance (capacity, cyclability, and rate capability) of the resulting CNTY when evaluated as an anode material for LIB. We also fabricated a flexible fiber battery prototype composed of A-CNTY anode and commercially available lithium iron phosphate coated CNTY cathode with a gel electrolyte. The fabricated batteries are 30 cm-long with a diameter of a few hundred micrometers. In addition, our CNTY-based flexible LIBs are able to endure deformation without any substrates due to the good mechanical properties of CNTY. Our fiber type LIBs were able to successfully power various LED lights even during deformation.

Current approaches in use of water-insoluble photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer often demand a nano-delivery system. Here, we report a photosensitizer-loaded biocompatible nano-delivery formulation (PPaN-20) whose size was engineered to ca. 20 nm to offer improved cell/tissue penetration and efficient generation of cytotoxic singlet oxygen. PPaN-20 was fabricated through the physical assembly of all biocompatible constituents: pyropheophorbide-a (PPa, waterinsoluble photosensitizer), polycaprolactone (PCL, hydrophobic/biodegradable polymer), and Pluronic F-68 (clinically approved polymeric surfactant). Repeated microemulsification/evaporation method resulted in a fine colloidal dispersion of PPaN-20 in water, where the particulate PCL matrix containing well-dispersed PPa molecules inside was stabilized by the Pluronic corona. Compared to a control sample of large-sized nanoparticles (PPaN-200) prepared by a conventional solvent displacement method, PPaN-20 revealed optimal singlet oxygen generation and efficient cellular uptake by virtue of the suitably engineered size and constitution, leading to high in vitro phototoxicity against cancer cells. Upon administration to tumor-bearing mice by peritumoral route, PPaN-20 showed efficient tumor accumulation by the enhanced cell/tissue penetration evidenced by in vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging. The in vivo PDT treatment with peritumorally administrated PPaN-20 showed significantly enhanced suppression of tumor growth compared to the control group, demonstrating great potential as a biocompatible photosensitizing agent for locoregional PDT treatment of cancer.

A bioinspired hydrogen storage medium uses polydopamine (PD) which acts as a reducing agent, functionalizer, and strong metal binder. By controlling the degree of functionalized PD on graphene, the specific surface area of three-dimensionally interconnected graphene foam can be controlled. In addition, the functionalization degree of PD affects the size, distribution, and amount of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles decorated on the foam. By combining a high surface area and a uniform distribution of small sized Pt nanoparticles, the Pt-decorated PD-functionalized graphene (rGO/PD_Pt) exhibits a high hydrogen storage capacity of 3.19 wt.% at room temperature and 100 bar, which is the best hydrogen storage medium exhibiting the highest hydrogen uptake per unit specific surface area.

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The self-assembled nanostructures of carbon nanomaterials possess a damagetolerable architecture crucial for the inherent mechanical properties at both micro- and macroscopic levels. Bone, or “natural composite,” has been known to have superior energy dissipation and fracture resistance abilities due to its unique load-bearing hybrid structure. However, few approaches have emulated the desirable structure using carbon nanomaterials. In this paper, we present an approach in fabricating a hybrid composite paper based on graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotube (CNT), mimicking the natural bone structure. The size-tuning strategy enables smaller GO sheets to have more cross-linking reactions with CNTs and be homogeneously incorporated into CNT-assembled paper, which is advantageous for effective stress transfer. The resultant hybrid composite film has enhanced mechanical strength, modulus, toughness, and even electrical conductivity compared to previously reported CNT-GO based composites. We further demonstrate the usefulness of the size-tuned GOs as the “stress transfer medium” by performing in-situ Raman spectroscopy during the tensile test.

Hummers method has been used for fifty years to prepare graphene oxide (GO) by oxidizing graphite using Mn₂O₇. In this work, a new angle on Hummers method is described. The oxidation procedure before the addition of water, which has been respected as the main oxidation step of Hummers method, is named step I oxidation and the widely ignored further oxidation step after the addition of water is named step II oxidation. The chemical and structural evolutions during step II oxidation was demonstrated for the first time using various techniques including AFM, DLS, XPS, UV-Vis, FT-IR, 13C NMR and zeta-potentiometry. Step II oxidation influences the size of GO, defects within the layers, and functional groups on the surface, which affect the thermal stability of GO and the properties of resultant thermally reduced GO. This work provides new chemical insights into GO and guidelines for preparation of tailor-fitted GO.

Functionalization is one of the key procedures for real applications of carbon nanotube (CNT) as it involves the generation of the acidic functional groups on their surfaces. In these procedures, precise elucidation of these surface acidic groups is significant for the proper utilization of the functionalized CNT. For easy characterization of the practical acidic groups on CNT, one-pot titration methodology is developed, breaking the boundary between the conventional indirect and direct titration methods. The practical acidic functional groups including carboxylic, lactonic, and phenolic groups were successfully computed from the acid ionization constant (pK_a) distribution from the direct titration of nitric acid-oxidized multi-walled CNT by means of a one-pot titration methodology. These results were fairly identical to the results of the popular indirect titration method, showing that the developed methodology is essentially applicable for the surface characterization of acidic groups on CNT and potentially extended to the other carbon nanomaterials.

To allow for the use of graphene in various nanoelectronic applications, the methods for the large-scale production of graphene with controllable electrical properties need to be developed. Here, we report the results of a fundamental study on the remarkable conversion between n- and p-type reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with changes in the thermal annealing temperature. It was found that the charge carriers in rGO for temperatures of 300–450 °C and 800–1000 °C are electrons (n-type), whereas for temperatures of 450–800 °C, they are holes (p-type). This is because the individual oxygen functional groups present on rGO are determined by the annealing temperature. We found that the predominance of electron-withdrawing groups (i.e., carboxyl, carbonyl, and sp3-bonded hydroxyl, ether, and epoxide groups) resulted in p-type rGO, while that of electron-donating groups (sp2-bonded hydroxyl, ether and epoxide groups) lead to n-type rGO. In addition, as a proof of concept, a flexible thermoelectric device consisting of GO-700 and GO-1000 as p-type and n-type components, respectively, was fabricated. This device, which contained eight pairs of the two components, exhibited an output voltage of 4.1 mV and an output power of 41 nW for ΔT = 80 K. These results demonstrate that the carrier characteristics of rGO can be altered significantly by changing the functional groups present on it, thus allowing it to be used in various applications including flexible thermoelectrics.

As commercial interest in flexible power-conversion devices increases, the demand is growing for high-performance alternatives to brittle inorganic thermoelectric materials. As an alternative, we propose a flexible single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-doped tellurium nanowire (TeNW) hybrid film and, for the first time, rationally engineer the work function of the SWCNTs to effectively filter charge carriers in an energy-dependent manner at the interfaces between the carbon and the inorganic semiconductor. The acid treatment used to control the SWCNT work function allows the interfacial barrier between the SWCNT and the TeNW to be raised and lowered. While the hybrid film with a large barrier of 0.82 eV has a low power factor due to poor carrier transfer, the power factor (3.40 μW·m⁻¹·K⁻²) in the film with a lower barrier of 0.23 eV is several times higher than that of either pure TeNW or hybrid film with 0.82 eV due to effective energy filtering effect. The transport characteristics of the hybrid film are explored to quantitatively elucidate the carrier filtering at the SWCNT-TeNW interfaces. These demonstrate the effectiveness of optimizing SWCNT work functions to improve the thermoelectric properties of SWCNT/TeNW hybrid films, thus indicating that this strategy can be applied to flexible/or wearable thermoelectrics.

Continuous efforts have been made to attain high performance Li-S batteries by preventing loss of soluble polysulfides, whereas issues related to insoluble discharge products, Li₂S₂ and Li₂S, have been underestimated. In this paper, we demonstrate that facile and mild method, diazotization, enables uniform functionalization on the surface of ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) with aniline functional groups while it does not deteriorate the original CMK-3 microstructure. The aniline groups possess favorable interactions with insoluble discharge products. Thus, they homogeneously distribute the insoluble discharge products during cycling. The proposed materials exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties with regards to stability (920 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 C after 100 cycles) and rate capability (814 mAh g^-1 at 1 C) when evaluated as a cathode material for lithium sulfur batteries.

Length of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) has strong impact on mechanical strength of MWCNT/polymer composite. In this paper, MWCNT/polyamide 6, 6 (PA 66) composites using ten different MWCNTs were prepared by melt processing. The harsh mixing process used to achieve a fine dispersion of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix broke and severely reduced the lengths of the MWCNTs. The characteristics of MWCNTs that influence the breakage and length reduction were systematically and experimentally explored. Insights into designing the microstructures and morphological properties of pristine MWCNTs were provided, based on the correlation data and statistical evaluation results, in an effort to preserve the high aspect ratio of the MWCNTs during the melt mixing process, thereby expecting the enhanced mechanical properties of the composite.

In this work, we examined the reasons underlying the humidity-induced morphological changes of electrospun fibers and suggest a method of controlling the electrospun fiber morphology under high humidity conditions. We fabricated OPV devices composed of electrospun fibers, and the performance of the OPV devices depends significantly on the fiber morphology. The evaporation rate of a solvent at various relative humidity was measured to investigate the effects of the relative humidity during electrospinning process. The beaded nanofibers morphology of electrospun fibers was originated due to slow solvent evaporation rate under high humidity conditions. To increase the evaporation rate under high humidity conditions, warm air was applied to the electrospinning system. The beads that would have formed on the electrospun fibers were completely avoided, and the power conversion efficiencies of OPV devices fabricated under high humidity conditions could be restored. These results highlight the simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed method for improving the reproducibility of electrospun nanofibers and performances of devices consisting of the electrospun nanofibers, regardless of the relative humidity.

In this research, we have analyzed the electrochemical characteristics of the different rGO/Co3O4 composites prepared by controlling the rGO surface characteristics and its relationship between the growth of Co3O4 nanoparticles and the performance of the pseudocapacitor. Reduced graphene oxide/cobalt oxide (rGO/Co3O4) nanocomposites of different morphologies were prepared through the simple hydrothermal method. First, different kinds of graphite precursors, crumpled and planar with different properties, were used to determine the most suitable substrate to grow Co3O4 nanoparticles. As a result, rGO/Co3O4composite synthesized from planar graphite shows a higher specific capacitance of 207.2, 170.1, and 141.5 Fg−1 at 1, 2, and 5 Ag−1 than the one prepared from crumpled graphite. In the second part, planar graphite, confirmed to be the most suitable substrate from the previous part, was oxidized under various oxidation conditions to increase the oxygen functional groups attached on the GO surfaces and observed to see how it affects the growth of Co3O4 nanoparticles and its influence on the electrochemical performance of the rGO/Co3O4 pseudocapacitor. As a result, the one with the largest amount of functional groups had the Co3O4 nanoparticles well dispersed and grown on the rGO substrate in small nanoparticle sizes, as small as 5.9 nm, leading to an improved electrochemical performance. Thus, the specific capacitance with the least amount of oxygen functional groups are 207.2, 170.1, and 141.5 Fg−1 and for the largest amount of functional groups are 411.5, 371.4, and 292.7 Fg−1, at 1, 2, and 5 Ag−1 respectively. This approach could become a guideline for the ideal fabrication of rGO/metal oxide composite for further research involving rGO based pseudocapacitors.

A controlled assembly and alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a high-packing density with a scalable way remains challenging. This paper focuses on the preparation of self-assembled and well-aligned CNTs with a densely packed nanostructure in the form of buckypaper via a simple filtration method. The CNT suspension concentration is strongly reflected in the alignment and assembly behavior of CNT buckypaper. We further demonstrated that the horizontally aligned CNT domain gradually increases in size when increasing the deposited CNT quantity. The resultant aligned buckypaper exhibited notably enhanced packing density, strength, modulus, and hardness compared to previously reported buckypapers.

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Current theranostic approaches in cancer therapy demand delivery systems that can carry multiple drugs or imaging agents in a single nanoplatform with uniform biodistribution and improved target specificity. In this study, we have developed amphiphilized poly(ethyleneimine) nanoparticles (aPEI NPs) as a versatile multi-cargo delivery platform. The aPEI NPs were engineered to have the loading capacity for both hydrophobic molecules and negatively charged hydrophilic colloidal cargos through amphiphilic modification, i.e., octadecylation and subsequent PEGylation of poly(ethyleneimine). In aqueous phase, the resulting aPEIs underwent amphiphilic self-assembly into spherical nanoparticles whose structure is constituted of the hydrophobic core with the positively charged surface and the hydrophilic neutral corona. The high degree of PEGylation resulted in the tiny colloidal size (<15 nm in diameter) and rendered the outmost surface coated with an antifouling corona which minimizes general shortcomings of poly(ethyleneimine)-based nanocarriers (e.g., cytotoxicity and liver filtration) while keeping its advantage (loading capability for negatively charged drugs). The unique nanostructure of aPEI NPs allowed for facile loading of hydrophobic model drugs (rubrene and IR780) in the core as well as negatively charged colloids (Pdots, proteins and DNA) on the inner surface via the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, respectively. Fluorescence imaging experiments demonstrated that the highly PEGylated aPEI-25 NPs showed prolonged blood circulation with minimal liver filtration and efficient delivery of the loaded cargos to the tumor. These combined merits, along with negligible toxicity profiles both in vitro and in vivo, validate the potential of aPEI-25 NPs as a versatile nanocarrier for multi-cargo delivery.

Thermoelectrics is a challenging issue for future energy harvesting and cooling technology. We here have demonstrated a new system of the tellurium nanowire (TeNW) films hybridized with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) as a flexible thermoelectric material and investigated their thermoelectric properties as a function of SWCNT weight ratio in the hybrid. The excellent mechanical stability and electrical conductivity of SWCNT enhance the flexibility and thermoelectric properties of the pure TeNW film. The addition of 2 wt% SWCNT into TeNW matrix significantly increases the electrical conductivity from 4 to 50 S m⁻¹ while maintaining the high thermopower, thereby leading to one order of magnitude higher figure of merit (ZT) compared to the pure TeNW film. These results indicate that the SWCNT/TeNW hybrid film would be promising for a potential use as a flexible thermoelectric material.

Graphene oxide (GO) was recently reported to assemble into one-dimensional fiber precursors that can be used to produce next-generation multifunctional graphene-based materials. This study describes the facile fabrication of GO fibers with excellent mechanical properties, utilizing a diamine cross-linker that forms ion bridges between the GO layers. Organic co-coagulants and post-drawing processes, which are usually employed in typical GO spinning processes, were not used here. The GO layers readily aligned along the spinning axis, and the GO formed closely packed structures in the fibers. The fibers displayed a Young’s modulus of 26.6 GPa and a tensile strength of 384.3 MPa in maximum. The interlayer microstructure of the GO sheets could be tuned by modifying the structures of the cross-linking diamine groups, yielding a range of mechanical properties. These observations suggested that our newly developed GO fiber synthesis method could enable applications of graphene-based fibrous materials through GO surface chemistry modification approaches.

Reduced graphene oxide-based films were prepared to assess their effects as gas barriers on the stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. The direct spin-casting of a graphene oxide suspension onto an aluminum electrode was performed to encapsulate the associated OPV device with a reduced graphene oxide film. The lifetime of the OPV device after the reduction process was found to be increased by a factor of 50. The gas barrier properties of a graphene oxide layer are closely related to its surface roughness and dispersibility. Furthermore, these gas barrier properties can be enhanced by controlling the thermal reduction conditions. The thermal reduction of a graphene oxide film at a low heating rate results in a low water vapor permeability, only 0.1% of that of an as-prepared polyethylene naphthalate film. These results indicate that the dispersibility, surface roughness, and reduction conditions of a graphene oxide film significantly influence its gas barrier performance. Further investigations of the reduction of graphene oxide films are expected to enable further improvements in performance.

A bulk tungsten tile with conventional and shaped castellation structures was exposed to various plasmas in KSTAR during 2012 campaign, in order to verify the functions of the shaped castellation designed for ITER divertor. The thermal response of the tile during the campaign was measured by thermocouples. The tungsten tile was collected after the campaign and the castellation structures were examined. The deposition inside the gap was studied to identify the contributions of ions and charge exchange neutrals. The shaped castellation shows smaller penetration depth of ions by a factor of ~1/2 than that of conventional one, thus less deposition inside the gap which is consistent with the prediction made by SPICE2 code. It seems that blister formation and cracking have occurred during plasma shots.

The Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) of as-produced multi-walled carbon nanotubes (APMWCNTs) were determined by means of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique. Due to non-homogeneous surfaces of the APMWCNTs arising from defects and impurities, it was necessary to establish adequate working conditions for determining the HSPs of the CNTs. We then obtained the HSPs of the APMWCNTs and compared these results with earlier reports as determined by using sedimentation and molecular dynamics simulation methods. It was found that the determination of the HSPs of the CNTs by IGC can give enhanced determination range based on the adsorption thermodynamic parameters, compared to the HSPs determined using sedimentation methods. And the HSPs of the APMWCNTs, determined here, provided good guidelines for the selection of feasible solvents that can improve the dispersion of the APMWCNTs.

Thermal degradation of titanium–containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs; MIL-125 and MIL-125-NH₂ at 350 °C for 6 h in air produced TiO₂ nanoparticles of ca. 10 nm in diameter. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscope analyses indicated that those nanoparticles were aggregated randomly within each crystalline particle of their MOF precursors. The TiO₂ nanoparticles prepared from MIL-125-NH₂ exhibited higher activity for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under visible light.

The chirality and diameter are found to simultaneously affect the solubility of SWCNTs. The solubility parameter of armchair SWCNTs is greater than that of zigzag SWCNTs, for a given diameter and length, except for very small diameters. The lower structural stability of the armchair SWCNTs leads to smaller molar volumes. Thus, the chirality of SWCNTs alters the structural stability and consequently the solubility parameter of the SWCNTs.