Multiscale Structural Engineering Boosts Piezoelectricity in Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-Based High-Temperature Piezoceramics.

High-temperature piezoelectric materials, which enable the accurate and reliable sensing of physical parameters to guarantee the functional operation of various systems under harsh conditions, are highly demanded. To this end, both large piezoelectricity and high Curie temperature are pivotal figures of merit (FOMs) for high-temperature piezoceramics. Unfortunately, despite intensive pursuits, it remains a formidable challenge to unravel the inverse correlation between these FOMs. Herein, a conceptual material paradigm of multiscale structural engineering was proposed to address this dilemma. The synergistic effects of phase structure reminiscent of a polymorphic phase boundary and refined domain morphology simultaneously contribute to a large piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 30.3 pC/N and a high Curie temperature TC of 740 °C in (LiCeNd) codoped Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 (NBN-LCN) ceramics. More encouragingly, the system has exceptional thermal stability and is nonsusceptible to mechanical loading. This study not only demonstrates that the high-performance and robust NBN-LCN high-temperature piezoceramics hold great potential for implements under harsh conditions but also opens an avenue for integrating antagonistic properties for the enhancement of the collective performance in functional materials.

Composition Regulation of Potassium Sodium Niobate Thin Films through Post-Annealing under Alkali Element Atmospheres.

Amorphous potassium sodium niobate (KNN) films were synthesized at 300 °C through the radio frequency magnetron sputtering method and subsequently crystallized by post-annealing at 700 °C in various alkali element atmospheres (Na and K). The as-deposited film is notably deficient in alkali metal elements, particularly K, whereas the loss of alkali elements in the films can be replenished through annealing in an alkali element atmosphere. By adjusting the molar ratio of Na and K in the annealing atmosphere, the ratio of Na/K in the resultant film varied, consequently suggesting the efficiency of this method on composition regulation of KNN films. Meanwhile, we also found that the physical characteristics of the films also underwent differences with the change of an annealing atmosphere. The films annealed in a high Na atmosphere exhibit large dielectric losses with limited piezoelectric vibration behavior, while annealing in a high K atmosphere reduces the dielectric losses and enhances the piezoelectric behavior. Furthermore, the results of vibration measurement demonstrated that the film annealed in a mixed powder of 25% Na2CO3 and 75% K2CO3 exhibits an optimal vibration displacement of ~400 pm under the sinusoidal excitation voltage of 8 V. This approach of altering the composition of KNN films through post-annealing may introduce the new concept of property design of KNN as well as other similar films.

Piezoelectric Materials and Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring: Fundamental Aspects, Current Status, and Future Perspectives.

Structural health monitoring technology can assess the status and integrity of structures in real time by advanced sensors, evaluate the remaining life of structure, and make the maintenance decisions on the structures. Piezoelectric materials, which can yield electrical output in response to mechanical strain/stress, are at the heart of structural health monitoring. Here, we present an overview of the recent progress in piezoelectric materials and sensors for structural health monitoring. The article commences with a brief introduction of the fundamental physical science of piezoelectric effect. Emphases are placed on the piezoelectric materials engineered by various strategies and the applications of piezoelectric sensors for structural health monitoring. Finally, challenges along with opportunities for future research and development of high-performance piezoelectric materials and sensors for structural health monitoring are highlighted.

A low cytotoxic cationic metal-organic framework carrier for controllable drug release.

A positively charged porous drug carrier MOF-74-Fe(III) (1, MOF = metal-organic framework), which could not be directly synthesized using ferric salts, was prepared through the oxidation of the neutral crystal MOF-74-Fe(II). This cationic host material exhibits very low cytotoxicity upon PC12 cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and high drug loading capacity of ibuprofen anions (∼15.9 wt %) through ion exchange and salt penetration procedures. Controlled by anion exchange, two mechanisms were involved in the drug release process with different drug delivery rates due to the presence of coordinated or free ibuprofen anions, making the administration of drug release more flexible.

Luminescent metal-organic framework films as highly sensitive and fast-response oxygen sensors.

Luminescent metal-organic framework films, CPM-5⊃Tb(3+) and MIL-100(In)⊃Tb(3+), have been constructed by postfunctionalization of two porous indium-organic frameworks with different structures, respectively. The MIL-100(In)⊃Tb(3+) film shows high oxygen sensitivity (KSV = 7.59) and short response/recovery time (6 s/53 s).

A luminescent nanoscale metal-organic framework with controllable morphologies for spore detection.

A nanoscale MOF material NMOF 1 with controllable morphologies is realized whose morphology control has been simulated based on the BFDH method. The targeted NMOF 1 exhibits highly sensitive, selective and instant "turn-on" sensing of bacterial endospores.