Atomic Layer Engineering of Pd Nanosheets for an Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Thickness control of two-dimensional (2D) metal nanosheets (metallenes) has scientific significance for energy and catalyst applications, yet is unexplored owing to the lack of an efficient approach for the tailored synthesis of metallenes with controlled atomic layers. Here we report a 2D template-directed synthesis of ultrathin Pd nanosheets with well-controlled thicknesses. Molecularly thin single-crystalline Pd nanosheets with well-defined hexagonal morphologies were synthesized via a one-pot method with 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl formate. Such Pd nanosheets were used as hard templates for the tailored synthesis of the Pd nanosheets with controlled thicknesses (9, 11, 13, and 15 atomic layers). Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations revealed unique electronic states in thickness-controlled Pd nanosheets; these states included reduced surface charges to bulk, increased work functions, and decreased d-band centers. Thus, atomic layer engineering of Pd nanosheets enabled the fine-tuning of the surface electronic states to improve the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Ultrafast 2D Nanosheet Assembly via Spontaneous Spreading Phenomenon.

In 2D materials, a key engineering challenge is the mass production of large-area thin films without sacrificing their uniform 2D nature and unique properties. Here, it is demonstrated that a simple fluid phenomenon of water/alcohol solvents can become a sophisticated tool for self-assembly and designing organized structures of 2D nanosheets on a water surface. In situ, surface characterizations show that water/alcohol droplets of 2D nanosheets with cationic surfactants exhibit spontaneous spreading of large uniform monolayers within 10 s. Facile transfer of the monolayers onto solid or flexible substrates results in high-quality mono- and multilayer films with high coverages (>95%) and homogeneous electronic/optical properties. This spontaneous spreading is quite general and can be applied to various 2D nanosheets, including metal oxides, graphene oxide, h-BN, MoS2, and transition metal carbides, enabling on-demand smart manufacture of large-size (>4 inchϕ) 2D nanofilms and free-standing membranes.

Multiemission of Ce3+ from a Single Crystallographic Site Induced by Disordering of Ions.

White-light emission with a single activator is an attractive function of phosphors. In this work, we investigated the photoluminescence properties of Ca5.7Y1.3Si7O16.7N3.3, which is a compound denoted as Ca4+xY3-xSi7O15+xN5-x discovered by our group, with Ce-activation using optical measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Samples showed a tunable emission from purple to white under ultraviolet (UV) light. In this compound, Ca and Y as well as anions are distributed disorderly, and Ca/Y ions occupy two crystallographically distinct sites; those sites are possible sites for Ce substitution. DFT calculation and structural refinement revealed that the tunable emission was generated by Ce at the crystallographically equivalent site but with distinct local structures caused by the disordering of cations and anions. As far as we know, this is the first report about a white-light-emitting phosphor with only Ce activation.

Ultrahigh Energy Storage in 2D High-κ Perovskites.

Dielectric capacitors have greater power densities than batteries, and, unlike batteries, they do not utilize chemical reactions during cycling. Thus, they can become ideal, safe energy storage devices. However, dielectric capacitors yield rather low energy densities compared with other energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Here, we present a rational approach for designing ultrahigh energy storage capacitors using two-dimensional (2D) high-κ dielectric perovskites (Ca2Nam-3NbmO3m+1; m = 3-6). Individual Ca2Nam-3NbmO3m+1 nanosheets exhibit an ultrahigh dielectric strength (638-1195 MV m-1) even in the monolayer form, which exceeds those of conventional dielectric materials. Multilayer stacked nanosheet capacitors exhibit ultrahigh energy densities (174-272 J cm-3), high efficiencies (>90%), excellent reliability (>107 cycles), and temperature stability (-50-300 °C); the maximum energy density is much higher than those of conventional dielectric materials and even comparable to those of lithium-ion batteries. Enhancing the energy density may make dielectric capacitors more competitive with batteries.

Free-Standing Molecularly Thin Amorphous Silica Nanosheets.

Recent progress in 2D materials has initiated new fields of molecularly thin amorphous materials with mysterious properties and structures. However, designed synthesis of molecularly thin amorphous silica still remains a challenge; whether free-standing molecularly thin amorphous silica nanosheets can exist is unclear. Here, this issue is addressed by using a new chemical protocol; solid-state surfactant lamellae with ordered alkyl-chain arrangements can serve as superior templates guiding free-standing amorphous silica nanosheets. Simple sonication of the lamellar hybrids allows exfoliation into monolayer amorphous silica nanosheets with 0.9 nm thickness. In addition, the nanosheets show the distinctive feature of high colloidal stability that enables atomic layer engineering of silica nanocoatings and dielectric nanofilms. The approach may shed new light on the properties and applications of old silica.

Solution-Processed Two-Dimensional Metal Oxide Anticorrosion Nanocoating.

Molecularly thin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are attractive building blocks for constructing anticorrosion nanocoatings as an ultimate pursuit in the metal-related industry. However, the nanocoating of prefocused graphene is far from industrial demands due to its high cost, low scalability, and insufficient quality. We propose all requirements to realize rational anticorrosion nanocoating of metal oxide nanosheets. The proof-of-concept study with Ti0.87O2 and Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheets demonstrates that the 10 and 20 nm thick coatings fabricated by a facile layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly on stainless steel (SUS) give perfect inhibition efficiency (IE) values of 99.92% and 99.89%, respectively. A driving test with a nanosheet-coated car-baffle demonstrated suitable corrosion resistance and mechanical and thermal robustness for industrial applications. The revealed and controlled thermal oxidation mechanisms are critical toward high-temperature application of the 2D oxide anticorrosion nanocoating. The advantages of nanosheet coating and extensible materials design will open a solid but exciting route to anticorrosion nanotechnology.

Scalable Design of Two-Dimensional Oxide Nanosheets for Construction of Ultrathin Multilayer Nanocapacitor.

Large size of capacitors is the main hurdle in miniaturization of current electronic devices. Herein, a scalable solution-based layer-by-layer engineering of metallic and high-κ dielectric nanosheets into multilayer nanosheet capacitors (MNCs) with overall thickness of ≈20 nm is presented. The MNCs are built through neat tiling of 2D metallic Ru0.95 O2 0.2- and high-κ dielectric Ca2 NaNb4 O13 - nanosheets via the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) approach at room temperature which is verified by cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The resultant MNCs demonstrate a high capacitance of 40-52 µF cm-2 and low leakage currents down to 10-5 -10-6 A cm-2 . Such MNCs also possess complimentary in situ robust dielectric properties under high-temperature measurements up to 250 °C. Based on capacitance normalized by the thickness, the developed MNC outperforms state-of-the-art multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC, ≈22 µF cm-2 /5 × 104  nm) present in the market. The strategy is effective due to the advantages of facile, economical, and ambient temperature solution assembly.

Synthesis of NaMoO3F and Na5W3O9F5 with Morphological Controllability in Non-Aqueous Solvents.

NaMoO3F and Na5W3O9F5 were synthesized by solvothermal reaction of MoO3 and WO3, respectively, with NaF in nonaqueous solvents. These reactions were realized at low temperatures (150-200 °C) without the use of HF. This synthesis method is much more facile and safe procedure compared with general synthesis methods for oxyfluorides which includes hydrothermal reaction under a presence of HF or solid-state reaction at high temperatures in vacuum sealed tube or under high pressure. In the case of the reaction of MoO3 with NaF, the kind of solvent largely affected the obtained morphologies of NaMoO3F. The morphology in the case of acetonitrile as a solvent was rodlike with a micrometer-scale size, while that in the case of ethanol was polyhedral with a size of several hundred nanometers. In addition, the solvothermal reaction of WO3 with NaF led to the formation of Na5W3O9F5. Also, the difference of solvents for the solvothermal reaction affected the obtained particle sizes. The effect of the solvents on the morphologies of the obtained oxyfluorides probably resulted from the difference of the solubility of NaF and the subsequent dissolution ratio of MoO3 or WO3 in the used solvents. Our synthesis method can expand the applicability of oxyfluorides by providing a new phase and/or unique morphology.

van der Waals force layered multiferroic hybrid perovskite (CH3NH3)2CuCl4 single crystals.

In inorganic-organic perovskites, the three-dimensional arrangement of the organic group results in more subtle balance of charge, spin and space, thereby providing an attractive route toward new multiferroics. Here we report the existing of multiple ferroic orderings in inorganic-organic layered perovskites with relative strong hydrogen bond ordering of the organic chains intra plane. In addition, the inter plane in perovskite is stacking via van der Waals force. However, such magnetoelectric coupling properties for this compound have not been reported since it is difficult to characterize the properties in single crystals since most of the hybrid perovskites are usually deliquescent and unstable when exposed to air. To deal with these problems, we synthesized a (CH3NH3)2CuCl4 single crystal by using a simple evaporation technique, and demonstrated ferroelectric, magnetic and magneto-electric properties of (CH3NH3)2CuCl4. The internal hydrogen bonding of easily tunable organic unit combined with 3d transition-metal layers in such hybrid perovskites make (CH3NH3)2CuCl4 a multiferroic crystal with magnetoelectrical coupling and offer an new way to engineer multifunctional multiferroic.

Vapour-liquid-solid growth of monolayer MoS2 nanoribbons.

Chemical vapour deposition of two-dimensional materials typically involves the conversion of vapour precursors to solid products in a vapour-solid-solid mode. Here, we report the vapour-liquid-solid growth of monolayer MoS2, yielding highly crystalline ribbons with a width of few tens to thousands of nanometres. This vapour-liquid-solid growth is triggered by the reaction between MoO3 and NaCl, which results in the formation of molten Na-Mo-O droplets. These droplets mediate the growth of MoS2 ribbons in the 'crawling mode' when saturated with sulfur. The locally well-defined orientations of the ribbons reveal the regular horizontal motion of the droplets during growth. Using atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and second harmonic generation microscopy, we show that the ribbons are grown homoepitaxially on monolayer MoS2 with predominantly 2H- or 3R-type stacking. Our findings highlight the prospects for the controlled growth of atomically thin nanostructure arrays for nanoelectronic devices and the development of unique mixed-dimensional structures.

Extra-Large Mechanical Anisotropy of a Hydrogel with Maximized Electrostatic Repulsion between Cofacially Aligned 2D Electrolytes.

In our previous work, we have shown that "electrostatic forces", when generated anisotropically in aqueous media by 2D electrolytes upon cofacial orientation, enable the formation of a hydrogel with an anisotropic parameter, as defined by the ratio of elastic moduli E⊥ /E∥ , of 3.0. Herein, we successfully developed the design strategy for a hydrogel with an anisotropic parameter of no less than 85. This value is not only 28 times greater than that of our previous anisotropic hydrogel but also 6 times larger than the current champion record in synthetic hydrogels (E⊥ /E∥ ∼15). Firstly, we simply lowered ionic contaminants in the hydrogel and were able to enhance the anisotropic parameter from 3.0 to 18. Then, we chose a supporting polymer network allowing the hydrogel to carry a higher interior permittivity. Consequently, the anisotropic parameter was further enhanced from 18 to 85. Owing to the enhanced mechanical anisotropy, our new hydrogel displayed a superb ability of seismic isolation.

Atomic Layer Engineering of High-κ Ferroelectricity in 2D Perovskites.

Complex perovskite oxides offer tremendous potential for controlling their rich variety of electronic properties, including high-TC superconductivity, high-κ ferroelectricity, and quantum magnetism. Atomic-scale control of these intriguing properties in ultrathin perovskites is an important challenge for exploring new physics and device functionality at atomic dimensions. Here, we demonstrate atomic-scale engineering of dielectric responses using two-dimensional (2D) homologous perovskite nanosheets (Ca2Nam-3NbmO3m+1; m = 3-6). In this homologous 2D material, the thickness of the perovskite layers can be incrementally controlled by changing m, and such atomic layer engineering enhances the high-κ dielectric response and local ferroelectric instability. The end member (m = 6) attains a high dielectric constant of ∼470, which is the highest among all known dielectrics in the ultrathin region (<10 nm). These results provide a new strategy for achieving high-κ ferroelectrics for use in ultrascaled high-density capacitors and post-graphene technology.

Coexistence of Magnetic Order and Ferroelectricity at 2D Nanosheet Interfaces.

Multiferroic materials, in which the electronic polarization can be switched by a magnetic field and vice versa, are of fundamental importance for new electronic technologies. However, there exist very few single-phase materials that exhibit such cross-coupling properties at room temperature, and heterostructures with a strong magnetoelectric coupling have only been made with complex techniques. Here, we present a rational design for multiferroic materials by use of a layer-by-layer engineering of 2D nanosheets. Our approach to new multiferroic materials is the artificial construction of high-quality superlattices by interleaving ferromagnetic Ti0.8Co0.2O2 nanosheets with dielectric perovskite-structured Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheets. Such an artificial structuring allows us to engineer the interlayer coupling, and the (Ti0.8Co0.2O2/Ca2Nb3O10/Ti0.8Co0.2O2) superlattices induce room-temperature ferroelectricity in the presence of the ferromagnetic order. Our technique provides a new route for tailoring artificial multiferroic materials in a highly controllable manner.

Thermoresponsive actuation enabled by permittivity switching in an electrostatically anisotropic hydrogel.

Electrostatic repulsion, long used for attenuating surface friction, is not typically employed for the design of bulk structural materials. We recently developed a hydrogel with a layered structure consisting of cofacially oriented electrolyte nanosheets. Because this unusual geometry imparts a large anisotropic electrostatic repulsion to the hydrogel interior, the hydrogel resisted compression orthogonal to the sheets but readily deformed along parallel shear. Building on this concept, here we show a hydrogel actuator that operates by modulating its anisotropic electrostatics in response to changes of electrostatic permittivity associated with a lower critical solution temperature transition. In the absence of substantial water uptake and release, the distance between the nanosheets rapidly expands and contracts on heating and cooling, respectively, so that the hydrogel lengthens and shortens significantly, even in air. An L-shaped hydrogel with an oblique nanosheet configuration can thus act as a unidirectionally proceeding actuator that operates without the need for external physical biases.

Dendritic silica nanoparticles synthesized by a block copolymer-directed seed-regrowth approach.

A facile seed regrowth method is presented for the preparation of a new type of colloidal dendritic silica nanoparticles (DSNPs) with unique Konpeito-like morphology and high surface area (∼400 m(2) g(-1)). Growth of silica nanoprotrusions on the surfaces of colloidal silica nanoparticles proceeds by hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of a PEO-PPO-PEO-type block copolymer (Pluronic F127) under controlled pH conditions. The polymers adsorbed on the seed surface play a crucial role in the formation of DSNPs. DSNPs with controllable size (28-85 nm) and narrow size distributions can be obtained by using monodisperse silica nanoparticles with various sizes as seeds. The surface morphology of DSNPs is tunable by changing the concentration of TEOS. Additionally, novel dendritic silica nanochains are prepared using one-dimensionally assembled silica nanoparticles as the seeds.

Artificial design for new ferroelectrics using nanosheet-architectonics concept.

Control over the emergence of ferroelectric order remains a fundamental challenge for the rational design of artificial materials with novel properties. Here we report a new strategy for artificial design of layered perovskite ferroelectrics by using oxide nanosheets (high-k dielectric Ca2Nb3O10 and insulating Ti0.87O2) as a building block. We approached the preparation of superlattice films by a layer-by-layer assembly involving Langmuir-Blodgett deposition. The artificially fabricated (Ti0.87O2/Ca2Nb3O10)2(Ti0.87O2) superlattices are structurally unique, which is not feasible to create in the bulk form. By such an artificial structuring, we found that (Ti0.87O2/Ca2Nb3O10)2(Ti0.87O2) superlattices possess a new form of interface coupling, which gives rise to ferroelectricity with a good fatigue-free characteristic. Considering the flexibility of self-assembled nanosheet interfaces, this technique provides a route to synthesize a new kind of layered ferroelectric oxides.

Chemical preparation of ferroelectric mesoporous barium titanate thin films: drastic enhancement of Curie temperature induced by mesopore-derived strain.

Mesoporous barium titanate (BT) thin films are synthesized by a surfactant-assisted sol-gel method. The obtained mesoporous BT thin films show enhanced ferroelectricity due to the effective strains induced by mesopores. The Curie temperature (T(c)) of the mesoporous BT reaches approximately 470 °C.

Facile Synthesis of Pd Nanosheets and Implications for Superior Catalytic Activity.

As a member of the 2D materials family, 2D metal nanosheets (metallenes) have received increasing attention due to their intriguing properties distinct from those of graphene and other inorganic 2D nanosheets. However, the synthesis of metallenes is still challenging, owing to the lack of an efficient synthetic approach. Here we present a facile one-pot approach to the controlled synthesis of Pd nanosheets. A key feature of this process is a stepwise reaction using 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl formate (TCPF); TCPF emits carbon monoxide gas, which acts as both a reductant and a surface capping agent, promoting the anisotropic 2D growth of the Pd nanosheets. Photoemission spectroscopy revealed some peculiar features of the surface charge and valence band states due to suppressed electron transfer at the 2D surface. This surface state caused improved catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction compared to that of bulk Pd.

Understanding the role of solvents in bottom-up synthesis of multi-element hydroxides.

Here we report a comparative study on the bottom-up synthesis of multi-element hydroxides composed of Mg, Al, Fe and Zn cations to understand the role of solvents. Two common solvents, water and ethylene glycol, a typical polyol, are used. The polyol-derived MgAlFeZn-OH are nanosheets with homogeneous elemental distribution, while the hydrothermal-derived MgAlFeZn-OH are mixtures of plate-like hydroxide layers and rod-like spinel oxides. The coordinating properties and the high viscosity of the ethylene glycol provide the possibility to mediate the hydrolysis rates and to control the particle growth. The high specific surface area of the polyol-derived multi-element hydroxide nanosheets (352.4 m2 g-1) guarantees them as excellent adsorbents for adsorbing anionic dyes in aqueous solution.

Solid-state surfactant templating for controlled synthesis of amorphous 2D oxide/oxyhydroxide nanosheets.

As a member of 2D family, amorphous 2D nanosheets have received increasing attention due to their unique properties that are distinct from crystalline 2D nanosheets. However, compared with the vast library of crystalline 2D nanosheets, amorphous 2D nanosheets are still infancy due to the lack of an efficient synthetic approach. Here, we present a strategy that yields a library of 10 distinct amorphous 2D metal oxides/oxyhydroxides using solid-state surfactant crystals. A key feature of this process is a stepwise reaction using solid surfactant; the solid-state surfactant crystals have metal ions arranged in the interlayer space, and hydrolysis of the metal ions leads to the formation of isolated clusters in the surfactant crystals via limited condensation reactions. Immersing the surfactant crystals in formamide promotes nanosheet formation through the self-assembly of clusters by templating the morphologies of the crystals generated from surfactants crystals. Our approach opens a flatland in amorphous 2D world.