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Ionic Conduction Mechanism and Design of Metal–Organic Framework Based Quasi-Solid-State Electrolytes

This cover image demonstrates the critical role of the solvent in the ion motion of intrinsically anionic metal–organic framework (MOF)–based quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs). Using hybrid theoretical and experimental approaches, we have identified solvent-assisted hopping as the dominant pathway for Li+ conduction in such materials, exemplified by MOF-688. Read more »

Hybrid Semiconductors Perform Under Pressure

Researchers found that compressing hybrid (organic–inorganic) semiconductors significantly boosts their conductivity. The work demonstrates a novel doping mechanism in which the material’s organic molecules serve as charge reservoirs for tuning charge-carrier concentration, with promising applications in solar cells, lasers, and LEDs. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Jinghua Guo to Receive the 2022 Shirley Award

ALS senior scientist Jinghua Guo is the recipient of this year’s Shirley Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement at the ALS. Guo is being recognized for pioneering the development of operando soft x-ray spectroscopy, work that’s enabled studies under realistic conditions, which is of great importance in environmental and energy research. Read more »

Designer Materials to Keep Plastic Out of Landfills

Scientists have designed a new material system to overcome one of the biggest challenges in recycling consumer products: mixed-plastic recycling. Their achievement will help enable a much broader range of fully recyclable plastic products and brings into reach an efficient circular economy for durable goods like automobiles. Read more »

Decoupling the metal–insulator transition temperature and hysteresis of VO2 using Ge alloying and oxygen vacancies

The VO2 metal–insulator transition underpins applications in thermochromics, neuromorphic computing, and infrared vision. Ge alloying is shown to expand the stability of the monoclinic phase to higher temperatures, and by suppressing the propensity for oxygen vacancy formation, renders the hysteresis of the transition exquisitely sensitive to oxygen stoichiometry. Read more »

Dramatic Conformer-Dependent Reactivity of the Acetaldehyde Oxide Criegee Intermediate with Dimethylamine Via a 1,2-Insertion Mechanism

Acetaldehyde-oxide (CH3CHOO) is an atmospherically pertinent reactive intermediate that exists in syn (right) and anti (left) conformational forms. Experiment and theory reveal that the reaction of anti with dimethylamine is several orders of magnitude faster than that of syn with dimethylamine, despite both reactions being energetically downhill. Read more »

A {Ni12}-Wheel-Based Metal–Organic Framework for Coordinative Binding of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

SO2 and NO2 are important air pollutants, and understanding the mechanism of capture materials drives the development of new clean-up technologies. In situ synchrotron x-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic experiments were used to establish a detailed molecular mechanism consisting of reversible coordination of SO2 and NO2 at the six open NiII sites on the unprecedented {Ni12}-wheel of a robust metal–organic framework material at crystallographic resolution. Read more »