01724nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001400041245014200055210006900197260000900266300001400275490000600289520078200295653002101077653003101098653002501129653002401154653003901178100003401217700002101251700001701272700002701289700002501316856012901341 2020 eng d a2196-021600aFunctionalized single-walled carbon nanohorns to reinforce sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cells0 aFunctionalized singlewalled carbon nanohorns to reinforce sulfon cSEP  a3632-36360 v73 a

Carbon-nanomaterial-based additives are promising materials for improving the physicochemical properties of sulfonated polyether ether ketone (sPEEK) for its use as composite membrane electrolyte in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this work, functionalized single-wall carbon nanohorns (f-SWNHs) are realized as an additive in sPEEK. The -COOH groups created on the SWNHs during peroxide treatment improve the dispersion of f-SWNHs in sPEEK and boost the proton conductivity, ion exchange capacity, mechanical properties and reduce the methanol permeability of the electrolyte. The composite membrane with 0.50 wt.% f-SWNHs shows improved electrochemical selectivity of 17.03x10(-4) Scm(-3)s and delivers the highest peak power density of 230 mW cm(-2)in DMFCs.

10acarbon nanohorns10adirect methanol fuel cells10amembrane electrolyte10aproton conductivity10asulfonated poly ether ether ketone1 aTuranelloormana, Parameswaran1 aSarmah, Sudeshna1 aTorris, Arun1 aBhat, Santoshkumar, D.1 aUnni, SreeKuttan, M. uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/functionalized-single-walled-carbon-nanohorns-reinforce-sulfonated-polyether-ether-ketone02651nas a2200205 4500008004100000022001400041245011100055210006900166260000900235300001600244490000700260520190600267653001802173653003002191100002202221700002302243700001702266700003002283856013202313 2023 eng d a2050-752600aFunctionalized CNT-azobenzene-PVA-based self-healing aqueous gel as a conductive photo-responsive actuator0 aFunctionalized CNTazobenzenePVAbased selfhealing aqueous gel as  cDEC  a16571-165770 v113 a

Conductive gels have gained attention from researchers owing to potential applications in flexible displays, implantable medical devices, touch panels, wearable electronic skin, sensors, soft robotics, etc. Photo-responsive conductance switching gels can make their way into various applications, including contact-free remote-controlled manipulation of the materials, implantable synthetic organs, and optical switches. Herein, we report an aqueous gel with boronic acid containing azobenzene crosslinker as the light-responsive part that can undergo reversible cis-trans isomerization on irradiation with UV-vis light and catechol functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube as a conductive part producing a self-healing aqueous gel with PVA. The 3D crosslinked gel network formed through the formation of boronic ester and hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl and boronic acid groups was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography, and rheological experiments. Rheology results show that gel is a viscoelastic material with immediate self-healing properties. The presence of functionalized SWCNT in the gel matrix enhances the stability and results in a conductivity of up to 3.5 S cm-1 with a loading of 5 wt%. The gel network exhibits a photoresponsive conductance switching from 10 to 60 mu A with UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. The molecular level motions during the isomerization of azobenzene lead to macroscopic dynamic changes that can find applications in soft actuators. The photoresponsive conductivity switching and dynamic movements of the films make the present material suitable for contact-free switching applications. Responsive conductive gels have gained attention owing to potential applications in flexible displays, implantable medical devices, touch panels, wearable electronic skin, sensors, soft robotics, and related areas.

10aCyclodextrins10aSupramolecular Hydrogels,1 aNarayanan, Aswini1 aBhagyasree, T., M.1 aTorris, Arun1 aBabu, Sukumaran, Santhosh uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/functionalized-cnt-azobenzene-pva-based-self-healing-aqueous-gel-conductive-photo-responsive02203nas a2200241 4500008004100000245009800041210006900139260000800208300000900216490000700225520141400232100001801646700002101664700002201685700002001707700001701727700001701744700001701761700002301778700001801801700001701819856012501836 2026 eng d00aFast self-healing in a layered molecular crystal mediated by stress-induced symmetry breaking0 aFast selfhealing in a layered molecular crystal mediated by stre cFEB a25250 v173 a

In recent years, symmetry-breaking has emerged as a powerful tool for significantly altering various physical properties in 2D layered materials. However, the breaking of symmetry by means of mechanical stress in organic crystals remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate a simple approach to engineer symmetry-breaking through mechanical stress fields in a layered molecular crystal, resulting in autonomous and fast self-healing under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. Fracture mechanics analysis reveals that the crystal adheres to an elasto-plastic model, with formation of a plastic zone at the crack tip, which prevents further crack propagation, facilitating the self-healing process. Spatially resolved Raman mapping reveals that the crack formation is accompanied by a distinct symmetry-breaking mechanism at the microstructural level. A six-fold increase in non-linear second harmonic (SH) activity, triggered by mechanical perturbation, further validates the local symmetry breaking in an otherwise centrosymmetric crystal. Furthermore, symmetry is restored following successful healing, as evidenced by the disappearance of the SH signal in the healed regions. This study not only broadens the scope of self-healing mechanisms viable in molecular materials but also offers key insights into the role of symmetry breaking and its potential for related technological applications.

1 aGhosh, Ishita1 aBiswas, Rabindra1 aTanwar, Manushree1 aBhunia, Surojit1 aDas, Kaustav1 aTorris, Arun1 aMondal, Amit1 aRaghunathan, Varun1 aKumar, Rajesh1 aReddy, Malla uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/fast-self-healing-layered-molecular-crystal-mediated-stress-induced-symmetry-breaking