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The rational creation of two-component conjugated polymer systems with high levels of phase purity in each component is challenging but crucial for realizing printed soft-matter electronics. Here, we report a mixed-flow microfluidic printing (MFMP) approach for two-component π-polymer systems that significantly elevates phase purity in bulk-heterojunction solar cells and thinfilm transistors. MFMP integrates laminar and extensional flows using a specially microstructured shear blade, designed with fluid flow simulation tools to tune the flow patterns and induce shear, stretch, and pushout effects. This optimizes polymer conformation and semi-conducting blend order as assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), resonant soft X-ray scattering (R-SoXS), photovoltaic response, and field effect mobility. For printed all-polymer (poly[(5,6-difluoro-2-octyl-2H-benzotriazole-4,7-diyl)-2,5-thiophenediyl[ 4,8-bis[5-(2-hexyldecyl)-2-thienyl]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-2,5-thiophenediyl]) [J51]:(poly{[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl) naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)}) [N2200]) solar cells, this approach enhances short-circuit currents and fill factors,with power conversion efficiency increasing from 5.20% for conventional blade coating to 7.80% for MFMP. Moreover, the performance of mixed polymer ambipolar [poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT):N2200] and semiconducting:insulating polymer unipolar (N2200:polystyrene) transistors is similarly enhanced, underscoring versatility for two-component π-polymer systems. Mixed-flow designs offer modalities for achieving high-performance organic optoelectronics via innovative printing methodologies.

The rational creation of two-component conjugated polymer systems with high levels of phase purity in each component is challenging but crucial for realizing printed soft-matter electronics. Here, we report a mixed-flow microfluidic printing (MFMP) approach for two-component π -polymer systems that significantly elevates phase purity in bulk-heterojunction solar cells and thin-film transistors. MFMP integrates laminar and extensional flows using a specially microstructured shear blade, designed with fluid flow simulation tools to tune the flow patterns and induce shear, stretch, and pushout effects. This optimizes polymer conformation and semiconducting blend order as assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), resonant soft X-ray scattering (R-SoXS), photovoltaic response, and field effect mobility. For printed all-polymer (poly[(5,6-difluoro-2-octyl-2H-benzotriazole-4,7-diyl)-2,5-thiophenediyl[4,8-bis[5-(2-hexyldecyl)-2-thienyl]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-2,5-thiophenediyl]) [J51]:(poly[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)) [N2200]) solar cells, this approach enhances short-circuit currents and fill factors, with power conversion efficiency increasing from 5.20% for conventional blade coating to 7.80% for MFMP. Moreover, the performance of mixed polymer ambipolar [poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT):N2200] and semiconducting:insulating polymer unipolar (N2200:polystyrene) transistors is similarly enhanced, underscoring versatility for two-component π -polymer systems. Mixed-flow designs offer modalities for achieving high-performance organic optoelectronics via innovative printing methodologies.

REBCO has been used extensively as coated conductors applied to superconducting magnets due to its exceptional superconducting properties. As a REBCO superconductor, YbBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−y (Yb123) has a low melting temperature, making it suitable for use as an intermediate medium connector while preparing the superconducting joint. However, there is still uncertainty about the formation mechanism of Yb123 and the synthesis of this superconductor has not been fully understood. Therefore, this study systematically investigated the phase transformation process of Yb123 during heat treatment in flowing oxygen. The results indicated that Yb123 sample with the highest phase purity could be obtained by annealing at 927 °C or 937 °C but not in between, respectively. Furthermore, a quantitative phase analysis revealed that the sample annealed at 937 °C had a phase purity greater than 80 wt%. Additionally, a strong c-axis texture was observed in the bulk Yb123 superconductor prepared at 937 °C. Meanwhile, the superconducting results revealed that the bulk sample’s T c was 89.9 K, and its self-field critical current densities at 4.2 K and 77 K were 1.3 × 10 5 A/cm 2 and 5.0 × 10 3 A/cm 2 , respectively. Based on the results mentioned above, the phase transformation process and formation mechanism of Yb123 in flowing oxygen were elaborated.

Achieving specific framework structures and morphologies in zeolite synthesis is crucial for broad applications. This study addresses the limited understanding of surfactant effects on crystal imperfections and phase purity in LTA zeolite synthesis, particularly under microwave-assisted conditions. We hypothesized that anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants would significantly affect phase purity, morphology, crystallite size, and imperfections in LTA zeolites synthesized at varying microwave temperatures. Synthesized materials were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Findings revealed that within the 100–150 °C microwave temperature range, all surfactants primarily yielded the LTA-type zeolite structure. However, a metastable phase was observed in materials synthesized at 130 °C with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), as indicated by reduced crystallinity and an additional Raman peak at 471 cm⁻ 1 . This suggests that while the LTA framework remained predominant, symmetry disturbances at this temperature impacted TO₄ stretching vibrations, possibly leading to a partial deviation from phase purity. Surfactants significantly influenced phase purity, morphology, crystallite size, and crystal imperfections, with optimal phase purity achieved at lower temperatures (100–110 °C) for anionic and non-ionic surfactants and at higher temperatures (130–150 °C) for cationic surfactants. Crystallite sizes varied in a complex, temperature-dependent manner, suggesting further investigation into crystallization mechanisms. An inverse correlation between microstrain and crystallite size was observed across samples, except at 130 °C, likely due to added stress and supplementary crystal phases. This study establishes foundational knowledge for selecting surfactants to modify pore structures in hierarchical LTA zeolites and offers insights for designing LTA zeolites with tailored properties, addressing knowledge gaps, and advancing zeolite synthesis techniques. Graphical abstract

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are considered as promising candidates for next-generation solution-processed full-color displays. However, the external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) and operational stabilities of deep-blue (<460  nm) PeLEDs still lag far behind their red and green counterparts. Herein, a rapid crystallization method based on hot-antisolvent bathing is proposed for realization of deep-blue PeLEDs. By promoting immediate removal of the precursor solvent from the wet perovskite films, development of the quasi-two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite (2D-RPP) crystals with n values >3 is hampered completely, so that phase-pure 2D-RPP films with bandgaps suitable for deep-blue PeLEDs can be obtained successfully. The uniquely developed rapid crystallization method also enables formation of randomly oriented 2D-RPP crystals, thereby improving the transfer and transport kinetics of the charge carriers. Thus, high-performance deep-blue PeLEDs emitting at 437 nm with a peak EQE of 0.63% are successfully demonstrated. The color coordinates are confirmed to be (0.165, 0.044), which match well with the Rec.2020 standard blue gamut and have excellent spectral stability.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nano powders (20–60 nm) were synthesized using a sol-gel route with calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid as calcium and phosphorus precursors, respectively. Double distilled water was used as a diluting media for HA sol preparation and ammonia was used to adjust the pH. After aging, the HA gel was dried at 65°C and calcined to different temperatures ranging from 200–800°C. The dried and calcined powders were characterized for phase composition using X-ray diffractometry, elemental dispersive X-ray and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. The particle size and morphology were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Calcination revealed HA nano powders of increased particle size and crystallinity with increase in temperature. For all calcinations temperatures, the particle size distribution analysis of HA powders showed skewed distribution plot. At temperature of 700°C and above, formation of CaO was noticed which was attributed to phosphorous volatilization. This study showed that high purity HA with varying degrees of crystallinity could be obtained using this simple technique.

In this study, for the synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ; CHAp), an environmentally-friendly water-based sol–gel chemistry approach using food products as calcium and phosphorus precursors has been developed. In the sol–gel processing, the food products having the greatest calcium and phosphorus concentrations and the calculated calcium and phosphorus molar ratio closest to Ca/P = 1.67 were selected as starting materials (hard cheese “Dziugas”, preserved Atlantic sardines in oil, low-fat yogurt “Dobilas”, and pumpkin seeds). The synthesis products were investigated by thermal analysis (TG/DTG-DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The content of Ca and P in the food products was determined by means of ICP-OES. For the synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ; CHAp), an environmentally-friendly water-based sol–gel chemistry approach using food products as calcium and phosphorus precursors has been developed. Highlights An environment-friendly sol-gel chemistry approach for calcium hydroxyapatite was developed. Sol-gel processing using food products as calcium and phosphorus precursors was performed. Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 as the main crystalline phase was formed when pumpkin seeds were used. The chemical composition of the end products depended on when the egg shells were used. Attempts to fabricate monophasic CHAp using the solid-state reaction approach were not successful.

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)scaffolds comprising hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were produced from ultra-pure precursors and processed under an α-TCP–avoiding schedule (1100 °C, 2 h). Quantitative X-ray diffraction (Rietveld/Profex) detected no α-TCP above the ~1 wt% limit of detection and quantified post-sintering phase fractions (wt% HA/β-TCP): 99.26/0.74, 68.51/31.49, and 27.57/72.43. Across compositions, SEM/ImageJ yielded similar mean macropore sizes (≈71–80 µm), while open porosity increased with the HA fraction (27.5 ± 1.8%, 39.1 ± 2.0%, 57.1 ± 2.4%). Compressive strength decreased accordingly (1.07 ± 0.25, 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.05 ± 0.02 MPa), consistent with non-load-bearing use. In ISO-compliant simulated body fluid (28 d), medium pH remained stable (7.33–7.43); mass loss and early Ca2+ depletion increased with β-TCP content, consistent with more extensive surface apatite formation in β-TCP-rich scaffolds. Collectively, these data are consistent with a composition-dependent sequence—β-TCP content → densification/porosity → strength → degradation/apatite kinetics—within the tested conditions and inform parameter-based tuning of BCP scaffolds for non-load-bearing indications (e.g., alveolar ridge preservation, craniofacial void filling).

Cu doped Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles were synthesized with varying concentrations from 0 to 10% by a chemical synthesis technique of coprecipitation. X-rays diffraction (XRD) of the samples confirms that all the samples acquire the hexagonal crystal structure. XRD results indicated the solubility limit of dopant in the host material and the secondary phase of CuO was observed beyond 3% Cu doping in Mg(OH) 2 . The reduction in the size of nanoparticles was observed from 166 to 103 nm for Mg(OH) 2 and 10% Cu doped Mg(OH) 2 samples, respectively. The shift in absorption spectra exhibited the systematical enhancement in optical bandgap from 5.25 to 6.085 eV. A good correlation was observed between the bandgap energy and crystallite size of the nanocrystals which confirmed the size induced effect in the nanoparticles. The transformation in the sample morphology was observed from irregular spherical particles to sepals like shapes with increasing the Cu concentration in the host material. The energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the purity of mass percentage composition of the elements present in the samples.

Piezoelectric ceramics are widely used in actuator applications, and currently the vast majority of these devices are based on Pb ( Zr , Ti ) O 3 , which constitutes environmental and health hazards due to the toxicity of lead. One of the most promising lead-free material systems for actuators is based on Bi 0 . 5 Na 0 . 5 TiO 3 (BNT), and here we report on successful fabrication of BNT thin films by aqueous chemical solution deposition. The precursor solution used in the synthesis is based on bismuth citrate stabilized by ethanolamine, NaOH , and a Ti-citrate prepared from titanium tetraisopropoxide and citric acid. BNT thin films were deposited on SrTiO 3 and platinized silicon substrates by spin-coating, and the films were pyrolized and annealed by rapid thermal processing. The BNT perovskite phase formed after calcination at 500 °C in air. The deposited thin films were single phase according to X-ray diffraction, and the microstructures of the films shown by electron microscopy were homogeneous and dense. Decomposition of the gel was thoroughly investigated, and the conditions resulting in phase pure materials were identified. This new aqueous deposition route is low cost, robust, and suitable for development of BNT based thin film for actuator applications.