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Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Co3O4 nanohybrid particles, composed of reduced graphite oxide and Co3O4 particles, have been fabricated by an in situ growth method under mild wet‐chemical conditions (140 °C). A series of characterization results indicate that the as‐prepared Co3O4 particles with relatively uniform sizes are embedded in RGO layers to form unique core–shell nanostructures. The RGO/Co3O4/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite was found to possess excellent absorption properties. Owing to the effect of the negative permeability, the position of the absorption peaks remains at the same frequency at different thicknesses without shifting to lower frequencies. For the composites with a filler loading of 10 wt %, the maximum peaks can reach −25.05 dB at 11.6 GHz with a thickness of 4.0 mm. These enhanced microwave absorbing properties can be explained based on the structures of the nanohybrid particles. Soaking it up: RGO/Co3O4 nanohybrid particles have been successfully fabricated by using an in situ growth approach under mild wet‐chemical conditions (see scheme). From this, RGO/Co3O4/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites with excellent absorption properties were obtained and characterized.

White‐fungus‐like NiSx microspheres have been synthesized on a large scale by using a simple hydrothermal method. The influence of the reaction time and the surfactant on the final products was investigated, and the formation mechanism was discussed. The synthesized white‐fungus‐like NiSx microspheres were used firstly as fillers in the fabrication of NiSx/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites. Relationships between the loadings of the NiSx and wave‐absorption properties of the composites were analyzed. The loss mechanisms of NiSx/PVDF with different loadings were also discussed according to their dielectric and magnetic behaviors. Mushrooming into something: A NiSx/polyvinylidene fluoride organic–inorganic nanocomposite with enhanced microwave absorption ability was fabricated based on the synthesized white‐fungus‐like NiSx microspheres (see figure). The enhanced properties result from its high magnetic and dielectric performance and multiple loss mechanisms.

A synergistically integrated graphene‐based ternary composite (rG‐Cu) consisting of uniform natural polydopamine (Pdop)‐functionalized graphene sheets (Dop‐rG) and well‐dispersed Cu nanoparticles (NPs) has been developed. By a one‐step reduction and modification of graphene oxide with dopamine, water‐dispersible Dop‐rG was first prepared. Cu NPs were then incorporated homogeneously onto Dop‐rG by a simple solution route leading to activated rG‐Cu, which showed an ultrahigh catalytic activity and good reusability for catalytic reductions of different types of dyes, including methylene blue and azo‐based acid and reactive dyes. It took only 30 s for complete reduction of methylene blue. In addition to the main action of the catalytically active component of the well‐dispersed Cu NPs, the uniform adhesive Pdop layer and graphene base with large surface area and superior electron‐transfer capacity are also believed to assist synergistically the catalytic reduction. The work has opened up a new avenue for synthesis of a graphene‐based ternary composite with extraordinary catalytic activity for practical applications in addressing environmental protection issues. To purify dye pollutants: A uniform adhesive polydopamine layer, well‐dispersed Cu nanoparticles, and graphene base with huge surface area and superior electron‐transfer capacity (see figure) integrate synergistically into a graphene‐based ternary composite catalyst with an ultrahigh catalytic activity towards reduction of dye pollutants.

Spirocyclic silicon alkoxides were synthesized by reaction of Si(OMe)4 with derivatives of salicylic alcohol and studied by in situ differential scanning calorimetry with regard to twin polymerization (TP). Both, thermally induced and proton‐assisted TP gave nanostructured hybrid materials composed of a phenolic resin and silica. Carbonization and subsequent treatment with HF(aq) resulted in microporous carbon, whereas oxidation in air provided mesoporous silica. DFT calculations were performed to obtain a more detailed insight into the first reaction steps of proton‐assisted TP and to support the hypothesis of a reactivity scale based on steric and electronic features of the silicon‐containing precursors (twin monomers). The calculated reaction barriers for the initial reaction steps of proton‐assisted TP are qualitatively in accordance with the Hammett constants of the substituents at the salicylate moiety. This result offers a simple method to predict the reactivity for twin monomers. On the double: The reactivity of a series of silicon‐containing spirocyclic compounds towards both thermally induced and proton‐assisted twin polymerization has been examined. The properties of the as‐obtained hybrid materials and the porous materials formed after consecutive treatments have been studied (see figure). Density functional calculations and calorimetry support a reactivity scale based on the Hammett substituent constants of the compounds.

An organotin‐substituted Dawson‐type phosphotungstate was covalently linked to a trithiocarbonate group by postfunctionalization methods. This organopolyoxometalate led to a series of polyoxometalate (POM)–poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) hybrids in a controlled way through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Detailed comparison with and without the presence of POMs revealed that they do not profoundly disturb the RAFT mechanism, despite their oxidative power. The molar masses of the polymers were in the range of 10 to 100 kg mol−1 and molar mass dispersities of the composites were low (Mw/Mn<1.5). The POM building block in the hybrids retained the photocatalytic reactivity of the parent Dawson polyanion [P2W18O62]6−. Smaller, more homogeneous, and colloidally more stable silver nanoparticles were formed with the covalently linked POM–polymer compound than with its single unbound components. A RAFT of changes: Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization from a trithiocarbonate group that is grafted onto a polyoxometalate yields organic–inorganic hybrids with high molar masses and low polydispersities. The compounds display improved photocatalytic properties (see figure; SEC=size‐exclusion chromatography).

A new organic–inorganic hybrid was generated by self‐assembly of nanosized polymer hydrogels (nanogels) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) for potential biomedical applications. By using the tetrahydrofuran (THF) injection method, hydrophobized Fe3O4 NPs were complexed through hydrophobic interactions with amphiphilic polysaccharide nanogels. The obtained hybrid showed high colloidal stability and dispersibility in aqueous media. The number of Fe3O4 NP aggregates was controlled by changing the concentration of the Fe3O4 NPs in THF. The hybrid displayed greater enhancement than existing contrast media in T2 magnetic resonance imaging because of the optimal agglomeration of Fe3O4 NPs following their complexation with nanogels. Furthermore, the hybrid generated heat in response to alternating magnetic‐field irradiation. The increase in temperature was controlled by adjusting the concentration of the hybrid and the amplitude of the magnetic field, which indicates that the hybrid is also suitable for magnetic hyperthermia therapy. Inside job: Self‐assembled hybrids were prepared by incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters in a polysaccharide nanogel (see scheme). The hybrid showed high colloidal stability and dispersibility in aqueous media, and displayed theranostic potential as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent and in magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

A bottom‐up strategy for the preparation of hierarchical hybrid materials with good thermostability is reported. The hybrid molecule was constructed from a Wells–Dawson‐type polyoxometalate (POM) cluster and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain through covalent‐bond formation. The large distinction between the POM cluster and PEG chain results in a microphase separation to form POM and PEG layers that further alternatively arrange into hybrid lamellae with a sub‐20 nm thickness. Then the hybrid lamellae could simultaneously organize into spherulitic superstructures. Because of this hierarchical structuring, strong electrostatic interactions between POM clusters are maximized within the POM layers. This gives rise to thermostability. Structurally, the hybrid lamellae and the superstructures are unchanged, even at 160 °C, and indeed the shear storage modulus of the hybrid material remains nearly constant within this same temperature range. This study demonstrates the concept of bottom‐up hybridization, in which rationally selecting building blocks, designing the hybrid molecule, and then manipulating hierarchical structures can generate thermostable hybrid materials. Back to basics: A hybrid molecule of a polyoxometalate (POM) cluster and a polymer chain linked with a covalent bond produces hierarchical structures: hybrid lamellae and hybrid superstructures (see picture). The strong electrostatic interactions of the POM cluster are retained, and thus, add thermostability to the mechanical properties of the hybrid materials through the structural hierarchy.

A tough aerogel electrode of manganese oxide and polyaniline was prepared by in situ gelation, freeze‐drying, and heat treatment on carbon cloth. The porous structure endows the final aerogel electrode with high electrochemical performance even at high current density and excellent cycling stability. The best of both: A tough aerogel electrode of manganese oxide and polyaniline (PANI) have been prepared by one‐pot gelation, freeze‐drying, and a final heat treatment on carbon cloth. Relative to the individual components, the electrode exhibited significantly enhanced performance and stability in applications as a supercapacitor (see figure).

The influence of the charge relay effects of peptide organic templates on silica mineralization has been investigated. β‐Sheet‐type peptide showed higher catalytic activity towards the condensation of trimethylsilanol than random‐coil peptides. The higher activity of the β‐sheet peptide was attributed to an effective charge relay effect between the His and Glu residues of the β‐sheet assembly. Furthermore, the silica mineralized on the VHVEVS peptide template formed a flat surface, which was affected by the peptide morphology. This result implied that the growth of the silica occurred at the surface of the peptide template in a manner very similar to that of the enzyme reaction. Thus, by using a specific structural design strategy, this process could be used for the preparation of specific silica particles. In charge: The influence of the charge relay effects of peptide organic templates on silica mineralization has been investigated. β‐Sheet‐type peptide shows higher catalytic activity toward the condensation of trimethylsilanol than random‐coil peptide (see figure). Silica mineralized on the Val‐His‐Val‐Glu‐Val‐Ser (VHVEVS) peptide template forms a flat surface, which is affected by the peptide morphology.

Imine‐linked pyridine‐coupled (ILPC) receptors have been synthesised and characterised. The absorption and fluorescence properties of these receptors have been explored through a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. The ILPC receptors are processed into organic nanoparticles (ONPs) and then decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the selective recognition of iodide. The selective recognition behaviour is authenticated with the changes in fluorescence spectra, low detection limit (1.4 nM) and no interference in aqueous systems. The present investigation represents the first example of nanomolar detection of iodide in aqueous medium using organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (ONPs–AuNPs). The probe has been utilised successfully for the detection of iodide content in urine samples. Recognizing iodide: A composite gold–organic nanoparticles sensor (ONP–L3) has been synthesized and characterized. The selective recognition behavior of this receptor was authenticated by changes in its fluorescence spectra (see figure). The material showed high selectivity, a low detection limit (1.4 nM), and no interference in aqueous systems. The probe has been utilized for the detection of iodide in urine samples.