Gelation Based on Host–Guest Interactions Induced by Multi-Functionalized Nanosheets

Host–guest interaction, being reversible and stimuli-responsive, is ideal to be applied to the design of hydrogels. We created a gelation system based on the host–guest interactions between the adamantyl groups and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymer. N,N,N-trimethyl-1-adamantylammonium hydroxide (TriMAA) cations were attached to the pre-exfoliated α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) nanosheets by ionic bonding through a displacement reaction with the exfoliating agents. The exfoliated α-ZrP nanosheets with adamantyl groups directly or indirectly attached to the surface act as reversible high-functionality crosslinkers within the β-CD polymer. The gelation occurred at a host-to-guest ratio of 1:10 or 1:5 at room temperature within minutes. The agents used to exfoliate α-ZrP can tailor the surface of the resultant α-ZrP nanosheets and the ionic strength of the system, which directly affects the further gelation results. Plus, the exfoliating agent cations may generate a host-and-guest interaction with the β-CD polymer as well. This gelation process without covalent bonding formation should help fellow researchers to better understand the gelation system and host–guest interactions.

A family of ionic supersalts with covalent-like directionality and unconventional multiferroicity

Ionic crystals composed of elemental ions such as NaCl are non-polar due to directionless ionic bonding interactions. Here, we show that these can develop polarity by changing their building blocks from elemental ions to superalkali and superhalogen cluster-ions, which mimic the chemistry of alkali and halogen atoms, respectively. Due to the non-spherical geometries of these cluster ions, corresponding supersalts form anisotropic polar structures with ionic bonding, yet covalent-like directionality, akin to sp3 hybridized systems. Using density functional theory and extensive structure searches, we predict a series of stable ferroelectric/ferroelastic supersalts, PnH4MX4 (Pn = N, P; M = B, Al, Fe; X = Cl, Br) composed of superalkali PnH4 and superhalogen MX4 ions. Unlike traditional ferroelectric/ferroelastic materials, the cluster-ion based supersalts possess ultra-low switching barrier and can endure large ion displacements and reversible strain. In particular, PH4FeBr4 exhibits triferroic coupling of ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity, and antiferromagnetism with controllable spin directions via either ferroelastic or 90-degree ferroelectric switching.

AIM and ELF bonding analyses of M–O and M–N (Metal= Ba, Y, Zr) in metal–complexes using DFT approach

The molecular interaction between the chelating agents of citric acid (CA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and triethylenetetraamine (TETA) with metals (M = Ba, Y, and Zr) were studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. This study aims to determine the type of bonding between M–O/N bonds in the CA/EDTA/TETA– complexes. In this study, each metal was attached at strategic positions of chelating agents and was optimized at B3LYP/6-31G* and UGBS level of theory. The M–O bonds were characterized based on Atoms–in–molecules (AIM) and Electron Localization Function (ELF) in the topological analysis. In AIM analysis, the total electron energy density at the bond critical point (BCP) of the M–O/N bonds are used to estimate the interaction involved. The low values of ρ(r) and positive values of ∇2ρ(r) indicates that ionic character exists in the M–O/N bonds. In ELF color-filled map, the blue shaded region between M–O/N atom acts as an indicator for the existence of the ionic interaction. Both AIM and ELF results confirm the existence of ionic bonding between M–O/N bonds, with values of ρ(r) and ∇2ρ(r) ranging from 0.02 to 0.12 au and 0.09 to 0.5 au respectively. Further analysis on charge distribution at M–O/N bonds show that the opposite charge between Ba, Y, and Zr with O/N assured the M– O/N ionic bonding interactions. Keywords: Density functional theory, metals, bonding, atom–in–molecules, bond critical point, electron localization functions

Strong sequentially bridged MXene sheets

Titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene has great potential for use in aerospace and flexible electronics due to its excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. However, the assembly of MXene nanosheets into macroscopic high-performance nanocomposites is challenging, limiting MXene’s practical applications. Here we describe our work fabricating strong and highly conductive MXene sheets through sequential bridging of hydrogen and ionic bonding. The ionic bonding agent decreases interplanar spacing and increases MXene nanosheet alignment, while the hydrogen bonding agent increases interplanar spacing and decreases MXene nanosheet alignment. Successive application of hydrogen and ionic bonding agents optimizes toughness, tensile strength, oxidation resistance in a humid environment, and resistance to sonication disintegration and mechanical abuse. The tensile strength of these MXene sheets reaches up to 436 MPa. The electrical conductivity and weight-normalized shielding efficiency are also as high as 2,988 S/cm and 58,929 dB∙cm2/g, respectively. The toughening and strengthening mechanisms are revealed by molecular-dynamics simulations. Our sequential bridging strategy opens an avenue for the assembly of other high-performance MXene nanocomposites.