Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) usually crystallize as insoluble powders, and their processing for suitable devices is thought to be limited. We demonstrate that COFs can be mechanically pressed into shaped objects having anisotropic ordering with preferred orientation between hk0 and 00l crystallographic planes. Five COFs with different functionality and symmetry exhibited similar crystallographic behavior and remarkable stability, indicating the generality of this processing. Pellets prepared from bulk COF powders impregnated with LiClO4 displayed room temperature conductivity up to 0.26 mS cm(-1) and high electrochemical stability. This outcome portends use of COFs as solid-state electrolytes in batteries.

We present a family of covalent organic frameworks that have been functionalized with oligo-(ethylene oxide) chains of varying lengths. Because of the open structure of the COFs, the side chains do not interfere with their crystallization obtaining materials with predictable crystal structure. The difference in length of the side-chains allowed for the determination of amphidynamic behaviour with the use of 13C solid-state NMR relaxation methods. Computational calculations further contribute to understanding the atomistic dynamic behaviour of the different atoms. This study demonstrates the ability to design complex behaviour in organic crystals.

The strength of brittle ceramic materials is typically tested using simple uniaxial compression or by three-or four-point bending techniques. While these methods provide reliable results, they do not depict a realistic characterisation of the load-bearing capacity of structural materials, and a method that involves the application of multiaxial stress is required, such as the ring-on-ring biaxial flexural strength test. In this paper, an in-house ring-on-ring fixture was developed and validated by comparing the experimental and simulated biaxial strength tests of a model ZrB 2 -30wt-%SiB 6 ceramic composite. A description of the simulated finite element analysis is provided, and the stress field acting on the sample with maximum principal stress located at the surface under tension at the centre of the ceramic disk is shown.

A library of 12 dibenzo- and naphtho-fluoranthene polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with MW = 302 (CH) was synthesized via a Pd-catalyzed fluoranthene ring-closing reaction. By understanding the various modes by which the palladium migrates during the transformation, structural rearrangements were bypassed, obtaining pure PAHs in high yields. Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization demonstrated the profound diversity in the electronic structures between isomers. Highlighting the significant differences in emission of visible light, this library of PAHs will enable their standardization for toxicological assessment and potential use as optoelectronic materials.