Mesocrystal-embedded functional oxide systems

Abstract

Mesocrystal-a new class of crystals compared with conventional single crystals and randomly distributed nanocrystal systems-has captured significant attention in recent decades. Current studies have been focused on the advanced synthesis as well as the intriguing properties of mesocrystal. In order to create new opportunities upon functional mesocrystals, they can be regarded as a new functional entirety when integrated with unique matrix environments. The elegant combination of mesocrystals and matrices has enabled researchers to realize enthralling tunabilities and to derive new functionalities that cannot be found in individual components. Therefore, mesocrystal-embedded system forms a new playground towards multifunctionalities. This review article delivers a general roadmap that portrays the enhancement of intrinsic properties and new functionalities driven by novel mesocrystal-embedded oxide systems. An in-depth understanding and breakthroughs achieved in mesocrystal-embedded oxide systems are highlighted. This article concludes with a brief discussion on potential directions and perspectives along this research field.

Van der Waals oxide heteroepitaxy

“…40 It also suggests that the research field of oxide heteroepitaxial nanocomposite on rigid substrates can be transferred to muscovite substrate, providing more materials for flexible applications. 41,42 Based on these studies, more functional oxides will be implemented on muscovite epitaxially in order to expand the material database on muscovite for flexible and transparent electronics.…”

The Development of Functional Mesocrystals for Energy Harvesting, Storage, and Conversion

“…Finally, the composite mesocrystals of metal oxides were obtained from the intermediate crystals through the topotactic transformation,w hile maintaining their morphologies. [24] The analysiso fh igh-resolution elementalm apping visualized that ZnO and CuO nanocrystals inside the mesocrystal are intimately contacted ( Figures 3c-f).…”

“…The ultrafast dynamics of interfacial charge transfer between ZnO and CuO was further clarified from the significant photoluminescence (PL) quenching and charge accumulation by means of the time‐resolved spectroscopies. It was believed that the facilitation of the interfacial charge transfer between the nanocomposite mesocrystalline heterostructures is preferable for their widely applications among the field of photovoltaics and photocatalysis …”

Preferentially Oriented Nanometer-Sized CoFe2O4 Mesocrystals Embedded in the BiFeO3 Matrix for Opto-Magnetic Device Applications

“…Alternatively, the CFO could also be fabricated in the form of mesocrystals embedded in a matrix with interesting properties to give rise to emergent functionalities. − In general, the CFO mesocrystals can be regarded as a collective system comprising nanosized CFO grains having the same crystallographic orientation with percolated connectivity. Such unique microstructure often leads to unprecedented properties vastly different from those observed in bulk or single-crystalline thin films and randomly oriented nanocrystals. − In particular, when the CFO mesocrystals are embedded in a matrix to form a specifically designed nanocomposite system, it not only provides a way of controlling the formation of CFO mesocrystals but also enables the engineering of couplings between the CFO mesocrystals and the host matrix, which in turn is a key ingredient for developing next-generation electronic devices with emergent functionalities. − In fact, a long list of examples have been successfully demonstrated along this line, including well-known multiferroicity in vertically aligned nanocomposites of the CFO-BiFeO 3 (BFO) matrix and CFO-BaTiO 3 matrix, − a light-induced ultrafast magnetization change in the CFO-SrRuO 3 matrix, large magnetic anisotropy in the multiferroic CFO-Bi 2 WO 6 matrix, an ultralow leakage current in the multiferroic CFO-Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 matrix, a multiferroic nanocomposite of the CFO-PbTiO 3 matrix, , a transparent magnetic nanocomposite of the CFO-SrTiO 3 matrix, magnetic-assisted magnetoresistance of the CFO-La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 matrix, and so forth.…”