Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for synthesizing a free-standing flexible electrode is provided. The method includes the steps of mixing a solution comprising vanadium powder, molybdenum powder and hydrogen peroxide to form a mixture comprising nanofibers represented by the formula of V0.07Mo0.93O3nH2O, filtering the mixture to form an electrode comprising the nanofibers, treating the electrode with an acidic solution, contacting the acid-treated electrode with a solution comprising monomers of a conductive polymer, and polymerizing the monomers in a medium comprising an oxidizing agent to form the conductive polymer. According to the present disclosure, there is also a free-standing flexible electrode comprising nanofibers comprised of molybdenum, vanadium and a conductive polymer, wherein the electrode is represented by a formula of X—V0.07Mo0.93O3n-H2O. In this formula, X is the conductive polymer and n is independently 1 or 2.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a stretchable electroluminescent device may be provided. The electroluminescent device may include a first contact structure. The first contact structure may include an ionic conductor layer. The electroluminescent device may also include a second contact structure. The electroluminescent device may additionally include an emission layer between the first contact structure and the second contact structure. The emission layer may be configured to emit light when an alternating voltage is applied between the first contact structure and the second contact structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible electronic device is provided. The method includes a) filtering a mixture including an electrically conducting nanostructured material through a membrane such that the electrically conducting nanostructured material is deposited on the membrane; b) depositing an elastomeric polymerizable material on the electrically conducting nanostructured material and curing the elastomeric polymerizable material thereby embedding the electrically conducting nanostructured material in an elastomeric polymer thus formed; and c) separating the elastomeric polymer with the embedded electrically conducting nanostructured material from the membrane to obtain the flexible electronic device. Flexible electronic device manufactured by the method, and use of the flexible electronic device are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for synthesizing a free-standing flexible electrode is provided. The method includes the steps of mixing a solution comprising vanadium powder, molybdenum powder and hydrogen peroxide to form a mixture comprising nanofibers represented by the formula of V0.07Mo0.93O3nH2O, filtering the mixture to form an electrode comprising the nanofibers, treating the electrode with an acidic solution, contacting the acid-treated electrode with a solution comprising monomers of a conductive polymer, and polymerizing the monomers in a medium comprising an oxidizing agent to form the conductive polymer. According to the present disclosure, there is also a free-standing flexible electrode comprising nanofibers comprised of molybdenum, vanadium and a conductive polymer, wherein the electrode is represented by a formula of X—V 0.07Mo0.93O3n-H2O. In this formula, X is the conductive polymer and n is independently 1 or 2.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide composite film may be provided. The method may include providing a graphene oxide dispersion. The providing a graphene oxide dispersion method may also include adding a metal oxide to the graphene oxide dispersion to form a metal oxide/graphene oxide dispersion. The method may additionally include forming a metal oxide/graphene oxide film by filtering the metal oxide/graphene oxide dispersion using a directional flow directed assembly. The method may further include reducing the metal oxide/graphene oxide film using a reducing agent to form the metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide composite film.

Abstract: A method for preparing a niobium, titanium or vanadium metal oxide nanostructured material is provided. The method comprises providing an aqueous reagent comprising (i) a soluble metal oxalate, and/or (ii) oxalic acid and a metal oxide precursor, adding a buffering agent to the aqueous reagent to form a mixture, and heating the mixture under hydrothermal conditions to obtain the metal oxide nanostructured material. The metal oxide nanostructured material may also be doped with a dopant metal such as titanium to enhance capacity and cycling stability. An electrode comprising the metal oxide nanostructured material, and an electrochemical cell containing the electrode are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible electronic device is provided. The flexible electronic device includes a flexible dielectric substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a functional layer, a third electrode layer, and a capping layer. The flexible dielectric substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first electrode layer is arranged on the first surface of the flexible dielectric substrate. The second electrode layer is arranged on the second surface of the flexible dielectric substrate. The functional layer includes a light emitting layer or an electroactive layer and an electrolyte layer, arranged on the second electrode layer. The third electrode layer is arranged on the functional layer. The capping layer is arranged on the third electrode layer. A method of manufacturing the flexible electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming an indium oxide nanowire including copper-based dopants is provided. The method includes providing an indium-based precursor material and a copper-based dopant precursor material, and performing a thermal evaporation process to vapourise the indium-based precursor material and the copper-based dopant precursor material to form an indium oxide nanowire comprising copper-based dopants on a substrate. According to further embodiments of the present invention, an indium oxide nanowire including copper-based dopants and a gas sensor are also provided. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming a plurality of nanowires including metal phthalocyanine, a nanowire arrangement and a gas sensor are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming a graft copolymer of a poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer and at least one type of electrically conductive polymer, wherein the electrically conductive polymer is grafted on the poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer are provided. The methods comprise a) irradiating a poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer with a stream of electrically charged particles; b) forming a solution comprising the irradiated poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer, an electrically conductive monomer and an acid in a suitable solvent; and c) adding an oxidant to the solution to form the graft copolymer. Graft copolymers of a poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer and at least one type of electrically conductive polymer, wherein the electrically conductive polymer is grafted on the poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer, nanocomposite materials comprising the graft copolymer, and multilayer capacitors comprising the nanocomposite material are also provided.

Abstract: Method for preparing a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite is provided. The method includes providing a polymer comprising radicals on a surface thereof; contacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent to form a functionalized polymer; and either (i) grafting a cross-linking agent onto the functionalized polymer to form a graft copolymer, and attaching ceramic nanostructures to the graft copolymer to form a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite, or (ii) grafting a cross-linking agent onto ceramic nanostructures to form modified ceramic nanostructures, and attaching the modified ceramic nanostructures to the functionalized polymer to form a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite. A ceramic-polymer nanocomposite and use of the ceramic-polymer nanocomposite are also provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester comprising: a metal substrate comprising a planar part, a first leg projecting from the planar part and a second leg projecting from the planar part, the metal substrate configured to support a piezoelectric matrix on the planar part between the first leg and the second leg; and a piezoelectric matrix provided on the substrate, the piezoelectric matrix comprising a plurality of adjacent PZT elements.

Abstract: A method of preparing hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres is provided. The method comprises providing a suspension comprising monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, forming a layer of metal or metal oxide on the monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, and adding an alkaline solution to the suspension to dissolve the polydopamine thereby forming the hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres.

Abstract: A method of preparing hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres is provided. The method comprises providing a suspension comprising monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, forming a layer of metal or metal oxide on the monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, and adding an alkaline solution to the suspension to dissolve the polydopamine thereby forming the hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochromic device is provided. The method includes providing a patterned arrangement of an electrically conductive material; and applying one or more layers of an electrochromic material to the patterned arrangement, wherein at least a portion of the electrochromic material is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive material. An electrochromic device and an electrochromic ink composition are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible electronic device is provided. The method includes a) filtering a mixture including an electrically conducting nanostructured material through a membrane such that the electrically conducting nanostructured material is deposited on the membrane; b) depositing an elastomeric polymerisable material on the electrically conducting nanostructured material and curing the elastomeric polymerisable material thereby embedding the electrically conducting nanostructured material in an elastomeric polymer thus formed; and c) separating the elastomeric polymer with the embedded electrically conducting nanostructured material from the membrane to obtain the flexible electronic device. Flexible electronic device manufactured by the method, and use of the flexible electronic device are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of preparing monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres are provided. The methods comprise providing a solvent system comprising water and at least one alcohol having the formula R—OH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C6 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-C6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkenyl, and optionally substituted C6-C7 aryl; adding dopamine to said solvent system to form a reaction mixture; and agitating said reaction mixture for a time period of 1 to 10 days to form said monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres. Methods of preparing carbon and hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres using the polydopamine nano- or microspheres are also provided.

Abstract: Method for preparing a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite is provided. The method includes providing a polymer comprising radicals on a surface thereof; contacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent to form a functionalized polymer; and either (i) grafting a cross-linking agent onto the functionalized polymer to form a graft copolymer, and attaching ceramic nanostructures to the graft copolymer to form a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite, or (ii) grafting a cross-linking agent onto ceramic nanostructures to form modified ceramic nanostructures, and attaching the modified ceramic nanostructures to the functionalized polymer to form a ceramic-polymer nanocomposite. A ceramic-polymer nanocomposite and use of the ceramic-polymer nanocomposite are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible electronic device is provided. The flexible electronic device comprises a flexible dielectric substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a first electrode layer arranged on the first surface of the flexible dielectric substrate; a second electrode layer arranged on the second surface of the flexible dielectric substrate; a functional layer comprising or consisting of (i) a light emitting layer or (ii) an electroactive layer and an electrolyte layer, arranged on the second electrode layer; a third electrode layer arranged on the functional layer; and a capping layer arranged on the third electrode layer. A method of manufacturing the flexible electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester comprising: a metal substrate comprising a planar part, a first leg projecting from the planar part and a second leg projecting from the planar part, the metal substrate configured to support a piezoelectric matrix on the planar part between the first leg and the second leg; and a piezoelectric matrix provided on the substrate, the piezoelectric matrix comprising a plurality of adjacent PZT elements.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide composite film may be provided. The method may include providing a graphene oxide dispersion. The providing a graphene oxide dispersion method may also include adding a metal oxide to the graphene oxide dispersion to form a metal oxide/graphene oxide dispersion. The method may additionally include forming a metal oxide/graphene oxide film by filtering the metal oxide/graphene oxide dispersion using a directional flow directed assembly. The method may further include reducing the metal oxide/graphene oxide film using a reducing agent to form the metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide composite film.