Metal-organic framework-based self-healing hydrogel fiber random lasers.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which have well-defined nanoporous skeletons and whose natural structure can work as optical resonant cavities, are emerging as ideal platforms for constructing micro/nanolasers. However, lasing generated from the light oscillating inside a defined MOFs' cavity usually suffers the drawback of the lasing performance being difficult to maintain once the cavity is destroyed. In this work, we report a MOF-based self-healing hydrogel fiber random laser (MOF-SHFRL) that can withstand extreme damage. The optical feedback of MOF-SHFRLs does not depend on the light reflection inside the MOF cavity but comes from the multiple scattering effects from the MOF nanoparticles (NPs). The hydrogel fiber's one-dimensional waveguide structure also permits confined directional lasing transmission. Based on such an ingenious design, a robust random lasing is achieved without worrying about the destruction of the MOF NPs. More interestingly, the MOF-SHFRL demonstrates excellent self-healing ability without any external stimulation: it can fully recover its initial morphology and lasing performance even when totally broken (e.g., cut into two parts). The lasing threshold also remains stable, and the optical transmission capability can recover by more than 90% after multiple breaks and self-healing processes. These results indicate that the MOF-SHFRL is a highly stable optical device that can be expected to play a significant role in environmental monitoring, intelligent sensing, and other aspects under extreme conditions.

Correction: Liquid crystal random lasers.

Correction for 'Liquid crystal random lasers' by Guangyin Qu et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 48-63, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CP02859J.

Liquid crystal random lasers.

The enthusiasm for research on liquid crystal random lasers (LCRLs) is driven by their unusual optical properties and promising potential for broad applications in manufacturing, communications, medicine and entertainment. From this perspective, we will summarize the most attractive advances in the development of LCRLs in the last decade and propose future prospects. This article will begin with a fundamental description of LCRLs, including the principle of laser generation and a description of LC substances. Then, we spend several chapters on the lasing performance control methods of LCRLs, including random lasing wavelength, threshold, and polarization properties. In addition, we analyze how the LC chiral agent structures, LC core-shell structures and new light-amplifying materials affect the design of LCRL devices. In the last chapter, we discuss the application of LCRLs in 3D displays, information encryption, biochemical sensing and other optoelectronics devices and finally end the perspective with LCRLs' likely directions in future research.

Ionic liquids with polychloride anions as effective oxidants for the dissolution of UO2.

Herein, polychloride ([Cl3]- or/and [Cl5]-) ionic liquids (ILs) were prepared from their imidazolium chloride precursors by the addition of chlorine gas. The highest storage ability of Cl2 was found in the [Bmim]Cl IL among the six imidazolium chlorides [Rmim]Cl (Rmim = Emim, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; Bmim, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium; Pmim, 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium; Pnmim, 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium; Hmim, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium; and Omim, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium). When a mixed IL of [Bmim][Tf2N] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bistriflimide) and [Bmim]Cl was used, the IL cation could maintain good stability during the chlorination process, and the imidazolium cation [Bmim]+ could retain almost the same structure after the chlorine gas was introduced into the mixed IL according to 1H NMR spectroscopy. It has been found that the synthesized polychloride ILs not only can successfully dissolve UO2, but can also decrease the consumption of Cl2 and increase the chlorine efficiency. Spectroscopy studies indicate that [UO2Cl4]2- is the principal product in the IL reaction solution. The dissolved uranyl species can be easily recovered from the ILs by crystallization in the form of [Bmim]2[UO2Cl4]. Moreover, even if 57.1 wt% of the lanthanide element, when compared with the total amount of dissolved uranium and lanthanide elements, was dissolved in the IL mixture, only uranium-containing crystals could be isolated from the system.