Revising Model Reactions in Plasmonic Chemistry: From Nitrothiophenol Coupling to Alkoxyamine Homolysis.

The progress in plasmonic chemistry requires research on energy transfer, mechanisms, and materials discovery. In this pursuit, there are >3000 papers applying the azo coupling of 4-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) as a model reaction. Here, we challenge the status of this reaction as a model due to experimental evidence of thiol desorption during plasmon excitation using laser irradiation monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as an analytic technique.

Electrochemical Switching of Laser-Induced Graphene/Polymer Composites for Tunable Electronics.

Laser reduction of graphene oxide (GO) is a promising approach for achieving flexible, robust, and electrically conductive graphene/polymer composites. Resulting composite materials show significant technological potential for energy storage, sensing, and bioelectronics. However, in the case of insulating polymers, the properties of electrodes show severely limited performance.

Universal Approach to Integrating Reduced Graphene Oxide into Polymer Electronics.

Flexible electronics have sparked significant interest in the development of electrically conductive polymer-based composite materials. While efforts are being made to fabricate these composites through laser integration techniques, a versatile methodology applicable to a broad range of thermoplastic polymers remains elusive. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms driving the formation of such composites are not thoroughly understood.

"Functional upcycling" of polymer waste towards the design of new materials.

Diversification of polymer waste recycling is one of the solutions to improve the current environmental scenario. Upcycling is a promising strategy for converting polymer waste into molecular intermediates and high-value products. Although the catalytic transformations into small molecules have been actively discussed, the methods and characteristics of upcycling into new materials have not yet been addressed.