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Materials

Materials is an international peer-reviewed, open access journal on materials science and engineering published semimonthly online by MDPI.
The Spanish Materials Society (SOCIEMAT), Manufacturing Engineering Society (MES) and Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology (CSMNT) are affiliated with Materials and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
Indexed in PubMed | Quartile Ranking JCR - Q2 (Metallurgy and Metallurgical Engineering | Physics, Applied | Physics, Condensed Matter)

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Circularly polarized (CP) organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their promising applications in next-generation display systems, optical data transmission, and quantum computing, and their potential roles in medical devices. Achieving efficient and tunable CP emission remains a significant challenge, prompting the development of various strategies that leverage organic semiconductors. Notably, certain classes of materials now consistently deliver CP polarization at levels suitable for technological applications. Among these, conjugated polymers, particularly the copolymer poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (PFBT), stand out for their exceptional optoelectronic properties, ease of processing, and adaptability to produce CP emission. PFBT has played diverse roles within CP-OLED devices, enabling innovative architectural solutions. This review explores principal strategies for integrating PFBT into CP-OLED architectures, drawing upon findings from the recent scientific literature. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying unresolved issues, this work aims to inspire further research into the development of solution-processable, high-performance and tunable CP-OLEDs based on PFBT and conjugated polymers in general.

20 March 2026

Typical CP-OLED architecture with recombination zone (RZ) for radiative excitons and reciprocal and nonreciprocal CP EL (a). Conventional (b) and inverted (c) device architecture.

In high-power laser systems, extrinsic impurities—particularly Ce introduced during conventional ring polishing—have been identified as critical contributors to the degradation of laser-induced damage resistance in fused silica optical components. This study systematically investigates the effects of cerium substitutional doping on the electronic structure and optical properties of fused silica, integrating first-principles density functional theory calculations with experimental characterizations. The results demonstrate that substitutional incorporation of cerium atoms into the fused silica framework introduces deep-level defect states within the band gap, resulting in band gap narrowing and absorption edge redshift of the material. The energy position of the defect states depends on the Ce doping configuration. Among them, the Ce-4f orbital constitutes the dominant component of the defect state’s electronic structure, while the neighboring atomic orbitals such as O-2p and Si-3s/3p participate in bonding through hybridization, thereby determining the depth and distribution characteristics of the defect levels. The optical absorption edge of cerium-doped fused silica undergoes a significant redshift from the intrinsic value of 222 nm to 468 nm in the dual-Ce adjacent-site doping configuration, thereby endowing the material with substantial optical absorption capability at a wavelength of 355 nm. μ-UVPL spectroscopy combined with μ-XRD and other characterization analyses confirmed that the characteristic emission peak at 450 nm on the surface region of fused silica originated from Ce-related defect centers; this spectral feature was consistent with the defect state electronic structure predicted by the diatomic nearest-neighbor doping model. LIDT tests further indicated that the Ce-contaminated area significantly weakened the material’s laser damage resistance under 355 nm laser irradiation. This study further explained the mechanism by which traditional polishing-induced Ce element doping causes the low laser damage threshold of fused silica optical components, providing a theoretical basis for improving their performance.

20 March 2026

RDF of the Amorphous Fused Silica Structure Constructed via MD Simulation.

Characterisation of Scale Deposits in Drinking Water Pipes by FTIR and ICP-OES

  • Paweł Wiercik,
  • Justyna Stańczyk and
  • Justyna Możejko

Attenuated Total Reflection–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) are widely used to investigate the chemical structure and elemental composition of materials. However, the combined application of both methods to examine scale deposits in the water supply network has not yet been explored. In this study, scale deposits collected from the inlets of six pipes (steel, cast iron, lead, wooden) were analysed using both techniques. The application of ATR-FTIR and ICP-OES enabled the identification of mineral phases, organics, and structural differences between individual scale layers. Iron oxyhydroxides, together with silica and aluminosilicates, dominated most samples, whereas shower faucet deposit was primarily composed of carbonates and stearates. The combined analytical approach helped to avoid misinterpretation of FTIR data: although the spectrum of lead pipe deposit resembled hydrated lead carbonates, ICP-OES revealed only trace amounts of lead. Differences in crystallinity between successive layers allowed the reconstruction of the deposition process within the pipes. Poorly crystalline iron oxyhydroxides and silica occurred near pipe walls, while more crystalline phases developed closer to the water interface. These results demonstrate that combining ATR-FTIR and ICP-OES provides a reliable framework for interpreting scale deposit composition and formation in water distribution systems.

20 March 2026

Analysed cross-sections of pipes with deposits subjected to ATR-FTIR and ICP-OES analysis.

Distribution and Enrichment of Heavy Metals in Fine-Grained Fractions of Crushed Electronic Waste

  • Jitka Malcharcziková,
  • Kateřina Skotnicová and
  • Praveen Kumar Kesavan

The concentration of heavy metals in the environment has been steadily increasing, raising concerns about their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Fine-grained particulate matter is of particular concern due to its enhanced mobility, bioavailability, and potential for inhalation exposure. Facilities involved in the mechanical processing of electronic waste (e-waste) represent a significant potential source of metal-containing fine particles. In this study, crushed e-waste components containing precious metals were separated into particle-size fractions ranging from 3.0 to 0.15 mm using a vibratory sieving system. The elemental composition of the individual fractions was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF), while the spatial distribution of selected metals in fine fractions was further investigated using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). The results demonstrate that e-waste contains a wide range of heavy non-ferrous metals whose distribution is strongly dependent on particle size. A pronounced enrichment of metals was observed in the finest fractions, particularly below 0.25 mm. Compared to the coarse fraction (>3 mm), the zinc concentration increased by approximately one order of magnitude, while chromium, nickel, and cadmium exhibited increases of up to approximately 20-fold. Lead showed particularly high enrichment, reaching approximately 2 wt.% in the finest fraction (<0.15 mm), corresponding to nearly fiftyfold enrichment relative to the coarse fraction. Tin concentrations also increased markedly, in some cases by up to two orders of magnitude. Trace amounts of arsenic and selenium were detected in the finest fractions, whereas mercury was not detected. The combined ED-XRF and SEM–EDS results confirm that fine-grained e-waste fractions are the dominant carriers of hazardous metals and respirable particles generated during mechanical processing. These findings highlight the dual character of fine fractions as both a critical environmental and occupational risk and a potentially valuable secondary resource. The study emphasizes the importance of controlled handling, effective dust management, and targeted processing strategies to minimize human exposure while enabling efficient recovery of valuable metals from e-waste.

19 March 2026

Experimental e-waste material used in this study: (a) separated e-waste parts; (b) shredded material after mechanical size reduction.

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Materials - ISSN 1996-1944