Contributor

Amanda Carr

Amanda Carr is a PhD student contributor to Physics World. Amanda is a PhD candidate at Stony Brook University in the US. She is studying self-stratification in nanoparticle films using novel X-ray scattering techniques under the direction of Surita Bhatia and graphene-polymer adhesion and manipulation under the direction of Matthew Eisaman . When she's not thinking about chemistry, Amanda likes to spend time with her wife, work on her Jeep and play ukulele.

Contributor archive

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Two-dimensional MXenes improve perovskite solar cell efficiency

Modified metal-carbide flakes incorporated into existing perovskite solar cells could make perovskite cells a commercially viable part of green energy solutions

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Graphite lithium-ion batteries get a boost from halogen intercalation

Novel halogen conversion and intercalation into graphite boasts unprecedented battery capacity while maintaining excellent reversibility

Photoexcitation of a CdS nanorod (yellow) provides the driving force for transfer of holes to the molecular catalyst (structure on top). Meanwhile, the CdS nanorod acts as a conduit to shuttle electrons to the hydrogen-evolving Pt nanoparticle (grey) affixed to the nanorod tip, completing the reaction without sacrificial agents. Courtesy of Nature

Specific nanocatalyst placements improve visible-light water splitting

Utilizing the anisotropy of nanorods to separately anchor hydrogen reduction and water oxidation co-catalysts could provide the key to efficient water splitting

Monolayer MXenes show impressive strength and elasticity

The mechanical properties of MXene nanosheets could make them useful for energy storage and structural applications among others

High-quality bilayer graphene goes large

Epitaxial graphene growth and dry transfer may be the key to obtaining large, high-quality graphene samples

Hybrid silica and doped-silver halides structures

Photocatalytic heterostructures unleash the potential of doped silver halides

Silver-doped silver chloride nanocubes affixed to silica nanospheres show enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability – a breakthrough for solar energy developments

2D metal oxides synthesized from liquid metal

A liquid-metal synthesis procedure could lower fabrication costs and enable mass production

Deck-of-cards heterostructures make ideal batteries

Careful choice of materials avoids the disadvantages of each component

Smart sponge demonstrates tunable surface slipperiness

Surface slipperiness is a critical property within material development in the medical and technology fields

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