Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have been investigated for decades driven by the application requirements of electro-optic modulators for optical communication, optical switches, sensors, terahertz generation and detection. The prominent advantages of organic NLO materials are ultra-fast response and structural versatility, which gives the materials large NLO activity, good processability and other necessary properties for specific applications via suitable molecular engineering. In this review, historic and recent studies of organic dipolar chromophores in acentric alignment affording macroscopic anisotropy are overviewed. In particular, recent marked progress in the development of acentric bulky materials, including isolating chromophores to prevent centrosymmetric alignment, is focused on. We also review fascinating methods for the ordered alignment of chromophores, which include supramolecular interaction, light fields, electric fields and so on. It is hoped that better chromophore molecular structures and film construction techniques can be devised using suitable NLO films to achieve higher performances in optoelectronic devices.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as multifunctional materials, have shown excellent potential. However, the powder form of MOFs has always influenced their practical application. In this study, ZIF-67 was in situ grown on wood to obtain self-supported ZIF-67/wood. It was then carbonized at different temperatures to prepare three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon skeleton/magnetic composites (Co/C@WC). The carbon skeleton of the carbonized wood forms a 3D conductive network structure, while Co/C core–shell type magnetic nanoparticles are firmly and uniformly embedded in the carbon skeleton, enhancing the electrical conductivity and magnetism. After carbonization at 1000 °C, the Co/C@WC composite delivered an excellent conductivity of 3247 S m⁻¹ and an average EMI SE_T of about 43.2 dB at 8.2–12.4 GHz. Co/C@WC composites also exhibited sound insulation, temperature resistance and good mechanical performance, which endow the composites with the potential to be applied as multifunctional shielding materials for use in extreme conditions.

This paper reviews an overview of the history and research progress of poled polymers in terms of synthesis, poling method, and application, besides providing an outlook on it.

The wettability of conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P₃HT) films was accurately controlled by an electric field polarization technique, and transition of the films from being hydrophobic to hydrophilic was successfully achieved.

An acrylate hot melt adhesive (AHMA) was synthesized and used in perovskite photovoltaic building integrated encapsulation. The excellent impact resistance and lead leakage prevented of the encapsulation structure has been confirmed.