Magnetic properties of ball-milled TbFe<Subscript>2</Subscript> and TbFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>B

The magnetic properties of ball-milled TbFe₂ and TbFe₂B were studied by magnetization measurements. X-ray diffraction studies on TbFe₂B showed that boron occupied interstitial position in the crystal structure, just as hydrogen did. The value of the saturation magnetization of TbFe₂B was found to be smaller than that of TbFe₂. This is explained on the basis of a charge transfer between the boron atoms and the 3d band of Fe. The anisotropy of TbFe₂B was found to be large compared to that of TbFe₂. X-ray diffractograms for the ball milled samples showed that after 80 h of milling, a predominantly amorphous phase was obtained. TbFe₂B was found to undergo easy amorphization compared to TbFe₂. Magnetization of TbFe₂ was found to decrease rapidly with initial milling hours and was found to be constant with further hours of milling. TbFe₂B exhibited an anomalous behaviour with an increase in moment with milling hours and this may be due to the segregation of α-Fe.     

Emerging Multifunctional Metal–Organic Framework Materials

Metal?organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, represent an interesting type of solid crystalline materials that can be straightforwardly self‐assembled through the coordination of metal ions/clusters with organic linkers. Owing to the modular nature and mild conditions of MOF synthesis, the porosities of MOF materials can be systematically tuned by judicious selection of molecular building blocks, and a variety of functional sites/groups can be introduced into metal ions/clusters, organic linkers, or pore spaces through pre‐designing or post‐synthetic approaches. These unique advantages enable MOFs to be used as a highly versatile and tunable platform for exploring multifunctional MOF materials. Here, the bright potential of MOF materials as emerging multifunctional materials is highlighted in some of the most important applications for gas storage and separation, optical, electric and magnetic materials, chemical sensing, catalysis, and biomedicine.     

Bacterially Produced,Nacre‐Inspired Composite Materials

The impressive mechanical properties of natural composites, such as nacre, arise from their multiscale hierarchical structures, which span from nano‐ to macroscale and lead to effective energy dissipation. While some synthetic bioinspired materials have achieved the toughness of natural nacre, current production methods are complex and typically involve toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, and/or high pressures. Here, the exclusive use of bacteria to produce nacre‐inspired layered calcium carbonate‐polyglutamate composite materials that reach and exceed the toughness of natural nacre, while additionally exhibiting high extensibility and maintaining high stiffness, is introduced. The extensive diversity of bacterial metabolic abilities and the possibility of genetic engineering allows for the creation of a library of bacterially produced, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly composite materials.