This picture, provided by Min Yang and co-workers (article number 2000149), shows hexagonal shaped ɛ-Ga₂O₃ islands growing as a film on a c-sapphire substrate. ɛ-Ga₂O₃ grows well into high-quality films with low surface roughness and low defect density for hexagonal oriented substrates. When the grown ɛ-Ga₂O₃ film is heat treated under certain conditions, it is completely converted into β-Ga₂O₃ without changing its morphological properties.

Because of its crystallographic properties, β-Ga₂O₃ film grown by conventional method contains high surface roughness and defect density. However, ɛ-Ga₂O₃ is easily grown into a high-quality film with a flat surface and low defect density. A new method for producing high-quality β-Ga₂O₃ films by phase transition of ɛ-Ga₂O₃ and a method to improve the crystallinity of transformed β-Ga₂O₃ films are proposed.

Additives are powerful tools to modify the morphology of crystal. The influence of sodium sulfate on taurine's nucleation behavior and morphology was studied, and the intrinsic reason was explored via two Sangwal's models and molecular dynamic simulations in this work. The results obtained in this work could provide theoretical guidance for industrial production.

A new beta-aminoenone is taken as a case study to investigate the intra- and intermolecular interactions in this class of compounds. The Z, s-cis configuration is the only form found both in the crystal and in aprotic solvent. The centre-symmetric dimers constitute a common pattern. The bond order character within the enamine chain is explained with the amide vinylogous concept.

The epitaxial structures of 1T MoS₂ and SnO₂ are formed by hydrothermal synthesis. High-resolution transmission electronic microscopy demonstrates the direct evidence of the two configurations formed between MoS₂ nanosheets and SnO₂ nanoparticles with limit misfits. The photocatalytic activity of MoS₂–SnO₂ composite constructed by SnO₂ of 3–5 nm is highly improved.

Quinolinium 4-aminobenzoate (ABAQ) crystallizes in monoclinic structure with centro-symmetric space group P2₁. Optical transmission spectrum reveals wide transparency of ABAQ in UV–vis–NIR wavelength region with band gap of 4.73 eV. The laser damage threshold energy density is found to be twelve times that of inorganic KDP. The frequency conversion efficiency of DNBAQ crystal is determined to be 90% of inorganic KDP.

2D global transient model for G6 GT-style furnace (G6) and upgraded G7 ALD-style furnace (G7) is established and compared. The melt flow intensity is relatively stronger as the furnace upgrades. The over-convex phenomenon of melt–crystal interface is found in the initial stage of G7. G7 shows relatively higher thermal stress and Voronkov ratios due to higher temperature gradient.

Metal–organic polymer-based magnetic systems represent excellent realization of low dimensional magnets. Here, a simple synthetic method is developed for growing large-sized single crystals of a 1D magnetic system, suitable for many future investigations. Detailed theoretical calculations using density functional theory have been undertaken and results are found to be in very good agreement with those from experiments.