With the increasing demand for stable membrane separation materials with potential for industrial applications, extensive research has been conducted on advanced synthesis strategies for zirconium-based metal-organic framework mixed-matrix membranes (Zr-MOF MMMs). Traditional MMMs synthesis strategies face significant challenges, including balancing high loading capacity with mechanical performance, poor interfacial compatibility, low overall uniformity, and high mass transfer resistance, which collectively limit their performance. In this perspective, we summarized a series of advanced synthesis strategies for Zr-MOF MMMs that enhance the upper limit of Zr-MOF loading capacity while maintaining mechanical performance, improving interfacial compatibility and overall uniformity, and reducing mass transfer resistance. Furthermore, we discuss and provide insights into future directions for the synthesis and design of Zr-MOF MMMs.

The mesoporous polydopamine and its derived carbon (MPDC) exhibit considerable potential for applications in separation, adsorption, sensing, energy storage, catalysis, and biomedicine. The development of flexible synthesis strategies for MPDC and the exploration of precise control of their morphology can further stimulate their potential for application. This paper reviews the advancements made in the synthesis of MPDC utilizing the soft template self-assembly technique over the past decade, with a particular focus on the fine control of its morphology. Furthermore, the potential applications of MPDC in energy-related fields, such as energy storage and electrocatalysis, are discussed. Additionally, the current challenges and future development directions of MPDC are outlined, providing a reference point for researchers in related fields.

Metal-hydride (M-H) species typically exhibit high reactivities and distinctive chemical properties, which have prompted extensive investigations within the field of catalysis. Metal hydrides possess abundant M-H species within their structural composition, which can serve as extra hydrogen sources for chemical reactions in many cases. Additionally, they exhibit distinctive hydrogen absorption and desorption properties, making them a promising class of catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. In this Review, the mechanism and characterization of M-H species in catalytic reactions for M-H particles, molecular metal hydrides and hydride-doped metal nanoclusters were reviewed and compared. When metal oxides are used as catalysts, H₂ can generally crack at the surface to produce highly M-H species to promote the reaction. Nevertheless, the intricate surface configuration of the catalyst and the transient nature of M-H intermediates have presented significant challenges in terms of detecting and characterizing them. A fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanisms and dynamic changes of M-H species could help design highly efficient catalysts for chemical reactions involving hydrogen.

Organic cages are an emerging subclass of crystalline porous materials with structural tunability, modularity, and processibility, having exhibited potential in applications such as molecular recognition, gas adsorption, catalysis, and other fields. Fluorescence can be easily introduced into organic cages by incorporating fluorescent building blocks. The diversity of fluorescent building blocks and well-developed cage construction methods allowed the booming of fluorescent organic cages. More importantly, incorporating fluorescent properties into organic cages can further expand their application areas, especially in fields such as biological imaging and luminescent devices. The cavity of organic cages endows them with extra confined space to accommodate bioactive species or drugs compared to fluorescent small molecules. Compared to their framework counterparties, organic cages with well-characterized structures exhibit better processability, allowing their use in applications beyond solutions. In this review, we summarize the latest progress on fluorescent organic cages, focusing on their construction methods and the recent advances in their applications.

The issue of water pollution caused by heavy metal ions has been receiving increasing attention, particularly in the case of Hg²⁺ ions, which can significantly amplify their biological toxicity through bioaccumulation and stepwise magnification in the food chain. This review systematically summarizes and discusses common construction strategies for functional materials along with their applications in mercury ion recognition and detection. In addition to exploring the construction strategies, this review also delves into the diverse applications of these materials in mercury ion recognition and detection. Whether in environmental monitoring, where rapid and accurate detection of Hg²⁺ is critical for preventing contamination, or in biomedical research, where sensitive detection methods are essential for understanding the role of mercury in biological systems, these materials have demonstrated their versatility and effectiveness.

Fast-charging batteries that can be charged in minutes and store enough energy are highly desired in the electric vehicle and grid storage, but are usually limited to the electrodes with lower carrier diffusion. Herein, self-limited 1, 2, and 3 monolayers SnS₂ on the graphene were fabricated as fast-charging anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The tunable atomically-thin SnS₂ compound was confirmed using synchrotron high-pressure powder X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and low-dose transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The 1, 2, and 3 atomic-layer SnS₂ showed ultra-high phase contact of discharged products; thus, high bulk Na⁺/electronic conductivity was acquired. Simultaneously, ultra-thin and NaF, Na₂CO₃-riched solid-electrolyte interphase (6 nm, Cyro-TEM) was oriented construction in ester electrolyte. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of bulk phase and solid-electrolyte interphase, the obtained 3-monolayer SnS₂ anode achieved a fast-charging capacity of 300 mAh·g^-1 at 30 A·g^-1 within 36 s, exhibiting new height of fast-charging ability in SIBs. Meanwhile, it demonstrated long-cycling stability with negligible capacity decay for 600 cycles. The assembled pouch cell with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ cathode showed a high-energy density of about 187.5 Wh·kg^-1. The atomic-layer leveled regulation method paves the way for precise synthesis of materials at the atomic level and oriented design of fast-charging rechargeable batteries.

The primary challenge in hydrogenation reactions is the trade-off between selectivity and activity. Many factors including the nanoparticle geometry, chemical composition, metal-support interaction, and electronic interaction can significantly influence the catalytic properties of metal active sites. A novel strategy involving bimetallic active sites with different distances (spatially intimate and spatially isolated) has shown remarkable enhancements in both activity and selectivity for a wide range of selective hydrogenation. Advances in synthesis methodologies and characterization tools allow correlation at molecular/atom levels. In this review, the electronic and geometric structures will be discussed on bimetallic active sites with tightly intimated and spatially separated structures. Meanwhile, we will discuss in detail the construction methods, synergistic effects, and hydrogenation mechanisms of bimetallic active sites. Finally, this perspective illustrates the developments and challenges associated with bimetallic active sites in hydrogenation and provides valuable insights through successful cases to guide the design of highly efficient hydrogenation catalysts.