The longstanding challenges of low thermal conductivity, intrinsic rigidity, and poor recyclability have significantly impeded the application of thermal-response phase change materials in thermal management. Recently, an innovative bionic strategy was proposed to develop a highly conductive, flexible, and recyclable polymer-based phase change thermal management film, effectively managing temperature fluctuations and enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability in electronic devices and wearable systems.

The uncontrolled shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish Li₂S conversion kinetics critically limits the high-rate performance of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. To overcome this, a flexible carbon nanofiber-confined 2H-NbSe₂ membrane (2H-NbSe₂@CNFM) is developed as an electrocatalytic membrane reactor (NS@MR) to construct a Li₂S activation interface for precise modulation of terminal sulfur species. The ABA-stacked layered structure of 2H-NbSe₂ enables strong Li–Se interactions and orbital hybridization, thereby enhancing LiPSs adsorption. Simultaneously, delocalized Nb d-electrons and anisotropic Se–Se channels facilitate electron and Li⁺ transport while lowering the nucleation and decomposition barriers of Li₂S. In situ XRD and Raman characterizations confirm the bidirectional catalytic capability of the activation interface in promoting efficient Li₂S precipitation and dissolution. Consequently, the NS@MR-modified Li–S battery delivers a 27.6% increase in sulfur utilization at 0.2 C and achieves 608.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 C. A high areal capacity of 5.27 mAh cm⁻² is obtained in pouch cells with a 4.4 mg cm⁻² sulfur loading. Moreover, two such cells in series successfully power a 61-LED array. This work offers atomic-level insights into catalytic interface design for high-power Li–S batteries.

The key to efficient hydrogen production through industrial-scale alkaline seawater electrolysis lies in the catalyst's stability at current densities ≥ 500 mA cm⁻² and its resistance to chlorine corrosion. Herein, the synthesis of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) of NiFeCo modified with trimesic acid (TA) and silver nanoparticles (denoted as NiFeCo-LDH(TA)@Ag) is reported. The catalyst requires only 330 mV overpotential to achieve the current density of 1 A cm⁻² under industrial conditions (60°C, 6 M KOH + seawater). Specifically, a two-electrode system employing NiFeCo-LDH(TA)@Ag for the anode and commercial Ni foam for the cathode demonstrates excellent durability, operating for over 1300 h without significant performance degradation. Both results from experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that coordination between TA and LDH stabilizes the metal centers and facilitates electron transfer, which decreases the rate-determining step energy barrier (3.07 eV). Furthermore, the preferential dynamic adsorption of Cl⁻ ions on Ag nanoparticles effectively shields active sites from Cl⁻ corrosion. This work provides a practical strategy for developing electrocatalysts that combine high performance and high stability for industrial-scale seawater electrolysis.

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) semiconducting materials are considered as promising candidates for next-generation photodetectors due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties, including tunable bandgaps, high absorption coefficient, long carrier lifetime and diffusion lengths, and solution processability at low cost. In particular, self-powered perovskite photodetectors (SPPDs), which operate without an external power supply, offer unique advantages for developing intelligent sensor networks and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in SPPDs, focusing on the correlation between perovskite material characteristics, device architectures, and photodetection performance. We first summarize the fundamental properties of perovskite materials and the key performance metrics of photodetectors. Subsequently, we classify SPPDs based on their working mechanisms, and discuss their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we elaborate on three critical strategies to enhance device performance and stability: (1) structural and architectural optimization, (2) advanced film fabrication techniques, and (3) defect and interface passivation approaches. Finally, we outline current challenges and provide future perspectives on materials innovation, scalable manufacturing, defect management, and integration with energy-harvesting technologies to achieve high-performance, reliable, and self-powered photodetectors. This review aims to serve as a valuable reference for researchers working toward the next generation of sustainable high-efficiency photodetection systems.

Inefficiencies in window thermal management account for a substantial portion of energy losses in buildings, highlighting the urgent need for advanced, energy-efficient active thermal control measures in architectural design. In this study, we present a novel strategy that integrates eutectic phase change materials (lauric acid and methyl palmitate) within a poly (methoxyethyl acrylate) organic gel framework, denoted as PEPG, which achieves temperature-responsive optical transparency switching and passive thermal regulation. By leveraging crystal-melt phase transitions, the proposed system achieves dual-mode regulation: It facilitates energy-efficient daylighting through a transparent homogeneous phase at temperatures exceeding the fusion threshold (T_lum = 96.03%) while simultaneously providing privacy protection via a microphase-separated heterogeneous phase at temperatures below the solidification threshold (ΔT_sol = 77.13%). Notably, the temperature-induced reversible phase transition allows for dynamic regulation of heat (ΔH_m = 130.10 J/g) without requiring auxiliary energy input, thereby enabling autonomous maintenance of indoor temperatures within the human thermal comfort zone (20°C–26°C). Furthermore, the tailorable crosslinking density of PEPG extends its applicability into wearable thermal management suits and adaptive heat-dissipation interfaces for compact electronics. This work establishes a new paradigm for multifunctional soft materials, effectively bridging the gap between energy-saving technologies and personalized thermal comfort solutions.

Transition-metal-based aqueous batteries, particularly iron and zinc-based systems, have emerged as promising candidates for energy storage technologies. Considerable efforts have therefore been devoted to regulating solvation structures, leveraging the active electronic orbitals of zinc and iron cations. However, the interaction nature between the centric cation and its solvation shell remains insufficiently clarified, necessitating a deeper understanding of the structural and energetic chemistries that govern solvation behavior. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive multiscale theoretical investigation to unveil the key factors dictating solvation interactions. In the structural perspective, quantum–chemical analyses resolve the evolution of solvation clusters and electronic configurations, identifying geometric parameters and orbital features. Energetically, decomposition analyses quantitatively reveal the fundamental interactions between the cation and solvation shell, clarifying the contributions of varied energy forms. Furthermore, the field-dependent reorganization of solvation structures is systematically demonstrated, offering insights into solvation behavior under operational conditions. Representative ligands are then employed to illustrate the mechanism of solvation regulation. Overall, this study uncovers the structural and energetic mechanism of solvation interactions, providing a fundamental basis for rational solvation engineering in next-generation transition metal-based aqueous batteries.

Hollow structures are perceived as potential candidates in electrochemical energy storage. Although metal oxide with hollow structures has been widely developed, mixed metal oxide is rarely explored due to the challenging preparation method. Herein, the preparation of mixed NiO-Co₃O₄-MnO₂-CeO₂ (Ni-Co-Mn-Ce) hollow spheres is realized through a simple route. First, hollow-textured Ni-Co-Mn-Ce glycerate is achieved under solvothermal condition by quasi-microemulsion strategy and Ostwald ripening process. Then, the Ni-Co-Mn-Ce glycerate is calcined in air and converted into Ni-Co-Mn-Ce oxide hollow spheres. When Ni-Co-Mn-Ce oxide is applied for supercapacitors, the structure and composition advantages enable it to achieve a considerable capacitance of 1881.6 F g⁻¹ at 4.0 A g⁻¹, robust rate performance, and only a 6% decline after 6000 continuous times charge–discharge cycles. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor device fabricated using Ni-Co-Mn-Ce oxide shows an energy density of 69.3 Wh kg⁻¹ at 3299 W kg⁻¹. When the power density reaches to 16451.1 W kg⁻¹, the energy density remains at 38.6 Wh kg⁻¹. This research study provides a way for synthesis of mixed metal oxide hollow structure and provides a promising alternative for supercapacitors.

In pursuing a fully electrified society, rechargeable batteries have become a commodity related to national security and prosperity. While state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are dominating portable electronics and quickly penetrating the market of electric vehicles, they also have become insufficient in energy density, cost, safety, and lifetime. To this end, new electrode chemistries are undergoing intensive investigation for next-generation LIBs and beyond technologies. Among potential anodes, silicon (Si), lithium (Li) metal, and sodium (Na) metal are among the most promising ones, ascribed to their extremely high capacities. On the cathode side, layer-structured metal oxides are still very compelling. However, all these electrode materials suffer from a series of issues, which hinder them from commercialization. Among various strategies to tackle these issues, surface modification is facile and effective for improving electrodes' performance, highly depending on the properties and quality of surface coatings. In this respect, molecular layer deposition (MLD) recently has emerged as a new technique enabling novel polymeric coatings, featuring its high-quality film coverage, unrivaled uniform and conformal coating, moderate process temperatures, and extremely accurate film growth at the molecular level. In this review, we present a comprehensive review on the MLD's latest applications for surface modification of next-generation high-energy LIBs, Li metal batteries (LMBs), Na-based batteries, and solid-state batteries. We expect that this article would ignite new sparks on searching novel solutions of emerging battery systems using MLD.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, benefiting from sodium's high terrestrial abundance. However, their practical application is limited by rapid capacity fading stemming from structural instability during cycling and intrinsically sluggish Na⁺ diffusion kinetics. High-entropy materials (HEMs), through configurational entropy maximization and multi-cation synergy, provide a promising strategy to stabilize structures and enhance the energy of SIB cathodes. This review focuses on the structural and chemical principles of key SIB cathodes—layered oxides and Prussian blue analogs—and critically evaluates high-entropy engineering strategies to performance enhancement. Mechanistic insights into entropy-driven performance enhancement are analyzed alongside current challenges and future research directions. The high-entropy strategy offers significant flexibility in cathode design, potentially overcoming conventional material limitations and accelerating commercialization. Although in its nascent stages, requiring extensive fundamental investigation, this analysis aims to guide the development of next-generation entropy-stabilized cathodes and advance SIB technologies.

The rapid expansion of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries presents a critical challenge for sustainable end-of-life management, where conventional recycling methods heavily depend on intensive acid/oxidant use and overlook persistent phosphorus pollution. Herein, we propose a geochemistry-guided mineral stabilization strategy that enables acid- and oxidant-free extraction of valuable metals and a simultaneous phosphorus fixation process from spent LFP cathodes. By exploring CaCl₂ as a mineralization promoter, phosphorus is selectively immobilized into the stable mineral Goryainovite (Ca₂PO₄Cl) with a fixation efficiency exceeding 99.9%, thereby preventing aqueous phosphorus release at the source. Simultaneously, lithium and iron are efficiently extracted as soluble chlorides and subsequently recovered as high-grade Li₂CO₃ and Fe₂O₃ with yields above 90% through stepwise precipitation. This work establishes a transformative paradigm that integrates geochemical stabilization principles with sustainable resource recovery, offering an environmentally benign pathway for the valorization of spent batteries and other phosphorus-bearing wastes.