Direct recycling methods offer a non-destructive way to regenerate degraded cathode material. The materials to be recycled in the industry typically constitute a mixture of various cathode materials extracted from a wide variety of retired lithium-ion batteries. Bridging the gap, a direct recycling method using a low-temperature sintering process is reported. The degraded cathode mixture of LMO (LiMn₂O₄) and NMC (LiNiCoMnO₂) extracted from retired LIBs was successfully regenerated by the proposed method with a low sintering temperature of 300°C for 4 h. Advanced characterization tools were utilized to validate the full recovery of the crystal structure in the degraded cathode mixture. After regeneration, LMO/NMC cathode mixture shows an initial capacity of 144.0 mAh g^–1 and a capacity retention of 95.1% at 0.5 C for 250 cycles. The regenerated cathode mixture also shows a capacity of 83 mAh g^–1 at 2 C, which is slightly higher compared to the pristine material. As a result of the direct recycling process, the electrochemical performance of degraded cathode mixture is recovered to the same level as the pristine material. Life-cycle assessment results emphasized a 90.4% reduction in energy consumption and a 51% reduction in PM2.5 emissions for lithium-ion battery packs using a direct recycled cathode mixture compared to the pristine material.

Coupling with high-voltage oxide cathode is the key to achieve high-energy density sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium batteries. However, the complex interfacial issues including the space charge layer effect and undesirable side reaction between sulfide solid-state electrolytes and oxide cathode materials are the main constraints on the development of high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries, which lead to the continuous decay of electrochemical performance. Herein, different from the complicated coating procedure, a LiPO₂F₂ additive engineering was proposed to achieve high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries. With the introduction of LiPO₂F₂ additive, a protective cathode–electrolyte interphase consisting of LiP_xO_yF_z, LiF, and Li₃PO₄ could be in situ formed to improve the interfacial stability between LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811) and Li_5.5PS_4.5Cl_1.5 (LPSC). Benefiting from this, the NCM811/LPSC/Li all-solid-state lithium battery exhibited impressive cyclic stability with a capacity retention of 85.5% after 600 cycles (at 0.5 C). Diverse and comprehensive characterization, combined with finite element simulation and density functional theory calculation fully demonstrated the effective component, interfacial stabilization function and enhanced kinetic of LiPO₂F₂-derived cathode–electrolyte interphase. This work provides not only a feasible and effective method to stabilize the cathodic interface but also worthy insight into interfacial design for high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries.

The fundamental issues associated with Zn anodes prevent the commercialization of aqueous Zn ion batteries. To address this, a simple dip-coating method was used to coordinate a thin layer of branched polyethyleneimine (b-PEI) polymer onto the electrode surface. This process increases hydrophilicity and reduces interfacial resistance between the electrode and aqueous electrolyte. Consequently, electrolyte leaching from the hydrophilic polymer coating layer is prevented, charge distribution is uniform, and stable electrochemical performance is maintained over extended periods. In symmetric cell testing, the b-PEI@Zn anode exhibits a lifespan of over 1400 h (3 mA cm^–2, 1 mAh cm^–2). Furthermore, full-cell tests, the b-PEI@Zn anode demonstrates higher capacity (+26.05%) and improved stability (95.4%) compared to the bare Zn anode (0.5 A g^–1). This study presents a practical surface modification strategy for Zn anodes and underscores the potential of innovative polymer-based electrode coatings for aqueous battery applications.

We have entered the age of renewable energy revolution. Hence, energy-dense all-solid-state lithium metal batteries are now being actively researched as one of the most promising energy storage systems. However, they have not yet been a silver bullet due to the dendrite formation and interfacial issue. Here, we introduce the hybrid polymer electrolyte via a novel solvent-free strategy as well as utilize a polymerization and gelation effect of cyanoethyl polyvinyl alcohol to achieve superior electrochemical performance. The hybrid polymer electrolyte, using cyanoethyl polyvinyl alcohol, demonstrates a stable artificial solid electrolyte interface layer, which suppresses the continuous decomposition of Li salts. Importantly, we also present the lithium-graphite composite anode to reach the super-high-energy-density anode materials. Taken together, these advancements represent a significant stride toward addressing the challenges associated with all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Electric vehicles are pivotal in the global shift toward decarbonizing road transport, with lithium-ion batteries at the heart of this technological evolution. However, the pursuit of batteries capable of extremely fast charging that also satisfy high energy and safety criteria, poses a significant challenge to current lithium-ion batteries technologies. Additionally, the increasing demand for aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) in electrification, solar energy technologies, and vehicle light-eighting is driving these metals toward near-critical status in the medium term. This study introduces metalized polythylene terephthalate (mPET) polymer films by depositing an Al or Cu thin layer onto two sides of a polyethylene terephthalate film—named mPET/Al and mPET/Cu, as lightweight, cost-effective alternatives to traditional metal current collectors in lithium-ion batteries. We have fabricated current collectors that significantly reduce weight (by 73%), thickness (by 33%), and cost (by 85%) compared with traditional metal foil counterparts. These advancements have the potential to enhance energy density to 280 Wh kg^–1 at the electrode level under 10-min charging at 6 C. Through testing, including a novel extremely fast charging protocol across various C-rates and long-term cycling (up to 1000 cycles) in different cell configurations, the superior performance of these metalized polymer films has been demonstrated. Notably, mPET/Cu and mPET/Al films exhibited comparable capacities to conventional cells under extremely fast charging, with the mPET cells showing a 27% improvement in energy density at 6 C and maintaining significant energy density after 1000 cycles. This study underscores the potential of mPET films to revolutionize the roll-to-roll battery manufacturing process and significantly advance the performance metrics of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles applications.

Thermoelectric coolers utilizing the Peltier effect have dominated the field of solid-state cooling but their efficiency is hindered by material limitations. Alternative routes based on the Thomson and Nernst effects offer new possibilities. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of the thermoelectric properties of 1T-TiSe₂, focusing on these effects around the charge density wave transition (≈200 K). The abrupt Fermi surface reconstruction associated with this transition leads to an exceptional peak in the Thomson coefficient of 450 μV K^–1 at 184 K, surpassing the Seebeck coefficient. Furthermore, 1T-TiSe₂ exhibits a remarkably broad temperature range (170–400 K) with a Thomson coefficient exceeding 190 μV K^–1, a characteristic highly desirable for the development of practical Thomson coolers with extended operational ranges. Additionally, the Nernst coefficient exhibits an unusual temperature dependence, increasing with temperature in the normal phase, which we attribute to bipolar conduction effects. The combination of solid–solid pure electronic phase transition to a semimetallic phase with bipolar transport is identified as responsible for the unusual Nernst trend and the unusually large Thomson coefficient over a broad temperature range.

The application of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials in biological imaging holds multiple significances, including improving detection sensitivity and specificity, optimizing the imaging process, expanding the scope of application, and promoting advancements in biomedical research. In this work, the propeller ligand was constructed through McMurry coupling reaction and Suzuki coupling reaction by using dimethoxybenzophenone as the starting material. Then, an imine condensation reaction was carried out in chloroform solution, using a 3:2 molar ratio of precursor to tri(2-aminoethyl) amine to synthesize C₃ symmetric porous organic cage C_B. The structures of the compounds were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The optical investigation results reveal that ligand L–B and the porous organic cage C_B demonstrate remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties in a tetrahydrofuran/water mixed solvent system, along with a pronounced response to tetrahydrofuran vapor stimuli. Consequently, Furthermore, given its unique cage-like structure, high quantum yield, and outstanding AIE behavior, the porous organic cage C_B holds promise for applications in cell imaging.

This study demonstrates the successful fabrication of solid-state bilayers using LiFePO (LFP) cathodes and Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO4)₃ (LATP)-based Composite Solid Electrolytes (CSEs) via Cold Sintering Process (CSP). By optimizing the sintering pressure, it is achieved an intimate contact between the cathode and the solid electrolyte, leading to an enhanced electrochemical performance. Bilayers cold sintered at 300 MPa and a low-sintering temperature of 150  °C exhibit high ionic conductivities (0.5 mS cm^–1) and stable specific capacities at room temperature (160.1 mAh g^–1_LFP at C/10 and 75.8 mAh g^–1_LFP at 1 C). Moreover, an operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique is employed to identify limiting factors of the bilayer kinetics and to anticipate the overall electrochemical behavior. Results suggest that capacity fading can occur in samples prepared with high sintering pressures due to a volume reduction in the LFP crystalline cell. This work demonstrates the potential of CSP to produce straightforward high-performance bilayers and introduces a valuable non-destructive instrument for understanding and avoiding degradation in solid-state lithium-based batteries.

All-solid-state rechargeable air batteries are designed and fabricated using 1,4-naphthoquinone as a negative electrode, proton-conductive polymer membrane as a solid electrolyte, and platinum-based oxygen diffusion as a positive electrode as an emerging energy device. 1,4-Naphthoquinone molecules exhibit reversible redox reactions peaked at 0.28 and 0.52 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode with the polymer electrolyte similar to that in an acid aqueous solution. The all-solid-state rechargeable air battery cell shows an open circuit voltage of 0.83 V, a nominal voltage of 0.3–0.4 V, a discharge capacity of 83.6 mAh g^–1, and an initial Coulombic efficiency of 86.8%. The Coulombic efficiency after 15 charge–discharge cycles improves from 57.3% to 69.1% by replacing carbon black with graphite carbon as a support for the platinum catalyst in the positive electrode. Furthermore, replacing the commercial Nafion electrolyte membrane with the synthesized (in-house) polyphenylene-based ionomer (sulfonated polyphenylene-quinquephenylene) electrolyte membrane improves the cycle durability of the resulting all-solid-state rechargeable air battery with high Coulombic efficiency retention (>98%) after 135 cycles owing to the lower oxygen permeability of the latter membrane. Overall, the present all-solid-state rechargeable air battery using 1,4-naphthoquinone outperforms our previous all-solid-state rechargeable air battery using dihydroxybenzoquinene as a redox-active molecule.

The demand for sustainable and stretchable thin-film printed batteries for bioelectronics, wearables, and e-textiles is rapidly increasing. Recently, we developed a fully 3D-printed soft-matter thin-film Ga-Ag₂O battery with 3R characteristics: resilient to mechanical strain, repairable after damage, and recyclable. This battery achieved a record-breaking areal capacity of 26.37 mAh cm^–2, increasing to 30.32 mAh cm^–2 after 10 cycles under 100% strain. This performance stems from the synergistic effects of gallium's liquid metal properties and the styrene-isoprene-styrene polymer in the anode. Gallium's high specific capacity (1153.2 mAh g^–1), deformability, and self-healing abilities, supported by its supercooled liquid phase, significantly enhance the battery's resilience and efficiency. However, the cathode's lower theoretical capacity, due to Ag₂O (231.31 mAh g^–1), remains a limitation. Traditional Ag₂O-carbon black-styrene-isoprene-styrene cathodes experience rapid capacity decay as only the surface area of the active materials interacts with the electrolyte. To overcome this, we designed a carbon-filled Ag₂O foam electrode using a sacrificial sugar template, increasing the effective surface area. This optimization enhanced ion-exchange efficiency, specific capacity, and cyclability, achieving a specific capacity of 221.16 mAh g^–1. Consequently, the Ga-Ag₂O stretchable battery attained a record areal capacity of 40.91 mAh cm^–2—double that of nonfoam electrodes—and exhibited fivefold improved charge–discharge cycles. Using ultrastretchable Ag-EGaIn-styrene-isoprene-styrene and carbon black-styrene-isoprene-styrene current collectors, the battery's specific capacity increased by 33% under 50% strain. Integrated into a soft-matter smart wristband for temperature monitoring, the battery demonstrated its promise for wearable electronics.

Sodium-ion batteries have garnered significant attention as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance and affordability of sodium precursors. However, the lack of suitable electrode materials with both high capacity and excellent stability continues to hinder their practical viability. Herein, we couple lattice strain and sulfur deficiency effects in a tin monosulfide/reduced graphene oxide composite to enhance sodium storage performance. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the synergistic effects of lattice strain and sulfur vacancies in tin monosulfide promote rapid (de)intercalation near the surface/edge of the material, thereby enhancing its pseudocapacitive sodium storage properties. Consequently, the strained and defective tin monosulfide/reduced graphene oxide composite demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 511.82 mAh g^–1 at 1 A g^–1 and an outstanding rate capability of 450.60 mAh g^–1 at 3 A g^–1. This study offers an effective strategy for improving sodium storage performance through lattice strain and defect engineering.

The widespread use of lithium batteries has led to frequent fire hazards, which significantly threaten both human lives and property safety. One of the primary challenges in enhancing the fire safety of lithium batteries lies in the flammability of their organic components. As electronic devices continue to proliferate, the integration of liquid electrolytes and separators has become common. However, these components are prone to high volatility and leakage, which limits their safety. Fortunately, recent advancements in solid-state and gel electrolytes have demonstrated promising performance in laboratory settings, providing solutions to these issues. Typically, improving the flame retardancy and fire safety of lithium batteries involves careful design of the formulations or molecular structures of the organic materials. Moreover, the internal interfacial interactions also play a vital role in ensuring safety. This review examines the innovative design strategies developed over the past 5 years to address the fire safety concerns associated with lithium batteries. Future advancements in the next generation of high-safety lithium batteries should not only focus on optimizing component design but also emphasize rigorous operational testing. This dual approach will drive further progress in battery safety research and development, enhancing the overall reliability of lithium battery systems.

The launch of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project paves the way to wide adoption of DT fusion energy as future energy source. Efficient fuel cycle to minimize strategic tritium inventory proves crucial for commercially viable fusion technologies. ZrCo alloy is considered as a promising candidate for fast isotope handling. However, cycling degradation caused by hydrogen-induced disproportionation results in severe tritium trapping, thus impeding its practical application. Herein, an isostructural transition is successfully constructed with low hysterisis, ameliorated plateau flatness of pressure-composition isotherms and improved high-temperature durability for hydrogen trapping minimization. Specifically, the optimal Zr_0.7Hf_0.15Nb_0.15Co_0.6Cu_0.15Ni_0.25 alloy adopts Hf-Nb and Cu-Ni as Zr and Co side doping elements, exhibiting substantial thermodynamic destabilization with nearly 90 °C reduction of delivery temperature, and significant kinetic promotion with a threefold lower energy barrier. More importantly, both hydrogen utilization and cycling retention of optimal alloy are increased by about twenty times compared with pristine alloy after 100 cycles at 500 °C. Minimized disproportionation driving force from both isostructural transition and suppressed 8e hydrogen occupation realizes full potential of optimal alloy. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of combining isostructural transformation and high-temperature durability improvement to enhance the hydrogen utilization of ZrCo-based alloys and other hydrogen storage materials.

High-performance lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries have been developed utilizing a hybrid anode material composed of zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile. The in situ-generated zinc sulfide nanoparticles serve as catalytic agents, significantly enhancing conductivity, shortening diffusion paths, and accelerating reaction kinetics. Simultaneously, the sulfurized polyacrylonitrile fibers form a three-dimensional matrix that not only provides a continuous network for rapid electron transfer but also prevents zinc sulfide nanoparticle aggregation and mitigates volume changes during charge–discharge cycles. Moreover, the heterointerface structure at the junction of zinc sulfide nanoparticles and the sulfurized polyacrylonitrile matrix increases the availability of active sites and facilitates both ion adsorption and electron transfer. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile hybrid demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 1178 mAh g^–1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g^–1, maintaining a capacity of 788 mAh g^–1 after 200 cycles at 1 A g^–1. It also exhibits excellent sodium storage capabilities, retaining a capacity of 625 mAh g^–1 after 150 cycles at 0.2 A g^–1. Furthermore, ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ⁷Li solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and in situ Raman are employed to investigate the reaction mechanisms of the zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile hybrid anode, providing valuable insights that pave the way for the advancement of hybrid anode materials in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries.

Low specific capacitances and/or limited working potential (≤4.5 V). of the prevalent carbon-based positive electrodes as the inborn bottleneck seriously hinder practical advancement of lithium-ion capacitors. Thus, breakthroughs in enhancement of both specific capacitances and upper cutoff potentials are enormously significant for high-energy density lithium-ion capacitors. Herein, we first meticulously design and scalably fabricate a commercializable fluorine-doped porous carbon material with competitive tap density, large active surface, appropriate aperture distribution, and promoted affinity with the electrolyte, rendering its abundant electroactive inter-/surface and rapid {\text{PF}}_6^{\text{-}} transport. Theoretical calculations authenticate that fluorine-doped porous carbon possesses lower {\text{PF}}_6^{\text{-}} adsorption energy and stronger interaction with {\text{PF}}_6^{\text{-}}. Thanks to the remarkable structural/compositional superiority, when served as a positive electrode toward lithium-ion capacitors, the commercial-level fluorine-doped porous carbon showcases the record-breaking electrochemical properties within a wider working window of 2.5–5.0 V (vs Li/Li⁺) in terms of high-rate specific capacitances and long-duration stability, much superior to commercial activated carbon. More significantly, the 4.5 V-class graphite//fluorine-doped porous carbon lithium-ion capacitors are first constructed and manifest competitive electrochemical behaviors with long-cycle life, modest polarization, and large energy density. Our work provides a commendable positive paradigm and contributes a major step forward in next-generation lithium-ion capacitors and even other high-energy density metal-ion capacitors.

The lithium (Li) metal anode is regarded as the upcoming generation of battery anodes due to its high theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g^–1) and low standard reduction potential (−3.04 vs SHE). Addressing challenges related to the formation of Li metal dendrites, such as short circuits and low Coulombic efficiency, is crucial for the practical implementation of Li metal anodes. Previous research on Li metal has primarily focus on the Li plating process for achieving homogeneous growth. However, our study highlights the significance of pit formation variations, which significantly influence Li growth behavior in subsequent cycles. Expanding on this understanding, we formulated electrochemical activation conditions to promote uniform pit formation, thereby doubling the cycle life in a symmetric cell, and increasing the capacity retention of NCM622||Li full-cell from 68.7% to 79.5% after 500 cycles.

LiNO₃ is known to significantly enhance the reversibility of lithium metal batteries; however, the modification of solvation structures in various solvents and its further impact on the interface have not been fully revealed. Herein, we systematically studied the evolution of solvation structures with increasing LiNO₃ concentration in both carbonate and ether electrolytes. The results from molecular dynamics simulations unveil that the Li⁺ solvation structure is less affected in carbonate electrolytes, while in ether electrolytes, there is a significant decrease of solvent molecules in Li⁺ coordination, and a larger average size of Li⁺ solvation structure emerges as LiNO₃ concentration increases. Notably, the formation of large ion aggregates with size of several nanometers (nano-clusters), is observed in ether-based electrolytes at conventional Li⁺ concentration (1  m) with higher {\text{NO}}_6^{\text{-}} ratio, which is further proved by infrared spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. The nano-clusters with abundant anions are endowed with a narrow energy gap of molecular orbitals, contributing to the formation of an inorganic rich electrode/electrolyte interphase that enhances the reversibility of lithium stripping/plating with Coulombic efficiency up to 99.71%. The discovery of nano-clusters elucidates the underlying mechanism linking ions/solvent aggregation states of electrolytes to interfacial stability in advanced battery systems.

A wearable health monitoring system is a promising device for opening the era of the fourth industrial revolution due to increasing interest in health among modern people. Wearable health monitoring systems were demonstrated by several researchers, but still have critical issues of low performance, inefficient and complex fabrication processes. Here, we present the world's first wearable multifunctional health monitoring system based on flash-induced porous graphene (FPG). FPG was efficiently synthesized via flash lamp, resulting in a large area in four milliseconds. Moreover, to demonstrate the sensing performance of FPG, a wearable multifunctional health monitoring system was fabricated onto a single substrate. A carbon nanotube-polydimethylsiloxane (CNT-PDMS) nanocomposite electrode was successfully formed on the uneven FPG surface using screen printing. The performance of the FPG-based wearable multifunctional health monitoring system was enhanced by the large surface area of the 3D-porous structure FPG. Finally, the FPG-based wearable multifunctional health monitoring system effectively detected motion, skin temperature, and sweat with a strain GF of 2564.38, a linear thermal response of 0.98 Ω °C^–1 under the skin temperature range, and a low ion detection limit of 10 μm.

Built-in electric field coupled piezoelectric polarization engineering is a promising method to adjust and boost the catalytic performance of photocatalysts. Herein, BiOIO₃-Bi₂Te₃ type-II heterojunction piezo-photocatalyst was proposed and prepared by a sequential hydro-solvothermal method. Due to the co-drive of the heterojunction and photothermal-piezoelectric polarization effect certified by piezoelectric force microscopy, COMSOL simulations, and infrared thermography, the photocatalytic degradation performance of the as-prepared BiOIO₃-Bi₂Te₃ on rhodamine B was dramatically improved under the co-excitation of visible light and ultrasound compared with under the single light irradiation and the single ultrasonic conditions. Typically, the BiOIO₃-Bi₂Te₃ photocatalyst always showed significantly better catalytic degradation performance than the pure Bi₂Te₃, BiOIO₃, and BiOIO₃/Bi₂Te₃ mechanical mixtures. Impressively, based on the optimal conditions obtained by systematically studying the effects of temperatures, ultrasound intensities, and inorganic salts on the piezo-photocatalytic rhodamine B degradation, the optimum composite ratio BiOIO₃-Bi₂Te₃-20 piezo-photocatalyst can also effectively remove tetracycline and Cr(VI), and also achieve the purpose of simultaneously removing a mixture of these three pollutants with good recycling stability. Such enhanced catalytic performance was mainly attributed to the disruptions of the electrostatic equilibrium and saturation effects of the built-in electric field under successive ultrasonic and photoinduced co-disturbance, thus enhancing the driving force of separation and migration of photogenerated carriers as verified by electrochemical tests, energy band structure theory, and DFT calculations. Based on which and the sacrificial agent experiments, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism was proposed. This research showcased the significant potential for environmental remediation using solar energy and mechanical energy cooperatively.

The pursuit of highly efficient electrocatalysts is of utmost significance in the relentless drive to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. These electrocatalysts enable a predominant contribution (~75%) to the overall discharge capacity during cycling by facilitating the rapid conversion of long-chain lithium polysulfides into insoluble short-chain products (Li₂S₂ and Li₂S). Herein, high entropy sulfides derived from high entropy metal glycerate templates are synthesized and utilized as electrocatalysts. Among the evaluated materials, high entropy sulfides containing Ni, Co, Fe, Mg, and Ti (GS-3) showcases modulated spherical morphology, uniform elemental distribution, and efficient catalytic properties, outperforming high entropy sulfides containing Ni, Co, Fe, Mg, and Zn (GS-1) and high entropy sulfides containing Ni, Co, Cu, Mg, and Zn (GS-2). Consequently, a typical lithium-sulfur battery incorporating the GS-3/S/KB cathode (S loading ~2.3 mg cm^–2) demonstrates a high initial discharge capacity of ~1061 mAh g^–1 at 0.5 C and stable cycling (1500 cycles) at the lowest capacity decay rate of 0.032% per cycle. The results are superior to the electrochemical performance of GS-1/S/KB (~945 mAh g^–1, 0.034%), GS-2/S/KB (~909 mAh g^–1, 0.086%), and S/KB (~748 mAh g^–1, 0.19%) cells. This work highlights the incorporation of titanium and other metal elements into the sulfide structure, forming high entropy sulfides (i.e., GS-3) that facilitates efficient catalytic conversion and enhances the cycling performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Large-scale bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) photoanodes are critical to the practical application of photoelectrochemical water splitting devices. However, the lack of interface-modified coatings with simultaneous low cost, scalability, high hole transport efficiency, low impedance, and photocorrosion resistance is a major challenge that prevents the practical application of large-size photoanodes. Here, we present a scalable nickel-chelated polydopamine conformal coating for modifying BiVO₄ (BiVO₄@PDA-Ni, BPNi), achieving over 500 h of stable water oxidation at 0.6 V_RHE. The excellent stability is attributed to the chelated Ni acting as hole oxidation sites for PDA, thereby suppressing the accumulated-holes-induced PDA decomposition. Additionally, the in situ generation of Ni(IV) facilitates the structural reorganization of PDA in the photoelectrochemical system, further enhancing the stability of the PDA matrix. The findings of PDA photodegradation, its autonomous metal ion capture within photoelectrochemical systems, and the rapid deactivation of BPNi photoanodes caused by vanadium (V) ions have all provided significant guidance for the enhancement of PDA. Our study demonstrates that nickel-chelated polydopamine can be applied to large-scale BiVO₄ photoanodes to facilitate oxygen evolution. This will promote the development of large-scale photoanodes suitable for photoelectrochemical devices.

Graphene, owing to its exceptional electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, has emerged as a highly promising material. Currently, the synthesis of large-area graphene films on metal substrates via chemical vapor deposition remains the predominant approach for producing high-quality graphene. To realize the potential applications of graphene, it is essential to transfer graphene films to target substrates in a manner that is non-destructive, clean, and efficient, as this significantly affects the performance of graphene devices. This review examines the current methods for graphene transfer from three perspectives: non-destructive transfer, clean transfer, and high-efficiency transfer. It analyzes and compares the advancements and limitations of various transfer techniques. Finally, the review identifies the key challenges faced by current graphene transfer methods and anticipates future developmental prospects.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are widely presented as a sustainable solution to future energy challenges. Nevertheless, solid oxide fuel cells presently rely on significant use of several critical raw materials to enable optimized electrode reaction kinetics. This challenge can be addressed by using thin-film electrode materials; however, this is typically accompanied by complex device fabrication procedures as well as poor mechanical/chemical stability. In this work, we conduct a systematic study of a range of promising thin-film electrode materials based on vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) thin films. We demonstrate low area specific resistance (ASR) values of 0.44 cm² at 650 °C can be achieved using (La_0.60Sr_0.40)_0.95Co_0.20Fe_0.80O₃-(Sm₂O₃)_0.20(CeO₂)_0.80 (LSCF-SDC) thin films, which are also characterized by a low degradation rate, approximately half that of planar LSCF thin films. We then integrate these (La_0.60Sr_0.40)_0.95Co_0.20Fe_0.80O₃-(Sm₂O₃)_0.20(CeO₂)_0.80 vertically aligned nanocomposite films directly with commercial anode supported half cells through a single-step deposition process. The resulting cells exhibit peak power density of 0.47 W cm^–2 at 750 °C, competitive with 0.64 W cm^–2 achieved for the same cells operating with a bulk (La_0.60Sr_0.40)_0.95Co_0.20Fe_0.80O₃ cathode, despite 99.5% reduction in cathode critical raw material use. By demonstrating such competitive performance using thin-film cathode functional layers, this work also paves the way for further cost reductions in solid oxide fuel cells, which could be achieved by likewise applying thin-film architectures to the anode functional layer and/or current collecting layers, which typically account for the greatest materials cost in solid oxide fuel cell stacks. Therefore, the present work marks a valuable step towards the sustainable proliferation of solid oxide fuel cells.

Photocatalytic membranes hold significant potential for promoting pollutant degradation and reducing membrane fouling in filtration systems. Although extensive research has been conducted on the independent design of photocatalysts or membrane materials to improve their catalytic and filtration performance, the complex structures and interface mechanisms, as well as insufficient light utilization, are still often overlooked, limiting the overall performance improvement of photocatalytic membranes. This work provides an overview of enhancement strategies involving restricted area effects, external fields, such as mechanical, magnetic, thermal, and electrical fields, as well as coupling techniques with advanced oxidation processes (e.g., O₃, Fenton, and persulfate oxidation) for dual enhancement of photocatalysts and membranes. In addition, the synthesis method of photocatalytic membranes and the influence of factors, such as light source type, frequency, and relative position on photocatalytic membrane performance were also studied. Finally, economic feasibility and pollutant removal performance were further evaluated to determine the promising enhancement strategies, paving the way for more efficient and scalable applications of photocatalytic membranes.

An in-depth understanding of the catalyst surface evolution is crucial for precise control of active sites, yet this aspect has often been overlooked. This study reveals the spontaneous anion regulation mechanism of Br-doped CoP electrocatalysts in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The introduction of Br modulates the electronic structure of the Co site, endowing Br-CoP with a more metallic character. In addition, P ion leaching promotes the in situ reconstruction of Br-CoOOH, which is the real active site for the OER reaction. Meanwhile, the HER situation is different. On the basis of P ion leaching, the leaching of Br ions promotes the formation of CoP-Co(OH)₂ active species. In addition, Br doping enhances the adsorption of *H, showing excellent H adsorption free energy, thereby greatly improving the HER activity. Simultaneously, it also enhances the adsorption of OOH*, effectively facilitating the occurrence of OER reactions. Br-CoP only needs 261 and 76 mV overpotential to drive the current density of 20 mA cm^–2 and 10 mA^–2, which can be maintained unchanged for 100 h. This study provides new insights into anion doping strategies and catalyst reconstruction mechanisms.

Photocatalysis offers a sustainable solution to two pressing global issues: greenhouse gas mitigation and clean energy generation. By harnessing light energy, photocatalytic processes enable water splitting for hydrogen production and CO₂ conversion into value-added products. Among the materials explored for photocatalysis, nickel-based photocatalysts have emerged as highly promising due to their low cost, abundance, stability, and efficiency. This review summarizes recent advancements in Ni-based photocatalysts, highlighting their role in improving photocatalytic performance by enhancing light absorption, charge separation, and reducing charge recombination. Key challenges and future directions for optimizing these materials are also discussed, offering insights into their potential for advancing clean energy technologies.

Photocatalytic technology has attracted much attention in the fields of clean energy and environmental governance. However, how to design and develop highly efficient photocatalytic materials remains an urgent scientific problem to be solved. This study focuses on enhancing photocatalytic activity through microstructure modification. Among them, ToRed-4 showed the most prominent performance. Under the illumination condition of 420 nm, its value was 13 506 μmol g^–1 h^–1, which was approximately 18 times that of CN550 (bulk g-C₃N₄) (719 μmol g^–1 h^–1). By using DFT calculations, the photocatalytic performance was deeply analyzed, revealing the significant advantages of the ToRed series in key performance indicators and the underlying synergy mechanisms, including the reduction of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap, the efficient separation of electron holes, the expansion of the electronic transition range, the transformation of the electrostatic potential distribution, the increase in dipole moment, and the optimization of the Coulomb attractive energy. The research results of this study provide a key basis for opening up new avenues for the design and development of highly efficient photocatalytic materials and are expected to play an important role in related fields.

This study explores a novel strategy to enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of carbon-supported rock salt-type NiCo₂(O,F)₃ nanorods through lattice modifications induced by fluorine and excess amorphous carbon. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis confirmed that Co and Ni predominantly exist in the +2 oxidation state, whereas extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis revealed shortened Co–O and Co–Co bond lengths, indicating lattice distortions. Rietveld refinement and electron microscopy confirmed the formation of a homogeneous solid solution (NixCo_2-x(O,F)₃) rather than a simple CoO/NiO composite. The optimized material (AH-2) exhibited the lowest overpotential (145 mV at 10 mA cm^–1) and the smallest Tafel slope (98 mV dec^–1), attributed to its balanced phase composition, enhanced electronic conductivity, and synergistic effects of carbon and fluorine incorporation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed improved charge transfer efficiency, correlating with enhanced catalytic activity. These findings provide critical insights into the tunability of transition metal oxide catalysts via controlled lattice modifications, offering a promising avenue for developing cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.