Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are known for their high porosity and stability, making them ideal for various applications, including energy harvesting. A simple synthesis method was used to synthesize zinc-based metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOFs) and introduce them into an ultra-stretchable Ecoflex polymer as functional fillers. We developed triboelectric nano generator (TENG) devices using Ecoflex, both pristine and modified with different Zn-MOF concentrations, to evaluate their performance. The output voltage, current, and instantaneous power of Zn-MOF-modified Ecoflex TENG devices were 3, 4, and 5 times higher than pristine Ecoflex TENGs. This improvement is due to Zn-MOF's large surface area, porous structure, charge trapping sites, improved surface roughness, and electron cloud conduction. The improved TENG device achieved 36 mW of maximum power and 40 mW m^–2 power density. The Flexible TENG device powered LEDs and stored energy in capacitors by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. We integrated flexible TENG device into cardiac patients' shoes to monitor running speeds and identify dangerous velocities using wireless IoT cloud monitoring. Real-time notifications and wireless data transmission to families and emergency personnel allowed immediate assistance.

In the present review, we addressed the synthesis and applications of the magnetic layered double hydroxide nanocomposites in different scientific areas including catalysis, environmental remediation, and biological functions. First, we appraised the varied approaches for the synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), containing co-precipitation, hydrothermal, sol–gel, ion-exchange, urea hydrolysis, and reconstruction methods. Afterward, we concentrated on the utility of the magnetic LDH-based composites and evaluated their catalytic effectiveness in 4-nitrophenol reduction, coupling reactions, preparation of polycyclic aromatic compounds, and oxidation reactions. Next, the applicability of magnetic LDHs was assessed in the removal of water pollutants and dyes. Ultimately, we discussed the efficiency of magnetic LDH nanocomposites for biological applications like drug delivery. Investigating the obtained results of the reviewed reports demonstrated the auspicious performance of these compounds in all of the above-mentioned fields. Overall, the magnetic LDH-based composites manifested a satisfactory outlook in various scientific areas due to their stability, remarkable flexibility, relatively proper surface area, appropriate adsorption capacity, as well as propitious retrievability and reusability character.

Water-induced electric generators (WEGs) exhibit tremendous promise as sustainable energy sources harvesting electricity through the interaction between materials and water utilizing the hydrovoltaic effect, an innovative green energy harvesting method. However, existing water-induced electric generator devices predominantly rely on inorganic materials with limited research on naturally available, bio-based materials for hydrovoltaic energy harvesting. This study introduces a novel nutshell-based hydrovoltaic water-induced electric generator for the first time. This low-cost, organic, and efficient renewable energy source can generate a voltage above 600 mV with a power density exceeding 5.96 μW cm^–2 utilizing streaming and evaporation potential methodologies, which can be sustained for more than a week. Notably, after further chemical treatments and combining the physical and chemical phenomena, output voltage and maximum current density reach a record high of 1.21 V and 347.2 μA cm^–2 respectively, which outperforms most inorganic and organic materials-based water-induced electric generators. By connecting two units in series and parallel, this eco-friendly water-induced electric generator can power an LCD calculator without the assistance of any rectifier. We believe that this novel nutshell-based water-induced electric generator provides a significant advancement in water-induced electric generator technology by offering a sustainable solution for powering electronic devices utilizing agricultural waste.

Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP) is a promising solid-state electrolyte for next-generation solid-state lithium metal batteries, offering high ionic conductivity, superior air stability, and low cost. However, its practical application is hindered by high interface impedance due to rigid solid–solid contact with electrodes and instability when in contact with lithium metal. Here, a hybrid solid–liquid electrolyte is designed, consisting of a porous 3D LATP skeleton infiltrated with carbonate-based organic electrolyte, to ensure sufficient electrolyte wettability. Further, the thermodynamic instability between LATP and Li is solved by magnetron sputtering a layer of ferroelectric Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ (BST) onto the LATP surface. This BST interlayer prevents direct contact between LATP and Li metal, enhancing performance by dynamically regulating Li⁺ deposition, inhibiting dendrite growth, reducing overpotential and interface resistance, and improving Li⁺ transport. Compared to the LATP-based electrolyte (LATP-LE), the BST-modified hybrid electrolyte (B@LATP-LE) demonstrates largely improved ionic conductivity (0.42 to 1.38 mS cm^–1) and outstanding electrochemical performance, achieving stable cycling for over 7000 h in Li||Li cells and superior stability in LiFePO₄||Li and LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂||Li full cells. This approach offers a cost-effective solution to the interface issues of LATP and provides insights for high-performance lithium metal batteries.

Rapid developments in lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology have been fueled by the expanding market for electric vehicles and increased demands for energy storage. Recently, thick electrode fabrication by solvent-free methods has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the energy density of LIBs. However, as electrode thickness increases, the tortuosity of lithium-ion transport also increases, resulting in severe polarization and poor electrochemical performance. Here, we investigate the effect of conductive agent morphology on the structural and electrochemical properties of 250 μm thick lithium iron phosphate (LFP)/conductive agent/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based electrodes. Three commercially available conductive additives, namely 0D Super P, 1D multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and 2D graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), were incorporated into LFP-based electrodes. The MWCNT-incorporated electrode with a high loading mass (42 mg cm^–2) exhibited a high porosity (ε = 51%) and low tortuosity (τ = 4.02) owing to its highly interconnected fibrous network of MWCNTs. Due to the fast lithium-ion transport kinetics in the MWCNT-incorporated electrode, the electrochemical performances exhibited a high specific capacity of 157 mAh g^–1 at 0.1 C and an areal capacity of 7.16 mAh cm₋₂ at 0.1 C with a high-rate capability and excellent cycling stability over 300 cycles at 0.1 C. This study provides a guidance for utilizing conductive agents to apply in the low tortuous thick electrode fabricated by a solvent-free process. Additionally, this work paves the way to achieve scalable and sustainable dry processing techniques for developing next-generation energy storage technologies.

Barocaloric effect underlies a promising emission-free and highly efficient cooling technology. The current wisdom to design barocaloric materials is to find materials undergoing a temperature-induced phase transition with huge latent heats and then to apply a pressure to harvest the heat. So far, the entropy change of the temperature-induced phase transition usually sets the upper limit for the barocaloric effect. Here we proposed and realized a large barocaloric effect at approaching a triple-phase point in odd-numbered n-alkanes. A low pressure can drive the phase transition from the liquid state to the disordered solid state and the phase transition from the disordered solid state to the ordered solid state to be merged at 297 K. These phase transition behaviors are well explained by in-situ Raman scattering and complementary molecular dynamics simulations. Around such a point, an adiabatic temperature change as large as ~30 K has been achieved under 150 MPa. The high coefficient of phase transition temperature with respect to pressure makes the triple-phase-point temperature to be continuously tuned by pressure and a wide refrigeration temperature window of more than 50 K (280–335 K) was realized. The strategy could initiate a new research avenue and shed light on designing novel high-performance barocaloric materials.

Water scarcity, driven by climate change and population growth, necessitates innovative desalination technologies. Conventional methods for brackish water desalination are limited by high-energy demands, especially in the low salinity range, prompting the exploration of electrochemical approaches like faradaic deionization. Sodium-manganese oxides, traditionally used in sodium-ion batteries, show promise as faradaic deionization electrode materials due to their abundance, low toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. However, capacity fading during cycling, often caused by structural changes, volume expansion, or chemical transformations, remains a critical challenge. This study investigates the impact of morphology and crystal structure on the electrochemical performance of commercial and synthesized sodium-manganese oxides for faradaic deionization applications. Structural and electrochemical characterization in three-electrode cells with low-concentration electrolytes provided insights into the charge storage mechanisms. Rocking-chair full flow cell experiments demonstrated that the mixed-phase sodium-manganese oxide exhibited superior desalination performance, achieving a high salt removal capacity of 54.5 mg g^–1 and a mean value in the salt removal rate of 1.49 mg g^–1 min^–1. Notably, mixed-phase sodium-manganese oxide maintained 98% capacity retention over 870 cycles, one of the longest reported cycling experiments in this field, effectively mitigating the Jahn-Teller effect. These findings highlight the crucial role of sodium-manganese oxide structure and morphology in electrochemical performance, positioning mixed-phase sodium-manganese oxide as a strong candidate for sustainable water treatment technologies.

The advancement of electric double-layer capacitors capable of operating beyond standard conditions is vital for meeting the demands of modern electronic applications. To realize this, huge efforts have been devoted to the development of biopolymer-based electrolytes. This study explores the potential application of a plasticized biopolymer-based electrolyte in electric double-layer capacitor systems at ambient and elevated temperatures. A plasticized Na CMC/PEO/LiClO₄ electrolyte is successfully synthesized via a solution-casting approach. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction verify the material's chemical and amorphous structure, respectively. The sample was designated as R20, with a salt concentration of 20 wt. % exhibits good electrochemical properties, including a high ionic conductivity of 3.73 × 10^–4 S cm^–1 and a wide electrochemical stability window of 3.2 V. The sample is placed into an electric double-layer capacitor cell and subjected to cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge analyses at both room and high temperatures. The cyclic voltammetry test demonstrates that the electric double-layer capacitor achieves a specific capacitance (C_p) of 38 F g^–1 at ambient temperature, which increases to 60 F g^–1 at 60 °C. Additionally, the electric double-layer capacitor cell maintains consistent performance, demonstrating stable power and energy densities of 25 W kg^–1 and 6 Wh kg^–1, respectively, under both ambient and elevated temperatures.

Active holes outperform photoelectron-mediated oxygen reduction in degrading recalcitrant organics under anaerobic conditions, yet their utilization is limited by rapid charge recombination. This challenge was addressed through Cu-based yolk-double-shell microspheres (Cu/Cu₂O@C-2shell) engineered via heterogeneous contraction and reduction strategies. Work function analyses confirm Schottky junction-driven electron transfer from Cu₂O to Cu, generating an internal electric field that suppresses backflow. Density functional theory reveals Cu-mediated enhancement of near-Fermi states (Cu 3d orbitals) and a directional Cu₂O → Cu → C electron pathway, spatially isolating holes in Cu₂O. Finite-difference time-domain simulations reveal light-induced electric field gradients in the dual-shell architecture: Cu⁰-mediated localized surface plasmon resonance effect enhances surface field concentration, while hierarchical interfaces create an outward-to-inward gradient, directing electron migration inward and stabilizing oxidative holes at the surface. The optimized (Cu/Cu₂O)@C-2shell exhibits 38-fold higher tetracycline degradation under sunlight versus benchmarks, with treated water supporting Escherichia coli survival and wheat growth. This study provides a design strategy for the accumulation of long-lived holes on semiconductor photocatalysts.

Spinel-structured LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathodes in lithium-ion batteries have gained attention for their high operating voltage, which provides high energy density, and their cost advantages due to the absence of cobalt. However, issues such as low cycle and thermal stabilities have been identified, with side reactions occurring at the electrode/electrolyte interface during continuous charge/discharge cycles that degrade electrode performance. Herein, we first optimized LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ using the Pechini sol–gel method to achieve uniform particles and controlled calcination temperatures. We then employed density functional theory and electrochemical testing to identify the optimal conditions. Uniform coating of the electrode surface with the oxide solid electrolyte Li_6.28Al_0.24La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LALZO) was confirmed, aiming to improve lithium-ion conductivity and enhance cycle and thermal stability. As a result, the formation of a coating layer on the electrode surface suppressed side reactions with the electrolyte and blocked contact, leading to an increase in ion conductivity. This improvement resulted in an enhanced rate capability and a significant increase in retention over 100 cycles at 0.2 C. Additionally, the interface resistance significantly improved with the coating layer, demonstrating reduced voltage decay due to overvoltage and improved interface stability. Finally, thermal stability was enhanced, with retention improving after 100 cycles at 0.5 C.

Enhancing the stability of piezoelectric properties is essential for ensuring the reliability of high-temperature piezoelectric sensors. In this study, we have synthesized AlN piezoelectric crystals as representative materials and employed first-principles methods to investigate their temperature-dependent piezoelectric properties. By integrating the effects of lattice expansion and electron–phonon interactions, we accurately constructed the crystal structure of AlN across a wide temperature range and successfully predicted its piezoelectric behavior. Theoretical analysis reveals that ion polarization driven by lattice distortion and elastic softening of chemical bonds maintains the overall structural integrity of defect-free AlN single crystals, resulting in a stable piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ with a deviation of only 8.55% at temperatures up to 1300 K. However, experimental results indicate that the stability of the piezoelectric performance of the grown AlN crystals is disrupted at temperatures above 870 K. This temperature limitation is attributed to point defects within AlN crystals, particularly those caused by oxygen-substituted nitrogen (O_N). These findings provide valuable guidance for enhancing the piezoelectric temperature stability of AlN crystals through optimized experimental conditions, such as oxygen atmosphere treatment and defect modification during crystal growth.

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) present the best compromise between mechanical and electrochemical properties, as well as an improvement of the cell safety in the framework of Li metal batteries production. However, the polymerization mechanism typically employed relies on the presence of an initiator, and is hindered by oxygen, thus impeding the industrial scale-up of the GPEs production. In this work, an UV-mediated thiol-ene polymerization, employing polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) as oligomer, was carried out in a liquid electrolyte solution (1 M LiTFSI in EC/DEC) to obtain a self-standing GPE. A comparative study between two different thiol-containing crosslinkers (trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) - T3 and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) - T4) was carried out, studying the effects of the crosslinking environment and the GPE production methods on the cell performances. All the produced GPEs present an excellent room temperature ionic conductivity above 1 mS cm^–1, as well as a wide electrochemical stability window up to 4.59 V. When cycled at a current density of C/10 for more than 250 cycles, all of the tested cells showed a stable cycling profile and a specific capacity >100 mAh g^–1, indicating the suitability of such processes for up-scaling.

Localized high-concentration electrolytes offer a potential solution for achieving uniform lithium deposition and a stable solid-electrolyte interface in Lithium metal batteries. However, the use of highly concentrated salts or structure-loaded diluents can result in significantly higher production costs and increased environmental burdens. Herein, a novel localized high-concentration electrolyte is developed, comprising ultra-low content (2% by mass) triethylammonium chloride as an electrolyte additive. The stable Lewis acid structure of the triethylammonium chloride molecule allows for the adsorption of numerous solvent molecules and TFSI^– anions, intensifying the electrostatic interactions between lithium ions and anions. The chloride ions introduced by TC, along with TFSI^– anions, integrate into the solvent sheath, forming a LiCl-rich inorganic SEI and enhancing the electrochemical performance of the lithium metal anode. The improved Li||Li cell shows excellent cycling stability for over 500 h at 1 mA cm² with a 27 mV overpotential. This work provides insights into the impact of electrolyte additives on the electrode-electrolyte interface and Li-ion solvation, crucial for safer lithium metal battery development.

Bipolar plates (BPs) are essential multifunctional components in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) that require excellent electrical conductivity, low permeability, and strong solid support for the stack. However, conventional BPs are based on graphite sheets, which provide mechanical properties and corrosion resistance but have limitations in terms of electrical conductivity. Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent properties, CNT composites with low CNT volume fractions (10–20%) have increased electrolyte permeability and limited electrical conductivity improvement, resulting in low durability and efficiency for VRFBs. This study proposes a novel concept of horizontally aligned CNT nanocomposite bipolar plate (HACN-BP) to address these issues. The HACN-BPs feature an optimized conduction path with a CNT volume fraction of 59%, resulting in reduced manufacturing time while demonstrating superior conductivity and permeability compared to conventional BPs. Furthermore, integrated HACN-BP mitigates ohmic loss that occurs in the BPs, thereby mitigating the potential drop by 40%. Therefore, the utilization of HACN-BP shows superior performance compared to recent studies, a substantial improvement of more than 6% in energy efficiency and 14% in capacity over conventional BP.

Elastic strain constitutes a decisive factor in determining the recoverable deformability of thermoelectric materials. Plastic deformation for microstructure engineering has been demonstrated as a viable approach to enhance the elastic strain. However, this approach is highly dependent on the material's plasticity, which is rather limited by the rigidity for the majority of inorganic semiconducting thermoelectric materials. Thermocouple materials, as metallic thermoelectric materials, possess a favorable plasticity, motivating this work to focus on the elastic bendability of a metallic thermoelectric generator that is composed of K-type thermocouple components, namely p-type Ni₉₀Cr₁₀ and n-type Ni₉₅Al₂Mn₂Si. The cold-rolling process enables a large elastic modulus and a high yield strength, thanks to the texturized direction along <111>, and dense dislocations and refined grains, respectively, eventually resulting in a 400% increase in the elastic strain. Such superior elasticity ensures the preservation of the initial transport properties for the rolled films even after being bent 100 000 times within a radius of ~8 mm. A power output of ~414 μW is achieved in a ten-leg flexible thermoelectric device, suggesting its substantial potential for powering wearable electronics.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been developing in recent years and appear to offer an alternative to existing commercial batteries that can potentially replace them in the future. With their exceptional theoretical energy density, lower production costs, and affordable and environmentally friendly abundant raw materials, lithium-sulfur batteries have shown the ability to defeat counterparts in the race for rechargeable energy devices currently being developed. The lithium-sulfur batteries display extraordinary features, but they suffer from sulfur's non-conductivity, the shuttle effect that results from polysulfide dissolution, volumetric sulfur changes during charging, and dendrites at the anode, resulting in a decline in capacity and a short battery life. As a result of rigorous and innovative engineering designs, lithium-sulfur batteries have been developed to overcome their drawbacks and utilize their entire potential during the past decade. This review will pay particular attention to porous carbon-based matrix materials, especially graphene-based nanocomposites that are most commonly used in producing sulfur cathodes. We provide an in-depth perspective on the structural merits of graphene materials, the detailed mechanism by which they interact with sulfur, and essential strategies for designing high-performance cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries. Finally, we discuss the significant challenges and prospects for developing lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density and long cycle lives for the next-generation electric vehicles.

Exploring multiple-level encryption technologies and extra safety decoding ways to prevent information leakage is of great significance and interest, but is still challenging. Herein, we propose a novel approach by developing halloysite-based X-ray-activated persistent luminescent hydrogels with self-healing properties, which can emit visible luminescence even after switching off the X-ray irradiation. The afterglow properties can be well regulated by controlling the crystal form of the anchored nanocrystal on the surface of the halloysite nanotube, enabling the “time-lock” encryption. Additionally, the absence or presence of photoluminescence behaviors can also be controlled by changing the crosslinkers in synthesizing hydrogels. Six types of hydrogels were reported by means of condensation reactions, which show diverse emission and afterglow properties. By taking advantage of these features, the hydrogels were programmed as a display panel that exhibits three types of fake information under the wrong decoding tools. Only when the right stimuli are applied at the defined time does the panel give a readable pattern, allowing the encrypted information to be recognized. We believe this work will pave a novel path in developing extra safety information-encryption materials.

Aqueous batteries are an emerging next-generation technology for large-scale energy storage. Among various metal-ion systems, manganese-based batteries have attracted significant interest due to their superior theoretical energy density over zinc-based battery systems. This study demonstrates oxygen vacancy-engineered vanadium oxide (V₂O_4.85) as a high-performance cathode material for aqueous manganese metal batteries. The V₂O_4.85 cathode had a discharge capacity of 212.6 mAh g^–1 at 0.1 A g^–1, retaining 89.5% capacity after 500 cycles. Oxygen vacancies enhanced ion diffusion and reduced migration barriers, facilitating both Mn²⁺ and H⁺ ion intercalation. Proton intercalation dominated charge storage, forming Mn(OH)₂ layers, whereas Mn²⁺ contributed to surface-limited reactions. Furthermore, manganese metal batteries had a significantly higher operating voltage than that of aqueous zinc battery systems. Despite challenges with hydrogen evolution reactions at the Mn metal anode, this study underscores the potential of manganese batteries for future energy storage systems.

Lithium-Selenium (Li-Se) batteries have emerged as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems owing to superior electronic conductivity, impressive volumetric capacity, and enhanced compatibility with carbonate electrolyte of selenium, comparable to sulfur. Despite these advantages, the development of Li-Se batteries is impeded by several intrinsic challenges, including volume expansion during the discharge process and the consequent sluggish reaction kinetics that undermine their electrochemical performance. In this study, MIL-91(Al) is used as an electrode additive to accelerate the one-step mutual solid–solid conversion reaction between Se and Li₂Se in the carbonate-based electrolyte. By doing so, uncontrollable deposition of Li₂Se is effectively mitigated, enhancing the electrochemical performance of the system. Thus, the use of MIL-91(Al) results in reduced internal resistance and faster Li-ion transfer rate, as analyzed by SPEIS and GITT. Ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations further reveal that Li₂Se anchors to closely situated dangling oxygens of the phosphonate group of the organic linker of MIL-91(Al), inducing relaxation of the Li-Se-Li angle and stabilizing the overall structure. Accordingly, the MIL-91(Al)-containing Li-Se cells demonstrate a high specific capacity of approximately 530 mAh g^–1 at 1C (675 mA g^–1) after 100 cycles and retaining a specific capacity of 320 mAh/g even under high current rate (20C) after 200 cycles. This research underlines the importance of the use of electrocatalyst/electroadsorbent materials to enhance the redox kinetics of the conversion reactions between Se and Li₂Se, thus paving the way for the development of high-performance Li-Se batteries.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor is emerging as an essential medical device for diagnosing various cardiovascular diseases in modern people. Conventional ECG sensors have investigated by several researchers, but they still have significant issues of discomfort in wearing, easy swelling, poor electrical conductivity, and signal inaccuracy. Here, we demonstrate a hydrogel nanocomposite-based ECG sensor patches, monolithically integrated with a hydrogel-based biocompatible electrode and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding layer in a single unit. The developed device with low impedance (20 kΩ) exhibited excellent mechanical properties including adhesion force (35.8 N m^–1), multiple detachability (5 times), stretching/twisting stability and self-healing characteristic. The ECG sensor displayed superior long-term humidity stability for 30 days, showing superior biocompatibility. Finally, the ECG patch with high EMI shielding property monitored human vital signal and pulse rate changes in real-time.

Self-powered sensing technologies are increasingly sought for intelligent and autonomous marine environmental monitoring. A Faraday cage-enabled triboelectric nanogenerator (FC-TENG) is developed by incorporating a FeCoCrNiAl alloy powder layer, enabling efficient harvesting of low-frequency mechanical energy. The quasi-enclosed conductive architecture mimics a Faraday cage, effectively confining electrostatic charges and suppressing edge-induced dissipation, thereby enhancing charge retention. Compared to single-metal triboelectric layers, the FC-TENG exhibits 4.86-, 3.57-, and 2.76-fold increases in open-circuit voltage (V_OC, 1276.27 V), short-circuit current (I_SC, 63.69 μA), and transferred charge (Q_SC, 29.55 nC), respectively. Its hydrophobic surface further ensures environmental robustness and stable output under humid conditions. With an optimized load resistance of 60 MΩ, the FC-TENG device achieves a peak power of ~4.08 mW and reliably powers LED arrays and environmental sensors, while enabling efficient energy storage across a wide frequency range. Furthermore, a wave-driven FC-TENG system integrated with wireless communication and visual feedback modules enables real-time marine motion monitoring without external power. This work introduces the Faraday cage–inspired triboelectric device based on microspherical alloy powder, offering enhanced charge retention, humidity tolerance, and dual-mode functionality in power generation and marine wave sensing. The proposed strategy provides a robust and scalable architecture for future self-powered systems operating in harsh environments.

In the global transition towards sustainable energy sources, hydrogen energy has emerged as an indispensable pillar in reshaping the energy landscape, owing to its environmental sustainability, zero emissions, and high efficiency. Nevertheless, the large-scale deployment of hydrogen energy is confronted with substantial technical barriers in storage and transportation. Although contemporary research has shifted focus to the development of highly efficient hydrogen storage materials, conventional material design concepts remain predominantly empirical, typically relying on trial-and-error methodologies. Importantly, the widespread application of artificial intelligence technologies in accelerating materials discovery and optimization has attracted considerable attention. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in hydrogen storage technologies, with an emphasis on the synergistic application of high-throughput screening and machine learning in solid-state hydrogen storage materials. These approaches demonstrate exceptional potential in accurately predicting hydrogen storage properties, optimizing material performance, and accelerating the development of innovative hydrogen storage materials. Specifically, we discuss in detail the essential role of artificial intelligence in developing hydrogen storage materials such as metal hydrides, alloys, carbon materials, metal–organic frameworks, and zeolites. Moreover, underground hydrogen storage is further explored as a scalable renewable energy storage solution, particularly in terms of optimizing storage parameters and performance prediction. By systematically analyzing the limitations of existing hydrogen storage approaches and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence-driven methods, this review offers insights into the discovery and optimization of high-performance hydrogen storage materials, contributing to sustainable global energy development and technological innovation.

Integrating phase change materials (PCM) into thermal insulation materials offers a novel approach to aerospace thermal protection. Herein, we used waste biomass as a template; by selecting the appropriate carbonization temperature, we obtained carbon aerogels (CCA) with extremely high porosity (95.8%) and high pore volume. After encapsulating PEG2000, we achieved high enthalpy (137.79 J g^–1, 91% of pure PEG2000) and low thermal conductivity (0.137 W (m·K)^–1, 45% of pure PEG2000). Thanks to the rich hierarchical nano-micro porous structure of CCA and the high latent heat of PEG2000, CCA/PEG exhibits excellent thermal insulation properties (under a heating temperature of 131 °C, the material takes 1400 s to reach its maximum temperature and can be maintained below 65 °C) and cycle performance. Additionally, irradiation destroyed the structure of CCA/PEG, leading to the degradation of PEG and the formation of other carbonyl-containing compounds, which decreased its latent heat (4.2%) and thermal conductivity (16.1%). However, the irradiation-resistant CCA, acting as a protective layer, minimizes the impact of irradiation on PEG2000. Instead, irradiation enhances the hierarchical porous structure of the material, ultimately improving its thermal insulation performance. CCA/PEG has potential application prospects in thermal protection and aerospace and is a strong competitor for high-efficiency thermal insulation materials.

Sodium titanium phosphate (NaTi₂(PO₄)₃, NTP) has emerged as a promising electrode material due to its three-dimensional open framework. This study investigates the use of NTP in aqueous dilute Li⁺/Na⁺ electrolytes and extends its application to high-concentration K⁺ electrolytes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, and density functional theory calculations revealed that highly electronegative fluorine partially substitutes for oxygen in the NTP lattice, resulting in the formation of Ti-F bonds. The substitution effectively modulates the electronic structure of Ti⁴⁺, alters the local coordination environment, and influences the redox dynamics. Enhanced long-term cycling stability and rate performance were demonstrated across aqueous sodium-ion, lithium-ion, and potassium-ion half-cells. Among the investigated systems, the aqueous sodium-ion system exhibited the best electrochemical performance, characterized by a single, well-defined charge–discharge plateau, stable cycling behavior with 88.7% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g^–1, and an initial specific discharge capacity of 121.7 mAh g^–1 at 0.2 A g^–1. The results establish F-doped NTP as a promising candidate for advanced energy storage applications in aqueous alkali metal-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries (AZIBs) have attracted significant attention as the most promising next-generation energy storage technology due to their low cost, inherent safety, and high energy density. However, their practical application is hindered by the poor electronic conductivity of iodine cathodes and the severe shuttling effect of intermediate polyiodides. Here, we report a novel micropores carbon framework (MCF) synthesized from waste coffee grounds via a facile carbonization-activation process. The resultant MCF features an ultrahigh specific surface area and a high density of micropores, which not only physically confine iodine species to minimize iodine loss but also enhance the electronic conductivity of the composite cathode. Furthermore, biomass-derived heteroatom dopings (nitrogen functionalities) facilitate effective chemical anchoring of polyiodide intermediates, thereby mitigating the shuttle effect. UV–visible spectroscopy and electrochemical kinetic analyses further confirm the rapid transformation and inhibition mechanism of iodine species by MCF. Consequently, the MCF/I₂ cathode delivers superior specific capacities of 238.3 mA h g^–1 at 0.2 A g^–1 and maintains outstanding cycling performance with a capacity retention of 85.2% after 1200 cycles at 1.0 A g^–1. This work not only provides an important reference for the design of high-performance iodine-host porous carbon materials but also explores new paths for the sustainable, high-value utilization of waste biomass resources.

Solid-state batteries are attracting considerable attention for their high-energy density and improved safety over conventional lithium-ion batteries. Among solid-state electrolytes, sulfide-based options like Li₆PS₅Cl are especially promising due to their superior ionic conductivity. However, interfacial degradation between sulfide electrolytes and high-voltage cathodes, such as LiCoO₂, limits long-term performance. This study demonstrates that a LiBF₄-derived F-rich coating on LiCoO₂, applied by immersing LiCoO₂ particles in a LiBF₄ solution followed by annealing, can significantly enhance performance in Li₆PS₅Cl-based solid-state batteries. This coating enables stable high-voltage (4.5 V vs Li⁺/Li) operation, achieving an initial specific capacity of 153.82 mAh g^–1 and 87.1% capacity retention over 300 cycles at 0.5C. The enhanced performance stems from the F-rich coating, composed of multiple phases including LiF, CoF₂, Li_xBF_yO_z, and Li_xBO_y, which effectively suppresses side reactions at the LiCoO₂|Li₆PS₅Cl interface and improves lithium-ion diffusivity, thereby enabling greater Li capacity utilization. Our findings provide a practical pathway for advancing solid-state batteries with high-voltage LiCoO₂ cathodes, offering substantial promise for next-generation energy storage systems.

Layered manganese dioxide (δ-MnO₂) is considered a promising ammonium ion capture electrode material for capacitive deionization (CDI) attributed to its high theoretical capacity and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, it continues to encounter challenges including rapid capacity degradation, structural instability, and Jahn–Teller effect. Herein, a crystal and electron synergistically regulation engineering strategy is proposed for the suppression of the Jahn–Teller effect and the improvement of ammonium ion storage dynamics in F doped MnO₂ (MnOF). The induced action of F ions transforms the MnO₂ structure from the original cubic [MnO₆] octahedron into an asymmetric [Mn(OF)₆] octahedron with electron redistribution, and generates a localized charge imbalance along the O–Mn–F pathway, which promotes electron transfer from Mn to F direction, accelerates electron transfer, and reduces the energy barrier of ammonium ion diffusion. As a result, the prepared MnOF exhibited a maximum salt adsorption capacity of 144.3 mg g^–1 and an exceptionally high salt adsorption rate of 18.25 mg g^–1 min^–1, along with outstanding cycling stability. Besides, ex/in situ characterizations reveal that in MnOF, the formation/breaking of hydrogen bond is accompanied by the insertion/deinsertion of {\text{NH}}_4^{\text{+}}. Therefore, the rational introduction of highly electronegative anions provides a new direction for the development of advanced CDI electrode materials.

Constructing a nanostructure that combines abundant active edge sites with a well-designed heterostructure is an effective strategy for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen generation. However, controllable approaches for creating heterostructures based on vertically standing transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets remain insufficient despite their potential for efficient hydrogen production. In this paper, we present efficient photocatalysts featuring heterojunctions composed of vertically grown TMD (MoS₂ and WS₂) nanosheets. These structures (WS₂, MoS₂, and MoS₂/WS₂ heterostructure) were fabricated using a controllable metal–organic chemical vapor deposition method, which expanded the surface area and facilitated effective photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The vertical MoS₂/WS₂ heterostructures demonstrated significantly enhanced hydrogen generation, driven by the synergistic effects of improved light absorption, a large specific surface area, and appropriately arranged staggered heterojunctions. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity was considerably influenced by the size and density of the vertical nanosheets. Consequently, the nanosheet size-tailored MoS₂/WS₂ heterostructure achieved a photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate (454.2 μmol h^–1 cm^–2), which is 2.02 times and 2.19 times higher than that of WS₂ (225.6 μmol h^–1 cm^–2) and MoS₂ (207.2 μmol h^–1 cm^–2). Hence, the proposed strategy can be used to design staggered heterojunctions with edge-rich nanosheets for photocatalytic applications.

The purpose of this study is to develop novel P-Mo-V heteropoly compound catalysts for the oxidation of methacrolein to methacrylic acid. The introduction of Cu, as a modifying element, was employed to enhance the catalytic performance. Experimental results show that the addition of Cu significantly improved the catalyst performance, increasing the conversion rate of methacrolein from 17.2% to 84.2%, while the yield of methacrylic acid was boosted from 5.5% to 51.7%. A series of characterization results showed that both P-Mo-V and Cu-P-Mo-V catalysts primarily exhibited the crystal phase of [PMo₁₂O₄₀]³⁻, with a small amount of [PMo₁₁VO₄₀]³⁻ phase. However, the Cu-P-Mo-V catalyst exhibited much better oxidation–reduction ability compared to the P-Mo-V catalyst. Isolated Cu atoms were found to exist in a highly decentralized tetrahedral coordination structure, bridged by oxygen atoms within the heteropoly compound framework. The addition of Cu resulted in notable alterations in the modulation of the surface electronic structure, enhancement of oxidation–reduction ability, and optimization of the reaction pathway, thereby improving the overall catalytic activity of the catalyst. This study not only provides new insights into the modification of P-Mo-V heteropoly compound catalysts but also lays a foundation for understanding their catalytic mechanisms in organic synthesis reactions, demonstrating the potential of modifying elements in improving catalyst performance.