Flexible sensors with high sensitivity and stability are essential components of electronic skin, applicable to detecting human movement, monitoring physiological health, preventing diseases, and other domains. In this study, we utilized a straightforward and efficient femtosecond laser direct writing technique using phenolic resin (PR) as a carbon precursor to produce high-quality laser-induced graphene (LIG) characterized by high crystallinity and low defect density. The fabricated LIG underwent comprehensive characterization using SEM, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and XRD. Subsequently, we developed strain sensors with a hexagonal honeycomb pattern and temperature sensors with a line pattern based on PR-derived LIG. The strain sensor exhibited an outstanding measurement factor of 4.16 × 10⁴ with a rapid response time of 32 ms, which is applied to detect various movements like finger movements and human pulse. Meanwhile, the temperature sensor demonstrated a sensitivity of 1.49%/°C with a linear response range of 20–50 °C. The PR-derived LIG shows promising potential for applications in human physiological health monitoring and other advanced wearable technologies.

Zinc-based composites represent promising materials for orthopedic implants owing to their adjustable degradation rates and excellent biocompatibility. In this study, a series of Zn–10Mg–xHA (x = 0–5 wt.%) composites with the core–shell structure were prepared through spark plasma sintering, and their microstructural, mechanical, and in vitro properties were systematically evaluated. Results showed that the doped hydroxyapatite (HA) is concentrated at the outer edge of the MgZn₂ shell layer. The compression strength of the Zn‒10Mg‒HA composite gradually decreased with the increase of the HA content, while its corrosion rate decreased initially and then increased. The corrosion resistance of the composite with the addition of 1 wt.% HA was improved compared to that of Zn–10Mg–0HA. However, the further increase of the HA content beyond 1 wt.% resulted in a faster degradation of the composite. Moreover, the Zn–10Mg–1HA composite significantly enhanced the activity of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Based on such findings, it is revealed that the composite containing 1 wt.% HA exhibits superior overall properties and is anticipated to serve as a promising candidate for bone implant materials.

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a thin film comprising of trimetallic sulphide, Cu₂S:ZnS:NiS₂. The fabrication process involved the utilization of diethyldithiocarbamate as a sulfur source, employing physical vapor deposition. A range of analytical techniques were employed to elucidate the material’s structure, morphology, and optical characteristics. The thin film exhibited a well-defined crystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 33 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided distinct core level peaks associated with Cu 2p, Zn 2p, Ni 2p, and S 2p. The electrochemical properties were assessed through voltammetry measurements, which demonstrated an impressive specific capacitive of 797 F·g⁻¹. The thin film demonstrated remarkable stability over multiple cycles, establishing it as a highly promising candidate for diverse energy storage applications. In addition, comprehensive investigations were carried out to assess the photocatalytic performance of the fabricated material, particularly its efficacy in the degradation of diverse environmental pollutants. These notable findings emphasize the versatility of trimetal sulphide thin films, expanding their potential beyond energy storage and opening avenues for further research and technological advancements in fields including photocatalysis and beyond.

MIL-101(Cr) has a special pore cage structure that provides broad channels for the transport of water molecules in the reverse osmosis (RO) water separation and purification. Combining MIL-101(Cr) with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles forms a water transport intermediate layer between the polyamide separation membrane and the polysulfone support base under an external magnetic field. MIL-101(Cr) is stable in both water and air while resistant to high temperature. With the introduction of 0.003 wt.% MIL-101(Cr)/Fe₃O₄, the water flux increased by 93.31% to 6.65 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹·bar⁻¹ without sacrificing the NaCl rejection of 95.88%. The MIL-101(Cr)/Fe₃O₄ multilayer membrane also demonstrated certain anti-pollution properties and excellent stability in a 72-h test. Therefore, the construction of a MIL-101(Cr)/Fe₃O₄ interlayer can effectively improve the permeability of RO composite membranes.

Combining molecular imprinting technique with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis technique can improve the degradation ability and selectivity of TiO₂ nanoparticles towards pollutants. In this work, methyl orange-imprinted polysiloxane particles (MIPs) were synthesized using TiO₂ as matrix and silane as functional monomers. The adsorption capacity (Q_e) of MIPs was 20.48 mg·g⁻¹, while the imprinting efficiency (IE) was 3.4. Such MIPs exhibited stable imprinting efficiencies and adsorption efficiencies towards methyl orange (MO) in the multi-cycle stability test. Photocatalytic degradation performances of both MIPs and non-imprinted polysiloxane particles (NIPs) were investigated. Compared with NIPs, MIPs exhibited better photocatalytic degradation performance towards MO, with the degradation efficiency of 98.8% in 12 min and the apparent rate constant (K_obs) of 0.077 min⁻¹. The interaction between silane and MO was also studied through molecular dynamics simulation. This work provides new insights into the use of silane for the synthesis of MIPs as well as the molecular imprinting technique for applications in the field of TiO₂ photocatalysis.

The absorption of high-viscosity oil by traditional oil absorbing materials has always been a challenge. So there is an urgent need to solve the problem of slow absorption of high-viscosity oil. In this work, an emulsion composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), carbon black (CB) and waterborne polyurethane (solid content 40%) was sprayed on the melamine foam (MF). After volatilization of organic solvents, the photothermal material CB was fixed on the MF framework, making it photothermal. By raising the temperature of the modified foam to accelerate the internal thermal movement of high-viscosity oil molecules around the foam, intermolecular forces are reduced, thereby accelerating the separation process. The absorption capacity of this modified MF towards organic solvents and oil is up to 79 times its own weight. In addition, the mechanical properties of the modified foam are improved to a certain extent, more conducive to the continuous oil–water separation. This photothermal absorption material provides ideas for the rapid removal of high-viscosity oil, heavy oil, etc.

Aqueous Zn//MnO₂ rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) possess potential applications in electrochemical energy storage due to their safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, manganese dioxide as the cathode material has poor cycle stability and low conductivity. In this work, the SnO₂@K-MnO₂ (SMO) composite was prepared using the hydrothermal method followed by the treatment with SnCl₂ sensitization, and its electrochemical characteristics were examined using SMO as the cathode material for ZIBs. The reversible specific capacity reaches 298.2 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 0.5 A·g⁻¹, and an excellent capacity retention of 86% is realized after 200 cycles, together with a high discharge capacity of 105 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 10 A·g⁻¹ and a long-term cycling life of over 8000 cycles with no apparent capacity fade. This cathode exhibits a long cycle life up to 2000 cycles at 2 A·g⁻¹ with the mass loading of 5 mg·cm⁻², and the battery maintains the capacity of 80%. The reversible co-embedding mechanism of H⁺/Zn²⁺ in such a Zn//SMO battery was confirmed by XRD and SEM during the charge/discharge process. This work can enlighten and promote the development of advanced cathode materials for ZIBs.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) often evolves into chronic wounds that resist healing over an extended period, sometimes necessitating amputation in severe cases. Traditional wound management approaches generally fail to control these chronic sores successfully. Thus, it arouses a huge demand in clinic for a novel wound dressing to treat DFU effectively. Hydrogel as an ideal delivery system exhibits excellent loading capacity and sustainable release behavior. It also boasts tunable physical and chemical properties adaptable to diverse biomedical scenarios, making it a suitable material for fabricating functional wound dressings to treat DFU. The hydrogel dressings are classified into hemostatic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and healing-promoting hydrogel dressings by associating the pathogenesis of DFU in this paper. The design and fabrication strategies for the dressings, as well as their therapeutic effects in treating DFU, are extensively reviewed. Additionally, this paper highlights future perspectives of multifunctional hydrogel dressings in DFU treatment. This review aims to provide valuable references for material scientists to design and develop hydrogel wound dressings with enhanced capabilities for DFU treatment, and to further translate them into the clinic in the future.