The rapid expansion of the energy storage industry and new energy vehicles has led to a surge in lithium demand, raising concerns regarding the sustainability of its supply. Currently, lithium is mainly acquired from brine and seawater sources; however, effectively separating magnesium and lithium ions is critical for producing high-purity lithium products. With the increasing number of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), recycling valuable metals has become a top priority to achieve a sustainable circular economy. Given the compositional variation among LIBs designed for different applications, the development of suitable and sustainable recycling processes is essential to efficiently recover metals from all LIB types. Most existing reviews only discuss lithium extraction from brine and seawater or lithium recovery from spent LIBs separately, rarely connecting their separation principles and technical commonalities. For the first time, this review systematically integrates the two major technical systems, with a focus on the separation challenges in high magnesium systems and the core problem of inhomogeneous feedstock for spent cathodes, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional reviews that only focus on a single lithium source or a single technical route. It begins with a systematic description of various separation techniques for brine and seawater, including precipitation, adsorption, solvent extraction, nanofiltration membranes, and electrochemical methods, integrating the latest modification and coupling research on these lithium extraction technologies. Subsequently, it provides a comprehensive survey of established lithium recovery processes, such as pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes, sorting out their process optimization and bottleneck breakthroughs. It also covers other recycling technologies, such as direct regeneration and cutting-edge technical routes, including electrochemical coupling and supercritical fluid extraction. Finally, it discusses future research directions aimed at advancing lithium extraction and recycling technologies, with the goal of providing a more comprehensive technical reference for the sustainable utilization of lithium resources.

Flue gas turbines (FGTs), which are crucial for energy recovery during catalytic cracking, operate under extreme conditions of high temperature, corrosion, erosion, and fatigue. This review summarizes recent advances in key FGT alloy materials, focusing on alloy design, processing, and performance. Nickel-based superalloys such as GH864/GH4738, used for turbine discs and blades, are enhanced by optimizing chemical composition, γ′ precipitates, and grain-boundary carbides to achieve superior microstructural stability and creep resistance. Manufacturing processes leverage large-scale die forging and thermo-mechanical microstructure simulations to produce uniform, large-diameter, nickel-based turbine discs. Cost-effective Fe–Ni–Cr-based alloys (e.g., K213) are used in stator vanes, whereas alloy steel (AISI 4340) shafts are toughened to resist hydrogen embrittlement. Additive manufacturing enables crack-free fabrication and repair of complex blades. Significant progress has been achieved in material systems and component manufacturing. Future efforts require an integrated material–process–property approach and the development of next-generation materials for more demanding service environments to further advance the efficiency and reliability of FGT.

Aluminum/steel hybrid structures, leveraging the synergistic advantages of aluminum alloys and steel, have emerged as a critical solution to lightweighting demands in industries such as automotive manufacturing and aerospace engineering. However, the significant differences in thermophysical and chemical properties between aluminum and steel pose inherent challenges for conventional fusion welding, which seriously restricts the joint quality and large-scale industrial application of aluminum/steel components. Solid-state friction welding, characterized by core advantages including no liquid phase formation, low heat input, and the ability to break up interfacial oxide films, effectively circumvents the inherent limitations of fusion welding, thus establishing itself as a pivotal technical route for aluminum/steel dissimilar interface formation. To date, three mature technological variants have been developed—traditional friction welding, friction stir welding, and friction stir additive manufacturing—which achieve a balance between interfacial bonding quality through the “low heat input and severe plastic deformation” mechanism. However, current research still faces some problems, such as the limited capability for joining thick-section components, insufficient precision in intermetallic compound layers regulation, and inadequate investigations into adaptability under extreme environments. These limitations hinder further technological breakthroughs. Thus, this review systematically summarizes the mainstream technical types, process characteristics, and application scenarios of aluminum/steel solid-state friction welding from the perspectives of technical methodology and mechanism exploration. Simultaneously, it conducts an in-depth analysis of the core mechanisms underlying interfacial mechanical bonding and metallurgical bonding, and further explores cross-scale regulation strategies. This work aims to provide research insights for the subsequent optimization of aluminum/steel solid-state welding technologies, the deepening of bonding mechanism understanding, and the direction of industrial application.

Graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) represent a groundbreaking group of lightweight structural materials, offering exceptional combinations of strength, toughness, and multifunctionality that are critical for next-generation applications. Graphene imparts exceptional properties that significantly enhance the performance of lightweight alloys such as aluminum and magnesium. The review first examines the ex situ incorporation of GNPs into metal matrices and their effects on alloy solidification and mechanical properties based on process parameters, volume fraction, and matrix material. It then highlights two emerging in situ strategies, including the Covetic process, which employs electrically assisted processing (EAP) to synthesize graphene within metallic melts, and CO₂ bubbling in magnesium alloys to form carbon–metal (C–M) bonds. Particular emphasis is placed on mechanisms of C–M bonding, dispersion challenges, and interfacial bonding between the metallic matrices and graphene. This review emphasizes the potential of graphene-reinforced MMCs across industries and identifies the persistent barriers to process upscaling.

The rapid increase in atmospheric CO₂ levels driven by fossil fuel combustion has exacerbated environmental crises worldwide. Efficient CO₂ capture and conversion have therefore become indispensable toward achieving carbon neutrality. Photocatalytic/electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reactions (peCO₂RR) powered by renewable energy is a promising strategy for converting CO₂ into high-value chemicals and fuels. However, this process is hindered by the intrinsic limitations of traditional catalysts. As emerging crystalline porous polymers, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer distinct advantages for the peCO₂RR, including tunable topological structures, atomically precise active site design, large specific surface areas, and excellent chemical stabilities, which address the inherent limitations of conventional catalytic materials. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in COF-based peCO₂RR by exploring the intrinsic correlation between structural engineering and catalytic performance. Herein, we discuss the precise design of two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) crystalline pore structures, green synthetic strategies, and diverse functionalization routes. A comprehensive analysis of multimodal catalytic mechanisms, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and their synergistic effects, is provided. Furthermore, we focus on the orientation of synthesis towards C1 and C2 products and clarify the core structural factors responsible for governing the product selectivity. The critical roles of theoretical simulations and in-situ /operando characterization techniques in uncovering catalytic pathways and the evolution of intermediates are also highlighted. Finally, we discuss the key challenges presented by COF-based systems in terms of their structural robustness, catalytic selectivity, scalable preparation, and device integration, and propose targeted prospects for rational design and practical applications. By moving beyond traditional laboratory metrics, this review aims to establish a comprehensive structure–property–performance roadmap that offers fundamental design principles to bridge the gap between molecular-level engineering and industrial-scale applications, thereby accelerating the deployment of COF-based technologies in the drive toward global carbon neutrality.

To quantify the impact of the blast hole type on drift surrounding rock damage, on-site sequential blasting tests were conducted in slightly weathered gabbro. High-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used to measure the sidewall damage after cut, auxiliary, and contour hole blasting to obtain damage contribution data. To acquire the damage data at all typical locations, a 3D LS-DYNA numerical model for sequential blasting-induced damage was established. The reliability of the model was verified using GPR data. Because rock mass damage in numerical simulations is typically characterized by a damage factor (which can take on multiple values), a correlation was established between the measured damage and the values of this factor obtained from the simulations. The cumulative damage characteristics and evolution laws at different locations were revealed. The results showed: 1) GPR-measured damage depth matched the simulated depth at a damage factor of 0.3, which was set as the rock mass damage threshold. 2) The surrounding rock damage depth at the hole bottom plane was 55.7%–63.7% of that at the hole collar plane, with severe damage depths accounting for 58.4% and 70.2% of the two planes, respectively. 3) Within 0.8 m from the hole collar, sidewall damage was caused by the combined action of auxiliary and contour holes, with auxiliary holes’ contribution reaching a maximum of 37.1%; between 0.8 and 1.08 m, the contribution of auxiliary holes decreased, and damage became dominated by contour holes; beyond 1.08 m, damage was primarily attributable to contour holes. Vault damage was primarily induced by contour holes, whereas floor damage was caused by cut and bottom holes, with a maximum cut-hole contribution of 22.1%. These findings provide a reference for surrounding rock damage control and blast hole parameter optimization in slightly weathered gabbro.

Demand for nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) is rising, with laterite deposits being an increasingly important source. However, current processing methods (e.g., smelting or high-pressure acid leaching) are energy-intensive and pose environmental hazards. To address this challenge, there has been increasing interest in chloride leaching, particularly with HCl, due to its flexibility and efficacy at ambient conditions. To date, much of the focus on advancing the chloride leaching technology has been on the downstream separation and recovery stages, to overcome its inherent disadvantages, such as a high acid-to-ore ratio, impure leachates due to non-selective leaching, and difficulties in Ni–Co purification (e.g., co-adsorption losses). Nonetheless, effective metal extractions depend on understanding the underlying behavior of ore minerals during acid dissolution. The deportment of target metals (Ni–Co) and impurities, and their leaching mechanisms, remains poorly understood. Given the complex mineralogy of laterites, information on how minerals behave in HCl leaching is paramount to improve leaching efficiency. This study reveals that metal extraction during HCl leaching (8 mol/L, 3 h, 95°C, ambient pressure) is uneven and controlled by specific ore minerals. The release of Ni is governed by its distribution in acid-soluble minerals asbolane (Mn-hydroxide), Fe oxyhydroxides (e.g., goethite), chlorite, serpentine, and clay minerals (Ni-bearing smectite group) in the laterite feed. Conversely, for Co, although predominantly hosted by acid-soluble minerals (asbolane, with minor contributions from Fe oxyhydroxides and chlorite), it is also present in insoluble chromite. Deportment of Co in chromite varies from around 2wt% to 55wt% in the laterite ores. Examination of leaching residues confirms that HCl effectively dissolves most ore minerals, except refractory chromite. Therefore, chromite retention in the residue sequesters part of the Co content and prevents the total Co recovery during atmospheric HCl leaching. Overall, this work highlights the vital role of mineral-specific dissolution mechanisms in controlling metallurgical performance. This knowledge is crucial for flowsheet development, enabling precise adjustment of leaching steps to target ore minerals, account for mineralogical factors that limit recovery, and thereby maximize metal yield.

The hydrogen-based reduction of ultra-high-grade pellets is critical for the production of clean and specialty steels but is challenged by abnormal reduction swelling. This study investigates the swelling behavior of ultra-high-grade pellets during hydrogen reduction and proposes a two-step reduction strategy to suppress abnormal swelling. The results show that during high-temperature reduction, ultra-high-grade pellets exhibit rapid reduction rates but undergo abnormal swelling, with the reduction swelling index (RSI) reaching up to 99.4%. While demonstrating a relatively lower RSI at lower reduction temperatures, the pellets require a prolonged reduction duration. The abnormal swelling of ultra-high-grade pellets occurs when FeO is reduced to Fe, primarily attributed to the growth of iron whiskers on particle surfaces. During hydrogen reduction, the two-step reduction strategy effectively suppresses iron whisker formation and promotes the formation of porous and layered iron, reducing RSI to below 15% while maintaining rapid reduction. The first-step reduction should be conducted below the critical temperature for abnormal swelling, with the reduction degree of the pellet attaining 60% after the first-step reduction. Increasing the temperature of the second-step reduction does not exacerbate swelling but instead accelerates the reduction rate.

The erosion of the blast furnace hearth lining by harmful elements is a key factor limiting the life of the blast furnace. This study systematically investigates the differential erosion mechanisms of ultramicroporous carbon bricks by Na, K, and Zn elements through accelerated high-temperature tests and proposes a novel erosion index (EI) model. Microscopic analysis revealed that Na and K reacted with carbon brick components to generate low-melting point compounds, which accelerated interfacial melting loss and carbon loss, whereas Zn existed in the form of simple substances or oxides, which led mainly to the expansion of carbon bricks through physical penetration. The erosion index model, developed based on experimental data, quantitatively illustrates the erosive intensity of various elements on carbon bricks (the erosion index of Na exceeds that of K, which in turn is higher than that of Zn and blast furnace slag-iron), which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of refractory materials for blast furnaces and the control of harmful elements. This study advances understanding of microstructural degradation mechanisms and provides practical guidance for extending blast furnace campaign life.

To understand the compositional differences between slag and slag-entrained inclusions in steel, it is important to study the evolution mechanism of slag-entrained inclusions in molten steel. The evolution mechanisms of various slag-entrained inclusions have rarely been studied through laboratory experiments. In this study, the instantaneous evolution of slag-entrained CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO–SiO₂ inclusions in steels was investigated through a series of in situ observation experiments. Large CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO–SiO₂ inclusions were designed based on the compositions of various types of industrial slag, including refining slag, tundish fluxes, and mold fluxes. To simulate the reaction process of slag-entrained inclusions in molten steel, an inclusion particle was placed on a steel surface and observed for a constant time after the steel melted using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the CaO content decreased in the inclusions entrained from the refining slag and tundish fluxes. The CaO and SiO₂ contents in the inclusions entrained from the mold fluxes gradually decreased over time. Additionally, the impact of the dissolved aluminum content on the compositional evolution of the CaO–Al₂O₃-based slag-entrained inclusions was investigated. Thermodynamic and kinetic analyses were employed to explore the reaction mechanism and transfer behavior during the compositional evolution of CaO–Al₂O₃-based slag-entrained inclusions. Thermodynamic analyses revealed that a higher dissolved aluminum content promoted the desulfurization reaction, which consumed CaO to form CaS in the inclusions. Kinetic analyses indicated that the reaction where the dissolved aluminum reduced the CaO was predominantly controlled by the internal diffusion of CaO and Al₂O₃ in the inclusions. Based on a diffusion-controlled kinetic model, the mass transfer coefficient for the diffusion of CaO and Al₂O₃ into the CaO–Al₂O₃-based inclusions was determined from experimental data, with a calculated value of 3.23 × 10⁻⁶ m·s⁻¹. More importantly, the current experimental method can be widely used to simulate the evolution of inclusions in molten steel from refining slag, tundish fulxes, and mold fluxes.

The susceptibility of high-Al ferritic steels to thermal cracking and microstructural coarsening during fusion welding restricts their practical implementation. To address this challenge, high-quality joints of Fe–10Al alloy were successfully fabricated by friction stir welding (FSW) under ultra-low rotation (80 r/min) and high load (40 kN) at sub-700°C. The effects of the unique thermomechanical conditions, combined with post-weld heat treatments, on microstructural evolution and mechanical performance were systematically examined. Grain refinement (∼6 µm) was found to markedly enhance ductility and toughness. The Fe–10Al alloy exhibited a local elongation (L-El) of 28%, surpassing previously reported values, while the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature was −15°C and the upper shelf energy increased to 402 kJ/m², both due to improved crack propagation resistance. Grain refinement also shifted the dominant deformation mode from twinning to dislocation slip and raised the fraction of “effective grains” with high-angle boundaries (15°–65°) to ∼64%. These findings demonstrate that FSW provides an effective strategy to overcome weldability issues in high-Al ferritic steels, offering a pathway to their broader structural applications.

To meet the requirements of high-performance aero-engines, the alloying degrees and γ′ phase mass fractions of newly wrought superalloys used in the aero-engines are maintained at high values, leading to elevated hot tearing susceptibility of the alloy. The hot cracking behavior of a large-diameter (ϕ350 mm) GH4151 superalloy with an Al + Ti + Nb content exceeding 10wt% and the γ′ phase content exceeding 50% was investigated via experiments and simulations. The solidification cracking and strain-age cracking (SAC) indices of different deformed superalloys were also evaluated. The results showed that the crack type of the GH4151 alloy was hot tearing. The cracks propagated intergranularly along high-angle grain boundaries. The hot tearing was due to excessive Mo, Nb, and Ti segregation in dendrites, creating a wide solidification range, and the successive formation of metastable carbide (MC), η, (γ + γ′) eutectic, Laves, and M₂B phases during the last stage of solidification, hindering liquid phase replenishment and forming pore defects. The pores produced cracks under the influence of thermal and phase-transformation stresses. B and Zr in an alloy can significantly reduce its solidification range. The critical solidification range for hot cracking in B and Zr-free superalloys was 230°C, while their strain-age crack criterion was 0.0008. The residual stress and microstructure of the alloys could be significantly improved through mold preheating and annealing, finally leading to a crack-free ingot.

This study investigates the effects of laser shock peening (LSP) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe₃₅Co₃₀Ni₃₀Ta₂Mo₂Cu₁ high-entropy alloy (HEA). Compared with the as-cast condition, LSP treatment increases the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength by approximately 320 and 210 MPa, respectively, while maintaining comparable elongation. Microstructural characterization reveals that LSP induces grain refinement, an increase in dislocation density, and the formation of nanoscale Cu-rich precipitates. These features promote dislocation multiplication and improve slip compatibility, reducing strain localization and stress concentration. Furthermore, during deformation, the development of high-angle boundaries (>15°) due to grain subdivision facilitates stress relaxation and sustains ductility. The results elucidate the role of LSP in tailoring hierarchical microstructures to enhance the strength–ductility synergy of HEAs, providing insights for designing high-performance alloys.

This study uncovers a non-monotonic effect of carbon on the corrosion behavior of CoCrFeMnNiC_x high-entropy alloys (HEAs) in 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution. The microstructure of the HEAs investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope, the corrosion behaviors were investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical noise measurements. HEAs exhibited a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, carbon addition promoting the formation of Cr-rich M₇C₃ carbides. While all alloys undergo active dissolution, a critical carbon content of 0.5at% yields the highest fraction of Cr in the passive film and a significant improvement in corrosion resistance. This is evidenced by 65% reduction in corrosion current density and 35% increase in polarization resistance. The enhancement is mechanistically linked to carbon-induced grain refinement, formation of Cr-rich M₇C₃ carbides, and the development of a more stable passive film with reduced charge carrier density. Electrochemical noise analysis confirms a suppression of metastable pitting events at the optimal carbon level.

The effects of adding Mn to the Mg–15.0Zn (wt%) alloy, prepared using high-pressure die casting, on the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and plastic deformation mechanisms of the alloy were investigated. The results indicated that the Mn addition reduced the grain size of the alloy from 6.82 to 5.22 µm, while slightly coarsening its eutectic phases, improved its casting properties, and eliminated the cracks generated during the casting process. Transmission electron microscopy and quasi-in situ electron backscatter diffraction results suggested that the addition of Mn had activated prismatic and <c + a> slips in the alloy during its tensile deformation. Moreover, mechanical test results showed that the addition of Mn had significantly improved the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy: from 287 MPa for the Mg–15.0Zn (wt%) alloy to 317 MPa for the Mg–15.0Zn–0.3Mn (wt%) alloy. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity of the alloy increased from 68.9 to 78.6 W·K⁻¹·m⁻¹ following the addition of Mn, which reduced the content of Zn atoms. This study will provide insights into the plastic deformation mechanisms of ultrahigh-Zn die-cast Mg alloys.

High-temperature thermal exposure of Al alloys is used to characterize the real-world performance of components in high-temperature environments. In this study, thin-walled Al–Cu heat-esistant aluminum alloy structures were additively manufactured using a wire-arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED) process. A systematic analysis was conducted to investigate the microstructural changes and determine the cause of mechanical degradation under 300°C thermal exposure. Following T6 heat treatment (solution treatment: 520°C/6 h + 535°C/8 h; aging: 175°C/2 h + 150°C/6 h), the WA-DED 205C (Al–Cu–Mn–Ni–Zr) alloy exhibited a dense distribution of nano-sized θ″, θ′, Al₃Zr, and T (Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃) phases within the grains, whereas the γ (Al₇Cu₄Ni) phase formed during solidification remained at the grain boundaries. Following thermal exposure at 300°C for 24 h, the majority of θ″ within the grains was supplanted by θ′; a subset of these θ′ subsequently transitioned to θ, while σ (Al₅Cu₆Mg₂) phase concurrently precipitated. As thermal exposure reached 100 h, the θ′ phase exhibited increased particle size alongside reduced number density, whereas the θ phase showed enhanced density and the σ phase was no longer present. The Al₃Zr and T phases within the grains, and the γ phase located at the grain boundaries, showed no significant changes in morphology or size during the thermal exposure process. Furthermore, after thermal exposure at 300°C for 24 h, the microhardness of the T6 condition specimen experienced a sharp decline from HV 149.6 to HV 98.2, and the yield strength (YS) dropped from 353 to 213 MPa. After 100 h of thermal exposure, the microhardness decreased to HV 91.8 and the YS dropped to 196 MPa. The tensile properties of the alloy were stabilized at a YS retention rate of 56%.

A key challenge in Al recycling involves controlling the Fe content and resultant Fe-rich intermetallic compound (IMC), as these incur a detrimental effect on ductility. This study evaluated the critical Fe content (0.17wt% for β-Al₅FeSi formation in Al–7Si–0.3Mg alloys) and achievable Fe tolerance (the maximum Fe content focusing on the 0.2Fe–0.02Sr alloy) required for an optimized eutectic Si morphology. The individual and combined additions of Mn (Fe-rich IMCs refinement element) and Nb (α-Al refinement element) in recycled alloys without abrupt elongation (EL) deterioration were distinguished using thermodynamic calculation and experimental determination. The contribution of alloying to the maximum EL (approximately 100%) of Al–7Si–0.3Mg–0.2Fe alloy at a cooling rate of 2°C/s was determined by comparing the effects of individual and overall modifications, targeting Fe-rich IMCs, α-Al, and eutectic Si, on mechanical properties. The same microstructural refinement effect achieved by the overall alloying modification was obtained through the addition of Sr and accelerated cooling (from 2 to 6°C/s). A 317% improvement in EL at 0.2wt% Fe was achieved through this synergistic refinement, demonstrating its superior effectiveness in enhancing ductility. Furthermore, microstructure analysis revealed that the secondary dendrite arm spacing was the most critical factor influencing Fe tolerance in this alloy. By contrast, the refinement of the Fe-rich IMCs, although beneficial, did not contribute significantly to improving Fe tolerance. This strategy enables the utilization of high-Fe Al scrap to advance the sustainability of the Al recycling industry.

Although Be/2024Al composites possess high strength potential, they often exhibit brittle fracture due to Cu-rich Al–Cu phases and Al–Cu–Mg phases. To address this critical issue, this work proposes a customized heat treatment process designed to modulate the distribution of interfacial Cu. This process successfully promotes the diffusion of Cu atoms from the Al matrix across the interface into the Be phase, where they exist uniformly as a solid solution. This effectively mitigates the localized enrichment of Cu at the Be/Al interface and eliminates brittle Al–Cu interfacial phases. First-principles calculations theoretically confirm that the solid solution of Cu at the Be/Al interface is beneficial for enhancing interfacial bonding strength, increasing the work of adhesion (W_ad) of Al/BeO and Be/BeO interface by 39.2% and 113.3%, respectively. Benefiting from this, the fracture mode of the composite undergoes a fundamental transformation. Compared to the pre-heat-treatment state, the optimized samples show a slight increase in strength, but a remarkable improvement in ductility, with increases of 403% and 311% in the O-temper and T6-temper states, respectively. This achieves a successful brittle-to-ductile transition in the Be/2024Al composite, offering a promising approach to resolve the poor ductility and machinability of large-scale, as-cast Be/Al components. Furthermore, this study reveals the mechanism of cross-interface Cu diffusion and elucidates the influence of the interfacial BeO layer on this process.

A sulfonic-functionalized Zr-type metal–organic framework (UiO-66-SO₃H) was synthesized, and UiO-66-SO₃Li was obtained via subsequent lithiation treatment. The UiO-66-SO₃H framework was incorporated into a polymer matrix as a functional filler to obtain high-performance solid composite electrolytes (SCEs). Structural and morphological analyses, as well as various electrochemical tests, were performed. Owing to well-defined porous channels, abundant lithium-ion transport sites, and effective regulation of polymer crystallinity by SO₃⁻ moieties at 60°C, the optimized SCE-2 (10wt% UiO-66-SO₃Li) exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 5.36 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ (1.86 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ at the room temperature of 25°C), along with a wide electrochemical stability window of 4.7 V and a lithium-ion transference number as high as 0.623. The Li∣SCE-2∣LiFePO₄ full cell exhibited excellent long-cycle stability at both 60°C and room temperature, as well as an excellent rate capability up to 5 C (1 C is equivalent to 170 mA·g⁻¹). Moreover, SCE-2 can also be coupled with high-voltage LiNi_0.5Co_0.1Mn_0.3O₂ cathodes. This study demonstrates that sulfonic-modified UiO-66-SO₃Li can effectively regulate Li⁺ migration, suppress lithium dendrite growth, and enhance interfacial compatibility, offering a viable approach for designing advanced solid composite electrolytes.

The Na₄Fe₃(PO₄)₂P₂O₇/C composite (NFPP-E) featuring a highly graphitized N- and P-co-doped carbon coating and hierarchical pore structure was successfully synthesized using a facile ball-milling-calcination approach. Ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMPA) acts as a multifunctional precursor and concurrently serves as a chelating, phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, and pore-forming agent. The unique “phosphorus-catalyzed graphitization” effect during EDTMPA pyrolysis plays a pivotal role; the released active phosphorus oxides facilitate the ordered transformation of the carbon matrix, thereby yielding a highly graphitized N- and P-co-doped carbon coating with a low defect density. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated significant performance enhancements of NFPP-E relative to the sample prepared with conventional NH₄H₂PO₄. Specifically, NFPP-E delivered a high reversible capacity of 103.09 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C (1 C = 129 mA·g⁻¹) and retained 77.41 mAh·g⁻¹ even at an elevated rate of 10 C, demonstrating excellent rate capability. Furthermore, it exhibited superior long-term cycling stability, with a capacity retention rate of 94.9% after 500 cycles at 1 C. When assembled into a full cell with hard carbon as the anode, the NFPP-E achieved a capacity retention rate of 92.74% over 200 cycles, highlighting its great potential for practical applications. This study not only uncovers the universal principle for regulating the structure and properties of carbon layers via the “phosphorus-catalyzed graphitization” mechanism using organic phosphonic acid precursors but also offers a novel strategy for the development of high-performance and low-cost cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Optimizing polymeric material properties through composite filler incorporation has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing both thermal conductivity and electromagnetic wave absorption. However, persistent challenges arise from filler incompatibility and the intrinsic trade-off between thermal conductivity and electromagnetic wave absorption performance. This study develops a facile fabrication method for epoxy-based composites containing boron nitride-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube (BN/MWCNT) composite fillers, designed for dual thermal management and electromagnetic wave absorption applications. By controlling the BN coating extent on MWCNT surfaces, we facilitated precise regulation of dielectric properties and microstructural characteristics. Subsequent surfactant modification strengthened interfacial adhesion between fillers and matrix while suppressing particle agglomeration. The engineered coating architecture simultaneously reduced interfacial thermal resistance and established optimized conductive pathways. The composite achieved over 99% absorption across the entire X-band at 5wt% filler loading, with a minimum reflection loss of −39 dB. Concurrently, the thermal conductivity showed an increase of 104% compared to neat epoxy resin, confirming effective thermal network formation. This work establishes a practical approach for creating multifunctional electronic packaging composites through rational filler compounding and interface engineering.

White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) are promising alternatives to traditional lighting sources owing to their energy efficiency, compact design, long lifespan, and environmental benefits. However, the practical application of quantum dots (QDs) in WLEDs faces significant challenges, including low luminous efficiency and thermal quenching. Herein, we propose a strategy to obtain QDs with excellent photoluminescence properties and thermal stability by building the well-designed Zn-carboxylate-based porous coordination polymer (MOF-5) and embedding AgInS₂ (AIS) QD nanocomposite structures via a microwave-assisted organic synthesis method; the resulting nanocomposites are suitable for practical adoption in warm WLED devices. The MOF-5 metal–organic framework provides spatial and electronic isolation for the QDs, effectively preventing fluorescence quenching. Moreover, it simultaneously increases the emission efficiency by generating a ZnS layer that passivates the surface defects and reduces non-radiative recombination, thereby improving the fluorescence quantum yield (PLQY) and thermal stability. The AIS@ZnS@MOF-5 nanocomposite exhibits a 12.6-fold increase in thermal stability and a 3.45-fold enhancement in the PLQY (44.88%). The nanocomposite is further integrated with commercial green-emitting (Ba,Sr)Si₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺ phosphors as a color-conversion layer in WLEDs. The resulting WLED device emits warm white light with a color rendering index of 83.5, a correlated color temperature of 3638 K, and a luminous efficiency of 83.42 lm/W. This strategy effectively enhances both the luminescence efficiency and stability of AIS QDs, serving as a significant step toward the development of QD-based WLEDs for practical applications.