Transition metal carbides (TMCs) serve as efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs), holding significant importance in promoting hydrogen production for carbon neutrality. To optimize interfacial catalytic activity, structurally designing TMCs into two-dimensional (2D) and porous structures to expose more practical surface areas and enhance electronic configurations is a common and effective strategy. Particularly, porous 2D non-layered TMCs (2D NL-TMCs) demonstrate richer active sites distinct from layered interfacial inertness. However, mainstream selective etching and chemical deposition growth mechanisms struggle to prepare highly active porous 2D NL-TMCs due to constraints posed by their high structural strength and formation temperature. Herein, we successfully synthesized porous 2D W₂C (2D p-W₂C) rapidly using a microwave shock method. Mechanistic verification reveals that leveraging transient high temperature and rapid on-off properties of microwave effectively combines with an oxidation-induced porosity mechanism, facilitating the evolution of porous 2D structures. These low-dimensional nanostructures with abundant edge defect sites aid in efficient adsorption reactions of intermediate species in HER. Moreover, the successful preparation of a series of porous 2D NL-TMCs (Mo₂C, NbC, TaC) confirms the universality of this method, with the synthesized 2D p-W₂C exhibiting optimal HER performance. This strategy offers new insights into the topological synthesis of porous 2D NL crystals.

MXenes, a family of emerging two-dimensional materials offer enriched surface chemistry, high electrical conductivities, large specific surface area, intrinsic physicochemical properties, and excellent mechanical stability. However, restacking of MXene sheets limit their electrochemical performance. To overcome this limitation, recent advancements have focused on developing MXene composites with metal phosphates/phosphides (MXene/MPs). This review discusses the applications of MXene/MPs composites in energy storage and conversion applications. The incorporation of MPs into MXenes not only addresses the restacking issue and aggregation problems, but also enhances the overall electrochemical performance of energy storage and conversion systems. The review concludes with a summary of the current research status and future prospects for MXene/MPs-based composites in energy applications.

Confronting the limitation of traditional homogeneous high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with randomly distributed elements and active sites, heterostructured HEAs were developed to further amplify catalytic activity and stability. This perspective dissects the genesis of heterogeneity within HEAs, highlighting how their expansive compositional space facilitates the customization of heterogeneity. By manipulating key factors, such as chemical affinity, standard redox potentials, and oxidation potential, researchers are tapping into heterostructured HEAs with unprecedented attributes. Strategies like acid leaching, galvanic replacement, and additive deposition are broadening the structural repertoire of HEAs, steering the development of heterostructured catalysts. This perspective synthesizes current discoveries, introduces provocative concepts, and provides a roadmap for structural engineering in HEA catalysts, particularly harnessing the heterogeneity of HEAs to elevate their catalytic efficiency. The confluence of theoretical and practical advancements is anticipated to lead the way in the evolution of HEA catalysts, endowing them with exceptional capabilities.

High-entropy materials (HEMs) possess unique properties that can be tailored for specific performance characteristics, making them suitable for various battery applications. In particular, HEMs have shown significant promise in enhancing the electrochemical performance of Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) across various battery systems, including sodium-ion, potassium-ion, lithium-sulfur, aqueous zinc-ion, and aqueous ammonium-ion batteries. This article examines case studies to explore how the high-entropy strategy enhances PBA performance. It also provides an overview of traditional metal substitution methods in modifying the two main types of PBAs, that is, Fe-based and Mn-based PBA electrode materials. Additionally, other optimization methods, such as defect modulation, surface modification, composite structures, and electrolyte modulation, are also discussed. Finally, the article delves deeply into the relationship between high-entropy techniques and traditional metal substitution in modifying PBA electrode materials from the perspectives of element design and performance enhancement, aiming to provide comprehensive theoretical guidance for readers.

The quest for dynamic and cost-effective electrocatalysts to substitute carbon-supported platinum (Pt) in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a pressing challenge. The incorporation of transition metal atoms through electron donation and spin regulation dominates the HER performance of Pt nanoparticles. Herein, we demonstrate that Co-N coordination was utilized to regulate and stabilize the chemical microenvironment of Pt nanoparticles to fabricate hybrid electrocatalysts (Pt/CoNC). The resultant Pt/CoNC delivers ultralow overpotentials of 15.2 and 171.2 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm⁻², surpassing commercial Pt/C. The poisoning tests, where η₁₀ values of Pt/CoNC depict negative shifts of 161 and 13 mV by potassium thiocyanide (KSCN) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA), suggest the combined impact of Pt nanoparticles and Co-N coordination on HER, with Pt nanoparticles playing a decisive role. The magnetic characterization and spin density diagrams reveal that Pt induces a higher spin state of Co²⁺, creating a wider spin-related channel for electron donation to Pt. Moreover, Co-N effectively modifies the electronic structure of Pt, thereby reducing the energy barriers for H₂O dissociation (from 0.41 to −0.22 eV) and H₂ generation (from −0.35 to 0.03 eV). This finding provides insights to fabricate advanced electrocatalysts through regulating spin state and modulating interfacial electron transfer.

The growing global energy demand and environmental concerns like greenhouse gas emissions call for clean energy solutions. Hydrogen energy, with high caloric value and low environmental impact, is a promising alternative, especially when produced via proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). This process relies on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), both requiring efficient electrocatalysts. Platinum (Pt), the most effective HER catalyst, is limited by high cost and scarcity, prompting research into Pt alternatives like ruthenium-based, transition metal derivatives, and metal-free catalysts that balance cost, efficiency, and stability. This review explores HER mechanisms, Pt-free catalyst innovations, and the impact of structural and interfacial electrode optimization on performance of HER in acidic media. It also examines electrochemical evaluation techniques, material characterization, and the role of machine learning in catalyst design. By providing a framework for Pt-free HER catalyst development, this review supports advancements in efficient and sustainable hydrogen energy technologies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the limitations of traditional preventative measures and underscored the essential role of face masks in controlling virus transmission. More effective and recyclable facial masks using various materials have been developed. In this work, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) are employed as effective facial mask filters, particularly aimed at preventing SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in preparation for future COVID-19 pandemics. This study assesses six critical aspects of facial masks: hydrophobicity, industrial viability, breathability, hyperthermal antiviral effect, toxicity, and reusability. The VACNT alone exhibits superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 175.53°, and an average of 142.7° for a large area on spun-bonded polypropylene. VACNTs are processed using a roll-to-roll method, eliminating the need for adhesives. Due to the aligned tubes, VACNT filters demonstrate exceptional breathability and moisture ventilation compared to previously reported CNT and conventional filters. Hyperthermal tests of VACNT filters under sunlight confirm that up to 99.8% of the HCoV 229E virus denatures even in cold environments. The safety of using VACNTs is corroborated through histopathological evaluation and subcutaneous implantation tests, addressing concerns of respiratory and skin inflammation. VACNT masks efficiently transmit moisture and rapidly return to their initial dry state under sunlight maintaining their properties after 10000 bending cycles. In addition, the unique capability of VACNT filters to function as respiratory sensors, signaling dampness and facilitating reuse, is assessed, alongside their Joule heating effect.

The internal electric field (IEF) is key in speeding up the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, which boosts the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we present a novel silver iodide/N-rich carbon nitride (AgI/C₃N₅) heterojunction catalyst with an IEF directed from AgI to C₃N₅. We confirmed this IEF using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and various characterization methods. This IEF induces and reinforces the Type II transfer pathway for carrier separation and transfer, significantly increasing the production of ROS, particularly singlet oxygen (¹O₂). As a result, the AgI/C₃N₅ catalysts achieve 10.1 times the disinfection efficiency of C₃N₅ and 5.6 times that of AgI, under one-min reaction time, 10⁷ CFU/mL of E. coli, visible light, and room temperature. It also outperforms most other AgI and carbon nitride-based heterojunction photocatalysts. Notably, the photogenerated holes (h⁺) selectively oxidize superoxide radicals (∙O₂⁻) to ¹O₂ due to favorable energy alignment, minimizing O₂ reduction effects and enhancing photocorrosion resistance, as demonstrated in five consecutive cycling experiments. In addition, the actual water disinfection tests confirmed its practical application potential. This work highlights the AgI/C₃N₅ heterojunction catalyst's promise as an efficient disinfection agent and sheds light on the photocatalytic disinfection mechanism.

Low-ionic conductivity within high-loading cathode has greatly limited the application of solid polymer electrolytes in rechargeable batteries. Herein, solid polymer electrolyte with a three-dimensionally conducting network is obtained by in situ polymerization of vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC) with the aid of dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA) crosslinker in the solid-state lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs). The weak coordination of Li⁺ with C═O and C─O groups promotes the dissociation and transport of Li⁺. The obtained P(VEC–DPHA) electrolyte enables a fast and orderly Li⁺ transport path and hinders the transport of TFSI⁻, rendering a remarkable ionic conductivity (2.53 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹), high Li⁺ transference number (0.47), and wide electrochemical window (5.1 V). A total of 87.38% capacity retention rate of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂||Li is achieved after 200 cycles at 0.2 C. P(VEC–DPHA) can also provide stable cycles under harsh conditions of high rate (1 C), high-cathode loading (10.83 mg cm⁻²), and high-energy-density pouch cell (421.8 Wh kg⁻¹, cathode loading of 25 mg cm⁻²). This work provides novel insights for the design of highly conductive polymer electrolytes and high-energy-density LMBs.

Developing organic solar cells (OSCs) simultaneously possessing high efficiency and robust mechanical properties is one of crucial tasks to ensure their operational reliability and applicability for emerging wearable devices. However, enhancing their mechanical properties without compromising the electrical properties of high-performance active materials remains a challenge. This work presents a method that overcomes this limitation by embedding a dual liquid rubber (DLR) matrix consisting of tetra-fluorophenyl azide and penta-fluorophenyl end-capped polybutadienes, PFFA and PFF, into layer-by-layer (LBL) films, which enables by a finely controlled film morphology built on strong noncovalent interactions and azide cross-linking chemistry. The resulting LBL film demonstrates a significantly improved stretchability and reduced stiffness of the active layer, with a crack initiation strain that is approximately eight times higher than that of pristine film. The potential of the DLR strategy is demonstrated in PM6:L8-BO flexible solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 17.7%, which is among the highest efficiencies for flexible OSCs to date. More importantly, the DLR strategy also enables significant bending durability of flexible LBL OSCs that retain 84.2% of their initial performance after 5000 bending cycles. This design concept offers a new strategy for achieving highly efficient and stretchable LBL OSCs.