The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (ECO₂RR) offers a promising route for converting CO₂ into value-added chemicals and fuels. Cu-based catalysts are particularly attractive owing to their unique capability to produce multi-carbon products via C─C coupling, yet their practical application is severely hindered by poor operational stability. This perspective systematically reviews recent advances in stabilizing Cu-based catalysts, focusing on inorganic structure engineering, organic coating and ligand modification, active site regeneration, and electrolysis system engineering. We further outline future research directions, such as leveraging machine learning for accelerated catalyst screening and employing in situ characterization techniques to probe structural dynamics. This work aims to provide foundational insights and practical strategies toward stable, active, and selective Cu-based catalysts for scalable ECO₂RR.

Driven by global sustainable development goals and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), low energy consumption, high integration density, and sustainability have emerged as core imperatives for optoelectronic device development. Conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) architectures, featuring discrete sensing-memory-computing functions, are constrained by the von Neumann bottleneck, which is marked by excessive energy consumption in data transmission, and fail to meet the energy-saving demands of scenarios like the internet of things (IoT) and neuromorphic computing. In contrast, two-dimensional (2D) materials, with attributes including atomic-scale thickness, efficient optoelectronic coupling, and low fabrication energy consumption, serve as pivotal carriers to overcome this bottleneck. Prototype 2D material-based optoelectronic devices are evolving from single-function units to sensing-memory-computing integrated systems, reducing energy redundancy in traditional architectures via material-structure synergetic adaptation while combining low energy consumption, high integration, and environmental compatibility. With breakthroughs in key technologies, All-in-One 2D material devices will most likely reshape the optoelectronic industry landscape, providing hardware support for the synergy between AI and green development.

Malignant tumors whose mortality rates up to 97% possess high heterogeneity that leads to rapid growth, strong invasive capability, and low drug sensitivity. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging enables direct visualization of tumors. However, gadolinium-based contrast agents used in clinical practice have significant drawbacks of short half-life, non-specificity, and toxicity after gadolinium ions leakage. Herein, this study constructs a nanomaterial termed FFDP that utilizes octa (3-mercaptopropyl) silsesquioxane (POSS-SH) as functional bridge where the double-bonded folate, double-bonded doxorubicin, iron (II, III) oxide, and black phosphorus are grafted by chemical and metallic bonds through “click chemistry” approach. The FFDP being administered intravenously, enables real-time targeted enrichment of MR contrast that corresponding to the tumor heterogeneity and allow for precise tumor treatment at the site of in-situ triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Moreover, FFDP can deliver the anti-tumor drug into the deep tumor tissue. In an animal model of in-situ TNBC, efficient tumor ablation can be performed under FFDP enhanced quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. In conclusion, the FFDP nanomaterial designed in this study achieves real-time spatial tumor heterogeneity observation and precision tumor treatment. In clinical practice, POSS-based nanomaterials possess immense potential for MRI-guided individualized precision treatment for tumors.

Developing cost-efficient and robust anodic electrodes for direct seawater electrolysis that can resist chloride-induced corrosion remains a significant challenge. In this study, a self-supporting electrode composed of an amorphous FeNi-based phosphate layer supported on Fe@Ni foam (AL/Fe@Ni) was successfully fabricated via a facile in situ hydrothermal growth method. During the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the amorphous layer undergoes in situ reconstruction accompanied by the dissolution of phosphate anions, leading to the formation of Fe-doped Ni(oxy)hydroxide nanosheets. In situ Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that Fe-ion doping plays a critical role in promoting this reconstruction process. Quantitative analysis of element dissolution and chloride adsorption reveals that the dynamic desorption and re-adsorption of leached phosphate anions provide the electrode with electrostatic repulsion against chloride ions. Moreover, the redeposition of a small amount of dissolved Fe ions suppresses the dissolution of active elements, establishing a self-healing mechanism. Theoretical calculations further reveal that the dissociated PO₄³⁻ anions preferentially adsorb onto the surface of the reconstructed Ni(Fe)OOH, promoting more favorable adsorption of OH⁻ compared to Cl⁻ due to strong repulsive interactions between anchored PO₄³⁻ and Cl⁻. Benefiting from the integrated effects, including the reconstructed highly active phase, suppressed chlorine evolution reaction, self-healing capability, enhanced mass transfer endowed by superhydrophilic and superaerophobic properties, and inherent anticorrosion behavior, the electrode exhibits high OER selectivity and exceptional durability. This work offers a new perspective for designing and fabricating highly efficient and robust electrodes for seawater electrolysis.

Cellulose is a non-food biomass with a hierarchical chemical structure, yet suitable and general methods for the selective acquisition of its 2D structure are still lacking. In this study, 2D cellulose nanosheets (CNSs) are directly extracted from cellulose using zwitterion combined with phosphotungstic acid (HPW) as the catalyst. The size of the CNSs is in the range of 1-20 µm with a thickness of 15-28 nm. Each CNS is composed of a number of cellulose nanocrystals with lengths of 150-400 nm and diameters of 5-28 nm. The discovery of CNSs confirms the inherent 2D structures aggregated at the sub-micro level. This provides an updated view of the hierarchical structure of natural cellulose, which is composed of nanosheets, nanocrystals, and elementary fibrils. This method enables the selective extraction of CNSs under mild conditions, featuring high selectivity and broad generality. As a new type of 2D nanomaterials, the average modulus, roughness, and adhesion force of single layer CNSs are 7.2 GPa, 0.5 nm, and 7.49 nN. CNSs may open new avenues for applications in barrier materials, energy storage, catalyst carriers, composites, and selective adsorption.

Cobalt-based single-atom catalysts (Co SACs) have emerged as attractive candidates for promoting the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e⁻ ORR) toward efficient H₂O₂ generation. Yet universal strategies to regulate their electronic structure remain limited. Here, we demonstrate that in-plane and out-of-plane heteroatom coordination modulates the Co electronic states, thereby governing 2e⁻ ORR activity and selectivity. By correlating atom-induced charge redistribution with H₂O₂ production efficiency, we establish a general design strategy for SACs with tunable performance. Incorporating electron-withdrawing O or electron-donating N creates asymmetric Co-N_xO_y-O-C sites, among which Co-N₅-O-C is most effective. Its electron-rich Co center in a distorted pentacoordinate geometry promotes 2e⁻ ORR, achieving 90% H₂O₂ selectivity and 89.5 A g⁻¹ in mass activity under 0.65 V versus RHE conditions, outperforming symmetric Co-N₄-O-C and electron-deficient Co-N₂O₂-O-C. Density functional theory reveals that electron-donating N in Co-N₅ broadens the Co dz² orbital near the Fermi level, weakening *OOH binding, whereas in-plane O in Co-N₂O₂ withdraws electrons, increasing empty d-states and strengthening *OOH adsorption. Under flow-cell conditions, Co-N₅-O-C delivered 15.88 mol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ H₂O₂ (300 mA cm⁻²) with >88% Faradaic efficiency over 50 h and enabled complete degradation of 50 ppm pollutants within 10 min, demonstrating practical potential for wastewater treatment.

All-inorganic halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) encounter significant challenges related to degradation and self-oxidation in aqueous electrolytes, which remain critical obstacles for their efficient utilization in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. In this study, we demonstrate the hybridization of zero-dimensional CsPbBr₃ PQDs with a SiO₂ shell (PQD@SiO₂) and the direct harnessing of PQD@SiO₂ on a two-dimensional WO₃ nanoflake photoanode for boosting PEC water splitting. The ultra-thin SiO₂ shell protects the PQDs from the aqueous environment and suppresses undesirable charge recombination. Incorporating PQD@SiO₂ enhances light harvesting and manipulates photogenerated charges, amplifying the interfacial electric field of the WO₃ photoanode to facilitate PEC water oxidation kinetics. Consequently, PQD@SiO₂-incorporated WO₃ (PQD@SiO₂/WO₃) exhibits 2.2-fold higher PEC performance compared to pristine WO₃ at 1.23 V_RHE, with long-term durability over 12 h and a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 85.5% for overall solar water splitting to produce H₂ at 1.23 V under 1 sun illumination. This novel strategy of a heterostructure consisting of PQDs passivated by an ultra-thin SiO₂ shell on a WO₃ photoanode paves the way for improving PEC water splitting and efficient hydrogen production.

The global demand for hydrogen (H₂) production via electrolysis is rapidly increasing, necessitating the development of low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts. Herein, we report the synthesis of a double-transition-metal (DTM) MXene, molybdenum titanium carbide (Mo₂Ti₂C₃T_x), using a non-hydrofluoric (HF) acid-based etchant, followed by the incorporation of cobalt sulfide (CoS₂) nanoparticles through a hydrothermal process. The optimized Mo₂Ti₂C₃T_x@CoS₂ composite demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media, achieving a low overpotential of 281 mV at 10 mA/cm², a Tafel slope of 79 mV/dec, and a high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 375 cm². Theoretical calculations further validated the efficiency of the material, and its application in a real-time anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer confirmed its stability and high H₂ production rate. These findings highlight Mo₂Ti₂C₃T_x@CoS₂ as a promising noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for sustainable H₂ production and electrochemical energy conversion.

Membrane technology using advanced materials paves the way towards slashing industrial energy consumption. Protein-based separation membranes were engineered through macromolecular crowding of proteins induced by interactions with various green solvents to fabricate biodegradable, solvent-resistant nanofiltration membranes. Single-molecule tracking using quantum dots provided unprecedented insights into the real-time dynamics of membrane formation at the microscopic level. Molecular dynamics simulations corroborated these findings, highlighting the roles of macromolecular crowding and chain entanglement. The structural characteristics of the membranes by means of small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering spectroscopies were uncovered. The interpolymer chain distance, polymer conformation, and polymer chain arrangement were considerably influenced by interactions with different solvents. These structural modifications resulted in distinct membrane morphologies and mechanical properties. The biodegradable membranes exhibited excellent solvent resistance and molecular sieving performance in the nanofiltration range under high-pressure conditions. A case study demonstrated the successful removal of a carcinogenic impurity from a pharmaceutical. Given the abundance of proteins in biomass, our findings open the door for the development of sustainable and robust membranes through the manipulation of proteins.

Polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite fibers have gradually become a research hotspot in the field of EMI shielding due to their advantages of being lightweight, corrosion-resistant, highly flexible, and easily weavable. This review focuses on the preparation strategies of polymer-based EMI shielding composite fibers, systematically reviewing the research progress and characteristics of wet spinning, electrospinning, and other methods such as chemical deposition and template methods. Starting from the structural design principles of fibers, it specifically analyzes the construction strategies, preparation methods, and development status of solid, core-shell, and hollow structures of polymer-based EMI shielding composite fibers. It summarizes the effects of different preparation processes and structural morphologies on the EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties of polymer-based EMI shielding composite fibers, identifies key scientific and technical issues that need to be resolved in current preparation methods, and looks ahead to the future development trends of polymer-based EMI shielding composite fibers. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance for the innovation of preparation strategies and performance improvement of polymer-based EMI shielding composite fibers, promote their applications in aerospace, smart wearables, medical electronics, and other fields, and open up new directions for the development of electromagnetic protection materials.