Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

In article number 2200326, Kang-Jun Baeg, Jun-Woo Park, an co-workers develop high-energy-density flexible lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high-loading, free-standing cathodes and chemically functionalized carbon mixture interlayers. The multimodal capturing effect via simultaneous physical trapping and strong chemical interactions is highly efficient for immobilizing the polysulfide. It leads to significantly improved electrochemical performance for flexible/portable electronics and electric vehicles.

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

In article number 2200829, Dong Yang and co-workers develop a gelation-assisted assembly strategy to produce large-area, environmentally-stable MXene films with excellent trade-off between mechanical and electrical performances, which endow resultant MXene films with outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness with long-term durability.

Doped Quantum Layers

In article number 2200454, Yuyu Bu, Xiaohui Guo, and co-workers fabricate a photogenerated hole transfer tunnel in a photoanode system via doped quantum layers.

Photothermal Therapy

In article number 2200179, Xuesheng Jiang, Xiaohua Yu, Zhaoming Ye, and co-workers introduce a strategy of precise photothermal therapy for highly heterogenous cancers by a tumor-customized 2D supramolecular nanodisc (T-ND). By modifying Cy7-TCF crystal with phage display derived tumor-customized binding peptides, T-ND shows excellent photothermal efficacy to ablate the tumor and achieves ultralong retention time of more than 24 days in the “off-target” tumor site.

This review traces the development in the organic memory device and discusses the various problems that continue to plague the field. Focusing on nanoparticle-based memory, it dives into charge trapping mechanisms and the various interpretations of it over the last two decades. The study also covers resistive mechanisms such as the filament mechanism.

Zn anodes in aqueous Zn-ion batteries suffer from dendritic growth, corrosion, and passivation issues. A comprehensive review of the recent progress in Zn anode modification with focus on the design and application of both Zn anode supports and surface protective layers is presented. Additionally, promising research directions are also suggested to promote the development of highly reversible Zn anodes.

This review presents deep insights into the nanostructured metal phosphide electrocatalysts with a special emphasis on the advanced synthetic strategies and in situ characterization that are mandatory for their successful application in electrochemical water splitting.

Eutectic electrolytes are promising alternatives for high-performance rechargeable Zn batteries (RZBs). This review presents fundamentals and design strategies of eutectic electrolytes for the development of Zn battery implementations. Moreover, the comprehensive summary of eutectic electrolytes in practical RZB utilization offers enormous opportunities and opens appealing prospects.

Self-Organization of Multi-Component Systems

Recent efforts in materials science have focused on biologically inspired mixtures of active and passive colloids. In article number 2107023, Juliane Simmchen, Erik Luijten, and co-workers examine the effects of a minority of active particles on the collective behavior of a majority of passive particles. Integrated simulations and experiments elucidate the hydrodynamic driving forces behind the observed phenomena.

Recent efforts in materials science have focused on biologically inspired mixtures of active and passive colloids. The effects of a minority of active particles on the collective behavior of a majority of passive particles are examined. Integrated simulations and experiments elucidate the hydrodynamic driving forces behind the observed phenomena.

High-energy-density flexible lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are developed with high-S-loading freestanding cathodes and P-doped carbon interlayers on a polyethylene membrane. The multimodal capturing effect via simultaneous physical trapping in micro/mesopores of carbon mixtures, and strong chemical interactions between phosphorus and lithium polysulfides, is highly efficient for immobilizing the polysulfide; thus, leading to significantly improved electrochemical performance for next-generation flexible/portable electronics.

A facile, yet efficient assembly strategy is proposed to increase the alignment and compactness of MXene layers, as well as strengthen the interlayer interactions. This strategy involves the gelation of MXene flakes with a multifunctional inorganic “mortar” polymer followed by a simple mechanical rolling process. The resultant MXene film displays high mechanical strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and remarkable environmental stability.

This work develops doped dual-quantum layers to modify the surface of BiVO₄ photoanode. In this system, hybridization appears at the energy band of BiVO₄ photoanode by doped dual-quantum layers modification, inducing photon absorption capacity enhancement and tandem hole ohmic contact route fabrication. Thus, the photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance of the BiVO₄ photoanode improves significantly.

This study introduces a strategy for highly heterogeneous cancers precision medicine by a tumor-customized 2D supramolecular nanodisc (targeted nanodiscs (T-ND)), synthesized by modifying Cy7-TCF crystal with tumor-specific binding peptides identified by phage display biopanning. T-ND shows excellent photothermal efficacy to ablate the tumors by the precise delivery to tumors, and achieves ultralong tumor retention time of more than 24 days.

A structurally well-defined bifunctional oxygen catalyst is prepared via a pyrolysis-free approach. The as-synthesized catalyst more easily permits large quantity production while maintaining ultrahigh bi-functional catalyst activity, overwhelmingly exceeding the benchmark Pt/C+IrO₂ and the state-of-the-art pyrolytic M-N-C catalysts.

An ultrasmall microneedle nerve array is developed for mapping of peripheral nerves. Isotropic and anisotropic reactive etching shape each electrode. This process allows the inclusion of high-temperature silicon dioxide insulation and a compliant medical-grade elastomer substrate. The cuff-less nerve interface is attached to autonomic nerves in vivo using photochemical activation. The results demonstrate fabrication, acute electrophysiology, and high-fidelity device-tissue interfaces.

In this work, a thermosensitive P(NIPAM-MMA) based liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator (PNM-based L–S TENG) is developed through free radical polymerization and spin-coating. From 20 to 60 °C, the outputs of the PNM-based L–S TENG show a 27-fold increase. Wettability and triboelectric change under temperature control are reversible. A PNM-based wireless warning sensor is demonstrated to monitor specific temperature.

Rationally designed silk fibroin + gelatin methacryloyl hybrid fibrous scaffolds can remarkedly promote the tendon tissue regeneration process by mechanically supporting the growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biologically induce the MSCs proliferation and growth factor secretion, enabling their promising application in tendon tissue repair.

A highly active Ru/Ni hydroxide hybrid for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion is synthesized by electrodeposition and exhibits an impressive ammonia yield rate of 384 mmol h⁻¹ mg_Ru⁻¹ (1.4 × 10^–6 ±0.1 × 10^–6 mol s⁻¹ cm⁻²) and Faradic efficiency (FE_NH3 = 97% ± 2%). A zinc-nitrate fuel cell based Ru/Ni hydroxide hybrid generates ammonia from nitrate and simultaneously delivers a maximum power density of 51.5 mW cm⁻².

An integrated electrode with transfer highways of electron, hydroxide ion, and gas/liquid is constructed as anode for pure-water-fed anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). Benefitting from the reasonable structure, a high current density of 1900 mA cm^–2 at 1.90 V is obtained. this integrated electrode could shed light on the design principles of pure-water-fed electrochemical applications.

The rechargeability of Zn anodes is one major issue for practical applications of aqueous Zn batteries. An advanced acidic electrolyte with buffering agent acetic acid and functional tetramethylene sulfone can offer a stable pH environment and strengthened hydrogen-bonding network, thereby enabling high stability of Zn anodes, wider voltage window, and ultra-long cycle life for Zn-V₂O₅ full cells.

A sp²-carbon linked covalent organic framework (COF) with high fluorescence quantum yields, strong π-electron delocalization ability, and superior chemical stability is synthesized. After exfoliation into nanosheets and modification by surfactant, it is dispersed in aqueous solution for selective and sensitive copper ions detection in a switch-off way. Three surfactants are screened to investigate how they can affect the ultimate sensing sensitivity.

Lipophilic magnetic photonic nanochains are fabricated by developing selective concentration polymerization of monomers in microheterogenous dimethyl sulfoxide–water binary solvents. They can be used to formulate photonic inks for the screen-printing of anticounterfeiting labels, which show multifarious optically variable effects that are easy to visually identify, as well as excellent environmental resistance and mechanical properties required by practical applications.

Induced pluripotent stem cells undergoing a differentiation protocol to produce blood–brain barrier endothelial cells form fluid-filled domes. Here, the authors use a micro-tensiometer to measure the force required to deform these domes and their relaxation behavior over time. The results demonstrate that RhoA-ROCK signaling mediates multicellular force relaxation, identifying dome indentation as an approach to interrogate dynamic cell monolayer mechanics.

The hydrogel consists of a dissipative matrix with a polymer double network combined with a thixotropic supramolecular network, and an adhesive layer that contains a bridging polymer. The hydrogel can adhere to various material surfaces and tissues. Moreover, triggered by shear force, non-covalent interactions of the supramolecular network can be destroyed. This adhesion can be peeled easily.

“Imaging-guided therapy” is investigated to facilitate effective disease treatment once precise diagnosis is identified. Herein, an “image-launching therapy” strategy is developed to integrate the real-time optical imaging and simultaneous photodynamic therapy of bacterial infections into persistent luminescence nanoparticles (NPs). The self-illuminating capabilities of NPs avoid tissue autofluorescence, and the afterglow can persistently excite photosensitizers to promote photodynamic efficacy.

Here, methods to tune the work function of Ti₃C₂T_x are presented and the Ti vacancies in Ti₃C₂T_x are passivated by treatment with ethanolamine and metal chloride RhCl₃. The polymer solar cells with engineered Ti₃C₂T_x for electron or hole transport layers exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 15.88% or 15.54%. The modified Ti₃C₂T_x has a certain application prospect in photovoltaic devices.

A technique, termed freeze printing, that enables the fabrication of round wire with long-range orientated micropores (RW-LOM) is established. The incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane with carbon nanotubes RW-LOM forms a wearable sensor which can detect stretching, twisting, bending, and compression, with a high sensitivity and high stability.

NaCeS₂ nanocrystals are synthesized by a facile colloidal synthesis method and investigated for efficient and selective conversion of CO₂ into CO, where the role of Ce 4f and Ce 5d orbitals is unique AQ4 and crucial.

A non-fullerene acceptor, FO-EH-2Cl with branched alkyl side chains on the molecular backbone is designed to subtly manipulate the active layer morphology for all-small-molecule organic solar cells. A BSFTR:FO-EH-2Cl-based device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.78% with an outstanding fill factor (FF) of 80.44%.

By introducing peripheral groups into the donor–acceptor backbone, the intermolecular distance can be enhanced, thus weakening the intermolecular interaction. Therefore, with increasing doping concentrations, triplet-related exciton annihilations can be effectively suppressed, while the alignment of various excited state energy levels can be tuned to achieve high-efficiency reverse intersystem crossing, resulting in remarkably high-efficiencies for BPSPXZ over a wide doping concentration.

Using a chemical-induced crystallization strategy, the contradiction between solvent resistance and processing performance of polyetherketone (PEK) is eliminated, and a PEK nanofiber membrane is manufactured. This membrane has high mechanical properties, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, high porosity, and narrow pore size distribution. The use of PEK in high performance Li–O₂ batteries proves its potential in battery separators.

Three dopant-free polymeric hole transporting materials (HTMs) are developed based on different curvatures of the main backbone structure. The backbone curvatures of the polymeric HTMs affect the morphology and hole mobility of the HTMs and further change the crystallinity of perovskite films. Finally, the HTM with moderate molecular curvature exhibits the best performance in inverted perovskite solar cells.

A controllable charge carrier transport is demonstrated in a specially designed metal-alloy structure of CsPbI₃/ (MA_1−xCs_x)PbI₃/MAPbI₃ perovskite. The acceleration results in increased mobility, greatly beneficial for photovoltaic and detector applications. The deceleration results in enhanced electron–hole recombination and thus largely increased emission efficiency, beneficial for LED and laser applications.

A dense all-phosphate-based composite cathode with ion-conductive and redox-active interphase is fabricated via a co-firing technique. The active interphase enhances the ionic conductivity of the composite cathode and meanwhile enables the stable performance of the bulk type all-solid-state battery, which has an industrially relevant reversible areal capacity.

A multilayer concatenated catalytic aptasensing scheme is developed for in vivo aptasensing via the in situ self-assembly of branched DNA copolymers with low mobility and numerous fluorophores. With an auxiliary tumor-specific nanocarrier, the versatile HCRs aptasensing circuit enables the in vivo aptasensing of tumor cells with high sensitivity, high accuracy, and high adaptability.

A Co-carbonate hydroxide@Ni-MOFs (Co-CH@Ni-MOFs) composite with super uniform core–shell heterostructure is successfully fabricated by using Co-CH nanowires as structure-directing agents and substrates. The core–shell heterostructures with sufficiently contacted interfaces can create more redox interface sites and enhance the electron transfer rate, resulting in the excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitors.

Zn is modified by carboxylate-terminated self-assembled monolayers (MUDA/Zn). Mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUDA) functions as a physical barrier, which prevents reducible species from making close contact with the underlying Zn. MUDA also accumulates Zn²⁺ ions on the surface. As a result, MUDA/Zn enables the operation of aqueous zinc-ion batteries over a wide range of pH with no signs of dendrite formation.

Inspired by grinding treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, a mechanical force is introduced to promote the effective molecular collision and accelerate the self-assembly of chitosan (CS) and puerarin (PUE) for fabricating the Chinese-herb-based injectable CS@PUE hydrogel. This work provides universal mechanosynthesis of PUE-based hydrogel with synergistic antibacterial and immune regulation properties for wound healing.

Cucurbit[8]uril induces the folding of a diarylethene phenylpyridinium derivative to form a macrocycle-confined supramolecular pure organic room-temperature phosphorescence switch, which not only displays NIR emission at 700 nm, but is also successfully applied in photo-controlled lysosome-targeted cell imaging.

An approach to fabricate metal aerogels is proposed by adopting ultrasmall metal nanoclusters as functional building blocks. The resulting Au aerogels possess ultrafine ligament size of 3.5 nm, self-supported pore structures, and excellent peroxidase-like catalytic properties.

Janus microspheres with photonic and plasmonic faces are created by colloidal self-assembly in photocurable drops. The colloids spontaneously form 3D crystals in the interior and 2D arrays on the surface. The removal of particles strengthens photonic color and directional deposition of metal renders top hemisphere plasmonically colored. The Janus microspheres provide switching between photonic and plasmonic colors through electric-field-driven rotation.

In GeTe and related chalcogenides, which all show a unique property portfolio in the crystalline state including strong optical absorption and soft bonds, the thickness dependent properties are explored. A pronounced thickness dependence of the optical and vibrational properties of crystalline GeTe is demonstrated, which is linked to a thickness dependent Peierls distortion, due to an increased electron localization.

Bean pod-like SbSn/N-doped carbon fibers formed by oversimplified electrospinning technique can be directly used as the free-standing flexible anode and can present excellent reversible capacity for sodium storage. Benefiting from the binder-free characteristic, the manufacturing process is simplified and the energy density of the battery is improved. The designed flexible anode exhibits great potential in practical applications.