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MXene is considered as a kind of promising two-dimensional layered carbide/nitride in the field of overall water splitting attributed to hydrophilic surface, controllable interlayer spacing, and desirable metal conductivity. Nevertheless, the re-stack effect still hinders its large-scale development. Therefore, in this work, metal-organic frameworks-derived hollow CoV 2 O 6 nanocubes anchored on the surface of lattice tensile strained V 2 CT x MXene (TS-V 2 CT x /CoV 2 O 6 HN) as electrocatalysts are prepared through ion exchange process and the following liquid nitrogen quenching treatment. Lattice tensile strain could boost ions transfer of transition metals due to the enlarger interlayer spacing. The heterostructure between CoV 2 O 6 and V 2 CT x MXene could optimize the adsorption energy of H- and O-containing intermediates to obtain the best ΔGH* for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and decrease the ΔG value of rate determining step for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Besides, the CoV 2 O 6 components acting as intercalation agents could avoid the self-aggregation of MXene nanosheets. Simultaneously, the hollow structure also offers high active area to promote electrolyte permeation and accelerate electron/ion transfer. As a consequence, the TS-V 2 CT x /CoV 2 O 6 HN acquires extraordinary HER and OER performance with the overpotential of 32.2 and 235.0 mV at the current density of − 10 mA/cm2 and 10 mA/cm2, respectively, which is quite remarkable compared to the recent MXene-based electrocatalysts. Moreover, the overall water splitting device assembled by TS-V 2 CT x /CoV 2 O 6 HN demonstrates a low cell voltage of 1.358 V at 10 mA/cm2. Thence, this work donates an exciting avenue to overcome the re-stack issue of V 2 CT x MXene, constructing a superior electrocatalyst with high activity and desirable reaction kinetics. [Display omitted] • The hollow CoV 2 O 6 nanocubes anchored on the surface of lattice tensile strained V 2 CT x MXene are successfully prepared. • Lattice tensile strain could change the local atomic/electronic environment and widen interlayer spacing. • The hollow structure could offer rich active area and effectively avoid the self-aggregation of MXene sheets. • TS-V 2 CT x /CoV 2 O 6 HN acquires extraordinary hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction activity. • This work could offer an exciting avenue for overcoming the re-stack issue of V 2 CT x MXene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass-derived carbon has attracted extensive attention because of its unique form, wide range of sources and low cost. However, the construction of efficient biomass-based microwave absorbers with hierarchical structures and multicomponent magnetic/dielectric structures remains a great challenge. Therefore, CoNi-MOF was self-assembled in situ on the plant Juncus effusus by the microwave method, and CoNi/NC/C composites were prepared by in situ pyrolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere. The morphology, electromagnetic parameters, specific surface area and porous structure of the composites were adjusted by controlling the pyrolysis temperature. For a pyrolysis temperature of 600 ℃ and filling of 16 wt%, the composite was found to show an RL min value of − 64.3 dB at 12.88 GHz at a thickness of 2.5 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB)reached 7.36 GHz. The excellent microwave absorption performance was attributed to conduction loss, dipole polarization, interface polarization, magnetic loss and balanced impedance matching. • Multimodal 3D structure CoNi / NC / C composites were synthesized by microwave and pyrolysis. • The RLmin of the sample was − 64.3 dB at 2.5 mm, with a broad effective bandwidth of 7.36 GHz. • Metal-O-C and Metal-N bonds were present in the composites. • The performance derives from multiple loss mechanism and tunable impedance match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of a high-capacity silicon anode is still impeded by its interfacial instability, low electronic conductivity, and compact density. Here, we propose a coralline-like Si/Ni/C anode material by utilizing a metal-organic framework as the metal and carbon source. By coreduction and carbonization of silica-coated Ni-MOF, an interlayer of NiSi 2 is in situ formed at the interface of the carbon skeleton and Si nanoparticles, resulting in excellent compatibility and gradient interface between them. The efficiently utilized inner void, containing multiple Si, NiSi 2 , and carbon skeleton, improves the compact density of the as-prepared Si/Ni/C. The electronic conductivity was also improved by the bridge space between the carbon skeleton and Si nanoparticles through a highly conductive NiSi 2. The three-dimensional coral carbon skeleton provides excellent mechanical properties and suitable space for the volume change of Si. As a result, the as-prepared Si/Ni/C composite demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 1044 mA h g−1 with a capacity retention of 82.4 % after 100 cycles. The carbon-coated Si/Ni/C composite exhibits enhanced rate capability (695 mA h g−1at 10 A g−1). Such improved performances are attributed to the synergetic effects of stable structural integrity and good interface stability, which can be used to guide the design of Si anode for industrial applications. • Porous Ni-MOFs provide a three-dimensional conductive network. • The microstructure and nanointerface synergistically increase the tap density. • Si/Ni/C exhibits excellent rate capability with a specific capacity of 695 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

● Multifunctional zinc-based acrylate resins for marine antifouling and EM wave absorption were prepared and researched. ● The resins effectively inhibited the growth and adhesion of bacteria (>90%) and algae (optimal: 92.5%). ● The ARZn-x without antifoulants can maintain their antifouling properties for more than 4 months in marine. ● RL min was -40.18 dB at 1.5 mm and 30.55 GHz, and full absorption was achieved in the range of 1.0 ~ 5.5 mm at 18-40 GHz. [Display omitted] Here, we report on the marine antifouling performance and electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) properties of multifunctional zinc-based acrylate resins (ARZn-x). Their controlled hydrolysis with varying contents of carboxylic acid groups and ZnO led to formation of new surfaces that contributed to excellent antibacterial activity (>90%) and reductions in algal adhesion (optimal: 92.5%). Marine field tests demonstrated ideal antifouling performance during immersion in seawater for 4 months, and the coatings inhibited the adhesion and growth of biofouling species in marine. Furthermore, the ARZn-x resin coatings exhibited remarkable EMWA performance, with an RL min of − 40.18 dB at 1.5 mm and 30.55 GHz, and full absorption of frequencies ranging from 18 to 40 GHz was achieved with thicknesses ranging from 1.0 to 5.5 mm. These resins provide new approaches to the development of multifunctional materials demonstrating marine antifouling performance and EMWA properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 3D/2D MOF-derived CoCeO x /g-C 3 N 4 Z-scheme heterojunction was successfully prepared. • CoCeO x /g-C 3 N 4 showed a photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency of 1050 µmol g−1 h−1. • The synergistic effect of CoCeO x /g-C 3 N 4 and PDS achieved 97% degradation of CBZ within 1 h. • The degradation path and intermediate products were proposed from HRMS analysis and DFT calculations. [Display omitted] A new MOF-derived CoCeOx nanosphere/g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet composite material with a high specific surface area, compact interface, abundant active sites, and promotion of electron transfer and separation was successfully prepared. The prepared 10% CoCeOx/g-C 3 N 4 composite material generated hydrogen with an efficiency of 1050 µmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation, and 97% of carbamazepine was degraded in 1 h at a degradation rate of 0.05 min−1 with the help of PDS. Based on DFT calculations and mass spectrometry analysis, the degradation products and degradation pathways of carbamazepine were also proposed. According to tests of the photocatalytic properties, SO 4 -•, h +,•OH, and •O 2 - were produced by the composite itself; these species play an important role in the degradation. The photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed. The prepared CoCeOx/g-C 3 N 4 composite material provides a simple and effective strategy for energy utilization and wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have been regarded as an ideal device for the next-generation energy storage system owing to their high theoretical capacity, proper redox potential in aqueous electrolyte, highly abundant, low cost, and high safety. However, growth of zinc dendrites and production of hydrogen gas seriously hinder the practical applications of AZIBs. Herein, a multifunctional protection interface is designed by an in-situ simple method. This interfacial layer is composed of zinc conductor ZnF 2 and zincophilic In-O-F. This hybrid protective layer not only induces uniform zinc deposition and suppresses the hydrogen production, but also inhibits the formation of the by-products Zn 4 SO 4 (OH) 6 ·5H 2 O and the vanadium dissolution. As a result of this synergy effect, the symmetric cell exhibits a long life for 3200 cycles at 20 mA cm−2, as well as a coulombic efficiency (CE) of Zn plating/stripping as high as 99.9 % after 2200 cycles at 2 mA cm−2. The full cells coupled with MnO 2 and V 2 O 3 cathodes also demonstrate excellent electrochemical performances. This work provides a simple and effective way to develop AZIBs. • The treatment process for zinc metal anodes is very simple and easy. • A multifunctional protective layer of In-O-F is formed on the surface of the Zn anode. • The interfacial layer can not only suppress side reactions, but also uniform zinc deposition. • A coulombic efficiency of Zn plating/stripping as high as 99.9 % after 2200 cycles can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets are vacuum-sintered by refining the particle size of raw materials and tailoring the WC/TaC ratio to achieve the improvements in comprehensive mechanical properties and cutting performance. The hardness, flexural strength and tool lifespan of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets are substantially higher than those of submicron Ti(C, N)-based cermets with the same composition because of the refined grains and the improved distributions of both metal phases and residual stress. The hardness attenuation behavior and strengthening mechanism in Ti(C, N)-based cermets at different test temperatures have been proposed. At 400 ℃, the hardness attenuation of Ti(C, N)-based cermets depends mainly upon the softening of metal phases. However, at 800 ℃, the hardness attenuation of Ti(C, N)-based cermets is mainly related to the reduced bearing capacity of hard ceramic phases and interfacial sliding. The addition of refractory TaC is beneficial for the improvement of high-temperature mechanical properties and the tool lifespan, attributed to the strengthening of the ceramic framework by tantalum atoms. • The strategy on synergistic refinement of raw powders with various constituents in ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets is proposed for the first time. • The comprehensive properties of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets are substantially higher than those of submicron Ti(C, N)-based cermets. • The hardness attenuation behavior and strengthening mechanism in Ti(C, N)-based cermets at different test temperatures are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition complexity of Ti(C, N)-based cermets poses a great challenge to the controllability of their sintering process. The effects of both refractory TaC addition and original particle size of starting materials on densification behavior and microstructural evolution of Ti(C, N)-based cermets were investigated during liquid phase sintering. The particle rearrangement only plays a very limited role in promoting densification of Ti(C, N)-based cermets at the initial stage of liquid phase sintering, whereas the pore-filling in the presence of liquid phase becomes a dominant densification mechanism in the middle stage or even earlier. Enhanced densification of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets is realized by introducing refractory TaC additive based on the grain growth-induced liquid phase pore-filling mechanism, which is also verified by an extended study using other refractory carbide additives such as NbC, ZrC and HfC. This work provides a novel idea for the development of fully densified ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets with outstanding mechanical properties, which are highlighted in machining applications of difficult-to-machine materials as well as other wear-resistant parts operating in high-temperature and high-stress environments. [Display omitted] • The effects of both TaC addition and the particle size of starting materials on the densification behavior of Ti(C, N)-based cermets are clarified. • Enhanced densification of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets is realized by introducing refractory TaC additive. • This work provides a novel idea for the development of fully densified ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of efficient and stable electrochemical catalysts based on transition metals (TMs) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of paramount importance. Herein, a novel partially amorphous NiMoB/NiMoO 4−x catalyst with dense nanoparticle assemblies has been prepared with B doping and reduction by one step NaBH 4 treatment of smooth nanorod-like NiMoO 4 precursor. Benefiting from the MoNi 4 alloys partially reduced from NiMoO 4 precursor, optimized electronic state through B doping and partially amorphous structure, NiMoB/NiMoO 4−x obtained splendid activity for HER with a lower overpotential of 26.2 mV at 10 mA cm 2 coupled with a narrow Tafel slope of 66.75 mV dec 1, in contrast to NiMoO 4 precursor catalyst (260.24 @10 mA cm 2, 149 mV dec 1) in alkaline solution. Additionally, the self-supported NiMoB/NiMoO 4−x electrode exhibits remarkable stability, maintaining a current density of 50 mA cm 2 for a minimum of 40 h attributed to mixed phases of MoNi 4 and amorphous NiMoO 4−x for accelerating the H 2 evolution and enhancing water adsorption. This work offers a facile avenue to rationally design high-performance electrocatalysts for enhancing hydrogen evolution with NaBH 4 accompanying borate doping and reduction. [Display omitted] • Partially amorphous NiMoB/NiMoO 4−x was constructed by one step hydrothermal. • MoNi 4 alloys accelerate H 2 evolution assisted by amorphous NiMoO 4−x. • Oxygen vacancies (O v) can enhance the conductivity and hydrogen spillover effect. • B doping effectively modulates the electronic structure of NiMoB/NiMoO 4−x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niobate pentoxides have been considered as promising anode materials of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) on account of their intrinsic large capacities, high cycling stability and enhanced safety. However, their practical usages are limited by poor rate capabilities due to the low electrical and lithium-ion diffusion rate. In this work, W6+-doped Nb 2 O 5 nano material with enhanced rate capacity was synthesized. W6+ doping can expand crystal lattices in the Nb 2 O 5 , improving Li+ diffusion coefficients. The production of Nb4+ due to W6+ doping results to enhance electrical conductivity. The H 0.05 material (W 0.05 -Nb 2 O 5) exhibits delightful rate capacity (167.1 mAh g−1 at 20 C) and prominent cyclic stability resulting from their structure stability (124.3 mAh g−1 at 5 C after 600 cycles). This novel anode material provides great promise for the construction of high-performance LIBs. • W6+-doped Nb 2 O 5 nano material with enhanced rate capacity was synthesized. • W6+ doping can expand crystal lattices in the Nb 2 O 5 , improving Li+ diffusion coefficients. • Electrical conductivity is enhanced due to the production of Nb4+. • W 0.05 -Nb 2 O 5 exhibits delightful rate capacity (167.1 mAh g−1 at 20 C) and prominent cyclic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are considered as considerable candidate for electrocatalytic water splitting. The main holdback locates in fabricating well-defined HEAs with moderate electronic structure and uncovering the structural evolution during the reaction process. Herein, we successfully synthesized NiCoFeCrMo HEA-nps by an ultrafast joule heating method for highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The optimal graphene incorporated NiCoFeCrMo HEA nanoparticles (HEA-nps) exhibits finely distributed nanoparticles with average size of 17.49 nm and uniformly distribution of all the five elements, which displays the outstanding OER performance with a low onset potential and only requires the 260 mV (vs RHE) to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) demonstrates that the high valence Cr and Mo can directly regulate the local structure of HEA-nps, which significantly promoted the intrinsic activity of high active species. This work not only provides a design strategy related to the high valence elements injection for HEAs, but also uncovers the structural evolution of HEAs during OER process. [Display omitted] • NiCoFeCrMo HEA were successfully synthesized by fast Joule heating method. • Multi-electron Cr and Mo elements have regulated the local electronic structure. • The intrinsic mechanism of each element in HEAs during the reaction process has been clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hygroscopicity is an obstacle to the widespread use of aluminum phosphate binders, but there is still a lack of relevant fundamental research on this topic. Here, the curing behavior, thermal evolution, phase development and hygroscopic behavior of acid aluminum phosphate (AAP) solutions with different P/Al ratios (2.50–4.00) have been systematically investigated. We comprehensively elucidate for the first time the hygroscopic mechanism of AAP and its derived aluminum phosphate, and establish a dynamic relationship between hygroscopic mechanism, moisture absorption rate, microstructure and phase composition. AAP and its derived aluminum phosphate, namely Al(H 2 PO 4) 3 , AlH 2 P 3 O 10 , residual H 3 PO 4 , [HPO 3 ] n and hydroxyl groups are all hygroscopic. The hygroscopic properties of AAP depend on the phase composition, which is determined by the P/Al ratio and the calcination temperature. Due to the formation of Berlinite and Al 8 H 12 (P 2 O 7) 9 , the reduced formation of AlH 2 P 3 O 10 and the absence of H 3 PO 4 , [HPO 3 ] n and hydroxyl groups, the AAP solution with a P/Al< 3.00 and its derived aluminum phosphate exhibit relatively lower hygroscopicity. Meanwhile, increasing the calcination temperature can also improve the hygroscopicity resistance characteristics. This work complements the basic knowledge of AAP systems, especially those with a P/Al< 3.00. This sets the stage for the fabrication of aluminum phosphate binders and aluminum phosphate-based composites with excellent hygroscopicity resistance properties. • The thermal evolution of AAP solutions with different P/Al ratios have been investigated. • The properties of AAP solutions with P/Al< 3.00 have been studied for the first time. • Hygroscopic mechanism of AAP and its derived aluminum phosphate was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li dendrites can penetrate the hard garnet ceramics in the solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs), severely impairing the cycle life of the battery. Herein, a facile Li/Garnets interface modification strategy is reported to mitigate the adverse effects of Li dendrite penetration, which refers to the insertion of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with vertically aligned nanoscale channels at the Li/Garnets interface. As a result, the AAO membranes can confine the deposited Li metal in channels during cycling and induce the Li metal across the channels to continue to depositing uniformly on AAO surface. Furthermore, the deposited Li metal tends to react with AAO to form Li-Al-O compounds, which strengthens the confinement effects to Li metal. The results demonstrate that the full cell with Li/Garnets interface modified by 300 nm aperture AAO exhibits excellent cycling performance, which remain discharge specific of 93.5mAh g−1 (initial: 138.1mAh g−1) after stable operating 716 cycles at 0.2 C. The Li/Li symmetric battery can stably cycle above 1000 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 and 100 h under 1 mA cm−2. This facile method of directly inserting nanoscale vertically aligned network into Li/Garnets interface provides a new approach to promote application of garnets ceramics in SSLMBs. [Display omitted] • The Li/garnet interface was modified by AAO membranes with different pore size. • The Li metal deposition behaviors on AAO membranes. • The effects of pore size of AAO on cycle performance and failure mechanism of full batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Ni-rich ternary cathode materials is restricted by the irreversible phase transition and interfacial side reactions during long-term cycling. Herein, a LiTaO 3 coating and Ta5+ doping strategy are simultaneously achieved by a simple solid-phase synthesis. The surface side-reaction and undesired phase transition of LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 (NCA) are effectively restrained by this approach, which utilizes residual lithium to afford the coating. The NCA-LTO 3 (The modified NCA with a LiTaO 3 coating content of 3 wt%) delivers a high reversible capacity of 168.04 at 5 C (140.56 mAh g−1 for NCA), revealing the enhanced rate capability. More importantly, the cycling life could be greatly maintained after 200 cycles with a significant capacity retention of 94.1% (61.2% for NCA) at 1 C. Mechanism analysis indicates that such improvement is ascribed to the coating of conductor LiTaO 3 and doping Ta5+ greatly promoting the Li-ion diffusion and stabilizing the interface of NCA. The study proposes a highly convenient strategy for interfacial optimization of cathode materials toward assisting the large-scale production of high-performance NCA. • The double modification of coating and doping is realized by consuming the residual lithium salt on the surface of NCA material. • After LiTaO 3 coating and Ta5+ doping, the discharge capacity, cycling stability and rate performance are significantly improved. • The double modification improves the structural stability of LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quenching expansion tests in the temperature range 350–500 ℃ and isothermal compression tests in the range 350–500 ℃ & 0.01–10 s−1 of a homogenized Al-Cu-Li alloy were conducted to investigate the flow behavior and thermal expansion behavior. The corresponding microstructures of the tested specimens were characterized by back-scattered electron-scanning electron microscope (BSE-SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Coarse secondary phases including Al 2 CuLi (T 1), Al 2 (Cu-Ag)(Li-Mg) (Ω), Al 2 Cu (θ), Al 2 CuMg (S) dissolve with increasing temperature, which is likely to increase the coefficient of thermal expansion. The temperature rising induced by deformation heat varies from 2.29 ℃ to 38.32 ℃ with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. Three different constitutive models were calculated, evaluated and optimized, based on which, the two-step optimized Johnson-Cook model showed the highest precision. At the temperature ≤ 400 ℃, the existences of undeformable coarse phases (especially T 1 or Ω phase) promote particle stimulated nucleation (PSN), which pronouncedly increases the volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and decreases the flow stress. At temperature of 450 ℃, most of undeformable coarse phases dissolved, cutting-off mechanism of S and θ phase was observed, which is no longer beneficial to PSN, and CDRX becomes the main DRX mechanism. • Flow behavior and hot expansion behavior of the homogenized Al-Cu-Li alloy were analyzed. • Microstructures before and after compression at high temperature of the homogenized Al-Cu-Li alloy were compared. • A novel two-step optimized Johnson-Cook model with high prediction precision was proposed. • Cut-off mechanism of Al 2 CuMg phase during deformation were identified. • PSN and CDRX were characterized and the effects of precipitates on them were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel refractory carbide reinforced tungsten matrix (W-MeC) composites have high microstructural stability and attractive high-temperature mechanical, thermo-physical and chemical properties, and they are promising candidates for a very wide range of applications across the aerospace, military, advanced machining and energy industries. In this review, material design, fabrication methods and microstructural features of W-MeC composites are presented. The mechanical and thermo-physical properties, resistance to oxidation, thermal shock and ablation, and the mechanisms of high-temperature strengthening of W-MeC composites are covered. In addition, the applications of W-ZrC composites as well as major challenges and future trends are outlined as well. This review provides a good understanding of the state-of-the-art research in W-MeC composites and inspires researchers to explore and develop W-MeC composites with improved properties fabricated in smart and cost-effective manners. [Display omitted] • The state-of-the-art research in W-MeC composites is reviewed. • Material design, fabrication methods, microstructures, properties and applications of W-MeC composites are presented. • Major challenges and future trends of W-MeC composites are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decomposition of urea can facilitate the nucleation of 5 nm size SnO 2 particles. • Urea can prevent MXenes from oxidation during hydrothermal process. • Interaction between SnO 2 particles and MXenes is proved by XPS. • SnO 2 /MXenes shows a raise of capacity and reaches 904 mA h g−1 at 1000th cycles. [Display omitted] Commercial graphite anodes show limited capacity in lithium-ion batteries, which inhibits the development of high-energy and high-power devices. Although the theoretical capacity of SnO 2 based anodes is three times higher than that of graphite, their practical application is hindered by the poor cycling stability. In this study, we report a ball-milling assisted exfoliation method for the scalable production of delaminated MXene nanosheets, followed by the preparation of 5 nm SnO 2 nanocrystals anchored on MXene nanosheets through a hydrothermal reaction. SnO 2 /MXenes nanocomposites exhibit long cycling life up to 1000 cycles with a high capacity of 904 mA h g−1, which can be ascribed to the high conductivity of the MXene substrates, and the anchoring effect between SnO 2 nanoparticles and MXene sheets that can prevent crystal aggregation or collapse during cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A cordierite-based ceramic with controllable phase composition is successfully prepared via sol-gel method. • Cr3+-modified cordierite ceramic exhibits high emissivity (> 0.79) at 800 °C. • The thermophysical properties of cordierite ceramic is tailored by changing the additive amount of Cr3+. Cr3+-modified cordierite ceramic with high emissivity, low thermal conductivity, and controllable thermal expansion property was successfully prepared via the sol-gel process followed by cold isostatic pressing and sintering. And the phase composition and contents (α-cordierite, Mg(Al 2−x Cr x)O 4 spinel, cristobalite) can be regulated by changing the additive amount of Cr3+, which further influences the thermophysical properties of cordierite based ceramic. [Display omitted] The Cr3+-modified α - cordierite ceramics Mg 2 Al 4- x Cr x Si 5 O 18 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1, named MAS, MASCr 0.2 , MASCr 0.4 , MASCr 0.6 , MASCr 0.8 , and MASCr 1 , respectively) have been synthesized via the sol-gel process followed by cold isostatic pressing and sintering. The effects of trivalent chromium ion content in α-cordierite ceramic on microstructure and thermophysical properties were investigated. The MASCr 0.2 ceramic exhibits the highest average emissivity value of 0.87 across the whole infrared range of 3–20 µm at 500 °C, especially at the vital infrared wavelength of 3–5 µm, the value can reach 0.92. The emissivity will decrease with the increase of doping amount owing to the growing precipitation of cristobalite and MgAl 2 O 4 spinel phases. The lowest thermal conductivity 2.077 W/m K is discovered in MASCr 0.2 , a decrease of 23% compared to MAS. The MASCr 0.4 ceramic with a close emissivity value compared to MASCr 0.2 exhibits the TEC of 7.8 × 10−6 K−1 due to the multiphase structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]