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Cellulose paper derived from plants is used for daily writing and recording and has historically played an important role in promoting cultural dissemination and inheritance. However, it has attracted increasing attention in recent years, serving as a flexible platform or substrate for environment and energy applications, which is attributed to its many inherent advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability, low cost, and great capability to be modified. With the development of various industries, especially the flexible electronics industry, the demand for two-dimensional (2D) paper-like materials have increased. Several types of inorganic paper are manufactured and have been widely used in many fields. Among them, hydroxyapatite (HAP)-based and carbon-based inorganic paper exhibit unique advantages and have been well applied in certain fields. In addition, there are many composite papers assembled by several raw materials (cellulose fibers, HAP, and carbon), exhibiting excellent characteristics. Cellulose paper is no longer limited to traditional writing applications and has great potential to be used in many aspects, achieving a stunning change in its role. The emergence of inorganic paper and hybrid paper has further demonstrated the application prospects of paper-like two-dimensional materials. Herein, initially, we present the characteristics of three types of paper and composite paper, and then summarize their typical applications in the environment and energy fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven interfacial steam generation (SISG) has received increasing attention due to its continuous clean water generation under sunlight irradiation with high photothermal conversion efficiency. However, the inevitable waste of solar thermal energy and the poor adaptability of the photothermal material severely restrict its practical application. Herein, we report for the first time the fabrication of flexible and free-standing alkaline-earth metal ios-mediated graphene oxide nanoribbon paper (GONRs paper) by utilizing the ring-opening and cross-linking reactions of GONRs with M (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+). Owing to the unique structure, the as-created GONRs-M paper embraces all the desirable capabilities, including light absorption, thermal conversion, and wetting ability, and enables continuous clean water production from seawater and simulated wastewater with nearly 91.5% photothermal conversion efficiency under one solar intensity irradiation (1 kW m−2). In addition, complementary heat loss-induced thermoelectricity is harvested alongside SISG, ensuring simultaneous desalination and electricity production with high efficiency. This facile strategy opens an avenue for developing GONR paper-based durable steam generators, not merely for sustainable clean water production, but also for harvesting low-grade waste energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global efforts in electrifying our society drive the demand for low-cost and sustainable energy storage solutions. In the present work, a novel material concept was investigated to enable fabrication of several 10 meter-long rolls of supercapacitor paper electrodes on a pilot-scale paper machine. The material concept was based on cationized, cellulose-rich wood-derived fibres, conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS, and activated carbon filler particles. Cationic fibres saturated with anionic PEDOT:PSS provide a conducting scaffold hosting the activated carbon, which functions as the active charge-storage material. The response from further additives was systematically investigated for several critical paper properties. Cellulose nanofibrils were found to improve mechanical properties, while carbon black enhanced both the conductivity and the storage capacity of the activated carbon, reaching a specific capacitance of 67 F g−1. This pilot trial shows that "classical" papermaking methods are fit for the purpose and provides valuable insights on how to further advance bio-based energy storage solutions for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniformly dispersing silver nanowires (AgNWs) in polymer matrices is of paramount importance for developing high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Herein, new flexible and robust high-efficiency bacterial cellulose (BC)-based EMI shielding papers were developed via a modified step-by-step in situ biosynthesis method, in which, AgNWs were well distributed in the BC network. The BC nanofibers and AgNWs could form an effective entangled network with hydrogen bonding, efficiently strengthening the produced BC/AgNW papers. An electrical conductivity of 608 365 S m−1 was achieved for a BC/AgNW paper with a AgNW content of 36.5 wt%, which is superior to almost all AgNW-containing papers reported so far. Moreover, the BC/AgNW paper could sustain mechanical deformation and vigorous washing, without losing electrical conductivity. Additionally, this paper presents an ultrahigh specific EMI shielding effectiveness of ∼6400 dB mm−1, which is higher than almost all previously reported AgNW-based polymer composites. The proposed approach in this study provides a facile and scalable fabrication route for producing flexible and highly conductive BC/AgNW papers, which are of great potential as electrically conductive components and EMI shielding elements in advanced applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible energy storage devices are of significant interest for wearable device applications. In this regard, paper, which is thin, light, flexible, and highly porous, has emerged as a next-generation energy-storage material. Here, we introduce a facile technology for fabricating a supercapacitor based on a single sheet of paper, in which the electrodes are vertically separated by the patterning of hydrophobic barriers. The positive and negative electrodes can be simultaneously sectionalized as active layers and current collectors in a single-layer porous paper supercapacitor, such that the gel electrolyte infiltrates the device without any additional assembly. The solid-state supercapacitor with vertically layered electrodes exhibits a large areal capacitance of 560.2 mF cm−2 at 0.2 mA cm−2 and stable flexibility and foldability. The maximum power and energy densities were 1.597 mW cm−2 and 28.74 μW h cm−2, respectively, which highly exceed those of previously reported multi-sheet paper-based supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been widely used for self-powered gas sensors recently. However, limitations such as low sensitivity especially for trace concentrations of NH3 and narrow detection ranges inevitably pose serious challenges. Herein, a kind of highly sensitive self-powered gas sensor based on a PANI/cellulosic hierarchical structure (PC-TENG) was developed to detect NH3 gas. The hierarchical structure provides excellent gas permeability and huge numbers of gas adsorption sites. Meanwhile, the most effective structure design of the integrated self-powered NH3 sensors (PANI acts as the electrode/tribo-material) was identified by a comparison of different structure designs (PANI plays a single role of the electrode or tribo-material, or double roles of the both). Benefitting from the abundant gas adsorption sites, and the coordinate regulation of the PANI's surface tribo-state and impedance caused by protonation–deprotonation of PANI, the rationally designed PC-TENG exhibits outstanding sensing properties, with a minimum detection limit as low as 100 ppb and a maximum limit of 500 ppm, wherein the maximum output voltage and current of the PC-TENG are 23 V and 0.17 μA, respectively. And the sensitivity of the PC-TENG was up to 45.41% ppm−1 from 0.1 to 1 ppm, and 15.17% ppm−1 from 1 to 50 ppm. In particular, the sensitivity for trace concentrations of NH3 (0.1 to 50 ppm) is the highest value among reported studies. In addition, the mature processing technique of commercial nitro-cellulosic paper and its eco-friendly nature further provide the feasibility of large-scale production and application of environmentally friendly self-powered NH3 sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven evaporators (SDEs) have attracted increasing attention in producing potable freshwater. Developing a multitasking SDE with stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, effective heat management, pollutant degradation capability and good scalability for industrial production is significant but challenging. This work demonstrates the fabrication of a cellulose paper-based SDE with rough photothermal coating, controlled Janus wettability and a hierarchical Fenton catalyst for advanced solar desalination. Through the surface deposition of an urchin-like nanocatalyst and polypyrrole coating, a rough photothermal top layer for enhanced light trapping (98.6%) and a Fenton catalytic bottom layer for in situ pollutant degradation (98.1%) are constructed. Benzophenone-terminated polydimethylsiloxane is designed to realize facile asymmetric photo-grafting on porous paper, which further endows the evaporator with controlled Janus wettability, stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, efficient heat management and rapid water transfer. Benefiting from such advantages, high solar-to-vapor efficiency (95.3%) and evaporation rate (1.88 kg m−2 h−1) are obtained. This cellulose paper-based evaporator also exhibits mechanical flexibility, portability and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the preparation process, including simple deposition and cleaner photo-grafting, is feasible and scalable for industrial production. This work provides innovative concepts for developing advanced paper evaporators to realize multitasking solar desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the development of multi-functional supercapacitors with high flexibility and strong environmental adaptability has gradually become a focus of attention. In this work, a multi-functional paper-based supercapacitor with excellent temperature adaptability, plasticity, tensile strength, strong adhesion, and self-healing properties is obtained by introducing PVA and ZnCl2 into carbonized paper-based materials (APC-PVA@ZnCl2). The as-obtained APC-PVA@ZnCl2 supercapacitor has excellent adaptability to the environment, even in a low-temperature environment below zero, still maintaining a high volumetric specific capacitance of 3438.45 mF cm−3 and high volumetric specific energy density of 44 mW h cm−3. Moreover, the APC-PVA@ZnCl2 supercapacitor can be stretched beyond 2400–2500% strain, indicating good tensile properties. In addition, the APC-PVA@ZnCl2 composite can also be used as a sensing material to detect current signals with different characteristics generated by the movement of different parts of the human body, showing excellent sensing performance. Besides, the APC-PVA@ZnCl2 composite also displays outstanding thermoelectric properties. It is hoped that this work can provide a reference for the development of green multi-functional supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports a flexible yet robust Ti3C2Tx MXene/bamboo microfibril (BF) composite paper via a simple vacuum filtration process. Due to the excellent compatibility between MXene and BF, the MXene/BF composite paper demonstrates simultaneously an excellent tensile strength of 49.5 MPa, higher than that of both MXene sheet and BF film alone and also among the top values compared with those in the literature, an excellent electrical conductivity as high as 4.8 × 103 S m−1 which is also higher even at a lower MXene content than those reported in the literature, and outstanding electrical stability with no detectable deterioration after 1000 cycles of stretching, bending and compression. As a result, the MXene/BF composite paper shows versatility for making various high-performance wearable electronics. Specifically, the as-prepared flexible pressure sensor by stacking exhibits a high sensitivity of 0.153 kPa−1 and a linear sensing performance in the pressure range of 0 to 2.5 kPa; the as-fabricated electric heater displays outstanding electrothermal performance, giving a temperature difference of 20 °C in air at the lowest input voltage of 2.5 V compared with those of the literature; the produced wearable symmetric all-solid-state supercapacitor achieves large enhancements in volumetric capacitance and gravimetric capacitance compared with the neat MXene supercapacitor and outstanding energy storage stability upon varied deformations. The MXene/BF composite paper with the above virtues is appealing for wide applications in multifunctional wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of thermally conductive composites are the key to realize their applications. Strength of materials is of significance, furthermore the toughness of materials also should attract more concern. Actually, few researchers have reported the simultaneous improvement of strength and toughness of anisotropic thermally and electrically conductive composites. Therefore, this study aims to obviously improve the in-plane thermal and electrical conductivities of nylon composites, which display superior tensile strength and toughness, compared to other thermally conductive composites. The nylon composite papers, prepared through a facile method involving vacuum-assisted filtration and compression molding processes, present a laminate structure and compact graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) stacks inside composites. On account of the special structure, the nylon composite papers show a super-high in-plane thermal conductivity of 16.0 W m−1 K−1 and electrical conductivity of 18.0 S cm−1 at a filler loading of 14.6 wt%. Surprisingly, the composite papers still exhibit a high strength of 48.3 MPa, which is comparable to that of a pure nylon film. In addition, the elongation at break of the composite paper with 14.6 wt% GNPs is as high as 34.2%, ultimately endowing the composite papers with a good toughness of 13.15 MJ m−3. The nylon composite papers successfully achieve the integration of excellent thermal and electrical conductivities, and superior strength and toughness, showing huge application values in the field of intelligent electronic device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is a promising energy-saving cooling method to cool objects without energy consumption. Although numerous PDRC materials and structures have been proposed to achieve sub-ambient temperatures, the technique faces unprecedented challenges brought on by complicated and expensive fabrication. Herein, inspired by traditional Chinese oil-paper umbrellas, we develop a self-cleaning and self-cooling oil-foam composite (OFC) made of recycled polystyrene foam and tung oil to simultaneously achieve efficient passive radiative cooling and enhanced thermal dissipation of objects. The OFCs show high solar reflectance (0.90) and high mid-infrared thermal emittance (0.89) during the atmospheric transparent window, contributing to a sub-ambient temperature drop of ∼5.4 °C and cooling power of 86 W m−2 under direct solar irradiance. Additionally, the worldwide market of recycled packaging plastics can provide low-cost raw materials, further eliminating the release of plastics into the environment. The OFC offers an energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly candidate for building cooling applications and provides a value-added path for plastic recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale and openly available material science databases are mainly composed of computer simulation results rather than experimental data. Some examples include the Materials Project, Open Quantum Materials Database, and Open Catalyst 2022. Unfortunately, building large-scale experimental databases remains challenging due to the difficulties in consolidating locally distributed datasets. In this work, focusing on the catalysis literature of CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RRs), we present a machine learning (ML)-based protocol for selecting highly relevant papers and extracting important experimental data. First, we report a document embedding method (Doc2Vec) for collecting papers of greatest relevance to the specific target domain, which yielded 3154 CO2RR-related papers from six publishers. Next, we developed named entity recognition (NER) models to extract twelve entities related to material names (catalyst, electrolyte, etc.) and catalytic performance (Faradaic efficiency, current density, etc.). Among several tested models, the MatBERT-based approach achieved the highest accuracy, with an average F1-score of 90.4% and an F1-score of 95.2% in a boundary relaxation evaluation scheme. The accurate and accelerated NER-based data extraction from a large volume of catalysis literature enables temporal trend analyses of the CO2RR catalysts, products, and performances, revealing the potentially effective material space in CO2RRs. While this work demonstrates the effectiveness of our ML-based text mining methods for specifically CO2RR literature, the methods and approach are applicable to and may be used to accelerate the development of other catalytic chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are light-weight, eco-friendly and flexible materials with diverse chemical, physical, mechanical, piezoelectric and energy storage properties. In particular, their exceptional properties have been exploited in piezoelectric and supercapacitor applications. However, it is fairly challenging to enhance the supercapacitor and piezoelectric performances of ultrathin paper. Thus, a new strategy with a BNNT/CNF–inorganic ternary nanostructure is required in which the outstanding energy storage and conversion of inorganic materials simultaneously enhance the performance of supercapacitors and their piezoelectric properties. Herein, we have synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on CNF and BNNT surfaces through cost-effective and facile hydrothermal method to give a ternary nanostructure and explored the electrochemical and piezoelectric performance. The BNNT–CNF/ZnO ternary nanostructure displays a remarkable specific capacitance of 300 F g−1 with high energy (37.5 W h kg−1) and power density (0.9 kW kg−1) at a current density of 1 A g−1. In terms of the flexibility of BNNT–CNF/ZnO, an ultra-thin flexible solid-state symmetric supercapacitor was fabricated, which demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 94 F g−1 under 1 A g−1 current density along with noticeable cycling stability (97% over 5000 cycles) and remarkable energy density (30.3 W h kg−1 at 1.3 kW kg−1). Furthermore, we examined the piezoelectric effect by employing a specific force on the BNNT–CNF/ZnO nanostructure flexible paper with different paper thicknesses. The BNNT–CNF/ZnO paper-based device presented an effective piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of −12.6 pC N−1 with 90 μm thick paper which is higher than that of the BNNT–CNF paper (−7.9 pC N−1). Therefore, this work will pave the way for the development of innovative next-generation flexible energy storage devices to generate recycled energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivalent Al metal anodes (AMAs) can deliver high specific/volumetric capacities (2980 mA h g−1/8046 mA h cm−3) in chloroaluminate ionic liquid-based electrolytes (ILEs). However, strong corrosion of their surfaces and poor charge transfer kinetics in acidic ILEs remain critical obstacles to realizing high-performance AMAs. In this study, a 3D-structured bifunctional MXene paper electrode (3D-BMPE), which has distinctive material properties, such as high electrical conductivity, high elastic modulus, a large number of nanopores, and multitudinous oxygen functional groups, was fabricated to protect Al deposition/dissolution reactions with improved redox kinetics. The 3D-BMPE obstructed Al corrosion during the long rest time in the ILE and consecutive cycling process, resulting in a significantly stable cycling performance of the 3D-BMPE-based AMA over 2000 cycles. Furthermore, Al nucleation and growth reactions were catalyzed in the nanoporous structure surrounded by the highly functionalized MXene surfaces, which reduced overpotentials by one-sixth, resulting in highly improved coulombic efficiencies of ∼99.9%. Moreover, the excellent electrochemical performance of the 3D-BMPE-based AMA was confirmed in Al-based dual-ion battery full cells, demonstrating the significant role played by 3D-BMPEs for AMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable sweat biosensors, as the only noninvasive and measurable body-fluid sensors, serve as a very important means to monitor an individual's health status and more dynamic molecular-level information. The pursuit of wearable sweat biosensors includes not only detecting sweat components, but also integrating multiple functions, such as sweat-based health monitoring, near-field transmission and being self-powered. In this paper, we firstly bring forth a new idea of integrating sweat monitoring and dual electrical generation (hydrovoltaic and moisture electricity generation) for a multifunctional flexible device as a sweat-based health monitoring electronic (E)-skin. Herein, besides sweat composition analysis, a hydrovoltaic electricity generator is employed to detect the amount of sweat for the first time, and a dual electricity generator is used for self-supply of energy and skin-surface temperature measurement. Synergistic tandem nanogenerators are constructed using biomass carbon materials, and the power generation voltage can reach about 500 mV and is relatively stable. Our sweat E-skin (SE-skin) has five main functional areas, realizing real-time monitoring of sweat volume, sweat composition analysis skin-surface temperature measurement and power-supply functions. This new integrated design not only enables real-time monitoring of indicators of health in sweat, but also provides a new idea for future intelligent wearables for human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) materials have been increasingly utilized owing to their superior electrocatalytic activity and durability. To prevent any limitations in the immobilization of nanocatalysts onto a working electrode substrate with binders, direct growth of MOF-derived TMC catalysts on a conductive substrate could be an improved fabrication strategy for realizing durable electrode systems. Herein, we report a facile method for growing cobalt-based zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) by using a cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2) layer electrodeposited on carbon paper (CP). Subsequently, ZIF-67 was used as a sacrificial template and converted into amorphous cobalt sulfide (CoxSy) to form CoxSy@Co(OH)2/CP by a post-treatment process (etching with thioacetamide). The final CP electrode incorporating the catalytic system (CoxSy@Co(OH)2/CP) exhibited remarkable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance with an overpotential of 180 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and stable activity after 24 h of continuous operation at a high current density of 50 mA cm−2. The excellent OER activity of the fabricated electrode system is attributed to the high surface area inherited from the MOF template, the robust structure of the catalytic system, the relatively large number of unsaturated surface sites of CoxSy, and the heterogeneous interface of amorphous CoxSy–crystalline Co(OH)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing flexible microwave-absorbing film with efficient electromagnetic (EM) response and practicability is of great importance. However, it is still a big challenge for microwave-absorbing films to exhibit excellent EM response ability, good mechanical properties, and fine multifunctional features at the same time. Herein, novel microwave-absorbing papers (MAPs) are designed based on a facile poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-assisted vacuum filtration assembly to take full advantage of the natural physical properties of carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide. The constructed laminated papers not only keep the original performance characteristics of the conductive components, but also have new functionality by component integration and microscopic structure formation. Based on that, the minimum reflection loss value of MAPs is −49.6 dB at 1.5 mm and the effective absorption bandwidth reaches 6.2 GHz at 1.6 mm. Meanwhile, the optimum RCS reduction value reaches 17.5 dB m2 when the detection theta was set as 0°. Moreover, integrated functionalities are revealed in the MAPs, such as good flexibility, high tensile strength, light feature, having the nature of writing papers, machinability in architectures, and potential as thermal-protective coatings, demonstrating great potential for applications as microwave-absorbing devices or wearable smart electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing excellent capacitive materials and tailoring their combination modes with bacterial cells are promising steps to improve the integration degree and performance of supercapacitive paper-based microbial fuel cells (SC-PMFCs). Herein, through a layer-by-layer (LBL) strategy, in situ formed polypyrrole and bacterial cells were alternately constructed on carbon cloth for the anode of a SC-PMFC. The capacitive bioanode fabricated by three modifications of the polypyrrole/bacteria bilayer achieved the best performance due to the combined effects of bacterial loading amount, conductivity and metabolic activity loss during the whole LBL fabrication process. Benefiting from the functions of polypyrrole as both a capacitive material and a conductive intercalator between the bacterial layers, this bioanode exhibited improved electron transfer efficiency, enhanced power density and increased capacitance. Meanwhile, the polypyrrole layers in this capacitive bioanode can provide a protective effect to the bacterial layers, leading to superior performance-retention capacity during the storage period. This work creates an effective way to improve the integration level between MFC and supercapacitor technologies, which would push the development of SC-PMFCs and provide guidance to other biofuel cell-involved combination technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, which features reviews and papers on various topics related to materials for energy and sustainability. Some of the topics covered include metal-organic frameworks for purification, 3D-printed architectures for electromagnetic interference shields, and advancements in energy-efficient chlorine production. The journal aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences and reinvest profits into the chemistry community. The document is a compilation of research papers published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A in 2024, covering proton conductors, photocatalytic hydrogen generation, supramolecular encapsulation, rechargeable batteries, and flame retardant materials. It also includes a retraction notice for a previously published paper. [Extracted from the article]

Exploitation and utilization of green energy are urgent for the sustainable development of human civilization. In this study, we report a series of novel moist-electric generators (MEGs) based on a polyhydroxyurethane (PHU) vitrimer for the first time. In sharp contrast to traditional polymer MEGs, vitrimer moist-electric generators (VMEGs) can provide high and sustained voltage outputs under high temperature and high moisture conditions without structural collapse and decomposition. Furthermore, after doping with Ti3C2, the resultant VMEG can simultaneously convert energy from both water and the sun to electrical energy, providing continuous power for electronic devices, such as timers, under a natural environment. It is noteworthy that the preparation of VMEGs can be easily scaled up by using PHU/cellulose paper composites. The resultant paper-based VMEGs exhibit high electrical output, while possessing excellent mechanical properties, good self-healing ability, and high flexibility and transparency. This study provides a novel strategy to fabricate advanced MEGs, and at the same time opens a novel application for vitrimer materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, featuring articles and reviews on various topics such as energy and sustainability, sodium storage, pressure sensors, and green nanogenerators. The journal aims to support the chemistry community by reinvesting its profits. The papers cover a wide range of subjects, including passive cooling, solar-powered ammonia production, formaldehyde degradation, and oil spill removal, among others. Each paper offers unique insights and findings in their respective fields. [Extracted from the article]

The document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, a publication by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The journal focuses on materials for energy and sustainability. The contents list includes various articles and papers on topics such as solar energy harvesting, catalytic graphitization of biomass-based materials, wearable flexible pressure sensors, and molecular sieving of hydrocarbons. The journal aims to provide a platform for research on materials that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future. This document is a list of papers published in the journal "Journal of Materials Chemistry A" in 2024. The papers cover a range of topics related to materials chemistry, including hydrogen evolution, lithium-ion batteries, solid-state lithium metal batteries, and photocatalytic reactions. The document also includes corrections and a retraction of a previously published paper. [Extracted from the article]

Ensuring the stability of the electrode and electrolyte in Li–O2 batteries and achieving a comprehensive understanding of parasitic side reaction management during cycling are key issues for the progress of this promising energy storage technology. Conditions that favour formation of either Li2O2 or Li2CO3 in Li–O2 cells on carbon-based electrodes were investigated. Operando Raman microscopy measurements and ex situ Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses were performed for Li–O2 systems using Li[ClO4]/DMSO as the electrolyte and carbon paper (CP) and carbon paper with carbon nanotubes (CPCNT) as electrodes. Using CP electrodes (either treated or untreated with O2 plasma), the major discharge product formed was Li2O2. In contrast, for CPCNT electrodes, the formation of Li2CO3 as the main discharge product was observed at lower capacities, then significant formation of Li2O2 proceeded at higher discharge capacities. XPS highlighted that the surface chemistry of the CPCNT electrode comprised fluorine and a variety of iron species, which could be linked to the promotion of Li2CO3 formation. Furthermore, it was observed that when Li2CO3 is the main discharge product, the active sites of functional groups on carbon surfaces that favour carbonate formation become coated/passivated. Consequently, the dominant reaction pathway then alters, leading to the growth of Li2O2 over the surface. These outcomes emphasized the important role in cycling stability of the active sites on carbon electrodes, arising from the synthesis process or possible contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous binder-free carbon electrodes were obtained by impregnating cellulose filter papers with phenolic resin through soft-salt template synthesis and thermal pyrolysis. These self-standing electrodes were used directly in a supercapacitor device. To understand the impacts of filter paper (FP) thickness on carbon filter paper (CFP) morphology, porosity, and surface functionalities, five different materials were examined. The CFP electrode thickness was adjusted linearly with the FP thickness to produce electrodes ranging from 100 to ∼800 μm. As the thickness of the CFP increased, there was an increase in the specific surface area and oxygen-based functionalities. Electrochemical testing in a 1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte demonstrated that electrode thickness played a key role in electrochemical capacitor (EC) performance, i.e., capacitance enhances linearly when the electrode becomes thinner. For low thicknesses (<280 μm), the capacitance and rate capability decreased slightly with increasing thickness; for high thicknesses, the performance drastically degraded despite the high specific surface area and oxygen surface functionalities. This effect was amplified at high regimes, indicating that high electrode thicknesses and fiber diameters limited electrolyte diffusion in the applied synthesis conditions. Thus, the high material porosity was inaccessible to ion adsorption. Consequently, thinner electrodes showed the highest capacitance (197 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and rate capability (81%) values, exceeding those of their traditional binder-electrode counterparts prepared under similar conditions. Finally, for alkali metal hydroxide solutions, 1 M KOH exhibited a cation match with the salt template (KCl), while CsOH achieved additional capacitance retention (88% at 10 A g−1). Complex ion adsorption mechanisms were observed through a quartz crystal microbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It provides a comprehensive overview of the research and advancements in the field of materials chemistry, with a focus on energy and sustainability. The list includes reviews and papers on topics such as metal-organic frameworks, self-healing materials, electrochemical energy storage, and photocatalytic water splitting. Each paper is authored by different researchers and explores different aspects of materials science. The document also includes two corrections to previously published papers. [Extracted from the article]

The application of low-powered, sustainable sensors to detect the leak of toxic gases in factories has gradually become a future trend. In our work, we proposed a NO2 gas sensor based on an In2O3/SnS2 composite powered by a high-stability triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), where weighing paper and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film were used as friction materials. The peak-to-peak voltage of the TENG can reach stable 600 V and the output power can up to 13 mW, which exhibits superior performance. The TENG can power small portable electronic devices such as 50 LEDs and calculators. The TENG is directly connected in series with a chemoresistive gas sensor to form a TENG-driven nitrogen dioxide sensor (TENS) for the spontaneous detection of the concentration of NO2. The sensor exhibits a high response (∼15) and rapid response/recovery time (45 s/147 s) towards 50 ppm NO2 at 43% RH and room temperature of 25 °C. Finally, a self-powered alarm system based on the TENS has been developed to monitor the concentration of NO2 in the surrounding environment. This work not only broadens the application field of the TENG as a self-powered gas sensor, but also meets the requirements of industrial IoT technology for miniaturized, low-powered, and maintainable sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document provided is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, a publication focused on materials for energy and sustainability. It features a variety of articles and reviews on topics such as rechargeable batteries, thermal management in electronic devices, and biomass materials for energy storage. The document also mentions the Royal Society of Chemistry, the publisher of the journal. Additionally, the document includes corrections and a retraction of a previous paper. [Extracted from the article]

The document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, providing information about the articles and reviews featured in the latest issue. The topics covered in this issue include MXene synthesis strategies, gallium-based liquid metals, polyanion Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode materials, polymer-based encapsulants for photovoltaic modules, and catalytic combustion of light hydrocarbon VOCs. The document also mentions training courses offered by the Royal Society of Chemistry and provides information about upcoming events and skill development opportunities. This document serves as a list of research papers published in the journal, covering various areas of materials chemistry and offering new insights and findings in the field. [Extracted from the article]

To shield significantly serious radiation pollution and reduce fire disasters, fire-retardant MXene-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding nanocomposites featuring superb mechanical properties are highly desired, but remain a major challenge to prepare. Here, we propose a Janus structural engineering strategy to manufacture all-natural cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/montmorillonite (MMT)-supported MXene papers (CMMPs) using a sequential deposition followed by hot-pressing. Inspired by natural nacre, MMT nanosheets are incorporated into CNFs to construct a substrate layer with a "brick-mortar" layered structure that serves to provide mechanical properties, while the independent MXene layer ensures electrical conductivity. The resultant CMMPs exhibit extraordinary mechanical performances involving a mechanical strength of 272.7 MPa and Young's modulus of 10.8 GPa, high electrical conductivity, and a superb EMI shielding effectiveness of 56.1 dB and EMI SE/t of 19 140.8 dB cm−1. Moreover, the designed CMMPs possess impressive flame-retardant and electro-/photothermal heating features, demonstrating their reliability, safety, and versatility. Therefore, such high-performance CMMPs developed by a facile and sustainable preparation strategy possess substantial application prospects in EMI shielding, thermal management, and fire protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a contents list for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, a publication focused on materials for energy and sustainability. It includes the titles and authors of various articles and reviews that will be featured in the upcoming issue. The articles cover a range of topics such as magnetic fields in supercapacitors, flexible gas sensors, and biomass-derived porous carbons for energy applications. The document also mentions the Royal Society of Chemistry, the publisher of the journal. It provides a comprehensive overview of the research being conducted in the field of materials chemistry. [Extracted from the article]

The misuse and improper handling of norfloxacin (NOR) can cause serious harm; therefore, the sensitive and visual detection of NOR is of great significance. However, it is still a huge challenge to establish the multiplex fluorescence detection of NOR. Herein, four hydrazone-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with different luminescence were prepared using 2,5-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)terephthalohydrazide as the nucleus and aldehyde monomers containing methoxy and different numbers of hydroxyl groups as linkers, respectively, and the precise modulation of the emission of hydrazone-linked COFs was achieved. The intrinsic blue emission of NOR was combined with hydrazone-linked COFs to construct ratiometric fluorescence sensors to monitor NOR. Among them, a two-signal change ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on COFBMTH-HB showed the highest sensitivity, the lowest detection limit (51 ng mL−1) and the widest linear range (153 ng mL−1 to 48 μg mL−1), originating from the lowest background fluorescence and the largest output signal. Based on the obvious color changes in the detection process, a novel test paper was also proposed with simultaneous multi-chroma and was combined with a smartphone App as a real-time detection tool to successfully monitor NOR in real fish samples. This portable paper-based sensor provides support for rapid and simple NOR visual detection. In addition, a two-dimensional code with multiple information encryption was developed by taking advantage of the obvious color changes as well as the excitation dependence of COFBMTH-HB during the detection of NOR, which further broadens the application of two-dimensional codes in the field of anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-solid-state batteries which use inorganic solid materials as electrolytes are the futuristic energy storage technology because of their high energy density and improved safety. One of the significant challenges facing all-solid-state batteries is the poor compatibility between electrolyte and electrode materials at their point of contact, which negatively impacts battery performance. Therefore, it is important to find appropriate interfacial materials that can mediate the electrolyte–electrode reaction while maintaining efficient ionic transportation in all-solid-state batteries. In the past, the mechanism of interaction between the electrolyte and the electrode was explored and a number of potential coating materials for layered NCM and LiCoO2 cathodes were found. In this paper, employing a similar computational scheme, we extend such coating material screening to LiFePO4-based all-solid-state batteries with sulfide electrolytes. Harnessing a trove of first-principles data in the Atomly materials database, we comprehensively evaluated and screened the coating compounds based on their thermodynamic stability, (electro)chemical stability, electronic conductance, ionic conductance, etc., and successfully found 41 promising coating compounds out of the 54 005 candidates. This paper offers insightful directives for optimizing the performance of LiFePO4-based all-solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochromic smart windows (ESWs) hold great promise in improving energy efficiency in buildings. However, the production of large-scale ESWs still faces significant challenges due to equipment limitations and associated costs. This paper presents a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for preparing Prussian blue (PB) films using a two-dimensional-material assisted in situ growth (TAIG) method. The growth mechanism of PB films prepared through the TAIG method was elucidated using SEM, TEM, and XPS characterization techniques. The PB films fabricated using the TAIG method demonstrate exceptional electrochromic properties, including multi-color modulation capabilities (colorless, blue, green, and yellow), a high optical modulation of 65.89% at 713 nm, fast switching times (5.9 s for coloring and 5.4 s for bleaching), and a high coloring efficiency of 81.73 cm2 C−1. Importantly, after 10 000 cycles, there was virtually no degradation of optical modulation of PB films. The electrochromic enhancement mechanism was elaborated in this paper. A comparison between PB films prepared via the TAIG method and the electrodeposition method was conducted using TG and GIWAXS tests. The PB films prepared through the TAIG method exhibit a low structural water content and a polycrystalline structure. DTF theoretical calculations were further carried out to confirm the lower band gap and great electron transition. Additionally, the successful fabrication of large-scale ESWs measuring 100 × 70 cm2 using the TAIG method demonstrates its practicality for industrial-scale production. Simulation studies of solar irradiation confirm the shielding capabilities of ESWs and their effectiveness in regulating indoor temperatures. In conclusion, this study represents a significant step towards the performance promotion and industrial-scale production of ESWs, contributing to the development of energy-efficient building solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing efficient cathode catalysts in lithium–oxygen batteries is urgent to solve their challenging problems, such as sluggish Li–O reaction kinetics, low reversible capacities, and short lifespan. This work reports HfO2 as a cathode catalyst for Li–O2 batteries for the first time and studies its working mechanism, activation behavior during cycling, and reversible oxygen defect evolution. First-principles calculations show that fluorite-structured HfO2 has suitable adsorption energy for LiO2, which helps Li2O2 grow in the shape of nanosheets, thereby improving the ultimate discharge capacity and cycling performance. Ex situ techniques (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) verified the changes in discharge products during cycling. LiO2 decomposes preferentially over Li2O2 during charging, which differs from previous reports. HfO2 undergoes reversible redox reactions upon cycling, accompanied by rocking-chair oxygen defects. Appropriate oxygen defect contents (6.81–9.32%) can promote the Li–O reaction. On this basis, sub-10 nm oxygen-defect-riched HfO2 particles are homogeneously dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets through the sol–gel method, boosting the battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of portable and wearable electronics, flexible solid-state supercapacitors (FSS-SCs) are urgently needed while still suffer from serious safety risks and the poor electrode–electrolyte interface of regular electrodes. Herein, a biodegradable and flame-retardant electrode with double-core–shell polysaccharide polymer networks (polysaccharide@PEDOT:PSS@polypyrrole, denoted as DCSPP) is developed for integrating high-performance symmetrical FSS-SCs. The superficial swelling and intermolecular interaction ensures sufficient cross-linking of the double-core–shell polymers on the polysaccharide surface, which is beneficial for fast ion mobility and the maximum utilization of all the active materials for charge storage. Along with designing double-core–shell electrodes, the fabricated FSS-SCs exhibit large specific capacitance (57.9 mF cm−2), high energy density (3.94 μW h cm−2), and excellent flexibility (96.8% of the initial capacity after 150° bending). Noteworthily, the FSS-SCs are capable of working even after serious damage, maintaining 99% and 34% of the initial capacity after puncturing and burning, respectively. Benefiting from the double-core–shell networks, compatible electrode–electrolyte interface is promoted for developing safer supercapacitors in various working environments. The superior properties of flexibility, safety, and durability make DCSPP a desirable electrode material for next-generation portable energy storage and wearable smart electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a composite nano-microstructure comprising Ti3C2 and nanogold as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active substrate for the highly sensitive sensing of amine gases. The adsorption performance of Ti3C2 was tested by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor. Excellent adsorption ability of Ti3C2 was observed for aniline, phenylenediamine, and diethylamine, with adsorption amounts exceeding 2210, 1740, and 970 ng cm−2, respectively. The synergistic effect of the electromagnetic properties of Ti3C2 and nano-Au in the Ti3C2/nano-Au composite nanostructures was verified by finite-difference time-domain simulation. Partial chemical enhancement between Ti3C2 and aniline was verified by photocurrent tests. To achieve assay specificity, mercaptoacetaldehyde (MA) was adopted as a recognition probe. The Schiff base reaction between aldehyde groups and amino groups produces the –C＝N– bond, with the Raman characteristic peak at 1635 cm−1, enabling precise amine identification with the SERS chip. To obtain the Ti3C2/nano-Au@MA SERS sensing chip, nano Au was deposited on an indium tin oxide substrate using the chronoamperometric method, followed by nano-Au aldolization modification through Au-SH interactions and the spin-coating of a Ti3C2 film layer. Due to the high affinity of Ti3C2 for amine molecules and the low SERS background signal of MA and Ti3C2, the SERS spectra could be used for ultra-sensitive detection of amines. Three amine gases, i.e. aniline, p-phenylenediamine, and diethylamine, were detected quantitatively using the intensity ratiometric method on the functionalized Ti3C2/nano-Au@MA SERS sensor chip. The detection limits were 1, 1, and 20 parts per billion, respectively. By identifying the characteristic fingerprint peaks and comparing the relative intensity of the –C＝N– characteristic peak, quantitative analysis of the components of aniline and p-phenylenediamine mixed gas was accomplished. These findings demonstrate that the Ti3C2/nano-Au@MA SERS sensor chip offers a promising approach for the detection of amine gas molecules and holds potential for applications in environmental monitoring, disease diagnosis, and chemical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces functional framework materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs). These materials have unique properties that make them useful in various applications, including separation, catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and medicine. The article presents a collection of over 70 papers that contribute to the progress of this field, covering a diverse range of materials, preparation methods, and applications. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of this research field and encourages readers to explore the potential of functional framework materials in sustainable development. [Extracted from the article]

In this paper, a La0.6Sr0.4CoO3/MoS2 composite electrocatalyst was prepared by a sol–gel method and subsequent dry ball milling. It showed high activity and favored the reaction kinetics for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline conditions. When applied for overall water splitting, it showed a low full-cell voltage of 1.48 V at 10 mA cm−2 that is comparable to state-of-the-art noble metal catalysts. Using in situ Raman spectroscopy we identified the surface reactive intermediates: cobalt (hydr)oxides with high oxidation states were formed under anodic potentials at the La0.6Sr0.4CoO3/MoS2 interface to facilitate the OER. DFT calculations showed that the two-phase interface facilitated the polarization of the interface charge and modulated the bonding of the reaction intermediates, accelerating the overall water splitting. This work exemplifies the impact of interfacial engineering on the electrocatalytic performance and provides a new route for the development of low-cost and non-noble metal catalysts for water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement in two-dimensional (2D) materials has led to the development of new charging methods in portable and wearable electronic devices. However, their charging methods are still confined to contact/wired mode. Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting exhibits potential for extracting electrical power from the environment, benefiting from its limitless ambient availability and extended power transfer capabilities. This paper demonstrates the fabrication of an RF energy harvesting device using liquid phase exfoliated atomically thin earth-abundant pyrite ore (iron sulfide (FeS2)). Owing to pyrite's unique semiconductor properties such as a very small narrow band gap (0.8 eV) and high carrier mobility (360 cm2 V−1 s−1), it is possible to make a Schottky junction with a metal electrode. Hence, we fabricated a Schottky device employing a Ti/2D-FeS2/ITO configuration using drop casting methods. Electrical measurements reveal that the device has a low turn-on voltage of 0.18 V and a low Schottky barrier height of 0.14 eV. To substantiate the role of 2D-FeS2, density functional theory (DFT) studies were performed revealing the impact of the Giant Stark Effect (GSE) in lowering the bandgap of 2D FeS2. This insidious phenomenon of GSE in 2D-FeS2 makes it an ideal material of choice for RF energy harvesting applications. The device we fabricated functions within the commercial frequency modulation broadband range and extends seamlessly into the very high-frequency radio spectrum. It generated a 1.5 V output voltage using commercial FM broadband frequencies, sufficient for charging a 1.5 F supercapacitor. Subsequent experimentation with a handheld walkie-talkie demonstrated that the device could achieve a maximum voltage of 3.5 V within the one-meter range, exhibiting an efficiency of 30%. The implications of this discovery suggest that 2D-FeS2-based wireless energy-powered portable devices hold promise for healthcare/biomedical device applications, energy harvesting in remote areas, and regions affected by floods or natural disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase change materials (PCMs) possess exceptional thermal storage properties, which ultimately reduce energy consumption by converting energy through their inherent phase change process. Biomass materials offer the advantages of wide availability, low cost, and a natural pore structure, making them suitable as carrier materials for biomass composite PCMs. Biomass composite phase change materials can not only address the issue of leakage associated with conventional PCMs during solid–liquid conversion, but also possess environmental protection and biodegradability characteristics. This paper provides a comprehensive introduction to the types and encapsulation methods of PCMs. Based on the current research, this paper introduces the fundamental characteristics of biomass composite PCMs and summarizes the preparation methods. Finally, the future development direction and application of biomass composite PCMs are discussed, offering new insights into PCM research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an efficient bi-functional water-splitting catalyst is crucial for advancing sustainable hydrogen energy applications. A novel sulfur-doped cobalt molybdenum oxide (CoMoO) catalyst with a hydrangea-like structure was synthesized in situ on a carbon fiber paper substrate using a simple one-step hydrothermal process. The optimized sample exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activity with an overpotential of 105 and 205 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 under alkaline conditions, respectively. Experimental characterization shows that the introduction of sulfur efficiently modifies the composition and morphology of the CoMoO electrocatalyst, which increases the electrochemically active surface area and improves the electrocatalytic kinetics. The improved electrocatalytic performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the various metal ion constituents. Mo4+ enhances water adsorption and accelerates the reaction kinetics of H2 generation from Co2+ or Sn2−. Meanwhile, Sn2− can accelerate the charge transfer, facilitating the OER process. Additionally, the presence of Mo4+ contributes to the stabilization of OER intermediates, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the OER process on CoOOH active sites. The hydrangea-like structure also offers plentiful active sites and efficient mass transfer. Besides, this electrolyzer obtains a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage of 1.61 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium (K) with higher abundance than lithium has been explored as an anode material for K metal batteries (KMBs) for possible application in large-scale energy storage. However, the unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) at the K anode due to uncontrolled growth of K dendrites is a challenge in KMB development. In this paper, a multifunctional interface containing Sb2O3 and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on Cu foam to form a current collector (Cu@Sb2O3@rGO) is developed for a KMB anode through structural regulation, where the Cu form with a large surface area can reduce the volume change during charge and discharge processes, Sb2O3 can provide potassiophilicity toward uniform K plating and stripping to give a dendrite-free K anode, and rGO can provide abundant defects for increasing the ion transport and reaction kinetics. Such a Cu@Sb2O3@rGO current collector exhibits a remarkable reversibility of K plating/stripping for up to 600 cycles at 0.5 mA cm−2/2 mA h cm−2, and the formed Cu@Sb2O3@rGO@K anode demonstrates an extended cycle lifespan of 1300 hours under 0.2 mA cm−2/0.2 mA h cm−2 in symmetric cells. This anode-constructed PTCDA‖ Cu@Sb2O3@rGO@K full battery exhibits both exceptional cycling stability (over 2000 cycles) and outstanding rate capability (112.8 mA h g−1 at 10 C). Furthermore, even under extremely low temperature (−20 °C), this battery can still maintain an impressive 55% of its room temperature capacity. In situ Raman spectroscopic techniques and electrochemical methods including in situ EIS, half cell, symmetric cell, and full cell tests and theoretical DFT calculations are carried out to probe the structure–performance relationship and the reaction mechanisms for fundamental understanding toward further optimizing the performance of such the K anode and the corresponding KMBs. The strategy for stabilizing the K metal anode in this work may provide a guidance for further development of advanced low-temperature potassium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being one of the potential positive electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the reduced stability of nickel-rich layered oxides during long-cycle processes hinders their widespread commercial application. In this paper, a "non-invasive" structural optimisation strategy is proposed to improve the structural stability of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2. Inspired by the co-precipitation process, this study incorporates sodium sulfamate during the synthesis of nickel-rich precursors to impact the crystallization process. By doing so, the cathode material undergoes modification, resulting in augmented interlayer spacing and reduced lattice defects (caused by non-equivalent Li/Ni mixing), allowing polycrystalline particles to possess some of the structural advantages of single crystal particles, ultimately enhancing capacity and cycling stability. The retention rate of capacity for the modified cathode after 300 cycles can be elevated by approximately 20% relative to that of NCM811, while the residual capacity can be increased by roughly 40 mA h g−1. The new "non-intrusive" structural optimization strategy proposed in this study has the characteristics of good compatibility, low cost, and environmental friendliness. At the same time, this strategy will help to explore new ideas for improving the properties and synthesis of nickel based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is essential to solve the energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, the paper reports a CoRu@N-doped carbon hollow nanostructure (CoRu@NCHNS) material by using MOFs as precursors and adding dopamine (DA) to introduce Ru and N atoms and fabricate hollow structures in one step. Thanks to the synergistic effect of the CoRu alloy, unique hollow structure and N atoms, the material achieves a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with very low overpotentials of 13 mV and 238 mV, respectively. In addition, an overall water splitting device was also assembled using CoRu@NCHNSs-8 h and CoRu@NCHNSs-9 h as the anode and cathode under alkaline conditions, and a current density of 10 mA cm−2 was obtained at a cell voltage of 1.56 V. This work explores the applications of a hollow structure loaded CoRu alloy in overall water splitting and provides a new idea for the preparation of efficient electrocatalytic overall water splitting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Z-scheme heterojunction is the preferred structure for overall water splitting (OWS) as it can improve the overall catalyst redox capacity and effectively separate photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In this paper, we synthesized CdSe/PDI Z-scheme heterojunction structures with a double electric field synergistic effect for photocatalytic OWS. The rates of hydrogen and oxygen generation are as high as 120.7 and 60.6 μmol g−1 h−1, respectively. The improved OWS performance can be attributed to the hydrogen bond located at the CdSe/PDI interface coupling the interfacial electric fields and bulk electric fields of PDI in the same direction. The hydrogen bonds strengthen the interfacial stability, and the synergistic effect of the dual electric fields accelerates the separation and transport of photogenerated electrons and holes, enriched in CdSe and PDI, respectively. This structure realizes the spatial separation of proton reduction and water oxidation reactions, effectively reduces the inverse and side reactions of the total water decomposition process, and improves the overall catalytic performance. The organic–inorganic hybridized photocatalytic semiconductor constructed by hydrogen bonding advances OWS research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their wide-bandgap nature and ultrahigh stability under high-energy UV radiation, zirconium-oxo clusters (ZOCs) have not yet been studied for applications related to ultraviolet (UV) detection. Interestingly, individual ZOCs can be self-assembled by bridging inter-cluster linkers to yield large-dimensional flakes with a notably low defect-induced trap density. Trap reduction facilitates efficient photon-generated charge transfer within the ZOC flakes compared with traditional UV-sensitive materials based on metal oxides or metal nitrides. In this paper, we propose a facile strategy for applying self-assembled ZOC square flakes to deep-UV photodetectors. Combined with a reasonable amount of highly transparent polyethylenimine (PEI) polymer, an asymmetrical metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) device based on the ZOC@PEI composite film exhibited an excellent UVC photoresponse with a detectivity of 1.91 × 1012 Jones and an external quantum efficiency of 125%. This work, for the first time, demonstrates the considerable potential of utilizing ZOCs as an efficient photoactive component in highly sensitive and low-powered UV photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and fast synthesis of highly photocatalytic Ti3+ self-doped SrTiO3 is favorable for applications. In this paper, an electrochemically assisted ultra-fast synthesis of Ti3+ self-doped SrTiO3 of only 5 minutes in molten SrCl2–NaCl with SrO was developed, which greatly reduced the traditional synthesis time. During the process, a metallic titanium anode and an iron oxide cathode were dissolved and reduced to form Tin+ and O2− ions under a constant potential, respectively, and self-assembled with SrO dissolved in SrCl2–NaCl. The effect of electrochemical potential on the structure and photocatalytic performance of the Ti3+ self-doped SrTiO3 was investigated. The results indicated that the photocatalytic performance of STO-U was improved with increasing potential. The product prepared at a high constant potential of 1.8 V is a regular cubic particle of 30–100 nm with oxygen vacancy defects of 21.31%, specific surface area of 21.3826 m2 g−1, band gap of 3.03 eV, and strong absorption in the wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm. Its degradation rate for RhB reached 96.85% within 210 minutes, and showed good performance in five-cycle stability tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]