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Metal‐semiconductor interfaces are crucial components of optoelectronic and electrical devices, the performance of which hinges on intricate dynamics involving charge transport and mechanical interaction at the interface. Nevertheless, structural changes upon photoexcitation and subsequent carrier transportation at the interface, which crucially impact hot carrier stability and lifetime, remain elusive. To address this long‐standing problem, they investigated the electron dynamics and resulting structural changes at the Au/TiO2 interface using ultrafast electron diffraction (UED). The analysis of the UED data reveals that interlayer electron transfer from metal to semiconductor generates a strong coupling between the two layers, offering a new way for ultrafast heat transfer through the interface and leading to a coherent structural vibration that plays a critical role in propagating mechanical stress. These findings provide insights into the relationship between electron transfer and interfacial mechanical and thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Nickel-based catalysts are suitable for water splitting to generate hydrogen. However, the low conductivity and weak stability have always been urgent issues to be addressed in nickel-based catalysts. Fe-doped nickel oxide/nickel phosphide (Fe-NiO/Ni 2 P) was prepared as a bifunctional electrocatalyst by doping metal and constructing heterogeneous interface. The introduction of Fe contributed to the reinforced interfacial coupling effect of NiO/Ni 2 P to promote charge transfer and accelerate reaction kinetics. The heterojunction regulated the interfacial charge density between NiO and Ni 2 P to improve the electronic environment of Ni2+ and enhance conductivity. The O-Fe-P bond at the heterogeneous interface induced the directional transfer of electrons and ensured the structure stability. The synergistic effect of Fe doping and heterogeneous interface increased the adsorption energy of *O and coordinated the adsorption energy of *H, advancing the catalytic performance. Fe-NiO/Ni 2 P exhibited the overpotential of 242 mV and 141 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for oxygen and hydrogen evolution, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Rechargeable non-aqueous lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) have garnered increasing attention owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, their slow cathodic kinetics hinder efficient battery reactions. Nanoscale catalysts can effectively enhance electrocatalytic activity and atomic utilization efficiency. However, the agglomeration of nanoscale catalysts (such as cluster and single atoms) during continuous discharge/charge cycles leads to decreased electrochemical performance and poor cyclic stability. Herein, the ruthenium (Ru) atomic sites anchored on an O-doped molybdenum disulfide (O-MoS 2) catalyst (designated as Ru/O-MoS 2) was fabricated using a facile impregnation and calcination method. Strong Ru-O coupling between Ru atoms and the O-MoS 2 substrate optimizes the localized electronic structure, resulting in improved electrochemical performance and enhanced resistance to Ostwald ripening. When employed as a cathode catalyst for LOBs, Ru/O-MoS 2 catalyst exhibits a high reversible specific capacity (18700.5 (±59.8) mAh g−1), good rate capability, and enhanced long-term stability (115 cycles, 1200 h). This study encourages facile and efficient strategies for the development of effective and stable electrocatalysts for use in LOBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the hardness and wear resistance of 316L alloy, a strengthening phase was incorporated and laser-directed energy deposition was utilized to create a composite deposition layer consisting of coarse WC/316L, fine WC/316L, and coarse/fine WC/316L. Microstructural observations, phase composition analysis, Vickers hardness testing, interfacial coupling analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and evaluation of friction-wear performance were systematically performed on the deposited samples. These investigations were undertaken to elucidate the impact of incorporating WC particles on both microstructural features and wear characteristics. Results showed that the average grain size of the composite deposition sample with coarse WC/316L decreased by 24% compared to 316L, with a 15.9% increase in hardness and a 97.6% decrease in wear rate. Similarly, the fine WC/316L composite deposition sample saw a 23% reduction in grain size, a 6.4% hardness increase, and a 62.4% decrease in wear rate compared to 316L. The hardness increased by 6.4%. The wear rate decreased by 62.4%. The coarse/fine WC/316L composite deposition samples exhibited a 34% decrease in average grain size, a 35.9% hardness increase, and a 99.1% decrease in wear rate compared to 316L. The addition of WC significantly enhanced the properties of 316L alloy, with coarse/fine WC showing the most significant improvements in microhardness and wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In research out of the sustainable electrochemical energy storage material, NiCo-LDH/MnO 2 composite has been prepared via simple hydrothermal method. The experimental characterizations of XRD, SEM/TEM and XPS have been utilized to explore the structure and morphology of prepared composite. The needle-like MnO 2 was found adhered to NiCo-LDH sheet. The composite's electrochemical properties were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It has been realized that the MnO 2 dosage not only changes the composite's microstructure but also affects its electrochemical properties. The best specific capacitance (2602 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1) was achieved for the composite sample with 38% MnO 2 (mass), which is almost two times high from the same composite in previous reports. With the sample, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a remarkable energy density of 19.56 Wh.Kg−1 at 800.29 W Kg−1. It could be attributed to the synergetic effects of two components as well as their good interfacial coupling. The good electrochemical activity makes our synthesized composite feasible to be applied as electrode material and provides valuable insights for the development of smart capacitors utilizing NiCo-LDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Metal‐semiconductor interfaces are crucial components of optoelectronic and electrical devices, the performance of which hinges on intricate dynamics involving charge transport and mechanical interaction at the interface. Nevertheless, structural changes upon photoexcitation and subsequent carrier transportation at the interface, which crucially impact hot carrier stability and lifetime, remain elusive. To address this long‐standing problem, they investigated the electron dynamics and resulting structural changes at the Au/TiO2 interface using ultrafast electron diffraction (UED). The analysis of the UED data reveals that interlayer electron transfer from metal to semiconductor generates a strong coupling between the two layers, offering a new way for ultrafast heat transfer through the interface and leading to a coherent structural vibration that plays a critical role in propagating mechanical stress. These findings provide insights into the relationship between electron transfer and interfacial mechanical and thermal properties.

The rapid development of digital technology results in a tremendous increase in computational tasks that impose stringent performance requirements on next‐generation computing. Biological neurons with fault tolerance and logic functions exhibit powerful computing capacity when facing complex real‐world problems, which strikes the inspiration for the development of highly energy‐efficient brain‐like computing. Herein, a novel device architecture, an electrolyte‐manipulated ferroelectric organic neuristor, which emulates biological neurons to perform both neuromorphic and reconfigurable logic‐in‐memory operations in a single cell, is proposed. The interfacial coupling of ions and dipoles in the neuristor contributes to the tunable synaptic behaviors of short‐ to long‐term plasticity. Notably, by virtue of lateral capacitive coupling, the neuristor is effectively controlled by multiple in‐plane gates to achieve heterosynaptic plasticity. An artificial neural network exhibits robust recognition ability with high accuracy of 93.7% in speech recognition, further demonstrating the feasibility of the neuristor for neuromorphic computing. Additionally, reconfigurable logic‐in‐memory operations (OR and AND) are successfully demonstrated in a single device. Therefore, the devices shed new light on the development of more brain‐inspired computing systems in the era of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of digital technology results in a tremendous increase in computational tasks that impose stringent performance requirements on next‐generation computing. Biological neurons with fault tolerance and logic functions exhibit powerful computing capacity when facing complex real‐world problems, which strikes the inspiration for the development of highly energy‐efficient brain‐like computing. Herein, a novel device architecture, an electrolyte‐manipulated ferroelectric organic neuristor, which emulates biological neurons to perform both neuromorphic and reconfigurable logic‐in‐memory operations in a single cell, is proposed. The interfacial coupling of ions and dipoles in the neuristor contributes to the tunable synaptic behaviors of short‐ to long‐term plasticity. Notably, by virtue of lateral capacitive coupling, the neuristor is effectively controlled by multiple in‐plane gates to achieve heterosynaptic plasticity. An artificial neural network exhibits robust recognition ability with high accuracy of 93.7% in speech recognition, further demonstrating the feasibility of the neuristor for neuromorphic computing. Additionally, reconfigurable logic‐in‐memory operations (OR and AND) are successfully demonstrated in a single device. Therefore, the devices shed new light on the development of more brain‐inspired computing systems in the era of big data.

Tin selenide (SnSe2) is considered a promising anode of the lithium‐ion battery because of its tunable interlayer space, abundant active sites, and high theoretical capacity. However, the low electronic conductivity and large volume variation during the charging/discharging processes inevitably result in inadequate specific capacity and inferior cyclic stability. Herein, a high‐throughput wet chemical method to synthesize SnSe2/SnSe heterostructures is designed and used as anodes of lithium‐ion batteries. The hierarchical nanoflower morphology of such heterostructures buffers the volume expansion, while the built‐in electric field and metallic feature increase the charge transport capability. As expected, the superb specific capacity (≈911.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), high‐rate performance, and outstanding cyclic stability are obtained in the lithium‐ion batteries composed of SnSe2/SnSe anodes. More intriguingly, a reversible specific capacity (≈374.7 mAh g−1 at 2.5 A g−1) is maintained after 1000 cycles. The internal lithium storage mechanism is clarified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ characterizations. This work hereby provides a new paradigm for enhancing lithium‐ion battery performances by constructing heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High pressure drives the rapid implantation of polyaniline in host [VO n ] lattices. • Bipolar protonation provides abundant active sites for ion/electron mobility. • Interfacial coupling bonds effectively relieve the intercalation stress of V 2 O 5. • Charge storage process with multiple ions was elucidated by in situ FTIR/Raman. • AZIBs exhibits ultrahigh-rate and ultralong-life zinc ions storage performance. Durable cathode materials with high specific capacity are essential for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). However, vanadium-based materials endure irreversible structural collapse, sluggish diffusion kinetics, and low working voltage. In this study, we propose a unique pressure-driven molecule implantation (PMI) strategy to fabricate a laminar organic–inorganic hybrid cathode (PMI-VO) for AZIBs by coupling polyaniline (PANI) with vanadium oxide. The bipolar protonation of implanted electroactive PANI provides abundant active sites for ion/electron transfer and Zn2+/H+ storage in PMI-VO. Importantly, the formed C-V-O interfacial coupling bonds in the cycling process effectively relieve the intercalation stress and strengthen the redox kinetics and structural integrity of V 2 O 5. In situ infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal the PMI-induced multiple ions storage mechanisms in the PMI-VO cathode. Accordingly, PMI-VO cathode performs a superior specific capacity of 522 mAh∙g−1 at 0.2 A∙g−1, a high operating voltage of 0.86 V, a high energy density (387.4 Wh∙kg−1), and splendid long-life stability (over 15,000 cycles at 20 A∙g−1 with 191 mAh∙g−1). Therefore, this pressure-driven molecule implantation strategy provides a pioneering method to fabricate superior cathode materials of advanced AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-semiconductor interfaces are crucial components of optoelectronic and electrical devices, the performance of which hinges on intricate dynamics involving charge transport and mechanical interaction at the interface. Nevertheless, structural changes upon photoexcitation and subsequent carrier transportation at the interface, which crucially impact hot carrier stability and lifetime, remain elusive. To address this long-standing problem, they investigated the electron dynamics and resulting structural changes at the Au/TiO 2 interface using ultrafast electron diffraction (UED). The analysis of the UED data reveals that interlayer electron transfer from metal to semiconductor generates a strong coupling between the two layers, offering a new way for ultrafast heat transfer through the interface and leading to a coherent structural vibration that plays a critical role in propagating mechanical stress. These findings provide insights into the relationship between electron transfer and interfacial mechanical and thermal properties., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

We designed an edge-sites 2D/0D/2D based TiO2@Au/g-C3N4 Z-scheme photocatalytic system consists of highly exposed (001) TNSs@Au edge-site heterojunction, and the Au/g-C3N4 interfacial heterojunction. The designed photocatalyst was prepared by a facile and controlled hydrothermal synthesis strategy via in-situ nanoclusters-to-nanoparticles deposition technique and programable calcination in N2 atmosphere to get edge-site well-crystalline interface, followed by chemically bonded thin overlay of g-C3N4. Photocatalytic performance of the prepared TNSs@Au/g-C3N4 catalyst was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water under visible light irradiation. The results obtained from structural and chemical characterization conclude that the inter-facet junction between highly exposed (001) and (101) TNSs surface, and TNSs@Au interfacial heterojunction formed by a direct contact between highly crystalline TNSs and Au, are the key factors to enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons/holes. On coupling with overlay of g-C3N4 2D NSs synergistically offer tremendous reactive sites for the potential photocatalytic dye degradation in the Z-scheme photocatalyst. Particularly in the designed photocatalyst, Au nanoparticles accumulates and transfer the photo-stimulated electrons originated from anatase TNSs to g-C3N4via semiconductor-metal heterojunction. Because of the large exposed reactive 2D surface, overlay g-C3N4 sheets not only trap photoelectrons, but also provide a potential platform for increased adsorption capacities for organic contaminants. This work establishes a foundation for the development of high-performance Z-scheme photocatalytic systems.

We have demonstrated the improved performance of oxygen evolution reactions (OER) using Au/nickel phosphide (Ni12P5) core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) under basic conditions. NPs with a Ni12P5 shell and a Au core, both of which have well-defined crystal structures, have been prepared using solution-based synthetic routes. Compared with pure Ni12P5 NPs and Au-Ni12P5 oligomer-like NPs, the core/shell crystalline structure with Au shows an improved OER activity. It affords a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a small overpotential of 0.34 V, in 1 M KOH aqueous solution at room temperature. This enhanced OER activity may relate to the strong structural and effective electronic coupling between the single-crystal core and the shell. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Herein, we presented a simple two-step hydrothermal method to fabricate noble-metal-free 3D net-like Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 ultrathin nanosheets coupled with the MoS 2 @CFC interface. Benefiting from the reciprocally binding structure and interfacial coupling effects between Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 nanosheet and MoS 2 @CFC, the catalytically active area was expanded, and the intrinsic activity toward HER was significantly improved. [Display omitted] • Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 with 3D net-like structure was constructed on the MoS 2 nanosheets. • The interface coupling structure was formed between MoS 2 and Ni 3 (VO 4) 2. • This work provides new perspectives to construct efficient electrocatalysts. The use of cheap and efficient electrocatalyst for the production of hydrogen is the key to solving the current energy crisis. Herein, we used a two-step hydrothermal process to fabricate noble-metal-free 3D net-like Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 ultrathin nanosheets coupled with MoS 2 @CFC interface. Unlike the traditional two-dimensional composite materials, Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 ultrathin nanosheets intersect with MoS 2 nanosheets grown on CFC in a 3D net-like structure (Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 /MoS 2 @CFC). Due to the mutual combination of structures and the interfacial coupling cooperation effect between Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 nanosheet and MoS 2 @CFC, the catalytically active area was expanded, and the intrinsic activity toward HER was significantly improved. Ni 3 (VO 4) 2 /MoS 2 @CFC showed high activity at the industrial temperature (75 °C), with an overpotential of 77 mV (10 mA/cm2) and a 65 mV/dec Tafel slope. This material showed good stability at 0.5 M H 2 SO 4. This work provides a heterostructure scheme for the construction of a novel noble metal-free electrocatalyst to promote hydrogen evolution reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blending Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is promising to obtain a composite scaffold combining the excellent biomechanical properties of PEEK and the remarkable degradability of PVA. However, the weak interfacial bonding between nonpolar PEEK and polar PVA would result in poor mechanical properties. In this study, owing to its unique amphiphilic properties, graphene oxide (GO) was employed to enhance the interfacial bonding between PEEK and PVA in PEEK/PVA scaffolds that were fabricated by laser 3D printing. On the one hand, the large π-conjugated structure of GO formed strong π-π interactions with the benzene rings in PEEK. On the other hand, the oxygen-containing groups of GO formed strong hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of PVA. As a result, the interfacial free energy between PEEK and PVA decreased from 37.4 to 29.6 mJ/m2 according to the harmonic-mean rule, and the PVA phase in PEEK matrix became much fine and uniform, indicating a reinforced interfacial bonding. Correspondingly, the strength and modulus of PEEK/PVA scaffolds increased by 97.16% and 147.06%, respectively, for a GO loading of 1%. Furthermore, the scaffolds exhibited good hydrophilicity and degradability, and promoted cell attachment and proliferation in vitro and osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration in vivo.

[Display omitted] • Ultrathin MoS 2 @NiFe 2 O 4 is constructed by a facile hydrothermal and amine-hydrolysis. • MS@NiFeO delivers highly efficient OER performance and photodegradation activity. • Stability and reuse of MS@NiFeO are quite stable and remain little change. • The *OH and *O 2 − reactive species confirms the photocatalytic mechanism by ESR spectroscopy. Rational design and highly efficient dual-functional catalyst are still difficult to develop for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction and degradation of RhB dye pollutant. Herein, we report a highly efficient "bandgap matching and interfacial coupling" strategy to synthesize nano-assembled ultrathin layered MoS 2 @NiFe 2 O 4 (MS@NiFeO) bifunctional catalyst constructed by the hydrothermal route and subsequently amine-hydrolysis. The OER performance of the prepared MS@NiFeO catalyst delivers a low overpotential of 290 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope is 69.2 mV dec−1 in an alkaline solution. In addition, the nano-assembled ultrathin layered structure of MS@NiFeO showed a highly efficient (96.37%) RhB dye degradation performance than that of MoS 2 nanosheets and NiFe 2 O 4 nanostructures. Unique nanostructure of ultrathin layered MS@NiFeO with suitable band matching, interfacial charge transfer, high surface area and more active sites favored for the enhancement of the catalytic activity. This work presents an unpretentious construction and low-cost production strategy to synthesize bifunctional hybrid catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction as well as degradation of organic pollutant with superior efficiency and longer stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefiting from abundant sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted abundant interest in the past decade, which hold great practical prospects for future large-scale energy storage applications. However, sluggish reaction kinetics are the main obstacle to the development of high-performance SIBs. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon-coated MoSe 2 (MoSe 2 @NC) nanosheets are developed by a facile hydrothermal with subsequent calcination strategy. The expanded crystalline planes of MoSe 2 facilitate the insertion/extraction kinetics of Na+. The coated nitrogen-doped carbon layers effectively enhance the electric conductivity and restrict the agglomeration of MoSe 2. The Mo–C bonding formed by interfacial coupling between the MoSe 2 and nitrogen-doped carbons facilitates the charge transfer in the MoSe 2 @NC. As a result, the MoSe 2 @NC anode exhibits a reversible discharge capacity of 427.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 with a high cyclic stability of 337.9 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. The N-doped carbon layers effectively restrict the agglomeration of MoSe 2 , and the expanded crystalline planes with strong interfacial Mo–C bonding facilitate the insertion/extraction reaction kinetics. [Display omitted] • The expanded crystalline planes of MoSe 2 @NC facilitate the insertion/extraction reaction kinetics. • The coated N-doped carbon layers effectively enhance the electric conductivity and restrict the agglomeration of MoSe 2. • The interfacial coupling of Mo–C bonding between the MoSe 2 and N-doped carbons facilitates the charge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Amorphous-crystalline interface coupling deign is proposed for active OER catalyst. • It is demonstrated by crystalline Fe 2 O 3 supported ultrathin amorphous NiFe(OH) x. • Reduced surface charge accumulation and promoted high valence Ni state is confirmed. • Enhanced OER activity is achieved in AEM electrolyzer at high current density. Amorphous NiFe-based oxyhydroxides can provide abundant active sites for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water splitting, but their disordered atomic arrangement leads to severe charge accumulation and electrochemical polarization at high current density. To address this issue, a crystalline Fe 2 O 3 supported ultrathin amorphous NiFe oxy-hydroxide amorphous-crystalline interface coupling design is proposed. In this design, the interfacial Fe3+ in Fe 2 O 3 as a strong Lewis acid is conducive for trapping the electrons in amorphous NiFe(OH) x , reducing the surface charge accumulation, electrochemical polarization, and improves its OER performance. Meanwhile, in-situ Raman, in-situ IR and XPS analysis reveal that, the electrons transfer is accompanied with Ni2+ oxidation into the highly OER active Ni3+ species. Benefited from this design, the OER overpotentials of the resulting NiFe(OH) x /Fe 2 O 3 NAs catalyst are measured to be 111 and 233 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, superior than many reported OER electrocatalysts. The anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer using NiFe(OH) x /Fe 2 O 3 NAs delivers a current density of 600 mA cm−2 at a small cell voltage of 1.75 V, and exhibits excellent stability performance in high-current–density condition. This work provides a promising alternative strategy for the development of high-performance amorphous OER catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering in transition metal oxide heterostructures not only gives rise to exotic physical phenomena, but also has potential applications in spintronics. In this study, we demonstrate the appearance of strong interfacial coupling in 5 d paramagnetic SrIrO 3 and 3 d ferromagnetic La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 bilayers, which manifests itself in the dramatic enhancement of coercivity by about 70 times larger than that of the single La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 layer and the observation of an unexpected exchange bias effect up to 40 K. Systematic magnetic analysis further reveals the emergence of an interfacial spin glass state in this 5 d -3 d oxide bilayer. This interfacial-coupling-induced spin glass state is the underlying origin of the unconventional exchange bias effect rarely observed in paramagnetic/ferromagnetic heterostructures. • High-quality 5 d SrIrO 3 /3 d La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 bilayers have been epitaxially grown. • An unexpected exchange bias effect is observed for the first time in the bilayer. • The exchange bias effect is driven by interfacial spin glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, crystal structure, electronic structure, chemical substitution, pressure-dependent superconductivity, and thickness-dependent properties in FeSe-based superconductors are systemically reviewed. First, the superconductivity versus chemical substitution is reviewed, where the doping at Fe or Se sites induces different effects on the superconducting critical temperature (Tc). Meanwhile, the application of high pressure is extremely effective in enhancing Tc and simultaneously induces magnetism. Second, the intercalated-FeSe superconductors exhibit higher Tc from 30 to 46 K. Such an enhancement is mainly caused by the charge transfer from the intercalated organic and inorganic layer. Finally, the highest Tc emerging in single-unit-cell FeSe on the SrTiO3 substrate is discussed, where electron-phonon coupling between FeSe and the substrate could enhance Tc to as high as 65 K or 100 K. The step-wise increment of Tc indicates that the synergic effect of carrier doping and electron-phonon coupling plays a critical role in tuning the electronic structure and superconductivity in FeSe-based superconductors.

Elaborate engineering of heterostructure and composition to regulate the electroactivities remains a pronounced challenge. Herein, a self-supported 2D/2D heterostructure monolith is constructed by interlinked FeCo-hydroxides nanosheets tightly interlacing with aligned Cu 0.76 Co 2.24 O 4 nanoplates. Due to the well-defined hierarchical nanoarrays and desirable interfacial coupling, the monolithic catalyst can guarantee the rapid charge transfer and mass transport pathways for accelerated surface kinetics, leading to manifestly improved electroactivities and stability toward trifunctional catalysis. Both experimental and theoretical calculations unravel the enriched multimetal active sites for intermediates adsorption and the synergistic interplay of the heterostructure to achieve enhanced catalytic efficiency. Consequently, the heterostructure catalyst contributes to high-performance rechargeable/flexible all-solid-stated Zn-air batteries and water electrolyzer with an ultralow potential of 1.51 V. Moreover, self-powered water splitting system driven by flexible Zn-air batteries delivers a high H 2 generation rate. This cost-effective heterostructure monolith could open an intriguing avenue for advancing all-in-one films toward portable energy conversion/storage. [Display omitted] • A self-supported 2D/2D heterostructure monolith with rich multi-metal active sites is constructed from CuCo-oxides. • The monolithic catalyst exhibits superior multifunctional activities for HER/OER/ORR. • Rechargeable ZABs obtain high specific energy and excellent cycling stability for 400 h. • The overall water splitting cell delivers an ultralow potential of 1.51 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2. • Self-powered water splitting system driven by flexible ZABs is developed for H 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nickel-iron sulfide (NiFeS) nanosheets were immobilized on Ti 3 C 2 MXene-decorated nickel foam (Ti 3 C 2 MXene/NF) by hydrothermal reaction (NiFeS@Ti 3 C 2 MXene/NF). The morphology of NiFeS and interactions with Ti 3 C 2 MXene resulted in electronic coupling that optimized the adsorption energies of water, protons, and oxygen atom for the HER (180 mV@20 mA cm-2) and OER (290 mV@20 mA cm-2). The NiFeS@Ti 3 C 2 MXene/NF catalyst showed good water splitting performance in an alkaline membrane water electrolyzer, yielding a current density (j) of 401 mA cm-2 at 1.85 V with 67.65 % cell efficiency, performance comparable to Pt/C||RuO 2 cells. From a commercial point of view, our electrolyzers are the best because of their low loading of catalysts (ca. 1.25 mg cm-2) and low operating temperatures (50 °C), resulting in low capital and operating costs. Our findings will aid the development of commercial green hydrogen production and offers an alternative to PEMWE. We demonstrate the excellent activity and stability of an electrolyzer system based on NiFeS@Ti 3 C 2 MXene/nickel foam self-standing anodes and cathodes. [Display omitted] • Ti 3 C 2 MXenes/NF decorated with NiFeS nanosheets to yield electrocatalyst. • Electronic coupling of NiFeS with Ti 3 C 2 MXenes promotes catalytic activity. • Current density of 20 mA cm-2 at overpotentials of 180 mV (HER) and 290 mV (OER). • Alkaline anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) tested. • AEMWE suitable for commercial production of green hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work fabricated highly flexible and piezoelectric nanofiber with coaxial and hierarchical architecture, which integrated polydopamine-modified BaTiO 3 nanowires into polymeric P(VDF-TrFE) matrix. The assembled flexible and wearable piezoelectric nanogenerator had excellent sensitivity and stability for self-powered physiological multimodal sensing. [Display omitted] • Development of organic–inorganic coaxial piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG). • The reinforced interfacial coupling improved the piezoelectric response. • The mechanism of interfacial enhancement was deeply investigated. • High sensitivity (4.3 V N−1) and rapid response time (20.4 ms) were achieved. The relatively low sensitivity of flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) is the most urgent problem to be solved for their applications in internet of things and artificial intelligences. To improve the piezoelectricity of polymeric fibers without discount of flexibility, BaTiO 3 nanowire (BTNW) with high aspect ratio is introduced into the piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE) (denoted as PT) electrospun fibers to form coaxial composite nanofibers for improving the sensitivity towards external mechanical loads. To reinforce the organic–inorganic interfacial interaction for the improvement of the piezoelectric response, a nanolayer of polydopamine (PDA) is uniformly coated on the surface of BTNW (denoted as pBTNW) to form PT/pBTNW nanofibers. The introduction of 7 wt% pBTNW into the fibers significantly improves the polymeric β-phase conformation and mechanical properties, simultaneously, resulting in an optimal piezoelectric output of 18.2 V under an impact force of 5 N with excellent sensitivity of 4.3 V N−1. Through both theoretical simulation and experimental characterization, the PT/pBTNW-based PENG exhibits a higher electrical output than the equivalent nanoparticle-based PENG. The optimized PENG sensor can be used for self-powered and sensitive biomonitoring of physiological movements, finger identification and voice recognition. Overall, this work offers a reliable method for enhancing piezoelectricity of flexible polymeric nanofiber and designing high-performance PENG for wearable fabric-based sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin selenide (SnSe 2 ) is considered a promising anode of the lithium-ion battery because of its tunable interlayer space, abundant active sites, and high theoretical capacity. However, the low electronic conductivity and large volume variation during the charging/discharging processes inevitably result in inadequate specific capacity and inferior cyclic stability. Herein, a high-throughput wet chemical method to synthesize SnSe 2 /SnSe heterostructures is designed and used as anodes of lithium-ion batteries. The hierarchical nanoflower morphology of such heterostructures buffers the volume expansion, while the built-in electric field and metallic feature increase the charge transport capability. As expected, the superb specific capacity (≈911.4 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 ), high-rate performance, and outstanding cyclic stability are obtained in the lithium-ion batteries composed of SnSe 2 /SnSe anodes. More intriguingly, a reversible specific capacity (≈374.7 mAh g -1 at 2.5 A g -1 ) is maintained after 1000 cycles. The internal lithium storage mechanism is clarified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ characterizations. This work hereby provides a new paradigm for enhancing lithium-ion battery performances by constructing heterostructures., (© 2022 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The combination of micro-scale architecture design and atomic-level interfacial engineering is of significant importance for developing advanced noble-metal-free catalysts toward efficient energy conversion. Herein, we report novel chrysalis-like hydrophilic-carbon-shell supported abundant metallic Ni nanoparticles (O-C@Ni) as a promising oxygen electrocatalyst toward electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is derived from a unique organic-metal framework (MOF) based core-shell structure. Thanks to the superiorly hydrophilic affinity of oxygen-dopant-rich carbon-shell and the well-designed hollow architecture, this as-obtained O-C@Ni catalysts could deliver excellent ORR activity with a decent half-wave potential of 0.83 V and a small Tafel slope of 76 mV dec−1, comparable with commercial Pt/C catalysts and being one of the most active transition-metal based ORR electrocatalysts reported. In particular, robust methanol endurance and excellent electrocatalytic stability are evidently observed for O-C@Ni catalysts during a long-term ORR operation, superior to commercial Pt/C catalysts. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy combined with water contact angle analyses reveals that the strong interfacial metal-support effect together with superiorly hydrophilic affinity enable O-C@Ni catalysts with promoted catalytic kinetics towards efficient ORR performance. [Display omitted] ● Novel chrysalis-like carbon with superior hydrophilic property is developed. ● These carbon-shells are derived from unique core-shell structures. ● Superior hydrophilicity and interfacial coupling promote electrochemical kinetics. ● The obtained O-C@Ni sample is promising as an active oxygen electrocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrathin amorphous-crystalline biphasic δ -MnO 2 / ε -Fe 2 O 3 nanosheets have been developed through tandem alkali hydrolysis and hetero-epitaxial growth protocol. The in situ reconstructed interlayer results in the ameliorated interfaces for boosting water oxidation kinetics. A proof-of-concept prototype using Zn-MnO 2 battery as power to drive δ -MnO 2 -based water splitting cell has been demonstrated. [Display omitted] • Ultrathin hetero-nanosheets have been fabricated through facile alkali hydrolysis of coordination polymers. • The hetero-epitaxial growth protocols have been proposed for the formation of hetero-nanosheets. • The hetero-nanosheets possess extraordinary alkaline OER activity and remarkable long-term stability. • The in situ interlayer reconstruction during OER has been disclosed for performance enhancement. Developing high-performance and low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for implementing industrial H 2 production. Herein, ultrathin Fe-Mn-O hetero-nanosheets consisting of crystalline ε -Fe 2 O 3 intercalated in amorphous Fe-doped δ -MnO 2 have been fabricated through facile alkali hydrolysis of FeMn-based coordination polymer. Abundant Mn3+ active sites and oxygen vacancies are generated in Fe-doped δ -MnO 2 layer due to in-layer/interlayer reformations, where interstitial ε -Fe 2 O 3 is engineered to reinforce stability and conductivity. The optimal 0.5Fe-Mn-O nanosheets exhibit superb activity with low overpotentials of 258 (322) mV at 10 (300) mA cm−2 for OER together with strong stability under large current density over 100 h, ranking it among the best MnO 2 -based electrocatalysts. Importantly, in situ interlayer reconstruction from ε -Fe 2 O 3 to β -FeOOH during OER has been unveiled, the evolved β -FeOOH triggers strong interfacial electronic coupling, which synergizes with oxygen vacancies and Fe3+ dopants to modulate surface electronic structure of δ -MnO 2 for intermediates adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design heterojunction electrocatalysts for water splitting in industrial plants, replacing RuO 2 , IrO 2 , and Pt/C remains challenging. We prepared heterostructures of nickel selenide (NiSe) and cobalt-iron layer double hydroxide (CoFe LDH), CoFe LDH@NiSe, using hydrothermal and electrodeposition processes. The interfacial coupling enhanced the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The CoFe LDH@NiSe required an overpotential of 127 mV and 38 mV for a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 37 mV dec−1 and 33 mV dec−1 for OER and HER in alkaline solutions. Density functional theory calculations showed the enhancement of OER performance. The catalytic activity of CoFe LDH@NiSe increased the electronic conductivity, enhancing the water splitting with 10 mA cm−2 at 1.51 V. The robustness was demonstrated by the long-term stability for 120 h. This study provides a strategy for developing heteronanostructure electrocatalysts for water splitting in fields such as metal-air batteries and energy storage. An interface engineering approach was developed to fabricate NiSe coupled with CoFe LDH in which the hierarchical assembly of heteronanostructured nanosheets exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for overall water splitting kinetics. [Display omitted] • CoFe-LDH@NiSe nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal/electrodeposition method. • The mass activity of CoFe-LDH@NiSe surpasses the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts. • DFT proves abundant vacant active sites enhancing the performance of OER. • The designed heteronanostructure exhibits an excellent catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atomically interfacial engineering combined with the rational architecture design is of significant important for developing promising oxygen electrocatalysts towards efficient energy-related applications, but still remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report numerous CoFe alloy nanoparticles, with tunable compositions, anchored firmly over the well-designed oxygen-dopants-rich carbon nanoboxes (CoFe@C NBs) as an active electrocatalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is fabricated via a facile cation exchange and pyrolysis strategy. Thanks to the robust interfacial electronic coupling and the highly-exposed synergetic bimetallic centers, this optimized CoFe-27 @C NBs with the Co: Fe atomic ratio of 5.4: 1 could exhibit superior activity, excellent long-term stability and high methanol tolerance during a long-term ORR operation, with an excellent half-wave potential of 0.90 V and decent limiting current density of 5.4 mA cm−2, comparable with the commercial Pt/C catalysts and being one of the most active transition-metal ORR electrocatalysts developed. By the atomic-level synchrotron radiation characterizations and the detailed electrochemical measurements, it can be found that the strong electronic coupling at the metal-support interface could effectively promote the charge transfer and catalytic reaction kinetics, contributing to efficient 4e- ORR for CoFe-27 @C NBs. [Display omitted] • A novel cation exchange and multiple-step pyrolysis strategy is developed. • Synergetic CoFe alloy embedded on oxygen-dopant-rich carbon nanobox is fabricated. • Strong alloy-support coupling via robust interfacial chemical bonds is revealed. • The unique CoFe@C nanoboxes are highly-active for oxygen electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered structural BiOBr with {110} facet exposure is a promising functional material for highly selective adsorption and separation of heavy metal ions in water purification. In this study, the distinct adsorption behaviors of As(III), As(V), and Cr(VI) on {110} facet were theoretically and experimentally investigated. The results suggested that uncharged As(III) was dominantly adsorbed on the [Bi 2 O 2 ]2+ surface replacing the hydroxyl group, whereas Cr(VI) and As(V) oxyanions preferentially intercalated on {110} facet by exchange with Br- ions between the layers. Moreover, due to interfacial coupling configuration ([BiO-CrO 4 -OBi]-O-As(OH) 2) between the surface and interlayer on {110} facet, the synergic removal of Cr(VI) and As(III) could be accelerated under photoexcitation to induce a direct electron transfer from surface AsIII to interlayer CrVI, forming AsV and CrIII. Subsequently, approximately 69.3% of Cr(III) and 98.6% of As(V) were readily desorbed in acidic conditions and a high concentration of Br- solution, respectively, to achieve simultaneous detoxification and selective separation. [Display omitted] • Oxyanions (CrO 4 2- and HAsO 4 2-) preferentially intercalated between BiOBr layers by exchange with Br- ion. • Interfacial coupling configuration was constructed by the intercalated Cr(VI) and surface adsorbed As(III) on {110} facet. • Synergic removal was accelerated by electrons transfer from surface As(III) to interlayer Cr(VI) for both detoxification. • Selective separation of chromium and arsenic was based on interlayer anion-exchange property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed an edge-sites 2D/0D/2D based TiO 2 @Au/g-C 3 N 4 Z-scheme photocatalytic system consists of highly exposed (001) TNSs@Au edge-site heterojunction, and the Au/g-C 3 N 4 interfacial heterojunction. The designed photocatalyst was prepared by a facile and controlled hydrothermal synthesis strategy via in-situ nanoclusters-to-nanoparticles deposition technique and programable calcination in N 2 atmosphere to get edge-site well-crystalline interface, followed by chemically bonded thin overlay of g-C 3 N 4 . Photocatalytic performance of the prepared TNSs@Au/g-C 3 N 4 catalyst was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water under visible light irradiation. The results obtained from structural and chemical characterization conclude that the inter-facet junction between highly exposed (001) and (101) TNSs surface, and TNSs@Au interfacial heterojunction formed by a direct contact between highly crystalline TNSs and Au, are the key factors to enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons/holes. On coupling with overlay of g-C 3 N 4 2D NSs synergistically offer tremendous reactive sites for the potential photocatalytic dye degradation in the Z-scheme photocatalyst. Particularly in the designed photocatalyst, Au nanoparticles accumulates and transfer the photo-stimulated electrons originated from anatase TNSs to g-C 3 N 4 via semiconductor-metal heterojunction. Because of the large exposed reactive 2D surface, overlay g-C 3 N 4 sheets not only trap photoelectrons, but also provide a potential platform for increased adsorption capacities for organic contaminants. This work establishes a foundation for the development of high-performance Z-scheme photocatalytic systems., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Hong, Anwer, Wu, Deng and Qian.)

Cellulose@Mg(OH) 2 was prepared via a facile method, which has both good shaping ability and high removal capability. The composite can be made into filter to remove heavy metal ion, and the treated water meets the potable water criteria. [Display omitted] • Water treatment agent cellulose@Mg(OH) 2 was prepared via a facile method. • Cellulose guides to form ultrathin Mg(OH) 2 by non Van der Waals interaction. • Easy shaping property of our material makes HMIs' separation practical. • High removal capacity and durability are achieved for HMIs' removal. • Recovered HMIs can be retained on composite fibers and separated from water. The utilization of renewable biomass cellulose in treating pollution of heavy metal ions (HMIs) is one of overarching and appealing strategies, because it simultaneously satisfies sustainable development and resolves ever-increasing environmental issue. In this regard, the composite cellulose@Mg(OH) 2 was prepared via a facile method and explored for its use as water treatment agent. It is demonstrated that the smaller and thinner hexagonal Mg(OH) 2 flakes are constructed onto the cellulose substrate by self-assembling; two components are chemically coupled via hydrogen bonds and Mg-O c (cellulose oxygen) dative bonds; what's more, the coupling of cellulose with Mg(OH) 2 (1 0 1) facet is much more preferential than with (0 0 1) facet. The resultant composite material shows remarkable HMI removal performance: large capacities of 734.9, 595.8 and 1473.1 mg g−1 for Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Further assisted by good shaping property of the cellulose substrate, the composite is capable of being made into filter, which practically separates HMIs and purifies wastewater with high removal efficiency (99.99%) for Cd2+ even after operating for 110 days and potable water can be obtained. The mechanism is delineated with removal models and characterizations of HMI-recovered products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the enhancement of the exchange field, H[subEX], in IrMn/CoFe systems as a result of the application of field annealing procedures. The exchange field is enhanced up to a 37% on application of a 2 Tesla field for 90 minutes at 225°C. This setting process improves the magnitude of H[subEX] without significant changes in the coercivity, H[subC],or the median blocking temperature. The sample with largest exchange bias field measured, 3.7 kOe and H[subC] = 0.2 kOe at 20° C, seems to have the largest ratio of H[subEX] to H[subC] ever reported for an IrMn/CoFe exchange bias system. This makes these structures good candidates as pinned layers in magnetic tunnel junctions. The samples show good thermal stability with median blocking temperatures up to 200°C. The results also indicate that the improvement in the quality of the interfaces via the degree of alignment of the interfacial spins improves the coupling across the interface and hence the magnitude of the exchange bias field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides details of the numerical simulation process for the interfacial coupling effect in multiphase flow through porous media. It covers the theoretical background, description of mathematical formulations, basic assumptions in the models, normalization and transformation between Lagrangian and Eulerian formulations, specification of boundary conditions, discretization and grid system, and solution methods. The main advantage of the Lagrangian formalism is that it eliminates the need for space discretization thereby reducing computation time and error. The numerical simulation process was codified into a stand-alone numerical simulator using the JavaTM Programming language. Numerical examples obtained from the numerical simulator are presented to show the applicability of the computational technique and to investigate the effects of interfacial coupling and hydrodynamic effects. Numerical results show that interfacial coupling (viscous and capillary) and hydrodynamic effects are insignificant in two-phase, cocurrent, horizontal, porous media flow. Sensitivity analyses studies carried out with the simulator show that if the viscous factor in the parameter that control the amount of viscous coupling is taken as the theoretically established value of 2 or below, then the viscous coupling effect is insignificant. Otherwise, the viscous coupling effect would have a greater effect on the physics of flow and might lead to unreasonable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interfacial chemistry of nanocomposite materials is of overarching importance in the separation and purification science; moreover, its understanding helps to guide synthesis, clarify structure-property relationship and unearth novel applications. However, the composites feature rather complicated local structures and hydrogen bonds are often involved in the interface and the vicinity of active sites. In this regard, density functional theory first-principle calculations associated with experimental study have synergistically examined two-dimensional (2D) magnesium hydroxide material with different layers and their adsorption toward cellobiose. Hydrogen bonds are found responsible for the interfacial coupling, which make it vital to cover the dispersion correction in the calculation. The average adsorption energy ranges from −0.29 to −0.35 eV, falling well within the range of reported hydrogen-bonding strength. On the basis of calculated structural/interfacial properties and experimental findings, the 2D Mg(OH) 2 in terms of three-layer model was unraveled to substitute toxic Cd2+ ion and sorb radioactive UO 2 2+ that is coordinated by water and hydroxyl groups. These reactions are thermodynamically feasible. The ion-exchanging mechanism was proposed for cadmium removal and the outer-sphere adsorption one for uranium extraction. The first-principle computation and experiment synergistically recognized local structures of 2D Mg(OH) 2 -cellobiose composite and the hydrogen-bond-dominated interfacial coupling. Mechanisms of ion exchange and inner-sphere adsorption were revealed while applying Mg(OH) 2 to handle toxic Cd2+ and radiotoxic UO 2 2+, respectively. [Display omitted] • Mg(OH) 2 -cellobiose composite was synthesized and calculated by DFT. • Local structures controlled by chemical interfacial coupling were recognized. • The interfacial coupling was proved as hydrogen bond nature. • Reactions of Mg(OH) 2 with toxic Cd2+ and UO 2 2+ ions are thermodynamically favored. • Ion-exchange and inner-sphere adsorption mechanisms were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, crystal structure, electronic structure, chemical substitution, pressure-dependent superconductivity, and thickness-dependent properties in FeSe-based superconductors are systemically reviewed. First, the superconductivity versus chemical substitution is reviewed, where the doping at Fe or Se sites induces different effects on the superconducting critical temperature (Tc). Meanwhile, the application of high pressure is extremely effective in enhancing Tc and simultaneously induces magnetism. Second, the intercalated-FeSe superconductors exhibit higher Tc from 30 to 46 K. Such an enhancement is mainly caused by the charge transfer from the intercalated organic and inorganic layer. Finally, the highest Tc emerging in single-unit-cell FeSe on the SrTiO3 substrate is discussed, where electron-phonon coupling between FeSe and the substrate could enhance Tc to as high as 65 K or 100 K. The step-wise increment of Tc indicates that the synergic effect of carrier doping and electron-phonon coupling plays a critical role in tuning the electronic structure and superconductivity in FeSe-based superconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]