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Aqueous zinc‐iodine (Zn─I2) battery is a promising energy storage system due to its inherent safety, high theoretical capacity, sustainability, and cost‐effectiveness. However, the shuttle effect of polyiodide severely affects the stable loading of active iodine and even accelerates the corrosion of the Zn anode, thus impeding its further advancement. Herein, a unique trimethylsulfonium cation (TMS+) with strong adsorption is proposed to stabilize both the iodine cathode and Zn anode. Benefiting from the robust interaction between TMS+ and polyiodide, the electrolyte can effectively immobilize large‐capacity iodine in the form of oily precipitate, thus avoiding the shuttle effect of polyiodide and the Zn corrosion. Additionally, TMS+ can be preferentially adsorbed on various Zn facets, inducing an electrostatic shielding effect to inhibit Zn dendrite growth. Consequently, Zn anode can be stably cycled over 3400 h at 5 mA cm−2/5 mAh cm−2, and a large areal capacity of 2.71 mAh cm−2 as well as long‐life stability over 6400 cycles is achieved for Zn─I2 battery. Furthermore, cation adsorption engineering is practically utilized in pouch cells, realizing superior fast‐charging stability over 790 cycles. This electrolyte modification with dual stabilizations is anticipated to be applied to other metal‐iodine batteries as a cost‐effective, facile, and safe strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Efficient activation of Ni electrode employs chronopotentiostatic superoxidation. Novel superoxide activation mechanism realizes the redox reaction with three-electron transfer (Ni ↔ Ni3+). As-prepared CPS-Ni||Zn batteries exhibit simultaneously ultrahigh energy and power densities. Aqueous Ni–Zn microbatteries are safe, reliable and inexpensive but notoriously suffer from inadequate energy and power densities. Herein, we present a novel mechanism of superoxide-activated Ni substrate that realizes the redox reaction featuring three-electron transfers (Ni ↔ Ni3+). The superoxide activates the direct redox reaction between Ni substrate and KNiO2 by lowering the reaction Gibbs free energy, supported by in-situ Raman and density functional theory simulations. The prepared chronopotentiostatic superoxidation-activated Ni (CPS-Ni) electrodes exhibit an ultrahigh capacity of 3.21 mAh cm−2 at the current density of 5 mA cm−2, nearly 8 times that of traditional one-electron processes electrodes. Even under the ultrahigh 200 mA cm−2 current density, the CPS-Ni electrodes show 86.4% capacity retention with a Columbic efficiency of 99.2% after 10,000 cycles. The CPS-Ni||Zn microbattery achieves an exceptional energy density of 6.88 mWh cm−2 and power density of 339.56 mW cm−2. Device demonstration shows that the power source can continuously operate for more than 7 days in powering the sensing and computation intensive practical application of photoplethysmographic waveform monitoring. This work paves the way to the development of multi-electron transfer mechanisms for advanced aqueous Ni–Zn batteries with high capacity and long lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Sci-tech Revolution, characterised by digital empowerment, has reshaped the global value chain's developmental trajectory, introducing novel opportunities and driving forces to augment brand value, particularly in developing nations. Utilising panel data encompassing China's top 500 companies from 2011 to 2020, this study employs a fixed-effect panel data model alongside the chain mediation model. It systematically examines how digital empowerment impacts enterprises across three dimensions: upgrading consumption objects, consumption concepts, and consumption patterns. The findings indicate a significant correlation between digital empowerment and an enterprise's brand value. Notably, digital empowerment substantially influences the enhancement of brand value through consumption upgrading, particularly regarding consumption patterns and objects. Conversely, it hinders brand value enhancement through consumption concept upgrading. The intricate multi-chain intermediary effect involving consumption patterns, concepts, and objects renders the impact of digital empowerment on brand value somewhat uncertain. Hence, caution is warranted concerning the potential outflow and contraction of consumption resulting from consumption upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the global economic downturn and contracting international markets, China's industrial export trade faces constraints imposed by international environmental standards, domestic resource limitations, and a heavy reliance on foreign core technology. These factors elevate the imperative for enhanced quality in Chinese export products, essential for propelling high-quality economic development and bolstering trade prowess. Notably, Chinese enterprises predominantly export low-value-added, labor-intensive goods. The burgeoning digital economy significantly influences enterprise production and trade behaviors, emerging as a pivotal driver for unlocking China's dual circulation strategy both domestically and internationally. Moreover, it furnishes a distinctive competitive edge vis-à-vis foreign counterparts by ameliorating financial constraints on industrial enterprises and augmenting the quality and value addition of export products. Consequently, the advancement and application of digital technology play an instrumental role in fostering trade growth models and reshaping industrial structures. Thus, embracing digitalization, harmonizing the domestic market, and leveraging policy synergies are pivotal for enhancing export product quality and value addition. This study uses data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share Listed Enterprises Database alongside the Customs Database spanning 2011 to 2015. Employing panel fixed effect and mediation effect models, the research scrutinizes the impact and mechanisms of digital empowerment on export product quality through the perspective of market segmentation. Empirical findings affirm the positive impact of both digital empowerment and market segmentation on export product quality. However, the interaction between digital empowerment and market segmentation impedes product quality enhancement. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this interaction substantially diminishes export product quality for state-owned enterprises with overseas subsidiaries, those situated in China's middle and western regions, and those engaged in non-high-tech products. Additionally, digital empowerment and market segmentation influence export product quality via avenues such as enhanced market dominance, alleviation of financial constraints, and heightened import penetration. This paper contributes to literature in multiple dimensions. First, it underscores the imperative of comprehensively assessing the digitalization ecosystem and its influence on enterprise operations. By scrutinizing the nexus between digital empowerment and export product quality, this study advances understanding of the digital economy's impact on export product quality. Second, by delineating the interplay between digital empowerment and market segmentation, it elucidates why fostering digital capabilities and establishing a unified national market are imperative. Third, through heterogeneity analysis and mechanism testing, this study explores the nuanced effects of digital empowerment and market segmentation on export product quality across different enterprise attributes such as ownership, internationalization level, geographic location, and product technology content. It also delves into the mediating effects of market dominance, financial constraints, and import penetration--a dimension seldom explored within this context. In conclusion, this paper holds considerable significance in propelling China's digital economy forward and fostering the establishment of a unified national market. It carries profound implications for enhancing enterprises' international competitiveness and propelling Chinese enterprises' participation in the global value chain amidst international competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen‐doped carbon‐coated transition‐metal sulfides (TMS@NCs) have been considered as efficient anodes for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the uncontrollable morphology and weak core–shell binding forces significantly limit the sodium storage performance and life. Herein, based on the reversible ring‐opening reaction of the epoxy group of the tertiary amino group‐rich epoxide cationic polyacrylamide (ECP) at the beginning of hydrothermal process (acidic environment) and the irreversible ring‐opening (cross‐linking reactions) at the late hydrothermal period (alkaline environment), 47 nm‐sized ZnS@NCs were prepared via a one‐pot hydrothermal process. During this process, the covalent bonds formed between the ZnS core and elastic carbon shell significantly improved the mechanical and chemical stabilities of ZnS@NC. Benefiting from the nanosize, fast ion/electron transfer, and high stability, ZnS@NC exhibited a high reversible capacity of 421.9 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles and a superior rate capability of 273.8 mAh g−1 at a current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, via this universal synthesis strategy, a series of TMS@NCs, such as MoS2@NC, NiS@NC, and CuS@NC were developed with excellent capacity and cyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]