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Semi‐rigid polyurethane foams (SPUF) with high deformation resistance and strength are indispensable for cushioning applications. However, for high fire risk and cascaded pollutant effects, overused multifarious additives and foam wastes exacerbate global environmental concerns. One option to address this issue is to develop eco‐friendly multifunctional flame retardants that participate in the material lifecycles of preparation, safe service, waste management, and sustainable recycling. Herein, a novel self‐adaptive catalytic strategy is reported that exploits the temperature and agent structure‐responsive catalytic ability of eco‐friendly sodium propionate (SP), reconciling the often‐conflicting properties of fabrication and recycling while effectively mitigating combustion risks and additive pollution. The adaptive catalytic function of SP impressively involves all aspects of foam life cycles: 1) catalyzing foaming without complex/hazardous catalysts; 2) providing superior flame‐retardant efficiency with a high limiting oxygen index of 25.5% without relying on traditional flame retardants; 3) promoting in situ network fragmentation and reorganization into strong adhesives (5.8 MPa); and 4) further recycling of the newly formed adhesives in a self‐driven sustainable manner. A novel green strategy is presented that addresses fire hazards, plastic pollution, and the unsustainability of recycling, minimizing the ecological risks of foam, which will positively impact future sustainable material design involving diverse additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) are attractive for the rapidly emerging large-scale energy storage market for intermittent renewable resources. The cost of PIBs can be substantially reduced by utilizing easily synthesized and long cycle-life active materials. This study introduces a one-step solid-state synthesis approach for the encapsulation of FeSe2 nanorods within a ketjenblack (KB) carbon matrix, yielding an FeSe2@C-3 composite. As an anode material for PIBs, it exhibits an excellent cycling performance (a high specific capacity of 286 mA h g−1 after 3500 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). Equally noteworthy is its superior rate performance, demonstrating a reversible specific capacity of 303 mA h g−1 at a high-rate density of 2.0 A g−1. Theoretical calculation confirms that the superior potassium storage performance of FeSe2 is attributed to the low K+ intercalation energy. Additionally, the immobilization of FeSe2 nanorods within the conductive KB network can preserve the electrical and structural integration of the whole electrode. Furthermore, when coupled with perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride as the cathode, the FeSe2@C-3 full cell sustains a specific capacity of 107 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and effectively powers 40 light-emitting diode light bulbs after 200 cycles. This study presents a cost-effective way to produce Fe-based anode materials and introduces a novel structural design strategy aimed at extending the cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-based two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (2D HOIPs) are popular materials with various optical properties, which can be tuned through metal ion doping. Due to the size and valence misfit, metal ion dopants in 2D lead-based HOIPs are still limited. In this work, Mn2+, Sb3+ and Bi3+ are doped into 2D (HDA)2PbBr4 (HDA = protonated dopamine) successfully. As a result, the dopants in 2D (HDA)2PbBr4 can induce their characteristic optical spectra, which is studied at different temperatures and excitation powers. The temperature-dependent energy transfer in the Mn-doped sample has been clarified, in which abnormal phenomena including negative thermal quenching have been observed. In addition, the dopant ions can impact the phase transition temperatures of the samples, especially lowering their crystallization temperatures greatly. The mussel-inspired organic cation, feasible metal ion regulation, and superior stability provide (HDA)2PbBr4 potential for further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-based two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (2D HOIPs) are popular materials with various optical properties, which can be tuned through metal ion doping. Due to the size and valence misfit, metal ion dopants in 2D lead-based HOIPs are still limited. In this work, Mn2+, Sb3+ and Bi3+ are doped into 2D (HDA)2PbBr4 (HDA = protonated dopamine) successfully. As a result, the dopants in 2D (HDA)2PbBr4 can induce their characteristic optical spectra, which is studied at different temperatures and excitation powers. The temperature-dependent energy transfer in the Mn-doped sample has been clarified, in which abnormal phenomena including negative thermal quenching have been observed. In addition, the dopant ions can impact the phase transition temperatures of the samples, especially lowering their crystallization temperatures greatly. The mussel-inspired organic cation, feasible metal ion regulation, and superior stability provide (HDA)2PbBr4 potential for further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modification with efficient, stable and low-cost co-catalyst has been considered as a promising way to upgrade photocatalytic property of Mn x Cd 1−x S. Herein, Ni(HCO 3) 2 nanosheets were loaded on polyhedral Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S (MCS) surface through an in-situ hydrothermal method. As-prepared MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composites exhibited the boosted H 2 evolution activities. The optimal H 2 evolution rate (17.7 mmol g−1 h−1) with the calculated AQE value (17.5%) at 420 nm was achieved over the MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite with 10 mol% loading amount of Ni(HCO 3) 2 , which reached 4.0 times of MCS alone. The boosted activity could be ascribed to highly efficient interfacial charge separation and abundant surface active site derived from the structural and functional advantages of MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite. This work gives a fresh perspective on the design and application of transition metal bicarbonate as co-catalysts towards H 2 evolution. [Display omitted] A novel Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite was fabricated and exhibited the enhanced H 2 evolution activity due to excellent charge separation efficiency and abundant surface active site. • Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite was in-situ constructed. • Interfacial contact between two component accelerated charge separation. • Ni(HCO 3) 2 co-catalysts provided abundant active reaction sites. • Co-catalyst modification was responsible for the enhanced H 2 evolution activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered heterostructures have gained significant attention as potential platforms for energy storage because of their unique electronic and interfacial characteristics. Engineering heterojunctions in a rational, efficient, and effective manner is critical to well-defined battery systems. Herein, FePSe3–FeSe2 heterojunctions uniformly dispersed in a Ketjen black carbon matrix (FePSe3–FeSe2/C) were prepared by a one-step phosphorization–selenization method. The conductive carbon matrix can prevent the aggregation of FePSe3–FeSe2 hexagonal nanoplatelets. Moreover, theoretical calculations demonstrate that FePSe3–FeSe2 heterostructures with a strong asymmetric electric field can facilitate K+ intercalation. Notably, FePSe3–FeSe2/C with rich active sites would undergo negative fading, which results in a capacity increase upon cycling. As an anode for potassium ion batteries (PIBs), FePSe3–FeSe2/C can deliver high capacities of 352 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles and 224 mA h g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 3700 cycles. The strategy of fabricating FePSe3–FeSe2 heterojunctions can be extended to other metal phosphorus trichalcogenides to improve their performance in energy storage. Furthermore, the obtained results provide important insights into hetero-nanostructure design toward fast reaction kinetics for PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]