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Comprehensive Summary: The morphology of the active layer plays a crucial role in the performance of organic photovoltaics. Although volatile additives are commonly used to manipulate the morphology, their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a systematic exploration of the mechanism of the traditional volatile additive 1‐CN in film formation kinetics of typical PM6:Y6 system. We found that 1‐CN induces a secondary aggregation effect, improving film morphology and promoting face‐on crystalline orientation. Through elucidating its impact on exciton dynamics, we established a link between morphology optimization and increased exciton diffusion length and accelerated charge separation. Our findings unveil the unique mechanism of action of volatile additive, providing a new perspective for improving the morphology and enhancing the performance of organic photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of so-called hybrid nanomaterials has been widely developed in terms of functional and morphological complexity. However, the specific control of the arrangement of organic and inorganic species, which determines the properties of the final material, still remains a challenge. This article offers a review of the strategies that have been used for the preparation of polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanocapsules via processes involving miniemulsions. Different polymer–inorganic nanostructures are classified into four main groups according to the sequential order followed between the synthesis of the polymer and the inorganic species, and the presence or not of their counterpart precursors. The minimization of the energy of the system governs the self-assembly of the different material components and can be addressed by the miniemulsion formulation to reduce the interfacial tensions between the phases involved. The state of the art in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles is reviewed, offering insight into the structural possibilities allowed by miniemulsion as a versatile synthetic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a straightforward vacuum‐assisted method is introduced to enhance the stability of nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). The method, termed "prevacuum" involves subjecting the active layer (D18:Y6) to a low‐pressure vacuum (−1 bar) before thermal annealing at 100 °C. Compared to untreated devices, prevacuum‐treated OSCs exhibit a notable increase in power conversion efficiency from 13.71% to 14.90%. This enhancement is attributed to improved light absorption and charge extraction, as evidenced by external quantum efficiency measurements. Moreover, prevacuum treatment significantly improves device stability under operational conditions, with a 30% power loss occurring after 8.25 h compared to 4.5 h for untreated devices. This improvement is attributed to the removal of volatile components and impurities during the vacuum process, leading to a more hydrophobic and stable active layer. The study demonstrates the efficacy of prevacuum treatment as a simple and accessible method for enhancing the performance and longevity of OSCs, paving the way for their broader application in sustainable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M‐series molecules are one kind of promising acceptor‐donor‐acceptor (A‐D‐A)‐type acceptors for constructing high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are lagging behind that of current state‐of‐the‐art OSCs, limited by the relatively low fill factor (FF) and photocurrent. Herein, combined strategies of layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition and interface engineering are conducted to systematically improve light utilization and thus PCEs for M36‐based OSCs. Through choosing a proper processing solvent, a PCE of 17.3% with an FF of 77.9% is achieved for the resulting LBL devices, much higher than those (15.9%/74.0%) from the blend‐casting devices. The improvement is assigned to the favorable morphological evolution that facilitates carrier generation and transport as well as reduces charge recombination. More importantly, light‐harvesting of the active layers can be enhanced upon employing a self‐assembled monolayer of (2‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethyl)phosphonic acid (2PACz) instead of the widely used PEDOT:PSS as the hole‐selecting layer, due to the decreased parasitic absorption of the former. Consequently, 2PACz‐based LBL devices exhibit significantly increased photocurrent, affording a PCE up to 18.2%, which is the highest among the reported A‐D‐A‐type acceptor‐based OSCs. These results deliver important strategies to enhance the performance of OSCs and thus highlight the great potential of M‐series acceptors for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous advancements in electronics towards downsizing and integration, efficient thermal dissipation from chips has emerged as a critical factor affecting their lifespan and operational efficiency. The fan-less chip cooling system has two critical interfaces for thermal transport, which are the contact interface between the base and the chip dominated by thermal conduction, and the surface of the fins dominated by thermal radiation. The different thermal transfer modes of these two critical interfaces pose different requirements for thermal management materials. In the study, a novel approach was proposed by developing graphene thermal transport functional material whose morphology could be intentionally designed via reformed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods to meet the diverse requirements of heat transfer properties. Specifically, graphene with multilevel branching structure of vertical graphene (BVG) was fabricated through the hydrogen-assisted PECVD (H2-PECVD) strategy, which contributed a high emissivity of ∼ 0.98. BVG was deposited on the fins' surface and functioned as the radiation enhanced layer to facilitate the rapid radiation of heat from the heat sinks into the surrounding air. Meanwhile, the well-oriented vertical graphene (OVG) was successfully prepared through the vertical electric field-assisted PECVD process (EF-PECVD), which showed a high directional thermal conductivity of ∼ 53.5 W·m−1·K−1. OVG was deposited on the contact interface and functioned as the thermal conduction enhanced layer, allowing for the quick transmission of heat from the chip to the heat sink. Utilizing this design concept, the two critical interfaces in the chip cooling system can be jointly enhanced, resulting in a remarkable cooling efficiency enhancement of ∼ 30.7%, demonstrating that this novel material possessed enormous potential for enhancing the performance of cooling systems. Therefore, this research not only provided new design concepts for the cooling system of electronic devices but also opened up new avenues for the application of graphene materials in thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving efficient and large‐area organic solar modules via non‐halogenated solution processing is vital for the commercialization yet challenging. The primary hurdle is the conservation of the ideal film‐formation kinetics and bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) morphology of large‐area organic solar cells (OSCs). A cutting‐edge non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA), Y6, shows efficient power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) when processed with toxic halogenated solvents, but exhibits poor solubility in non‐halogenated solvents, resulting in suboptimal morphology. Therefore, in this study, the impact of modifying the inner and outer side‐chains of Y6 on OSC performance is investigated. The study reveals that blending a polymer donor, PM6, with one of the modified NFAs, namely N‐HD, achieved an impressive PCE of 18.3% on a small‐area OSC. This modified NFA displays improved solubility in o‐xylene at room temperature, which facilitated the formation of a favorable BHJ morphology. A large‐area (55 cm2) sub‐module delivered an impressive PCE of 12.2% based on N‐HD using o‐xylene under ambient conditions. These findings underscore the significant impact of the modified Y6 derivatives on structural arrangements and film processing over a large‐area module at room temperature. Consequently, these results are poised to deepen the comprehension of the scaling challenges encountered in OSCs and may contribute to their commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining multiple design strategies often enhances catalyst performance but usually comes with high costs and low reproducibility. A technique that enhances catalyst performance in multiple strategies is urgently needed. Herein, a novel bioregulation technique is introduced, allowing simultaneous control over morphology, particle size, doping, interface engineering, and electronic properties. Bioregulation technique utilizes the soluble extracellular polymer from Aspergillus niger as a templating agent to construct high‐performance catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER and OER). This technique controls catalyst morphology, introduces biological N and S doping, and regulates the electronic structure of the catalyst surface. Biomolecule modification enhances surface hydrophilicity, and the nanostructure increases surface roughness and gas‐release efficiency. Theoretical calculations show that the bioregulation technique shortens the d/p‐band center, optimizing reaction intermediate adsorption and desorption. The Bio‐Pt/Co3O4 catalyst with trace Pt on the surface, designed with these strategies, achieves HER (η10 of 42 mV), OER (η10 of 221 mV), and overall water‐splitting performance (1.51 V at 10 mA cm−2), maintaining stability for over 50 h, outperforming most Pt‐based catalysts. Notably, using spent lithium‐ion battery cathodes leachate, rich in Co2⁺, successfully replicates the experiment. This approach holds promise as a mainstream method for synthesizing high‐performance materials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Nickel-aluminium layered double hydroxides (NiAl-LDHs) have emerged as promising electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) due to their inherently high specific surface area and theoretical specific capacitance, which are primarily attributed to the rapid pseudocapacitive response at the surface. However, NiAl-LDHs typically form agglomerated nanosheets, leading to a significant reduction in specific surface area, which is crucial for enhancing the number of active sites and improving the capacitive properties of the materials. To overcome this limitation, 2D nanostructures were assembled into 3D architectures by synthesizing NiAl-LDHs with distinct morphologies in a one-step hydrothermal process using an alkaline agent (NH 4 F). This approach resulted in the formation of 3D NiAl-LDH/HN 4 F structures, which exhibit a larger contact area and a greater number of redox-active sites. Consequently, the 3D NiAl-LDH/HN 4 F electrodes demonstrated a significantly higher specific surface area, leading to remarkable improvements in specific capacitance (1219 ± 30F g−1) and energy density (61 ± 1 Wh kg−1) compared to their 2D counterparts. This structural enhancement increases both the surface area and active site density while providing a new framework for designing high-performance LDH-based electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel titanate (NiTiO3) nanostructured materials have gained extensive attention in the field of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, NiTiO3 exhibits low conductivity and significant volume changes during cycling, resulting in capacity decay and poor cycling stability. Herein, we propose a feasible strategy to enhance the cycling performance of NiTiO3 nanostructures by adjusting their morphology. By manipulating the choice of solvent employed in the synthetic process, we obtain NiTiO3 microbars (NTO MBs) through self‐assembly of NiTiO3 nanoparticles (NTO NPs). When utilized as an anode material in LIBs, NTO MBs exhibit a capacity of 410 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1, surpassing that of NTO NPs (212 mAh g−1). The improved performance of NTO MBs is attributed to their unique porous bar‐like structure, composed of numerous NPs, which provides a substantial storage space for Li+ ions owing to its larger specific surface area. Additionally, the porous structure accelerates the diffusion of Li+ ions and electron transfer. To gain a profound understanding of the enhanced performance through morphology adjustment, we conduct a comprehensive investigation on the growth mechanism of NTO MBs. This work provides valuable insights into the mechanism governing the morphology control of NTO MBs, facilitating the rational design and synthesis of tailored materials with enhanced performance for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of the gas diffusion path and surface coordination environment through morphology control can improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst in NO oxidation reactions. Microporous nanosheets, nanowires, and spheres of carbon were constructed using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon sources, melamine as nitrogen source, and graphene oxide or carbon nanowires as structure‐directing agents to reveal the effects of morphology and nitrogen‐doping on NO oxidation activity at room temperature. With the increase of coating thickness, the ultramicroporous structure becomes pronounced and the nitrogen content increases, which contribute to the improvement of steady‐state NO conversion. The 2D microporous nanosheets (TDC‐200) with sheet structure shows prominent diffusion and adsorption capability than 1D nanowires and sphere, which shortens the gas diffusion path and enhances the efficient utilization of ultramicropores, thereby presenting the highest NO oxidation activity of 78.4% at room temperature. The results of DFT calculations further demonstrate that doping of nitrogen atoms could significantly reduce the (2NO + O2)ads energy barrier and accelerate the reaction. This study provides a deeper understanding of the NO oxidation on non‐metallic catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights A unique approach is proposed: constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with high glass transition temperature. Frozen bulk heterojunction morphology impeded deterioration of exciton quenching, charge transport, and charge extraction properties during thermal aging. The strategy is universal and can be further optimized for enhanced thermal stability and improved mechanical resilience.

The morphology of the photoactive layer plays an important role in both the photoelectric effect and device performance of solution‐processed organic solar cells (OSCs). Optimizing the morphology requires precise control over the complex film formation kinetics, which are influenced by a range of factors from the solution state to the solid‐film state. This review delves into the in situ characterization technologies employed to understand the active layer formation process and explores strategies for controlling film formation during key stages, including solution aggregation, nucleation, crystal growth, and phase separation. Special attention is given to the mechanism by which these strategies enable real‐time morphology control during the printing process and their potential to facilitate direct printing of active layers with optimized morphology. The goal is to offer valuable insights and guidance for managing film formation kinetics in solution‐processed OSCs, ultimately addressing the challenges of real‐time morphology control in scale‐up printing and paving the way for high‐throughput production of post‐processing‐free devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocatalytic hydrogen production and supercapacitor technologies have positive impacts on the environment, promoting the production and utilization of clean and renewable energy sources, thus facilitating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Among them, cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4) has emerged as an ideal choice for electrode materials in these technologies due to its low toxicity, affordability, and significant theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, practical applications are restricted by its low conductivity and sluggish reaction kinetics. Addressing these challenges, this study introduces a pioneering approach: the synthesis of oxygen vacancy-modified Co 3 O 4 /Co/NC small-sized nanoflower composite, which combines the advantages of abundant oxygen vacancies, small size effects, and nitrogen-doped porous carbon. The optimized Co 3 O 4 /Co/NC small-sized nanoflower exhibits high porosity and excellent conductivity, providing numerous active sites and effectively enhancing the ion and electron transport rates. As a consequence, optimized Co 3 O 4 /Co/NC shows a low Tafel slope and overpotential, highlighting its potential for catalytic application. Moreover, as an electrode for supercapacitors, optimized Co 3 O 4 /Co/NC demonstrates excellent long-term stability, maintaining 94.7% of its capacitance even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Additionally, it showed a significant specific capacity of 251.4 mAh g−1 when tested at 1 A g−1. In addition to addressing the pressing challenges associated with traditional Co 3 O 4 electrodes, this work opens up exciting avenues for designing and fabricating transition metal oxide-based materials with unprecedented electrochemical performance. This research addresses performance issues with cobalt oxide as an electrode material for capacitors and green hydrogen generation. Innovative methods involving nitrogen doping and the introduction of oxygen vacancies were employed to produce Co 3 O 4 /Co/NC-2 nanosheets with high porosity and a large surface area. These enhancements facilitate faster electrolyte ion diffusion, provide more active sites, and improve electrical conductivity. Nitrogen doping enhances charge transfer rates, while oxygen vacancies offer additional catalytic sites. [Display omitted] • Nitrogen doping and oxygen vacancies enhance the conductivity and reaction rate of cobalt oxide. • Nanoflowers prepared using freeze-drying technology exhibit high porosity, facilitating the diffusion of electrolytes. • This material can be applied in the fields of green catalysis and energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly organised arrangements of vertically aligned nanostructures are crucial foundational elements in creating versatile devices. Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) offer many remarkable applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and electromechanical nanodevices. This review examines recent advancements in synthesising arrays of ZnO nanorods. This manuscript explores the significance of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods in creating versatile devices. It discusses the properties of vertical ZnO nanorods, including their high aspect ratio, large surface area, tunable optical properties, piezoelectricity, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. Recent methods for synthesising vertically aligned ZnO nanorods are detailed, such as using colloidal lithography and a sol-gel-prepared ZnO seed layer. Various studies highlight the controlled growth of ZnO nanorods through top-down fabrication approaches like nanoimprint lithography, electron beam lithography, colloidal lithography, and laser interference lithography, followed by hydrothermal methods. It also includes nanostructure growth using a nanoporous polycarbonate template via electrodeposition. These nanofabrication techniques offer simplicity, uniformity across large wafer-scale areas, and the ability to precisely control the growth of vertical ZnO nanorods, which holds potential for the fabrication of high-performance devices. The last chapter highlights various potential applications of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods, including energy conversion, optoelectronics, sensors, bio-medics, and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Fe3O4/POMs composites have been successfully synthesized by the combination of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with various polyoxometalates (referred as "POMs" for short; POMs = α-PMo12, α-PW12, α-PW9, and α-SiW9). Detailed control experiments demonstrate that the morphology and size of the composites could be controlled by the type and amount of POMs, and all of these Fe3O4/PMo12 microflowers, Fe3O4/PW12 nanospheres, Fe3O4/PW9 microrods, and Fe3O4/SiW9 nanospheres show uniform morphology. Magnetic studies indicate that the Fe3+ ions in these composites display antiferromagnetic interactions. Furthermore, photocatalytic experiments indicate that Fe3O4/POMs composites exhibits catalytic activity for the photodegradation of RhB solution. Hence, these results not only enrich the diversity of POM-based materials, but also provide a new strategy to develop magnetic POMs catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology plays a crucial role in defining the optical, electronic, and mechanical properties of halide perovskite microcrystals. Therefore, developing strategies that offer precise control over crystal morphology during the growth process is highly desirable. This work presents a simple scheme to simultaneously grow distinct geometries of cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) microcrystals, including microrods (MR), microplates (MP), and microspheres (MS), in a single chemical vapor deposition (CVD) experiment. By strategically adjusting precursor evaporation temperatures, flux density, and the substrate temperature, we surpass previous techniques by achieving simultaneous yet selective growth of multiple CsPbBr3 geometries at distinct positions on the same substrate. This fine growth control is attributed to the synergistic variation in fluid flow dynamics, precursor substrate distance, and temperature across the substrate, offering regions suitable for the growth of different morphologies. Pertinently, perovskite MR are grown at the top, while MP and MS are observed at the center and bottom regions of the substrate, respectively. Structural analysis reveals high crystallinity and an orthorhombic phase of the as-grown perovskite microcrystals, while persistent photonic lasing manifests their nonlinear optical characteristics, underpinning their potential application for next-generation photonic and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights : A unique approach is proposed: constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with high glass transition temperature. Frozen bulk heterojunction morphology impeded deterioration of exciton quenching, charge transport, and charge extraction properties during thermal aging. The strategy is universal and can be further optimized for enhanced thermal stability and improved mechanical resilience. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) need to overcome limitations such as insufficient thermal stability to be commercialized. The reported approaches to improve stability either rely on the development of new materials or on tailoring the donor/acceptor morphology, however, exhibiting limited applicability. Therefore, it is timely to develop an easy method to enhance thermal stability without having to develop new donor/acceptor materials or donor–acceptor compatibilizers, or by introducing another third component. Herein, a unique approach is presented, based on constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with a high glass transition temperature (Tg) to impede the movement of acceptor and donor molecules, to immobilize the active layer morphology, and thereby to improve thermal stability. A high-Tg one-dimensional aramid nanofiber (ANF) is utilized for network construction. Inverted OPVs with ANF network yield superior thermal stability compared to the ANF-free counterpart. The ANF network-incorporated active layer demonstrates significantly more stable morphology than the ANF-free counterpart, thereby leaving fundamental processes such as charge separation, transport, and collection, determining the device efficiency, largely unaltered. This strategy is also successfully applied to other photovoltaic systems. The strategy of incorporating a polymer fiber rigid network with high Tg offers a distinct perspective addressing the challenge of thermal instability with simplicity and universality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication method allows for controlled microstructure morphology and vertical component distribution, and also offers a reproducible and efficient technique for fabricating large-scale organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, the polymers D18 and PYIT-OD are employed to fabricate all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) using the LBL method. Morphological studies reveal that the use of additives optimizes the microstructure of the active layer, enhancing the cells' crystallinity and charge transport capability. The optimized device with 2% CN additive significantly reduces bimolecular recombination and trap-assisted recombination. All-PSCs fabricated by the LBL method based on D18/PYIT-OD deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.07%. Our study demonstrates the great potential of additive engineering via the LBL fabrication method in regulating the microstructure of active layers, suppressing charge recombination, and enhancing the photovoltaic performance of devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is a cost-effective and flexible technology for producing nanofibers with large specific surface areas, functionalized surfaces, and stable structures. In recent years, electrospun nanofibers have attracted more and more attention in electrochemical biosensors due to their excellent morphological and structural properties. This review outlines the principle of electrospinning technology. The strategies of producing nanofibers with different diameters, morphologies, and structures are discussed to understand the regulation rules of nanofiber morphology and structure. The application of electrospun nanofibers in electrochemical biosensors is reviewed in detail. In addition, we look towards the future prospects of electrospinning technology and the challenge of scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • · Ion doping, morphology control and aerogel construction have been synchronously achieved. • · Zn2+ doping and rGO hybridization can boost the rate performance and cycling stability. • · The ZVOH@rGO electrode demonstrated high reversible capacity of 286.7 mAh g−1 at 30 A g−1. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted more and more attention due to their advantages of low cost, high safety and environmental protection. Unfortunately, the unsatisfactory capacity at high current density and long-term cycling performance of cathode materials hinder the development of ZIBs. Here, a novel Zn 0.079 V 2 O 5 ·0.53H 2 O/graphene (ZVOH@rGO) hybrid aerogel composed of ultrathin Zn 0.079 V 2 O 5 ·0.53H 2 O (ZVOH) nanoribbons and 3D continuous graphene conductive network was successfully prepared and used as cathode of ZIBs. Taking advantage of the synergistic effects associated with ion doping, morphology control and unique aerogel structure, the ZVOH@rGO electrode demonstrated ultrafast charge/discharge capability and remarkable cycling stability: A high reversible capacity of 286.7 mAh g−1 was achieved at a current density as large as 30 A g−1, and an impressive capacity retention ratio of 75.6 % was realized over 9800 ultra-long cycles at 12 A g−1. This work is of great significance for the synthesis modification of vanadium oxides and the development of high performance ultrafast charge–discharge ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their numerous excellent properties, metal sulfides are not particularly efficient at converting energy and purifying the environment, which limits their further applications. Fortunately, the energy conversion and environmental purification efficiencies of these materials have experienced notable advancements in recent years, accompanied by an improved understanding of their underlying mechanisms. Herein, progress in experimental researches in recent years on the engineering of single component metal sulfides by controlling morphology, construction of heterojunctions, and incorporating elements is reviewed. Methods to design and prepare metal sulfide‐based composites by building binary or ternary heterojunctions of metal sulfide/semiconductor/conductor are also discussed in detail. These materials are used in energy conversion and environmental purification systems, where they act as photocatalytic materials not only to split water, reduce carbon dioxide or nitrogen, but also to degrade pollutants (organic and inorganic) in water and gas. Finally, it is concluded by summarizing the research frontiers of metal sulfide nanomaterials in energy and environmental applications, as well as proposing potential challenges and future research directions. This work may contribute to a better understanding of metal sulfide nanocomposites and provide clues for the fabrication of more efficient metal sulfide‐based nanostructures for clean energy production and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies due to their affordability and adaptability. However, upscaling is a critical issue that hinders the commercialization of OSCs. A significant challenge is the lack of cost-effective and facile techniques to modulate the morphology of the active layers. The slow solvent evaporation leads to an unfavorable phase separation, thus resulting in a low power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar modules. Here, a nitrogen-blowing assisted method is developed to fabricate a large-area organic solar module (active area = 12 cm2) utilizing high-boiling-point solvents, achieving a PCE of 15.6%. The device fabricated with a high-boiling-point solvent produces a more uniform and smoother large-area film, and the assistance of nitrogen-blowing accelerates solvent evaporation, resulting in an optimized morphology with proper phase separation and finer aggregates. Moreover, the device fabricated by the nitrogen-blowing assisted method exhibits improved exciton dissociation, balanced carrier mobility, and reduced charge recombination. This work proposes a universal and cost-effective technique for the fabrication of high-efficiency organic solar modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-scheme possesses superior redox capabilities compared with the II-scheme, providing an effective method to solve the innate defects of g-C3N4 (CN). In this study, S-doped g-C3N4/g-C3N4 (SCN-tm/CN) S-scheme homojunction was constructed by rationally integrating morphology control with interfacial engineering to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. In-situ Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) confirms the transport of photo-generated electrons from CN to SCN. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the generation of a built-in electric field between SCN and CN enables the carrier separation to be more efficient and effective. Femtosecond transient absorption spectrum (fs-TAS) indicates prolonged lifetimes of SCN-tm/CN3 (τ1: 9.7, τ2: 110, and τ3: 1343.5 ps) in comparison to those of CN (τ1: 4.86, τ2: 55.2, and τ3: 927 ps), signifying that the construction of homojunction promotes the separation and transport of electron hole pairs, thus favoring the photocatalytic process. Under visible light irradiation, the optimized SCN-tm/CN3 exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity with the hydrogen evolution rate of 5407.3 µmol·g−1·h−1, which is 20.4 times higher than that of CN (265.7 µmol·g−1·h−1). Moreover, the homojunction also displays an apparent quantum efficiency of 26.8% at 435 nm as well as ultra-long and ultra-stable cycle ability. This work offers a new strategy to construct highly efficient photocatalysts based on the metal-free conjugated polymeric CN for realizing solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Achieving efficient and large‐area organic solar modules via non‐halogenated solution processing is vital for the commercialization yet challenging. The primary hurdle is the conservation of the ideal film‐formation kinetics and bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) morphology of large‐area organic solar cells (OSCs). A cutting‐edge non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA), Y6, shows efficient power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) when processed with toxic halogenated solvents, but exhibits poor solubility in non‐halogenated solvents, resulting in suboptimal morphology. Therefore, in this study, the impact of modifying the inner and outer side‐chains of Y6 on OSC performance is investigated. The study reveals that blending a polymer donor, PM6, with one of the modified NFAs, namely N‐HD, achieved an impressive PCE of 18.3% on a small‐area OSC. This modified NFA displays improved solubility in o‐xylene at room temperature, which facilitated the formation of a favorable BHJ morphology. A large‐area (55 cm2) sub‐module delivered an impressive PCE of 12.2% based on N‐HD using o‐xylene under ambient conditions. These findings underscore the significant impact of the modified Y6 derivatives on structural arrangements and film processing over a large‐area module at room temperature. Consequently, these results are poised to deepen the comprehension of the scaling challenges encountered in OSCs and may contribute to their commercialization.

A double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer morphology is recognized as an ideal structure facilitating exciton diffusion and charge carrier transport for high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in the layer‐by‐layer processed OSCs (LbL‐OSCs), polymer donors and small molecule acceptors (SMAs) are separately deposited, and it is challenging to realize a fibril network of pure SMAs with the absence of tight interchain entanglement as polymers. In this work, crystalline small molecule donors (SMDs), named TDZ‐3TR and SeDZ‐3TR, were designed and introduced into the L8‐BO acceptor solution, forcing the phase separation and molecular fibrilization. SeDZ‐3TR showed higher crystallinity and lower miscibility with L8‐BO acceptor than TDZ‐3TR, enabling more driving force to favor the phase separation and better molecular fibrilization of L8‐BO. On the other hand, two donor polymers of PM6 and D18 with different fibril widths and lengths were put together to optimize the fibril network of the donor layer. The simultaneously optimization of the acceptor and donor layers resulted in a more ideal double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer and an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.38 % in LbL‐OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the rising demand for catalytic hydrogen production, more attention is focused on noble-metal-free catalysts such as cobalt-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives. Due to the varying activity of cobalt forms in photocatalytic processes, the present study explores the performance of photo-driven hydrogen generation of cobalt nitrilotriacetate (Co-NTA) with metal ions and MOF-derived carbons containing Co/CoO x /CoN x. The needle-like morphology of the obtained Co-NTA template was preserved in carbon materials prepared through carbonization with and without furfuryl alcohol. Carbons featured nitrogen-containing graphitic structures and oxygen functional groups. They were also characterized by a more developed specific surface area and larger pore volume compared to their parent MOF. All materials evolved hydrogen under visible light in a photosensitized system. Owing to the high content of metallic cobalt on the surface of non-impregnated carbon, it produced three times more hydrogen (14.2 mmol g−1) than Co-NTA. [Display omitted] • Carbonized pure and furfuryl alcohol-impregnated Co-NTA preserved needle shape. • Ionic cobalt in MOF transformed into Co/CoO x /CoN x in carbon materials. • Pyrolized samples revealed N-doped graphitic structures and oxygen functionalities. • Co@carbons photocatalytically generated 3- and 2.5-fold more H 2 than MOF. • Higher activity of carbons was mainly attributed to the metallic cobalt content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Constructing a 3D morphology Bi 2 WO 6 /ZnIn 2 S 4 direct Z-scheme heterojunctions through the electrostatic self-assembly method. • The performance of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction is dramatically improved under the synergistic effect of morphology interface engineering modification strategies. • Under simulated sunlight irradiation conditions, the CH 4 yield of BZ-20 was 8.73 and 16.30 times higher than that of the pure ZnIn 2 S 4 and Bi 2 WO 6 samples, respectively. Developing efficient heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced charge transfer and reduced recombination rates of photogenerated carriers is crucial for harnessing solar energy in the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction into renewable fuels. This study employed electrostatic self-assembly techniques to construct a 3D Bi 2 WO 6 /ZnIn 2 S 4 direct Z-scheme heterojunctions. The unique 3D structure provided abundant active sites and facilitated CO 2 adsorption. Moreover, the optimized Bi 2 WO 6 /ZnIn 2 S 4 composite demonstrated an impressive CH 4 yield of 19.54 μmol g−1 under 4 h of simulated sunlight irradiation, which was about 8.73 and 16.30-fold higher than pure ZnIn 2 S 4 and Bi 2 WO 6. The observed enhancements in photocatalytic performance are attributed to forming a direct Z-scheme heterojunction, which effectively promotes charge transport and migration. This research introduces a novel strategy for constructing photocatalysts through the synergistic effect of morphological interface modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 2D/2D ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoplate heterojunctions were synthesized to alter the Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 morphology, modulate the bandgap of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , and enhance the utilization of light. The hydrogen production rate of ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoplate with the optimal ratio reaches 27.50 mmol/h g−1. [Display omitted] Improving the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers plays an important role in photocatalysis. In this study, two-dimensional (2D)/2D zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn 2 S 4)/bismuth titanate (Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12) nanoplate heterojunctions were synthesized to alter the Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 morphology, modulate the bandgap of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , and enhance the utilization of light. Meanwhile, the construction of the S-scheme heterojunction establishes an internal electric field at the ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 heterojunctions interface and achieves the spatial separation of photogenerated charges. The hydrogen production rate of ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoplate with the optimal ratio reaches 27.50 mmol h−1 g−1, which is 1.5 times higher than that of ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoflower (18.28 mmol h−1 g−1) and 2.4 times higher than that of ZnIn 2 S 4 (11.69 mmol h−1 g−1). The apparent quantum efficiency of ZnIn 2 S 4 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoplate reached 57.9 % under a single wavelength of light at 370 nm. This work provides insights into the study of new materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the phase conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in different molten chlorides (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CaCl 2) was investigated in detail. The main synthesis parameters influencing the phase purity and morphological features of the products include the chemical composition of molten salts, the heat treatment temperature and the ACP-to-flux ratio. The selective synthesis of single-phase Ca 5 (PO 4) 3 Cl or Ca 2 PO 4 Cl depends on the content of CaCl 2 in the reaction medium. The morphology control of Ca 5 (PO 4) 3 Cl powders was achieved by varying the KCl/CaCl 2 ratio in the flux, resulting in the formation of the particles of different size and shape. The KCl-rich fluxes led to the formation of relatively small nearly spherical particles, whereas the CaCl 2 -rich fluxes promoted an anisotropic growth of the Ca 5 (PO 4) 3 Cl crystals resulting in the formation of monodispersed hexagonally-shaped microrods. Whereas the anisotropic growth was observed at relatively low temperature (750 °C) the increase of the reaction temperature up to 1200 °C significantly reduced this effect leading to the formation of the particles with obviously low aspect ratio. The phase crystallinity and purity were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy as well as 31P, 35Cl and 1H solid-state NMR. The morphological features and chemical composition of the synthesized products were studied by SEM/EDX analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple chemical structure and simplified synthesis process of active layer materials are critical for advancing the practical application of organic solar cells. Herin, two completely non‐fused ring electron acceptors BTZT‐2Cl and BTZT‐4Cl are developed. BTZT‐4Cl exhibits an enhanced absorption band, increases electrostatic potential differences with D18, and improves crystallinity and molecular packing properties. Consequently, the binary device based on BTZT‐4Cl displays a markedly improved efficiency of 14.12%, compared to the BTZT‐2Cl‐based device, which only achieves a moderate efficiency of 11.25%. More importantly, an alloy‐like structure can be formed by incorporating a small amount of high miscibility and compatibility BTZT‐2Cl. The ternary blend exhibits more compact molecular packing, efficient exciton dissociation, and an extended charge carrier lifetime due to the formation of an alloy‐like structure. The ternary device achieves a decent efficiency of 15.41% with superior thermal stability and a high T80 lifetime over 1600 h after being aged at 65 °C. These results establish it as the most efficient among devices based on completely non‐fused ring acceptors with both high efficiency and voltage. This study demonstrates a simple material design strategy and high‐performance device optimization techniques, which are critical for advancing practical applications in the OSC field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational morphology control of inorganic microarchitectures is important in diverse fields, requiring precise regulation of nucleation and growth processes. While wet chemical methods have achieved success regarding the shape‐controlled synthesis of micro/nanostructures, accurately controlling the growth behavior in real time remains challenging. Comparatively, the electrodeposition technique can immediately control the growth behavior by tuning the overpotential, whereas it is rarely used to design complex microarchitectures. Here, the electrochemical design of complex Cu2O microarchitectures step‐by‐step by precisely controlling the growth behavior is demonstrated. The growth modes can be switched between the thermodynamic and kinetic modes by varying the overpotential. Cl− ions preferably adhered to {100} facets to modulate growth rates of these facets is proved. The discovered growth modes to prepare Cu2O microarchitectures composed of multiple building units inaccessible with existing methods are employed. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) additives can guarantee all pre‐electrodeposits simultaneously evolve into uniform microarchitectures, instead of forming undesired microstructures on bare electrode surfaces in following electrodeposition processes is discovered. The designed Cu2O microarchitectures can be converted into noble metal microstructures with shapes unchanged, which can be used as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering substrates. An electrochemical avenue toward rational design of complex inorganic microarchitectures is opened up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulcanization process is widely used in industry for tire manufacturing. Therefore, zinc oxide is commonly utilized as an activator material, but unreacted zinc oxide remains in the final products and can be released into the environment with a significant impact. To reduce the amount of required zinc and to prevent leaching from tire material, zinc single site‐containing silica fillers are interesting candidates. In these materials, zinc sites are anchored on the surface of silica nanoparticles through their complexation with functionalized aminosilanes. Based on these, a novel powder sample is prepared via spray‐drying. The obtained supraparticles allow for a homogeneous distribution of the filler nanoparticles in the rubber matrix via their disintegration during the incorporation process. All synthesis steps are carried out in ethanol and water, respectively, at very mild temperatures to account for sustainability demands. As core of this study, the role of zinc ions and their amino‐complexation in nanoparticle dispersion stability and in supraparticle formation during spray‐drying is elucidated. Additionally, the superior performance of supraparticles as activator in rubber vulcanization is demonstrated. These show a higher curing efficiency, leading to lower curing time (−70%), higher torque values (+15%), and improved dynamic mechanical properties compared to the conventional ZnO activator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The derivatization of pillar[n]arenes is a prerequisite for endowing them with functions, as well as enriching the application of pillar[n]arene materials in advanced material science. Herein, we report the self‐assembly of amphiphilic rim‐differentiated pillar[5]arene (H1). One side of the pillar[5]arene is composed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) chains, benzene and azobenzene groups connected with ether bonds, and the other side is composed of ethoxy groups. In CHCl3 solvent, the amphiphile H1 self‐assembled into spherical micelles, while in H2O/THF mixed solvent H1 self‐assembled into nanorod‐like assemblies. Interestingly, addition of a guest molecule composed of tetraphenylethene and hexanenitrile groups (G1) to the CHCl3 solution of H1 produces large sheet aggregates via the strong π–π stacking of rod segments. The reversible transformation between the nanosheet assemblies of host–guest complexes and nanoparticles is achieved by addition of the guest molecule 1,4‐butylamine (G2) and pillar[5]arene with ethoxy groups as competitive molecules. Notably, worm‐like and nanorod micelles of H1 were constructed in H2O/THF solution triggered by light irradiation, which assemblies can be used as photosensitive erasable writing materials. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimerized small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) built by the conventional connection of terminal groups of monomers have contributed to exciting long-term stabilities of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, device efficiencies, especially fill factors (FFs), still need to be improved. This probably originates from unsymmetrical molecular structure/conformation-determined less compact/ordered molecular stackings, such as ineffective stackings of constraint terminals. Herein, an exotic dimerized SMA of BC-Th is established by bridging the branched groups (BC-type, branch coupling) of two monomers rather than conventional terminal units (TC-type, terminal coupling). Benefiting from the three-dimensional conformation and more uncurbed terminals, BC-Th exhibits multiple molecular orientations along with a larger dielectric constant and electron mobility compared with TC-Th. Finally, an efficiency of 17.43% is achieved by BC-Th-based OSCs, along with the highest FF of 79.13% among all dimerized SMAs-based OSCs to date. When introducing L8-BO as the third component, overall enhanced efficiency of 18.05% and FF of 80.11% are further afforded. Contrarily, TC-Th-based OSCs exhibit much inferior PCE of 16.29% and FF of 74.81%, demonstrating the great advantages of "branch coupling" over "terminal coupling" when building dimerized SMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively studied over the past few decades, so developing strategies to enhance the T2 contrast is of significant importance. Herein, we synthesized a series of cubic zinc-doped iron oxide nanoparticles (CZINs) with different dopant ratios by the thermal decomposition method. CZINs with a dopant ratio of 1:5 show the best magnetic performance and T2 relaxivity among all CZINs. More importantly, we demonstrate that differentiated surface modifications lead to diverse in vivo behavior of CZINs, resulting in the distinct contrast efficiency for different types of tumor. Compared to sodium citrate (SC)-modified CZINs, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified CZINs show lower protein absorption, longer blood circulation time, and lower uptake amount in liver. These behavior differences lead PEG-modified CZINs to be potential candidates for assisting precise subcutaneous tumor diagnosis, while SC-modified CZINs are more suitable for achieving accurate liver metastases imaging. This research holds significant promise to develop potential T2 contrast agents, which can be translated into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuning the morphology through processing additives represents one of the most promising strategies to boost the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, it remains unclear how oligothiophene‐based solid additives influence the molecular packing and performance of OSCs. Here, two additives namely 2T and 4T, are introduced into state‐of‐the‐art PM6:Y6‐based OSCs to understand how they influence the film formation process, nanoscale morphology, and the photovoltaic performance. It is found that the 2T additive can improve the molecular packing of both donor polymer and non‐fullerene acceptor, resulting in lower Urbach energy and reduced energy loss. Furthermore, the blend film with 2T treatment displays enhanced domain purity and a more favorable distribution of the acceptor and donor materials in the vertical direction, which can enhance charge extraction efficiency while simultaneously suppressing charge recombination. Consequently, OSCs processed with 2T additive realize a promising efficiency of 18.1% for PM6:Y6‐based devices. Furthermore, the general applicability of the additive is demonstrated, and an impressive efficiency of 18.6% for PM6:L8‐BO‐based OSCs is achieved. These findings highlight that the uncomplicated oligothiophenes have excellent potential in fine‐adjustment of the active layer morphology, which is crucial for the future development of OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide radical (NO•) induced by UV irradiation would exacerbate cellular damage and apoptosis. Though fullerenes are known as excellent radical scavengers, severe aggregation and poor bioavailability often decrease their antioxidant capability in real bioapplications. Herein, a simple but effective method is introduced for the synthesis of a novel hollow fullerene nanostructure (fullerene nanoring, FNR). C60 aggregations produced in m-xylene/isopropyl alcohol (IPA) binary solvents by liquid–liquid interface precipitation strategy are chemically etched by the addition of ethylenediamine (EDA), while aminofullerenes subsequently nucleate at the interface of short-lived EDA-IPA droplets. Careful control of the nucleation kinetics via fine-tuning of the xylene/IPA ratio proved critical for the successful formation of ring-shaped FNR. Such hydrophilic and low-cytotoxic nanostructures possess surprisingly outstanding scavenging performance toward NO• (IC50 = 80 μg/mL). Prominent cytoprotection of FNR against UV-induced DNA oxidation and cellular injury is further confirmed by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Our results may benefit the upgradation of nanocarbon materials for bioapplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their numerous excellent properties, metal sulfides are not particularly efficient at converting energy and purifying the environment, which limits their further applications. Fortunately, the energy conversion and environmental purification efficiencies of these materials have experienced notable advancements in recent years, accompanied by an improved understanding of their underlying mechanisms. Herein, progress in experimental researches in recent years on the engineering of single component metal sulfides by controlling morphology, construction of heterojunctions, and incorporating elements is reviewed. Methods to design and prepare metal sulfide‐based composites by building binary or ternary heterojunctions of metal sulfide/semiconductor/conductor are also discussed in detail. These materials are used in energy conversion and environmental purification systems, where they act as photocatalytic materials not only to split water, reduce carbon dioxide or nitrogen, but also to degrade pollutants (organic and inorganic) in water and gas. Finally, it is concluded by summarizing the research frontiers of metal sulfide nanomaterials in energy and environmental applications, as well as proposing potential challenges and future research directions. This work may contribute to a better understanding of metal sulfide nanocomposites and provide clues for the fabrication of more efficient metal sulfide‐based nanostructures for clean energy production and environmental remediation.

The preparation of so-called hybrid nanomaterials has been widely developed in terms of functional and morphological complexity. However, the specific control of the arrangement of organic and inorganic species, which determines the properties of the final material, still remains a challenge. This article offers a review of the strategies that have been used for the preparation of polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanocapsules via processes involving miniemulsions. Different polymer–inorganic nanostructures are classified into four main groups according to the sequential order followed between the synthesis of the polymer and the inorganic species, and the presence or not of their counterpart precursors. The minimization of the energy of the system governs the self-assembly of the different material components and can be addressed by the miniemulsion formulation to reduce the interfacial tensions between the phases involved. The state of the art in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles is reviewed, offering insight into the structural possibilities allowed by miniemulsion as a versatile synthetic technique.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are considered as a promising new generation of clean energy. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure has been widely employed in the active layer of efficient OSCs. However, precise regulation of morphology in BHJ is still challenging due to the competitive coupling between crystallization and phase separation. Recently, a novel pseudo‐planar heterojunction (PPHJ) structure, prepared through solution sequential deposition, has attracted much attention. It is an easy‐to‐prepare structure in which the phase separation structures, interfaces, and molecular packing can be separately controlled. Employing PPHJ structure, the properties of OSCs, such as power conversion efficiency, stability, transparency, flexibility, and so on, are usually better than its BHJ counterpart. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the film‐forming process, morphology control, and device performance of PPHJ structure should be considered. In terms of the representative works about PPHJ, this review first introduces the fabrication process of active layers based on PPHJ structure. Second, the widely applied morphology control methods in PPHJ structure are summarized. Then, the influences of PPHJ structure on device performance and other property are reviewed, which largely expand its application. Finally, a brief prospect and development tendency of PPHJ devices are discussed with the consideration of their challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational design and structural regulation of nanomaterials play a vital role in advancing clean energy and energy storage technologies. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly regarded as ideal bi-functional electrocatalytic materials for overall water splitting and supercapacitors applications. However, the utilization of MOF materials in practical applications still presents significant challenges due to their inherent limitations in electrical conductivity and morphology control. In this study, we successfully synthesized FeCo-MOF material and effectively regulated its morphology and electronic structure by varying the amount of RuCl 3. and its active surface area was increased. The results show that the addition of Ru can not only introduce new metal active sites, but also shorten the path of ion diffusion. Furthermore, it can establish electronic coupling with the Fe and Co active sites interface, thereby tuning their electronic structures. The optimized 0.04 Ru/FeCo-MOF catalyst displayed remarkably low overpotential and high activity in both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) (η 50 = 309 mV) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (η 10 = 180 mV). In a two-electrode system, the 0.04 Ru/FeCo-MOF||0.04 Ru/FeCo-MOF drived 10 mA cm−2 current density only need low voltage of 1.498 V. Moreover, this material also exhibits a high specific capacitance of 8600 mF cm−2 and excellent cycle stability in supercapacitor applications (88.9%). This synthesis strategy encompassing the regulation of both morphology and electronic structure presents a distinctive perspective for MOF design. Ru/FeCo-MOF were successfully synthesized through solvothermal method with ion-exchange strategy show efficient overall water splitting and excellent supercapacitor performance. [Display omitted] • Ru/FeCo-MOF was fabricated through simple solvothermal method with ion-exchange strategy. • Rational doping amount of Ru can modulate the morphological and electronic structure of Ru/FeCo-MOF. • The fabricated Ru/FeCo-MOF present efficient overall water splitting and supercapacitor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of V2AlC powder plays a crucial role in determining its microwave absorption performance. However, achieving high-purity MAX phase powder with special morphology remains a challenging task. Herein, three kinds of high-purity V2AlC with micron spheres, micron rods, and branch-like morphologies were synthesized by high temperatures molten salt method using carbon microspheres, carbon fibers, and starch as carbon source materials. The results show that the excellent microwave absorption performance of branch-like V2AlC can be ascribed to the good conductive network, grain-boundary induced strong interface polarization, and dipole polarization caused by anisotropic conductivity. Specifically, the minimum reflection loss value is-42. 91 dB at 2. 42 mm, and the optimal effective absorption bandwidth can reach up to 4. 12 GHz at a thickness of 1. 44 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the effects of various hydroxyapatite (HA) doping techniques in depth. For this purpose, two ions with comparable sizes, namely Mn2+ and Cu2+, were selected based on their suitability as dopants for HA in biomedical applications. Moreover, their paramagnetic properties enable sample characterization through electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two different approaches were employed: (I) ion-substituted α-TCP was used as starting material; (II) foreign ions presented in the solution during the transformation of undoped α-TCP to HA. The foreign ions influenced the hydrolysis process of α-TCP, altering the phase purity and morphology of the products. Doped α-TCP showed a weaker effect, while adding ions to the synthesis solution had substantial impact. Mn-doped α-TCP transformed into plate-like HA particles while Mn2+ ions present in the solution led to the formation of both plate- and rod-shaped particles. In contrast, Cu2+ ions induced the formation of rod-like particles independently of the doping process. Plate-like particles demonstrated higher Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area (S BET) than rod-like HA. Each sample exhibited a combination of mesopores and macropores, with mesopores in the range of 15–17 Å being dominant. EPR investigations revealed that Mn2+ and Cu2+ are excellent paramagnetic probes to monitor synthesis reactions of HA and determine the localisation of foreign ions in the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology control of conjugated microporous polymer networks (CMPs) has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing catalytic efficiency and alleviating product contamination in photocatalytic organic transformations. In this contribution, we present the rational design and synthesis of hollow CMPs (hPorSTZ and hPorDTZ) featuring benzothiadiazoles linkages via Sonogashira‐Hagihara cross‐coupling reaction onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres, followed by the elimination of the SiO2 inner templates. By comparing the catalytic performance of hollow and nonhollow materials, we demonstrated the impact of substrate diffusion pathway on visible‐light‐driven oxidative coupling of amines to imines. With a larger specific surface area and variable surface catalytically active sites, the hollow CMPs exhibited efficient reusability, which reduced the consumption of precious resources and achieve faster conversion rates while maintaining reliable recyclability, competing with their nonhollow counterparts. This morphology‐controlled strategy outlines a promising route for diverse organic transformations utilizing stable, efficient, and recyclable metal‐free CMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Development of the hydrogen economy requires the design of catalysts that increase the rate of the accompanying sluggish kinetic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This is a key process in electrochemical energy conversion and storage, such as water splitting and metal-air batteries. The OER needs high overpotential and typically expensive precious metal-based catalysts. Therefore, designing low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts for OER is of paramount importance. In addition to focusing on the number of active sites or high specific surface area, the correlation between catalyst particle shape and performance should be considered. This work presents an electrocatalytic activity comparison of cobalt-containing carbons with different morphologies in the OER process. Employing metal–organic frameworks as carbon and metal precursors, the materials in the shape of polyhedrons, needles, unique spherical hedgehogs, and sea urchins were obtained. The effect of MOF template infiltration with additional carbon source on the physicochemical properties of electrocatalysts was also examined. The furfuryl alcohol-impregnated needle-shaped particles were characterized by a high content of cobalt active sites, surrounded by nitrogen-containing graphite layers. Electrochemical tests confirmed their best activity (overpotential 317 mV@10 mA/cm2), long stability (up to 20 h), as well as low reagents diffusion limitations (Tafel slope 57 mV/dec up to 24 mA/cm2). The vertically aligned structure of the catalyst contributed to improved detachment of the oxygen bubbles produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of CeO2/CdS photocatalysts were prepared by simple solvothermal and auxiliary calcination using cerium nitrate as the precursor. Two different forms of CeO2 (nanosheets (NF-CeO2) and nanorods (NR-CeO2)) were successfully prepared and used to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) to study the photocatalytic activity of the composites. On this basis, the effects of composite proportion and preparation technology on the photocatalytic activity of the composites were studied. The morphology, structure, photoelectric properties and chemical composition of the composites were analyzed. Compared with single photocatalysts (NR-CeO2 and CdS), the NF-CeO2/CdS and NR-CeO2/CdS composite catalyst have stronger photocatalytic performance. In addition, capture experiments and ESR showed that both ∙ O 2 - and h+ impacted on the RhB degradation. After four repeated cycles, NR-CeO2/CdS (1:6) showed stable RhB degradation activity. In the aspect of catalyst interface design, this work not only provides an effective method for the preparation of catalysts with high photodegradation rate and good reuse, but also provides a feasible idea for further research on the degradation of emerging pollutants by photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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