Architectural engineering of metal-organic framework-derived hierarchical hydrangea-like NiPS/C for superior sodium-ion storage.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered NiPS has drawn considerable attention as a promising anode candidate for alkali-ion batteries, boasting tunable electronic configurations and high theoretical capacity (∼1296.8mAh g). However, two fundamental challenges impede its practical application: irreversible nanosheet restacking during synthesis seriously compromising Na ion diffusion, and structural collapse during cycling causing catastrophic capacity fade.

CuCoS/g-CN S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photothermal-Assisted Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

Photocatalytic conversion of CO into chemical fuels has emerged as a research hotspot, aiming to mitigate the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and alleviate global warming. However, the inherent low carrier separation efficiency and limited solar light utilization of photocatalysts lead to unsatisfactory CO conversion efficiency. In this study, an appealing CuCoS/g-CN S-scheme heterostructure is successfully fabricated by a simple polyol reflux method.

Dual-sulfur-vacancy-enhanced interfacial electric field and photothermal effect for boosting selective photooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

While photocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into valuable chemicals represents a crucial strategy for advancing carbon neutrality, low conversion rates and poor product selectivity hinder commercialization. In this study, a dual-sulfur-vacancy (S)-mediated CuZnSnS/ZnInS all-multinary-sulfide p-n heterojunction was designed for high-efficiency photocatalysis. Specifically, S introduction significantly enhanced light absorption, photothermal properties, and interfacial electric fields (IEF).

Modulation of Surface/Interface States in BiS/VS Heterostructure With CN Layer for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries: Enhanced Built-in Electric Field and Polysulfide Capture.

Metal sulfides are promising materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to unique structures and high theoretical capacity. However, issues like poor conductivity, large volume changes, and polysulfide dissolution limit practical application. This study introduces a novel Christmas tree-like heterostructure composed of BiS and VS encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon shell (BiS/VS@CN), synthesized by sulfurizing dopamine-coated BiVO precursor.

Synchronous Regulation of Ferroelectric and Spin Polarization for High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Water Splitting.

Enhancing the ferroelectric polarization field and tuning the electron spin polarization as novel approaches to improve photocatalytic performance have sparked considerable research interest. Obviously, a straightforward strategy to simultaneously regulate ferroelectric and spin polarization will have a very attractive application prospect. In this study, a series of BiNbOCl-Ni photocatalysts are synthesized by doping different concentrations of magnetic element Ni into ferroelectric semiconductor BiNbOCl.

MgCrO/MgInS Spinel/Spinel S-Scheme Heterojunction: A Robust Catalyst for Photothermal-Assisted Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

Photocatalytic CO reduction technology has engaged significant attention due to its high efficiency, high selectivity, and environmental friendliness. However, its application is severely restrained by issues such as low separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and a limited light absorption range. This work proposes an innovative MgCrO/MgInS magnesium-based spinel/spinel heterostructure photocatalyst to improve the photocatalytic CO reduction efficiency through the synergistic contributions of S-scheme heterojunction and photothermal effect.

Carbon-Coated MOF-Derived Porous SnPS Core-Shell Structure as Superior Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Metal thiophosphites have recently emerged as a hot electrode material system for sodium-ion batteries because of their large theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the sluggish electrochemical reaction kinetics and drastic volume expansion induced by the low conductivity and inherent conversion-alloying reaction mechanism, require urgent resolution. Herein, a distinctive porous core-shell structure, denoted as SnPS@C, is controllably synthesized by synchronously phosphor-sulfurizing resorcinol-formaldehyde-coated tin metal-organic framework cubes.

N-regulated three-dimensional turf-like carbon nanosheet loaded with FeCoNi nanoalloys as bifunctional electrocatalysts for durable zinc-air batteries.

N-regulated three-dimensional (3D) turf-like carbon material loaded with FeCoNi nanoalloys (F-CNS-CNT), composed of carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown in situ on carbon nanosheets(CNS), was synthesized using a low-temperature solution combustion method and organic compounds rich in pyridinic-N. This distinct structure significantly expands the effective electrochemical surface area, revealing an abundance of active sites and enhancing the mass transfer capability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Both experimental observations and theoretical calculations corroborate that the synergy between the FeCoNi nanoalloy and the highly pyridinic N-doped carbon substrate optimizes the adsorption and desorption-free energy of oxygen intermediates, resulting in a remarkable improvement of intrinsic ORR/OER activity.

Control of positive and negative photo- and thermal-responses in a single PbI@CHNHPbI micro/nanowire-based device for real-time sensing, nonvolatile memory, and logic operation.

CHNHPbI has shown great potential for photodetectors and photovoltaic devices due to its excellent positive response to visible light. However, its real-time response characteristics hinder its application in optical memory and logic operation; moreover, the presence of excessive PbI is a double-edged sword. Herein, we constructed a dual-terminal device using a single CHNHPbI micro/nanowire with two Ag electrodes, and then introduced PbI quantum dots (QDs) as hole trap centres by thermal decomposition at 160 °C.

Three-Dimensional Multihierarchical Hexagonal/Cubic ZnInS S-Scheme Heterophase Junction for Superior Photocatalysis.

It is an important strategy to design composite materials with a special microstructure and a tunable electronic structure through structural compatibility. In this work, a novel hexagonal/cubic ZnInS polymorphic heterophase junction with a three-dimensional multihierarchical structure is successfully constructed by in situ growth of hexagonal ZnInS nanosheets on the surface of cubic ZnInS flower-like microspheres prepared by topological chemical synthesis. On the one hand, the multihierarchical architecture provides large specific surface area, abundant active sites, and excellent light trapping capability.

Attaining inhibition of sneak current and versatile logic operations in a singular halide perovskite memristive device by introducing appropriate interface barriers.

Emerging resistive switching devices hold the potential to realize densely packed passive nanocrossbar arrays, suitable for deployment as random access memory devices (ReRAMs) in both embedded and high-capacity storage applications. In this study, we have engineered ReRAMs comprising ITO/(UVO-treated) amorphous ZnO (a-ZnO)/MAPbI/Ag which effectively mitigate cross-talk currents without additional components. Significantly, we successfully executed a comprehensive set of 12 distinct 2-input sequential logic functions in a single halide perovskite ReRAM unit for the first time.

Self-Powered Photodetector Based on Ag/CHNHPbI/C Asymmetric Dual-Terminal Device.

CHNHPbI is capable of exhibiting a superior photoresponse to visible light, but its self-powered devices are typically formed through - junctions. In this study, we fabricated a Ag/CHNHPbI/C dual-terminal asymmetric electrode device using a single CHNHPbI perovskite micro/nanowire, enabling both the photoresponse and self-powered characteristics of CHNHPbI to visible light. Compared with traditional - junction devices, this simple device demonstrates enhanced interface photovoltaic effects by optimizing the combination of the Ag electrode with CHNHPbI, resulting in superior self-powered characteristics.

Controllably modulated asymmetrical photoresponse with a nonvolatile memory effect in a single CHNHPbI micro/nanowire for photorectifiers and photomemory.

Nanostructured hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites exhibit remarkable photodetection performance due to their abundant surface states and high responsivity to visible light. However, in traditional photodetectors with a symmetrical configuration of two-terminal electrodes, the photoresponse is independent of bias polarity. Moreover, for self-powered photodetectors, an asymmetric structure of the chemical composition, such as p-n and Schottky junctions, and two different electrodes are necessary.

Regulable in-situ autoredox for anchoring synergistic Ni/NiO nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide with boosted alkaline electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.

To develop ideal alternatives to noble metal catalysts, transition metal catalysts supported on graphene have been receiving extensive attention in the field of electrochemical energy. In this work, using graphene oxide (GO) and nickel formate as precursors, Ni/NiO synergistic nanoparticles with regulable composition are anchored on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to prepare Ni/NiO/RGO composite electrocatalysts through in-situ autoredox. Thanks to the synergistic effect of Ni active sites and Ni electron donors, the as-prepared Ni/NiO/RGO catalysts exhibit efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution performance in 1.

Oxygen-Defect-Mediated ZnCrO/ZnInS Z-Scheme Heterojunction as Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production and Wastewater Remediation.

Photocatalysis has long been considered a promising technology in green energy and environmental remediation. Since the poor performance of single components greatly limits the practical applications, the construction of heterostructures has become one of the most important technical means to improve the photocatalytic activity. In this work, based on the synthesis of oxygen-vacancy-rich ZnCrO nanocrystals, ZnCrO/ZnInS composites are prepared via a low-temperature in situ growth, and the oxygen-vacancy-induced Z-scheme heterojunction is successfully constructed.

Vacancy-Mediated Z-Scheme Heterostructure in SnO-Decorated Spinel InS with Boosted Photocatalytic Activity.

The widespread application of dyes and heavy metals causes increasing environmental pollution. One effective way to mitigate environmental pollution is to use semiconductor photocatalysts for redox purification of pollutants. Heterostructured photocatalysts can reduce the electron-hole recombination rate and improve light utilization.

FeCoNi Ternary Nano-Alloys Embedded in a Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon Matrix with Enhanced Electrocatalysis for Stable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The application of composite materials that combine the advantages of carbonaceous material and metal alloy proves to be a valid method for improving the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein iron-cobalt-nickel (FeCoNi) ternary alloy nanoparticles (FNC) that spread on nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) are obtained by a strategy of low-temperature sol-gel followed by annealing at 800 °C under an argon/hydrogen atmosphere. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of different components of FNC and the conductive network provided by the NC, not only can the "shuttle effect" of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) be suppressed, but also the conversion of LiPS, the diffusion of Li, and the deposition of LiS can be accelerated.

Actual origin and precise control of asymmetrical hysteresis in an individual CHNHPbI micro/nanowire for optical memory and logic operation.

Although CHNHPbI can present an excellent photoresponse to visible light, its application in solar cells and photodetectors is seriously hindered due to hysteresis behaviour. Moreover, for its origin, there exist different opinions. Herein, we demonstrate a route to realize precise control for the electrical transport of a single CHNHPbI micro/nanowire by constructing a two-terminal device with asymmetric Ag and C electrodes, and its hysteresis can be clearly identified as a synergistic effect of the redox reaction at the interface of the Ag electrode and the injection and ejection of holes in the interfacial traps of the C electrode rather than its bulk effect.

Sulfur-source-dependent phase-selective preparation of CuNiInSnS nanocrystals and their optical and magnetic properties.

Multifunctional multinary metal chalcogenides have long been a research hotspot in the field of materials chemistry due to their rich composition, flexible structure, excellent properties and wide range of applications. However, the exploration of complex quinary chalcogenides is still challenging. In this work, for the first time, we have developed the controlled synthesis of quinary CuNiInSnS nanocrystals, realizing the selective preparation of hexagonal wurtzite and cubic zinc blende metastable phases by simply tuning the sulfur source.

Self-supported electrode based on two-dimensional NiPS for supercapacitor application.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials hold great promise for electrochemical energy storage due to their unique structure. It is always desirable to explore new-type high-performance 2D structured electrode materials in energy field. In this work, layered transition-metal chalcogenophosphite is developed as the electrode material for supercapacitors for the first time.

Revealing the synergistic mechanism of multiply nanostructured VO hollow nanospheres integrated with doped N, Ni heteroatoms, in-situ grown carbon nanotubes and coated carbon nanolayers for the enhancement of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as one of the most promising future energy storage candidates on account of high theoretical specific capacity of 1675 mAh g and energy density of 2600 Wh kg. However, their practical application is seriously hindered due to the poor conductivity and volume expansion of sulfur, the weak redox kinetics of lithium polysulfide (LPS), and the severe shuttle effect of LPS. Herein, VO@N,Ni-C nanostructures, multiply integrated with zero-dimensional (0D) VO nanoparticles, 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D carbon coating layers and graphene, 3D hollow spheres, and doped N and Ni heteroatoms, were synthesized via a solvothermal method followed by chemical vapor deposition.

Scalable Fabrication of Kevlar/TiCT MXene Intelligent Wearable Fabrics with Multiple Sensory Capabilities.

Fiber-based wearable electronics are highly desirable for wearable devices that are expected to be lightweight, easily prepared, durable, flexible, washable, and conformable. However, developing fiber-based fabric electronics to simulate human perceptual systems or even transcend the sensory capabilities of natural creatures is still a pivotal challenge. Herein, we present a Kevlar/MXene (KM) intelligent wearable fabric with multiple sensory capabilities using an ingenious strategy of continuous wet-spinning.