ABSTRACT Plasmonic metals are considered a promising approach for enhancing the reactivity of solar‐driven photocatalysts when used as co‐catalytic nanostructures. However, optimizing the energy conversion efficiency is challenging because it requires precise control of the light‐matter interactions at the nanoscale. In this work, we present metamaterial photocatalyst sheets that combine titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) thin films and plasmonic metal nanodisks arranged in periodic arrays. Silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd) were used as nanodisk metals. We tested our photocatalyst sheets for generating solar fuels hydrogen (H 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) using steamed water (H 2 O) mixed with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as a sacrificial agent under broadband (UV–vis–NIR) light exposure. Our Pt/TiO 2 and Pd/TiO 2 photocatalysts achieved gas product rates of 4.37 µmol cm −2 h −1 for H 2 and 0.42 µmol cm −2 h −1 for CH 4 . The fabrication process flow is based on standard semiconductor fabrication methods, showing its potential for large‐scale applications.
ABSTRACT The rapid development of humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence (EAI) is accelerating the transformation of elderly care and rehabilitation toward interactive, adaptive, and personalized human–robot collaboration. In this context, motion sensing technology is of critical importance. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which convert biomechanical motions into electrical signals, offer a promising route toward self‐powered motion perception in embodied healthcare. This review summarizes recent advances in TENG‐based multimodal motion sensing for human–robot interaction, covering inertial vibration sensing, tactile sensing, non‐contact sensing, continuous trajectory sensing, and joint rotation sensing. The influences of structural configuration, motion mode, sensing direction, detection range, sensitivity, resolution, electrical output, and channel number on sensing performance under specific application scenarios are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to how TENG design strategies influence sensing universality, signal effectiveness, and the reliability of health monitoring and rehabilitation evaluation. Furthermore, the integration of TENGs with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including multimodal fusion, network architectures, edge computing, transfer learning, and large language models, is reviewed. Finally, applications in adaptive rehabilitation sensing, self‐powered electrical stimulation, fully self‐powered systems, and human‑robot interfaces are highlighted, offering perspectives on closed‐loop “sensing–evaluation–regulation” frameworks for green, low‐carbon EAI healthcare.
ABSTRACT Colloidal ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) represent promising ultraviolet functional materials; however, the controlled synthesis of ZnS NCs remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a slow‐release diffusion synthetic strategy utilizing a single Zn─S source precursor. The Zn─S composite precursor, synthesized from diethylzinc, diphenylphosphine, and trioctylphosphine sulfide, undergoes gradual decomposition in the presence of oleic acid, enabling controlled monomer release. This approach successfully achieves uniform epitaxial growth of ZnS NCs with tunable sizes ranging from 3.8 to 42.3 nm. The growth process, driven by the slow‐release diffusion of this single Zn─S source precursor, exhibits a high growth coefficient of 434 nm 3 /mmol, corresponding to a precursor utilization efficiency of 70%. This work provides a stable and reliable synthetic route for fabricating large‐sized, high‐quality ZnS NCs, thereby expanding their potential applications in ultraviolet optoelectronics.
ABSTRACT A correlative analysis combining three‐dimensional (3D) electron tomography and small convergence angle convergent‐beam electron diffraction acquired in four‐dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D‐STEM) mode is used to investigate the structure, crystallographic orientation, and strain distribution in thermally welded silver nanowire (AgNW) junctions. High‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) tomography enables reconstruction of the asymmetric and faceted morphology of AgNW welds, revealing distinct ridge continuity and facet‐specific junction geometries. Complementary diffraction mapping demonstrates orientation inheritance across the junction and crystallographic continuity within the welded region. Full‐field strain maps derived from nanobeam 4D‐STEM reveal minimal coherent strain (typically <0.5%) and small rotational distortions associated with nanowire bending. This multidimensional correlation of geometry, crystallography, and strain provides insight into weld formation mechanisms and interfacial behavior beyond the limits of conventional two‐dimensional and localized atomic‐resolution studies.
ABSTRACT Developing advanced catalytic systems for efficient electrochemical CO 2 reduction ( e ‐CO 2 RR) at industrially relevant current densities under environmentally benign conditions remains challenging. Herein, we report Au@Cu 2 O ( n ) core@shell nanocatalysts with outstanding e ‐CO 2 RR performance at ‐200 mA cm −2 in near‐neutral media, where the Cu 2 O shell thickness is tuned by adjusting Au seed solution volume ( n mL). In 1.0 M KHCO 3 , the thin‐shelled Au@Cu 2 O ( n = 5) nanocatalyst achieves an exceptional Faradaic efficiency (FE C2+ : 50.6 ± 3.3%) and a cathodic energy efficiency (EE C2+ : 29.1 ± 1.3%) for C 2+ products, outperforming its thicker counterparts (e.g., Au@Cu 2 O ( n = 2); FE C2+ : 19.6 ± 2.7%, EE C2+ : 8.9 ± 0.9%) and individual control components. This enhanced performance stems from a strong core@shell electron transfer effect that modulates copper oxidation state (OS Cu ) and preserves the core@shell architecture. Intriguingly, iodide addition triggers divergent, shell‐thickness‐dependent effects. Iodide modulates both structural reconstruction and OS Cu of the Au@Cu 2 O ( n = 2) nanocatalyst, boosting C 2+ product selectivity (S C2+ ) fourfold. Conversely, iodide disrupts the pre‐existing, highly favorable core@shell electronic interactions of the Au@Cu 2 O ( n = 5) nanocatalyst, driving OS Cu away from the favorable regime and thereby suppressing S C2+ . These findings underscore the importance of cooperatively engineering interfacial electronic properties and electrolyte microenvironments for efficient e ‐CO 2 RR at circumneutral pH.
