Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are promising candidates for sustainable energy storage; however, their performance is severely limited by sluggish oxygen reduction and evolution (ORR/OER) kinetics. Here, a hard-templating etching strategy was employed to construct nitrogen-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres embedded with NiCo nanoparticles (NiCo@N-HMCS). The hollow nanostructure, together with a strong electronic coupling between NiCo alloys and N-doped carbon, provides abundant accessible active sites, optimized charge transfer, and robust structural stability. As a result, NiCo@N-HMCS delivers remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic activity in alkaline media, with a half-wave potential of 0.84 V for the oxygen reduction reaction and an overpotential of 330 mV at 10 mA cm-2 for the oxygen evolution reaction. When applied in ZABs, the catalyst delivers a high open-circuit voltage of 1.56 V, a peak power density of 185.53 mW cm-2, and durable cycling over 300 h. The flexible ZAB configuration also delivers a power density of 79.06 mW cm-2 and stable operation of 120 h. This study demonstrates a robust platinum-group-metal-free strategy for advancing next-generation rechargeable and flexible energy storage systems.

The current lithium-ion batteries suffer from range anxiety and safety concerns, accelerating the exploration of next-generation energy storage systems. Herein, we report a low-cost ORR/OER/IOR trifunctional catalyst, UFP900, synthesized by activating the recycled carbon black from spent lithium iron phosphate batteries with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation in an aqueous suspension with melamine. After calcination at 900 degrees C, the UFP-900 catalyst was synthesized containing Fe2P and nitrogen-doped carbon black, which achieved an ORR half-wave potential of 0.84 V (vs. RHE) and an OER overpotential of 368 mV at 10 mA cm- 2 in 0.1 mol L- 1 KOH solution, competitive to the Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts. When used in ZABs, the UFP-900 exhibited a superior power density of 187 mW cm- 2 and a stable lifespan exceeding 280 h. Moreover, the UFP-900 catalyst also exhibited high catalytic activity in iodine reduction. When used in the cathode material, the ZIBs battery delivered a high specific capacity of 187.1 mAh g- 1, a notable iodine utilization efficiency of 92.5%, and excellent cycling stability for over 3600 cycles. This study demonstrates a scalable and eco-friendly strategy for repurposing battery waste into high-performance multifunctional electrocatalysts, thereby creating a new pathway for sustainable energy storage.

Postoperative neuropathic pain (PNP) is a common chronic condition that endures despite successful surgery and healing, substantially impacting patients' quality of life. This study investigates a novel gold nanoparticle-based drug delivery system, designed to enhance analgesics stability and efficacy for potential treatment of PNP via α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation. AuNPs were synthesized using a sodium citrate reduction method and conjugated with NS9283 through ligand exchange reactions. The physicochemical properties of the AuNPs-NS9283 complex were characterized using TEM and XPS. The efficacy of AuNPs-NS9283 was evaluated in a spared nerve injury (SNI) model in C57BL/6 mice. Mechanical pain thresholds were assessed using von-Frey filaments, and histological assessment was performed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Intraperitoneal injection of low-dose α4β2 nAChR-selective positive allosteric modulator NS9283 provides rapid but short - term analgesia for neuropathic pain in mice. Loading NS9283 onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-NS9283) demonstrated superior stability and solubility, and targeted delivery prolongs the analgesic duration and achieves preliminary preemptive analgesia. HE staining revealed no significant nerve damage in any treatment group, indicating the safety of AuNPs-NS9283. AuNP-NS9283 represents a promising delivery strategy for prolonged relief of PNP. The study underscores the potential of nano-targeting technology in advancing PNP treatments.

Cu-Au core-nanocluster nanoparticles (NPs) offer a promising platform for multifunctional antimicrobial materials through coupled oxygen reduction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and galvanically enhanced ion release. Here, the interfacial mechanisms governing antimicrobial activity in CuAux NPs are investigated using structural characterisation, density functional theory (DFT), electrochemical analysis, and antibacterial testing. SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS confirm a Cu-Au core-nanocluster architecture comprising similar to 50 nm Cu NPs decorated with similar to 2-3 nm Au nanoclusters, generating abundant catalytic interfacial sites. DFT calculations reveal complementary roles for Cu and Au, whereby Cu promotes oxygen activation by reducing the O-O dissociation barrier to 0.189 eV, while Au stabilises partially reduced intermediates and favours selective two-electron oxygen reduction. Rotating ring-disk electrode measurements validate H2O2 generation, while chronoamperometry demonstrates stable electrochemical performance. Galvanic Cu2+ release reaches 2442.67 mu g/mL (73.28% dissolution) under acidic conditions, with physical-mixture controls confirming the importance of intimate Cu-Au coupling. Antibacterial assays identify CuAu1.5 as the optimal composition, exhibiting the highest inhibition against E. coli (similar to 1.0 cm) and S. aureus (similar to 1.4-1.5 cm). The results establish a direct structure-property-performance relationship linking Cu-Au interfacial architecture to oxygen reduction, ROS generation, Cu2+ release, and antimicrobial activity, highlighting interfacial engineering as an effective strategy for antimicrobial nanomaterial design.

As device scaling into the sub-3 nm technology node, self-heating effects have become a critical concern for the performance and reliability of gate-all-around nanosheet field-effect-transistors (NSFETs). However, conventional technology computer-aided design (TCAD) approaches often rely on bulk thermal parameters and neglect pronounced nanoscale effects, such as reduced channel thermal conductivity due to phonon-boundary scattering and significant interface thermal resistance, leading to inaccurate thermal predictions. We present a cross-scale electro-thermal simulation framework that combines atomic-level non-equilibrium molecular dynamics calculations with device-level TCAD, thereby incorporating size-dependent thermal conductivities and interface resistances into device analysis of bulk silicon and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) NSFETs. Under 3 nm node design rule of device geometry and bias ( VDS=VGS=0.7V), the SOI device exhibits a peak channel lattice temperature of 348 K at the bottom nanosheet near the drain-approximately 11 K higher than its bulk counterpart, due to the buried oxide obstructing heat dissipation to the substrate. This exacerbated self-heating in SOI NSFET raises the thermal resistance by similar to 33.7 % and induces a modest similar to 1.96 % on-state current ( ION) degradation compared to the bulk device. Moreover, a parametric study of device geometry indicates that shorter channel lengths and greater nanosheet thicknesses can alleviate thermal hotspots while improving ION, whereas the width can be flexibly adjusted to meet specific design requirements. Furthermore, the elevated lattice temperatures accelerate reliability degradation mechanisms (hot-carrier injection and bias-temperature instability), reducing the projected lifetime of the SOI device by factors of similar to 1.92 and similar to 2.68 relative to its bulk counterpart. These findings underscore the importance of electro-thermal co-design for ensuring performance and reliability in future nanoscale device technologies.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is widely recognised as the rate-determining step for water electrolysis reactions. Here, we report a transition-metal-based Ce-NiFe layered double hydroxides supported on graphene oxide (Ce-NiFe LDH/GO) electrocatalyst that exhibits promising OER activity, high conductivity and enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. The electronic structure is tuned via Ce doping-induced lattice distortion. Furthermore, the GO serves as a conductive scaffold that suppresses nanosheet agglomeration, enabling the construction of the highly integrated Ce-NiFe LDH/GO architecture. The optimized catalyst shows ultralow overpotentials of 189 mV for HER and 126 mV for OER at 10 mA cm−2, with corresponding Tafel slopes of 80.1 mV dec−1 and 49.3 mV dec−1. When employed as a bifunctional electrocatalyst in an alkaline electrolyser, the system requires only 1.74 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2, and retains more than 98% of its initial activity after 24 h of continuous operation, demonstrating excellent durability. Combined XPS and EIS analyses reveal a synergistic enhancement mechanism. Specifically, XPS analysis validates that Ce incorporation tunes the electronic structure of Ni/Fe centres to optimise intermediate adsorption, whereas EIS results indicate that the GO scaffold minimises charge transfer resistance, ensuring superior conductivity and structural integrity.

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) offer a compelling pathway toward safe, high-performance lithium metal-based batteries. Yet their practical deployment in lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) remains limited by insufficient Li+ transport, unstable Li interfaces, and poor electrolyte retention under oxygen-rich conditions. Here, we report an in situ-polymerized Acrylonitrile-Trifluoroethyl acrylate Gel Polymer Electrolyte (ATGPE), constructed from AN and TFEA monomers, which forms a flexible, interconnected polymer network enriched with-CN and-CF3 functionalities. These polar groups strongly coordinate with Li+, reduce the desolvation barrier, and regulate anion mobility, enabling a high ionic conductivity of 3.81 mS cm-1 and an ultrahigh Li+ transference number of 0.69. More importantly, the copolymer framework promotes the formation of a robust, LiF/Li3N-rich SEI layer, ensuring uniform Li plating/stripping and effectively suppressing dendrite formation and side reactions. Benefiting from its enhanced interfacial stability, flame retardancy, and suppressed electrolyte volatility, ATGPEbased LOBs deliver outstanding long-term durability, achieving 359 stable cycles at 1 A g-1 and exceptional rate capability up to 5 A g-1, far surpassing conventional liquid electrolyte counterparts. This work provides a mechanistically informed design strategy for constructing multifunctional GPEs and highlights the broad applicability of synergistic-CN/-CF3 polymer networks for next-generation high-energy-density rechargeable batteries.

Regulating the solvation structure toward anion-derived complex is crucial for building an inorganic-rich solid-state electrolyte interface (SEI) utilized as a dendrite-free lithium anode. Introducing porous materials into the separator is an effective strategy to promote the desolvation of solvated ions as they traverse the pores, thereby addressing key interfacial challenges. Micropores enable effective desolvation; however, they restrict Li+ ion mobility. Herein, for the first time, mesoporous boehmite (γ-AlOOH with an average pore size of 3.45 nm) is used to regulate the solvation structure and achieve multifunctional synergy. Typically, the BP/GF separator achieves a Li+ ion transference number of 0.61, superior flame retardancy, and an inorganic-dominated SEI (enriched with Li2CO3, Li3N, Li2O, and LiF), because the hydroxyl groups on boehmite establish hydrogen bonds with solvent molecules and anions, which effectively promote the desolvation and confine free anions, leading to an increase in anion-derived complex and enhancement of Li+ ion transport kinetics, and finally collectively mitigate dendrite formation and stabilize the lithium metal anode. Furthermore, mesoporous boehmite universally regulates solvation structure modulation across Li-S, Li-LiFePO4, and Li-O2 batteries, enabling broad-spectrum performance improvements.

Bimetallic nanomaterials that couple catalytic reactivity with light-responsive behaviour provide a promising route for multifunctional antimicrobial materials. Here, we report Cu–Au core–nanocluster nanostructures that integrate a cost-effective Cu core with ultrafine Au clusters to form an interface-engineered antimicrobial platform. Density functional theory shows that Cu–Au interfacial sites lower O–O bond dissociation barriers and enhance charge transfer, enabling efficient catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Experimentally, the nanostructures exhibit enhanced Cu2+ release relative to Cu alone, consistent with galvanic coupling, and demonstrate strong antimicrobial activity under dark conditions, confirming a ROS- and ion-mediated mechanism. Under visible-light irradiation, photothermal simulations and measurements show localised heating to ~60 °C at particle densities an order of magnitude lower than conventional Au nanoparticles, enabling material-efficient thermal inactivation. These results establish a structure–property–function relationship in which catalytic oxygen reduction and galvanic Cu dissolution provide continuous dark activity, while plasmonic photothermal effects introduce a controllable light-driven amplification pathway. This multi-mechanistic framework supports the design of scalable antimicrobial coatings and interfaces capable of operating across both illuminated and non-illuminated environments.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were homogeneously deposited on the surface of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and then encapsulated by an outer titanium oxide (TiO2) layer. This SiO2/Ag/TiO2 geometry (denoted as SiO2-Ag@TiO2 nanoreactor, where "@" denotes a gap) composite was successfully developed via a conventional sacrificial method followed by partial etching. This special SiO2, Ag, TiO2 bearing-construction (BC) catalyst exhibits superior catalytic and exceptional stability performance when used in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet light (UV light) and visible light, compared with pure TiO2 shell and traditional Ag/TiO2 yolk-shell (Ag-TiO2). This enhanced catalytic efficiency is primarily attributed to synergistic effects derived from Ag NPs "locking and guarding" mechanism in the presence of amino-SiO2 and outer TiO2. In this regard, our rational BC design concept proposed a state-of-the-art strategy and provided an opportunity to shorten the distance between theory and practical applications in solar conversion, such as water splitting technology, photovoltaic, and solar cells.

Geological Carbon Sequestration (GCS), a pivotal technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through the capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in underground geological formations, plays a crucial role in combating climate change. Montmorillonite, a widely distributed mineral in storage formations, exhibits significant potential for GCS due to its high specific surface area and CO2 adsorption capacity. However, the adsorption mechanisms of CO2 in montmorillonite under reservoir conditions remain insufficiently characterized, particularly concerning two critical aspects: (1) the dynamic diffusion process regulating CO2 intercalation into interlayer space, and (2) the distinct adsorption behaviors-including both adsorption capacity disparity and binding energy differentiation-between external surfaces and interlayer space. This study conducted laboratory simulations of CO2 adsorption experiments using natural montmorillonite and heat-treated montmorillonite (calcined at 600 degrees C to close the interlayer space) at 25 degrees C, 50 degrees C, and 75 degrees C. The results revealed that the adsorption capacity within the interlayer space exhibits a positive correlation with increasing pressure. CO2 molecules entered the interlayer space substantially at pressures >= 14 bar and the adsorption capacity can even reach 62.7% (75 degrees C) of the total adsorption capacity at 50 bar. These findings highlight the critical role of interlayer space of montmorillonite in CO2 adsorption in geological CO2 storage formations, offering new insights into montmorillonite CO2 adsorption mechanism.

Phosphorus iron slag (PIS), a solid waste containing over 80% phosphorus and iron, is generated during yellow phosphorus production and poses significant environmental risks due to open stacking. In this study, we developed a novel recycling method to directly convert PIS into lithium iron phosphate (LFP) for battery applications. By reducing the particle size of PIS to approximately 25 mu m, we achieved a leaching rate of up to 96.15% through acid leaching, which followed a surface chemical mechanism. The leached solution was adjusted for the Fe/P molar ratio and treated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to precipitate pure FePO4 precursor with uniform particle size. This precursor was then sintered with glucose and lithium carbonate to synthesize LFP. The recycled LFP exhibited an initial capacity of 146.6 mAh g-1 at 1 C in aprotic lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), retaining 90.51% of its capacity after 150 cycles. In aqueous LIBs, the recycled LFP delivered a capacity of 113.2 mAh g-1 at 1 C, with 82.55% capacity retention after 150 cycles and near-100% Coulombic efficiency. This work approach not only demonstrates economic and environmental benefits of recycling PIS but also provides an alternative and promisng pathway to reduce the production costs of LiBs.

Flexible sensors have emerged as a promising tool in applications ranging from pilot physiological monitoring to mo-tion capture and complex training environments.However,conventional approaches often face inherent limitations,such as susceptibility to electromagnetic interference,instability in humid or sweat-rich conditions,and restricted multifunctional integration.To overcome these challenges,we present a flexible sensor based on a multifunctional MXene/LIG composite structure.By combining surface-modified MXene with laser-induced graphene(LIG),we developed a robust conductive framework characterized by hierarchical porosity.Thanks to this innovative design,the sensor achieves exceptional multi-functional performance.It exhibits high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of 31.5 dB through synergistic reflection and absorption,demonstrates strong hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 151.1°,and delivers enhanced thermal con-ductivity.These features enable accurate monitoring of operational movements in simulated cockpit environments while ensuring durable performance under complex aviation requirements.Moreover,this design strategy offers a novel pathway for advancing high-performance flexible sensors,opening new opportunities in wearable electronics,healthcare monitoring,and intelligent human-machine interaction systems.

Zinc-ion batteries have abundant raw materials, low cost, and high safety, with broad application prospects. However, their practical application is severely hampered by persistent challenges, including dendrite growth on zinc anodes, corrosive parasitic reactions, and insufficient structural stability of cathodes. Herein, a hydroxyl-enriched mesoporous silica/perfluorosulfonic acid (Nafion-mSiO2) organic-inorganic hybrid coating is designed to regulate the zinc anode interface through multi-mechanism synergy: sulfonic acid groups electrostatically repel SO4 2-, ordered mesoporous channels shorten Zn2+ transport pathways and homogenize ion flux, and surface hydroxyl groups facilitate Zn2+ desolvation. Simultaneously, the Nafion-mSiO2 hybrid coating serves as a robust physical barrier to suppress side reactions and electrode corrosion, while hydroxyl functionalities provide uniform nucleation sites to impede dendrite growth. Electrochemical tests reveal that the symmetric cell equipped with the modified zinc anode sustains stable cycling for 4830 h at 10 mA cm-2, with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.0%. When paired with a MnO2 cathode, the Nafion-mSiO2@Zn||MnO2 full cell preserves 96% of its initial capacity after 2000 cycles at 2 A g-1, manifesting exceptional cycling stability and rate capability. The Nafion-mSiO2 hybrid coating presents an efficient and scalable modification strategy for stabilizing zinc anode interfaces, thereby accelerating the practical application of high-performance zinc-ion batteries.

ABSTRACT In aqueous zinc‑ion batteries (AZIBs), uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic corrosion reactions critically limit long‑term stability. Constructing a robust organic–inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has emerged as an effective strategy; however, the mechanistic origin of Zn‐anode stabilization remains insufficiently understood. Here, we in situ construct an ultrathin organic–inorganic hybrid SEI (Zn‐S‐RCOOH) on Zn using a multifunctional organic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA). The COOH‑rich organic outer layer restructures the interfacial hydrogen‑bond (HB) network, lowers H2O activity, and accelerates desolvation, whereas the inner ZnS layer provides fast Zn2+ migration pathways, collectively enhancing reaction kinetics and promoting (002) oriented Zn deposition. Owing to these synergistic effects, dendrite formation and corrosion are effectively inhibited. The MSA/Zn electrode operates stably for over 2400 h at 10 mA cm−2 and 5 mAh cm−2, and maintains>500 h stability even at a high depth of discharge (DOD, 81 %). Moreover, MSA/Zn||MnO2 full cells exhibited capacities of ∼189.7 and 142 mAh g−1 with high‐capacity retention (99.18 % and 97.55 %) at 0.3 and 1 A g−1, respectively. So, our findings proposed a rational interfacial‐engineering strategy for designing durable Zn metal anodes and advancing high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.

The extraction of chitin/chitosan from biowaste shrimp shells involves the heavy use of strong acids and alkaline solutions, resulting in a series of decomposed amino acids in the extraction waste. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy to grow FeNi nanoalloys encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (3FeNi-NCNTs) at a high percentage by sintering the extracted amino acids, FeCl3, NiCl2 and melamine at 900 ℃ in N2. The FeNi-NCNT exhibits a competitive limiting current density in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to the commercial 20

Deep eutectic solvents have emerged as promising media for the sustainable recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, a tetraethylammonium chloride citric acid (TEAC-CA) based deep eutectic solvent (DES) system was developed for the recovery and regeneration of valuable metals from spent ternary cathode material (NCM) cathodes. Under optimized conditions, the TEAC-CA DES achieved high and relatively balanced leaching efficiencies of 99.9% for Li, 99.9% for Ni, 97.6% for Co, and 96.4% for Mn. Kinetic analysis indicated that the leaching process was governed mainly by surface chemical reactions, with possible diffusion contribution under some conditions, while spectroscopic and Density Functional Theory (DFT) results supported a cooperative mechanism in which citric acid promotes proton-assisted lattice activation and chloride/carboxylate coordination environments stabilize dissolved transition-metal species. The recovered metals were converted into a ternary precursor and subsequently regenerated as LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2, which delivered an initial discharge capacity of 171.7 mAh g-1 at 0.1C, together with stable cycling and competitive rate performance. The regenerated cathode exhibited a layered structure closely comparable to that of commercial NCM523, and the recovered TEAC-CA-based working solvent was reused for five consecutive leaching cycles after solvent reconditioning. These results demonstrate that the DES provides an efficient, mechanistically supported, and practically promising route for balanced multimetal extraction and cathode-material regeneration from spent LIB cathodes.

Aqueous zinc batteries hold great promise for large-scale energy storage due to their high energy density, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the intrinsic thermodynamic instability of zinc drives inevitable HER, leading to interfacial accumulation of OH- that significantly exacerbates dendrite growth and "dead zinc" formation. This work leverages the specific structural and reactive properties of histidine (HIS) to construct a Zn(OH)2-HIS ultrathin solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the zinc anode. This SEI stabilizes the interfacial pH via a synergistic mechanism of chemical buffering and physical blocking. Chemically, the imidazole and amino groups buffer the pH via reversible protonation/deprotonation; physically, the SEI disrupts the interfacial hydrogen-bond network and repels solvated water, thereby suppressing H2O-induced side reactions. Additionally, the SEI modulates interfacial surface energy to enable (002)-oriented deposition. Consequently, the HIS@Zn anode achieves significantly improved reversibility with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99%. It exhibits ultra-stable cycling for over 1350 h at 10 mA cm-2 and 5 mAh cm-2. Even at a high depth of discharge of 81%, stable operation is maintained for over 300 h. Furthermore, the HIS@Zn||MnO2 full cell delivers an initial capacity of 146.6 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, retaining 92.33% of its capacity after 700 cycles.

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for the sustainable utilization of metal resources. However, challenges such as range anxiety hinder its widespread adoption, thereby driving the pursuit of next-generation energy storage systems with higher energy densities. In this study, we report the development of a trifunctional electrocatalyst, URCA-800, derived from recycled carbon black obtained from ternary LIB cathode materials. The activation process involved vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation in the presence of melamine as a nitrogen source, enabling effective N-doping and structural modification. Following calcination at 800 °C, the resulting URCA-800 catalyst exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and iodine reduction reaction (IRR). Specifically, URCA-800 achieved an ORR half-wave potential of 0.80 V (vs. RHE) and an OER overpotential of 363 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm− 2 in 0.1 mol L− 1 KOH, comparable to the performance of commercial Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts. When applied as a cathode in zinc-air batteries, URCA-800 delivered a high-power density of 196 mW cm− 2 and demonstrated excellent operational stability exceeding 400 h. Furthermore, in zinc-iodine batteries, it achieved a high specific capacity of 188.8 mAh g− 1, an impressive iodine utilization efficiency of 89.6