Seawater-based zinc-air batteries have emerged as a prominent candidate technology for marine energy applications, exhibiting high theoretical energy density, cost-effectiveness, and minimal reliance on freshwater resources. However, the development of this battery is constrained by the sluggish kinetics of the cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), as well as the corrosion of the catalyst by chloride ions (Cl−) in seawater. In recent years, extensive research has been dedicated to addressing these challenges, resulting in significant advancements in the field of seawater-based zinc-air battery catalysts. This work systematically summarizes the latest research findings on catalysts for seawater-based zinc-air batteries, with a focus on strategies to inhibit Cl− corrosion. It delineates the fundamental tenets of these strategies. These strategies are directed toward suppressing Cl− adsorption, enhancing ORR/OER activity, and ensuring superior long-term cycling stability, through the implementation of physical barriers, electronic state optimization, and interfacial repulsion engineering. Furthermore, the discourse encompasses prospective future advancements in this domain, offering a foundation for further research and commercial implementation of zinc-air batteries derived from seawater.

Direct saline water electrolysis technology can generate reactive chlorine species to achieve environmental remediation and disinfection. However, the high-concentration chloride ions in the electrolyte tend to cause corrosion to the catalytic system, leading to the attenuation of catalyst activity and the decline of stability. Herein, the filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) co-deposition technology was adopted to successfully construct a MnFeCoNiCu high-entropy catalytic current collector (MFCNC). Relying on the synergistic effect among elements, this high-entropy structure exhibits excellent salt tolerance and is compatible with the reactive chlorine electrolysis systems. It enables the electrochemical synthesis of reactive chlorine while realizing hydrogen production. Long-term stability tests show that the catalytic current collector can operate stably for more than 100 h during the electrolysis process. Moreover, it can significantly reduce the overpotential of the catalytic reaction, optimize the reaction process from a kinetic perspective, and effectively lower the energy consumption of the system. Additionally, the MFCNC has dual application values of pollutant removal and disinfection in practical water treatment scenarios. This work provides a new solution to realize direct saline water electrolysis technology, promoting the development of this technology toward efficient, stable, and low-energy-consumption practical applications.

Increasing the upper cut-off voltage of O3-type layered LiCoO2 cathodes is a promising strategy to enhance their specific energy density, attracting significant recent attention. However, this approach induces severe surface reconstruction and poor cycling performance as a result of oxygen loss. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel synthesis strategy that employs a metastable O2-type LiCoO2 framework combined with a minor Li-defective T2-type Li1-xCoO2 phase, which is transformed via thermal treatment into a stable O3-type LiCoO2 capable of high-voltage operation up to 4.6 V. Surprisingly, this thermal treatment results in the formation of a thin, uniform spinel LiCo2O4 layer on the O3-type LiCoO2 surface. This Li-ion conductive surface layer not only facilitates Li-ion transport but also inhibits structural collapse along the c-axis during high-voltage cycling. Furthermore, it effectively mitigates oxygen loss from the LiCoO2 cathode during long-term cycling. Consequently, the modified O3-type LiCoO2 cathode exhibits a high-capacity retention of 88% at 1 C over 200 cycles (3.0-4.6 V), substantially outperforming its unmodified counterpart (39%). This strategy of converting Li-poor metastable phases into a thermodynamically stable layered structure with a self-formed protective surface layer opens a new avenue for developing high-capacity, stable layered cathodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries.

In the past, the monitoring system of toxic and harmful gases such as triethylamine (TEA) in the industrial environment was not perfect enough, and with the development of human society, the requirements for environmental friendliness and sustainable development are constantly improving, so the development of a simple, effective and ideal performance of a new TEA gas sensor has become an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, ZnO/Ti3C2Tx gas sensor was prepared by magnetic filtration cathode vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition method for TEA detection. Gas-sensing measurements demonstrated that the response of the present gas sensor is 44.3 for 100 ppm TEA gas at 160 degrees C, and the detection limit is as low as 5 ppm. Moreover, it showed remarkable selectivity and long-term stability. The excellent gas sensing performance can be attributed to the abundant electron transport channels of ZnO/Ti3C2Tx and the formation of heterojunctions. This work provides a new way to prepare gas sensors at low temperatures, which is of great significance for solving the problem of air pollution.

To address the degradation of spacecraft-exposed polymers under the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen (AO) erosion and space debris (SD) impact, we develop a series of (TiAlCrSiV)Ox/TiAlCrSiV/(AuNiTi)+-PI(CPI) gradient multilayer composite films using a coupled energetic fabrication strategy. Ion co-implantation (C-IIP) creates chelated mechanical interlocking networks at the polymer interface, significantly enhancing adhesion (1.67 ± 0.21 N·mm−1) and fracture toughness. Simultaneously, twin-pulse filter cathode vacuum arc co-deposition (TP-FCVA) and gradient multilayer architecture promote independent component modulation and near-room-temperature optimization of residual stress (−36.07 MPa). This precisely customized composition, combined with mechanical robustness-confers exceptional AO resistance (Ey = 4.46 ± 0.19 × 10−26 cm3 atom−1) and synergistic durability. In addition, the composite films impart significant irradiation resistance and reliable electrostatic dissipation performance. The integration of energetic fabrication and high-entropy interface engineering thereby provides a robust and adaptable pathway for developing next-generation spacecraft materials capable of enduring synergistic space effects.

Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) have attracted extensive research attention due to their high energy density and simplified manufacturing processes. However, key scientific issues such as the intrinsic lithiophobicity, high surface roughness, and poor interfacial stability of commercial copper foil lead to uneven lithium nucleation and dendritic growth on its surface, severely compromising the cycle life and safety of AFLMBs. Constructing a lithiophilic interface with a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a crucial strategy for regulating lithium deposition/stripping behavior. In this study, a Ag-Zn3N2 bifunctional thin film was successfully introduced onto a commercial copper foil via magnetron sputtering technology. The inner Ag layer serves as a lithiophilic host, providing abundant lithiophilic nucleation sites, significantly reducing the lithium nucleation overpotential, and guiding uniform lithium deposition. Upon initial contact with lithium, the outer Zn3N2 layer is converted in situ into a LiZn alloy and Li3N, promoting the formation of a stable Li3N-enriched SEI. Electrochemical performance demonstrates that the cell equipped with the Zn3N2-Ag@Cu current collector exhibits excellent properties: the half-cell achieves a stable cycling over 770 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of 98.7% at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2 and a capacity of 1 mAh cm-2; the symmetric cell operates stably for more than 5200 h under the same conditions with a polarization voltage of only 17 mV; the anode-free full cell paired with a LiFePO4 cathode retains 88.2% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 0.5 C. This study demonstrates that the magnetron-sputtered Zn3N2-Ag dual-functional coating provides a viable strategy for the interfacial engineering of copper current collectors, contributing to the realization of high-performance, long-lifespan anode-free lithium metal batteries.

Ni-rich single-crystal cathodes are regarded as highly promising for the next generation high energy density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to the grain-boundary-free morphology and high thermal stability. However, they inevitably suffer from surface lattice oxygen release during cycling, which accelerates interfacial reconstruction and severe parasitic reactions, ultimately degrading electrochemical performance. Herein, we propose a surface-gradient Co/B co-doping strategy to enable electronic modulation and interfacial structural regulation in Ni-rich single-crystal cathode. Advanced characterizations combined with first-principles calculations reveal that surface-gradient Co/B co-doping induces interfacial charge redistribution and significantly strengthens local TM-O bonding, thereby effectively suppressing lattice oxygen activation, blocking detrimental phase transitions, and enabling superior electrochemical performance. Benefiting from this interfacial regulation strategy, SNCM-CB delivers a high specific capacity of 158.5 mAh g-1 at 10C, and retains 80.2% and 93.2% of its capacity after 200 cycles at 1C at 25 degrees C and-20 degrees C, respectively. This work offers a viable pathway toward the development of high energy density, long-life, and safe LIBs.

Conventional thin film growth modes, which rely on surface nucleation and lateral extension, limit the low-temperature synthesis of high-quality films and the resulting interfacial mechanical properties. Unlike conventional Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) approaches, this study focuses on elucidating the underlying mechanism. This study proposes and validates a novel “subsurface growth” mode based on energetic ion beam technology. This approach successfully fabricated FCC-dominant FeCoNiCrMn high-entropy alloy (HEA) films containing a composition-dependent BCC fraction, with ultrahigh densification, exceptional film-substrate adhesion, and superior tribological performance. The study reveals that Cr content regulates the stress-induced deformation mechanisms during mechanical loading. The film with 30 at. % Cr exhibits the optimal mechanical and tribological performance (hardness ≈ 16.5 GPa, wear rate ≈ 15.69 × 10⁻14 m3·N⁻1·m⁻1). Our findings confirm an innovative thin-film deposition mechanism and provide a theoretical foundation along with a practical strategy for composition-driven design and performance optimization of high-performance HEA films.

2D-3D van der Waals heterojunctions combine the excellent properties of 2D materials with the well-established manufacturing techniques associated with bulk materials and have attracted significant interest in both fundamental research and device applications. Band alignment type and interface coupling strength in these heterojunctions are critical to the efficiency of carrier separation and transport. In this study, large-scale monolayer MoS2 films with high quality were prepared on sapphire substrate by chemical vapor deposition and were transferred onto ZnO polar surfaces to form 2D-3D van der Waals heterojunctions. The effects of ZnO surface polarity on the band alignment and interface coupling of the MoS2/ZnO heterojunction are investigated experimentally and theoretically, using (0001) for Zn-polar and (0001) for O-polar. The type of band alignment of the heterojunction is determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, which show that the MoS2/ZnO(0001) heterojunction has a Type-II band alignment, with the conduction band offset (CBO) and valence band offset (VBO) of 0.57 eV and 1.80 eV respectively, while the MoS2/ZnO(0001) heterojunction has a Type-I band alignment, with a CBO of 0.01 eV and a VBO of 1.28 eV. In addition, the interlayer coupling and interfacial charge transfer of the heterojunctions are theoretically investigated, revealing that the MoS2/ZnO(0001) has a stronger built-in electric field and a more significant charge transfer compared with MoS2/ZnO(0001). This study contributes to a deep understanding of how different ZnO polar surfaces affect the band alignment and interface coupling of MoS2/ZnO heterojunctions, which is critical for advancing optoelectronic applications.

This study developed a light extraction enhancement method for gallium nitride (GaN) scintillators by integrating microsphere self-assembly technology with filter cathode vacuum arc deposition (FCVA) deposition technology. As a representative third-generation wide-bandgap semiconductor, GaN exhibits excellent radiation resistance and superior optical properties, with its 8-inch wafer fabrication capability providing a critical foundation for large-area imaging applications. To address the light extraction limitations imposed by the high refractive index of GaN, we designed a photonic crystal structure: an array of polystyrene microspheres with a 600-nanometer periodicity, combined with a conformal TiO2 layer deposited via FCVA. Experimental results demonstrate significant enhancement: after angular integration, the integrated spectral intensity of the yellow emission band increased by 197% (100 nm TiO2) and 136% (50 nm TiO2), while the near-band-edge emission integrated spectral intensity increased by 83% (100 nm TiO2) and 70% (50 nm TiO2). This performance enhancement stems from the synergistic effect between the optical localization effect of the PS microsphere array and the high refractive index (∼2.4) of TiO2. The FCVA technique, characterized by its high deposition rate (∼10 nm/min) and substantial ion flux, enables rapid fabrication of TiO2 conformal layers with exceptional large-area uniformity, meeting industrial production requirements. This work establishes a significant technical approach for improving light extraction efficiency in GaN materials, demonstrating promising potential for large-area imaging and related applications.

Thick electrodes of Lithium Metal battery face significant challenges in balancing ionic transport kinetics with structural stability, particularly under high-rate conditions. This study develops a synergistic fabrication strategy integrating direct ink writing 3D printing with ice-templating and phase separation to construct LiFePO4 thick electrodes with hierarchical porous architectures. Systematic rheological optimization identifies the P-30% ink with ideal shear-thinning behavior and shape retention capability (yield stress: 538.9 Pa, storage modulus: 21 480 Pa). The resulting electrode features macro-printed channels and interconnected phase-separated micropores, achieving high porosity (79.57%) and low tortuosity. This unique architecture delivers exceptional electrochemical performance: a specific capacity of 109.3 mAh g- 1 at 5C rate, 90.8% capacity retention after 2000 cycles, reduced charge transfer resistance (69.8 Omega), and enhanced Li-ion diffusion coefficient (1.65 & times; 10- 1 0 cm2 s- 1). COMSOL simulations confirm improved ion transport efficiency and mitigated concentration polarization. The assembled pouch cell maintains stable performance over 10 000 bending cycles, demonstrating superior mechanical flexibility and practical application potential for high-power energy storage systems.

To address the degradation challenges faced by spacecraft-exposed polymers from atomic oxygen (AO) erosion, radiation damage, and electrostatic hazards (ESC/ESD), we fabricated innovative (TiAlCrSiV)Nx/TiAlCrSiV-CPI (PEI) composite films with multifunctional durability. Through advanced spectroscopy and microstructural characterization, the engineered interface demonstrates synergistic chelation-crosslinking interactions that optimize interfacial cohesion and fracture toughness. The exceptional AO resistance stems from the cubic high entropy nitride layer acting as an effective diffusion barrier, achieving ultralow erosion yield values (4.91 +/- 0.12 and 4.38 +/- 0.16 x 10-26 cm3 atom-1). Radiation tolerance was verified through N+ irradiation tests, revealing slight dislocation and lattice swelling (0.6 %) in the stabilized nanocrystalline. In addition, the customized composition and architecture exhibit sufficient electrostatic dissipation capability to resolve potential ESC/ESD issues. This fabrication strategy integrating energetic ion beam with high entropy interfacial regulation presents a viable solution for developing next-generation spacecraft materials capable of withstanding space synergistic effects.

To alleviate the degradation of spacecraft-exposed polymers under the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen (AO) erosion and space debris (SD) impact, we present a series of (TiAlCrZrSi)Ox/TiAlCrZrSi/(NiAu)+-PI gradient multilayer composite films via a coupled energetic fabrication methodology. Ion co-implantation (C-IIP) fabricates chelation and cross-linking networks at the polyimide (PI) surface/interface, which enhances its adhesion (1.64 +/- 0.12 N mm- 1) and fracture toughness. Concurrently, the integration of twin-pulse energetic codeposition and gradient multilayer architecture enables independent component modulation and near-roomtemperature release of residual stress (-53.96 MPa). This precisely tailored architecture, combined with optimized interface and residual stress, thus grants the composite film outstanding AO resistance (Ey = 4.19 & times; 10-26 cm3 atom- 1.) and synergistic durability. Additionally, the customized composition and architecture afford sufficient electrostatic dissipation to mitigate charging (ESC) and discharge (ESD) risks. Integrating energetic ion beams with high-entropy design, this strategy offers a viable pathway for developing next-generation spacecraft materials capable of withstanding space synergistic effects.

Because hydrogen atoms are tiny and have a low activation energy for diffusion, they can readily penetrate even dense barrier coatings and gradually undermine their protective performance. This study presents a biomimetic gradient coating, inspired by the skin's multilayered defense system. The architecture integrates: (i) a catalytic self-passivating surface layer where in situ formed oxide/hydroxide nanosheets not only block hydrogen but accelerate atomic-to-molecular recombination; (ii) an electronic-reconfigured mid-layer of alternating S-30sccm/CrN heterostructures, creating charge-polarized interfaces for hydrogen trapping sites, and exploiting nanoscale energy fluctuations from lattice distortions to disrupt coherent diffusion pathways, and (iii) a gradient-supporting base layer eliminating shear stress. This multiscale synergy achieves a record zero-permeation breakthrough of 105 h (compared to 298 s for bare substrate), the Dapp of 1.899 × 10-9 cm2·s-1, and the J was 4.664 × 10-13 mol·cm-2·s-1, which were three orders lower than the bare substrate, while retaining 95.77% hydrogen embrittlement resistance. This work establishes a novel paradigm for hydrogen-barrier design in extreme environments.

ABSTRACT The operational longevity and performance stability of hygroscopic scintillators (e.g., CsI:Na) are critically limited by moisture‐induced degradation in radiation detection applications. To address this challenge, we propose an innovative thin film encapsulation strategy utilizing 100‐nm‐thick high‐quality amorphous Al2O3 film deposited at room temperature via filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technology. Advanced plasma diagnostics reveal that pulsed magnetic field confinement enables precise regulation of plasma properties, facilitating the deposition of high‐purity dense amorphous Al2O3 film. The film exhibits outstanding optical transmittance (88.35% in the visible range) and an ultralow water vapor transmission rate of 5.73 × 10−4 g/m2/day under accelerated aging conditions (85°C, 85% RH). Remarkably, the encapsulated CsI:Na scintillator demonstrates a 14.53% enhancement in luminescence efficiency, attributed to effective refractive index matching that minimizes Fresnel reflection losses at the Al2O3/CsI:Na interface. Most importantly, the encapsulated scintillator retains over 98% of its initial luminescence after 20 h of exposure to harsh conditions (45°C, 85% RH), achieving a 40‐fold extension in operational lifespan compared to unprotected counterparts. This FCVA‐confined thin‐film encapsulation approach not only provides a robust and scalable solution for safeguarding hygroscopic scintillators but also establishes a versatile platform for developing next‐generation, environmentally stable radiation detection systems.

O2-type LiCoO2 (O2-LCO), characterized by its alternating edge- and face-sharing octahedral framework, has emerged as a promising high-capacity cathode material. However, rapid capacity fading due to the collapse and sliding of Co–O slabs during electrochemical cycling has hindered the operation under larger working current. In this work, an exceptional cycling stability material (O2-LCMO) at high rate is obtained by introducing Mn into O2-LCO. This regulation enables the Li/TM intrinsic local structural disorder in a crystalline lattice through partial migration of transition-metal (TM) ions into the Li layers. The migrated TM ions serve as pillars to stabilize the deep de-intercalation structure. Furthermore, the tailored local disorder modulates the electronic structure to facilitate Li+ migration, while the accompanying local Co–O–TM configuration improves the reversibility of the local CoO6 octahedral structure during cycling. As a result, the modified cathode delivers markedly improved capacity retention and structural integrity under harsh electrochemical conditions. When cycled at a high rate of 10C up to a 4.65 V cut-off voltage, O2-LCMO delivers an extremely high discharge capacity of 238 mAh g−1 and demonstrates superior stability, achieving a capacity retention of 77% after 100 cycles, whereas pristine O2-LCO retains only 10%. Our work provides a novel design principle for achieving high-energy, long-cycle-life oxide cathodes through the engineering of intrinsic local structural disorder.

The 14N(p,1)15O reaction plays a crucial role in studies of hydrogen burning. Irradiation-resistant nitride targets are essential for extending direct measurements of this reaction to lower energies. In this work, we fabricated nitride targets using filter cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) techniques. The thickness and chemical composition of the targets, as well as the impurity levels of the TiN targets, were evaluated through corresponding reaction measurements. The results indicate that FCVAfabricated TiN targets exhibit the best comprehensive performance. The deterioration of the TiN targets under the bombardment of a similar to 2 mA proton beam was investigated by monitoring the yield curves. The reduction rates of the atomic areal density for these targets were found to be in the range of 0.084-0.16%/C. The prepared TiN targets successfully advanced the measurement of 14N(p,1)15O reaction to Ep = 110 keV in a ground laboratory, which will enable further extension to Ep = 70 keV at the Jinping Underground Nuclear Astrophysics facility (JUNA) in the future.

ABSTRACT Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation high‐energy‐density storage systems. However, their application is severely hindered by the uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interphases formation on conventional planar Cu current collectors. To address these challenges, we propose a synergistic interphase–structure modification strategy that integrates a MnNiVCrFe high‐entropy alloy (HEA) interphase with a three‐dimensional (3D) nanoflower (NF) scaffold. The 3D NF scaffold offers spatial confinement to guide uniform lithium deposition, while the HEA interphase provides abundant lithiophilic nucleation sites and intrinsic magnetic regulation. By homogenizing the interfacial electric field and Li+ distribution, this dual modification enables uniform lithium nucleation and deposition, thereby suppressing dendrite formation and boosting interfacial stability. The resulting the HEA/NF@Cu electrode delivers remarkable cycling stability, exceeding 670 cycles with a high average Coulombic efficiency of 98.5% at 0.5 mA cm−2, and the corresponding symmetric cells achieve an ultralong lifespan of 6270 h under the same current density. This synergistic interphase–structure engineering strategy provides a promising solution for designing advanced current collectors toward stable and dendrite‐free LMBs.

To alleviate thermal interfacial degradation of conventional alloys, a novel multi-channel filtered cathode vacuum arc (MC-FCVA) technique is validated for fabricating high-performance thermal protection coatings. We deposit a set of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/NiCoCrAlY coatings on nickel-based DD6 superalloy substrates under various oxygen fluxes (fO2). The technical design achieves noninterference regulation and filtration for mixed-element plasma compositions. The as-deposited YSZ/NiCoCrAlY coatings exhibit highly dense architecture, mechanical robustness (H=24.5 GPa; H3/E*2=0.254) and interfacial stability (LC3=39.97 N). In addition, thermal cycling test demonstrates their minimal mass loss and robust structural integrity. Detailed microstructural analysis further reveals the oxidation kinetics, including elemental segregation, phase transition, and thermally grown oxide (TGO) behavior and interfacial evolution. The work establishes MC-FCVA as a potential alternative technique for next-generation thermal protection coatings with preferable durability in extreme thermal environments.