Flexible ionogels that concurrently deliver high mechanical strength and rapid, efficient self-healing are essential for next-generation wearable electronics and soft robotics. Yet, in cellulose-based systems, this dual functionality is hindered by a fundamental trade-off: crystalline order imparts strength but suppresses dynamic repair, while amorphous domains enable healing but compromise mechanical integrity. To overcome this dichotomy, a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation strategy is introduced that reconfigures cellulose into a bifunctional dynamer-simultaneously structural and dynamic. Specifically, quasi-amorphous dialdehyde hydroxypropyl cellulose (DAHPC) is engineered as an active, multifunctional component within a lipoic acylhydrazide-based ionogel network, replacing conventional passive fillers. The quasi-amorphous DAHPC chains exhibit high segmental mobility and abundant hydrogen-bonding sites, fostering hierarchical physical entanglements and microphase-separated domains that dramatically enhance toughness and tensile strength. Crucially, the aldehyde groups on DAHPC engage in reversible acylhydrazone exchange with acylhydrazide moieties, establishing a dynamic covalent network that enables rapid, thermally triggered self-healing. The resulting ionogel achieves an exceptional fracture strength of >4.2 MPa, skin-like stretchability (>80% strain), and autonomous self-repair with >96% efficiency at 60 degrees C within 6 h. This work presents a sustainable, molecularly informed design paradigm that harmonizes strength, elasticity, and self-recovery in bio-derived ionogels-paving the way for high-performance, eco-conscious materials in flexible and wearable electronics.

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) offers a zero-energy solution to mitigate the global energy crisis, yet insufficient solar reflection and complex fabrication procedures may hinder its practical applications. Herein, this study presents hierarchically structured zinc oxide (ZnO) clusters regulated by the matrix-regenerated cellulose fibrils (RCFs) template for efficient PDRC. A proposed ZnCl2-mediated cellulose dissolution-regeneration strategy is developed to yield hydroxyl-rich RCFs with anchored Zn2+ ions, thereby facilitating the interfacial self-assembly of well-dispersed, flower-like ZnO clusters. Acting as efficient scattering centers, these hierarchical micro/nano architectures enhance light scattering via multiple internal reflections, endowing the ZnO/RCFs composites with an ultrahigh solar reflectivity (as high as 99.6

Understanding the interaction between micro and nano assembly in optical composite scatters is important for developing high-performance radiative cooling materials. In this work, taking cellulose as a proof of concept, a series of photonic materials (MgO, BaSO4, ZnO) are used to regulate the interaction between light and cellulose, aiming to modulate the sunlight scattering efficiency of cellulose-based composite cooling materials (CCAs). By rearranging the structure of cellulose composite assembly at micro/nano scale in wet ball milling process, the cellulose-photonic materials with the unique micro/nano structure are achieved. The nanoparticles can be anchored and dispersed onto the skeleton of cellulose, which can induce multiple sunlight reflection at the interface, thereby resulting in improved overall solar reflectance. The FDTD simulation demonstrated the backwards scattering is dominant in this complex system, different from pure cellulose scatters with a low refractive index. As a result, CCAs exhibited a high solar reflectance of 0.95 and high infrared emissivity of 0.94, and achieve subambient cooling of 6.6 degrees C during daytime under direct sunlight in summer in Nanjing. Energy simulation shows CCAs can save 57% cooling energy if it used in buildings in China. This work paves the way for developing high and stable biomass-based daytime radiative cooling materials for thermal regulation.

As an efficient device for energy conversion, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can utilize renewable energy to efficiently convert CO2 into CO, realizing both CO2 resource utilization and chemical storage of renewable energy. Traditional nickel-yttria-stabilized-zirconia (Ni-YSZ) fuel electrodes face issues such as Ni agglomeration and carbon deposition in practical applications. In this study, a pure ceramic fuel electrode of fluorine and gadolinium co-doped CeO2 with mixed ionic-electronic conducting and enhanced electrocatalytic activity is investigated. The results reveal that F and Gd co-doped CeO2 exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and CO2 adsorption capacity. The cell with the F0.1Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-delta fuel electrode can achieve a maximum electrolysis current density of 1.45 A cm-2 at 1.5 V at 850 degrees C, with an Rp of 0.023 Omega cm2. Furthermore, the cell exhibits excellent durability for 200 h at 0.5 A cm-2 without significant degradation. This work shows that F and Gd co-doped CeO2 provides a feasible way for the development of nickel-free SOEC cathodes.

While transparent radiative cooling materials hold immense promise for the thermal management of photovoltaics, buildings, and automobile windows, reconciling high optical transmittance with robust mechanical integrity remains a formidable challenge. Herein, an evaporation-induced self-assembly strategy is pioneered to engineer a super-transparent, highly flexible cellulose nanofiber-based cooling metamaterial (TCCM) featuring an ordered, entangled polymer-chain architecture. Fundamentally, this design is driven by synergistic chemical crosslinking and dynamic hydrogen-bonding networks. The incorporation of 2D mica nanosheets seamlessly bridges the aligned cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) matrix, effectively eradicating interfacial air voids. This structural homogenization not only drastically minimizes internal light scattering for optical clarity but also maximizes the fracture energy of the hybrid network. Consequently, the architected TCCM overcomes the traditional trade-off, delivering an exceptional tensile strength of 88 MPa, a high visible-light transmittance of 90%, and an ultrahigh mid-infrared emissivity of 0.94. Outdoor field deployments demonstrate a remarkable daytime cooling capability of ~7 °C, compared with bare surface. Crucially, the metamaterial exhibits extraordinary mechanical fatigue resistance, sustaining a 6.2 °C cooling temperature difference even after 500 rigorous bending cycles. Showcasing its potential as a foldable radiative cooler to regulate operating temperatures and prolong the lifespan of optical devices, this work provides a robust paradigm for developing sustainable, highly flexible, and optically transparent thermal management materials.

The increasing global energy demand necessitates the development of thermal management materials with robust structural stability, multifunctionality, and superior thermal control performance. Although synthetic polymers, 2D materials, and ceramics possess inherent thermal performance, their widespread application is still limited by high costs, complex processing, and environmental concerns. Nanocellulose, owing to its eco-friendly nature, exceptional chemical network (hydrogen bonding), and unique micro- and nanoscale structures, has emerged as an up-and-coming candidate for the construction of functional thermal regulatory materials. By structurally designing and modifying cellulose to optimise its thermal performance and functionality, addressing its highly crystalline structure, heat-diffusion barriers, and scalability, next-generation multifunctional cellulose-based thermal management materials can meet the growing demand for multi-scenario applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of rationally designed nanocellulose-based composites for thermal energy regulation, underpinned by fundamental heat-transfer mechanisms including conduction, radiation, and storage. We systematically categorise these materials into four groups: thermal insulators, thermal conductors, radiative coolers, and phase-change composites. Beginning with an examination of the intrinsic mechanical, optical, and thermal attributes of nanocellulose, we establish a detailed structure-property-application framework through the lens of interface engineering, hybridisation strategies, and microstructural control. Furthermore, we delve into the latest advancements in nanocellulose-based thermal management materials in thermal storage/release aerogels, flexible thermal conductive heat dissipation films, thermal insulation aerogels, and passive radiative cooling materials. Meanwhile, their applications in energy-saving buildings, wearable personal thermal management, solar cell integration, electronic device thermal management, power generation, and water collection have been explored. Finally, we discuss the future outlook and potential breakthroughs for multifunctional cellulose-based materials in thermal energy regulation.

Paints with passive daytime radiative cooling capability hold significant promise for energy-efficient buildings owing to their ease of processing. However, conventional radiative cooling paints require substantial thickness to achieve effective outdoor cooling and must be combined with binders to enhance adhesion to the substrate. Meanwhile, their long-term outdoor durability remains poor. In this work, we proposed a scattering network-enhanced ultrathin photonic cooling paint (thickness of 78 lm) fabricated without traditional binders through a universal, scalable solution-assembly strategy under a low-carbon production process. Cellulose nanofiber and cellulose nanocrystal were employed to wrap and entangle TiO2, forming a topological scattering network that prevents near-field coupling. Together with hierarchical pores, this structure enables high solar reflectance (96.4%) and an infrared emissivity of 0.94. This novel paint achieves temperature reduction of similar to 5.6 and 3.8 degrees C under low and high-humidity conditions of midday, respectively, while maintaining long-term outdoor stability. Importantly, the cellulose-weaved topological scattering network can also be engineered with alternative photonic cooling pigments (Al2O3, SiO2, BaSO4, and mica), demonstrating its universality. In addition, life cycle assessment reveals that the obtained cooling paint offers very low carbon emissions and minimal environmental impacts. This work provides an economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to existing passive cooling materials. (c) 2025 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

The use of radiative cooling technology to generate electricity from vapor is a promising solution to address the energy crisis. However, existing integrated devices still suffer from poor thermal-mass kinetics and low power output. Herein, an integrated configuration was proposed to convert natural wood into a hygroscopic cooling wood hydro-aerogel (HCW) via cell wall engineering and gel co-assembly. The formation of a partially saturated interpenetrating hygroscopic network in radiative cooling wood, which regulates the water absorption-evaporation process and facilitates directional infrared radiation transfer, can effectively decouple power generation from external humidity variations during daytime. With vapor-driven hybrid passive cooling enabled by optimized thermal-mass kinetics, the HCW device unit (1 cm2) can continuously generate 0.87 V, deliver a maximum power density of 56 mu W cm-2 , and operate steadily outdoors for 7 days without structural shrinkage. This work paves the way for the development of advanced, sustainable, and structurally stable energy-harvesting materials.

Integrated infrared camouflage materials capable of energy harvesting and sensing hold great potential for enhancing operational efficiency in military settings. A key challenge, however, lies in achieving such multifunctionality without complex fabrication processes. In this study, we address this issue by introducing eutectic gallium‑indium (EGaIn) as a versatile material that combines infrared camouflage with thermoelectric sensing. EGaIn exhibits remarkable infrared camouflage performance over a broad temperature range. It suppresses its own thermal radiation by reflecting ambient infrared radiation, concealing its infrared signature for infrared camouflage. In addition to its infrared camouflage function, one of the most notable features of EGaIn is its ability to generate voltage from small temperature gradients. This thermoelectric capability enables self‑powered, real‑time monitoring of physiological states like body temperature and breathing patterns. Our work highlights the pathways toward military technologies that combine infrared camouflage with signal transmission capabilities.

Passive radiative cooling is a sustainable cooling technology that shows great promise in energy-saving fields. However, simultaneously achieving solar reflectivity and infrared emissivity over 95% performance is hindered by the lack of an efficient micro/nano-structure process technology and by photonic design's shortcomings in terms of high cost and environmental concerns. Herein, inspired by the structural relationship in the white beetle, a novel cooling cellulose aerogel (MCA) with dual-band solar reflectivity and infrared emissivity was proposed by meticulously manipulating the kinetics of the ice-templating process. A hetero-photonic scattering topology composed of nanoparticles, a nano/micro fibres network, and dual-pores via incorporating ice nucleation modifier of hygroscopic metal-organic frameworks (MOF) (modulation of interaction between cellulose, water, and MOF), reproducing the random and anisotropic optical scattering mechanism of white beetles. Driven by the hydration of MOF-induced ice nucleation in binary nanocellulose suspensions, the nanofibers and nanoparticles can form a heterostructured and interconnected micro/nanonetwork via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Compared with the traditional pore structure, the bioinspired MCA exhibited a dual band high solar reflectance of 0.958 and infrared emissivity of 0.95, which results in daytime subambient cooling of 7.1 °C during direct sunlight outdoors. Meanwhile, life cycle assessment demonstrates that the preparation process of MCA exhibits a very low environmental impact and is essential for green production and manufacturing. By demonstrating 40% annual cooling energy savings in China, this work paves the way for high-performance, sustainable cooling materials.

As an efficient device for energy conversion, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can utilize renewable energy to efficiently convert CO 2 into CO, realizing both CO 2 resource utilization and chemical storage of renewable energy.

Atmospheric water harvesting in humid regions demands textiles that balance efficient moisture capture with desirable thermal gradients, a challenge complicated by liquid metal (LM) integration. The incorporation of LMs like EGaIn into textiles presents distinct challenges: controlling the conductive fluid's stability, ensuring reliable encapsulation within flexible fiber matrices, and sustaining functionality under both mechanical stress and thermal cycling, particularly in moisture-rich environments. To address the challenges of extreme weather and water scarcity, we introduce a novel biofabric featuring a liquid metal-integrated, multichannel nanofiber structure. Fabricated via multi-fluid electrospinning, this design securely encapsulates EGaIn particles within hollow PLA nanofibers, creating a stable, lychee-inspired rough surface that achieves rapid photothermal response (53.6 % efficiency) without leakage. Co-integration of phase change materials (PCMs) and biomimetic hollow channels enables exceptional energy storage (89.7 J/g) and minimizes radiative heat loss. The fabric further demonstrates efficient atmospheric water harvesting (6.00 g/g), adaptable PCM tuning via physical blending, and robust durability (85.3 J/g after cycling). This multifunctional textile overcomes key barriers of LM-integration to pioneer effective thermal management and rapid water sorption-desorption, standing at the forefront of smart fabric innovation for extreme environments.

ABSTRACT Radiative cooling (RC) offers a transformative, zero‐energy pathway for thermal management, yet conventional materials are often stymied by intricate fabrication, high costs, and environmental toxicity. Lignocellulose‐mediated radiative cooling materials (L‐MRCMs) have emerged as a sustainable solution, but the field currently lacks a unified framework to navigate the trade‐offs between their multi‐scale hierarchical structures and the precise optical demands of the atmospheric window. This review addresses this gap by systematically elucidating the fundamental physics of RC through the lens of lignocellulosic engineering. The physicochemical challenges of transforming lignocellulose into high‐performance emitters, focusing on the synergetic coordination of solar reflectance and mid‐infrared emittance, were analyzed and summarized in depth. Furthermore, this work summarizes core design principles and performance benchmarks across diverse sectors, including energy‐efficient architecture, moisture harvesting, and personal thermal management. The main challenges hindering the development of L‐MRCMs are also outlined, along with potential strategies to overcome them, aiming to promote their commercialization and broader application in green technologies.

Cellulose aerogels (CAs) typically suffer from poor mechanical resilience under compression due to adhesion effects between adjacent cellulose nano-building blocks. Here, we report the fabrication of cellulose/silica composite aerogels constructed of three-dimensional connected nanosheets by freezing and freeze-drying of mixed cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and silica nanobelt (SN) aqueous dispersions. The CNFs form the nanosheet skeletons, and the SNs are homogeneously distributed around the nanosheets. The integration of SNs into cellulose nanosheets effectively alleviates the adhesion effects between nanosheets and endows the sheet skeletons with elasticity and mechanical strength, leading to significantly enhanced flexibility and compressibility of the aerogel monoliths. The composite aerogels can fully recover under a compressive strain of up to 80%. Benefiting from the unique porous structure and abundant chemical bonds vibrating in mid-infrared region that is transparent in the atmosphere, the composite aerogel exhibits maximum solar reflectance of 98.3% in 0.3-2.5 mu m and infrared emissions of 92.6% in the 8-13 mu m range, enabling superior passive radiative cooling performance of the aerogels. Importantly, the composite aerogels after practical application are recoverable and biodegradable, indicating their sustainable nature. Our study addresses the challenge of poor mechanical properties of CAs and promotes their sustainable application for daytime radiative cooling.

Energy conversion systems can be advanced by harvesting and transforming thermal energy, such as cooling or heating, into electrical power. Still, the traditionally designed thermoelectric devices still suffer from low output voltage, poor mechanical properties and cannot work in all seasons due to a lack of an effective thermal regulation approach. Herein, based on the heat rectification effect, we report dual-mode metawood bricks (DM) with a unique internal aligned semi-pores design and double-sided architecture achieved by a partial level (60 %) of densification scheme and surface coating modifications. In cooling mode, the upper side of the wood, which had a high solar reflectivity and infrared emissivity, promoted heat transfer from inner space to outer space with interface energy capture of the MXene layer. In heating mode, high solar absorption and low infrared emissivity of the MXene layer prevents heat loss. The resulting bricks enable all-weather thermal management by a large temperature gradient, with sub-ambient cooling of 4.7 degrees C during hot weather and above-ambient heating of 17.0 degrees C during cold weather. Outdoor practice confirms that the integrated single thermoelectric device generates a power density of 10.4 mW/cm2 in heating mode and 3.9 mW/cm2 in cooling mode, which is higher than previous reports. Moreover, these bricks demonstrate an impressive high mechanical strength of 36.0 MPa and water resistance capabilities, which are attractive features for sustainable, design-customizable, and practical thermo-electronic devices.

CO2 electrolysis using solid oxide electrolysis cells is a promising technology for CO2 utilization and conversion,which has attracted more and more attention in recent years because of its extremely high efficiency.However,traditional Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia(Ni-YSZ)or Ni-Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-δ(Ni-GDC)metal-ceramic cathode faces many problems such as Ni agglomeration and carbon deposition during long-time operation.Herein,a perovskite oxide La0.43-xCa0.37Ti0.9Ni0.1O3-δ(LCTN,x=0,0.05,0.1)with nanophase-LaVO4 exsolution was investigated as the novel cathode of solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC)for efficient CO2 electrolysis.The results confirm that the exsolution nanophase on LCTN sur-face can significantly improve the CO2 adsorption and conversion performance.For CO2 electrolysis at 1.8 V,an electrolysis current density of 1.24 A/cm2 at 800 ℃ can be obtained on SOEC with La0.43-xCa0.37Ti0.9Ni0.1O3-δ decorated with LaVO4(LCTN-V0.05)cathode.Furthermore,the correspond-ing cell can maintain stable operation up to 100 h without apparent performance degradation.These results demonstrate that doping-induced second nanophase exsolution is a promising way to design high-performance SOEC cathodes for CO2 electrolysis.

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) has emerged as a highly efficient technology for electrochemical CO2 reduction, offering promising pathways for sustainable carbon capture and utilization. The development of advanced electrocatalysts with enhanced CO2 adsorption and reduction activity is essential for improving the performance of SOECs. This study explores a series of K-doped and A-site entropy regulated perovskite oxides with a nominal composition of La0.2Pr0.2KxSr0.2Ca0.2Fe0.8Ni0.2O3_ delta (x = 0.2, 0.4 and 1.0) as cathode catalyst in SOEC for CO2 reduction. The results confirm that the cell with La0.2Pr0.2K0.2Sr0.2Ca0.2Fe0.8Ni0.2O3_ delta (K2) cathode achieves a current density of 1.1 A center dot cm_ 2 at 1.5 V and 850 degrees C for pure CO2 electrolysis, exhibiting excellent durability for nearly 200 h under 1 A center dot cm_ 2 at 1.5 V. The appropriate introduction of K, characterized by its high basicity and low valence, facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies and adjusts the electronic properties of the active sites, thereby improving CO2 adsorption, splitting, and CO evolution of the cathode. This work highlights an effective K-doping strategy to optimize the electrocatalytic properties of high-entropy perovskite oxides, providing valuable insights to design advanced cathode materials for CO2 electrolysis.

Wood is a green and renewable bio-based building material, but its hygroscopicity affects its dimensional stability, limiting its use in construction. Chemical modification can improve its properties, yet its effectiveness depends on wood permeability and traditional modifiers. This study first used a deep eutectic solvent (DES) to boost the permeability of North American alder wood. Then, methyl trimethoxysilane was impregnated under supercritical carbon dioxide (SCI), pressure (PI), vacuum (VI), and atmospheric pressure (AI) conditions. DES treatment damaged the cell structure, increasing wood permeability. Silane was deposited and polymerized in the cell lumen, chemically bonding with cell-wall components, filling walls and pits, and thickening walls. The VI group had the highest absolute density (0.59 g/cm3, +36.6%) and the lowest moisture absorption (4.4%, −33.3%). The AI group had the highest ASE (25%). The PI group showed the highest surface hardness (RL, 2592 N) and a water contact angle of 131.9°, much higher than natural wood. Overall, the VI group had the best performance. Silane reacts with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in wood via hydrolysis and hydroxyl bonding, forming stable bonds that enhance the treated wood’s hydrophobicity, dimensional stability, and surface hardness.

To address the demand for eco-friendly flame retardants, this study innovatively utilized banana-peel powder (BPP), an underused agricultural waste, as a sustainable bio-based component, combined with chitosan (CS) to fabricate flame-retardant coatings for wood surface using a facile layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. Results showed CS and BPP polyelectrolytes were successfully deposited on the wood surface, with increased deposition observed as the BPP concentration and the number of LBL layers were elevated. The CS-BPP coatings reduced the initial and maximum thermal decomposition temperatures of the coated wood, while enhancing the char residue. The macroscopic vertical combustion test indicated that the modified wood was capable of self-extinguishing after the removal of the fire source. In addition, the modified wood with 20 self-assembled layers exhibited a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 25%, which was 2.9 percentage point higher than that of the untreated wood, demonstrating improved flame-retardant performance. This improvement was mainly due to the formation of a dense char layer by the CS-BPP during pyrolysis, which effectively blocked heat and oxygen, thus providing protection to the wood against fire damage. Bio-based components enhance fire resistance and environmental sustainability while preserving material integrity, enable waste recycling and advancing green flame-retardant systems.

Passive radiative cooling technology, notable for its zero-energy consumption, offers a promising pathway for thermal management in wearable human devices, potentially reducing electricity demand and optimizing energy structures. However, conventional passive radiative cooling materials face inherent limitations in mechanical flexibility and optical performance. Addressing these challenges, an ultra-robust radiative cooling cellulose-based metafilm was developed by constructing a covalent cellulose network via SuFEx click chemistry. This approach mitigates the typical trade-off between optical scattering and mechanical strength. Specifically, deep eutectic solvents (DES) were employed to induce polymer chain aggregation in cellulose, enhancing entanglement and non-covalent interactions, while a secondary physical network formed through free radical polymerization further strengthened the material. The developed metafilm demonstrates exceptional mechanical resilience (toughness >40 MJ/m(3), modulus >5 MPa, durability >100,000 bending cycles) coupled with outstanding optical properties (solar reflectivity: 94.8 %, IR emissivity: 93.4 %). This configuration achieves sub-ambient daytime cooling of 4 degrees C. As a proof of concept, wearable devices integrated with this cellulose-based metafilm exhibited remarkable cooling efficiency, achieving a cooling of the device to 19 degrees C. This work establishes a critical foundation for implementing passive radiative cooling films in portable wearable applications.