Co3[Co(CN)6]2 exhibits incomparable advantages over traditional inorganic anode materials of potassium-ion batteries. However, it often suffers from rapid irreversible capacity decay upon cycling, and the underlying mechanism still remains elusive because of the lack of an accurate understanding of microscopic behaviors. Herein, a high-entropy Prussian blue analogue (PBA) of hexyanocobaltate is synthesized to significantly improve the rate capability and cycling performances. It is revealed for the first time that the irreversible dissolution of transition metal species coordinated with nitrogen leads to remarkable capacity degradation of PBAs during cycling. The high-entropy strategy can not only improve the reaction kinetics of PBAs, but also significantly inhibit the dissolution of transition metals by strengthening the M─N bonds during cycling. Through high-entropy and carbon encapsulation, the resultant material exhibits outstanding potassium storage performances. This work could provide new insights into the capacity decay mechanism and rational design of high-performance PBA anodes for alkali-ion batteries.

Heteroatom doping effectively modulates hard carbon anodes, yet research remains focused on conventional elements (N, P, S), leaving silicon largely unexplored. This work innovatively employs a hydrosilylation reaction to construct uniformly distributed Si-C/Si-O-C bonds. During carbonization, silicon species synergistically expand the interlayer spacing and refine the graphitic domain size, enhancing disorder and defect density. This creates more active sites and shortens Na+ diffusion paths, boosting plateau capacity and kinetics. Theoretical calculations further demonstrate that after silicon doping, the system exhibits significantly enhanced adsorption energy toward sodium ions along with a notably reduced diffusion barrier, thereby revealing the atomic-scale mechanism underlying the performance improvement. Consequently, the optimized Si-doped hard carbon achieves a high first-cycle Coulombic efficiency of 89.4 % and a dramatically improved reversible capacity of 200.9 mAh g- 1 at 3.2 A g- 1, versus 15.8 mAh g- 1 for the undoped sample. This study validates silicon's synergistic role and offers new insights for designing high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes.

Abstract Hard carbon is a versatile anode for alkali-ion batteries owing to its low cost, structural tunability, and ability to reversibly host multiple alkali-metal ions. However, how structural evolution governs ion-specific storage mechanisms remains unclear, limiting rational optimization across different battery chemistries. Here we synthesize a series of resin-derived hard carbons with continuously evolved microstructures by tuning the carbonization temperature, enabling direct comparison of Li+, Na+, and K+ storage under identical conditions. By correlating interlayer spacing, defect density, closed-pore architecture, and graphitization degree with capacity contributions, kinetics, and diffusion behavior, we establish clear ion-dependent structure–mechanism relationships. Lithium storage is dominated by defect-assisted adsorption in highly disordered carbons with expanded interlayers, delivering 197.75 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1 in full cells. Sodium storage is governed by low-voltage filling of enlarged closed pores enabled by moderate structural ordering, achieving 211.17 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles in full cells and 74.86% capacity retention after 1000 cycles in pouch cells. Potassium storage is mainly controlled by intercalation into graphitic domains with partial pore filling, delivering 97.25 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles. These results reveal an ion-dependent transition in hard-carbon storage mechanisms and provide structure-guided design principles for high-performance alkali-ion battery anodes.

Zinc-iodine (Zn-I 2 ) batteries are deemed as potential candidate of energy storage system for the merits of high safety, cost-effectiveness, high capacity, and environmental compatibility. Unfortunately, the practical implementation of Zn-I 2 batteries is still hindered by the sluggish iodine redox kinetics and the shuttle effect of soluble polyiodides, which induce rapid capacity decay and electrode interface passivation. This work proposes platinum/carbon (Pt/C) and iridium/carbon (Ir/C) composite as conductive catalytic iodine hosts, which realizes the physical confinement for active iodine through the intrinsic porous structure. The introduction of active Pt/Ir sites effectively anchors the polyiodides through chemical adsorption capability, and inhibits shuttle effect and Zn metal corrosion. In addition, the superior electrical conductivity and catalytic activity of Pt/C and Ir/C carriers also contribute to reduce the reaction energy barriers, significantly promoting the electrochemical performance and conversion reaction kinetics. As expected, the assembled Zn//Pt/C@I 2 and Zn//Ir/C@I 2 batteries achieve impressive reversible capacity of 132.2 and 108 mAh g -1 after 2 000 cycles at 200 mA g -1 , respectively, and their capacity retention rate after 25 000 cycles at 1 000 mA g -1 are as high as 88.1 % and 85.9 %. This study will guide the carrier design of iodine cathode to drive the application of high-performance Zn-I 2 batteries.

Owing to their low cost and abundant resources, lignite-based hard carbons have been regarded as important candidates for practical sodium-ion batteries. To pursue high-rate properties in different electrolyte systems, their important microstructures are always designed. However, the effects of structural traits and electrolytes remain unclear on rate capability at different voltage regions, leading to inferior optimization in specific electrolyte systems. Herein, a series of lignite-based carbons are successfully prepared, displaying the significant evolution of tunable interlayer spacing, and closed-pores architecture. In ester-based electrolytes, the physical evolution plays an important role in Na+ diffusion behavior, especially the expanded interlayer spacing (∼4.00 Å). As a result, the HM-1000 electrode delivers 116.9 mAh g⁻1 at 4.0 C with a low decay of only 0.021% per cycle over 1000 loops. In contrast, for diglyme-based electrolytes, benefiting from intrinsic desolvation behavior, the physicochemical evolution could play a significant role, especially the formation of conductive films. The optimized HM-1400 delivers 345.9 mAh g−1 with 94.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles and maintains 241.6 mAh g−1 at 4.0 C. Importantly, supported by ex situ Raman spectroscopy, DFT calculations, MD simulations and Pearson correlation analysis, the ion-transport behaviors in the sloping regions are determined by SEI properties, whilst those in the plateau region are governed by interlayer spacing and pore-filling nucleation energy. Therefore, this work establishes a microstructure-electrolyte matching guideline for lignite-derived hard carbon anodes in representative EC/EMC/DMC/diglyme electrolyte systems, providing a useful framework for the rational design of high-rate hard carbon anodes.

Zinc-iodine batteries (ZIBs) have attracted significant attention due to their intrinsic safety and environmental compatibility; however, their practical application is hindered by rapid zinc dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, leading to limited coulombic efficiency and poor cycling stability. A multifunctional MIL-101(V) @bacterial cellulose composite separator is constructed via a one-pot in-situ hydrothermal strategy, which simultaneously realizes spatial confinement, moderate Zn2+ solvation regulation, and directional zinc deposition. The multiscale hierarchical structure also functions as an ionic sieve to suppress polyiodide shuttle, thereby mitigating side reactions and enhancing interfacial kinetics. COMSOL simulations demonstrate that the composite separator facilitates a more uniform electric field environment, which is conducive to suppressing local current hotspots and promoting stable zinc nucleation and growth. As a result, the hybrid separator delivers superior electrochemical performance and exceptional thermal stability, maintaining long-term cycling even at 60 degrees C. The enhanced high-temperature stability arises from the synergistic regulation of Zn2+ flux, suppression of hydrogen evolution, and mitigation of thermally accelerated polyiodide shuttle. The Zn||Zn symmetric cell exhibits exceptional long-term stability with a lifespan exceeding 10,000 h, demonstrating excellent interfacial reversibility and dendrite suppression. Furthermore, the Zn||I2 full cell delivers 5000 cycles with 80.8 % capacity retention and near-unity coulombic efficiency (CE), collectively showcasing the potential of this system for sustainable and cost-effective next-generation aqueous batteries.

With the increasing demand for low-power, high-reliability integrated storage and computing hardware in neuromorphic computing, traditional single-layer memristors have long faced challenges in balancing key performances such as operating voltage, switching ratio, and cycling stability. This study successfully developed MoO3/HfO2 heterostructure memristors and systematically investigated their performance and underlying mechanisms. The device exhibits remarkable performance, including a low operating voltage (similar to 0.2 V), a high switching ratio (similar to 105), and good cycling stability. In addition, the resistive switching behavior is driven by the controlled formation and rupture of silver conductive filaments, verified by conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). According to theoretical calculations, it is found that the MoO3 layer accelerates filament dynamics through its fast ion migration ability, significantly lowering the operating barrier. Meanwhile, the HfO2 layer restricts ion diffusion and stabilizes the remaining filament segments, effectively anchoring filament growth in the MoO3 layer to ensure consistent and reliable switching behavior. This synergistic strategy of high-speed ion migration and physical filament restriction proposed in this work not only offers an approach to overcoming the performance limitations of traditional single-layer memristors but also deepens the understanding of the role of heterointerface engineering in modulating memristive behavior.

Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) oxides are promising oxygen electrodes for solid oxide cells (SOCs); however, their application in reversible SOCs is often limited by polarization-induced lattice instability, Sr segregation, and phase degradation associated with B-site exsolution during SOFC/SOEC cycling. Herein, a B-site high-entropy RP oxide, La1.2Sr0.8(Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Cu)O4 +/-delta (LSNO-HEO), is developed to improve structural robustness and operational durability. Multicomponent B-site occupancy perturbs the continuity of the B-O-B framework and increases collective cation-migration barriers, which helps restrain polarization-driven reduction, phase separation, and in situ exsolution under anodic polarization. While increased local compositional disorder may partially weaken long-range electronic transport, the broadened distribution of oxygen-vacancy formation energies is conducive to fast and reversible oxygen exchange kinetics. As a result, the entropy-stabilized RP lattice exhibits reduced Sr segregation and improved electrode/electrolyte interfacial stability during prolonged reversible operation. The LSNO-HEO electrode achieves a peak power density of 2.34 W cm-2 in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) mode and an electrolysis current density of 2.56 A cm-2 in solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) mode (under 50% H2O humidified H2 at 1.3 V) at 800 degrees C, highlighting the entropy-assisted B-site compositional engineering as a sustainable and effective strategy for developing degradation-resistant oxygen electrodes in reversible SOCs.

The design of photocatalysts with interfacial electric fields is important for hydrogen evolution via water splitting. Here, we report an hBNC/g-C3N4 heterojunction for photocatalytic H2 production. First-principles calculations show a type-II band alignment and a direct Z-scheme charge-transfer pathway, together with high carrier mobility and strong optical absorption. S substitution at the N6 site enhances interfacial charge transfer, electron mobility, and light absorption. Gibbs free-energy calculations indicate that hydrogen evolution is exergonic and can proceed spontaneously under the photogenerated potential. The pristine heterojunction shows a large hydrogen-reduction overpotential under acidic conditions, evidencing a strong intrinsic photocatalytic driving force; S doping improves carrier migration and interfacial transfer while lowering kinetic barriers for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). These results suggest that S-doped hBNC/g-C3N4 is a promising candidate for photocatalytic H2generation in acidic media.

This review shows how QD photophysics, interfacial charge transfer, and microbial metabolism together govern QMH performance. It outlines multiscale design principles for programmable, selective, and scalable semi-artificial photosynthesis.

The safe use of hydrogen in commercial and industrial settings relies on highly sensitive and fast-response hydrogen sensors to effectively detect leaks. In this study, Pd/VO2 films were prepared by magnetron sputtering technology, and the effects of magnetron sputtering process parameters (including substrate temperature, oxygen partial pressure, sputtering power, pressure, and sputtering time) on the crystallinity and surface texture (morphology and roughness) of the films were systematically studied, and the internal relationship between them was revealed. In order to further explore the relationship between the surface texture and the hydrogen-sensitive property of the material, the response to 1% H2 of Pd/VO2 films with different surface textures was investigated. It is found that the film with a more prominent surface texture prepared by extending the sputtering time based on the flattest film exhibits an improved sensing response of 796%, a response time of 197 s, and a recovery time of 185 s. This result shows that the enhancement of surface texture can improve the hydrogen response performance of the material. This study provides the experimental basis and theoretical guidance for improving the gas-sensitive properties by systematically regulating the surface texture of materials through the magnetron sputtering process and lays a solid foundation for the design and preparation of high-performance hydrogen sensors.

In this study, alpha-MoO3 thin films were prepared on single-side polished (1 0 0) silicon substrates using radiofrequency reactive sputtering. By adjusting the substrate temperature and oxygen proportion, alpha-MoO3 thin films with desirable crystal phase and surface morphology were successfully grown. The substrate temperature exceeded 400 degrees C and the oxygen proportion of 50 % are essential for the deposition of a single-phase polycrystalline alpha-MoO3 film with abundant oxygen vacancies. A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) device fabricated by the as-prepared alpha-MoO3 film exhibited stable resistive switching characteristics with a forming-free behavior, achieving set/reset voltages below 0.3 V, a cycling durability over 250 cycles and an ON/OFF ratio of 102. Furthermore, I-V curve fitting analysis revealed a trap-controlled electron conduction mechanism in the RRAM device, where the high-resistance state exhibited a space-charge-limited current (SCLC) conduction mode. This study demonstrates the significant potential of radio-frequency reactive sputtering for fabricating functional materials for the application of electronic devices.

MXenes hold significant potential in lithium-sulfur (Li–S) battery applications due to its robust polysulfide adsorption and catalytic effect on polysulfide transformation achieved by adjustable transition metals and surface functional groups. Introduction of heteroatoms can prompt an electron distribution and refine MXenes surface structure, thereby substantially enhancing its electrochemical capabilities. Herein, partially oxidized Ti3–yNbyC2Tx (O-Ti3–yNbyC2Tx) heterostructure has been prepared by in-situ oxidization of Ti3–yNbyC2Tx MXene in anhydrous ethanol. The incorporation of niobium (Nb) species within the Ti3C2Tx matrix plays a pivotal role: augmenting the catalytic conversion of polysulfides and concurrently fortifying the cyclic stability of the electrode constituents. When employed in Li–S batteries separator and cathode, it delivers impressive rate performance and durability. The O-Ti2.7Nb0.3C2Tx/S cathode exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 1260 mA·h/g at a current density of 0.1 C, and a minuscule capacity decay rate of a mere 0.029% per cycle over 2000 cycles at 1 C. Even at a significantly elevated current density of 4 C, an appreciable capacity of 640 mA·h/g is sustained. This research opens new avenues to explore MXene heterostructures with both superior electrocatalytic and adsorption properties for alkali metal-S batteries.

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a promising lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anode material due to its high capacity, abundance, and eco-friendliness. However, its volume expansion and low ionic and electronic conductivity limit its practical use, especially at low temperatures. To overcome these issues, we developed a 2D ultrathin sheet-like SiO2/reduced graphene oxide (usSiO2/RGO) composite via in situ assembly and thermal reduction. The usSiO2/ RGO composite delivers improved electrochemical performance, achieving a high reversible capacity of 206.5 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g-1 for 500 cycles and good rate capability. Notably, it maintains a stable capacity of 155.9 mAh g-1 at-20 degrees C over 100 cycles, demonstrating enhanced low-temperature application. Through combined experimental and theoretical analyses, we found that the usSiO2/RGO interface creates abundant Li+ adsorption sites and enables rapid electron transport through the RGO network. Additionally, distributed relaxation time (DRT) analysis identified restricted Li+ diffusion as the primary reason resulting capacity fading at low temperatures. In the usSiO2/RGO composite, SiO2 sheets are uniformly embedded within the RGO network. These SiO2 sheets form 2D Li+ transport channels, enhancing ionic conductivity, while the RGO network boosts electronic conductivity, thereby improving low-temperature performance. This work introduces a highperformance SiO2-based anode material, elucidating its lithium storage and capacity fading mechanisms at low temperature, and provides guidance for developing advanced LIBs for extreme environments.

Nickel disulfides have been actively investigated as sodium-ion battery anode materials because of their relatively high capacity and relatively low cost. However, their practical application is severely hindered by overcharge failure in ether-based electrolytes induced by the dissolution of sodium polysulfides. Herein, sulfur vacancy-rich NiS2/Cu2S heterojunction nanoclusters anchored on Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets (NCMX) are synthesized through a facile solvothermal method. Density functional theory calculation combined with ex situ characterizations illustrates that sulfur vacancies significantly enhance the adsorption of sodium polysulfides, while the heterointerface-induced built-in electric field facilitates rapid Na⁺ adsorption and accordingly accelerates their efficient conversion to Na2S. The synergistic effects endow the NCMX anode with exceptional sodium-ion storage performances. It delivers remarkable reversible capacity (668 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1), superb rate capability (482 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1), and impressive cycling stability (543 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1 with a negligible capacity decay of 0.0034% per cycle). Such a strategy of simultaneous construction of heterojunction and sulfur vacancies paves a new avenue to tackle the polysulfide shuttling to design advanced high-performance transition metal disulfide anodes for sodium-ion storage.

Voids formation during Li stripping and Li dendrite growth during Li plating are critical challenges that restrict the practical application of all-solid-state Li-metal batteries (ASSLBs). Extensive research efforts typically address these issues in isolation, thereby limiting the ability of ASSLBs to achieve a stable cyclic performance under low stack pressure. Herein, we address these two challenges simultaneously by using hard carbon-Sn (HC-Sn) as an interlayer and LiNa as an anode. After Li plating/stripping cycles, the Li6PS5Cl/HC-Sn/LiNa in situ transfers to the Li6PS5Cl/[HC-LixSn]Na/Na/LiNa structure, where [HC-LixSn]Na represents HC-LixSn embedded within the sodium metal. The fast Li+ diffusivity of HC-LixSn promotes uniform Li deposition at the [HC-LixSn]Na/Na interface, while the soft Na in the HC-LixSn layer and at the [HC-LixSn]Na/LiNa interface suppresses void formation during Li stripping, thus, high lithium dendrite suppression capability is achieved in Li6PS5Cl/HC-Sn/LiNa. As a result, the LiNa/HC-Sn/Li6PS5Cl/HC-Sn/LiNa symmetric cell shows stable Li plating/stripping cycles of 1184 h at 1.0 mA cm-2/4.0 mAh cm-2 under a low stack pressure of 2.0 MPa. The Co0.1Fe0.9S2/Li6PS5Cl/HC-Sn/LiNa cell shows high cycling stability with a capacity retention of 90.0% after 1000 cycles at an areal capacity of ∼1.5 mAh cm-2 and a high reversible capacity of 3.14 mAh cm-2 after 300 cycles at an areal capacity of ∼4.0 mAh cm-2 under the same low stack pressure of 2.0 MPa. This work provides a strategy to design ASSLSBs with a long cycle life at low stack pressure for practical application.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries are promising for large-scale energy storage. However, their practical applications are still hindered by low S utilization and grievous capacity decay caused by the sluggish sodium polysulfides (NaPSs) conversion kinetics. To address these issues, a multifunctional carbon is prepared by a reductive molten salt (KI) method as the S host. Notably, KI can trigger intense etching reactions under high temperature through its transformation to KIO3 and further decomposition to O2. Owing to its unique etching mechanisms, the KI-mediated carbonaceous host (KI-NC) features in predominant graphitic N configuration, a defect-rich carbon matrix, and ultrahigh specific surface area, in which the defective sites can alter the adsorption mode of graphitic N toward NaPSs, thus significantly enhancing the chemical adsorption toward NaPSs and facilitating NaPSs conversion effectively. The well-developed pore structures can achieve valid physical confinement and improve the S loading ratio. Meanwhile, decreased Rct and RSEI during both charge and discharge processes confirm the boosted kinetics of S redox reactions. Consequently, the as-synthesized cathodes can retain a capacity of 940mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.2C (1C = 1675mAh g-1) and exhibit preeminent rate performance (455mAh g-1 at 3C) with a high sulfur loading of 69.0 wt%. This work opens a new avenue to promote the adsorption and catalysis functions of carbonaceous hosts for RT Na-S batteries.

A well-designed battery structure can significantly improve battery performances while optimizing space utilization to increase energy density. However, the quantitative analysis and the underlying mechanism have rarely been explored, including electrochemical performances and heat and stress distributions under quantitative conditions. In this work, an electrochemical-thermo-mechanical coupling model was developed to investigate the influence of the wound structure on battery behaviors in pouch and cylindrical cells. The results demonstrated that cylindrical cells performed higher discharge capacity and Coulombic efficiency, but lower heat generation compared with pouch cells. Additionally, cylindrical cells exhibited more uniform distributions of electrolyte concentration, local current density, overpotential, surface diffusion-induced stress, and strain during battery cycling. Moreover, cylindrical cells are more favorable for battery operation across a wide temperature range. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the understanding of the electrochemical-thermal–mechanical coupling mechanisms during battery cycling and a practical guide for battery structural design.

Nickel disulfides have been actively investigated as sodium‐ion battery anode materials because of their relatively high capacity and relatively low cost. However, their practical application is severely hindered by overcharge failure in ether‐based electrolytes induced by the dissolution of sodium polysulfides. Herein, sulfur vacancy‐rich NiS 2 /Cu 2 S heterojunction nanoclusters anchored on Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets (NCMX) are synthesized through a facile solvothermal method. Density functional theory calculation combined with ex situ characterizations illustrates that sulfur vacancies significantly enhance the adsorption of sodium polysulfides, while the heterointerface‐induced built‐in electric field facilitates rapid Na⁺ adsorption and accordingly accelerates their efficient conversion to Na 2 S. The synergistic effects endow the NCMX anode with exceptional sodium‐ion storage performances. It delivers remarkable reversible capacity (668 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 ), superb rate capability (482 mAh g −1 at 5 A g −1 ), and impressive cycling stability (543 mAh g −1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g −1 with a negligible capacity decay of 0.0034% per cycle). Such a strategy of simultaneous construction of heterojunction and sulfur vacancies paves a new avenue to tackle the polysulfide shuttling to design advanced high‐performance transition metal disulfide anodes for sodium‐ion storage.

Addressing inefficient Fe3+/Fe2+ cycling and rapid hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) quenching in conventional iron-based Fenton-like systems for neutral energetic wastewater treatment, this study develops a Fe2.5Mo/CNTs catalyst through a Fe-Mo bimetallic synergy strategy using chitosan precursors, integrating nanoconfinement by Ndoped carbon nanotubes with metal cluster cooperation. The material synergistically optimizes interfacial electron transport through Fe-Mo heterojunction interfaces and the N-doped carbon matrix, reducing H2O2 activation energy barriers, enhancing Fe2+/Fe3+ cycling efficiency, and directing superoxide radicals (center dot O2- ) as the dominant reactive species. Experimental results demonstrate that the Fe2.5Mo/CNTs/H2O2 system achieves 96.1 % octogen (HMX) degradation efficiency within 120 min, with a reaction rate twice that of the Fe/CNTs/H2O2 system (Reaction conditions: Catalyst dosage: 0.5 g L- 1, H2O2: 2 mM, HMX: 20 mg L- 1, pH 6.51, Temperature: 25 +/- 2 degrees C). X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the Fe-Mo interface facilitates H2O2 adsorption/activation and center dot O2- generation mechanisms. Moreover, the continuous-flow reactor demonstrated sustained treatment of actual energetic wastewater (HMX 29.872 mg L- 1, COD 14,500 mg L- 1) with high removal efficiency over 50 h, validating its engineering potential. This study provides new insights for developing high-efficiency Fenton-like catalysts in complex water matrices.