The cocktail effect has brought Na-based high-entropy oxides (HEOs) into the spotlight in the realm of sodium-ion batteries. However, the irreversible phase transition of the HEOs cathode at high voltage induces serious voltage hysteresis during dynamic (de)sodiation processes. Herein, a P2-type fluorine-substituted Na0.85Mn0.4Li0.1Ni0.2Fe0.1Cu0.1Co0.1O1.9F0.1 (PNHEOF) cathode was constructed to achieve phase-transition-free operation at a high state of charge. Experimental characterizations combined with theoretical calculations proved that the increased covalency of the transition metal (TM) and oxygen bond, which was caused by the rise in the valence state of TM cations, was alleviated, thereby effectively suppressing the migration of TMO2 slabs at a deep desodiation state. Meanwhile, the high Na+ content not only enhances structural stability but also promotes the participation of low-valent TM in more redox reactions for charge compensation. As a result, the PNHEOF cathode delivers a specific capacity of 182 mAh g-1, showing nearly zero-volume change (only a negligible volume variation of 0.43%) within the voltage range of 2.0-4.5 V at a rate of 0.1 C. When assembled into a commercial pouch cell, it shows an energy density of 154 Wh kg-1 and maintains a stable output midpoint voltage of 3.2 V for practical application.

A schematic of NaHMDS as a sacrificial sodium source for highly reversible anode-free sodium batteries with stable SEI/CEI interphases and dendrite-free deposition.

Carbonaceous materials hold great promise as three-dimensional (3D) porous hosts for high-capacity and high-rate lithium metal batteries. Nevertheless, the lithiophobic nature of carbon matrices usually induces nonuniform lithium nucleation and random deposition, which severely restricts their practical application. Herein, we report an interface-modulated hosting strategy by constructing defective carbon-encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles on 3D carbonized fabric via oxygen-mediated chemical bonding. Such a unique architecture effectively enlarges the electrochemically active area and homogenizes the surface chemistry of the composite electrode, thus reducing local current density, achieving uniform Li nucleation and dense deposition, and mitigating volume fluctuation. Consequently, the 3DC-OCo electrode delivers outstanding electrochemical performance, with stable cycling over 3000 h at 1 mA cm-2 and 1 mAh cm-2. Furthermore, the LFP||3DC-OCo@Li full cell realizes stable operation for more than 500 cycles and maintains a reversible capacity of 130 mAh g-1 even at 5C. This work offers an effective and feasible approach for the rational design of advanced carbonaceous hosts toward practical metal anodes.

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) hold exceptional promise for next‐generation energy storage, owing to their high theoretical energy density and natural abundance of sulfur. However, their commercialization is impeded by the polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics. The introduction of efficient electrocatalysts has identified as a pivotal strategy to accelerate polysulfide conversion and suppressing shuttling. Among these, single‐atom and dual‐atom electrocatalysts (SAECs/DAECs) have emerged as a transformative frontier, offering maximal atom utilization, tunable electronic structures, and superior catalytic activity. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in SAECs/DAECs for high‐performance LSBs. The classification system under review begins by systematically categorizing catalysts based on active metal centers (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni, and others). Subsequently, critical discussions are presented on key synthesis methodologies, advanced in situ characterization techniques for mechanistic insights, and the underlying electrocatalytic mechanisms. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are outlined to guide the rational design of SAECs/DAECs, with the aim of bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and the realization of practical, high‐energy‐density LSBs. This work is intended to inspire novel catalyst design, deepen mechanistic understanding, and accelerate the development of viable LSB technology.

Hetero-Li + regulates Na + solvation through competitive coordination in a same-anion electrolyte, enabling the formation of a hierarchical Na-rich/LiF-rich interphase and highly reversible Na plating/stripping in anode-free sodium batteries.

Achieving large-scale electrochemical CO2 reduction to multicarbon products with high selectivity using membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzers in neutral electrolyte is promising for carbon neutrality. However, the unsatisfactory multicarbon products selectivity and unclear reaction mechanisms in an MEA have hindered its further development. Here, we report a strategy that manipulates the interfacial microenvironment of Cu nanoparticles in an MEA to suppress hydrogen evolution reaction and enhance C2H4 conversion. In situ multimodal characterizations consistently reveal well-stabilized Cu delta+-OH species as active sites during MEA testing. The OH radicals generated in situ from water create a locally oxidative microenvironment on the copper surface, stabilizing the Cu delta+ species and leading to an irreversible and asynchronous change in morphology and valence, yielding high-curvature nanowhiskers. Consequently, we deliver a selective C2H4 production with a Faradaic efficiency of 55.6% +/- 2.8 at 316 mA cm(-2) in neutral media.

Encapsulating Cu nanoparticles in porous g-C 3 N 4 stabilizes Cu δ + –OH species, steering CO 2 electroreduction to ethylene with 57% Faradaic efficiency at 600 mA cm −2 .

Sodium storage capacity of hard carbon (HC) is governed by both interlayer spacing and the abundance of closed pores. However, achieving their balance remains challenging, due to the limited understanding of precursor-derived structure-activity relationships and the scarcity of precise molecular-level regulation strategies. Herein, we introduce a spatial reconfiguration strategy that directs the growth of resorcinol formaldehyde resin into a unique architecture: a rigid 3D interior skeleton decorated with external long linear chains. This distinct configuration, diverging from conventional linear or 3D network growth, favors the formation of carbon microcrystals with large lateral size (L-a) and expanded interlayer spacing, while the rigid skeleton constrains stacking along the c-axis (L-c), yielding thin-walled nanopores that efficiently host sodium clusters. The optimized HC delivers a remarkable reversible capacity of 394.7 mAh g(-1) with an impressive low-voltage (<0.1 V) capacity of 283 mAh g(-1). In full-cell paired with a high loading Na4Fe3(PO4)(2)P2O7 cathode (similar to 12.4 mg cm(-2)), the anode enables stable cycling over 1000 times at 2C with a minimal decay rate of 0.0178% per cycle. Beyond performance, this study deciphers the precursor-to-HC structure correlation and demonstrates a targeted molecular-design pathway for advanced carbon anodes.

Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, requires urgent and effective mitigation strategies. Among traditional (high-temperature thermal decomposition, selective catalytic reduction (SCR), direct catalytic decomposition, etc.) and emerging (biological treatment, photo/electrocatalysis, plasma-assisted decomposition, etc.) technologies, direct catalytic decomposition stands out as a highly promising approach thanks to its energy efficiency and environmental benefits. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in the catalytic decomposition of N2O, with emphasis on catalysts, including noble metal catalysts, transition metal oxide catalysts, zeolite-based catalysts, and emerging catalytic materials. Atomic-level active site engineering, oxygen vacancy modulation, and active site-support interactions, which determine catalytic performances and reaction mechanisms, are critically delineated. Furthermore, practical challenges of catalyst designs and integrated reaction systems are addressed. By establishing connections between fundamental research and industrial applications, this review proposes a comprehensive framework for the development of next-generation N2O decomposition catalysts, thereby supporting global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Soil serves as the substrate for plant growth and forms the foundation of the terrestrial food chain, sustaining the global population. However, anthropogenic activities have increasingly exposed soil to infestations by weeds, pests, diseases, and pollutants. Despite the widespread use of traditional soil disinfection and remediation (SDR) techniques in agricultural practices, their limitations-including low efficiency, environmental contamination, and susceptibility to external factors-make them inadequate for addressing the diverse needs of SDR. The development of novel physical technologies has not only effectively mitigated the shortcomings of traditional methods, but also holds great promise for significant advancements in the field of SDR. In this review paper, a series of physical field assisted SDR (PFASDR) technologies involving electromagnetic field, electric field, and ionizing radiation are outlined. The PFASDR mechanism, processing equipment, key operating parameters, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method are systematically reviewed. Moreover, the challenges and future directions of PFASDR are also discussed to facilitate its better practical applications in agriculture and optimization of operational parameters. This review may also provide specific theoretical information and practical applications to improve the design and scaling up of PFASDR.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems. Developing high-efficiency catalysts to improve kinetics and inhibit the shuttle effect is a challenging task. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) (ZnCo)3S4-MoS2 heterostructure was constructed at the nanoscale and used as a decoration for the separator of durable Li-S batteries. Benefiting from the generation of the built-in electric field between 3D (ZnCo)3S4 and in situ grown MoS2 nanosheet, the rapid transport of ions and electrons and excellent polysulfide redox kinetics are observed in the (ZnCo)3S4-MoS2, which results in a smooth '' adsorption-diffusion-conversion '' process of polysulfides. The Zn dopant effectively reduces the work function of Co3S4 via an electron transfer from Zn to Co3S4, strengthening the built-in electric field. The battery equipped with the (ZnCo)3S4-MoS2 nanomaterial-modified separator delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1180.5 mAh g-1 at 1 C conditions and a low attenuation rate of 0.054% after 1000 cycles. In addition, the battery also exhibits good cycling stability at a high sulfur loading of 3 mgcm-2, maintaining a capacity of 704.4 mAh g-1 (84.9% capacity retention) after 200 cycles at 0.1 C. This study provides a promising strategy to design highly efficient catalysts for durable Li-S batteries.

As an environmentally friendly and non-toxic piezocatalyst, zinc oxide (ZnO) has been extensively utilized in treating organic wastewater, but the effect of surface hydroxyl (-OH) groups on the piezocatalytic activity of ZnO has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, four ZnO catalysts with different microstructures (columnarlike, flake-like, rod-like, and flower-like) and surface -OH numbers have been fabricated for the catalytic degradation of rhodamine B. Rod-like ZnO possessed the highest number of surface -OH groups. Abundant surface -OH groups assist in suppressing electron-hole pair recombination and promoting charge migration, and thus, rod-like ZnO exhibited better piezocatalytic activity. Under ultrasonic vibration, rod-like ZnO catalyst degraded 95.2 % rhodamine B in 80 min. Holes and hydroxyl radicals were found to be the main reactive species during the piezocatalytic degradation process. The present study provides a novel idea for constructing ideal piezoelectric catalysts.

The Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst has been commercialized for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3 in diesel exhaust purification, due to its superior activity, stability and environmental friendliness in comparison with traditional V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts. Unfortunately, the currently prevalent preparation methods for Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts still present the challenge of uneven dispersion of the Cu species, which restricts the accessibility and utilization of the active ingredients, thereby resulting in unsatisfactory SCR performance. Herein, a straightforward and effective mild thermal treatment approach was proposed to obtain highly dispersed Cu2+ active sites, which endows the Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst with enhanced activity. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), in situ Raman, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterizations demonstrated that the Cu species in the aggregated CuOx clusters underwent redispersion and transformation into Cu2+ ions, which were trapped by the rearranged Al sites of zeolites during the mild thermal treatment process. This provided a viable solution for the improvement of SCR performance of Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts at industrial scale-up.

Alkali ions, widely employed as promoters, play crucial roles in heterogeneous catalysis. However, their electron donation mechanism remains poorly understood because alkali ions do not have transferable electrons as metallic alkalis do. Here, a new mechanistic pathway is identified for potassium (K) ions to act as electron donors by constructing single chains of K ions confined within hexagonal WO3 tunnels with theoretical limit-breakthrough K concentrations. The as-produced high-electron-density Kδ+ (0<δ<1) ions not only facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies that behave classical electronic effect but, more importantly, also directly donate electrons to [WO6] motif antibonding orbitals, thereby triggering the lattice oxygen activation. As a proof of concept, the resultant catalyst containing Kδ+ ions predominantly promotes soot oxidation with O2, a challenging solid-solid-gas reaction in automotive catalysis, achieving a reaction rate 3.1-fold greater than the conventional K⁺-ion confined counterpart. The electron donation effect of metalloid Kδ+ ions would be heuristic for enhancing other important heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

Sodium metal, with its high theoretical capacity, low redox potential, and cost-effectiveness, presents a promising anode candidate for next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, the development of Na metal anodes is significantly challenged by issues such as uncontrolled dendrite growth, uncontrolled volume expansion, and associated safety concerns. Designing and developing advanced materials to enhance the conductivity of sodium metal anodes and promote uniform sodium ion deposition are of urgent importance. Herein, a MXene-based hybrid material was developed by integrating MOF-derived Zn, Co, N, and C dopants with Ti3C2Tx MXene to serve as a hosting substrate for the Na metal anode. The MXene provided a conductive framework, while the MOF-derived dopants introduced sodiophilic sites, promoting uniform Na deposition and mitigating volume expansion. The optimized material demonstrated an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.99% over 3000 cycles and stable cycling for over 5000 h in symmetrical cells and maintained over 80% capacity retention at 3 C after 500 cycles in full-cell tests, highlighting its potential as a robust Na metal anode material.

The rational design of high-performance Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts with enhanced low-temperature activity represents a critical challenge for meeting stringent Euro VII emission standards in diesel aftertreatment systems. Elevating Cu loading can theoretically improve catalytic performance; however, one-time ion exchange using common CuSO4 solution makes it hard to accomplish high Cu-ion contents. Herein, we demonstrate that the conventional ion-exchange method, adopting Cu(CH3COO)2 as precursor in NH4-SSZ-13 zeolite with a low Si/Al ratio (≈6–7), can achieve higher Cu content while maintaining superior dispersion of active sites. Comprehensive characterizations reveal a dual incorporation mechanism: canonical Cu2+ ion exchange and unique adsorption of the [Cu(CH3COO)]+ complex. In the latter case, the surface-adsorbed [Cu(CH3COO)]+ ions form high-dispersion CuOx species, while the framework-confined ones convert to active Z[Cu2+(OH)]+ ions. The Cu(CH3COO)2-exchanged Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst exhibits superior low-temperature SCR activity and hydrothermal stability to its CuSO4-exchanged counterpart, making it particularly suitable for close-coupled SCR applications. Our findings provide fundamental insights into Cu speciation control in zeolites and present a scalable, industrially viable approach for manufacturing next-generation SCR catalysts capable of meeting future emission regulations.

Cu-Zn solid solutions are investigated as advanced current collector materials for anode-free Li metal batteries (AFLMBs), addressing the limited lithiophilicity and slow Li+ diffusion kinetics inherent to conventional Cu foil. Benefiting from the uniform distribution of lithiophilic Zn, Cu-Zn solid solutions demonstrated enhanced lithiophilicity and accelerated Li+ diffusion, which effectively facilitated uniform and reversible lithium deposition. First-principles calculations confirmed that Cu-Zn solid solutions, particularly Cu62Zn38, exhibited stronger Li adsorption and reduced diffusion barriers compared to Cu. Unlike alloy-prone metal coatings (e.g., Cu@Zn and thermally processed Cu@Zn) that sacrifice interfacial stability for lithiophilicity, Cu-Zn solid solution maintains robust electrode-electrolyte interfaces due to its alloying inertness. Ex-situ SEM and COMSOL simulations revealed dendrite-suppressed and homogeneous Li deposition on Cu62Zn38. In anode-free full cells, Cu62Zn38 achieves a capacity retention of 55.1% after 150 cycles, far exceeding Cu foil (13.8%). This work establishes Cu-Zn solid solutions current collectors as a scalable solution for high-energy-density AFLMBs.

Alkaline water electrolysis technology is a critical route for promoting green hydrogen production, but the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) poses significant cost challenges, primarily attributed to its inherently sluggish reaction kinetics, by relying on catalysts composed of noble metals. In this study, a carbon-supported PtNi bimetallic alloy electrocatalyst with a Pt: Ni (metal: transition metal) atomic ratio of 7:3 was successfully synthesized via a facile method. Characterizations reveal that the synthesized PtNi nanoparticles show a well-alloyed structure with modified Pt electronic states. In 1 M KOH, the as-prepared carbon-supported bimetallic alloy electrocatalyst (PtNi/C) achieves 42 mV at a special current density (j) of -10 mA/cm 2 , and outstanding durability with only 9 mV degradation after 5000 accelerated aging cycles, significantly exceeding the benchmark 20 wt.% Pt/C electrocatalyst. This work establishes a facile synthesis route for Pt-based alloys while simultaneously addressing three critical challenges: reducing Pt loading, enhancing intrinsic activity through Ni-induced electronic modulation, and ensuring operational durability. The methodology provides a universal platform for designing efficient multimetallic electrocatalysts in sustainable energy applications.

CuO/ZnO catalysts with different ZnO morphologies, i.e. nanoplates (p-ZnO) and nanorods (r-ZnO), have been prepared to test for CO oxidation and CO2 hydrogenation. Strong morphology-dependent CuOx-ZnO interactions were observed, which are tightly associated with the ZnO morphology. p-ZnO predominantly exposing polar {002} facets greatly promote the CuOx-ZnO interactions, contributing to the stabilities of CuOx/ZnO catalysts in both reactions. Experimental evidences reveal that CuO-ZnO interfaces act as the active sites in CO oxidation. CuO/p-ZnO catalyst with stronger CuO-ZnO interactions can facilitate the generations of fine CuO and interfacial Cu(I) species, responsible for the adsorption and reactivity of CO and subsequently the high (intrinsic) activity in CO oxidation. However, CuO/ZnO catalysts undergo in situ restructuring to generate Cu/ZnO in CO2 hydrogenation, whose catalytic performance is determined by the key step of CO2 activation. Consequently, Cu/r-ZnO catalyst possessing more surface basic sites exhibits better catalytic performance. These results greatly deepen the fundamental understanding of Cu-based catalysts in both reactions and broaden the concept of morphology-dependent catalysis of oxide-based nanocrystal catalysts that varies with the reactions catalyzed.