Upconversion emissions from lanthanide ions have unparalleled advantages in the field of temperature sensing and information encryption. Despite extensive research on temperature sensing probes, developing highly sensitive temperature measurement applications still poses a significant challenge. This study utilizes lanthanide ions doped BaTiO3 as the foundational material to develop a fiber optic probe with enhanced temperature sensitivity. The optical temperature-sensing capabilities are assessed based on the intensity ratio of various energy levels in BaTiO3: Yb/Tm/Er phosphors. Notably, the non-thermal coupling energy level between Tm and Er demonstrates the highest sensitivity, achieving a maximum relative sensitivity of 2.70% K--(1) at 303 K. By leveraging the temperature-dependent color change of the material, a large-capacity photonic barcode for temperature information storage and encrypted transmission is developed, thereby expanding the potential applications of temperature monitoring.

Establishing a stable microenvironment at the electrode-electrolyte interface is crucial for enhancing the reversibility of Zn metal anodes and enhance the stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) systems. Herein, maltisorb molecules are proposed as an effective interface stabilizer, significantly improves the microenvironment at the anode-electrolyte interface, thereby improving the stability and cycling performance of the zinc metal anode. Experimental investigations combined with theoretical simulations demonstrate that the addition of maltisorb promotes its selective adsorption onto the Zn anode surface, forming a protective layer that minimizes interactions between the metal anode and the aqueous electrolyte, thereby suppressing water-induced side reactions. Moreover, maltisorb enhances the wettability between the Zn anode and the electrolyte, reducing interfacial resistance and promoting a more uniform distribution of Zn2+ ions, which facilitates the formation of a uniform Zn electrodeposition layer. As a result, the Zn anode exhibits an extended and stable cycling lifetime of 3900 hat 1 mA cm(-2) and 1 mAh cm(-2). Additionally, the assembled Zn||MnO2 full batteries achieve a maximum capacity of 226.38 mA g(-1), with a capacity retention rate of 87.9 % after 1200 cycles.

Mechanoluminescent (ML) materials offer significant potential for remote stress sensing and distribution. However, creating highly sensitive and responsive ML materials remains a challenge. In this study, mechanoluminescent semiconductor materials have been successfully prepared as Mn2+ doped ZnS-SrZnOS heterojunction composites. These materials exhibit high-resolution stress distribution visualization and rapid response, captured via camera recording. Notably, they possess a low stress triggering threshold, reaching the KPa level, and respond within milliseconds. Furthermore, it was found that by adjusting the doping concentration of Mn2+ within the heterojunction, the material utilizes its bimodal emission capability to manipulate the fluorescence shift and achieve optical anti-counterfeiting. The synthesis of smart films by combining the material with polydimethylsiloxane matrix had enabled the achievement of collision detection, information hiding and optical anti-counterfeiting. These results suggest that the prepared smart films have wide range of optical sensing applications.

Nighttime driving safety is a key focus in transportation research due to accidents caused by drivers' inability to clearly see road obstacles, leading to delayed or incorrect decisions. To address this, the use of mechanoluminescent materials on surfaces like roads and buildings offers a potential solution for better object contour detection in poor visibility. This study investigates the use of SrAl2O4 as a phosphor matrix, exploring its luminescence characteristics and the effects of doping with Eu2+ and Dy3+. The optimal doping ratios were determined to be 2 % Eu and 1 % Dy by trap modulation, producing phosphors with significant mechanical luminescence and a prolonged afterglow. Spectroscopic analysis and image assessment demonstrated a visible afterglow lasting up to 60 min, along with impressive mechanical luminescence performance. By combining the developed SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor-based coating with polydimethylsiloxane, a real-time surface stress sensing system was devised utilizing digital camera and other optical sensors. This advancement facilitates the visualization of stresses in complex or confined environments, potentially improving nighttime driving safety through enhanced object contour detection.

A comprehensive investigation of nano crystallized GaN film synthesized on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrate using atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented in this paper. The microstructure and mechanical analysis indicate the nano crystallized film is homogeneous, well-adhesive to Mg alloy substrate. The corrosion experimental results demonstrate that the nanometer crystallized film turns Mg alloy corrosion process from longitudinal/non-uniform to horizontal/uniform corrosion, which is deduced from the facts that a great but less fluctuation surface potential mapping, a smaller ∆Erev, corr and a more uniformed corroded morphology. A higher Ecorr , a smaller icorr and a higher Z also mean the film can yield a prominent amelioration in the Mg alloy corrosion resistance. The work proposes that a uniform coverage even in a nano-magnitude and crystallized form could make corrosion more uniform and later.

The high corrosion rate of Mg alloy restricts its application. In this paper, a nano-composite film as TiN/TiO2 was introduced to Mg alloy to improve the corrosion resistance. The nano-composited film was fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and in-situ oxidation (20 SCCM oxygen flow, at 250 degrees C, duration >= 20 min). When oxygen is introduced, the initial ALD-ed crystalline TiN layer is rapidly oxidized till the amorphous TiO2 layer is saturated. A stable TiN/TiO2 nano-composited film would be obtained then. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth (XPS-depth) and transmission electron microscopy image (TEM) show that the nano-composite film has an interlayer structure. The nano-composite film shows good adhesion to the Mg alloy substrate in the nano-indentation analysis. Moreover, the nano-indentation scratches heal to a certain degree after 48 h, which means the film could self-heal. With the film, the surface potential mapping is not only overall higher but also less fluctuating by scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) analysis. There is a higher E-corr (increasing similar to 0.42 V) and a much lower i(corr) (decreasing similar to 1/200) for potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) measurement. Equivalent circuit fitting for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) profile changes from R-s(CPE1R(ct)) to R-s(CPE2(R-f(CPE1R(ct)))). The film makes less corroded withing a more uniformed corroded mode during neutral salt spray test (NSS). All these indicate that Mg alloy corrosion resistance is greatly improved. The work not only provides a flexible method for the interlayer composite film fabrication but also make an effective surface modification for Mg alloy corrosion resistance.

Magnesium (Mg) alloy has drawn considerable attention for lightweight structural and functional materials, whereas its corrosion resistance still requires to be enhanced. A new strategy for corrosion resistance has been proposed as making an amorphous-crystalline nano-composite film on Mg alloys. The film as the composition as Al2O3/GaN with a thickness of 20 nm was prepared on AZ31 Mg alloy by atomic layer deposition. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nano indentation tester have been used to characterize the film in details. It is verified the sample has an amorphous/crystalline/Mg interface structure, and a surface with homogeneous elemental distribution and higher hardness. Neutral salt spray test shows the film changes the corroded mode from pitting corrosion to uniform corrosion. Furthermore, electrochemical measurements indicate that the film would raise Ecorr (ΔEcorr = +0.295 V), drop icorr (about 1/10 times), and make electrical equivalent circuits change from Rs (CPE Rct (RL L)) to Rs (CRf) (CPE Rct (RL L)). All evaluations show that better corrosion resistance has been by inducing the amorphous-crystalline nano film. The amorphous layer in the film would make a more homogeneous Cl− distribution in the surface and act as a barrier to block the penetration of corrosion medium in the early stage. During corrosion, the interface between the layers in the film could retard the corrosion crack propagating further. The film would be favorate to form a denser corrosion product layer finally. A more uniform and lower corrosion occurs for AZ31 Mg alloy with this nano-composite film.

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating with outstanding adhesion strength to Mg alloys has attracted more and more attention. However, owing to the porous structure, aggressive ions easily invaded the MAO/substrate interface through the through pores, limiting long-term corrosion resistance. Therefore, a dense and biocompatible tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) nanofilm was deposited on MAO coated Mg alloy AZ31 through atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique to seal the micropores and regulate the degradation rate. Surface micrography, chemical compositions and crystallographic structure were characterized using FE-SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD. The corrosion resistance of all samples was evaluated through electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Results revealed that the Ta2O5 film mainly existed in the form of amorphousness. Moreover, uniform deposition of Ta2O5 film and effective sealing of micropores and microcracks in MAO coating were achieved. The current density (i corr) of the composite coating decreased three orders of magnitude than that of the substrate and MAO coating, improving corrosion resistance. Besides, the formation and corrosion resistance mechanisms of the composite coating were proposed.