Developing environmentally benign anticorrosion coatings with high performance is essential for protecting mild steel infrastructure, yet reconciling chemical stability with long-term durability remains a major challenge. Herein, leveraging the π-π conjugation between quinacridone (QA) and graphene oxide (GO), we construct QA-functionalized GO hybrids and incorporate them into a waterborne epoxy (EP) coating to form an ordered self-assembled composite architecture. The resulting QA-GO/EP coating delivers an initial low-frequency impedance modulus as high as 4.53 × 106 Ω cm2 in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution-more than an order of magnitude higher than that of neat EP. Furthermore, electrochemical tests on scratched coatings reveal that QA-GO induces the formation of a stable passivation layer at damaged sites, effectively suppressing localized corrosion propagation. This work presents a new materials design paradigm for achieving ultra-corrosion-resistant epoxy coatings via controlled molecular-scale interactions.

Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely explored as active components in sensing, catalysis and therapeutics, thanks to their unique traits combining cost efficiency, high biocompatibility, straightforward synthesis and excellent luminescent properties. Although numerous room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon-dot systems have been reported in recent years, the development of simple, cost-effective, and scalable strategies for preparing RTP carbon-dot composites with tunable emission colors remains of considerable interest. Besides, the fabrication of multicolor phosphorescent CDs remains highly sought after. This work introduces a facile and scalable strategy to produce citric acid-based CDs embedded into zeolites (CA-CDs@zeolite) with long-lived phosphorescence. In comparison with reported protocols to produce similar composites, our method allows for the straightforward preparation of inexpensive phosphorescent CDs@zeolite in only 8 h. By controlling the drying temperature and the amount of citric acid (CA), green and yellow phosphorescence CDs were successfully obtained with a luminescence quantum yield ranging from 2 to 7% and a remarkable phosphorescence lifetime of 141.1 and 335.3 ms, respectively. Moreover, upon addition of urea into CA-CDs@zeolite CA500U-CDs@zeolite were generated, which displayed bright fluorescence and a luminescence quantum yield of 10%. The different CD containing zeolitic composites were used to build colored patterns for applications in anti-counterfeiting.

Understanding the distinct sulfur redox kinetics in all-solid-state Na-S batteries-fundamentally different from those in flooded systems-is essential for improving their energy efficiency and reversibility. However, these batteries suffer from ultralow Coulombic efficiency and rapid capacity decay due to severe cathodic passivation, compounded by sluggish Na+ transport and unstable interfacial contact within quasi-solid/solid configurations based on gel-like PEO-NaFSI electrolytes at 55 degrees C. Here, we construct a heterostructured sulfur host incorporating VO2/V2O5 catalytic hotspots to regulate interfacial redox chemistry and suppress passivation. At the heterointerface, electron cloud overlap induces orbital polarization, reactivating the electronically inert Na2S and lowering the energy barrier for S-S bond reorganization (S2- to S32- /S42- ) during recharge. Simultaneously, the built-in electric field establishes an orbital-charge pump that synchronizes Na+/e- transport, mitigating kinetic mismatch and preventing localized interfacial blockage. Through the synergistic effects of orbital modulation and physicochemical interface regulation, sulfur conversion kinetics are fundamentally reprogrammed. As a result, the all-solid-state Na-S cell delivers an ultrahigh initial Coulombic efficiency of 96.4% and stable cycling over 180 cycles at 55 degrees C, demonstrating an effective strategy for passivation-free solid-state sulfur chemistry.

Aqueous Zn-S batteries offer high safety and low cost, but sluggish ZnS reoxidation and cathode passivation limit capacity and efficiency. Herein, we report an intercalation-coupled redox catalysis strategy using manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) confined in polypyrrole (PPy) nanoreactors to mediate ZnS reoxidation. The reversible iron redox center in MnHCF couples with prezincation/deintercalation, creating a chemical potential gradient that drives Zn2+ from ZnS to MnHCF. This mechanism removes Zn2+ from the reaction front, enhancing Zn2+ mobility, reducing charge-transfer resistance, lowering the reactivation barrier, preventing passivation, and ensuring uniform conversion to S8. The cathode delivers 1245 mAh g-1 at 0.4 A g-1 and 928 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 99.983%, retaining 734 mAh g-1 and 99.941% after 400 cycles. Practical pouch cells deliver 86 Wh kg-1, and wearable microbatteries reach 563 μWh cm-2. This work offers an effective catalytic strategy for high-energy, long-life Zn-S batteries.

Solid‐state metal‐sulfur batteries are emerging as a transformative energy storage platform with the potential to overcome the fundamental limitations of conventional flooded cells, particularly polysulfide shuttling and uncontrolled anodic evolution. In addition to mitigating these issues, solid‐state configurations offer enhanced safety, superior electrochemical stability, and an exceptionally high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg −1 . Nevertheless, the theoretical potential of solid‐state metal‐sulfur batteries is critically hindered by the instability of the anode/electrolyte interfaces. Pronounced metal dendrite growth, interfacial contact loss, and chemo‐mechanical degradation can synergistically deteriorate interfacial integrity and ultimately govern cell performance and lifespan. In this review, we first outline the state of the art in anode metals and solid‐state electrolytes employed in metal‐sulfur batteries, emphasizing their fundamental properties and inherent challenges. We then systematically survey recent advances on anode/electrolyte interfacial engineering strategies for solid‐state metal‐sulfur batteries, encompassing anodic surface modification, electrolyte composition and structural optimization, and rational interlayer design. Finally, we propose key design principles for next‐generation interfacial materials capable of simultaneously enhancing ionic and electronic transport, alongside advanced characterization techniques and multiscale simulations aimed at elucidating interfacial mechanisms and ensemble effects. Toward practical implementation, we further discuss perspectives on achieving deeply reversible, compatible metal anodes to enable stable, scalable, and cost‐effective next‐generation solid metal‐sulfur batteries.

Multi-metal doping activates synergistic redox centers in high-entropy Prussian blue analogues (HE-PBAs), with Mn incorporation significantly enhancing both working voltage and discharge capacity. However, the Mn redox process often triggers Jahn-Teller distortion, causing uncontrollable cathodic degradation. Herein, we propose entropy-gradient engineering via core-shell architectural design, where a medium-entropy FeCoNiCu-PBA shell encapsulates a Mn-rich high-entropy core, enhancing structural robustness and unlocking full theoretical potential. This architecture is precisely fabricated by confined microfluidic synthesis, which establishes a uniform reaction environment and regulates sequential metal nucleation via coordinated ligand competition, enabling spatial separation and ordered crystallization. Crystal field perturbations and d-orbital coupling in the core effectively reduce Mn3+ eg orbital degeneracy and mitigate distortion, whereas the core-shell adsorption energy difference facilitates graded Zn2+ insertion/extraction and lowers ion migration barriers. The medium-entropy shell broadens the energy-level distribution, accelerating electron transport and interfacial kinetics, and simultaneously buffering internal stress to suppress Mn-N bond rupture and framework collapse. Consequently, this cathode delivers a high capacity of 123 mAh g-1, exceptional cycling stability over 6000 cycles with an ultralow fading rate of 0.004% per cycle, and an energy density of 171 Wh kg-1 in zinc-ion pouch cell, demonstrating outstanding cycling durability and practical viability.

The sluggish solid-solid sulfur conversion leads to ultrahigh polarization and poor cycling stability, severely limiting the potential of aqueous Zn-S electrochemistry. Herein, trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (TMSO+I-) as an electrolyte additive is introduced to manipulate the radical-mediated solid-liquid-solid conversion pathway via restructuring electron transport. Specifically, the generated trimethylsulfoxonium radical (TMSO*) enables relayed electron transfer through reversible TMSO+/TMSO* redox cycling. Moreover, its orbital coupling with polysulfides (Sn2-) stabilizes TMSO*-Sn2- intermediates, lowers their LUMO energy, and facilitates streamlined electron transfer. This restructured electron-transfer pathway guides the stepwise formation of liquid intermediates and tunes the sulfur redox behavior. Consequently, the novel conversion mechanism endows the Zn-S cells with a high capacity of 1728 mAh g-1, a low overpotential of 0.42 V at 0.1 A g-1, and stable cycling for over 800 cycles with 80.21% capacity retention at 15 A g-1. Remarkably, a practical pouch cell delivers a projected cell-level energy density of 95 Wh kg-1.

Abstract Solid-state Na–S batteries offer high energy density, yet their practicality deteriorates at low N/P ratios because limited Na inventory cannot compensate for irreversible loss. Under lean-Na conditions, the key issue is whether the restricted Na reservoir remains reversibly accessible during deep cycling. Here, we introduce a utilization-corrected N/P descriptor, φ = n/α, where n is the N/P ratio and α is the initial deep-stripping utilization. This descriptor corrects the apparent N/P advantage by accounting for incomplete Na utilization; as α decreases, φ exceeds n, while φ approaching 1 represents the ideal lean-anode limit. A self-generated 3D Na–Na3P/Cu foam anode is constructed via molten-Na conversion. The in-situ-formed Na3P enhances sodiophilicity, Na+ transport, and interfacial stability during deep stripping. The anode achieves 94% stripping utilization with φ = 1.28, sustains over 50 cycles at 90% depth of discharge, and delivers 976 mAh g–1 at 60 °C and N/P = 1.2.

The structural instability and sluggish ion-intercalative kinetics of vanadium oxide simultaneously limit its realization of advanced cathodes for practical zinc-ion batteries. Herein, a facile one-step approach was proposed for in situ transformation from bulk V2O5 to sandwiched nanosheets with the atomic co-inserting interlayer. The pre-intercalated organic filler could widen the intercalative channels to accommodate continuous Zn-ion diffusion and increase the surface hydrophobicity for impeding vanadium dissolution. The pre-enrichment of charge carriers weakens the electrostatic interaction between the vanadium oxide lattice and intercalated cation, leading to superior structural stability and faster cation diffusion kinetics. Accordingly, the ensemble effect further efficiently mitigates cathodic passivation and facilitates a better electrochemical response of assembled zinc-ion pouch cells with an extremely low N/P ratio of 0.5, affording an energy density of 180 Wh kg-1. Importantly, anode-free zinc-ion full cells equipped with pre-zincificated cathodes was realized, advancing the promising practical potential of the designed cathodes.

The sluggish redox kinetics of Na2Sx/Na2S and the uncontrollable crossover of polysulfides often result in limited reutilization of active materials, hindering the practical scalable application of polysulfide/ferricyanide flow batteries. By leveraging the bidirectional manipulation of redox kinetics of active species, diatomic Mn and Co sites anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon encapsulated graphite carbon felt was prepared. And a progressive "optimized d-band model" was revealed, in which the tunable d-band centers of Mn and Co were, respectively, regulated to enable facile electron extraction and injection during the Na2S2-Na2S redox; then the synergistic catalytic effect renders the matrix with bidirectional acceleration. The electrocatalytic capability was also witnessed within the catholyte chamber. The assembled polysulfide-ferricyanide flow cell exhibits high energy efficiency of 76.4% at 20 mA cm-2, and an impressively power density of 119.3 mW cm-2, along with a very low capacity decay rate of 0.0146% per cycle over 1000 cycles.

Corrosion poses a significant threat to the durability and safety of metallic structures, particularly in harsh environments such as acidic solutions. This study investigated the effectiveness and potential of a novel benzothiazole-5-boronic acid pinacol ester (BAPE) inhibitor in inhibiting mild steel in a 1 M HCl environment. The obtained electrochemical analysis results indicated that BAPE was an anode-based mixed inhibitor, exhibiting an inhibition efficiency of 96.6 % at a concentration of 0.7 mmol L- 1. The adsorption of BAPE on the steel surface was mainly chemical adsorption, and the inhibition efficiency was still maintained 96.2 % at 328 K. SEM and XPS analysis results illustrated that BAPE forms a strong protective layer on the steel surface through adsorptive groups, primarily composed of N, O, and S. Additionally, the experimental findings were supported by the results of quantum chemical calculation. Molecular dynamic simulations also manifested that BAPE was absorbed more strongly on the metal surface in a parallel mode and had a large bind energy (477.8 kJ/mol).

Ester-based electrolytes, characterized by their high dielectric constant and low viscosity, have become the dominant commercial choice for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, conventional solvents such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) exhibit strong coordination with Li+ ions, leading to high desolvation energy barriers that limit the battery performance. In this study, we propose a modified electrolyte system based on commercial ester electrolytes by introducing weakly solvated solvents 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) or methyl acetate (MA). Through combined first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the atomic-scale mechanisms underlying the superior performance of DME and MA as solvent molecules. Experimental results demonstrate that the incorporation of DME significantly enhances the cycling stability, with Li-LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cells maintaining 80% capacity retention after 156 cycles at 4.3 V. This work provides fundamental insights for optimizing commercial LIB electrolytes and paves the way for developing next-generation electrolyte systems.

The practical deployment of zinc-iodine batteries is critically hampered by the limited iodine loading and reutilization in the cathode. Conventional strategies, such as physical confined matrix or single-functional binders, fail to address these issues flawlessly due to weak iodine anchoring and insufficient ion-percolation networks. A zwitterion-grafted PVDF binder was proposed that synergistically integrates dual-affinity functionalities, which not only preserves the high chemical stability of the PVDF backbone but also incorporates quaternary ammonium groups that immobilize polyiodide anions, preventing their migration. Simultaneously, sulfonate anions preferentially bind with zinc ions, promoting efficient ion transport. The carbon/binder domain formed by this novel binder effectively enhances the liquid-phase ion diffusion dynamics within the porous electrode, alleviating severe concentration polarization in thick electrodes with high iodine loading. Consequently, with a thickness of 250 mu m and iodine loading of up to 10.3 mg cm- 2, the full cell with the zwitterionic carbon/binder domain maintains excellent reversible capacity of 174 mAh g- 1 after 12,000 cycles at 0.2 A g- 1. Moreover, the Zn-I2 pouch cell with zwitterionic carbon/binder domain has a discharge capacity of 180.7 mAh g- 1 as well as a stable long cycle life, advancing the practical application of high-performance aqueous Zn-I2 batteries.

Enhancing the quantity of genuine active centers within catalysts is crucial for improving the catalytic performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, the valence ratios of various valence states of the element molybdenum on the catalyst surface have been adjusted with the aim of increasing the proportion of low-valence molybdenum, which serves as the actual active center for HER. The prepared catalysts displayed a rough surface, which enabled complete contact with the electrolyte and, thereby, exposed more active sites. As an effective HER catalyst, this sample exhibits an exceptionally low overpotential in a 1.0 M KOH solution. The overpotential is 62 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. Furthermore, the material demonstrates excellent long-term stability, with only slight changes observed after 72 h of stability testing at different current densities. Its superior performance can be attributed to the increase in the amount of low-valent Mo, the doping of Ni atoms, and the enhancement of surface roughness.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered one of the most viable options for large-scale energy storage applications due to their high theoretical capacity and abundant reserves. However, issues such as dendritic growth and water-induced corrosion reaction of the zinc anode have hindered their commercialization. To address these challenges, in situ generated multifunctional poly(caffeic acid) (PCA) interface with confined Cu sites and abundant oxygen-containing groups was constructed on the surface of the zinc metal anode via ultraviolet (UV) treatment. The smooth and compact PCA effectively prevents the zinc anode from corrosion by active water in the electrolyte, while the synergies of zincophilic groups and the confined copper sites constitute 3D ion channels of PCA skeleton accelerates the migration of Zn2+ and enhance deposition kinetics, thus lowering Zn2+ desolvation energy. The symmetric cells using the PCA-modified Zn anode demonstrated stable cycling for over 2500 h and 2200 h at current densities of 1.0 and 5.0 mA cm-2, respectively, much better than controls. Additionally, the assembled PCA@Zn//I2 full cell enabled continuous cycling over 1000 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g-1 and presented reliable operation over 100 cycles in a pouch cell configuration.

Layered vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) has caused considerable attention owing to rich redox chemistry of vanadium that enables high specific capacities in aqueous zinc batteries. However, it is still confronted with inherent narrow interlayer spacing, poor conductivity and sluggish diffusion kinetics of Zn2+ due to the strong electrostatic interactions in layered V2O5. Herein, we propose a high-capacity nanosheet cathode by preparing an in-situ intercalation polymerization of Fe(CN)64--doped polyaniline within the interlayers of V2O5 to expand the interlayer spacing and provide abundant active site, which enables highly reversible and ultrafast zinc ions (de) intercalation processes. Especially, the spontaneous formation of zinc ferricyanide Znx+1[FeIII/II(CN)6] within the polyaniline framework acting as a redox mediator exhibited faster Zn2+ (de)intercalation kinetics by catalyzing the reduction of V2O5 during discharging process, thereby shortening the Zn2+ diffusion path and accelerating its diffusion kinetics. Moreover, this nanosheet cathode can deliver a high specific capacity of 503 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 performance is attributed to the layered structure of Fe(CN)64--PANI-V2O5 constructed with large interlayer spacing and active filler, which enables the rapid (de)intercalation of zinc ions with a negligible structure change. and exhibit a capacity retention of 92 % over 3000 cycles at 1.5 A g-1. The remarkable electrochemical

A smart means to achieve the harmless treatment of corrosive Cl- have been proposed for protecting brass. In this method, intelligent self-healing nanofilms based on the interlayer anion exchange properties of LDHs in situ grow on brass surfaces. The Cl- ions replace the BTA- loaded between LDHs interlayers to induce self-healing, as the binding energy of Cl- is lower than that of BTA-, obtained from theoretical calculations. The simultaneous application of electrochemistry and digital holography technologies confirmed that the constructed film has high instantaneous corrosion inhibition efficiency (99.9 %), long-lasting corrosion resistance, and self-healing ability (50 days).

Developing a high entropy alloy (HEA) coating with high ductility and high strength has been a tremendous challenge since the inherent solid solution strengthening usually compromises its ductility. Herein, we present a fine-grained strengthening approach through the generation of a second phase induced by the short-range ordering (SRO) characteristics of HEA, which leads to the greatly enhanced ductility property of the FeCrAlTix HEA coating that surmounts the strength-ductility trade-off. The quantitative microstructure- and compositionproperty relationships are revealed. The prepared FeCrAlTix HEA coating comprises a biphasic structure of a BCC parent phase and a B2 second phase anchored on BCC, which exhibits a bio-like dendritic skeleton microframework. The introduced Ti acts not only as a strengthening element to enhance solid solution strengthening, but also as an SRO promoter to generate the well-grain-refining agent B2 phase for fine grain strengthening, and further serves as a promoter to trigger the formation of a bio-dendrite-like structure. When x = 0.75, these three factors are balanced, which optimizes the strength and ductility of HEA coating, with hardness, elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength, uniform elongation, and coefficient of friction of 910.7 HV, 278.2 GPa, 1061.9 MPa, 25.9 %, and 0.477, respectively.