Ion implantation is a powerful tool to modify material chemistry and structure. The implantation process was considered to result in a net-neutral material, due to implanted ionic charge being compensated by the host materials lattice. Here, we show ion implantation into polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) results in an uncompensated "space charge" region-requiring a reconsideration of ion implantation into polymers. This is demonstrated via electromechanical testing of Cu implanted PTFE as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Previously, ion implantation into polymers has been shown to increase TENG performance, attributed to increasing the prevalence of electron transfer during contact-separation testing. This attribution to electron transfer is incorrect, with significant electromechanical conversion being observed in 1×10^{16}  at.cm^{-2} Cu^{+} implanted polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in both piezoelectric mode testing and in noncontact induction measurements-where electron transfer cannot occur. These results indicate that the implantation of Cu ions creates a space charge effect in the PTFE matrix, and the subsequent charge asymmetry creates an electric field enhancing TENG performance, analogous to hybrid piezoelectric TENGs. These results demonstrate that ion implanted polymers possess space charge and can be used directly for sensing, creating a new pathway for electromechanical conversion materials.

Chlorine-terminated Ti3C2 MXenes (Cl-MXenes) demonstrate remarkable resistance to water- and oxygen-induced degradation, yet their hydrophobic nature limits compatibility with polar solvents. This is a stark contrast to the hydrophilic, oxygen-terminated MXenes produced through conventional fluoride-based etching. Capitalizing on the labile character of surface chlorine atoms, we developed a solution-based approach to create oxygen-enriched Cl-MXenes (O,Cl-MXenes) through delamination in alkaline dimethyl sulfoxide. This controlled functionalization yields mixed chlorine-oxygen terminations (a similar to 95% increase in the Ti-O/Ti-Cl ratio), substantially improving MXene dispersibility in organic solvents. Oxygen enrichment through direct addition at the Ti surface and partial chlorine substitution not only enhances dispersion stability and oxidation resistance (up to similar to 10 days) but also combines the anodic stability (+similar to 0.2 V) of chlorine terminations with the high capacitive activity of oxygen groups. These results establish that co-functionalization with chlorine and oxygen produces MXenes with enhanced solution processability and environmental stability, offering a versatile materials design strategy for advancing MXene-based technologies.

Performing electrolytic water splitting in acid can enable a step change in electrolyser technology, providing lower overpotential reactions and opportunities for membrane-free electrolysers. Decoupled acid electrolysis exploits H+ intercalation and pseudocapacitive reactions in transition metal oxides to temporally split the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. While the performance of the transition metal oxide is critical to the overall efficiency of the decoupled electrolysis reactions, the role of the carbon support has not been explored. This is surprising as proton battery literature has shown the capacity of these supports to store H+ ions via similar intercalation reactions. Here, bio-derived activated carbons (AC) from Alder charcoal and Birch wood are prepared and compared with commercial conductive carbon additives for decoupled electrolysis in 0.5 M H2SO4. The use of bio-derived activated carbons increases the pseudocapacitive performance by more than 280

Structural supercapacitors integrating carbon fiber (CF) electrodes offer promising multifunctionality by combining load-bearing capacity with energy storage. Surface-functionalized CF electrodes paired with electrospun polymeric nanofiber separators can enhance triboelectric performance, while explaining one reason for increased capacitance of structural supercapacitors observed previously under mechanical deformation. Interlayer triboelectric charges from CF/separator interfaces are quantified in cyclic contact-separation mode, harnessing the triboelectric series and materials that are further apart to maximize the output. Triboelectric measurements reveal that desized CF produces the highest instantaneous current output, however, its inherently low dielectric storage and rapid self-discharge render it unsuitable for long-term energy retention. In contrast, CFs functionalized with tailored chemical groups can achieve both robust triboelectric charge generation and stable capacitive output. Furthermore, a hybrid piezoelectric-triboelectric layer within these CF composites enhances charge separation and leverages synergistic piezoelectric polarization to sustain higher voltage across the electrodes (e.g., charge density of 19.9 ± 0.2 µC m-2 between silicon-functionalized CF and poly(vinylidene fluoride)-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) separator, and 23.1 mF g-1 specific capacitance in a structural supercapacitor device). This work underscores the potential of combining triboelectric and piezoelectric phenomena within structural supercapacitors on the way toward self-powered, load-bearing components in aerospace, automotive, and wearable electronics industries.

Additive manufacture represents one of the most advanced techniques for the creation of complex parts for applications as diverse as aerospace and implant surgery. However, a challenge with bespoke manufacture of metal parts is the incorporation of sensor elements in a fashion compatible with the 3D printing process. We have successfully created a new hybrid material of microdiamonds and titanium, which was printed using direct energy deposition. The microdiamonds contain nitrogen-vacancy color-centers, and our results show that the quantum and fluorescence properties of the microdiamonds are preserved, with potential to act as quantum sensors embedded in the titanium matrix. We show this potential by demonstrating temperature sensing using 3D printed titanium-microdiamonds via both fluorescence readout and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). At room temperature, the fluorescence approach had a sensitivity of 1 and the ODMR approach showed 20 . Sensitivity of both modalities varied as a function of temperature, with the ZPL sensitivity exceeding that of ODMR below approximately 100 K, with the ZPL sensitivity at 30 K found to be . We also verify the quantum properties of this diamond with a measured coherence time of 2 showing a dynamic, robust platform for bespoke 3D printing of bio-friendly quantum sensors.

Correction for ‘Imparting dispersibility and electrochemical activity to chlorine-terminated MXenes via oxygen enrichment’ by Kevinilo P. Marquez et al. , J. Mater. Chem. A , 2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/D6TA00904B.

Nylon-11—a common and widely used material, is a promising non-fluorinated piezoelectric polymer given its mechanical strength, chemical stability and elasticity. Nevertheless, it typically possesses low piezoelectric performance, which severely limits its use for energy generation applications. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of highly aligned, piezoelectric nylon-11 films through an energy-efficient (≈1–5 Wh), single-step platform that facilitates the electroacoustic coupling associated with MHz-order nanoscale vibrations during the crystallisation process. Uniquely, such coupling allows the simultaneous induction of (i) nylon’s piezoelectric δ^' -phase, (ii) long-range crystalline ordering, (iii) an ordered hydrogen-bonded network, and (iv) dipole alignment, which we directly probe using time-resolved operando synchrotron grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and high-resolution infrared spectroscopy. We show that the material produces a piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33 = 427 × 10−3 Vm N−1) that surpasses the performance of all piezoelectric polymers reported to date. The film’s exceptional mechanical resilience is evident from its stable performance over 20,000 compression cycles at 50 N and its ability to withstand vehicular loads. Nylon-11 is a common and durable polymer but possess low piezoelectric properties. Here, the authors use mechanical accelerations and strong electric fields to induce crystallization, hydrogen-bonding and dipole alignment in Nylon-11 films, achieving high piezoelectricity.

Composite materials are widely used in military, aerospace, and medical applications in producing aircraft parts, tools and orthopaedic implants. They are formed by combining two or more materials, aiming to mix desired properties. The ability to inbuild diamond into traditionally manufactured metals (titanium) can improve properties, e.g. increasing wear resistance. Combining these materials - diamond and metals - is difficult, leading to structural issues due to imperfect interfaces, particularly with higher diamond ratios. A novel material made of titanium alloy and diamond particles that have a titanium coating on the surface is presented, addressing the incompatibility between diamond and titanium. Titanium-coated-diamond composite scaffolds from 30 to 50% w/w were fabricated using the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) method. Diamond counts increased from 30 to 50% w/w (77 f 19 to 131 f 5 /mm2). 40% w/w demonstrated the highest count internally (282 f 3 /mm2). The change from 30 to 40 to 50% w/w meant an increase in roughness (19.8 f 2.6, 35.2 f 7.5, 42.9 f 10.0 mu m, respectively) and consequently the visible surface quality decreased. 30% w/w titanium-coated composites were compared to uncoated, 30% w/w composites. Compared to the latter, titanium-coated 30% w/w composites showed reduced roughness (36.4 f 4.5 and 19.8 f 2.6 mu m, respectively) and lower contact angle measurements (91 degrees f 12 and 80 degrees f 9, respectively). Surface cracking was visibly reduced, and a more consistent titanium surface was produced in coated-diamond composites. Overall, coating diamonds with titanium increases the affinity of diamonds to the titanium matrix.

Soft, flexible piezoelectric polymers have gained increased attention for powering wearable, implantable, and autonomous Internet-of-Things devices. However, the state-of-the-art flexible piezoelectric polymers are fluoropolymers, facing global bans due to environmental concerns. This has led to the development of natural piezoelectric materials. However, achieving reliable piezoelectric performance is challenging due to the limited output of these materials and the complexity of accurately measuring piezoelectric signals, often complicated by other charge-generation mechanisms. Here, flexible and robust chitosan-based films are produced using a simple solvent-casting method. The results show that substrate type and solvent evaporation temperature affect the piezoelectric-like output, with the highest apparent d33 of 1.9 +/- 0.3 pC N-1 observed for chitosan cast on a hydrophilic polystyrene substrate at an evaporation temperature of 40 degrees C. Importantly, the water content of the films plays a critical role in both mechanical and piezoelectric-like properties. The fully dried films under vacuum exhibit no d33 signal, while fully hydrated films show a significantly enhanced response of 11.3 +/- 7.0 pC N-1. This work demonstrates the fabrication of biodegradable, piezoelectric-like films and provides key insights into measurement reliability and often-overlooked parameters, such as hydration state, that are crucial for advancing the development of piezoelectric biological materials.

Surface-bound electric charge on polymer materials can strongly influence droplet behaviour and solid-liquid charge transfer, but the mechanisms and the means to control these effects remain unclear. In this work, we systematically controlled the surface charge on polymer surfaces, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Nylon-66, by first neutralising the surfaces with an anti-static ion blower and then applying charge using an ion gun. We find that droplets pick up pre-deposited surface ions during the first wetting of the surface, and that the transferred charge directly correlates with the deposited charge encountered by the wetted area for moderate deposited densities (|σ_d |<40 μC/m2) independent of material properties. We also demonstrate that the deposited charge reduces contact angle and increases contact-line mobility in a manner consistent with an increase in effective solid surface energy. For higher surface charge densities, we observe instabilities such as droplet splitting or detachment. This work demonstrates an effective approach to control solid-liquid electrification, enabling amplification or suppression of surface charge and the directed manipulation of fluid motion on surfaces.

Dental implants are a common and effective solution for tooth loss. However, achieving consistent soft tissue integration (STI) remains a significant challenge, affecting their long‐term performance. A robust soft tissue seal around implants is essential for protecting against bacterial infection, thereby reducing the risk of peri‐implantitis and potential implant failure. Yet, replicating the natural tooth–gingiva interface continues to be difficult. Recent advances in material science—particularly surface modifications of titanium implants—have shown promise in enhancing gingival cell attachment and mimicking native tissue architecture. The strength of this interface is crucial for mitigating gum recession, and maintaining this seal is key to improving implant longevity and, ultimately, the quality of life for individuals without natural dentition. This review highlights the biological importance of soft tissue sealing and explores the key factors influencing integration at the implant interface, including bacterial colonisation and the role of implant surface properties. We summarise current strategies—ranging from surface chemistry and topography to biological coatings and emerging cell‐based approaches—aimed at improving STI. Overall, this review offers an up‐to‐date material science perspective on enhancing the long‐term success of titanium dental implants.

Identifying two-dimensional heterostructures with exceptional electronic and optical properties remains an active area of research in advanced optoelectronics. Here, we present a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the electronic, optical, and excitonic properties of a MoTe2/CrSBr van der Waals heterostructure using density functional theory combined with fully relativistic GW and Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations. The close lattice matching between the two monolayers enables the formation of stable heterobilayers with two inequivalent interfaces (Te-S and Te-Br) arising from the Janus nature of CrSBr. Both interfaces are dynamically and thermally stable and exhibit type-II band alignment with a direct quasiparticle gap, promoting efficient spatial separation of electrons and holes. The heterostructure hosts interlayer excitons with lifetimes 18-45 ps significantly longer than those of the intralayer excitons in the isolated MoTe2, 3.6 ps, and CrSBr, 8.1 ps, monolayers. Moreover, the optical gap, exciton binding energy, and exciton lifetime of the heterostructure are strongly modulated by the built-in electric field associated with the Janus layer. These results establish the MoTe2/CrSBr heterostructure as a versatile platform for engineering long-lived interlayer excitons and highlight its potential for next-generation optoelectronic and light-harvesting applications.

Aluminum fumarate (AlFum) is a metal-organic framework (MOF) with a facile and scalable synthesis route, but its low electrical conductivity due to its wide band gap (4.9 eV) limits its use in charge-transport applications. Here, an interfacial strategy is used to examine how in situ silver incorporation modifies insulating AlFum within a PEDOT:PSS conductive backbone to produce a thermoelectric composite. The in situ process produces a heterogeneous AlFum-Ag composite in which silver nanoparticles and a silver-fumarate coordination phase coexist at the AlFum surface. Synchrotron WAXS reveals a persistent lattice shift, indicating local structural distortion induced by interfacial interaction. UV-Vis analysis further shows that the Urbach energy increases from 0.159 eV for AlFum to 0.337 eV for AlFum-Ag, consistent with enhanced band-edge tailing and interfacial energetic disorder. When processed into pellets, the in situ AlFum-Ag composite delivers a fourfold increase in electrical conductivity (0.20 to 0.80 S cm-1) with only a 26% decrease in Seebeck coefficient, resulting in a 2.2-fold enhancement in power factor (0.386 to 0.849 µW m-1 K-2). These findings establish a potential pathway for MOF-based thermoelectric composites development and identify Urbach energy as a useful descriptor of interfacial electronic modification.

Here Mn 3 O 4 and hybrid lithium-ion battery anodes are critically reviewed. These anodes combine optimised morphologies, spinel frameworks, and conductive matrices to deliver superior electrochemical performance.

Green hydrogen production is constrained by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we show that coupling an acoustomagneto-electrocatalytic (AME) effect to a ferromagnetic Ni catalyst yields an order-of-magnitude enhancement in OER activity. Nanometer-amplitude electromechanical vibrations on a piezoelectric chip induce local magnetic fields at the catalyst interface, increasing magnetization and dynamically reconfiguring magnetic domains-without the need for permanent magnets. Magnetic force microscopy and nitrogen-vacancy magnetometry reveal enlarged domains that reduce spin disorder and expose more catalytically active sites. This low-energy, dynamic approach lowers the OER overpotential by 0.34 V at 20 mA cm-2 via the synergistic coupling between induced magnetization, strain, and enhanced convective transport, collectively outperforming what can be achieved by these individual effects alone or in combination. The AME coupling thus provides a non-chemical, externally addressable route to exploit the intrinsic magnetoelastic properties of catalysts, with broad implications for their application across spin-dependent electrocatalytic processes.

Electrospun triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are exemplar devices for small scale electromechanical conversion towards powering small electronics and bespoke sensing applications. TENGs function via contact electrification (CE) between two dissimilar surfaces. Electrospinning enhances electromechanical conversion in TENGs by creating deformable, porous, mats with many contact sites for CE to occur. Within an electrospun mat, fibre alignment is widely recognized to influence charge generation, however, the role of the relative orientation between aligned fibre mats assembled into a TENG device remains unexplored. Here, we report a systematic study of orientation-dependent triboelectric output using electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibres. Same-material contact electrification was used such that fibre-mat orientation change was decoupled from other CE effects, including chemical heterogeneities and dielectric constant variation. Systematic rotation of two aligned fibre mats revealed a direct dependence of output on relative orientation, with the highest response at parallel alignment (00) and the lowest at orthogonal alignment (900) imparting an electrical performance enhancement of up to 55%. A device made from optimized relative fibre orientation exhibited a VOC of 419V, ISC of 407nA, and a power density of 2.35Wm-2, which is approximately 150% of output enhancement compared to similar devices.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a key emerging technology for powering wearable, implantable, remote, and autonomous small-scale electronics. Despite extensive reports, there is often a lack of rigor in reporting the mechanical testing conditions used to measure electrical performance in TENGs. Herein, we systematically vary the separation speed in contact-separation TENGs between 12.5 and 700 mm s-1 (both experimentally and via simulations) and measure a corresponding increase in power density from 10-7 to 10-4 W (along with analogous increases in measured current and voltage)-without changing any other material property or parameter. The transferred charge density (on the external electrodes, as separate from the surface charge density) also increased from 0.3 to 10 nC cm-2, demonstrating (along with supporting computational simulation experiments) that large changes in measured output can arise from testing conditions rather than changes in material chemistry or device structure. These results demonstrate the importance of separation speed in contextualizing literature reports of TENG performance and highlight the need to dramatically improve data reporting for the field. To address this, we propose the need to report a standard and consistent set of testing parameters for contact separation. Adoption of these conditions will enable meaningful benchmarking of TENGs and allow the field to progress more effectively.

Piezoelectricity, the generation of electric charge under mechanical stress or effecting strain under an applied electric field, has powered technologies from quartz oscillators to modern actuators. The direct piezoelectric effect, traditionally confined to solid-state materials, has recently been demonstrated in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). This perspective showcases recent experimental outcomes, mechanistic insights, and structural dependencies to outline a roadmap for exploiting liquid-phase piezo-electrics. Highlighting the role of pressure-induced liquid-to-crystalline transitions, ion pair organization, and compositional tuning, we propose design strategies that could unlock applications ranging from flexible sensors to piezo-pneumatic devices. Unlike traditional liquids, where the application of pressure transfers mechanical load with no chemical or physical change, in these systems, the applied stress triggers a physical or chemical transformation, such as a phase transition, crystallization, or a change in molecular ordering. Such transformations are particularly important because they can generate non-centrosymmetric crystalline domains, which are essential for the emergence of piezoelectric behavior. This phenomenon is especially relevant in solid polymer electrolytes, where stress-induced crystallization can impart piezoelectric functionality. These materials are of particular interest for energy-harvesting composites, in which the multifunctional interfaces between piezoelectric phases and conductive matrices play a critical role in determining overall electromechanical performance.