N-Bromosuccinimide, a widely used brominating and oxidizing reagent in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical processing, poses significant environmental and health risks. The development of efficient and practical detection methods for NBS remains challenging. Herein, we report a novel AIE-based fluorescent probe, TPE-PTZ, designed by integrating the tetraphenylethylene luminophore with a phenothiazine reactive unit. The probe exhibits a unique fluorescence "on-off" response to NBS. In acetonitrile/water mixtures, TPE-PTZ forms emissive aggregates, whereas NBS-triggered oxidation of PTZ leads to fluorescence quenching. This method exhibits exceptional sensitivity and selectivity for NBS detection. This work not only presents the first AIE-based NBS sensor, but also establishes a design strategy for monitoring oxidizing reagents in environmental and pharmaceutical contexts.

In this study, a lipophilic aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active tetraphenylpyrazine (TPP)-derived compound (TPP-APBP-P) was designed and synthesized. It was found that the compound retains stable detection capability even after prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments (for up to 9 hours) or when applied to the detection of aged fingerprints (up to one month old). The successful synthesis of this material is of great significance for advancing immersion-based fluorescent fingerprint detection technology.

Hydrogen energy is an indispensable component of renewable energy systems, and water electrolysis for hydrogen production, as a pivotal renewable energy conversion technology, has attracted considerable research attention. In this paper, we report the fabrication of a self-supporting CeO2/NiCoFeOx-P electrode on nickel foam (NF) with the assistance of NaH2PO2. The as-prepared CeO2/NiCoFeOx-P@NF was directly used as a working electrode, exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic activity with overpotentials of 142 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 225 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at a current density of 100 mA cm-2. The enhanced catalytic performance stems from the synergistic effect between CeO2 and phosphorus doping. The Ce3+/Ce4+ redox couple in CeO2 reduces the formation energy of oxygen vacancies, thereby accelerating water dissociation. Under OER conditions, partial P leaching occurs upon surface reconstruction. The pre-doped P still partially contributes to catalysis by inducing the formation of active oxyhydroxides and enhancing intrinsic OER activity. When employed as both the anode and cathode in a 1 M alkaline electrolyzer, the CeO2/NiCoFeOx-P@NF electrode achieves a current density of 100 mA cm-2 at a cell voltage of 1.601 V. Notably, in alkaline simulated seawater, this electrode only requires a cell voltage of 1.617 V to reach the same current density, demonstrating its superior applicability for overall seawater electrolysis. This work provides a feasible strategy for the design of high-performance self-supporting bifunctional electrocatalysts for renewable hydrogen production.

ABSTRACT O 2 binding to metal ions is an essential step in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Tailoring O 2 binding is anticipated to realize highly active and selective four‐electron ORR. Herein, we report on fine‐tuning the molecular pocket of Co porphyrins to get a trade‐off between thermodynamics and kinetics of O 2 binding for ORR with high activity and selectivity. Three Co tetra (2‐amidophenyl)porphyrins with an αααα structure but different steric hindrance at the pocket bottleneck are synthesized. The pocket thermodynamically favors O 2 binding by stabilizing O 2 adducts and thus improves the 4e selectivity, but the sterically hindered pocket entrance may obstruct the access of O 2 to Co. By tuning the pocket entrance, we tailored the rate constant and equilibrium constant of O 2 binding, and consequently, we achieved efficient ORR with a half‐wave potential of 0.83 V versus RHE and a transferred electron number of 3.78. This performance is remarkable among reported mononuclear Co porphyrins.

Hydroxyl substituents direct the intrinsic excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) tautomerism of flavonoids, while substituent hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity and pi-pi interactions regulate their self-assembly, highlighting substituents' decisive role in flavonoid properties. Herein, an innovative dual-mode self-assembled fluorescent sensor for Al3+ was constructed by precisely introducing a strongly electron-withdrawing amphiphilic recognition group at flavonoid hydroxyl sites, addressing the disordered self-assembly and unregulated ESIPT of natural flavonoids. This substituent modulated intermolecular non-covalent interactions to enable ordered self-assembly and selective Al3+ binding, yielding probe 3-[2-(methylamino) benzoyloxy]flavone (BCN). Mechanistically, the substituent blocked flavonoid ESIPT via steric-electronic effects while preserving excited-state charge transfer (ESCT) potential; Al3+ binding triggered photoinduced electron transfer (PET) shutdown and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) activation, endowing BCN with an ultrahigh signal-to-noise ratio for absorbance-fluorescence dual-mode detection. BCN exhibited excellent Al3+ sensing performance (detection limit: 0.147 & micro;M in water) and applicability in tap water and weak acid-alkaline samples. Br-functionalized 6-bromo-3-[2-(methylamino)benzoyloxy]flavone (BBCN) retained substituent-controlled self-assembly for portable semi-quantitative Al3+ detection through stable color/absorbance changes. Binding studies confirmed 2 : 1 stoichiometry between the probes and Al3+, and TD-DFT calculations verified the high oscillator strength of BCN-Al3+ transitions, supporting its superior fluorescence. This work provides a rational strategy for developing high-performance flavonoid-based sensors via substituent engineering.

Developing high-performance, non-precious metal electrocatalysts is crucial for the practical use of oxygen involved fuel-type batteries. This study presents a novel molten salt system (ZnCl2-KCl) assisted two-step heat treatment process to prepare Fe@Fe3C anchored FeZnNC hierarchical composite (FeZnNC/Fe@Fe3C). The iron oxide nanoparticles could be firstly loaded onto a hierarchical ZIF-8 derived ZnNC at moderate temperature (ZnNC/Fe2O3), so that the molten salt could be mostly dissolved and recycled. After annealing the ZnNC/Fe2O3 at high temperature, the iron oxide not only could transfer into Fe@Fe3C nanoparticles but also could facilitate the atomic dispersion of Fe single atoms. Benefiting from the high surface area (744 m2 g-1), hierarchical pore structure and synergistic effect of Fe3C nanocrystallines between the metallic Fe nanoparticles and the FeZnNC carbon matrix, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and stability of the FeZnNC/Fe@Fe3C could be significantly enhanced. The onset potential (Eonset), half potential (E1/2), limiting current density could reach 0.99 V, 0.91 V, and 6.45 mA/cm2, respectively. When applied in fuel-type zinc-air batteries, the FeZnNC/ Fe@Fe3C outperforms the commercial Pt/C catalyst in energy density, rate capability and durability, highlighting its great potential for practical renewable energy applications.

Amorphous transition-metal compounds are attractive oxygen evolution reaction (OER) pre-catalysts because of their flexible reconstruction ability, yet their practical use is often limited by poor electrical conductivity and structural collapse...

Self-regulating heating and self-powered flexibility are pivotal for future wearable devices. However, the low energy-conversion rate of wearable devices at low temperatures limits their application in plateaus and other environments. This study introduces an azopolymer with remarkable semicrystallinity and reversible photoinduced solid-liquid transition ability that is obtained through copolymerization of azobenzene (Azo) monomers and styrene. A composite of one such copolymer with an Azo: styrene molar ratio of 9:1 (copolymer is denoted as PAzo9:1 - co -polystyrene (PS)) and nylon fabrics (NFs) is prepared (composite is denoted as PAzo9:1 - co -PS@NF). PAzo9:1 - co -PS@NF exhibits hydrophobicity and high wear resistance. Moreover, it shows good responsiveness (0.624 s-1 ) during isomerization under solid ultraviolet (UV) light (365 nm) with an energy density of 70.6 kJ kg-1 . In addition, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and quantity values of PAzo9:1 - co- PS@NF exhibit small variations in a temperature range of -20 degrees C to 25 degrees C and remain at 170 V, 5 mu A, and 62 nC, respectively. Notably, the involved NFs were cut and sewn into gloves to be worn on a human hand model. When the model was exposed to both UV radiation and friction, the temperature of the finger coated with PAzo9:1 - co -PS was approximately 6.0 degrees C higher than that of the other parts. Therefore, developing triboelectric nanogenerators based on the in situ photothermal cycles of Azo in wearable devices is important to develop low-temperature self-regulating heating and self-powered flexible devices for extreme environments. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Detecting Sn2+ heavy metal ions is crucial for mitigating water pollution and safeguarding human health. This study involved the design and synthesis of a novel fluorescence probe, RTPE-IM, which is a combination of an aggregation-induced emission luminophore (TPE) and rhodamine B. The probe undergoes proton transfer in the presence of Sn2+ ion, displaying high selectivity and a low detection limit of 0.121 μM. The synthesis and application of this molecule offer a potential strategy for preventing environmental health risks.

The development of supercapacitor electrodes with superior performance is aimed at addressing energy storage challenges. Transition metal sulfides (TMS) are often utilized as electrode materials in such research activities, typically obtained through the direct sulfidation of layered double hydroxides (LDH). In this study, we adopted a methodology involving the growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) onto LDH, followed by sulfidation to produce rough nanosheets of (Zn0.2Co0.8)(OH)2/ZnxCo1-xS heterostructures. The results reveal that the nanoflowers, consisting of interconnected rough nanosheets obtained post-sulfidation of ZIF, exhibit an increased number of active sites. In three-electrode measurements, a remarkable specific capacitance of 9.63 F cm-2 was achieved at a current density of 2 mA cm-2, with a capacitance retention ratio of 83.9% after 5000 cycles at a current density of 20 mA cm-2. When configured as a two-electrode device, it demonstrated extremely high energy density (E) and power density (P) at a current density of 2 A g-1, with E reaching 145.78 Wh kg-1 and P achieving 1585 W kg-1. Furthermore, after 10 000 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 10 A g-1, the capacitance retention remained at 85%.

The application of fluorescent small molecules is greatly limited because they tend to photobleach and cause potential harm to organisms. However, SiO2 with fluorescent properties can be obtained by incorporating fluorescent small molecules into the preparation process using Stöber’s method. In this study, we successfully synthesized and prepared nanosized SiO2 spheres doped with sodium fluorescein (FS). The resulting fluorescent material exhibited excellent optical properties similar to FS and demonstrated good optical stability. Additionally, the surface of SiO2 spheres was easily modified, allowing for the introduction of foreign groups or small molecules. By incorporating 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DBA), the final FS@SiO2@DBA fluorescent material enhanced the affinity for latent fingerprints. The use of FS@SiO2@DBA composites for latent fingerprint development demonstrated significant development effects on various substrates, including slides, metal locks, rough marble, galvanized iron sheets, quartz crucibles and blue plastic housings. These findings suggest that FS@SiO2@DBA has a significant impact on latent fingerprint development.

In the current investigation, we have devised a novel organic fluorescent compound named (2-(4-((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)phenyl)ethene-1,1,2-triyl)tribenzene (TPE-3OH-FLA), which is built upon the framework of tetraphenylethylene luminophores. This molecule emits blue-green fluorescence upon exposure to 365-nm laser excitation, highlighting its versatile optical attributes. Furthermore, the TPE-3OH-FLA molecule exhibits the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect, confirmed through TD-DFT calculations. The successful synthesis of the TPE-3OH-FLA molecule represents a significant breakthrough in the realm of fluorescent fingerprint detection technology utilizing the soaking method. It offers a reliable and effective tool that has the potential to revolutionize forensic investigation protocols. The unique characteristics of this molecule suggest a promising role in enhancing the visibility and accuracy of latent print identification in forensic science.

An innovative preparation approach was utilized to prepare bimetallic nanohybrid arrays of NiCo-LDH onto nickel foam through a hydrothermal technique. Then, 2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid ligands were engaged to synthesize NiCo-MOF via a solvothermal method. Subsequently, an alkaline etching-induced technique transformed the bimetallic MOF back into LDH (designated as Et-NiCo-LDH), yielding a bimetallic hydroxide characterized by a denser nanohybrid array and a more abundant pore structure, thereby demonstrating exceptional specific capacitance. The resultant material exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 22.39 F cm- 2 at a current density of 2 mA cm- 2 (about 1194.16 F g- 1 at 1 A g- 1.The loading capacity is 12 mg per square centimeter). After enduring 5000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 15 mA cm- 2, the material maintained 83.6 % of its initial capacity. Furthermore, when assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor device with the as-synthesized Et-NiCo-LDH@NF composites serving as the positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as the negative electrode, the device demonstrated an energy density of 671.42 Wh m- 2 and a power density of 1399.99 W m- 2. Additionally, at a mass loading of 1 A g- 1, the energy density and power density were recorded as 45.04 Wh kg- 1 and 350.37 W kg- 1, respectively, with a mass loading of 12 mg cm- 2. A capacity retention rate of 85.6 % was achieved after 5000 cycles. This study offers a straightforward method for producing uniform and dense bimetallic nanohybrid arrays tailored for applications in the capacitor field.

Phosgene, a toxic and asphyxiating gas, poses a significant threat to human health. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescence probe for phosgene detection was synthesized based on the combination of an aggregation-induced emission tetraphenylethylene (TPE) luminophore and rhodamine hydrazide. The probe exhibits a unique and sensitive response to phosgene based on its spirolactam ring-opening properties and nucleophilic reaction with phosgene. Notably, the probe exhibits a significantly enhanced Stokes shift of 103 nm for ratiometric phosgene detection. Additionally, test strips were developed for the detection of gas phosgene under 365 nm hand-held UV lamps. The design and synthesis of these molecules contribute significantly to environmental health and public safety.

In recent years, a variety of methods have been reported to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of water. However, the design of low-cost electrocatalysts is still a great challenge because of the slow dissociation kinetics of water molecules and the poor long-term stability of catalysts in the HER/OER process. In this paper, sulfur-doped molybdenum and cobalt composites (NF@MoSCo) were prepared on the surface of nickel foam (NF) using a facile hydrothermal reaction. After further low-temperature phosphating treatment, nanoflower-like structure composites (NF@MoSCo/Co2P) can be prepared with excellent electrocatalytic properties both for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The as-synthesized composites show an overpotential of 176.3 mV at 100 mA cm(-2) for the OER and 180.3 mV at 100 mA cm(-2) for the HER. Thus, a symmetric device consisting of Mo and Co-based phosphide nanoflower electrodes was constructed for overall seawater splitting, which can provide a potential of 1.62 V at 100 mA cm(-2) in alkaline simulated seawater (1 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl). This provides a new idea for producing low-resistance and high-efficiency catalysts.

In this study, a novel multi-stimulus responsive RGB fluorescent organic molecule, RTPE-NH2, was designed and synthesized based on the combination of aggregation-induced emission tetraphenylethylene (TPE) luminophore and acid-responsive fluorescent molecular switch Rhodamine B. RTPE-NH2 exhibits aggregation-induced emission behavior, as well as UV irradiation-stimulus and acid-stimulus responsive fluorescence properties. It could emit orange-red (R), green(G), and blue(B) light in both solution and PMMA film under 365 nm excitation. The dark through-bond energy transfer (DTBET) mechanism was proposed and supported by control experiments and TD-DFT calculations. The synthesis and application of RTPE-NH2 could accelerate the development of organic smart materials with high sensitivity and excellent optical properties.

In this study, we investigated the detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs) using green light- and near-infrared (NIR) light-induced up/down-conversion dual-channel composites. Upconverted yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) was prepared using a citric acid-assisted sol-gel method. After loading rhodamine 6G (RhD-6) into mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs), the MSNs-RhD-6 composites were coated with the as-synthesised YAG via electrostatic adsorption using the layer-by-layer method, demonstrating reversible switching between yellow and green light waves under 525 nm green light or 980 nm laser excitation. To evaluate the effectiveness of YAG-MSNs-RhD-6 powder in criminal investigations, we conducted simulations for different fingerprint scenarios. The results indicated that even after prolonged aging (up to 20 days), exposure to water, or high-temperature baking, the fingerprints remained clearly visible in the images. The detection of LFPs on various substrate surfaces exhibited high contrast, with the details of the fingerprints easily observable even after appropriate magnification. This study opens a new path for green light- and near-infrared light-induced up/down-conversion dual-channel composites for optical applications.

A reversible two-channel fluorescent nanocomposite with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect was designed for the development, analysis, and characterization of latent fingerprints (LFPs).

The development of heterojunction composite materials with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance is emerging as an effective means to address the hazardous electromagnetic waves. Here, two types of Cu9S5@VO2 microspheres with different morphologies were designed. The Cu9S5@VO2 microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and vector network analyzer. Results show that the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of unique lamellar-flower Cu9S5@VO2 sphere reaches 56.98 dB, and the wide effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is 6.88 GHz at only 2.5 mm thickness due to the synergistic effect of multiple loss mechanisms. Radar simulated radar cross section (RCS) results show a reduction of 16.56 dBm(2). The design engineering of the phase interface on the material surface can functionalize the material surface properties, introduce lattice defects and polarization behavior, and improve the microwave absorption performance of the material. This work enriches the use of copper sulfide-based functional composites in microwave absorption with high-performance microwave absorbers by designing microscopically controllable, simple processes and heterojunction design.