Mixed-halide perovskites are central to high-efficiency inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), yet the spatial inhomogeneity of multiple halides remains an unresolved challenge that induces strain, defect formation, and interfacial recombination. Here, we uncovered the depth-dependent distribution of halide ions within a triple-halide perovskite, wherein the bromine content progressively increases with increasing depth, while chloride contents are preferentially enriched near both the top and bottom interfaces. To rectify such compositional gradients, we introduced methylammonium halides (MAX; X = I-, Br-, Cl-) post-treatments, with MABr identified as the most efficient agent for reestablishing halide compositional uniformity. Depth-resolved analyses demonstrated that MABr treatment effectively homogenizes the halide distribution across the perovskite film, thereby alleviating lattice strain and promoting enhanced crystallographic order. The relaxation of lattice strain drives epitaxial-like crystallization, producing films with reinforced (100) orientation, enlarged and fully merged grains. Moreover, the treatment-induced n-type surface enables an energetically favorable interface with C60, which promotes effective hole extraction. Such structural and interfacial refinement translate into a champion efficiency of 25.72% and superior operational stability, retaining over 96% of the initial efficiency after 700 h of continuous illumination. Overall, MABr-mediated ionic homogenization provides a universal framework for composition-strain coupling, enabling scalable and intrinsically stable multi-halide perovskite photovoltaics.

All-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and enhanced safety. However, their practical implementation is hindered by the limited understanding of sulfur redox reactions in solid-state environments, which are often assumed to follow the conventional S8–Li2S conversion mechanism established in liquid electrolytes. Here, we demonstrate that the redox pathways of sulfur in ASSLSBs are fundamentally governed by the initial chemical state of sulfur, leading to distinct and non-equivalent reaction mechanisms for S8 and Li2S cathodes under unpressurized conditions at room temperature. Comprehensive X-ray-based analyses combined with electrochemical characterization reveal that the S8-based ASSLSB delivers a high discharge capacity of ~1400 mAh g−1 but undergoes irreversible conversion without regenerating S8, resulting in severe interfacial degradation and rapid capacity fading. In contrast, the Li2S-based ASSLSB exhibits reversible redox behavior through short-chain sulfur species (S2–4), enabling stable cycling with a capacity of ~1200 mAh g−1 and near-unity Coulombic efficiency. These findings establish that, contrary to the conventional conversion paradigm, the initial sulfur speciation determines the redox pathway in solid-state systems. Therefore, controlling sulfur speciation offers a new design strategy for achieving stable ASSLSBs under practical operating conditions.

Molecular interactions are crucial to improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, yet current solution-based approaches relying on molecular incorporation or surface passivation show inherent limitations in separately controlling these interactions. Here we reveal an intrinsic interfacial interaction that arises from simple contact between individually crystallized two-dimensional and three-dimensional perovskites without mixing or permanent bonding. We define this contact-triggered cationic interaction (CCI), which reversibly constrains molecular degrees of freedom, suppresses phase transitions, enhances carrier lifetimes and induces a unique recrystallization of the three-dimensional framework. This CCI-driven recrystallization produces refined FAPbI3 with improved cation homogeneity, reduced lattice disorder and superior optoelectronic properties. Devices using CCI-driven FAPbI3 achieve 26.25% efficiency (25.61% certified) and retain a projected operational lifetime exceeding 20,000 h. Our findings provide the first quantitative evidence that intrinsic interfacial cationic interactions can directly influence perovskite material quality and device performance.

Thermoelectric materials have attracted tremendous attention owing to their ability to directly convert heat into electricity. Enhancing the thermoelectric efficiency of materials relies on minimizing thermal conductivity via phonon scattering engineering, where the broad spectrum of phonon frequencies requires multiscale architectures capable of scattering phonons over diverse wavelengths. In this study, we developed BiSbTe-based thermoelectric materials featuring multiscale hierarchical microstructures, achieved via melt-spinning synthesis of nanostructured BiSbTe particles followed by solution-phase coating with polyoxometalates (POMs). During spark plasma sintering, the POM surface layers decompose to form ultrathin oxide interfacial layers within the BiSbTe grains. These oxide interfaces, in combination with nanoscale features, effectively suppress lattice thermal conductivity to 0.38 W m-1 K-1 at room temperature with only 0.1 mol% POM additive, yielding a peak figure of merit (ZT) of 1.56 at 75 degrees C. This work demonstrates a scalable strategy for realizing multiscale phonon scattering and enhanced thermoelectric performance through interface engineering.

The formation of a two-dimensional (2D) perovskite on the perovskite surface is one of the most effective defect control approaches in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To date, in most high-efficiency perovskite devices, surface defect passivation still relies on Ruddlesden-Popper (RP)-based 2D passivation, even though these structures suffer from instability under environmental and operational stressors. Herein, we present a robust Dion-Jacobson (DJ) 2D passivation layer to address the stability limitations of its RP counterparts. We found that the n value of the DJ 2D perovskite could be finely tuned using a precise post-annealing process. By carefully tailoring the n value, we were able to overcome the intrinsically low conductivity of the DJ framework and significantly boost hole extraction at the interface. Benefiting from these advances, our optimized device achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.56% (certified 25.59%) while maintaining high stability in both damp-heat and operational-stability tests.

A perovskite precursor solution that delivers power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 26% in conventional n-i-p solar cells exhibits severe performance losses when directly applied to inverted p-i-n architectures, revealing that high-efficiency compositions are not inherently transferable. Here, we identify a buried-interface crystallization mismatch, arising from the distinct physicochemical natures of inorganic SnO2 electron-transporting layers and organic self-assembled hole-transporting monolayers (SA-HTLs), as the origin of this divergence. The methylammonium chloride (MACl)-associated intermediate phase, MA2Pb3I8·2DMSO, persists and decomposes with strong underlayer dependence, stabilizing beneficially on SnO2 but impeding crystallization on SA-HTLs. To overcome this limitation, we develop a chloride-origin engineering strategy that decouples chloride functionality from volatile organic ammonium species by incorporating low-solubility lead chloride (PbCl2) with strong Pb–Cl coordination. This enables controlled interfacial desolvation and nucleation on SA-HTLs, suppresses buried defects, and establishes buried-interface crystallization control as a design principle for architecture-convergent, high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.

Melt growth is a process for creating large, bulk single crystals by solidifying a molten material. It combines elements of the Czochralski method, which creates a molten phase, and the Bridgman method, which controls the temperature gradient. Here, we apply two-dimensional (2D) melt growth to synthesize large-scale, single-crystal hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), enabling substrate-agnostic crystallization with precise thickness control. Our method involves a vapor-liquid-solid process, where the reaction between the pre-deposited inorganic NaxPbBry seeding layer and the organic precursor flux produces the 2D molten phase of HOIPs. This molten phase spreads into a 2D liquid film and allows uniform, large-scale crystallization of ultrathin HOIPs in a substrate-agnostic manner, bypassing requirements for lattice matching. Using this approach, we successfully grow 2D (n = 1) and quasi-2D (n > 1) ferroelectric HOIP films on SiO2/Si wafers at a low thermal budget, enabling direct large-scale device fabrication. Statistical analysis of devices demonstrates reliable ferroelectric switching and uniform electronic performance across the film. Our method holds great potential for other types of HOIPs and heterostructures, paving the way for applications in large-scale on-chip devices.

Ternary blend bulk heterojunction (BHJ) strategies have emerged as an effective route to enhance the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), yet the development of guest donors remains relatively underexplored. Here, a polymeric guest donor, DTBDT-SEH-C8, is designed and synthesized as a derivative of PM6 with extended It-conjugation, replacement of fluorine atom with alkyl chain, and incorporation of sulfur atom between alkyl chain and thiophene. This structural modification affords favorable cascade energy alignment through a deeper HOMO energy level and stronger light harvesting in the donor spectral region compared to PM6. Incorporation of DTBDT-SEH-C8 into the binary matrix promotes the formation of interstitial connections between the donor and acceptor phases. This structural feature is consistent with the improved charge transfer characteristics and reduced recombination losses observed in the ternary devices. These synergistic effects deliver a notable increase in device performance: the optimized ternary BHJ device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.12%, representing an enhancement over the binary counterpart (16.26%), with improvements in shelf and thermal stability. This work highlights the functional role of structurally tuned polymeric guest donors and underscores the importance of developing new guest donors for high-performance ternary OSCs.

Although halide perovskite solar cells have achieved remarkable efficiencies close to their theoretical limits, durability against external factors and reproducible processing remain major barriers to commercialization. Conventional ammonium halide-based surface passivation strategies enable effective defect passivation and charge selectivity via 2D/3D heterostructure formation, but their metastability and strong sensitivity to processing conditions limit long-term stability and process window. In this work, we report an amorphous pi-conjugated passivator, (4-(3-iodo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)butyl)phosphonic acid (I-4PACz). The asymmetric iodine substituent enhances the molecular dipole moment while simultaneously altering intermolecular interactions, thereby suppressing ordered molecular packing and enabling the formation of a uniform interfacial layer. The characteristics of I-4PACz result in efficient charge extraction as well as widening process window. Perovskite solar modules applied to I-4PACz as passivator between the perovskite and hole transport-layer show a power conversion efficiency of 21.2% with 24.5 cm2 aperture size, and excellent long-term stability retaining 85% of the initial efficiency for 884 h under 65 degrees C and 40% relative humidity, and 98.7% of the initial efficiency for 525 h under continous illumination, respectively. Moreover, the minial dependence on blade-coating speed also reinforces the suitability of this interfacial control strategy for inline and large-area manufacturing.

Electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) synthesis via two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e⁻ ORR) offers a sustainable alternative to the anthraquinone process, yet practical deployment remains limited by insufficient selectivity, low system-level value, and reliance on freshwater electrolytes. Here we report a photovoltaic-driven single-atom electrocatalyst cell (PV-SAEC) that enables bias-free co-production of H 2 O 2 production with chlorine (Cl 2 ) directly from saline feedstocks. A bio-inspired Ni single-atom catalyst, mimicking the second coordination environment of nickel superoxide dismutase, promotes efficient alkaline 2e⁻ ORR, while a Pt single-atom catalyst selectively catalyzes chlorine evolution at the anode. Under one-sun illumination and zero applied bias, the integrated PV-SAEC system simultaneously produces H 2 O 2 and Cl 2 , while desalinating seawater. Techno-economic and life-cycle analyses reveal clear economic and environmental advantages over incumbent anthraquinone and chlor–alkali processes, establishing a scalable platform for multifunctional seawater valorization.

Applying the ternary bulk heterojunction (BHJ) strategy in organic solar cells (OSCs) has emerged as an effective approach to enhance photovoltaic performance. In this work, two newly designed wide-bandgap polymer donors, BDT-TS-6 and BDT-TS-20, were developed by incorporating a diester-functionalized terephthalate unit into a common BDTT-based conjugated backbone and introducing linear C6 or branched C20 ester substituents on the terephthalate-derived units. The short linear C6 and bulky long-branched C20 side chains were selected to provide contrasting steric and molecular packing environments while maintaining solution processability. Accordingly, the two polymer guest donors exhibited distinct aggregation behavior, relative miscibility with the PM6:Y6 host components, and molecular ordering. Both BDT-TS guest donors showed complementary absorption and well-aligned energy levels with the PM6:Y6 host system, supporting extended light harvesting and charge generation in the ternary blends. Notably, BDT-TS-6 exhibited more favorable relative miscibility and more ordered molecular packing, whereas BDT-TS-20 showed stronger aggregation and predominantly amorphous character. The optimized PM6:BDT-TS-6:Y6 and PM6:BDT-TS-20:Y6 ternary OSCs achieved PCEs of 17.55% and 16.92%, respectively, outperforming the PM6:Y6 binary OSC (15.92%). Overall, this work demonstrates that side-chain length, branching, and steric bulk collectively regulate aggregation, miscibility, molecular ordering, and the resulting photovoltaic performance of ternary OSCs.

Scaling perovskite solar cells (PSCs) into large-area modules requires precise control of structural uniformity and mechanical integrity. However, scalable deposition often introduces mesoscale heterogeneities, including grain-orientation disorder and lattice-strain gradients, which limit efficiency and stability. Here, we report an intact-film orthogonal two-dimensional X-ray diffraction mapping (2DXDM) technique that enables full-field, quantitative crystallographic analysis of large-area perovskite films without physical sectioning. The method resolves spatial variations in crystallinity, orientation coherence, and lattice strain across complete modules and is validated against conventional sectioned analyses such as grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction (GI-WAXD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Using this approach, we compare static spin-coating (SSC) and dynamic spin-casting (DSC). DSC yields more homogeneous films with relaxed lattice stress and controlled solvate evolution, thereby reducing edge defects. As a result, DSC-based modules achieve 23.0% efficiency (22.7% certified) over 86.4 cm2 and retain over 80% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 h of operation.

Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles are considered to be the most efficient catalyst for acidic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, they are expensive and unstable, because of agglomeration and Ostwald ripening. It is critically necessary for developing a better catalytic support to stabilize the Pt nanoparticles at low loading amounts. One efficient route to improving both catalytic activity and durability is metal catalysts stably anchored on heteroatom functionalized carbon supports via their strong interactions. Nevertheless, the interactions between "metallic" catalysts and "nonmetallic" heteroatom functionalized carbon supports are still unsatisfactory. Here, "metalloid" antimony (Sb) functionalized graphitic nanoplatelets (SbGnP) are reported to stably anchor Pt nanoparticles. The resulting Pt@SbGnP catalyst shows a record high acidic HER performance, attributable to the unique nature of Sb functional groups on SbGnP. Unlike typical low-period nonmetallic heteroatoms on carbon supports, high-period metalloid Sb with various oxidation states of SbOx provided strong binding sites to stably anchor Pt nanoparticles, suppressing particle aggregation, and thus sustaining catalytic activity and stability.

We present a stabilization method of conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) through the creation of an inorganic shell on their surfaces, leading to a markedly improved preservation of the photophysical properties of the resulting nanohybrids in harsh radical environments as well as enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs). The CPNs could be stabilized by partial photocrosslinking of an acetylenic alcohol, and maintained their morphological and photophysical properties in the reaction media used for the reduction of a silver precursor on their surfaces. The resulting nanohybrids, comprising a CPN core and a silver shell, displayed structural and photophysical stability in the harsh radical environments produced by the Fenton's reaction, demonstrating that the metal shell successfully shielded the polymer core from radical attack. In contrast to the pristine CPNs, the present nanohybridization significantly improved the photocatalytic activity, resulting in a more effective generation of ROSs. The nanohybridization described in this paper provides a practical solution for the long-standing problem affecting the applications of CPNs, the detrimental effect of ROS on the photophysical characteristics of conjugated polymers.

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative to proton exchange membrane and anion exchange membrane electrolysis, with advantages such as lower material costs, greater stability, and compatibility with non-precious metal catalysts. 1 In this study, we develop a reference electrode-integrated single-cell system that minimizes hardware modifications by extending the separator to form an ion channel, enabling real-time, independent monitoring of electrode behaviors with high-resolution electrochemical diagnostics. 2 Contrary to the conventional assumption that the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is kinetically more favorable than the oxygen evolution reaction, our results reveal that HER is significantly more sluggish in practical AWE systems using nickel-based substrates. Arrhenius-type analysis indicates that catalysts generate localized electric fields, enhancing bimolecular charge transfer, stabilizing activation energy, and exponentially increasing the pre-exponential factor. 3 This behavior diverges from the classical Butler-Volmer model and aligns more closely with Marcus's theory, leading to a proposed semi-empirical equation for more accurate electrolysis kinetics. 4 These findings underscore the need for improved cathode designs to enhance HER kinetics and optimize overall AWE performance.

In conventional n-i-p perovskite solar cells, unsolved issues persist, particularly concerning notorious performance degradation under prolonged heat exposure at 85 degrees C. By reducing the concentration of 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and adjusting their molar ratio to one, we achieved a dramatic increase in the heat stability of the PSC while boosting its power conversion efficiency (PCE). The formation of a 1:1 Li+-tBP complex was crucial for preventing free tBP molecules in the hole-transporting layer (HTL), suppressing the de-doping of the p-type HTL by tBP and the release of tBP vapor under heat stress. Consequently, the PSCs accomplished a PCE of 26.18% (certified 26.00%) while demonstrating remarkable resilience to heat exposure at 85 degrees C due to the raised glass transition temperature of the HTL. Furthermore, a perovskite solar mini-module with an aperture area of 25 cm2 achieved a PCE of 23.29%, highlighting their potential for commercial PSC deployment.

Objectives: To determine and compare the efficacy and safety of GV1001 and 5 mg finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Patients and methods: This randomized, active-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 423 patients aged >50 years with a prostate volume (PV) >30 mL. Patients were randomized into Group 1 (GV1001 0.56 mg + finasteride placebo), Group 2 (GV1001 1.12 mg + finasteride placebo), or Group 3 (GV1001 placebo +5 mg finasteride). The patients received the study drug during clinic visits every 2 weeks at weeks 0-22. Changes in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), PV, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, residual urine volume, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and international index of erectile function (IIEF) were assessed. Results: We included 408 (96.45%) patients (Group 1, n = 138; Group 2, n = 134; Group 3, n = 136) in full analysis set for primary efficacy evaluations. All groups showed significant decreases and increases in the IPSS and Qmax, respectively (Groups 1, 2, and 3, IPSS:-4.78 +/- 6.50,-4.99 +/- 6.66, and-5.51 +/- 6.42, respectively; P < 0.0001; Qmax: P = 0.0005, P = 0.0039, and P < 0.0001, respectively). PV reductions were observed in Groups 2 and 3 (-0.75 +/- 8.21 mL [P = 0.3280] and-2.47 +/- 7.92 mL [P = 0.0010], respectively). The PSA and testosterone levels of Group 3 significantly decreased and changed, respectively (-0.90 +/- 1.25 ng/mL, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the residual urine volume. DHT significantly decreased in all groups (Groups 1, 2, and 3:-71.41 +/- 244.06 ng/mL [P = 0.0025],-73.84 +/- 249.26 ng/mL [P = 0.0019], and-106.60 +/- 178.29 ng/ mL [P < 0.0001], respectively). Only Group 3 exhibited a significantly decreased IIEF (-3.06 +/- 15.34; P = 0.0323). Acute urinary retention occurred in one patient in Group 2. No patients underwent prostate surgery or minimally invasive procedures during the study. Conclusions: GV1001 exhibited corresponding efficacy and tolerability, providing evidence of amelioration in urinary symptoms among patients with BPH in comparison to the use of 5 mg finasteride. (c) 2025 The Asian Pacific Prostate Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

The development of cost-effective and efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts is vital for sustainable hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting. In this study, we report the synthesis of a nanorod-shaped lanthanum vanadate (LaVO4, LaV) integrated with palladium-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Pd-gCN) to form a hybrid LaV/Pd-gCN composite catalyst. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) reveals that LaV crystallizes in a monazite-type structure and undergoes a subtle structural transformation when combined with Pd-gCN, enhancing its catalytic properties. The incorporation of Pd with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) significantly improves its electrical conductivity and introduces additional active sites, facilitating charge transfer and reaction kinetics. Electrochemical analysis demonstrates outstanding bifunctional performance of the LaV/Pd-gCN composite, with low overpotentials of 290 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 410 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at 100 mA cm-2 in alkaline media. The composite also exhibits excellent stability, retaining over 85 % of its initial activity after 100 h of continuous operation for both HER and OER. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction among La, V, Pd, and the g-C3N4 matrix, which promotes favorable electronic structures and interfacial charge transfer. These findings highlight the potential of LaV/Pd-gCN as a promising bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting, offering a viable alternative to noble metal-based systems.

Li-rich layered oxides have emerged as promising high-energy-density cathode materials; however, their performance at elevated temperatures (>50 degrees C) is severely limited by irreversible anion redox reactions including oxygen release and structural degradation associated with transition metal migration. While aluminum-doping has been theoretically proposed to enhance the structural and electrochemical stability of Li-rich cathodes, its experimental validation under high-temperature conditions (e.g., 60 degrees C) has remained elusive. Here, we present the comprehensive experimental validation of Al-doping effects on high-temperature stability in 4d-metal-based Li-rich cathodes, specifically Li1.22Ru0.61Ni0.10Al0.05O2 (LRNAO). Notably, Al-doped LRNAO retains 97.7 % of its initial specific capacity (similar to 222 mAh g(-1)) after 50 cycles at 60 degrees C, representing unprecedented thermal stability for Li-rich cathodes. Mechanistic studies reveal that Al-doping provides thermal stability through a dual-function mechanism: (1) oxygen stabilization via strong Al-O bonds that suppress O-O dimerization and (2) facilitation of reversible Ni migration during cycling through creation of thermally stable local environments. Al-doping prevents spinel-like phase formation during prolonged cycling, maintaining the layered structure integrity even after 100 cycles at elevated temperature. It enables a remarkable combination of high-temperature stability and high capacity, setting a new benchmark for Li-rich layered cathodes. This work provides fundamental insights into temperature-dependent degradation mechanisms and offers practical design strategies for the development of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries operable under demanding thermal conditions.