CsHoSiS 4 sets a new band gap record among rare earth chalcogenides, with [RES 7 ] as the key functional motif.

A three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular ruthenium porphyrin assembly, i.e. [Ru(H2O)2TCPP]Cl & sdot;H2O (compound 1; H2TCPP = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin), was prepared through a hydrothermal process. The crystal structure of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing an isolated zerodimensional (0-D) molecular unit. These discrete units are linked through intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form an extended 3-D supramolecular architecture. The Ru3+ ion resides in a six-coordinate octahedral coordination environment, and the porphyrin ligand adopts a nearly planar conformation. Photoluminescence measurements in ethanol solution confirm that this ruthenium porphyrin exhibits strong red-region emission, originating from the intrinsic porphyrin-based excited-state transition. The CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates are (0.7178, 0.2822), unambiguously placing the emission within the deep-red region. Notably, the corresponding correlated color temperature (CCT) is calculated to be 7843 K, which is typical for red-emitting materials when mapped onto the Planckian locus. Solid-state UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveals that the material behaves as a wide-bandgap semiconductor, with an optical bandgap of 3.17 eV. Compound 1 exhibits promising light-dependent antibacterial activity against drug-resistant S. aureus in preliminary diskdiffusion assays, consistent with its capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under visible-light irradiation: a property anticipated from its strong red-region absorption and long-lived excited states. This initial phenotypic observation motivates targeted future studies on its quantitative antimicrobial efficacy and mechanism of action.

Aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitors (ZHCs) are limited by the lack of cathode materials that combine high Zn2+ storage capacity with long-term durability. An oxygen-enriched heterostructured porous carbon (LCPC) with an integrated soft-hard carbon architecture has been constructed from low-cost coal tar pitch and renewable lignin through cocarbonization and KOH activation. The resulting material possesses a hierarchical porous network with a specific surface area of 3218.7 m2 g-1 and an oxygen content of 8.14 atom %. When evaluated as a ZHC cathode, LCPC achieves a specific capacity of 165.3 mAh g-1 at 0.25 A g-1 and retains 77.1% of its initial capacity after 100,000 cycles, owing to the synergistic combination of a conductive soft carbon framework and a porous hard carbon scaffold. Beyond the demonstrated performance, this work provides insight into the Zn2+ storage mechanism in heterostructured porous carbons and establishes a sustainable route to high-performance carbon cathodes for next-generation energy storage.

A triazole-functionalized copper(II) porphyrin complex, Cu-TTPP, derived from tetrakis[4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]porphyrin was synthesized and comprehensively characterized. Successful metalation of the porphyrin macrocycle was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, as shown by a blue shift of the absorption bands and a decrease in the number of Q bands. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that Cu-TTPP crystallizes in the monoclinic system and that the Cu(II) center adopts a square-planar coordination geometry with four pyrrolic nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin core. Solid-state UV-vis spectroscopy gave an optical band gap of 1.89 eV. Electrochemical measurements indicated the presence of multiple electroactive sites, which facilitate charge transfer and reduce charge-transfer resistance. Frontier molecular orbital calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis further supported the experimental results. Two-dimensional fingerprint plots and dnorm mapping showed that the crystal packing is mainly stabilized by H & sdot;& sdot;& sdot;H, C & sdot;& sdot;& sdot;H and N & sdot;& sdot;& sdot;H intermolecular interactions, contributing 39.3%, 24.5% and 23.0%, respectively. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that Cu-TTPP exhibits notable activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with a stronger inhibitory effect toward the Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus. These results clarify the structural, photophysical, electrochemical and biological properties of this triazole-substituted copper porphyrin complex and indicate its potential for antimicrobial applications.

A new mercury-based mixed-anion chalcogenide-halide Hg3S2Br2 (1) was reported. It features a three-dimensional (3D) cationic framework. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm one is a direct-bandgap semiconductor, with the conduction-band minimum (CBM) and valence-band maximum both located at the Gamma point. The computed electronic bandgap is 2.82 eV, in excellent agreement with the 2.71 eV extracted from UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Solid-state photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a green emission centered at 496 nm. The CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates are (0.0608, 0.3811). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that it exhibits thermal stability up to 150 degrees C.

Tin (II) oxide (SnO) is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to its high theoretical specific capacity and distinctive layered structure, yet its electrochemical behavior and reaction mechanism in ether-based electrolytes remain insufficiently understood. In this work, we systematically investigate the sodium storage performance and underlying reaction chemistry of SnO in an ether-based electrolyte. The results reveal that SnO stores sodium via a combined conversion-alloying mechanism, and that structural collapse and interfacial degradation induced by deep desodiation are the primary causes of capacity fading. To address this issue, we propose a strategy of limiting the upper cutoff potential to 1.2 V, which effectively suppresses excessive volume expansion and triggers a spontaneous self-reconstruction of the material, thereby preserving its electrochemical activity. Within this potential window, the original SnO microparticles gradually evolve into an interwoven structure comprising nanoparticles and nanosheets, which facilitates stress relaxation and increases the electrochemically active surface area. The optimized SnO anode delivers 518.9 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 1 A g-1 and retains 376.7 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1. When paired with a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, the full cell achieves 90.2% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 1 A g-1. This work elucidates the failure mechanism and self-reconstruction enhancement of SnO, offering a new strategy for high-performance tin-based anodes.

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) with high nitrogen content and readily tunable electronic structure, present distinct advantages such as photocatalytic platforms for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. In recent years, considerable research efforts have been directed toward developing CTF-based photocatalysts for efficient H2O2 generation. Nevertheless, a systematic review focusing specifically on the progress in photocatalytic H2O2 production using CTFs is still lacking. This review comprehensively outlines the state-of-the-art progress in the design and application of CTF-based photocatalysts for H2O2 production via both oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions under visible-light irradiation. Representative studies are highlighted to illustrate key achievements and strategies. Furthermore, molecular-level engineering approaches for optimizing the structure and properties of CTFs are discussed, aiming to enhance their photocatalytic performance. The underlying reaction mechanisms are also elucidated to provide deeper insights into the solar-driven chemical conversion process. Finally, we summarize the established structure-activity relationships to offer guidance for the rational design and synthesis of advanced CTF-based photocatalytic systems.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention for electrochemical energy storage due to their redox-active metal centers, high surface area and tunable porosity. Herein, we synthesized and examined two-dimensional (2D) trimetallic nanocomposites, Zn-Cu-Mo and Mg-Cu-Mo MOFs, which were prepared via a straightforward hydrothermal method and evaluated as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. The incorporation of multiple metal centers within the framework is expected to influence the electronic and electrochemical behaviour of the materials. Both MOFs nanocomposites exhibit a porous, cube-shaped morphology that provides accessible electroactive sites and facilitates electrolyte diffusion. The electrochemical performance of the synthesized MOFs was evaluated in a 1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. The Zn-Cu-Mo-MOF shows a maximum specific capacitance of similar to 285.5 F g(-1), higher than that of the Mg-Cu-Mo-MOF that exhibits similar to 191.5 F g(-1) under comparable conditions. The corresponding power densities reached 1020 W kg(-1) for Zn-Cu-Mo and 832 W kg(-1) for Mg-Cu-Mo. The higher electrochemical performance of the Zn-based MOF composite can be attributed to its smaller particle size, rougher surface texture and more open porous architecture, which facilitates faster ion diffusion and greater exposure of electroactive sites. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge analysis indicate reversible faradaic behavior and stable charge storage characteristics. Our results show that the prepared trimetallic MOFs exhibit promising electrochemical properties and may serve as potential electrode materials for supercapacitors and related energy storage systems.

A novel bismuth porphyrin (Bi2Cl10)(BiCl5)(2BiCl(6))(Cl)[2(5,10,15,20-tetra-3-pyridinyl-21H,23H-Porphine(4+))]5H(3)O2H(2)O (1) was prepared by using a multifunctional microwave synthesis and extraction instrument. The crystal structure of this bismuth porphyrin was elucidated through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, disclosing an isolated structure that resembles a three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular architecture. The Bi(3+)ions show two types of coordination geometries. The 24-membered macrocycle of the 5,10,15,20-tetra-3-pyridinyl-21H,23H-Porphine displays saddle distortion. Solid-state UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveals that compound 1 exhibits a wide semiconductor bandgap of 2.68 eV. Photoluminescence spectroscopy (in solution) reveals that the material emits in the red spectral region (similar to 630-730 nm), indicating potential applications in optoelectronics. The photoluminescence emission exhibits CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates of (0.7025, 0.2974), corresponding to a correlated color temperature of 6537 K.

Covalent organic framework (COF) films are emerging as advanced separation materials for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). Conventional COF films fabricated via liquid-liquid interfacial polymerization typically yield structures with randomly oriented pores, which limits their permeance. Herein, a novel solid-liquid interfacial polymerization strategy was proposed to directly construct continuous COF films oriented perpendicularly to the interface. This method results in a more ordered pore structure compared to traditional liquid-liquid interfaces. By employing a fluorine-functionalized molecular building block, the derived membrane exhibits enhanced hydrophobicity and solvent resistance. The optimized F-COF membrane delivers an excellent toluene permeance of 28.4 L m-2 h-1 bar-1, significantly surpassing most conventional counterparts, while maintaining a rejection rate above 99 % for Acid fuchsin (585 g mol-1). This study combines innovative fabrication strategies, tailored microstructures, and outstanding separation performance, making fluorinated COF films prepared at the solid-liquid interface a highly promising candidate material for high-performance OSN applications.

The (co)deposition method is recognized as an effective approach for preparing high-efficiency loose nanofiltration (LNF) membranes due to its mild reaction conditions and straightforward process. However, challenges such as lengthy deposition time, and the necessity for additional additives continue to pose significant obstacles in the membrane formation process via deposition technology. In this study, we introduce an auxiliary-free, hydrogen bond-driven deposition strategy for the preparation of LNF membranes. Specifically, we designed and synthesized a water-soluble, POSS-centered polyacrylic hydrazide (OMEPOSS-PAH) that contains a high density of amine groups. Subsequently, OMEPOSS-PAH served as the monomer, utilizing the hydrogen bond interactions between its numerous amine groups and the functional groups of cyano on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes, along with the hydrogen bonding interactions between the amine groups in OMEPOSS-PAH, to facilitate its deposition and crosslinking on the membrane surface, resulting in the formation of a PAN/ OMEPOSS-PAH composite membrane. Branched OMEPOSS-PAH acts as a hydrogen bond acceptor and donor at the same time, and can be deposited on the surface of the matrix membrane within 30 min and build a network structure. The whole process does not require the addition of auxiliary reagents. The rate of the membraneforming method is significantly higher than that of the existing dopamine or tannic acid system requiring the addition of auxiliary agents, and it is more environmentally friendly. The M6 membrane prepared under optimal conditions exhibited excellent water permeance of 72.3 L m- 2 h- 1 bar- 1, rejection of dyes exceeding 99%, and achieved efficient dye/salt separation (CBB/NaCl selectivity up to 234). Through long-term running experiments, the performance stability of M6 membrane was partially verified. These results indicate that the prepared LNF membrane has important application potential in the treatment of saline printing and dyeing wastewater.

Direct photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using only water and oxygen as raw materials without the need for sacrificial agents offers a highly promising green alternative technology to the energy-intensive anthraquinone process. However, its efficiency is fundamentally tied to the availability of adsorption sites and oxygen affinity. In this study, we synthesized two conjugated organic polymers, namely TEB-DIA-COOH and TEB-DPA-NH2, which share the same skeleton but bear distinct substituents. The para-substituent to the pyridine nitrogen modulates pyridine ring electron density, affecting O2 adsorption sites and binding strength. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the electron-deficient meta-carbons adjacent to pyridine nitrogen in TEB-DIA-COOH enhance O2 adsorption compared to those in TEB-DPA-NH2, which promotes ORR kinetics and electron consumption, thereby resulting in enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production. Hence, TEB-DIA-COOH demonstrates an outstanding initial H2O2 production rate of 3098 mu mol g-1 h-1, which is significantly higher than the rate of 972 mu mol g-1 h-1 for TEB-DPA-NH2. This work underscores that optimizing the electronic micro-environment around the pyridine ring by varying electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents at the para position relative to the pyridine N is crucial for designing efficient H2O2 production photocatalysts.

Electric fields are powerful tools for boosting the intrinsic polarization intensity of materials by precisely regulating their charge distribution. However, conventional strategies predominantly rely on the macroscopic design of heterostructures or composite systems to construct built-in electric fields, aiming to optimize polarization response. Although such approaches yield additional interfacial polarization, they obscure the intrinsic regulatory mechanism of external electric fields on material properties. Therefore, the core challenge is to develop a new electric field regulation paradigm that directly targets the intrinsic polarization. Herein, we propose a curvature-induced polarization amplification strategy. By utilizing hollow carbon spheres with tunable curvatures, Polarization is triggered under electromagnetic (EM) field excitation, forming localized surface electric fields that disrupt the symmetric electron cloud distribution of single-atom sites as ideal polarization units. This strategy establishes a curvature-driven control paradigm for high-efficiency EM wave absorbers. Geometrically induced surface electric fields remarkably enhance the inherent dipole moments of single atoms, thereby boosting their EM polarization loss capability. The optimized material demonstrates exceptional broadband EM wave absorption, with a loss efficiency exceeding 99.9%. This approach provides unprecedented design freedom for EM response materials, showing broad application prospects in fields such as EM compatibility and terahertz communication.

Two new lanthanide mercury bimetallic nicotinic acid complexes, i.e. [Pr(HNA)(3)(H2O)(2)](2n)(2nHgCl(4))(nHg(2)Cl(6))center dot 4nH(2)O (complex 1; HNA = nicotinic acid) and [Ho(HNA)(3)(H2O)(2)](2n)(2nHgCl(4))(nHg(2)Cl(6))center dot 4nH(2)O (complex 2), were obtained via hydrothermal reactions. These two complexes are isostructural. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Both complexes are characterized by a one-dimensional (1-D) chain-like structure with the lanthanide ions in the eight - coordination geometries and the mercury ions in the four-coordination motifs. Using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, we found bandgaps corresponding to 3.61 eV (complex 1) and 3.42 eV (complex 2). Subsequent photoluminescence characterization of the solid samples confirmed blue emission for complex 1 and green upconverted emission for complex 2. As detailed below, the emission mechanisms differ fundamentally: complex 1 relies on the Pr3+ P-3(0) -> H-3(4) transition, whereas complex 2 utilizes Ho3+ S-5(2) -> I-5(8). This results in starkly contrasting colors: CIE (x = 0.1102, y = 0.1209; CCT=71205 K; TSV: X = 52835.367300489, Y = 57943.32727493, Z = 368472.7822731; UCS1976: u' = 0.1042, v' = 0.2572) for 1 vs. CIE (x = 0.2558, y = 0.7316; CCT=6662 K; TSV: X = 17965.98681255, Y = 51388.95338242, Z = 886.6911455656; UCS1976: u' = 0.0908, v' = 0.5844) for 2.

To satisfy the demand for enhanced energy density, low cost, and improved safety in batteries, magnesium metal batteries (MMBs) have garnered considerable research interest. Nevertheless, their practical application suffers from suboptimal cyclability and rechargeability, which can be attributed to the inherently unstable and easily passivated interface between the magnesium anode and electrolyte. While massive efforts have been made to advance anode and electrolyte, a thorough and in-depth review of anode-electrolyte interface engineering for high-performance MMBs remains scarce. In this review, we systematically analyze the static and dynamic failures of the Mg anode-electrolyte interface, focusing on issues such as chemical and electrochemical passivation, inhomogeneous deposition and dissolution, and detrimental volume changes. Based on this mechanistic understanding, we critically evaluate recent interface engineering strategies, including the design of artificial solid electrolyte interfacial layers, the use of magnesium alloy anodes, the construction of three-dimensional matrix materials, and the optimization of electrolyte chemistry systems. Finally, we explore future research directions, including decoupling electro-chemical-mechanical interface behavior, advanced interface characterization techniques, and AI-driven interface material design. Our goal is to establish a foundational framework for the development of high-performance MMBs and provide a transformative paradigm for understanding and engineering metal anodes in other multivalent battery systems.

Three lanthanoid–IIB metal hybrid complexes, namely, [Dy(HIA)2(H2O)2Hg2Cl5(IA)]nn(HgCl2)·2nH2O·nCl (1), [Sm(HIA)3(H2O)2]n(nHg2Br6) (nHgBr3)·2nH2O (2), and [Sm(HNA)3(H2O)2]nn(ZnCl4)·3nH2O·nCl (3) (HIA = isonicotinic acid; HNA = nicotinic acid), have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 exhibits a two-dimensional (2-D) cationic layer architecture, while complexes 2 and 3 feature one-dimensional (1-D) cationic chains. All three complexes display intense solid-state photoluminescence in the visible region. Complex 1 shows bright yellow emission, which is attributed to the 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transition of Dy3+ ions. Notably, this represents an anti-Stokes upconversion process, as the emission energy exceeds that of the excitation photons, highlighting its potential for near-infrared-to-visible photon conversion. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit characteristic Sm3+-based emissions: dual yellow bands at 568 nm and 603 nm (4G5/2 → 6H5/2 and 4G5/2 → 6H7/2) for 2, and a dominant red emission at 610 nm (4G5/2 → 6H7/2) for 3. The CIE chromaticity coordinates are (0.4942, 0.5045), (0.5175, 0.4814), and (0.6242, 0.3753), with corresponding correlated color temperatures (CCT) of 2834 K, 2425 K, and 3902 K, respectively, indicating tunable warm-to-cool luminescence suitable for lighting and display applications. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveals wide semiconductor band gaps of 2.18 eV (1), 2.66 eV (2), and 2.78 eV (3), classifying them as wide-bandgap semiconducting materials. The indirect nature of the optical transitions suggests favorable charge carrier lifetimes for optoelectronic applications. These results demonstrate that the combination of lanthanoid ions with IIB metals and aromatic carboxylate ligands enables the rational design of multifunctional materials exhibiting both efficient luminescence and semiconductive behavior. This work expands the structural and functional diversity of lanthanoid-based hybrid materials and highlights their potential in advanced photonic devices, luminescent semiconductors, and energy-conversion technologies.

Three novel IIB (group 12) complexes, [Cd3Cl4(L2)(HL)2 & sdot;2H2O]n (1), [Cd5(AcO)4(L8)(H3O)2(H2O)2]n (2) and [ZnBr4][(HL)2]& sdot;2H3O (3) (HL = 2-methyl-3-hydroxyquinoline-4-carboxylic acid; AcO = CH3COO-) were synthesized via solvothermal reactions. The structures of the complexes were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit a onedimensional (1-D) chain-like structure, while complex 3 shows an isolated zero-dimensional (0-D) structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis, photoluminescence, solid-state UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, electrochemical properties, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were investigated. Solid-state photoluminescence experiments reveal that complexes 1-3 are potential blue-green photoluminescence materials. Solid-state UV-Vis analyses show that complexes 1-3 have energy band gaps of 4.89 eV, 4.62 eV and 2.15 eV. Electrochemical measurements reveal that complex 3 has a large number of active sites, which is more effective in reducing charge transfer resistance.