In this study, we construct a type II heterojunction by anchoring WO3-x (WO) quantum dots (QDs) on Zn2.77Cd7.23S10 (ZnCdS) nanoparticles. The activity of the resultant WO QDs-decorated ZnCdS (WO/ZnCdS) heterojunction is evaluated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) photosynthesis from pure water under visible-light irradiation. The optimized 3WO/ZnCdS heterojunction achieves a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 53.53 +/- 2.26 & micro;M in pure water after visible-light irradiation for 1 h, which is 58.18-fold greater than bare ZnCdS. This exceptional performance is attributed to the construction of the Zn-O-W interfacial electron bridge and optimal intermediate adsorption/desorption capability. Through combined band structure analysis and theoretical calculation, we confirm that the WO/ZnCdS heterojunction follows the type II charge transfer mechanism during photocatalytic H2O2 production. Further investigations via electron paramagnetic resonance, radical trapping experiments, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy test reveal that the two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction is a main pathway to photosynthesize H2O2 over WO/ZnCdS heterojunction. This work provides a design paradigm for advanced photocatalysts in visible-light-driven H2O2 production. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

This study focuses on the correlation between the uniform distribution of reinforcing phase particles and the microstructure and properties. A TiC-martensitic steel composite with high strength, good plasticity, and impact toughness was successfully prepared using the arc additive manufacturing method with external powder feeding. The results show that when 1 wt.

Defect engineering is an effective strategy to manipulate light absorption and charge trapping in photocatalytic materials and improve their solar energy conversion efficiency. However, little is known about the mechanism of photoinduced charge transfer from these defects to surface-adsorbed species, a key step linking light absorption and surface chemical reactions. Thus far, hot-charge transfer from semiconductor photocatalysts to adsorbed molecules has not yet been directly detected. Combining time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we demonstrate the ultrafast hot-electron transfer (∼15 fs) from rutile TiO2 to acetone through the site-selective excitation (d-d transition) of Ti3+ defects where acetone is adsorbed. The high-lying 3d excited states of the Ti3+ ions (2.5-2.8 eV above the Fermi level) and their hybridization with adsorbate orbitals provide suitable interfacial level alignment and strong electronic coupling, thus promoting hot-electron transfer. Such a defect-mediated process may be a general phenomenon in adsorbate/semiconductor systems for light harvesting.

Red phosphorus is considered one of the alternatives to the graphite anode because of its superior specific capacity. Nonetheless, its inherent conductivity defect and poor stability during cycling limit its practical applications. Here, we have successfully designed a sandwich-structured graphene/porous carbon matrix that combines spatial confinement with excellent conductivity. In addition, the unique two-dimensional structure effectively reduces the lithium-ion diffusion distance, minimizing capacity loss caused by polarization at high rates. After 500 cycles at 1 A g- 1, the composite synthesized by embedding red phosphorus in the graphene/ porous carbon host, still remains capable of discharging 619 mAh g- 1 and nearly 100 % coulombic efficiency.

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are considered a key next-generation energy storage technology, attracting intense global R&D competition. This study employs a combined scientometric and patentometric approach to analyze a comprehensive dataset of scientific publications from Web of Science and patents from the Incopat database. The bibliometric analysis reveals that China leads in research volume, contributing nearly half of the world's publications. However, the patent analysis uncovers a more nuanced reality: while China tops the total number of patent applications, Japan and the United States dominate in high-value and priority patents, indicating they remain the primary sources of foundational innovation. Examination of top patent applicants further highlights distinct national strategies, with Japanese corporations pursuing global patent protection and Chinese entities focusing predominantly on the domestic market, and South Korean firms target both domestic and U.S. markets. These findings demonstrate that leadership in the ASSB domain is defined not merely by the quantity of research and patents, but by a complex interplay of innovation quality, strategic intellectual property management, and coordinated national policy. The path to commercialization depends on addressing core technical bottlenecks while effectively navigating this intricate global innovation ecosystem.

Rechargeable Zn-air batteries are limited by sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics and Zn anode instability. Here, we report a thiourea-based electrolyte that enables sulfur redox-mediated charging while simultaneously stabilizing the Zn anode. Electrochemical and spectroscopic analyses reveal a reversible S2-/S2O32- redox cycle that provides a kinetically favourable oxidation pathway, partially replacing the high-overpotential OER during charging. Importantly, rotating ring-disk electrode measurements confirm that the discharge process remains dominated by the four-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), preserving the fundamental Zn-air battery mechanism. In parallel, thiourea-derived carbonyl species regulate Zn2+ coordination, suppressing ZnO/ZnS formation and improving Zn utilization. As a result, the Zn-air battery exhibits a reduced voltage gap of 0.47 V and stable cycling over 330 h at 10 mA cm-2. This work demonstrates an effective electrolyte engineering strategy that enhances Zn-air battery performance through redox-mediated kinetic modulation without altering the core oxygen-based energy storage mechanism.

The development of efficient photocatalytic systems for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production from pure water remains a huge challenge due to rapid charge recombination and insufficient redox capability in single-component photocatalysts. Herein, we successfully constructed the S-scheme oxygen-vacancy-enriched MoO3 quantum dots (Ov-MoQDs)/sulfur-vacancy-rich Zn3In2S6 (Sv-ZIS) heterostructures by coupling Sv-ZIS nano-sheets with Ov-MoQDs. The optimized 3Ov-MoQDs/Sv-ZIS sample achieves an outstanding H2O2 production rate of 85.8 +/- 3.1 mu M under visible light illumination for 1 h in the pure water, which is about 3.5 and 45.1 times higher than those of Sv-ZIS and Ov-MoQDs, respectively. Through comprehensive in situ and ex situ characterizations combined with theoretical calculations, we demonstrate that the enhanced activity stems from efficient charge separation and transfer across the heterogeneous interfaces via an S-scheme mechanism. Furthermore, the H2O2 photosynthesis over Ov-MoQDs/Sv-ZIS heterostructures is found to proceed through a two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway. This work provides valuable insights into the rational design of advanced heterostructured photocatalysts for sustainable chemical synthesis.

The efficient reduction of CO2 through photocatalysis to produce value-added chemicals faces considerable difficulties, particularly in relation to the charge separation and transfer kinetics of photocatalysts, along with the thermodynamics of the CO2 reduction process. Herein, we present a rational design of oxygen vacancymediated 2D/2D Bi2MoO6/Bi2O2S S-scheme heterojunctions via an in-situ hydrothermal sulfidation strategy, where partial S2-substitution for [MoO4]2-forms a tightly bonded heterointerface and induces oxygen vacancies, as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the oxygen vacancy-mediated Bi2MoO6/Bi2O2S Sscheme heterojunction significantly lowers the energy barrier of *COOH formation rate-determining step, which in turn enhances the thermodynamics of CO2 photoreduction. Consequently, the Bi2MoO6/Bi2O2S heterojunctions, especially BMOS5, possessed the highest CO yield of 11.01 mu mol g- 1 h- 1, corresponding to 2.82 and 3.40 times the yields of bare BMO and BOS. Based on in-situ XPS, band edge determination, and DFT calculations, the S-scheme charge transfer pathway was verified. The findings provide a viable pathway toward developing high-performance S-scheme heterojunctions with tailored defects for solar-driven CO2 reduction.

As a widely used catalyst class, transition metal oxides (TMOs) face the challenges of detrimental nanoparticle agglomeration. The newly developing two-dimensional (2D) covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) offer a promising solution as catalyst supports, capable of yielding composites with excellent dispersibility and synergistic catalytic enhancement. Building on this, and employing a hydroxylation functional modification strategy, this article introduces a binary oxide system to construct a CTF/CuO–NiO composite that exhibits excellent catalytic performance for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). Specifically, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was first employed to introduce -OH anchoring sites onto the CTF surface. A subsequent co-precipitation yielded a uniform dispersion of CuO–NiO nanoparticles across the functionalized CTF support. DSC analysis revealed that incorporating merely 2 wt% of the CTF/CuO–NiO composite into AP significantly alters its high-temperature decomposition (HTD) peak temperature, shifting it from 404.6 °C to 332.1 °C. This work highlights the construction of a binary oxide system through an effective dispersion strategy to enhance the synergistic catalytic performance of CTF-based composites.

Amid intensifying environmental and energy pressures, sustainable thermal-insulation materials that also provide effective fire protection are increasingly needed for buildings. Cellulose-based foams are promising candidates for building-envelope applications; however, their practical deployment is hindered by limited fire performance, inadequate structural stability, and complex processing. Here, we propose a multiscale biomimetic strategy inspired by mussel adhesion and hierarchical brick-and-mortar architectures. Polydopamine is introduced as an interfacial bridging layer to uniformly immobilize bentonite nanosheets within a cellulose network, enabling the fabrication of high-efficiency flame-retardant cellulose-based biomimetic foam (CBF) through aqueous mechanical foaming and ambient-pressure drying. The resulting CBF exhibits low thermal conductivity alongside improved flame retardancy and environmental compatibility. A cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment further indicates lower greenhouse-gas emissions and reduced toxicity-related impacts than conventional petroleum-derived foams, while retaining recyclability and biodegradability. Collectively, these results establish a green, scalable route to high-performance, degradable thermal-insulation materials for safer and more energy-efficient buildings.

Enhanced catalytic activity for composite solid propellants (CSPs) can be achieved through high-efficiency dispersion of active sites on the surface of two-dimensional (2D) materials. In this study, we report the in situ formation of MnCo2O4.5 nanoneedles on the surface of covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), resulting in 2D CTF/MnCo2O4.5 composites with outstanding catalytic properties for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the successful preparation of the CTF/MnCo2O4.5 composites and revealed the interaction between CTFs and MnCo2O4.5. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental mapping further demonstrated the uniform anchoring and dispersion of MnCo2O4.5 nanoneedles on the layered CTF surfaces. Additionally, the obtained CTF/MnCo2O4.5 composites exhibited promising catalytic capacity for AP decomposition. When added at a loading of 2 wt%, the CTF/MnCo2O4.5 composites significantly reduced the thermal decomposition temperature of AP by 81.3 °C, while simultaneously decreasing the content to 30 wt% compared to pure MnCo2O4.5 catalysts.

The photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) and water splitting to glycolic acid (GA) coupled with H2 evolution is promising for solar-to-chemical conversion but suffers from poor selectivity and activity. Herein, we construct a TiO2-based photocatalyst with spatially adjacent Cu single atoms (CuSA) and Au clusters (AuC) via an in situ adsorption-pyrolysis and subsequent photodeposition strategy. Electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy confirm the atomically dispersed Cu sites with spatially adjacent Au clusters. The electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron, and in situ Raman spectroscopy reveal that CuSA modulates the electronic and geometric structures of AuC sites. The optimized AuC-CuSA/TiO2 exhibits excellent performance for EG oxidation to GA coupled with H2 production. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that AuC activates interfacial water to generate reactive oxygen species for selective EG oxidation, while adjacent CuSA facilitates electron enrichment and proton reduction for H2 evolution. This work provides a dual-active-site interfacial synergy strategy for efficient photocatalytic redox coupling.

With the progress of society and the development of medical care, the abuse of antibiotics has become an environmental problem that cannot be ignored. In this work, a significant improvement in photocatalytic efficiency for tetracycline degradation was achieved through the design of a direct Z‐scheme heterojunction In 2 S 3 /MIL‐101(Fe), realized by precisely controlling the in situ growth of In 2 S 3 nanoblocks on octahedral MIL‐101(Fe). MIL‐101(Fe) and In 2 S 3 generate a strong built‐in electric field to facilitate the efficient transfer and separation of photoexcited carriers. Furthermore, the enhanced specific surface area of In 2 S 3 /MIL‐101(Fe) offers more active sites for catalytic reactions. Simulated sunlight‐driven photocatalytic degradation experiments of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) demonstrated a significant enhancement in the performance of the heterojunction photocatalyst. It achieved an 82.2% TC removal efficiency with a degradation rate constant of 0.0113 min −1 , representing 3.05 times and 4.52 times the performance of pure In 2 S 3 and MIL‐101(Fe) materials, respectively. This study offers valuable insights into the design of efficient and stable metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐based heterojunction photocatalysts and holds promising potential for the remediation of antibiotic pollution.

The pronounced mismatch in thermal and mechanical properties between titanium alloys and titanium aluminide alloys presents significant challenges for achieving high-quality metallurgical bonding. In this study, a Ti6Al4V and high-niobium TiAl alloy (Ti45Al8Nb) bimetal were fabricated via wire arc directed energy deposition (wire arc DED). The results demonstrate that a transition zone exists between Ti6Al4V and Ti45Al8Nb. This region comprises five distinct sublayers with a continuous composition gradient from Ti6Al4V to Ti45Al8Nb, and the microstructure evolves progressively from a basket-weave alpha structure, to a tweed-like alpha 2 structure, then to a rod-like alpha 2 + B2 mixture, and finally to fine alpha 2/gamma lamellar colonies. The formation of this gradient transition zone is attributed to the plasma arc heat source, which induces interlayer remelting and promotes melt pool convection, leading to elemental mixing and the establishment of a compositional gradient. Tensile tests revealed an ultimate tensile strength of 341.2 MPa and elongation of 0.82 %, with fracture occurring in the third sublayer. The fracture was primarily caused by the synergistic effects of brittle alpha 2/B2 phase precipitation, strong texture, and local stress concentration. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of wire arc DED for fabricating crack-free Ti/TiAl bimetal and elucidate the microstructural evolution and fracture mechanisms within the gradient transition zone.

With the progress of society and the development of medical care, the abuse of antibiotics has become an environmental problem that cannot be ignored. In this work, a significant improvement in photocatalytic efficiency for tetracycline degradation was achieved through the design of a direct Z-scheme heterojunction In2S3/MIL-101(Fe), realized by precisely controlling the in situ growth of In2S3 nanoblocks on octahedral MIL-101(Fe). MIL-101(Fe) and In2S3 generate a strong built-in electric field to facilitate the efficient transfer and separation of photoexcited carriers. Furthermore, the enhanced specific surface area of In2S3/MIL-101(Fe) offers more active sites for catalytic reactions. Simulated sunlight-driven photocatalytic degradation experiments of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) demonstrated a significant enhancement in the performance of the heterojunction photocatalyst. It achieved an 82.2% TC removal efficiency with a degradation rate constant of 0.0113 min(-1), representing 3.05 times and 4.52 times the performance of pure In2S3 and MIL-101(Fe) materials, respectively. This study offers valuable insights into the design of efficient and stable metal-organic framework (MOF)-based heterojunction photocatalysts and holds promising potential for the remediation of antibiotic pollution.

Spatial precision in the organization of active sites enables high-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. Herein, a stepwise defect-induced in situ intercalation strategy is developed to anchor Pt and Co single atoms on the two opposing facets of Ti3C2Ty MXene, respectively, realizing separate-sided functionalization of monolayer Ti3C2Ty with Pt/Co dual single atoms (Pt/Co DSA-Ti3-xC2Ty). The fabricated Janus Pt/Co DSA-Ti3-xC2Ty exhibits superior bifunctional electrocatalytic performance in an alkaline electrolyte, originating from the distinct roles of the two facets: Pt SAs on one side drive the HER (20.0 mV @ 10 mA cm-2), whereas Co single atoms on the other side deliver the impressive OER performance (195.0 mV @ 10 mA cm-2). The Janus electrocatalyst exhibits an ultralow overall water splitting overpotential of only 1.45 V to achieve 10 mA cm-2. Additionally, as bifunctional electrodes in AEMWE, Pt/Co DSA-Ti3-xC2Ty demonstrates a low voltage of 1.81 V at 1.0 A cm-2 with a 200 h stability. In situ/operando spectroscopy and DFT calculations unveil that Pt/Co DSAs synergistically induce charge redistribution on the MXene surface, thus optimizing the active-site electronic states and intermediate adsorption to lower the reaction energy barrier. Our strategy serves as a pathway for atomically precise control of MXene-supported single-atom sites toward selective electrocatalysis.

Safety issues arising from inefficient heat dissipation in energetic materials demand innovative thermal management strategies. Herein, we proposed a strategy for guiding the design of energetic composite materials with enhanced thermal conductivity based on molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory. Based on this strategy, suitable fillers for improving the thermal conductivity of different kinds of energetic materials could be quickly selected and a way to further balance the thermal conductivity and filler content could be figured out. Results showed that hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNSs) are suitable fillers, which can improve the thermal conductivity of the well-known energetic material 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) by about 8.16%, and this could be further increased to 30.48% by doubling the amount of h-BNNSs. More importantly, the thermal conductivity of HMX can be enhanced substantially by adjusting the interfacial interactions between fillers and energetic materials without doubling the amount of h-BNNS. This improvement is achieved by using hydroxylated h-BNNSs (h-BNNSs-OH) as the filler, which greatly strengthens interfacial interactions through hydrogen bonding, reduces interfacial thermal resistance, and facilitates phonon transport. This work may provide insights into the development of an atomic-scale design strategy for thermally stable energetic materials through synergistic interfacial chemistry and phonon engineering.

Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production from pure water emerges as an innovative green strategy, utilizing sunlight and water to produce a valuable chemical in an environmentally benign manner. In this study, Zn2In2S5/CdS (ZnInS/CdS) nanosheet-on-nanosheet S-scheme heterostructures with intimate interfacial contact were constructed via in situ growth of ZnInS on CdS. The resulting ZnInS/CdS heterostructures significantly enhance photocatalytic H2O2 generation through a two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The optimized 3ZnInS/CdS sample achieved a remarkable H2O2 yield of 185.28 +/- 5.79 & micro;M under visible light irradiation for 1 h, which is approximately 11.68 and 4.71 times higher than those of pure ZnInS and bare CdS, respectively. Moreover, the 3ZnInS/CdS heterostructure exhibits a stable crystal structure and excellent recyclability. Based on comprehensive evidence from in situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ISI-XPS), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, an S-scheme charge transfer mechanism is proposed for the ZnInS/CdS heterostructures. This study offers a promising strategy for designing highly efficient hybrid systems for visible-light-driven H2O2 synthesis from pure water.

Catalytic oxidation and reduction processes play a pivotal role in addressing critical challenges in environmental remediation, energy conversion, and chemical manufacturing [...]

Tin-based materials are deemed as a promising choice for the anode of sodium-ion batteries thanks to their high theoretical capacities. However, the defective capacity retention and slow reaction kinetics hamper their practical applications. Herein, we successfully designed and prepared a rice-spike shaped CNT@SnO2/SnSe2@C composite based on the collaborative strategy of biomimetic structure design and heterostructure construction. When utilized in the sodium-ion batteries, it exhibits attractive cycling stability and rapid charge discharge capability. On the one hand, the unique biomimetic structure not only helps alleviate the significant volume effect during the charging/discharging process, but also provides fast and reliable pseudocapacitive energy. On the other hand, theoretical calculations indicate that the heterojunction of tin oxide/tin selenide enhances the inherent electronic and ionic conductivity.