Despite the widespread presence of montmorillonite (Mt) and low-molecular-weight organic acids in the environment, only a few studies have examined how stereoisomers of the same acid interact differently with clay minerals. In this work, the effects of the various forms of malic acid (Ma), i.e., L-(-)-Ma and D-(+)-Ma, on the mobilization of elements in Mt. dissolution were investigated. Based on experimental results, the capacity of L(- )-Ma to Si elemental mobilization was 1.84 times greater than that of D-(+)-Ma, while the capacity of L(- )-Ma to Al elemental mobilization was 1.09 times greater than that of D-(+)-Ma at 24 h of dissolution. The electron density distributions of D-(+)-Ma and L-(-)-Ma were analyzed using frontier molecular orbitals, providing strong evidence for element mobilization and subsequent Mt. dissolution pathways. Furthermore, the molecular-and electronic-level differences in the interactions between the two Ma stereoisomers and clay minerals were investigated through molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory calculations, considering global hardness (eta), electronegativity (chi), and the Fukui function values of L-(-)-Ma and D-(+)-Ma. The results indicated that the reaction and dissolution efficiencies of the Mt. structure are higher in the presence of L-(-)-Ma compared to D-(+)-Ma. In-depth analysis revealed that D-(+)-Ma and L-(-)-Ma tend to adsorb in the interlayer space and simultaneously form separate clusters with Ca2+, which are then adsorbed on the hydroxyl surface. Finally, Mt. treated with either L-(-)-Ma or D-(+)-Ma was found to be an efficient adsorbent for Cr(III) ions in aqueous solutions. After treatment with L-(-)-Ma and D-(+)-Ma, the Mt. structure and morphology were characterized using various techniques. The results showed that the differences in Cr(III) adsorption are related to the different interactions of the Ma stereoisomers on the Mt. surface, which is covered by L-(-)-Ma and D(+)-Ma to different extents. A significant inhibition of Cr(III) oxidation was observed during the interaction with D-(+)-Ma. Overall, This study provides valuable insights into the transformation and fate of Ma stereoisomers on mineral surfaces and demonstrate the potential of using Ma as additive for the remediation of Cr contamination.

Abstract As core processes determining the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs), exciton dissociation and charge transfer are fundamentally restricted by the low intrinsic dielectric constant of organic semiconductors. Herein, two dielectric regulators (Drs) named Dr-1 and Dr-2 are judiciously designed with different molecular dipole moments to conduct research on dielectric engineering. The incorporation of S···F noncovalent conformational locks (NoCLs) endows Dr-2 with an extended π-conjugated backbone, improved molecular polarizability, reinforced charge delocalization and a larger dipole moment than Dr-1. Thus, Dr-2-modified OSCs based on the D18:L8-BO system achieve a PCE of 20.85%, surpassing the 20.13% of Dr-1-treated counterparts. Enhanced efficiencies across diverse donor-acceptor systems confirm the universal applicability of this strategy. Furthermore, 300 nm-thick OSCs incorporated with Dr-2 deliver a record-high PCE of 19.56%. This work provides a strategy for designing high-performance dielectric regulators via tuning molecular dipole moment and planarity simultaneously, thereby achieving high-efficiency OSCs.

By employing polar side-chain engineering, we developed two nonfused-ring electron acceptors (NFREAs), which share identical conjugated backbones but differ in polar alkyl side-chains (methoxyethoxy vs. butoxy). A thorough characterization reveals that the butoxy side-chains in 4T-BuO promote enhanced planarity and more compact π···π stacking, achieving power conversion efficiencies of 14.36 % and 19.72 % in binary and ternary devices, respectively. The enhancement arises from balanced charge transport, reduced charge recombination, and a more optimized film morphology, establishing polar side-chain engineering as an effective for exploring simple-structured NFREAs.

Phase change materials store and release large amounts of latent heat, yet leakage on melting and low thermal conductivity limit their use in thermal energy storage. Confining them in porous supports prevents leakage, but many conventional supports carry high cost and environmental burden. This review synthesizes how biomass-derived porous supports offer a sustainable alternative. It compares three carbonization routes, direct pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and activation-enabled carbonization, across pore development, PCM loading, leakage resistance, cost, and environmental impact, and examines hybridization with graphene, expanded graphite, metals, and ceramics to raise thermal conductivity. The evidence shows that filler topology and interfacial design govern performance more than filler identity. These insights map a practical, lower-impact route toward scalable bio-based thermal storage for buildings, textiles, desalination, and solar applications.

Microencapsulated phase change materials and nanoparticle mixed-binary thermal control fluid (M&N-BTCF) is a new type of heat transfer medium that can meet the increasing heat dissipation demands of electronic devices. This paper aims to improve the cooling efficiency of M&N-BTCF further by exploring its phase transition heat transfer mechanism. Using the M&N-BTCF flow heat transfer characteristic test platform developed independently, the local average temperature of the M&N-BTCF and its dynamic change characteristics under different operating conditions were successfully obtained by accurately controlling the mass fraction of the nanoparticles and using the three-stage model of solid region, phase change region and liquid region. By establishing the correlation mechanism between dimensionless phase transition region and mass fractions of nanoparticles, we reveal the significant enhancement of phase transition heat transfer by nanoparticle doping and improve our understanding of the enhanced heat transfer mechanism of the M&N-BTCF phase transition process. The results demonstrate that doping with nanoparticles significantly increases the heat transfer rate between micrometer particles and the fluid. This results in a 10.71 % reduction in the length of the phase transition region and a maximum 30.44 % increase in the average Nusselt number. Further performance evaluations show that the figures of merit (FOM) is 3.65, representing a year-on-year improvement of 122.86 %. This study verifies the potential application of M&N-BTCF as a new heat transfer medium, laying a solid foundation for future engineering applications and theoretical studies.

The biological visual system relies on ions and neurotransmitters in an aqueous environment. To emulate this, devices that operate in electrolytes via chemical signals are needed. Organic photoelectrochemical synapse (OPECS) is a promising platform, but current transistor-based OPECS requires external power, limiting biointegration and energy efficiency. Here, we present a self-powered OPECS with an electrochemical cell architecture operating in a biocompatible aqueous environment. The interaction between internal optoelectronic responses and external, electrolyte-mediated reactions enables the device to mimic biological synaptic behaviors under various light conditions. Under live-cell culture conditions, it not only replicates complex visual impairments induced by oxidative stress but also demonstrates visual self-recovery. This work bridges artificial and biological systems, advancing the understanding of chemosensory-visual integration in biorealistic platforms.

The commercial viability of organic solar cells (OSCs) is hindered by the trade-off between cost and performance. In particular, low-cost non-fused-ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) suffer from conformational disorder, limiting their photovoltaic performance. Herein, we strategically regulate conformational entropy (S conf.) of NFREAs through the rational combination of intramolecular noncovalent interactions (INIs). The optimal candidate 3TT-SeS, identified through comprehensive density functional theory calculations, exhibits balanced Se···N and S···O INIs and demonstrates a significant reduction in S conf. This strategy enables an exclusive single stable conformation and highly ordered molecular packing, thereby facilitating efficient charge transport. Consequently, the 3TT-SeS-based OSC achieved an outstanding power conversion efficiency of 19.26% (certified at 18.75%), setting a new benchmark for NFREA-based systems to date. More importantly, 3TT-SeS-based device demonstrates exceptional economic potential with an extremely low power generation cost of 0.77$ kW-1, much lower than several high-performance FREA-based systems. Our work demonstrates a low-S conf. design of NFREAs for cost-effective and high-performance organic photovoltaics.

Conventional desalination system suffers from high energy consumption and complicated equipment combination. Solar driven interfacial evaporation offers great potential for next-generation desalination since it is only driven by solar energy, and its system efficiency is substantially high. However, achieving a balance of strong light absorption, structural stability and long-term salt tolerance in a single solar evaporator is still a big challenge. This work, therefore, proposes a sodium alginate /montmorillonite/carbon nanotube (SA/MMT/CNTs) composite hydrogel for efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation. By integrating a broadband photothermal CNTs network with low cost and hydroxyl-rich MMT nanosheets, the composite system simultaneously achieves enhanced solar light absorption and accelerated water evaporation. To further improve the anti-salt performance of the prepared composite hydrogel, a hydrophobic surface modification method with silane coupling modification strategy is introduced. And molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide molecular-level insights into the evolution of molecular configuration and hydrogen bond density, ion distribution, thereby revealing the underlying mechanisms responsible for the improved anti-salt performance. The resulting composite hydrogel based solar evaporator delivers an evaporation rate of 1.76 kg m−2 h−1 under one-sun irradiation. In addition, it exhibits excellent long-term stability and strong resistance to salt accumulation under salt solution. Outdoor experiment in Xining City, Qinghai province is preformed to verify the practical potential of the composite hydrogel based solar evaporator. This study provides a low-cost and effective strategy for high-performance solar desalination systems.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 20%, yet their performance is fundamentally limited by a trade-off between efficient charge transport and suppressed non-radiative recombination...

The advancement of acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A)-type nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) has significantly enhanced the near-infrared organic photodetector (NIR OPD) performance. However, structural instability arising from vulnerable exocyclic vinyl bridges between donor (D) and acceptor (A) units remains a critical challenge for both material and device durability. Herein, we break this bottleneck through a pioneering terminal engineering strategy and present the judicious design and synthesis of novel electron-withdrawing 2-(2-bromo-3-cyano-8H-indeno[2,1-b]thiophen-8-ylidene)malononitrile (ITC2H) toward exocyclic-vinyl-free NFAs. Compared with the classical NFA (BTP-IC2H), the ITC2H-flanked derivative BTP-ITC2H exhibits not only enhanced chemical/photostability but also improved crystallinity, broadened and red-shifted absorption spectrum, optimized miscibility with polymer donor, and reduced reorganization energy. These synergistic advantages yield an optimized nanomorphology with suppressed trap states and favorable charge transport dynamics. The resulting self-powered OPD achieves a dark current density (Jd) of 3.3 × 10-11 A cm-2 and noise-limited specific detectivity (D*sh) surpassing 1013 Jones across 310-910 nm, coupled with a linear dynamic range (LDR) of 141 dB and superior thermal stability. The generality of this design paradigm is demonstrated by extending ITC2H to its halogenated analogues, enabling response extension to 1300 nm with a Jd of 3.87 × 10-11 A cm-2 and D*sh approaching 1013 Jones even at 1200 nm, underscoring their versatility for diverse applications. The molecular engineering paradigm in this work provides critical insights into structure-stability-performance relationships, advancing the development of robust and efficient organic optoelectronics for practical implementation.

In this work, a series of in situ-grown CdTe/MX (M = Zn, Cd, Sb, Bi; X = Te, Se, S, and O) nanoparticles were applied to monitor glutathione (gamma-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine, GSH) via fluorescence spectroscopy based on its unique physicochemical and photoelectric properties. Special attention was paid to the effect of the energy level alignment on the fluorescence response of GSH at the CdTe/MX interface. In particular, the signals produced by the -SH group of GSH exhibited fluorescence enhancement and quenching. Both signal changes were due to the conduction and valence band alignments promoted by the CdTe/MX interface. Besides fluorescence response aspects, the interfacial interaction at the CdTe/MX interface was also shown to be crucial due to its role in charge transportation. Finally, the fluorescent detector based on the CdTe/CdO nanoparticles demonstrated excellent sensing performance with a detection limit up to 1 mu M in the wide linear range, as well as acceptable stability. Therefore, this work provides insights into the rational combination of MX with CdTe and highlights the overlooked effect of the interfacial interaction on GSH detection.

In recent years, solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) has gained widespread attention as an efficient seawater desalination technology. Among various materials that used for SIE system, natural mineral materials are one of the most important choices due to their high cost-effectiveness, wide availability and environmental friendliness. Notably, lot of studies have demonstrated that mineral materials can significantly enhance the performance of SIE systems in virtue of high adsorption capacity, thermal insulation, and mechanical strength. According to the three key components (the light absorber, the substrate, and the thermal storage device) of round-the-clock SIE systems, this review summarizes the start-of-the-art advancements in mineral-based SIE systems and highlights key strategies for their performance enhancement. Especially, the role of mineral materials in these SIE systems has been carefully analyzed and the relevant mechanisms have been revealed. Finally, the research gap and outlook in this field have also been identified. The review study aim to provide insights for the further development of mineral-based SIE systems.

Interactions between microorganisms and clay minerals occur ubiquitously in nature. It has been established that various factors can affect the interactions between microorganisms and clay minerals, such as temperature, pressure, pH, surface area and electron shuttle compounds. Lactic acid has two stereoisomer forms (L-(+)-lactic acid (L-(+)-lac) and D-(-)-lactic (D-(- )-lac)) and has widely been recognized as an important biomolecule that can be utilized as an electronic donor and/or carbon source by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria. Furthermore, lactic acid (endogenous or exogenous) has been shown to result in the dissolution of metal impurities from clay minerals. However, the synergistic effect of different lactic acid stereoisomers on abiotic processes (clay mineral dissolution) and biotic processes (microbial reduction) remains unclear, as well as the fundamental principles governing this process. To examine the differences between the effects of both stereoisomers of lactic acid on the interactions between microorganisms and clay minerals, experiments on microbially mobilized elements in clay mineral dissolution (MMED) were carried out in the presence of either L-(+)-lac or D-(-)-lac. Experimental results showed that the interdependence between coupled abiotic and biotic processes, created a synergy between these processes. Furthermore, to investigate the molecular or atomic level interactions, such as electrostatic charges and bond formation, that occur during the attachment of L-(+)-lac and D-(-)-lac onto mineral surfaces. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to distinguish between the adsorption pathways of L-(+)-lac and D-(-)-lac on clay minerals. The results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the presence of lactic acid affected the electron distribution profile of clay mineral templates. The finding of this study provide insights into the role of lactic acid stereoisomers in promoting mineral-microbe interactrions.

The transient high-heat flux generated by modern electronics threatens both performance and safety, especially during high-temperature runaway events. Here we report a hydrated-salt phase-change film (HSPCF) obtained by vacuum-impregnating sodium-acetate-trihydrate (SAT) into a three-dimensional expanded-graphite (EG) scaffold and consolidating the composite with a flexible poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix. The film couples an exceptional latent-heat capacity of 176 J g(-1) with a through-plane thermal conductivity of 1.64 W m(-1) K-1. EG furnishes a continuous heat-conduction network, while SAT provides high-enthalpy, isothermal heat absorption; together they lower interfacial thermal resistance by exploiting the film's temperature-responsive flexibility. The material is self-extinguishing (UL-94 V-0) and electrically insulating (breakdown strength = 9.81 kV mm(-1)). Device-level tests show that the HSPCF suppresses hotspot temperature by 10 degrees C in 6 C-discharged Li-ion-battery modules and by 17 degrees C (20 degrees C vs. commercial pads) on a high-power CPU, enabling sustained 100 % load. These results demonstrate a cost-effective, scalable solution for next-generation thermal management.

Solar energy, the most promising renewable energy, suffers from intermittency and discontinuity. Phase change material (PCM)-based energy storage technology can mitigate this issue and substantially improve the utilization efficiency of solar energy. However, most PCMs have a low photothermal conversion capacity and are prone to leaks. To address these two key issues of PCMs, fine modification and mineral encapsulation have been employed and demonstrated to be effective methods. This review summarizes the structure of mineral materials and discusses the corresponding encapsulation techniques and preparation methods for mineral-based composite PCMs. Based on this, we focus on reviewing methods for enhancing the photothermal conversion performance of mineral-based PCMs and explore their underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we present practical application cases of photothermal mineral-based composite PCMs, analyzing their potential in photothermal applications. Finally, we discuss the challenges encountered during the synthesis, modification, and application processes of photothermal mineral-based composite PCMs, providing insights into future directions for the efficient utilization of solar energy.

The development of wide-bandgap polymer donors with cost-effectiveness is pivotal for advancing the commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, these materials often suffer from conformational disorder and distortion, due to the presence of multiple rotatable σ-bonds within their conjugated backbones. This study presents a series of simple-structured polymer donors PBDT-TBT-X (X = H, F, and Cl), and systematically investigates the role of the type and strength of noncovalent conformational locks (NoCLs) in regulating backbone conformations, optoelectronic properties, pre-aggregation behavior, and charge transport properties. Remarkably, the dual-locking strategy involving S···O and S···Cl NoCLs achieves the most highly planar conformation with a fully locked backbone. As a result, the binary OSC device based on PBDT-TBT-Cl achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.11%, much higher than its PBDT-TBT-H (6.35%) and PBDT-TBT-F (12.69%) counterparts. Notably, when utilized as a third component, PBDT-TBT-Cl enables a ternary OSC device with a PCE exceeding 20%. This work establishes a clear conformation−property−performance relationship, underscoring the critical role of fully locked conformations in designing high-performance and cost-effective polymer donors.

Herein, a simple-structured heterocyclic derivative, 4-ester-substituted thiazole, is employed to construct low-cost polymer donors. The synergistic effect of fluorination and alkyl side-chain engineering effectively regulates the aggregation behaviors of these polymers, resulting in considerable power conversion efficiencies of 12.55% and 19.03% for binary and ternary organic solar cells.

An efficient thermal-management system is crucial for the safe operation of lithium batteries. In this study, an embedded composite cooling plate integrating wavy flow channels with a phase-change material (PCM) and liquid cooling was designed for the thermal management of lithium batteries. From the perspective of recovering the latent heat of a thermally saturated PCM, an evaluation method was proposed to quantitatively analyze the latent heat recovery performances, pumping energy consumptions, and overall performances of different structural configurations. The optimal structural configuration was determined by comparing the overall performances. This configuration included a circular flow shape, circular cross-section, double channels, a cross-sectional area of 36 mm2, and a circular arc angle of 150°. The validity of the established numerical model was experimentally verified. Based on the optimal cooling plate structure, the heat generation of lithium batteries during 3 C rate operation was simulated using a surface heat source, and the effects of several delayed-start strategies for liquid cooling based on the PCM liquid-phase fraction on cooling performance were investigated. The results showed that the best temperature performance could be achieved by switching on the liquid cooling when the PCM liquid phase fraction reached 0.6, achieving a maximum temperature for the cooling plate of 38.32 ℃ and maximum temperature difference of 1.66 ℃, while decreasing the running time of the liquid cooling by 50.50% compared with that of the continuous mode.

Ceramic tiles classified as non-biodegradable are made from fired clay, silica, and other natural materials for several construction applications. Waste ceramic tiles (WCTs) are produced from several sources, including manufacturing defects; surplus, broken, or damaged tiles resulting from handling; and construction and demolition debris. WCTs do not decompose easily, leading to long-term accumulation in landfills and occupying a significant amount of landfill space, which has substantial environmental impacts. Recycling WCTs offers several critical ecological benefits, including reducing landfill waste and pollution, conserving natural resources, lowering energy consumption, and supporting the circular economy, which in turn contributes to sustainable construction and waste management practices. In green concrete manufacturing, WCTs are widely utilized as replacements for cement, fine, and coarse aggregates, and the recycling level in the concrete industry is an increasingly explored practice aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing construction waste. From this view, this paper reports the innovative technologies, advancements in green concrete performance, and development trends in the reuse of WCTs in the production of systems. The effects of WCTs on fresh, engineering, microstructural, and durable properties, as well as their environmental performance, are reviewed. In conclusion, the use of technologies for recycling WCTs has demonstrated potential in promoting sustainability and supporting the transition toward a more environmentally friendly construction industry. This approach offers a practical contribution to sustainable development and represents significant progress in closing the recycling loop within the construction sector.