With exponentially growing consumption of fiber-reinforced composites, those end-of-life materials now present urgent recycling challenges. Pyrolysis recycling stands as a relatively mature technology that can rapidly degrade substrates at high temperatures to obtain recycled fibers; however, the performance characteristics of different fibers after recycling vary, which makes it crucial to conduct analysis of the characteristics of the different recycled fibers in order to promote their application. Therefore, the surface morphology of recycled fibers and the mechanical characteristics of recycled fiber-reinforced composites were thoroughly investigated in this study, aiming to match these recycled fibers with suitable application areas based on performance requirements. After pyrolysis recovery, the fiber surfaces exhibit some degree of damage due to high temperature and oxidative effects. Still, their monofilament mechanical properties were generally maintained at 90% or above. Among all the fibers, T800 demonstrated the highest performance retention rate, which made it the most promising candidate for high-value applications. In applications with less stringent mechanical requirements, the use of glass fibers can offer a cost-effective alternative comparable to that of certain carbon fibers. By mapping different characteristics of recycled fibers to specific application requirements, this work provides a practical roadmap for valorizing recycled fibers.

Advanced electrolyte engineering is a crucial solution for the development of high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) coupled with ultrahigh nickel cathode. However, the commercial electrolytes always yield the unstable cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) due to severe electrolyte decomposition and the structure deterioration under high voltage, leading to poor battery lifespan. Herein, this work demonstrates a quasi-localized high concentration electrolyte (Q-LHCE) by replacing cosolvent in conventional carbonate electrolyte with a functional carboxylic ester (methyl difluoro(fluorosulfonyl)acetate, MDFA), which features weak solvation ability, contributes to an favorable CEI layer on cathode for battery performance improvements. Such an interface with multiple inorganic composition benefits from the formation of an anion-rich solvation sheath, enhancing the Li+ transport kinetics and concurrently inhibiting the electrolyte decomposition and cathode degradation. Consequently, the LiNi0.98Co0.02O2/Graphite full battery maintains outstanding capacity retentions of 89.13 % after 250 cycles at 25 degrees C and 86.11% after 120 cycles at 45 degrees C, respectively (vs. 72.18% and 65.70% in the counterpart), accompanying with a higher initial coulombic efficiency (CE). These results provide useful guidance for tailoring the solvation structure and interfacial chemistry to realize the rational electrolyte design for high-performance LIBs.

The sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) cathode material is widely recognized for its high working voltage and structural and thermal stabilities. However, the low electronic conductivity results in poor cycling and rate performances, thus limiting its practical application in sodium-ion batteries. Herein, we proposed and developed a NVP/carbon (NVP/C) composite coated with rhodamine 6G (NVP@R6GC) via the solgel method followed by high-temperature calcination. Through experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculation analysis, the resultant material exhibits high crystallinity and purity, and comprises a continuous carbon layer that significantly enhanced its electronic conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry and in situ impedance spectroscopy further reveals improved Na+ diffusion coefficients and reduced charge transfer resistance, which largely accelerate Na+ diffusion kinetics. Accordingly, with an optimal R6G coating content of 12%, the resultant NVP@R6GC sample achieves an outstanding rate and cycling performance, delivering a specific capacity of 83.3 mAh g-1 (capacity retention of 87.6%) after 1000 cycles at 0.6 A g-1. Even at a high rate of 2.4 A g-1, it delivers a specific capacity of 70.4 mAh g-1 (a high retention of 91.8%) after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the change in the crystal volume is only 0.34% after 1000 cycles at 1.2 A g-1, indicating a highly stable structure. In addition, the NVP@12-R6GC||NTP full cell has a capacity retention of 97.8% at 0.6 A g-1 after 500 cycles. This study provides an effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of NASICON-type cathode materials.

Breaking the trade-off between long storage life and rapid curing of epoxy resins has long been a research hotspot in carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. This study presents an industrializable, green, and rapid method for preparing imidazole-transition metal complexes (EMI-TMs) by complexing imidazoles (EMI) with transition metal ions (TMs). The binding energies and electron density distributions between EMI and TMs were calculated via density functional theory (DFT), elucidating the mechanism behind the stability and deblocking catalytic behavior of EMI-TMs. Rheological measurements, curing behavior characterization, and mechanical performance tests confirm that EMI-TMs improve the storage stability, reactivity, and mechanical properties of the resin. As a novel latent curing agent for epoxy (EP), EMI-CoCu/EP thermosets exhibit process-compatible characteristics, including a shelf life more than twenty times longer than that of unmodified system and rapid curing at 120 degrees C (gelation time of 27 min), due to synergistic metal coordination disruption and hydroxyl catalysis. Compared to EMI/EP thermosets, the EMI-CoCu/EP thermosets formed a more ordered crosslinked network, with enhancements of 30.85%, 38.38%, and 69.52% in tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, respectively. This study fills the knowledge gap in the molecular interactions between EMI and TMs, and offers a feasible pathway for the design, preparation and large-scale application of imidazole-based latent curing agents in the future.

Silicon is a modest anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The practical applications of silicon have been hampered by severe volume change and formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) during cycling. In this work, we propose a dual-shell Si@SiOxFy@void@C architecture, achieved through controlled NF3 fluorination with carbon coatings. The predesigned void space accommodated the volume expansion of silicon, thereby preventing electrode fracture. Meanwhile, fluorinated interlayers stabilized the electrode electrolyte interface, the N/F-doped carbon sheath enhanced electrical conductivity, and the decomposition of the SiOxFy layer yielded active Si, along with a stable, ion-conductive SEI. This designed structure improved electrochemical performance by maintaining mechanical integrity and promoting the gradual activation of the Si core. The Si@SiOxFy@void@C-6 electrode demonstrated superior cycle stability (344.0mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 and 267.1mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1 over 1000 cycles) and exhibited the most balanced properties. Additionally, it achieved a reversible capacity of 1296.2mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.1 A g-1 after 50 cycles, exceeding that of Si@SiO2@C by 113.68 %. We propose a new design direction for realizing stable and high-capacity silicon anode materials through controlled fluorination.

The inherent instability of lithium metal with liquid electrolytes, as well as the performance constraints of typical solid electrolytes, has long shifted efforts to develop lithium metal batteries (LMBs). This review contends that the design approach is evolving from simply combining materials to designing multifunctional, network matrices. We critically investigate the development of cross-linked composite solid polymer electrolytes (C-CSPEs) as constructed platforms in which the polymer matrix is not merely a passive host rather a vital, functionally intrinsic constituent. The crosslinking with appropriate filler enables C-CSPEs to achieve high ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, >4.5 V vs. Li/Li+ electrochemical stability window (ESW), and reduce electrode/electrolyte interfacial impedance. This review thoroughly analyzed performance criteria, ionic conductivity mechanism, synthesis methods (physical and chemical blending), and crosslinking approaches (thermal curing, photo or UV curing, and radiation-induced crosslinking) for C-CSPEs. We highlight innovative strategies revolutionizing the field including structural battery composites (SBCs) integrating energy storage with load bearing properties, 3D printing for customizing electrolyte infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted designs for optimize material performance, dynamic C-CSPEs for self-healing properties, and halide-based electrolytes enabling high-voltage stability. By combining these fundamental concepts, this review offers a strategic framework for moving C-CSPEs from a promising research issue to the foundation of feasible high-density LMBs.

The effects of the fluorination-defluorination reaction on carbon fiber production were demonstrated for the first time in this study. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and mesophase pitch (MP) precursor fibers were fluorinated at room temperature for 10-60 min, followed by thermal defluorination to generate carbon fibers. Fluorination of PAN fibers caused structural distortion through cleavage of the C equivalent to N bond, while fluorination of MP fibers induced structural changes into a CFX configuration. The resulting carbon fibers, obtained after defluorination, retained their fibrous morphology and exhibited a high specific surface area without requiring any stabilization or activation steps. Specifically, the MP-based carbon fiber fluorinated for 10 min exhibited superior crystallinity and the highest specific surface area of 256.3 m2/g, featuring a hollow fiber structure. In contrast, the PAN-based carbon fiber showed a hard carbon structure with a maximum specific surface area of 130.1 m2/g and an amorphous morphology. Pore formation and stabilization mechanisms were proposed based on the characteristics of the fluorinated and defluorinated fibers. Additionally, the effectiveness of carbon fibers produced through the fluorination-defluorination process was confirmed by EMI shielding experiments. This study marks a considerable advancement in producing porous carbon fibers without the need for stabilization or activation, demonstrating practical applicability.

3D-printed continuous fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites (CFRTCs) demonstrate strong potential for fabricating complex primary load-bearing structures, yet balancing the compatibility between resin matrix and process design remains a huge challenge. This study aims to optimize the densification and mechanical performance of 3D-printed CFRTCs through a synergistic regulation of resin infiltration across scales. At the bundle level, the effects of resin molecular structure and rheological properties on filament formation stability and fiber impregnation behavior are systematically elucidated. On this basis, a polyetherketone-cardo (PEK-C)-modified solid-liquid two-component epoxy resin (EPD-SL-P) is developed, enabling stable filament formation while controlling the porosity of prepreg filaments to approximately 3.1%. Notably, this work reveals the origin of variations in filament formation stability from the perspective of resin viscoelasticity. At the ply level, a dynamic vacuum control strategy coupling the printing process, guided by the evolution of resin rheological behavior, is proposed to achieve continuous void removal and progressive structural densification, reducing the porosity to ~0.03%. Under optimized conditions, the 3D-printed CFRTCs achieved a flexural strength of 1068 MPa, a flexural modulus of 83.71 GPa, and an interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 70.78 MPa. Compared with specimens without vacuum-assisted curing, these values represent increases of 48.3%, 52.2%, and 20%, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the integrated optimization of resin design and processing strategies for high-performance 3D-printed CFRTCs.

Liquid crystalline epoxide (LCE) was designed and utilized to fabricate high-performance EP/LCE matrix with the assistance of machine learning (ML). The mechanical properties, along with strengthening, toughening and stiffening mechanisms of EP/LCE matrix and CF@EP/LCE composite, were experimentally analyzed and molecularly simulated. Guided by molecular features and gene substructures from ML models, three LCE candidates-p-phenylenediamine-pyromellitic diimide-based tetraglycidylaniline (BEP), 4,4 '-diaminobiphenylpyromellitic diimide-based tetraglycidylaniline (CEP), and 4,4 '-diaminobenzanilide-pyromellitic diimide-based tetraglycidylaniline (DEP)-were identified as promising epoxide additives for EP/LCE matrix. Combined ML predictions and experimental verification consistently pinpointed 10 wt% as the optimal loading. Among the candidates, EP/DEP-10 matrix exhibited the most remarkable improvements in tensile strength (79.22% and 69.43%), elongation at break (42.88% and 45.20%), and tensile modulus (27.45% and 28.01%) compared to those of pure EP matrix. These enhancements were ascribed to 30.26% increase in H-bonding energy, 43.93% improvement in molecular chain mobility and 18.62% reduction in free volume fraction, which originated from well-ordered DEP mesogens with additional H-bonding sites and reorientational domains. Owing to the simultaneous strengthening, toughening and stiffening of EP/DEP-10 matrix, the tensile, impact and comprehensive strength of CF@EP/DEP-10 composite was 10.92%, 30.08% and 22.01% higher than those of CF@EP composite. This improvement was attributed to the improved stress transfer efficiency via CF-matrix elongation matching, the enhanced energy dissipation from ductile interfacial coordination between CF and matrix, and the increased lateral support from the stiffened matrix, leading to the synergistic achievement of high strength, toughness and modulus.

Although doping is widely applied to enhance the thermoelectric performance of BiCuSeO, little attention is given to how doping-induced lattice parameter changes affect it. These changes are primarily used to confirm successful dopant substitution. Here, Pb-doped BiCuSeO serves as a model to reveal structural changes concealed in lattice changes and their critical role. Specifically, the weaker Coulomb interaction between Bi and Se sites induced by doping leads to changes in the Se & horbar;Cu & horbar;Se angle and Cu & horbar;Se bond length. These changes induce band convergence and reduce the bandgap. Additionally, they promote high carrier mobility, reduce phonon group velocity, and expand phonon scattering phase space, realizing carrier-phonon decoupling. Combined with Pb2+ substitution, which optimizes carrier concentration, activates multiple converged valence bands, and suppresses phonon transport, the ZT value increases to 1.21. Notably, the extent of bonding configuration change in (Cu2Se2)2- layers can be reflected by the reduced distance between the Cu and Se atomic planes, which may serve as a descriptor for advanced BiCuSeO-based TE materials design.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a prevalent complication following dural injury, necessitating prompt implantation of dural patches. However, postoperative bacterial infections and tissue adhesion frequently compromise surgical outcomes and may lead to secondary complications. To address these challenges, a self-adhesive Janus dural patch is developed by integrating drug-loaded fibrous meshes with a layer of tissue adhesive hydrogel. Vancomycin and mitomycin C are co-loaded into the meshes to provide antibacterial and anti-tissue adhesion functions, respectively. The hydrophobicity of the electrospun fibers can make the patch effectively preventing CSF leakage. The tissue adhesive hydrogel is made of oxidized hyaluronic acid methylacrylate (OHAMA), whose aldehyde groups can react with amino groups to form robust tissue adhesion. As a whole, the patch shows a high burst pressure resistance (35 kPa). In repairing dural defects using rat models, the patch achieves rapid and suture-free self-tight sealing of dural defects. The sustained release of vancomycin and mitomycin C effectively prevents bacterial infection and postoperative adhesion to brain tissue. Promisingly, this Janus dural patch combines immediate mechanical sealing with multiple biological activities, offering a potential solution for dural repair.

The development of practical lithium (Li) metal battery (LMB) is severely restricted by the poor stability of electrode-electrolyte interfaces (EEIs) and sluggish interfacial kinetics. Modulating Li-ion solvation structure is critical for addressing this issue, but remains challenging. Herein, we propose a novel strategy of incorporating multiple anions and functional solvent to tailor a unique anion-enriched and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) coordinated weak solvation structure for interfacial-stable high-performance LMBs. Theoretical calculations and experimental results indicate that the first Li-ion solvation sheath is dominated by multiple anions and FEC molecules, leading to a largely diminished coordination of Li+-solvents and an accelerated interfacial dynamics. Simultaneously, inorganic-rich robust EEIs are further constructed via the preferential redox decomposition of the solvated anions and FEC molecules, achieving a remarkable interfacial stability and dendrite-free Li plating/stripping behavior. Consequently, the symmetric Li||Li cells realize an ultra-long stable cycle of 5400 h at 2 mAh cm-2, and the Li||LiFePO4 (LFP) full cells demonstrate an excellent rate and cycling performance even under high LFP-loading, relatively low negative/positive capacity ratio (N/P) and less electrolyte usage. Our findings reveal a facile proposal to precisely tailor weak Li-ion solvation structure by integrating anion chemistry and functional solvent, paving the way for advanced electrolyte design and high-performance LMBs development.

The development of high-performance lithium metal batteries relies on solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) that combine high ionic conductivity with superior interfacial stability. Conventional crosslinked SPEs often suffer from rigid networks that fail to accommodate the volume fluctuations of lithium metal during cycling. Inspired by the mechanically interlocked "molecular pulley" architecture of polyrotaxanes (PRs), we developed a slide-crosslinked SPE (PR-PVC) via in situ polymerization. This unique architecture facilitates dynamic stress dissipation, significantly improving interfacial adaptability and stability. Through systematic optimization of the PR molecular structure and electrolyte composition, we elucidated key structure-property relationships and identified an optimal formulation. The resulting electrolyte exhibits exceptional ionic conductivity (2.61 mS cm-1), a high lithium-ion transference number (0.89), and robust mechanical properties (3.4 GPa). When integrated into Li//LFP cells, it delivers stable cycling performance with 81.1% capacity retention after 500 cycles. This work offers a promising strategy for designing next-generation high-energy-density batteries.

The integration of photo-thermal fillers and dual dynamic covalent bonds remains challenging for the fabrication of high-performance self-healable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) composites. In this work, graphene (GN) reinforced epoxy matrices with boronic ester and Diels-Alder (DA) bonds (GN/FBA-EP, GN/FBA-DA-EP) and corresponding CF/EP composites were fabricated, and their self-healing performance by near infrared (NIR) heating was compared to that of unreinforced epoxy matrices (FBA-EP, FBA-DA-EP) and composites by conventional heating. The presence of N-C--O and a negative shift in C--C binding energy verified successful integration of GN and dual dynamic covalent bonds in GN/FBA-DA-EP. Compared to thermal responsive FBA-EP (93.01%, 85.97%) and FBA-DA-EP (94.99%, 91.02%), NIR responsive GN/FBA-EP and GN/FBA-DA-EP achieved higher first and second self-healing efficiencies (95.07%, 88.76% and 96.46%, 94.16%). In contrast to GN/FBAEP containing single boronic ester bonds, dual-dynamic GN/FBA-DA-EP exhibited rapid recovery of crossscratches under NIR heating, indicating that high photo-thermal conversion efficiency of GN activated the exchange reaction of boronic ester bonds, thereby facilitating the dissociation and rearrangement of DA bonds. Correlative 2D and 3D morphologies revealed that CF/GN/FBA-DA-EP achieved the minimal scratch depth and fastest recovery time under NIR heating compared to CF/GN/FBA-EP, which confirmed the improved first and second self-healing efficiencies (96.98%, 93.15%) from the synergy between GN and dual dynamic covalent bonds. This work presents a strategy for synergistically enhancing and accelerating the self-healing performance of epoxy matrices and CF/EP composites.

Strong enamel adhesion remains a challenging task in dental restoration, as light-curable methacrylate-based adhesives forms bonding interfaces through micro-mechanical interlocking by penetrating into the enamel rod gaps. The lack of sufficiently strong chemical bonding renders the adhesive interface vulnerable to integrity failure induced by polymerization stress, bacterial infiltration and material degradation. Herein, a methacrylate monomer grafted with alkoxysilane groups is developed. The sol-gel reaction of the silane moieties enables chemical bonding with hydroxyapatite in enamel, while simultaneously improving the hydrophobicity of the adhesive to enhance bonding performance. The silane-grafted monomer (Sil-BisGMA) is synthesized by reacting the two hydroxyl groups of bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) with (3-isocyanatopropyl) trimethoxysilane (IPTMS), and is subsequently used to partially or completely replace BisGMA in composite adhesive formulations. The results demonstrate that the Sil-BisGMA-formulated adhesives exhibit significantly improved performance compared with conventional BisGMA-based counterpart in terms of mechanical properties, water contact angle, surface hardness, and solvent resistance. Moreover, the incorporation of Sil-BisGMA effectively enhances the instant shear bonding strengths to enamel for various dental restorative substrates, including orthodontic metal brackets, composite resins, and glass-ceramics, by 1.62, 2.07 and 1.50 times, respectively. In addition, the good biocompatibility of the Sil-BisGMA-based adhesives is confirmed through both in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Taken together, these results indicate that the Sil-BisGMA monomer, featuring dual reactivity (light-curable polymerization and chemical bonding capability), can serve as a novel functional monomer for the development of enamel adhesives with improved bonding performance and extended restoration durability, demonstrating strong potential for clinical application.

The low-temperature CO2 activation of biochar, assisted by fluorination-defluorination reactions, is reported for the first time. Coconut shell-based biochar was fluorinated at room temperature for 15, 30, 60 min and subsequently activated with CO2 gas to produce activated carbon. The resulting activated carbon had 2.06 times larger specific surface area than the activated carbon obtained from pristine biochar under the same activation conditions. Moreover, the fluorination pretreatment promoted carbon gasification and pore development under CO2 at lower treatment temperatures than those required for pristine biochar. The defluorination-assisted CO2 activation mechanisms are proposed based on analytical results and the reaction mechanism between CO2 gas and fluorine radicals. Moreover, the applicability of the resulting activated carbon in CO2 adsorption and supercapacitors was evaluated. The performance of the activated carbon sample in these applications was affected by its distinctive pore structure. This study provides a novel method for the physical activation of carbon materials.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a transformative therapeutic modality that leverages the endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to achieve targeted protein degradation. These heterobifunctional molecules facilitate the recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligases to a protein of interest (POI), promoting its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. In contrast to conventional inhibitory approaches, PROTACs operate catalytically, enabling the degradation of a wide spectrum of targets—including those harboring drug-resistant mutations—at significantly lower doses. These attributes have positioned PROTACs as promising agents, particularly in oncology, where their efficiency and broad applicability have been increasingly demonstrated. Nonetheless, clinical translation of PROTACs faces challenges such as poor bioavailability, insufficient tumor-specific accumulation, and off-target effects. The integration of nanomedicine-based delivery platforms offers a viable path to overcome these limitations by enhancing drug stability, improving tissue selectivity, and reducing systemic toxicity. This review outlines the rational design principles underlying nano-PROTACs, highlights recent advances in nanoformulations aimed at optimizing their delivery and efficacy, discusses emerging combination regimens and innovative design strategies, and critically assesses the translational challenges and future directions of nano-PROTACs. Overall, nano-PROTAC technology has pioneered a brand-new approach in the field of disease treatment, providing unprecedented opportunities for precision medicine and personalized disease treatment.

Na3V2(PO4)2F3/C (NVPF/C) is a promising material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), owing to the high working voltage and robust framework. However, the practical application is severely limited by intrinsically low electronic conductivity and sluggish Na+ diffusion kinetics. Herein, we point out a high-valent cation doped strategy to overcome these challenges and successfully synthesizes Na2.7V1.9W0.1(PO4)2F3/C (NVW0.1PF/C) via sol-gel method. Combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) results reveal that W6+ substitution induces the formation of abundant Na vacancies through a charge compensation mechanism, which significantly enhances intrinsic electronic conductivity, expands Na+ transport channel, and remarkably lowers their migration barriers. Benefiting from synergistic effects, the optimized cathode delivers a superior rate performance (100.5 mAh g−1 at 3.84 A g−1) and exceptional cycling stability (93.7% retention after 500 cycles, 88.8% retention even after 1000 cycles at a 1.28 A g−1). Furthermore, the assembled NVW0.1PF/C||NTP full cell exhibits outstanding durability with 90.3% retention after 500 cycles. This study explains the key role of vacancy engineering in optimizing ion transport kinetics and offers a perspective strategy for development of NASICON-type cathodes.

In recent years, anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) have garnered significant attention as prospective next-generation high-energy batteries. However, the advancement of high-performance AFLMBs is severely impeded by challenges such as the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites and excessive volume expansion during cycling. Consequently, the design of three-dimensional (3D) lithiophilic carbon-based hosts to substitute conventional metal current collectors has emerged as a promising strategy for constructing high-performance AFLMBs. Herein, we present a critical and timely review of recent advances in the design of 3D lithiophilic carbon-based hosts for AFLMBs. Specifically, the intrinsic properties of various carbon materials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, porous carbon and carbon fibers, and their applications in AFLMBs, are first summarized. This is followed by a systematic classification of lithiophilic modification strategies, including surface heteroatom doping, surface decorating, and lithiophilic structural engineering and framework design, along with their research progress. Furthermore, the classifications, mechanisms, and structural configurations of lithiophilic gradient designs for 3D carbon-based hosts are summarized, with a specific focus on their application in high-performance AFLMBs. Finally, future challenges and perspectives regarding the lithiophilic structural design and practical application of novel 3D lithiophilic carbon-based hosts are proposed, offering valuable insights for the development of advanced AFLMBs.