Perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) have garnered widespread attention due to their remarkable optical properties, yet their poor stability limits practical applications. Embedding PeQDs within mesoporous silica is one of the effective strategies to enhance their stability, but cannot effectively passivate the surface defects of PeQDs, resulting in relatively low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and significant photoluminescence quenching under light irradiation and heating. Herein, we report an innovative structure of growing an BaPbP2O7 shell between CsPbBr3 QDs and hollow mesoporous silica (HMS), using ionic aqueous solution under high temperature and pressure conditions. Effective passivation of surface defects is achieved through the combination of phosphate ions with B-site cations on the perovskite surface. The resulting CsPbBr3/BaPbP2O7/HMS composites that feature surface passivation of BaPbP2O7 and HMS encapsulation, demonstrating significantly improved PLQY from 29 +/- 1% to 96 +/- 1% and impressive resistance to adverse conditions such as water, heat, and blue light irradiation. Finally, CsPbBr3/BaPbP2O7/HMS are packaged as the emitting layer to construct a white light-emitting diode with the chromaticity coordinates of (0.281, 0.345), showing good operating stability. Furthermore, images displayed on perovskite-based liquid crystal displays with a wide color gamut covering 134% of the NTSC standard are more vivid and saturated.

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) with high capacity density and safety are candidates for large-scale energy storage, but their commercialization is hampered by zinc dendrites and side reactions. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are promising materials because of their high specific surface area with abundant active sites. Herein, zinc foils coated with 2D siloxene nanosheets (SOE@Zn) are prepared. Siloxene is rich in oxygen atoms, which interact with Zn(H2O)(6)(2+) to facilitate the desolvation process. Accelerating the transport of Zn2+ while hindering water molecules, the activation energy for desolvation is reduced from 45 to 30 kJ mol(-1), which enhances the electrochemical kinetics and suppresses side reactions. The surface energy of different crystalline surfaces of Zn is calculated in SOE@Zn, where the lowest is Zn (002). Thus, the thermodynamic tendency is to form Zn (002) during deposition. The characterization results confirm a preferential Zn (002) deposition, inhibiting the formation of dendrites. The symmetric cell with SOE@Zn anode achieves 4700 h of stable cycling, much higher than Bare Zn (210 h). In addition, there is no short-circuit in the SOE@Zn||alpha-MnO2 cell during 2000 cycles. This strategy provides a 2D material and guided deposition perspective for designing Zn anode optimization in AZMBs.

Achieving reliable hydrogen sensing at room temperature remains a critical challenge due to the limited carrier transport and unstable surface chemistry of conventional polycrystalline oxides. Here, we demonstrate that precise growth-mode control of epitaxial anatase TiO2 thin films via sputtering atmosphere engineering provides an effective route to overcoming these limitations. By systematically tuning the Ar/O2 ratio, the TiO2 growth mode transitions from a defective island-like mode to a layer-by-layer mode and finally to a stress-induced island. The film deposited at an 8/1 Ar/O2 ratio achieves an ideal combination of perfect crystallinity, an atomically flat surface, and a balanced oxygen vacancy concentration, yielding a clean and well-defined Pd-TiO2 interface upon catalyst deposition. The resulting Pd/TiO2 sensor exhibits exceptional room-temperature hydrogen sensing performance: a strong response of 11.34 to 100 ppm of H2, a low detection limit (5 ppm), excellent selectivity over other battery abuse gases, remarkable humidity resistance, and long-term stability. Comprehensive structural and mechanistic analyses reveal that the superior performance originates from an efficient interface-dominated sensing mechanism, rather than the conventional surface reaction pathway. This work establishes a "structure over stoichiometry" paradigm for developing advanced gas sensors and provides an effective route toward high-reliability, low-power hydrogen safety monitoring.

Conventional post-synthetic intercrystalline defect-healing strategies for zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes, such as secondary growth and polymer coating, can improve propylene/propane (C3H6/C3H8) selectivity but inevitably increase membrane thickness or occupy the intrinsic pores of ZIF-8, leading to compromised permeance. Moreover, the relatively poor water stability of ZIF-8 membranes under high humidity severely impedes their practical application. Herein, two hydrophobic and sterically hindered ionic liquids (HSH-ILs), [Bpy][NTf2] and [P6,6,6,14][NTf2] are introduced to heal the intercrystalline defects of ZIF-8 membranes while preserving the intrinsic porosity of ZIF-8 and imparting humidity resistance. As a consequence, the [P6,6,6,14][NTf2]@ZIF-8 membrane demonstrates a high C3H6 permeance of 174 GPU together with an outstanding C3H6/C3H8 selectivity of 101. Notably, owing to the protective barrier formed by HSH-IL, such excellent separation performance can be well reserved even after an aggressive humidity test. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the superior separation performance originates from the synergistic contribution of intrinsic pores of ZIF-8 and interfacial interactions between HSH-ILs and ZIF-8. This work opens a new avenue for constructing defect-free and humidity-resistant polycrystalline membranes toward challenging gas separation processes.

Aqueous Zn metal batteries (AZMBs) exhibit inherent safety and cost-effectiveness, but dendrite growth and parasitic reactions on the Zn anodes hinder their commercial application. This work proposes a "Concentration-Purification-Delivery" mechanism, validating by preparing a attapulgite coating grafted with 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) on the surface of Zn anodes. Attapulgite (ATP) possesses outstanding Zn2+ adsorption capacity due to its intrinsic negative charge and ion exchange properties, promoting Zn2+ concentration at the interface and preventing the formation of Zn2+ depletion zones during deposition. The MPS grafted onto the ATP surface continuously blocks water molecules from infiltrating through its repulsive interaction with water, facilitating progressive dehydration/desolvation and thereby suppressing water-induced parasitic reactions. Additionally, the electrostatic nanopores within ATP promote rapid delivery and uniform deposition of Zn2+ at the interface. Therefore, this highly-efficient synergistic mechanism enables stable and reversible electroplating/stripping along with dendrite-free Zn metals. The Zn||Zn symmetric cell assembled with the modified anode can stably cycle for over 700 h at a high capacity of 10 mAh cm(-2), and remains stable for >400 h even at a discharge depth of about 61.5%. This work provides feasible and valuable guidance for the design of long-life and high-reversibility Zn-based batteries.

Reliable hydrogen detection under high concentrations and low power consumption is crucial for ensuring safety in industrial environments. Here, we report Pd-decorated V2O5 nanoflowers synthesized via a hydrothermalimpregnation route that achieve a high response of 13.43 to 2000 ppm H2 at 75 degrees C-nearly six times that of pristine V2O5 (2.32 at 200 degrees C)-along with excellent repeatability, selectivity, humidity tolerance, and long-term stability. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements reveal the formation of Pd-H and V4+ = O species even at room temperature and density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations indicate enhanced charge transfer and reduced adsorption energy at the Pd/V2O5 interface. These findings confirm a strong catalytic-electronic coupling effect, in which Pd catalyzes hydrogen dissociation and spillover, while interfacial electron redistribution and vacancy-mediated activation dramatically lower the reaction barrier. This synergistic coupling enables sensitive hydrogen sensing at significantly reduced temperatures. Integration of the Pd/V2O5 layer into a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) platform yields an ultralow power consumption of 7.2 mW, demonstrating promising potential for miniaturized, energy-efficient hydrogen-sensing technologies.

Electrochemical activation (ECA) represents a powerful approach to unlock the high-capacity potential of vanadium oxide cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). The role of water in ECA extends beyond surface reactions, yet its underlying bulk-phase activation mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This work uncovers a previously overlooked stagewise ECA process regulated by the bulk-phase water penetration, involving concentrated oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis-induced phase transformation. Through a synergistic dual-ion engineering strategy, a model NaAl-VO2 nanoflower precursor is constructed, where Al3+ and Na+ cooperatively tailor the morphology and (0 0 1) layer spacing. This design unlocks deep water reaction in VO2, triggering a pore-forming cascade reaction fundamentally distinct from traditional surface-limited activation. The bulk reaction mechanism facilitates rapid formation of highly active NaAl-HxV2O5 nanonetworks, leading to a high specific capacity (571.3 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1) and enhanced rate performance (239.5 mA h g-1 after 10,500 cycles at 20 A g-1). Ionsynergized regulation of water reaction depth can serve as a universal strategy for developing highperformance electrodes in aqueous electrolyte batteries. (c) 2026 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Hydrogen sensors are crucial for energy, industry, battery safety, healthcare, and aerospace. This review links material properties, sensing mechanisms, and design strategies for high-performance MOS hydrogen sensors.

Epitaxial halide perovskites have emerged as a new frontier for high-performance optoelectronics owing to their exceptional crystallinity, long carrier diffusion lengths, and orientation-dependent electronic properties. However, their growth on rigid and often insulating single-crystal substrates severely limits device architectures and precludes integration with flexible, conductive, or heterogeneous platforms. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in epitaxial growth and corresponding lift-off strategies of halide perovskites. We first discuss three representative epitaxial modes—chemical epitaxy, van der Waals epitaxy, and remote epitaxy—highlighting their distinct interfacial bonding mechanisms and resulting film characteristics. We then examine corresponding lift-off techniques, including direct mechanical, two-dimensional interlayer-assisted, and mask-assisted lift-off, emphasizing their applicability, film quality, and scalability. Finally, we summarize recent advances in photodetectors, micro-light-emitting diodes, and solar cells enabled by transferred epitaxial films, underscoring their improved efficiency, stability, and mechanical flexibility. We conclude by outlining key challenges and future opportunities for scalable, damage-free exfoliation and heterogeneous integration. This review aims to provide a roadmap for advancing epitaxial lift-off toward practical, high-performance halide perovskite optoelectronic technologies.

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs) confined within solid matrices via calcination methods exhibit superior environmental stability compared to colloidal perovskite QDs. However, matrix‐confined perovskite QDs generally display lower photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) than their colloidal counterparts, especially in the case of blue‐emitting mixed‐halide CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 QDs. Here, we identify residual tensile stress, originating from the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients between the perovskite and the matrix, as a key factor responsible for the suppressed luminous efficiency in silica‐confined CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 QDs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a simple hydrothermal treatment enables stress release in these silica‐confined QDs, leading to a significant enhancement in their PLQY. The resulting stress‐free silica‐confined CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 QDs exhibit record‐high PLQYs among reported blue‐emitting perovskite QDs synthesized via calcination methods, even approaching the PLQY of colloidal QDs. In addition, we find that stress release effectively suppresses both photoinduced halide segregation and thermal‐induced emission quenching in these silica‐confined CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 QDs. This work provides a new perspective for achieving blue‐emitting perovskite QDs with high PLQY and stability. image

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis using TiO2, ZnO, and related materials offers a promising solution for efficient wastewater treatment through light-assisted advanced oxidation processes. In this study, oxygen vacancy (Ov)-rich ZnO micrometer-sized particles (ca. 0.5 μm) are grown on a conductive carbon cloth via a one-step molten salt method. The effects of different coordinating anions added into the molten salt on the morphological characteristics of the resultant ZnO crystallites are studied. The optimized photocatalyst (CC@ZnO-3 min) achieves near-complete degradation of 20 ppm ofloxacin within 2 h under UV irradiation and in the presence of 5 mM KHSO5 (PMS). In the absence of PMS, it removes 26% of total organic carbon (TOC) after 8 h─a 6-fold improvement over commercial ZnO with an average particle size of ca. 0.2 μm, which is also immobilized on carbon cloth with a similar loading mass of ca. 7.0 mg·cm-2. Radical trapping experiments reveal that superoxide (·O2-) and holes play dominant roles in the degradation process. The engineered oxygen vacancies not only enhance charge carrier separation but also significantly improve electron transfer efficiency. This work presents a strategy for developing high-efficiency photocatalysts to address pharmaceutical pollution.

Zinc dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, and corrosion reaction severely impede the commercialization of zinc-metal batteries. In contrast to previous studies focusing on the first two detrimental issues, corrosion induced by dissolved oxygen (DO) is frequently neglected. With the selfdeoxygenation effect of carbonic dihydrazide (CHZ) as the core mechanism, this work elaborates on its synergistic regulation of the interfacial environment, solvation structure, and deposition behavior as a multifunctional additive. CHZ spontaneously captures DO and suppresses the hydrogen evolution reaction, thereby mitigating side reactions. Benefiting from the preferential adsorption of CHZ at the zinc metal interface and the generation of CO2 through its self-deoxygenation effect, the in situ formation of a ZnCO3-dominated solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is promoted. Furthermore, as a bidentate ligand, CHZ exhibits strong coordination with Zn2+, which not only reconstructs the solvation structure but also regulates the zinc deposition kinetics, ensuring uniform and compact zinc deposition. Consequently, the CHZ-containing Zn||Zn symmetric cell exhibits extraordinary cycling stability of 1250 h under 10 mA cm-2 and 5 mAh cm-2. The Zn||Cu asymmetric cell maintains a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.86% over 3350 cycles. This work provides new insights into enhancing the electrochemical stability of zinc anodes through a synergistic strategy. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press on behalf of Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

White light-emitting diodes are regarded as a substitute for traditional incandescent lights, becoming promising solid-state light sources. However, the insufficiency of rare earth elements, environmental problems caused by element mining, and an inadequate color rendering index for high-saturation colors restrict long-term application. Herein, a kind of sunlike full-spectrum white light-emitting diodes is successfully prepared, consisting of two complementary-color low-toxicity copper-based materials, which demonstrates an excellent color rendering index. Two types of eco-friendly hybrid copper halide ionic crystals with broadband emission are synthesized via cooling crystallization, exhibiting near unity photoluminescence quantum yields. Different thermal-assisted self-trapped exciton emission mechanisms result in distinctive temperature-dependent photoluminescence, both of which possess robust resistance against thermal quenching and good stability under UV laser irradiation. The white light-emitting diode devices were fabricated with an appropriate ratio of two kinds of phosphors, which show splendid rendering index, Ra of 93, and R9 of 86 simultaneously, and operational half-lifetime of 140 h under a continuous 250 mA current mode. The results provide an approach for achieving healthy lighting using environmentally friendly materials.

Understanding the electrical excitation level of quantum dots in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) constitutes a central aspect of investigations into device mechanisms. However, practical research is hindered by the absence of straightforward and viable analytical methodologies. In this study, we present an approach for assessing device quality by examining the electrical excitation level of quantum dots in conjunction with carrier injection balance. Through quantitative modeling of electroluminescent intensity and the average number of excitons () generated under electrical excitation, key parameters that manifest the current utilization efficiency can be extracted, providing a guideline to inform device optimization strategies. As a proof of concept, the efficiency roll-off of blue-emitting perovskite quantum dot LEDs is theoretically analyzed. Combining electrically excited transient absorption spectroscopy, hole leakage is identified as the main cause of low current utilization efficiency. Mitigating carrier injection imbalance via enhancing electron injection, the blue device simultaneously achieves a high brightness of over 11 000 cd m(-2) and a maximum EQE of 26.0%, representing state-of-the-art blue perovskite LEDs.

Layered oxides have attracted significant attention as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their compositional versatility and tuneable electrochemical performance. However, these materials still face challenges such as structural phase transitions, Na+/vacancy ordering, and Jahn–Teller distortion effect, resulting in severe capacity decay and sluggish ion kinetics. We develop a novel Cu/Y dual-doping strategy that leads to the formation of "Na–Y" interlayer aggregates, which act as structural pillars within alkali metal layers, enhancing structural stability and disrupting the ordered arrangement of Na+/vacancies. This disruption leads to a unique coexistence of ordered and disordered Na+/vacancy states with near-zero strain, which significantly improves Na+ diffusion kinetics. This structural innovation not only mitigates the unfavorable P2–O2 phase transition but also facilitates rapid ion transport. As a result, the doped material demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, including an ultra-long cycle life of 3000 cycles at 10 C and an outstanding high-rate capability of 70 mAh g−1 at 50 C. The discovery of this novel interlayer pillar, along with its role in modulating Na⁺/vacancy arrangements, provides a fresh perspective on engineering layered oxides. It opens up promising new pathways for the structural design of advanced cathode materials toward efficient, stable, and high-rate SIBs.

The spatiotemporal mismatch between interfacial reduction kinetics and ionic mass transport severely limits the practical application of aqueous zinc metal batteries. Inspired by the natural ion-regulating function of fulvic acid (Ful) in soil, we introduce trace amounts of Ful as an electrolyte additive to serve as a “ion sponge” with dynamic buffering capacity. Ful spontaneously adsorbs onto the Zn anode through its abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, reconstructing a water-deficient inner Helmholtz plane with steric hindrance. More importantly, this adsorbed layer moderately retards the interfacial reduction kinetics, which balances the bulk diffusion of Zn2+ and consequently results in uniform and compact Zn deposition. Additionally, an organic-inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is formed in situ during cycling, which further enhances the long-term stability of the interface. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell achieves a cycling life of 2970 h at 1 mA cm−2, the Zn||Cu asymmetric cell delivers an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.4% over 1500 cycles, and the Zn||NaV3O8·1.5H2O full cell also exhibits excellent capacity retention and rate performance. This nature-inspired “ion-sponge” strategy provides a paradigm for dynamic interface regulation toward practical high-stability Zn anodes.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanofluidic membranes hold great promise for osmotic energy conversion, yet achieving an optimal balance between ion permeability and selectivity remains a critical challenge. Herein, a spatially confined strategy was employed to in situ grow ZIF-8 nanoparticles and incorporate hydrophobic ionic liquid (HIL) [Bmim][NTf2] within a laminated graphene oxide (GO) membrane to form a GO/ZIF-8/[Bmim][NTf2] composite membrane with heterostructured nanochannels. The GO laminates serve as a robust scaffold for the whole system. The in situ growth of ZIF-8 enhances ion permeability and refines selectivity. The incorporation of HIL not only improves the membrane stability in aqueous electrolyte but also forms a continuous medium to optimize the ionic transport environment within the channels. Benefiting from this synergy, the resulting composite membrane achieves an excellent cation selectivity of 0.945 and a power density of 10.4 W m-2 under a 50-fold NaCl concentration gradient. This strategy is universal for the fabrication of different GO/MOF/HIL composite membranes (such as GO/HKUST-1/[Bmim][NTf2] and GO/ZIF-8/[Bmim][PF6]) and provides new insights into the design of high-performance 2D/MOF/HIL composite membranes for osmotic energy conversion.

Free-standing diamond films have important applications in the fields of heat dissipation and optics. Conventional methods face challenges in efficiently separating high-quality and low-stress diamond films from common substrates such as Si and SiC while minimizing damage. This study introduces an electrochemical separation method for fabricating low-stress free-standing diamond films via ultrasonic-assisted thermal electrolysis of graphite substrates. Leveraging the excellent thermal expansion coefficient match with diamond, a three-step process has been developed: first, a uniform Ta2O5 intermediate layer was deposited on graphite via atomic layer deposition to ensure high-quality diamond growth; second, diamond films were grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition; finally, the graphite substrate was selectively removed by ultrasonic-assisted thermal electrolysis in (NH4)2SO4 solution. Optimized electrolysis conditions (0.5 M (NH4)2SO4, 0.30 A (0.195 A/cm2), 3 h) more than 95% of the graphite substrate was removed while maintaining the structural integrity of the diamond film. Raman mapping performed over a 4 × 4 mm2 region revealed a relatively uniform residual stress distribution without pronounced macroscopic stress concentration, and the average residual stress was as low as −0.2327 GPa, indicating that the diamond film remained predominantly under compressive residual stress. This work presents a nondestructive pathway to produce large-area freestanding diamond films, advancing applications in high-power electronics and extreme optics.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for grid-scale energy storage, yet their deployment is hindered by uncontrolled dendritic growth and parasitic reactions stemming from the unstable anode/electrolyte interface. Here, a “solvation-interphase” dual-regulation mechanism is proposed to enable highly reversible Zn plating/stripping by introducing a bio-derived molecule, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), as an electrolyte additive. Combined experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations demonstrate that GlcNAc functions as a bifunctional regulator: it reconfigures the Zn2+ primary solvation sheath to suppress water activity, while simultaneously being adsorbed onto the Zn anode to restructure the electrical double layer (EDL), thereby establishing a water-deficient protective interphase. This cooperative modulation effectively mitigates corrosion, elevates nucleation overpotential, and promotes uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, Zn//Zn cells deliver an ultralong lifespan exceeding 6000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and maintain stability for over 740 h under rigorous conditions (10 mA cm−2, 10 mA h cm−2), achieving a cumulative capacity of 3700 mA h cm−2. Zn//Cu cells exhibit an exceptional average Coulombic efficiency of 99.88% over 4000 cycles, while high Zn utilization (>40%) is achieved. Moreover, full cells employing the GlcNAc-modified electrolyte demonstrate enhanced cycling stability. This work underscores the potential of biomolecular additives, offering a holistic design paradigm for sustainable aqueous energy storage.

Oxide nanostructures hold great promise for next-generation gas-sensing technologies owing to their chemical stability, rich surface chemistry, and tunable electronic properties. However, controlled epitaxial growth of oxide nanostructures remains challenging, particularly for V2O5, a highly promising material for hydrogen detection. Here, we develop a space-confinement chemical vapor deposition strategy that enables epitaxial growth of highly ordered V2O5 nanowire arrays on r-Al2O3 substrates. The confined geometry precisely regulates gas-phase transport and surface reaction kinetics, allowing morphology control via confinement distance and yielding single-crystalline nanowires with atomically sharp interfaces. Upon Pd decoration, V2O5 nanowire array sensors demonstrate remarkable hydrogen-sensing performance, featuring high sensitivity, low optimal operating temperatures down to room temperature, and rapid response/recovery dynamics. Moreover, flexible single-nanowire sensors maintain stable performance under repeated mechanical deformation. This work provides fundamental insight into space-confinement epitaxy of nanostructures and establishes a scalable route toward flexible, low-power, and high-performance gas sensors for future wearable and intelligent environmental monitoring technologies.