Search Results (2,681)

Silicon is a promising anode for solid-state lithium batteries because of its high theoretical capacity, but large lithiation-induced volume changes and unstable electrode/electrolyte contact remain major challenges. Here, a contact-adaptive solid-state silicon (Si) architecture is developed by coupling an electrostatically assembled silicon/reduced graphene oxide (Si@rGO) nanosheet anode with a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)–ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolyte reinforced with 10 wt% Ta-doped Li_6.5La₃Zr_1.5Ta_0.5O₁₂ (LLZTO), hereafter denoted PEC-T. Trace EC promotes Li-salt solvation and PEO plasticization, while LLZTO suppresses polymer crystallization and reinforces ion transport. PEC-T shows a reduced melting temperature from 66.7 to 51.4 °C, improved tensile strength and elongation, an ionic conductivity of 3.0 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C, a Li⁺ transference number of 0.57, and an oxidative stability limit of ~4.5 V. It also supports stable Li plating/stripping for 600 h at 0.1 mA cm⁻². Meanwhile, the rGO framework mitigates irreversible Si thickness evolution and preserves interfacial integrity. Consequently, Si@rGO/PEC-T/Li batteries deliver strong rate capability and maintain 1.8 Ah g⁻¹ after 250 cycles at 1 C, demonstrating a coupled chemo-mechanical strategy for stable solid-state silicon batteries. Full article

Structural and electronic descriptors are widely used to rationalize electrocatalytic activity, but their predictive relevance can depend on the reaction pathway and adsorbed intermediates involved. Systematic comparisons of this reaction dependence using the same well-defined Pd nanostructures remain relatively limited. Here, two structurally related penta-twinned Pd nanocrystals, penta-twinned Pd nanosheets and decahedral nanocrystals, were comparatively evaluated for the oxygen reduction reaction, ethanol oxidation reaction, and formic acid oxidation reaction. For ORR, the more downshifted d-band center of penta-twinned Pd nanosheets accompanied higher intrinsic activity. In contrast, penta-twinned Pd nanosheets and decahedral nanocrystals exhibited nearly identical EOR-specific activities, together with closely comparable CO-stripping peak potentials. For FAOR, the activity order was reversed, with decahedral nanocrystals showing higher specific activity than penta-twinned Pd nanosheets. These contrasting trends demonstrate that the catalytic consequences of surface geometry and electronic structure depend on the adsorbates and elementary reaction pathways involved, highlighting the need to interpret catalyst descriptors in a reaction-specific context. Full article

Interface engineering of the electron transport layer (ETL) is an effective strategy for enhancing the performance and stability of all-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, Na⁺-intercalated vermiculite nanosheets were introduced as a low-cost natural interfacial modifier for the TiO₂ ETL in CsPbI₂Br PSCs. The nanosheets were prepared via an aqueous-phase exfoliation process and deposited onto the TiO₂ surface to regulate the buried TiO₂/CsPbI₂Br interface. Morphological and spectroscopic characterizations revealed that vermiculite modification reduced the surface roughness of TiO₂, altered its surface chemical/electronic environment and was associated with improved interfacial energy-level alignment. As a result, the quality of the CsPbI₂Br film was significantly improved, leading to larger grains, enhanced crystallinity, a lower apparent trap-state density, and more efficient interfacial charge-transfer behavior. Electrical characterizations further confirmed enhanced charge extraction, reduced carrier recombination, and an increased built-in potential in the modified devices. Consequently, the vermiculite-modified devices exhibited simultaneous improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE), open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current density, with the best-performing device reaching a PCE of 13.94%. In addition, the modified device retained 84.51% of its initial PCE after storage in air for 35 days, significantly higher than the 71.1% retained by the control device. These findings highlight the potential of Na⁺-intercalated vermiculite nanosheets as low-cost natural modifiers for TiO₂/CsPbI₂Br buried-interface engineering in efficient and stable all-inorganic PSCs. Full article

Binary Fe-containing LDHs and structurally related layered hydroxides are being widely investigated as adsorbents, catalysts, and redox-active nanomaterials. Yet, links among coprecipitation, phase formation, nanostructure, and reactive-site accessibility remain inconsistently interpreted. This critical review evaluates studies published mainly from 2015 to July 2026 on CoFe, NiFe, MgFe, ZnFe, MnFe, CuFe, and CaFe layered hydroxides and Fe(II)/Fe(III) green rust. Coprecipitation is not a single standardized route: local supersaturation, reagent delivery, mixing, complexation, atmosphere, interlayer chemistry, and aging can alter metal incorporation and phase development, while Fe-rich transient precursors may participate under system-specific conditions. The commonly cited Fe(III) fraction of x = 0.20–0.33 is an empirical guideline rather than a universal stability window, and conventional M(II)-Fe(III) LDHs, CaFe hydrocalumite-/AFm-related phases, and green rust require distinct crystal-chemical interpretations. Nominal composition and LDH-like diffraction cannot establish homogeneous cation incorporation or phase purity. In contrast, diffraction broadening, BET area, nanosheet dimensions, and XPS fitting do not provide stand-alone evidence of defects or accessible reactive sites. Progress toward predictive synthesis requires standardized reporting, system-specific synthesis–composition–phase maps, time-resolved studies, quantitative structure–accessibility relationships, and recognition of as-synthesized, working, recovered, and regenerated materials as potentially distinct structural states, supported by uncertainty analysis, negative outcomes, and validation across laboratories. Full article

Multicomponent nanocomposite fibers with synergistic properties are highly desirable for next-generation flexible electronics and sensors. In this study, MXene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and their composite fibers were successfully fabricated via a wet-spinning method using sodium alginate (SA) as a binder and fiber-forming agent. The morphology, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, electrothermal behavior, and bending sensing performance of the resulting fibers were systematically investigated. All fibers exhibited longitudinal surface wrinkles and a nearly circular cross-section, indicating good process controllability. The MXene/CNTs@SA fibers, featuring a hierarchical synergistic network constructed from one-dimensional CNTs and two-dimensional MXene nanosheets, demonstrated significantly enhanced mechanical performance, with a tensile strength of 76.38 ± 7.09 MPa and conductivity of 16.14 ± 0.36 S·cm⁻¹. Under a 12 V applied voltage, the MXene/CNTs@SA fibers achieved a saturation temperature of 52.77 °C and a power density of 2.95 kW·cm⁻³, demonstrating balanced electrothermal performance. Furthermore, the MXene/CNTs@SA fibers exhibited excellent flexibility and sensing stability, with resistance variations within ± 1.6% over repeated 100 bending–release cycles. The bending gauge factor was determined to be 7.36, confirming high sensitivity and cyclic durability. These results demonstrate that the wet-spun MXene/CNTs@SA composite fibers, with their robust mechanical strength, enhanced electrical conductivity, reliable electrothermal response, and superior bending sensitivity, hold great promise for applications in flexible electronic devices and wearable sensors. Full article

Fluoride contamination in geothermal water is a persistent water-quality concern in high-altitude regions, particularly on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In this study, lightweight magnesium oxide (MgO) nanosheets were investigated for fluoride adsorption from geothermal water, with emphasis on adsorption performance and the underlying mechanism. The effects of MgO dosage, temperature, contact time, and initial fluoride concentration were systematically evaluated, while the physicochemical changes of MgO before and after fluoride adsorption were characterized using SEM, EDS, HRTEM, BET, FTIR, and XPS. The MgO nanosheets exhibited abundant surface hydroxyl groups and enabled rapid fluoride uptake under elevated-temperature conditions. At 70 °C and an MgO dosage of 3 g/L, more than 95% of fluoride was adsorbed within 10 min. The saturated adsorption capacity was 87.167 mg/g at an initial fluoride concentration of 500 mg/L. Kinetic analysis revealed rapid initial uptake followed by a slower adsorption stage, with intraparticle diffusion contributing to, but not solely controlling, the overall adsorption process. The equilibrium data were better described by the Langmuir model than by the Freundlich model (R² = 0.940 vs. 0.725), suggesting relatively homogeneous surface sites. FTIR and XPS analyses revealed pronounced changes in the surface chemical environment following water contact and fluoride adsorption. These changes suggest that water-induced hydration and hydroxylation generate reactive Mg–OH sites, which subsequently interact with fluoride through hydroxyl–fluoride exchange and the formation of Mg–F-related surface species. These findings highlight the contribution of surface chemical interactions to fluoride uptake by MgO nanosheets and their potential for rapid fluoride control in geothermal water. Full article

Vitrimeric nanocomposites (VNCs) are futuristic materials exhibiting multifunctional properties with sustainable capabilities. However, achieving filler-derived functionalities harmoniously with their dynamic characteristics is highly momentous in VNCs. Herein, the vitrimeric thiol-epoxy matrix incorporating tyre-waste-derived carbon nanosheets (CNS) is shown as a versatile nanocomposite integrating flexibility, high strength, and tunable electrical conductivity, together with self-healing and shape-memory characteristics. The transesterification-aided bond exchange reactions enabled vitrimeric features, while the CNS endorsed electrical transport, mechanical, thermal, and dimensional stabilities. Primary investigations, together with ultra-small angle X-ray scattering, explored the structural integrity of dispersed CNS. The hierarchically dispersed nanofillers provided efficient conductive pathways, offering a systematically varying electrical conductivity with filler concentration. They exhibited excellent dimensional stability even after multiple healing cycles, along with an exceptional stretchability up to 276%. Compared with the pristine matrix, a threefold increase in storage modulus has been observed at the maximum filler loading (15 wt%). They exhibited a commendable balance between the rigidity offered by CNS and excellent matrix flexibility, showing their versatility. As a result of accelerated thermoresponsive bond-exchange reactions, a complete shape recovery with an impressive healing efficiency of 99.6% is observed. This study not only provides a detailed elucidation of a multifunctional system but also offers practical insights for developing highly efficient epoxy-based vitrimers suitable for a wide range of applications. Full article

While their biocompatibility and extracellular matrix-mimetic properties make hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels attractive biomaterials for bone regenerative applications, their limited mechanical stability and insufficient osteogenic activity restrict broader utility. Here, we present an organic–inorganic nanocomposite hydrogel integrating catechol-functionalized HA with Sumecton clay (SU) nanosheets as multifunctional inorganic junction domains. Oxidative crosslinking of dopamine-functionalized HA established the primary hydrogel network, while the resulting hybrid network exhibited injectability and structural recovery following deformation. Incorporation of 2% SU increased the compressive modulus from approximately 4.6 to 6.0 kPa and delayed hydrogel degradation, while only modestly affecting equilibrium water content. The hybrid hydrogels also exhibited antimicrobial and catechol-mediated antioxidant activities, establishing a multifunctional microenvironment suited to tissue regeneration. SU-containing hydrogels promoted the osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated stem cells, as evidenced by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and matrix mineralization. SAG was incorporated into SU with a loading efficiency of approximately 95%, and SU@SAG-containing hydrogels further enhanced osteogenic differentiation and mineralization. Gene expression analysis showed increased expression of Hedgehog-associated markers together with modulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related genes, suggesting signaling responses associated with enhanced osteogenesis. Collectively, this study demonstrates an organic–inorganic network engineering strategy to develop structurally robust and biologically functional HA-based nanocomposite hydrogels for bone regenerative applications. Full article

This study presents a starch-modified calcined-ZnAl layered double-hydroxide (S-C-ZnAl-LDH) nanocomposite as a multifunctional nanofiller for poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) efficiently performing, simultaneously, ultrafiltration membrane filtration and efficient adsorbent for the recovery of Acid Blue dye-contaminated water. The synergistic effects of starch modification and thermal activation on nanofiller structure, interfacial compatibility, and membrane performance were systematically investigated through a comparison with pristine ZnAl-LDH, calcined ZnAl-LDH, starch-modified ZnAl-LDH, and calcined starch-modified ZnAl-LDH. SEM, TEM, and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of hierarchical layered nanosheet architectures with a uniform dispersion of crystalline ZnAl domains within a partially amorphous starch matrix, promoting enhanced polymer–nanofiller interfacial interactions Adsorption performance was influenced by solution pH, initial dye concentration, and temperature. Nonlinear kinetic analysis showed that the PFO model described the kinetic data better. However, the overall kinetic modeling findings suggest that Acid Blue 92 adsorption is governed by a combination of physicochemical interactions, suggesting a complex adsorption mechanism was involved. The starch-modified nanocomposite exhibited excellent regeneration stability, retaining approximately 88–90% of its adsorption capacity after five adsorption–desorption cycles. More importantly, the incorporation of S-C-ZnAl-LDH into PVDF membranes significantly enhanced membrane functionality, increasing water flux and permeance by 42.9% and 25%, respectively, while improving Acid Blue rejection by 35.7% to approximately 98%. These improvements are attributed to enhanced membrane hydrophilicity, optimized nanofiller dispersion, and favorable polymer–filler interfacial interactions that facilitate water transport while maintaining high separation efficiency. This work demonstrates an effective strategy for integrating renewable bio-based modifiers with layered nanomaterials to engineer advanced polymeric films exhibiting enhanced permeability, selectivity, durability, and reusability, providing a sustainable platform for multifunctional membrane technologies in water purification and environmental protection. Full article

The precise control of one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale architecture and facet-specific interfaces in alkaline earth metal oxides remains a critical challenge for developing advanced, multifunctional nanocomposites. Herein, we report the template- and surfactant-free mechanochemical synthesis of polyhedral magnesium oxide (MgO) nanorods via the pseudomorphic transformation of a magnesium citrate precursor (Mg-P), followed by systematic integration with graphene oxide (GO). Controlled thermal decomposition of the multiphase 1D coordination precursor yields phase-pure, shape-memory periclase nanorods that retain the precursor’s anisotropic <100> growth axis without undergoing structural collapse. Comprehensive structural and thermogravimetric analyses of the resulting MgO-GO nanocomposites (10, 30, and 50 wt.% GO) suggest a non-covalent, facet-specific interaction mechanism. GO nanosheets are shown to preferentially adhere to the {100} prismatic facets of the MgO nanorods, inducing anisotropic compressive strain, impeding lateral crystallite coarsening, and elevating the autocatalytic deoxygenation temperature of GO by over 145 °C. Furthermore, electrokinetic, and hydrodynamic assessments demonstrate an anomalous, composition-dependent colloidal evolution. While initial GO loadings mask the basic MgO surface to trigger massive hydrodynamic expansion, reaching an equimass 50 wt.% loading forces a profound electrokinetic inversion (+33.5 mV) and volumetric compaction, as the highly basic MgO interfaces re-establish dominance over the hydrodynamic shear plane. The data support a pseudomorphic route under the current conditions for the shape-directed synthesis of 1D metal oxides from coordination precursors and unravel the primitive interfacial dynamics governing the structural and colloidal stability of metal oxide–graphene hybrids. Full article

In membrane-based reverse electrodialysis (RED), ion-selective membranes convert ionic concentration gradients directly into electrical output. Protons are often treated within the general framework of cation selectivity, while how membrane structure specifically regulates proton transport beyond conventional cation transport remains insufficiently understood. Here, freestanding aramid nanofiber (ANF)/Ti_0.87O₂ membranes approximately 3 μm thick are prepared by co-dispersion in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH), spin coating, aqueous regeneration, and confined drying. X-ray diffraction and two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray scattering show that Ti_0.87O₂ incorporation is accompanied by enhanced ANF ordering and preferential orientation. After normalization to the bulk HCl/KCl conductivity ratio, the proton preference factor increases from approximately 1.0 for ANF to 1.67 at a Ti_0.87O₂ mass fraction of 0.5, while the apparent activation energy is lower for HCl than for KCl transport (0.18 versus 0.24 eV). Under a 1000-fold HCl concentration gradient (1 M/0.001 M), the membrane delivers 51.52 W m⁻² and retains 88.1% of its short-circuit current over approximately 33 h. Further integration into a 10-unit stack yields an open-circuit voltage of 1.77 V, demonstrating modular voltage scaling. Together, these results suggest that Ti_0.87O₂ nanosheets promote ANF ordering and contribute to proton-favorable transport behavior. Full article

Lithium recovery from salt lake brines with high Mg/Li ratios remains highly challenging due to the comparable physicochemical properties of Mg²⁺ and Li⁺, while lithium–aluminum-layered double hydroxides (Li/Al-LDHs) have emerged as promising lithium-selective adsorbents. However, their practical application is hindered by particle aggregation, limited structural stability, and insufficient processability under continuous-flow conditions. Herein, a mineral-directed synthesis strategy was developed to construct natural mineral-supported Li/Al-LDHs composite adsorbents using three abundant clay minerals, chlorite, montmorillonite, and illite, as structural substrates. The mineral crystal structures were demonstrated to regulate the nucleation, growth behavior, and dispersion of Li/Al-LDH nanosheets, resulting in distinct hierarchical architectures and lithium adsorption performances. Comprehensive structural characterization revealed the successful integration of Li/Al-LDH phases with different mineral matrices while preserving the intrinsic layered structures of both components. The results demonstrated that different mineral substrates significantly influenced the crystal growth, dispersion, and interfacial structure of Li/Al-LDHs. Among the prepared composites, montmorillonite @Li/Al-LDHs exhibited the optimal lithium adsorption performance, achieving a lithium adsorption capacity of 6.0 mg·g⁻¹ and a remarkable Li⁺/Mg²⁺ separation factor of 73.5 in a brine with a high Mg/Li ratio of 61.25. Furthermore, the optimized adsorbent maintained 81.7% of its initial adsorption capacity after 100 adsorption–desorption cycles and demonstrated stable lithium recovery performance under continuous-flow conditions. This work establishes the relationship between natural mineral crystal structures and Li/Al-LDH adsorption behaviors, providing new insights into the rational design of economical, scalable, and environmentally friendly lithium adsorbents for sustainable recovery of lithium resources from Mg-rich brines. Full article

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has great potential for multiple applications because of its large specific surface area, facile fabrication process, and tunable properties. However, abundant lattice defects severely degrade its conductivity. Herein, from an innovative perspective of precursor design, the poly-phenylamines (P-PAs) with improved solubility and strong light absorption were synthesized, which act as an intercalated polymer for graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. On this basis, the composite precursors show remarkably enhanced photothermal conversion capability and a compact stacked structure. These bring a 60% reduction in I_D/I_G in LIG after laser irradiation. To explain the above phenomenon, an isolation effect induced by the compact stacking precursor is proposed based on experimental results. Furthermore, the cooperative effect between P-PAs and Fe²⁺ is introduced, and a fluffy LIG aerogel with the lowest I_D/I_G ratio of 0.17 is prepared, which is barely achievable in conventional LIGs. When the obtained graphene aerogel is compounded with PDMS, the as-prepared thermal-conductive composite gel reaches a thermal conductivity of 1.05 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ and an ultralow interfacial thermal resistance of 37.2 mm²·K·W⁻¹ under a low graphene loading of 3.3 wt%. This intercalation strategy in GO precursor supplies a new route for preparing high-quality LIGs and thermal-conductive gels, which show great application prospects in thermal management devices. Full article

This work systematically investigates the optical behaviors of cesium lead bromide perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr₃ PeQDs) functionalized with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) at varying reduction levels, and further explores their feasibility as emissive layers (EMLs) in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Four batches of RGO with tunable reduction degrees were synthesized by adjusting the amounts of ammonia solution and hydrazine hydrate added, followed by the fabrication of RGO@CsPbBr₃ hybrids via an in situ hot-injection method. Experimental characterizations reveal that the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the as-prepared RGO@CsPbBr₃ composites can be precisely modulated from 45% to 65% by tuning the reduction degree of RGO. Using the optimized RGO@CsPbBr₃ sample, multilayer QLEDs with the architecture of indium tin oxide (ITO)/PEDOT:PSS/Poly-TPD/TAPC/RGO@CsPbBr₃/TPBi/Al were fabricated. Electroluminescence (EL) measurements show that the optimized device exhibits a turn-on voltage of approximately 3 V and a characteristic emission peak at 513 nm. Compared with devices based solely on bare CsPbBr₃ PeQDs, the composite-based QLED displays a slight blue shift in emission wavelength and enhanced electroluminescence intensity, which is attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect induced by the RGO nanosheets. This work presents a reliable strategy to optimize perovskite hybrid optics for light-emitting applications. Full article

Epoxy (EP) exhibits inherent brittleness and poor wear resistance, limiting its service under long-term frictional conditions. Two-dimensional layered nanofillers are promising candidates for tribological enhancement, yet uniform filler dispersion and robust filler–matrix bonding remain challenging. In this study, nickel phyllosilicate nanosheet assemblies (NiPS−NA) were synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal route using Ni-MOF as a sacrificial template and blended into the EP matrix to fabricate composites. A series of characterizations were carried out to evaluate the structure–property relationships of EP/NiPS–NA composites. Loosely stacked NiPS–NA nanosheets disperse uniformly within the EP matrix and comprehensively improve the comprehensive properties of EP/NiPS–NA composites. As NiPS–NA loading increases, elongation at break rises to a peak value of 6.0% at 3% filler content, representing a 43.3% improvement over neat EP, whereas tensile strength increases steadily with only minor variations in elastic modulus. Incorporated NiPS–NA suppresses thermal weight loss, elevates the high-temperature char yield and raises the activation energy for thermal decomposition. Notably, the composite containing 5% NiPS–NA delivers the lowest wear rate of 1.02 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/N·m, an 89.4% reduction relative to unfilled EP. Extensive examinations of worn surfaces further clarify the NiPS–NA-mediated wear mechanism. This work offers a facile three-in-one strategy for preparing high-performance wear-resistant polymeric composites. Full article