With the swift advancement of electronic information technology, there is a growing demand for enhanced shielding effectiveness and optical transparency in electromagnetic shielding materials across various fields, such as wearable electronics, electronic communication, and the military industry. Consequently, the exploration of high-performance electromagnetic shielding materials possessing both transparency and flexibility has become a focal point of research. This Review overviews recent progress in facile and nonvacuum-based approaches for crafting polymer- or glass-based, transparent electromagnetic shielding materials. It compares and summarizes preparation methods and deposition techniques for composite materials. Furthermore, the article explores the challenges related to the intricate balance of transparency, electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, and different methods offering potential solutions. It concludes by outlining prospective directions for the future development of nonvacuum and facile fabrication methods of glass or polymer-based transparent electromagnetic shielding composite materials.

Currently, the development of electromagnetic shielding materials with both mechanical strength and high thermal conductivity for next-generation electronic devices remains a challenge. In this study, we developed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/MXene/aramid nanofiber (ANF) composite films, with a “brick-and-mortar” structure, by vacuum filtration and a hot-pressing method. This structure enables the composite film to enhance the mechanical and thermal performance while maintaining a satisfied electromagnetic shielding function. Particularly, the low-temperature plasma-treated SWCNTs were utilized to significantly overcome the interface resistance, where strong hydrogen bonds with ANFs have been confirmed. The results indicated that the composite film achieved a tensile strength of 281.2 MPa and an elongation at break of 17.6%. The combination of SWCNTs and Ti₃C₂T_x MXene forms a three-dimensional thermal conduction network, resulting in an exceptional thermal conductivity of 14.99 W/m·K for the SWCNT/MXene/ANF composite film, which is 571% higher than that of a pure ANF film. The “brick-and-mortar” structure results in continuous absorption and attenuation of electromagnetic waves, allowing the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness to reach around 31.9 dB. Overall, the strategy proposed in this work has shown positive potential multifunctional electromagnetic shielding materials with good mechanical and thermal performance.

While phase change materials (PCMs) possess high energy storage capacities, they suffer from long charging/discharging cycles due to poor thermal conductivity. Existing solutions integrate PCMs with thermally conductive porous matrices but often compromise the energy storage capacity of the PCM composites. To overcome the trade-off between energy storage capacity and power density of PCM composites, this work proposes a facile solution by synthesizing Cu(OH)₂ nanowires on Cu foam to produce a nanotextured Cu matrix. Benefiting from the uniform distribution of Cu(OH)₂ nanowires and their large surface area, the adhesion between the metal foam and PCM and the charging/discharging rates were obviously improved, which resulted in the nanotextured Cu foam-PCM composite only requiring half the time to change phase compared to pure PCM, indicating outstanding heat conductance of the nanotextured Cu foam. Additionally, the nanotextured Cu foam-PCM composite performed 96% better than pure PCM in terms of temperature uniformity. As such, utilization of the nanotextured Cu foam drastically increased the power density of the composite PCM without compromising its storage capacity. It was also observed, for the first time, that the nanotextured Cu foam induces fast propagating dendrites that allow the PCM to quickly charge and discharge its thermal energy. This work demonstrates the potential of employing nano- and microstructures to enhance the performance of latent heat thermal energy storage systems.

Semi-insulating manganese-doped gallium nitride (GaN:Mn) layers epitaxially grown on unintentionally doped GaN substrates were used as photoconductors in optically addressable light valves (OALVs) to withstand higher operational laser fluences compared to current state-of-the-art OALVs where bismuth silicon oxide (BSO; Bi₁₂SiO₂₀) layers are used as photoconductors. GaN:Mn promises to be an exciting material for optoelectronic operations due to its large laser fluence handling capability and photoresponsivity near the band edge. The laser damage thresholds for the semi-insulating epitaxial GaN:Mn layer and the n-type substrate layer were measured to be 2.4 and 4.2 J/cm², respectively. These are 6–10 times higher than that of BSO (0.4 J/cm²). These measurements were performed by exposing ∼200 sites on the samples to increasing fluence levels from a Gaussian pulsed Nd:YAG laser system (1064 nm) operating at a 5 Hz repetition rate with a 3 ns pulse width. Photoresponsivity of the GaN:Mn material was investigated at discrete wavelengths of 447, 405, and 380 nm. The peak photoresponsivity was observed under an illumination wavelength of 380 nm and is attributed to stronger absorption. The OALV was fabricated by attaching a 110-μm-thick GaN:Mn layer grown on a 280-μm-thick n-GaN layer to a 3-mm-thick BK7 optical window. A twisted nematic E7 liquid crystal was introduced to the 5 μm gap between the two components. Transmission levels of >90% were achieved for the fabricated OALVs for a peak voltage of 40 V, constrained by transmission “bleed-through”.

The terminal structures of cis-1,4-polyisoprene (PI) chains significantly influence the exceptional mechanical properties of Hevea natural rubber (NR), including high toughness, wet skid resistance, and strain-induced crystallization. We conducted all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural and dynamic properties of PI melt systems with various terminal group combinations. These included single-component melts and binary mixtures of chains with ester- and hydroxy-terminated α-terminal groups. The study revealed that hydrogen bonding between α-terminal groups drive the formation of stable homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters. In single-component systems, hydroxy-terminal groups promoted homogeneous clusters, while in binary mixtures, heterogeneous clusters formed between ester and hydroxy terminals. These clusters, ranging in size from 2 to 5 chains, serve as physical junction points, slowing chain dynamics and enhancing network stability. Dynamic properties, such as rotational relaxation, Rouse mode times, and stress–stress autocorrelation, were significantly influenced by cluster formation, particularly in mixed systems. The stress–stress autocorrelation function, G(t), exhibits a Rouse-type relaxation behavior (G(t) ∼ t^–1/2) in the intermediate time range for PI₀. In contrast, the mixed melt systems PI₀ show a slower relaxation compared to the pure components. This slower relaxation is attributed to the formation of stable, well-ordered heterogeneous clusters, driven by hydrogen bonding between ester and hydroxy-terminal groups. These findings provide evidence for the formation of physical junction points between hydroxy- and ester-terminated polyisoprene chains through their respective α1, α2, α3, α4, α5, and α6 terminals. These physical junction points might be crucial for superior properties of NR such as high toughness, crack growth resistance, and strain-induced crystallization.

In this work, we report the plasmonic properties of aluminum films as substrate materials for multiple analytical platforms, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and MALDI-MS. The intrinsic optical sensitivity was characterized with ionic polymer coatings, lipid vesicles, and medically relevant biomarkers. In SPR imaging mode, the aluminum film allowed for the sensitive quantification of kinetic differences of binding interactions between the ionic polymer and biomarker peptides of CXCL8 and CXCL10. The binding was found to be correlated to the charge densities of the biomarkers and the polymer coating, and the use of an artificial urine matrix could alter the association behavior. The e-beam fabricated Al film was also shown to be effective for enriching phosphorylated peptides from milk proteins for mass spectrometric profiling. The surface-assisted ionization process was further investigated by comparing MALDI spectra of biomarkers obtained on conventional stainless steel plates, Au films, and Al films. Results indicate that aluminum films have m/z intensity values significantly higher than those on a steel plate and Au film, suggesting the electronic and plasmonic properties of aluminum thin films, especially those under UV conditions, may lead to an improved performance in MALDI signals. We believe that Al thin films have great potential as substrates for developing bioanalytical methods and can have vast benefits for the future study of biophysical interactions.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Surgery is the preferred treatment for this cancer, but the risk of local recurrence and metastasis of the remaining cells after surgery is still a significant concern. A coculture 3D model based on dopamine-grafted alginate (Alg-DA) containing different polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) is presented in this work for breast cancer cell therapy. The PDA NPs were grown in situ in the hydrogels to fabricate ADHG-PDAN-x hydrogels, in which x indicates the PDA NP content. The human breast cancer line of MDA-MB-231 and primary human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF) were cocultured in the hydrogels to closely resemble the in vivo breast tumor microenvironment. The coculture 3D hydrogel models were treated by applying an anticancer drug, docetaxel (chemotherapy), near-infrared (NIR) irradiation using a laser with an 808 nm wavelength with a power of 1 W/cm² (photothermal therapy), and a combination of both methods (chemo-photothermal therapy). The results unveiled an increased effect of chemo-photothermal therapy on the 67.4% eradication of cancerous cells, while only chemotherapy and photothermal therapy showed 48.4% and 57.8% eradication rates, respectively. This therapeutic method can potentially prevent the growth of tumor cells and can be used after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells.

The growth of biologics in modern medicine poses a pressing need for efficient process technologies capable of delivering clinically relevant amounts of highly pure and active products. In this context, chromatographic adsorbents that deliver high product yield and purity without relying on conventional process controls that can harm product activity, namely, pH or osmolarity, are particularly sought after. Light irradiation at controlled wavelength and intensity represents an ideal trigger for the adsorption/desorption of labile biotherapeutics on chromatographic adsorbents. To that end, our team introduced cyclic azobenzene-peptides (CAPs) that target blood proteins and cell surface markers and demonstrated their use as ligands in photoaffinity chromatographic applications. In this study, we extend this toolkit by introducing two CAPs with light-controlled biorecognition of CD38 and FLT3. An ensemble of candidate ligands were initially discovered by screening a rationally designed solid-phase library of CAPs and subsequently evaluated experimentally and in silico to measure their photoisomerization kinetics and binding activity. CAPs cyclo_AZOB[Dap-YSKKNNS-Lys] (CD38) and cyclo_AZOB[Lys-YLGKNKK-Lys] (FLT3) were conjugated to translucent, porous beads composed of cross-linked polyethylene glycol, where they exhibited rapid binding, photoisomerization, and product release. Photoaffinity chromatography of recombinant FLT3 and CD38 afforded excellent recovery (84–93%) and purity (94–97%) from HEK293 cell culture supernatants using a combination of light and mildly acidic elution (pH ∼ 6.5). Molecular docking studies indicate that the ligands target the ectodomains of both targets, suggesting their application for cell purification. These results are a prelude to the application of CAPs to the purification of CD38 and FLT3 or CD38⁺/FLT3⁺ cells by photoaffinity chromatography.

Owing to rapid response, nondestructiveness, and high sensitivity, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been extensively utilized in diverse applications. However, synthesizing an eco-friendly SERS substrate with a high surface area and sensitivity is still challenging in the myriad of SERS synthetic worlds. Herein, we fabricate Ag/NH₂–UiO-66 and Ag/UiO-66 nanocomposites (NCs) via an environmentally friendly and hazardous chemical-free approach, i.e., UV-assisted synthesis (λ ∼ 352 nm) using UiO-66 or NH₂–UiO-66 and AgNO₃ as a stabilizing precursor for the synthesis of Ag. The morphological and structural characterizations were done using different spectroscopy tools. The SERS sensing capability of both substrates was compared using R6G in aqueous media. The Ag/UiO-66 NCs have lower detection capability compared to the amine-functionalized Ag/NH₂–UiO-66, which showed excellent linearity over the range of 10^–3 M to 10^–8 M for R6G in water with a good enhancement factor of 3.1 × 10⁵. The UV-assisted synthesis of SERS further encourages researchers to fabricate environmentally friendly 3D-SERS substrates for sensing diverse emerging contaminants to maintain environmental sustainability.

Chemical looping combustion has the potential to reduce the energy penalty associated with carbon dioxide (CO₂) separation during the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Calcium ferrite oxygen carriers are promising for practical applications due to their ability to be synthesized from inexpensive and eco-friendly materials. In this study, the calcium ferrite oxygen carrier achieved complete combustion and exhibited high stability while effectively controlling its structural phase transformation. The structural phase transformations were influenced by the molar ratio of Fe/(Ca + Fe) and the oxygen partial pressure of the reducing gas, which determined the extent of the reduction reaction. Thermogravimetric measurements of the cyclic redox reaction were conducted under two conditions: (a) lower p(O₂) conditions using H₂ as the reducing gas and (b) higher p(O₂) conditions using humidified methane (CH₄) as the reducing gas. Under lower p(O₂) conditions, Ca and Fe were clearly separated after the reduction reaction, indicating the formation of Fe domains. The diameter of the Fe domains depended on the Ca ratio, with Ca suppressing the growth of these domains, which may contribute to maintaining redox reactivity. Under higher p(O₂) conditions, the microstructural changes were also dependent on the Ca ratio. The microstructure of Fe₂O₃/CaFe₂O₄ remained dynamically stable, although Fe₂O₃ exhibited the formation of large hollows. The migration of Fe ions during the structural phase transformation likely controlled the microstructural changes. Product gas analysis using a fluidized bed reactor revealed complete combustion of humidified CH₄ in the presence of CaFe₂O₄, Fe₂O₃, or both. At an optimal static bed height, the CO₂ yield reached 100%. These results indicate that Fe₂O₃/CaFe₂O₄ is a promising oxygen carrier and offer valuable insights into the development of high-performance oxygen carriers utilizing structural phase transformations.

The ability to control the physical properties of the thermoresponsive polymer PNIPAM by the magnetocaloric effect was demonstrated by in situ experiments on the PNIPAM/FeRh smart composite. The concept of drug release from a smart composite under the application of a 3 T magnetic field was demonstrated using doxorubicin as a model drug. The resulting release of the drug under the application of a magnetic field was detected by using a combination of UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy. In vitro studies have demonstrated a high degree of PNIPAM/FeRh scaffold biocompatibility for the primary mouse embryonic fibroblast (PMEF) cell culture. PMEFs effectively adhered to the PNIPAM/FeRh scaffold surface and showed high metabolic and proliferative activity for 72 h after seeding.

Efficient water contaminant removal is critical for ecological and environmental sustainability. Developing energy-efficient, cost-effective catalysts compatible with existing water treatment systems is essential. This study introduces NdYVO₄:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles as promising sonocatalysts, capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) during ultrasound (US) exposure and maintaining persistent ROS activity for up to 12 h postexposure. These nanoparticles effectively degraded methylene orange and rhodamine B and demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The findings were further validated by using nanoparticle-coated industrial ceramic plates. This work provides an alternative procedure for US-triggered ROS production and suggests that NdYVO₄:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles might be promising in sonocatalytic water treatment.

Vitrimers are revolutionizing the polymer industry with their extraordinary ability to be recycled, repaired, and reshaped, making them a promising alternative in several applications, including the aerospace and electronic industries. Recently, interconnected structures of 2D materials have been explored to overcome agglomeration and boost the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymer nanocomposites. In this study, we engineered a low-viscosity polymer grade to promote the high-quality infiltration of graphene foams produced via freeze-drying. The neat vitrimer and the vitrimer/GNP foam nanocomposite were characterized with respect to mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, particularly, shape recovery under different stimuli methods: hot water, hot plate, and electrical current. The nanocomposite resulted in a rapid shape recovery, surpassing the neat vitrimer across all conditions, particularly where conduction dominated heat transfer. When compared with the neat vitrimer, adding graphene resulted in ∼6% and 36.3% increases in elastic modulus and tan δ, respectively, while thermal and electrical conductivity improved by 6-fold (1.09 W m^–1 K^–1) and 10 orders of magnitude (0.043 S cm^–1), respectively. These findings underscore the exceptional capabilities of an interconnected reinforced phase within a polymer matrix. Furthermore, for the case of shape-memory polymers/vitrimers, the addition of graphene diversifies the stimuli options for shape recovery in electrically insulating matrices.

Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) are considered as a promising energy storage method because of their high theoretical cell voltage and high energy density. However, the sluggish kinetics and low fuel utilization have limited its practical application. According to density functional theory calculations, we found that the high-valency ruthenium (Ru) site not only promotes electrochemical borohydride oxidation reaction (eBOR) kinetics but also tends to catalyze hydrolysis. Doping iridium (Ir) species into a Ru-based catalyst effectively inhibits hydrolysis and improves eBOR selectivity. Herein, a catalyst of Ru-Ir supported on carbon powder (RuIrO_x-C) was prepared by a sol–gel method. The RuIrO_x-C catalyst achieves a remarkable power density of 236 mW cm^–2, which is 47% higher than that of the control RuO_x-C catalyst. Additionally, DBFCs show excellent stability and can work continuously for 210 h at a current density of 100 mA cm^–2. In situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIRS) indicated that the high-valence Ru site accelerates the eBOR kinetics, while reducing the adsorption of water molecules on the catalyst surface. This reduction inhibits the hydrolysis reaction and improves the reaction selectivity. This work opens a way for the design and development of eBOR catalysts with excellent activity, stability, and selectivity.

The research was performed using NAD⁺/NADH-dependent CO₂ reductase (CR)/formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes sourced from Candida methylica (E.C 1.17.1.9) against their enzyme constructs for CO₂ to formate conversion. Investigations were performed using a genetically introduced non-native carbon-binding peptide (cbp) with terminus-specific fusion to CR for synthetic enzyme construct alterations (CR-cbpN, CR-cbpC, and CR-cbpNC) and evaluated against the native enzyme (CR-WT). Augmentation of CR biocatalytic activity with enzyme adsorption on the carbon surface was validated relative to their topographical binding and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. Structural modifications with terminus-specificity and amino acid positioning evidenced efficient enzyme–electrode binding affinity toward increasing their catalytic performance. Statistical analysis also inferred electrical transduction and CO₂ reduction, documenting the efficient enzyme–material interfacing with peptide-based alterations. Holistically, the optimal enzyme–electrode signal transduction upgraded the direct electron transfer with proximal CR orientation and active site accessibility by peptide-enabled allosteric regulation on the carbon surface that proportionated for increased biocatalytic efficiency and system performance for CO₂ reduction.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm)/biopolymer systems with responsive features are widely used multifunctional applications. In this article, an approach to study the macro-cross-linking effect of methacrylated tannic acid (ATA) in preparing N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA)-free dual-responsive (thermo and pH) PNIPAm hydrogel is presented. Being a derivative of plant oil, acrylated epoxidized linseed oil (AELO) assists in cross-linking as well as plasticizing the hydrogel in order to maintain structural integrity. The effects of both ATA and AELO on the physical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the hydrogels were investigated. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition of cross-linked PNIPAm hydrogels was tuned to the precise range 30–35 °C in the current hydrogel system. Phenolic hydroxyl groups present in ATA serve as pH-responsive moieties and present a maximum swelling ratio of 17 g/g in alkaline media for the hydrogel containing 3% AELO. The macro-cross-linking ability of ATA resulted in a porous honeycomb microstructure of the hydrogels. The increase in the tensile strength from 3% AELO to 7% AELO in hydrogels suggests that the covalent bonding of AELO with PNIPAm plays an important role in the stability of the hydrogels. ATA cross-linked system presented a substantial increase in antimicrobial activity, antioxidant capacity (>80%), and improved biocompatibility. The PNIPAm-based hydrogel at 7% AELO loading unveiled ∼40 and 35.5% biofilm inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Notably, all of the hydrogels have shown remarkable cell proliferation ability and cytocompatibility toward neuronal cell lines. Distinct fluorescence intensity was monitored from FDA staining assay after incubating with hydrogels inferring comparable cell proliferation and cell viability. In summary, dual-responsive PNIPAm-ATA-AELO hydrogels may serve as medical patches for potential biomedical applications.

A dual-cure (thermally and ultraviolet-curable) urethane-diacrylate binder system was studied to demonstrate the additive manufacturing of solid fuels using the ultraviolet-assisted direct ink writing (UV-DIW) technique. Solid fuels with 0 to 20 wt % of aluminum particles were printed, and the cure depth, mechanical properties, thermal response, and combustion performance of the fuels were characterized. Printing results demonstrated the capability of the direct ink writing (DIW) method to fabricate large-scale solid fuel grains with sufficient density and mechanical properties. Printed fuel grains showed an average Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at breaks ranging from 0.95 to 1.26 MPa, 0.36 to 0.54 MPa, and 43 to 63%, and the theoretical maximum densities exceeded 93%. Furthermore, the examination of two different infill patterns revealed isotropic behavior in the mechanical properties. Combustion performance characteristics including fuel regression rate and characteristic exhaust velocity (c*) efficiency were obtained through hybrid rocket motor firings and compared to those of cast hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-based fuels. The printed fuels demonstrated fuel regression rates of 0.8–1.3 mm/s, and the c* efficiencies ranged from 88 to 94%, higher than those of the hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-based fuels.

Bistable electrical switching using a crown-ether-based electrolyte on WSe₂ field-effect transistors (FETs) is measured for four salts: LiClO₄, NaClO₄, Ca(ClO₄)₂, and LiCl. The solid-state monolayer electrolyte comprises cobalt crown ether phthalocyanine in which cations are solvated by 15-crown-5 ethers. The switching mechanism is the toggling of cations through the crown ether cavity in response to an applied field, creating low and high resistance states in the WSe₂ channel. This work shows that bistability is not unique to Li⁺ and extends to other perchlorate-based salts with Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations. LiClO₄ induces the largest sheet density (2 × 10¹² cm^–2) followed by Ca(ClO₄)₂ (1 × 10¹² cm^–2) and NaClO₄ (0.8 × 10¹² cm^–2). The impact of the anion was evaluated by replacing LiClO₄ with LiI and LiCl. A homogeneous deposition of LiI could not be achieved, and LiCl only induced 0.2 × 10¹² cm^–2─an order of magnitude less charge than the perchlorate-based salts. Devices with LiCl required the largest voltages to achieve switching and had the smallest ON/OFF ratio in a 6 h state retention test. The results point to the anion playing a critical role in bistability, and Li⁺ as the best performing cation in terms of doping density, minimum switching voltage, and state retention.

Acrylic-based wood coatings are widely recognized for their durability, UV resistance, flexibility, and rapid drying times, typically achieved by using isocyanate-based curing systems despite their inherent toxicity. Herein, a novel approach is presented that utilizes polysilazane (PSZ) as an alternative cross-linker to develop advanced acrylic coatings for wood applications. The incorporation of PSZ introduces significant improvements in structural and functional performance, including enhanced hydrophobicity, excellent weather resistance, and self-cleaning properties. Silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles are integrated into the system to synergistically boost flame retardancy, achieving a V0 rating, while further augmenting the surface’s low-energy characteristics. The resulting coatings exhibit a high-gloss, ultrasmooth finish with outstanding environmental barrier properties, effectively resisting stains, water, and harsh weather conditions. The PSZ-modified silica network fosters the formation of a low-energy surface, facilitating ease of cleaning and long-term antistaining performance. Furthermore, the coatings demonstrate exceptional thermal stability and flame resistance, validated through rigorous experimental evaluations. This innovative use of PSZ as a cross-linker not only offers an alternative to traditional isocyanate curing agents but also enhances the overall structural and functional capabilities of wood coatings. These advancements establish a high-performance solution with strong potential for commercialization in demanding wood protection applications.

The stability and efficiency of separation membranes for dye–salt solutions limit their broader application in environmental protection. Graphene oxide (GO) is promising due to its atomic-level thickness and nanochannel structure, but its narrow channels and solubility issues restrict permeability and stability. This work employed a 0D/2D double cross-linking strategy to modify GO membranes using tannic acid (TA) and Cu²⁺ with a stable ternary structure. The resulting Cu/GO-TA membrane with increased interlayer spacing (from 8.9 to 11.6 Å) displayed enhanced water flux that was three times greater than that of pristine GO while maintaining a high dye rejection rate (93.4% for methyl blue). The membrane effectively separated mixed dye–salt solutions, allowing the permeation of inorganic salts while rejecting dyes, and demonstrated consistent performance under different transmembrane pressures. The synergistic effects of TA and Cu²⁺ improved the mechanical strength and reduced the swelling of the GO membrane, optimizing selective dye–salt separation. This bridging link modification provides an efficient technological approach to enhance membrane performance and provides a feasible solution for more efficient and reliable treatment of dye wastewater.

The overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is tightly related to various diseases. Previous radical scavenging agents usually focus on biomaterials or noble metals, suffering from problems of stability and cost. Few nonmetallic agents have been reported for the RONS scavenging with enzyme-like activity. Herein, a series of three isoreticular metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are specifically designed based on the UiO-68-type structure, in which a molecular platform derived from a rigid N-heterocycle has been attached to the backbone of MOFs by mimicking the structure of a Se-based antioxidative enzyme termed as selenoneine. Precise manipulation of three chalcogen atoms (O, S, and Se) has been successfully achieved in three similar N-heterocycles, that is, phenoxazine (PXZ), phenothiazine (PTZ), and phenoselenazine (PSZ). Two MOFs in this series exhibited excellent elimination efficiencies in radical solutions of 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO) and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), that is, 80% clearance of PTIO radical in 2 h by UiO-68-PTZ and nearly 100% clearance of ABTS^·+ in 5 min by UiO-68-PSZ. The scavenging mechanisms of PTIO and ABTS^·+ have been further revealed and demonstrated by experiments and theoretical calculations, in which the S site and Se site can selectively scavenge the radicals through binding interaction with the PTIO radical or electron transfer with ABTS^·+.

Fighting wintry foulants made of ice and mud requires a heavy-duty coating that prevents foulant adhesion. Lubricant-infused slippery surfaces are promising candidates; the hosting matrix must offer a large reservoir and controlled release of lubricant for prolonged practical use. The Sylgard 184 (denoted as PDMS to prevent confusion with silicone oil) matrix with regulated porosity can provide a large reservoir of lubricants; realizing a simple and cost-effective fabrication method is critical. Inspired by the breath figure method that creates periodically structured single-layered pores, we demonstrate a humidity-assisted fabrication procedure to produce multi-millimeter thick, porous PDMS films with multilayered, size-regulated, tightly packed interconnected pores. During the curing of the precursor solution containing chloroform, a complex interplay between solvent evaporation, water condensation, and chain cross-linking produces diverse morphological features. An optimized protocol produces an ∼3.5 mm thick silicone oil-infused porous film, wherein nearly the entire film is composed of spherical cellular pores with an average pore size of ∼50 μm that allows a lubricant reservoir capacity of 267% by weight. Moreover, a thin nonporous top skin controls the release of the lubricant to the surface. Additionally, the infusion of silicone oil into the substrate results in optical transparency, which can be beneficial for camera or sensor applications. The antifouling effectiveness of the silicone oil-infused PDMS film was demonstrated by a low contact angle hysteresis, an ultralow ice adhesion force, rapid sliding of clay-containing water droplets at a 10° incline angle, nonstick of ice/clay/slush mixture, standardized abrasion tests, and a two-day roadside test in harsh Albertan winter.

Efforts to enhance the multifunctionality of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) involve integrating nanomaterials to impart properties such as electrical and thermal conductive properties. However, the inherent high viscosity and processing limitations pose challenges for controlling the distribution of nanofillers in nanocomposites. This study introduces a strategy to control the distribution of nanofillers in the solvent-free solid-state fabrication of UHMWPE/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) nanocomposites. By utilizing extremely fine UHMWPE particles, synthesized from a nanodispersed Ziegler–Natta catalyst, either as a matrix or mixed with commercial UHMWPE powder, the control of the GNP distribution, ranging from homogeneous to semisegregated structures, was achieved. Mechanical properties, especially elongation at break and toughness, were found to be significantly influenced by the filler distribution pattern. The electrical and thermal conductive properties of these nanocomposites were also investigated, revealing that precise control over the filler distribution overcomes the conventional trade-off between mechanical and conductive properties. This work demonstrates the feasibility of designing and optimizing conductive yet stretchable UHMWPE nanocomposites, providing the versatility for various types of nanofillers.

Precisely modulating different semiconductor interfaces (heterojunctions) plays a crucial role in pollutant purification. However, whether interfacial junctions can be constructed in the same semiconductors or crystal structures (homojunctions) has been almost unreported. To investigate the interfacial structures in the same semiconductors, three dimorphic homojunctions were fabricated by modifying TiO₂ nanomagic cubes (TMC), including the construction of S-scheme facet homojunction (NRs-TMC) by the in situ seeding method, S-scheme phase homojunction (A/R-TMC, S,N-A/R-TMC) by a one-pot calcination strategy, and type II interface homojunction (NPs-TMC) by the impregnation method. S-scheme facet homojunctions exhibited excellent sewage purification under visible light due to their interfacial Ti–O bonds and synergistic photothermal effect (up to 114.6 °C). 1.00NRs-TMC indicated a degradation rate of RhB up to 99.7% (60 min) and TC up to 91.5% (90 min) and a good ability to reduce Cr (VI) (up to 99% in 40 min). Contact angle tests illustrated that it can be adequately dispersed in pollutants. Free radical trapping experiments demonstrated the percentage of active species in the system was h⁺ > ·OH > ·O₂^– > e^–, and the active species that played a major role was h⁺. An energy band bending formed a built-in electric field in the S-scheme homojunction to facilitate charge separation and transfer. The present research provides a significant photothermal catalytic example of sewage purification by constructing interfacial homojunction structures.

The development of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high capacity has been limited by the shuttle effect from slow kinetics of sulfur species and limited lithium-ion migration, leading to rapid capacity decay. Here, a CoFe alloy coated with nitrogen-doped porous carbon (CoFe@NPC) is designed as a separator modification material for Li–S batteries to enhance reaction kinetics and promote lithium-ion transportation. CoFe alloy prolongs the S–S and Li–S bonds of polysulfides, which lowers the reaction energy barrier during the reduction of polysulfides and oxidation of Li₂S, facilitating the deposition and dissociation of Li₂S. Moreover, the NPC layer and highly conductive CoFe alloy ensure timely lithium-ion sources during the polysulfide conversion process. Consequently, the CoFe@NPC-modified separator can effectively utilize active material and suppress polysulfide shuttle, bringing about improved performance of Li–S batteries. These batteries demonstrate a high initial discharge specific capacity of 1242.94 mA h g^–1 at 0.5 C and excellent long-term cycling stability with a capacity decay of only 0.033% per cycle over 400 cycles. Furthermore, the pouch cell with an initial capacity of 178.8 mAh shows stable cycling for over 60 cycles, highlighting the potential practical application of Li–S batteries. This work provides a proposal for the design of separator modification materials for practical Li–S batteries.

In this work, a biobased cationically photocurable omniphobic coating system was effectively developed via a facile strategy by using epoxidized soybean oil as a biomass coating precursor, tetrakis [(epoxycyclohexyl) ethyl] tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane as an effective cross-linking agent, and polydimethylsiloxane as an omniphobic agent to provide coatings with low surface energy. Due to the rational design of this coating system, no extrinsic organic solvent was added, and 20 s ultraviolet radiation was sufficient for coating curing. The as-prepared omniphobic coatings were highly optically transparent and mechanically robust, and they also possessed exceptional liquid repellency and chemical shielding durability against various contaminants and corrosive agents. Besides, these coatings exhibited remarkable self-cleaning performance and also could be appropriately used for anti-ink, antigraffiti, and antifingerprint purposes. In addition, they could be applied for fabricating functional noctilucent coatings and bestowed them with an omniphobic property. More strikingly, this coating system could be cured via sunlight exposure without compromising the omniphobic property, enabling these coatings to be availably applicable for various substrates, including the thermosensitive ones. Therefore, the features of facile preparation, short curing duration, and optional curing strategy, in addition to above versatile functions, make these biobased omniphobic coatings tremendously promising for practical applications.