Themed collection 2025 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Most Popular Articles

Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) stand at the forefront of energy storage technologies. However, challenges like slow kinetics and low rechargeability persist. MOF–MXene hybrids enhance performance, enabling sustainable ZAB technology.

This review focuses on the eco-friendly electrochemical etching synthesis of MXenes and their cutting-edge advancements compared to the conventional strategy, highlighting the innovations, challenges, and future outlooks.

State-of-the-art strategies adopted for the improvement of photovoltaic performance and stability in multi-component perovskite materials and devices.

This review summarizes the state-of-the-art development of Sn-based perovskite solar cells, and the fundamental properties of Sn-based perovskites, advanced strategies, and critical perspectives on the future research directions are discussed.

Machine learning can facilitate the development of next-generation high-performance polymer composites with superior mechanical strength, durability, and environmental sustainability.

Ammonia is envisioned to play a pivotal role in the changing energy landscape, with immense potential to promote carbon-neutrality and circularity in the energy economy.

This review investigates the challenges and recommends various mitigation strategies for general cell failure and degradation mechanisms in polymer electrolyte membrane-based fuel cells and electrolysers.

This review explores MXene–polymer hybrids to enhance MXene oxidation stability and polymer functionality. It covers fabrication techniques, uses in various fields, and highlights challenges and future opportunities for MXene–polymer nanocomposites.

This review highlights that screen-printed gas sensors are cost-effective and scalable, ideal for environmental, industrial, and healthcare applications.

Key materials and device structures of crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells.

The micelle-induced excimer formation of simple chalcone is investigated and applied in synthesis. The concept allowed for the visible light promoted [2+2] photocycloaddition to occur, generating cyclobutanes.

UiO-67-F₂ was found to have an SF₆ uptake of 5.24 mmol g⁻¹ at 100 kPa, 20 °C, and a remarkable PFOA uptake of 928 mg_PFOA/g_MOF in an aqueous solution of 1000 mg_PFOA/L_Water.

Core-twisted PBI-based COFs grown on WO₃ 3D-NS photoanodes enable photocurrent densities up to 590 ± 50 μA cm⁻² under green-light irradiation (>20 h, 1 sun, λ > 490 nm) using sulfonate hydroquinone as a redox mediator.

NMR spectroscopy quantifies how the alkyl chain dynamics change in layered perovskites across the quasi-melting phase transitions. The transitions are suppressed in mixed-halide compositions, which show intermediate dynamics between the end-members.

Our MD simulations indicate that the rapid formation of a Si-substituted LaP crystalline phase is a major barrier to the synthesis of La–Si–P crystals.

We present a low temperature synthesis for iron, and bimetallic nitride nanoparticles producing inexpensive catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.

The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃⁻RR) offers a sustainable route for ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions, presenting a more environmentally favorable alternative to the energy-intensive Haber–Bosch process.

Single site square planar Cu(II) species were loaded into a metal–organic framework and utilised as a heterogeneous catalyst for the liquid phase selective oxidation of a biomass platform molecule to a sustainable monomer.

Through surface aluminization, an in situ dense aluminide coating formed as an effective diffusion barrier against oxygen penetration for Nb_0.86Hf_0.14FeSb, which improves the feasibility and thermal stability of its practical applications.

A new approach is presented to distinguish Z-scheme and type-II in band staggerd heterostructures: a case study on InS/GaTe.

Using isotope effects, the anode and cathode impedance components were separated, and the component of the steam formation reaction was determined. Components at the cathode were identified by comparing PCFCs and SOFCs.

Neutrons allow one to probe interfaces in next generation high-energy batteries including solid-state Li metal batteries. Understanding these interfaces is key to enabling these batteries to reach their potential.

A new solvothermal synthesis route to Li–N–H materials enhances particle size and morphological control, with evidence for enhanced functional properties.

Hybrid organic–inorganic nanoparticles were synthesized by incorporating Ti, Zr or Ti–Zr methacrylate-functionalised oxoclusters into a PMMA matrix through free-radical polymerisation within oil-in-water miniemulsion droplets.

SFM-based single cells show high performance but poor long-term stability under steam electrolysis due to a dense interlayer formation at the SFM/GDC interface. In contrast, the cells with composite SFM-GDC electrodes exhibit exceptional durability.

This dual-ion organic battery combines carbon fiber-level mechanical strength and low temperature operability, providing high power, high capacity retention, and excellent cycling stability at low temperatures.

An electrodeposition method is reported that forms sub-micron conformal polymer thin films on (non-)planar and porous materials alike. The non-grafted coatings are amenable to modification with click chemistry to achieve desired functionalities.

Potassium-based solvent-free SPEs have been developed via a simple hot-pressing method, which achieves a high ionic conductivity of 1.6 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 20 °C, allowing the full cell to operate at room temperature.

This work demonstrates the critical role of fullerene derivatives with functional groups (COOH, OH, and OSO₃H) in reducing Sn⁴⁺ formation and defect passivation. The device with F-COOH improves efficiency from 8.20 to 11.22% and stability.

Remarkable low magnetic field-induced, low-temperature magnetocaloric responses in an olivine-type GdNaGeO₄ oxide have been reported.

A stable and photocorrosion-resistant Mo-cation/O-anion co-doped ZnS with sulfur vacancy defects and bivalent Mo⁴⁺/Mo⁶⁺ states exhibits an excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of 41.6 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have garnered widespread attention in the catalysis community due to their ability to catalyze transformations relevant to energy conversion and storage with high activity and selectivity and maximum atomic efficiency.

A hydrogen-bond-guided micellar self-assembly strategy is leveraged to construct flower-like carbon superstructures, which employs aggregated micelles to serve as a structural guide to enable attaining superior performance in ZHCs.

A self-powered TENG-based machine learning-driven insole wearable sensing system for gait-assisted healthcare is designed to classify flat foot conditions, identify users, and monitor rehabilitation and athletic exercises accurately.

This study presents a semiconducting copper(I)-MOF with a mesoporous structure, developed for chemiresistive NO₂ sensing. The device exhibits exceptional selectivity and rapid response/recovery with a detection limit of 3.5 ppb at room temperature.

The graphical abstract shows a schematic representation of Zn plating from a deep eutectic solvent with different hydration level pinpointing advantages and draw backs.

An isomer-driven strategy yielded two pyrazole frameworks: high-energy (5) and zwitterionic (11), which balances energy (D_v: 8797 m s⁻¹), thermal stability (242.7 °C), and insensitivity, demonstrating a promising approach for advanced EMs.

We introduce high-entropy single-atom catalysts (HESACs) from FeRuPtNiCoPd HEA on GO via pulsed laser irradiation in liquids. Synergistic interactions and rapid Fe²⁺ photoreduction enhance active sites, achieving superior overall water splitting.

S-scheme Sb₂S₃@ZnIn₂S₄ core–shell heterostructures exhibited boosted catalytic activity and high stability toward nitrogen photofixation.

The 3D multiscale MOF networks possess continuous 1D MOF nanofibers to offer well-ordered ion channels, while sub-nano pores and Lewis acid sites serve as ion sieves to selectively confine the movement of larger anions for accelerating Li⁺ migration.

Earth abundant transition metal carbides, including molybdenum carbide (MoC) and tungsten carbide (WC), demonstrate exceptional electrocatalytic performance towards overall water splitting due to their unique electronic and structural properties.

Metal molybdates (M′MoO₄, M = Fe, Co, and Ni) are recognized as active catalysts for water-splitting reactions.

2D MXenes and silver enhance the piezo sensor sensitivity for sound-induced vibration. These flexible, self-powered sensors enable damage detection in carbon fiber composites for structural health monitoring in automotive and aerospace sectors.

The performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is greatly influenced by both the electric double layer (EDL) at the Zn electrode/electrolyte interface and the solvation structure of Zn²⁺.

A streamlined design of MOF-derived electrode nanoarchitecture for hybrid supercapacitors featuring hierarchically layered nickel cobaltite nanosheets with extensive porous networks.

The electronic conductivity of a catalyst can be enhanced by strategically doping with specific elements.

Sustainable regeneration of graphite anodes through novel treatments boosts performance and supports circular economy in batteries.

Atomically precise alloy nanocluster artificial photosystems are exquisitely designed for photocatalytic selective organic transformation under visible light.

The need to minimize carbon emissions and improve sustainable energy systems has stimulated significant research into multifunctional materials.

A ternary PtNP-ZnO@CQDs nano-catalyst, made via a one-pot process, outdoes commercial catalysts in MOR, OER, and ORR. As a Zn–air battery cathode, it delivers high energy density and durability, showing great promise for future energy applications.