Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry A Emerging Investigators

This editorial provides suggestions on scientific writing from the perspective of early-career chemists to facilitate the writing process and provides relevant resources for early-career researchers in preparing their first manuscripts.

Journal of Materials Chemistry A profiles contributors to the Emerging Investigators 2021 issue.

Polymers in the form of composite electrolytes, as binders and as protective coatings are used to modify interfaces and to facilitate the manufacture of lithium solid-state batteries with inorganic solid electrolytes.

Solid oxide proton conductors have application in hydrogen-based energy technologies. This perspective presents an overview of the structural and mechanistic aspects of proton conduction in oxide systems outside conventional perovskite conductors.

This perspective provides an outlook on the advancing research regarding on strategies to engineer plasmonic semiconductors for enhanced photocatalysis.

For the first time, we highlight recent experimental and atomistic modelling insights into Li- and Na-rich anti-perovskite battery materials, with particular attention given to their synthesisability, structures, ion transport and interfaces.

Elemental two-dimensional (2D) materials possess distinct properties and superior performances across a multitude of fundamental and practical research fields.

Integration of upstream CO₂ capture and downstream electrochemical conversion by direct electrolysis of CO₂ capture media offers a potential solution to energy- and cost-efficient utilisation of CO₂.

This perspective showcases the interplay between electronic and geometric structures with respect to the catalytic properties of single-atom and nanocluster catalysts.

This perspective summarizes the design and synthesis of two-dimensional building block based photocatalysts for light-induced NH₃ production. The structure–performance relationship and mechanism of photocatalysts are highlighted.

This review highlights the recent impressive progress in engineering pyrolysis-free covalent organic framework (COF)-based materials for efficient oxygen electrocatalysis.

This work reviews the recent advances of pre-catalysts for CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) research. The important factors that may be responsible for the improvement of the CO₂RR performance are categorized and a perspective is also presented.

This review highlights the recent progress in designing MAX phases and MXenes as materials for heterogeneous, non-electrocatalytic, catalytic applications.

In this review article, we summarise the key electronic features of transition metal oxides that govern their OER catalytic properties, and how such electronic descriptors are applied for OER electrocatalysts design.

A comprehensive overview of morphology- and crystal phase-controlled synthesis of Au nanomaterials via the [Au(I)-oleylamine] complex and their promising applications.

This review initially describes the recent progress in SnO₂ nanostructures, preparation methods and passivation options. Then, the challenges and limitations of SnO₂ ETL-based PSCs were discussed and recommendations for further research were made.

Multivalent metal batteries are promising large-scale energy storage technologies. This review summarizes the recent progress in the development of layered cathode materials for non-aqueous multivalent metal batteries.

GDY possesses rich acetylenic bonds and unique pore structures, prompting GDY as an ideal candidate, tuning its electronic structure by introducing heteroatoms, broadening its usage in catalysis, energy storage and other fields.

Recent progress regarding the structural and defect engineering of aqueous ZIBs is summarized. Furthermore, advanced techniques, the existing challenges and future perspectives on the structural and defect engineering of ZIBs are discussed.

This review provides an in-depth analysis of essential role of electrode wettability in improving CO₂ electrochemical reduction.

Single-atom and double-atom catalysts have emerged as a new Frontier in many fields due to their high atom-utilization efficiency, excellent catalytic properties and good durability.

This review summarizes the recent progress in the photocatalytic conversion of aqueous- and gas-phase nitrogen species to molecular nitrogen and highlights the factors affecting the conversion efficiency and selectivity for nitrogen.

Combined with printing technologies, thermoelectric materials receive considerable attention owing to their superiority in flexibility and mass production. this review focuses on printed flexible thermoelectric devices and its applications.

The strategy of the combination of molecular catalysts and inorganic quantum dots for solar fuel production has shown great success for the construction of artificial photosynthetic systems in the last decade.

This review highlights the impacts of four core effects (i.e. high entropy, cocktail effect, lattice distortion and sluggish diffusion) and the microstructures of HEAs on their catalytic properties.

This review outlines the prospects for a range of solid-state NMR spectroscopy techniques to facilitate structural understanding of complex interfaces in metal halide perovskites and transport layers for optoelectronic applications.

A comprehensive review on the research advances and prospects of sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathodes for high-performance lithium sulfur batteries is conducted to shed light on their implementation in commercial production in the future.

This review provides an overview of the recently reported gold-based nanoalloys, focusing on their general synthetic methods and potential catalytic applications.

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a promising donor for the large-scale organic solar cell fabrication in a cost-effective way. A series of nonfullerene acceptors compatible with P3HT are summarized in this review.

The recent advances in wearable self-powered energy systems based on flexible energy storage devices integrated with flexible solar cells for various applications are summarized.

All inorganic perovskite quantum dots as light-harvesting, interfacial, and light-converting layers toward efficient and stable solar cells are summarized.

A comprehensive review summarizing the latest advance and critical challenges of the flexible zinc-ion hybrid capacitors, with outlooks towards potential future research directions.

Modulating electronic structure of nanomaterials via surface engineering for suppressing polysulfide shuttling in lithium–sulfur batteries are comprehensively summarized and outlooks of them are given in this review.

A comprehensive review of low-cost top-down approaches to enhance the electrochemical performance of silicon anodes, including future research directions.

This review summarizes the recent advances in carbocatalyzed ozonation and the corresponding surface engineering protocols and mechanistic insights.

This review provides a critical overview of chlorine evolution reaction (CER) including a fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms, recent advances in developing CER catalysts, and future opportunities in this field.

Textile-based TENGs integrate wearable biomonitoring into commonly worn textiles, offering an inexpensive and convenient alternative with high breathability, wearing comfort, and scalability for personalized healthcare.

Redox-based energy scavenging devices are based on utilizing oxidation and reduction reactions to generate electricity. The driving forces for these reactions come from many sustainable energy sources such as human fluids, waste heat, photon energy.

In this review, recent advances in developing organic electrode materials for non-aqueous, aqueous, and all-solid-state Na-ion batteries are presented.

Catalytic synthesis of aromatic azo compounds by oxidative coupling of anilines using molecular oxygen represents a facile, green and valuable process; however, such an economical process suffers from poor catalytic activity and selectivity.

Designing smart windows with carbon and copper replacing platinum and iodine: stability, efficiency and sustainability at the same time.

Tuning the efficiency of CO₂ conversion by surface modification of SnO₂/graphene oxide.

Oriented film and pattern of TCNQ@Cu₃(BTC)₂(HKUST-1) fabricated via epitaxial growth exhibit anisotropic electrical properties toward MOF-based (flexible) thin-film smart device applications, such as transistors and thermoelectric thin films.

Dopants traditionally used for modifying crystal lattices can also function as growth mediators in molten salt synthesis and enable a high energy-density, high power LiCoO₂ cathode for lithium-ion batteries.

The metal–support interaction between Ni and VN contributes to an outstanding performance for Ni/VN towards hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis following the Volmer–Tafel mechanism.

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a critical role in determining the performance of lithium metal batteries.

Strong sliding-ferroelectricity is predicted in high-mobility semiconducting MoSi₂N₄ bilayers, and a small angle twist will induce strong Moiré potential and unique band alignment for exciton trapping.

A stretchable conducting polymer electrode has been prepared using extrusion 3D printing technology in combination with rational structural patterning, which shows promising mechanical and electrochemical performance.

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to selectively produce CO was realized on the semiconductor Bi₄TaO₈X (X = Cl, Br) under visible light without sacrificial reagent. Morphology regulation and silver cocatalyst decoration could enhance the activity.

Multimodal techniques are required to characterize amorphous Li₃PS₄ (LPS).

We demonstrate that supramolecular polymers could be utilized to modulate the mechanical properties of triblock copolymers by means of phase-separation engineering.

The localized electron density modulation strategy endows an as-synthesized conjugated polymer with improved intrinsic surface catalytic activity with an AQY of 33.5% at 400 nm, which exceeds that of the state-of-the-art CMP materials. state-of-the-art CMP materials.

Al substitution and subsequent Na excess in Na₂Mn₃O₇ were achieved by a ceramic method, realizing the high-performance Na_2.4Al_0.4Mn_2.6O₇ oxygen-redox cathode for Na-ion batteries. A comparison between the two cathodes revealed the role of Al doping.

We report on the hydrothermal polymerization (HTP) of porous polyimide (PI) networks using the medium H₂O and the comonomers 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene (TAPB) and pyromellitic acid (PMA).

Rigid 2D In-MOF nanosheets is investigated as electrocatalysts for nitrogen electroreduction in the entire pH range for the first time, which follows an enzymatic mechanism, with the potential determining step being *H₂NNH₂* → *NH₂ + NH₃.

A unique copolymer combines ion-exchange groups and redox-active ferrocene groups to enable effective adsorption of rare earth element ions and fully electrochemically-controlled regeneration, without the use of hazardous chemicals.

Copper nanoparticles have emerged as promising electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion.

Charged droplets formed by electrospray can be used to accelerate the synthesis of NiFeOOH electrocatalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies, which show good catalytic activity for the HER, OER, and overall water splitting with long-term durability.

An unprecedented combination of porous SWCNHs with tetradentate polypyridine cobalt(II) complexes bearing pyrene groups has been realized to produce a hybrid cathode active for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water at neutral pH.

Layered niobates with vacancy-ordered Wadsley–Roth structures were investigated as Li-ion battery anodes. Using operando and ex situ methods and DFT, we identify an intercalation mechanism dominated by Li-diffusion kinetics and layer evolution.

In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy reveals that the adsorption orientation of rhodamine B on the surface of graphite is modulated by the applied potential, drastically altering the cycle performance and rate capability of Li/graphite cells.

Simultaneous SAXS/WAXS studies elucidate passive surface film growth during formation of nanoporous gold by electrolytic dealloying in HClO₄, but not in HNO₃. This passive surface film hampers dealloying kinetics and slows ligament growth/coarsening.

Chitin, lysozyme, and lysozyme amyloids are evaluated as single-component and composite structural adhesives. A high shear strength is observed for chitin and lysozyme, which can be further improved by at least 25% upon compositing.

Conjugated polymers of intrinsic microporosity show excellent performance as photocatalysts for sacrificial hydrogen production from water as they combine extended conjugation with high surface areas.

Ultrathin 2D/2D Ti₃C₂T_x/semiconductor (CdS and Bi₂MoO₆) dual-functional photocatalysts have been constructed for the oxidative coupling of benzylamines to imines combined with H₂ generation under visible light irradiation (λ ≥420 nm).

A novel method for fluorination of SnO₂ is developed that passivates oxygen defects and increases its electrical conductivity drastically, leading to enhanced charge transport in photoelectrochemical applications.

A N-CoO_x-catalyzed glycerol oxidation with a low energy supply (1.31 V) and high conversion of glycerol to formic acid (96.2% FE) was employed to repace OER and couple with solar-driven HER for co-production of formic acid and hydrogen.

Electrocatalytic activity depends on surface properties and therefore changes on air-exposure. We show that clean LaNiO₃ OER catalysts are more active than their air-exposed counterparts where surface carbonate groups block the nickel active sites.

Through theoretical calculations, we report the remarkably high catalytic activity and excellent selectivity of Mo-doped Pc-TFPN COF for the N₂ fixation and reduction reaction under ambient conditions.

A simple yet robust strategy was reported to markedly boost the performance of ZABs via capitalizing on the photothermal effect.