Themed collection 2026 Emerging Investigator Collection

This review outlines strategies to program the piezoelectric β phase in PVDF-based composites, highlighting applications in health monitoring and energy harvesting, along with future challenges and opportunities.

This review comprehensively examines the “structure–mechanism–property” research chain of chiral organic ferroelectrics, proposes a novel classification strategy, and outlines new prospects and challenges.

The emergent properties of peptides upon self-assembly are discussed in the context of catalysis, structural amplification and life-like function.

This feature article provides a systematic perspective on the design of low-cost, earth-abundant, and sustainable cathode materials for both Li-ion and beyond Li-ion battery technologies, including Na-ion and K-ion batteries.

Peptide scaffolds enhance fluorescence, TADF, and RTP by harvesting triplet states in water. These biocompatible assemblies provide a powerful platform for bioimaging and light-based sensing.

Four novel Ru(II)-photoantibiotics (Ru1–Ru4) were developed to produce infection-resistant self-cleaning mask coatings.

A novel dual core TADF emitter has been synthesized involving a symmetric coupling, demonstrating a minimal ΔE_ST of 0.08 eV, an enhanced PLQY of 59.1% and a high EQE_max of 15.02%, when compared to its single-core counterpart.

Novel Lewis acid sites: efficient charge separation enables H₂O₂ production, activation, and antibiotic degradation.

A designed amphiphilic pseudopeptide forms β-sheet-based cationic nanotubes showing pH-responsive gelation, micromolar stability, and thermoreversible self-assembly.

We developed circularly polarized luminescent inks based on a designed polymer-stabilized helical strategy, achieving a high g_lum value of 0.33. This system can integrate intensity and polarization state, enhancing the information security.

We introduce a scalable method to quantify electronic correlations in insulin using mutual information (MI), characterizing interatomic and inter-residue interactions.

This work reports a strategy for C(sp²)–C(sp³) β-scission of 4-(hydroxy(aryl)methyl)-isoquinolinones, enabling the synthesis of C3-quaternary isoquinoline-1,4-diones and unlocking new sustainable pathways for structural diversification.

A novel aza-BODIPY compound with the J-aggregation effect was constructed by using a simple π-bridge dimer, which possesses bright NIR-II fluorescence and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency.

We show that amorphised tricalcium silicate is more thermodynamically stable than its crystalline form. However, the onset of the hydration reaction occurs more quickly in amorphised tricalcium silicate compared to its crystalline form.

A robust and screen-printed electron transport layer is developed by modulating a mesoporous TiO₂ scaffold with SnO₂. Our air-processed perovskite solar cells achieve a power conversion efficiency of 24.4% along with good stability.

This study presents the successful synthesis of a crystalline anthraquinone-based covalent organic framework, which serves as an efficient photocatalyst for the oxidative upcycling of polystyrene.

The superior performance of YWB₄ compared to that of the 20% Pt/C catalyst at an industrial scale high current density (1000 mA cm⁻²) in harsh conditions, with 95% retention capacity.

Rigid arc-shaped ligands guide dative B–N assembly to yield a high-porosity crystalline porous polymer with continuous channels.

ORR active-substrate enables bifunctional flexible electrodes via diverse OER catalyst electrodeposition (NiFe-LDH, Co(OH)₂, FeS–Fe₃O₄) on NS-CCC, where interfacial M–O/N–C bonds enhance anchoring, synergizing NiFe-LDH/NS-CCC for FZABs >700 cycles.

NH₃-assisted pyrolysis of biomass produces biochar rich in micropores and CO groups, which can activate peracetic acid to selectively generate singlet oxygen for effective pollutant degradation.

An effective cooperative photoredox system is developed for selective THIQ oxidation and efficient H₂O₂ production over rGO-modified CdS catalysts (rGO–CdS).

Sintering alters the morphology and composition of W-Na₃SbS₄ electrolytes.

A supramolecular strategy using cucurbit[n]urils to precisely control aggregation-induced emission luminogens assembly and luminescence in water, enabling programmable photonic materials.

We report a facile strategy to synthesize a carbon–sulfur composite from lignin. The composite features covalently bonded short-chain sulfur, delivering high capacity, impressive rate capability and promising cyclability for K-ion storage.

We validated the “phase separation–phase transition” mechanism of CsPbBr₃ perovskites in fluorophosphate glass and regulated the process with Zn²⁺ and S²⁻.

Two manganese-based catalysts, Mn₄L₈ and Mn₄L₆, were synthesized to explore the influence of different metal coordination modes on photocatalytic activity.

A Ru-doped Cu₂O electrocatalyst with a multi-layered hollow structure achieves high-efficiency ammonia synthesis from nitrite electrocatalysis.