Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry A HOT Papers

This perspective summarizes recent advances in electrochemical humidity sensors and mainly focuses on three aspects: working principles; humidity sensing and power generation performances; self-powered humidity detection system.

Green hydrogen, produced by water splitting with renewables, faces water scarcity issues. Atmospheric moisture, a stable source, offers an alternative. This article reviews technologies and challenges of using atmospheric water for H₂ production.

We summarize the influence of polymer coatings on cathode particles for electrochemical energy storage applications. We report on the effect of different polymer types, their properties, and their influence on thermo-electro-chemical behavior.

Dual-metal site catalysts embedded in a carbon matrix (referred to as DMSCs) are gaining significant interest in sustainable energy research.

The current review discusses on vanadium- and manganese-based metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives for energy storage and conversion applications along with the potential future advancements in these fields.

A comprehensive review of direct captured CO₂ electro-conversion technology, a promising Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology that can achieve both techno-economic and environmental viability.

Nano-sized high entropy alloy (HEA) catalysts have attracted much attention as extraordinary electrocatalysts in water-splitting applications, i.e., the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

This review addresses four key factors and underlying mechanisms of doping engineering from crystal-field, molecular orbital, and ligand-field theory.

Metal/covalent organic frameworks (MOFs/COFs), with orderly aligned pores and adjustable pore characteristics, offer advantages over traditional fillers in constructing thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for task-specific separations.

The review illustrates that the magnetic field effect can promote the generation of different nanostructures in material synthesis, achieve the transition from 1D to 2D and 3D structures in material assembly and improve the energy density of supercapacitor by the direct and indirect roles.

The efficient removal of trace impurities is significant for the production of high-purity olefins. This review summarizes the latest advancements in the deep purification of ethylene and propylene using MOF materials.

Prelithiation of LiMn₂O₄ balances the low first cycle efficiency of silicon anodes for improvements in energy density and prospective cell chemistry enabled by naturally abundant elements.

Tailoring the bismuth defects in ultrathin Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets can efficiently activate the C–H bond in toluene to produce benzaldehyde under light irradiation.

A novel heat storage ionomer binder with highly efficient heat-storage ability is proposed to function as an internal temperature conditioner, which allows the battery to function steadily over a wider temperature range.

An efficient adsorptive molecular sieving strategy to separate aromatic and cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons via an intrinsic/extrinsic approach.

Three-dimensional porous NiCoP foam supported on Ni foam is a superb bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall seawater splitting, attaining a large current density of 1000 mA cm⁻² at a low cell voltage of 1.97 V with robust stability over 300 hours.

The phase of the precursor of ELM-11 affects the steepness of its gate-opening behavior, and this phase can be controlled by solvent-mediated phase transformation.

Ultra-small CoO_x clusters efficiently capture holes and prolong the lifetime of trapped holes, as well as boost surface water oxidation, thus remarkably improving the photocatalytic pure water splitting performance of ZnIn₂S₄.

An efficient and recyclable iron single-atom catalyst with FeN₄ sites has been fabricated, which can facilitate the formation of an Fe(IV)O intermediate and achieve scaled-up pentazolate synthesis via a three-step, one-pot process.

A novel high-entropy Sr₂Fe_0.4V_0.4Mo_0.4Ni_0.4Ti_0.6O_6−δ (SFVMNT) perovskite, coated with in situ exsolved NiFe alloy nanoparticles, is proposed as a promising cathode material for solid electrolysis cells for CO₂ electrolysis.

The Zn-doped BCF36 cathode boosts proton conductivity, lowers hydration energy and achieves a peak power density of 998.6 mW cm⁻² at 600 °C with a polarization resistance of 0.151 Ω cm² for a single cell with the BCFZ10 cathode.

The hierarchical and interconnected architecture of NiO/N-HPC promotes efficient electrolyte penetration, shortens ion transport path, and accelerates reaction kinetics, leading to a high-performance aqueous potassium-ion hybrid capacitor.

Atomically ordered Ir₃Ti intermetallics on carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable performance for pH-universal overall water splitting.

We report the synthesis of two novel Hofmann-type metal–organic frameworks, [Co(H₂mdp)(Ni(CN)₄)] and [Fe(H₂mdp)(Ni(CN)₄)], using a pyrazole based organic linker. Both materials show good selectivity for C₂H₂ and C₃H₆ for several gas separations.

Redox-electrodes are designed to selectively bind platinum group metals by auto-oxidation, and release them electrochemically. The platform can efficiently recover PGMs from catalytic converter leachates, and contribute to energy-efficient technologies for materials recycling.

Synergetic steric and electron-withdrawing effects enable the fabrication of healable and degradable green electrical packaging with robust thermal, mechanical and insulating performance.

Screening transition metal combinations in dual metal site catalysts (DMSCs) for Li–air battery applications using supervised machine learning.

We have successfully demonstrated ultrathin flexible organic solar cells (with a total thickness of less than 1.5 μm) based on a MoO₃/PEDOT:PSS bilayer HTL, achieving a PCE of 17.0% and a power-per-weight ratio of 39.3 W g⁻¹.

Stepwise temperature modulation was realized by the photothermal conversion process, which enabled the growth of complex architectures of CaCO₃ that are composed of multiple polymorphic phases.

ZrO₂ stabilized Cu⁺ can optimize *CO adsorption and promote the following C–C coupling to achieve 70+% FE_C2+ in a wide potential range.

Based on the in situ compression tests at elevated temperatures, very different mechanical behaviours are observed in HKUST-1 crystals at different temperatures.

The thermal vibration of molecules is markedly enhanced upon illumination (photoexcitation), leading to an increase in the (vibrational) free volume of photoactive layer and thereby markedly decreasing shunt resistance of device.

Nitrogen-doped carbon grid-confined CoTe₂ was synthesized through precise structural design. Benefiting from the effects of nitrogen anchoring and triple-carbon confinement, the CoTe₂@T-NC electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance.

Highly stable and hydrophobic two-dimensional Mn(II)-based MOFs effectively detect and remove trace O₃ with discernible color change as the response.

Te substitution of sulfur (S) in PzDPP-based donor–acceptor copolymers enhances n-type power factor, while Se boosts both n-type and p-type power factors. Heavy chalcogen doping strategy shows promise for improving thermoelectric properties.

Sb₂S₃-based two terminal tandem solar cells (2T-TSCs) are reported for the first time with the assistance of lead sulfide quantum dot rear cells. The PCE of the champion TSC reaches 10.92%. Our work opens the door for Sb₂S₃ based 2T-TSCs.

A biotopologically structured configuration constructed by an energy-saving electrodeposition method for low-temperature supercapacitors.

A novel LiF@LiZn10/Li composite foil was developed as an effective anode for lithium metal batteries. The uniform lithiophilic substrate and the LiF-rich SEI optimize Li⁺ deposition.

The selective oxidation of organic small molecules not only promotes cathodic hydrogen production, but also acts as an alternative reaction to the anodic oxygen evolution reaction of electrolytic water, producing value-added products at the anode.

The surface morphology and microenvironment of GDEs could be altered through the addition of ionomers to electrodes. It was crucial to consider the potential interactions between the ionomer and the catalyst for better performance.

Poly(biphenyl indole)-based membranes are designed for investigating the effect of side-chain engineering on the mechanism of manipulating proton transport.

This work demonstrates a series of functionalization methods to enhance the utility of thermoplastic-elastomer derived ordered mesoporous carbons, including chemical activation, heteroatom doping, and the introduction of nanoparticles.

A multiphase artificial interphase layer can induce homogeneous deposition of Na⁺ and promote rapid transport of Na⁺. Therefore, the BiCl₃-Na anode achieves uniform dendrite-free deposition and improves electrochemical performance.

Mimicking the isolated and encapsulated active manganese sites within proteins in nature through the integration of NiFe sites and tungstic acid nanoparticles in an ordered open framework in an isolated manner.

The ultrathin size of SNVO with oxygen vacancies and more active sites improved the diffusion ability of Zn²⁺ ions. SNVO exhibits excellent cycle stability, retaining 94.6% of its capacity after 1000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹.

High-efficiency MPSCs with a PCE of 18.06% were prepared by introducing PACl to manipulate perovskite crystallization in a triple-mesoporous structure.

Our approach revalorizes H₂S captured by the SU-101 MOF as a cathode material in lithium–sulfur batteries.

Catalytically dynamic NSP-CF@NCW electrode engineered by strategic integration of 3D Se and P-fused NSP microflakes with CF cubes docked NCW was studied as a trifunctional electrocatalyst for urea sensing and urea-assisted water splitting.

A heterostructured NiCo-metaphosphate/hydroxide catalyst (NiCoPi/O_i) exhibits excellent activity towards electrooxidation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMFOR), enabling sustainable production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA).

The metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) coating layer can promote homogeneous Li deposition.

An unprecedented trinodal 3,3,4-connected 3D MOF, [In₈(μ₂-OH)₆(μ₂-H₂O)₃L₆Cl₆]·5DMF·4H₂O (L = 2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate), has been built to show an NH₃ uptake of 10.4 mmol g⁻¹ at 273 K with the regeneration temperature of 60 °C.

Achieving reversible zinc deposition/stripping necessitates careful optimization of the electrolyte composition. This study offers detailed insights into the impact of various anionic species (chloride, sulfate, perchlorate) on this process.

SnO₂-decorated Li[Li_0.144Ni_0.136Co_0.136Mn_0.544]O₂ (S-LLOs) demonstrates a high capacity and excellent cycle life at low temperatures, which is attributed to the low activation energy of Li⁺ diffusion in the CEI layer and charge transfer.

Terahertz (THz) electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with superior performance are urgently needed with the development of THz electronic devices.

A composite catalyst, developed by electrostatic self-assembly of anionic semiconductor clusters onto 2D cationic CONs, boosts photocatalytic selective nitroarene reduction through a strong internal electric field and the II-scheme mechanism.

We report, for the first time, the synthesis of Fe single atoms loaded on MXene for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction under gas–solid conditions. Fast Ti electron channels to single-atom Fe allow photogenerated electrons to localize around Fe sites, which enhances the CO₂ reduction.

The enlarged internal electric field and accelerated H₂O oxidation kinetics synergically enhance the CO₂ photoreduction activity of Z-scheme WO₃/C₃N₄ heterojunctions.

This report demonstrates a method of synergistic defect passivation and crystallization regulation, which can significantly improve crystal quality and promote X-ray detector performance.

Mixed-anion compounds for fluoride-ion conductors have been explored. Through a material within the BaS–LaF₃–BaF₂ ternary phase diagram, we discovered a novel fluorosulfide, La_2.7Ba_6.3F_8.7S₆, which exhibits fluoride-ion conduction.