Themed collection 2025 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Lunar New Year collection

In this review, we summarized the application methods of SECM in electrochemical reactions and also discussed the challenges and prospects of SECM in characterizing the activity of electrocatalysts.

This review covers recent advancements in flexible resistive tactile pressure sensors, including operational principles, performance metrics, material choices, structural design, and applications, as well as future challenges.

This review summarizes advances in bifunctional electrocatalysts and electrolyzers for seawater splitting, including various catalysts (e.g., phosphides, chalcogenides, borides, nitrides, and (oxy)hydroxides) and membrane-based/membrane-less systems.

We optimize the composition of transition metal layered oxides for high energy Na-ion batteries using machine learning trained by our experimental data.

The Mg@DL-Ti₂CCl_x composite, synthesized using MXene with partially removed terminal groups, shows enhanced hydrogen storage properties by forming a direct Ti–Mg interface which promotes charge transfer and weakens the Mg–H bond.

The atomic-scale mechanism of enhanced ionic conductivity in (Ba,Ca)F₂ with isovalent cation mixing is revealed via a first-principles investigation of defect formation and migration.

An e-modulated Ni MOF prepared through Zn doping enhances the number of active sites for the formation of a catalytic Ni–OOH phase, thereby accelerating methanol oxidation at the anode and boosting H₂ generation at the cathode.

Dual-doped ruthenium-based nanocrystals were developed as efficient and stable electrocatalysts for acidic overall seawater splitting with superior activity and durability.

Through a comprehensive DFT study, this work investigates the dynamic, mechanical, and thermal stabilities of anti-MXene borides, highlighting FeB and OsB as highly efficient NRR electrocatalysts with low overpotentials and superior selectivity.

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.

GR and Ni₂P dual cocatalysts modified ZnIn₂S₄ nanoflower has been prepared and they can simultaneously utilize photogenerated electrons and holes to actuate the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) to benzaldehyde (BAD) integrated with H₂ evolution.

Based on facet engineering and Z-scheme heterojunctions, a series of MoO₂/BiOBr Z-scheme heterojunctions with different facet ratios of (102)/(001) were prepared for photocatalytic nitrogen reduction.

(1 − x)KNN–xBCZT-based transparent ceramics with a W_rec of 7.83 J cm⁻³ and an η of 81.02% were obtained. High polarization boundaries and conductive mechanism transition were revealed to be the main reasons for such good performances.

Phase engineering to construct In₂S₃ heterophase junctions and abundant active boundaries and surfaces for efficient Pyro-PEC performance in CdS/In₂S₃.

Machine learning can map and predict the oxygen reduction reaction performance of multicomponent metal oxides in alkaline media.

An organic indanthrone molecule realizes alternate Zn²⁺/CF₃SO₃⁻ ion storage involving multi-electron transfer at bipolar-type redox-active centers, providing high capacity, high-voltage durability and high energy density for dual-ion Zn batteries.

Using laser radiation, high-entropy nanoparticles were rapidly fabricated on conductive carbon. The high-entropy nanomaterials with reversible spinel structures exhibit better cycling and rate performances in LIBs.

A highly reversible bifunctional electrocatalyst for flexible Zn air batteries was fabricated featuring pyridinic-N exclusively enriched CNT encased NiFe interfacial alloy nanoparticles derived from an LDH template on knitted carbon fiber cloth.

Herein, we present Ir-doped NiFe-LDH nanosheets synthesized via a pulsed laser irradiation strategy, showing superior electrocatalytic OER kinetics. We investigate the origin of activity in NiFeIr-LDH through in situ/operando Raman and DFT studies.

The development of non-precious metal electrocatalysts for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) that are highly durable, cost-effective, and efficient is crucial to advancing the use of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs).

A multivalent Co-confined N-doped C–Si hybrid hollow nanoreactor was anchored onto a tailored sponge acting as a monolith bifunctional evaporator, which enables the synchronous pollutant mineralization and solar-driven interfacial water regeneration.

BiOBr was manufactured with various concentrations of oxygen vacancies via a solvothermal method using various alcohols as reducing agents.

Coordination environment dominated catalytic selectivity of the HER and OER with switchable active centers.

Enhancing LDH film performance through pH-responsive chelation. A pH-sensitive chelation approach was employed to tailor MgAl-LDH, achieving improved electrochemical stability and enhanced photocatalytic efficiency.

NiFeSe₄/NiSe₂-8 h had good overall water splitting performance. The heterostructure of the prepared NiFeSe₄/NiSe₂-8 h promoted the redistribution of electrons and improved the conductivity of the material.

Asymmetrical and electromagnetic gradient multilayered CNF/MXene/FeCo@rGO composite film with efficient and enhanced absorbing EMI shielding property was constructed by alternating filtration of different dispersions.

All-in-one ultrathin porous ZnIn₂S₄ toward photocatalytic water reduction and benzyl alcohol oxidation for the co-production of hydrogen fuels and value-added benzaldehyde.

SiO₂ assisted abundant Cu⁰–Cu⁺–NH₂ composite interfaces enhance the adsorption and activation of CO₂ and H₂O, strengthen the adsorption of CO intermediates, and promote C–C coupling to produce C₂₊ products.

The novel Mott–Schottky Co₂P/Co encapsulated by N,P co-doped graphene and carbon nanotubes is prepared and employed it as superior catalyst for zinc–air batteries and water splitting application, making it a noteworthy advancement in the field.

FA achieves uniform zinc deposition and better low temperature performance of AZIBs by participating in Zn²⁺ solvation structure, interaction with H₂O in electrolyte, preferentially adsorping on Zn surface, and promoting the formation of SEI.