Themed collection 2025 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Chinese 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 is a comprehensive overview of passivation engineering ranging from basic principles, roles, fabrication, and characterization to its application. It is hoped to provide some useful guidance for the construction of high-performance photocatalysts.

We review the synthesis of Prussian blue and its analogues, as well as the energy storage mechanism and the impact of electrolyte on the electrode, to encourage active engagement from researchers interested in AZIBs and PBA cathode materials with the aim of advancing clean and safe energy storage.

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.

Bi(0) metal was utilized as a CO₂RR catalyst to achieve enhanced durability in cathodic applications. Besides, the CO₂RR activity was effectively improved by a promising strategy of electronic structure modulation through Ce doping.

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

In a Ca-ion battery, positively charged calcium ions flow through a separator to the cathode. This leaves a negative charge of electrons on the anode. When charging, this flow is reversed.

Porous metal microsphere M@C-rGO (metal = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) aerogels with high low-frequency microwave absorption, strong thermal insulation and superior anticorrosion performance are successfully constructed.

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.

A heterointerface engineering strategy of immobilizing core–shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots onto SiO₂ spheres was realized to efficiently integrate CO₂ photoreduction with the oxidation of furfuryl alcohol in one system.

Target compound BDNBT exhibits excellent detonation performance, indicating its potential as a novel type of high-energy density material (HEDM).

A spontaneous fast-moving air film not only prevents the escape of supplied air bubbles but also replenishes the air film on a superhydrophobic surface, which shows an amazing 27% drag reduction rate and simultaneous 80% antifouling rate.

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.

High-performance sensors achieved highly selective monitoring of toxic gases produced after the battery becomes unstable.

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.

Synergistic effect of solar-driven evaporation and photocatalysis purification by Ti₃C₂ MXene/CdS hydrogels for sustainable clean water production.

A novel ferroelectric photocatalyst modulated by the surface and polarization states is developed to promote the CO₂ reduction reaction, and the lattice distortion and elemental coordination environment are elaborated in detail.

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).

In this work, a novel 2D/3D hierarchical architecture graphdiyne/CoAl₂O₄ (GCA) S-scheme heterojunction was successfully constructed by coupling graphdiyne (GDY) nanosheets onto porous CoAl₂O₄ nanoflowers.

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.

The nonfullerene acceptor L8-BO as solid additive was incorporated into QLA-PSCs based on PM6 and PY-IT. The molecular orientation and exciton diffusion length in PY-IT layer can be optimized, resulting in the PCE enhanced from 16.14% to 17.74%.

Conductive hydrogels, which combine the adhesive properties of polydopamine with the conductivity and low melting point features of deep eutectic solvents, are ideal green materials for bioelectrodes, flexible sensors, and supercapacitors.

Experiments and calculations reveal the key role of Nd in piezoelectric property enhancement and bandgap reduction, which unveil piezo-photocatalysis mechanisms.

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.

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.

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.